By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 June 2019 at 12:09 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new amphitheater is going up at Bullard Park in Albion. Workers for Titan Construction in Gasport are shown today, building the structure that will be used for concerts and other events in the future.
The amphitheater is part of $800,000 in improvements at the park, including a splash pad, new bathrooms and pavilion.
The village in December 2016 was awarded a $499,605 state grant for Bullard projects. The village also received $97,500 from the county and $45,000 from the town of Albion, money that was through a revolving-loan fund that needed to be spent for handicapped accessibility at the park. Those funds will be used for sidewalks to the amphitheater and splash pad, to make them accessible to people in a wheelchair.
The Albion DPW is providing $166,370 of in kind services as part of Albion’s local share for the state grant. The DPW took down a pavilion and storage building last fall to make way for the new utility building. The DPW also ran a new sewer line across Route 31 near the Bullard entrance. That sewer line will service the park.
Titan Construction works on the amphitheater today. The amphitheater won’t be ready in time for the Rock the Park music festival on Aug. 3. That event has been expanded to the Albion Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park 6.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2019 at 10:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Sheryl Watts, owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, made a strawberry costume out of balloons. She won the award for “Most Original” in the Albion Strawberry Festival parade on Saturday.
Watts is pictured on Main Street during the parade on Saturday.
• Best Use of Theme – This year’s festival had a theme of “Albion’s lift bridges celebrating 100 years and still lifting.” That proved a difficult theme for the floats in the parade. Most of the floats steered clear of the theme.
The local Girl Scouts in the Cobblestone Service Unit created a float that said, “Girl Scouts lifting girls up for 107 years.” The Girl Scouts held signs with future career goals including working as president, in law enforcement, as a nurse, horse trainer and as a lawyer.
• Best Band (2): The judges picked two bands, one a drum and bugle corps and the other a high school marching band.
The Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Corps from Le Roy put on an impressive show, especially on Main Street in front of the festival grounds.
The Albion Marching Band concluded its season with its performance at the Strawberry Festival. This photo shows drum majors Nate Grammatico and Arella Ives. Grammatico took a short break leading the band to play a solo on the saxophone. This year’s program is “Power of Flight” and includes the following selections: “Into the Clouds,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Fly Like an Eagle.”
• Best Public Safety Agency: The Albion Fire Department had a big turnout from firefighters and the auxiliary, as well as several fire trucks in the parade.
• Best use of humor: Weed Man. The Albion lawncare company has been a fixture at local parades for several years. Weed Man continues to get chuckles for the inflatable of the giant lawn care man and for the antics of “Dancing Derrick” Bradley who leads the float down the street.
• Best Cheer or Dance (2): Hoag Library and Gotta Dance by Miss Amy.
Hoag Library for the second year in a row had a well-choregraphed dance routine among staff members with book carts. They were promoting the upcoming summer reading program.
Gotta Dance by Miss Amy performed a high-energy routine on Main Street.
• Community Service Award (3): Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern had a contingent in the parade touting the organization’s services.
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (Head Start) featured many kids with strawberry-themed T-shirts promoting the agency’s programs to local families.
North Point Chapel in Albion not only had a fun float, but the church also emptied the garbage cans during the two-day festival and helped to organize the parade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2019 at 7:49 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Heather Hapeman of Dance Reflections by Miss Heather joins her students on a float on Saturday during the Albion Strawberry Festival parade.
There were big crowds for the parade and for many of the events at the annual festival.
“The weather on Friday and Saturday was perfect,” said Don Bishop, chairman of the festival committee.
The festival is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club. Many community volunteers put on the annual event, now in its 33rd year.
Matt Hollenbeck and Kyle Webb work the grill for the Masons on Saturday. The local service organizations pay $100 for a spot at the food court while out-of-county vendors are charged $200. That price is less than many other festivals, Bishop said.
The festival this year had more food vendors. The three food trucks were the most in the festival’s history, and there were several other food vendors, including one who made pizza in a wood-fired oven.
Bishop said the vendors like that the festival is reasonably priced and there are big crowds.
The trout pond returned to the festival this year. It took a break last year after being in Albion for three years. It cost $1 to fish. Many kids also stopped by to look at the brook trout.
On Saturday evening, the 200 trout were taken to the Archer’s Club in Carlton and released into the Oak Orchard Creek.
