By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2025 at 9:45 am
‘I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life.’
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bullard Park was hopping on Thursday for a July 3rd celebration. The Who Dats are shown near the beginning of their concert. They were the final band out of three during the day.
People spread out in their lawn chairs to take in the music.
The Who Dats had many in the crowd dancing. The band includes, from left: John Borello, Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, Ed Hilfiker and Alex DeSmit on the drums.
These kids watch the finale of the fireworks from the top of a playground on Thursday night.
Bullard offered expanded activities throughout the day with the event capped by fireworks for the first time in a decade.
Several thousand people were at the park. Organizers aren’t sure of estimate.
Ron Albertson helped push through the upgrades to Bullard, an effort that started about a dozen years ago.
It paid off with a spray park for kids, an amphitheater, new playground equipment, a new pavilion with bathrooms, and other more recent improvements, including basketball courts, a walking trail, a disc golf course and soon, a pickle ball court.
“We have an absolute gem in our town,” Albertson said this morning about Bullard. “We wanted to bring recognition to our park.”
Albertson helps organize the upcoming Albion Summer Music Festival/Rock the Park which includes two days of bands on Aug. 1-2. This will be the 10th year for Rock the Park, which started to raise money for the Bullard upgrades.
Seeing all the people at Bullard on Thursday felt like the realization of the Bullard dream for Albertson and others who worked on Bullard’s transformation.
“I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life,” Albertson said. “I thought it was fantastic.”
Volunteers with the G-ACRE (Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.) served 500 chicken barbecue dinners. In front are Denise London and John Kurtz at the pavilion by the spray park.
Albertson praised John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, for leading the effort to have a big Independence Day celebration in Albion, a day early on July 3. Grillo also rallied the community to donate $10,000 for the fireworks show.
“I just knew it would draw a lot of people,” Grillo said about the fireworks and day’s events. “I’m very proud of this community.”
Grillo also praised the efforts of the Albion Police Department, Department of Public Works and firefighters for make the day go smoothly.
Madaline Bloom, 9, rides a pony brought to the park by KTJ Saddle Up Pony Rides.
Jim Navarra gave people wagon rides through the park.
Emma Hollenbeck, 8, gets her face painted by Mary Jo Whitman.
These kids played an intense game of Gaga Ball. There were also several bounce houses available.
104 Country performed for nearly two hours. There were about 50 food and craft vendors at the park.
104 Country includes Mike Hartman on vocals and guitar; Norm Bock on vocals and guitar, mandolin and banjo; Luca Quagliano on percussion; and Cindy Lynn on bass and vocals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2025 at 11:18 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Fireworks were back in Albion at Bullard Park for the first time tonight after a decade absence.
Young Explosives sent the fireworks into the sky over the park after a day of fun featuring three bands, about 50 vendors, and other food and entertainment.
John Grillo, Albion’s recreation director, started the fundraising push for the fireworks last October. He was able to secure $10,000 in donations from the community to bring back the fireworks.
These kids watch the fireworks from up high in the playground at Bullard.
People watched from all over the park, with some on lawn chairs, others on blankets and many others from their cars.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 July 2025 at 9:26 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Not even a hot day can keep Jeanette Riley from spending time in her garden. She will host the Cobblestone Society’s annual mid-summer celebration there on July 17.
ALBION – The Cobblestone Society’s annual mid-summer celebration on July 17 this year is titled “On the Bank of the Erie Canal,” and will take place at the extensive and elaborate gardens of Jeanette Riley.
Co-chaired by Shirley Bright-Neeper of Medina and Joyce Chiczek of Lyndonville, the event will feature music by the E-Yah-Pah-Hah Quintet, wine and light refreshments provided by Chiczek.
The gardens are located at 1960 Riley Place, off Moore Street, next to the Erie Canal.
Elaborate statuary, opulent blooms and winding paths will greet visitors to the Riley Family garden on the Cobblestone Society’s mid-summer celebration July 17. Here, Jeanette Riley and Shirley Bright-Neeper are partially hidden in the shade as they take a break while touring the garden.
Cobblestone director Doug Farley says no one will want to miss this tour.
“In recognition of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, this magnificent garden is the perfect choice, as it is on the north bank of the Erie Canal,” Farley said.
Parking is limited near the garden, so it is recommended passengers be dropped off at the driveway to the Riley home and drivers can park at Light of Victory Church (formerly St. Mary’s Church) at 47 Brown St., where they will be shuttled to the Riley home.
The event will start at 4 p.m. and continue until dark. This is an ongoing, informal event, with activities scattered throughout the garden. It is a large garden and there are many places for visitors to sit as they wander at their own pace. Guests may also bring their own lawn chair.
Lush plants welcome visitors to the elaborate garden where Jeanette Riley will host the annual garden tour July 17 to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
E-Yah-Pah-Hah, a quintet of music educators, will present their featured musical performance beginning at 5 p.m.
The history of the Riley gardens goes back to 1960 when Jeanette’s parents, Henry and Alma, lived there as renters. The original home, owned by an uncle, had five rooms with an outhouse. The family paid $35 to $40 a month to live there, Jeanette said. Her parents later bought the property for $2,000 around 1980, then bought three lots from Curtis Lyman to extend their property.
“Dad was a brick mason by trade, and he started fixing things up,” Jeanette said. “The house now has five bedrooms and two baths.”
Jeanette moved home with her mother when her father got sick in 1995. He died in 1997, and Jeanette said her mother started planting flowers to keep busy. She had hedges pulled out and began planting flowers, hit and miss, Jeanette said.
