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Albion grad earns Harvard diploma, on pre-med track

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2025 at 9:53 am

Nolberto Martinez Maya says Harvard proved challenging, opened up world of friendships

Provided photos: Nolberto Martinez Maya graduated from Harvard University on May 27-29. Martinez, a 2021 Albion graduate, plans to work at a community health center in Boston for two years before going to med school. He would like to be a surgeon for his career.

ALBION – Nolberto Martinez Maya is back in Albion for a couple weeks after four rigorous years as a student at Harvard University. He earned his degree in molecular and cellular biology at that prestigious Ivy League university.

Martinez, 22, said it was a transforming four years for him, and not just because of the challenging courses. He made friends from people all over the world. He is more outgoing and he is eager to get into the medical field to help others.

Martinez starts a new job this summer at a community health center in the Boston area, working in low-income communities in east Boston and South Boston.

“I want to get some more experience and then apply to medical schools next year,” Martinez said during an interview last week at the Village House in Albion.

Martinez was a research intern at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Graphic the past 18 months. He juggled two other jobs at Harvard, and was involved in several clubs.

He started one a club that was inspired by an experience in Albion when one of his middle school teachers, Kim Toombs, had students make pillows and ponchos to support breast cancer patients. Martinez led Harvard students in making under-arm pillows that were distributed to cancer centers in the Boston area. Toombs sent fabric and her patterns to help Martinez with the program.

He also was president of a knitting club, and an officer for other organizations that promoted health advocacy and sexual education.

Nolberto Martinez Maya is shown at Harvard. He graduated from Albion in 2021, and also earned his associate’s degree at GCC before he finished high school.

Martinez said he went from being obsessed with his classwork the first year at Harvard, to finding a balance with academics while becoming involved in clubs and with his friends.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve done and how I did,” Martinez said.

Question: Would you say you were prepared by Albion to go to Harvard?

Answer: I would say in some aspects I was. Academically I had all of the tools I needed. When I got there it wasn’t that I didn’t have the knowledge or that Albion didn’t prepare me, I think the rigor itself of the college was different.

Just to give you an example, they offer the standard chemistry courses. It’s called Chem-17 and Chemistry 27. At most colleges they are called Chem 1 and Chem 2, and then you do BioChem 1 and BioChem 2. But at Harvard, Chem 17 is Chem 1 and Chem 2 together in one semester. BioChem 1 and BioChem 2 are together in the second semester, which is Chem 27. It’s four courses smashed into two semesters and you learn all of that content.

I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t prepared, but I would say it was a different level of rigor that I hadn’t experienced.

Question: Of the 1,900 in your class, did they all get through it in four years?

Answer: I remember looking at my sophomore and freshman year, I remember that number being just over 2,000. But they announced just over 1,900 graduated, so I would say maybe 100 to 200 were maybe pushed back a year.

However, I have a friend of mine she isn’t graduating this year but that’s because she took a year off to work in a lab. A lot of it is just situational. She has a 3.9 GPA. There was no reason for her to stay back a year, but she wanted to step out and work in a research lab and get that expereince because her hope is to one day get her PhD. I can’t say that everybody’s was an academic thing. It could have also been a personal thing. There are people who take a semester off to travel abroad.

Nolberto is shown with his family members, from left: brother Everado, brother Honorato Jr., father Honorato, Nolberto, mother Inocencia, and sister Lorena. Nolberto’s parents have worked for fruit farms trimming fruit trees and grafting them. Nolberto helped on the farms and he said grafting the trees shows biology in action.

Question: What was the hardest part about being at Harvard?

Answer: Being away from family. It was the hardest my freshman year. Every single break or long weekend I kind of looked forward to it – Thanksgiving, Christmas, even summer break when I came back for two-three weeks because I had to go back to do research and a summer program.

During those times at home I looked forward to hanging out with my family. The hardest transition was getting dropped off by my parents and siblings. They dropped me off in Cambridge and they didn’t stay multiple nights to just say goodbye. It was very interesting to be left in the city after one day.

Question: Did you get a sense if you were unusual being from a small town?

Answer: I would say leaning more towards yes. A majority of my friends were from big cities, like New York City itself, different cities in California, China, Vietnam, the UK. I have friends from Florida.

Question: What was that like, meeting people from all over the world?

Answer: It was eye-opening. It was very interesting to meet so many new people from different places, and learn some of their customs and see how they got along with their families. I would say I was very fortunate to have such a strong support system with my family, with my mom, dad and siblings. They always checked in on me, always made sure if I needed anything they would help me, even if it was just money for coffee.

But even through that I had two jobs myself.

Question: What were your jobs?

Answer: One of them was a web fulfillment associate, which is packing orders that were made through the online store for HAS, the Harvard Student Agencies. They sold Harvard merch. I would answer phone calls, answer emails and fill in orders.

My second one was Harvard Recreation. I was a front desk attendant. I was getting people towels, selling stuff that we sold.

I worked at each of them about 10-15 hours a week, on top of my clubs and my classes. At the height of my junior year, I was doing one of the jobs (I got the second job my senior year), was also the head of five to six clubs and doing my classes. It was a very tiring year.

I would leave my dorm about 8 or 9 a.m. and then not come back until about 11 p.m. That gave me time to wind down and go to bed, and wake up for the next day.

Nolberto Martinez Maya, left in second row, said he made friends from all over the world at Harvard.

