By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2018 at 9:15 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Walter Jakubowski is pictured in May 2015 when he was setting up his exhibit on the Pratt Opera House at the Salih Studio in Albion.
ALBION – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is reopening a gallery in downtown Albion and is seeking submissions from Orleans County artists with the opening reception planned for Oct. 26.
There is no theme for the debut show. Artists are welcome to submit up to two pieces that can be as large as 3-foot by 3-foot.
The Salih Studio at 24 East Bank St. will host the art shows. It will be open seasonally from the fourth week in April to the third week of December, said Gregory Hallock, GO ART! executive director.
The gallery hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, with receptions on the fourth Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.
To submit a piece, print, complete and bring in the form found on the council’s website. Pieces can be dropped off at Salih Studio on Oct. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. or Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The first show runs from Oct. 26 to Nov. 17.
The second show is a 4-inch by 4-inch display that will be a fundraiser towards GO ART!’s gallery and office space at Salih Studio.
The artwork will be available to purchase at a 7 p.m. event on Nov. 23. All of the pieces will be $15.
Artists interested in donating towards the fundraiser can click here for more information.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2018 at 2:19 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Neal Muscarella, an Albion stone mason, gets fresh mortar ready as he resets the stone wall at the pond at Mount Albion Cemetery. Muscarella has been working with the cemetery staff for about three weeks in repairing the south and east walls of the pond, which is near Route 31 on the west side side of the cemetery.
Muscarella works with Kent Blake, a cemetery employee. The walls were tipping and were in danger of falling. The Medina sandstone was solid, but the concrete walls on the outside had decayed. Muscarella placed a new concrete wall and then reset the sandstone.
The water has been drained about two feet in the pond, but there is still enough for the big goldfish. Muscarella and the cemetery employees say the job should be complete by the end of the week.
The pond includes a stone spring house. The site is a memorial to local firefighters.
The flags have been lowered in honor of John McCain.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2018 at 9:56 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: A Ride4Life stunt rider leaves a trail of smoke as well as tire marks on East State Street in front of the courthouse during an exhibition last October. About 300 people watched the stunts at the Albion event.
The Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association is stating its support for the Ride4Life ministry and leader Scott Caraboolad.
The Albion Police Department on Wednesday expressed concern about Caraboolad being part of a business that sold anti-police T-shirts. He also is featured in videos online leading police through chases on the open road, putting people in danger.
Caraboolad and Ride4Life are scheduled to visit three local schools and do other community events from Sept. 13-15, including a demonstration on Sept. 14 on East State Street in Albion. Caraboolad has become a Christian and now shares a message of overcoming addiction and despair.
The videos and T-shirt merchandise are from at least four years ago.
Jeff Gifaldi, president of the Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association, issued this statement in support of Ride4Life:
“There are many times that our law enforcement officers come into contact with people who are anti-police and spread a negative message about all police officers.
“The Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association does not condone these messages and take pride in the fact that our members actively take steps on a daily basis to change these opinions. We truly believe that one officer, one positive interaction can facilitate this change.
“With that being said, it is also important to recognize that we are all human, capable of making mistakes, as well as making changes.
“Recent information has come to light that Scott Caraboolad had involvement in the creation of shirts with an anti-police message a number of years ago.
“In the past year, many of our members have spent time with Scott along with the entire Ride4Life crew, who toured around the county spreading a positive message of life reform.
“To judge his character now based on a mistake or mistakes made in his past would be to dilute the importance of his current example and message. Our interactions with Scott have been nothing but positive and we support his mission to share a pathway to change, especially in this time where the opioid epidemic is ravaging our community.
“For anyone else struggling with addiction, we would encourage you to reach out and let us show you the positive interactions that occur between the law enforcement and the Orleans County Community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2018 at 11:22 am
(CORRECTION: The proposed water line project doesn’t include any portion of Allen Road, as was stated in an earlier version of this article.)
ALBION – The Village of Albion is pursuing two state grants for infrastructure projects that are each about $1 million.
Albion has applied for $800,000 in state funding to go towards a disinfection project at the Pollution Control Plant on Densmore Street. That project could cost $950,000 total at the sewer plant.