Shirley Bright-Neeper, left, and Jeanette Riley enjoy conversation on a hot day in the shade of a giant maple at the entrance to the Riley family garden, which will be the site for the Cobblestone Society’s annual garden tour on July 17. The elaborate garden is located at 1960 Riley Place, on the bank of the Erie Canal.
Jeanette, 74, worked at the Probation Department, and after work her mom would tell her what she had done that day.
“Every day mom was out here, and I helped on Saturdays and Sundays,” Jeanette said. “We would talk about plants and flowers we wanted. She was very creative.”
When another house burned, the Riley’s took the bricks and made a patio. They had truckloads of sandy loam brought it for flower beds, and planted a lot of bulbs. Then a harsh winter hit and the weight of the snow killed all their bulbs.
“We called it ‘Death Valley Days,’” Jeanette said.
Their second big project was getting a second load of loam and framing off a patio.
“We learned we had to fluff the soil,” Jeanette said. “We called it our ‘shovel garden.’ My brother and his son had to do a lot of shoveling.”
A row of unique planters line a walkway through the Riley family garden on the bank of the Erie Canal in Albion.
Alma, who is in her 90s, still tries to help with the gardens, as does Jeanette’s brother. Jeanette does the majority of gardening, but her brother does the heavy lifting and digging. His son and fiancée help with planting. Sister Wanda helps on weekends.
Jeanette said when the buy new things to plant, she always gets two. She has had the Amish build several outbuildings on the property.
“I try to plant things so I don’t have a lot of weeds,” she said.
The garden is opulent with plants and bushes, some rare, like the yellow wood magnolia. One of Jeanette’s favorite places in the garden is what they call the “Gray area,” an area dedicated to Henry and Alma, with angels and a wrought iron sign with their names on it.
This section of the Riley family garden pays tribute to Henry and Anna Riley, who first bought the property.
A grape arbor, numerous statuary and wrought iron decorations create a magical place to stroll or sit in one of the many areas provided along the way.
A donation of $10 is suggested, and reservations are strongly recommended by logging on to CobblestoneMuseum.org or calling (585) 589-9013. The event will take place rain or shine.
This event may be canceled on the day it is scheduled due to rain or other weather conditions that could interfere with the performance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2025 at 10:12 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Don Bishop, Foundation director at the Albion Rotary Club, presents a Paul Harris Fellow award to Amy Sidari during the Rotary meeting last Thursday at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Photos courtesy of Marlene Seielstad: Amy Sidari stands with Albion Rotary Club President Tom Rivers.
The Paul Harris award is named for the founder of Rotary and is the club’s highest honor.
Sidari recently retired after 28 years as owner of the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio on West Bank Street. She has been a dance instructor in Albion for 38 years.
Rotary commended her for being a “dynamic force for good in Albion for the past four decades.” Gotta Dance has been a welcoming studio for people of all ages and abilities.
Sidari has used the dance studio to host many community fundraisers and events, including an annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas to support a scholarship in memory of Nicholas, who passed away from leukemia at age 15 in 2011. The Hometown Christmas shows raised more than $25,000 in scholarships which are given to Albion seniors who follow Nicholas’s mission of “Live with Purpose.”
Amy also puts on many shows with musicians and comedians at the Cabaret at Studio B. Those shows bring in many buses of people to Albion, providing entertainment and a needed spark for the downtown.
Sidari and her husband David have five children: Jillian, Kristin, Keith, Kyle and Gina. Amy and David also have three grandchildren: James, Jonah and Charlotte.
The Rotary Club also had the “changing of the guard” last week with a new president and officers sworn in for the 2025-26 year. Tom Rivers hands the gavel over to Dick Remley who will lead the organization the next year.
The club was busy the past year with community efforts, including the Albion Strawberry Festival, a golf tournament (with proceeds going to a transportation program at the Office for the Aging and clothing and readiness fund for the Job Development Agency). A St. Patrick’s ham dinner supported school supplies in a rural part of Honduras that were delivered by Tim Archer, advisor of the Interact Club in the school district.
The Rotary Club also completed a memorial for the 15 people who died in the Sept. 28, 1859 bridge collapse in Albion. That monument, completed by Brigden Memorials, is in Albion’s Canal Park.
The Rotary Club also welcomed many speakers throughout the year and the club contributed to other projects in the community.
Rotary last week also welcomed Michael Schmackpfeffer as a new member.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2025 at 8:46 pm
File photos by Tom Rivers: File photo by Tom Rivers: Carmen Quatro stands on top of a fire truck and watches the fireworks on July 5, 2014 at Bullard Park. It’s been about a decade since there was a fireworks show at the park.
ALBION – On July 3, fireworks will be back at Bullard Park, capping a day of activities including concerts.
Many local donors contributed for the return of fireworks. It’s been about a decade since the last fireworks show at Bullard.
Several bands will be performing that evening. Ryan and Company will play from 4 to 6 p.m., 104 Country from 6 to 7:45 p.m., and The Who Dats from 8 p.m. until dusk, when fireworks will be set off.
Along with music, there will also be a chicken barbeque taking place from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from G-ACRE staff members at Bullard Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 1, 2 and 3. Chicken barbeques may also be purchased directly during the event on a first come, first served basis, up until they are sold out.
The organization G-ACRE (Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.) hosts various activities, with profits going toward the beautification of parks and other acts of service for the community.
“I personally feel this is a good thing, to come out and enjoy a very inexpensive evening and support the community,” said John Grillo, event coordinator and Albion recreation director. “There will be a big tent set up for shade if needed, but feel free to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the music.”
The Who Dats are shown performing from the amphitheater at Bullard Park last year as part of a July 3rd celebration.
The evening will include food and beverage vendors, artisans and crafters, and community organizations.
