By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2020 at 7:44 pm
Provided photo
ALBION – Roots Hair Salon on East Bank Street won the Albion Merchants Association’s annual window decorating contest.
The AMA picked the winner based on which business’s window had the most likes on the AMA’s Facebook page. Roots received 331 “likes.” The business, owned by Amber Mogle, wins a $100 gift card from the AMA.
Photos by Tom Rivers
There were many storefronts decorated for the holidays. This photo shows Serenity Tan, left, and Tease on East Bank Street.
“Every storefront window looked gorgeous this year, and definitely boosted our town’s holiday spirit!” The AMA posted on tis Facebook page. “Thank you everyone!!!!”
The AMA also is having a “Deck the Town” contest for best residential holiday decorations. Dec. 15 is the deadline to vote. Click here for the AMA Facebook page for more information.
Frontier Heating & A/C Service Inc., last year’s winner, had another big holiday display for 2020.
Snell Realtors’ display included Santa, wrapped presents, ornaments and an old root beer dispenser from when the site was Fischer’s Newsstand.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2020 at 10:37 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jennifer Mateo of Albion takes a photo of her daughters, Eva and Elise, with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of a holiday backdrop in Beaver Alley. That spot hosted “Selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus” as part of Saturday’s Hometown Holiday celebration.
The Albion Merchants Association organized the annual event, which included more outdoor activities due to Covid-19 concerns.
Elise Mateo, left, and sister Eva join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a photo.
Gavin O’Brocta, 7, of Albion writes a letter to Santa inside the Dwontown Browsery. His mother, Laura Lechner, took him to some of the holiday activities.
There was also ornament making, ribbon ornaments, free ice cream, hot cocoa and other fun during the event.
Valerie Rush portrayed Mrs. Claus and handed out ornament kits outside The Back Room and Little Sweet Bakery.
Lori Laine brought a selfie stick to get a photo with Mrs. Claus.
Community members and the Albion Merchants Association lighted the Christmas tree at Waterman Park which is in front of a big mural celebrating the late Charles W. Howard, who started the first Santa Claus School. He ran the school in Albion from 1937 to 1966.
Click here to see a video of the tree-lighting, which included confetti cannons.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 December 2020 at 11:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – FFA members and some of the Albion football players are pictured this morning after loading a flat-bed trailer and another smaller trailer with 53,000 pounds of produce, milk and other food.
They then delivered and unloaded the food at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee on East State Street.
This is the 11th year the Albion FFA has organized the food drive. The 53,000 pounds breaks the record of 40,000 pounds set last year.
Albion football player Adonis Guzman was among the helpers this morning. He is in the ag shop moving eggs donated by Kreher’s.
Bailey Nesbitt, the FFA president, carries a box of produce from the flat-bed trailer. She said the farm and agriculture community responded to a bigger need in the community due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic hardships for many local residents.
The Albion FFA started calling farms and ag businesses about a month ago. Many already had set aside food for the drive, and gave more than they had in previous years. Some new contributors also joined the effort this year.
“This year everybody realized people needed help,” Nesbitt said.
She has been a part of the food drive the past four years. When a flatbed truck from Panek Farms arrived at Community Action, the agency and volunteers gave the FFA loud cheers and applause.
“It’s very exciting to give back and see the smiles on their faces,” Nesbitt said.
Gina Sidari holds a crate with four gallons of milk. The Upstate Niagara Cooperative donated 108 crates or 432 gallons of milk for the food drive.
The food will go to about 10 local soup kitchens and food pantries, and also for 150 food baskets for families served by Community Action.
“This is a godsend,” said Annette Finch, the community services director for Community Action. “If we didn’t have this we’d have to go out and purchase it which is hard to do on donations.”
FFA advisor Betsey Krenning takes a box of produce from her husband Adam, who used to be the FFA advisor.
The food drive donors this year include:
Orleans County Farm Bureau
Triple G Farm
Panek Farms
Root Brothers
Kludt Brothers
Nesbitt Fruit Farms
Orchard Dale Fruit
Kreher’s Eggs
Martin Farms
Kirby Farms
Partyka Farms
CY Farms
Starowitz Farms
Poverty Hill Farms
Torrey Farms
Dale Root
Colby Farms
Mortellaro Farms
My-T Acres Farm
Lynnette and Sons
Mayer Bros.
Schutts Apple Mill
Intergrow Greenhouses
Upstate Niagara Cooperative
Rush’s Vegetables
Champion Moving & Storage
Lake Ontario Fruit
H. H. Dobbins
Citrus (Sue Holland and Laura Simboli)
Mickey Edwards, who starts as Albion’s new superintendent of schools on Feb. 1, helped unload the produce this morning.
