Ben Curfman of North Carolina likes character of historic church at Courthouse Square

Photos by Tom Rivers: Ben Curfman is the new pastor of North Point Chapel at 19 North Platt St.

ALBION – The new pastor of North Point Chapel already has been struck by the friendliness of the Albion community.

Ben Curfman, 35, and his family moved to Orleans County about three weeks ago. Curfman, his wife Rebekah and their six children relocated to Albion from the mountains of western North Carolina.

“We have a lot to learn from the locals, but the community has been very friendly and welcoming to us over the past few weeks,” Curfman said.

He comes to North Point Chapel as their second pastor since the church began in 2016. North Point is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, but the church is independent.

North Point is located in the former home of the Albion United Methodist Church. That congregation has since merged with the Disciples United Methodist Church on Route 237 in Clarendon.

Ben Curfman and his family moved from the mountains of North Carolina to Albion.

Curfman said he likes how the North Point church building is located in the historic Courthouse Square with many key sites, services and residents within a close walking distance.

He also was drawn to historic and spacious church building that can be used to serve the community.

“There is a great group of people to work with here and a beautiful facility with lots of potential,” Curfman said. “We believe North Point Chapel can be a powerful encouragement to Albion and Orleans County.”

The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been under extensive remodeling since it was acquired in 2017 from the United Methodist Church.

“I like serving in a place with character and that has history,” he said. “I like being in a walk-in community where we can know our neighbors.”

Curfman and his family plan to move into the parsonage next door soon.

“We are excited to be at the ground zero of ministry in the village and hope to be good neighbors to those living near the church,” he said.

Curfman was one of three pastors at a church in Asheville, North Carolina. He felt a calling to come to Albion and build a ministry in Orleans County.

“I totally believe God can change people and communities,” he said. “We have a gospel that changes people.”

The Sunday morning services are at 10:30 a.m. each week, and all are welcome to attend.

“We study verse by verse through books of the Bible, so we get the big picture and don’t skip any details or difficult parts,” Curfman said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn whether you have been a Christian for a long time or if you have never read the Bible before. I would encourage anyone interested to reach out to me and share their story or helpful information about the community as we settle into Western New York.”

For more information about North Point Chapel, visit the church website at www.northpointchapel.org or email Curfman at pastorben@northpointchapel.org.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Firefighters arrive on scene at a fire on the morning on July 8 at 215 East State St. The fire would spread to the house next door at 217 East State St.

ALBION – Fire investigators are unable to pinpoint the cause of a fire at 215 East State St. due to extensive damage to the house “and a variety of potential ignition sources that were unable to be ruled out,” said David Cleary, a fire investigator for Orleans County.

The cause has been ruled undetermined. The fire spread to 217 East State St. The two houses are connected.

The fire displaced 14 residents – 7 adults and 7 children.

The fast-moving fire quickly destroyed much of 215 East State St.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up for residents at 215 East State St. and another GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to assist residents at 217 East State St. with clothing, bedding and other needs.

“I’m having hope that this fundraiser helps raise any amount of funds to help place the family back into a safe home or apartment,” Sarah Drier wrote about the fundraiser for her father-in-law and other residents at 215 East State St. “I’m hoping to raise funds so they can get their everyday essentials that we take for granted. Any amount donated will help.”

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Flyers on a vehicle at Arnold’s Auto Parts in Albion advertise a car show and fried chicken dinner in their parking lot July 23.

ALBION – Arnold’s Auto Parts at 116 North Liberty St. has opened its parking lot for summer services of Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries, weather permitting.

Services are held at 7 p.m. underneath the tent, unless the weather is bad and then they have space at the Arnold Gregory Complex at 243 South Main St. Entrance is gained by back door #H.

From 4 to 7 p.m. July 23, Arnold’s and Royal Body Shop Ministries are planning a fried chicken dinner and cruise-in in the parking lot.

“We are finally having a car cruise-in with a ‘fried’, not barbecued chicken dinner,” said Lisa DeCarlo from Arnold’s Auto Parts.

Aug. 20, 2021 was the first night for services under the tent and the first night for Royal Body Shop Ministries, DeCarlo said.  Since, then they have been holding services at 7 p.m. Fridays under the tent.

