ALBION – A high school student’s car burst into flames this afternoon just before the student dismissal at about 2:20 p.m.
Mike Neidert, the Albion highway superintendent, was the first on the scene with a extinguisher and knocked down most of the flames. Albion firefighters also responded.
Two other cars had some heat damage – a deformed light cover or slight melt to the bumper, said Michael Bonnewell, the school district superintendent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Documentarians visit Pat Aina’s family in Albion
Photos by Tom Rivers – Kay DiLaura displays a photo on Friday of her brother, Pasquale “Pat” Aina, who was killed in Japan by a suicide pilot on Aprl 18, 1945.
ALBION – Kay DiLaura still remembers the profound sadness when her brother, Pat Aina, died in Japan during World War II on April 18, 1945.
Aina was 26, a gunner on a plane who also worked radar and the radio. He and 10 other Americans were on a B-29 that was struck by a Japanese suicide pilot. The American plane spun out of control and came down near a Japanese air strip in Tachiarai. Aina’s family was notified of the crash, but he would be listed as missing for a year before his death was confirmed.
This photo, included in a booklet at the Tachiarai Peace Memorial Museum, shows Aina’s crashed plane in Japan.
Aina had three grown brothers and a sister. Another sister died as an infant. DiLaura said her brother had a great sense of humor and loved his Italian roots. He taught himself Italian and wrote many letters to older people in Albion when he was at war. He wrote those notes in Italian and the people from Sicily loved that.
In December 2009, a package from Japan arrived in Albion for the family of Sgt. Pasquale Aina. The parcel was sent to 129 West Academy St., Aina’s home. The Aina family had moved from there more than 50 years previously.
But one of his cousins happened to be at the Post Office when the package arrived, and he directed Postal Service employees to DiLaura, who lives on Meadowbrook Drive.
Akio Tokunaga, an art constructor, sent the package to Aina’s family. Tokunaga requested a photo of Aina for a museum in Tachiarai, a museum dedicated to peace. Tokunaga said the museum would display the photos of the Americans “equally” as victims of war.
DiLaura agreed to send a picture of her brother, and a group photo of the 11 crew members from the downed plane. In November 2010, DiLaura’s daughter Suzanne Wells went to visit the museum. Her son Christopher lives in Japan.
“The museum is very well done,” she said.
She stood on the spot where her uncle’s plane crashed.
She said the museum includes moving displays about the loss of life from war. Wells has been the contact for Tokunaga. He visited Albion last Thursday and Friday with a documentary filmmaker. Wells helped get them in touch with family of two other crew members who died in the plane crash. Tokunaga and filmmaker Shinsuke Ogata also are going to Kansas City and Utah.
Akio Tokunaga meets with Suzanne Wells, left, and her mother Kay DiLaura.
Tokunaga said the peace museum has proven popular wit the public and sends an important message.
“I don’t want to see another war,” he said. “I don’t want it anymore.”
He said the museum wanted the recognize the loss of life, including the Americans.
“It’s quite unusual to have pictures of American soldiers ina Japanese museum,” he said at DiLaura’s home on Friday. “But they are victims of the war, too.”
Pat Aina, far right, is pictured with his brothers, from left: Peter, Sam and James.
Wells said she had luck connecting with two of Aina’s crewmates through Facebook. She wants to keep reaching out to other families of the crew.
She appreciates Tokunaga’s efforts to recognize the 11 Americans who died in Tachiarai. (Aina was exhumed from a Japanese farm field in 1948. He was buried in the Punch Bowl in Hawaii, a national memorial cemetery.
DiLaura enjoyed talking about her brother with Tokunaga and Ogata.
“He was a great guy,” she said about Aina. “If he was here, he’d have something to say. He had a keen sense of humor.”
Akio Tokunaga is pictured next to Kay DiLaura during a visit to her home last week with Suzanne Wells and her husband Bob. Filmmaker Shinsuke Ogata, right, is making a documentary to be shown in Japan about Pat Aina and 10 other Americans who died after a suicide pilot crashed into their plane on April 18, 1945.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 April 2016 at 2:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A passenger in a vehicle struck this afternoon at the West Countyhouse and Eagle Harbor-West Barre Road intersection was taken by ambulance to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia with minor injuries, a Sheriff’s deputy said at the scene.
