Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Seneca Chief is led by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol as they head east on the Erie Canal around 11 a.m. today. This photo was taken from the Allens Bridge Road bridge with the Presbyterian Road bridge in back.

The Seneca Chief is a replica of the boat from 200 years ago that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the Erie Canal for the first time.

The Seneca Chief is one day 3 of a 33-day journey from Buffalo to New York City, commemorating the first trip.

The boat passes by Allen’s Bridge with Eagle Harbor next up on the journey.

These people pass under the lift bridge in Eagle Harbor, waving to people on shore who water to see the boat.

The Seneca Chief is pulled by a tugboat, the C.L. Churchill.

Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center built the 73-foot-long boat over four years.

As the boat approached the Main Street lift bridge in Albion, people pulled out their phones to get photos and video. Heidi Coriddi of Albion is in front at left getting some photos.

The Main Street lift bridge goes up to accommodate the Seneca Chief caravan of boats.

The boat stopped in Albion and offered tours to the public, before heading east to Holley. The boat’s final destination today is in Brockport.

Albion, Holley and Medina all hosting activities, vendors

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – People check out some the artisan vendors this morning in Albion. There were about 10 different vendors in Albion for the debut Erie Canal Artisan Festival.

There are also vendors and activities in Holley and Medina today, Saturday and Sunday.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is organizing the festival.

There will be a theatrical car show in Medina as part of a car show in the Canal Basin.

Albion has its vendors and activities on Noeth Platt Street by the canal. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there from noon to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday, as well as a foam pit each of the three days. Letters to Santa, Gingerbread House and ornament decorating are among the activities.

Holley’s Canal Park Trail at 29 East Ave. will host vendors, as well as a concert today by Kissin’ Whiskey from 6 to 8 p.m. Chris Moore will perform on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., and Justin Reynolds from 6 to 8 p.m.

To see the schedule, click here to be directed to GO Art!

George and Carin Kennard came up from Watkins Glen with hand-blown glass art. They are one of the vendors in Albion.

Tegan Leach of Albion has hand-dyed wool and yarn for sale.

Bill Wesolowski of Blasdell, owner of Billamy’s Woodworking, has many hand-crafted wooden designs available at his booth in Albion.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A caravan of vehicles escort an oversize load down Gaines Basin Road in Albion this morning.

The 195,500-pound condenser was manufactured by Graham Corp. in Batavia and started is journey around 5 a.m. today. It reached the Erie Canal in Albion around 10 a.m.

It will be transported east to its destination at the Navy. This is at least the third condenser made by Graham that will be shipped by the canal for the Navy.

Previous trips went to Albany, then down the Hudson River to New York Harbor. From there the condensers have moved to an ocean-going-barge for the trip to the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

The oversize load heads north on Gaines Basin Road, getting close to the Countyhouse Road intersection.

The permitted route of travel started on Harvester Avenue in the city of Batavia, proceeded west on Route 5 to north on Route 98. Then it was west on Route 31A to north on Gaines Basin Road to east on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road in Albion.

There were about 15 bucket trucks in the caravan with people holding wires high for the big load.

The load had an escort by the State Police and other officials. Here it is shown going north on Gaines Basin Road, past Countyhouse Road.

Many onlookers came out to see the dispenser get lifted by two huge cranes onto a barge in the canal. Ellie Quatro brought her three sons to see the big machinery. Two of the sons are home-schooled.

They also saw the cranes in action two years ago when Graham made a similar-size delivery to the canal for the Navy.

The cranes, barge and big tugboat are ready to receive the heavy load.

Graham also had similar loads on the canal on May 22, 2022 and then another Sept. 27, 2023.

The load on the barge will be pushed by the tugboat Edna A., which is owned by the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company of Troy.

Many people gathered on both sides of the canal to see the heavy equipment in action. The Gaines Basin Road bridge is in the background.

Donors have given $200K towards restoration of prominent Mount Albion building

File photos by Tom Rivers: The chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery, shown in September 2024, is getting new mortar and a new roof, with other upgrades as part of a $225,000 restoration. Donors have given $200,000 towards the project so far.

ALBION – The chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery will be getting a new slate roof. The building is a focal point of the historic cemetery for people who enter through the main arch.

The new roof is among several improvements for the structure that was built in 1875.

A committee led by Village Historian Sue Starkweather Miller set a $225,000 fundraising goal and raised $200,000 in about three months.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday accepted a bid for $83,985 to remove the existing roof and replace all the Vermont slate. That was the lowest of three submitted bids. The others were for $111,875 and $114,220.