Brad Pritchard, the middle school principal, got a workout moving the heavy bags and boxes of produce from the flat-bed trailer.
Olivia Krenning reaches for these tomatoes donated by Intergrow Greenhouses.
Click here to see a video of the FFA students in action.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2020 at 7:09 pm
Events include tree-lighting at Waterman Park, selfies with Santa
Photo by Tom Rivers: This Christmas tree is shown last December at Waterman Park by the mural showing Albion native Charles Howard as Santa, flying over the downtown and Courthouse Square. The tree will be lighted up at 4:15 on Saturday during the Hometown Holiday celebration.
ALBION – The Albion Merchants Association has several activities planned for Saturday as part of the annual Hometown Holiday celebration.
The schedule includes:
10 a.m. to noon – Selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Beaver Alley
10 a.m. to noon – Ribbon ornaments at Town and Country Quilter
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Ornament kits at Red Check Rustic
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Christmas Time Fun at 49 Main St. while supplies last
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Letters to Santa at Downtown Browsery
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza at The Lockstone
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Ornaments with Mrs.Claus at The Back Room
Noon to 4 p.m. – Cocoa & Christmas Canvases at He Brews 5:9/Marked by Janna
2 to 4 p.m. – Free ice cream at Tinsel
4:15 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony at Waterman Park
The winners of the storefront decorating contest will be announced at the tree-lighting. People can vote for their favorite on the AMA Facebook page (click here).
The events on Saturday also include at a ribbon-cutting at Maison Albion, the former Pillars at 13800 County House Rd.
Kerri and Cole Glover, the owners of Maison Albion, will host a grand opening with a Victorian holiday party with a French flair. Click here for more information on the party – Fête de Nöel.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2020 at 4:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Dancing Derrick Bradley entertained motorists this afternoon at the northeast corner of the routes 98 and 31 intersection in Albion.
Bradley made his first dancing appearance in Albion since last summer. He dressed as an elf and danced to Christmas music.
He also was raising money for a close friend, Bobby Maxwell. His house was badly damaged in a fire on Saturday, when his neighbor was making fireworks in his garage and one of them exploded. Three houses were destroyed from the ensuing fire.
Maxwell was proud of his house on East Academy Street. He worked several years to upgrade the residence. He lived there with his girlfriend, his daughter and two grandchildren.
Derrick Bradley dances at the corner of Albion’s busiest intersection today.
To see a video of “Dancing Derrick” from today, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2020 at 3:14 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Students in the Science of Food Class in Albion get boxes ready for apples that will be delivered this afternoon as part of the FFA food drive. The students include, from left: Lauren Wehling, Charley London, Cam Bell (in back), Sam Williams and Betsey Krenning, the FFA advisor.
The FFA has set a goal of collecting 50,000 pounds of food that will be delivered Saturday morning to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee in Albion. Community Action will then share it with other food pantries and agencies.
Local farms and agricultural businesses started delivering food on Tuesday for the annual food drive, which the FFA has coordinated since 2010. The first year there was 3,000 pounds and it has steadily grown, reaching 40,000 pounds in 2019. The FFA believes it has reached its goal of 50,000 pounds for 2020.
Photos courtesy of Betsey Krenning: Faith Woody, Emily Graham and Samantha Basinait put apples from a bin into boxes.
The food drive donors this year include:
Orleans County Farm Bureau
Triple G Farm
Panek Farms
Root Brothers
Kludt Brothers
Nesbitt Fruit Farms
Orchard Dale Fruit
Kreher’s Eggs
Martin Farms
Kirby Farms
Partyka Farms
CY Farms
Starowitz Farms
Poverty Hill Farms
Torrey Farms
Dale Root
Colby Farms
Mortellaro Farms
My-T Acres Farm
Lynnette and Sons
Mayer Bros.
Schutts Apple Mill
InterGrow Greenhouses
Upstate Niagara Cooperative
Rush’s Vegetables
Champion Moving & Storage
Lake Ontario Fruit
H. H. Dobbins
Citrus (Sue Holland and Laura Simboli)
Bailey Nesbitt and Adam Krenning unload a truck that delivered produce for the food drive.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2020 at 12:31 pm
Residents urged to call 911 and have fireworks removed
Provided photos: These homemade fireworks were made by Gary Tarr, who faces felony charges for reckless endangerment and arson for a fire on Saturday that caused extensive damage to three houses. The fireworks are about the size of toilet paper rolls.
ALBION – The man facing felony reckless endangerment and arson charges after a massive fire on Saturday shared many of his homemade fireworks with people in the community.
Gary Tarr shared his homemade fireworks.
That is a huge concern for local law enforcement officials.
“We do know they are extremely dangerous,” Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said at a news conference this morning. “If you know where devices are, we want to recover them.”