The driver of a red pickup truck was following a tractor and drove through the Stop sign at about 1 p.m., striking the white vehicle, a deputy said.
Albion firefighters were on scene to extricate the passenger who was stuck inside due to the crumpled door.
Orleans County deputies, a state trooper and COVA were also on scene.
ROCHESTER – Scouts from Pack 164 served as Color Guard for the final Amerks home game on Friday. This has become an annual event for Pack 164.
Flag bearers were Nathan Stefani and Oliver Beach. Other Scouts include Alakai Colmenaro, Noah George, Ethan Merrill, Aaron Flanagan, Patrick Fox, Logan Scott-Grager, Michael Ryan, Logan Kast and Tristan Tilbe. Scout leaders on the ice include Rick Merrill, Mike Beach and John Kast.
John Kast, left, and the Scouts had close seats to the action.
The Amerks lost the home finale, 5-0, to the Albany Devils at The Blue Cross Arena.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2016 at 12:00 am
About 120 participate in event to honor Wayne Burlison
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Brian Krieger and Adam Burlison release balloons just after noon today during the second annual Run for Wayne, a 3.17-mile race in honor of Adam’s father Wayne Burlison.
He was 36 when he died from colon cancer on March 26, 2014. Krieger and Burlison were close friends and running partners. They helped start the Albion Running Club, which organized today’s race.
Wayne’s wife Lisa Burlison thanked the community for supporting the race. She also shared about her husband’s faith, and his commitment to his family, fitness and his students. Mr. Burlison taught music at Albion for 12 years.
The runners gather on Clarendon Road near the elementary school for the start of the race. The 3.17-mile course represents the 3 months and 17 days that Burlison lived his diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer.
The bright sunshine and temperatures in the 60s was a contrast from the first Run for Wayne on March 28, 2015, when there was lots of snow on the ground and frigid temperatures.
The Albion pep band played upbeat tunes to cheer on the runners.
Runners head east on Route 31 past Butts Road for the first mile.
Tess Pettit, right, and Trinity Allen hand out water.
Runners head into Mount Albion Cemetery, passing underneath the big stone arch. Burlison played in the Mark Time Marchers, a band that performs in many local parades.
A runner approaches a photo of Burlison attached to a tree along the course in the cemetery.
After a loop in the cemetery, runners head west on Route 31 to the finish at the elementary school.
Riley Seielstad, an Albion high schooler, ran her first race today. She was one of Burlison’s students.
Race results will be posted on the Albion Running Club website. Click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The sun sets Wednesday in this photo of a line of trees in a field along Gaines Basin Road, just south of the Erie Canal (across from PAWS Animal Shelter).
The temperatures will be on the rise the next few days and the sun will be out after the recent cold spell with snow. Today is forecast for a high of 52, followed by a high of 57 on Friday, 61 on Saturday and 68 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. All four days are forecast to be sunny.
This is the swing next to the former cobblestone schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road during last night’s sunset.
The former cobblestone schoolhouse was built in 1832, making it one of the oldest cobblestone buildings in the area. The building has been the focus of preservation efforts beginning last year after being largely abandoned since 1944. Last year it got a new roof. Boards were removed from windows and sashes restored. Junk was cleared out.
Members of the Orleans County Historical Association also put up a historical marker for the school. The marker notes that Caroline Phipps taught at the school. She went on to be a distinguished educator and ran the Phipps Union Seminary in Albion from 1837 to 1875. That spot later became the County Clerk’s Building.
The sun reflects in the windows of the former schoolhouse. The Orleans County Historical Association this year plans repairs to the floor, and the building will be rewired and ceiling and walls plastered. Some missing sections of cobblestones will be replaced with appropriate soft lime mortar.
The Historical Association wants to use the building as a meeting house and display area.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Staff at the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion today cooked hot dogs, dressed in casual clothes, sold wristbands to raise awareness for colon cancer and made donations, an effort that raised $1,600 for the Cancer Services programs of Genesee and Orleans.
Some of the staff members are pictured outside the prison this afternoon. The facility is a medium-security prison on Gaines Basin Road.
The staff at Orleans Correctional pushed to raise the funds after Al Miller (pictured) of Corfu, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in December. Miller continues to work his shifts at the prison while he is on light duty.