The mortar on the structure is currently being repointed and that was funded with a $5,000 grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

“I have been overwhelmed by the community support for the project,” Starkweather Miller said. “We are very excited about this.”

Other work includes:

• Asbestos abatement on the roof
• Interior replastering of the north wall
• Electrical upgrades (wiring, outlets, internal and external lighting
• Heating unit for seasonal use
• Repair of plaster and vaulted ceiling
• Remove old floor, repair subfloor and put in a new floor
• Refurbish exterior doors and window trim

The committee that has been working on the project, identifying the needs and fundraising, includes Starkweather Miller, Tim Archer, David Snell, Toni Stark and Tony Wynn.

About 90 donors have contributed to the project so far. Tax deductible donations for the project can be sent to the Orleans County Historical Association, 3286 Gaines Basin Rd., Albion NY 14411. For more information, click here.

‘Murder and Mayhem’ fundraiser tour set for Oct. 4

Matt Ballard is shown leading 200 people on a tour of “Murder and Mayhem” on Sept. 13, 2019 in Albion. Ballard was the county historian at the time. He shared stories of high-profile crimes from the community’s past, and some other curious happenings. He will be doing the tour again on Oct. 4.

A fundraiser is planned for Oct. 4 for the chapel. Matt Ballard, the former Orleans County historian, will lead a “Murder and Mayhem Tour.” Ballard did this tour in 2019 and it attracted 200 people.

There is a $20 donation to be on the tour which starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Pullman Universalist Church. Parking in the lot across the street.

In the photo of Ballard above, he is shown speaking on the Courthouse lawn. He told about Albion leaders ploy in deceiving state officials to naming Albion the county seat, over Gaines, which was more developed in the 1820s due to the well-travelled Ridge Road.

Philetus Bumpus and Nehemiah Ingersoll led the push for Albion to become the county seat. They concocted a plan to have Sandy Creek dammed just before the state commissioners were in town. The water was then released to make it appear Sandy Creek was a much stronger stream.

What appeared to be a powerful stream was influential in swaying the commissioners to pick Albion over Gaines. Ingersoll would later donate land for the courthouse to be built.

Ballard has several other stories to share on the tour.

Press Release, State Police

ALBION – The State Police will be assisting with an oversized load escort on Thursday morning which may disrupt traffic patterns beginning at 5 a.m. in the city of Batavia and ending in Albion.

The width of this load will at times obstruct oncoming traffic.

The height of this load will necessitate the lifting of most overhead wires and traffic control devices. The load will move into oncoming traffic to avoid overhead obstructions.

The weight of the load will keep speeds to around 5-10 mph with many stoppages.

The permitted route of travel will begin north on Harvester Avenue in the city of Batavia, proceed west on Main St. (Rt-5) to north on Oak St (Rt-98) to west on Rt-31A (Lee Rd) to north on Gaines Basin Road to east on Albion Eagle Harbor Road in Albion.

It is recommended that if you encounter this load, move to the shoulder of the roadway, into a driveway or parking lot or seek an alternate route of travel to your destination.  Lower your window and follow directions from State Police or escort vehicles.

Thank you for your patience and drive safety.

Editor’s Note: There have been other oversize loads in recent years from Batavia to Albion. Graham Manufacturing built 200,000-pound condensers for a nuclear submarine. The part was delivered to Albion, where the condenser was lifted by crane and set on a barge on the Erie Canal.

It then headed east to be delivered to a Navy base. There was an oversize load from Graham on May 22, 2022 and then another Sept. 27, 2023.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Albion has a new 750,000-gallon water tank on Route 98, part of the Village of Albion water distribution system primarily in central Orleans County. The new glass-fused steel tank was built for $1,369,000 by Aquastore.

ALBION – The Albion Village Board expects to raise the water rates significantly, about 50 percent over the next three years.

The increases are needed to pay for upgrades to the water plant and aging infrastructure.

Village Board members will present the rates during a public hearing today at 6 p.m. at the Village Office. The new rates would take effect on Jan. 1.

Water users would face a 25 percent increase in the rates in the first year, then a 20 percent increase in year two, and then a 5 percent increase in the third year. The village would also raise an administrative charge by 55 percent the first year, then 40 percent and 5 percent.

The changes would raise rates for village of Albion residents and property owners by $3.90 per $1,000 gallons to $4.88 next year, $5.85 in year two and $6.14 in year three.

