Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Judy Manley, right, shows Cheryl Mowatt some of the Depression glass for sale at the Hoag Library. The sale continues until 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Depression glass was distributed by many food manufacturers during the Great Depression. The glass was included in boxes of food as an incentive for purchase. It has become a popular collectible.

Library patrons look over some of the Depression glass for sale at the Hoag Library. July Manley, Bill Lattin, and René Schasel discussed the history of Depression glass on Thursday at the library. The Friends of the Library is selling more than 100 pieces of the glass that were donated to the Friends to raise money for the library.

Wayne Burlison, 36, dies from colon cancer

Photo courtesy of Howard Owens/The Batavian – Wayne Burlison directs the Batavia Concert Band in this photo from June 23, 2011. Besides teaching Albion students, Burlison was involved in many community musical groups.

ALBION – An elementary band teacher who inspired the community with his courage while fighting colon cancer died on Wednesday night. Wayne Burlison was 36.

His death has saddened the school district and his many friends in the community. In addition to teaching Albion students, Burlison played with several groups, including the Batavia Concert Band, The Hit Men and the Mark Time Marchers in Kendall.

Burlison was also a leader of the Albion Running Club and led a Run for God program that prepared people to run a 5-kilometer race. He played in the praise band at the Albion Free Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Lisa and their son Adam, 7. Mrs. Burlison is a second grade teacher at Albion.

“Mr. Burlison has served since 2002 as a much loved member of our music staff, teaching most recently in the elementary school and working with the high school jazz and district marching bands. He will be greatly missed,” District Superintendent Michael Bonnewell and Elementary Principal Rachel Curtin wrote in a letter to parents.

Grief counselors and psychologists have been at the school today and will meet with students in the elementary band on Friday.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Burlison plays with a band last year during a banquet for the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans.

Bonnewell talked with Burlison several times since his diagnosis in December. Burlison shared he was concerned about his students with their emotional well-being and instruction when he was so sick.

“It speaks highly of him as an educator and as a person that in the midst of his illness he was so worried about his students,” Bonnewell said. “I told the staff today that it is our turn to look after his kids.”

Burlison will be honored during the high school musical on Friday and Saturday. He played in the pit orchestra for many years, playing the saxophone, trumpet or euphonium. The orchestra will leave Burlison’s seat open for the shows, with a blue cloth to symbolize colon cancer.

Students, including the performers on stage, will wear blue ribbons on their wrists. When marching band season starts, band director Michael Thaine said the uniforms will include stickers that say “Mr. B.”

“It’s a very sad day for us,” Thaine said. “There has most definitely been a lot of tears from the kids.”

‘He was very good at relating to the elementary students. He was very caring and nurturing, which you need at that level.’ – Mike Thaine, Albion High School band director

Burlison worked with students at all three school buildings. He taught the elementary levels and helped those students get a solid start, which was important for them to succeed in band at the middle and high school levels, Thaine said.

“The elementary band teacher is the most critical of the three band positions,” Thaine said. “Everything builds off the early foundation.”

Burlison won over students with a “quirky” sense of humor, Thaine said. Their teacher wasn’t a pushover. He insisted on practice and had a way with honing their enthusiasm.

“He was very good at relating to the elementary kids,” Thaine said. “He was very caring and nurturing, which you need at that level.”

Photo from Burlison’s Facebook page – Wayne Burlison started running in 2008 and completed a marathon and several half marathons

The district the past seven years has been recognized by the North American Music Merchants as a “Best Communities for Music Education.” Burlison had a big role in promoting music in the schools, and encouraging students to pursue excellence, Thaine said.

“The high school music teachers get a lot of the credit but it’s really those elementary teachers that are a critical part of the program,” Thaine said.

Burlison was the assistant marching band director and assistant jazz band leader.

“He was my right hand man,” Thaine said. “I didn’t look at him as the assistant director. We were the co-directors.”

Burlison inspired many in the community to exercise and eat better foods after he lost nearly 150 pounds in 2008. Burlison was about 300 pounds before he started losing weight through the Wii Fit game.

He ran early in the mornings and became a long-distance runner, completing a 26.2-mile marathon and several half marathons.

Two years ago he and two friends from church, Brian Krieger and Jack Burris, organized a 12-week running program that would culminate with the 5k at the Strawberry Festival in June.

Burlison wasn’t sure what to expect, if people would give running a try. Forty would complete the first race through the Run for God program, with Burlison one of their biggest cheerleaders.

