‘We’re all warm, we’re all dry and we’re all alive.’

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Spencer Wright of Rochester holds a baby at about 11 a.m. today in the shelter set up at the Albion Elementary School.

Wright was holding the baby for a man he met yesterday. The father was going to check on his home in Barre.

Wright was one of 28 people who spent the night at the shelter set up at the school.

Wright was driving from Lockport to Rochester at about 3 a.m. Saturday when he went off the road on Route 31A in Barre. He said another car was coming in the opposite direction and driving in the middle of the road.

He was stranded in his car for 2 ½ hours until being picked up by Barre firefighters. He was one of about 20 to 25 people at the Barre firehall before they were moved to the school.

“Without them there would have been a lot of casualties,” Wright said about the firefighters. “They were out driving all night, bringing people in.”

Wright said he tried to stay calm in his car.

“I was just trying to figure out what to do,” he said.

He is grateful for the firefighters and a safe place to ride out the storm.

“We’re all warm, we’re all dry and we’re all alive,” he said.

There were about 75 people who stayed at the shelters last night at the Albion and Medina schools, said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s director of emergency management.

Most of the people in the shelters are from out of the area, with some from Poughkeepsie, Boston, New Jersey. Most of those people left this morning. The Medina shelter will soon be closed with the remaining two people there moved to Albion, where there are currently about 10 people.

A Red Cross trailer was used to bring cots and other supplies to the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion. The site was staffed by the Health Department. In Medina, a school employee and Mayor Mike Sidari ran that shelter.

Albert Purugganan, his wife and their 13-year-old son are trying to get from New Jersey to Toronto to see family for the holidays. The trip was going fine on the Thruway. They were then directed off the Thruway near Rochester and were on Route 31A in Barre and Albion about 6 p.m. on Saturday when the visibility and road conditions noticeably became very difficult.

They went off road and were soon assisted by a deputy from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

They spent the night on three cots at the Albion school.

“The people here are very helpful,” Purugganan said.

The family is still determined to get to Toronto. They checked their car today, retrieving medications and are hopeful they can get back on the road soon.

They are thankful for the pizza at the shelter last night, and the coffee and other supplies at the temporary shelter.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Five large banners will soon be on the landscape in Albion, proclaiming “Shop Local – Albion is Open!”

Michael Bonafede and Karen Sawicz presented the banners during the Albion Village Board meeting on Tuesday evening. Two of the banners are currently up – one on Cobblestone Museum property in Gaines at the corner of routes 98 and 104, and the other on Rick Stacey’s RS Automation property on Route 98, at the Countyhouse Road intersection south of the village.

The three other banners are planned at village parks: Carosol on Ingersoll and Caroline, Vets Park on Linwood and Brown, and Bullard Park on Route 31.

In addition, 20 smaller yard signs with the same message have been placed in the community.

Sawicz, owner of Lake Country Media, wants drivers to continue to go into the downtown and support local businesses. Bonafede owns the Pratt and Day building, and another historic building in the downtown that together are the home for several businesses.

Sawicz said more signage is also needed to help people, especially those unfamiliar with the community, follow detours with the Main Street lift bridge expected to be closed for about 18 months.

Provided photo

ALBION – The Five Star Bank branch in Albion recently presented a $300 donation to Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries in Albion. The church meets at the Arnold Gregory Office Building and offers many ministries to the community, including serving 2,000 chicken barbecue dinners for free on Dec. 10.

Pictured from left include Lisa DeCarlo, member of Royal Body; Al Wilson, pastor of Royal Body; Debbie Yockel, assistant branch manager; Pam Kennedy (in back), a Five Star employee; Ykeeta Wilson, wife of the pastor and a leader at Royal Body; Danielle LaDue, Five Star employee; and Somnuck Sangasy, branch manager.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Josh Mitchell, a funeral director with Mitchell Family Funeral Homes, lights one of the advent candles during a “Blue Christmas” service on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Albion.

