By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – When the snow comes his winter, blanketing the local landscape, sledders in the Albion area will see a new look at the Bullard Park sledding hill.
The village used dirt from the Clarendon Street bridge approaches to reshape the hill, shifting it from facing south to west. It will also have a gentler slope with hand railings and stairs on top.
The bridge was taken out this year and Keeler Construction, the contractor on that project, hauled dirt to the sledding hill.
Employees from the Village of Albion Department of Public Works and the Albion Town Highway Department worked together to assemble the stairs, welding the pieces together on Wednesday.
File photos by Tom Rivers – Marcy Downey will be a featured performer on Sunday during a Christmas concert with Albion alumni and current high school music students.
ALBION Generations of hometown musicality will ring in the holiday season this Sunday as several Albion High School alumni take the stage in the annual community Christmas concert.
The event, organized by the Eastman at Albion Courthouse Square Committee and sponsored by Christopher-Mitchell Funeral Homes, benefits Albion High School Alumni Foundation’s music scholarships. It begins at 3 p.m. at Albion Presbyterian Church, 29 E. State St.
A range of famous and favorite Albion musicians are on the program, including Marcy Downey, Joe Sacco, Alec Sherman, Gary Simboli, and the brother-based group Flock of Uncles – this performance including three of the five Smiths: Oliver, Calvin and Lucas.
“This is a first-time, all-alumni group,” said Diane Palmer, concert coordinator. “It’s a chance to highlight some of our graduates. We have many wonderfully talented musicians in the alumni pool.”
Retired Albion teacher Alec Sherman sings “Somewhere Out There” with Megan Zambito, an elementary vocal teacher, last January during a concert to benefit a scholarship in memory of Wayne Burlison.
Several current Albion High School musicians will round out the concert on Sunday, including the flute and clarinet choirs, saxophone and brass ensembles, woodwind quartet, and select vocal groups. The audience will be invited to sing along for a portion of the program, as is tradition.
“This is a really popular concert,” Palmer said. “It’s an opportunity for the community to get together and kick off the holiday. It will be really festive.”
About 400 people typically attend the Christmas concert, now in its sixth year.
Tickets are available at Bloom’s Flower Shop and Bindings Bookstore (Albion), a lily and a sparrow (Medina), and Roxy’s Music Store (Batavia).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 December 2015 at 8:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There is a new poster available in Albion that highlights the architecture of many historic sites in the community. I’ve been taking pictures of these doors for more than a year, trying to find the 25 most interesting ones.
I saw a poster of Buffalo doors about a year ago and decided to put one together for the Albion-Gaines community. I wanted to include many of the historic churches in Albion and also several of the doors from buildings at the Cobblestone Museum.
I was also looking for some oddball doors and included the marching band bus, the outhouse for former Gov. Rufus Bullock and one from a tugboat.
I decided to call it “14411 Doors” and use the zip code for Albion and Gaines. The two towns both have many striking historic treasures and linking the two makes the community even more dynamic.
You might wonder where I got the numbers for the 14411. Going across from left: a column from the Orleans County Courthouse; a 4 from the sign about Mount Albion Cemetery in the arch that says 1843; the 4 from the door on the former Swan Library; a window on the side of the Free Methodist Church (the first Free Methodist Church in the world); and a hitching post in Mount Albion.
Dublin, Ireland has really played up its doors with posters and numerous other products and tourism promotions. Click here for more about the Doors of Dublin.
I think there is potential to use the doors in Albion and Gaines as a draw for the area.
The “D” is actually one of the windows on the Albion Village Hall but it is tipped clockwise at a 90-degree angle. The first “O” is the big stained-glass window in the First Presbyterian Church and the second “O” is an old hitching post at Mount Albion.
The “R” is an ornate letter at Mount Albion for the Randall family (not far behind the chapel), and the “S” was taken from the Ingersoll Memorial Fountain at the cemetery.
The posters are 16 by 24 inches. They are available exclusively in the 14411 zip code at Bindings Bookstore, Hazy Jade Gift Shop, Watt Farms Country Market and the Lake Country Pennysaver.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sophie Kozody, 4, of Medina shares her Christmas wish with Santa Claus this evening at Hoag Library when Santa visited with children for two hours.
Santa sang songs with the kids and also read them the story, Olaf’s Night Before Christmas. Santa encouraged the children to leave out milk and cookies on Christmas Eve.
Santa was happy to meet the kids. He gave them candy canes.
Adam Burlison of Albion has a red nose on while the group sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Santa made antlers for Adam in this photo.
Santa and Adam get the crowd involved in singing the song about Rudolph.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department hosted and supervised a multi-agency Orleans County DWI Saturation Patrol on Wednesday and earlier today.