Children’s activities that will be available at the concert include bounce houses, pony and wagon rides, and face and rock painting.
The event tends to attract a large crowd. While there are plenty of parking spaces at Bullard Park, in the case of overflow, community members may also use the primary school and Town of Albion for parking purposes.
Donations to the Independence Day Celebration, as well as buying from the chicken barbeque, are appreciated. All proceeds go right back to Bullard Park and future Independence Day concerts. Checks for donations should be addressed to the Village of Albion and use the memo “fireworks.”
The day before the July 3 concert, Soul Street will be performing at Bullard Park on Wednesday as the summer concert series continues to provide to the community.
Photos by Natalie Baron: (Left) Ella Trupo smiles as she exits the stage with her diploma on Friday during commencement inside the high school gym. A downpour in late afternoon prompted the ceremony to shift from outside on the football field to the gym. (Center) Jordan Simmons shakes hands with Superintendent Mickey Edwards. (Right) Principal Jennifer Ashbery hugs her daughter, Madalyn, after she received her diploma.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
ALBION – The Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement Friday evening in the Albion High School gymnasium with 139 students receiving their diplomas.
The students entered the gym during the processional which was led by bagpipers, which has long been a tradition at Albion for graduation.
Kenadie Patten, the class president, spoke passionately as she delivered a speech to the Class of 2025. Kenadie plans to attend SUNY Oswego to study finance. Kenadie expressed that you have to be knocked down during the journey. “Things may not work out exactly as you planned them, and that’s okay,” she said.
Kenadie told the crowd to focus on opportunities rather than getting everything right immediately. “Allow yourself to be embarrassed, because embarrassment means you’re stepping outside of the comfort zone,” she said.
“The world is not only happening to you, but you are happening to the world.”
Zackary Baron gave the salutatory speech. Zack will be attending The University at Buffalo to major in mechanical engineering. He impressed upon the group the importance of making connections and upkeeping old ones. “I know that if we really just try to connect with people in a positive, open way, that we truly can change not just our community, but the world.”
He expressed that engaging with another human being may lead to growth. “So, I challenge you to please, just go and find someone who you want to be closer to, and talk with them. Ask them a few things about themself and truly listen to what they have to say.”
Tye Talbot, who will be attending Harvard University in the fall for medical studies, delivered the valedictory address. Tye reassured his classmates that change is going to happen, as “Change is the only constant.”
He said, “Change is the scariest thing in the world, and yet the only thing that is absolutely guaranteed.”
Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, urged students to embrace that the journey is not a straight line and expressed that “Your story is yours alone. No one else can write it. No one else can live it.”
Garrett Miller, shown accepting his diplomas from Board of Education President Linda Weller, overcame adversity during his time in high school, having lost his eye after an accident in gym class during his sophomore year.
Garrett said that choosing to embrace a positive outlook helped him to move forward after his injury.
“I was really sad at first, but I decided that there’s nothing I could do to change it, so I decided to just not be morose or depressed about it at all,” he said.
Garrett dreams of starting a family one day. Presently, Garrett hopes to work at the local shop Navarra’s Farm Market & Greenhouses.
Matthew Kania poses BOE President Linda Weller. Matthew owns and operates his own landscaping business, Legendary Lawn Services.
James Ruiz enthusiastically smiles as he receives his diploma. His future plan is to become a train conductor.
The Class of 2025, including Anna Zaczek and Natalie Soule, celebrate at the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 June 2025 at 3:37 pm
Luddy’s in Albion has array of tools and equipment for all kinds of jobs
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Employees of John Ludwick’s new equipment rental business stand in front of a skid steer and an excavator. From left are Bob Stilwell, Ludwick’s children Ava and Jack, Peter Sidari (in back) and Peter Pilon. The business is located at 419 West State St., Albion.
ALBION – Opening his own rental business is something John Ludwick has wanted to do for years. After much planning and assembling what could be called his “dream team,” Luddy’s Commercial/Residential Equipment Rental is a family affair, open for business at 419 West State St., Albion.
The Ludwick family, John and is wife Danielle, are not new to business, having owned Ludwick Paving and Concrete, which laid the groundwork for what has become Ludwick Constructors.
The couple started out 28 years ago with a used dump truck, several good friends and great family support. Over the years and many long days and nights, Ludwick Constructors has become a well-respected construction company that offers construction and maintenance services in the commercial, industrial and retail industries, according to Bob Stilwell, a cousin and director of marketing and sales for Luddy’s.
John Ludwick stands next to a selection of Stihl concrete saws, available to rent from his new business.
John’s skills and knowledge of the construction field made him realize the need to have an outlet for renting the very equipment he uses day to day. With his son Jack’s design for the company logo, John’s idea went from a concept to an actual brick and mortar store at 419 West State St.
Jack has worked for Ludwick Constructors since 2022 and has been working side by side with his father and other employees in the field. With the opening of Luddy’s Equipment Rental, Jack has been leading day-to-day logistics at the new business.
John and Danielle’s daughter Ava, who is completing her junior year in high school, will be running the front counter while attending school.
Jack Ludwick demonstrates a powered wheelbarrow at his father’s new equipment rental business.
Danielle works full time for the New York State Department of Corrections, but in her spare time will contribute her administration skills and work with Ava on bookkeeping.
It is truly a family operation, Stilwell said.
Peter Pilon has joined the business as retail manager. Many will recognize him from his years as co-owner of Dale’s Market and more recently as store manager at Ace Hardware. He brings 45 years of retail management experience to Luddy’s.
Also part of the new team is Peter Sidari, distribution and materials associate. A long-time friend of the family, he has worked for Ludwick Constructors part time since his retirement from the North Greece Fire District as a fire and life safety educator. Prior to that he had 22 years with the New York State Department of Transportation.
