Eight Boy Scouts from Troop 164 in Albion, along with four advisors, covered more than 100 miles backpacking on a 10-day trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch, a High Adventure Base in Cimarron, New Mexico.
This photo shows the Scouts and their advisors. Front row kneeling, from left: Daniel Grabowski and Freeman Lattin. Back row: Dr. Tom Madejski, John Kast, Paul Pettit, Tyler Kast, Noah Shiffer, Harrison Brown, Caleb Pettit, Nick Fleming and Joe Madejski. Eric Brown, who took the photo, also was an advisor.
Harrison Brown tests his climbing skills.
The hiking trip included elevations between 7,000 and 12,500 feet. Along the way the boys engaged in various activities such as rock climbing, panning for gold, spar pole climbing, shot gun shooting, burro racing, challenge courses, horseback riding, metal forging and a conservation project where they helped blaze a new hiking trail for future scouts to use.
The Scouts left Aug. 7 and returned Aug. 20. Here are some other highlights from the trip.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2016 at 10:06 am
Company with Canadian roots is Orleans County Chamber of Commerce ‘Business of the Year’
Photo by Tom Rivers: Matt Beadle, plant manager for Freeze-Dry Foods in Albion, and Karen Richardson, president and co-owner of the company, are pictured with some of the Freeze-Dry products.
ALBION – In 1999, soon after the former Ontario Foods left Albion for a bigger plant in Medina, Freeze-Dry Foods moved into the Albion site on East Avenue, a sprawling site that used to be home to Lipton’s.
Ontario Foods (now Associated Brands) was a Freeze-Dry customer and the Canada-based company welcomed the chance to make its products in Albion at a site that has long been used for food processing.
Matt Beadle, plant manager, and Karen Richardson, co-owner and president, are pictured outside the Freeze-Dry plant in Albion that has a long history of food production, from Lipton’s to Ontario Foods and now Freeze-Dry.
Freeze-Dry has steadily grown in the past 17 years, overhauling the plant, adding new product lines and committing to a long future in Albion.
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce has recognized Freeze-Dry Foods as the 2016 Business of the Year. The company and other Chamber award winners will be recognized on Sept. 16 at The Village Inn.
Albion has been a good fit for Freeze-Dry, said Karen Richardson, company president and co-owner.
“We like the location,” she said. “We’re only a couple hours away from Canada and we’re close to many customers. We’re in a transportation hub.”
Richardson said she expects more investments in the Albion plant and workforce as the company continues to grow.
Freeze-Dry has benefitted from many dedicated workers, including three current managers who started at entry level positions, Richardson said.
Provided photo: Freeze-Dry employees are pictured Friday after a picnic when the company celebrated being picked as the Chamber’s Business of the Year.
Freeze-Dry has 60 employees and has strived to reward them, plant manager Matt Beadle said. Twice the company has raised pay scales the past two years, and also has employees taking leadership and professional development classes at Genesee Community College in Albion.
The company had an employee picnic and celebration on Friday with nearly everyone wearing T-shirts noting that Freeze-Dry was picked as Business of the Year.
Beadle said the company had a recent job fair and 35 people showed up to fill out applications.
“The word is definitely getting out that we have good substantial jobs,” Beadle said.
The company, based in Oakville, Ontario, is one of the few freeze dry companies in the United States. (The technique dehydrates frozen foods so the moisture content changes directly from a solid to a gaseous form. The product maintains its original size and shape with a minimum of cell rupture. Removing moisture prevents a product from deteriorating at room temperature.)
Matt Beadle holds a new Campfire Meals product line launched last year by Freeze-Dry. The meals are in pouches and are ready by simply adding hot water.
Freeze-Dry has added new drying chambers because of increased demand. This year it plans to modernize the controls on its refrigeration systems, which follows a recent effort to install LED lights throughout the building. The new lights and refrigeration controls, as well as recirculated water, reduce the company’s energy draw, Beadle said, making the plant more sustainable.
Beadle joined Freeze-Dry two years ago. He says the employees and owners are committed to excellence, and building a stronger company.
“I see a lot of potential here,” he said. “I see a chance to grow a great business.”
