Albion

Metro 10 race is sold out for Aug. 20

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 August 2016 at 3:44 pm

Thom Jennings, race organizer for the upcoming Metro 10 race in Albion, is pictured with one of the newly designed medals for finishers of the race on Aug. 20.

ALBION – The second Metro 10 race is sold out. All 300 spots have been taken for the Aug. 20 race that features runners from Buffalo and Rochester competing for the Metro 10 cup and bragging rights as the top running community.

This year’s race starts at 8:20 a.m. at Bullard Park, up from the 10 a.m. start in the debut race last year. Runners in the first race asked for an earlier start when the temperatures aren’t quite as hot.

The race is also scheduled the same day as the Rock the Park music festival at Bullard. The two events should feed off of each other. There will be a post-race party for runners at Bullard featuring food and music from Buffalo based Tiger Chung Lee. After the post-race party, Rock the Park will start with a good-size crowd from Metro 10 to kick off the music festival with several local bands.

“As the runners are leaving, Rock the Park will be coming in,” said Thom jennings, the Metro 10 race organizer. “We both have common golas of wanting to revitalize Albion.”

The Metro 10 course also has been modified to better accommodate runners seeking a 5-mile option. The total 10-mile course is confined between Gaines Basin and Butts Road, and heads as far north at Watt Farms, where runners on the 10-mile course will go through the Watt Orchards.

Here is the new course map for the race on Aug. 20 in Albion.

There are about 225 runners signed up for the 10-mile portion of the race, and 75 for the 5 miler. Everyone who finishes the race earns points for their metro area, either Buffalo or Rochester. There are also additional points for the top runners overall and the leading age group finishers, as well as a tenacity bonus for the last finisher in both the 5- and 10-mile race. (Click here to see the scoring system.)

Add up all of the points, and you have the winner of the second Metro 10. The winning team gets a taste of victory – a custom engraved glass goblet filled with Victory Brew, a craft beer from the Victory Brewing Company.

Rochester won the debut race last year on the strength of overall participation. The race is more even this year in entries, with 60 percent from Rochester and 40 percent from Buffalo. Last year Buffalo runners claimed many of the top spots in age groups, but Rochester claimed the cup because it had so many more runners.

Metro 10 organizers have pushed hard to recruit more runners from Buffalo, and those efforts have paid off, Jennings said.

Each Metro also had a team captain to help promote the race. Marissa Pace serves as Buffalo captain with help from Lisa Rybke-Thrash and Sandra Baxter, and Vickey Beaver heads the Rochester team. Jack Burris has been promoting the race locally. Wayne Litchfield has been coordinating the team of volunteers.

The Metro 10 Cup has made appearances in the region to help build support and awareness for the upcoming race in Albion. Here the cup is pictured outside First Niagara Center in Buffalo with bronze statues of the famed French Connection, the Buffalo Sabres stars in the 1970s – Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and Rick Martin on Friday night.

Jennings said he is pleased the event sold out. He said is it poised for steady growth in the future. He wanted to cap the event at 300 so he would not run out of medals, shirts, food and other supplies for the day. (The medals have to be ordered six weeks in advance.) He would like to see the race gradually grow so local services aren’t overtaxed with the event.

He praised Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni for working out a plan for traffic control and safety for the race.

Jennings said in the future the Metro 10 could add a biking component for a duathlon.

“Right now we want to make sure everyone has a good experience on Aug. 20,” Jennings said. “We have created a foundation for the future.”

Jared Ziegler, Ron Ziegler and Ed Martin.

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

700 attend National Night Out at Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 August 2016 at 3:20 pm

ALBION – This team of Orleans County Health Department employees wore tutus and competed in the Battle of the Belts competition. They include, from left: Mary Ellen Messmer, Sandy Webster, Shelly Troup and Cathy Miller.

The competition was part of the second annual National Night Out at Bullard Park in Albion. The Health Department team won the turtle award. They were slowest of the teams. The competition has teams of four run to a vehicle, buckle their seat belts and then throw their hands in the air. A referee (a state trooper) then yells rotate and the four team members have to buckle belts at four different seats in the vehicle.