Four candles were lighted to symbolize hope, peace, joy and love.

“Everyone left a legacy,” Mitchell said. “Everyone was loved.”

The Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, welcomes people to the service, which is an annual event during the holidays for people who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

The service is organized by the Albion Area Ministerium, Mitchell Family Funeral Homes, Supportive Care of Orleans and the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Orleans Coalition.

About 50 people attended the service and were invited to light a candle in rememabrance of a loved one.

The Rev. Randy LeBaron, leader of Go Scatter Ministers, also serves as bereavement coordinator at Supportive Care and pastoral counselor at Care Net Center of Greater Orleans. He shared a Scripture from Jeremiah 31:13: “I will turn your mourning into gladness, I will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”

Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” during the service.

The Rev. Susan Boring, pastor of Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church, welcomes people to the annual service.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa and Mrs. Claus greet Eli Laine, 2 ½ of Albion, at the Albion Masonic Lodge on Saturday morning.

The Santa bears a resemblance to Al Wilson, pastor of the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries, while Mrs. Claus looks similar to Valerie Rush.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted children and families throughout the day on Saturday as part of an “Inside the Snow Globe” event.

The Masonic Lodge hosted breakfast, lunch or dinner with Santa on Dec. 3 and Dec. 17. Several local businesses and organizations coordinated other activities. The event was organized to give people a chance to spend time with Santa without the pressure of a long line and large group of people.

Santa holds Khloe Swan of Albion. The gregarious Santa wished people a Merry Christmas, and said, “Go Bills” after their visit.

These siblings include Marissa Persons, left, Arnold Jr., baby Khloe Swan and Mersadies Swan, back right.

The “Inside the Snow Globe” events with Santa were organized by Dan Conrad, owner of Toyz n Kandy.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of the Orleans Veterans Club in Albion delivered gift bags to 22 veterans. Pictured include Mike Donahue, left, and Matt Passarell, the post’s commander.

They are shown at about 10 a.m. at the post on Platt Street, just before making their deliveries.

The gift bags included a veteran’s hat, a stuffed animal, puzzles and other goodies.

Passarell said the post welcomes more members. It is open to combat vets. They can stop by a monthly meeting on the third Wednesday each month at 7 p.m. to learn more about the post.

Provided photo: Albion students meet with county workers in the foster care program.

Press Release by Albion senior internship student Natalie Baron

ALBION – This year, grades from throughout the Albion Central School District packed bags for the Orleans County Department of Social Services to provide support to foster infants, toddlers, children, and teenagers.

Mrs. Miller & Mrs. Hitchcock’s Kindergarten classes put together infant bags with aid from their music teacher, Mrs. DeMena, and the Elementary School’s social worker, Mrs. Nicholson. Items that were packed included safety locks, books for reading to babies, rattles, and baby blankets made by Mrs. Zayac’s High School Child Development class. Along with these items was stuffed a brochure providing information about why nurturing, safety and reading are important.

Bags for children aged 6-10 were created by fourth grade students from Mrs. Kast, Mrs. Napierala, and Mrs. Salerno’s classes. Music teacher Mrs. DeMena and the school’s counselor, Mrs. Badura, helped out. Included were fidget toys, books about emotions, math games practice cards, rain sticks, and fleece blankets. Mrs. Moskaluk’s Middle School math students completed research on math games and designed a pamphlet to be provided to foster parents talking about how children can learn math at home.

Mrs. Conde’s literacy classes in the High School created the bags for teenagers, filled with literature chosen by the students, fleece blankets, fidget items, journals, and personal hygiene items.

The district’s service-learning coordinator, Toni Plummer, worked with DSS to find those in need and reached out to teachers to make this project possible. This has been another successful project that teaches students how to help community members in need.

This chart shows the new senior citizen income levels and the percent of the property tax discount.