Freeze-Dry declined to show how it makes its products, citing proprietary issues. The plant is certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The company specializes in freeze-dried meat & seafood to include poultry, beef, ham, sausage crumbles, pork, pizza toppings, flavored beef and pork, and numerous types of fish & seafood, Beadle said.
The products have a shelf life of up to 25 years because Freeze-Dry eliminates moisture and oxygen, while preserving nutrients, flavor, taste, color and aroma.
Beadle said Freeze-Dry food tastes better than competitors in China partly because of the meat and other ingredients used by Freeze-Dry. Beadle said the company strives to use ingredients that are locally sourced in the United States.
Karen Richardson holds a popular Freeze-Dry product: an emergency “Bug-out bag” that has a backpack, emergency food supply, and gear for short-term survival situations.
Freeze-Dry works with several major food companies, and also has worked to grow its own line of products, including camping/backpacking meals, a line of meals called Piper’s that can be prepared in an office, and emergency food products that are sold as part of survival kits. (Click here to see the Freeze-Dry product line.)
Beadle’s office has a hunting décor, with deer heads mounted on the wall. He has attended outdoor shows, including a recent major event in Utah. The campfire meals come in pouches with 12 different meal options that easy to prepare by adding hot water. The product hit the market last year and was developed in Albion, Beadle said.
“We did all the R & D right here,” Beadle said.
The product, and others made by Freeze-Dry, can be purchased at the Albion plant, 111 West Ave.
Beadle also thinks the company has a winner with the Pipers product, a three-pack of meals that are targeted for time-crunched office workers. The meals – rice & pulled pork, lasagna with meat sauce, rice and chicken tortilla – can be ready in 10 minutes with Keurig coffee machine that adds hot water.
“This is a real meal,” Beadle said. “It’s not astronaut food.”
Freeze-Dry also just started kosher food, and is looking to give back more to the community. It recently donated more than $10,000 of food to the Open Door Mission in Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 September 2016 at 4:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – All of the gas pumps are currently out of service at the Crosby’s in Albion after a driver backed into one of the pumps, knocking it over at about 3:30 p.m.
The safety valves kicked in and prevented gas from spewing at the scene, Albion Fire Chief Harry Papponetti said.
Crosby’s turned off the service at all of the pumps after the incident. No information was available on when service was expected to be restored.
ALBION – The union representing corrections officers at the Orleans Correctional Facility today presented a check for $500 to the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund, which assists cancer patients and their families in Orleans County. The fund helps families pay for nutritional supplements and prescriptions, as well as medical supplies and bills.
Corrections officers are pictured with Stacey Pellicano, a representative from Knights-Kaderli. The corrections officers include, from left: Matt Lamar, Craig Stalker, Kenny Gold and Bob Andelora. Gold, a union representative for the officers, said members gave of their money to support Knights-Kaderli.
“They’re a community based organization and we’re part of the community,” Gold said. “We want to keep our money in the community and support organizations that do a lot of good.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 September 2016 at 5:55 pm
GOMOC delivers about 700 couches, refrigerators, other items a year
Photo by Tom Rivers: Laverne Bates executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, stands by the furniture truck that has been sidelined due to engine trouble, bad brakes and other breakdowns.
ALBION — A popular local program that connects used donated furniture and appliances with needy recipients has come to a standstill.
The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern has been using a 2004 GMC Savana van. The vehicle has about 160,000 miles and needs another engine, and other costly repairs totaling $8,000.
“It’s been in deteriorating mechanical health,” said Laverne Bates, executive director for the Ministry of Concern, which is known as ‘The Agency of Last Resort.”
The Ministry of Concern would prefer to buy a used vehicle for about $10,000. That could get a delivery truck with about 100,000 miles.
The Ministry of Concern doesn’t have the money for either repairs or another vehicle. Donations from the community will be needed to get the furniture program back on the road.
The delivery vehicle has been sidelined for three weeks now. Thursday morning two people called to donate items. There are about 100 people on a waiting list for furniture and appliances – refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers.
“These are costly items that can be nearly impossible for poor and working poor families to afford new and even harder to locate in second-hand stores,” Bates said.
The furniture program is the costliest effort by the Ministry of Concern. It accounts for about $50,000 of the agency’s annual budget of about $180,000. Two part-time employees run the furniture program, which on average makes deliveries to 23 families each month or nearly 300 a year.
