Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Santa Claus visited Hoag Library this evening, sporting his casual wear. The library’s main meeting room was full of youngsters wanting to meet Santa and share their Christmas wish list.

Before he met with the children individually, Santa read the book, Reindeer Christmas by Mark Kimball Moulton and Karen Hillard Good.

It was Santa’s first in-person visit to the library in three years. His visits in 2020 and 2021 were limited to Zoom video conferencing.

Santa said he was happy to be back at the Albion library to meet the kids in person. He told him it’s very busy for the elves right now.

“It’s crunch time at the North Pole,” Santa said.

Santa reads the children’s book, Reindeer Christmas.

Santa said he recently got his hair cut and beard trimmed for the first time in years.

“I almost teared up when they were cutting it,” he told the kids.

Santa leads the group in some stretches.

He will be at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina at 6 p.m. on Friday for “Pajama Storytime with Santa.” Registration is recommended for that program. Call 585-798-3430 for more information.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Michael Bonafede, co-owner of the Pratt and Day buildings at 114-120 North Main St., stands in Beaver Alley this morning by the new Gold Medal Flour mural on the Pratt building.

Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler have owned the building for about 15 years. They had paint scraped early this summer from the brick wall, near the corner of the site by the sidewalk and Beaver Alley.

They were planning to have the spot repainted to list the businesses in the building, and also to paint that parking is available behind the building.

Provided photos

Underneath about seven layers of paint was the original Gold Medal Flour sign. Judith Koehler believes the sign dates to 1906 to 1908. That was the style for the logo at the time.

In 1908, there was a corner store at the site, Woods & Sprague. Bonafede and Koehler know that business was there based on an advertisement from 1908 for an Elks minstrel show at the Pratt Opera House.

When Bonafede and Koehler saw the historic sign for Gold Medal Flour, they changed their plans. Instead of listing the current businesses with a new painted sign on the building, they decided to recreate the Gold Medal Flour display.

They wrote to General Mills and received the company’s licensing permission to have a new sign for Gold Medal on the building in that one spot only.

Bonafede and Koehler also received approval from the State Historic Preservation Office and the Albion Historic Preservation Commission for the sign.

“Nobody even knew that sign was there, nobody,” Bonafede said. “It was a total surprise.”

He and Koehler are thrilled with seeing the old sign and are happy to be recreating the display at their historic building.

“It’s pretty cool that we found it,” Koehler said. “Every once in a while we find something pretty cool.”

The building from 1882 has an intact GAR Room used by the Grand Army of the Republic, and many programs and posters from performances at the opera house, as well as several other artifacts.

Mark Weld, a sign painter from Middleport, works on the project. He is teaming with D.J. Button of Albion and Bonafede on recreating the sign. Bonafede said they are pushing to have the work done before the harsh winter weather.

Photo by Tom Rivers

The sign isn’t quite done. There will be a black outline around the white letters. There will be a silhouette of an Albion skyline below that Bonafede is keeping a surprise. The top part in white will say there is parking in the rear lot.

A Main Street grant from the state is helping to pay for the project.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Members of the 3D Trio (John Borello at right, Alona Kuhns at center and Lonnie Froman at left) perform this afternoon on a stage on Main Street in Albion.

With the lift bridge bridge closed to traffic, the stage was set up for performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Beaver Alley and Bank Street.

The 3D Trio who are all members of the Who Dats sang holiday favorites today. The lineup of performers was arranged by Amy Sidari, owner of Gtta Dance by Miss Amy.

She used the backdrop from previous Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas events.

Amy Sidari and Crystal Hollenbeck lead a group in line dancing as part of today’s entertainment. The performers helped celebrate Small Business Saturday to encourage shopping at locally owned businesses in Albion. The businesses had a passport that encouraged people to visit 20 businesses for the chance to win prizes.

These four competed in an ugly contest. They include from left: Lily Madison of Albion, Brooklyn Carr, Joline Gabrielson of Albion, and Gabrielson’s daughter, Myah Bisig.

Myah Bisig holds up her trophy for winning the ugly sweater contest.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jeremiah Knight of Albion put a 3-inch border around the 24-foot-long mural of Santa flying in sleigh above Albion.

Knight completed the project earlier this week. The frame will protect the outer edges of the mural that was installed in July 2018 in Waterman Park. Stacey Kirby created the mural, which is 8 feet high.

The Albion Rotary Club led the initial project. The Albion Betterment Committee paid for the new frame. The Betterment Committee also is working to have a bronze statue of Santa at the park next year, with the goal to have it in place by the Strawberry Festival in June.

The mural and statue commemorate the life and work of Charles W. Howard. In 1937, Howard founded a Santa Claus School in Albion, dedicating his life to establishing a high standard for Santas everywhere.

“To play the part of Santa is a privilege, not a job,” Howard said.

