Provided photos and information from Eileen Williams

ALBION – The Albion Class of 1972 held another Class Picnic at Bullard Park on Saturday, July 26.

Front Row: Marita DeLuca Dumrese, Sue Pilon, Brenda Staines Bierdeman, Barb Chappius Papili, Sharon Smith McAllister, Ann Gemeo Tower, Patti Smith Buckner, Joey Fiorilli Conlon and Vickie Condoluci Wheeler

Middle Row: Cindy Downey Troy, Candy Hockenberry Fasano, Robert Moore, Marilee Tokotch, Flugel, Marge Colonna Burgio, Eileen Williams, Colleen Murphy McKenna, Rex Hults, Faye Hollenbeck Stowell. Howard Ward and Velma Snell

Back Row (left side only): Joanie Peters, Robert Neilans, Dennis Allis and Kim Standish.

Howard Ward is essential for these picnics as he provides his own super delicious barbecue chicken for everyone to enjoy.

It was a potluck picnic, and many delicious salads, fruits, and heavenly desserts were provided by classmates. Eileen Williams has organized the picnics for several years, along with much help from Howard Ward and Marita DeLuca Dumrese. Eileen also enjoys arranging class lunches as often as possible at various restaurants.

Our wonderful class really has enjoyed various gatherings since we graduated. We are very fortunate and grateful to spend time together and share old and new memories whenever we can.

The Class of 1972 also has a Reunion Committee consisting of Bob Capurso, Howard Ward, Ann Germeo Tower, Marita DeLuca Dumrese, Eileen Williams, and Patti Smith Buckner. All have been instrumental in getting the class together for reunions for many years.

Pictured include: Ann Germeo Tower, Eileen Williams, Howard Ward, Patti Smith Buckner and Marita DeLuca Dumrese.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Pickleball courts at Bullard Park in Albion are becoming a reality. There are two courts fenced in next to the basketball courts.

Today, a crew from JM Pro Courts & Surface Solutions in Lancaster is putting sealer on pavement that used to be part of the parking lot at Bullard. Later today, the company is expected to paint the courts purple with green on the perimeter similar to the basketball courts.

JM Pro Courts & Surface Solutions clears off any dust and debris before putting the sealer down.

The project is the latest improvement at Bullard. The Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc., a non-profit organization that has secured grants and other funding for Bullard improvements, is pushing the pickleball addition.

Susan Oschmann, a member of G-ACRE, said about $5,000 is needed to finish off the pickleball courts. She said some generous donors, including Judge Sanford Church, have paid for fencing and part of the costs for the sealing and painting.

She will be at Rock the Park on Friday and Saturday selling $5 tickets for a wine and beer raffle to raise money for the final work on the new courts.

There is also a GoFundMe set up for people to donate towards the remaining cost of the courts. Click here for more information.

Photo courtesy of Greg Jones

The first coat is on the two pickleball courts, with paint to follow.

Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the US the past four years. Players use paddles to hit a perforated ball over a net. The court space is much smaller than a tennis court.

There will be demonstrations Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. on the new courts for people to learn the rules of the sport and see players in action.

If the pickleball courts are popular in Albion, there is room next to them for two more to be added in the future, Oschmann said.

Photo courtesy of Susan Oschmann

The purple paint gets applied to the courts this afternoon.

Active community volunteer in fight against cancer

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – There is a big benefit today in Albion for Debbie Prest, who has been a very active community member and Albion booster for many years.

Prest is battling cancer. She has helped many people put on benefits over the years.

A big group of her friends have rallied for today’s fundraiser, which includes more than 150 baskets up for raffle. The cardboard cutoff of Josh Allen will be available to bid on in a silent auction.

The benefit is from noon to 4 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate, 165 South Platt St.

These volunteers are wearing shirts that say,  “Debbie’s Dreamers – Believing in a cancer-free future.”

Prest runs the Red Check business in Albion. She helps organize and raise funds for Albion’s downtown flowers, the annual wine tasting event in the downtown, and many other events through the Albion Merchants Association.

“You meet Debbie once and she’s your friend,” said Teresa Gurney, one of the volunteers today. “She’s the best. I’ve never seen her in a bad mood even when bad things happen to her.”

