Some Carlton students should meet at Rec Hall for bus

ALBION – With the community mostly back in order after Tuesday’s fierce thunderstorm, Albion schools are reopening today.

The district will have a pickup point in Carlton, which is still affected from the storm that knocked out power and took down power poles.

Students who live on Waterport-Carlton Road, Park Avenue, and Route 98 between Waterport-Carlton Road and Route 18 should meet at the Carlton Recreation Hall on Route 98 at 7:15 for middle and high school bus pickup. Elementary students should meet there at 8:40 a.m.

Photos by Sue Cook – The Dady Brothers were the featured act of the concert, performing a set list of mostly Irish music. John Dady is in front with Joe behind him.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – A crowd of about 200 came out to enjoy a free concert on East Bank Street in Albion on Thursday night. The performance was the first in a series of concerts put on by the village of Albion, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Albion Rotary Club.

Sid Beaty, program coordinator, explained how the GO Art! Reach Grant helped to fund the concert series.

“We got some money from GO Art! to put the concert on and we wanted to try to do a multi-faceted event, so we have the farmers’ market, which hopefully expands,” she said. “The Merchants Association does extended shopping hours until 7 p.m., too. We’re trying to do a lot of things at once to try and bring more people in.”

“Hopefully this is the kind of thing that we’re going to keep doing year after year,” she said.

The Pedestrians band includes, from left, Zach Deluca, Mark Proietty and Bobby Skrzypek.

The evening began with Bobby Skrzypek And The Pedestrians (click here) playing their fusion of rock ‘n roll and reggae music. Their line up included original songs “Beautiful Green Dress Woman” and “Soulless Man,” and some Bob Marley.

Lead singer and rhythm player Bobby Skrzypek started off with a steel drum solo that got the crowd warmed up. He went on throughout the evening to play ukelele and hang drum as well. “We’re all about variety of instruments,” said Skrzypek.

During the concert, the Albion Fire Department sold food and beverages as a small fundraiser. They plan to set up at every concert in the series.

Harry Papponetti, Deputy Fire Chief, said, “I think it’s great for the community and helps bring people around again like during the Strawberry Festival when the bands were playing.”

The Dady Brothers (click here) originate from Rochester, but have played across America and have toured to Ireland several times. Their music is a mix of country, bluegrass, Irish and folk. This year they are celebrating their 40th year as musicians.

A crowd gathered on East Bank Street for the concert.

Joe Dady played multiple instruments throughout the evening including guitar, penny whistle, bodhran (Irish drum), fiddle and harmonica. His brother, John, played guitar and ukelele, but did impersonations of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash that got the crowd howling with laughter.

The brothers played a variety of their own songs and covers that included “Here Comes the Sun,” “Lanigan’s Ball” and “The Orange Blossom Special.”

Joe Dady popped the penny whistle in John’s mouth during the performance while John continued playing guitar.

Gail Allen, a resident of Point Breeze, said “We love Irish music and the Dady Brothers play really great Irish music. I’m glad to see the community doing this sort of thing and we’d be very much in support of having this continue.”

Audience participation was encouraged through sing-a-longs and clapping the rhythm.

After The Dady Brothers concluded their performance, they invited The Pedestrians back up to collaborate together on a reggae song. The joint effort blended the two groups together and made a great finale as the sun set.

John Dady said that Jayden Borrero, 9, had approached them before the concert and asked to join their band. During the final song, he had Jayden play the bodhran to try and keep the beat.

Concerts will take place on June 26 and July 10, 17 and 24. Performances begin at 6 p.m.

Sid Beaty is still seeking farmers interested in joining the market portion of the event. Farmers can call the village at 589-9176 to ask about participating.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Here is how downtown Albion looked at about 9 p.m. on Tuesday after a storm barreled through, knocking out power.

ALBION – With live power wires down, electricity knocked out and trees toppled, Albion school officials cancelled school on Wednesday.

It’s a rare to have a weather event shut down school in June. But Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, didn’t want to take any chances with live wires down and students forced to dodge so much debris, especially in Carlton.

