By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2025 at 11:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Dave Ruch delivered an engaging concert this afternoon playing a variety of instruments in sharing about the Erie Canal’s history.
Ruch, a musician from Buffalo, played some well known canal tunes – “Low Bridge, Everybody Down” and “Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal.”
Ruch played familiar instruments such as the banjo and guitar, and then introduced the audience to instruments used by many canal workers and travelers in the mid-1850s – cow bones, spoons, a washboard and jaw harp.
Dave Ruch shows people a jaw harp, which he said was very popular as people tried to pass time on their journeys along the canal.
Ruch played the washboard with two thimbles on his fingers.
This group joined Ruch and acted out a canal song about a low bridge.
Sam Conde learns to hold the cow bones so he can make music with them.
Ruch shows how to hold two spoons so they bang together to make sounds. Ruch sang the folk song, “Old Dan Tucker,” while he played the spoons.
Today was the kick off of Hoag Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program with a theme “Color Our World.”
Reading logs and Nioga Library System passports are available at the library. With the Nioga Passport Program, participants can collect a stamp at each Nioga Library they visit. Once all stamps are collected, they’ll be entered into a system-wide raffle for prizes.
Other upcoming events include:
Super Amy Variety Show at 2 p.m. on July 10. Super Amy brings her passion and talents to life in this variety show with magic, comedy, feats of strength and amazing acrobatics
Fire Truck Visit from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 14. Learn about fire safety with volunteers from Orleans County Emergency Management.
Water Color Wars will be outdoors beginning at 2 p.m. on July 17. Wear old clothes or a bathing suit and get ready to get wet with different outdoor water games.
Gardening for Kids beginning at 2 p.m. on July 21. The Master Gardeners will teach a class on gardening for children and their families.
Brushstrokes Program at 2 p.m. on July 23. Melissa from Brushstrokes will lead a class on how to paint glazed pottery. Registration is required. Limit 15 registrants.
Rainbow Yoga with Mindful Traditions at 2 p.m. on July 29. Learn the basics of yoga and relaxation with yoga instructor Kaylin McCarthy.
Butterfly Wing Craft at 2 p.m. on Aug. 4. Make wearable butterfly wings out of cardboard.
Wildlife Rockstars Live Animal Show at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 18. Ambassadors from the Wildlife Rockstars will be here to show animals and teach about the different ecosystems and habitats.
Yohe Wagon Rides & Farm Animals at 2 p.m. on Aug. 20. Celebrate the end of summer reading with horses/wagon rides and other farm animals.
ALBION – Hoag Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program, themed “Color Our World,” officially kicks off today at 2 p.m., with an engaging performance by musician and teaching artist Dave Ruch, who will bring the history of the Erie Canal to life with music, storytelling, and audience interaction.
Reading logs and Nioga Library System passports will be available at the kickoff. With the Nioga Passport Program, participants can collect a stamp at each Nioga Library they visit. Once all stamps are collected, they’ll be entered into a system-wide raffle for exciting prizes.
This summer, Hoag Library will also be out in the community! Visit us at Bullard Park on Fridays in July for Art at the Park with stories and crafts, and look for StoryWalks at the library and throughout Albion.
Other exciting upcoming events include:
Super Amy Variety Show – Thursday, July 10 at 2 p.m.
Fire Truck Visit – Monday, July 14 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Wildlife Rockstars Live Animal Show – Monday, Aug. 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Yohe Wagon Rides & Farm Animals – Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m.
Rainbow Yoga, Butterfly Wing Craft, Supersized Sorry, and many more activities for all ages
Participants are also encouraged to take part in the Community Art Mural, Color Jars, and the Collaborative Diamond Painting Project running every Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 July 2025 at 8:18 am
ALBION – UConnectCare has announced a ribbon cutting and an open house for the new 25-bed women and children community residence at 3597 Butts Rd., Albion.
The open house and ribbon cutting will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 13.
This will be the first residential program for women and their children for UConnectCare, formerly known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
The site will allow women, 18 and older, to receive services to aid in their recovery while in a residential setting.
Five of the 25 units will accommodate women with children younger than kindergarten. Up to two children can stay in those units.
UConnectCare awarded a $4.6 million grant from the state Department of Health for construction of the residence, which will total $5.2 million.
UConnectCare has seen more women in recovery and addiction programs during the opioid epidemic, with the prevalence of addictive painkillers, UConnectCare officials said.
The residence was built on part of a 9-acre wooded lot just outside of the Albion village limits.
UConnectCare will operate the facility, with staffing at all hours, seven days a week.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 July 2025 at 9:32 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: CAOG’s board president Barb Shine spoke during Community Action’s in-service day and praised staff for the work they have done in the community.
ALBION – The annual In-service Day for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee was again held this year at Albion Elks Lodge, with a theme of “Beacon of Hope: Illuminating Paths to Possibility.”