Christine Ranallo puts some tickets in the baskets up for raffle today. Ranallo and the other volunteers put their tickets in before the doors opened at noon.

Becky Alexander, co-owner of Dubby’s, said Prest has become one her closest friends since Dubby’s Tailgate opened about four years ago. Prest loves to taste test items that the Alexander family are experimenting with.

Prest also has helped organize live music and events at Dubby’s, most recently with Bingo and painting classes.

Alexander met Prest through volunteering at Rock the Park, Albion’s summer music festival.

Alexander said Dubby’s will change its name for today to “Debbie’s” in honor of their friend.

Karen Spierdwowis, another volunteer, puts in her tickets in the basket raffle.

This group led by Tom O’Hearn and Dusty DeCarlo is cooking 550 chicken barbecues. In front from left include DeCarlo, O’Hearn and Ray Stefani. In back from left are Gary Moore, Kevin Sheehan, Mike Schuck, Phil Burgess, Gary Van Wycke and John Gurney.

The dinners are $20 each. O’Hearn and the team volunteer to cook the chickens at 5 to 6 benefits a year. He has been doing this since 1986 when he learned from Chester Preston.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Mary Lonnen of Lyndonville, left, stops during her tour of the garden to take a picture of garden owner Jeanette Riley, seated at left, and her sister Joyce.

ALBION – An annual garden tour to benefit the Cobblestone Society has become a highlight of the summer season for many in Orleans County.

This year’s event took place Thursday afternoon and evening in the opulent gardens of Jeanette Riley and her family on Riley Place, off Moore Street in Albion near the bank of the Erie Canal.

Terry Wilbert of Albion meanders along a path in Jeanette Riley’s garden. His wife Kae, a bassoonist, was preparing for the performance of the quintet E-Yah-Pah-Hah.

Shirley Bright-Neeper of Medina and Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville, both members of the Cobblestone Society, led the annual event. Bright-Neeper praised the volunteers who helped, and the band, which she said was “absolutely wonderful.”

Showers were forecast, but held off for the event, which attracted more than 100 guests, exceeding expectations.

“This is our fifth year for the garden tour and it is a record one,” said Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum director, who was all smiles as he directed traffic by the Riley’s driveway.

Joyce Potote of Holley chatted with Yuko and Chris Wilkins from Tokyo, who are on furlough in Albion as missionaries with the Free Methodist denomiantion. They marveled at Riley’s gardens, Potote saying she had visited them before with her garden club.

Mary Lonnen of Lyndonville and Sandy Fenton of Medina strolled the winding paths, admiring plants and statuary and stopping to take pictures along the way.

“As a fellow gardener, I just love it here,” Lonnen said. “Jeanette has so many original ideas. We all appreciate what she’s done here.”

“It’s wonderful they are sharing their wealth and imagination with us,” Fenton said.

There was plenty of comfortable seating throughout the garden, with many niches, alcoves and secluded arbors in which to relax. A small barn was converted into a kitchen area where elaborate snacks were supplied for guests, most all made by Chizick. Near the orchestra, Georgia Thomas served up sweet treats and iced tea. Another shaded area provided space for Mark Bower and Chris Sartwell to serve a selection of wine to guests.

As parking near the garden was limited, organizers arranged for a shuttle which transported guests back and forth from the former St. Mary’s Church a short distance away on Brown Street.

Riley, who was seated on a garden bench with her sister Joyce, greeted guests and answered questions, while sometimes posing for a picture. She said she was thrilled to be able to share what she has accomplished there with so many people.

From left, Chris Capurso, Brenda Radzinski and Gail Johnson, all board members of the Cobblestone Society, greet guests as they arrive at Jeanette Riley’s garden on the banks of the Erie Canal in Albion for the annual soiree Thursday afternoon and evening.

(Left) Georgia Thomas of Medina offers a petite pineapple square at the dessert table set up near the area where the quintent E-Yah-Pah-Hah entertained guests. (Right) Joyce Chizick arranges a tray of hors d’oeuvres she prepared for the Cobblestone’s garden tour on Thursday.

Guests stroll at their leisure through the extensive gardens of Jeanette Riley on the bank of the Erie Canal on Moore Street in Albion.

