Photo by Tom Rivers: The Main Street bridge in Albion is scheduled to close Oct. 17 and then face 18 months of construction and rehabilitation before it reopens in 2024.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 September 2022 at 7:42 am
ALBION – A group of Albion community members will meet today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to discuss ways to soften the impact of the Main Street bridge closure.
That bridge, built in 1914, is scheduled to close on Oct. 17 and not reopen for about 18 months.
A community group is looking for ways to help the downtown business district during the closure, and also help motorists with well-defined detours, including in the village.
“Bring your ideas, excitement and volunteerism,” Karen Sawicz, owner of Lake Country Media, said in an email on Friday to people who attended the first meeting on Sept. 12. “We all need to work together on this project!! Invite your neighbors, other Albion businesses.”
At the first meeting some ideas proposed included block parties, concerts, a Christmas tree festival, cornhole tournaments, designated spots for food trucks, ax throwing competitions and many other events.
“This can devastate a community or we can use it as a building tool,” Michael Bonafede, a downtown building owner, said at the Sept. 12 meeting.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2022 at 4:58 pm
Editor’s Note: The following statement was sent by the town supervisors in Albion, Barre, Gaines and Carlton. They are in central Orleans which is the service area for COVA Ambulance. The supervisors include Richard Remley of Albion, Sean Pogue of Barre, Tyler Allport of Gaines and Gayle Ashbery of Carlton.
“The towns of Carlton, Gaines, Albion and Barre, in conjunction with the county-wide EMS Task Force, have been working on ways to find solutions to our ambulance coverage and funding issues.
“While no definite conclusion has been reached, we are exploring many viable solutions for our respective towns. We fully realize the importance of 24/7 emergency coverage and we are striving to ensure that remains the standard in our communities.
“Please be assured that there are mutual aid plans in place at the county and state levels to ensure that none of the towns will go without ambulance service.
“It is also important to note that there are no easy, free solutions to these problems. We are, however, striving to find the most cost-effective way forward while providing the widest possible range of services.”
COVA asks community to sign petition for taxing district
Editor’s Note: Jennfer Stilwell. President of the COVA board of directors, sent a letter to the editor to the Orleans Hub today, urging community support for a taxing district in the fur towns that she said would cost an average of $43 annually per year.
COVA has stopped overnight staffing as it faces a fiscal crisis and needs $150,000 to stave off closing before Jan. 1.
“In a last-ditch effort our community has come to us with petitions for our towns to get us a tax district. The outpouring from local residents has kept us going and we are grateful for this last effort you have asked for,” Stilwell wrote.
The petitions are at the Olde Dogge Inn in Gaines, at Toyz n Kandy in Albion, the COVA base in Albion, Gilligan’s Galley in Carlton. Or call COVA at 585-589-4163 for information on how to get access to a petition.
“We have one week to get as many signatures as possible,” Stilwell wrote. “We also encourage everyone who is concerned to go to your town meetings in October and voice your concern and support to get us a tax district. This would raise your taxes approximately $43 per year or less per household. That is not per person! That is per taxed household! A very small price to pay for the security of your community-based ambulance.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 September 2022 at 10:11 am
Provided photos
ALBION – The youth football teams from Albion and Akron rallied in support of Maddox Pearl, 5, and his family on Saturday when Bullard Park hosted four football games at the beginner, mini, JV and varsity levels.
The top photo shows Maddox Pearl with his parents, Katelyn and Ryan Pearl, at the coin toss before the game.
The Albion AYSAP organization sold these T-shirts for $15 to raise money for the family.
The Akron players wore stickers on the their helmets in a show of support for Maddox. Pictured is Akron coach Sean Luck with some of his players.
The Akron players signed a poster and presented it to Maddox and his family.
The new scoreboard at the field was temporarily named “Maddox Field” for the games on Saturday.
