‘Have Fun, Return When Done’

Provided photos

ALBION – A new “Sled Library” is now available at Bullard Park where people can borrow a sled to go down the big hill. There is a rack to hold the sleds when people are done.

Susan Oschmann presented the idea to the Albion Village Board about a year ago after Erin Smith of Albion saw a Facebook post about one in Buffalo.

The rack was made by the Albion DPW with the Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub providing the signage. The Albion Recreation Department also supported the effort. The first sleds have been donated by Brad London, Mike Schuck and Dan DeCarlo.

The sign urges people to “Have Fun, Return When Done.”

Susan Oschmann is happy with the new sled library. She said the sleds should allow more kids and families to enjoy sledding on the hill this winter.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group of Christmas carolers sang from the Orleans County Courthouse lawn in Albion on Monday evening. Karen Conn, an Albion music teacher and owner of a real estate business, has been leading the carolers.

They first met on Dec. 6 in Meadowbrook Drive and went down South Main Street. Last Tuesday on Dec. 12, they sang at Hazard Parkway, South Clinton Street and other busy corners in the village.

They will have one more caroling outing before Christmas. They welcome singers on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Hospice of Orleans in Albion.

The caroling is part of an effort to “Bring Christmas Back to Albion.” Many local residents and businesses have decorated about 40 street poles on Main Street and in the downtown. There also are a dozen Christmas trees lighted up on the Courthouse lawn by the group.

Lori Laine, one of the group’s leaders, said they are planning more activities next year.

Provided photo: These cookie bakers are shown from left: Caitlyn Elliott, Tabitha Howes and Debbie Thies.

The “Bring Christmas Back to Albion” group also had a holiday bakeoff on Saturday at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen. The event was organized by Karen Conn and Faith Smith.

There were six contestants in the contest. Tabitha Howes won first place and $100 for her red velvet chocolate chip cookies.

Each baker had one hour to make, bake and plate their creations. The judges included Sarah Brigham and her husband Tim from SnL Sweet Escapes, Brian and Dawn Ettinger from Country Punkin’ Bakery and Lori Laine, organizer of Bring Christmas Back to Albion.

The following people participated: Debbie Thies with a peppermint sugar cookie, Madelyn Elliot with a honeybun cookie, Caitlyn Elliott with a chocolate peanut butter snickerdoodle cookie, Kim Martillotta Muscarella with Meltaway drops, Josey Conn with a chocolate toffee chunk cookie, and Tabitha Howes with a red velvet chocolate chip cookie.

The bakers were judged on taste and presentation. The contestants donated $80 with entry fees to the OK Kitchen. Conn said the group wants to make the bakeoff a yearly tradition.

Group also gives to Boots on the Group which sends care packages to vets

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jeff Brien, commander of the Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1271, accepts a check from Roger Ettinger with the Sons of the American Legion for Toys for Tots, while Legion commander Brad Rouse presents a check to Ray Ettinger for Toys for Tots.

ALBION – Christmas came early to several veterans’ groups in Albion on Friday, with the donation of checks from the Sheret American Legion Post 35, Sheret Post Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

The first presentation was checks for $500 each from the Post and Auxiliary to the Veterans’ Van Service. Dave Kusmierczak of Medina, president of the Orleans County Joint Veterans’ Council, which runs the van service, accepted the check toward purchase of a new van.

“We have two vans that need replacing, and this donation is much appreciated,” Kusmierczak said.

In presenting the check, Post Commander Brad Rouse said, “The Orleans County Joint Veterans Council has a great service they provide to our veterans throughout Orleans County by providing transportation to and from medical appointments to Buffalo, Rochester and Canandaigua.”

Jeff Brien, commander of the Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1271, accepts a check from Pam Taylor, president of the Sheret Post Auxiliary, for the Marines’ Toys for Tots project. At rear is Post commander Brad Rouse and Auxiliary members Wendy Hinkley, Carolyn Gibson and Shirley Smith, and Ray Madigan, treasurer of the Marine Corps League.