Last year he motivated many of the runners while he rode along on a bike. The Run for God group grew to 80 a year ago. Burlison asked his friends to keep up the program and it debuted on Sunday, with about 30 people running in 20-degree weather.

“He acted with grace and calmness and assurance,” said Burris. “That was how he carried himself. There wasn’t an ounce of pretension to him.”

Provided photo – Wayne Burlison, back row fourth from left, helped start a running revolution in Albion. This Run for God group posed for a picture at the Strawberry Festival in Albion.

Burris visited Burlison often while he was home, fighting the disease since his diagnosis about three months ago. Burlison had a stack of cards from people in the community. He was surprised by the outpouring of well-wishers and the many prayers.

“He didn’t realize the impact he had on people,” Burris said.

Burlison left an imprint that will last for years and generations with his students and others in the community, Burris said.

“This story isn’t done,” he said. “It’s only just beginning.”

Jason Smith, the Lyndonville Central School superintendent, played in the Batavia Concert Band and Mark Time Marchers with Burlison. Smith, when he worked at Albion as an assistant principal, also was on the hiring committee that picked Burlison, who previously taught music at Kendall.

“Wayne was a talented and skilled musician, who often would advocate at his concerts of the great benefits and joys of listening to live music,” Smith said. “I recall one of his favorite pieces to play and conduct was ‘America The Beautiful.’ He will be sorely missed in our community bands, but thanks to his teaching and passion for music, his influence will last for years and years.”

The family will receive friends at the Albion Free Methodist Church (corner of Platt and State streets) Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at the Albion First Presbyterian Church (corner of Rt. 98 and E. State St.) on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Photos courtesy Sheriff’s Department – Cliff worked with law enforcement in drug detections, apprehensions and public relations.

ALBION – For nine years Cliff tracked down criminals, located illegal drugs and was a popular presence with children and the public.

Cliff was a German shepherd that worked with the Sheriff’s Department from 2002 until retiring in 2011. The dog had been declining in health in recent months and died on March 7.

“Other departments would comment on what a great dog he was,” said Lt. Chris Bourke, the dog’s permanent handler. “He was so good for drug detection, for public relations and for other searching. He enjoyed the whole game.”

The 15-year-old was acquired from Czechoslovakia in 2002 and assigned to Bourke.  Cliff was a criminal apprehension dog and his specialty was narcotic drug detection, said Sheriff Scott Hess.

Lt. Chris Bourke, the Sheriff’s Department’s canine handler, is pictured with Cliff.

The dog participated in hundreds of illegal narcotics investigations, executions of search warrants and arrests.  Cliff and Bourke provided assistance to numerous federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies throughout western New York and the Province of Ontario, Canada.

“He was a great representative for the department,” Bourke said this afternoon. “He was so stable and clear-headed.”

Following retirement, Cliff continued to reside with Bourke, who now works with a canine named Cim.

“She’s another dog with a great personality,” Bourke said. “We always want a dog that can represent the department.”

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Purple Eagle Marching Band and drum major Brooke Chandler perform in the rain on Main Street last June during the Strawberry Festival.

ALBION – Near the end of a district-wide concert tonight, Albion music teachers announced the district for the seventh straight year has won a national award for its program.

The North American Music Merchants named Albion a “Best Communities for Music Education.” The NAMM organization gives out the award to recognize districts that make music a priority, especially in an era of tight school budgets and packed student schedules.

The music program is strong in all Albion school buildings. The high school puts on a full-scale musical and students also perform in several different instrumental and choral groups. In all, high school musicians perform numerous times during the school year.

The middle school puts on a full-scale musical, and its students perform with the marching and jazz bands. Elementary music teachers lead students in performances throughout the year.

NAMM said its Best Communities designation “recognizes collaborative, from-the-ground-up efforts of teachers, administrators, students and parents who continually work to keep comprehensive music education as an integral part of the core curriculum.”

Josh Raymond plays the scarecrow in the high school’s musical production of “The Wiz,” which will be performed Friday and Saturday in the middle school auditorium.

Photos by Tom Rivers – The Albion Free Methodist Church kicked off its third spring Run for God program this afternoon, a 12-week program that concludes with the June 14 Strawberry Festival 5-kilometer race. The group started from the church at the corner of Platt and East State Street and went on the Erie Canal Towpath, covering about 2 miles, alternating between walking and running. Pictured, the runners include Jeff Joslyn, right, and his friend Greg Staines.