Question: Did you ever feel the Imposter Syndrome, like “What am I doing here?”

Answer: Yes. Initially I met a lot of people, and one of them had a star named after him because he discovered one in high school. One of my friends she won a national piano competition. Others won writing competitions, were National Merit Scholars. Another was a very famous celloist since he was 8 years old. Others came from schools that prepared them very well.

I found that some people I met weren’t as scared or struggling as much as I kind of felt like I was. It was very scary to think I don’t know if I can make it.

Question: How did you work through that? Any advice for people?

Answer: I found my study group, my group that I stuck with for the remaining three years after my first year. I found my study group and I didn’t stop working on something until I handed it in.

I think it was me and how I got through my school here in Albion and did my associate’s as well. It was don’t finish your assignment until it’s done and it’s handed in. If it’s something you’re not sure about, go to office hours, talk to your professors and teachers, even other students. That is the other thing that Harvard fosters, they give you pretty difficult assignments, but the main goal of that assignment is to learn. But it’s not just to learn, it’s also to network, and figure this out together. We will get through this together.

I think they try to foster students reaching out and having those connections with other students to realize we’re in this together and we can get out of it together.

Question: When did you start to feel like you did belong there?

Answer: Honestly, at the end of my sophomore year. That was when I found a larger group. I realized I could get my assignments done, do well on them, still have time to hang out with my friends. I finally found that balance. Life doesn’t just have to be academics. Life can also be me going out and having fun. It wasn’t until I relaized I had a balance in academics and extracurriculars. It was a perfect triangle of me realizing I didn’t have to spend my day locked in my room trying to finish an assignment.

Question: How are you a different person now than you were four years ago?

Answer: I feel like I’m more well-rounded. I think I’ve learned to join conversations and be an active person and engage with other people. I think I was a very introverted person, just somebody who kept to himself and was closed off to people. At Harvard I realized saying “Hi” to people and reaching out to them, and establishing and maintaining connections became easier. I could meet somebody new and then maintain that connection.

I now feel comfortable talking to people from all walks of life, and then maintaining those connections.

Question: I should ask you about Harvard being in the news. Did that have an impact on you? Was it talked about much among the students?

Answer: It is talked about but I would say there is a disconnect between adminsitration and the students. I think adminsitration tries their best to not involve the students because of things that had happened previously. I think they try not to put students at the forefront.

The school does have students who are a little bit more high profile. I think in the interests of all students they try to make sure nobody is left out. To us it feels like they don’t want to engage with us, but I think it is their way to keep us maybe a half-step away from them.

Question: What else do you want to say, Nolberto? Can someone from Albion hang with the very best students?

Answer: Oh yes, definitely. I think it’s very do-able. I think the only thing that is ever needed is the want. If you want to do it, you can do it.

I met a lot of friends with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, similar cultural backgrounds and I realized we did different things and those made us stand out. I don’t think being from a small town should be something that scares somebody. If anything being able to go to a bigger city and meet new people is always fun. It’s always fun to realize what other people have done and I’ve come to find a lot of friends who genuinely want to do great things – as lawyers, people in finance, people who will do public health work. There is a wide range of people I have met.

At tour of women’s prison in Albion, community members see programs to help the incarcerated

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 3:47 pm

Prison officials say facility remains in ‘recovery phase’ after strike, trying to fill many positions

Photos by Tom Rivers: Melinda Samuelson, superintendent of the Albion Correctional Facility, gave a tour last week to about a dozen community members, including County Legislator John Fitzak at left, who is retired as a corrections officer next door at Orleans Correctional Facility.

ALBION – The Albion Correctional Facility last week gave community members a tour of the women’s prison. This is the third year the facility has let in some local business owners, clergy, elected officials and others for the tour.

Prison leaders said the facility is hiring, seeking to fill many civilian positions and more than 100 jobs as corrections officers.

The tour highlighted educational and vocational training opportunities for the incarcerated population.

“We’re very proud of what goes on inside the prison walls,” said Melinda Samuelson, the Albion Correctional superintendent. “We have a desire to help. We want them to leave on track and better prepared.”

She said many of the staff choose to stay at Albion long-term for their careers, with some even driving well over an hour each way. Some employees have left to work at other prisons and returned to Albion.

Greg Bennett, an Albion village trustee, works in the prison as a locksmith. He was on the tour last week. He said he wished he had taken a job at the prison sooner. He said there are good benefits and pay, and plenty of room for advancement.

Albion Correctional, besides needing to fill many corrections officer positions, also is hiring for keyboarding, mail, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, vocational instructors, teachers, library clerk, recreation program leader, production control supervisor, administrative assistant and cooks. For more information, contact personnel at (585) 589-5511, ext. 3600.

Danielle Hodges (left), first deputy superintendent, walks with Se Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian on the tour at the correctional facility, which several said would look like a college campus if there weren’t fences with razor wire on the perimeter.

The state’s prison system dominated the news with a 22-day strike by corrections officers that started Feb. 17 and ended March 10. About 2,000 corrections officers were fired when they didn’t report to work by a March 10 deadline. Staffing statewide at prisons dropped from about 13,500 before the strike to about 10,000 with many officers choosing to resign.

Corrections officers said the prisons have been short-staffed since long before the strike, resulting in far too much forced overtime, and COs said the prisons were less safe due to the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement in prisons.