Bates and Nyla Gaylord, GOMOC’s grant writer, say there is a rising number of working poor in the community who can use the furniture and appliances that are given by others.
The Ministry of Concern provides the important service of picking up the items and matching them to a different owner. GOMOC also has a storage area on Platt Street for many of the items.
Bates said the program often comes through with dressers and beds for families, including those who have suffered fires, flooding and infestations. Sometimes families are in transition due to domestic violence, job loss or other family issues, he said.
Bates was happy this morning when a check for $100, the first donation towards the van, arrived in the mail.
Donors should send checks marked “Furniture Truck” to GOMOC, 121 N. Main St., Albion, NY 14411. For more information on GOMOC, visit www.ministryofconcern.com, or call the agency at (585) 589-9210.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2016 at 10:23 am
Local organization now beneficiary instead of American Cancer Society
File photos by Tom Rivers The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Watt Farms drew big crowds to the farm on Route 98 for a walk through the orchard. This photo is at the beginning of the walk in October 2013.
ALBION – In 11 years, a breast cancer awareness and benefit walk at Watt Farms raised $350,000 for the American Cancer Society.
The event is changing its focus. The beneficiary will now be Cancer Services of Genesee and Orleans, a group based in Batavia that serves people battling all types of cancers. That organization pushes to provide mammograms, colonoscopies and other services to people underinsured or without insurance.
That mission is more in line with Karen Watt’s focus. She wants more help for local residents and their families facing the cancer health crisis.
Watt, a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2005, also wanted to expand the walk’s mission to assist people fighting all types of cancer.
The walk will shift from a pink theme for breast cancer to a purple color to represent all cancers during the event at Watt Farms on Oct. 29. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m.
“We wanted to make it more local and to step up preventive services,” Watt said.
Kevin Dann and other Holley firefighters have been regular participants in the walk at Watt Farms. They are pictured last October.
She wanted to partner with an organization that serves Orleans and Genesee counties because she said many of the participants on the walk have been from outside Orleans in Genesee County.
Watt is chairman of the board of directors for Oak Orchard Health, which has healthcare sites in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport, Warsaw and Hornell, as well as a mobile dental unit.
Oak Orchard is a sponsor of the Oct. 29 walk, and so is Orleans Community Health, which runs Medina Memorial Hospital, the Urgent Care site in Albion, Dialysis Centers in Batavia and Medina, and other health services in Orleans County.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was a big draw to Watt Farms, sometimes with crowds of nearly 1,000 people.
Watt isn’t sure what to expect on Oct. 29. She hopes the community will continue to support and participate in the event.
For more on the walk, including registration information, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2016 at 7:49 am
ALBION – For nine years Bonnie Velez has been awarding a $250 fine arts scholarship to a graduating senior. Velez started the scholarship as a memorial to her son, Brandon Bruski, who was 18 when he was killed in a car accident.
Brandon Bruski in his senior picture in 2006.
Brandon graduated from Albion in 2006. He was a hard worker with a creative side. He enjoyed art. He had just finished his first year at Monroe Community College, when he fell asleep while driving and was in a fatal crash. He was also working with his mother at the Bonduelle vegetable packing facility in Brockport.
“He was a good kid,” Velez said. “It’s been horrible losing him.”
Velez has collected bottles, including many left at her East Park Street home as donations, to help pay for the annual award.
Velez decides the recipient of the scholarship. She reviews student’s portfolios, their collections of photography and paintings. She also looks over their report cards and wants to know college plans.
Rick Ebbs was Brandon’s Little League coach when he played for the American League team. Brandon was a hard-working player and a great teammate, Ebbs said.
He has become friends with Brandon’s family and Ebbs suggested a spaghetti dinner would raise money for the Brandon Bruski Memorial Scholarship. That idea has turned into a Sept. 24 event at the St. Mary’s Athletic Club on 538 Moore St., where Ebbs is a member.
The 3 to 7 p.m. dinner includes a basket raffle and 50/50 raffles. The goal is to raise $5,000 so the scholarship can be endowed with $250 given away every year.
“It will mean a lot the family to keep it going forever,” Ebbs said. “It can be done.”