Nenni said no one will be charged for being in possession of the illegal fireworks. The police don’t even need the names of people who have them.
Nenni urged people who have the fireworks to call 911 and local law enforcement will respond. The fireworks will likely be removed by bomb technicians from Monroe County.
“They are extremely dangerous and we want them so we can dispose of them,” Nenni said.
Gary Tarr, 56, was mixing compounds with commercial grade fireworks last Saturday. He lit a small portion of the firework to test it, and it exploded.
These fireworks were recovered by bomb technicians from Monroe County. The fireworks have a very quick burn rate and could explode soon after being lit.
The garage at 221 West State St. quickly was engulfed in flames, and explosions continued for 15 minutes after the initial blast.
Three houses were badly damaged in the fire. Tarr was inside the garage after the first initial explosion. Nenni said Tarr is lucky to be alive. He suffered facial and torso injuries, as well as an “extreme loss of hearing.”
Nenni doesn’t know how many fireworks made from Tarr are in the community. They have a very fast burn rate once the fuse is lit, and Tarr used “highly combustible” materials in making the fireworks.
He was able to purchase the compounds from local stores, and was mixing those materials with commercial grade fireworks, Nenni said.
The result are fireworks with no quality control.
“We know they have been distributed in the community,” Nenni said. “These are extremely dangerous.”
Nenni stressed for people to call 911, and they won’t face any charges.
“If you have them don’t drop them off or touch them,” Nenni said. “Call us.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: The explosions in the garage at 221 West State St. quickly caused a fire to spread to three houses.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni announces charges against Gary Tarr and details the danger of homemade fireworks that Tarr has shared with people in the community. Nenni urged people to call 911 who have the fireworks so a bomb technician can remove them. Nenni is joined at the press conference by, from left: Rick Cary, a state fire investigator; Dale Banker, director of the Orleans County Emergency Management Office; District Attorney Joe Cardone; and Eileen Banker, Albion mayor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2020 at 10:51 am
ALBION — An Albion man is facing numerous felony charges for a fire on Saturday that destroyed three houses.
Gary A. Tarr
Gary A. Tarr was mixing compounds to make fireworks at a garage on 221 West State St. He lit a small portion of the firework to test it. It exploded and a massive fire quickly engulfed the garage and a house he shares with his girlfriend. The fire spread to two neighboring homes, one on East Academy Street and the other on West State Street.
Tarr was charged on Thursday with 5 counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree, a D felony; three counts of fourth-degree arson, an E felony; three counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, an A misdemeanor; and three counts of reckless endangerment to property, a B misdemeanor.
The top charges carry a maximum of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison. Tarr has no prior criminal record.
He was issued an appearance ticket to Albion Town Court on March 2. The court dates have been pushed back due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cases locally and in the region.
“I do want to state that this was an individual who foolishly got in involved in a very dangerous activity that has endangered other people in the community and could have led to far worse consequences but for the quick action of law enforcement,” District Attorney Joe Cardone stated at the news conference this morning at the Albion Village Hall.
Tarr faces five counts of reckless endangerment because five people were inside the three houses when he caused the fire at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The three counts of arson are for the three houses that were badly damaged.
Two of the houses have been declared total losses and are expected to be torn down in the next week, Police Chief Roland Nenni said.
The other house on East Academy Street is being evaluated and is expected to be declared a total loss and removed as well, Nenni said.
Tarr was treated for injuries to his face and torso at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He also has an “extreme loss of hearing,” the Albion police chief said.
Tarr has made many fireworks and distributed them in the community. Those fireworks are “extremely dangerous,” Nenni said. They have a very quick burn rate from the fuse and are highly combustible. The police chief urged people who have them to call 911 and a bomb technician will be called to remove them. People who have the fireworks won’t face any charges, Nenni said.
The fireworks resemble a toilet paper roll with a fuse.
Orleans Hub with have more soon from the 10 a.m. news conference today.
Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone said Gary Tarr’s actions were extremely reckless and put others at risk in the community.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 December 2020 at 2:36 pm
Maison Albion will celebrate grand opening at site transformed for weddings and special events
Photos by Tom Rivers: A Christmas tree is reflected in one of the mirrors in the bridesmaids suite at Maison Albion, which will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday.
ALBION – Kerri and Cole Glover will host its grand opening of Maison Albion with an over-the-top Victorian holiday party on Saturday with a French flair.
Maison Albion had ornaments made in the likeness of the building at 13800 County House Rd., formerly known as The Pillars.
The Glovers have been preparing to open their doors to the public since they purchased the property at 13800 West County House Road, formerly known as The Pillars. They have worked since early July to transform the property.
The public will have its first chance on Saturday to see the new look for the 1878 mansion.