There were four venues for musicians including the west tent on East Bank Street, where The Who Dats closed out the festival on Saturday evening. The band on Saturday included guest bass guitar player Alona Kuhns, lead singer Lonnie Froman, John Borello on guitar, Ed Hilfiker on guitar, and drummer Aaron Robinson.
Calvin Kemler, 4, rides a scooter down the East Bank Street sidewalk in the food court with his father Kevin Kemler behind him. Calvin was dressed as a police officer.
The food court had more vendors at this year’s festival. There also were 82 craft vendors by the courthouse. June Persia works with the craft vendors. Most of them told her they were busy, especially on Saturday.
“The weather was great,” Persia said. “They were very happy.”
The Albion Betterment Committee had Santa and Mrs. Claus on a sleigh for this float, which included Christmas trees. The Betterment Committee was celebrating Albion’s distinction as home to a Santa Claus School from 1937 to 1966. That school was run by the late Charles Howard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2019 at 3:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – William Oliver, 6, nips “The Strawberry,” who was Dan Heil of Medina. William finished the 5K in 30:23.
Heil, 19, won the 5K at the Albion Strawberry Festival from 2015-17. He now runs cross country and track for Brockport State College. Heil gave everyone a 10-minute head start on Saturday.
For the past decade, organizers of the race have had someone wear a strawberry costume. Runners who beat the strawberry get a special treat. This year it was an ice cream sundae from Lugia’s Ice Cream on Wheels, one of the food vendors at the festival.
This group of runners nears the finish line on East State Street in Albion, right in front of the County Courthouse. There were 229 participants in the race, which is now in its 29th year.
Lindon Morici of Albion was the first female finisher in a time of 20:40, while Stefan Davies won the men’s race in a time of 17:39, a second ahead of last year’s winner, Alden Cayea of Medina.
Amy Konopka won the women’s 8k in a time of 34:59, while Alfredo Longo was the first man to finish with a time of 32:09.
The 5k/8k wasn’t the only race at the festival. On Saturday afternoon, several hundred rubber turtles were dumped into the canal for the annual Amazing Turtle Race. The top photo shows the turtles getting ready to be dropped into the Erie Canal.
Michael Bonnewell, Albion school district superintendent, and Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower dumped one of the totes of turtles. Monica Thomas, the festival princess, also helped send those turtles into the water.
The Turtle (Jessy Cruz in costume) also tipped one of the totes and Jarred Saj, right, did the other. Saj was the top ticket seller with 134.
The turtles head east on the canal. The tickets were $5 each or 5 for $20. The race is a fundraiser for the festival, which is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club with many other supporters in the community.
Dan Capurso retrieves the winning turtle. Don Bishop, chairman of the festival committee, is in back in the other kayak.
The race includes $1,000 in prizes, including $500 to the grand prize winner, who was Jessica Downey. Other prize winners include Mike Hall, second place, $300; Barb Dawson, third place, $100; Steve Hawley, fourth place, $50; and Dan Thurber, fifth place, $50.
Colin Coyle helps collect some of the turtles.
Colin Coyle and his father, Joe Coyle, keep an eye on the turtles.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 June 2019 at 8:01 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There were lots of festive characters and happy faces during the 33rdannual Albion Strawberry Festival parade on Saturday.
Sheryl Watts, owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, made a strawberry costume out of balloons.
Barbara Monaghan of Albion covers her son Owen’s ears when some noisy fire trucks went by.
The Rochester Scottish Pipes & Drums march down Main Street.
Matthew Bloom walks a Dalmatian in the parade. His father Nathan is a member of the Albion Fire Department. Matthew’s mother Chrissy Beach pushes his twin siblings, who aren’t enjoying the loud noises at the parade.
Jim Hollinger carries the American flag while joining others veterans in the parade.
Teresa Gaylard, children’s library director at Hoag Library, led her co-workers in a dance routine with library book carts. They are promoting the upcoming summer reading program from June 22 to Aug. 15. This year’s theme is “A Universe of Stories.”
Peyton Robinson plays the saxophone in the Albion marching band.
Melissa Barnosky, the Strawberry Festival queen, waves to the crowd. Monica Thomas is the festival princess. Other festival royalty includes Ryan Krenning as king and Hunter Zambito as prince.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley serves as emcee the Strawberry Festival parade on Saturday. Mayor Eileen Banker, Hawley’s chief of staff, helps Hawley follow the order of about 75 different parade groups and organizations. June Persia is at left, and village trustees Pete Sidari and Stan Farone are at right.
A Strawberry Shortcake character waves to the crowd during the parade. The character was among several people in costume from Enchanted Princess Parties of Rochester.
