Photo and article courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – Thirty-one members of Albion’s Class of 2025 were recognized for their academic honors on May 7 during the 16th Annual Honors Convocation dinner and ceremony.

Hosted in the newly renovated high school gym, graduating seniors with a cumulative weighted grade point average of 90% or higher were recognized for their achievement in front of their families, administrators and board of education members.

2025 academic honors students include Zachary Abel, Mallory Ashbery, Zackary Baron, Nicholas Baxter, Oliver Beach, Leo Bolton, Sawyer Brigham, Olivia Brooks, Cassandra Brown, Dillion DiGiulio, Kelli Dingle, Samantha Dobo, Nolan Franzese, Nathan Garrett, Tracy Garrett, Alexis Hand, Rori Higgins, Matthew Kania, Mallory Kozody, Seth Krenning, Madison LeBaron, Kenadie Patten, Emily Richardson, David Rosario-Soto, MacKenzie Snook, Natalie Soule, Roselan Steffen, Tye Talbot, Ella Trupo, Zachary Yankevich and Keira Zambito.

The honorees were called to the stage individually to receive their certificate and then were adorned with their honors cords from their parents/guardians.

Mr. Kyle Thaine, ’16, was the guest speaker for the evening. Thaine currently teaches Global History II, US History and is the Senior Class Advisor in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District. Thaine’s words of wisdom to the Albion Class of 2025: “Read something every day. It can be a book, an article from the news, or a writeup on last night’s game. Anything. Just find time every day to read something that someone else has written.”

The Class of 2025 is set to graduate on Friday, June 27.

Press Release, Albion Central School

Provided photo: Albion eighth-graders Mary McCormick (left) and Kendall Peruzzini (right) are shown in November with Craig Lane, superintendent of the Orleans County Department of Public Works, after a headstone was delivered for a Civil War soldier buried in an unmarked grave at the Alms House Cemetery on West Countyhouse Road. The public is invited to a dedication ceremony at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at the cemetery.

ALBION – The hard work and research of two Albion Middle School students on a forgotten Civil War veteran buried at the Orleans County Alms “Poor”House Cemetery will culminate with a special “headstone unveiling” this Satursday at 10:30 a.m.

All are invited, rain or shine.

Last fall eighth graders Mary McCormick and Kendall Peruzzini discovered that a former Civil War soldier, Daniel L. Walterhouse, was buried at the cemetery in an unmarked grave.

After verifying the soldier’s lengthy stay at the Alms House and his significant military history, they applied for, and received, a Civil War era headstone from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Local dignitaries, historians, veterans, teachers, students, and interested parties will be in attendance. The program will conclude with a special military salute.

The project has garnered national media attention with coverage from the Washington Post, Fox News, the New York Post, and, most recently, the current edition of Reader’s Digest.

The cemetery is located a quarter mile behind the Emergency Management buildings at 14064 W. County House Rd., Albion.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating and umbrellas if there is rain.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ALBION – Some Albion eighth-graders teamed with Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to give two historic markers a facelift with fresh coats of paint.

The top photo shows Emmaline Gailie, Nicole Loney and Tatiana Morales with Ierlan and the marker for the First Academy between the Niagara and Genesee.

The marker is in Gaines on Ridge Road, one mile west of Route 279.

The students also teamed with Ierlan to give this marker for the Brick Pond fresh paint.  This marker is on Route 98, south of Route 104. Ierlan has removed old, flaking paint from about 30 markers in Orleans County and given them new paint.

J.A. Lafler opened a brickyard here in the 1850s, producing drainage tile and bricks for local buildings. He patented a brick machine in 1863.

Lux Froman paints the pole black on the marker for the Brick Pond.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery is in its budding and blossoming glory right now, with many colors on display in the historic cemetery along Route 31.

Mount Albion in 2022 became accredited as an arboretum through ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum. The cemetery covers about 100 acres and is home to more than 1,100 trees and an array of flowers and bushes.

There are 65 varieties of trees, ranging from alder to beech, butternut  to basswood, oak to spruce, hemlock to dogwood, pine to cedar and chestnut, according to the listing by ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum.