Velez said she appreciates Ebbs and several other people stepping forward to help with the event.
Dinners are available at the door the day of the event or presale by calling Velez at 589-4688, Ebbs at 507-9171, Pam Taylor at 331-0863, Linda Lewis at 261-2191 or Debbie O’Mara at 590-6104.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2016 at 11:38 am
ALBION — In July the Albion Police Department launched a new “Caught Doing Good” program where police officers would ticket kids who were spotted doing good deeds in the community.
The tickets are actually coupons for free ice cream. The Albion Betterment Committee is paying for the frozen treat. Initially the program teamed with The Frosty Bucket on Main Street. But that business has since closed. Now the coupons are redeemable at Cone Zone, a popular stop on Route 31 across from the Albion Central School campus.
The tickets are good for a $3 ice cream, with the Betterment Committee paying $2 and the Cone Zone, owned by Karen and Chris Kinter, covering the rest.
Pictured include, from left: Chris Kinter, ABC directors Joe Gehl and Gary Kent, Lt. David Mogle of the Albion Police Department, and ABC director Gary Derwick.
The Betterment Committee and Police Department hope the tickets will build trust in the community for police among children and teens. Police leaders say officers have their own discretion in recognizing kids. It won’t be used for kids who help police in investigations, Police Chief Roland Nenni said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2016 at 5:07 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee presented two landscape awards to businesses on Friday. Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes and Dunkin Donuts were both recognized “for their commitment to the betterment of Albion.”
The top photo shows ABC directors – Gary Kent, Gary Derwick and Joe Gehl – presenting the award to Josh Mitchell, a funeral director at Christopher Mitchell.
Josh manages the grounds at both Albion and Holley. Josh joined the family business in 2011. He mows and waters the lawn, plants flowers, and pulls weeds. Soon after he started at Christopher Mitchell, Josh put up hanging baskets with flowers at the back entrance of the funeral home on Route 31.
“I want to make it colorful and feel homey,” he said about the property.
His father David said he is impressed how Josh has been so committed to the lawns at the funeral homes.
“He’s always been detail-oriented,” David said. “That’s why he is good at his job. It’s nice to see someone young take pride in their surroundings.”
Dunkin’ Donuts opened in August 2014, building a new store after taking down a dilapidated warehouse on South Main Street. The Betterment Committee said Dunkin’ represents a big improvement visually for the street, and the company has been committed to its landscape.
The following are pictured, from left: Joe Gehl; Gary Kent; Dave Eckhart, director of operations for 34 Dunkin’ stores from Medina to Syracuse; Albion store manager Tamara Gaita; and Gary Derwick.
Dunkin’ has an underground irrigation system that turns on at 4 a.m. every day.
ABC for the second year in a row has presented the awards, honoring a locally owned company and a corporate franchise. Last year, the Betterment Committee gave the awards to Albion Agencies and Burger King.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 August 2016 at 1:10 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers Kelly and Jay Kovaleski, both Albion teachers, are running a new program to help people focus on goals and find their passion in life. They are pictured by the “Perseverance” crayon in front of the elementary school.
ALBION – Nicholas Kovaleski was remarkably determined, even as a teenager, working towards his goals in football, swimming and tennis, and giving of himself by helping at home and through Boy Scouts.
Nicholas adopted “Live with Purpose” as his motto when he was 11.
He was courageous in his fight against leukemia. The community rallied around him and his family, with many people wearing “Live with Purpose” bracelets and T-shirts.
Nicholas was just 15 when he died from the disease on June 29, 2011.
Nick’s parents want to share “Live with Purpose” with others, helping people identify and reach their goals and passions.
“It’s about discovering talents,” said Kelly Kovaleski, an academic intervention teacher at the elementary school. “It’s about healthy decision making.”
Nicholas was very goal-driven and put in the hard work and dedication. That extra effort can be the difference in excelling, his mother said.
“It just takes that little extra effort to go from ordinary to extraordinary,” she said.
The family has awarded scholarships in Nicholas’s name to graduates who have a record of community service and who “Live with Purpose.”
Provided photos: Nicholas Kovaleski pushed himself when he competed in swimming, tennis and football.