Parents were notified before 6 a.m. that school would be closed and there wouldn’t be any Regents tests that day. That created a hardship for some students, who wouldn’t get another chance at the tests until August for the course in Global History and Geography and until January for Algebra 2/Trigonmetry.

At about 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the lights came back on for most of the village. National Grid soon had much of the power restored throughout the school district, except for Carlton.

Bonnewell and school officials decided to offer the Regents after all. They got on the phone with as many students and parents as they could. Each test had about 24 students.

“We gave parents the option and if they could safely get to the school,” Bonnewell said.

About 75 percent of the students came in for the test, with Global History at 9:30 a.m. and Algebra 2/Trigonmetry at 2 p.m.

“It wasn’t perfect,” Bonnewell said. “We weren’t able to get a hold of everyone. Some of them had phones where the batteries died. But most of the kids were able to take the test.”

ALBION – Albion closed schools and there are no Regents exams today after a powerful storm hit the area Tuesday night, knocking out power, taking down trees and leaving downed power lines.

The severe thunderstorm hit at about 7:45 p.m. and was particularly hard on areas north of Route 104. Some roads were impassable due to downed trees and wires, including Route 279 in Gaines and Route 98 in Carlton near Ho-Jack’s.

Carlton suffered the most damage with trees on houses and in the road, county dispatch said this morning. Route 98 remains closed in Carlton, north of the Waterport-Carlton Road. Much of the center of the county, between Culvert Road and Transit Road, was without power overnight.

ALBION – Police have charged a second juvenile with criminal possession of a weapon after an investigation into an accidental shooting last Thursday in the village.

A 13-year-old boy was playing with a stolen gun when he accidentally shot his brother, 9, who was lying down in bed at 341 Caroline St. The boy was treated and released from the hospital with injuries to his arm.

Police quickly recovered two stolen guns from the 13-year-old, who allegedly took them from an elderly neighbor. The boy actually stole three guns, police said, and handed one of the guns off to a teen-age friend.

The second teen-ager was issued an appearance ticket with the Orleans County Probation Department. The case has been turned over to the District Attorney’s Office and could stay in Family Court.

The elderly man hasn’t been charged with any crimes. Nenni said the man was a victim in the case.

Kelley S. Glena, mother of the boy who took the guns, was often in the elderly man’s house with her children. She helped the man with basic household chores, Nenni said.

Her son was looking through the man’s possessions and discovered the guns.

“The man didn’t have the guns out in the open,” Nenni said. “The kid had to go looking for them. He didn’t just give them to him.”

Orleans County Court Judge James Punch will decide if the guns are returned to the man and if his pistol permit will be revoked.

The 13-year-old’s parents – John H. Glena, 46, and Kelley S. Glena, 43 – have both been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The two weren’t arrested because of the firearms incident but because of the condition of the deplorable dwelling where their children lived, Nenni said.

The police chief urged gun owners to keep their weapons in a secure spot.

“If you have weapons, make sure they’re safe and accounted for,” he said.

ALBION – A crew from State Department of Transportation is out today patching pavement along Route 31 in Albion. The DOT workers are pictured at the intersection of 31 and Old Telegraph Road, across from Bentley Brothers.

The brutally cold winter has left an abundance of potholes on local roadways.

Steven Olick IV

Press release, Albion High School Alumni Foundation

ALBION – The historic First Presbyterian Church of Albion will open its doors to the community as Albion’s own Steven Olick IV comes home to perform a concert entitled “An Afternoon of Song.”

The concert is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Olick, a senior vocal major at SUNY Fredonia, will perform selections from art song and opera including music from composers Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Ives, Schumann and Smetana.

Partnering with the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, all proceeds from the concert will fund a study abroad to the Italian Scuola at Sant’Angelo, where Olick will participate in an once-in-a-lifetime experience studying opera in Vado, Italy.

“For Steve, this is more than just an honor,” said Gary Simboli, Olick’s high school choral director. “It will be an experience of epic proportions. Studying and performing with opera’s best, making connections for future opportunities and living abroad in this amazing location will make a lasting impact on his life.”

