Photo by Tom Rivers: The Elks Lodge dedicated this memorial for Jason Johnston on Aug. 17. The Albion Elks Riders do an annual dice run and fundraiser for a memorial scholarship given each year for an Albion senior who is pursuing a helping profession.

ALBION – It was 10 years ago today when Jason Johnston of Albion was killed by a roadside bomb in Arghandab, Afghanistan.

Johnston, a specialist and paratrooper in the Army, was 24. He is the only soldier from Orleans County to be killed in combat during the Afghanistan War.

He was on his second tour in Afghanistan. He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009.

I think about his family every year around Christmas. Today is the 10^th anniversary of his death. I thank his parents, Brad and Jenny Johnston, for his sacrifice. And for his sisters – Carrie, Heather and Holly – and several nieces and nephews, too.

The Johnston family has stayed active in the community. Jennie and her daughter Heather are members of the Albion Fire Department and they proudly march with the Fire Department in parades, especially on Memorial Day.

Brad joins the Albion Elks Riders are their dice runs to help raise money for his son’s memorial scholarship. He led the explorers post in the Fire Department when he son was a teen-ager.

I remember when Jason was brought home on Jan. 3. Word got out in the community and many people stood for an hour in snowbanks along Route 31 to welcome his body home. It was 10 degrees outside and many of the people who lined the snow-filled sidewalks were elderly.

I’ve told people about that day many times since. It made me proud to live in Orleans County, to see a big homecoming in such frigid conditions.

The community would do it for Trevor Cook when he was brought home at 2 in the morning on July 15, 2011. Cook was 25 when he was killed in a helicopter crash during a training exercise on July 6, 2011. More than 1,000 people crowded into downtown Medina to 2 a.m. to show support for Cook’s family and respect for the young Marine.

Another large group of several hundred people was in Medina on June 9, 2014 and saluted as a motorcade passed by carrying the body of Sgt. Shaina Schmigel, 21. Schmigel, a Medina native, was killed May 30, 2014 during a night-time training drill. She was a paratrooper at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division. She was in the Army for four years, and was promoted to sergeant that January.

File photo from Albion Central School: Albion students stood in the cold to show respect for Jason Johnston and his family during a motorcade processional on Jan. 5, 2010.

Two days after Johnston’s homecoming, it was his funeral at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. It was a full church with 450 mourners at his funeral.

Dan Allyn, a major general with the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, was among the speakers at the funeral.

“He always fought to be out front on the mission,” Allyn said about Johnston. “He was an extra-courageous man.”

Johnston was an “elite soldier,” the top 1 percent of Americans, Allyn said at the funeral service for the first Albion soldier to die in combat in 42 years.

Johnston, 24, felt such a devotion to his fellow soldiers that he insisted on joining them for a second deployment to Afghanistan.

“He volunteered not just once, but twice to join his teammates in Afghanistan,” Allyn said at the funeral. “He was an extraordinary teammate and brother.”

After that funeral service, the motorcade then headed to Mount Albion Cemetery. About 2,400 Albion students were out in front of the school to show support for the Johnston family and pay their respects. The students held 1,000 American flags. That is a sight I won’t forget.

Later in June during high school graduation, Michael Bonafede, president of the Board of Education, presented a high school diploma for Johnston to both of his parents. Johnston earned a GED before joining the Army. Bonafede spoke with each parent at length, and the crowd in the gym gave a standing ovation.

The community has continued to remember Johnston, giving towards a $1,000 annual memorial scholarship that goes to a student pursuing a career in a helping profession, such as a nurse, doctor, firefighter, counselor or other social services.

“The recipient of the award should be of good character, show dedication, effort and potential while working to the best of their,” according to a description of the scholarship provided by the Elks.

“Specialist Johnston believed in the Golden Rule – ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”

The Albion Elks Lodge in August unveiled a new memorial by the lodge on East State Street in Johnston’s honor.

The monument at the Elks Lodge states: “In honor of Spc. Jason M. Johnston, 82nd Airborne U.S. Army. Orleans County’s only soldier killed in action since Vietnam. May his spirit keep this country and county safe. A truly honored soldier. One man in one unselfish act to save us all.”

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Some of the Christmas garlands and streamers are back in the downtown, including these decorations on the Pratt building on Main Street.