The day began with breakfast catered by the Coffee Pot Café and welcome by CAOG’s executive director Renee Hungerford, who announced the agency was incorporated Sept. 13, 1965, making it 60 years old this year. To celebrate, she declared June 20 an agency holiday, following Juneteenth and giving staff a long weekend off.
Board president Barb Shine introduced board members in attendance, welcomed guests and praised the staff for their accomplishments.
Hungerford next read the government impact of legislation proposed by President Trump in his budget, in which both the Community Services Block Grant, the foundational funding of a Community Action agency, and LIHEAP, a source that partially funds their weatherization program, are eliminated.
She also read a passage from Project 2025 which proposed the elimination of Head Start. She elaborated on the importance of raising awareness of these developments so people can voice their concerns before final decisions are made.
Hungerford stated she had responded to the president, but never got a reply.
Photo courtesy of Melinda Daniels: (Left) Ryan Lasal, director of Family Program Innovation/Chief Innovation Officer, and Tina Schleede, director of Finance and Administration/CFO, hand out awards during Community Action’s In-service Day. (Photo by Ginny Kropf – right) – Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, welcomes staff and guests to the annual In-service Day at Albion Elks Club.
Hungerford also urges everyone to read her letter to the editor on Orleans Hub, in which she stresses the importance of the Community Services Block Grant and how devastating it would be if the funding were lost.
A recap of Community Action showed the agency served nearly 5,000 individuals during the 2023-24 program year, an increase of more than 101% over the year ending in 2021. That equates to 2,628 households served.
Approximately 2,600 individuals benefitted nutritionally from food panties, food distribution, surplus food and prepared meals at the Holley Center, while 687 households received holiday meal kits.
Community Action provided assistance to 141 individuals to avoid eviction and 78 individuals were aided in avoiding utility shut-off.
School supplies were provided to 206 children, and five individuals received employment support, including job searching assistance, on-the-job training and work appropriate clothing.
The Main Street store continues to serve the community, with 92 prom dresses provided to students across eight counties; 182 individuals in need received hats, gloves and scarves; and the Wishing Tree in the store inspired 76 community donations of gifts, warm coats, socks and clothing.
The Head Start program continued to provide vital services to 201 enrolled children and 66 children enrolled in Early Head Start.
ACT – Helping Youth ACT Responsibly had 522 youth participate in the evidence-based, comprehensive pregnancy/STD prevention curriculum, and the Credit Recovery program had 22 students who attended, of which 11 demonstrated basic grade level achievement and eight obtained a high school diploma.
Motivational speaker Joe Roberts of Vancouver was keynote speaker for CAOG’s annual In-service day and shared his inspirational story of rising from a homeless addict to CEO of a multi-million company. His life story can be read on his website.
Community Action provides seniors and people with disabilities safe transportation for medical visits and personal needs. During the program year, 159 individuals received 4,052 one-way transportation trips.
Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership had 100 children enrolled and brought up to date on age-appropriate immunizations. The Child Resource Center provided referrals to 64 individuals to licensed child care providers.
The Weatherization program provided services to 123 homes, making them more efficient. Through a partnership with the Department of Social Services, 99 households received air conditioner installation.
In addition to that, Community Action had many other highlights throughout the past year. These included adding a mural on the Main Street store, being selected by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce to receive their Community Service Award, full reorganization of the agency was completed, a successful Stone Soup program was also completed and three teams expanded to the Arnold Gregory facility.
A number of community needs were identified, such as helping people become self-sufficient, advocating for working parents to have access to safe and affordable childcare, expanding health-related programs, explore avenues to meet increasing demand for food, partner in programs to increase affordable housing and reduce homelessness, expanding the Credit Recovery program to more Orleans County schools to increase graduation rates, help prevent death from overdose and become a distribution site for fentanyl and xylazine test kits, naloxone and educational materials and increase marketing, success stories, community involvement, etc. to increase brand awareness and public impact of the important role of Community Action.
Looking ahead, Community Action has identified priorities as addressing the 1115 Medicaid Waiver, developing the 2026 Community Needs Assessment and updated Strategic Plan, developing a Mental Health satellite at Holley, updating Mission and Vision statements, creating expanded transportation opportunities and exploring housing opportunities and partnerships.
One exciting new initiative is creating a Fresh Start Center at the Main Street Store, where students can launder clothes, shower, receive personal hygiene items and get connected with other needed social care services. A private grant will fund the shower, which won’t be added until next year.
Photos courtesy of Melinda Daniels: (Left) Veronica Barhite, a board member for Community Action, enjoys an ice cream sundae during the annual In-service Day at Albion Elk’s Club. (Right) CAOG director Renee Hungerford, right, and Cassie Healy, head of the Main Street Store, have an ice cream sundae during lunch break at the annual In-Service Day.
Hungerford stated, “The progress we’ve made in the last five years is incredible.” However, she sees the need for food going up and the number of homeless increasing.
Lunch for the day was catered by Zambistro and an ice cream truck was on site after lunch.