Now, the Kovaleskis through workshops and presentations believe they can help people work towards their goals.
They use a compass and ask participants to list people and activities that have a positive influence on them. That represents “North.” Those are the people and things that “have your heart,” Mrs. Kovaleski said.
South can be those choices and people who pull you off course – “the detours of life,” Mr. Kovaleski said.
East represents the future and west is the past. Mrs. Kovaleski said many people have unresolved grief. She has used journaling and prayer for comfort since her son’s loss.
Mr. Kovaleski takes an early morning run to process emotions and have his quiet time. Mr. Kovaleski, a physical education teacher and coach at Albion, would like to share the message with youth groups, schools, churches – people of all ages.
“This is about finding our way in life,” he said. “Using the compass you can live with purpose.”
Kovaleski is a tennis and swimming coach at Albion and will be recognized next week with the Sportsmanship Award for Section 6. The family has set up a Website for Live with Purpose. Click here for more information.
The Kovaleski family includes parents Kelly and Jay, and Michayla (holding picture of her brother Nicholas), Matthew (back left) and Thomas.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 August 2016 at 11:20 am
ALBION – Kim Martillotta-Muscarella holds a copy of her new book, “My Grandma’s Kitchen Window.” The 40-page children’s book includes illustrations by Laura Genagon Kemler and highlights flowers, vegetables, insects and animals in Martillotta-Muscarella’s yard on North Main Street.
Martillotta-Muscarella is a well-known artist. She also has seven granddaughters. A decade ago one of her grandchildren, then age 4, would visit and ask lots of questions about Martillotta-Muscarella’s garden. She wanted to know how many different types of flowers there were. They counted 40 different varieties.
“The girls inspire me all of the time with their curiosity and their questions,” Martillotta-Muscarella said.
Martillotta-Muscarella wants children to rediscover a sense of wonder with the outdoors.
The book is currently available through Amazon (Click here). Martillotta-Muscarella expects to soon have copies of “My Grandma’s Kitchen Window” for sale locally.
She said she wants to see kids spend less time with their phones and more time in nature.
“If you just look out the window and go outside you will see some amazing things,” she said. “If you turn a rock over, nine out of 10 times you will see a cricket.”
This illustration shows Martillotta-Muscarella with her husband Neal and granddaughter Sophia working in the garden.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2016 at 6:10 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers – Austin Heil, 19, of Medina, center, was among about 300 runners who competed in the Metro 10 races in Albion on Saturday. Heil ran the 10-mile race for the Buffalo team. The Metro 10 in its second year added a 5-mile route as well.
ALBION – The Metro 10 is riding positive momentum following Saturday’s second annual event where runners compete for either Rochester or Buffalo, with the team scoring the most points winning bragging rights and a victory glass.
Many of runners have posted positive comments on Facebook and social media about the race, praising the volunteers at water stops, the local police officers along the course, even the design of the shirts.
Everyone who ran in the race had their name on the shirt, either for the Rochester or Buffalo teams.
Every runner who finishes the course scores points for their team. Rochester took the title for the second year in a row.
“I can’t say enough great things about this race!” Carol Lorenz posted on the Metro 10 Facebook page. “Besides the fact that I love the Roch vs. Buff concept, it’s a great course, personalized t-shirts, and glassware. Great idea to pair it with the music festival. What a great community feel to the whole event. I’ll have to work on getting more of the Buffalonians out there next year.”
The race starts and finishes at Bullard Park. This year the Rock the Park music fest followed the race, using the same stage and tents.
Erin Sidari of Albion ran the 10 mile race for Rochester. She posted on Facebook that she preferred the new course, which kept runners closer to the village. “I love this route better than last years!” Sidari said. “It allows you to see so much more of this little town. Great time!!! Can’t wait for 2017!!!”
Race organizer Thom Jennings of Albion addresses the runners at Bullard Park on Saturday. Victoria Freile, a reporter for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, served as an emcee at the post-race celebration along with Jim Salmon, host of the WHAM Home Repair Clinic.
Emma Mathes, left, and her Cross Country teammates made an impression on runners at the Mile 9 mark.