Albion and Carlton firefighters formed a team and they competed in the Battle of Belts in turn-out gear. This photo shows Jeremy Graham from the Albion Fire Department, front, with Chris Standish from Carlton behind him.

Chris Standish races to get in the passenger seat and put on the seat belt. Matt Hughson of Carlton and Jim Peruzzini of Albion also were on the team.

Cole Moyle, 9, of Medina competes in the bike rodeo that was organized by Brian Marsceill, a Medina police officer. Cole completed the course in 23.5 seconds, the fastest time of the day, even beating one of the police officers. Law enforcement officers from throughout the county organized several activities and demonstrations at National Night Out.

Last year was the first time the event was in the county. About 200 people attended last year. Today there were about 700 people.

Nick Mardino of Light of Victory Church in Albion cooks hot dogs that were provided by Fidelis Care.

There were about 30 local agencies and services clubs at National Night Out, including the Albion Lions Club. Members Bill Robinson, left, and Kevin Howard are pictured by the new playground equipment that was recently added to the park with help from the Lions Club.

Children filled out paper T-shirts and were asked to write the names of people they feel safest to talk with. It’s part of a “Speak Your Mind” campaign by the Orleans County Health Department.

Firefighters drew a crowd when they did an extrication drill, removing the top of a car.

Railroad company will replace 3 crossings in August

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 July 2016 at 3:06 pm

Section of Densmore Road will close starting Monday

ALBION – Genesee Valley Transportation Company, owner of the Falls Road Railroad that runs through Orleans County, is replacing three railroad crossings in Orleans County next month.

The first project will be on Densmore Road in the Town of Albion. The section of Densmore near the tracks will be closed beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Monday and is expected to reopen on Friday afternoon next week, said Christian M. Henrici, director of Operations and Projects for GVT, which is based in Batavia.

No detours will be posted, but signs will be placed at the nearest crossroad to advise of closure. The State Department of Transportation is supplying the material and GVT is providing the equipment and labor to install the new crossings.

Other new crossings and a schedule for work includes: Hulberton Road in Town of Murray, closed RR crossing from Aug. 8 through Aug. 12; Lynch Road in Town of Murray, closed RR crossing from Aug. 15 through Aug. 23.

Miniature carnival built by Albion men makes debut at Orleans Fair

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2016 at 3:00 pm

ALBION – The Hudson Magic Midway is making its local debut at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. The attraction is housed in a 40-foot-long semi-truck trailer. Inside is a collection of 40 miniature replicas of midway rides from the 1950s to the most recent innovations in amusement park rides.

Jay Pahura at right and his friends, brothers Charlie and Frank Zicari, have been working on the Midway for several years. It made its first fair appearance last August at the Erie County Fair.

The trailer has flags on top and panels that tell the history of the project. Hudson Magic Midway costs $2 per person to see inside or $1 each person in groups of at least 5. Hudson’s Magic Midway is open the same time as the real amusement rides at the Fairgrounds, from 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

The inside is blacklight, giving a glow-in-the-dark feel. The rides are hand-built. They are illuminated and show a history of amusement park attractions, including Midway rides to popular concessions and games such as Skee Ball.

The rides are all fully operational on a small scale – but not too small. The Sky Wheel, for example, is nearly 5 feet tall at 56 inches.

The miniature carnival started in 1953, when the late Albion resident Harold Hudson started building miniature midway rides in the basement of his home on Caroline Street. The display eventually filled two garages from front to back and Hudson welcomed the community to see them.

Hudson used ordinary materials found around his house, plus his creative ingenuity to make the rides. He hand-built many of the rides just as they were being introduced by ride manufacturers to carnivals across the United States.

Charlie Zicari was a boy when he saw “Hudson’s Exposition Shows.” Zicari was hooked. He became friends with Hudson and started building rides and helping him with the set up. When Hudson died in 1989, he left his miniature carnival to Zicari.

The display inside the trailer includes a skyscape, giving the mini carnival a planetarium feel.

