Saturday was a great day for both the Albion and Medina marching bands at the Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands. Both were awarded first place awards.
The Medina Marching Band, pictured above, took first place in Senior High Class B Concert Band, first for its Cadet Guard and Varsity Guard, and first place in the parade for marching band in Division B, while also earning the parade’s Class Champion in Division B and overall Grand Champion.
Medina also competed in Senior High Stand Still Percussion and came in second place while the Jazz Ensemble was third.
Albion’s band program also had a strong showing. Albion was first overall for marching band in the open class. The Albion jazz ensemble also took first.
Both the Albion and Medina bands will perform during the Memorial Day parades in their respective communities.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Nicole Bellnier, left, and artist Jennifer Gray, who is also director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, are pictured by the chalk art drawing Gray did on Friday at Breeze Inn Again, a restaurant at Point Breeze that Bellnier opened a year ago.
ALBION – The upcoming Albion Strawberry Festival will include a chalk art competition for the first time in the event’s 30-year history.
Young children, teens and adults are all welcome to create a chalk art design with a historical theme. The competition will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 11 on the Main Street sidewalks between the lift bridge and Bank Street.
“We wanted to bring something to the festival that everyone could do together. Brothers, sisters, kids and adults can all compete,” said Nicole Bellnier, one of the organizers of “Chalk the Walk.”
Bellnier and Adam Johnson, president of the Albion merchants Association, are headed up the effort along with Jennifer Gray, director of the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. Gray was at Point Breeze on Friday, creating a chalk art display at Breeze Inn Again, Bellnier’s restaurant on Route 98 near Lake Ontario.
“There is a real grass roots movement with a bunch of people who want to see Albion flourish,” Gray said. They’re bringing in the arts to draw a different demographic.”
Photo by Tom Rivers – Jennifer Gray works on the chalk art at Breeze Inn Again on Friday.
Gray helped run the chalk art events in Batavia the past two years as part of the Summer in the City festival. She has seen chalk art festivals draw huge crowds in Raleigh, NC.
The Albion event will include prizes for the top creations. There will be a $5 entry fee for youth (ages 5-12), students (ages 13-18) and a $10 fee for adults (19 and older). First prize for youth includes $50, $100 for youth, and $150 for adults.
Bellnier said it will be exciting to see the creations take shape during the festival. The historical theme can include local or national themes.
“It’s going to be really neat to see history come alive on the streets of downtown Albion,” she said.
Bellnier paid $500 for the chalk art at her restaurant. That money will help GO Art! and the Albion Merchants Association promote Chalk the Walk, and also give out prizes.
Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes also has sponsored Gray to create a chalk art in downtown Albion next week, and Johnson has paid for one to go by the Frosty Bucket, a new ice cream shop he is opening next week on North Main Street.
ALBION – Orleans Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Regent Patrice Birner presents Albion Middle School seventh grade Service Learning students and History Club officers Annalise Steier and Mason Day with a check for $250 for costs related to their Civil War project honoring soldiers from Orleans County.
“We are proud to support the Albion Middle School seventh grade Service Learning project with a donation of $250,” Birner said, “as the students’ work exemplifies the organization’s objectives of preserving history, furthering education and promoting patriotism through volunteer service.”
The students will culminate the year’s work with a dedication ceremony on Thursday, May 26, at Mount Albion Cemetery at 10 a.m. at the Civil War section (west gate). Community members, veterans and parents are welcome.
The donated funds from the DAR will go toward the purchase of a bronze plaque mounted on Medina Sandstone, a granite planter urn (pictured), and a Sugar Maple tree.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jackie Quintana, a junior at Albion High School, holds the artwork she created that will be used to promote the upcoming Albion Strawberry Festival.
The 30th annual festival will be June 10-11 and this year’s theme highlights the historic Erie Canal. Quintana was recognized during Thursday’s Albion Rotary Club meeting. The Rotary Club is one of the main sponsors of the festival and helps organize the annual event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sandy Church, an Albion attorney, discusses advanced directives during an end-of-life seminar Tuesday evening at Hoag Library’s main meeting room.