The group is selling T-shirts for $25 in honor of Wayne Burlison, who helped start the running program through the church. Burlison, an Albion elementary music teacher, is in the hospital battling colon cancer.

Matt Reamer, a Run for God veteran runner, is back training for another 5k with the group. Reamer ran a half marathon with some of the group members in the fall 2012.

ALBION – They trained for a marathon together and became good friends. Brian Krieger and Wayne Burlison wanted to share their sport and faith with the Albion community.

Two years ago they started a Run for God program, which over 12 weeks gets someone ready for a 5-kilometer race. Krieger and Burlison are both members of the Albion Free Methodist Church.

They weren’t sure how many people would participate in the program two years ago. Besides walking and running, the program includes devotionals, tips on avoiding injuries and stretching advice. The group also takes prayer requests. The program culminates at the Albion Strawberry Festival race the second Saturday in June.

That first year, about 40 people in the program ran the race. Krieger and Burlison finished the race and ran back to encourage other runners in the homestretch of the 3.1 mile journey.

Last year about 80 people joined the effort in Run for God, with participants ranging in age from 6 to 82. Burlison wasn’t quite feeling up for running during the 12 weeks, but he joined the group on the course, riding his bike and offering encouragement.

Burlison is now in the hospital, fighting colon cancer. He works as the elementary band teacher at Albion. He became a running promoter in the community after he lost more than 150 pounds in 2008 through exercise and better nutrition.

Today, the third Run for God kicked off and the participants were thinking of Burlison. This time Krieger has several people helping to run the program. One of Burlison’s friends, Bert Gallmon, had shirts designed that say, “Run for Wayne.” They are for sale for $25 and the proceeds go to the Burlison family. For more information on getting a shirt, contact Krieger by email at krieger44@verizon.net.

The church’s pastor, Randy LeBaron, also is running in the program this spring. He sees the camaraderie among the participants as one of the big draws. People can alternate running and walking at their own pace. Typically they form groups of similar-paced participants, and many get together for their two mid-week runs.

“This is a different kind of fellowship,” LeBaron said.

The church embraced the program in 2012 partly to support LeBaron, who had just lost his parents to illnesses. Eleven of the Run for God participants kept running after the Strawberry Festival race, and ran the Mighty Niagara half marathon in October 2012. LeBaron was one of the participants then.

“People want to live healthier and they enjoy the camaraderie,” he said.

LeBaron was thinking of Burlison often today, while about 30 people covered about 2 miles from the church to the Towpath and back. LeBaron was impressed with the turnout for the first day, given that it was only about 20 degrees out.

“This is something I can do to run with Wayne again,” LeBaron said.

The group meets at 2 p.m. every Sunday at the Free Methodist Church. Burris and Krieger welcomed everyone to come and try. They admitted it can be difficult at first, but it gets easier as the sessions go on and people build up their endurance.

Krieger shares a running tip and today he offered this quote from running guru George Sheehan: “Every one of us is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are training and some are not.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Now that the harsh winter is finally over, work has begun at a site that is targeted to be home for a new Dunkin’ Donuts in Albion. This photo was taken from Platt Street, looking west.

The Environmental Construction Group of Albion is first working on asbestos at the warehouse. Demolition should start next week and is expected to take two to three weeks, said Ron Vendetti, the village code enforcement officer.

When the site is clear, Dunkin’ can start work on a 2,000-square-foot store at 153 South Main St., between Tim Hortons and the railroad tracks. The new store would have 30 seats inside, 46 parking spaces, a 230-square-foot freezer next to the building, and a drive-through lane that could accommodate 10 vehicles.

The property will have exits on both Main and Platt streets. JFJ Holdings of North Andover, Mass., is the developer for the project.

Vendetti said the company has not yet applied for a building permit. He expects construction to start in April or May, with the store opening in late summer.

Photos by Tom Rivers

BROCKPORT – Sister Diana Dolce of Rochester, right, was the keynote speaker during Friday’s banquet for the Care Net Pregnancy and Family Center, which is based in Albion. She is greeted by State Sen. George Maziarz and his wife Beverly.

Maziarz in 2007 sponsored Dolce as “Woman of Distinction.” She was honored in the state capitol.

Dolce founded Hope Hall in the Town of Gates in 1994 to provide an opportunity for “at-risk” children to become successful lifelong learners. Serving grades 2 through 9, Hope Hall offers a non-threatening, creative atmosphere built on core values and beliefs, including integrity, respect and compassion. Dolce serves as the school’s principal.

