By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 October 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery employees this morning installed a 2-foot by 3-foot interpretive panel that shares the story of one of the cemetery’s most prominent residents: Charles Howard.
Howard is best known as the man who started a Santa Claus School. He ran it from 1937 until his death in 1966. The school has been moved to Midland, Michigan, and still bears Charles Howard’s name.
Howard also was a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and a create a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.
Howard developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.
He remains a revered figure in the Santa Claus community. This past April more than 250 Santas were in Albion for several days for a Santa Claus convention.
The Santa community created a Santa Claus Hall of Fame in 2010 and Howard was inducted in the first class.
He was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa and a consultant on the movie Miracle on 34th Street.
Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County Historian, looks over the new interpretive panel. Lattin worked with Albion students in creating the panel. Lattin, current Historian Matt Ballard, and local Charles Howard expert Ken McPherson all were consultants on the panel, providing inofrmation and sharing photos.
The panel was created by the AP US History students in Rich Gannnon’s class. More than half of the class has taken part in the Ghost Walk at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Albion students used money raised from past Ghost Walks to pay for the panel.
There will be another Ghost Walk on Saturday that will conclude at Howard’s grave.
To inquire about the Ghost Walk, call Susan Starkweather Miller at the school, (585) 589-2087 for reservations.
One of the photos includes Charles Howard with his wife, Ruth.
Takeform Architectural Graphics in Medina made the panel.
The panel is located next to the terrace where Howard is buried on the west side of the cemetery, south of the Civil War section.
Staff Reports Posted 29 September 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – Trained police officers checked 26 child safety seats during an event on Saturday and found that only five were properly installed, Albion Police Chief Roland Nenni said.
The Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the child safety seat check event on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot for the Dollar Tree.
This check allowed for patrons to have their child seats inspected by a child safety seat technician. The technicians determined if the child safety seat would provide adequate protection for the child or if a new child safety seat is needed.
With only five seats meeting the safety standards, the technicians then properly installed the seats.
The Albion Police Department received a Child Passenger Safety Program grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. This grant funding allows the Albion Police Department to purchase child safety seats and other related items for conducting child seat inspections.
The funding also can be used to provide child safety seats at no charge to persons who currently have seats that do not meet safety standards following an inspection conducted by a seat technician.
Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent when used correctly. However, misuse reduces effectiveness, Nenni said. More than 90 percent of child safety seats are used improperly.
The Albion Police Department will continue to address this issue by participating in the New York State Child Passenger Safety Grant Program and conduct safety seat inspection checks, Nenni said.
Residents may call the Albion Police Department at 589-5627 and schedule an individual appointment to have a child safety seat inspected.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bullard Park hosted a classic car show on Saturday that drew 73 participants to the village-owned site on Route 31.
David Mitchell and Becky Karls, both from the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, are pictured in front of a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster owned by Sam Seager of Albion.
Karls organizes the event as a benefit for Hospice of Orleans. Christopher Mitchell is the main sponsor of the car show.
Karls has been organizing the car shows for Hospice for three years. Saturday’s show was the first time it was located at Bullard Park after the first two years along East State Street.
The show included food, music and raffle tickets.
Darren Roberts is pictured with a 1951 Ford that was owned by his father, the late Lynn Roberts, a prominent local farmer. Darren put new license plates on the car in memory of one of his father’s favorite sayings: “Burning Daylight.”
Staff Reports Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Ingersoll Memorial Fountain, which was added to Mount Albion Cemetery in 1914, is pictured in the historic cemetery in this file photo. Mount Albion will host Albion students on their annual Ghost Walk on Oct. 3. Students will portray Emma Ingersoll, who bequeathed the fountain and a bench to the community.
ALBION – Students at Albion High School will highlight prominent residents at Mount Albion Cemetery on Oct. 3 during the annual Ghost Walk, which typically attracts 500 people to the historic cemetery on Route 31.
The students try to feature a different section of the cemetery with each Ghost Walk. This year’s tour will highlight war heroes, distinguished citizens and two murders that made national news and ended with the death penalty.
People must make reservations for the tour by calling the school office at (585) 589-2087. Tours start every 15 minutes, beginning at 5 p.m. with the last tour at 9:30 p.m. The tours go for about 45 minutes.