During this intensive month-long program, Olick will receive 45 hours of language training by teachers from the Italian Scuola, two voice lessons a week, two private coaching sessions, two acting lessons a week and two master classes. The program will culminate with Steven performing four concerts. He will study with college professors from around the U.S. as well as baritone from the Met, David Malis.

“I have always been intrigued by traveling abroad and following in the footsteps of my Uncle Steve, my namesake,” Olick said. “Now having received this opportunity not only to travel, but to experience opera in its homeland is a dream come true. I cannot begin to express the gratitude I have for the support being shown by my Alma Mater and community.”

Olick is a 2010 Albion High School graduate. While attending Albion he was heavily involved in music department programs. He was the marching band drum major and participated in jazz and concert band. He was a member of the mixed chorus and men’s select groups and participated in the theater department’s musicals.

He was the very first recipient of the Albion High School Alumni Foundation’s Performing Arts Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship assists students who attend college for performing arts.

“The Foundation is pleased to support Steven in this important venture,” said Susan Starkweather Miller, Albion High School Alumni Foundation Vice-President. “He has a unique talent and a promising career ahead of him. It is opportunities like these that can truly make a difference for a lifetime, which is what the Foundation strives to do for Albion Alumni.”

General admission ticket prices are available for purchase at ATB Staffing Services, 534 Main St., Medina (318-4218) and Fisher’s Newsroom, 105 N. Main St., Albion (589-7283). Tickets can also be purchased at the door on June 22.

ALBION – The school district sent home letters today, reminding parents that toy guns are not allowed at school.

A student today brought to school a spring-action toy gun that shoots B-Bs. The gun was confiscated. The student did not shoot or threaten any other students with the toy, according to the letter from District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell and Middle School Principal Dan Monacelli. The student will be disciplined through the Code of Conduct.

The two administrators said “a number of our students” purchased the toy guns during the Strawberry Festival on Friday and Saturday.

“We write to let you know about the situation and to seek your help in reminding your children that items like this are not permitted at school,” Bonnewell and Monacelli wrote in the letter.

They also noted last Thursday’s accidental shooting when a 13-year-old shot his brother, 9, in the arm while playing with a stolen gun. That investigation remains a law enforcement issue, the school officials said.

“With your help and the help of students like those who reported today’s incident, we remain committed to the safety of our students,” Bonnewell and Monacelli said in the letter.

East Bank Street will be closed off for concerts

ALBION – The village of Albion will kick off its new “Concerts by the Canal” series this Thursday with two bands performing on a closed off East Bank Street. There is no admission charge.

The Dady Brothers, a well-known group that performs in Western New York and beyond, will sing beginning at 6:30 in the debut concert of the new series. The Dady Brothers play many folk instruments with their music. They have recorded 10 CDs.

Provided photo – The Dady Brothers will be the featured performers on Thursday.

A local band will play first for a half hour. The band called Pedestrians will play at 6 p.m., just before the Dady Brothers. That is the format the village of Albion is striving for in the series, which runs every Thursday until July 24. (July 3 will be off). A newer band will play for a half hour before the featured performer takes the stage.

“We want to give people another reason to come and explore the downtown,” said Sid Beaty, program coordinator for the village.

The village, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and the Albion Rotary Club are all sponsoring the series. The bands will play on Thursday evenings when many downtown stores have extended hours until 7 p.m.

The bands will perform on a mobile stage created by Eagle Scout Allen Sanford. He is a member of Route 98, which is the featured band on June 26.

The series coincides with extended hours by many businesses in the downtown on Thursdays until 7 p.m. The village also wants to have a farmers’ market on Thursdays on East Bank Street from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Farmers are urged to call the village at 589-9176 to inquire about being a vendor.

The lineup for the concert series includes:

June 19: The Pedestrians open followed by featured performers, The Dady Brothers
June 26: Whiskey Rebellion opening followed by Route 98
July 10: Sophisticats
July 17: The Who Dats
July 24: Dirty White Boys

The Albion Merchants Association also is planning a wine-tasting – “Sip and Stroll Through History” – from 3 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 9. Presale tickets are available at Bindings Bookstore, Hazy Jade Gift Shop and Xpress Fitness and Tanning.

Provided photos – Amanda Zok and her date Garrett Van Lieshout rode to the Albion prom in a red Case tractor.