Denise Burris of Albion, right, picks up a painting she won in an auction at the banquet. Care Net staff Joceyln Wilson, left, and Sharon Sugar handle the sales for the silent auction.

About 300 people attended the Care Net banquet at Brockport State College. The center is based in Albion in the former Lipton’s office at 111 West Ave., across from McDonalds. The center offers pregnancy testing, fetal development information, limited ultrasounds and testing for the sexually transmitted infections chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Photo by Tom Rivers – For 112 years, this building at the corner of Main and State streets was home to Swan Library. It was vacated in June 2012 when the library moved to the new Hoag Library.

ALBION – A mansion that has dominated a corner on Main Street could be put up for sale on the open market.

The former Swan Library building at the corner of North Main and West State streets has been vacant for nearly two years. It has cost the Swan Library Association about $25,000 a year for minimal utilities, insurance, service contracts for the elevator and fire alarm, maintenance and grounds upkeep.

“We really need to get that monkey off of our backs,” Kevin Doherty, president of the library’s board of trustees, said at Wednesday’s board meeting.

The library board was open to selling the 6,000-square-foot site for a small amount if it was used for a public purpose such as a museum. County officials had talked about the site becoming a museum and an office for the county historian. But that initiative has failed to come to fruition.

“It never reached the point where a determination could be made,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard. “It was too loosely organized.”

John Sawyer, the CEO and co-owner of Western New York Energy, was pushing for the museum and offered to help finance it. He died from leukemia at age 72 in October. The Orleans County Historical Association also endorsed the project.

Doherty wants to check with the groups interested in the museum to see if there has been behind-the-scenes work toward that goal.

“We really need to think about a back-up plan,” he said.

The library will reach out to real estate companies, and may list the property on web sites for historic homes. Swan is located in a historic district that is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

If none of those efforts lead to a sale, board member Linda Smith said the library board may be forced to have an auction to dispose of the property.

The building was constructed in 1851. It was donated by the Swan family as a public library, which opened in 1900. The site became too cramped for a modern library and patrons complained there were only a few parking spaces. It is air-conditioned and has an elevator.

In July 2012, the new Hoag Library opened with 14,600 square feet and about 60 parking spaces. Circulation has jumped from about 80,000 annually at the Swan site to 120,000 last year at the Hoag.

Matt Davis owns car dealership in Albion

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today welcomed a new member – Matt Davis.

At 34, he is the youngest member in the club. Last April he bought the former Daniels car dealership and renamed it Don Davis Chevrolet Buick GMC. He named the dealership in honor of his grandfather. Davis also owns a dealership in Great Valley.

Davis receives his Rotary pin today from Brad Shelp, who works for Davis. Shelp has perfect weekly attendance at the Albion Rotary Club going back 57 years.

Marlee Diehl, an assistant district governor, led the induction at the Village Inn.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Library user Donna Wolcott said the board of trustees treated former director Susan Rudnicky poorly when she was dismissed last week during regular business hours. “We wouldn’t have this library without Susan,” Wolcott said about Rudnicky.

ALBION – Supporters of Susan Rudnicky, the library director in Albion for 15 years, spoke out in her defense at tonight’s meeting of the Swan Library Association board of directors. That board on March 11 voted to dismiss Rudnicky.

One of the trustees, Mary Anne Braunbach, resigned tonight over the way Rudnicky was let go. “It could have been less public, less humiliating, and could have avoided the discomfort for all who observed,” Braunbach said while submitting her resignation.

Braunbach didn’t attend the March 11 board meeting because she is president of Friends of the Library. Rudnicky was escorted out of the library at 6:15 p.m. last Tuesday. She was walked past the group of Friends and other patrons.

“What bothers me is the way you did it,” said Donna Wolcott, a library patron. “It was very insensitive. I’m just appalled.”

The walking out of the building fed rumors in the community that Rudnicky must have done something very wrong, Wolcott said.

Rudnicky did not do anything illegal nor was there any malfeasance, said Kevin Doherty, the board president. But she didn’t follow directives from the board, an issue that had been ongoing for years, he said.

Mary Anne Braunbach, a trustee for the Swan Library Association board of directors, announces her resignation from the board tonight due to way the board dismissed library director Susan Rudnicky last week. Other board members in the photo include Dele Theodorakos, center, and Linda Smith.