“Pete was always on my list to call when I needed help over the years, whether it was a laborer or a truck driver,” John said.
John and Danielle Ludwick, left, are shown with their staff at the new business they recently opened at 419 West State St., Albion. Next to them are Bob Stilwell, general manager; Peter Pilon, retail manager; Peter Sidari, distribution and materials associate; and Ludwick’s children Ava, front receptionist, and Jack, day-to-day logistics.
In Bob Stilwell’s new position as general manager, he will be dealing with purchasing, communication, marketing and sales, as well as commercial account management. He has several years of graphic design, marketing and sales experience from his years at Hickey Freeman, Ludwick Constructors and most recently, Lake Country Media.
“Anyone who knows the Ludwick family understands their work ethic and dedication to family, friends and community,” Stilwell said. “Stop in and see what they have to offer, make some suggestions of what you would like to see or maybe just have a cup of coffee and chat while sitting at the counter.”
John has tried to gather together the tools that contractors need, as well as tools for the do-it-yourself homeowner. His residential inventory includes rug doctors, pressure washers, floor sanders, sewer snakes, pumps and generators. He also has concrete products and mixes, grouts and mason mixes.
Pictured in the main showroom are, from left, Peter Pilon, Bob Stilwell and owner John Ludwick.
In the heavier equipment, he has skid steers, excavators, stone compactors, transits, jack hammers, concrete saws and concrete boring machines. He also thought it would be smart to offer a retail center with diamond blades, specialty taps, mag floats and a concrete epoxy coating selection.
Other equipment includes a walk-behind concrete grinder, gas-powered wheelbarrow for concrete, hepa vacuum (for cleaning up concrete dust), cleaning solutions for power washers, concrete Stihl saws and more.
Their selection of hardware and fasteners is growing, and they carry several sizes of saw blades, safety gear and cleaning supplies.
If they don’t have what you need, they will do their best to get it for you.
One bay at their new location is dedicated to cleaning, inspecting and servicing rented equipment when it is returned, before it is put back into service.
“We deliver and run through operating procedures with our customers if they need it,” John said. “We will supply our knowledge in running whatever piece of equipment they rent. It’s going to be fun working with people I grew up with. We spent many, many nights talking about doing this. It was now, or we will never do it.”
Luddy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday. For information, they can be reached at (585) 774-1924.
Bob Stilwell points out a jumping jack, used to compress stone.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2025 at 9:53 am
Nolberto Martinez Maya says Harvard proved challenging, opened up world of friendships
Provided photos: Nolberto Martinez Maya graduated from Harvard University on May 27-29. Martinez, a 2021 Albion graduate, plans to work at a community health center in Boston for two years before going to med school. He would like to be a surgeon for his career.
ALBION – Nolberto Martinez Maya is back in Albion for a couple weeks after four rigorous years as a student at Harvard University. He earned his degree in molecular and cellular biology at that prestigious Ivy League university.
Martinez, 22, said it was a transforming four years for him, and not just because of the challenging courses. He made friends from people all over the world. He is more outgoing and he is eager to get into the medical field to help others.
Martinez starts a new job this summer at a community health center in the Boston area, working in low-income communities in east Boston and South Boston.
“I want to get some more experience and then apply to medical schools next year,” Martinez said during an interview last week at the Village House in Albion.
Martinez was a research intern at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Graphic the past 18 months. He juggled two other jobs at Harvard, and was involved in several clubs.
He started one a club that was inspired by an experience in Albion when one of his middle school teachers, Kim Toombs, had students make pillows and ponchos to support breast cancer patients. Martinez led Harvard students in making under-arm pillows that were distributed to cancer centers in the Boston area. Toombs sent fabric and her patterns to help Martinez with the program.
He also was president of a knitting club, and an officer for other organizations that promoted health advocacy and sexual education.
Nolberto Martinez Maya is shown at Harvard. He graduated from Albion in 2021, and also earned his associate’s degree at GCC before he finished high school.
Martinez said he went from being obsessed with his classwork the first year at Harvard, to finding a balance with academics while becoming involved in clubs and with his friends.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve done and how I did,” Martinez said.
Question: Would you say you were prepared by Albion to go to Harvard?
Answer: I would say in some aspects I was. Academically I had all of the tools I needed. When I got there it wasn’t that I didn’t have the knowledge or that Albion didn’t prepare me, I think the rigor itself of the college was different.
Just to give you an example, they offer the standard chemistry courses. It’s called Chem-17 and Chemistry 27. At most colleges they are called Chem 1 and Chem 2, and then you do BioChem 1 and BioChem 2. But at Harvard, Chem 17 is Chem 1 and Chem 2 together in one semester. BioChem 1 and BioChem 2 are together in the second semester, which is Chem 27. It’s four courses smashed into two semesters and you learn all of that content.
I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t prepared, but I would say it was a different level of rigor that I hadn’t experienced.
Question: Of the 1,900 in your class, did they all get through it in four years?
Answer: I remember looking at my sophomore and freshman year, I remember that number being just over 2,000. But they announced just over 1,900 graduated, so I would say maybe 100 to 200 were maybe pushed back a year.
However, I have a friend of mine she isn’t graduating this year but that’s because she took a year off to work in a lab. A lot of it is just situational. She has a 3.9 GPA. There was no reason for her to stay back a year, but she wanted to step out and work in a research lab and get that expereince because her hope is to one day get her PhD. I can’t say that everybody’s was an academic thing. It could have also been a personal thing. There are people who take a semester off to travel abroad.