ALBION – The Albion Town Board followed the lead of the Orleans County Legislature and expanded the income levels for senior citizens to qualify for a tax discount. Albion also became the second town in the county to offer a tax reduction for disabled property owners younger than 65.

Like the county, Albion’s senior exemption previously gave 50 percent off property taxes for those 65 and older with an annual income at $15,500 or less.

The new exemption levels offer 50 percent off at annual incomes of $19,000 or less. It then drops in 5 percent increments until bottoming out at 20 percent off between $23,800 and $24,699.99.

This chart shows the new low-income disabled resident income levels and the percent of the property tax discount. Low-income disabled residents will switch to the senior citizen tax exemption once they are 65.

Albion also added income levels for low-income disabled residents. Albion is the second town after Murray to include that exemption. The exemption is 50 percent off for annual incomes at $19,000 or less. That exemption then drops 5 percent before the lowest level of 5 percent off at incomes between $26,500 and $27,399.99.

The exemptions take effect in the 2024 tax bills. Applications for the exemptions are due by March 1.

Property owners can go through the town assessor to apply for the exemption. In Albion, the town contracts with the Orleans County Real Property Tax Services Department, which can be reached at (585) 589-5400. Or click here for an online application.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Marilyn Interisano (left), an M & T employee, volunteers this morning during the pop-up food pantry event in Albion. She is joined by Katrina Chaffee, director of community services for Community Action.

About 200 vehicles received bags and boxes of food at the village’s municipal parking lot at 165 Platt St.

The events in Albion are run by Community Action with food delivered by Foodlink in Rochester.

Chaffee said the program will continue through at least the end of June.

The schedule for the first six months of 2023 for Albion includes: Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, March 27, April 10, May 8 and June 12. The events are scheduled to start at 8:30 although many of the vehicles are in the parking lot well before that.

The next pop-up pantry in the county will start 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, 107 North Main St.

Kim Balcerzak, an employee at the Iroquois Job Corps, fills a bag with fruit during this morning’s pop-up food pantry event. The Job Corps employees have been consistent volunteers at the food distribution events for more than 2 1/2 years.

This group volunteered this morning with temperatures in the mid to high-20s. They include, from left: Jennifer Burkey of M & T Bank, Danny Fenley of the Job Corps, and Candace Pitts of the Job Corps.

Donor doubled donations from Friday at Albion Walmart

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Nyla Gaylord, director of development at United Way of Orleans County, rings the bell on Friday for the Red Kettle Campaign in Orleans County. She is joined at the Albion Walmart by Bob Harker (back left), director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern; Katrina Chaffee, director of community services for Community Action; and Matt Holland, grant writer for the United Way of Orleans County.

On Friday an anonymous donor matched the $1,823.33 given at Walmart in Albion.

“We are grateful for the many donors and our volunteers who spread holiday cheer as they rang the bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign in the cold,” said Nyla Gaylord, director of development at United Way of Orleans County. “We still need more people to sign up for this coming Thursday and Friday.”

This holiday season there aren’t bell ringers stationed throughout the county. There are two locations with bell ringers – Walmart in Albion and Tops in Medina. Table top kettles are placed in several locations in the county.

To sign up to ring the bell at Tops in Medina, click here. To ring the bell at the Walmart in Albion, click here.

Summer Borck dressed as an elf on Friday at the Albion Walmart and gave away candy to help spread joy during the holiday season. Her mother Rose works at the store.

Keith Adams of the Self Advocacy All Stars took a turn at the Red Kettle on Saturday at Walmart. He is joined by Terry Kingdollar, an employee with ARC GLOW. The Self Advocacy All Stars have volunteered as bell ringers in Albion and Medina.

Provided photo: Albion senior students Jaquis Johnson and Brianna Sample join Mollie Radzinski, Community Schools Public Relations Coordinator at Albion Central School and a United Way board member. They were bell ringers for two hours on Friday.

Money donated through the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign stays in Orleans County. Funds collected are divided between Community Action and the Ministry of Concern to help people in need.

