Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The lamp post in front of the U.S. Postal Service on Main Street is decorated in a “Peace on Earth” theme. It is one of 38 that will be decorated this holiday season.

A group seeking to “Bring Christmas Back to Albion” presented the idea about two weeks ago and the poles were quickly adopted by businesses, families and organizations.

Sandra Flugel and her granddaughters decorated this pole with a “Believe” theme on Main Street in front of the Lyceum for the Holy Family Parish.

The group includes, from left: Alayna, Autumn, Sandra and Liana Flugel.

This lamp post is decorated in front of Christ Church on Main Street with the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in the background.

There are 41 of the lamp posts. Three won’t be decorated: one in the bridge construction zone and two others on the north side of the canal.

“It’s been great,” said Maureen Bennett, who has headed up the lamp post decorations. “People are very enthusiastic about bringing Christmas back to Albion. It’s become quite the family thing, and also for three Girl Scout troops and some of the business owners.”

Bennett is decorating a pole by the parking lot near the Presbyterian Church with a Christmas tree theme.

There are 10 Christmas trees that will be decorated on the Courthouse lawn. This group from the Albion Free Methodist Church (Community of Hope) decorates a tree on Sunday afternoon. They include, from left, Bob Butler, Brenda Bierdeman, Rose Butler and the Butlers’ granddaughter, Krystal.

The church created ornaments about things they are thankful for, part of the church’s focus on gratitude during the Christmas season.

Lori Laine is pushing the some of the holiday projects in the “Bringing Christmas Back to Albion” group. She is pleased to see local residents responded to the ideas and turning them into reality.

“The community is doing it all,” she said. “It’s fantastic. “There are so many more ideas. This is just the start. Hopefully by next year it will be bigger and better.”

The group meets today at 7 p.m. at Hoag Library.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters sprayed water on the smoldering ruins at Frank’s Auto Center today after a morning fire caused extensive damage to the business that was started by Frank Strasburger in 1980.

No one was in the building at 14040 Route 31 when the fire broke out at 8 a.m. Orleans County fire investigators haven’t determined a cause of the fire yet, said Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham.

There were still hot spots after the fire was largely put out late this morning in Albion at Frank’s Auto.

Firefighters were dispatched to another fire in Albion at 11:14 a.m. at 312-314 West Park St., a house owned by Vickie Golisano. Two residents there were momentarily trapped but were able to safely get out.

Graham said the cause of that fire also remains under investigation.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A firefighter climbs a ladder and breaks a window to ventilate a house filled with smoke at 312-314 West Park St.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 11:14 a.m. Many firefighters were already busy at the scene of Frank’s Auto on Route 31 where a fire started at 8 a.m.

Murray Joint Fire District firefighters were at the Albion fire station as backup and were first on the scene at the West Park Street location.

Albion Fire Chief Jeremy Graham said a room and contents caught on fire upstairs. Firefighters were chasing fires in the walls.

Graham said there are more than 100 firefighters in Albion today working at the two scenes. He said it’s been many years since the Albion FD had back-to-back calls for structure fires.

The property at West Park Street has two apartments and is owned by Vickie Golisano. She lives there with Greg Moore. They have been remodeling the other side of the house. Moore said they spent about $20,000 upgrading the other apartment.

They were able to get safely outside with a dog. The Red Cross has been called to assist them.

Shelby firefighters used the Murray ladder truck to get to the roof. They used a chain saw and ax to cut into the roof so the attic could be ventilated.

Frank Strasburger has owned business at Route 31 location since 1980

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A huge fire spewing dark smoke at Frank’s Auto broke out at about 8 a.m. today at 14040 Route 31.

Frank Strasburger has owned the business repairing cars and selling used vehicles since 1980.

He said no one was in the building at the time of the fire.

Two people in a neighboring residence were evacuated from their home. The dark smoke didn’t seem to be having an impact on the two state prisons or The Villages of Orleans nursing home. No one there needed to be evacuated.

Many fire departments joined Albion in battling the blaze. It did not spread to the Root Brothers cabbage facility next door.

Fire investigators are on the scene. No cause has been determined yet.

The fire has closed a section of Route 31 from King Street to Gaines Basin Road.

Photo courtesy of Jackie Dunham: Community Action’s new CFO Tina Schleede, standing, confers with executive director Renee Hungerford, during her first week on the job.

ALBION – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is ready to kick off the holiday season with expectations of a busy schedule and announcement of a new chief financial officer.