Zicari has built many of his own rides, including more recent additions to carnivals.

The Zicari brothers and Pahura set up the mini midway at the former Erie Canal Schoolhouse Bed & Breakfast in Albion a few years ago. That was the first time the public had seen the rides in many years.

The bed and breakfast has since closed. The Zicaris and Pahura worked on a home for the attraction: the long trailer that needs to be moved by a semi truck.

The Zicaris and Pahura have strengthened some of Hudson’s creations to make them sturdy for trips to fairs and other festivals. The rides have been painted with five to six coats of a reflective paint to make them better illuminate in the black light.

200 corrections officers try to highlight rise in violence, contraband at state prisons

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2016 at 2:53 pm

ALBION – State Sen. Rob Ortt and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley meet with corrections officers this afternoon who lined Route 31 by the former Apollo Restaurant, just west of the Village of Albion.

About 200 corrections officers were part of the informational picket today from 2 to 4 p.m. The COs want to highlight a rise in violence inside prisons, staffing shortages, an increase in contraband and inmate weapons, and press the state for more technology, such as thermal imaging, to make prisons safer.

“We are here to show solidarity with you,” Ortt corrections officers. “I appreciate what you do.”

Mike Powers, president of the union (NYSCOPBA) that represents corrections officers, said the state has closed prisons, which has strained the capacity at other sites. Many inmates that should be in maximum-security facilities are in medium-security prisons, Powers said, and that has led to increased violence and contraband with more drugs and weapons being smuggled into prisons.

Powers and the union want more staffing and training for officers, a removal of double bunks which would increase safety for inmates and staff, and investment in more equipment and technology to help COs make prisons safer. Powers also said the state needs to fill positions faster when they are vacated with retirements.

A corrections officer holds a sign during the picket today. Another sign said, “Fighting For Our Lives.”

The union for corrections officers said statewide since 2010 the number of assaults on staff by inmates has risen 55 percent, and inmate-on-inmate violence is up 60 percent.

This is the latest informational picket that NYSCOPBA has held in the past two months. Previous pickets were at Elmira, Attica, Livingston, Collins, Shawangunk, Greene and Coxsackie Correctional Facilities.

There are about 675 corrections officers that work at prisons in Albion, with 425 at the Albion Correctional Facility (for women) and 250 at the Orleans Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison for men.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley speaks with corrections officers. Hawley said many state legislators from New York City do not support the COs or understand the working conditions. Hawley said some state legislators believe New York City residents are wrongly convicted and sent to prisons upstate to support the economy in the state’s rural communities.

Hawley said he tries to bring a voice of reality in conversations with state legislators from downstate. He said he urges his colleagues in the Legislature to make the sites safer with more staff and less overcrowding of inmates.

Albion park hosts annual children’s carnival

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 July 2016 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Xavier Byrd, 9, of Albion gets a football painted on his cheek by Gabriell Struble, one of the park supervisors at Bullard Park, which hosted a children’s carnival today.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee organizes the carnival with help from other local agencies and the park supervisors in the village park program. More than 300 children attended the carnival, which included about 30 different stations with games and activities.

Aiden Miller, 10, of Albion tries the game Plinko.

The Bounce House was a hit with Kyle VanAmeron, 11, and many other children.

“Mr. Scribbles” – Michael Sparling of Perry – was a popular stop at the carnival. He let kids scribble on a paper and then he added cartoons of animals with a friendly message.

Mr. Scribbles made this artwork for one of the kids at the park. The kid added the scribble.

Victoria Figueroa paints a butterfly on the cheek of Charlotte George, 2, of Albion.

Local Girl Scouts honor veterans by donating blankets with patriotic themes

Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photo Girl Scouts in Albion are pictured with one of the blankets they donated to Hospice of Orleans for local veterans. The Scouts include, front row, from left: Mallory Holt and Julianna Newbould. Middle row: Julia Fuller, Autumn Flugel, Kendall Newbould, Riannon Newbould, and Abrielle Shuler. Back row: Isabel Penafiel, Sarah Mathes, and Molly Wadhams.