“But what dominates the landscape is New York State’s official tree – the Sugar Maple,” the group stated. “It’s brilliant fall colors dance across the landscape like a kaleidoscope of calm.”

Many people enjoy walking and visiting the cemetery, especially in the fall. But right now might be the best time of the year to visit the cemetery.

The cemetery hosts tours in the summer. A spring-time tour highlighting the different types of trees would be much appreciated by the public as well.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Peter Stritzinger, 13, places flags on veterans’ graves this morning at Mount Albion Cemetery.

Stritzinger and other Scouts in Troop 164 and Pack 164 set flags on more than 1,300 flags at Mount Albion and St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

The Scouts for decades have teamed with the American Legion and VFW to have the flags at veterans’ graves before Memorial Day.

Leo Gotte, 12, of Troop 164 and his mother, Megan Gotte, place flags where veterans are buried at Mount Albion.

Jack Breuilly, 13, (left) and Colson Braley, 14, carry flags while looking for veterans’ graves at Mount Albion.

Jay Baron, 5, teams with his father Jeff Baron to put flags at veterans’ markers. Jeff is the dean leader for Pack 164 which allows Scouts as young as 5. Jeff remembers putting flags at the cemetery before Memorial Day when he was a kid and a Boy Scout.

Colton Durow, 14, finds a veteran’s grave to place a flag. Mount Albion has many varieties of trees in bloom right now.

This year the Memorial Day parade begins on May 26 at 10 a.m. at the corner of Park Street and South Main Street and proceeds to the Middle School where there will be a service at 11 a.m. in front of the school.

People and organizations interested in being the parade should contact Phil Warne of the Legion at (585) 589-5701. He is co-chairman of the parade with Matt Passarell from the VFW.

150 dresses and counting have been given out last 3 years

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Ayesha Way, a senior at Albion High School, checks out a dress which caught her eye at the Main Street store on Wednesday evening. (Right) Melody Snook from Holley High School models the gown she chose for her prom.

ALBION – Dozens of seniors in area schools will attend their proms this spring, decked out with beautiful gowns, stunning accessories and flattering makeup, thanks to Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store.

This is the third year store manager Cassie Healy has promoted a prom giveaway, in which donated prom dresses, accessories, makeup and hair products are given free to high school seniors in Orleans County and Batavia.

Kristalyn Taylor, a 16-year-old senior at Albion High School, picks out hair accessories and makeup for her prom.

Healy and her volunteers have already taken dresses to Niagara-Orleans BOCES, the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia, Lyndonville High School and Holley High School. Upcoming events are scheduled Friday in Albion High School and Tuesday at Medina High School.

Last year Healy said they provided free prom attire for 52 girls. This year they have already given out 68 gowns, and that doesn’t count the number of gowns chosen Wednesday evening at the Main Street store or the giveaways scheduled  Friday at Albion High School and Tuesday at Medina High Schools.

Healy said the community has been very generous with their donations, and prom dresses are being donated all year. A section at the back of the store has been curtained off with tables full of makeup, jewelry and accessories, a backdrop for taking pictures and a changing room.

Also on site Wednesday night was Valerie Webb of Le Roy, a teacher at Holley, who volunteered to do on-the-spot alterations when needed.

Senior Ayesha Way from Albion High School was delighted with the opportunity to get a prom dress.

“Some prom dresses go for $400 or more, and not everybody can afford that,” she said.

Melody Snook, 16, a senior at Holley, shopped with her mom, who approved the dress she chose.

“I thought this was a wonderful opportunity for the girls,” said her mother Colleen Wiest. “I’ve seen nothing but happy faces coming and going. We had been shopping in the stores for a dress but couldn’t find her size.”

Healy said the dresses on her racks ranged from size 0 to 24, in all colors and styles.

Many of the girls also found shoes in their size to match their dress.

Store associate Anna Geldard helped girls to choose makeup, fake eyelashes and jewelry to complement their gowns.

“We have a very wide array of things to choose from, and girls are obviously very appreciative,” Geldard said. “I still have the pictures from my prom five or six years ago and I remember what a special day it was. Being able to be part of helping someone else get ready for their prom is very special.”

Budget will be down slightly in 2025 for Albion’s public library

ALBION – Voters in the Hoag Library service area of central Orleans County elected two trustees to the library’s board on Monday.