The Village Board declared some of the decorations as surplus and they were purchased by Liz Groat, president of the Downtown Browsery. Groat repaired many of the decorations and convinced some of the merchants to hang them on their buildings.

Krantz Furniture was the first to display the decorations. The village didn’t want to hang the garlands and streamers across the street because of concern the buildings didn’t have attachments to securely display the decorations across the street.

The decorations gradually fell into disrepair and were declared surplus. The village sold eight stream liners which include two 22-foot lighted garlands with a lighted wreath. Groat submitted the highest bid of $360. She spent more money and time repairing the decorations.

The Pratt and Day buildings, owned by Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler, give the decorations prominent display.

The Village of Albion DPW this year set up the Christmas tree in the downtown at Waterman Park by the mural showing Albion native Charles Howard as Santa, flying over the downtown and Courthouse Square.

The DPW also put up many wreaths and banners about the holiday season. This banner celebrates Charles Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966.

The Albion Merchants Association announced the winner of the Hometown Holiday Window Decorating contest. Frontier Heating & A/C Service Inc. won for this display at its storefront on East Bank Street.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa visited residents at the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday as part of an event organized by the Albion Betterment Committee and the nursing home staff. Santa is joined by “Elfredo” – Liam McKenna, 8, of Lyndonville.

Diana Dudley played songs on the piano. A choir from the Mennonite community also was there to sing several songs.

These sisters, Bailee (left) and Ericka Christ of Holley, were able to meet Santa and share a request for Christmas. The two sisters have a relative at the nursing home and they spent time with him.

Other children stopped by to see Santa and some of the residents. Some of those kids stayed to color and play games with the residents. The kids also received a stocking with holiday items.

Gary Kent, a director with the Albion Betterment Committee, greeted residents at the Villages of Orleans. He is a frequent visitor to the site and knows many of the residents.

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The Village of Albion has been awarded a nearly $2 million state grant today, according to announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The state Environmental Facilities Corporation has awarded more than $416 million through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program to municipalities for infrastructure projects that protect public health or improve water quality.

Albion will receive $1,949,400 or about 60 percent of $3,249,000 project that includes upgrades to the water treatment plant, a pump station and water transmission mains.

The nearby Village of Middleport in Niagara County also was approved for a $137,500 grant towards a $550,000 disinfection project at its sewer plant.

“By investing in improving our state’s water infrastructure, we are laying the foundation for regional growth and prosperity while also protecting our natural resources,” Governor Cuomo said. “These investments in our communities will help ensure residents in every corner of the state have access to safe, clean drinking water, helping to build a stronger New York for all.”

To assist with the cost of installing systems to address emerging contaminants, grants for these projects will no longer be capped at $3 million but will cover 60 percent of total capital project costs. Projects eligible for these grants include those which combat emerging contaminants, such as PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane, with system upgrades and innovative technologies, Cuomo said.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion FFA member Kyle Pappalardo is on a flatbed trailer and handing down a box of eggs to Adam Krenning, the former FFA advisor who helped load and then unload the trailer on Saturday morning during the FFA’s annual food drive.

Local farmers donated 40,000 pounds to the food drive. The food was packed by the FFA students and alumni and then delivered to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee on East State Street.

Michael Bonnewell, the Albion school district superintendent, helps unload the truck on a rainy Saturday.

The 40,000 pounds is a new record for the FFA food drive, up from the 35,000 pounds each of the past two years.

The farms that donated include: Triple G, Panek Farms, Root Brothers, Kludt Brothers, Orleans County Farm Bureau, Nesbitt Fruit Farms, Orchard Dale Fruit, Kreher’s, Martin Farms Inc., Kirby Farms, Call Farms, Partyka Farms, Costanzo’s Bakery, Starowitz, Torrey Farms, L Brooke Farms, Colby Farms, G. Mortellaro & Sons, My-T Acres, Lynn-ette & Sons Inc., and CY Farms.

Jenn Ashbery, the Albion High School principal, carries a box inside Community Action. She helped unload the items on Saturday.

Paige (Levandowski) Hungerford, the Albion FFA advisor, managed the food drive for the first time as the FFA advisor. She was a student in 2010 during the first drive, which yielded 3,000 pounds of produce and was delivered on two pickup trucks.

She said she is amazed how the food drive has grown since then. The goal was always to connect the local farming community to filling a need locally.