Tina Schleede assumed the new position last week, after the former CFO left unexpectedly, according to Renee Hungerford, executive director of CAOG.

“Tina is very invested in the community and a great fit for our agency,” Hungerford said.

Schleede is an Orleans County native, born in Albion, raised in Lyndonville and living in Waterport with husband Scott. They have three children.

She is a graduate of RIT with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Previously she has been manager of Brown’s Berry Patch, an employee of CRFS for 15 years, general manager of Bald Eagle and Lure’s Restaurant during the pandemic and lastly, employed at Harris Seed.

“After 30 years in the corporate world, I decided to give non-profits a go,” Schleede said. “I’m hoping to make a difference, not just make a living.”

Schleede is familiar with Community Action, having done volunteer work there with her Girl Scout troop.

“I saw the job posted and thought this was a chance to work with a strong team of women,” Schleede said. “How could I resist.”

Schleede and Hungerford said they have exciting things in the works, including a whole new accounting system.

“We are trying to be more effective and efficient,” Hungerford said. “We are putting controls in place to make sure our resources go toward the greatest need.”

With the holidays approaching, Community Action is anticipating one of the busiest seasons ever. They distributed about 150 Thanksgiving meals. Food boxes contained turkey, potatoes, apples, carrots, squash, green beans, corn, eggs, stuffing, gravy, butter, cranberry sauce, Chex mix and brownie mix, according to Jeanette Worsley, case manager and health coach.

“Since Covid, the need for food is unprecedented,” Hungerford said. “Our outdoor refrigerators are in high demand.

Community Action maintains refrigerators at their main building on East State Street and the Main Street Corner Thrift, Gifts and More store on Main Street and at the headquarters on Clinton Street Road in Batavia. They are filled with foods such as fresh produce, milk and snacks.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The kitchen inside the Harvest Christian Fellowship church was busy this afternoon when 630 Thanksgiving meals were served at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen. Pictured from left include Mary Delamarter and Rick Huntington of Harvest Christian Fellowship, and Javonnie & Melisa Canales of the Oasis Church in Medina.

Faith Smith, leader of the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, is thrilled to have more than 30 volunteers helping to serve the Thanksgiving meals for free today. The 630 that were served today is up from the 350 a year ago on Thanksgiving.

Smith personally delivered 85 meals to senior citizens and other people in the community.

“Nobody should have to be alone or go hungry,” Smith said.

Another church in Albion, the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries, served about 200 Thanksgiving meals from Renovation Masonic Lodge. That is up from 182 a year ago.

The meals were all available at no charge.

The Risen Café prepared the desserts – apple and pumpkin cake at Harvest Christian Fellowship. A line of volunteers is ready to serve the meals which were available to eat-in, for take-out or to have delivered.

Matt and Sharon Sugar of Harvest Christian Fellowship have to-go bags ready with Thanksgiving meals.

There were 40 turkeys cooked for today’s meals at the OK Kitchen.

Debbie Coon serves coffee to Janice Callahan of Albion. Callahan said she appreciated the church welcoming so many from the community for Thanksgiving.

“There’s a lot of good people here,” Callahan said. “They are very loving. We are all friends here.”

Mark Hartleden said he has been coming to the kitchen for about a decade.

“It’s delicious, it’s stupendous,” he said. “They are bringing people together.”

Alicia Rich and Debbie Thies work together in the kitchen.

Photos and information courtesy of Albion Central School:

ALBION – Albion Middle and High School students have made 50 ponchos and over 100 seatbelt covers for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Pluta Cancer Center this fall.

This is the second year Mrs. Shari Berg and Mrs. Kathy Winans’ classes have created ponchos and seatbelt covers for patients. According to Berg, the project was inspired by Kim Toombs, a substitute teacher in the district who makes and donates these items year-round.

Dejeanna C., a high schooler in Mrs. Winans’ class, said that making the seatbelt coverings is her favorite part “because it is soft and [she] likes the fabric.”

As a cancer survivor, Toombs said that, when she went through treatment, having something like a poncho or seatbelt cover to help keep her comfortable helped a lot.

“Some patients have ports for their treatment,” Toombs explained. “The seatbelt coverings help make riding in the car more comfortable.”

Since January 2023, she has made 360 ponchos for patients, not including the ponchos she helped ACS students make.