This detail combined the efforts from every law enforcement agency in Orleans County along with state and federal resources.
The agencies involved consisted of the Albion Police, Medina Police, Holley Police, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Orleans County Probation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The detail results include four DWI arrests (3 in Albion and 1 in Holley); one DWI Drugs (in Albion); 79 traffic stops; and 34 tickets issued.
One person arrested also was interviewed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement related to U.S. entry status. Another person was arrested for disorderly conduct related to vehicle operation
The Albion Police Department and the other law enforcement agencies are committed to making the roadways safe for all those who travel upon them.
Intoxicated drivers do not follow jurisdictional lines, so we decided that we would not either. The Albion Police Department and its partners are planning similar details for the future. We will continue to use every resource and tool available to create a reduction in offenders and arrest those who continue to endanger others by driving while intoxicated.
Provided photo – Rick Wartinger, manager of the Tops store in Albion, holds a turkey. The store again donated a Thanksgiving dinner for residents at the Martin-Linsin Residence in Albion.
Press Release Hospice of Orleans
ALBION – Thanksgiving Day at the Martin-Linsin Hospice residence once again was celebrated with a freshly baked Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of Tops Friendly Markets.
Last year residents reported that the smell of freshly cooked turkey made it seem like a real traditional Thanksgiving even though they weren’t at home.
“These dinners are a testament to the compassion and generosity of area business such as Tops in supporting Hospice patients,” said Becky McAnn, Care Coordinator at the Residence. “They will certainly help make the day special for our patients.”
Tops District Manager Joe Salhab and Albion Store Manager Rick Wartinger both voiced their enthusiasm about the donation.
“We at Tops are pleased to be able to make this donation knowing that it will brighten the day for people who are not able to be cared for at home,” said Joe Salhab.
Rick Wartinger posed with a Tops turkey next to the Thanksgiving centerpieces to illustrate Tops commitment to providing the dinner.
The turkey dinner features a fully cooked turkey, herb stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, cranberry orange relish and, of course, a pumpkin pie. Hospice personnel picked up the complimentary meal, valued at $74.99, around 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, warmed it up for the recommended two hours, and served the waiting residents.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
BUFFALO – Bryce Wilson, left, and Wesley Parker react after the Lego robot they helped create performed a task during Saturday’s qualifying tournament at the Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School.
Bryce and Wesley are members of the “Battery Boys” team from the Orleans County 4-H program. Orleans County sent four teams to the competition. In addition to having to build and program a Lego robot, teams had to research an issue with recycling and propose a solution for helping the environment.
The Battery Boys created collection boxes for used batteries which they said could be placed at sites in the community.
The “Three Musketeers” receive instructions from a judge during Saturday’s competition. The Musketeers include, from left: Zachary Grinnell, Nate Scott Avery and Nick Burke.
The Musketeers for their project researched used eye glasses and thought of ways to have more reused.
Zachary Neal of Albion is a member of the KOWZ (Kids Only Work Zone) team. His hat has buttons from other teams he has met in the past three years.
The KOWZ team gets its robot ready to compete at a table with obstacles and challenges. The teams have 2 1/2 minutes to complete as many tasks as possible. Only two members of the team should be at the table, and members can swap out during the competition.
The teams started meeting in September to design and program their robot, using different attachments for tasks.
They also had to create a display board and research a recycling topic. KOWZ researched ways to recycle sneakers. Some sneakers are ground up with those pieces used at playgrounds and on playing fields.
The Robo Foam team watches its robot complete a task. Team members include, from left: Jacob Foote, Isaac Becker (in back), Reuben Rivers, James Michael Beach, Cole Moyle and Jaiden Farrell.
The Robo Foam team for its project suggested ways to reduce the use of Styrofoam and also made a Syro-Shredder that turns Styrofoam cups into packing peanuts.
The four teams from Orleans County are part of the 4-H program led by Marlene and Erik Seielstad of Albion. About 25 kids were in the program from Orleans County.
There were about 170 students participating in the competition on Saturday from about 20 teams. Four teams advanced to a regional competition next month at the University of Rochester. None of the Orleans County teams were able to get past the qualifying round.
Many of the teams put together colorful outfits for the competition.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Students and the LIFE LEAH homeschool co-operative packed shoeboxes for needy children in association with Operation Christmas Child, an international campaign to help those in need.
The top photo shows Hannah Holcomb, 14, of Brockport and Eli Sugar, 14, of Albion with shoeboxes that they filled on Friday with pencils, notebooks, soap, wash clothes, stuffed animals and other items.