Next was a check for $500 from the Post to the Auxiliary to support their project of sending care packages to veterans serving overseas.

“The American Legion Sheret Post 35 is proud to partner with the Auxiliary in support of their two-year commitment to sending care packages to our troops with Boots on the Ground,” Rouse said. “These troops are still in small numbers in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait.”

This is the second year the Auxiliary has sent care packages to Boots on the Ground, but the first year the Post has assisted them.

“Under my leadership as commander, I am committed to unifying all groups in our post,” Rouse said. “We have become stronger as a group and I commit to continuing to strengthen our relationship and the support one another.”

Members of the Sheret American Legion Post 35 in Albion presented a check for $1,000 on Friday to Dave Kusmierczak, president of the Orleans Veterans Council, toward the purchase of a new van. From left are Shirley Smith, 25-year member of the Sheret American Legion Auxiliary; Brad Rouse, commander of the post; Kusmierczak; Pam Taylor, Auxiliary president; Wendy Hinkley, Auxiliary vice president; and Carolyn Gibson, Auxiliary secretary.

A third donation came from the Auxiliary to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots.

Auxiliary president Pam Taylor gave a check for $100 to Jeff Brien, commander of the Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1271.

“Upholding the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary, ‘For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth and promote patriotism good citizenship, peace and security,’” Taylor said. “The American Legion Auxiliary is proud to present this check for $100 as a donation for a great cause.”

The final donation was a check for $150, which Rouse presented on behalf of the Post to Ray Madigan, treasurer of the Marine Corps League Detachment, for Toys for Tots. An additional $25 was acknowledged from Joe Gehl of Albion.

The Marines stated the donations will be held and used for Christmas gifts for children of Marines next year.

The Post and Auxiliary said they are constantly trying to raise money through raffles and drawings to support causes such as these in the community. The Auxiliary also holds an annual golf tournament, which although small, Taylor said helps fund their causes.

Brad Rouse, left, commander of the Sheret American Legion Post, presents a check to the Auxiliary to support their Boots on the Ground project for those serving in countries, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. From the Auxiliary, at left, are president Pam Taylor, vice president Wendy Hinkley, secretary Carolyn Gibson and 25-year member Shirley Smith.

Provided photos

ALBION – Dr. Satya “Kash” Sahukar, left, is shown with his wife Mary Janet on Tuesday evening when he was honored for 50 years of service as a member of the Albion Lions Club.

Sahukar is retired after working 44 years as a pediatrician in the Albion community.

His wife has also been a long-time member of the Lions Club, which celebrated its holiday party on Tuesday at the Tavern on the Ridge, the former Village Inn which isn’t yet open to general public.

Dr. Sahukar is shown with his grandson Ben Lennox, who is also a member of the Lions Club.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Susan Oschmann accepts a “Community Service Award” from Albion mayor Angel Javier Jr. It was presented during Wednesday’s Village Board meeting.

ALBION – Susan Oschmann made it a mission two years ago to get new basketball courts at Bullard Park.

Oschmann rallied the community, including basketball legend Roosevelt Bouie, in getting two new courts complete. They opened on Oct. 26.

The Albion Village Board on Wednesday presented its first “Community Service Award” to Oschmann in appreciation for her efforts leading the charge for the new courts.

“The Village of Albion presents this award in acknowledgement of your commitment to serving others and your community,” states the award which is signed by Mayor Angel Javier and Tracy VanSkiver, the village clerk/treasurer.

The previous court was back further in the park and the surface wasn’t level with asphalt heaving in sports. The hoops were missing nets and were seldom used.

Oschmann pushed for the project not long after moving to Albion from Kendall. She wanted kids, including her grandchildren, to have a place to shoot basketballs with friends.

She has been friends with Bouie since they were kids. Bouie was a big star at Syracuse University and he helped secure $40,000 in funding from the James and Juli Boeheim Foundation.

The village and Bounce for Bullard so far have raised $98,000 for the project with another $10,000 in in-kind services.