Wolcott said Rudnicky was always professional with the public, and she was committed to community causes, serving as president of the Cobblestone Society Museum and a member of the Rotary Club. She also wrote grants that netted $800,000 for the construction of the new Hoag Library, which opened in July 2012.

“We wouldn’t have this library without Susan,” Wolcott said.

Another library user Judy Manley, a member of the Friends, also spoke in support of Rudnicky. Rudnicky’s long-time assistant Susie Gaylard said the board should have celebrated Rudnicky, and her tireless work to get the new library built. The board should have let Rudnicky retire. She turns 62 later this year, Gaylard said.

“I was at the Friends meeting and it was very unfriendly,” Gaylard said. “She wasn’t shown the respect she was due.”

Doherty said the timing of the dismissal wasn’t intended to fall during the Friends meeting. The Friends usually meet at 7 p.m. on a Wednesday but the time was moved to 6 p.m. on a Tuesday.

Ken Braunbach, a library supporter who is married to Mary Anne, challenged Doherty and the board to let the community know that Rudnicky didn’t do anything illegal.

“You have to get that stigma off her,” Braunbach said. “It’s unfair to Susan.”

London

ALBION – The village’s new elected mayor is no stranger to the Village Hall, and the village departments and employees.

For 21 years Dean London worked in the Albion Police Department, retiring as chief about two years ago. The Republican was cross-endorsed by Democrats for Tuesday’s election. He was unopposed on Tuesday and received 233 votes.

London takes office on April 1. He said there won’t be a big shake-up in the village government, including people who serve on committees. He will make those appointments in early April, and will assign the four trustees to departments and committees, trying to match their strengths with the opportunities to serve.

“We’re going to take some time to assess,” London said Tuesday night.

He wants to see the replacement of the Clarendon Street bridge move forward, as well as continued upgrades to the water and sewer plant.

The village should look at forming a local development corporation that could own some derelict properties in the village and then either sell them to the highest bidder or find a partner for redeveloping the land. London sees two deteriorated houses on Liberty Street near the new library as good candidates for the LDC, which would then work to find a buyer to have the land redeveloped.

London said the village faces many challenges, namely a shrinking tax base and many demands for services and infrastructure upgrades.

He said the trustees elected on Tuesday bring strengths to the board. Eileen Banker has been on the board for more than four years. She works as Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s chief of staff.

“She brings experience and a history,” London said.

Banker said she was disappointed by the low turnout for the election. Village elections typically draw 800 to 1,000 voters. Albion needs more community involvement, Banker said.

Banker led the trustee candidates with 170 votes. Stan Farone received 147 for the other four-year position and Gary Katsanis received 148 votes for a two-year position. The Republicans defeated a Democratic Party team that included Terry Wilbert, Patricia Cammarata and Sandra Walter.

Farone made his first run for elected office. A Kodak employee for 33 years, he is a long-time member of the Albion Fire Department, serving as a past president. He was a co-founder of the Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance about four decades ago and remains on the group’s board of directors.

Farone wants to see improvements to Bullard Park, and a plan for reusing vacant sites and cleaning up run-down houses in the village. The Village Board also needs to work with the towns of Albion and Gaines to promote tourism and economic development in the community, Farone said.

Katsanis worked in medical data analysis for Strong and then Blue Cross. He managed a staff that stretched from Buffalo to Utica. He praised the outgoing board led by Mayor Dean Theodorakos for working hard on the budget.

That spending plan needs to be approved by April 30. The current board didn’t leave all of the work on the budget for the new team that starts April 1.

London said the board will have the benefit of experienced trustees – Banker and Pete Sidari – plus some new members.

“Gary Katsanis and Stan Farone bring a new perspective,” London said.

ALBION – Dean London has been elected mayor in the Village of Albion with 233 votes. He had both the Republican and Democratic Party endorsements.

London’s fellow Republicans also secured three trustee positions. Eileen Banker received 170 votes and Stan Farone had 147. Both will serve four-year terms as trustee. They were up against Democratic candidates Terry Wilbert and Patricia Cammarata. Wilbert received 93 votes; Cammarata had 87.

Gary Katsanis was elected for a two-year term as trustee with 148 votes. He beat out the Democrat Sandra Walter, who received 94 votes.

Photos by Sue Cook – The marketplace of Dictionopolis, the land of words, is populated by word vendors, the Spelling Bee (Jules Hoepting), and King Azaz’s advisors.