Yuko and Chris Wilkins, left, from Tokyo and Joyce Potote of Holley rest in one of seating areas throughout Jeanette Riley’s garden. The Wilkins are staying in Albion while on furlough as missionaries with the Free Methodist denomination until September.

Sandy Fenton of Medina, left, and Mary Lonnen of Lyndonville pose by a grouping of metal blooms in Jeanette Riley’s garden during the Cobblestone Society’s annual mid-summer celebration.

Guests enjoy elegant finger foods made by Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville.

Mark Bower and Chris Sartwell poured wine under a garden umbrella for guests, including Dick Remley at right.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Susan Starkweather Miller and Tim Archer are shown at Mount Albion Cemetery by a sign showing progress towards raising $225,000 to repair the chapel’s roof and make the site safe to be used by the public again.

Albion eighth-graders made the sign showing the fundraising progress. More sections of the window need to be filled in because donations are currently at $140,000.

The chapel was built in 1875 and needs significant repairs to the roof and other improvements. The chapel is the focal point for visitors to the cemetery who enter through the main entrance through the sandstone arch.

The chapel remains structurally sound, but it needs a new Vermont slate roof. The roof has leaked causing other problems.

“It’s worthy of saving,” said Starkweather Miller, the village historian. “I believe in our community and there is a lot of love for Mount Albion.”

If the chapel is restored, she said the building could again be used for memorial services, local history talks and other events.

The roof has leaked in the chapel. The fundraising campaign will address the interior problems with the building, as well as putting on a new roof.

The $225,000 would restore the chapel with the following improvements:

• A new roof with Vermont slate matching the original design
• Asbestos abatement on the roof
• Repointing on the entire building
• Interior replastering of the north wall
• Electrical upgrades (wiring, outlets, internal and external lighting
• Heating unit for seasonal use
• Ceiling tile removal and repair of plaster and vaulted ceiling
• Remove old floor, repair subfloor and put in a new floor
• Refurbish exterior doors and window trim

A committee has been working about a year to identify the needs of the chapel and to start raising funds for the restoration. That group includes Starkweather Miller, Archer, David Snell, Toni Stark and Tony Wynn.

The Orleans County Historical Association, led by President Bill Lattin, also is helping with the fundraising. That group is a 501c3 organization and all donations can be tax deductible. Click here for more information about making a donation.

The fundraising received a major donation recently with $100,000 from George B. Harris. His grandfather, George D. Harris, was a prominent contractor in the community. George B. now lives in Washington state but continues to have a love for the Albion community, Starkweather Miller said.

Sue Starkweather Miller during a cemetery tour last August at Mount Albion discusses the life of George D. Harris, a prominent local builder and contractor. His office was on the canal. He died in 1918 at the age of 50.

The painting is by Peter West, who gave it to Harris in exchange for work. The rod and reel in the painting were owned by Harris. Three of Harris’s granddaughters attended the tour, and his grandson listened by speaker phone.

As a contractor Harris built many new homes in Albion and redesigned others, including the former Swan Library, the Trolley Depot next to Swan Library, Jacob Landauer’s home on West State Street, the Baptist Parsonage, remodeled the Citizen’s National Bank, remodeled the Village Hall, built the Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital and built a high school at the two bridges in Carlton which has since been demolished.

The chapel restoration also has received a $10,000 donation from the DAR, and significant contributions from the Keeler family and Dale Blissett.

There will be a tour of Mount Albion at 6 p.m. on Aug. 3 with a focus on some of the pioneer settlers of the community as part of a celebration of Orleans County’s Bicentennial.

Photos by Natalie Baron: Several children went all-out in a competition of Gaga Ball today at Bullard Park. Kids hit the ball with their hands, and, if hit with the ball below the knee, had to exit the pit until the next round.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

ALBION – Bullard Park hosted its County Wide Park Fun Day today, with many activities open to all children in the county.

The leaders of the Fun Day were the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and the Village of Albion Recreation Department. The Ministry of Concern covered the $5 that would have been the entrance fee. Along with this, all children received a free hot dog, juice, and French fries.

John Grillo, the recreation director, said more than 500 kids attended and received wrist bands. The park was bustling despite temperatures near 90 degrees.