The tour will include the following:
JAMES SHERET (WWI) 1892-1918
James was honored for heroism in several single handed attacks against the enemy. He and his brother Egbert were both killed in action on September 29, 1918 in Rossnoy, France. Their unit broke through the Hindenburg Line. Their other brother, Andrew, was severely wounded. Albion’s American Legion Sheret Post #35 is named in their honor.
EUGENE BARNUM (WWII) 1917-1944
Cpt. Eugene E. Barnum Jr. was killed in action during World War II. He was responsible for shooting down two German planes during the war. On December 2nd the squadron was sweeping the airspace ahead of bombers heading towards Cologne and Frankfurt on what was called a “Ramrod Mission” (short range attack on ground targets). Eugene’s plane went down due to a mid-air collision. His brother, William Barnum, was also killed in action July 14, 1944.
ALICE WILSON 1853-1887
Alice will tell the story from the grave of Ben Williams, attorney for her husband, George Willson. Willson was convicted of murdering his wife, Alice. He was the only man executed in Orleans County. He was hanged outside the courthouse in 1888.
ROBERT CANHAM (Civil War) 1837-1938
Robert Canham lived to be 101 years old. He fought in the Civil War and was a member of Battery F, 3rd U.S. Heavy Artillery and was allegedly present for Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, and Fredericksburg. “Big Grandpa” was well known in the area given the fact that he was the oldest and last surviving Civil War vet “wearer of the blue.”
JOHN G. RICE 1849-1917
John Rice was the Orleans County Sheriff during the 1894 murder of Emma Hunt by William Lake. Sheriff Rice organized a posse to find Lake, who hid after the murder. He evaded police for a few days, but was eventually caught in a barn and confessed willingly. He was one of first in NYS to be executed by electrocution.
SIDNEY EDDY (WWI) 1894-1989
Sidney was a member of the ambulance corps during the First World War. He was stationed in France and kept a diary from 1917-1919 that shared his experiences during the War until his return home.
DAVID JONES / MAUSOLEUM 1842-1898
David and Claudius Jones patented the mouse trap and manufactured them in large numbers. In 1878 they contracted for two million to be made at a rate of 1,000 each day.
ISAAC S. SIGNOR 1842-1935
Signor was Orleans County District Attorney and County Judge. He wrote the book, Landmarks of Orleans County, which is still widely used today as a local historic resource. He was co-executor of William Swan’s will and instrumental in establishing the Swan Library as a public library. He was a member of the Albion Central School District Board of Education and created the Signor Prize, which awards high school students for excellence in rhetorical work.
Lt. Col. C. ROYCE SAWYER (WWI) 1871-1924
Sawyer was a 30-year member of the Dye Hose Company (Albion Fire Department). As Fire Chief, he worked to have the entire company motorized. Sawyer was a cashier at Citizen’s National Bank. He served as County Treasurer and was a delegate to the Republican Convention in Rochester. During WWI, Sawyer was commissioned by the War Department in the Quartermaster Officer’s Reserve Corps. There he served as finance officer of Camp Sheridan in Alabama.
JEROME GUMAER (Civil War) 1843-1913
Gumaer served as a Union soldier in the Civil War. He was a sergeant in the 8th NY Heavy Artillery. He fought at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and was wounded at Hatcher’s Run. At one point during the war he was captured and spent five months in Libby Prison.
Photo courtesy of Orleans County Department of History – Charles Howard is pictured by the sign of his famous Santa Claus School in Albion. The school has since been relocated to Michigan, but still bears Howard’s name.
EMMA INGERSOLL (1839-1911)
Mrs. Ingersoll’s husband, Francis, was the son of Nehemiah Ingersoll. Upon her death, she bequeathed the beautiful Ingersoll Fountain and bench, located near the entrance of Mount Albion Cemetery, to the Village of Albion with the stipulation that they must pay for the water to run the fountain.
ROBERT CAPSTICK (Civil War) 1834-1907
Robert Capstick fought in the Civil War. He was present at the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, and Fredericksburg and was wounded at Chancellorsville. He was also imprisoned in Andersonville Prison. He returned to the Albion area destitute and was taken in by Sarah Harling who nursed him back to health. He gave her a George Washington button -his prized possession – as a thank you for her kindness.