The average village water customer currently pays $92.10 every quarter. That would change to $125.21 next year, then $160.66 in year two, and then $168.70 in the third year, according to village.

The village also supplies water to several towns in Orleans County. They would see their rates go from $3.57 to $4.46 next year, and then $5.36 and $5.62.

The two correctional facilities would be increased from the current $4.65 per 1,000 gallons to $5.81 next year, and then $6.98 and $7.32.

Village Trustee Joyce Riley said the increases are necessary, but she worries some of the towns could switch to the Monroe County Water Authority, which would take away needed revenue for the water system.

The board during a Sept. 10 meeting considered making a 50 percent increase in the first year, but decided to do a staggered approach over three years.

 The village is embarking a major capital project at the water plant on Wilson Road in Carlton. The village also replaced a water storage tank on Route 98 and needs to replace many of its transmission lines.

The Albion water fund has estimated expenses of $2,639,864 in the current fiscal year, but the current rates only will generate $2,195,250, forcing the village to use $444,614 in its fund balance. That will leave the fund balance at about $700,000.

The new rates and administrative charges would bring the revenues to $2,680,546 in 2026-27, while the expenses are at $3,021,857. (The expenses increase because the village needs to begin paying back a bond at about $400,000 a year.)

The second year, the revenue is up to $3,328,013 with expenses at $3,172,950. The third year, the revenue totals $3,494,414 with expenses at $3,331,597.

Village Board members said they will be working to develop a capital plan for the water plant and water distribution system.

Wendel, an engineering firm, presented a proposal on Sept. 10 for replacing some of the water lines on the east side of the village, a project that could top $13 million.

That project would include East State Street, from Platt Street to the village line (including Goodrich Street), Moore Steet (from the Butts/Caroline intersection to the village line, Brown Street and Knapp Street.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Main Street lift bridge in Albion is shown on Wednesday morning, two days before the bridge would reopen to vehicular traffic. The bridge from 1914 was initially closed in November 2022 for an extensive rehabilitation.

Press Release from NYS Department of Transportation

ALBION – New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that the historic lift bridge carrying State Route 98 (North Main Street) over the Erie Canal in the Village of Albion, Orleans County, has reopened to traffic following an extensive rehabilitation that modernized the structure and extended its service life by approximately 30 years.

With a new deck, upgraded lift system and other improvements, the 111-year-old bridge will now provide enhanced safety and resiliency for an important travel link to the Village of Albion’s bustling business corridor and the vibrant tourism scene along the Erie Canal.

“The Erie Canal helped transform New York State into an economic powerhouse and it’s imperative that we do everything possible to honor that rich history and preserve the infrastructure, especially the historic bridges, that are part of it,” Commissioner Dominguez said. “The rehabilitation of the State Route 98 bridge not only ensures that a vital transportation link continues to serve the Albion community for decades to come but also protects one of the region’s greatest treasures for the benefit of future generations.”

Originally built in 1914, the State Route 98 steel truss lift bridge is an important part of the Erie Canal system, which is a registered National Historic Landmark. As such, it benefits from protections that ensure it continues to look as it did early in the 20th century, with its trusses and lift towers preserved.

As part of the rehabilitation project, the bridge’s deck and portions of the truss system were replaced with high-strength galvanized steel. To complete work on the trusses, the bridge was dismantled and the trusses moved to a lot adjacent to the Canal, where more than 80% of the steel was replaced.

Updates were also made to the mechanical and electrical components within the bridge’s vertical lifting system, which raises and lowers the bridge to accommodate marine traffic.

Additional improvements included the rehabilitation of the bridge towers, installation of new bridge rails and repainting in the bridge’s existing shade of green. Sidewalks leading to the bridge were also replaced to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Additionally, NYSDOT donated original elements of the historic structure to the Village of Albion, which commissioned local artists to create a solar-powered lamppost and bench from the donated materials. They were installed alongside a time capsule and interpretive panel in the newly dedicated Erie Canal Park adjacent to the bridge.

The Village of Albion is the Orleans County Seat with the county’s 1858 Greek Revival-style domed courthouse and 65 structures listed in the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. State Route 98 is a vital route to its business corridor and essential for the transport of the region’s many agricultural products.

While the lift bridge has reopened to traffic, construction activities will continue adjacent to the structure and the traveling public should be advised of occasional short-term delays.