“The first phase of the project is almost complete,” Mrs. Glover said. “The name of the launch is ‘Fête de Nöel,’ which translates to ‘Christmas Party,’ fitting with the over-the-top Victorian holiday party theme.”
To adhere to Covid-19 regulations, Maison Albion will only be welcoming 50 guests at a time in designated two-hour time slots, beginning at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The $25 admission charge will be donated to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.
There will be temperature checks at the door and masks will be required to enter. The owners will be monitoring the changing Covid requirement as the situation develops in Western New York and will adhere to regulations as they may change, Mrs. Glover said.
Maison Albion is also offering virtual tickets to the event. Guests can “attend” the party online in the comfort of their home and enjoy everything the guests will via their guest guide from 6 to 8 p.m.
The bridal suite is pictured in this photo. Maison Albion owners Kerri and Cole Glover have transformed the site to give it a style from a late 19th century French estate.
Once inside, guests will be able to celebrate with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and many desserts. The house will be dazzling with holiday decorations designed by the area’s favorite local planners and florists, Mrs. Glover said. The event will include a tour led by a group of volunteer docents who will welcome and lead guests through this historic home.
The site will have nine Christmas trees decorated for the grand opening celebration. The chandelier in this photo was in the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
Fête de Nöel will be an annual fundraising event, Mrs. Glover added. All proceeds will be donated to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. The donation will top off the evening’s events.
Maison Albion is a historic mansion built in 1878, which the Glovers have reimagined to host weddings and events. Guests will be transported to a time of luxurious craftsmanship and lavish celebrations through its breathtaking ballroom and grounds reminiscent of a late 19th century French estate, Mrs. Glover explained.
The Glovers chose a French name and theme for their new venue for several reasons. The couple met in France and they love the French influence, originally from the settlers of this area and from abroad, she said. They created a French design for the interiors in the way Victorians would have enjoyed it – influenced from Marie Antoinette’s apartments at Versailles and Chinoiserie.
“We chose ‘Maison Albion’ because we wanted a fresh start for the venue,” Mrs. Glover said. “‘Maison’ means ‘house’ or ‘home’ in French. Also, Albion was originally settled by the French. In addition, we want our venue to feel warm and welcoming to the community.”
The Glovers plan to host several events for the community annually, and they will also donate the venue 10 times a year to non-profits for their events.
Saturday’s celebration will also include a ribbon-cutting with the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2020 at 9:16 am
Group nearing 17 years of pumping gas for senior citizens
Photos by Tom Rivers: Gary Westlund pumps gas for a local senior citizen on Wednesday at Crosby’s in Albion at the corner of routes 31 and 98.
ALBION – A dedicated group that has pumped gas every Wednesday morning the past 16 years for senior citizens has also raised about $600 this year for the PAWS animal shelter in Albion.
The Albion Betterment Committee has spearheaded the effort every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Crosby’s gas station on Route 31. Besides pumping the gas, the ABC pays for a 10-cent discount per gallon.
Few of the senior citizens accept the discount. Most choose to give it back for ABC to donate to PAWS. That has added up to $600 this year.
The Betterment Committee this holiday season also is directing some of those unclaimed discounts to the Salvation Army red kettle drive. That is up to $120 so far. Community Action runs the red kettle campaign in Orleans County. This year they aren’t having in-person bell ringers due to Covid-19.
Gary Kent, one of the ABC directors and a gas pumper, wanted to send some money to the red kettle campaign, which continues with countertop kettles in some stores.
Gary Westlund knocks some snow off the windshield and wipers of a vehicle driven by a senior citizen.
Kent sees the gas pumping as a way to assist senior citizens and make a weekly connection with those residents.
He praised a group of local veterans who have been dedicated to the effort, including Gary Westlund and Clarence Winkelmann. Joe Gehl, an ABC director and Korean War veteran, also has been very supportive of the effort.
Westlund, a Marine and retired materials manager at Delphi in Rochester, drives from Spencerport to Albion every Wednesday to pump gas for senior citizens. On Wednesday, he also wiped snow off their windshields.
Fay DeClerk
“He is as dependable as the sun rises,” said Kent, a retired social studies teacher at Kendall.
Sometimes the volunteers will check car fluids and walk the money inside the store so seniors don’t have to get out in the cold.
They also will open doors for other customers at Crosby’s and offer a friendly greeting.
Kent said the volunteers show no signs of slowing down from the weekly commitment. In February, they will mark 17 years of pumping gas for seniors.
“It’s a good cause,” Westlund said. He also visits family on his weekly trips to Albion.
Fay DeClerk appreciates the volunteers being so reliable and helpful on Wednesday mornings.
“They’ve pumped my gas a lot of times,” she said Wednesday morning. ‘It’s nice of them.”