HOLLEY – Some Albion students and their dates picked limos and limo buses to ride in style to Friday’s Senior Prom at Hickory Ridge Golf Resort in Holley.

Two couples chose to ride in tractors. Amanda Zok and her date Garrett Van Lieshout rode in a red Case tractor.

Quinton Vercruysse and his date Michelle Maxwell made it to the prom in a green John Deere.

Quinton Vercruysse and Michelle Maxwell, and Amanda Zok and Garrett Van Lieshout pose in front of a John Deere on prom night.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Litchfield

ALBION – Wayne Litchfield checked out the new painted benches in downtown Albion and had his photo taken of the one painted like Santa Claus, a tribute to Charles Howard who started a school for Santas in Albion.

When he was a kid, Litchfield knew Howard. Litchfield said his grandmother worked in the kitchen at Howard’s Christmas Park at the corner of Phipps Road and Route 31.

Litchfield said the Santa bench created by Peter Loran of Kent is his favorite of the seven in the downtown. If other readers want to take pictures of themselves with their favorite bench, send them to tom@orleanshub.com and we’ll have you either on the Orleans Hub or our Facebook page. Three more benches are nearly done and should be out soon.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The two-day Strawberry Festival, now in its 28th year, is a wholesome celebration of small town life.

The event continues to draw big crowds, especially for the 10 a.m. parade on Saturday. (A 1960 Chevy Impala is decked out in American flags for the parade in the top photo.)

This year the Festival Committee picked an agriculture theme for the event: “Flourish! Our Farms – Our Future.”

The festival strives to put on a series of family-friendly entertainment, with lots of food and music.

Here are a few highlights. We’ll have more later today on the parade.

Jessica and Matt Panek lead the float for Panek’s Picking Patch.

Daddy Cool and Krista Hartwig sing “Mustang Sally” with the Pratt Pack.

The Mark Time Marchers are ahead of the Albion Fire Department in the parade along Main Street.

Debbie Boyer, chairwoman of the Amazing Turtle Race, presents Jarred Saj with a surprise award during the parade. Saj sold the most tickets, nearly 300, for the Turtle Race.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Skip Stratton was out volunteering early this morning by watering the flowers in downtown Albion, at the routes 98 and 31 intersection, at Bullard Park and by some of the gateway signs in the village.

Stratton and other volunteers with the Albion Merchants Association handle the duty on weekends.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – One of the members of the Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums plays the bagpipes during the 28th annual Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday.

Michael Bonafede, chairman of the Albion Strawberry Festival Committee, also is a drummer. He plays the drums and leads a horse-drawn carriage with a replica of Abraham Lincoln’s coffin. The coffin was on display as part of the 100th anniversary celebration for the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home.

A member of the Pink Princesses Albion Youth Baseball Team hunts for candy in her bag during the parade.

Albion firefighters Dale Banker, in front, and Matt Francis march in the parade with other member of the AFD.

Dancin’ Derrick Bradley was in costume helping to promote the Weed Man.

Jenny McKenna of Barre is serving as the New York State Guernsey Princess. She was last year’s Niagara-Orleans Dairy Princess.

Karalyn Klotzbach walked down Main Street in the parade with her mother Katie Klotzbach and other members of the Panek family.

Another parade participant waves to the crowd.

Mattie Zarpentine, one of the coordinators for New York Revolution, leads the group’s float down Main Street.

Albion fifth-grader Lucas O’Connor is one of the banner holders for the Albion Marching Band.

Members of the Pembroke Marching Band performed in the parade.

The combined Holley-Kendall Marching Band, now in its second year, returned to the Strawberry Festival.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Some of the Self Advocate All Stars at the Arc of Orleans County were out washing cars at Pawlak’s Save-A-Lot today. In the top photo, Leslie Swanson gets some suds on a car owned by Meredith Minier of Albion.

The group raised $165 today. They are donating that money to self advocates in Yates County who lost many possessions in a recent flood.

Jonathan Doherty, one of the All Stars, helps clean a car. He welcomes more residents to join the group.

Sienna Garcia-Mathewson was part of the car washing crew today.