Hensley Allport sells shirts and 50/50 tickets for the benefit for Maddox and his family.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 September 2022 at 8:40 am
Provided photo
ALBION – The new scoreboard has been installed and is in use for the Albion youth football games at Bullard Park.
Players, cheerleaders and coaches recently gathered for a photo with a representative from the Burger King in Albion. Mark Cammilleri, owner of the local Burger King, covered the cost of purchasing the scoreboard. Shelby Hollenbeck, a Burger King employee, joined the AYSAP group for a photo celebrating the new scoreboard which was installed by the Village of Albion Department of Public Works.
“The ability to have the scoreboard is huge for our organization,” said Geno Allport, the AYSAP commissioner for Albion. “Instead of having to worry about the officials keeping the time on the field and having people wonder what’s the score, quarter and time remaining. Mark and Albion Burger King have relieved a lot of stress from our organization.”
The Albion youth teams will have home games on Saturday at Bullard and they will be selling T-shirts in support of Maddox Pearl, a 5-year-old Albion boy who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Proceeds will go to Maddox’s family.
ALBION – On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Albion Police Department will be conducting a Child Safety Seat Check Event in the Save-A-Lot parking lot located at 320 West Ave.
This event is being conducted for Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, which is currently taking place from September 18-24.
This Check Event, which is sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the Albion Central School District, will allow parents and guardians to have their child seats inspected by a Child Safety Seat Technician. The technicians will determine if the child safety seat will provide adequate protection for the child or if a new child safety seat is needed.
Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% when used correctly. However, misuse reduces effectiveness. More than 90% of child safety seats are used improperly.
The Albion Police Department will continue to address this issue by participating in the New York State Child Passenger Safety Grant Program and conduct Safety Seat Inspection Checks.
Residents may call the Albion Police Department anytime at (585) 589-5627 in order to schedule an individual appointment to have their child safety seat inspected.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, welcomed Jordan Thomas to the building at 28 West Bank St. as the operator of a new reschool called The Beehive.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2022 at 6:59 pm
ALBION – The Gotta Dance Studio by Miss Amy in Albion has become a busier place. There is a new preschool and owner of a shop that sells dance supplies.
The building at 28 West Bank St. for about 20 years has been used for dance classes, and in recent years has hosted cabaret shows and other live performances.
Last week a preschool started at Gotta Dance. The Beehive serves eight children ages 3-4. Jordan Thomas runs the preschool from 9 to 11 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
Thomas, 24, also is a dance instructor at Gotta Dance working with preschoolers. She started dancing at the studio in 2012.
Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance, sees first-hand how Thomas connects with younger children and keeps them happy and motivated. Sidari welcomed the chance to have one of the three dance studios be used for preschoolers in the morning.
“It makes sense to maximize the hours in the buildings,” Sidari said. “We want this building to maximized for the community at all hours for all ages.”
The Beehive helps prepare the preschoolers for kindergarten. Thomas runs a program that teaches social skills and respect others, often incorporating singing and dancing. The kids learn how to express their feelings and emotions in a safe environment. There are plenty of crafts, and activities where they learn colors, counting, days of the week, the weather and reading.
“We stress kindness, respect and listening skills,” Thomas said.
She said the Beehive helps fill a preschool gap in the community. She used to work at the former Rainbow Preschool in Albion as a one-on-one aide. That school closed in August 2020.
“There are so many kids and not enough places for them to go,” Thomas said about local preschools.
Mandee Heinsler owns the Barre Boutqiue at Gotta Dance. She has taken over the part of the business where Gotta Dance students and other sin the community can buy ballet, tap and jazz shoes. Heinsler will also do fitting for point shoes and sew ribbons on those. She learned the art of fitting point shoes from Sidari.
Heinsler’s daughters – Evee, 15, and Thalia, 10 – are both dancers at Gotta Dance.
Heinsler also sells dance leotards, from sizes toddler to adult, and tights, including ones that are convertible. The Barre Boutique also has graphic tees and other trendy clothing, including gifts.