Nolberto is shown with his family members, from left: brother Everado, brother Honorato Jr., father Honorato, Nolberto, mother Inocencia, and sister Lorena. Nolberto’s parents have worked for fruit farms trimming fruit trees and grafting them. Nolberto helped on the farms and he said grafting the trees shows biology in action.
Question: What was the hardest part about being at Harvard?
Answer: Being away from family. It was the hardest my freshman year. Every single break or long weekend I kind of looked forward to it – Thanksgiving, Christmas, even summer break when I came back for two-three weeks because I had to go back to do research and a summer program.
During those times at home I looked forward to hanging out with my family. The hardest transition was getting dropped off by my parents and siblings. They dropped me off in Cambridge and they didn’t stay multiple nights to just say goodbye. It was very interesting to be left in the city after one day.
Question: Did you get a sense if you were unusual being from a small town?
Answer: I would say leaning more towards yes. A majority of my friends were from big cities, like New York City itself, different cities in California, China, Vietnam, the UK. I have friends from Florida.
Question: What was that like, meeting people from all over the world?
Answer: It was eye-opening. It was very interesting to meet so many new people from different places, and learn some of their customs and see how they got along with their families. I would say I was very fortunate to have such a strong support system with my family, with my mom, dad and siblings. They always checked in on me, always made sure if I needed anything they would help me, even if it was just money for coffee.
But even through that I had two jobs myself.
Question: What were your jobs?
Answer: One of them was a web fulfillment associate, which is packing orders that were made through the online store for HAS, the Harvard Student Agencies. They sold Harvard merch. I would answer phone calls, answer emails and fill in orders.
My second one was Harvard Recreation. I was a front desk attendant. I was getting people towels, selling stuff that we sold.
I worked at each of them about 10-15 hours a week, on top of my clubs and my classes. At the height of my junior year, I was doing one of the jobs (I got the second job my senior year), was also the head of five to six clubs and doing my classes. It was a very tiring year.
I would leave my dorm about 8 or 9 a.m. and then not come back until about 11 p.m. That gave me time to wind down and go to bed, and wake up for the next day.
Nolberto Martinez Maya, left in second row, said he made friends from all over the world at Harvard.
Question: Did you ever feel the Imposter Syndrome, like “What am I doing here?”
Answer: Yes. Initially I met a lot of people, and one of them had a star named after him because he discovered one in high school. One of my friends she won a national piano competition. Others won writing competitions, were National Merit Scholars. Another was a very famous celloist since he was 8 years old. Others came from schools that prepared them very well.
I found that some people I met weren’t as scared or struggling as much as I kind of felt like I was. It was very scary to think I don’t know if I can make it.
Question: How did you work through that? Any advice for people?
Answer: I found my study group, my group that I stuck with for the remaining three years after my first year. I found my study group and I didn’t stop working on something until I handed it in.
I think it was me and how I got through my school here in Albion and did my associate’s as well. It was don’t finish your assignment until it’s done and it’s handed in. If it’s something you’re not sure about, go to office hours, talk to your professors and teachers, even other students. That is the other thing that Harvard fosters, they give you pretty difficult assignments, but the main goal of that assignment is to learn. But it’s not just to learn, it’s also to network, and figure this out together. We will get through this together.
I think they try to foster students reaching out and having those connections with other students to realize we’re in this together and we can get out of it together.
Question: When did you start to feel like you did belong there?
Answer: Honestly, at the end of my sophomore year. That was when I found a larger group. I realized I could get my assignments done, do well on them, still have time to hang out with my friends. I finally found that balance. Life doesn’t just have to be academics. Life can also be me going out and having fun. It wasn’t until I relaized I had a balance in academics and extracurriculars. It was a perfect triangle of me realizing I didn’t have to spend my day locked in my room trying to finish an assignment.
Question: How are you a different person now than you were four years ago?
Answer: I feel like I’m more well-rounded. I think I’ve learned to join conversations and be an active person and engage with other people. I think I was a very introverted person, just somebody who kept to himself and was closed off to people. At Harvard I realized saying “Hi” to people and reaching out to them, and establishing and maintaining connections became easier. I could meet somebody new and then maintain that connection.
I now feel comfortable talking to people from all walks of life, and then maintaining those connections.
Question: I should ask you about Harvard being in the news. Did that have an impact on you? Was it talked about much among the students?
Answer: It is talked about but I would say there is a disconnect between adminsitration and the students. I think adminsitration tries their best to not involve the students because of things that had happened previously. I think they try not to put students at the forefront.
The school does have students who are a little bit more high profile. I think in the interests of all students they try to make sure nobody is left out. To us it feels like they don’t want to engage with us, but I think it is their way to keep us maybe a half-step away from them.
Question: What else do you want to say, Nolberto? Can someone from Albion hang with the very best students?
Answer: Oh yes, definitely. I think it’s very do-able. I think the only thing that is ever needed is the want. If you want to do it, you can do it.
I met a lot of friends with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, similar cultural backgrounds and I realized we did different things and those made us stand out. I don’t think being from a small town should be something that scares somebody. If anything being able to go to a bigger city and meet new people is always fun. It’s always fun to realize what other people have done and I’ve come to find a lot of friends who genuinely want to do great things – as lawyers, people in finance, people who will do public health work. There is a wide range of people I have met.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 3:47 pm
Prison officials say facility remains in ‘recovery phase’ after strike, trying to fill many positions
Photos by Tom Rivers: Melinda Samuelson, superintendent of the Albion Correctional Facility, gave a tour last week to about a dozen community members, including County Legislator John Fitzak at left, who is retired as a corrections officer next door at Orleans Correctional Facility.
ALBION – The Albion Correctional Facility last week gave community members a tour of the women’s prison. This is the third year the facility has let in some local business owners, clergy, elected officials and others for the tour.