At Albion Correctional, the facility is about 130 officers short of being fully staffed and continues to have a National Guard presence. There are about 36 soldiers from the National Guard at Albion Correctional, down from 90 during the strike.

Albion Correctional should have 394 corrections officers to be fully staffed and currently is at about 260. (The facility also has 160 civilian jobs.)

The prison also has about 500 inmates, even though it was a capacity for 1,200. If the prison was at full capacity, it would need 463 COs and sergeants to be fully staffed, prison officials shared on the tour last week.

“We are in the recovery stage from the strike,” Samuelson said at the QWL building during a discussion before the tour. “Many have returned but we are still short. We are constantly recruiting.”

She said the administration strives to make the prison safer for staff and the incarcerated population. The COs have used body worn cameras since 2017 to record any of their interactions with inmates. There are 570 other CCTV cameras on site, and Samuelson said another 6,000 cameras are going in throughout the prison.

The prion’s top administration met with about a dozen people at the QWL building before heading out on a tour of Albion Correctional Facility.

Samuelson said the prison is doing more regional hiring. It used to be corrections officers and civilian staff often had family and friends that worked in a prison. But she said many COs no longer recommend the job.

Albion Correctional started doing the tours for the community in 2023 to try to shine a light on careers within the prison, she said, and the facility is doing more work fairs and listing positions on Indeed.

The administration also is trying to show staff more appreciation. One of the display boards had pictures of staff and thanked them for keeping the facility afloat during the recent strike and the continued staffing issues.

Albion Correctional has been holding steady at about 500 incarcerated women the past several years. She doubts the prison will get back near the 1,200.

Although the inmate population is much lower than its capacity, Samuelson said today’s incarcerated population often struggle with many challenges. More than 80 percent of the population has a diagnosed mental health issue, and many come to Albion plagued with drug addictions. About 130 of the inmates are on methadone treatment to help them with their opioid addictions. She said the prison reflects society with an increasing disrespect for others.

She praised the staff for teaching the incarcerated population new skills, better ways of dealing with anger and strategies for mental health challenges.

On the tour, the community members saw inmates making garbage receptacles and metal furniture. They were welding and painting bins that are prevalent at state parks.

Jeff Benfer leads the vocational program at the prison where inmates learn metal fabrication, welding and painting. He said 32 inmates recently earned more than 250 occupational ed credits as the program rebuilds after the Covid pandemic.

During Covid, the metal fabrication and painting was shut down so inmates could bottle sanitizer. The shop was transformed into a bottling site with 48 inmates working two shifts each day.

Benfer, the industrial superintendent, also oversees a section where inmates use CNC lasers to engrave name plates for park police, state troopers and corrections officers. They also make numerous plaques. Benfer said the group is trying to get caught up on back orders.

A culinary café prepares breakfasts and lunches for staff. During the 22-day strike, the café served 4,500 meals for staff, including making deliveries.

The café serves breakfast burritos with home fries, monster sandwiches, French toast, sausage and cheesy grits. For lunch, there are cheeseburger with fries, chicken finger poutine, chicken dip, meatball sliders, fried bologna sandwich with chips and a pickle.

Mike O’Conner has been the horticulture program instructor the past 10 years. He teaches the incarcerated women in the program to grow and care for flowers and vegetables. The program has a competition among the residence halls to see which ones can best display their flowers. O’Conner, center, is shown chatting with Sue Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian and also a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative extension.

Troy Hopson, left, was on the tour. He is director of a juvenile program in Auburn for incarcerated girls.

Some of the produce grown by the horticulture program has been donated to Community Action in Albion.

Melinda Samuelson, the prison superintendent, and Sue Starkweather Miller take a close look at some of the flowers grown in the greenhouse. Starkweather Miller also is a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. She said there are opportunities for the horticulture program to partner with the community.

Albion Correctional is one of only three women-only prisons in the state. The other two, Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional, are on the other side of the state in Westchester County. Albion and Taconic are both medium-security while Bedford Hills is a maximum-security site.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is looking to possibly close five prisons in the coming year. Samuelson believes Albion Correctional is in a good position to stay open as the only women’s prison in the western part of the state, and the many successful programs offered at the site.

The chapel at Albion Correctional Facility is one of the oldest structures remaining from the original prison complex built in the 1890s.

The site initially was established as the Western House of Refuge in 1890, with construction beginning in 1891 and operations starting in December 1893. The chapel was part of the initial complex.

The site has been a women-only prison since 1986.

The inside of the chapel shows where church services are held for the incarcerated population. Albion Correctional is trying to find a specialist to fix one of the old stained-glass windows above the pulpit.

Song highlights how retiring Albion teacher connected with students through cookies

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 10:25 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mike Thaine directs the Albion High School concert band in the debut of “Freshly Baked Cookies.”

ALBION – The final concert of Mike Thaine’s career as a band teacher had an extra special element last week: an original composition that was played publicly for the first time.

Thaine’s wife Susan and their children, Abigail and Kyle, commissioned Stephen Shewan to write a piece that could be played in Thaine’s final concert of a 34-year career in public education.

Provided photo: Mike Thaine, left, and Stephen Shewan are pictured after the concert on June 10 in Albion.

Shewan, a Shelby resident, went to a band rehearsal last October. He noticed a strong camaraderie between Thaine and his students. After the rehearsal, about 20 students stayed after. The teacher had baked cookies and shared them with the kids. That day was close to Halloween and the cookies had candy corn in them.

