By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2024 at 5:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Jane Holland, left, and her sister-in-law Carol Bergeman were in Albion this afternoon, delivering geraniums at Waterman Park where there is a bronze statue in the likeness of Charles Howard in a Santa suit.
Holland of Williamsville is Howard’s granddaughter. Carol of Lewiston is the wife of Holland’s late brother, Charles Bergeman.
Holland said her grandfather, who ran a school for Santas in Albion from 1937 to 1966, loved having red geraniums around his Albion home.
Holland and Bergeman wanted to bring the flowers today in memory of Charles Howard and also Charles Bergeman. The younger Charles was in Albion on June 10 last year when the bronze statue was dedicated in honor of Charles Howard. Bergeman was a model for artist Brian Porter to create the cheeks for the face of the statue.
Bergeman later that month was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away at age 64 on Oct. 31.
Carol Bergeman chats with Gary Derwick of the Albion Betterment Committee while they planting geraniums at the park with a Santa theme on Main Street in Albion.
“We wanted to add some color and help make it pretty for the summer months,” Bergeman said. “The elves left the flowers.”
Albion Betterment Committee directors, from left, Gary Kent, Joe Gehl and Gary Derwick helped Holland and Bergeman get the flowers ready today.
The site includes a large mural of Santa in sleigh flying over downtown Albion and the Courthouse Square. Stacey Kirby Steward created that 24-foot-long mural in 2018.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2024 at 11:55 am
Historic cemetery would otherwise run out of space in 10-15 years
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jason Zicari, the superintendent of Mount Albion cemetery, stands on farmland that will become part of an expanded Mount Albion Cemetery. The Village Board submitted a purchase offer at $7,000 an acre for about 30 acres. A final survey needs to be done for a precise measurement of the land south of the current cemetery.
ALBION – Mount Albion is running out of room for new gravesites. The historic cemetery on Route 31 is on pace to run out of gravesites in about 10-15 years, said Jason Zicari, Mount Albion’s superintendent the past 28 years.
The Village Board has approved a purchase offer to acquire about 30 acres of farmland south of the cemetery at $7,000 per acre. That cost at about $210,000 will come out of a cemetery fund and won’t affect the village’s general fund.
A final survey is being done to determine the exact acreage – which will be multiplied by $7,000 for the final cost.
“We have secured the property,” Zicari said. “That’s the main thing and we did it at no cost to the taxpayers because this is coming out of the cemetery fund.”
He expects the 30 acres would be developed in phases, and may not be needed for at least a decade.
Mount Albion started the Deerfield section in 2001 with space for about 1,200 grave sites. There are only about 300 to 400 left.
The cemetery opened in 1843 and has about 20,000 gravesites on about 80 acres. The cemetery does about 75 burials a year and sells about 50 to 60 gravesites annually.
When Mount Albion was nearing capacity in 2001, it opened the new Deerfield section with about 1,200 gravesites. There are about 300 to 400 left there. Zicari also said there are undeveloped areas in the Mapleview section in the southwest corner and near the pump house in the front of the cemetery on the west side.
There are also many unclaimed graves sprinkled throughout the cemetery including in the older sections on the east side. Zicari said some families would buy many plots but didn’t always need all of them. Some people have preferred a plot in the older section where the spot may be high on a terrace or near a tree.
This road goes along the southern perimeter of the cemetery. The land the village is to acquire is on the other side of a row of trees and brush.
The new land is next to the southwest corner of the cemetery. Zicari said it should be fairly easy to expand, running paved paths by clearing out some of the hedges.
Once the deal is closed, the village can begin to plan for the future expansion.
“We will do it in phases,” Zicari said. “But that is all to be determined.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Reid Petroleum, owner of Crosby’s, knocked down a house next to the convenience store and gas station at the corner of routes 98 and 31. The company is looking to add parking at the vacant lot, and also put in new underground fuel tanks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 May 2024 at 9:28 am
ALBION – The Village Board approved a zoning change sought by the owner of Crosby’s as the company seeks to make two parcels into one lot.
Reid Petroleum, owner of Crosby’s, in March had a house demolished next to the Crosby’s at the southwest corner of routes 98 and 31. The house used to be a doctor’s office and was zoned residential-commercial.
The Village Board on Wednesday agreed to change the zoning at 210 South Main St. to general commercial to match the zoning for the Crosby’s store.
