Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Volunteers with the High Point Community Church in Corfu are serving up hot dogs, music and games to the Albion community at Bullard Park.

The top photo shows Robin Johnson, right, and Ralph Peterson (in Muckdogs hat) cooking hot dogs that will be available for free.

The church, which is looking to start a congregation in Albion, also has many games, face painting, a bounce house and other activities. The church’s praise band will also be playing as well as a Christian musical guest, the Needhams.

Later at about 9:30 p.m. there will also be fireworks at Bullard, with the church paying for the bulk of the expense.

Nathanael Sugar, 20, of Albion rides his skateboard at Bullard while waiting for the fireworks to start.

For fourth year church treats community to event

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The skateboarding ramp provides a nice spot to watch the fireworks tonight at Bullard Park in Albion.

The High Point Community Church in Corfu paid for the fireworks show, and also served food, provided games and played Christian music at the park. This is the fourth straight July 5 that the church has put on the event for Albion.

Two girls are on the swings while the fireworks go off. They appear blurred because of the slow shutter speed on the camera.

Some young families watch the fireworks from another swingset at the park on Route 31.

People watched the fireworks from lawn chairs, picnic tables, blankets on the ground or many just stood to take in the sights and sounds.

The fireworks were launched from near the big sledding hill at the park.

Before the fireworks, the praise band at High Point played for the crowd. The church is looking to start a congregation in Albion.

Marci Jonathan is the bass guitarist in the praise band. Her brother Nate plays the drums and their father Dave also is in the band.

Melanie Dean, ceneter, is one of the singers in the priase band. Her father, Bobby Dean, is the church pastor. Her brother Matt is lead singer in the band and their brother Mike sings and plays guitar for the group.

Bobby Dean, pastor of the church, shares a message before the fireworks. Nate Jonathan is in back on the drums.

Matt Dean is a high-energy singer for the praise band.

Provided photos – The Button family poses with superhero masks during Hoag Library’s carnival.

Press Release, Hoag Library

ALBION – Hoag Library kicked off the Summer Reading Program on Monday by hosting a carnival.

Hoag Library’s carnival featured live animals such as goats and mini donkeys, plus pony rides for children. The animals were supplied by Serenity Acres’ owner Dona Scharping. The carnival also featured games, food and temporary tattoos.

Scharping’s 4-H volunteers kept riders safe and informed them about the horses they were riding, as well as providing a fun time.

A volunteer puts a helmet on a girl.

The main purpose of the event was to inform the public of the Summer Reading Program, which started right after the carnival. This year’s theme is “Every Hero Has A Story.”

The Hoag Library will have a series of events focusing on superheroes and community heroes, such as story times and a meet-and-greet with emergency responders. Other summer events also include gardening for children and a visit from the Buffalo Zoomobile.

The Summer Reading Program is every Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 1 to 7 p.m. through July 23. Participants can enter raffles to win prizes and anyone can still register.

For more information about this program or other Hoag Library events, visit www.hoaglibrary.org or stop by the library at 134 South Main Street in Albion.

Volunteers ran the games at the carnival. Gabriell Struble supervises the bean bag toss, while Bethany Bowman sets up the wheel of chance.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A new exhibit at the Marti’s on Main art gallery features Albion artist Laurie Kemler, whose watercolor paintings highlight everyday life. She is holding a painting of a man with a horse entitled, “Gentleman’s Pride.”

She has pictures of gossiping girls, people fishing at Point Breeze, a girl sitting on a step and many other “overlooked moments of life.”

She likes to create scenes from generations ago, before smart phones, video games, cell phones and other technology that can get in the way of life.

Judy Wenrich looks at some of the work by Laurie Kemler.

“I’m a vintage girl,” Kemler said during the opening reception Friday night for her show at Marti’s, a gallery at 229 North Main St.

Kemler likes to paint from black and white photos that highlight scenes from the 1970s and earlier. She likes to fill in the colors.

“It is my way to add a creative spin to a structured photograph,” she said.

Kemler’s work has been featured several times at Marti’s, which is now in its seventh season as an art gallery. Kemler collaborated with gallery owner Kim Martillotta-Muscarella on a children’s book, “My Grandma’s Kitchen Window.” That book hasn’t been released yet. It features 72 illustrations by Kemler.

She works as an art teacher at the Bergen School of the Arts, which is run by her sister-in-law, Alysia Fink, on Route 19 in Bergen.

Kemler grew up in Elba and took art lessons as a kid from Bernice Yunker.

The gallery this month also includes paintings by Medina art teacher Jennifer Ohar Scott. Waterport resident Terry Vick also has an assortment of her creations – “Second Hand Critters.”