In case the grant doesn’t come through, the Village Board on Wednesday started the process to bond the project at $950,000. The board said Albion has a good chance to receive a grant, which is expected to be announced by the state in November-December.
The Village Board said the project needs to move forward per the direction of the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
The board also is seeking state funding for a $930,000 project to replace waterlines on South Clinton and West Academy streets, between Route 31 and Allen Road. It also includes a section of Hamilton Street to the village.
The project would be 60 percent funded by the state. The new waterlines are needed to boost water pressure on those streets. Albion currently isn’t meeting the standards for fire flows on those streets, Fire Chief Harry Papponetti said.
Village officials are trying to get letters of support from residents in the project area by Aug. 29. The grant needs to be submitted to the state by Sept. 7.
The board also is eyeing a $3 million project to upgrade the pumps for the water plant. That project would drastically cut the electricity costs for the plant, Trustee Gary Katsanis said. The village may pursue that project next year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 August 2018 at 7:17 am
Photos courtesy of Arthur Barnes
ALBION – Arthur Barnes removed a mural on Monday from the former Burgio Tire barn just north of the Erie Canal on Main Street in Albion. Barnes created the mural 13 years ago. It shows the Gaines Basin Road bridge and a farm along the canal in Albion.
The mural was hit with graffiti about two years ago and the paint had faded. The mural is on a north wall facing south and Barnes said it faced maximum sun exposure.
Barnes removed the mural 15 foot long mural on Monday. The painting is 10 feet tall. He would like to repaint the mural and reinstall it somewhere else in the community, preferably on a south wall, facing north.
The former Burgio building is being renovated to become wedding venue and also to sell candy and ice cream. John and Natasha Wasuck of Spencerport are working to open “The Lockstone” at 160 North Main St.
Barnes is pictured with the mural after it was installed in 2005.
He also created canal-themed murals that are displayed in Holley, Knowlesville and Medina.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2018 at 6:09 pm
Scott Caraboolad used to sell T-shirts with anti-police message
Photo by Tom Rivers: Scott Caraboolad does a stunt on Oct. 5 in front of the student body at Lyndonville Central School. Caraboolad and other stunt riders are part of the Ride4Life ministry that also has a anti-drug message.
ALBION – Scott Caraboolad doesn’t shy away from his past, when he was a drug addict who squandered a fortune as a professional stunt rider.
Caraboolad was in Orleans County for three days last October sharing his story about getting hooked on drugs and then breaking free from addiction. He visited three school districts and shared his story – and daring stunt rides – at community events in Albion, Medina and at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville. He is now the leader of the Ride4Life ministry.
He is due to return Sept. 13-15. However, the Albion Police Department and Albion Village Board aren’t sure they want him back. The Albion Police Department were shown photos and links to Starboyz, a website Caraboolad used to be a part of that sells anti-police T-shirts such as “Cops Lie!” and “FTP” for F— the Police. There are also videos of Caraboolad online doing dangerous stunts on a motorcycle with traffic on an open road.
“I’m all about telling kids that drugs are bad, but this is an individual who has profited off slandering police,” Albion police officer Karol Hughes told the Village Board on Wednesday.
Hughes is president of the Albion police officers’ union. He said the website with the anti-police T-shirts is still active.
Caraboolad and Ride4Life are scheduled for an event in Albion on Sept. 14. The village approved closing off a section of East State Street in front of the courthouse for the show.
Police Chief Roland Nenni told the board he didn’t support bringing in Caraboolad.
“I find it really disturbing,” the police chief said. “It really bothers our officers.”
File photo: Scott Caraboolad speaks during “Hopefest” last October at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Nenni said he wasn’t aware until recently that Caraboolad previously encouraged an anti-police message.
A group of churches that are part of PACT – Pastors Aligned for Community Transformation – have taken the lead in bringing in Caraboolad. Other backers include the Sheriff’s Office, Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition, Suicide Prevention Coalition of Orleans County, the Genesee-Orleans Opioid Task Force and other agencies.
Caraboolad traveled from Akron, Ohio to Orleans County to share his story of drug and alcohol addiction and how he came back from nearly attempting suicide. He credits his new-found faith in Christ. Caraboolad said he was trying to find happiness in material possessions and money, but overcame his addictions after turning to God.
Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, shared the Albion police chief’s concerns with Caraboolad today. Caraboolad said the Starboyz predates his Christian transformation. Caraboolad was a partner with that website and has walked away from it, but a former partner keeps it going, said Lindsay, who is pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion.
Lindsay has a son who is a police officer. Lindsay said he knew Caraboolad was a recovering addict, but didn’t know he previously promoted an anti-police message.
The two were on the phone for an hour today and Lindsay is more amazed of Caraboolad’s turnaround.
“Yes, there is stuff out there in his past, but I’m more convinced than ever that he is who he says he is,” Lindsay said. “He is a genuine man.”
The pastor said he is understands the concerns of the police.
“Right now it’s a hard time in our country to be a cop,” Lindsay said.
He welcomed the community to hear Caraboolad on Sunday. He will be giving a message during a 6 p.m. prayer and worship service at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Lindsay said he is hopeful the Albion Village Board and Police Department will support Caraboolad after hearing more of his story.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2018 at 7:26 am
ALBION – A grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation will allow the Albion and Holley police departments to add defibrillators to all of their patrol cars, as well as one for the police stations.
Roland Nenni, police chief for both departments, was notified on Tuesday that the Foundation approved an $11,700 grant for 11 defibrillators. An Automated External Defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current to the heart.
The Albion and Holley officers go to EMS and fire calls, often the first on the scene. Nenni said the officers have been the first to respond when someone is in cardiac arrest. Having the defibrillators will increase the chances of saving people having a heart attack. Right now, officers can only provide CPR for someone in cardiac arrest.
“I’m really excited about it from a public service standpoint,” Nenni said Wednesday after informing the Albion Village Board of the grant. “We go on hundreds of EMS calls.”
Nenni has been an emergency medical technician the past 28 years. He is a former Holley fire chief. Providing care within 6 minutes of a heart attack is critical, he said.
He also wanted the defibrillators in the patrol cars in case a police officer went into cardiac arrest.
The defibrillators will be installed in six Albion patrol cars, two Holley patrol cars, and one each at the Holley and Albion police stations. There will also be one available for training.
Nenni said he is pushing to have them purchased and in service by Nov. 1.
Courtesy of King & King Architects: This rendering shows how the sign will look in front Hoag Library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 August 2018 at 1:18 pm
Brick structure will match library which opened in 2012
ALBION – About six years after Albion opened a new public library, a sign will be built out front to help promote events and programs.
The Friends of Hoag Library has been pushing for the sign the past several years. The sign will be electronic with a brick structure that matches the library, said Kevin Doherty, president of the library’s board of trustees.
A state grant will pay for $33,000 of the sign’s estimated $44,000 cost. The library will cover the other $11,000 through in-kind services and donations.
The Friends also have contributed about $10,000 towards architectural fees and landscape design. Mary Anne Braunbach, the Friends president, also worked to secure village approval for the project, Doherty said.
The project will also include a flag pole.
Doherty said he expects the project to be complete in the fall, likely in October or November.
Photo by Victoria Flugel: This photo was taken Saturday during the fourth annual Jason Johnston Dice Run. There were about 50 motorcycle riders in the event. Victoria Flugel took this photo while sitting on a motorcycle with her husband, Eric Flugel. They were first-time participants in the ride.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2018 at 10:09 am
Event honors memory of Albion soldier killed in Afghanistan
Jason Johnston
ALBION – The fourth annual Jason Johnston Dice Run on Saturday raised more money for a scholarship given annually by the Albion Elks Riders.
There were 47 riders on dice run, which went 90 miles through Orleans County and outside Orleans to Bergen, Pavilion, Attica and Batavia. Each biker paid $20 to be in the event, with passengers paying $10. (There were 31 passengers on the ride.)
Following the ride, there was food, beer and a raffle at the Albion Elks Lodge, aswell as music by DJ Ken Draper and then a concert by The Who Dats.
Proceeds go towards a scholarship in memory of Specialist Jason Johnston, who was 24 when he was killed in Afghanistan in the War on Terror on Dec. 26, 2009. Johnston was on his second deployment. He was also a paratrooper.