Following lunch and several games, Naloxone training was presented by Kaitlin Pettine, a public health educator with the Genesee Orleans County Health Departments.
Awards were presented, including 11 years-of-service awards for employees from five to 25 years with the agency. Eight employees received Achievement Awards for furthering their education, and nine Employee Recognition awards were given, with the top employee being Margi Davies, chosen by her peers and awarded a certificate for her strong upholding of the agency’s values. She also received an Achievement Award for making the Dean’s List and graduating from Empire State University with an associate’s degree in science, with a study of Early Childhood.
In her closing statement, Hungerford thanked everyone who made the day fun and successful. This included staff, the Elks Club for providing an affordable venue, Kaitlin Pettine for showing them how to save a life with Naloxone, Orleans Mental Health for making the Joe Roberts presentation possible, and the board of directors.
Photos courtesy of Albion Alumni Foundation: Alumni Foundation board member Mollie Radzinski congratulates Emily Richardson as she receives the Jonathan Doherty Memorial Scholarship.
Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation
ALBION – The Alumni High School Alumni Foundation awarded $174,325 in scholarships to Albion High School Class of 2025 graduates during their Class Night ceremony on June 20. These awards provide financial assistance to seniors as they continue to pursue their educational goals after high school graduation.
The Foundations’ scholarship committee chose recipients for 56 academic, vocational, service, leadership, arts and athletics scholarships. The committee reviewed numerous applications and chose students that they felt best fit each scholarship’s criteria.
Three new annual scholarships were awarded for the first time this year:
Raymond Lissow Jr. Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship was established in 2024 by the Family of Raymond M Lissow. Ray graduated from Albion in 2006 and benefited greatly from Albion’s special education personnel. Ray was very active in his community and thoroughly enjoyed his years at ACS. Sadly, he passed away in 2022 at the age of 34 but left a lasting impression on everyone he met and hopefully he always put a smile on their faces. This $2,000 scholarship, administered by the Albion Alumni Association, is awarded to a graduating senior attending college to pursue a degree in Special Education.
Ray and Fran Lissow congratulate Nicholas Baxter as the first recipient of the Raymond Lissow Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Paganelli Family Scholarship – This scholarship has been established by the Paganelli family to support the pursuit of higher education, whether academic or vocational. It will be awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates financial need and actively participates in extracurricular activities, whether related to work or academics. This scholarship is administered by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation.
Coach Robert Ord Scholarship – This scholarship was established in honor of Coach Ord who dedicated many years of service to the Albion School District and the Athletic program. This scholarship is administered by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, Inc.
Our scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our Albion alumni members and the local community. We are grateful to them for their willingness to support so many Albion graduates through our scholarship program.
If you are interested in starting a scholarship or want to learn more about the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, please contact Steve Hicks, Albion Alumni Foundation President at steve@albionalumni.org or go to albionalumni.org.
Congratulations to all 2025 scholarship recipients!
Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarship – Willow Gaines, Krystalin Taylor, Taylor LeFrois, Adysyn Stirk
Paul R. Haines Memorial Scholarship – Leo Bolton
Elizabeth Balcom Smith Scholarship – Madison LeBaron
Golden Performance Scholarship – Alexis Hand
Jim & Susie Fraser Health Careers Scholarship – Alana Irvine
Minier Family Scholarship – Jayden Lewis
Albion Alumni Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship – Mallory Kozody
Coach Richard Diminuco Scholarship for Athletic Excellence – Camryn London
Harry W. Salchak Science Scholarship – Tye Talbot
A.B. Dick Eddy Service Above Self Scholarship – Leo Bolton
Nancy Elaine Lagamba Scholarship – Madison LeBaron
(Left) Jayden Lewis accepts the Minier Family Scholarship from Marissa (Minier) Olles and her daughter Hannah. (Right) Zachary Baron receives the Brennan Michael Carlyle Moody Scholarship from Erin and Jackson Moody.
Dr. Paul Mahany Family Scholarships – Madalyn Ashbery
Robert P. VanDeusen Memorial Scholarship – Donovan Braley
Moore Family Scholarship Fund – Kenadie Patten
Sawyer Brigham and Donovan Braley receive the Benjamin Dennis Kirby Memorial Scholarship from Ben’s friends. Lucas Martin also received this scholarship.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2025 at 9:45 am
‘I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life.’
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bullard Park was hopping on Thursday for a July 3rd celebration. The Who Dats are shown near the beginning of their concert. They were the final band out of three during the day.
People spread out in their lawn chairs to take in the music.
The Who Dats had many in the crowd dancing. The band includes, from left: John Borello, Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, Ed Hilfiker and Alex DeSmit on the drums.
These kids watch the finale of the fireworks from the top of a playground on Thursday night.
Bullard offered expanded activities throughout the day with the event capped by fireworks for the first time in a decade.
Several thousand people were at the park. Organizers aren’t sure of estimate.
Ron Albertson helped push through the upgrades to Bullard, an effort that started about a dozen years ago.