Albion’s Masonic Lodge will provide the food, with help from Pastor Al Wilson.

The Hula Hoop Girls from Buffalo will entertain during the car cruise-in. They have been regular performers at Arnold’s cruise-ins, DeCarlo said.

A DJ from Buffalo, who is a member of Greater Royal Worship Center in Buffalo, will provide music for the event. All proceeds will benefit the ministry to help fund free community events which they host.

Pre-sale tickets are available at Arnolds and are encouraged. Cost is $12 per person. Diners can eat under the tent or take-outs will be available. More information can be obtained by calling (585) 589-5596.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Farmers Market returned for the start of its second season on Sunday. The market will be based out of the parking lot for the Main Street Thrift Street, across from Hoag Library.

Amanda Mrzywka of Navarra’s Farm Market & Greenhouses is shown. Navarra’s sells flowers, fruits and vegetables, and home-made soaps.

Pamela Jenks of Pretty Sweet Bakery sells baked goods at the market on Sunday. The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More vendors are welcome to be part of the market. For more information contact Katrina Chaffee of Community Action at 585-589-5605, ext. 117 or Mrzywka or Debbie Prest.

Caleb Hughson, 10, and his brother Cole, 12, held signs encouraging people to buy a chicken barbecue dinner on Sunday to benefit Albion youth football and cheerleading. There were 200 dinners available.

Albion youth football and cheerleading will have a camp this Wednesday and Thursday at Bullard Park from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sunday it was also busy outside Dubby’s Tailgate on Platt Street where there was a car show. Some of the big attractions were a Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini. There were other classic cars as well on display.

Nathaniel Staines, Albion’s K-9 officer, brought Badger to meet with some of the car enthusiasts. Badger is a Belgian Malinois and a very friendly dog.

3 firefighters taken by ambulance to be checked for exhaustion

Photos by Tom Rivers: Shelby firefighters spray water from a ladder truck through the roof at 215 East State St. at about 10 a.m. today. A fire broke out at the house this morning at about 8 a.m.

ALBION – The fire at 215 East State St. this morning spread next door, resulting in 14 people being displaced – 7 adults and 7 children.

The Red Cross is assisting those people in temporary shelter.

The houses at 215 and 217 East State are interconnected. Everyone was able to safely get outside.

The fast-moving fire quickly destroyed much of 215 East State St.

Three firefighters were taken by ambulance to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia as a precaution to be checked for exhaustion.

Fire investigators are on the scene. No official cause of the fire has been released.

The fire spread fast with dark smoke and flames shooting out the side windows when firefighters arrived on scene, said James Peruzzini, deputy chief for the Albion Fire Department.

East State Street is closed to traffic from Ingersoll and McKinistry Street.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Firefighters respond to a blaze a 215 East State St. this morning. There are about 10 residents in the house. Everyone was able to get out safely, Albion police officers said at the scene.

Multiple fire departments were dispatched at about 8 a.m. At least one car also was engulfed in flames. Residents were able to move other vehicles away from the house.

No other information is available.

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from July 13, 2018 shows Bullard Park transformed into a carnival with a bounce house, numerous games, events and activities.

ALBION – The annual kids’ carnival at Bullard Park will be back on July 13 and will include new attractions and activities.

The event will feature bounce houses, carnival games, kids activities, music and a “Say No to Bullying” magic show throughout the day, presented by Mike Seege from Buffalo.

The Albion Renovation Masonic Lodge will have lunch available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Best of Tymes will sell snow cones, popcorn and soda or water for $1 each. Lyncoln Bear and Buddies will be on site, as well as Frosty and Friends Tumbling and Things. The splash pad will also be open.

Cost to enter is a $5 wrist band, which allows children to play all day.

An Albion business has stepped up to sponsor a new program for the carnival. Christina Nenni, who owns Best of Tymes Party Rentals located in the Arnold Gregory Complex, said the business was approached by John Grillo, recreation director at Bullard Park. He asked if Best of Tymes could come up with something affordable for kids and families to do. They will have costumed characters and fun activities for kids.

Carnival Day at Bullard Park will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 13. Sponsoring the event with Best of Tymes Party Rentals is New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Association and Frosty and Friends.