CHARLES HOWARD 1896-1966
World renowned as Santa Claus, Howard opened his Santa Claus School in 1937. There he taught people from all over the world how to play Santa. In addition, he opened Christmas Park which included many attractions and a toy shop. The park attracted over 80,000 people each year. He was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa and a consultant on the movie Miracle on 34th Street. Howard’s legacy continues to this day with his Santa School (now located in Michigan.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kyle Thaine, a member of the pep band, plays the trombone during tonight’s Albion game versus East Aurora.
Many people in the energetic crowd wore purple, the school color, for the game.
Brothers Frank Gurzynski, left, and Bob Gurzynski stand for the National Anthem before the game. The two used to volunteer on the “Chain Gang” during the football games.
Albion teacher Irene Henion sells Albion football sweatshirts, hats and other merchandise outside the concession stand.
Jonathan Doherty, left, and Ed Fancher sell bells, bugles, popcorn and other items at the Alumni Foundation’s booth.
Andrea Nauden, left, and Caitlynn Snook play the flute as the pep band fires up the home crowd.
The football team runs through a banner just before the game against East Aurora.
It was a striking sunset on a warm Friday fall night for the homecoming game. This photo shows the pep band, including a trombonist.
Kim Pritt, a member of the Albion Alumni Association, took this photo of Jim Knight, a member of the Class of 1965. Jim was dressed in his Purple Eagle gear for the big game.
Check local sports to see highlights from the game and other local varsity action.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Seventh-graders will also research Civil War vets in county
Photos by Tom Rivers – Many of the markers for Civil War soldiers at Mount Albion Cemetery are rusted. Albion seventh-graders and teacher Tim Archer will restore the markers as part of a service-learning project.
ALBION The cast-iron markers are sprinkled around Mount Albion Cemetery, and many of them, put in years ago to honor Civil War soldiers, have turned to rust.
Albion teacher Tim Archer and seventh-graders want to restore the shine to the markers, put at graves by the Grand Army of the Republic. Students in Archer’s service-learning class will create a map and database of the marker locations.
They will use wiry brushes to remove rust and Archer will coat the markers with Rust-Oleum.
File photo – These bronze markers by the Civil War cannon at the cemetery haven’t rusted, but they have oxidized. Archer said students won’t be working on these ones. Nearby cast-iron markers, however, will be given a new shine.
Students have other Civil War initiatives planned for the school year. They are going to research the names of every Orleans County resident who died in the Civil War and compare that with the 463 names carved in marble slabs inside the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Archer thinks not all soldiers who died in the war were included in the memorial. He and his students would like to create a database of all of the soldiers from the county who died in the war. Right now, he said there isn’t an accurate list with all the names.
The Civil War memorial at Mount Albion Cemetery includes the names of 463 residents who were killed during the Civil War. However, the memorial may not have included every local resident who perished in the war.
Archer and his students know one resident who served in the Civil War was buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Brown Road in an unmarked grave.
The service-learning class, which is a requirement for all seventh-graders, has reached out to the Veterans Administration for a headstone for John Frost, who died in 1915.
Archer and the students have also contacted the offices for Congressman Chris Collins and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley about helping with the headstone.
The class has also learned about Herbert Charles Taylor, who is buried at Hillside Cemetery in Holley/Clarendon. Taylor is believed to be the only Orleans County resident who was killed at Gettysburg.
Archer and the class would like to have a historical marker at the cemetery about Taylor, noting his service to his country and death at Gettysburg.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – John Given of Elba runs at Mount Albion Cemetery with the Fit in 50 group on Thursday evening. Given has been a regular each week with the program. He has lost 100 pounds in the past three years, including about 15 since January.
ALBION – A community exercise program that started on a blustery Saturday morning back in January has continued each week with participants getting together for a run or a walk.
The “Fit in 50” program through the Albion Running Club has had 117 people join for a walk or jog at least once during 2015. A core group of about 15 show up each week. (The weekly runs shifted to 6 p.m. Thursdays at Mount Albion Cemetery, and will likely move back to Saturdays on Oct. 17.)
“It’s the consistency that gives you the best reward,” said Joe McPhatter of Albion.
He has brought his infant son, Jai Li, on many of the runs, pushing him in a jogger stroller.