Crosby’s wants to add 10 more parking spaces to the now vacant land. The company also wants to have two new 20,000-gallon underground storage tanks, with those tanks partly on the lot next to Crosby’s.
John Pastore, director of Real Estate at Reid Petroleum, told village officials on April 10 that the company also would like to eventually add four electric charging stations for vehicles in the future, and they would likely be the faster-charging level 3 units.
The plan for the now vacant land also includes an outdoor sitting area, expanded dumpster coral, 6-foot high fencing and landscaping.
Pastore said the land acquisition gives Crosby’s a chance for better traffic circulation at the Albion store, which he said is one of the company’s best-performing sites.
Village attorney John Gavenda said he is concerned the zoning change could lead to more houses being taken down on South Main for commercial development.
Pastore said Crosby’s plans to renovate the existing store with no plans to make the building bigger.
Village Trustee Greg Bennett noted Crosby’s has three stores in the 14411 zip code. He said he would like to see the company give back more to the community.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2024 at 9:19 pm
This site rendering from Fagan Engineers in Elmira shows how trucks would turn and enter the site to make deliveries.
ALBION – Dollar General is looking to build a new 10,640-square-foot store in the village on Route 31 across from the high school.
The store would be next to the Cone Zone ice cream business, next door to the east. The Broadway Group LLC from Huntsville, Ala. would demolish an existing building, which recently sold used cars, and put up the new store.
The Orleans County Planning Board this evening recommended the Village of Albion approve a variance request for the parking spaces for the store.
The village code requires one spot for every 200 square feet for a retail store. The Dollar General would need 53 parking spots under the village code, but The Broadway Group sought a variance to allow for 35 spaces. The site is already tight for space and many of the customers come and go fairly quickly, said Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board.
Strong, a former Town of Albion code enforcement officer, is handling the code enforcement duties for the project because the village code officer, Chris Kinter, is the owner of the site for the proposed store at 327 East Ave.
Dollar General said the store size proposed for Albion typically have 32 parking spaces. The company could add more, but that would result in more pavement and less green space, the Broadway Group wrote in its request for a variance.
Dollar General will provide a more detailed description of the store’s appearance and parking lot lighting when it seeks site plan review and a special use permit. First the company wants to make sure it will have a variance to have fewer parking spaces required in the code.
Dollar General sells general merchandise and food. It used to have a store in Albion on Route 31 across from the former GCC campus. The former Dollar General building is now used by a bottle redemption business.
Dollar General has several stores in Orleans County: 11273 Maple Ridge Rd., Medina; 11349 Ridge Rd. in Ridgeway; 30 North Main St. in Lyndonville; 16684 Route 31 in Holley; and 16669 Roosevelt Highway in Kendall.
Photo from Albion Central School: Wayne Wadhams, right, is congratulated by Mickey Edwards, the Albion school district superintendent, for being recognized by the New York State School Board Association.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Wayne Wadhams, president of the Albion Board of Education, has been recognized by the New York State School Board Association for being an active member in workshops and other programs.
Albion Central School Superintendent Mickey Edwards presented Wadhams with a certificate of recognition during the May 6 BOE meeting. Wadhams has earned a Level 4 Lifetime Achievement Award through the NYSSBA Board of Excellence Recognition Program.
“We are grateful for Wayne’s continued dedication to, not just the Board, but the district as a whole,” Edwards said. “We are honored to have him as a leader in our district and as a role model for our Purple Eagles.”
The NYSSBA program is designed to acknowledge members who strive to continually expand their knowledge and skills through NYSSBA trainings, workshops, events and activities.
For this achievement, Wayne is awarded a certificate for a free registration to NYSSBA’s annual convention, a commemorative plaque and an executive pen set.
Editor’s Note: Wadhams retired in June 2017 after a career as a technology teacher and coach – football, track and field, and girls basketball. Wadhams started his teaching career at Albion at the former Waterport Elementary School.
He also has served on the board for the Orleans/Niagara BOCES and was a member of the Leadership Orleans Class of 2022.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 May 2024 at 8:16 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion police officers Alexandra Reigle and Jacob Cotriss were recognized during the Village Board meeting on Wednesday. They are shown with Trustee William Gabalski, left, and Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley.
The Village Board declared the day as “Blue Heroes Day” in honor of the two officers who tried to save a man in a burning trailer at Oak Orchard Estates on April 15.
Reigle and Cotriss arrived on the scene at about 11:45 p.m. on April 14 before firefighters. The two officers weren’t wearing protective gear to withstand the fire but still tried to get the man out of the trailer.