It paid off with a spray park for kids, an amphitheater, new playground equipment, a new pavilion with bathrooms, and other more recent improvements, including basketball courts, a walking trail, a disc golf course and soon, a pickle ball court.
“We have an absolute gem in our town,” Albertson said this morning about Bullard. “We wanted to bring recognition to our park.”
Albertson helps organize the upcoming Albion Summer Music Festival/Rock the Park which includes two days of bands on Aug. 1-2. This will be the 10th year for Rock the Park, which started to raise money for the Bullard upgrades.
Seeing all the people at Bullard on Thursday felt like the realization of the Bullard dream for Albertson and others who worked on Bullard’s transformation.
“I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life,” Albertson said. “I thought it was fantastic.”
Volunteers with the G-ACRE (Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.) served 500 chicken barbecue dinners. In front are Denise London and John Kurtz at the pavilion by the spray park.
Albertson praised John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, for leading the effort to have a big Independence Day celebration in Albion, a day early on July 3. Grillo also rallied the community to donate $10,000 for the fireworks show.
“I just knew it would draw a lot of people,” Grillo said about the fireworks and day’s events. “I’m very proud of this community.”
Grillo also praised the efforts of the Albion Police Department, Department of Public Works and firefighters for make the day go smoothly.
Madaline Bloom, 9, rides a pony brought to the park by KTJ Saddle Up Pony Rides.
Jim Navarra gave people wagon rides through the park.
Emma Hollenbeck, 8, gets her face painted by Mary Jo Whitman.
These kids played an intense game of Gaga Ball. There were also several bounce houses available.
104 Country performed for nearly two hours. There were about 50 food and craft vendors at the park.
104 Country includes Mike Hartman on vocals and guitar; Norm Bock on vocals and guitar, mandolin and banjo; Luca Quagliano on percussion; and Cindy Lynn on bass and vocals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2025 at 11:18 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Fireworks were back in Albion at Bullard Park for the first time tonight after a decade absence.
Young Explosives sent the fireworks into the sky over the park after a day of fun featuring three bands, about 50 vendors, and other food and entertainment.
John Grillo, Albion’s recreation director, started the fundraising push for the fireworks last October. He was able to secure $10,000 in donations from the community to bring back the fireworks.
These kids watch the fireworks from up high in the playground at Bullard.
People watched from all over the park, with some on lawn chairs, others on blankets and many others from their cars.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 July 2025 at 9:26 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Not even a hot day can keep Jeanette Riley from spending time in her garden. She will host the Cobblestone Society’s annual mid-summer celebration there on July 17.
ALBION – The Cobblestone Society’s annual mid-summer celebration on July 17 this year is titled “On the Bank of the Erie Canal,” and will take place at the extensive and elaborate gardens of Jeanette Riley.
Co-chaired by Shirley Bright-Neeper of Medina and Joyce Chiczek of Lyndonville, the event will feature music by the E-Yah-Pah-Hah Quintet, wine and light refreshments provided by Chiczek.
The gardens are located at 1960 Riley Place, off Moore Street, next to the Erie Canal.
Elaborate statuary, opulent blooms and winding paths will greet visitors to the Riley Family garden on the Cobblestone Society’s mid-summer celebration July 17. Here, Jeanette Riley and Shirley Bright-Neeper are partially hidden in the shade as they take a break while touring the garden.
Cobblestone director Doug Farley says no one will want to miss this tour.
“In recognition of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, this magnificent garden is the perfect choice, as it is on the north bank of the Erie Canal,” Farley said.
Parking is limited near the garden, so it is recommended passengers be dropped off at the driveway to the Riley home and drivers can park at Light of Victory Church (formerly St. Mary’s Church) at 47 Brown St., where they will be shuttled to the Riley home.
The event will start at 4 p.m. and continue until dark. This is an ongoing, informal event, with activities scattered throughout the garden. It is a large garden and there are many places for visitors to sit as they wander at their own pace. Guests may also bring their own lawn chair.
Lush plants welcome visitors to the elaborate garden where Jeanette Riley will host the annual garden tour July 17 to benefit the Cobblestone Museum.
E-Yah-Pah-Hah, a quintet of music educators, will present their featured musical performance beginning at 5 p.m.
The history of the Riley gardens goes back to 1960 when Jeanette’s parents, Henry and Alma, lived there as renters. The original home, owned by an uncle, had five rooms with an outhouse. The family paid $35 to $40 a month to live there, Jeanette said. Her parents later bought the property for $2,000 around 1980, then bought three lots from Curtis Lyman to extend their property.
“Dad was a brick mason by trade, and he started fixing things up,” Jeanette said. “The house now has five bedrooms and two baths.”
Jeanette moved home with her mother when her father got sick in 1995. He died in 1997, and Jeanette said her mother started planting flowers to keep busy. She had hedges pulled out and began planting flowers, hit and miss, Jeanette said.