McPhatter said his blood pressure is down and he has lost 5 pounds since January.
Some of the Fit in 50 have opted to be in Run for God programs at the Albion Free Methodist Church or to exercise on their own.
Joe McPhatter pushes his son Jai Li in a jogger stroller while out for a run at Mount Albion this evening.
Through nearly nine months of the program, 17 of the participants have lost 121 pounds this year, with most seeing drops in blood pressure and body mass index. That’s an average loss of 7 pounds per person.
The collective weight loss numbers should grow as the Albion Running Club, organizer of the effort, collects more data from the runners and walkers.
Brian Krieger, one of the leaders of the program for the Albion Running Club, said Fit in 50 has made a difference for the participants, improving their health and connecting them with other runners.
John Given of Elba ran the Strawberry Festival 8-kilometer race in June 2014. The Running Club organizes that race. It sent out a mass email to Strawberry Festival runners, informing them about the “Fit in 50.”
Given received the email and decided to try the Saturday run in January, even when the weather was cold and snowy.
“I thought, ‘This is just what I need to get me going in the winter,'” he said about the group runs.
Given, 57, has lost about 100 pounds the past three years, from a high of 284 pounds. He has been a regular for the Albion runs each week. He had never ran farther than an 8-kilometer race before this year. He set a personal best finishing the 10-mile Metro 10 race in Albion on Aug. 22 and then ran a half marathon for 13.1 miles on Labor Day in Geneseo.
Given comes to Albion for the group run once a week, and tries to get in one or two more runs on his own each week. He enjoys the camraderie in Albion.
“It’s been wonderful with the fitness, meeting new people and making friends,” he said.
Photos by Tom Rivers – Marsha Rivers, executive director of the United Way of Orleans County, has an office in the southeast corner of the former Swan Library, a spot that used to have several tall shelves of books.
Press Release, United Way
ALBION – United Way of Orleans County has taken its place as the first office occupant of the former Swan Library, 4 North Main St., just in time to begin its fall campaign.
The annual kick-off will be Oct. 22 at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, but fundraising is already under way. Albion and Medina Tops Markets began their United Way campaign this week, and dozens more companies and organizations are signing on to offer employees the giving opportunity that gives back to the community in dozens of ways.
Executive Director Marsha Rivers, who this week marks her first year at the helm of the county-wide charitable organization, said: “When I’m out and about, people ask me things like, ‘Why should I give to the United Way?’ Or, ‘What difference can my little bit make?’ And my answer is the old saying: ‘Every little bit helps!’ Because it’s true.”
United Way hosts campaigns at about 40 local workplaces and receives additional donations from several dozen companies and hundreds of individual donors. The organization then distributes funds to about 20 local programs, among them Arc of Orleans’ Meals on Wheels, Orleans County Adult Learning Services’ literacy programs, and Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern’s Last Resort for emergency assistance. Funding applications for 2016 are now available to non-profit agencies and due Nov. 2.
The former Swan Library was purchased by Chad Fabry of Holley who wants to use the three-story site for offices.
“A gift to United Way goes a long way,” Rivers said. “Last year we showed donors how just two dollars per week could pay for a child’s registration to Camp Rainbow, or sponsor their attendance at 4-H Conservation Days.
“This campaign season, I’m sharing true stories about how seemingly small gestures or changes have made a huge difference in people’s lives, right here in Orleans County, through United Way donor dollars.”
The office relocation brings United Way closer to many of its partner agencies’ headquarters, based in the county seat. It is also a smaller space than the previous office, reducing rental costs and allowing United Way to help the community even more, Rivers said.
“Again, every little bit helps – I personally contribute to the campaign, so I understand how much it matters that this money is invested carefully, wisely. A big part of my job is trying to maximize the impact of our donors’ generosity.”
In addition to the ongoing workplace campaigns and the direct mail appeal this fall, United Way is hosting its annual volunteerism event, Day of Caring, on Oct. 23. A second day, Oct. 24, is being offered as an option for local high school students looking for opportunities to fulfill their schools’ community service requirements.