“The cookies captured the love and joy that permeated this group of students and their director, somewhat like an informal breaking of bread,” Shewan wrote in the Albion concert program about the song. “It was evident the students and director had a special bond built upon mutual respect, love and appreciation.”

The six-minute piece, “Fresh Baked Cookies,” made its world debut on June 10 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium.

Shewan created a piece that he said is playful and youthful in spirit. He also wanted a few sleigh bell cameos to highlight Albion’s heritage as the home of a Santa School run by the late Charles Howard from 1937 util 1966.

Thaine is an Albion graduate. He worked in Steuben County, first a year at Greenwood and then seven years at Prattsburgh before returning to his alma in 1998 as the elementary music teacher, introducing third- and fourth-graders to musical instruments. He worked in that role for nine years before becoming the high school band and music teacher.

He has led multiple groups – the marching band, jazz band, pit orchestra and many smaller ensembles.

Thaine said he started baking cookies and breakfast casseroles for students about four or five years ago.

“I just think the world of the kids,” he said. “A lot of the kids like to stay and have lunch.”

He is pleased with Shewan’s composition and the title. The band started rehearsing with the music in February. Thaine said it is a challenging piece to play, which is what he wanted.

“I couldn’t have been happier,” Thaine said about the newly created music.

Mike Thaine directs the 70-member band last week.

Albion parks program starts June 23 with 6 weeks of activities and food

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 8:02 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion’s park counselors for the upcoming season include, front row, from left: Ezra Bloom, Noah Harrison, Makyell Walker, Keira Zambito, Faith Bennett, Semaj Miller, Cierra Johnson, Sophia Albanese, Mia Prinzing and McKinley Knight. Back row: Mayzair Walker, ChrisJen Winters, Hailey Crawford, Dylan Baxter, Bri Dugan, Kendall Derisley and Paige Derisley.

ALBION – The Village of Albion summer park program kicks off a 6-week season on June 23 with a full slate of programs as well as free food for children every day. The season ends on Aug. 1.

The village has teamed with Foodlink to have lunches, snacks and beverage from Mondays through Thursdays, while the Masonic Lodge and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries will provide meals on Fridays, usually pizza or tacos in the bag.

There will be park counselors at Bullard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will lead children in games, arts and crafts and other activities.

The first couple days of the park program include registration. Children should have a list of their immunization records, said John Grillo, who is leading the summer program for Albion. Grillo has been the village’s recreation director for about 50 years.

Grillo said the options for the program have expanded with the recent additions of the basketball courts, splash pad, new pavilions, GaGa pit, walking trail, disc golf course, new playground apparatus.

Some highlights in the season include:

  • Tennis clinic from June 30 to July 3rd
  • July 3rd celebration later in the day, including fireworks
  • Wrestling and tennis camps from July 7-11
  • Baseball camp from July 14-18
  • County Park Fun Day on July 16 with bounce houses, food vendors
  • Volleyball camp from July 21-25

There are also outings planned including a trip to Dubby’s Tailgate on July 9, Cone Zone for ice cream on July 10 and 11, and bowling at Oak Orchard Lanes on July 24.

Fundraiser tops $40K, getting ‘home for hope’ halfway to goal

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 June 2025 at 8:32 am

Onesimus House will offer job and life skills to young men

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heidi and Anthony O’Hara explain the mission of Trade 180 to those who recently attended a benefit at Bent’s Opera House. The evening raised more than half of their goal of $80,000 to open Onesimus House in Albion, a program to prepare young men with life skills.

MEDINA – Efforts to complete Onesimus House in Albion, a “home of hope” for young men with very limited opportunities, got a big boost from a recent benefit at Bent’s Opera House.

Heidi O’Hara, who is executive director of Trade 180 in Albion, and her husband Anthony have announced their “Comedy for a Cause” featuring Dan Viola and Doug Egling raised $43,000 of the $80,000 needed to complete Onesimus House at 574 East Ave.

Onesimus House is named for a disciple in the Bible who stole, was redeemed and sent back to his community as an active productive member – which is the mission of Trade 180.

The house was donated for use as Onesimus House by Harvest Christian Fellowship just a door away. Lovingly called “The Home of Hope,” it is a short-term, live-in mentoring program with guidelines and structure to prepare four young men at a time for the workforce, equipping them with life skills and hope for a better future, Mrs. O’Hara said. Trade 180 is a volunteer, faith-based, transformative mentoring program for young men ages 18-25.

“We are very pleased and overjoyed by God’s goodness shown through all who attended Trade 180’s ‘Comedy for a Cause,’ fundraiser,” she reported. “It was a full house with 150 attendees, and with the generosity of many giving hearts, we were able to raise more than half of our goal.”

The money will be used to staff and stock the home.

“We are so grateful to all those who have donated and volunteered,” O’Hara said. “Each gift is not just a donation, it is a lifeline for young men of Orleans County who are often overlooked and underserved. Trade 180 values each individual life and wants to see young people discover their God-given purpose.”

Anyone who would like to donate to help Trade 180 reach its goal may still make a tax-deductible contribution by sending a check payable to Trade 180, 25 East Bank St., Albion, 14411; paying with Venmo@Trade-OneEighty; or donating with credit card or debit card online at hcforleans.com/Trade-180/.