Prison leaders said the facility is hiring, seeking to fill many civilian positions and more than 100 jobs as corrections officers.
The tour highlighted educational and vocational training opportunities for the incarcerated population.
“We’re very proud of what goes on inside the prison walls,” said Melinda Samuelson, the Albion Correctional superintendent. “We have a desire to help. We want them to leave on track and better prepared.”
She said many of the staff choose to stay at Albion long-term for their careers, with some even driving well over an hour each way. Some employees have left to work at other prisons and returned to Albion.
Greg Bennett, an Albion village trustee, works in the prison as a locksmith. He was on the tour last week. He said he wished he had taken a job at the prison sooner. He said there are good benefits and pay, and plenty of room for advancement.
Albion Correctional, besides needing to fill many corrections officer positions, also is hiring for keyboarding, mail, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, vocational instructors, teachers, library clerk, recreation program leader, production control supervisor, administrative assistant and cooks. For more information, contact personnel at (585) 589-5511, ext. 3600.
Danielle Hodges (left), first deputy superintendent, walks with Se Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian on the tour at the correctional facility, which several said would look like a college campus if there weren’t fences with razor wire on the perimeter.
The state’s prison system dominated the news with a 22-day strike by corrections officers that started Feb. 17 and ended March 10. About 2,000 corrections officers were fired when they didn’t report to work by a March 10 deadline. Staffing statewide at prisons dropped from about 13,500 before the strike to about 10,000 with many officers choosing to resign.
Corrections officers said the prisons have been short-staffed since long before the strike, resulting in far too much forced overtime, and COs said the prisons were less safe due to the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement in prisons.
At Albion Correctional, the facility is about 130 officers short of being fully staffed and continues to have a National Guard presence. There are about 36 soldiers from the National Guard at Albion Correctional, down from 90 during the strike.
Albion Correctional should have 394 corrections officers to be fully staffed and currently is at about 260. (The facility also has 160 civilian jobs.)
The prison also has about 500 inmates, even though it was a capacity for 1,200. If the prison was at full capacity, it would need 463 COs and sergeants to be fully staffed, prison officials shared on the tour last week.
“We are in the recovery stage from the strike,” Samuelson said at the QWL building during a discussion before the tour. “Many have returned but we are still short. We are constantly recruiting.”
She said the administration strives to make the prison safer for staff and the incarcerated population. The COs have used body worn cameras since 2017 to record any of their interactions with inmates. There are 570 other CCTV cameras on site, and Samuelson said another 6,000 cameras are going in throughout the prison.
The prion’s top administration met with about a dozen people at the QWL building before heading out on a tour of Albion Correctional Facility.
Samuelson said the prison is doing more regional hiring. It used to be corrections officers and civilian staff often had family and friends that worked in a prison. But she said many COs no longer recommend the job.
Albion Correctional started doing the tours for the community in 2023 to try to shine a light on careers within the prison, she said, and the facility is doing more work fairs and listing positions on Indeed.
The administration also is trying to show staff more appreciation. One of the display boards had pictures of staff and thanked them for keeping the facility afloat during the recent strike and the continued staffing issues.
Albion Correctional has been holding steady at about 500 incarcerated women the past several years. She doubts the prison will get back near the 1,200.
Although the inmate population is much lower than its capacity, Samuelson said today’s incarcerated population often struggle with many challenges. More than 80 percent of the population has a diagnosed mental health issue, and many come to Albion plagued with drug addictions. About 130 of the inmates are on methadone treatment to help them with their opioid addictions. She said the prison reflects society with an increasing disrespect for others.
She praised the staff for teaching the incarcerated population new skills, better ways of dealing with anger and strategies for mental health challenges.
On the tour, the community members saw inmates making garbage receptacles and metal furniture. They were welding and painting bins that are prevalent at state parks.
Jeff Benfer leads the vocational program at the prison where inmates learn metal fabrication, welding and painting. He said 32 inmates recently earned more than 250 occupational ed credits as the program rebuilds after the Covid pandemic.
During Covid, the metal fabrication and painting was shut down so inmates could bottle sanitizer. The shop was transformed into a bottling site with 48 inmates working two shifts each day.
Benfer, the industrial superintendent, also oversees a section where inmates use CNC lasers to engrave name plates for park police, state troopers and corrections officers. They also make numerous plaques. Benfer said the group is trying to get caught up on back orders.
A culinary café prepares breakfasts and lunches for staff. During the 22-day strike, the café served 4,500 meals for staff, including making deliveries.
The café serves breakfast burritos with home fries, monster sandwiches, French toast, sausage and cheesy grits. For lunch, there are cheeseburger with fries, chicken finger poutine, chicken dip, meatball sliders, fried bologna sandwich with chips and a pickle.
Mike O’Conner has been the horticulture program instructor the past 10 years. He teaches the incarcerated women in the program to grow and care for flowers and vegetables. The program has a competition among the residence halls to see which ones can best display their flowers. O’Conner, center, is shown chatting with Sue Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian and also a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative extension.
Troy Hopson, left, was on the tour. He is director of a juvenile program in Auburn for incarcerated girls.
Some of the produce grown by the horticulture program has been donated to Community Action in Albion.
Melinda Samuelson, the prison superintendent, and Sue Starkweather Miller take a close look at some of the flowers grown in the greenhouse. Starkweather Miller also is a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. She said there are opportunities for the horticulture program to partner with the community.
Albion Correctional is one of only three women-only prisons in the state. The other two, Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional, are on the other side of the state in Westchester County. Albion and Taconic are both medium-security while Bedford Hills is a maximum-security site.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is looking to possibly close five prisons in the coming year. Samuelson believes Albion Correctional is in a good position to stay open as the only women’s prison in the western part of the state, and the many successful programs offered at the site.