Heinsler named it “Barre Boutique” not for the town in Orleans County. In ballet and dance, the barre is the horizontal handrail that is fixed to the walls of a studio.
The boutique will be open from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday with some Saturday hours expected in the future. Heinsler also will be available for appointments. Contact her through the Barre Boutique Facebook page for more information.
Sidari has made another big change at Gotta Dance. Crystal Hallenbeck, a dance instructor there since 2001, will serve as manager of operations. She also works as a budget director at Brockport State College. She has a doctorate degree in executive leadership.
Sidari said the changes will allow her to step back from some of the day-to-day demands of running the studio and business. She recently became a grandmother with a second grandchild due soon.
She was considering selling the building and closing Gotta Dance in June, but a new team came together that Sidari expects will take the place to new heights.
“This year will be rocking,” she said. “It’s everybody that works here. I know I can walk away a little bit but I’m still here.”
Sidari said the cabaret already has five shows with bus tours lined up. She and Hollenbeck also will work on monthly events, including a kids night out in October and dance-a-thon.
Sidari said other activities are in the works, and she also rents out the cabaret room as an events/conference venue with the professional technology equipment available.
“Here we have a genuine love for everyone,” Sidari said. “Come as you are and we will help you meet your goals. This has always been my home and my place to help others’ dreams come true.”
ALBION – As part of our ongoing discussion about racism and the division in this country, the Community Coalition for Justice brings a presentation entitled “Teaching U.S. History & Unpacking The Terms ‘Woke’ And ‘Critical Race Theory’” on Monday, Oct. 10, (Columbus Day) at Hoag Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
This presentation will include the showing of W. Kamau Bell’s “United Shades of America” on a July 7, 2022 episode entitled “The Woke War” and an interactive discussion lead by a panel of responders.
Kamau Bell has hosted the CNN series “United Shades of America” since 2016. Known as a comedian and political commentator, Bell tackles many very relevant and controversial issues around the country. In this episode, he travels to Arizona and “talks with parents and educators to hear both sides of CRT” and how it relates to the education of our youth.
The Community Coalition for Justice includes the Hoag Library, Albion Betterment Committee, Pullman Universalist Church, People Embracing Diversity and the Social Justice Committee.
The Coalition’s Co-chair Bob Golden also will be presented with an Orleans Hub “outstanding citizen” award for his efforts facilitating the discussions.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2022 at 8:58 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: COVA has run an ambulance service in Central Orleans County since 1979.
ALBION – COVA Ambulance announced this evening that it will no longer provide overnight ambulance services starting this Sunday.
The organization has been operating at a deficit, and has been seeking help from local municipalities to stay afloat. Jennifer Stilwell, COVA president, said the central Orleans towns have told them that the municipalities can’t “gift” COVA any money. COVA leaders are hopeful the money can be presented not as a gift but in a way to keep a critical local service.
Stilwell said the county told COVA it can’t give the organization any funding and it’s up to the four towns – Albion, Barre, Gaines and Carlton – to try to help.
COVA issued the following public notice:
“We are saddened to announce that as of this Sunday 09/18/2022 we are forced to implement a disruption of service. We can no longer afford to operate ambulance services from the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. from Monday through Sunday and we will begin to attempt to utilize a rotating schedule with our partnered EMS Agency Hamlin EMS to provide ambulance coverage if available to the central parts of Orleans County.
“Despite our best efforts we have still been unable to secure municipal funding to help offset our current budget deficit. The financial burden that is upon us has stretched our annual budget beyond capacity.
“For the past three years we have maintained ambulance services covering 96% of the medical emergency calls in the central part of Orleans County. Throughout this period, we have begged for help from our local leadership.
“We have had to make payroll cuts, staff cuts, set up lease programs as well as implemented numerous operational budget cuts to reduce budget expenses. We struggle to continue to maintain operations with the outstanding patient bills and continuous decrease in health insurance reimbursement rates along with the increasing cost of medical supplies, insurance, fuel, utilities and so much more.