Press Release, Hospice of Orleans

ALBION – As part of the “We Honor Veterans” campaign, Hospice of Orleans reached out to facilitate gifts and several troop leaders and girls from the Cobblestone Service Unit of the Girl Scouts committed their time and energy. They were able to complete several heart-warming blankets for veterans. Troop Leader Von Newbould shared that the designs on the blankets were carefully chosen.

A few of the girls had a grandfather that received Hospice care and the girls used to call him Super Man. So, it only made sense for them to choose a superhero pattern for one of the blankets.

Some reflected that the highlights of this project were learning how to make the blankets and then being able to do it all by themselves and meeting a few times at Burger King as a group to spread out. One of the girls even made blankets in the car.

By joining an awareness campaign called We Honor Veterans, Hospice of Orleans recognizes that a vast majority of veterans may not be aware of the services and benefits that may be available to them at the end of life and aims to provide quality care while honoring veterans’ preferences.

In speaking to the girls that participated in this project, it was clear that their understanding of service did not echo a theme of self-sacrifice. Rather, they felt enthusiasm and joy to be able to help. The staff at Hospice extends a heartfelt thank you to all that participated in this service project and knows that each veteran that receives a blanket will feel the care that went into making them.

Margy Brown re-elected BOE president in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2016 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Margy Brown, president of the Board of Education, congratulates Albion graduate Sierra Morgan during commencement in June 2014. Brown was unanimously re-elected Board of Education president on Monday.

ALBION The nine-member Albion Board of Education has unanimously supported Margy Brown to continue as president of the board.

Brown has served in the role since March 2011. She has pushed for excellence in academics and extracurricular activities while insisting on a program that is affordable to district taxpayers. Albion only once in the past nine years has raised school taxes.

“Margy is doing a great job,” said Dean Dibley, who was re-elected the board’s vice president. “She is very connected to the community, and she is very passionate about serving the school district.”

Brown is a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She co-owns and serves as managing partner of Anesthesia Care Associates, which provides anesthesia services for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.

She and her husband Eric have two sons in the district: Harrison and Jeffrey.

The nine-member group has one new member. Steven LaLonde was elected in May.

Comptroller says Albion school district taxes too much

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 July 2016 at 12:00 am

School leaders disagree, saying Albion needs reserves to cover possible reduction in state aid

ALBION – The state comptroller says Albion Central School taxes district residents too much. Albion has too much in the bank, according to a recent audit from the office of the state comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli.

Albion school leaders disagree with the assessment from the comptroller, which is merely an advisory opinion.

The school district hasn’t increased taxes in nine of the last 10 years. Albion wants money in reserves in guard against a cut in state aid, which happened during the state budget crisis in 2009 and 2010.

The district’s tax rate tax rate for 2015, at $17.37 per $1,000 of assessed property, is the lowest in Orleans County and about $7 less than Medina Central School, which has the highest rate at $24.38 in 2015.

However, the comptroller criticized Albion for not preparing accurate budgets from 2010-11 through 2015-16. The comptroller said the district’s annual $33 million budgets took in about $2 million more in taxes than was needed. That allowed Albion to accumulate a surplus of about $13 million.

The district’s budget is mostly funded with state aid. Local property taxes account for $8,355,939 of the budget.

Besides a surplus that is too big, the comptroller said Albion has a retirement contribution reserve and unemployment insurance reserve that are far too big. The retirement reserve was $7.8 million as of June 30, 2015, which was about 18 times the district’s annual average contribution of $422,000, according to the comptroller’s report.

The balance of the unemployment reserve was $244,000 on June 30, 2015, which was 22 times the district’s average annual unemployment costs of $11,000.

The state says school districts should keep fund balances at no more than 4 percent of the budget. Albion instead has a unrestricted fund balance of 8.5 percent, according to the comptroller, a “surplus” that grew because the district overestimates appropriations and underestimates revenues.

The comptroller also faulted Albion for putting money into a capital projects fund for building projects rather than financing the local share for those projects.