Terry Vick uses cast-off clothes to create these characters.

“Everyone is individual with its own personality,” Martillotta-Muscarella said about Vick’s creations. “No two are alike.”

To see the gallery, contact Martillotta-Muscarella at 585-589-6715.

File photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A church looking to start a congregation in Albion is paying for a fireworks show on July 5 at Bullard Park for the fourth straight year.

Members of the Tonawanda Indian Baptist Church in Basom and its sister church, High Point Community Church in Corfu, will also have games, food and music available for the community beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The top photo shows Albion firefighter Carmen Quatro watching the fireworks last year while standing on top of a fire truck at Bullard Park.

Tonawanda and High Point members are running a park ministry in the village this summer and the churches are working on securing a spot for church services in Albion, said Robert Dean, church pastor.

“We’re just trying to be a blessing to the community,” he said today. “We’re not looking for any accolades.”

Dean said he welcomes volunteers and donations to help put on the July 5 event. For more information, call Dean at 716-812-8330.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Justice Nauden, a member of Albion’s Class of 2015, walks to the stage to receive her diploma during a commencement program attended by about 2,000 people this evening at the high school gymnasium.

The Class of 2015 graduated from Albion with a send off that showed pride in the students for what they’ve accomplished so far.

Board of Education President Margy Brown presents Isabella Cox with her diploma. Cox was the class treasurer.

Albion graduated 129 students, the smallest class in recent memory. Those students leave with accomplishment, said Michael Bonnewell, the superintendent of schools.

The students logged 7,200 hours of community service. They needed 30 to meet their graduation requirement, but many were well over that with 16 hitting 100 hours or more, five at 200-plus and one beyond 300 hours.

The 7,200 hours is equivalent to 180 work weeks at 40 hours a week, Bonnewell noted.

District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell addresses the Class of 2015.

He said he’s proud of the students and how community service has become engrained at the school.

Students also excelled in the classroom, in music, the arts, and on the sports field.

The Class of 2015 was part of 10 teams that won Niagara-Orleans League titles and six Sectional crowns. The athletes were scholars with 55 of the 68 teams with Class of 2015 members at 90 percent or higher with their grade point averages, Bonnewell said.

Class President Aaron Burnside, left, Class Salutatorian Jacob Squicciarini and Valedictorian Madyson Coville are all smiles as the commencement program gets started.

The class will have at least 80 percent of its members enroll in college. The students are already graduating with 819 college credits, the equivalent of about $250,000 in SUNY college tuition.

“Despite it’s small size, this class has achieved,” Bonnewell said.

They won 11 first place awards in marching band competitions, were recognized for musical performances by the Rochester Stars of Tomorrow, and helped the district continue its streak of national recognition as a Best Community for Music Education.

Kevin Rosario walks up to get his diploma. He was one of 129 graduates in the Class of 2015.

Bonnewell said the Albion community provides students with an opportunity for success in school. And many students have done their part with diligent work and effort.

“This is just the beginning,” Bonnewell told the graduates inside a packed high school gymnasium. “Know you have your Albion community behind you.”

Dyer Benjovsky and his twin sister Monica walk to the risers to join other members of Senior Chorus in singing the National Anthem and then “For Good.”

Members of the Senior Chorus, from left on bottom row, include Sara Maxon, David Stilwell, Aaron Chen, Ben Vanacore and Andrea Muoio.

Board of Education President Margy Brown addressed the graduates and told them the school has worked to help them build their confidence. That is different from arrogance, which is driven by selfish motives, she said.

“Embrace the confidence that Albion has instilled in you,” Brown said. “Go out in this world and make a difference.”

Salutatorian Jacob Squicciarini and Valedictorian Madyson Coville gave a combined speech. After thanking parents, teachers and community members, the two alternated reading “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss.

Many members of the Junior Class, led by Dylan Bader, served as escorts for the Class of 2015, leading the seniors into the gymnasium.

Emily Shabazz is excited as she goes to get her diploma.

Chase Vazquez heads to the stage for his degree.

Class President Aaron Burnside leads the class in the turning of the tassel to signify the last step in graduation.

One graduate had a nice present waiting outside the school.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There was a lot of head turning on Main Street in Albion today when motorists passed near Beaver Alley. A film crew was getting footage of actresses who appeared as “working women.”

The scene will be part of a new film by Rhonda Parker, a film director and writer in Albion. Her latest film is called “Message in a Bottle.”

Her husband Mark Parker is the lead videographer and editor.

DaShaun Baldwin is one of the actresses in “Message in a Bottle.” She tries to entice “Timmy,” a teen-age boy played by Jack Champion.

