ALBION — The Albion Board of Education observed a moment of silence at the beginning of its meeting on Monday for a retired teacher and a student who both died on June 18.

Suzanne Wells was an art teacher in the district. She was 69 when she passed away from cancer.

She worked as a teacher at Albion from 1971 until 2005.

“Mrs. Wells will be remembered for her tremendous talent and creative ability,” said board member David Sidari. “In observations, it was noted that she approached everything with optimism and enthusiasm. It was also referenced that her caring, conscientious and kind disposition endeared her with students, faculty and the greater Albion community.”

The board also observed a moment of silence for Brennan Moody, 17. Brennan was killed in a car accident 10 days before graduation.

“Brennan will be remembered by many for the soft-spoken mild manner that was his — until the music started,” Sidari said. “Brennan was a song-master, performing in chorus, the men’s select group, and numerous solo pieces during concerts, senior citizens’ day, talent shows and others. Brennan was also involved in concert band, jazz band and marching band. He will be remembered by the large audiences who enjoyed his performances in our high school drama productions.”

Sidari then asked the crowd to give Brennan one last round of applause, which they did.

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Kathy Harling is new president; 2 others – Gregg Boose and Joyce Riley – appointed to board

Photos by Tom Rivers: Kathy Harling, the new president of the Albion Board of Education, raises her hand to vote yes during Monday’s board meeting.

ALBION – The Albion Board of Education has new leadership, and also moved to fill two vacancies on the board during its meeting on Monday.

Kathy Harling is the new board president and David Sidari is the vice president.

Margy Brown served as president for eight years. She announced a year ago she would step down as president after the 2018-19 school year. She continues as a board member.

Steve LaLonde was serving as vice president with the plan to take over as president. LaLonde, however, resigned from the board on May 8, citing a busy schedule that made it difficult to put in the time as a board member.

The board meetings have been tense in recent months with the Albion Teachers Association and community pressing for answers and investigation about whether there is a high incidence of cancer among teachers and staff who work in the elementary school. Some of the board members, including Harling, faulted the district’s leadership for not communicating effectively with the public about the district’s efforts to have experts check the building.

The board seemed to be at a stalemate early in the organizational meeting in picking the new president. There are nine board seats and a president needs at least five votes.

There were only seven board members after the recent resignations from Steve LaLonde and Marie Snyder.

Kathy Harling had four votes – Wayne Wadhams, Elissa Nesbitt, Linda Weller and Harling – to be president and David Sidari had three – Margy Brown, Chantelle Sacco and Brown.

Wadhams said he supported Sidari instead as vice president.

David Sidari, a member of the board for 20 years, said he would be an effective president and would have a good working relationship with Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent. Sidari was picked to serve as the board’s vice president.

Brown said the position is demanding and requires follow-through. She questioned Harling for not completing some course work expected of board members in their first year. Harling, an attorney, just finished her second year on the board.

“Mrs. Harling I believe you would make a good president and I think your heart is in the right place,” Brown said. “I do believe you have within you what it would take.”

However, Brown said she was backing Sidari, who is the longest serving member at 20 years.

Harling said she has completed the coursework for the board members, and acknowledged it took longer than expected. However, she said she is fully committed to leading the board.

Gregg Boose Sr. speaks during the open forum and said he would welcome the chance to be on the board. He lost an election in May for a board seat by 6 votes.

“If elected I would put in 150 percent and do what needs to be done,” she said.

Sidari also made a pitch to the other board members. He said the board president needs to work closely with the district superintendent, Michael Bonnewell.

“I feel I am better to work with the superintendent at this time,” Sidari.

Elissa Nesbitt said Sidari brings a wealth of experience to the board, but Nesbitt supports Harling because she would unify the board and bring “a fresh view.”

The board voted twice and both times Harling had 4 votes and Sidari had 3. That wasn’t enough to elect a president.

Brown asked Harling if she would work closely with Sidari for the betterment of the district. Harling said she would. With that, Brown said she would vote for Harling as president, and she was then approved in a unanimous 7-0 vote with Sidari elected as vice president.

Brown said the district has to move forward and stop the dissension on the board.