Thom Jennings served as race organizer for the Metro 10, with help from local volunteers as well as captains in Rochester and Buffalo. Jennings said he believes the race is poised to grow from a cap of 300 this year to perhaps 500 next year.
“I think it will continue to grow,” Jennings said. “We’re definitely on the right trajectory.”
He said he was proud of the community participation, especially the enthusiastic groups on the water stops. A local Girl Scout troop won the water stop award. In addition to cups of water, the Scouts gave out popsicles, wet wash cloths and sprayed runners with mists of water.
The Albion Cross Country team also was a favorite of runners. The team was at Mile 9 when many of the runners were struggling to finish. The Cross Country team was loud in cheering on the runners.
“The water stop people totally upped their game again,” Jennings said. “I was touched by volunteer support on the course.”
The race was in doubt on Thursday and Friday because a state Department of Transportation permit was needed for using routes 31 and 98. Police Chief Roland Nenni and Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti stepped in for Jennings and worked hard to get the paperwork done for the Metro 10 so the race could go on.
Some of the runners interviewed on Saturday said they enjoy the friendly rivalry among the runners. They noted that at most others races, runners leave not long after the race. At the Metro 10, the crowd stayed throughout the awards presentation and to see which team won. One runner gave the race a positive overall review, but would have liked more people from the community along the course, especially when runners were in the downtown.
Yvette Alexander of Brockport dressed as a Pokemon character to lift runners’ spirits near the end of the race on a hot and humid morning.
The race was planned for late August when many runners are gearing up for fall half marathons and marathons. Jennings also believes the mutli-terrain route – grass, pavement, towpath, orchard (at Watt Farms) – is a draw.
“Really enjoyed running thru the orchard but also loved seeing the beautiful homes in the village,” runner Mary Kummer posted on Facebook. “Plus loved running on the canal. I think we just loved the whole course!!”
Jennings said he hopes the race promotes the Albion community, bringing visitors to the area and giving them a positive impression of Orleans County.
“The volunteers made people feel welcome,” he said. “I really wanted to showcase Albion as a welcoming and friendly community.”
Proceeds from the race go to the Warrior House, an organization that offers a hunting retreat for veterans in West Shelby.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 August 2016 at 3:00 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kyle Thaine, 18, is pictured by the Ingersoll Memorial Fountain on Sunday after a tour of Mount Albion Cemetery. Thaine has created three walking guides for sections of the historic cemetery.
The guides, which include maps and highlights of notable residents, are available at the cemetery or online by clicking here.
Thaine has seen first-hand the popularity of the annual Ghost Walk at Mount Albion Cemetery. Thaine has portrayed several of the Albion residents buried in the historic cemetery.
The Ghost Walk is put on by Albion students and draws about 500 people to the cemetery. Thaine also attends some of the walking tours led by historians Matt Ballard and Bill Lattin. Those tours draw a crowd of people interested in the backgrounds of residents in the cemetery.
Thaine decided to create three walking guides for people who aren’t able to attend the walking tours or Ghost Walk events.
The guides highlight prominent business leaders, politicians, soldiers and others who were victims of tragedies, such as the bridge collapse on Sept. 28, 1859. The bridge collapsed when 250 gathered to watch a tightrope walker over the canal. At least 15 people died in the calamity.
Photo by Tom Rivers
Thaine portrays Rufus Bullock, who grew up in Albion, was a railroad official in George and was elected that state’s governor in 1868. He was instrumental in the reconstruction of Georgia after the Civil War. Thaine portrayed Bullock in the 2014 Ghost Walk at Mount Albion.
Kyle Thaine during the 2015 Ghost Walk portrayed his great-uncle, Eugene Barnum, who was killed during World War II after shooting down two German planes.
Thaine graduated from Albion High School in June and will major in history in college at Albany. He worked on the Mount Albion guides as part of an internship project his senior year with Sue Starkweather-Miller, the school district’s grants manager and internship coordinator.
Photo by Kim Pritt
“I wanted to do a history project,” Thaine said about creating the guides and a website about Mount Albion. “This is for people who can’t make the Ghost Walks or the tours.”
Thaine also helped with two new interpretive panels that are expected to be added to the cemetery this fall.