“We have been encouraged by the outpouring of community support and are hopeful that we will somehow find a resolution.
“Please take notice that COVA Ambulance will not be operating from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Sunday and we will begin to attempt to utilize a rotating schedule with our partnered EMS Agency Hamlin EMS to provide ambulance coverage if available to the central parts of Orleans County.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2022 at 2:50 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today presented a ceremonial check for $6,300 to the Office for the Aging to support a transportation program for senior citizens.
The tournament was held on July 28 at Shelridge Country Club in Medina.
Pictured from left include Becky Karls, Rotary Club member and OFA employee; Melissa Blanar, OFA director; and Cindy Perry, Rotary Club member. Karls and Perry also were the main organizers of the annual tournament.
The funds will support a volunteer transportation program that was started in 2019 by the OFA. That program sees more demand since Community Action ended a transportation program on Sept. 1, 2021 for senior citizens citing a deficit with CATS. Community Action would take local seniors to appointments, including to see doctors out of county.
The volunteers take people to appointments in Orleans County and surrounding counties. There are about a dozen volunteer drivers and they can do in-county only rides if they prefer and be as available as they want, Blanar said.
The funds from the golf tournament will help pay for mileage for the drivers, and a software program that assists the OFA with scheduling appointments. If there are any leftover funds, Blanar said it would be used for emergency food for senior citizens.
She welcomes more volunteer drivers for the program, which helps adults over age 60.
The drivers take people to medical appointments, grocery stores, nursing homes to visit loved ones and other appointments.
If volunteers aren’t available, OFA has a contract with Medina Transport Taxi.
Some seniors also use the RTS public transportation but that agency is often locked into a schedule and it can be difficult to link up with other buses for trips out of county.
For more information about the volunteer program, either as a driver or rider, contact the OFA at (585) 589-3191.
Blanar said many of the volunteer drivers have become friends with the senior citizens getting rides.
“There have been some great relationships created,” she said. “It’s a great program and we want to keep it going.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kelly Fischer-Godlewski and her husband Mike Godlewski opened Necka’s Treasures on Wednesday at 18 East Bank St. They are shown with their daughter, Anezka, while Kelly holds Crowley, a baby pig that is the store’s mascot.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 September 2022 at 8:13 am
ALBION – A Lyndonville couple has opened a business in downtown Albion that includes an array of new products at a deep discount.
Kelly Fischer-Godlewski and her husband Mike Godlewski have been running Necka’s Treasures from their home for about a year. They decided to make it their full-time focus and move into a storefront.
Provided photo: Albion Village Trustee Tim McMurray joined the Godlewski family for a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday morning.
They receive pallets of products from Target, Home Depot, Cosway, Amazon and Bed, Bath and Beyond. The merchandise are overstocks or “shelf pulls,” typically when the stores replace the items with newer seasonal products.
“The goal is to keep the prices low for the community,” said Fischer-Godlewski.
The pallets have an array of merchandize. Recent shipments have ranged from clothing, exercise equipment, computer products, bed sets, a heat press and drying oven. They even have karaoke and cotton candy machines.
The Godlewskis tried the overstock sales about a year ago selling items from Home Depot as a yard sale from their home. The products at 50 percent or more off their retail value were popular.
Mr. Godlewski checks the electronics and other items to make sure they are working. For many years he has owned and operated Rescom GC Inc., doing home construction and remodeling.
Necka’s Treasures is named for their 3-year-old daughter, Anezka. The store also has a mascot, a baby pig named Crowley.
Necka’s is looking to add artwork and crystals, and will have free coffee and tea for customers. There will also be a monthly raffle for customers who spend at least $5 who are then eligible to win a package of merchandise.
They are planning to be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 September 2022 at 9:14 am
Concerts, block parties, Christmas tree festival, business promotions among the ideas
Photos by Tom Rivers: Pastor Albert Wilson of the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries puts a sticker on one of the top five priorities he saw for the downtown area when the bridge is closed. He picked concerts on Main Street with this sticker. Each participant on Monday was given five stickers to prioritize ideas for the downtown area.