The meeting started with two vacancies on the board following recent resignations from Steve LaLonde and Marie Snyder.

Gregg Boose Sr. and Joyce Riley both narrowly lost elections to the board in May. During that election Linda Weller had the most votes with 323 followed by 290 for Sidari. They were elected to five-year terms. Boose received 284 and Riley, 221.

They both spoke during the public forum of the meeting and said they would be willing to fill the vacancies on the board.

Gary Kent, a former Orleans County legislator, said the board should appoint at least one or both of them so there is needed diversity on the board.

Joyce Riley, a former board member more than two decades ago, also lost a close election in May. She said she would be willing to fill a vacancy on the board.

Boose, a retired corrections officer, said the board needs to end the divisiveness and work together. He said he is a model citizen who would be kid focused.

The Albion Teachers Association backed Boose in the May election. Boose said he isn’t “owned” by the ATA and will be an independent thinker.

“I can’t be bought,” he said. “I’m going to do the right thing.”

Riley is a former member of the Albion Board of Education. She worked as a registered nurse and later supervised an ambulatory surgical unit in Washington, D.C., overseeing 200 employees. When she retired, she moved back to Albion in 2015.

She said she has been concerned about the friction among the board members. She is willing to listen and speak her mind when needed.

The board could have called a special election to fill the two vacancies or had an interview process with a chance for more applications from the community. There would have been an interview from the board.

Brown urged the board to fill the positions right away with Riley and Boose, who narrowly lost the election in May and who both have a willingness to serve.

“I strongly believe we have so much work to do and we need to move forward,” Brown said. “I feel like we have been treading water for months and it needs to stop.”

The other board members agreed to appoint Boose and Riley.

There is one year left on Snyder’s term and two years on LaLonde’s. Boose and Riley will each serve for about a year. The remaining year of LaLonde’s term will be up for election next May.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jonah Fisher, 2 ½, plays the “mouse” during a game today at Hoag Library. He ran underneath a big parachute where there was another kid who was the “cat” trying to find him. The game was part of a field day and “Water Wars” event outside Hoag Library, which planned the activities with help from the Albion varsity girls softball team as part of the summer reading program.

Julia Graham, 8, of Albion takes a turn as the cat, trying to find someone hiding under the parachute.

These cousins – Garrett Smith, 7, (left) and Henley Miller, 5, of Albion – work together in the three-legged race.

After the field day events, the water balloons and squirt guns came out for “Water Wars.” Millie Fisher, 4, of Albion squealed when she was sprayed with a squirt gun.

June Moore, 5, of Albion looks to get someone wet with her squirt gun.

Aura Fox, 6, of Albion threw water balloons at some of the other kids.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The 650 cyclists on the Cycle the Erie Canal trip are passing through Orleans County today on the second day of the trip, which started Sunday in Buffalo.

The top photo shows two cyclists crossing the Main Street lift bridge in Albion after they explored the downtown.

Mike Cronin of East Greenbush, near Albany, takes a break near the Main Street lift bridge in Albion.

Cronin, 72, is a first-timer on the ride across the state. He has boated in the canal near Albany and wanted to experience it by bike with the chance to make friends.

“I’m meeting new people I’ve never met before,” he said in Albion at about 8:30 this morning.

He likes the architecture and history of the canal towns.

He said he is physically up for the challenge of pedaling about 400 miles on the towpath.

“I’m getting older,” said the owner of a flag store. “If I wait too much longer, I’ll age out.”

There is no age limit for the cyclists. One of them is 86. The youngest is 5.

Tinsel, an ice cream shop that opened last month, gave out bananas and the Albion Browsery handed out bottles of water. Holley is an official rest stop for the cyclists with refreshments at the Canal Park.

The cyclists are headed to Fairport today. They spent last night at the Orleans County 4-H fairgrounds in Knowlesville.

Orleans County has seven of the 16 lift bridges on the Erie Canal.

These cyclists are reflected in the Erie Canal as they approach downtown Albion.

Albion police officer Dan Baase helps with traffic control while the cyclists cross Main Street.

This photo was taken on the stairs of the Main Street lift bridge.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Bob and Shirley Gouger of Waterport were out Saturday morning watering the flowers in downtown Albion.