Rehabilitation of the bridge is part of a $29.1 million project to modernize and preserve New York State’s Canal structures. The project also includes the State Route 19 lift bridge over the Erie Canal in the nearby Village of Brockport.  The project builds on the Department’s prior successes in rehabilitating similar lift bridges in the Villages of Fairport and Spencerport, a $16.9 million project.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “The Albion Lift Bridge is a vital lifeline for the community and for the Erie Canal, allowing vehicular and pedestrian traffic to cross and vessels to navigate underneath the bridge safely. As we commemorate the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal and contemplate its next century of use, we’re working to ensure the canal’s vital supporting infrastructure is in safe working order. I thank and congratulate our partners at the Department of Transportation for completing this very important project.”

Photo from Albion Police Department

ALBION – Workers on the Albion Main Street lift bridge pose with an Albion police car this afternoon when the bridge opened back up for traffic just after 3 p.m.

The bridge was closed on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. That project stretched to more than two years when the bridge was reopened just after Christmas on Dec. 27, 2024. But it was closed again for more work on April 21.

Today, the state Department of Transportation gave it the final OK for the bridge to reopen. The bridge from 1914 was nearly totally rebuilt with about 80 percent of the steel replaced.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Randy Hanks and his son Robbie are shown are Oak Orchard Bowl last Thursday when the center had a full house for its men’s league.

The Hanks family is celebrating 20 years of owning the bowling alley, which is also marking its 65^th anniversary this year. The 18-lane bowling center is on Route 98 at 3291 Oak Orchard Rd.

The Hanks family has tackled numerous improvements to the bowling center during their two decades at the helm, including a new oil machine, synthetic lanes, flooring, carpeting and remodeled bath rooms.

Hanks was named “Proprietor of the Year” in New York state in 2014 by the United States Bowling Congress. The family has improved the facility, promoted youth bowling and backed several fundraisers in the community, especially for the PAWS Animal Shelter and a memorial for Scott Whittier. The bowling tournaments for PAWS have raised about $40,000.

Randy Hanks is shown at the check-in counter. He has owned Oak Orchard Bowl for 20 years. The first 13 years he juggled a full-time job with FedEx while managing the bowling center full-time.

“Its been a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” he said.

Hanks said his family – wife Renee, daughter Regina, and sons Robbie and Ryan – have been a big part of Oak Orchard’s success.

Many of the long-time bowlers praise Hanks for the steady improvements at the bowling center. Joe Morlino is part of the Thursday Men’s League.

“Every year he does something to make it  better,” Morlino said. “He’s a great guy who is very fair. He puts money back into the place.”

Since the old wooden lanes were replaced with synthetic lanes, Morlino said there have been many more 300 games and 800 series.

“The most important thing is there are no breakdowns,” Morlino said.

Hanks praised his head mechanic, Marty Clemino, for keeping the pin-setter machines in good working order.

Randy Hanks calls out the winning 50/50 number. That fundraiser supported the Thursday Men’s League which runs from September through April.

Oak Orchard also has a kitchen with a fryer and grill serving pizza, wings, salads, pretzels, nachos and cheese, and other food.

Hanks has rolled some 300 games himself. He said he wanted to be a pro bowler but had to abandon that dream because of bad knees.

He also dreamed of running a bowling center. The Spencerport resident has been able to pursue that passion in Albion for the past two decades.

Oak Orchard Bowl has hosted hundreds of birthday parties, corporate parties, church groups, Albion High School sports teams, band, chorus and other functions during the 20 years of ownership, Hanks said.

To celebrate the Oak Orchard Bowl anniversary, Hanks said the center will be giving away a few 65-inch TVs in a contest that deals with a game/series ending in 65 or 20. There will be drawings for open bowlers, too.

Randy Hanks is shown by a wall leading into the men’s bathroom. He used old wooden lanes to redo the bathrooms about two years. It’s the improvement project that gets the most compliments from the public, he said.

This year’s improvement project was replacing all the pins.

Mike Pettinella, one of the long-time bowlers and retired associate manager of the Genesee Region for the USBC, said Hanks has created a very welcoming environment for bowlers of all skill levels in Albion.

“He is very customer-oriented,” said Pettinella of Batavia. “He will go above and beyond to make people feel comfortable. He’s well respected and people enjoy coming here to bowl.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion lift bridge is shown last week on Sept. 11. It is expected to reopen this afternoon around 3 p.m. after initially being shut down in November 2022.

ALBION – Nearly three years from when the Albion Main Street lift bridge was closed for a major rehabilitation, the bridge is expected to reopen this afternoon.

The state Department of Transportation said it is eyeing 3 p.m. for the bridge to reopen to traffic.

