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.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Christ Church at 26 South Main St. in Albion will be a designated warming center when temperatures drop below freezing.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

ALBION – Oak Orchard Health is pleased to be a part of a community collaboration that addresses the needs of people without housing when the temperature is below 32 degrees (referred to as “Code Blue”).

This collaboration resulted in the opening of the Orleans County Warming Center at Christ Church, 26 S. Main Street, Albion. If an individual needs evening shelter during Code Blue, they can call (585) 895-4090 and they will be provided with a warm place to stay at Christ Church.

During the daytime, people can keep warm at the Hoag Library, 134 S. Main Street in Albion. Their hours of operation are Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. When they are not open, the Orleans County Warming Center is available for shelter when needed.

“After several years of planning, our vision of a local warming center has become a reality,” said Holli Nenni, commissioner of the Orleans County Department of Social Services. “This was made possible through the collaboration of many community partners whose goal is to ensure that no one is left without protection from harsh winter weather conditions.”

New York State mandates that if the weather gets below 32 degrees, it’s considered “Code Blue” and the community needs to provide shelter.

“Oak Orchard Health is pleased to be a part of this collaboration and to take the lead on the administration of the Warming Center,” said Karen Kinter, CEO at Oak Orchard Health. “We are responsible for staffing and coordinating the opening of this valuable asset to the region.”

In addition to shelter, hot beverages and on-site food will be available.

“This represents an amazing community collaboration,” said Nyla Gaylord, executive director of United Way of Orleans County. “The United Way of Orleans County was happy to convene the community collaborative to discuss this issue.  We want to thank all the local partners that made this a reality. A special thanks to Oak Orchard Health and Karen Kinter for taking the lead role and establishing the administrative framework for this program.”

In addition to Oak Orchard Health and the Orleans County Department of Social Services, Gaylord said the community partners include Community Action of Orleans and Genesee County, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Christ Church, Medina Area Association of Churches, Independent Living of the Genesee Region, and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: A new project at Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store is a Wishing Tree, set up at the back of the store. Customers and community members are invited to make out a wish and hang it on the tree for others to see and grant the wish.

ALBION – Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store has come up with a creative idea to help people at Christmas time.

Store manager Cassie Healy has announced the addition of a Wishing Tree, which is on display in a homey setting at the back of the store. The Wishing Tree will be available during the entire month of December.

“This is the first time we are doing this, but during the time I have been the manager here at the store, I have met so many great people in our community,” Healy said. “I think the Wishing Tree is a fantastic way to bring the community together during this holiday season and foster a sense of generosity and kindness toward each other.”

Customers and community members are invited to come into the front register at the store and ask to fill out a wish. Their anonymous wish ticket will be hung on the tree, where other members of the community can see it. If someone sees a wish they are willing to grant, they remove the wish and inform a store associate, who will tell them the process for granting the wish.

Once the wish is granted, the store will contact the individual to come in and pick up the gift.

For those who would like to help, but do not see a wish they can grant, the store has coupons at the front register which can be purchased. These coupons will be hung on the tree for those in need to choose. These coupons can be redeemed for socks, hats, gloves, winter jackets in the store or for money toward gifts or clothing they may need.

In addition to the Wishing Tree, the store will have cookies with Santa and a craft for children at noon on Dec. 16.

Photos and information courtesy of Susan Starkweather Miller

ALBION – Oliver Smith, left, and his brother Lucas performed “Joy to the World” on Sunday during the the annual Christmas in the Neighborhood holiday concert. This year’s theme was “Merry & Bright.”

The First Presbyterian Church hosted the concert that was attended by more than 200 people.

The concert is coordinated by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation and the First Presbyterian Church. It spotlights talented Albion alumni and community members.

Pastor Sue Thaine welcomed attendees and encouraged them to enjoy the exceptional and unique level of musical talent in the Albion community.

Steve Hicks, Alumni Foundation President, thanked the audience and donors for sponsoring the annual community event.

Bradeen Walders Erakare and her husband Sebastian Erakare sing “Christmas Valentine.” They also performed “Sankta Lucia” with Clarisonus Ensemble that also included Marrit Vaga and Darryl Smith.

The Community Christmas Choir performed “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah.

Albion High School Clarinet Choir directed by Mike Thaine performed “Wonderful Christmas Time.”

Men’s Christmas Choir sang “Deck the Halls”

(Left) Elliott Michki sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” while accompanied by Gary Simboli. (Right) Mike Grammatico and his grandson Nate Grammatico performed a saxophone duet “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

From left include Kailey Winans who sang “White Christmas”; Alec Sherman who sang “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”; and Erin Moody who sang “Go Tell It On The Mountain.”

From left include Ron Albertson who performed “Wasn’t His Child”; Gwen Ferchen who sang “The Manger”; and Lonnie Froman who sang “Please Come Home for Christmas.”