The Gougers were volunteering for the task for the first time on Saturday. They used the water truck from Village of Albion Department of Public Work.

Gary Kent pours water into one of the flower planters near the Five Star bank. Flowers are also watered at the routes 98 and 31 intersection, at Bullard Park and by some of the gateway signs in the village.

Kent is a retired social studies teacher in Kendall. Mr. Gouger is a former student of Kent’s. He volunteered when Kent said volunteers are needed on the weekends.

(Skip Stratton, one of the dedicated volunteers for the flower watering in recent years, is doing the job today.)

Shirley Gouger and her husband Bob water the flowers on Main Street.

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Photos courtesy of Thom Jennings

BUFFALO – Albion native Erica Jennings led the brain cancer group during the June 21 Ride for Roswell. Erica, a teacher in Buffalo, was joined by her husband Thom Jr. and their daughter Elle in leading the group. Erica was diagnosed with brain cancer in December. She has had two brain surgeries.

“Erica is a thriver, not a survivor,” said her father-in-law, Thom Jennings of Albion. “Faith, hope and love, she has all three, and she is stronger than the largest army.”

Erica, the daughter of Tom and Angie Graham of Albion, has completed radiation and is undergoing chemo treatments at Roswell Park in Buffalo.

She works as a Spanish and French teacher at City Honors in Buffalo.

Erica is carrying the flag for people diagnosed with brain cancer.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Karen Conn, an Albion music teacher, leads children in a singalong at the Hoag Library on Tuesday as part of the Summer Reading Program.

In this song, Conn and the kids are singing, “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.”

Hoag Library has many different programs scheduled throughout the summer, with most at 11 a.m. on weekdays. On Monday, the program was making Galaxy Slime.

Next week, there will be Waters Wars on Monday with Albion football and softball teams. Click here to see some of the programs planned for the summer.

The Albion NY Rocks group has a display of rocks that have been painted, including some that look like a box of chocolates. They are in the front case at Hoag. The Albion NY Rocks group will be at the library on Tuesday at 11 a.m., helping children paint rocks.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Westside Market, a new farmers’ market in Albion, was open for the second week today at the former Billy’s Pub location at 438 West Ave.

The top photo shows Stymus Farms and Kirby’s Cider Mill with some of their early season offerings. They will both have more available later this summer and fall.

The market is open on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will continue through Oct. 27.

Brian Alexander, co-owner of Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, pulls a pizza out of the oven. Dubby’s debuted at the Albion Strawberry Festival earlier this month.

Brian and his wife Rebecca Alexander live in Carlton. They have a special breakfast pizza – sausage, gravy, potatoes, eggs and cheese (with a drizzle of maple syrup) – they serve at the Albion market.

Steve Culmo of Dubby’s cuts the slices of the breakfast pizza.

Heather Allchin, co-owner of The Hot Spot, grills hot dogs and hamburgers. Her daughter Leah Pawlak also made cookies that were for sale. The Hot Spot debuted on May 1 and has been based at the parking lot for Ace Hardware in Albion.

Allchin said the new farmers’ market is very visible on Route 31 with good parking.

Other vendors today included OG Primitive with crafts and farmhouse décor and Johnny Bee Good Honey from Albion.

Dorothy Daniels is the market manager. Her late father, Ralph Dollinger, owned the site, which previously was used as the office space for GCASA.

Daniels said she wanted to see the space be put to good use.

“This town didn’t have a farm market,” she said. “It’s something for the community.”

Anyone interested in being a vendor can contact Daniels at ddaniels.westside@gmail.com.

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Brennan Moody’s parents accept his diploma at graduation

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of Albion’s Class of 2019 toss their caps near the end of commencement on Friday in the high school gymnasium.

The students have been reeling from loss of their classmate Brennan Moody last week in a car accident.

Before the graduation ceremony, 85 teachers and staff surrounded the class in the LGI room and did the Albion cheer, urging them to celebrate the evening.

Nicholas Sacco waves while walking up to get his diploma. His mother, Chantelle Sacco, is a member of the Board of Education. She presented her son with his diploma.