District residents approved a $14.3 million capital project in May 2015 that includes new roofs, and other facility upgrades. The state is paying most of the cost, with Albion’s local share at $1.3 million.

Albion uses surplus funds for the local share, by shifting money from the general fund to a capital projects fund, the comptroller said. Albion then uses that money to pay the local share for projects, rather than borrow that money.

The comptroller said the district is in effect “prepaying” for the cost. Albion could instead finance the local share and could get state building aid on it, while also reducing the annual tax levy. It would be a more transparent way to finance the project, according to the comptroller’s report.

Albion school officials have saved an estimated $4.6 million by not taking on debt and financing costs for recent capital projects, Michael Bonnewell, the school district superintendent, wrote in a May 23 response to Jeffrey D. Mazula, chief examine for the comptroller in Buffalo.

Bonnewell said Albion’s overall budget is 80 percent funded by state aid. “Our collective goal over the years has been to minimize the impact of inconsistency of funding levels from the State Education Department while trying to maintain an effective instructional program insulated from the swings in state aid revenues,” Bonnewell wrote.

The audit report was discussed during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

“We’re going to stay focused on providing a good educational program while being good stewards of taxpayer money,” said Shawn Liddle, the district’s assistant superintendent of business.

Liddle also presented the board with a May 2008 report from the comptroller urging school districts to set aside money for “other post-employment benefits” for employees, including health care expenses.

“Governments should develop plans to address these costs, which can be managed through a combination of cost containment, cost sharing and funding set-asides,” according to the May 2008 report from the comptroller, who was also DiNapoli in 2008.

Board of Education member David Sidari said Albion is the envy of many school districts for the way it has built up reserves and avoided increasing taxes.

“The auditor complements year after year,” Sidari said.

To see the comptroller’s report on Albion Central School, click here.

2 officers injured at Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion

Posted 11 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Press Release, New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association

ALBION – Two officers were injured at Orleans Correctional Facility when they fought with an inmate in the recreation yard who had drugs on him.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 6, at approximately 7:15 p.m., according to a news release from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association.

The officers observed what they believed was a drug transaction near the softball field. The officers approached the inmate, Javaun Jackson, and attempted to frisk him for drugs. Before they were able to search Jackson, he reached into his front pocket and placed an unknown substance in his mouth and swallowed it. Jackson then took off running with both officers in pursuit.

The officers caught Jackson after a short foot chase and struggled with him on the ground. After a brief struggle, the officers were able to get the inmate restrained.

The officers searched the inmate and found K2, synthetic marijuana, in his pocket. The inmate was transported to an outside hospital for treatment of a drug overdose.

He is serving a two to four-year sentence for Attempted Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2nd degree. He was convicted in 2016 in Montgomery County after being arrested for using cloned credit cards in Amsterdam, NY.

Both officers sustained injuries during the struggle. One officer sustained a fractured left tibia. She was transported to an outside hospital and was treated and released.

The second officer sustained minor scratches and abrasions. He remained on duty.

“Contraband making its way into our state prisons continues to be a problem that needs to be addressed,” said Joe Miano, Western Region Vice President for NYSCOPBA. “Specifically, K2, which has become the drug of choice for inmates. Inmates that use K2 become violent towards staff and we have had several instances in which officers were attacked by inmates that consumed the drug. DOCCS needs to address this epidemic as our officers continually get injured by inmates high on K2.”

Hall of Fame Santa was friend to many, including Big Bird

Staff Reports Posted 9 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

ALBION – Debbie Mirrione of Batavia sent in these photos of her grandfather, George Cond of Holley. Cond was a Santa at Christmas Park in Albion, hand-picked to play the role by Charles Howard, who developed Christmas Park and also a Santa Claus School.

The late Mr. Cond is being inducted in the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame on Sunday during a Santa Claus convention in Branson, Missouri (click here for more on the convention). The convention was in Albion last year.

The top photo shows Cond with Big Bird in Garden Plaza, Parmer, N.J.