Patrick Holman, a magician, performed at the Fun Day. Here, he used letters on cards to ask the audience if they were ready to see some magic. He stacked all the cards, then dropped cards to reveal them to be attached together, spelling out the word “MAGIC.”

Some of the young attendees played tug of war. They used all their might to score a victory.

Maisyn caught a ride on a pony. The pony rides were well-liked by the children.

A little girl smiled as she soaked in the suds pit. The children occupied themselves by making stacks of bubble foam.

Children flocked to Bullard Park’s splash pad to beat the heat. They joyfully played in the water.

Anna and Abigail faced off at checkers. The girls pondered moves, then struck.

Yarieliz survived a round of Jenga. She turned and excitedly gave a thumbs-up.

A child looked down at the pretty water in the duck pool. Children anticipated their turn to cool down.

The bounce houses made a return from last year’s event. They were a hit with the kids.

Other activities included face and rock painting, basketball, disc golf, and the playground. Food and beverages were offered.

Tonight, the band Savage Cabbage will play at the amphitheater, as the Summer Concert Series continues to entertain the community.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kade Leverenz, 5, of Holley heads down the slide in one of the bounce houses during a Countywide Park Fun Day last year on July 17. The Fun Day returns on Wednesday.

ALBION – Wednesday will be a big day at Bullard Park with the Route 31 site adding bounce houses, pony rides, face and rock painting, and many other activities.

The park is hosting its Countywide Park Fun Day. Children have access to all the activities. The Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern is covering what would have been a $5 charge.

The Fun Day will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes access to the splash pad, playground, Gaga ball pit, basketball courts, disc golf and other park amenities.

Food and beverages also will be available, and there will be a performance by Patrick the Magician.

ALBION – The Albion Joint Fire District, which officially started on Jan. 1, faces many tasks – some big and some small – as the new entity overseeing fire protection for the towns of Albion and Gaines as well as the Village of Albion.

The five fire commissioners voted Thursday evening to seek bids for a quint ladder truck. That truck would replace a ladder truck from 1994 and also a fire engine from 1991. The quint would have the ability to pump water and carry some water, while also deploying a ladder that would stretch 110 feet.

The commissioners could vote to accept a bid at their next meeting on Aug. 14. The truck is expected to cost about $2.2 million. It will be a major purchase for the district.

Commissioners are weighing other costs that are far less, but still important. During Thursday’s meeting, commissioners discussed having a new sign on the fire hall on Platt Street. It may just be lettering that states Albion Joint Fire District. Commissioners are seeking a defined proposal for the sign.

They also have received two proposals to develop a website for the fire district, with ongoing IT support and maintenance. One proposal was for $1,995 to set up the website with a $95 monthly maintenance. That would also provide at least 40 email addresses for the district. Another informal quote was for $980 to set up the website with $185 for host maintenance for the whole year. Commissioners want more details on the proposals to make sure the services being offered are similar.

The joint district also is considering purchasing Class A formal uniforms for some of the members. President Scott Papponetti said two companies have not responded to repeated requests for proposals for the uniforms while another, MES, has proposed $800 for each uniform and would come to Albion to fit the firefighters with white buttoned shirts, jackets and pants. The Class A’s also include a hat, belt, neck tie, coat and hardware on the collar with a firefighter’s badge number.

These uniforms are worn at parades, funerals and other special events, such as the Sept. 11 memorial service.

MES also could provide the Class B uniforms with polo shirts, T-shirts and other less formal clothing.

The fire district has $9,000 budgeted for the Class B’s. The district also received $36,313 from the Village of Albion from its insurance company. That money for insurance coverage was approved as part of the village budget for a full fiscal year, from June 1 to May 31. That was when the fire department was part of the village budget. But the fire district started in Jan. 1, with the fire department moved out of the village budget.

The insurance payment had already been approved towards the fire department for 2024-25. That unexpended money was turned over to the district. Commissioners are considering using some of it towards Class A uniforms.

The commissioners want a more detailed proposal from MES on what their quote entails and the costs.

The commissioners also discussed the possibility of new sprinklers and an alarm system in the fire hall.