He was a seventh-grader when he and his classmates researched and set up a permanent memorial for residents of the Alms House, the precursor to the county nursing home.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 August 2016 at 8:00 am
ALBION – Jessica Downey, executive director of United Way or Orleans County, pours a sample of wine from the Flight of Five Winery in Lockport during the third annual “Sip & Stroll Through History” on Saturday in downtown Albion.
The United Way, located in the former Swan Library, was one of 13 stops on the wine-tasting tour. About 200 people attended the event, which was organized by the Albion Merchants Association.
The glass for the event highlighted the Albion United Methodist Church building, which is part of the Courthouse Square Historic District, a group of buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mike Seaver and Jessica Whiting served ice pops from Lake Effect Ice Cream at The Shamrock (Shay’s). Seaver owns the business and Whiting is the manager.
Autumn Moon Winery in Bergen made its debut at the Albion wine-tasting and printed labels for the wine bottles especially for the occasion. Autumn Wine serve tastings at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. Pictured include winery owners Tracy and Jerry Birge.
Jen Johnson and Andrea Zaccaria served wine from the Lake Ontario Winery and Vineyard in Hilton. They were set up at U-Need-O Burrito, a new stop on the Sip & Stroll.
The rain held off for most of the wine-tasting, but with about a half hour to go a big downpour hit. This photo shows the rain and vegetables from Navarra’s.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2016 at 5:07 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers – Greg Dugan gives Ron Armstrong a haircut this morning at Greg’s Barbershop on East Bank Street in Albion. Dugan returned to barber shop on June 13, and is open three days a week.
ALBION – Four years ago Greg Dugan suffered life-threatening injuries when he was riding his motorcycle and was hit by an 18-year-old driver in Farmington.
Bystanders feared Dugan was dead after the crash on Aug. 6, 2012. His motorcycle “totally disintegrated.” He credits a full-face helmet for saving his life.
Dugan was seriously injured, breaking both knees, both wrists, separating his pelvis, fracturing his left hip, and lacerating his left leg.
He was forced to step back from a business he loved. He opened Greg’s Barbershop in 1991. His customers are toddlers to very old men. Dugan has been popular not only for his skills at cutting hair, but for his interest in people’s lives.
Dugan endured intense physical therapy to get back to where he could walk and stay on his feet. It’s still not easy getting by on a shattered hip and femur.
“It’s been a very long road,” he said today at the barber shop. “It’s still painful, but I’m healing and everyday is a better day.”
Dugan has been itching to get back to work. On June 13 he was back at Greg’s. He hasn’t advertised, but the news has spread by word of mouth. He is doing a part-time schedule, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“I missed my friends here at the shop,” Dugan said. “I wanted to visit with all of my supportive friends.”
Ron Armstrong enjoys the camaraderie with Greg Dugan during a haircut this morning.
Ron Armstrong enjoys the camaraderie with Greg Dugan during a haircut this morning.
A month ago Ron Armstrong was driving along East Bank Street and he saw the barber’s sign pole lighted up and spinning outside Greg’s Barbershop.
Armstrong was pleased to see the shop was open. He was thrilled when he opened the door and saw Dugan.
“I am glad to see him back,” Armstrong said. “I like a barber where you can sit and talk and Greg likes to talk.”
Armstrong remains an active Albion firefighter, even in his 80s. He told Dugan he debates whether he should stop going to fire and emergency calls. Armstrong said he would miss it, and the department is often in need of responders.
Dugan believes in trying to be as active as possible.
“When you sit around and don’t stay active, that’s when you start to fail,” he said while talking with Armstrong.
Dugan said he needs to take frequent breaks and he rests on a stool at times when giving haircuts. He said he is thankful for the regained strength and mobility.
“I’m pacing myself with the workload,” he said. “I’m doing fine. I can’t complain. I’ve come a long ways.”
Dugan served as caregiver for his mother, Elaine Dugan, while she recently battled cancer for 18 months. He opened Greg’s on June 13 on her birthday, as a tribute to his late mother.
Dugan has also stayed active with the Knights of Columbus, participating in parades with the group. He isn’t able to march in parades, but rides in floats with the K of C, with his mother’s dog, Buddy, next to him.
Dugan has created an old-time feel in the barbershop. He said he hopes his customers come in and relax, taking a break from their busy lives.