The Albion Rotary Club organized the seminar, which attracted about 75 people to the library. Several speakers discussed issues to help senior citizens and caregivers better prepare for the end of life. In addition to the speakers, there was a vendor fair with about 15 different businesses and agencies.
Susie Miller, assistant director for the Office for the Aging in Orleans County, discusses some of the services at the agency, including assistance for younger people.
Miller said many members of the Baby Boomer generation are now taking care of their elderly parents.
Earl Schmidt, director of the Veterans Service Agency, is pictured with the agency’s new display for public outreach events. Schmidt was among the vendors at Tuesday’s seminar.
John Zonitch, an attorney with Oak Orchard Legal Services, discusses how Medicare and Medicaid can pay for nursing home care. Zonitch said a single person can still have $14,850 in savings and be eligible for Medicaid, and married people can have at least $74,820 and still be eligible for Medicaid. Those funds allow for “rainy day” expenses, such as roof repairs, new furnaces, and other costs.
However, Zonitch said people can’t give their money away to family and charities soon before seeking Medicaid assistance if they are near the Medicaid eligibility thresholds.
“It does get complex,” he said about the rules.
Scott Schmidt, the county’s chief coroner, said families with an unattended death can always call 911, a funeral director or a coroner for help.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2016 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Dan Beam receives his honor cords from his mother, Debbie DiBacco, while his father, Roger Beam, looks on during an Academic Honors Convocation Dinner on Monday.
Albion recognized 37 seniors who will soon be graduating with cumulative grade point averages at 90 percent or higher.
Alyce Miller is congratulated by Michael Bonnewell, Albion Central School superintendent. Alyce’s mother Betsy Miller, left, is ready to give Alyce her honor cords. High School Principal Matthew Peterson is in back, along with Eileen Banker from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office.
The convocation dinner includes a keynote address from an Albion graduate. This year Sarah Brown Dirkes, Class of 2005, delivered the message to the crowd at Hickory Ridge Country Club.
Dirkes was the class president when she was a senior, active in FFA, the school musical and many other activities. She worked in admissions for Cornell University and she said Cornell values well-rounded students.
She is director of external relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington, D.C., meeting with many corporate leaders from Whole Foods, WalMart and other companies in the U.S. food supply chain.
Dirkes grew up on a family farm, Brown’s Berry Patch, and she said she learned the values of grit and hard work. Her father, Bob Brown, also impressed on her the importance of nurturing relationships in the community. She urged the Albion honor grads to develop a network, and to roll up their sleeves and work hard.
She has been successful in her career by “daring to fail,” which for her is sometimes building up the confidence to meet with CEOs, forging through a crowd during a stockholder meeting. When she was class president, Dirkes led the push to move the Albion prom from Buffalo or Rochester to Hickory Ridge. That site in Murray has remained the prom location, with a popular red carpet scene for parents and friends to see the prom attendees.
Dirkes also told the students they should know their strengths and match those skills with their profession.
Desiree Barber is congratulated by her parents during the convocation dinner at Hickory Ridge.
Elijah Van Epps goes through a receiving line of well-wishers, including District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell.
Bruce Landis, a local professional photographer, prepares the honor grads for a group picture.
The 37 honor graduates include: Marella Albanese, Miranda Allen, Dylan Bader, Matthew Baker, Desiree Barber, Daniel Beam, Bethany Bowman, Scott Daniels, Matthew DeCarlo, Alex DeSmit, Wynter Dumont, Cheyanna Eagle, Randall Eblacker, Kelley Flanagan, Matthew Flanagan, Madeline Gibbs, Sarah Graham, Mckayla Hastings, Meghan Hurley, Miranda King, Caitlin Malanowski, Alexis Manning, Alyce Miller, Evan Pappalardo, Meredith Patterson, Katelyn Perry, Katlin Pieniaszek, Aliya Rayner, Zachary Shaffer, Kelsee Soule, Melissa Symonds, Kyle Thaine, Nathaniel Trembley, Elijah Van Epps, Chloe Weis, Raven White and Mikayla Yaskulski.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The walkway to the Albion Middle School is pictured Monday evening while the trees are in bloom in front a Vietnam Memorial.