Shirley Bright-Neeper, left, and Jeanette Riley enjoy conversation on a hot day in the shade of a giant maple at the entrance to the Riley family garden, which will be the site for the Cobblestone Society’s annual garden tour on July 17. The elaborate garden is located at 1960 Riley Place, on the bank of the Erie Canal.
Jeanette, 74, worked at the Probation Department, and after work her mom would tell her what she had done that day.
“Every day mom was out here, and I helped on Saturdays and Sundays,” Jeanette said. “We would talk about plants and flowers we wanted. She was very creative.”
When another house burned, the Riley’s took the bricks and made a patio. They had truckloads of sandy loam brought it for flower beds, and planted a lot of bulbs. Then a harsh winter hit and the weight of the snow killed all their bulbs.
“We called it ‘Death Valley Days,’” Jeanette said.
Their second big project was getting a second load of loam and framing off a patio.
“We learned we had to fluff the soil,” Jeanette said. “We called it our ‘shovel garden.’ My brother and his son had to do a lot of shoveling.”
A row of unique planters line a walkway through the Riley family garden on the bank of the Erie Canal in Albion.
Alma, who is in her 90s, still tries to help with the gardens, as does Jeanette’s brother. Jeanette does the majority of gardening, but her brother does the heavy lifting and digging. His son and fiancée help with planting. Sister Wanda helps on weekends.
Jeanette said when the buy new things to plant, she always gets two. She has had the Amish build several outbuildings on the property.
“I try to plant things so I don’t have a lot of weeds,” she said.
The garden is opulent with plants and bushes, some rare, like the yellow wood magnolia. One of Jeanette’s favorite places in the garden is what they call the “Gray area,” an area dedicated to Henry and Alma, with angels and a wrought iron sign with their names on it.
This section of the Riley family garden pays tribute to Henry and Anna Riley, who first bought the property.
A grape arbor, numerous statuary and wrought iron decorations create a magical place to stroll or sit in one of the many areas provided along the way.
A donation of $10 is suggested, and reservations are strongly recommended by logging on to CobblestoneMuseum.org or calling (585) 589-9013. The event will take place rain or shine.
This event may be canceled on the day it is scheduled due to rain or other weather conditions that could interfere with the performance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2025 at 10:12 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Don Bishop, Foundation director at the Albion Rotary Club, presents a Paul Harris Fellow award to Amy Sidari during the Rotary meeting last Thursday at the Tavern on the Ridge.
Photos courtesy of Marlene Seielstad: Amy Sidari stands with Albion Rotary Club President Tom Rivers.
The Paul Harris award is named for the founder of Rotary and is the club’s highest honor.
Sidari recently retired after 28 years as owner of the Gotta Dance by Miss Amy studio on West Bank Street. She has been a dance instructor in Albion for 38 years.
Rotary commended her for being a “dynamic force for good in Albion for the past four decades.” Gotta Dance has been a welcoming studio for people of all ages and abilities.
Sidari has used the dance studio to host many community fundraisers and events, including an annual Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas to support a scholarship in memory of Nicholas, who passed away from leukemia at age 15 in 2011. The Hometown Christmas shows raised more than $25,000 in scholarships which are given to Albion seniors who follow Nicholas’s mission of “Live with Purpose.”
Amy also puts on many shows with musicians and comedians at the Cabaret at Studio B. Those shows bring in many buses of people to Albion, providing entertainment and a needed spark for the downtown.
Sidari and her husband David have five children: Jillian, Kristin, Keith, Kyle and Gina. Amy and David also have three grandchildren: James, Jonah and Charlotte.
The Rotary Club also had the “changing of the guard” last week with a new president and officers sworn in for the 2025-26 year. Tom Rivers hands the gavel over to Dick Remley who will lead the organization the next year.
The club was busy the past year with community efforts, including the Albion Strawberry Festival, a golf tournament (with proceeds going to a transportation program at the Office for the Aging and clothing and readiness fund for the Job Development Agency). A St. Patrick’s ham dinner supported school supplies in a rural part of Honduras that were delivered by Tim Archer, advisor of the Interact Club in the school district.
The Rotary Club also completed a memorial for the 15 people who died in the Sept. 28, 1859 bridge collapse in Albion. That monument, completed by Brigden Memorials, is in Albion’s Canal Park.
The Rotary Club also welcomed many speakers throughout the year and the club contributed to other projects in the community.
Rotary last week also welcomed Michael Schmackpfeffer as a new member.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2025 at 8:46 pm
File photos by Tom Rivers: File photo by Tom Rivers: Carmen Quatro stands on top of a fire truck and watches the fireworks on July 5, 2014 at Bullard Park. It’s been about a decade since there was a fireworks show at the park.
ALBION – On July 3, fireworks will be back at Bullard Park, capping a day of activities including concerts.
Many local donors contributed for the return of fireworks. It’s been about a decade since the last fireworks show at Bullard.