In this photo, Cond (Santa) is pictured with Mrs. Claus (Cond’s wife, Elaine).

Cond was born in 1925 and lived until 1996. The Holley resident in the mid-1950s enrolled in the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Albion.

Cond was so good at portraying Santa that Charles Howard embraced Cond as the Santa at Christmas Park in Albion, Howard’s entertainment venue at Route 31 on Phipps Road. Howard was inducted in the Santa Hall of Fame in 2010, a member of the inaugural class.

Cond is pictured with some of the key ladies at Christmas Park, including front row, from left: Elaine Cond, Santa, and Ruth Hayward. Back row: Elizabeth Babcock, Mae Wolfe, Margaret Alloway, and Sophie Bischer. Babcock made many of the Santa suits that were sold at Christmas Park.

For more on Cond from the Santa Hall of Fame, click here.

Dady Brothers play Albion concert series

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Dady brothers were back in Albion during a concert by the canal on Thursday. Albion has hosted the concert series for three years now, and the Dady Brothers have performed each year, including the debut concert in June 2014.

This photo shows John Dady at left with his brother Joe at right. The brothers perform a set list of mostly Irish music.

The Thursday concert series continues until Aug. 4. Bands plays from 6 to 8 p.m. Upcoming performers include: July 14, The Lonely Ones; July 21, Triple Play Band; July 28, Don Newcomb Band; and Aug. 4, The Legendary Jonesie & the Cruisers.

The Dady Brothers perform between the two lift bridges by the Albion firehall.

National Night Out turns into county-wide event on Aug. 2 at Bullard

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 July 2016 at 12:00 am

File photos by Tom Rivers – Rex, the K9 for the Albion Police Department, retrieves his favorite toy, a black rubber ball, during an demonstration at Bullard Park last August during the first National Night Out.

ALBION – The second annual National Night Out at Bullard Park is expanding into a county-wide event on Aug. 2 at Bullard Park. Residents will be welcome to try games and activities, as well as free food while meeting law enforcement officers and representatives from many local agencies.

“We want to entertain families in a setting where there are no drugs, tobacco or violence,” said Roland Nenni, Albion police chief and co-chairman of the event along with Patricia Crowley, project director for the Orleans County United Against Substance Abuse Coalition.

The first National Night Out last Aug. 4 attracted 200 people despite a downpour. More agencies, fire departments and other community members have stepped forward since then, wanting to help with the event, Nenni said.

The 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. event will include an inflatable obstacle course, canine demonstrations, face painting, fire trucks, car seat inspections, Mercy Flight aircraft tours, a bike rodeo and other displays.

Nenni said more community groups are welcome to be part of National Night Out. For more information, groups should contact Sarah May at GCASA by calling (585) 331-8740 or by email at SMay@gcasa.org.

Nenni said organizers of National Night Out want community groups to participate if they can provide a game, activity or another way to enhance the event.

The armored vehicle used by the Albion Police Department and the Orleans County SWAT team was on display during National Night Out last August.

One goal of “National Night Out” is to connect police with their communities and promote crime prevention and drug-free activities.

The event will include free hot dogs and hamburgers provided by Fidelis Care and served by a local church. There will also be a bike helmet and school supply giveaway while supplies last.

There will also be a Battle of the Belts competition where each team has four participants who have to run to a vehicle, buckle their seat belts and then throw their hands in the air. A referee will yell rotate and the four team members have to buckle belts at four different seats in the vehicle.

There will be prizes in a youth division (ages 10 to 18); adult division (ages 19 and up); education division featuring teachers and school staff; and a business/organization division.

Nenni said the competition should be fun and also will promote the importance of wearing seatbelts, especially for children in back seats.

Tour will highlight exceptional gardens in Orleans County

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 3 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Eileen Sorochty of Albion shows off the blooms on one of the clematis vines which grace her home garden in Albion. Her garden is one of six featured on this year’s Garden Path Tour on July 16.

Orleans County Master Gardeners will host their 2016 Garden Path Tour on July 16, featuring six gardens, mainly in Albion and Medina.