The bridge was initially closed on Nov. 14, 2022 for what was expected to be about 18 months for a major rehabilitation. That project stretched to more than two years when the bridge was reopened just after Christmas on Dec. 27, 2024.

The bridge was closed again to traffic on April 21 to finish up the extensive rehabilitation of a bridge that was originally installed in 1914.

But a “catastrophic event” occurred on May 7 during start-up testing of the control system to operate the lift bridge.

“When the system was energized, one of the electric drive controllers arced, producing a fire in the drive cabinet,” Paul Attoma, engineer-in-charge for Region 4 Construction, wrote in a letter to village officials.

The fire damaged the system beyond repair, delaying the reopening by about four more months.

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

GAINES – Jeffrey Echevarría, an Albion eighth-grader, removes a historical marker at the Gaines Baines schoolhouse, which was built in 1832 and served as a school until 1944.

Jeffrey and some students at Albion will be repainting three historical markers – one each from Shelby and Ridgeway, and this one of the cobblestone school on Gaines Basin Road. This school now serves as the base for the Orleans County Historical Association.

For several years Albion students have helped Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to restore local historical markers. It is one of many ways Albion students participate in service-learning projects to both support and learn about the community.

Allie and Tux have been adopted through PAWS Animal Shelter

Photos courtesy of Albion Correctional Facility: Allie and Tux are celebrated at their graduation for complete a canine obedience program. They are joined by incarcerated individuals, Albion Correctional officials, PAWS Animal Shelter director Patty Coffee, and Dawn Spencer, owner of Eye of Oden K9 Training.

ALBION – In collaboration with PAWS Animal Shelter, Albion Correctional Facility has graduated another team of dogs, Allie and Tux.

These dogs were under the supervision of staff and two teams of incarcerated individuals. Allie and Tux were cared and guided for approximately 14 weeks.

Dawn Spencer, the community volunteer trainer, trained the handlers and supervised the program. Spencer is also the owner of Eye of Oden K9 Training in Kent and has over 25 years of experience in dog training.

Allie, left, and Tux completed training and have been adopted.

While both dogs have been adopted, Albion Correctional Facility has welcomed our next set of dogs into the program: Aaron and Adrian.

They will be working throughout the program on obedience training and the basics of good manners.

For more information about animals available for adoption at PAWS, visit paws14411.com.

Aaron, left, and Adrian will go through a 14-week obedience training program.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Volunteers and employees for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee get food ready to be dispersed on Monday morning during a food distribution in the Albion municipal parking lot at 165 Platt St.

Community Action has been leading these food distributions in Albion since April 2020.

The distributions through Foodlink will continue to at least through the end of this year in the Rochester region.

“As long as we can keep doing it, we will do it,” said Ryan Lasal, director of Community & Family Program Innovation for Community Action. “Right now Foodlink has no plans to stop.”

Tonya Ferris, an M&T Bank employee, helps with Monday’s distribution. Two other M&T staff assisted with the distribution. Ferris, a Kendall resident, has been part of the distributions for over a year.

The schedule in Orleans County for the remainder of the year includes:

Albion at 165 South Platt Street – managed by Community Action

• Monday, Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 8 at 9 a.m.

Lyndonville Presbyterian Church at 107 North Main St., Lyndonville

• Friday, Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, Oct. 17 at 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, Nov. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
• Friday, Dec. 5 at 9:30 a.m.

Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension, 12690 State Route 31, Albion

• Monday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.
• Monday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m.

Pre-registration strongly suggested. Those who pre-register will be assigned timeslots for pickup (12-12:30, 12:30-1, 1-1:30. 1:30-2). Pre-register at 585-798-4265. Walk-ins may start at 2 p.m.

Nick Luft and four other Albion High School students in the Interact Club assisted with the distribution for Community Action. Adam Burgio, another high schooler, is in back ready to hand off a big bag of produce.

Photos from Hoag Library

ALBION – A new free art library was been set up outside Hoag Library in a project spearheaded by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!).

Local residents are encouraged to take an art book or art kit, or leave an art book or art kit and spread creativity.

The art library was architecturally designed by Jeff Pasnik, built and designed by Carpenters Local Union 276, and painted by Jaylah Sherman.

This kit includes yard and other supplies to create a fairy wand.

GO Art! established the art library to make art supplies and resources more accessible to the community, fostering creativity and engagement in the arts. The library includes art kits, coloring books and art books that are freely available for anyone to take and enjoy.