Several bands will be performing that evening. Ryan and Company will play from 4 to 6 p.m., 104 Country from 6 to 7:45 p.m., and The Who Dats from 8 p.m. until dusk, when fireworks will be set off.
Along with music, there will also be a chicken barbeque taking place from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased from G-ACRE staff members at Bullard Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 1, 2 and 3. Chicken barbeques may also be purchased directly during the event on a first come, first served basis, up until they are sold out.
The organization G-ACRE (Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.) hosts various activities, with profits going toward the beautification of parks and other acts of service for the community.
“I personally feel this is a good thing, to come out and enjoy a very inexpensive evening and support the community,” said John Grillo, event coordinator and Albion recreation director. “There will be a big tent set up for shade if needed, but feel free to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the music.”
The Who Dats are shown performing from the amphitheater at Bullard Park last year as part of a July 3rd celebration.
The evening will include food and beverage vendors, artisans and crafters, and community organizations.
Children’s activities that will be available at the concert include bounce houses, pony and wagon rides, and face and rock painting.
The event tends to attract a large crowd. While there are plenty of parking spaces at Bullard Park, in the case of overflow, community members may also use the primary school and Town of Albion for parking purposes.
Donations to the Independence Day Celebration, as well as buying from the chicken barbeque, are appreciated. All proceeds go right back to Bullard Park and future Independence Day concerts. Checks for donations should be addressed to the Village of Albion and use the memo “fireworks.”
The day before the July 3 concert, Soul Street will be performing at Bullard Park on Wednesday as the summer concert series continues to provide to the community.
Photos by Natalie Baron: (Left) Ella Trupo smiles as she exits the stage with her diploma on Friday during commencement inside the high school gym. A downpour in late afternoon prompted the ceremony to shift from outside on the football field to the gym. (Center) Jordan Simmons shakes hands with Superintendent Mickey Edwards. (Right) Principal Jennifer Ashbery hugs her daughter, Madalyn, after she received her diploma.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
ALBION – The Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement Friday evening in the Albion High School gymnasium with 139 students receiving their diplomas.
The students entered the gym during the processional which was led by bagpipers, which has long been a tradition at Albion for graduation.
Kenadie Patten, the class president, spoke passionately as she delivered a speech to the Class of 2025. Kenadie plans to attend SUNY Oswego to study finance. Kenadie expressed that you have to be knocked down during the journey. “Things may not work out exactly as you planned them, and that’s okay,” she said.
Kenadie told the crowd to focus on opportunities rather than getting everything right immediately. “Allow yourself to be embarrassed, because embarrassment means you’re stepping outside of the comfort zone,” she said.
“The world is not only happening to you, but you are happening to the world.”
Zackary Baron gave the salutatory speech. Zack will be attending The University at Buffalo to major in mechanical engineering. He impressed upon the group the importance of making connections and upkeeping old ones. “I know that if we really just try to connect with people in a positive, open way, that we truly can change not just our community, but the world.”
He expressed that engaging with another human being may lead to growth. “So, I challenge you to please, just go and find someone who you want to be closer to, and talk with them. Ask them a few things about themself and truly listen to what they have to say.”
Tye Talbot, who will be attending Harvard University in the fall for medical studies, delivered the valedictory address. Tye reassured his classmates that change is going to happen, as “Change is the only constant.”
He said, “Change is the scariest thing in the world, and yet the only thing that is absolutely guaranteed.”
Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, urged students to embrace that the journey is not a straight line and expressed that “Your story is yours alone. No one else can write it. No one else can live it.”
Garrett Miller, shown accepting his diplomas from Board of Education President Linda Weller, overcame adversity during his time in high school, having lost his eye after an accident in gym class during his sophomore year.
Garrett said that choosing to embrace a positive outlook helped him to move forward after his injury.
“I was really sad at first, but I decided that there’s nothing I could do to change it, so I decided to just not be morose or depressed about it at all,” he said.
Garrett dreams of starting a family one day. Presently, Garrett hopes to work at the local shop Navarra’s Farm Market & Greenhouses.
Matthew Kania poses BOE President Linda Weller. Matthew owns and operates his own landscaping business, Legendary Lawn Services.
James Ruiz enthusiastically smiles as he receives his diploma. His future plan is to become a train conductor.
The Class of 2025, including Anna Zaczek and Natalie Soule, celebrate at the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 June 2025 at 3:37 pm
Luddy’s in Albion has array of tools and equipment for all kinds of jobs
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Employees of John Ludwick’s new equipment rental business stand in front of a skid steer and an excavator. From left are Bob Stilwell, Ludwick’s children Ava and Jack, Peter Sidari (in back) and Peter Pilon. The business is located at 419 West State St., Albion.
ALBION – Opening his own rental business is something John Ludwick has wanted to do for years. After much planning and assembling what could be called his “dream team,” Luddy’s Commercial/Residential Equipment Rental is a family affair, open for business at 419 West State St., Albion.
The Ludwick family, John and is wife Danielle, are not new to business, having owned Ludwick Paving and Concrete, which laid the groundwork for what has become Ludwick Constructors.
