Anderson was captive for 2,545 days before his release on Dec. 4, 1991

Photo by Tom Rivers: This historical marker in Albion is on main Street by the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church and notes Terry Anderson, a journalist from Albion, was held hostage for almost seven years.

Terry Anderson, one of the most famous people from Albion, died today at age 76.

Anderson spent several years of his childhood in Albion before moving to Batavia and graduating from high school there in 1965.

Terry Anderson is on the cover of Time magazine on Dec. 16, 1991 after being released after nearly seven years as a hostage. Part of his glasses are missing.

He worked as a newspaper reporter for the Associated Press and was the AP’s bureau chief in Lebanon when he was taken hostage by Islamic militants on March 16, 1985. His sister Peggy Say fought for his freedom, meeting with the Pope, Mother Teresa and President Ronald Reagan. Say died in 2015.

Many prayer vigils were held in Western New York, and his status as one of the longest-held American hostages was frequently in the news in Western New York and nationally. He finally gained his release on Dec. 4, 1991, and met his daughter Sulome for the first time. She was 6 ½ when she finally could hug her father in person.

Anderson chronicled the ordeal of being kept captive in a book, “Den of Lions.” Anderson died at his home in Greenwood Lake in Orange County, NY, his daughter Sulome Anderson told the AP.

Anderson made an appearance in Albion in the late 1990s in the fundraiser for Community Action, a rare local event for him.

“Though my father’s life was marked by extreme suffering during his time as a hostage in captivity, he found a quiet, comfortable peace in recent years. I know he would choose to be remembered not by his very worst experience, but through his humanitarian work with the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, homeless veterans and many other incredible causes,” Sulome Anderson said in a statement.

After his release and return to the United States, Anderson taught journalism at prominent universities, ran for Congress, operated a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch and gourmet restaurant, the AP reported today.

The Orleans County Department of History erected a historical marker for Anderson on Main Street in Albion near the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. The marker notes Anderson grew up in this neighborhood in the 1950s, and would later be taken hostage and held prisoner for 2,545 days.

Frances Pierce posted this comment on the Orleans Hub Facebook page: “Terry was actually born in Ohio. His family moved to Albion when Terry was still a child. His family lived in the upstairs of the big house that sits on the corner of Clarendon and East State Street, directly across from what was then Guido’s. Terry was a lot of fun and super smart. We hung around in the same group including Lynn Miller, Terry’s then best friend. His family moved to Batavia a year or so before graduation from High School. He was one of a kind, one that you never forget.”

Dorothy Boyer of Albion sent in this childhood memory of Terry Anderson: “When I knew Terry Anderson in the ’50s he lived where Bloom’s Flower Shop used to be on Main Street. As far as I know they had the whole house. We used to go over on a Friday night when his mom got home from Marti’s (Supper Club) and help her count all of her tips. It was so much fun as a child to do. We  used to play canasta together and yes, he was Lynn  Miller’s best friend. We had a bamboo fort behind his house with a lot of patches. It was always fun.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. CPJ defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

CPJ issued this statement:

“The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply saddened by the death of Terry Anderson, journalist and CPJ’s former vice chair and honorary chairman.”

Anderson, a former Associated Press journalist who was kidnapped and held hostage in Lebanon for six years, knew firsthand the threats that faced journalists seeking to report freely, and was an outspoken and dedicated advocate for press freedom.

“Terry was part of the CPJ family for over 25 years,” said Jacob Weisberg, CPJ chair. “He took that responsibility seriously – joining CPJ to advocate on behalf of journalists at risk around the world at the highest levels. Our thoughts are with his family and especially with his daughter Sulome, herself a journalist.”

In 1998, Anderson was part of a CPJ delegation that met with then Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz to press for an end to the jailing of journalists in the country. A year later, he and CPJ colleagues traveled to Yemen to ask Prime Minister Abdel Karim al-Iryani to halt the arrests and harassment of editors and reporters there.

“Terry Anderson’s public advocacy was instrumental in freeing journalists from jail and protecting them against the worst abuses,” said former CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon, who worked closely with Anderson during the years that Simon led CPJ. “But what distinguished Terry was his personal and often private interventions on behalf of journalists held hostage around the world. Terry counseled many families experiencing helplessness and trauma. His deep compassion helped them understand they were not alone and bolstered their spirits in the darkest times.”

Anderson accepted an Emmy in 2006 on behalf of CPJ for its work in defense of press freedom. His words then resonate more than ever today, with record numbers of journalists in jail, near record levels of killings and threats against journalists in all corners of the globe:

“CPJ began its work…and continues it today, not because we believe journalists deserve more protection than anyone else, but because we believe that journalists are the first to be attacked by those who wish to oppress, to deny the basic human rights and human dignity of all,” he said. “Journalists are on the front line, the first casualties in the constant fight to preserve freedom.”