There are 155 students in the graduating class. They were all given a guitar pick with Brennan Moody’s name. Brennan loved to play the guitar and performed in the school musicals, with the band and choruses. He died on June 18.

Many people who attended graduation wore “Albion Strong” T-shirts in support of the Moody family.

Rhiannon and Erin Moody accept the diploma on behalf of their son. Mrs. Moody is hugged by Michael Bonnewell, the Albion school district superintendent, while Mr. Moody is embraced by Kathy Winans, the senior class advisor.

The Moodys receive a standing ovation from Brennan’s classmates and the crowd. Erin and Rhiannon Moody both walked over and hugged two of Brennan’s classmates, Angel Colon and Isaac Coppini, who were in the car the night of the accident on Eagle Harbor Road.

Sean Weis also was seriously injured in the accident. A picture was shown on the monitor in the gym of him receiving his diploma on Thursday at the Erie County Medical Center. He is shown with Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent; Frank Movalli, high school interim principal; and Margy Brown, president of the Board of Education.

Avalina Hand is the valedictorian of the class of 2019. She is headed to Rochester Institute of Technology to study diagnostic medical sonography.

She praised her classmate, Brennan Moody, for using his talents with music to bring joy to other people.

“Above all else he was a friend,” she said.

She encouraged her classmates to follow his example of accepting and loving other people.

Jessica Schleede, the class salutatorian, joins her classmates in the processional into the gym to start commencement. She is headed to St. Bonaventure in the fall with a dual major of elementary and special education.

The Class of 2019 is like a big family, she said.

They have grown close and been bounded through their sorrow. Not only did the class lose Brennan Moody last week, but their classmate Evan Ferchen passed away at age 8 on March 27, 2010, two days after heart surgery. Brandon Parker was 9 when he died on Feb. 23, 2011.

Brennan Moody sang many songs publicly at school, including, “This is the Moment” at the Senior Tea. Schleede said that song is a reminder “to live for today and not for tomorrow.”

She said the class will always be welcoming and students should turn to their friends for years to come.

“If at some point you find yourself lost always remember you are part of a very big family,” she said.

Michael Bonnewell, the district superintendent, said he was particularly close with this year’s class. He served as interim high school principal for three months this school year and joined the students at numerous events, including a chorus trip to New York City.

He recalled being in the city when a woman asked him if a group of students were his kids. He answered affirmatively, which surprised the woman.

“Yes, these are all my kids,” Bonnewell shared in his speech. “You are all my kids.”

Bonewell said the class distinguished itself in many ways. The group performed 6,200 hours of community service. They were members of teams that won seven Niagara-Orleans championships and three Sectional crowns. They were all-state in music, and widely recognized for the musicals by the Stars of Tomorrow program in Rochester. The marching band played the national anthem at a major league field (Cleveland Indians) and for two minor league teams.

Students earned 700 college or Advanced Placement credits, while 42 percent have advanced Regents diplomas with distinction, well above the state average.

But not everything can measured. Bonnewell said the students have supported each other through heart-wrenching loss.

“This class has distinguished itself by its resiliency,” he said.

McKenna Boyer, the class president, gives the welcome message. She praised her classmates for their school spirit, their excellence in athletics and the arts, and for their commitment to each other.

“Our class has stuck together in the hardest of times,” she said.

Julie and Chris Keller, both Albion teachers, were among 85 staff that marched in the processional. Normally the staff and teachers were black robes. This time they all wore choir robes in honor of Brennan Moody and Sean Weis, who were both active in the chorus. The teachers and staff also wore Albion Purple Eagle buttons that said, “Together We Are Strong.”

Kirk Ellison, the class treasurer, leads his classmates into the gym. He is followed by twin sisters, Alexa and Malory Adams.

The Caledonia Pipe Band remains a commencement tradition at Albion. The pipe band leads the students into the gym and then for the recessional at the end of graduation.

Enoch Martin gives Mike Bonnewell, the district superintendent, a hug after Enoch received his diploma.

The graduates stand for the national anthem, which was sung by seniors in the chorus.

Evan Howard pauses to accommodate a group that wanted to take his photo.

Amanda Kuehne is joined by her family for a picture in front of “2019.”

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