The couple started out 28 years ago with a used dump truck, several good friends and great family support. Over the years and many long days and nights, Ludwick Constructors has become a well-respected construction company that offers construction and maintenance services in the commercial, industrial and retail industries, according to Bob Stilwell, a cousin and director of marketing and sales for Luddy’s.
John Ludwick stands next to a selection of Stihl concrete saws, available to rent from his new business.
John’s skills and knowledge of the construction field made him realize the need to have an outlet for renting the very equipment he uses day to day. With his son Jack’s design for the company logo, John’s idea went from a concept to an actual brick and mortar store at 419 West State St.
Jack has worked for Ludwick Constructors since 2022 and has been working side by side with his father and other employees in the field. With the opening of Luddy’s Equipment Rental, Jack has been leading day-to-day logistics at the new business.
John and Danielle’s daughter Ava, who is completing her junior year in high school, will be running the front counter while attending school.
Jack Ludwick demonstrates a powered wheelbarrow at his father’s new equipment rental business.
Danielle works full time for the New York State Department of Corrections, but in her spare time will contribute her administration skills and work with Ava on bookkeeping.
It is truly a family operation, Stilwell said.
Peter Pilon has joined the business as retail manager. Many will recognize him from his years as co-owner of Dale’s Market and more recently as store manager at Ace Hardware. He brings 45 years of retail management experience to Luddy’s.
Also part of the new team is Peter Sidari, distribution and materials associate. A long-time friend of the family, he has worked for Ludwick Constructors part time since his retirement from the North Greece Fire District as a fire and life safety educator. Prior to that he had 22 years with the New York State Department of Transportation.
“Pete was always on my list to call when I needed help over the years, whether it was a laborer or a truck driver,” John said.
John and Danielle Ludwick, left, are shown with their staff at the new business they recently opened at 419 West State St., Albion. Next to them are Bob Stilwell, general manager; Peter Pilon, retail manager; Peter Sidari, distribution and materials associate; and Ludwick’s children Ava, front receptionist, and Jack, day-to-day logistics.
In Bob Stilwell’s new position as general manager, he will be dealing with purchasing, communication, marketing and sales, as well as commercial account management. He has several years of graphic design, marketing and sales experience from his years at Hickey Freeman, Ludwick Constructors and most recently, Lake Country Media.
“Anyone who knows the Ludwick family understands their work ethic and dedication to family, friends and community,” Stilwell said. “Stop in and see what they have to offer, make some suggestions of what you would like to see or maybe just have a cup of coffee and chat while sitting at the counter.”
John has tried to gather together the tools that contractors need, as well as tools for the do-it-yourself homeowner. His residential inventory includes rug doctors, pressure washers, floor sanders, sewer snakes, pumps and generators. He also has concrete products and mixes, grouts and mason mixes.
Pictured in the main showroom are, from left, Peter Pilon, Bob Stilwell and owner John Ludwick.
In the heavier equipment, he has skid steers, excavators, stone compactors, transits, jack hammers, concrete saws and concrete boring machines. He also thought it would be smart to offer a retail center with diamond blades, specialty taps, mag floats and a concrete epoxy coating selection.
Other equipment includes a walk-behind concrete grinder, gas-powered wheelbarrow for concrete, hepa vacuum (for cleaning up concrete dust), cleaning solutions for power washers, concrete Stihl saws and more.
Their selection of hardware and fasteners is growing, and they carry several sizes of saw blades, safety gear and cleaning supplies.
If they don’t have what you need, they will do their best to get it for you.
One bay at their new location is dedicated to cleaning, inspecting and servicing rented equipment when it is returned, before it is put back into service.
“We deliver and run through operating procedures with our customers if they need it,” John said. “We will supply our knowledge in running whatever piece of equipment they rent. It’s going to be fun working with people I grew up with. We spent many, many nights talking about doing this. It was now, or we will never do it.”
Luddy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday. For information, they can be reached at (585) 774-1924.
Bob Stilwell points out a jumping jack, used to compress stone.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 June 2025 at 9:53 am
Nolberto Martinez Maya says Harvard proved challenging, opened up world of friendships
Provided photos: Nolberto Martinez Maya graduated from Harvard University on May 27-29. Martinez, a 2021 Albion graduate, plans to work at a community health center in Boston for two years before going to med school. He would like to be a surgeon for his career.
ALBION – Nolberto Martinez Maya is back in Albion for a couple weeks after four rigorous years as a student at Harvard University. He earned his degree in molecular and cellular biology at that prestigious Ivy League university.
Martinez, 22, said it was a transforming four years for him, and not just because of the challenging courses. He made friends from people all over the world. He is more outgoing and he is eager to get into the medical field to help others.
Martinez starts a new job this summer at a community health center in the Boston area, working in low-income communities in east Boston and South Boston.
“I want to get some more experience and then apply to medical schools next year,” Martinez said during an interview last week at the Village House in Albion.