Voters will go the polls today at the five school districts in Orleans County to decide whether to pass budgets, propositions and elect members to the Board of Education.
Here is a snapshot of each school district:
ALBION – The proposed $33,890,990 school budget keeps taxes at the same amount, $8,355,939, as the 2015-16 budget. The district’s tax rate for the current school year, $16.06 per $1,000 of assessed property, is the lowest of all districts in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties. The Albion rate is estimated to fall to $15.87 in 2016-17, school officials said.
Other propositions include:
Authorization to spend up to $460,000 for buses;
Approval to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library, which is up 1 percent from the $680,411 for 2015-16.
Choosing one of four candidates for a five-year term on the Board of Education. The candidates include Dylan Hellems, Steven LaLonde, Kevin Doherty and Anitrice Riley.
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the elementary school, conference room A.
HOLLEY – The proposed $24.4 million budget for 2016-17 includes a 1.99 percent increase in the tax levy. The budget is 4.73 percent higher than the current year budget. The nearly 5 percent budget-to-budget increase is due to the district’s share of the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Capital Project, school officials said.
The proposed budget maintains current staffing and programs, and brings the average tax rate to approximately $22.81 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Besides the budget, voters will decide the following: Proposition 2 for the purchase of schools buses – two full-sized and two 30-passenger school buses not to exceed $339,000; Proposition 3 is the budget for the Community Free Library in Holley of $116,061.
Additionally, three candidates are running for two 3-year term seats on the School Board. John Heise and Brenda Swanger are running for re-election, and Christine Klafehn is also running for an open seat.
Voting will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the foyer of the Holley Middle School/High School.
KENDALL – The proposed budget increases spending from $15,065,842 to $17,392,234, predominantly due to the debt incurred with the recent capital improvement project. The budget-to-budget increase, however, is completely offset by an increase in state aid from $9,884,890 to $11,855,939, school officials said.
The proposed tax levy remains unchanged in the 2016/17 budget, and the tax rate will be $17.39/$1,000 assessed value for a Kendall resident.
One seat on the School Board of Education is up for election this year. Incumbent Charles Patt is seeking another term. Debra Szczepanski is also seeking a term on the Board. The five-year term will run through June 30, 2021.
Voting is from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Kendall Elementary School Gymnasium.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proposing a budget that will reduce taxes by 3.4 percent, continuing a downward trend in the tax burden.
The district is proposing a budget that seeks a tax levy of $4,266,578, which is down from $4,416,578 in 2015-16. The previous year, 2014-15, the district’s tax levy was $4,666,578. Lyndonville has reduced the tax levy by $400,000 in two years, a drop of 8.6 percent.
The district’s $13,254,000 budget is nearly the same in expenditures as in 2015-16. The 2016-17 budget is $108 more than the $13,253,892 in 2015-16.
Other propositions include:
$91,589 for Yates Community Library (up from $90,653).
Establish 2016 Transportation Reserve Fund to fund bus and vehicle purchases, not to exceed $720,000 over 8 years.
Authorization to purchase one 66-passenger school bus at a maximum estimated cost of $110,000. School officials say the bus proposition and Transportation Reserve Fund will not have an impact on the tax levy.
Three incumbents on the Board of Education are all running unopposed for three-year terms. They include Harold Suhr, Terry Stinson and Rick Mufford.
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the Stroyan Auditorium forum.
MEDINA – The school district’s budget for 2016-17 reduces taxes for the fourth straight year. The $35,825,184 budget is up about $1 million from the $34,802,870 in 2015-16.
The state has boosted aid by nearly $900,000 and Medina is tapping some of its reserve funds to lower taxes in 2016-17, school officials said.
The new state budget boosts aid to Medina from $23,769,997 to $24,860,152. That increase is a big factor in Medina’s ability to cut taxes by 1.3 percent, from $8,774,760 to $8,660,915.
The budget keeps all existing programs and also boosts the gifted and talented offerings.
There are six people running for three three-year terms, including incumbents Lori Draper and Wendi Pencille. Retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi also is running for the board along with Timothy Dunham, Virginia Nicholson and Brenda Lindsay. (Draper and Pencille are seeking re-election and John McCarthy opted against seeking another term.)
Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at the District Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2016 at 12:00 am
The school budgets and propositions at all five school districts in Orleans County passed by big margins today.Medina and Lyndonville presented budgets that reduced taxes, while Albion and Kendall didn’t raise taxes. Holley will increase taxes by 1.99 percent.
In Albion, the results include:
School budget passed, 444-94;
Authorization to spend up to $460,000 for buses, 452-86;
Approval to collect $687,211 for Hoag Library, 385-153.
Choosing one of four candidates for a five-year term on the Board of Education. Steven LaLonde was elected with 310 votes. Other candidates included Dylan Hellems, 31 votes; Kevin Doherty, 114; and Anitrice Riley, 93.
In Holley, the results include:
School budget passed, 373-207;
Authorization for the purchase of schools buses, 368-213;
Approval to collect $116,061 for Community Free Library, 418-166.
Choosing two 3-year term seats on the School Board. Brenda Swanger, 423 votes, and John Heise, 370, were elected. Christine Klafehn received 266 votes.
In Kendall, the results include:
School budget passed, 282-90;
School Bus Replacement Capital Reserve Fund passed, 294-80;
Voters elected Charles Patt, 218 votes, to another five-year term on the Board of Education. He outpolled Debi Szczepanski, 163 votes.
In Lyndonvile, the budget passed with more than 90 percent approval, 132-11.
Other propositions all passed including:
$91,589 for Yates Community Library, 121-22;
Establish 2016 Transportation Reserve Fund to fund bus and vehicle purchases, not to exceed $720,000 over 8 years, 125-15;
Authorization to purchase one 66-passenger school bus at a maximum estimated cost of $110,000, 124-16;
Three incumbents on the Board of Education – Harold Suhr, Terry Stinson and Rick Mufford – all were re-elected to three-year terms. Mufford received 123 votes, with 118 for Stinson and 116 for Suhr.
In Medina, the budget passed 522-59.
Six people ran for three three-year terms on the Board of Education. Incumbent Board President Wendi Pencille was the top vote-getter with 425, followed by Lori Draper with 384 and Brenda Lindsay with 369. Those three were elected. Other candidates include Timothy Dunham, 181; Virginia Nicholson, 165; and retired Medina school administrator Alberta Suozzi, 160.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The former Crooked Door Tavern closed in January 2015. It will be up for auction on Wednesday with bids accepted at 3 p.m. at the Orleans County Courthouse.
ALBION – A tavern/restaurant that closed in January 2015 had strong sales and devoted following, drawing customers from between Buffalo and Rochester, said an auctioneer broker trying to sell the former Crooked Door.
“It’s definitely an attractive property,” said Michael Foster, auctioneer broker for Tranzon Auction Properties in Kenmore. “It’s a great opportunity for a restauranteur.”
The tavern, the former Club 469, opened in January 2011 following extensive renovations by Joe and Debbie Martillotta. They operated the business for more than three years, selling it in April 2014 to Susan Holmes. She closed the business in January 2015, nine months after acquiring the property at 469 East State St.
A bank is foreclosing on the Crooked Door and has hired Tranzon to sell it. There will be an auction at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Orleans County Courthouse, 1 South Main St. Bidders should register at 2:30 p.m.
Foster said the site is largely unchanged from when it was last open. The 4,316-square-foot building is nearly turnkey.
“All the equipment is there,” he said. “There is definitely potential.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Bidders and curiosity seekers gather outside the Orleans County Courthouse for the auction today at 3 p.m. for the former Crooked Door tavern. The property at 469 East State St. sold for $135,000.
ALBION – The owner of The Village House, a restaurant that opened 30 years ago on East Avenue in Albion, bought the former Crooked Door tavern today at an auction for $135,000.
Alex Mitrousis, The Village House owner, said his family wants to turn the Crooked Door into a sports bar with finger foods.
“We’re not in a rush,” he said about a timetable for the project.
Mitrousis said he has been in the restaurant business for 46 years, starting when he opened the Brockport Diner. He said they are intense businesses that need many employees. He has 40 workers at The Village House. A sports bar with a downsized menu will be a different experience than The Village House, and a viable business, Mitrousis said.