Elks Lodge in Albion hosted Flag Day ceremony

Posted 16 June 2025 at 7:37 am

Photos and information courtesy of Albion Elks Lodge #1006

ALBION – On Thursday the Albion Elks Lodge #1006 proudly conducted their Flag Day ceremony at their lodge to pay tribute to our national flag.

The ceremony was performed by the Lodge officers including Mike Jenks, Exalted Ruler; Richard Robb Sr., Leading Knight; Lynda Standish, Loyal Knight stand in; Sharon Pollock, Lecturing Knight; Allyn Phillips, Esquire; and Edee Hoffmeister, Chaplain.

Past State President Barry Griffith served as guest speaker for the ceremony. Music and PA system were provided by Bret Boring. Camille Jenks took the photos.

The ceremony was assisted by the Abion VFW honor guard, and Murray and Shelby Fire Departments hoisted a giant flag.  Albion Fire Department and representatives of the Albion Police Department were also in attendance.

The VFW honor guard presented each flag of the United States and a 21-Gun Salute at the ending of the ceremony.

County Legislator John Fitzak was in attendance along with many Elks members, guests and members of the public. Albion Elks Riders supported the event by providing refreshments after the ceremony.

Albion Elks Lodge #1006 intends to make this an annual event.

Festival organizers pleased with big crowds, nice weather

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2025 at 7:54 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Some of the Strawberry Festival Committee members are pictured with Orly the Ox on Saturday. From left include Mike Bonnewell, Tracy VanSkiver, Trevor Thaine and Marlene Seielstad. Orly served as grand marshal for the parade.

Becky Karls, coordinator of the committee leading the festival, said the weather was great both days with temperatures in the high 60s, low 70s.

She praised the committee for welcoming many popular returning vendors and for drawing in new ones.

“We heard lots of good feedback,” Karls said. “They liked that their were more food varieties and there were ranges. We heard so many people say it was so great and that it was amazing.”

Many of the craft and food vendors were cleared out of their inventory, she said.

The crowd was happy to see the many bands, floats and other participants in the parade. There were about 50 entries in all.

Jarred Saj walks with the Turtle in the parade on Saturday, to promote the Turtle Race. Tickets were $5 a turtle or 5 for $20. Saj set a new record by selling 480 of the 1,000 available tickets.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley served as emcee for the Turtle Race. Becky Karls, festival committee chairwoman, is in back at left. She led the planning committee for the second year.

With the Main Street bridge closed again this festival, the turtles had to be dumped into the canal from the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat. From left include sewer plant superintendent Aric Albright, County Legislator Skip Draper, ticket seller extraordinaire Jarred Saj, Emergency Management deputy director Scott Buffin, Albion Police Lt. Brandan Annable and County Legislator John Fitzak.

Tim Pencille is in a kayak and ready to corral the fastest turtles. It was a slow-moving race with the wind counter-acting the current in the canal. It took about 40 minutes for the turtles to “race” a short distance on the canal.

The top five turtles were: Bellucci from Medina in first, $500 prize; Joe Sidonio in second, $250; Dave Schubel in third, $125; Ed Houseknecht in fourth, $75; and Chris Bourke in fifth, $50. The winning tickets were all sold by Jarred Saj.

The Who Dats performed the final concert of the Strawberry Festival on Saturday. The band includes from left John Borello and Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, and Eddie Hilfiker with Alex DeSmit on drums.

There was a nice collection of classic cars at a cruise-in on East State Street.

The band Big Logic & The Truth Serum was a new performer at the festival. They are from Rochester and include former Holley resident Justin Gurnsey on lead vocals and guitar. He is facing the camera. He was invited to be in the festival by Bill Pilleggi, one of the committee members and a retired principal at Holley.

Other band members include Jesse Bertholf, Andrew Strzepek, Will Dorfner, Lucas Saladin, Neil Pierce and Zach Pelton.

Albion parade featured many marching bands

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2025 at 10:40 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Cassie Brown plays the flute for the Albion Marching Band during today’s parade in the Albion Strawberry Festival. Brown and the other seniors all had a tear painted on their face to symbolize their final marching band performance.

The Albion band was among several in today’s parade.

The Albion banner is carried by Adeline Pask, age 10; Nora Fazliu, 11; and Sadie Pask, 10.

Mallory Ashbery, one of the drum majors, walks backwards while directing the Albion band. The Albion Marching Band performed to music by the band Chicago.

Julia Graham, front, and Mackenzie Cook are both members of Albion’s color guard.

Zach Busch is the director of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band which has seen steady growth in the band since the two schools formed the group in 2017.

The Holley-Kendall Marching Band performs a show, “Nightmare on Main Street.”

DownBeat Percussion brought high-energy drummers to the parade. This group performs at Buffalo Bills home games.

The Pembroke Marching Band featured a big group of musicians.

The Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums have been perennial performers at the Albion parade.

Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps also have played in the Albion parade for many years.

The Batavia Blue Devil Marching Band makes their way down the parade route, which started at Albion Central School and headed down Route 31 before turning onto Main Street.

The Mark Time Marchers also performed in the parade.

Strawberry Fest Parade proves a delight in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2025 at 5:26 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Today’s 37th annual Strawberry Festival Parade for the first time include the mini-cars from the Damascus Shriners from Webster. There were eight mini-cars in the parade and the drivers zipped around in circles to the thrill of the crowd.

The cars line up after their spectacle on the street and the crowd gave them a big applause.