Day of Caring participants should call the United Way at their new number, 585-283-4773. During campaign season, public office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Rivers may also be reached via email mrivers@orleansunitedway.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Orleans County History Department
ALBION – Albion students have raised money and designed an interpretive panel about one of the community’s most famous residents, the late Charles Howard, who founded the first Santa Claus School.
This photo from about about 60 years ago shows Howard as Santa at Christmas Park, which he developed in Albion at Phipps Road.
Albion students are working with Takeform Architectural Graphics in Medina on the panel, which will share highlights of Howard’s life as a farmer, toymaker and later as the famous Santa who appeared in the Macy’s Thaksgiving Day parades.
Howard ran the school from 1937 until his death in 1966 at age 69. Howard started the school in Albion at the corner of Phipps Road and Route 31. He developed the school after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.
The school, now in Midland, Mich., still bears Howard’s name.
The 1948 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a huge day for Howard. The parade for the first time was televised nationally and in color for those that had color TV sets. There was also an opening for Santa and Macy’s asked Howard to fill the role. They wanted the man who trained Santas to be part of their parade.
He would do it every year until 1965 and Macy’s took pride in having Howard in the parade. The company would have him play Santa at their stores in New York City and Kansas City.
Howard is buried in Mount Albion not too far from the gazebo at the west entrance of the historic cemetery. Howard is buried on a knoll and his grave is difficult for many people to find.
The panel will be installed in the grass by the corner of the cemetery by the knoll.
The panel may be ready in time to be dedicated as part of the Oct. 3 Ghost Walk, where Albion students portray famous people in the cemetery. This year’s Ghost Walk will conclude with a stop by Howard’s grave.
Photo courtesy of the Santa Claus Oath Foundation – Charlie Howard portrays Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He served in the role from 1948 to 1965.
Students used proceeds from last year’s Ghost Walk to pay for the interpretive panel. Sue Starkweather Miller, one of the Ghost Walk coordinators, would like to see more panels at the cemetery.
“We would love to turn it into a museum without walls,” she said about adding many more panels.
She didn’t want to share a rendering of the panel publicly until it is unveiled. She said it will be black and white with text and photos, with a silver background. Those are the traditional Victorian mourning colors, she said.
Retired County Historian Bill Lattin helped students with the design of the panel.
Albion hosted about 250 professional Santas during a convention in April. That convention has spearheaded other efforts to honor Howard in his hometown.
The Albion Betterment Committee is working on a welcome sign that notes Albion is the hometown of a world renown Santa who started the first Santa School. The Betterment Committee also is pushing to have a bronze statue of Howard as Santa in front of the Hoag Library near the side walk on Main Street.
The Betterment Committee is working with Brigden Memorials in Albion on a design for that project and would like to have the money raised so it could be installed by the end of 2016, the 50th anniversary of Howard’s death.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Local stone mason Neal Muscarella has been busy the past three weeks at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. He has reset and repaired the front steps and pavement stones by the church at the corner of East Park and Main streets in the historic Courthouse Square.
After resetting the sandstone pavement stones, Muscarella worked on a section today between the sidewalk and the street. He is putting concrete in that strip, which will help to hold the sandstone sidewalk pieces in place.
Muscarella, an Albion resident, also spent two weeks repointing mortar on the historic church. He was in a cherrypicker lift removing old mortar and putting in mortar between the pink Medina sandstone ashlars in the church’s towers, chimneys, and above the roof line.
Pullman Memorial received assistance for the project from the St. Lawrence District of Unitarian Universalists Chalice Lighter funding program, and the Medina Sandstone Society in Medina.
The Chalice Lighter program receives donations from Unitarian Universalists across New York State. Bill Lattin, the retired Orleans County historian, is chairman of the buildings and grounds committee for the church. He worked with Muscarella on the restoration work.
Contributed Story Posted 18 September 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Albion village officials last Saturday helped to dedicate a new memorial for veterans of the armed forces.
Mary Anne Braunbach, right, pushed for the Blue Star Memorial through the National Garden Clubs. The memorial is just south of the Main Street canal bridge on the west side of the road in front of PathStone. Braunbach owns the building at 140 North Main St., where PathStone is a tenant.
She is pictured with, from left: Village Trustee Gary Katsanis, Mayor Dean London, Village Trustee Eileen Banker, and Toni Howe, chairwoman of the Blue Star Memorials through the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.