Kevin Doherty was elected to a four-year term with Dawn Squicciarini winning a two-term as a write-in.

Library leaders also held Hoag’s annual meeting and went over the budget for 2025. Expenditures total $687,350 with $657,560 to come from property taxes collected as part of the vote on May 20 from noon to 8 p.m. at Albion Central School.

Overall spending is down from the $693,150 in 2024, and the amount to be collected from property taxes is also down from $664,510. The taxes are down considerably from the $754,350 in 2021, the last year Hoag was still paying on the mortgage for a new library that opened in 2012.

Other funding in the 2025 budget includes $2,790 from Orleans County, $14,000 in contributions, $11,500 for services and fees (Fax, copier and book fines) and $4,000 in state library aid.

Some of the main expenses include: Payroll and benefits at $434,500 (63 percent of budget); Books and materials at $45,500 (Books, $27,000; Hoopla and online services, $11,000; and serials and audio visual, $7,500); operation and maintenance at $132,800 (utilities, insurance, maintenance and equipment); programs and services at $14,500 (adult and juvenile programming, publicity); and other expenses at $60,050 (professional services, contractual expenses, ALMS fee and contingency).

Other funding in the 2025 budget includes $2,790 from Orleans County, $14,000 in contributions, $11,500 for services and fees (Fax, copier and book fines) and $4,000 in state library aid.

Some of the main expenses include: Payroll and benefits at $434,500 (63 percent of budget); Books and materials at $45,500 (Books, $27,000; Hoopla and online services, $11,000; and serials and audio visual, $7,500); operation and maintenance at $132,800 (utilities, insurance, maintenance and equipment); programs and services at $14,500 (adult and juvenile programming, publicity); and other expenses at $60,050 (professional services, contractual expenses, ALMS fee and contingency).

Circulation for 2024 included 32,352 books, 9,792 non-books as physical items, 5,208 digital items through Hoopla, and 4,635 digital items through Libby.

Hoag also provided 69 homebound deliveries, 486 motorized documents, 155 ESL sessions, 178 GED sessions, 1,088 outside sessions, 4,394 items loaned through Inter-Library Loan and 6,495 items borrowed through Inter-Library Loan.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Chuck Persons rides his motorcycle at the start of a 50-mile trek through Orleans County today in the annual motorcycle safety and awareness ride.

The Orleans County chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) organized the ride and also held a rally at the courthouse steps. Only a few motorcyclists went on the ride due to the rain.

These motorcyclists, including Don DuBois of Medina in front, get ready for their safety and awareness ride. The bikers urge the public to “ look twice, save a life.”

Don Sloper, president of the Orleans County chapter of ABATE, speaks during today’s rally at the courthouse steps. About 110 riders are in the Orleans County chapter.

Barry Flansburg, center, represented Assemblyman Steve Hawley and County Legislator Skip Draper represented State Sen. Rob Ortt. They presented proclamations in support of motorcycle safety and urged other motorists to use extra caution when making a left turn or pulling out onto the roadway.

Chris Genovese, legislative coordinator for ABATE of New York and a meber of the Buffalo and Erie County chapter, shared legislative priorities for ABATE.

Two bills seek to hold motorists accountable for reckless driving that endangers others. ABATE wants a vehicular violence awareness component into the pre-licensing course to stress the importance of a culture of responsibility and respect among drivers.

“Through education and awareness, ABATE of NY seeks to reduce the incidence of reckless driving and vehicular violence, ultimately creating safer roads for all users in New York State,” the group states.

Genovese also highlighted the Grieving Families Act which seeks justice for the families of those who are wrongfully killed by the acts of others, including riders killed by negligent drivers.

“This important legislation provides surviving families the ability to seek fair compensation for their pain and suffering, addressing the emotional and financial hardships that come with such a devastating loss,” ABATE states on its website. “By expanding the definition of ‘family’ to include not only traditional relatives but also those who have close, dependent relationships with the deceased, the Grieving Families Act recognizes the wide-ranging impact of such tragedies. This bill is crucial for holding negligent drivers accountable and providing much-needed support to those left behind.”