The chapel at Albion Correctional Facility is one of the oldest structures remaining from the original prison complex built in the 1890s.
The site initially was established as the Western House of Refuge in 1890, with construction beginning in 1891 and operations starting in December 1893. The chapel was part of the initial complex.
The site has been a women-only prison since 1986.
The inside of the chapel shows where church services are held for the incarcerated population. Albion Correctional is trying to find a specialist to fix one of the old stained-glass windows above the pulpit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 10:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Mike Thaine directs the Albion High School concert band in the debut of “Freshly Baked Cookies.”
ALBION – The final concert of Mike Thaine’s career as a band teacher had an extra special element last week: an original composition that was played publicly for the first time.
Thaine’s wife Susan and their children, Abigail and Kyle, commissioned Stephen Shewan to write a piece that could be played in Thaine’s final concert of a 34-year career in public education.
Provided photo: Mike Thaine, left, and Stephen Shewan are pictured after the concert on June 10 in Albion.
Shewan, a Shelby resident, went to a band rehearsal last October. He noticed a strong camaraderie between Thaine and his students. After the rehearsal, about 20 students stayed after. The teacher had baked cookies and shared them with the kids. That day was close to Halloween and the cookies had candy corn in them.
“The cookies captured the love and joy that permeated this group of students and their director, somewhat like an informal breaking of bread,” Shewan wrote in the Albion concert program about the song. “It was evident the students and director had a special bond built upon mutual respect, love and appreciation.”
The six-minute piece, “Fresh Baked Cookies,” made its world debut on June 10 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium.
Shewan created a piece that he said is playful and youthful in spirit. He also wanted a few sleigh bell cameos to highlight Albion’s heritage as the home of a Santa School run by the late Charles Howard from 1937 util 1966.
Thaine is an Albion graduate. He worked in Steuben County, first a year at Greenwood and then seven years at Prattsburgh before returning to his alma in 1998 as the elementary music teacher, introducing third- and fourth-graders to musical instruments. He worked in that role for nine years before becoming the high school band and music teacher.
He has led multiple groups – the marching band, jazz band, pit orchestra and many smaller ensembles.
Thaine said he started baking cookies and breakfast casseroles for students about four or five years ago.
“I just think the world of the kids,” he said. “A lot of the kids like to stay and have lunch.”
He is pleased with Shewan’s composition and the title. The band started rehearsing with the music in February. Thaine said it is a challenging piece to play, which is what he wanted.
“I couldn’t have been happier,” Thaine said about the newly created music.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 8:02 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion’s park counselors for the upcoming season include, front row, from left: Ezra Bloom, Noah Harrison, Makyell Walker, Keira Zambito, Faith Bennett, Semaj Miller, Cierra Johnson, Sophia Albanese, Mia Prinzing and McKinley Knight. Back row: Mayzair Walker, ChrisJen Winters, Hailey Crawford, Dylan Baxter, Bri Dugan, Kendall Derisley and Paige Derisley.
ALBION – The Village of Albion summer park program kicks off a 6-week season on June 23 with a full slate of programs as well as free food for children every day. The season ends on Aug. 1.
The village has teamed with Foodlink to have lunches, snacks and beverage from Mondays through Thursdays, while the Masonic Lodge and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries will provide meals on Fridays, usually pizza or tacos in the bag.
There will be park counselors at Bullard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will lead children in games, arts and crafts and other activities.
The first couple days of the park program include registration. Children should have a list of their immunization records, said John Grillo, who is leading the summer program for Albion. Grillo has been the village’s recreation director for about 50 years.
Grillo said the options for the program have expanded with the recent additions of the basketball courts, splash pad, new pavilions, GaGa pit, walking trail, disc golf course, new playground apparatus.
Some highlights in the season include:
Tennis clinic from June 30 to July 3rd
July 3rd celebration later in the day, including fireworks
Wrestling and tennis camps from July 7-11
Baseball camp from July 14-18
County Park Fun Day on July 16 with bounce houses, food vendors
Volleyball camp from July 21-25
There are also outings planned including a trip to Dubby’s Tailgate on July 9, Cone Zone for ice cream on July 10 and 11, and bowling at Oak Orchard Lanes on July 24.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 June 2025 at 8:32 am
Onesimus House will offer job and life skills to young men
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Heidi and Anthony O’Hara explain the mission of Trade 180 to those who recently attended a benefit at Bent’s Opera House. The evening raised more than half of their goal of $80,000 to open Onesimus House in Albion, a program to prepare young men with life skills.
MEDINA – Efforts to complete Onesimus House in Albion, a “home of hope” for young men with very limited opportunities, got a big boost from a recent benefit at Bent’s Opera House.
Heidi O’Hara, who is executive director of Trade 180 in Albion, and her husband Anthony have announced their “Comedy for a Cause” featuring Dan Viola and Doug Egling raised $43,000 of the $80,000 needed to complete Onesimus House at 574 East Ave.
Onesimus House is named for a disciple in the Bible who stole, was redeemed and sent back to his community as an active productive member – which is the mission of Trade 180.
The house was donated for use as Onesimus House by Harvest Christian Fellowship just a door away. Lovingly called “The Home of Hope,” it is a short-term, live-in mentoring program with guidelines and structure to prepare four young men at a time for the workforce, equipping them with life skills and hope for a better future, Mrs. O’Hara said. Trade 180 is a volunteer, faith-based, transformative mentoring program for young men ages 18-25.