Colton Chappius, owner of Chappius Construction, stops during the parade to give his dog a sip of water.
The Hitman Brass Band in Rochester perform during the 33rd annual Strawberry Festival.
Kolton Barry, 5, gets back in line with his team after throwing candy on the parade route. He is a member of the Hard Hitters youth baseball team.
Members of the band Zero promote the upcoming Albion Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park 6. Severals bands will perform at Bullard Park on Aug. 3. The Zero band includes Mike Whiting (filling in at guitar for the parade at right), Dylan DeSmit (left), Zack Burgess and Alex DeSmit on drums.
Haley O’Dell carries the flag in leading the Mark Time Marchers down Main Street in the parade.
Jessy Cruz checks his phone before getting the full costume on as The Turtle. Albion High School served as a staging area for many of the parade participants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2019 at 6:27 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Julian Pawlak, 3, of Medina emerges from a giant shark’s mouth. The shark was a large inflatable with a slide at the Albion Strawberry Festival. It was part of a Family Fun Center on Main Street, just north of the First Presbyterian Church.
The 33rdannual Strawberry Festival opened on Friday and continues today.
Emma Ray, 8, of Albion throws a baseball at a target on a dunk tank. She was successful in knocking Chrisjen Winters, 10, into the water.
The dunk tank is being used as a fundraiser for the St. Mary’s youth baseball team. Chrisjen is one of the St. Mary’s players. Several kids on the team took a turn in the tank.
Chrisjen Winters emerges from the water after being knocked into the tank.
Brayden LaMartina, 8, gets loose and ready to throw the baseballs at the dunk tank target.
The Kendall Community Band, led by director Lori Cyr, played in front of the Orleans County Courthouse.
The band, All About Jane, performs under the east tent on East State Street. The band includes Gary Smith, Rhonda Smith, Jan-Mikael Erakare and Tom Smith.
Rhonda Smith and her husband Gary Smith sing “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles.
To see the schedule for the festival today, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2019 at 3:05 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mackenzie Fox of Chiavetta’s cooks the chicken barbecue dinners that will be served today at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.
The 33rd annual Albion Strawberry Festival started today with many food and craft vendors, as well as music scheduled for later in the evening.
Herman Sinemus, Scoutmaster of Troop 6017 in Elba, gets homemade onion rings ready at the Troop’s booth at the food court on East Bank Street. The Scouts have been at the festival the past five years with their onion rings and also French onion soup.
Doug Farley of the Cobblestone Museum grills hot dogs at the museum’s booth. The museum is a food vendor for the first time at the festival.
Ethan Barrett of Elma holds a bag of strawberry kettle corn. He has been a vendor at the festival for seven years.
The Peyton Express passes down East State Street on the mini train.
The festival continues Saturday with the parade at 10 a.m. Entertainment continues through the day and evening. Click here to see the schedule.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 June 2019 at 8:04 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – David Warren of Kent plays Taps during a memorial service at Mount Albion Cemetery for the Albion Fire Department.
The AFD holds an annual service at the cemetery on the northwest side where there is a memorial pond and monument for the fire department.
Al Cheverie holds the American flag during the service. Gregg Marston, a firefighter and the AFD chaplain, is at center and Fred Piano is at right.
The memorial pond was dedicated to the Albion firefighters in 1983, when Donna Rodden was the mayor.
Steven Papponetti reads the names of firefighters who have passed away. The AFD formed in 1831 and about 140 members have died since its founding.
Fred Piano rang the bell after each name was announced. The AFD remembered firefighters from its earliest days and also more recent members including Jim Herdendorf who died in 2017, Roger Webb in 2018, and so far in 2019, Donald O’Hearn, Lawrence “Larrie” DiPalma, Andrew “Bill” Pecorella and Lynn Miller.
Gregg Marston opens the service by the monument at the cemetery along Route 31. Jan Cheverie, right, holds the Fire Department’s flag.
These firefighters attended the service on Thursday evening. They include, from left: Fire Chief Harry Papponetti, Jeremy Graham, Rob Conner, Darryl Szklany, Steven Papponetti, Dale Banker, A.J. Fisher, Jenny Johnston and Heather Johnston.