The Salvation Army is promoting the organization’s QR code, which can be scanned in on smart phones to make a donation. The donation will go to The Salvation Army serving the zip code of the phone owner.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Air Raising Events owner Sheryl Watts created this snowman out of balloons. She is lined up Saturday evening for “Santa’s Hometown Parade” in Albion.

The participants in the parade gathered at the Arnold Gregory parking lot on South Main Street before heading downtown.

Kaitlyn Samsel, right, helps Cole Samsel with his lighted moose costume before the parade. Kaitlyn would put on a reindeer costume decorated with lights. The family car also was lighted up for the parade.

Natasha Wasuck and her husband John Hernandez take a selfie with their float featuring a bridal gown. They are the owners of The Lockstone, which hosts weddings and other special events.

Don Greenough and his wife Amanda hold their daughter Joy. They decorated their car for the parade. Greenough also has a big lighted display at his home on Platt Street.

“My wife calls me Clark Griswold because I’m over the top,” Greenough said.

He had a cutout of Griswold, the star of the National Lampoon Vacation movies, in the front seat.

This float was ready to carry Santa into the downtown.

Jami Allport helps get the float ready for AYSAP, the youth football and cheerleading program.

COVA and Mercy Flight EMS decorated two ambulances in lights for the parade.

PAWS put lights and a white nose on this vehicle for the parade.

The Oak Orchard Yacht Club created a float to resemble a sailboat.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Department’s Marine Patrol Unit decorated a boat for Christmas.

This display sent a message to choose kindness over being a Grinch.

After the parade, there were music and activities in the the downtown. Michael Bonafede on drums joined the Westside Drive band in front of the Pratt and Day buildings, historic buildings owned by Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler.

Melissa Stornelli of Last Call Cocktails served alcoholic beverages in a closed off part of Main Street between Beaver Alley and Bank Street.

Rebecca Alexander and Debbie Prest greet Santa, who took some time out for photos.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Wayne Downs and Ron Gaesser cook chicken dinners this afternoon outside the Masonic Lodge in Platt Street.

The Renovation Masonic Lodge and The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries prepared 2,000 chicken dinners to be given away for free.

The meals were scheduled to be available from noon to 4 p.m. but a long line formed outside the Masonic Lodge by 10 a.m. The meals were served ahead of time and by 11, 600 were gone.

Val Rush helps serve the meals in the kitchen at the Masonic Lodge. The meals also included beans, macaroni salad and a roll.

Pastor Al Wilson counts meals to be delivered in the community.

The church last year served 1,000 chicken dinners and that wasn’t enough. The Royal Body Shop decided to double the effort this time and received many donations, andfood at a discount from Save-A-Lot.

“It’s such a blessing to help meet the needs of the community,” Wilson said.

The Rev. Richard Csizmar from Holy Family Parish offered a blessing before the meals were served.

“It’s bringing the community together of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths,” Wilson said.

The downtown area has been busy today with many events as part of Albion’s Hometown Christmas. A section of the Main Street between Bank Street and Beaver Alley will be the focus for events this evening.

The “In the Square” schedule includes:

• 3 to 5 p.m. – Book sale for publication about Charles Howard compiled by Albion seventh-graders in 2021
• 3:30 to 8 p.m. – Cookies and baked goods by Pretty Sweet Bakery, and hot cocoa and drinks from the Coffee Joint
• 3:30 to 8 p.m. – Food booth by Albion Lions Club
• 5:30 – Santa’s Hometown Parade
• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Santa’s Jollies (for 21 and over) by Mountain Mule Ciderhouse
• 6 to 8:30 p.m. – Live music and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
• There will also be opportunities for the Santa Shuffle, Reindeer Games and Christmas Selfies

This group from the Downtown Browsery dressed up as “Misfit Toys.” They include, from left: Liz Groat, Paula Brooks, Dar Krull, Donna John and Diane Wight.