Howard served as the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for nearly 20 years. Howard died in 1966 but the Santa school continues today in his name in Midland, Mich.

Here is how the mural looked before the new frame was added.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The at the Masonic Lodge in Albion poses in the kitchen after they served 182 Thanksgiving dinners.

The Renovation Masonic Lodge teamed with The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries to prepare and serve the meals. Pictured in front from left include Lisa DeCarlo, Val Rush and Bonnie Johnson. Back row: Dan DeCarlo, Pastor Al Wilson, Ykeeta Wilson, Decklan Meiers, Nicole Horn and Jeff Holler.

Provided photos

Many of the meals were takeouts were delivered to local EMTs, law enforcement officers, Arc residences and the Boxcar Apartments.

Jeff Holler and Nicole Horn fill a takeout tray with food.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Lee Tisdale, owner of Romyn’s Smoked BBQ on Bank Street, also served Thanksgiving meals for free today. He was up to 23 meals at about 2 this afternoon and would be open until 6 p.m.

Tisdale opened Romyn’s about three years ago. He serves barbecued food, as well as Philly steaks, hamburgers and other food.

“This is just a way to give back to the community and thank you for their support,” Tisdale said.

The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion also had 350 meals ready to be served today for the community.

Stage will be set up on Main Street near bridge for performers

Photo by Tom Rivers: There will be a stage set up Saturday in this part of Main Street, near the closed off lift bridge, for performers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ALBION – Merchants are planning an expanded Small Business Saturday celebration in Albion to encourage people to stop by the local shops.

There will be activities in the downtown and also at the Arnold Gregory Complex on South Main Street. The businesses at Arnold Gregory will have a craft sale, basket raffle and will welcome many vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The downtown businesses will be offering specials and welcome people to check out the locally owned shops.

“We have a lot of amazing businesses that other places don’t have,” said Laura Kemler, owner of Laura Loxley which makes hand-dyed baskets, purses and vintage items. “People will be surprised by what we have to offer.”

The Main Street lift bridge closed to traffic on Nov. 14 and expected to be shut down for 18 months for a major restoration. Merchants are hoping one silver lining of the project may be it will slow down traffic so people can check out the businesses in the downtown area and also see what is offered at Arnold Gregory. (The businesses also are planning a Hometown Holiday event on Dec. 10.)

For this Saturday there will be a stage set up Main Street between Bank Street and Beaver Alley. Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, has performers lined up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The schedule includes:

• 10 a.m. – Albion High School Clarinet Choir
• 10:30 a.m. – AHS Brass Ensemble
• 11 a.m. – Danielle Schmidt vocal soloist
• 11:15 a.m. – Historic trivia/Pack 164 Boy Scouts skit
• 11:30 a.m. – Celebrate Jonathan Doherty’s memory with karaoke
• Noon – Holiday Tap Dance – Sleigh Ride
• 12:15 p.m. – Historic Trivia
• 12:30 p.m. – Ugly Sweater Parade (meet on the stage – everyone welcome)
• 1 p.m. – Music by the 3D Trio (John Borello, Alona Kuhns and Lonnie Froman)
• 1:30 p.m. – Line dancing with Miss Gloria
• 2 p.m. – Excerpt of the Nutcracker (Snowflakes)
• 2:15 p.m. – Excerpt of the Nutcracker (Flowers)
• 2:30 p.m. – Julia Fuller & Isabelle Truelson Dance Duet
• 2:25 p.m. – Jenna Uderitz dance solo to Holly Jolly Christmas
• 2:30 p.m. – Holiday music
• 3 p.m. – Mia Standish dance solo
• 3:15 – Line dancing with Miss Gloria

Sidari, owner of the dance studio for 25 years, hopes people will enjoy the performers and also explore the downtown businesses.

“This is an opportunity to get acquainted and get to know us,” she said about the businesses. “We want people to enjoy our downtown. People come here and say it’s a beautiful little village – It’s charming.”

Tara Thom, owner of the Town and Country Quilt Shop on Bank Street, said the businesses offer goods and services throughout the year. She would like to see people from outside Albion also shop in the community.

“I’m hoping people will get excited about shopping in their hometown or their neighboring hometown,” Thom said.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Sheila Doty sets the tables at the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship. Doty was among a big group of volunteers from the church getting ready to serve up to 350 Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday.

“It is my way of sharing,” Doty said about helping at the “OK Kitchen.” “It warms me up and makes me feel good.”

There are about 75 settings at the church. The meals will be served from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 560 East Ave.

Roland Meiers, right, and Tim Delamarter chop onions for a casserole. The OK Kitchen opened at Harvest on June 2 and serves meals and offers fellowship on Thursdays.

Donna Verhagen, left, and Dee Huntington get turkeys ready to be cooked. There are 19 turkeys that will be served on Thursday for the Thanksgiving meal.