William E. Christy, 68, died in the fire at his home at 30 North St. Neighbors also tried to get him out but the trailer but they were unable to break through windows and locked doors.
“These two young officers put their lives on the line for the community,” Riley said.
Reigle and Cotriss both were presented with framed proclamations from the Village Board. The board declared “Blue Heroes Day” in honor of the two officers and urged “all citizens to thank them for their tireless efforts dedicated to serving our community and its citizens.”
The board states in the proclamation it wants to “recognize the heroic efforts out forth by these officers to save a life that was lost in a fire.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: These kids get drenched at the splash pad at Bullard Park last June 29. The spray park has been popular since it opened in June 2021.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2024 at 10:03 pm
Village trying to ease strain on water system with storage tank being replaced in Gaines
ALBION – The Village of Albion is trying to cut back on the water usage at the spray park and agreed this evening to reduce the hours from 12 to 7 when it is open starting next month.
The spray park is expected to open on June 1 and it will be available from noon to 7 p.m. That is down from the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. last year.
The village is currently working to take out the 1-million-gallon water storage tank from 1962 on Route 98 in Gaines, north of the five corners. A new 750,000-gallon tank will go in its place. The project will take a big storage tank off line for about three months, said Adam Rush, Albion’s chief operator for the water plant.
The village won’t have the capacity it typically has with the water system. That is prompting the Village Board to reduce the spray park hours, hoping that will ease demand on the system.
Besides less hours, the village will look to reduce the 5-minute cycle times for the water when kids hit a button an activate the 18 different elements. A touch pad triggers the water to start flowing.
The board said starting the spray park at noon gives the summer park program two hours with the option of using the site. The ark program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staying open until 7 p.m., also gives parents getting out at work around 5 a chance to take their kids to Bullard for the splash pad.
The spray park has been a big draw, not only for Albion residents but it brings families from Brockport, Lyndonville, Corfu and Batavia, said Jay Pahura, the DPW superintendent.
He said the village is bearing the full cost of running the spray park, even though it is used by so many people from outside the village.
“The Village of Albion is footing the bill,” Pahura said. “And Adam (chief operator at the water plant) is struggling to keep the tank full.”
Photo from Albion Central School: These five Albion seniors have graduated from Genesee Community College. Pictured in front row from left include Meganne Moore, Jackie Santiago and Lucy Rivers. In back row are Finn McCue and Jason Anstey.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Five seniors from Albion High School graduated on Saturday from Genesee Community College ahead of their high school graduation on June 28.
Albion seniors Jason Anstey, Finn McCue, Meganne Moore, Lucy Rivers and Jackie Santiago all earned their associate’s degree from GCC.
“We are very thankful for our collaborative relationship with GCC,” Albion High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery said. “Together, we encourage our students to take the opportunity and engage with college level courses before they leave our halls.”
Albion had five of the 15 high school students who earned degrees from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region. The students earn credits through the Accelerated College Enrollment program.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2024 at 11:29 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion AP physics teacher Ben DeJonge and student Isaac Hickman this morning add soil to a planter with flowers in the median of the parking lot on Main Street next to the First Presbyterian Church.
Students in DeJonge’s class and also biology students in Sandy Climenhaga’s class planted flowers this morning in the planters. The bio students have been doing this every May for more than a decade. Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses provides the flowers.
In front include bio students from left Mallory Ashbery, Madison LeBaron and Kenadie Patten. Other bio students who helped include Finn McCue, Brad Pierce and Tye Talbot.
These physics students include from left Nolan Franzese, Alora Dioguardi, Kevin He, Isaac Hickman and teacher Ben DeJonge.
Some of the Albion business owners donated and raised money for new planters for downtown flowers this year. Some of the older concrete planters will be moved to the Canal Park across from the fire hall on Platt Street.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion held its budget vote at Hoag Library due to a school construction project. The district also set up a student art show in the library for the public to see.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2024 at 10:09 pm
The school budgets in Albion, Holley, Kendall and Medina all received strong backing from the public today.
ALBION: The $42,320,666 budget passed, 332 to 73, with 82.0 percent in favor. The budget keeps the tax levy at $8,449,039. This is now the 16th time in the past 18 years that taxes have either stayed the same or decreased.
“Thank you to everyone who voted today,” said Superintendent of Schools Mickey Edwards. “It is with your continued support we are able to promote the success of our students and staff here at Albion. We’re looking forward to another great year for our Purple Eagles.”