According to a synopsis of the film: “A trio of young teens’ lives are changed forever when they go on a journey to rescue a kid sending eerie notes down stream in bottles.

“Johnny Tatro (Matthew Owen Kozak) is a passionate young teen that has been mislabeled due to skeletons in his family closet. His sarcastic, socially immature best friend, Timmy (Jack Champion) has been sheltered his entire life due to medical issues.

“Emily (Emma Morrison) is a young women trying to get out from under her sister’s shadow and find her own identity. Each set out on this Journey to an unknown destination for their own reasons and a shared bond of friendship. Can the optimism of youth survive the harsh light of day?”

The film crew is on location at Beaver Alley this afternoon.

Rhonda and Mark Parker have named their film production company, Beaver Alley Studios. They said they will be shooting the film over 12 days at many locations in Albion and Orleans County.

Mrs. Parker said she is aiming to have the new film released in spring 2016.

Parker released her first film last year. “Friends Don’t Let Friends – Date Friends” was named the “Best Western New York Student Film” by the 2014 Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival Dreamer Awards. That film racked up six award nominations, including Best Comedy Feature, Best WNY Feature, Best WNY Student Film, Best WNY Director (Feature) for Rhonda Parker, Best WNY Screenplay (Feature) for Rhonda Parker, and Best Performance by a WNY Actress for Amelia Favata.

Rhonda Parker, front left, and her husband Mark, kneeling with camera, work on a shot as part of their newest film.

For more on Beaver Alley Studios, visit beaveralleystudios.com.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – For more than 30 years Joe Riley has greeted Albion school children with a friendly face and kind words while bringing them to school and driving them home.

Riley drove the bus for the last time today, finishing a route around noon for elementary kids on a half-day of school. He is pictured wearing a shirt with a big “H” given to him by his co-workers. Riley drove bus “H” for Albion.

That letter will be retired from the bus fleet and the bus will become letter “L” next school year.

“He will be missed so much around here,” said Lea Olles, bus supervisor. She has worked with Riley for the past 20 years.

For more than 30 years Riley has driven a school bus, typically arriving at work at 6 a.m. and sometimes not getting home til late at night if he was driving for an athletic event.

“He has been a great employee,” Olles said. “He’s just a great person. There’s not one person he doesn’t get along with.”

The elementary school announced over the public address system that Riley was retiring today. He received numerous hand shakes and hugs, including from parents of the current students. Riley has watched generations of Albionites grow up.

“I’ve been fortunate to have good kids on the bus,” Riley said today. “A lot of the kids know me.”

He gets a lot of greetings when he goes to the grocery store or is out in the community.

Riley, 75, didn’t intend to work so long driving a school bus. He worked at Liptons in Albion until that plant closed in 1979. Then he worked at General Electric in Brockport until that site shut down in the mid-1980s.

Riley originally was a part-time school bus driver for a few years until he became full-time in 1986.

He considered moving out of Albion for other jobs, but he decided to stay put where there was a job close to home working with children and families he’s know for years.

“He’s one of a kind,” said Pete Toenniessen, a bus driver since 1998. “He’s old school. He’s here because he enjoys the kids.”

Dawn Pulcino has worked as a bus driver for five years. She said Riley gave the bus garage a boost with his positive energy.

“He’s always been very happy-go-lucky at work,” she said. “I’ve never seen him grumpy.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Keeler Construction of Barre is nearly done with the tear out of the Clarendon Street bridge in the Village of Albion. The photo above shows the site earlier today.

Here is how it looked on April 7 when Wargo Enterprises in Akron dismantled the concrete bridge. Wargo was hired as a subcontractor to rip apart the structure. Keeler Construction in Barre is the main contractor on the project.

Besides removing the 40-year-old bridge over the railroad tracks, the highway embankments have been lowered and the street is blocked off at a 90-degree angle at Crimson Drive (see photos from this afternoon). On the north side, the street is also blocked off with a turnaround spot near Childs Street.

Here is how the spot looked before the construction project started.

Keeler submitted the low bid of $442,640 for the project. That was below the engineer’s estimate of $700,000.

There is still some hydro-seeding to be done at the site, as well as trees to be planted. The road also will be painted with striping lines.

Much of the dirt from the 11-foot-high embankments was moved to the big sledding hill at Bullard Park.

Here is the north side of the street, which is also blocked off. The site will have trees and will soon be hydro-seeded.

Wargo Enterprises brought in the heavy equipment in April to take apart the bridge.

The federal government is paying 80 percent of the costs, with the state paying 15 percent and the village 5 percent.

The village was planning on replacing the bridge but the costs building a new bridge exceeded estimates by about $600,000. The state and federal shares weren’t approved for the additional cost, which would have left the village footing the entire bill for the increase.