Miller said he is grateful for his job, which he has had for 20 years. He said he is fortunate to have good health insurance. The Cancer Services Program in Genesee and Orleans provides free cancer screenings and other services.
Miller said he appreciated the turnout and support from his collages today.
“I feel bad for people without family and friend support,” he said. “I’m very fortunate here for the support system that I have.”
Kenny Gold, a corrections officer and leader in the union, said Miller has been a dependable worker for two decades.
“He’s been here for everybody for 20 years, and we’ll all be here for him, especially during his most vulnerable time,” Gold said today.
The union representing the corrections officer gave about $400,000 to different charities and causes last year, Gold said.
“The prisons are more than just people watching over convicted felons,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Town Supervisor Matt Passarell said he isn’t in a rush to fill a vacancy on the Town Board, created in February when Town Councilman Todd Sargent resigned after being appointed superintendent of the Department of Public Works in the Village of Albion.
Sargent served just over two years of a four-year term as councilman. The position pays $3,704 annually. The spot on the five-member board will likely stay unfilled for the rest of 2016, with the remaining year of the term up for election this November with the election winner to start on Jan. 1.
“The team we have right now is appropriate,” Passarell said after Monday’s board meeting. Passarell serves on the board with Jake Olles, Richard Remley and Darlene Benton.
In other action on Monday:
The board approved paying $3,000 towards the Albion Strawberry Festival. Festival organizers attended last month’s meeting and requested town assistance in paying for the annual two-day festival. The 30th annual Strawberry Festival will be June 10-11 and includes an Erie Canal theme this year. The event costs about $20,000 to put on with all of the entertainment, including marching bands.
The Albion Town Board gave $3,000 toward the festival for the first time last year. The board said it would ask to be recognized as one of the sponsors, and to have its donation specifically tied to some of the marching bands.
The board extended an agreement with the Town of Gaines that was started last year. Gaines is paying 25 percent of the Albion code enforcement officer’s salary and benefits in exchange for Dan Strong working 10 hours a week as code officer for Gaines. The Town of Albion pays about $76,000 in salary and benefits for Strong. Gaines will pay $19,000 of the cost in the shared services deal.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department is currently investigating several fraud complaints involving telephone contact being made to mostly elderly victims.
Phone calls are being received from a person posing to be an agent of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The caller is advising that the person receiving the call owes several thousand dollars in back taxes. The fake agent then tells the victim that they can settle by paying the money owed, in a reduced settlement amount or that they can purchase several $500 I Tunes Cards from a retailer and then send them to an address that will be provided after the cards are purchased.
The Albion Police Department would like to make residents aware that the IRS does not contact persons over the phone for tax related issues and that only the US Postal Service is used to communicate via written correspondence bearing the official makings of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
This scam is not unique to the Albion area and is occurring throughout the country.
Investigating these types of crimes are very difficult and if the scam is successful there is very little chance of making an arrest or obtaining restitution for the victims.
If a suspicious call is received and you have doubts as to if it is valid you should contact law enforcement before proceeding.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – About 80 people attended the first Masquerade Ball at The Pillars on Saturday, an event organized by the Albion Rotary Club. The event was also a fund-raiser for PAWS Animal Shelter on Gaines Basin Road and included a silent auction.
Michelle Hughson of Albion won first prize for best mask.
Ally Olles of Albion and Jarrett Bailey of Newfane got engaged on Saturday and received a big round of applause at the Masquerade Ball.
Couples welcomed a chance for fun after the cold weather last week.
Skip and Lisa Stratton of Albion were among the attendees at the first Masquerade Ball.
This group welcomed the chance to dress up and socialize on Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Actives, a fraternal organization of the Albion Fire Department, held its annual chicken barbecue on Saturday to benefit the Albion Midget League, a youth baseball program.
Bill Basinait, left, and Francis Dibley check the potatoes. The Actives prepared and served the meals at the Elks Club on West State Street.
Chiavetta’s prepared the chicken. Chris Mecca, left, and Alex Kujawinski flip the chickens on Saturday.
Bill Applegate, left, joins Bert Mathes, orange hat, and other Actives members in putting the dinners in take-out containers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photos
ALBION – The Albion High School National Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony on March 31 and inducted 34 new members.