The food is ready and the tables are set for Thursday’s big meal.

Tim Delamarter checks the temperature of the turkeys in the oven.

Faith Smith and her husband Mike Smith organize nonperishable food items to be given out on Thanksgiving.

Mrs. Smith serves as the volunteer director of the kitchen. Albion students donated many of the canned food through a class challenge. Students were encouraged to bring in food with the grade level with the most cans winning an ice cream social.

About 200 to 250 people are served through the kitchen each week, with Mr. and Mrs. Smith taking meals to about 100 shut-ins.

Last week the village of Albion government prepared and served the meals – authentic Mexican tacos. That meal brought in a big crowd – 245 people were served.

Many other churches and community groups from around the county are taking a Thursday to prepare and serve a meal.

‘This is 100 percent community-based, supported by the community,” she said about the OK Kitchen.

Mrs. Smith said many of the people who come to the kitchen on site are there mostly for the fellowship, for the chance to sit down and have a meal and conversation with others.

“It’s the fellowship kitchen,” Smith said. “It’s for everyone.”

Photos courtesy of Faith Smith

ALBION – The Albion Police Department and Village Board held a swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday evening for three officers who have been promoted to sergeant.

Will Francis, one of the new sergeants, takes the oath which is read by Village Trustee Tim McMurray at left.

Dillon Black also was promoted to sergeant. Black and Francis are both Albion graduates.

Albion Police Chief David Mogle, left, and Lt. Brandon Annable, right, welcome new sergeants – Robert Wagner and Dillon Black – to the department’s leadership.

ALBION – The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at Harvest Christian Fellowship will serve Thanksgiving meals on Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 560 East Ave.

The community kitchen in Albion used to be based out of Christ Church on Main Street and served its meals on Friday evenings.

The new community kitchen switched to Thursdays at Harvest Christian Fellowship, with the first meals served on June 2.

Different church and community service groups volunteer on Thursdays, including doing prep work a day before.

With the switch to Thursdays that means the kitchen can serve a Thanksgiving meal on the day of the major holiday.

Faith Smith, director of the kitchen, is grateful the kitchen can provide meals and a gathering place on Thanksgiving for many people in the community.

“I just feel there are a lot of people especially seniors especially who are alone,” she said today. “I just want to open our doors and have a home-like setting and be able to fellowship with friends. It’s Thanksgiving but it’s also Friendsgiving.”

Many church members from Harvest offered to prepare and serve the meal. Smith said there will be 19 turkeys cooked for the dinner. The menu also includes green bean casserole with and without bacon, stuffing with and without sausage, homemade cranberry sauce, applesauce, rolls, sweet potato casserole and many dessert – pies, brownies and cakes.

The meals are available for free and can be eaten in the fellowship hall and taken home.

“I’m extremely excited,” Smith said. “I’ve always wanted to do the dinners on the holidays.”

She said many community organizations have assisted the kitchen in its first six months. Just recently the Elks Lodge in Albion donated $2,000 and also gave the kitchen a freezer and meat-slicer.

Another church also is serving Thanksgiving meals for free to the community on Thanksgiving. The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is partnering with the Renovation Masonic Lodge 39 to serve the meals from noon to 4 p.m., or until gone at the Masonic Lodge, 39 Platt St.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Doing the Dec. 15, 2019 Christmas in the Neighborhood concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion, students sing, “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow.”

ALBION – The lineup of musical performers is set for Albion’s annual community holiday concert.

The event will be 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. All proceeds go to the Albion High School Alumni Foundation scholarships program and the First Presbyterian Church.

The concert includes current Albion students and many alumni. Concert coordinators are all Albion graduates and include Sue Thaine (the church pastor), Mike Thaine, Gary Simboli and Sue Starkweather Miller.

This year’s list of performers includes Gary Simboli, Community Brass Ensemble, Albion Presbyterian Choir, Hannah Brewer, Ethan Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Matt Mooney, Travis Klossner, Janet (Miller) Klossner, Karen Kenney Conn, AHS Choir Ensemble, Mike Grammatico & grandson Nate Grammatico, Community Choir: Hallelujah Chorus, AHS Instrumental Ensemble, Marlene Seielstad, Jennifer Trupo and Jason Pahura.

The community chorus has been practicing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church. They will perform the song during the concert.

Businesses would like to see motorists turn at Bank Street instead of State Street

Photo by Tom Rivers: Main Street from near Beaver Alley to just north of the Erie Canal is blocked off to traffic while the lift bridge gets an extensive overhaul in the next 18 months.

ALBION – In the first week that the Main Street lift bridge was closed to traffic there were far less vehicles moving through the downtown, some Albion businesses said during a meeting Monday of the “Bridging Albion” committee.

Lynn Palmer, owner of Upscale Overstock at 50 North Main St., said her sales were down about 67 percent in the past week.