“We are hoping this will become an annual event, and get bigger and better every year,” Nenni said.

ALBION – The Albion village office will be staying open until 6 p.m. on Wednesdays to give residents and businesses a later option to stop in and take care of any village business.

The hours will remain 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

The new hours for Wednesday are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

High School team also placed 14^th out of 46 teams in NYS

Press Release, Orleans County Clay Crushers

The 2022 Orleans County Clay Crusher season has come to an end. This year we had 34 student-athletes registered for the Orleans County Clay Crushers and 11 registered for the Albion High School Clay Target Club.

Practices for trap and sporting clays were held at the Barre Sportsmen’s Club and practices for skeet were held at the Medina Conservation Club. We would like to thank both clubs for hosting or practices!

Our season ended with four major competitions – three for the Scholastic Clay Target Program (Orleans County Clay Crushers) and one for the New York State Clay Target League (Albion High School Clay Target Club).

The SCTP is broken down into 5 categories: Collegiate, Senior/Varsity, Senior/Junior Varsity, Intermediate/Advanced, and Intermediate/Entry. We had student-athletes competing in all five categories.

The first State Championship (Skeet) was held at Victor Rod and Gun Club on June 4. We had six members competing in four of the categories with the top finishers for the Orleans County Clay Crushers being Collegiate – William Gregorie, Senior/Junior Varsity – Kyle Stephens, Intermediate/Advanced – Jonathan Frasier, Intermediate/Entry – Lane Woodworth.

From there the student-athletes traveled to Pathfinder Gun Club in Fulton NY on June 18 for the second State Championship (Trap) where 17 student-athletes from the OCCC competed. Top finishers for Orleans were Collegiate – Mackenzie Donahue, Senior/Varsity – Tommy Fox, Senior/Junior Varsity – Kyle Stephens, Intermediate/Advanced – Zachary Freas, Intermediate/Entry – Dennis Mathes.

Our third and final State Championship for the SCTP was hosted by the North Forest Rod and Gun Club in Lockport on June 25. We had a total of 8 student-athletes participate with Collegiate – William Gregorie, Senior/Junior Varsity – Kyle Stephens, Intermediate/Advanced – Nate Woodworth and Intermediate/Entry – Lane Woodworth.

The Albion High School Clay Target Club competed in the New York State Clay Target League this spring and finished 3rd in their conference. There was a total of 11 student-athletes registered for Albion High School.

On June 26, six student-athletes traveled to the Bridgeport Gun Club in Cicero to compete against 46 other schools in New York State. Albion High School finished 14th with the top student athletes from Albion High School being Varsity – Tommy Fox, Junior Varsity – Kyle Stephens, and Novice – Donovan Braley.

As you can see, we have had quite the season! Thank you to all of the parents, volunteers, and sponsors that make it all possible!

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – These kids play Gaga Ball at Bullard Park on Friday at the end of the first week of the summer parks program in Albion.

There are 100 children registered for the program so far. The free program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays. It starts on June 27 and runs until Aug. 5.

The Recreation Department will have tennis camps the next two weeks at the Albion High School tennis courts. No pre-registration is required. These camps are free for beginners to advanced players. Session one is July 5-8 and Session two is July 11-15. They are from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The recreation department also will host Carnival Day on July 13 at Bullard Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be bounce houses, kid activities, carnival games and music.

This group plays basketball on Friday at Bullard.

These kids are working on crafts under the pavilion next to the splash pad.

The program will be based at Bullard each day. Initially, village officials wanted to have some days at Lafayette Park on Park and State streets and Veteran’s Park on the corner of Linwood Avenue and Brown Street. But the bathrooms there need new doors. At about $1,000 apiece the village decided to keep the program at Bullard and try to replace the doors in the next budget year.

ALBION – The Village Board has filled the vacant code enforcement officer position with two part-time employees.

Kevin Sheehan resigned from the 20-hour-a-week position about a month ago. The village on Monday hired Anne Podolak and then on Tuesday hired Jeff Gifaldi. They will share the duties of the position, each working about 10 hours a week.

Podolak works as the code enforcement officer in Le Roy and Gifaldi is the Carlton codes officer. He also is the Orleans County undersheriff.

They are viewed as a temporary solution while the village looks for a longer-term answer for the position.