The Albion High School Chapter welcomed the following students to the National Honor Society pictured above; Marella Albanese, Rose Arnold, Emilie Barleben, Lauren Becht, Kastriot Bela, Emily Blanchard, Shannon Broda, Sierra Chudy, Jillian Doyle, Nicole Eldred, Owen Foos, Elizabeth Furmanski, Celeste Hoffman, Jared Hollinger, Megan Leight, Mackenzie Luft, Joseph Madejski, Bailey Maier, Katherine Mann, Isabella Prest, Jacqueline Quintana Aragon, Vivian Rivers, Karina Rosario, Katherine Rustay, Yasmeen Shabazz, Samuel Slick, Skyler Smith, Clara Stilwell, Angela Tarricone, Catherine Thom, Laurence’ Walker, Chloe Weis, Savanah Wirth and Stephen Zayac.
The National Honor Society recognizes outstanding high school students who demonstrate excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. (Click here for more information.)
Photo by Tom Rivers – Rich Gannon, a high school social studies teacher, receives the “Excellence in Teaching Award” from Kyle Thaine, a member of the National Honor Society in Albion.
The National Honor Society provides students with opportunities to excel in community service through a variety of projects. The Albion Chapter is active in many community service projects helping collect and distribute necessary supplies to needy families of Genesee and Orleans counties.
National Honor Society (NHS) is an organization that has been active in Albion for many years. Students with a 90% or above average after the first 20 weeks of their junior or senior year are invited to support their candidacy for membership. This consists of filling out several forms, writing an essay, and obtaining four letters of recommendation. Membership is granted only to those selected by the Albion NHS Faculty Council using the information provided by the candidate in the areas of leadership, service, and character as well as input gathered from Albion High School faculty, staff, and administration.
National Honor Society members also looked at the four pillars of NHS and chose staff members who exemplified these areas. Staff members chosen who model these pillars were Mrs. Michele Powley (service award recipient), Ms. Susan Sampson (scholarship award recipient), Mr. Brad Nickerson (character award recipient) and Mrs. Dawn Arnold (leadership award recipient).
The Society also annually awards an Excellence in Teaching Award to a faculty member. This year the Albion NHS Excellence in Teaching Award winner was an Albion High School Social Studies teacher Mr. Rich Gannon.
Also recognized at the induction ceremony were current National Honor Society members. Pictured above are; Miranda Allen, Dylan Bader, Desiree Barber, Daniel Beam, Bethany Bowman, Scott Daniels, Wynter Dumont, Cheyenna Eagle, Randal Eblacker, Matthew Flanagan, Madeline Gibbs, Sarah Graham, Mckayla Hastings, Meghan Hurley, Caitlin Malanowski, Alyce Miller, Evan Pappalardo, Meredith Patterson, Katelyn Perry, Katlin Pieniaszek, Zachary Shaffer, Kelsee Soule, Melissa Symonds, Kyle Thaine, Nathaniel Trembley, Raven White and Mikayla Yaskulski.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kyle Thaine portrays Joseph in the Albion High School production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday (April 8) and noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The show is directed by Gary Simboli. He has led Albion High School musicals for more than 30 years. This is the fourth time in his career Albion has performed Joseph, which Simboli said is his favorite musical.
The show is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the Book of Genesis. His 12 brothers are jealous of his coat of many colors, his ability to interpret dreams, and his father’s preferential love.
Nate Trembley, right, plays Judah, Stephen Williams (center) is Levi and Connor Zicari plays Issachar, who are all Joseph’s brothers. They are plotting to sell him into slavery and fool their father into thinking Joseph was killed.
Freeman Lattin, center sitting, plays Jacob, father of Joseph.
Carly Fox, center, is one of the lead dancers in the show. This group is excited to be rid of Joseph. They are singing and dancing to the song, “One More Angel in Heaven.”
Kate Krieger is one the dancers. The cast and crew includes 86 students.
Cheyenna Eagle, left, and Angela Tarricone are both narrators in the show. The cast includes 13 elementary students who are the children of former cast members in past Joseph shows at Albion.
Joseph (Kyle Thaine) was falsely accused and imprisoned. In his despair he sings, “Close Every Door.”
Shelby Restivo, front, and Catherine Thom, right, and the cast dance to “Go, Go, Go Joseph.”