The Soil, Toil and Thyme Garden Club sponsored the memorial. Braunbach was part of that group for about 20 years. The garden club recently disbanded but laid the groundwork for getting the Blue Star Memorial.
A state grant paid for the marker, and Braunbach paid for the stone. Brigden Memorial in Albion attached the plaque on the stone. The village Department of Public Works set the concrete pad for the stone.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2015 at 4:24 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Wal-Mart Supercenter in Albion evacuated customers and employees this afternoon after a small electrical fire in the deli around 3:30 p.m.
Albion and Barre firefighters responded to the call, where one customer said there was a noticeable burnt smell and some smoke.
Firefighters say there was a burnt-out motor in the deli, in what turned out to be a minor incident. The building was evacuated after the fire alarm was pulled.
Albion and Barre firefighters are positioned in front of the store to keep people from going in while other firefighters check on an electrical fire.
Staff Reports Posted 16 September 2015 at 12:00 am
First-ever Sustainability Fair packs Lyceum
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Leonel Rosario and his wife Dolores serve stuffed peppers with shrimp and fish that is covered in cheese corn sauce. They run Mariachi d’Oro Restaurant in Medina and were among the exhibitors during the first Ecumenical Sustainability Fair on Tuesday at Holy Family’s Lyceum.
Holy Family Parish, in cooperation with eight other local churches, hosted the Sustainability Fair that included 22 exhibitors who discussed recycling, composting, reducing consumption, caring for the environment and many other earth-friendly practices.
Photo by Tom Rivers
Leonel Rosario also discussed growing up poor in Mexico with the challenges to have enough food to eat and water to drink. Bob Golden, the event co-organizer, is at left.
“In Mexico, you were a vegetarian because you couldn’t afford meat,” Rosario said during a panel discussion.
Rosario said his childhood makes him value food and resources, and he tries to cook in small batches to reduce waste.
He also is a big advocate for preserving his Mexican culture, and leads many demonstrations on cooking and dancing.
Photo by Kristina Gabalski
More than 100 peope attended the Sustainability Fair to see exhibits, sample locally grown foods and hear presentations.
Photo by Tom Rivers
Sister Sharon Goodremote, an environmental educator in the Western New York Catholic Diocese, was the featured speaker during the Sustainability Fair. She discussed Pope Francis’ encyclical and shared practical ways for people to care for the Earth.
“I think it’s amazing to have so many people coming out to hear what Pope Francis has to say and how he is challenging us to care for creation,” Goodremote said.
Photo by Tom Rivers
Sister Sheila Stone, left, discusses ways, big and small, to care for the Earth and improve the health of a community. She is joined by Sister Sharon Goodremote during a panel discussion.
Stone worked 20 years at Buffalo Catholic Charities and has been involved in Sacred Heart Center and the EarthHeart ministry.
Stone said she is encouraged by some environmental success stories, such as the pushback against tobacco that has resulted in significant decreases in smoking rates. She spoke out in hearings against fracking and is pleased Gov. Cuomo and New York are banning the practice.
She suggested people go on nature walks.
“Spend time outside,” she said. “Get to know the trees and plants. Open yourself to awe and wonder.”
She would like to see more protection for the Great Lakes, including a ban on microbeads, tiny particles in cosmetics and in some dish soaps that end up in the lakes and harm fish.
The big threat to the world: Climate Change. Stone said government leaders and citizens need to address the issue.
“Just pray that the country has the will and the moral fiber to make some drastic changes when it comes to Climate Change,” she said.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Paula Bensley, back left, and Catherine Adams show off a healthy plant. They are both master gardeners with advice for growing flowers, plants and gardens. Master gardeners also have expertise for fighting invasive plants, such as hogweed.
Photo by Tom Rivers – Kay Walter helped serve grilled vegetables from Wegmans. The company donated money to help put on the Sustainability Fair.
Staff Reports Posted 12 September 2015 at 12:00 am
ALBION – After a wet Saturday with more rain expected on Sunday, a car show has been moved to Sept. 27 at Bullard Park.
The third annual Albion car show was planned for 1 to 5 p.m. at Bullard Park on Sunday. Becky Karls, the event organizer, decided to move it to Sept. 27.
Registration for the show will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the park on Route 31.