Other propositions also passed:
• Spending up to $650,000 for bus purchases from reserve funds, approved 352 to 52.
• Establishing a capital improvement reserve fund for up to $15 million, approved 330 to 69.
• Proposition to collect $664,510 for Hoag Library, approved 317 to 87.
There are two seats up for election and voters elected Kelly Kirby with 306 votes and incumbent Linda Weller with 208. Tim McMurray, 113 votes, and Derek Reiner, 137, also were on the ballot.
HOLLEY – The proposed $29,615,000 district budget was approved in a 340-113 vote or with 75.1 percent in support. The budget represents a 2.4 percent spending increase with taxes up by 1.49 percent.
Voters also approved:
• A proposition to authorize spending up to $363,000 to replace school buses – 332 to 121
• And a proposition to collect $206,840 for the Community Free Library – 362 to 94
There were five candidates for four positions up for election for the Board of Education. The three candidates with the highest number of votes will each serve a three-year term. The candidate with the fourth highest total will serve a two-year term.
The totals include: Jennifer Reisman, 313; Salvatore DeLuca Jr., 303; Joseph Flanagan, 300; Shannon Brett, 292; and Allysia Pogel, 202.
KENDALL – The $20,921,832 budget passed with a 189-46 vote or 80.4 percent in favor. The budget will increase taxes by 1 percent with spending up by 2.5 percent.
Voters also authorized spending up to $350,000 from the Transportation Bus Reserve to purchase transportation vehicles. That passed 194-43.
Two candidates ran for one five-year seat on the Board of Education. Colleen Dorney was elected with 143 votes while Scott Martin received 93.
MEDINA – The school district’s $42,162,921 budget was approved with 80 percent in favor, or 228 who voted yes, to 57 who said no.
The budget represents a 2.0 percent tax increase. This is the 15th consecutive year Medina is under a state-imposed tax cap of about 2 percent, said Dr. Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent.
There are two candidates for two open seats on the board. Both are incumbents. Jennifer Buondonno received 235 votes, and Alissa Mitchell had 226. There were 8 write-ins.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2024 at 4:16 pm
Famed singer will join former band mates in Black Sheep, including Michael Bonafede of Albion
Michael Bonafede, back left, is shown with the Black Sheep band in this photo from the mid 1970s. He is standing next to Lou Gramm, who would go on to be lead singer for Foreigner, which sold over 80 million albums. Gramm will reunite with Bonafede and Black Sheep for a performance June 23 in Albion at the Pratt Theater, which is owned by Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler.
ALBION – A new inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be performing in Albion during a 2 p.m. concert on June 23.
Lou Gramm, the front man of the band Foreigner, will highlight a concert that will include his bandmates from Black Sheep. Gramm was with that group in the mid 1970s before joining Foreigner.
Michael Bonafede of Albion, owner of the Pratt Theater, played drums for Black Sheep. The band wrote its second album at Bonafede’s farm on Gaines Basin Road in Albion. Bonafede recently spotted an etching in concrete at his farm, where he ran Sports ’N Graphics for many years: “Black Sheep rehearsed here 1975.”
Bonafede recently called Gramm to let him know some of the Black Sheep band members would be performing some of their old songs in Albion.
Gramm jumped in and wanted to be part of the fun, and a chance to share the stage with Bonafede on drums, Don Mancuso on guitar and Larry Crozier on keyboard. Alona Kuhns and Luke Crozier (Larry’s son) will both play bass during the June 23 concert. The Black Sheep bass player, Bruce Turgon, is in California.
Not long after that phone call, Gramm and Foreigner were announced on April 21 as inductees into the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Foreigner is shown in an announcement from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that the band will be inducted as part of the Class of 2024.
Bonafede thought Gramm’s schedule might change with the Hall of Fame announcement. Gramm also is touring and performing full sets. But he is committed to the concert in Albion.
“Lou is crazy busy,” Bonafede said. “This is about an enduring friendship. He wants to play with his Black Sheep bandmates.”
The June 23 concert is shaping up to be a big event for the Pratt Theater, a venue on the third floor of an opera house. Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler have worked to bring the site back into a showcase for live music.
Before Black Sheep hit the big time and opened for KISS, the Rochester-based group performed in Orleans County about 50 years ago – at Oak Orchard Lanes in Albion and Medina High School.