ALBION – The closure of the Main Street lift bridge for an estimated 18 months will be difficult for the community, especially the downtown merchants who will see traffic by their stores take a dramatic drop.
But the closure can be an opportunity, too, to bring activities to Main Street that normally wouldn’t happen on such a busy thoroughfare. There could be block parties, concerts, a Christmas tree festival, cornhole tournaments, designated spots for food trucks, ax throwing competitions and many other events.
About 25 community members, mainly the downtown business owners, brainstormed ideas on Monday evening to keep the downtown viable once the bridge closes Oct. 17 for a major rehabilitation that is expected to last 18 months.
“This can devastate a community or we can use it as a building tool,” said Michael Bonafede, a downtown building owner who served as moderator of Monday’s meeting.
Michael Bonafede, owner of three buildings in the downtown, leads a brainstorming discussion on Monday evening with about 25 community members.
Each participant was given five stickers to place by ideas. Those ideas will then be ranked and discussed in an upcoming meeting. The next session is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Hoag Library.
The impending bridge closure has already brought the Albion businesses and village officials together, working on ways to help promote the downtown area, Bonafede said.
“We are going to work on a genuine action plan to maximize opportunities presented by the restoration of our historic bridge,” he said. “We can have events that we’ve never had before.”
Karen Sawicz, owner of Lake Country Media which includes the Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub, encouraged the group to make their concerns known about the project and its impact. She said they should be in regular communication with the village and state Department of Transportation.
Brian Alexander of Dubby’s Tailgate and Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza suggested a small-scale bridge-building competition.
Sawicz wants to see detours posted in the village to help route traffic through the business district. She also would like a stop sign at East State Street and Ingersoll Street, whioch will see a big jump in traffic once the Main Street bridge closes.
“We need to be vocal, but you have to be ‘nice vocal,’” said Sawicz, a former Chamber of Commerce president.
Many events already are planned for the downtown area. The annual Beggar’s Night, where candy is handed out to children, will be Oct. 28. The Hometown Holiday event is Dec. 10, and the Sip N Stroll wine-tasting will be in April.
A bronze statue of Santa Claus in honor of Santa School founder Charles Howard is planned to be unveiled and dedicated in June.
Karen Conn puts one of her stickers by Christmas tree festival during Monday’s brainstorming for the downtown area
One idea was to add a Christmas tree festival. Another person suggested a big increase in flowers in the downtown, making Albion known for flowers. Flowers could also be set near the fencing on the street when the bridge is closed. Those flowers would soften up the scene and not make it send such an unwelcome message.
Merchants suggested more advertising to proclaim that downtown is open. That could be with billboards and ads on the Orleans Hub, the Pennysaver and other publications.
Another idea was for the village to relax sign standards during the bridge closure to allow merchants more ways to promote their businesses.
Albion has hosted a concerts by the canal series for many years. Linda Smith, owner of Krantz Furniture, suggested those concerts be moved to a blocked off section of Main Street. The village is also considering moving those concerts to Bullard Park, but Smith said they should be in the downtown while the bridge is closed.
There could also be classic car shows, even a snowmobile show. A temporary ice skating rink could also be set up on part of Main Street.
The Village Board will have another bridge meeting today at 6 p.m. at the Village Hall at 35-37 East Bank St. for people to share ideas and concerns about the project.
Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods has an open sign at 45 North Main St. Businesses suggested the village ease some of the sign codes to allow merchants to promote their shops during the bridge shutdown.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2022 at 3:22 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion highway department has closed a bridge over Otter Creek on Phipps Road following a detailed inspection today that showed the steel high-beam supports are rotted, said Highway Superintendent Mike Neidert.
The bridge was closed on Thursday after an initial annual inspection showed concerns about the bridge’s condition. A more thorough inspection was done today and Neidert said the bridge will be closed permanently until funding is in pl ace for a replacement.