The Village Board deemed that too expensive and chose a different, less costly option of tearing out the bridge and blocking off the street near the railroad tracks.

Village officials have said they will pursue an at-grade crossing at the site in the future.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Contractors have been busy transforming a vacant storefront at an Albion plaza, readying the space for Dollar Tree.

The sign is up for the store – on the building and by Route 31 – and crews have been prepping the inside of the space for the store. Dollar Tree is expected to open in late July, said Ron Vendetti, Albion village code enforcement officer.

Dollar Tree used to have a store in Medina. There is one in Brockport. The company will use about 9,000 square feet in the plaza, which is home to Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot, Save On Beverage Center and Peebles.

Photos by Tom Rivers

‘He was a performer. He worked constantly for the next gig. He loved to entertain people.’ – Derek Piedmont, Jim’s brother

ALBION – Scott Fleming, lead singer for Shattered Decision, addresses the crowd during a benefit concert today in honor of Jim Piedmont, who played in local rock and roll bands for about 30 years. Piedmont was 48 when he died from a heart attack on April 4.

Piedmont played in about 20 bands, beginning when he was a teen-ager. He played guitar, sang and did the sound. (He was the sound man for Nik and the Nice Guys when the band played in a Super Bowl in Atlanta.) He also set up many bands, putting together talented local musicians.

“Jim was a staple in the local music scene,” said Scott Fleming, who performed in a band with Piedmont.

Shattered Decision plays in honor of Jim Piedmont. The band includes, right to left: Darrin Albanese and Sabastian Piedmont (Jim’s nephew) on guitars, Joe Piedmont (Jim’s brother) on drums, Scott Fleming as lead singer, and Rob Reid on guitar.

Fleming hadn’t sung in band for 25 years – until today when members of Shattered Image and Split Decision joined for the group Shattered Decision.

About 150 people attended the benefit, including many members of the local music scene, the musicians and their fans.

“It’s a testimony to the people he touched, that he played with and that he performed,” Fleming said.

This poster promoting today’s musical celebration includes a photo of Jim Piedmont.

Fleming asked Shattered Image and Split Decision six weeks ago if they would be interested in getting together for concert in honor of Piedmont. The musicians said yes, and four other bands – Triple Play, Whiskey Rebellion, Bad Manners, and Ditchwater Rising – also took the stage at the Elk’s Club.

Piedmont and his family moved from Rochester to Albion when Piedmont was entering ninth grade. He was a popular student, serving as senior class president. He made many friends, and always loved music and entertaining others. He did a memorable impersonation of Gene Simmons from KISS during one talent show.

Piedmont earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Geneseo. He didn’t want a corporate job or a regular office job. He worked at Brunner for a while and recently moved to Florida and was working for a high-end boat company, making and painting the boats.

Rob Reid plays today in memory of his friend, Jim Piedmont.

Piedmont’s passion was music, literature and performance, his brother Derek Piedmont said. He remembers Jim reading him “The Hobbit” when they were kids.

“He was a performer,” Derek said. “He worked constantly for the next gig. He loved to entertain people.”

He called his brother “an old soul.”

Rob Reid played in bands with Jim Piedmont.

“People gravitated towards him,” Reid said.

Sabastian Piedmont, left, and Darrin Albanese play in Shattered Decision. Sabastian said his late uncle helped him pick out his musical instruments.

Playing in the rhythm section of a band was symbolic of the supportive role Piedmont played in many people’s lives, Reid said.

Derek said his brother was in great shape, but had undiagnosed hypertension. His death has been a shock to his family.

Piedmont is missed by his many friends, especially those in the musical community, Fleming said.

“Jim was a staple in the local music scene,” Fleming said. “He played with a lot of people and he played for a lot of people. It’s terrible that he’s gone.”

Scott Fleming, right, and Rob Reid said Jim Piedmont’s death leaves a big void locally.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Boy Scouts in Albion celebrated a successful year in Scouts with a picnic, camp-out and other fun at the Albion Sportsmen’s Club on Keitel Road.

Scouts on Saturday went fishing and rode in a paddleboat. The top photo shows Noah Shiffer (left), 16, and Jace Conn in the paddleboat. Noah was happy to get out on the water after spending the morning working on his Eagle Scout project, an ambitious gardening effort at Hospice of Orleans.

Jonathan Judd, 11, caught several fish in the former quarry.

Today is forecast for a high of 77 with a chance for thunderstorms. The National Weather Service says it will be mostly sunny on Monday with a high of 80, followed by a high of 78 on Tuesday with a chance for heavy rain.