Master Gardner Eileen Sorochty is helping to organize the event and her garden in Albion is one of the six “Garden Stars” included on the tour.

Sorochty’s garden surrounding her home on East Avenue is a mix of relaxed borders and beds which feature spring bulbs, perennials, flowering shrubs, and garden art and ornaments. Additionally, Sorochty grows vegetables and has plantings devoted to attracting and hosting butterflies as well as other pollinators.

The house she lives in is her childhood home, and some of Sorochty’s mother’s plants – including iris and a clematis – are still part of the garden.

A bright red Monarda or Bee balm blossom in Eileen Sorochty’s garden welcomes pollinators.

She grows heirloom tomatoes which she calls, “different and tasty,” as well as vegetables completely new to her like bok choy.

The garden features a small patio pond and solar night features and Sorochty says she is working towards all organic gardening practices and a new composting system.

Other 2016 Garden Stars are Sharon Sugar, who is a neighbor of Sorochty’s. Her garden is child-friendly with play equipment, a pond garden, outdoor rooms and seating areas.

The mostly shaded garden of Sharon Sugar in Albion features several outdoor seating areas and a rose garden.

The English gardens of Brandi Zavitz on Center Street in Medina feature perennials and a pond; Ruth Shewan’s country garden on West Shelby Road in Medina includes perennial beds and a greenhouse. A memorial garden honors the Native American relics said to be buried on the property.

Ann and Stephen Bunch’s garden on Howell Parkway in Medina is a relaxed English garden that is bird-friendly. Additionally, the Bunch’s have many trees and a Pagoda garden.

Jeannette Riley has an eclectic garden at her home on Braley Street, by the canal in Albion. It is filled with re-purposed glass/metal/gates/doors/ knobs and more. Riley grows perennials and flowering shrubs and her garden features a mini guest house with a patio.

Eileen Sorochty uses an old wooden wagon bed for a fairy garden. She stores the elements indoors during the winter.

“You can start where ever you want, we will have a map of the gardens for you,” Sorochty says regarding the tour.

The Garden Path Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine on July 16. Tickets are are available at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension – 12690 Rt. 31 in Knowlesville. Call 798-4265 for more information. Tickets are also available the day of the tour at any of the featured gardens. Sorochty requests that you bring correct change for tickets if purchasing day-of. Participants will receive a hand-stamp to show that they have paid and will have their names entered in a drawing for a gift certificate from Sara’s Garden Center in Brockport.

Burrito business opens on Albion Main Street

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ryan Lockhart and Andrea Tombari opened U-Need-O Burrito today at 33 North Main St. They were busy during the lunch hour. The business will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day but Monday, when it is closed.

Lockhart brings 25 years of experience as a chef, working in Maine fishing communities, Colorado ski resorts and Myrtle Beach.

He prepared 50 lunches in an hour and a half today.

“It’s fast, it’s consistent,” he said the burritos, tacos and other menu items. “The food will always be good.”

Lockhart prepares a burrito for lunch today. He and Andrea Tombari opened the business today in the spot that used to be El Gallo.

U-Need-O has several types of tacos and burritos, with chicken, pork, and ground beef. Customers can pick numerous other toppings and fillings.

“We’re going to see what sells and what doesn’t,” he said. “We’ll see what the people want and we’ll experiment.”

U-Need-O plans to add fish fries on Fridays, a Southwest burger and other daily specials.

Tombari, a Lyndonville resident, said the site is in a prominent location and the business should be a boost to Main Street.

Adam Johnson, the Albion Merchants Association president, agrees. He had a chimichanga for lunch at U-Need-O. Johnson opened the Frosty Bucket about a month ago, just a few storefronts from U-Need-O. Johnson sells ice cream and just added a lunch menu.

Adam Johnson ordered this chimichanga.

“I’m thrilled to see another storefront filled,” Johnson said about U-Need-O. “This is the type of business that generates a lot of repeat traffic and that’s good for downtown.”

For more information about U-Need-O, call (585) 283-4435.