Bonafede remembers the Oak Orchard concert. The band was on plywood on the alleys, and the bowling alley ran out of alcohol halfway through the concert.
“The place was mobbed,” Bonafede said.
Black Sheep recorded two albums for Capital Records and shared the stage with Kiss, Aerosmith, REO Speedwagon, and Hall and Oates, performing in front of tens of thousands of people. Black Sheep broke up in 1976.
Erin Moody in sunglasses and other members of the Pratt Pit Band and Choir had the old opera house venue rocking on April 14 for a concert attended by 300 people.
The June 23 event is capped at 300 tickets at $50 apiece. Eventbrite tickets available online beginning June 1. Check PrattEventCenter.com on June 1 for online sales.
Before June 1, tickets are available in Albion at Digital Ink Arts (585-200-2400), Pretty Sweet Bakery (585-590-4201) and Rise & Grind (585-746-0464).
Bonafede wanted to give local residents a shot at the tickets first. He expects they will go fast once available online.
Black Sheep is planning to perform six songs: “Halfway Home,” “Encouraging words,” “Payin’ Yer Dues,” “No worry no pain,” “Stick around” and “Chain on me.”
There will be a lengthy set to start the concert with the Pratt Pit Band which includes many local musicians.
“I’m super excited this is happening in Albion,” Bonafede said today. “The circumstances have led to a Hall of Famer performing out here.”
Bonafede said many of the leading local performers will be able to share the stage with Lou Gramm, who sold about 80 million albums with Foreigner.
“The pit band is an important part of the concert,” Bonafede said. “I try to get local people. That’s the idea of the venue. It’s a local performance venue that is a unique asset for the community.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion Police Chief Dave Mogle carried the torch at the beginning of a law enforcement torch run on June 5, 2023. The 2.7-mile run was held for the first time in Orleans County last year with members of the Albion Police Department. The event is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 May 2024 at 2:12 pm
ALBION – A law enforcement torch run will return for the second year on May 31 and will have a different route in the village as well as a chance for the public to be part of the 2.7-mile jaunt.
Members of the Albion Police Department carried the torch for the Special Olympics last year on June 5. The Albion PD wanted to host the run to offer another chance for law enforcement between Erie-Niagara counties and Monroe to be part of a torch run. (Batavia also hosts one in Genesee County.)
“We wanted one in Orleans County,” Albion Police Chief David Mogle said last year. “We welcome more agencies to be a part of it.”
Albion has invited other law enforcement agencies, as well as community members to be part of the run on May 31.
It will start at 11 a.m. on South Platt Street at the municipal lot, go to Chamberlain Street and take a left to Route 98, then a left on 98 to Route 31, then a left on 31 to the school campus, then a left on Clarendon Street to Crimson Drive, then a right on McKinstry Street, a left on Chamberlain and lastly to the municipal lot on Platt Street.
To participate in the run, be at the Albion municipal lot at 151 Platt Street by 10:30 a.m. to register. This lot is across from Dunkin’ Donuts. There is a $25 charge for a short sleeve shirt or $30 for a long sleeve.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 May 2024 at 8:39 am
Pam Wadhams will step into role for Bonnie Malakie at Community Action
Photo by Ginny Kropf: From left, Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action, and Bonnie Malakie, retiring director of Head Start’s Children and Youth Services, stand outside the Head Start office on east State Street in Albion with Pam Wadhams, who will replace Malakie when she retires June 30, and Ryan Lasal, recently hired as strategic director of children’s services and special projects.
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has announced some changes in its Head Start program.
Bonnie Malakie is retiring on June 30 after 24 years as Head Start’s director. Before stepping into the director’s position, Malakie spent eight years as a consultant for Head Start.
Filling the director’s position at Head Start will be Pam Wadhams, who has been associate director of the program.
Stepping into a new role is Ryan Lasal as strategic director of children’s services and special projects.
Hungerford explained the chain of command will be Wadhams reporting to Lasal and Lasal to Hungerford.
The Head Start program has been a vital part of Community Action’s services to the community since 1965, with Head Start for children aged 3 and 4 and Early Head Start for 18-month to 3-year-olds in Medina, Albion and Batavia, and universal pre-K in Kendall.
Early Head Start Childcare Partnership partners with day care facilities for infants and toddlers.
A childcare resource and referral program connects parents with daycare and subsidies.
“We also help people start their own daycare facilities,” Hungerford said.
In addition, there is a small home-based program with six slots available.