Front row from left: The Terrible Trivium (Samantha Hollenbeck), the Princess of Reason (Hailey Bader), Milo (Riley Seielstad), the Princess of Rhyme (Analys Torres), and a Dictionopolis Vendor pose with other cast members.

By Sue Cook, staff reporter

ALBION – A cast and crew of nearly 80 Albion Middle School students are performing the musical “The Phantom Tollbooth,” which is based on the book of the same name by author Norton Juster.

Director Carrie Kozody explained that the school provides the Drama Club with a budget to purchase the rights to the play or musical of their choice. After that, ticket sales from each show help to fund the costumes and other items needed for the performance.

When asked how a play or musical is chosen, she responded, “I look at it and decide is it entertaining, what is the music, and would the team enjoy producing it?”

The Humbug (Emma Tower) attempts to dissuade Milo from rescuing the princesses, assuring him that the journey is just too difficult and a waste of time. The Spelling Bee (Jules Hoepting) stands by and watches as the Humbug explains the hardships of the trip.

“The Phantom Tollbooth” is the story of a very bored and uninterested boy named Milo (Riley Seielstad). One day a mysterious tollbooth appears in his bedroom with a little car. He drives the car past the tollbooth and instantly finds himself in a magical, imaginative world where he learns many valuable lessons.

On his adventures he meets many fascinating characters including Tock the Watchdog (Matilda Erakare) who accompanies him throughout the Kingdom of Wisdom. He brings peace to the lands of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis after returning the princesses of Rhyme (Analys Torres) and Reason (Hailey Bader) to the kingdom. Returning home, Milo finds that if he just uses a little thought and imagination, suddenly the real world around him is an incredible, interesting place.

Kozody said that the production is made of 44 cast members and 32 crew members. All of them are students from the middle school ranging from grades 6 to 8. Her Assistant Director is Kevin Feder. Both are teachers at the middle school.

The Whether Man (Molly Wadhams) greets Milo as he enters the Kingdom of Wisdom and performs a number explaining that the state of the weather is not her purpose.

Auditions for the show began in December. The students began practicing for the show in January immediately after returning from their winter break. The students were supposed to have a full dress rehearsal on Wednesday for an empty auditorium, but the blizzard canceled school forcing the first live-audience performance to be done in front of fellow students.

During the December audtions, Riley Seielstad was cast as Milo. When asked why she auditioned, Seielstad said, “I did a past show. It was a lot of fun to be with all my friends and a good experience.”

Seielstad was excited to be Milo. In the schools previous show of “Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass,” the story of Alice in Wonderland, Seielstad played Tweedle Dee. She will have family attending all three of the performances to cheer her on, as will most of the students.

Milo, Tock (Matilda Erakare), King Mathemagician (Dalton Wilkins), and several miners perform “Hail Digitopolis” in the number mines of the land of numbers.

For the audition process, all of the students sang “Jingle Bells” for Kozody and also chose a segment from the play to read lines of various characters. Seielstad explained that because it is the first time they are performing the lines, they may either memorize them or read them off the paper verbatim.

“I chose Riley for Milo,” explained Kozody, “because she has a clear and distinct singing voice.” Kozody explained that Seielstad had a very good audition and just also happened to be a passable boy in the clothing chosen for Milo.

Alongside Milo is the faithful companion Tock the Watchdog, the other main lead role. Matilda Erakare was very excited to become the character.

When asked why she chose to audition, Erakare explained, “I come from a musical family. It just kind of runs through my family.” She also admitted that she is somewhat shy, especially about singing in front of people. “But once I get going…” she said with a huge smile.

Director Kozody applies makeup for Erakare before the show ensuring that any skin showing from her dog hood is covered.

“Matilda has grown in acting skills,” Kozody said. “She was the Red Queen in Alice. She has strong singing skills and acting skills.”

Because the audition process does not allow students to pursue specific roles, Kozody allows the students to suggest what role they would like to play, and then takes the nature of their audition into consideration when selecting the cast. Kozody estimates that approximately 75 students auditioned and roughly 30 to 40 more signed up to try and get a role on the crew.

The students all performed beautifully and showed very strong talent. It would be no surprise if many of them were to continue performing into high school, college or even beyond that. The cast includes many strong singers and dancers, as well as a great aptitude for acting.

The students take a last bow on stage at the end of the show.

The students will perform again on Saturday at noon and at 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. The school is located at 324 East Ave. in Albion. The doors open a half-hour before each show.