The donated food is shared by six local food pantries including the Lord’s House in Waterport, Calvary Tabernacle in Medina, Alabama Full Gospel in Shelby, Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, Community Action in Albion and Community Action in Batavia..

The food drive has grown from 3,000 pounds in 2010 to 9,000 pounds in 2011, 17,000 the following year and 19,000 in December 2013. The FFA reached 27,000 pounds in 2014 and reached 30,000 for the first time in 2015. It was at 33,000 pounds in 2016 and hit 35,000 pounds in both 2017 and 2018. This year was the first time it reached 40,000 pounds.

Micah Johnson of Rochester has a dolly cart to move crates of food going to the Lord’s House. The crate containers were donated by Navarra’s Greenhouses in Albion.

“This is a great boost especially this time of the year,” said Angela English of the Lord’s House. “This time of the year is a struggle for many families.”

The Lord’s House had a food pantry open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every other Saturday.

FFA member Charley London, center, was among 50 students who helped with the food drive. FFA alumnus Barry Flansburg was among several graduates who helped pack and deliver the food.

Natalie Bertsch, an FFA member, carries boxes of rolls from Costanzo’s Bakery.

Ed Fancher, executive director of Community Action, appreciates the donations from the farmers and the FFA’s efforts in organizing the food drive and delivering the produce.

“I just feel general amazement at the generosity of the farming community and the students who pack the truck,” Fancher said Saturday morning, watching the FFA students unload a flat-bed trailer and other vehicles. “On behalf of the families we serve, thank you.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley helps unload the truck.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of Albion High School’s select choirs join with community members in singing Christmas carols during Sunday’s Christmas in the Neighborhood concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.

Sue Thaine, the church’s pastor, directs the group in singing, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Deck The Halls,” and “Joy To The World.”

The church hosted the annual Christmas concert that is also a fundraiser for the church and the Albion Alumni Foundation.

A combined community choir sings Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” to close out the concert on Sunday. The event was postponed two weeks due to bad weather on Dec. 1.

Alec Sherman sings “O Holy Night.” Scott Schmidt plays the organ.

Albion students sing, “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow.”

The Albion High School Percussion Ensemble performs, “We Three Kings Swing.”

Performers at the concert includd Gary Simboli, Gwen Martillotta Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Kailey Winans, Travis Klossner, Eric Deiboldt, Janet Miller, Mike Grammatico, Kyle Thaine, Karen Kenney Conn, Shannon Broda, Alec Sherman, the Albion High School Percussion Ensemble (led by Mike Thaine), Albion High School Select Choirs (led by Gary Simboli), Community Brass Ensemble, Community Christmas Choir, What About Jane, and a trio that included Aleka Schmidt, Sue Boring and Sue Thaine.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Grinch was a greeter at 39 Problems on Saturday as part of Albion’s Hometown Holiday.

The Grinch is Chet Kwiatkowski. He is pictured with his granddaughter Myleigh Miller, grandson Garrett Miller, and daughter Erica Miller.

39 Problems would later host an ugly sweater contest.

The Albion Merchants Association had many activities in the downtown as part of the annual Hometown Holiday.

Paula Brooks, a vendor at the Downtown Browsery, dressed up as Sparkles the Elf. Many of the stores had opportunities to make Christmas cookies, write letters to Santa, make ornaments and sample holiday treats.

Nathaniel Staines, an Albion police officer, joined children and families in a coloring contest at the Albion Village Hall. Police officers were on hand to share coffee, doughnuts and pizza.

Saturday there was also a benefit by Red Check Rustic for Lisa Wilson and her family. Wilson recently suffered three strokes and is recovering at Unity Hospital in Rochester. The benefit included 105 baskets that were raffled from the second floor of the Pratt Building.

Debbie Prest, second from left, was one of the main organizers of the benefit. She is pictured from left with June Wilson (Lisa’s mother-in-law), Terri Drennan and Lynn Burgess. Lisa’s son Damian, a senior at Albion, is at far left. Lisa also has a son Drake with her husband Chad.

The two went to Albion school together and have stayed in Albion. Lisa works for ESL in Rochester after working about 20 years in Albion at the site that has been Dime Bank, Washington Mutual, Chase and CRFS.

Her husband thanked the community for its support, and the organizers of Saturday’s benefit.

Provided photo: Tinsel hosted a Christmas painting with Santa in the morning and later showed holiday movies and did cookie decorating.

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