The Crooked Door, the former Club 469, opened in January 2011 following extensive renovations by Joe and Debbie Martillotta. They operated the business for more than three years, selling it in April 2014 to Susan Holmes. She closed the business in January 2015, nine months after acquiring the property at 469 East State St.
Key Bank held the mortgage, which was $427,740 in arrears. The sale today will go towards that debt.
Key Bank submitted the opening bid of $75,000. Then Steve Gramiak, owner of the Black North Inn and Mitrousis, were in a bidding battle until Gramiak opted not to go above $135,000. Gramiak said he saw the property as an investment that could be leased to someone wanting to run a restaurant with a bar.
The former Crooked Door Tavern closed in January 2015.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photos – Several speakers attended a rally in Albion on Saturday seeking to divide NY into two regions. Some of the speakers included, from left: Pastor Earl C. Wallace from Liberty Christian Fellowship in Halfmoon (eastern New York); Cathy Sapeta from New Yorkers United for Kids; John Bergener, Jr., Divide NYS Caucus, Inc.; Mattie Zarpentine of Holley representing New York Revolution; and Stephen Aldstadt, president of SCOPE (Shooters Committee on Political Education).
ALBION – Upstate New York is outnumbered in the State Legislature, and the dominating influence of downstate drives up costs for upstaters, and leads to social policies outside community norms for Upstate, speakers at a rally in Albion said on Saturday.
The Divide NYS Caucus, Inc. wants to create two autonomous regions with the New York region consisting of the counties Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester.
The rest of the state would be the New Amsterdam Region, consisting of the other 53 counties in the state, including Orleans.
John Bergener, Jr., one of the leaders of the Divide NYS Caucus, said the group is pushing for residents to support a Constitutional Convention in 2017. The goal isn’t to create two different states, but to divide the state into two autonomous regions. That effort would not require Congressional approval and can bypass the NY Legislature through a NYS Constitutional Convention, Bergener said.
John Bergener, Jr. speaks at Bullard Park about a push to divide the state into two autonomous regions.
Every 20 years, New York residents have an opportunity to vote on whether to hold a NYS Constitutional Convention. The convention would focus on the State Constitution only. The next opportunity for a convention vote will be November 2017.
Bergener and the Divide NYS Caucus said the state has very diverse population with the majority of the counties small to medium sized communities set in a rural and suburban climate. Those communities tend to be conservative with their values. The state also is home to New York City and the surrounding counties that are far more liberal than Upstate. The divergent regions make it difficult to govern the state.
New York Revolution formed soon after the state passed the SAFE Act in January 2013, a controversial gun control law. Zarpentine said the group is focused on fighting for Second Amendment rights, but sees other problems in the state encroaching on the rights and lifestyle of upstate residents.
“The SAFE Act got many of us involved,” Zarpentine said. “But this is much more than a Second Amendment issue.”
The downstate influence in the State Legislature and governor’s office has driven up costs for businesses and taxes for residents, making Upstate uncompetitive for many businesses and driving away people.
Mattie Zarpentine, a state coordinator of New York Revolution, speaks at the rally in Albion.
“Albany does not care how we feel, how we live and will just continue to push forward their agenda,” Zarpentine said. “How is upstate being served by a downstate governor and a downstate controlled legislature?”
Zarpentine said Albany politicians continue to be mired in scandal, with no end in sight. The governor and Legislature haven’t enacted ethics reform, she said. This month the former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos were both sentenced to prison for corruption.
Zarpentine, a Holley resident, said she was encouraged by the different groups that attended the rally in Albion. The groups are trying to build support for the Constitutional Convention.
It was a fairly small crowd at the Albion rally, which was held with rain, gusty weather and temperatures in the 50s. Zarpentine said she met people from Jamestown, Saratoga and other parts of the state. They are determined to have a state that preserves residents’ rights and works for solutions for attracting and keeping businesses and families.
“A small number of people can make change,” Zarpentine said.
Pastor Earl Wallace of Liberty Christian Fellowship spoke on the Biblical basis of the Bill of Rights. Wallace said the Founding Fathers were influenced by the Bible, especially the 10 Commandments, and historical documents such as the Magna Carta from 1215 that treat citizens according to Biblical principles.