He completed a 13-month-deployment in 2008 and left again for the war-torn country in October 2009. He was killed by a roadside bomb the day after Christmas.
“We have a great community that doesn’t mind helping someone who gave his all for them,” said Brad Johnston, Jason’s father. “That’s what Jason was all about, helping people.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: A group of motorcyclists check out some of the merchandise up fr auction during the benefit on Saturday.
The Elks the past four years have given $1,000 scholarships to a graduating senior pursuing a helping profession. Riley Seielstad was awarded the scholarship this past June.
Brad Johnston said the family appreciates the efforts from the Elks to establish the scholarship. The organization has enough funds to keep it going for at least 12 more years.
Johnston joined the Elks Riders two years ago. The American Legion also gives a scholarship in memory of Jason Johnston for a graduate headed to the military. The Legion is planning a fundraiser to keep that scholarship going.
“I don’t want him forgotten, and the scholarships also help students and soldiers,” Johnston said on Saturday at the Elks Lodge.
Joe Joyce, left, of East Pembroke is a member of the Patriot Guard. Mike Reigle is president of the Albion Elks Riders. Joyce is a paratrooper who wanted to be part of the ride to honor Johnston, who was also a paratrooper. There were four Patriot Guard riders on the ride, members of the Orleans ABATE, local Elks Riders and a group of bikers from the Albany area. Reigle said the Elks Riders plan to keep up the ride for years to come.
The Who Dats including lead singer Lonnie Froman, performed for the crowd at the Elks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2018 at 4:44 pm
Road work on Route 31 shifts start and finish to downtown Albion
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of the Rochester team check out the Metro 10 cup and go to get their victory glass after Rochester defeated Buffalo in today’s Metro 10 competition, which pits runners from the two communities. This year’s race also included a cycling component for the first time.
Rochester won 8 of the 10 categories to win the Metro 10 cup for the fourth straight year. The fourth annual event had more than 300 participants.
McKenzie Trotter of Barker is on the last leg of the 10-mile race on East Bank Street when her daughter, Tessa Seward, ran to see her.
The mother and daughter finished the race together.
The 177 runners who completed the 10-mile course are lined up on Main Street at about 8 a.m. today for the start of the Metro 10 race, which had runners pick a team – Rochester or Buffalo.
The course shifted from starting and ending by Bullard Park due to road construction on Route 31. The race instead started and ended in downtown Albion.
An additional 104 runners completed a 5-mile course. There were also walkers on the 5-mile course and for the first time the event included a 10-mile bike ride.
The Metro 10 uses a point system that includes overall average time for each metro in the 5 and 10 mile races, top male and women finishers in the 5- and 10-mile races, 5 mile walk winner and 5 mile average time for each metro.
Each person who completes either the 5 or 10 mile race gets a medal.
Brennan Root, 22, of Rush won the 10-miler in 56:31, a 5:39 pace per mile while Kristin Fitzsimmons, 31, of Penfield was the first woman to finish at 1:11:40, a 7:10 pace.
Corey Brown, 30, of Tonawanda won the 5 mile in 29:51, a 5:58 pace, while Kristina Martin, 26, of Holley was the first woman to finish in 32:56, a 6:35 pace.
Neil Weaver 24, of Pittsford receives a medal after finishing the 10-mile run in 1:34:46. Ed Spence, a volunteer with the Warrior House of WNY, presents the medal. The race proceeds go to the Warrior House in Shelby, which offers a hunting retreat to wounded veterans and children of veterans.
Before the run at 8 a.m., about 40 cyclists take off just after 7 in the morning for the first ever 10-mile bike race.
Jeff Casillo, left, and Erin Smith of Albion spearheaded the biking event. Casillo was the first overall finisher with Smith coming in third. They are pictured just before the start of the race.
Thom Jennings, the race director at left, congratulates Albion Mayor Eileen Banker, who completed the 10-mile bike ride. She is joined by Albion village trustees Gary Katsanis, back left, and Stan Farone, who also did the bike race.
Ed Spence of the Warrior House said the organization is there to support veterans and their families.
Danielle Conrad of Carlton is presented her medal after running 10 miles.
Jim Salmon, host of the Home Repair Clinic on WHAM, joined Thom Jennings in announcing age group awards after the race.