The town tried for a $600,000 Bridge NY grant from the state but was denied. Neidert said the town will keep looking for funding to upgrade the bridge.
The span is technically a culvert because it is 19.5 feet long. Anything less than 20 feet is considered a culvert while bridges are considered to be 20 feet or more.
Neidert said Otter Creek has a bend near the bridge. One idea is straightening the creek which would make for a bigger bridge at 20 feet. That could increase the chances for the town to receive federal funds for a replacement, he said.
The bridge is at the west end of Phipps Road near the Eagle Harbor Road intersection.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 September 2022 at 11:55 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Danny Fenley, an employee at the Iroquois Job Corps in Medina, helps with a food distribution this morning in Albion at the parking lot at 165 Platt St. She pulled bags of grapes out of boxes and set them on a table, where they were added to an assortment of food for each vehicle..
“It’s nice to get out of the office and help the community,” Fenley said.
The distribution shifted to the parking lot in June after about two years of long lines of cars down Main Street and Albion neighborhoods.
The change has eased much of the congestion on the streets. The vehicles instead are able to be parked at the lot across from the back entrance of Dunkin’ Donuts.
Richard Standish of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee fills a bag with food. There were three staff from Community Action and then many volunteers who distributed food to about 200 people who had the food put in trunks.
The distributions are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and go until the food is gone. The upcoming distributions in Albion include Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
There will be another pop-up food pantry this Friday beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, 107 North Main St.
Anthony Washington, an employee at the Job Corps, packed corn in bags at the distribution. There were many fresh fruits and vegetables in today’s distribution.
The food is delivered by Foodlink and is available for free to residents.
The distribution team worked together to get the food ready and delivered to the vehicles.
“Many of the people, especially the seniors, are very grateful,” said Katrina Chaffee, director of community services and reporting for Community Action. “Food has become so expensive. This helps them get through the month.”
Staff Reports Posted 12 September 2022 at 11:14 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Orleans chapter DAR Regent Sharon Schneider (left) and Historían Jamie Baumgardt (right) present Albion Middle School Service Learning teacher Tim Archer with a check for $500 to be used toward projects the classes are researching on Mt. Albion Cemetery this school year.
The students plan to prepare a 50-page booklet on the cemetery to be distributed to area libraries, historians and schools. Archer said the students also hope to identify and tag 30 to 40 individual varieties of trees along the cemetery’s main walking paths.
They have applied to have Mt. Albion Cemetery accredited as an arboretum due to its wide variety of trees.
The DAR has been a consistent donor to the Service Learning program and its projects over the last decade, Archer said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 September 2022 at 8:10 pm
9th annual event is fundraiser for Supportive Care
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The 9th annual car show to benefit Supportive Care of Orleans County on Saturday drew a crowd to Bullard Park. The sunny weather was ideal for the car show, which featured 73 vehicles.
There also were four youth football games at the park and many of the parents and players stopped by to check out the cars.
The event is sponsored by Rebekah Karls and Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals.
The event usually raises about $3,000 for Supportive Care., formerly known as Hospice of Orleans County
A table of trophies awaits the winner sin the car show.
The band Lonesome Road performed at the park. The band members include, from left, Robert Williams on bass/vocals, Todd Colegrove on guitar/lead vocals, David Leonard on drums/vocals and Mike Whiting on guitar/vocals.
Six members of the RIP (Ride in Peace) Hearse Club attended the car show in Albion for the first time.
Guy Vito of Rochester proudly shows his 1965 Cadillac Hearse “Grim Reaper.” He has been bringing a hearse with haunted house characters to car shows for the past 40 years.
“The kids love it,” he said. “It’s so different.”
The group of hearses proved popular at the car show.
ALBION – On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Albion Police Department will be conducting a Child Safety Seat Check Event in the Save-A-Lot parking lot located at 320 West Ave.