Firefighters read the name of Jason Johnston, Jenny’s son and Heather’s brother. Jason died on Dec. 26, 2009 while serving with the Army in the war in Afghanistan. He is the only soldier from Orleans County to die in combat in Afghanistan.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2019 at 5:44 pm
Town and Country Quilt Shop opened in downtown Albion in October 2017
ALBION – The Town and Country Quilt Shop is one of 17 quilt shops in the Buffalo and Rochester area that will be part of a tour of quilt businesses the next two weeks.
Pictured form left include Irene Henion, a teacher at Town and Country; Tara Thom, owner of the business; and Brenda Radzinski, another teacher.
“It generates enthusiasm for quilting,” Thom said about the Great New York Shop Hop.
Town and Country is the only stop on the tour in Orleans County. Visitors are encouraged to see all 17 shops in the next two weeks. The more shops they visit, the better their chances for winning prizes. The grand prize is more than 50 yards of fabric. There are other prizes with baskets of “quilting goodies.”
Thom is happy the tour falls within the Strawberry Festival, which is on Friday and Saturday.
“I can’t wait to show visitors from near and far what my town has to offer, and I am overwhelmed and humbled by the tremendous support this community has given me,” she said.
Tara Thom is shown outside her quilt shop at 10 East Bank St., Albion.
Thom opened her store on East Bank Street in Albion in October 2017, after running the business for 15 years out of her home on Ridge Road.
Her shop is one of the few in WNY that is in a historic downtown business district.
She said the business has grown since coming to the downtown. She was joined today in the shop by part-time instructors, Irene Henion and Brenda Radzinski. They offer classes for beginners to advanced. There also are craft classes where no sewing is required.
Town and Country also hosts an “open sew” on the third Wednesdays each month.
“It’s the community of quilters coming together and sharing time,” said Henion, a retired Latin teacher at Albion Central School.
Radzinski is retired from the Orleans County Department of Social Services.
Other shops on the tour are located in Amherst, Williamsville, East Amherst, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Brockport, Hilton, Eden, East Aurora, Arcade, Perry Center, York, Caledonia, Fairport and East Rochester.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 June 2019 at 1:49 pm
Site next year will add The Lockstone, a wedding and events venue
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Tinsel, a new ice cream shop, will open to the community at 11 a.m. on Friday. This morning village and county officials joined the owners, John Hernandez and his wife Natasha Wasuck, for a ribbon-cutting.
From left include Deputy Mayor Gary Katsanis; Ephy, John and Natasha’s daughter; Natasha Wasuck, Jobson, John and Natasha’s son; John Hernandez; Village Trustee Stan Farone; Mayor Eileen Banker; County Legislator Ken DeRoller, a member of the Orleans Economic Development Agency board of directors; and Jon Costello, a business mentor through SCORE.
Wasuck and Hernandez bought 160 North Main St. about 15 months ago. They have big plans for the site, the long-time home of Burgio Tire. The ice cream shop is the first phase. They are working to establish The Lockstone, which will be an event and wedding venue. That venue should be ready next year. Another room is nearly ready for small parties and business meetings.
“There’s a lot of potential,” Hernandez said. “A lot of families walk by. There is a lot of traffic.”
Wasuck and Hernandez noticed the “Believe” signs around Albion, which are placed by the Albion Betterment Committee. The couple is intrigued by Albion’s history as a home to a school for Santa Claus from 1937 to 1966.
They named the ice cream shop Tinsel to connect with a Christmas theme, the tinsel on a Christmas tree.
Wasuck and Hernandez have been working on 160 North Main St. for more than a year. They took out a large garage door in the front to make a new front entrance and facade for building. The white stucco has been painted black in front, with a 3-foot-high black strip around the bottom of the building.
The front also includes board and batten siding and a new concrete ramp. They will be adding an outdoor patio with picnic tables later this summer.
John Hernandez and Natasha Wasuck make craft sodas for the local officials to try today, before opening day on Friday.
“The craft sodas really separate us,” Hernandez said.
They will also have soda spritzers, sandwiches, sundaes and ice cream nachos (served on waffles). One sundae, “the Tug,” will be served in a plastic dish shaped like a boat.
Hernandez wants Tinsel to be a place Albion people bring their friends and family to help show off the community.
He has used reclaimed wood and materials for counters, signs, frames and other décor.
“We’re trying to give it an old-time feel,” he said. “The whole place is like my art shop.”
Wasuck is holding her daughter, Ephy, who is 3 ½. The Spencerport resident sells real estate and sold a few houses in Albion.
“I was in Albion and I thought the village was so cute,” she said.
She saw the building by the canal, next to the Main Street lift bridge and saw its potential, especially as the events venue.