The board also is looking to adopt a policy for non-members being on fire trucks. The commissioners want to allow family members to be in trucks for parades, and to continue having other community members on the trucks, especially when elementary kids are given a ride on a truck for winning fire prevention contests. Al Cheverie, chairman of the  commissioners, said a policy should state that a firefighter or parent of a child would need to be assigned to a kid getting a ride on a fire truck.

Kevin Sheehan, a fire commissioner, said those rides and allowing children of firefighters to ride in the trucks during parades may pay off down the road in firefighter recruitment.

“Having kids involved is how we get the next generation of firefighters,” he said.

The commission on Thursday accepted one new member, Christina Irwin.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Fire trucks for the Albion Joint Fire District head down Main Street in the June 14 Albion Strawberry Festival parade. The fire district is working towards a new quint ladder truck that would replace the ladder truck in front from 1994 and the fire engine behind it from 1991. The new quint ladder truck could pump water and carry water to fire scenes. Albion’s current ladder truck doesn’t have the ability to carry or pump water.

ALBION – The Albion Joint Fire District is seeking proposals for a new ladder truck. It will replace one that is currently 31 years old.

The new truck, however, is expected to take as long as four years to be built and delivered due to a backlog among the fire truck manufacturers. The new fire truck also is expected to cost about $2.2 million.

Al Cheverie, the fire district chairman, said the costs for new apparatus have escalated in recent years. The Village of Medina, for example, agreed to pay $1,698,995 to Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisc. for a new fire truck with a 100-foot-long ladder. That was June 26, 2023. Medina’s truck is expected this December, about a 2 ½ year wait.

The fire district will put a notice to bidders in The Daily News of Batavia, the district’s legal newspaper. That is expected to be posted next week, with the bids due 12 days after that. If the legal notice can be posted on Tuesday, Cheverie said the bids will be due on July 27. Cheverie said the fire district commissioners should be able to accept a bid at their Aug. 14 meeting.

The bid specifications for the truck will be available to bidders through secretary Rachel Hicks once the legal notice is posted.

The fire district is seeking a quint ladder truck with a 100-foot-long ladder. The quint also has the ability to pump water and carry 300 gallons on the truck. The current ladder truck doesn’t pump or carry water, and has a 103-foot-long ladder.

“This will have everything we need for the initial attack,” Cheverie said about the new quint ladder truck.

Cheverie said the new truck will allow the fire district to take two older trucks out of service – a 1994 ladder truck and a fire engine from 1991.

The new truck will fit in the existing fire hall. Cheverie said the new truck will actually be a little bit smaller because the ladder is in four sections instead of three.

The fire district budget for 2025 established an “Apparatus Repair & Replacement Reserve” and a $250,000 was put in the reserve fund the first year.

The two older trucks have held up well for the Albion Fire Department but Cheverie said they will need extra care to make it four more years.

“We will have to band-aid them as best we can to keep them in service,” he said.

Editor’s note: This article was updated to state the truck will have a 100-foot ladder, not 110 feet as originally stated, and will have capacity to carry 300 gallons of water, not the 500 to 800 as originally stated.

Fire commissioner Kevin Sheehan, left, makes a point during the Albion Joint Fire District meeting today in the Albion fire hall. Listening from left include Chairman Al Cheverie, Commissioner Dave Buczek and Treasurer Victoria Tabor. Other commissioners, not pictured, include Chris Kinter and Craig Lane.

Provided photo: Albion police officer Sean McElhinny and Mary Brzustowicz from Autism Up are shown on Wednesday when Brzustowicz gave a presentation to law enforcement and other human service providers.

ALBION – The Albion Police Department hosted a representative from Autism Up on Wednesday for a discussion about how to best respond to calls for people with autism or who are on the spectrum.

The Albion PD announced it will have “Sensory Bags” in its patrol cars which can assist in helping to calm people down with autism who are feeling stressed or overstimulated.

The Albion Police Department hosted the presentation from Autism Up. Other agencies that attended included the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff’s deputies, dispatchers, animal control officers and chaplains). Albion Special Education teachers, district superintendent Mickey Edwards and representatives from the Child Advocacy Center also attended the session.

“We at the Albion Police Department are so grateful for Mary to come out and give us this knowledge,” the Albion PD stated about the presentation from Autism Up. “We at the Albion Police Department are dedicated to providing the best service, interactions and have an understanding of all of our community members.”