“I keep track of the number of ponchos I make each year and it’s more than I’ve done in the past,” Toombs said. “The sad reality is that, while I am increasing the number of ponchos I am making this year, the [Pluta Cancer] center told me the average age of patients receiving treatment is declining.”

According to Toombs, on average, more than one person starts treatment at the Pluta Cancer Center per day.

All of the funds for the fabric and materials for the projects was provided by the staff members at Albion Middle School. Each Friday, staff members donate to a cause in order to “dress down.” This fall, members chose to donate to Mrs. Berg’s and Mrs. Winans’ students and help make a difference in the greater Albion community.

Originally, the goal was for students to make 31 ponchos. With at least one new patient receiving treatment daily, on average, that would cover one month of patients at the center.

“I love doing this [making a difference],” Kayla S. said. “Cutting out [the pattern] is fun and easy. I’m good at it and it’s easy to help.”

The students are still working to finish the seatbelt coverings and have plans to use “literally every scrap of material from this project to give back to others,” according to Berg.

“The scraps of fabric have been saved and we have been connected to a lady who uses the scraps to make dog beds that she donates to local shelters,” Berg explained. “We will be using the bigger scraps to make dog toys for Paws Animal Shelter!”

The best part, according to Emily L., a student in Mrs. Berg’s class, has been “working with [her] friends and helping others by making them comfortable.”

Photo courtesy of Lori Laine

ALBION – An Honor Tree Garden is now on display by the Orleans County Courthouse. Lori Laine pushed for the trees to be displayed and received permission last week from the Orleans County Legislature.

The trees will add to the Christmas atmosphere in Albion and also recognize organizations that serve the community. So far, the trees are in honor of Hospice of Orleans County, Pathstone, GLOW Arc, Donate Life, the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, UConnectCare Behavioral Health Services (formerly GCASA), Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, The Villages of Orleans, and Albion youth football and cheerleading – the Albion Youth Sports and Athletic Program (AYSAP).

Laine said the effort is part of a push for Albion to celebrate its Santa lineage as the home to a Santa School from 1937 to 1966 and also Christmas Park.

Volunteers working on the “Bring Christmas Back to Albion” committee are planning other new projects, including decorating lampposts, and caroling once a week during December in the community. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at Hoag Library.

“There are many ideas, many projects already being worked on for next year!” Laine said.

ALBION – The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church will have 650 Thanksgiving meals ready for the community.

The meals will be available for free. People can eat in at the church at 560 East Ave., or they can be to go. The kitchen also will be making deliveries, said Faith Smith, director of the “OK” Kitchen.

The meals will be available from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Smith said the Thanksgiving meals will be made available through a partnership from the OK Kitchen with The Risen Café, the Oasis Church in Medina and Harvest Christian Fellowship.

The church typically serves between 375 to 400 meals each week on Thursdays.

“It’s all about the community coming together to support one another and that’s what the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen is all about,” Smith said.

Rochester woman eyes 162 South Main St. for licensed cannabis retailer

ALBION – A Rochester woman has submitted paperwork with the Village of Albion that she intends to seek a license from the state to have a marijuana dispensary at 162 South Main St., unit 4.

That would be in the plaza that includes Subway, Family Dollar, Care Net of Greater Orleans, Rent-A-Center and Chia Sen.

Nicolene Sercu submitted a “Notification to Municipality” form to the village.

The Albion Village Board voted on Oct. 21, 2021 to opt in and allow legal marijuana dispensaries. Albion officials at the time said allowing the marijuana sites will make it easier for local residents to get the product in town, instead of driving to other communities and possibly putting others at risk on the roadways.

Village Board members also cited the potential tax benefits for the village. The state will have a 13-cent excise tax per $1 on the marijuana sales, and the village will get 3 of those cents per dollar.

However, Village Trustee Chris Barry opposed having licensed dispensaries in the village then and said at the Tuesday board meeting he continues to be against it.

The Village Planning Board on Nov. 9 had a public hearing about marijuana dispensaries and said the sites would be limited to areas in the village that are zoned general commercial – as long as they meet the regulations set by the state.

Those regulations keep dispensaries from at least 500 feet from a school and at least 200 feet from a church.

“We will use general commercial as an acceptable area but they still have to meet codes,” Karen Conn, the Planning Board chairwoman, said following a public hearing on the issue. “It’s up to them to find a spot and work with the code enforcement officer.”

Village Trustee Tim McMurray said the board will keep a close eye on the process, which he said is largely dictated by the state whether the dispensary is approved.