The Albion Presbyterian Choir sang “Christmas is Coming.”

Some other performers included Gary and Jim Simboli who sang “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth”; Denise Thomas who performed a piano solo to “Away in a Manger”; the Albion High School Select Choir which sang “Snow”; Gary Simboli who sang “Christmas Vacation Theme Song”; and Sarah Hill who sang “Love is Christmas.”

More than 200 people attended the concert at the First Presbyterian Church.

Every year the Alumni Foundation gives scholarships to graduating seniors during Class Night.  In 2023 the Foundation handed out $140,000 in scholarships.  In 2024 the Foundation will distribute over $160,000.  This is made possible by the generosity of the Albion community.

If you are interested in learning more about the Albion Alumni Foundation or how to create a scholarship, please contact Steve Hicks at steve@albionalumni.org.

Local churches and organizations welcome to receive a share of the food

File photo by Tom Rivers: Albion FFA members unload a tractor trailer in the food drive in December 2017. The FFA has been organizing, collecting and delivering the food to Community Action since 2010.

Press Release, Community Action of Genesee & Orleans

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee would like to invite all churches, non-profit organizations and licensed daycares in Orleans County to a large food donation this weekend.

Students and staff from the Albion High School FFA will be delivering more than 25,000 pounds of perishable food to Community Action at 9 a.m. on Saturday. In the past, this has included items such as milk, eggs, potatoes, apples, tomatoes, corn, green beans, cabbage and squash.

Any church, non-profit organization or licensed daycare in Orleans County that could benefit is welcome to send one or two representatives to collect a share of this generous donation. Please note, this event is not open to the public.

To register, or for additional information, please call (585) 589-5605.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – One of the four floor beams on the Main Street lift bridge is put back this morning by employees with BVR Construction Company in Churchville.

Clark Rigging & Rental has a big crane with a 400-ton capacity in Albion today, putting trusses and beams back in place on the bridge.

This screen shot from a live feed of the bridge construction is from just after 10 a.m. this morning, showing the second of the two trusses being lifted back on the bridge.

The 53,000-pound trusses were removed on Jan. 27 by Clark Rigging & Rental.

BVR Construction Company put new steel in most of the 115-foot-long trusses. Only the top beam on the trusses remains from the original 1914 bridge.

Provided photos: The trusses are lifted back over the Erie Canal. The trusses were set on the north side of the canal on Jan. 27 for a major rehab.

The four floor beams await to be put on the bridge after the two trusses were put back.

BVR and Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport, the general contractor on the project, will continue working on the bridge in the coming. It is scheduled to reopen in the spring.

It is part of a $28.3 million overhaul of the Main Street lift bridges in both Albion and Brockport.

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION — Nine students from Charles D’Amico High School competed in The American Legion Oratorical Contest on Thursday.

Sponsored by the American Legion Sheret Post #35, contestants participate in the annual contest by writing and presenting an eight to 10-minute speech on a section of the Constitution that interests them.

The participants include Brody Hafner, Matthew Kania, Lucy Rivers, Zack Baron, Jackie Santiago Garcia, Jordan Wright, Aubrey Gannon, Samantha Dobo and Kelli Dingle.

Baron won first place, Rivers was second and Gannon, third. Baron and Rivers advance to the county competition.

Participants are pictured with contest judge and past American Legion Auxiliary President Janet Tanner, contest judge and Legion Auxiliary President Pam Taylor, and local contest organizer and past Commander of American Legion Sheret Post Phil Warne.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa squeezed in an hour in his busy schedule this evening to stop by Hoag Library to meet with about 100 people, including Mary Heise of Albion and her granddaughters, Emma Button, 9 months old, and Azaria Poole, 9. Azaria asked Santa for a balance beam.

Hoag Library is usually one of Santa’s early stops locally after the Thanksgiving holiday, before his schedule really gets jampacked in December.

Santa looked very spiffy in red when he came into the main meeting room at the library.

He led the group in some stretches. Santa said he is getting older and a bit “creaky” these days.

Nicholas Bloom, 7, of Albion got to wear a red nose, and Santa gave him some antlers in celebrating his favorite reindeer, Rudolph.

Hadley Oberther, 7, of Medina was picked to ring the bells while the group sang, “Jingle Bells.”

Santa always reads a story when he visits the library. This time he read, “How to Catch Santa Claus,” a story about children setting traps in their house to try to catch Santa. With the help of his elves and reindeer, Santa avoids getting snagged in a trap.

Santa told the kids the library is a great place to visit throughout the year.

John  Santiago, 8, of Albion shares a Christmas request with Santa, who then gave him a candy cane.

Layla Hanna, 4, of Albion had a gift for Santa, a hug.