Judge Sanford Church donated money to pay for two of the basketball hoops. The Albion United Methodist Church donated $45,000 towards the project. The Wendel engineering firm did designs and renderings for the basketball courts that helped Albion pursue grant funding. The Orleans County United Way also helped pursue grants and set up a non-profit organization to advance projects at Bullard.

Oschmann said there is still more to do – about $50,000 is needed for more fencing as well as benches for spectators in a shaded area and working outdoor lights.

Two donors have offered to pay for two of the benches, Oschmann told the board on Wednesday. Those donors would like a memorial plaque to be on the stainless steel benches.

Oschmann also was a key organizer for “Santa’s Hometown Parade” this past Saturday in Albion.

Albion boys and girls basketball players play on the new courts at Bullard Park on Oct. 26, when the new paint was dry and the courts were made available for the first time to the community.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Dr. Lynn McGrath, a professor at the Eastman School of Music, performs a concert with her guitar on Saturday at Hoag Library. That concluded the first Hoag Music Series, which started in July and at least once a month featured musicians who hadn’t performed in Orleans County before.

Jim Doyle, an adult reference librarian at Hoag, worked out many of the details to bring in the performers who played the fingerstyle guitar, harp, African dance and drumming, Chinese Zither, “Pipa” and other instruments that don’t typically get highlighted in Orleans County.

The concerts have been free to the public with support from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council and Friends of Hoag Library.

About 50 people attended Saturday’s concert with Lynn McGrath.

The series will take a break and be back in March. Doyle is waiting to hear from GO Art! about funding for 2024.

Doyle said he is pleased by the turnout for the series in the first year.

“It’s about elevating the community and bringing in different music,” he said.

Many of the performers in the Hoag Music Series are graduates of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, which Doyle said is a world-level conservatory drawing top students from around the globe.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ava Jurs was a dancing Grinch in a float promoting The Parlour in Albion. It was one of many floats and enthusiastic parade participants on Saturday during “Santa’s Hometown Parade.”

Albion hosted a lighted parade for the third year on Saturday. This time the route was officially closed to non-parade traffic and there were judges, with a big after-party at Dubby’s Tailgate. There were many people along the route from East Avenue to Main Street, then on East Bank Street to Platt Street, ending at Dubby’s.

It was unseasonably warm for the parade with temperatures near 60 degrees.

Sheryl Watts (left), owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, created two gnomes out of balloons. She was joined in the parade by Roger Ragan.

Aubrey Gannon carries the American flag to lead off the parade. She was followed by Girl Scouts who created a Polar Express float.

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd. They are in a boat on a trailer. It was a float by Susie’s Boat-tique.

Susie’s owner Susan Oschmann organized the parade.

“I loved the turnout,” she said today. “It more than doubled in size from last year in parade entries and onlookers.”

She said she is grateful for help from Michael Bonafede, Judith Koehler and others who helped make the event a success, including judges Matt Holland, Tim Archer and Susan Howard with Joe Martillotta the emcee. The event was part of a big day with many activities by the Albion Merchants Association.

The winning entries in the parade included Wild Flour Deli and Bakery in first place. This photo shows Wild Flour owner Beth Miller walking by the float that created a baking scene. There was a baking fight in front of the judges with some dough being tossed around.

This youngster works hard on a creation as part of the Wild Flour float.

Eye of Oden K9 Training was awarded second place for its “Blue Christmas” themed entry.

Bloom’s Flower Shop won third place. The businesses also announced it would be moving to East Bank Street.

This vendor sold lighted toys for the parade.

The 3D Trio from the Who Dats performed some Christmas classics. The group includes Lonnie Froman, John Borello and Todd Graham.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is serving 2,000 chicken barbecue dinners today for free from the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street in Albion.

Christina Ruffin, left, and John Hollenbeck are in the kitchen putting the chicken and macaroni salad in the take-out containers.

This is the third year the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries has made a big effort serving the chicken barbecues on Albion’s “Hometown Holiday.” Two years ago there were 1,000 dinners served for free. Last year and today the goal is 2,000.