She was expecting brisker business with the holiday season close by. But she said there are far fewer cars coming down Main Street.

Palmer is hopeful “Small Business Saturday” this Saturday will bring people downtown to support the local merchants.

Laura Kemler, owner of Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods, said signage about the bridge closing seems to be diverted traffic to turn right at State Street, then left onto Ingersoll Street, bypassing the downtown. She would like to see traffic come down to Bank Street, and then turn to go to the Ingersoll lift bridge.

“It has really put a halt on our traffic,” Kemler said. “We’re not getting eyeballs on our stores.”

The group would like to see more signs in the community proclaiming that downtown is open for business. They want more leeway for businesses to put sandwich signs in the sidewalk, promoting specials.

Businesses also will try to put out more flags when they are open, to make the downtown look more dynamic and to better show the public there are many businesses on Main Street and Bank Street.

Michael Bonafede, one of the Bridging Albion members, said the local merchants need help right away from the community and the government officials to weather the tougher economic climate imposed by the closure of the bridge.

The bridge is expected to be shut down for 18 months while the span from 1914 gets extensive repairs.

The Albion Merchants Association is planning a “Small Business Saturday” celebration on Nov. 26 with activities and special deals in the downtown and also at the Arnold Gregory Complex at 243 South Main St. There also will be another day of events on Dec. 10 that are planned by Albion businesses.

Next year’s summer concert series also will include four concerts in a blocked off part of Main Street (between Bank Street and Beaver Alley) and five concerts at Bullard Park.

Natasha Wasuck, one of the Merchants Association leaders, said the group wants to see more food trucks in the downtown and other attractions in addition to the special events. She is asking the Village Board to either waive and significantly reduce the food truck fees. Those fees are currently $100 for one to seven days, $250 for eight days to 6 months; and $500 for 6 months to a year.

Press Release, Hoag Library

Provided photo: Jim Doyle and Elizabeth Tuttle have joined the staff at Hoag Library in Albion.

ALBION – Hoag Library is delighted to welcome Elizabeth Tuttle and Jim Doyle to the NYS Pubic Librarian certified team!

At the September meeting of the Hoag Library of the Swan Library Association Board, trustees approved the hiring of Elizabeth Tuttle as a full-time Youth Services Librarian. Elizabeth graduated with an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo in May 2022. She is already planning exciting youth programs, including a visit from Santa on Nov. 28, and storytimes in December.

At the November board meeting, library trustees approved Jim Doyle as a part-time Reference Librarian. Jim graduated with an MLS from the University at Buffalo in 2016. Jim is looking forward to planning adult programs and sharing his musical talents.

Additionally, at the November board meeting, Elizabeth Haibach was named Assistant Director. Haibach worked as an Adult Services Librarian at Hoag Library since November 2018, and also holds an MLS from the University at Buffalo.

Jim Doyle and Elizabeth Haibach are both Albion natives, graduating from Albion Central School. Elizabeth Tuttle commutes from Shortsville, and plans to relocate to Albion.

This brings a total of six Hoag Library staff members that hold NYS Public Librarian certification including, Mike Magnuson, Dee Robinson, Elizabeth Haibach and Betty Sue Miller.

Please join us in welcoming the new faces to our wonderful library!

Thanksgiving meals also will be available at the Masonic Lodge

File photo by Tom Rivers: Mitch Grater and Ed Wolfe flip chickens that are among the 1,000 chicken dinners that were served on Dec. 18, 2021 at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex on South Main Street.

ALBION – The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries is partnering with the Renovation Masonic Lodge 39 in Albion to give away free meals during the holidays.

The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries was started in Albion little more than a year ago by Pastor Albert D. Wilson Jr. and his wife Ykeeta, who are affiliated with a similar ministry in Buffalo. They hold services in Albion at 7 p.m. Fridays in the Arnold Gregory Complex.

On Thanksgiving Day, free turkey dinners with all the trimmings will be given away. Meals can be eaten in or taken out from noon to 4 p.m., or until gone at the Masonic Lodge, 39 Platt St.

On Dec. 10. During Albion’s Hometown Holidays Event, Royal Body Shop Ministries will give away 2,000 chicken dinners at the Masonic Lodge. Last year 1,000 dinners were given away free of charge as part of the Ministries’ “Que in” for Christmas event. This year, they are doubling the number of dinners. The meal is take-out only and starts at noon, until gone.

In addition, the Royal Body Shop Ministries is holding a raffle for a 65-inch smart TV. Tickets are $1 each and are available at Arnold’s Auto Body Parts. The winner will be drawn during the event on Dec. 10. All proceeds go back to the church for future community projects.

The Hometown Holidays event will include many activities to celebrate the season, including “Santa’s Hometown Parade” at 5:30 p.m.