“We’ll follow up and do our due diligence,” McMurray said at the board meeting on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Greg Bennett

ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge rejoined the Albion Midget League program as a sponsor this season. The Elks helped support a 12U team with donations to help with costs of uniforms, bats, equipment bags, helmets, catchers gear, and other equipment.

Pictured are some of the players from different age groups that the donations went to, along with some of the board members: front (catcher) Ryan Coots; standing first row: Evan Coots, Kenny Draper, Stryker Sanders, Jackson Frasier, Linda Standish and Bonnie Draper. Back row: Dan Ward, Drew Boyce, Jake Haines, Gavin Boyce, Brett Boring and Ross Kaine.

The Elks Lodge looks forward to continuing their relationship with youth baseball in Albion this coming season and seasons to come by sponsoring one team from the Elks themselves and one team from the Elks Riders, a subdivision of the Elks that will enter into a sponsorship of a youth team of players from the Albion school district who will play in the GLOW league this coming spring.

File photo by Tom Rivers – The 1-million-gallon water tank on Route 98 will be replaced with a smaller tank at 750,000 gallons north of the village in the Town of Gaines. The village will have the 1-million gallon tank demolished. The new tank will keep the water drop design with “Village of Albion Water.”

ALBION – The Albion Village Board is moving forward with replacing a water tank on Route 98, north of the village in Gaines.

The current tank was built in 1962 and has a capacity for 1 million gallons.

The board voted to accept a construction bid this evening for a new tank that will hold 750,000 gallons. It will be a glass-fused steel tank, said Adam Rush, the village water plant chief operator.

The tank mostly serves the town of Carlton. Water is kept in the tank and backflows into the Carlton waterlines.

Statewide Aquastore from East Syracuse submitted the low bid of $1,369,000 for the project. Another bid for a concrete tank was $1,949,105.

The project will be funded with a state grant through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA).

The board in September also accepted a $1,527,000 bid from STC Construction of Springville for the first phase of the project, which includes demolition of current tank, and installation of new piping, valves and a meter pit.

A $1,250,000 grant from the state will cover most of the cost for the first phase. That money is from the Community Development Block Grant program, with another grant from WIIA covering 60 percent of the remaining cost or $166,200. The village expects it will pay its share through the water rates in the water fund.

The first phase needs to be done by April 9, and then the new tank will be constructed in the spring or summer, Rush said.

The new tank will be smaller the current one because the village added more capacity with a 3 million gallon tank in the mid-1990s near the intersection of routes 98 and 31A.

The village also is close to completion with another project for its water system. Keeler Construction in Barre is on target to be substantially complete by Dec. 1 with a new building to store fluoride.

The village accepted a $388,000 bid from Keeler for a fluoridation building that is 14-by-14 feet, with mechanical (HVAC and plumbing) and electrical components and systems. Rush said fluoridation equipment will be moved in soon after Dec. 1.

That project is funded with $312,000 grant from the state Department of Health, with the other $76,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The village was previously keeping the fluoridation chemicals in the water plant. Rush said it was a subpar setup. The village hasn’t added fluoride to the water since the summer of 2021 but will start doing that again when the new concrete building is ready.

(Editor’s Note: This article was updated from an earlier version that had the wrong company listed as the low bidder.)

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This photo shows Butts Road near the Moore Street intersection in Albion.

The Albion Town Board last week agreed to use up to $60,000 of the town’s American Rescue Plans Act funds to install about 800 feet of waterline, with the pipe going on Moore Street from near the village line going east to Butts Road, and then a small section of Butts Road.

The project would go by seven parcels of land, which includes four houses with residents. The new waterline increases the chances for the vacant land to developed in the future, said Town Councilman Terry Wilbert.

The town will tie into the new waterline near the former Braley Street, now Riley Place on Moore Street. Highway Superintendent Mike Neidert said the town highway crew can install the line without a private contractor. He expects the project will be complete next spring or summer.

Neidert said the project will also include valves, hydrants, a meter pit and service connections.

The use of the federal ARPA funds is enough to cover the entire project so there won’t be any annual debt service charges like there are with a typical water district.

Albion has used some of its ARPA funds to put a new roof on the town hall, and have a new fence put on the baseball field behind the town hall, the Albion Midget League Field.

After the waterline project, Neidert and the Town Board said about $15,000 is left in ARPA which could be used to upgrade and repair the concessions building at the baseball field, and also do some work on the dugouts and bleachers at the field.