“We are very pleased and overjoyed by God’s goodness shown through all who attended Trade 180’s ‘Comedy for a Cause,’ fundraiser,” she reported. “It was a full house with 150 attendees, and with the generosity of many giving hearts, we were able to raise more than half of our goal.”
The money will be used to staff and stock the home.
“We are so grateful to all those who have donated and volunteered,” O’Hara said. “Each gift is not just a donation, it is a lifeline for young men of Orleans County who are often overlooked and underserved. Trade 180 values each individual life and wants to see young people discover their God-given purpose.”
Anyone who would like to donate to help Trade 180 reach its goal may still make a tax-deductible contribution by sending a check payable to Trade 180, 25 East Bank St., Albion, 14411; paying with Venmo@Trade-OneEighty; or donating with credit card or debit card online at hcforleans.com/Trade-180/.
Photos and information courtesy of Albion Elks Lodge #1006
ALBION – On Thursday the Albion Elks Lodge #1006 proudly conducted their Flag Day ceremony at their lodge to pay tribute to our national flag.
The ceremony was performed by the Lodge officers including Mike Jenks, Exalted Ruler; Richard Robb Sr., Leading Knight; Lynda Standish, Loyal Knight stand in; Sharon Pollock, Lecturing Knight; Allyn Phillips, Esquire; and Edee Hoffmeister, Chaplain.
Past State President Barry Griffith served as guest speaker for the ceremony. Music and PA system were provided by Bret Boring. Camille Jenks took the photos.
The ceremony was assisted by the Abion VFW honor guard, and Murray and Shelby Fire Departments hoisted a giant flag. Albion Fire Department and representatives of the Albion Police Department were also in attendance.
The VFW honor guard presented each flag of the United States and a 21-Gun Salute at the ending of the ceremony.
County Legislator John Fitzak was in attendance along with many Elks members, guests and members of the public. Albion Elks Riders supported the event by providing refreshments after the ceremony.
Albion Elks Lodge #1006 intends to make this an annual event.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 June 2025 at 7:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Some of the Strawberry Festival Committee members are pictured with Orly the Ox on Saturday. From left include Mike Bonnewell, Tracy VanSkiver, Trevor Thaine and Marlene Seielstad. Orly served as grand marshal for the parade.
Becky Karls, coordinator of the committee leading the festival, said the weather was great both days with temperatures in the high 60s, low 70s.
She praised the committee for welcoming many popular returning vendors and for drawing in new ones.
“We heard lots of good feedback,” Karls said. “They liked that their were more food varieties and there were ranges. We heard so many people say it was so great and that it was amazing.”
Many of the craft and food vendors were cleared out of their inventory, she said.
The crowd was happy to see the many bands, floats and other participants in the parade. There were about 50 entries in all.
Jarred Saj walks with the Turtle in the parade on Saturday, to promote the Turtle Race. Tickets were $5 a turtle or 5 for $20. Saj set a new record by selling 480 of the 1,000 available tickets.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley served as emcee for the Turtle Race. Becky Karls, festival committee chairwoman, is in back at left. She led the planning committee for the second year.
With the Main Street bridge closed again this festival, the turtles had to be dumped into the canal from the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol boat. From left include sewer plant superintendent Aric Albright, County Legislator Skip Draper, ticket seller extraordinaire Jarred Saj, Emergency Management deputy director Scott Buffin, Albion Police Lt. Brandan Annable and County Legislator John Fitzak.
Tim Pencille is in a kayak and ready to corral the fastest turtles. It was a slow-moving race with the wind counter-acting the current in the canal. It took about 40 minutes for the turtles to “race” a short distance on the canal.
The top five turtles were: Bellucci from Medina in first, $500 prize; Joe Sidonio in second, $250; Dave Schubel in third, $125; Ed Houseknecht in fourth, $75; and Chris Bourke in fifth, $50. The winning tickets were all sold by Jarred Saj.
The Who Dats performed the final concert of the Strawberry Festival on Saturday. The band includes from left John Borello and Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, and Eddie Hilfiker with Alex DeSmit on drums.
There was a nice collection of classic cars at a cruise-in on East State Street.
The band Big Logic & The Truth Serum was a new performer at the festival. They are from Rochester and include former Holley resident Justin Gurnsey on lead vocals and guitar. He is facing the camera. He was invited to be in the festival by Bill Pilleggi, one of the committee members and a retired principal at Holley.
Other band members include Jesse Bertholf, Andrew Strzepek, Will Dorfner, Lucas Saladin, Neil Pierce and Zach Pelton.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 June 2025 at 10:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Cassie Brown plays the flute for the Albion Marching Band during today’s parade in the Albion Strawberry Festival. Brown and the other seniors all had a tear painted on their face to symbolize their final marching band performance.
The Albion band was among several in today’s parade.
The Albion banner is carried by Adeline Pask, age 10; Nora Fazliu, 11; and Sadie Pask, 10.
Mallory Ashbery, one of the drum majors, walks backwards while directing the Albion band. The Albion Marching Band performed to music by the band Chicago.
Julia Graham, front, and Mackenzie Cook are both members of Albion’s color guard.
Zach Busch is the director of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band which has seen steady growth in the band since the two schools formed the group in 2017.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band performs a show, “Nightmare on Main Street.”
DownBeat Percussion brought high-energy drummers to the parade. This group performs at Buffalo Bills home games.
The Pembroke Marching Band featured a big group of musicians.
The Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums have been perennial performers at the Albion parade.
Mighty St. Joe’s Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps also have played in the Albion parade for many years.
The Batavia Blue Devil Marching Band makes their way down the parade route, which started at Albion Central School and headed down Route 31 before turning onto Main Street.
The Mark Time Marchers also performed in the parade.