The home schoolers filled 20 boxes that will be sent overseas to children.
Jayden Neal, 12, of Albion fills a shoebox. He was looking for a variety of items that were spread on tables inside the Faith Alliance Church. The students also wrote a note for each of the children receiving a box.
Betsy Holcomb of Brockport helped to organize the effort, which homeschoolers have worked on for the past seven years. She is pictured with her sons, Jack (left) and Jeremiah (blue shirt).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Dancers at the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio have been practicing for the upcoming Hometown Christmas show on Dec. 5. This group pictured is led by Gloria Lear.
There will be about 15 acts in the show, which will be the sixth annual benefit for the Nicholas Kovaleski scholarship. Nicholas fought leukemia before dying at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis.
His father Jay Kovaleski said he appreciates the hard work from the participants in Hometown Christmas, which includes three shows: noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The shows will be at the Holy Family Lyceum at 106 South Main St.
“They’re all doing it for a great cause,” said Mr. Kovaleski, a teacher at Albion. “No one thinks twice.”
Amy Sidari, owner of the Gotta Dance studio, works with a group practicing a jazz dance for Hometown Christmas.
The Hometown Christmas shows draw about 500 people. Proceeds from the event go to the scholarship. About $10,500 has been awarded to graduating Albion seniors. They write essays about community service and living with a purpose.
Jay and his wife Kelly and Nicholas’s siblings look over the applications for the scholarships. They are looking for students who are committed to their families and community.
“It touches us to read them,” Mr. Kovaleski said.
Nicholas’s mother Kelly and sister Michayla will both perform in the Dec. 5 show. Nicholas’s brother Matthew will be part of back stage team. The oldest Kovaleski son, Thomas, 21, is in the Army at Fort Riley in Kansas.
Mr. Kovaleski appreciates the upbeat messages in the Christmas program, and some of the fun scenes, including skits by the Boy Scouts.
Michayla Kovaleski performs as the Sugar Plum in a dance from The Nutcracker during last year’s Hometown Christmas.
“Nicholas would want people to come and enjoy themselves,” Kovaleski said.
He appreciates the community’s generosity to the scholarship fund and the all of the effort in putting on Hometown Christmas.
“Christmas comes from the heart, and everyone has their heart in this,” he said.
Sidari said she welcomes donations of baskets and cookies for the benefit. For more information about the show, click here to see the Miss Amy website.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new sign was put up today on Route 98 across from the Don Davis car dealership that notes Albion is the home of Charles W. Howard and a Santa Claus School that still bears his name.
After Howard’s death in 1966, the school moved to Michigan. Howard remains a revered figure in the Santa Claus community for his efforts to establish standards for Santa’s wardrobe and interaction with the public.
The top photo shows Michael Neidert (right), an Albion Highway Department motor equipment operator, and Clarence Winkelmann, a volunteer with the Albion Betterment Committee.
The Betterment Committee worked with the Lonowood Art Company in Albion to create the sign.
The display will include a life-size cutout of Howard. That image will be added soon.
The sign is located on the property of Gil and Donna Wolcott.
Here is a vintage photo of Howard by the sign for his Santa School on Phipps Road near Route 31 in Albion. The new sign tries to replicate some of the detail on top of the sign.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Abby Allen plays the lead role in Junie B. Jones, The Musical, which will be performed Friday and Saturday at the Albion Middle School Auditorium.
A cast of 20 seventh- and eighth-graders have been rehearsing since late September for the musicial, which is slightly over an hour long. The musical is based on the popular children’s book character.
Abby Allen is shown in the opening scene with her “top secret personal beeswax journal.”
Junie is joined on stage by, from left: May (Molly Wadhams), Sheldon (Zachary Kilner) and Herb (Emma Tower). They are singing at a scene in the lunchroom.
Skylar Lonnen plays Mrs. Gutzman, the lunch lady.
In this photo from back stage, students practice the scene from the lunch room in the final dress rehearsal before shows 7 p.m. Friday, and then noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Emma Tower plays Herb, and performs in “Show and Tell.” Herb would become one of Junie’s friends as they transitioned from kindergarten to first grade.
The cast sings and dances in Junie B. Jones, The Musical. There are also 16 students in the stage crew.
Carrie Kozody is director of the musical, Kevin Feder is assistant director and Kate Kraus is the choreographer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – More than a hundred Teddy Bears, stuffed animals and dolls received medical care this week from Medina Memorial Hospital in the return of the Teddy Bear Clinic.
The top photo shows Jeanine Corbett from the hospital checking on a monkey owned by a kindergartner from the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion.
The hospital used to have the clinic and welcomed kindergartners to bring in toys that would receive bandages, X-rays, Band-Aids and other care.