Provided photo: Thom Jennings, left, and Jack Burris share their thoughts in a weekly podcast, “What to Do with Your Old Explicit Content.”

Two people who say they are unlikely friends, Thom Jennings and Jack Burris, have joined in a podcast where they share their wisdom and wit in touching on a range of topics, from saying goodbye to a beloved family dog to dissecting the intricacies of love and betrayal in romantic relationships.

Jennings and Burris team in a podcast they call “What to Do with Your Old Explicit Content.” It is available on Caronia Media Podcast Network.

Jennings, a former Albion resident who now lives in Oakfield, is a special education teacher in Buffalo and music writer. He was inducted into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame Class in 2023.

Burris owns Burris Cleaning and is the founder of the Hands 4 Hope Street Ministry.

Jennings said his perspective is molded by the school of hard knocks while Burris brings a deeply introspective and religious soul.

“We may not have all the answers, but we know how to spin a yarn and share a chuckle,” Jennings said. “Join us on this journey as we tackle life’s conundrums with a twinkle in our eyes and a touch of irreverence.”

Each week, the two share their unique perspectives on life’s challenges, accompanied by stories from their own lives. Listeners can expect an engaging blend of wisdom, humor, and storytelling that promises to entertain and enlighten.

“What to Do with Your Old Explicit Content” is now available for streaming on the Caronia Media Podcast Network and is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Spotify.

131 nights met ‘Code Blue’ threshold

Photo by Tom Rivers: Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, speaks during a celebration for a new warming center at Christ Church on Dec. 20. The site offered cots, coffee, tea, soup and hygiene kits when the temperature dropped below 32 degrees at night.

Press Release, Orleans County Legislature

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature today acknowledged the partnership of several agencies in providing a warming center for homeless individuals at Christ Church in Albion during this past winter.

“In response to the urgent need for shelter and support during harsh weather conditions, Oak Orchard Health in partnership with Orleans County announced the opening of its Warming Center in November of 2023,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature Chairman.  “This crucial initiative provided refuge and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring their safety and well-being during extreme cold.”

State law requires that a Code Blue alert go into effect when temperatures are expected to fall below 32˚F with wind chill for at least two consecutive hours and that emergency shelter for the homeless be provided.

The warming center was open to serve individuals in need on 131 code blue nights this past season and a total of 63 individuals, including repeat individuals, took advantage of the center. In addition, the Hoag Library was open to serve individuals during their normal business hours.

“Now that winter conditions are hopefully behind us, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers and organizations who have contributed their time, resources, and compassion to make the warming center possible,” Johnson said.  “The success of this effort is a testament to our community’s incredible compassion and generosity.

Johnson recognized the invaluable collaboration of local partners, including but not limited to, the Department of Social Services, Christ Episcopal Church, Oak Orchard Health, Orleans United Way, HOAG Library, Community Action, Ministry of Concern, Independent Living, Medina Area Association of Churches, Orleans County Emergency Management and Hands 4 Hope.

“The cooperation of these organization was instrumental in establishing and operating the Warming Center and together, we worked to ensure that every community member has a warm and safe place to seek refuge during inclement conditions,” Johnson said.

Largest crowd in about a century fills the third floor of historic venue in Albion

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Musicians performed at the Pratt Opera House to a full house for the first time in likely a century on Sunday.

There were 22 musicians on stage in the “Live at the Pratt” event in an opera house built in 1882 at 118 North Main St.

Erin Moody closes out a 2 1/2-hour show with “American Pie” by Don McLean. Moody and 21 other musicians played to a capacity crowd.

The 300 people at the performance on Sunday was biggest crowd to attend an event at the Pratt since at least 1930, when the theater closed, a victim of the Great Depression and emergence of movie theaters. The Pratt building was built in 1882.

Michael Bonafede, co-owner of the Pratt with his wife Judith Koehler, welcomes the crowd to Sunday’s performance. Bonafede also played the drums for more than two hours on Sunday.

The husband and wife purchased the Pratt and Day building in 2005. They have put on a new roof and made a series of other interior and exterior improvements to the building, which has several tenants on the first and second floors.

Just in the past few weeks they added 235 chairs that they bought at an auction from Holley Central School, and last week purchased 43 sets of double-auditorium chairs from Wells College. Those seats date back to the 1800s, Koehler said.

The Pratt was sold out on Sunday for the concert in the historic opera house. This photo shows people waiting to enter the building on Main Street.