Orly the Ox served as grand marshal for the parade. Orly is the county’s mascot during this year’s bicentennial celebration of the county.

Orly was driven by Brad Shelp in a 1954 Bell Air convertible. Behind the grand marshal are royalty members from the middle school, Alexis Neff and Mason Rotthoff.

Fire trucks from the Albion Joint Fire District and other emergency response vehicles make their way down Main Street in the 37th annual Albion Strawberry Festival Parade.

Jeremy Neal drives a tractor, “Little Tex,” named in honor of his late son Byron, who passed away from cancer at age 8 on April 14, 2023. Jeremy’s wife Tina and their friend Adele Mathes were part of the display for the CURE Foundation to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.

Ryan Lasal, director of Community & Family Program Innovation at Community Action, served as emcee for the parade. He shared details of the marching bands, including the Mark Time Marchers in photo, as well as other floats and participants. There were nearly 50 different entries in the parade.

Amy Sidari, who has retired as owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, joined many of her dancers on the parade route. New owner, Danielle Schmidt, also danced with the group on Main Street.

Sheryl Watts, owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, made a butterfly out of balloons. Watts in previous parades has made other characters, including a strawberry and a purple eagle.

Members and supporters of Arc GLOW and the Self Advocate All-Stars marched in the parade, and some carried signs including this one, “Be Kind, For Everyone You Meet is Fighting A Battle.”

Natasha Wasuck wore an inflatable reindeer costume while walking in the parade with her husband, John Hernandez, and their daughter, Ephy. They are members of the Albion Betterment Committee which has tried t promote Albion’s heritage as the home of the first Santa School. The family also owns The Lockstone and Tinsel.

The Albion FFA tossed candy and greeted people from their float.

Kids go over to see veterans who were handing out flags. Honor Guard member Matt Passarell is at front right.

Mike Donahue, right, and James Hollinger handed out flags to children along the parade route. They were also promoting a medical transportation service for veterans run by the Orleans County Joint Veterans Council.

Gilligan’s Galley at Point Breeze made a festive float for the parade.

Kerry Panek, driving the Gator, was joined by many of her family members in celebrating 40 years of strawberries at Panek’s Pickin’ Patch in Albion.

The Town and Country Quilt Shop participated in the parade. From left include quilt shop owner Tara Thom, Debbie Thies, Brenda Radzinski, Hayley Rimmer and Carrie Standish.

The quilters also displayed the Bicentennial Quilt that Town and Country Quilt Shop members made for Orleans County’s 200th birthday this year.

Keira Zambito, left, and Julia Button served as festival royalty from the high school.

Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance in the parade to promote the lighted parade in Albion later in December.

Many of the tee ball players and their families and coaches tossed out candy to eager parade spectators.

Lots of activities and food at Strawberry Festival

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 June 2025 at 5:16 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Strawberry Festival kicked off today for the 37th time offering many options for food and fun, including these people on a trackless train ride.

Bands today include Sky Cats from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at food court west; the Kendall Community Band from 5 to 7 p.m. at the courthouse; Salvatore Rocks from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at food court east; and Steve Novak, an acoustic soloist from 7 to 9 p.m. at Martin’s on Main.

Saturday will be a full day of events starting with a 5k/8k at 8 a.m., parade at 10 a.m., cruise-in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., turtle race at 2 p.m., and other live music and entertainment until 8:30 p.m.

Click here to see the schedule of events.

There are about 30 food vendors at the festival. It is the big turnout out for food vendors in the festival’s history, and some needed to be located on Main Street, north of Bank Street.

Chad Pike of the Tavern on the Ridge is among about 30 food vendors. He is shown at the grill with marinated chicken and kielbasa kabobs and beef on weck wraps. This is Pike’s first time as food vendor at the Strawberry Festival.

He said he wanted to be part of the festival that means so much to Albion and the Orleans County community.

Buffie Edick of Kent is one of 70 arts and crafts vendors. She makes crocheted stuffies with her business, Buffie’s Loveys.

“I love the festival,” she said. “The whole town comes out and the other vendors are so friendly.”

Edick said she expects her turtle stuffies will be her best sellers, as well as the crocheted strawberries.

She praised the festival committee for putting on a well-organized event.

Jeff Andrews, left, and Dave Allen are making strawberry sundaes and shortcake in the Music Boosters booth by the Presbyterian Church.

Doug Farley, left, and Dick Remley are selling turtle tickets for the big race at 2 p.m. on Saturday on the Erie Canal. About 1,000 turtles will race. The turtles are numbered and the ticket holders of the five winning turtles will win money.

The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion brought 10 residents to the festival and they were joined by family and staff. The residents made their own Strawberry Festival shirts to wear at the event.

Albion residents speak out about potential loss of services and unknowns if village government goes away

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 June 2025 at 10:34 am

Photos by Tom Rivers: Karen Conn, chairwoman of the Village of Albion Planning Board, said the village needs to work to encourage more housing options for residents. Conn also works as an Albion teacher and real estate business owner. She speaks during a public hearing Wednesday in the village hall about the possibly dissolution of the village and folding it into the towns of Albion and Gaines. “It’s all of us,” she told a packed village hall. “We all have to do our part and choose Albion.”

ALBION – The Village Board held a public hearing on dissolving the village and consolidating its services with the towns of Albion and Gaines.