But when local schools cut back on field trips about a decade ago, the Teddy Bear Clinic went away. The hospital is bringing it back and Albion kindergartners were the first to give it a try.
Mary Dunham, a nurse a Medina Memorial, looks over some of the stuffed animals brought in today by kindergartners.
The hospital hopes the Teddy Bear Clinic helps children to feel more comfortable if they ever need to go to the hospital.
Erika Keyes shows students the X-ray machine.
Mary Dunham shows students a X-ray of a Teddy Bear with a penny in its stomach.
Jonah Elsenheimer brought in his stuffed animal of a dog. Mary Dunham puts a bandage on the dog’s leg after Jonah said it fell off its skateboard. The students were welcome to make up injuries for their stuffed animals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – Runners cross the Main Street lift bridge as part of the Metro 10 race in Albion on Aug. 22. The debut 10-mile race pitted runners from Rochester versus Buffalo. The metro area that accumulated the most points won a trophy cup to be displayed in its city. Rochester took the title for 2015.
ALBION – Organizers of a day-long music festival and a big running event are teaming up next year to put on their events on the same day, Aug. 20.
Rock the Park and Metro 10 compliment each other, and the events will make for a bigger bash for the community.
“It’s going to make for a bigger draw by partnering up,” said Zack Burgess, one of the organizers of the Rock the Park event at Bullard Park.
The second Rock the Park was July 25 and featured bands playing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The attendance picked up throughout the day for Rock the Park, but organizers want more people for the late morning, early afternoon performers.
The band Zero closed out the music festival on Saturday with Zack Burgess, center, as the lead singer. Dylan DeSmit, left, is on lead guitar and vocals, and Brad Maxon on bass. Dan Ryan plays the drums.
The Metro 10 started at 10 a.m. on Aug. 22 and ended with a post-race party at Bullard from about noon to 1:30 p.m. The race will start at 8 a.m. next year, with the post-race celebration to start in the late morning. That will guarantee a good crowd for Rock the Park during what was a slower time for the bands this past year.
“We’re going to work together to build a bigger event,” said Thom Jennings, the Metro 10 organizer. “The village will only have to set up the park once and we won’t compete for sponsors.”
Metro 10 is shifting to a new umbrella organization, from the Albion Running Club to the Warrior House, a charity that provides hunting opportunities in West Shelby for wounded veterans. Jennings’ nephew Peter Zeliff Jr.is head of the Warrior House.
There were about 400 runners in Albion race last year. Jennings said that was a great start for the debut race. The feedback from runners was overwhelmingly positive, but many wanted an earlier start time to beat the heat of the summer day.
Up2Somethin’ , a popular party band from Rochester, entertains at Bullard Park during the Metro 10 post-race party on Aug. 22. The seven-piece band includes Rickey Ellis on bass and vocals at right, and lead singer Evyn Grassl.
Jennings would like to bring back Up2Somethin’ to perform at a stage in the park. Burgess said many local bands are expected to follow.
“This is going to fill in the gaps,” Burgess said. “I think it will be a cool thing.”
Jennings also sees the race crowd giving a lift to Rock the Park. That event, with its many arts and craft vendors and lineup of entertainment should keep runners in the community after the race.
“As we’re winding down, they are starting to rev up,” Jennings said. “It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 12:00 am
Kirk Narburgh worked on new Hoag Library, several projects at Albion Central School
Photo by Tom Rivers – Kirk Narburgh speaks during an informational meeting last May about a $14.3 million capitol project for Albion Central School. Voters approved the project that will address numerous maintenance issues and infrastructure upgrades.
SYRACUSE An Albion native, Kirk Narburgh, is the new chief executive officer and managing partner of King + King Architects LLP. The Syracuse firm touts itself as the country’s oldest architectural firm going back five generations.
Narburgh has worked there for 27 years. He succeeds Peter King as CEO.
“Our transition planning began several years ago,” Peter King said in a news release. “Together, with the other partners, senior-leadership team and staff we are ready to lead the firm forward and continue our legacy for which King + King Architect’s has been known for over 147 years.”
Narbugh, a partner with the firm since 2001, will lead 48 full-time employees.
King + King has worked on projects in Albion, including the new Hoag Library and several building expansions and renovations at Albion Central School.
Narburgh, a registered architect and a landscape architect, has 33 years of experience in total.
“It is an honor to be a part of the King + King family, and I look forward to working with the current and next generation of partners and firm leaders,” Narburgh said.
Narburgh is also an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, where he has taught for the past 25 years. His mother, Sharon Narburgh, owns Narby’s Superette and Tackle in Carlton.