There was a concert last June in a “test run” to see how the musicians liked the acoustics. They loved them and most of that group was back performing on Sunday, offering their services for free.

“It’s a nice place to play,” said trumpeter Brian Wilkins. “The acoustics are great.”

Bonafede said the Pratt performance venue can be used to promote Albion and the many other historic resources in the community, form the downtown business district, Courthouse Square, Mount Albion Cemetery, Cobblestone Museum and Erie Canal – all of which are either on the National Register of Historic Places. (The Erie Canal and Cobblestone Museum also are designated National Historic Landmarks.)

“We want to create a sense of vibrancy here,” Bonafede said. “We have a lot of unique assets to offer folks.”

The musicians played rhythm and blues, and many rock and roll classics.

From left in front include Brian Wilkins on trumpet, Michael Bonafede on drums, John Borello on Stratocaster guitar and Rich Simbari on Fender P bass guitar.

Bonafede also played with two of his bandmates from Black Sheep. Larry (Rose) Crozier played the piano and Don Mancuso is on the guitar.

Black Sheep, with also included legendary lead singer Lou Gramm before he went to Foreigner. Black Sheep broke up in 1976. But before that they performed in front of tens of thousands of people.

Black Sheep recorded two albums for Capital Records and shared the stage with Kiss, Aerosmith, REO Speedwagon, and Hall and Oates.

Ron Albertson gets a turn at the mic and sings, “Shake.”

Don Mancuso, a Rochester guitar legend, welcomed the chance to perform in Albion on Sunday with his Black Sheep band mate Michael Bonafede.

The Pratt is working on hosting another concert on June 23.

Provided photo: A student from the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia models the prom dress she chose Wednesday from the selection provided by Community Action. Similar sessions are scheduled for any teen in the area on Tuesday at the Main Street store and on April 25 for Albion students at Albion High School.

ALBION – Soon after taking over as manager of Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More Store last year, Cassie Healy got the idea to collect prom dresses and give them away free to students who couldn’t otherwise afford one.

The program was so successful, Healy wants to make it an annual event.

“Last year we were able to provide many dresses to girls who were unable to get one,” Healy said. “I remember one girl in particular last year who was able to get a dress, shoes, accessories and have her makeup and hair done through us. She told me she had won tickets to her prom but due to her family’s financial situation she did not think she would be able to go. She expressed her appreciation many times and was very excited she would be able to experience her prom.”

She also sent the store some photos of her prom with her friends.

“This is truly one of those ‘This is why I do this’ moments,” Healy said.

This year Healy hopes to reach out to more students, including any in surrounding counties. On Wednesday, she and her helpers took dresses to the New York State School for the Blind for girls to choose from. Eighteen found a dress they could wear to their prom, Healy said.

On April 16 at the Main Street store, Healy expects to have several hundred dresses, suits, makeup and other accessories available for students to choose from, regardless of where they go to school, even outside Orleans County.

There will also be a drawing for free prom tickets, thanks to the Ministry of Concern, who has set out jars for “Pennies for Prom” in local shops. Julia Alt, development director for Hospice, will be on hand to provide students with tips on how to do their makeup on prom night.

The prom giveaway will be repeated at 1 p.m. on April 25 at Albion High School for Albion students only.

“No student should miss their prom because they can’t afford a dress,” Healy said.

The Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store is always accepting dresses, suits, shoes, makeup, hair supplies and other accessories for these events. Healy encourages the community to check their closets for prom-appropriate attire and accessories and bring them to the store to help these youth make lasting memories.

For more information, stop in or call the Main Street store at (585) 589-1430.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Cassie Healy, manager of Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More Store in Albion shows off some of the prom dresses which were available last year during the first free prom giveaway. The store is again offering free prom dresses and accessories to teens who can’t afford them.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion Village Trustee Tim McMurray presents a “Community Service Award” to Faith Smith at Wednesday’s board meeting for her efforts leading the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen.

Smith has built many partnerships in the community to serve several hundred meals each week from the kitchen at the Harvest Christian Fellowship church on Route 31.

The past six weeks the kitchen has averaged about 600 meals each week. The kitchen serves dine-in and take-outs on Thursdays at the church, and also has meals for people over the weekend.

“These aren’t peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” McMurray said. “These are meals.”

Smith said many volunteers, including her husband Mike, are key contributors in the OK Kitchen serving so many people each week.

“I don’t do this for any recognition,” she said. “It’s because the community needs it.”

The Albion Village Board and employees have twice helped serve meals from the kitchen. Smith said more community organizations are always welcome to help prepare and serve food, or make donations.

Smith is the second village resident to receive a Community Service Award. The board is trying to do them quarterly. Susan Oschmann was the first recipient for her efforts spearheading new basketball courts at Bullard Park.