Currently, 173 children are served in Head Start, 58 in the Childcare Partnership and 38 in Early Head Start.
Head Start’s new leadership brings several decades of experience to their jobs. Lasal spent the last 10 years at CRFS.
“I found there has been an extremely solid foundation built here,” Lasal said. “This program serves a lot of kids and does extraordinary things in the community. I’m looking forward, along with Pam, to continuing to build on that foundation and move it into the future.”
Wadhams has worked more than 30 years with Head Start.
“I see us being a strong presence in the community and continuing to support families and their children,” she said. “We are in the process of expanding the pre-school program to a full day, something families want and need. I love being able to make a difference in the community I grew up in.”
“I am doing some restructuring of our children’s services to reinvigorate these programs and increase enrollment,” Hungerford said. “I aim to put new focus on our Head Start programs to ensure children are truly getting a head start and enter the public school systems fully prepared. We can do more with technology and innovation to set our students up for success.”
Malakie said she plans to spend the summer relaxing and doing more with her husband Larry.
“This will include volunteering,” she said. “I’m taking a new path and looking forward. I will continue to support Community Action. I will be leaving a piece of my heart here.”
She added that through the years, there has been one constant at Community Action, and that is change.
“But we’ve been able to keep up with required changes, expected changes and positive changes,” Malakie said. “I’m leaving everything in good hands with a very dedicated and committed staff with strong leadership and two new directors. The difference we make in the lives of children and families every day is what has kept me here all these years.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2024 at 5:08 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Lucas Webb, 7, places an American flag on the grave of a veteran at Mount Albion Cemetery this morning. Lucas and other Cub Scouts in Pack 164 and Boy Scouts in Troop 164 placed about 2,000 flags today at Mount Albion and then at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
These Scouts enjoyed the time together placing flags at Mount Albion. From left include Mason Patten, Peter Stritzinger, Owen Monaghan and Colton Durow.
The scouts in Albion have helped the local American Legion and VFW with the task before Memorial Day for many years.
Leo Gotte, 11, places flags by graves at St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Route 31 after the group finished at Mount Albion.
Colson Braley, 13, has helped with the flag placing for several years now. He is shown at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Lincoln Metcalf, 6, and his mother Melissa Metcalf helped set flags for veterans today. They are joined by their dog, Hazel. Lincoln’s dad Ben Metcalf is the cubmaster for Pack 164.
Matt Passarell, quarter master for the VFW, places a flag at St. Joseph’s. He said the VFW and American Legion purchased 2,400 flags to set at soldiers’ graves in central Orleans County. The veterans’ groups will place flags for veterans at other smaller cemeteries in central Orleans before Memorial Day on May 27.
The Legion and VFW invite the community to the Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m., starting on Main Street near Park Street. The procession then goes to the middle school where there will be a ceremony outside the school on the front lawn by the monument.
Dan Flanagan, the scoutmaster for Troop 164, looks for graves with veterans’ markers at Mount Albion. Flanagan has been an adult volunteer with the troop for 14 years. Seven of his children have been in scouting.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2024 at 9:19 am
Courtesy of Wolfpack Multisports: The T-shirt for the Strawberry Festival 5K and 8K includes a strawberry in a space suit.
ALBION – Organizers of the 36th annual Albion Strawberry Festival picked “Out of this World” for the theme of the two-day festival next month.
The festival committee thought the theme would build off all the hoopla for the solar eclipse on April 8. It wasn’t planned with lots of buildup like the eclipse, but the spectacle of the Northern Lights on the night of May 10-11 also had people looking to the skies.
Now, it’s up to the community and festival participants to rally around the theme. Becky Karls, the festival committee chairperson, wants to see many displays with a space theme for the parade at 10 a.m. on June 8. She said “Out of this World” lends itself to lots of creativity in the floats.
“I want to see more floats,” Karls said. “That would be my wish.”
Some of the events during the festival will feature the theme. Organizers of the 5K and 8K on June 8 unveiled the T-shirts for the race which show a strawberry in a space suit on a rocket. The dash plaques for the car show also have the festival theme.
The June 7-8 festival also will feature live music at four different locations, an arts and crafts show, many food vendors, and many other events.
Karls is leading the committee for the first time, after many years as a key volunteer.
“I love people and I love community events,” Karls said. “I think it’s great to have something in the community to bring people out.”
She said the committee has many dedicated volunteers who work well together.
The committee leaders include:
Mark Johnson – Business/Information/Raffle Vendors