Kevin Doherty

ALBION – Hoag Library will hold its annual meeting on Monday at 7 p.m., with an election for two trustee positions from noon to 7 p.m. that day.

Only one candidate, Kevin Doherty, submitted a petition to run for a trustee position.

Two trustee positions are available: one four-year term and one two-year term.

Write-in votes will determine at least one of the new trustees.

Doherty is the lone candidate whose name will be on the ballot. Doherty has been a part of Hoag Library for many years, and served as president of the board when the new library was built in 2012.

“Our facility is a great example of what can be accomplished when personal agenda are laid aside for the community benefit,” Doherty said in a candidate statement on the Hoag Library website. “As an institution, Hoag has evolved to meet the changing needs of our service area.”

Doherty also has served multiple terms on the Albion Board of Education and has been an elected leader or representative at the local, diocesan and national levels of the Episcopal Church. He also has been a volunteer with the Orleans County 4-H Fair and Albion Strawberry Festival.

Doherty runs Doherty Communications as a senior voice network analyst. He and his wife Linda are parents had six children who all graduated from Albion. Two of their nine grandchildren are currently in the Albion school district.

To be eligible to vote, individuals must reside within the Hoag Library service area, which aligns with the Albion Central School District boundaries – many the central Orleans County towns of Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton.

Hoag Library leaders welcome community members to attend the annual meeting to hear updates about the library’s programs, services and future plans.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Dave Viterna Group performed at Marti’s on Main on Friday evening. The art gallery is celebrating its 15^th season of hosting art shows in Albion.

The gallery used to be in the home of Kim and Neal Muscarella. But in 2021, they moved Marti’s to the former Cornell Cooperative Extension building at 20 South Main St.

Kim Martillotta Muscarella and her family transformed the interior of the building into an art studio and gallery.

These fish and sea creatures hang inside Marti’s and were created by Janey Balcerzak, Kim Martillotta Muscarella’s 15-year-old great niece. They are an acrylic on decoupaged.

Kim Martillotta Muscarella’s granddaughters are featured artists in the opening show. Lily Zambito created the large painting in center, “ButterFL eyes” and her sister Sophia Zambito created the prints.

Marti’s opening show also features work by Laura Amor, including this acrylic, “Poppies in Gray Frame.”

Kim Martillotta Muscarella takes a photo of the Dave Viterna Group performing on Friday at the gallery.

The gallery is open by appointment. Call Muscarella at (585) 590-9211 for more information.

The gallery is open to the public for new art shows the third Fridays each month from 6 to 9 p.m.. The  schedule for the season includes:

• May 16 – featuring David Burke, Jeff Watkins and Bob Wisner
• June 20 – featuring Rosie Patronski, Shirley Nigro and Kim Martillotta Muscarella
• July 18 – Bicentennial show highlighting work celebrating the Erie Canal and Orleans County
• Aug. 15 – Environmental Show and also highlighting work by Sarah Hyatt
• Sept. 19 – featuring Chris Manaseri, Becky Maynard and Brandi Zavitz
• Oct. 17 – featuring Nancy Radzik, Rebecca Barry and Bradeen Walders
• Oct. 24 – The SkyCats Halloween Party with concert from 6 to 9 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These Albion second-graders meet “Nugget,” an 8-week-old beef calf during today’s Mini-Farm Day at Albion.

The FFA has run the event for many years, arranging to have farm equipment and animals outside the high school.

FFA member Nate Gibson, in back, talked with students about Nugget, which currently weighs 225 pounds and should top 1,500 when its fully mature.

“It’s about inspires young minds on where their food comes from,” Gibson said. “It’s always a good time.”

Nugget is owned by FFA President Kaitlynn Basinait and her family.

These second-graders throw small bales of hay, a new activity at the Mini-Farm Day.

Students in Mr. David Plewinski’s second grade class meet “Kevin,” a cowhorse owned by Darren Roberts of Kent. Kevin competes nationally at cow-sorting events.

Elliott Beyrle, a junior, talks with students about Kevin.

Students meet a rabbit named “Dot” inside the FFA’s ag shop. The rabbit is on loan for the day from the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.

FFA member Drew Pritchard introduces some of the kids to two goats brought to school by Kaitlynn Basinait and her family.