Residents said there are many unknown answers if that change happened, primarily on whether there would continue to be an Albion Police Department and other villages services.

Village attorney John Gavenda said the Village Board isn’t formally moving towards consolidation or dissolution of the village. Wednesday’s hearing was an initial step to hear from the public, Gavenda said. In back from left are Trustee William Gabalski, Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Trustee Greg Bennett.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said there is no push to dissolve the village at this time, but he said village officials and community need to keep having the discussion about the high taxes in the village and other big increases coming with water rates due to upgrades at the water plant and other infrastructure.

Javier worries the village structure of government in Orleans County may not be sustainable.

“What can we do to make Albion more affordable?” Javier said. “There might be difficult conversations. If you want the services you’re going to have to pay.”

Some residents asked just how dire the situation is for the village, and what kind of savings could the village expect if it was folded into the towns.

There was a consolidation/dissolution study in 2008 led by the Center for Governmental Research. That study concluded the village and towns of Albion and Gaines would see $336,497 in efficiency gains through more cooperation and consolidation. The Center for Governmental Research studied the three municipalities’ combined $7.5 million annual budgets in 2007, looking for ways to better share costs. A committee recommended the village dissolve. But the Village Board opted against putting the issue to a public vote.

Since then, the fire department has been removed from the village budget and now function as a joint fire district with the towns of Albion and Gaines, a move that doubled the fire department’s budget in 2025. Fire commissioners said the previous budgets left the department woefully underfunded, and didn’t set aside reserves for new trucks and equipment.

Kevin Sheehan was on the board in 2008. He said dissolution/consolidation not only was rejected in Albion, but also in Medina in a public vote in 2014. He doesn’t want to lose the Albion Police Department and have to rely on Sheriff’s deputies.

Joe Martillotta said he favors consolidation of local governments. He noted there are 10 towns, four villages, five school districts, a county governments and several fire districts. He believes a streamlined local government would operate more efficiently and at a reduced cost for taxpayers.

Village resident Jason Dragon said the current system pushes too much of the local government costs on village taxpayers. He said the county doesn’t give enough in the local sales tax, freezing the towns and villages at the same level for 24 years now, at a time when the local sales tax has more than doubled.

Dragon said the county and towns have unfairly treated the village for decades, resulting in taxes that are wildly out of whack for the village.

“There is not enough money to go around in the village structure,” Dragon said.

If there is dissolution, the current village functions would likely be assumed by the towns or county, Dragon said. The village employees would shift to a different municipality and carry out similar duties.

He envisions lower and more equitable taxes in the village, which would ring in mor investment from residents and businesses.

Dragon said the village may need to dissolve to get some tax relief, because he doubts the other government entities will provide any relief to Albion.

“I don’t see anything where the towns or county will voluntarily change the situation,” he said.

Villkage trustee Joyce Riley thinks there may be ways of sharing services with neighboring towns to lighten the village’s load without going to a dissolution. She noted the village and Town of Albion share a code enforcement officer in Chris Kinter.

“Where can we share and not lose our identity?” she said.

Paul Weiss, an attorney for Albion’s police union, said the village government is an effective way to provide services, including the police department. He said dissolving the village will prove costly and will result in diminished services for the village residents.

Janet Navarra, a member of the Albion Planning Board, reminded the board she presented them with a list if grant opportunities about a year ago that would help improve the downtown and other parts of the community. She said there are state funds and other programs to help the village without eliminating the village government.

She noted the vacant registry law would also help get residents and businesses in some of the long dormant sites in the downtown.

“You’re raising taxes but you’re not doing anything to increase the tax base,” she said.

Navarra said Albion gets cited in some websites as one of the ugliest communities in New York State.

“It’s very embarrassing to see that,” she said. “We’re standing her floundering when there is money available to help us.”

Major Javier said the board will continue to discuss the issue and could have another public hearing on the matter in the next 60 to 90 days.

Craig Tuohey, the Zoning Board chairman, also is on a committee working to update the comprehensive plan. That process should identify areas for growth with business and residential development, Tuohey said, which could help ease the tax burden. Tuohey urged the community to be part of the comprehensive plan revisions.

VFW in Albion presents scholarships to 2 Albion graduating seniors

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 June 2025 at 7:54 am

Provided photos

ALBION – The VFW Strickland Post 4635 Albion recognized recipients of $500 scholarships on Tuesday evening.

In photo at left, Kelli Dingle was accompanied by her parents Michael and Brenda. She is a $500 recipient for her essay on what the United States Flag means.

Oliver Beach was accompanied by his parents, Michael and Jamie Beach. Oliver received the $500 Industrial Arts scholarship.

Joining them are Post Commander Mike Donahue, far left,  and member Joe Marvin, far right.

The Post raised funds from a recent raffle to increase its support of Albion High School from one $200 scholarship to two $500 scholarships.

‘OK Kitchen’ serves 100,000th meal, marks third anniversary in Albion

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 June 2025 at 5:51 pm

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Mike Smith and his wife Faith pose by the bulletin board listing the menu for the Koinonia Kitchen’s third anniversary at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion on Thursday.

ALBION – Feeding a community might be a daunting task for most people, but for Mike and Faith Smith of Albion, it is a way of life.

The Smiths have been running a soup kitchen for 17 years, the first 14 at Christ Episcopal Church in Albion, where they served 100 or more every Friday night. Often they cooked the meals themselves, with organizations and churches also preparing and serving the meals on many of the Fridays. Often the Smiths used their own money to buy food so that no one would go hungry.