Board doesn’t see many options to whittle down tax rate

ALBION – The Albion Village Board is close to finalizing the village budget for 2024-25, a spending plan that will surely raise taxes.

As it stands, the $8,194,537 budget would increase taxes by 6.83 percent — raising the tax levy from $2,923,473 in 2023-24 to $3,123,167. The tax rate would go from $19.13 per $1,000 of assessed property to $20.43 with the budget that was presented during a public hearing on Wednesday evening.

Board members said they have been over the budget in detail for about two months, working with department heads. Board members don’t see options to bring the taxes down significantly.

They could reduce employee raises from 3.0 to 2.5 percent. They could pull another $6,000 from the village’s fund balance. They could also try to invest some village funds that are in accounts but haven’t yet been spent, perhaps securing a few thousand dollars in interest.

None of the moves would provide much relief for taxpayers. The budget will almost certainly be over the village’s allowable tax increase to stay within the tax cap, said Tracy Van Skiver, the village clerk/treasurer. Albion would have to chop about $111,000 to get under the tax cap, she said. (The board can override the tax cap of about a 2 percent increase with a super-majority vote from the board.)

Board members said rising costs for materials and equipment are driving some of the tax increase.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. would like to try to bring down the tax increase, especially when the village will also be raising water and sewer rates later this year. Village property owners also saw a big increase in their Albion town taxes this year.

“Let’s give them a break because their costs are going up,” Javier said.

Buy Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley asked just where the village should make a cut.

Javier said the rising taxes will be difficult on residents, and may have them asking if it would make sense to dissolve the village government.

“There will be a point when people will say, ‘Let’s not have a village,’” he said.

The total budget is at $8,194,537, up $651,162 from the $7,543,375 in 2022-23. The budget includes $4,702,052 in the general fund ($4,307,602 in 2023-24); $2,068,150 in the water fund ($1,880,984 in 2023-24); and $1,424,335 in the sewer fund ($1,354,788 in 2023-24).

The budget needs to be adopted by April 30. The board could make changes to the budget before then.

Trustee Tim McMurray said the budget is down to “bone marrow” and he doesn’t expect any significant changes in the current numbers.

New trustee William Gabalski said he has been through the budget line item by line item twice. The only way to bring down the costs significantly would be to scale back services, Gabalski said.

“There’s not a lot left to cut unless there are conversations about services delivered,” he said.

Riley and McMurray said the budget represents the costs to run the village. She doesn’t want to tap more into the fund balance, jeopardizing the future for the village. Van Skiver said in recent budgets the village has taken about $250,000 a year from the fund. There is currently about $800,000 in there. The proposed budget would take $255,000 from that fund balance.

Taken too much could drain that fund, and result in an even bigger tax increase in the future, Javier said.

Riley said she would like to go back to department heads and staff to see if there is any more reductions possible.

There is some relief possible on the horizon. The village is discussing a fire protection district with the towns of Albion and Gaines. That would move the fire department out of the village budget, likely lowering the village tax rate if the district gains voter approval. However, village residents would pay a separate fire protection tax that would be in the town and county tax bill in January.

The village also hasn’t gone through a town-wide reassessment for about five years but that is expected in May. Many of the assessed values are expected to up significantly. That should give the village a much-higher tax base in 2025-26.

The village’s tax base has been shrinking. It went down 1.08 percent or by $1,663,794 –from $154,457,302 in 2022-23 to $152,723,508 in 2023-24. Most of the loss in tax base was from the assessed value be lowered at the plaza at 318 West Ave. That plaza includes Save-A-Lot, Pro Hardware, Dollar Tree and the vacant spot formerly for Gordman’s.

The new budget shows another decrease by $74,424 – from $152,867,932 to $152,793,508.

A bigger tax base should bring the tax rate down, but property owners would likely still see their taxes rise if the tax levy, what the village collects in taxes, continues to go up.

Press Release, Albion H.S. Student Council

ALBION – Albion Central School District invites senior citizens, 55 and older, for our annual Senior Citizen Day on Wednesday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Albion High School Cafeteria.

The school district would like to thank the senior citizens in our community for all they have done to support our students, teachers, and staff throughout the years.

We have a limited number of seats available. Kindly RSVP by Monday, April 22, to the High School Student Council Advisor, Mrs. Sawyer Green, at (585) 589-2040, ext. 8414.

You can also email sgreen1@albionk12.org to secure your reservation. Please leave a message with your name, phone number, and the number of seats you’d like to reserve. Mrs. Green will call you to confirm your participation.

We look forward to having you join us for this wonderful event hosted by our High School Student Council!