The two started right away. That followed last week’s Village Board meeting when a representative from Milestone Construction Partners in Rochester said the lack of a code officer in the village had stopped construction of a 2,250-square-foot addition for Oak Orchard Health behind its site at 301 West Ave.

Milestone wasn’t able to proceed without an inspection from the codes officer and that delay for nearly three weeks was threatening Oak Orchard’s ability to meet the deadline for a $757,000 grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Podolak and Gifaldi were both at the site on Tuesday and gave Milestone the OK to finish the project.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Justin Suarez works on a mural today on the south side of The Lockstone and Tinsel building at 160 North Main St., facing the Erie Canal next to the Main Street lift bridge.

The mural gives a dramatic scene as people head north on Main Street across the lift bridge.

Suarez also painted the mural of the Santa School on the north side of 170 North Main St., the building for The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub.

Suarez of Rochester uses spray paint to create the large paintings. He expects to complete the mural today.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club welcomed two new members last Thursday. Matt Holland, left, is a grant writer for the United Way of Orleans County. Tracy VanSkiver is the clerk/treasurer for the Village of Albion.

The Rotary Club is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. The group meets Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Cobblestone Museum’s visitors’ center.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – One of the dance studios at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy was packed with gift baskets and people on Saturday during an event to raise money for a scholarship in memory of Kelly Ricker. There were about 80 gift baskets available.

There were also services up for auction that were offered by community members. Community members bid on many service, including catered meals, fishing trips, a bartender service, a cottage stay, a wine tour, haircut and style, photo shoot, a custom cake, plowing, kayaking and other prizes.

Reese Conley, back center, and Emily Harling paint a butterfly on the face of Mckenna, 7, of Albion.

There were many activities as part of the celebration for Ricker on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ricker passed away at age 50 on Oct. 10 after a fight with cancer. A 1989 graduate of Albion, Ricker was a lifeguard at Albion for more than 30 years and was the school’s assistant swim coach.

She was an active Girt Scout leader, assisting girls including her daughter Laiken. For 15 years she was actively involved with the board for Sandstone Park. Her son Patrick played on the team for many years. She also was very involved at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion.

Photos courtesy of Jordan Thomas

West Bank Street was closed to traffic from Main Street to Liberty Street for dance performances, food trucks and other events including a live auction.

These dancers perform during the fundraising event on Saturday.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Ricker family on June 17 presented the first scholarship in memory of Kelly Ricker to Emily Harling. The scholarship was presented at class night by Ricker’s husband Ron and their children Patrick and Laiken. Katharine Waite, the high school assistant principal, is at left.

The Ricker scholarship is for $1,250 and is presented to a graduating senior who demonstrates a passion for swimming by striving to be their best through hard work and dedication to the swim team.

The Ricker family said they appreciate the community’s support on Saturday.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance is putting in a memorial brick sidewalk and memorial garden by the COVA base at 239 South Main St.

The organization this morning added a new bench by the garden and a fountain is coming, too. The bench was donated by Brigden Memorial and says, “MAY THE WHEELS OF EMS FOREVER ROLL.”

The garden will honor the founders of COVA from when it formed in 1979. The memorial bricks for the walkway can recognize anyone. Those bricks are $50 each. The proceeds will go towards upgrading the base and equipment for the emergency medical technicians for COVA.

COVA volunteers, staff and board members are pictured by one of the COVA ambulances today. The organization is holding its second annual “Caring for COVA” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pictured in front from left include Dan Conrad, Bob Stilwell, Faith and Mike Smith. Back row: Zack Laurin, Jennifer Stilwell, Megan Amacher, Aaron MacKenzie, Sam McKeon, Laurie Schwab, Brandi Fisher, James Fisher, David Bertsch, Dylan Marx and Megan Tabor.

“The big reason we’re doing this is to show COVA is here and we hope to stay here,” said Brandi Fisher, COVA’s chief financial officer and an EMT.

Twisted Treats served up ice cream from their food truck. Pictured from left include owner Jessica Taylor and her mother Bobbie Jo Taylor.

Michelle Wiseman checks out the gift baskets inside the Arnold Gregory Office Building. There are about 70 that will be raffled off.