Hailey Bader is part of the cast in performing “Go, Go, Go Joseph.”
Zach Shaffer plays the Pharaoh, who performs in the style of Elvis. Pharaoh needs Joseph’s help in interpreting dreams.
Angela Tarricone, one of the narrators, sings near the finale of the show.
Tickets for the shows at the Albion Middle School are available at the door.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Contributed photos – Bruce Wojick and Jamie Holka will play an acoustic guitar concert on April 16 at the Cabaret at Studio B, 28 West Bank St. in Albion.
ALBION – In 2013, Amy Sidari had a dream of using space in her dance studio on West Bank Street for a performance venue.
She added professional lighting, sound equipment, tables and chairs for 84 people. She also started booking acts – local and regional musicians, comedians and other entertainers. The venue has proved popular with the performers and also the local community who welcome the chance to experience live entertainment in a cozy setting.
The Cabaret at Studio B is back for a fourth season. Sidari said many favorites will return including Marcy Downey, Josie Waverly and Phyl Contestable, a comedian better known as “Reverend Mother.”
Ace Caldwell works this morning on the new cappuccino bar for the Cabaret at Studio B in Albion.
File photo by Tom Rivers – Jim Babcock portrays Sonny and Sandra Monacelli-McNall is Cher in a performance of “I Got You Babe” during a Cabaret Variety Show on Aug. 15, 2014. More variety shows featuring local talent are planned for this year.
Sidari also is working with concert promoter Thom Jennings of Albion to bring in some new acts. Jennings has arranged for Bruce Wojick and Jamie Holka to perform at the Cabaret on April 16 at 7 p.m. Jennings lined up many of the performers for the Beegarten, the former Boiler 54, in Medina last year.
Wojick and Holka are full-time musicians doing 250 gigs a year. The April 16 concert will be their first in Orleans County.
Sidari said the venue will see other changes this year, including a new cappuccino bar. Her father, Ace Caldwell, has been busy working wth contractors to get that new setup ready.
Sidari said she is pleased to shine a light on so many talented people in the area. She includes other local talent in variety shows, which will be back again this year.
She expects to have 25 to 30 different shows this year. After Wojick and Holka on April 16, the Albion Jazz Band will perform twice on April 23 at 6 and 8 p.m.
For more information on tickets and prices for the shows, call 585-354-2320 or click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 April 2016 at 12:00 am
Matching funds would help with building projects
Photo by Tom Rivers – This photo shows East Bank Street in downtown Albion, an area the village is targeting for a Main Street revitalization grant though the state.
ALBION – The village is working on an application to the state for a Main Street revitalization grant for the downtown business district.
The village is looking at a bigger target area than its previous Main Street grant in 2013-14 which was limited to a three-block area.
The village is reaching out to building owners on Main Street from the former Cornell Cooperative Extension building (now an outreach center owned by Christ Church) to the Yellow Goose and former Nayman’s just north of the canal.
The village also is eyeing Bank Street near Ingersoll Street to Liberty Street (from Greg’s Barbershop to Arnold’s Auto Parts).
The village has sent letters about the grant to more than 40 building owners and 21 have already sent in preliminary applications, said Ron Vendetti, the village’s code enforcement officer who is managing the grant. Vendetti administered a Main Street grant in Holley about two years ago.
Building owners can seek up to $50,000 in matching funds for each commercial unit and up to $10,000 for each residential unit.
The program supports building renovations including renovation of residential units, projects that are visually prominent on Main Street, projects with historic value or historic properties in danger of disrepair, and projects that reduce blight blight and contribute to the economic recovery of the area, Vendetti said.
Albion has set a 5 p.m. meeting for April 27 at the Village Hall to share more information on the project. The Village Hall is located at 35 East Bank St.
Vendetti said he is excited about a new partnership with PathStone to help building owners with financing the projects. PathStone has created a loan product to fund up to 100 percent of a project for successful applicants in the program. PathStone’s loan would be 75 percent reimbursed when the state funds come in. PathStone will convert the balance of the loan on permanent financing to the building owners.
PathStone says it is willing to provide the short-term gap financing to make projects doable for the building owners.
“This makes the process more reachable,” Vendetti said.
He also is reaching out to NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) to help with energy and conservation projects.
For more information, call Vendetti at the Village office at 589-9176.