Pastor Al Wilson, right, welcomes people to get a chicken dinner. He thanked the volunteers from the church, the Masonic Lodge and Job Corps students for serving the meals.

“What a blessing,” Wilson said. “We have everything we need.”

Lisa DeCarlo, center, and other volunteers kept up a frantic pace serving the dinners which are available until they are all gone.

25 organizations will share in the bounty

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion FFA program delivered 37,000 pounds of produce and food to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee this morning. Mickey Edwards (center), the district superintendent, helps out unloading the trucks and trailers. He is carrying a box of ham donated by the Orleans County Farm Bureau. Adele Mathes, an FFA member in the middle school, also helped unload the truck and trailer.

FFA member Abby Ferris holds a thank you sign in appreciation for the local farms and ag businesses that donated.

The donors include Haylett Farm Enterprises, Stymus Farms, Lynn-Ette and Sons, Panek’s, Orleans County Farm Bureau, Kreher’s, Torrey Farms, Brightly’s, Kludt Brothers, Rush’s, Lake Ontario Fruit, Orchard Dale Fruit, Root Brothers, Martin Farms, My-T Acres, Poverty Hill farms, Nesbitt’s, Triple G and Starowitz Farms.

Lyla Neal carries a box of ham that will be stored in a cooler and given out in holiday food baskets.

The FFA started the food drive in 2010 with 3,000 pounds in the first effort. The food drive record is 53,000 pounds in 2020.

Josh Zayac uses a pallet jack to move the produce with some assistance from Rick Standish, the facilities manager for Community Action.

Katrina Chaffee, left, is director of community services and reporting for Community Action and Jeanette Worsley is a case manager.

They said the food drive from the FFA is a big help not only for Community Action but 25 other food pantries and organizations in the area.

Community Action will use some of the produce and items from the FFA for food baskets. Community Action is collecting food baskets and toys for 60 households and 136 children just in Albion this Christmas.

Scott Oldenburg, left, is the Albion FFA advisor. Kaitlynn Basinait, second from left, is the FFA president.

Kaitlynn, a sophomore, said the FFA looks forward to the food drive every year.

“It helps the community out,” she said.

She and other FFA members called the farms and businesses to see if they would donate, and then checked in again to help schedule a drop off at the school or arrange for the food to be picked up.

Kaitlynn said the farms are very gracious in setting aside for the annual collection.

FFA member Oliver Beach helps unload heavy bags of cabbage from a tractor trailer truck.

Site includes 9 Christmas trees on tour of mansion

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Maison Albion is decorated for the holidays, including nine Christmas trees set up in the historic mansion at 13800 W County House Rd.

The site is hosting a holiday market this weekend with 25 vendors from Western New York, specializing in baked goods, flowers, handmade goods and antiques.

Cindy Eibl from the Corner Gift Boutique made three trips to Maison Albion, bringing vintage, hand-crafted and new products for this weekend’s show. She is shown setting up today with help from Jeff Witkop in the ballroom.

Eibl is usually based at the Arnold Gregory Memorial Office Complex in Albion. She has done previous winter and spring market shows at Maison, which she said brings customers from all over WNY.

Jaclyn Eichas, venue manager for Maison and a partner with Mixologie, is shown with one of the nine Christmas trees decorated on a tour of the mansion. Those tickets are $15 each and includes beverages and refreshments served by Mixologie as well as access to the vendors.

The market is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Karyn Papponetti of Barre and Steve Marciszewski of Elba set up for the show this weekend in the patio. Papponetti has wood décor, signs and many Christmas-themed items. Marciszewski is a woodworker with cutting boards, bread knives, T light holders and some Christmas themed creations, including reindeer.

Papponetti’s daughter Jenna also will have artwork for sale, and copies of her children’s book, “The Little Bird Who Wanted to Fly.”

Maureen Bennett of Albion sets up for the market. She sells upcycled or refurbished items. She usually is based out of the Modern Mercantile in Medina and Red Check in Albion.