Kathy Sapeta of New Yorkers United for Kids wants to repeal Common Core in schools.
Stephen Aldstadt, president of SCOPE, discussed the SAFE Act and NY regulations that make New York the highest taxed state in the country.
Zarpentine said the groups will make their feelings known to state legislators.
“Our representatives are not advocating for us to the full extent that they should be,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Michael Ryan, right, and Zack Baron work together this morning to put an American flag by the grave of a veteran buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Route 31 in Albion.
Scouts put more than 1,000 flags at the graves for veterans this morning, an annual service project for Boy and Girl Scouts in the Albion area. They have the flags out before Memorial Day.
Henry Symons, 8, and his sister Amelia, 4, look for veterans’ graves at Mount Albion Cemetery. Henry is in Pack 164.
Jessica Schleede and her mother Tina have been putting flags at veterans’ graves before Memorial Day for about 10 years. Jessica is a Girl Scout in Troop 82059.
Mike Beach and his son Oliver are pictured at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Oliver placed a flag at the grave for his great-grandfather, George Allard, who served in World War II. Oliver and his brother James Michael have put a flag at Allard’s grave the past six years.
Zack Baron carries an American flag while looking for veterans’ graves at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Leah Pawlak introduces herself as the microphone was passed to each player on the Rotary team during opening ceremonies for the Albion Midget League, which started in 1956.
This year there are six teams in the league. They gathered at the Midget League Field behind the Town Hall on Clarendon Road. The season continues until mid-July. There are also six Futures teams with players ages 7 to 10.
The teams played today in gusty weather with temperatures in the low 50s.
Jason Conn, center left, passes the microphone to Jack Ludwick. They play on the Barre Cubs, which won the championship in 2015.
Dan Bartlett, head coach of Sandstone Park, greets his players. Bartlett has been coaching the team for about 15 years. They were runner-ups for the title last year.
St. Mary’s players are lined up, including Nick Radder, right, and Ethan Ashton, second from right. St. Mary’s is one of the original teams from when the league started 60 years ago.
Dave Nashburn, head coach of the Vets, holds the microphone for players during their introductions.
Carlton players, wearing new uniforms this year, say their names to the crowd. Bryan Catlin, center, has coached the team for many years.
Joe Sacco, a former Albion mayor, threw out the ceremonial first ptich to his grandson, Christopher Sacco of the Sandstone team. Sacco then sang the National Anthem.
The league will have its annual chicken barbecue at the Midget League Field on June 4 from noon until sold out.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Matthew Flanagan is pictured with two of the three picnic tables he delivered this afternoon for Hoag Library.
Matthew, 18, built the tables for his Eagle Scout project. They are a welcome addition to the outdoor area off by the children’s library section, said Nicole Struble, children’s librarian.
She said she will invite families to use the tables for story times and for other activities, including if people want a spot to eat lunch.
Matthew said he joined the Scouting program in sixth grade and developed a deeper appreciation for the community through the many service projects. He said he also enjoyed the many camping and backpacking adventures.
His father, Daniel Flanagan, will serve as new Scoutmaster for Troop 164 in Albion beginning in July.
Matthew Flanagan, back left, unloads one of the tables with help from his brother John, back right; Ben Restivo, front left; and John Flanagan, back to camera.
ALBION – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) announced the locations and times of his upcoming Town Hall meetings in Orleans County on Saturday.
“I am excited by the opportunity to listen to the questions and concerns of my constituents in Orleans County,” Hawley said. “Positive feedback and constructive criticism keep me motivated to fight for better public policy each day. I use the concerns and ideas of my constituents to shape my initiatives, legislative votes and the programs I fight for during budget negotiations.”
The schedule for Saturday includes:
Village of Medina/Town of Ridgeway, 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., Medina Fire Hall, 600 Main St.
Town of Barre, 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m., Barre Fire Hall, 4709 Oak Orchard Rd.
Village of Albion/Town of Albion, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Albion Fire Hall, 108 N. Platt St.
Village of Holley/Town of Murray, noon to 12:30 p.m., Holley Fire Hall, 7 Thomas St.