When circumstances forced them to step back at Christ Episcopal, they were lucky enough to be invited to use the kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship on East Avenue in Albion.

Last Thursday they celebrated the third anniversary serving meals at the kitchen they call Koinonia Kitchen. During that time, they have served 100,240 meals and expanded their ministry to delivering meals to every town and village in Orleans County – 53 per week in all.

“We are not just a kitchen that offers free food,” Faith said. “We are a ministry that cares about you and your needs. We offer fellowship and compassion, along with love of Jesus for each and every person who crosses our path. We couldn’t have done any of this without God and the help and support of the entire community, the businesses and the many, many volunteers. We have helped thousands over the years and will continue to help those in need.”

(Left) Kevin Howard from Albion Lions Club and Ann McElwee from Medina Lions serve dinners Thursday on the third anniversary of Koinonia Kitchen’s location at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion. (Center) Barb Navarra brings her friend Ace Caldwell to Koinonia Kitchen for a meal every Thursday. They not only do they like the food, but look forward to seeing people in the community. (Right) A.J. Scheuerman of Albion is one of eight people who deliver meals from Koinonia Kitchen to 53 individuals in Orleans County every week.

During Thursday’s meal which celebrated Koinonia Kitchen’s third anniversary at the church, the Smiths announced they had finally qualified to receive food from Foodlink, allowing them to start Orleans Koinonia Pantry, which will be up and running in July.

The pantry will open as a “choice” pantry, with a Koinonia board member on hand to do intake on everyone who comes for food, to verify household size, residency in Orleans County and food items needed. The pantry will be located on the east side of Harvest church’s office. Opening dates and times will be announced soon.

Koinonia Kitchen continues to solicit volunteers, groups and organizations to come in and cook and serve a meal on a Thursday. They already have the Lions clubs in Medina and Albion, who provide the food and cook it one Thursday a month.

Jovannie Canales and his wife Melisa are lead pastors at the church, who praise the ministry.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s so gratifying,” Jovannie said.

“It’s not an easy job, but you have to love what you’re doing,” Melisa said.

“There are a lot of hungry people,” Jovannie said. “We’re not only feeding them, but we’re bringing the community together. We’re fulfilling a multiple purpose as we serve.”

One person who looks forward to coming to Koinonia Kitchen every week is Ace Caldwell, whose friend Barb Navarra brings him for a meal since his wife passed away. He not only likes the food, but the opportunity to get together with other people once a week.

Delivering meals to people who can’t get to the kitchen is a service provided by eight delivery people. One is A.J. Scheuerman, who said there is something rewarding about giving back to his community. He said most of the meals go to seniors.

Anyone interested in volunteering, donating food or preparing a meal can e-mail Faith at okkitchen2022@gmail.com for details.

“Koinonia Kitchen is what I live for,” Faith said. “I’m all about helping people who need a little extra.”

Strawberry Festival names royalty, winning poster

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 June 2025 at 5:22 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The royalty have been named for the Albion Strawberry Festival on June 13-14. The group will be in the parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14.

From left include Alexis Neff from the middle school, Keira Zambito and Julia Button from the high school, and Mason Rotthoff from the middle school.

The winning posters for the Strawberry Festival also were recognized. From left include Alexis Hand, third place; Izzy McCoy (not pictured) in second place; and Alakai Colmenero, in first place. Colmenero’s poster will be featured on posters and brochures promoting the festival.

The Strawberry Festival is June 13-14 at the Courthouse Square and downtown Albion with entertainment and vendors from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on June 13 and 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 14.

The festival welcomes more parade participants especially floats that can be spaced in between marching bands. Click here to see the schedule and to sign up for the parade.

3 graduating seniors receive Albion Rotary scholarships

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 June 2025 at 5:02 pm

Photo by Matt Holland

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today presented three scholarships to graduating seniors. Pictured from left include Tom Rivers, Albion Rotary Club president; Donovan Braley, winner of the Rotary Career Advancement Prize; David Rosario, recipient of the Edward Archbald Memorial Scholarship; and Leo Bolton, winner of the Dick Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship.

The Albion Rotary Club awarded the $3,000 in scholarships today during its meeting at the tavern on the Ridge.

Leo Bolton won the Dick Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship, a $1,250 award that is given to a student committed to community service and leadership, and who displays high potential for future accomplishment.

Bolton plans to become a pharmacist and is headed to Cedarville University in Ohio. He has been a key player on the varsity soccer, swimming and tennis teams while playing the trombone in the band and marching band. He is a member of the Interact Club and works at the Medicine Shoppe in Medina and as a lifeguard. He also went on a mission trip to Malawi in southeastern Africa to help at an orphanage.

David Rosario won the $1,250 Edward Archbald Memorial Scholarship, given to a senior who shares Archbald’s love of sports, recreational activities, community service and work experience.

Rosario has been on the soccer, wrestling and track teams, as well as the FFA, Honor Society and Diversity Club. He plans to study at the University at Buffalo to become a pediatric nurse.

Donovan Braley was awarded the $500 Rotary Career Advancement Prize for a senior committed to community service, school activities and work experience.

Braley has been on the soccer and tennis teams. He is an Eagle Scout who wants to be a physical therapist. He is headed to GCC this fall for the physical therapist assistant program.