FFA members Brayden Snook, center, and Logan Scott, left, talk with student about a fertilizer sprayer used in the spring to energize crops. Bennett & Sons in barre brought the sprayer to school for the Mini-Farm Day.

A black lab “Henry” was popular with the kids. Henry is a hunting dog owned by Kaitlin Bennett, a member of FFA.

Board pared some expenses at last moment to get tax rate under $16

ALBION – Village taxpayers may have expected a drop in their village taxes with the 2025-26 budget because the fire department no longer is part of the village budget.

The fire department now is in the Albion Joint Fire District which is its own taxing entity with its own tax bills.

But the village taxes will be up in 2025-26 – by 11 percent. The Village Board is putting more money in reserves and faces other inflationary increases, with less fund balance to help offset taxes, board members said on Tuesday when the budget was adopted.

The spending in the General Fund increased less than 1 percent or by $62,106 from $4,701,848 to $4,763,955.

But the tax levy, what the village collects in property taxes, is up 11.1 percent or by $345,650 – from $3,117,813 to $3,463,463.

The tax rate will drop more than 20 percent or by $4.41 per $1,000 of assessed property – from $20.40 to $15.99. A big increase in the village’s tax base following town-wide reassessments last year pushed down the tax rate. The village’s taxable valuation is up 41.6 percent or by $63,666,806 – from $152,867,932 to $216,534,738.

The village is using about $200,000 less in its fund balance and that accounts for more than half of the tax increase. Village Clerk-Treasurer Tracy Van Skiver said the village’s fund balance currently stands at only $300,000. She said the state comptroller’s office has recommended the village get the fund balance between $800,000 and $1.1 million. Those funds can help the village with unexpected expenses outside of what is budgeted.

The village only is using $64,000 in its fund balance to help offset property taxes in 2025-26, compared to $261,150 in 2024-25.

“My concern is the fund balance,” Van Skiver told the board on Tuesday. “We’re trying to protect it.”

The budget was adopted by the board on Tuesday after about a 90-minute discussion from board members. The board started the meeting with the budget with the tax rate at $16.34. The board wanted to get that below $16 and needed to cut about $60,000.

The tentative budget had five new reserve accounts at $105,000 for the Department of Public Works and Police Department. Those reserves would have money set aside for equipment, vehicles and infrastructure, and lessen the need for financing and borrowing in the future. The reserve funds should lessen the need to whittle down the fund balance.

The board decided to keep the reserve accounts, but to reduce the amounts by 36 percent or by $37,800 – from $105,000 to $67,200.

“Having some reserves is in the best interests of the village,” said Trustee Greg Bennett.

But he didn’t want to see steep cuts to departments for what they need now just so the village could set aside more funds for the future.

Trustee Joyce Riley suggested eliminating the village’s animal control department which costs $17,000 and having the county take over the responsibility. But Bennett and Trustee Tim McMurray didn’t want to eliminate positions and services to the community. They both said the current animal control officer, Harry Papponetti, responds promptly to calls and concerns in the village. They didn’t want the department axed at the last second without input from Papponetti.

Riley said the village, in order to rein in expenses, ultimately will need to look at eliminating positions.

“Cutting people is where the real savings is, but it’s difficult,” she said. “We need to do it in a way where we’re conserving the village.”

(The Village Board is holding a public hearing at 6 p.m. on June 11 at the Village Hall to hear from the community about possible elimination of the village government and consolidation with the towns of Albion and Gaines.)

Besides reducing the reserve funds, the board made the following budget adjustments on Tuesday to get the tax rate below $16:

General Fund

• Schools and conferences for clerk’s department, down $2,000 to $3,500
• Auditor for clerk’s department, down $850 to $17,850
• Attorney, down $5,000 to $25,000
• Janitor in DOW, down $5,720 to $10,400
• Parts & Repairs in DPW, down $5,000 to $70,000
• Highway overtime in DPW, down $8,000 to $12,000
• Tree replacement in DPW, down $500 to $1,000

Water Fund

• Auditor, down $825 to $17,325

Sewer Fund

• Auditor, down $825 to $17,325

The total budget is at $8,904,229 with General Fund at $4,763,955, Water Fund at $2,640,689 and Sewer Fund at $1,499,585.