Martinez was a research intern at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Graphic the past 18 months. He juggled two other jobs at Harvard, and was involved in several clubs.
He started one a club that was inspired by an experience in Albion when one of his middle school teachers, Kim Toombs, had students make pillows and ponchos to support breast cancer patients. Martinez led Harvard students in making under-arm pillows that were distributed to cancer centers in the Boston area. Toombs sent fabric and her patterns to help Martinez with the program.
He also was president of a knitting club, and an officer for other organizations that promoted health advocacy and sexual education.
Nolberto Martinez Maya is shown at Harvard. He graduated from Albion in 2021, and also earned his associate’s degree at GCC before he finished high school.
Martinez said he went from being obsessed with his classwork the first year at Harvard, to finding a balance with academics while becoming involved in clubs and with his friends.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve done and how I did,” Martinez said.
Question: Would you say you were prepared by Albion to go to Harvard?
Answer: I would say in some aspects I was. Academically I had all of the tools I needed. When I got there it wasn’t that I didn’t have the knowledge or that Albion didn’t prepare me, I think the rigor itself of the college was different.
Just to give you an example, they offer the standard chemistry courses. It’s called Chem-17 and Chemistry 27. At most colleges they are called Chem 1 and Chem 2, and then you do BioChem 1 and BioChem 2. But at Harvard, Chem 17 is Chem 1 and Chem 2 together in one semester. BioChem 1 and BioChem 2 are together in the second semester, which is Chem 27. It’s four courses smashed into two semesters and you learn all of that content.
I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t prepared, but I would say it was a different level of rigor that I hadn’t experienced.
Question: Of the 1,900 in your class, did they all get through it in four years?
Answer: I remember looking at my sophomore and freshman year, I remember that number being just over 2,000. But they announced just over 1,900 graduated, so I would say maybe 100 to 200 were maybe pushed back a year.
However, I have a friend of mine she isn’t graduating this year but that’s because she took a year off to work in a lab. A lot of it is just situational. She has a 3.9 GPA. There was no reason for her to stay back a year, but she wanted to step out and work in a research lab and get that expereince because her hope is to one day get her PhD. I can’t say that everybody’s was an academic thing. It could have also been a personal thing. There are people who take a semester off to travel abroad.
Nolberto is shown with his family members, from left: brother Everado, brother Honorato Jr., father Honorato, Nolberto, mother Inocencia, and sister Lorena. Nolberto’s parents have worked for fruit farms trimming fruit trees and grafting them. Nolberto helped on the farms and he said grafting the trees shows biology in action.
Question: What was the hardest part about being at Harvard?
Answer: Being away from family. It was the hardest my freshman year. Every single break or long weekend I kind of looked forward to it – Thanksgiving, Christmas, even summer break when I came back for two-three weeks because I had to go back to do research and a summer program.
During those times at home I looked forward to hanging out with my family. The hardest transition was getting dropped off by my parents and siblings. They dropped me off in Cambridge and they didn’t stay multiple nights to just say goodbye. It was very interesting to be left in the city after one day.
Question: Did you get a sense if you were unusual being from a small town?
Answer: I would say leaning more towards yes. A majority of my friends were from big cities, like New York City itself, different cities in California, China, Vietnam, the UK. I have friends from Florida.
Question: What was that like, meeting people from all over the world?
Answer: It was eye-opening. It was very interesting to meet so many new people from different places, and learn some of their customs and see how they got along with their families. I would say I was very fortunate to have such a strong support system with my family, with my mom, dad and siblings. They always checked in on me, always made sure if I needed anything they would help me, even if it was just money for coffee.
But even through that I had two jobs myself.
Question: What were your jobs?
Answer: One of them was a web fulfillment associate, which is packing orders that were made through the online store for HAS, the Harvard Student Agencies. They sold Harvard merch. I would answer phone calls, answer emails and fill in orders.
My second one was Harvard Recreation. I was a front desk attendant. I was getting people towels, selling stuff that we sold.
I worked at each of them about 10-15 hours a week, on top of my clubs and my classes. At the height of my junior year, I was doing one of the jobs (I got the second job my senior year), was also the head of five to six clubs and doing my classes. It was a very tiring year.
I would leave my dorm about 8 or 9 a.m. and then not come back until about 11 p.m. That gave me time to wind down and go to bed, and wake up for the next day.
Nolberto Martinez Maya, left in second row, said he made friends from all over the world at Harvard.
Question: Did you ever feel the Imposter Syndrome, like “What am I doing here?”
Answer: Yes. Initially I met a lot of people, and one of them had a star named after him because he discovered one in high school. One of my friends she won a national piano competition. Others won writing competitions, were National Merit Scholars. Another was a very famous celloist since he was 8 years old. Others came from schools that prepared them very well.
I found that some people I met weren’t as scared or struggling as much as I kind of felt like I was. It was very scary to think I don’t know if I can make it.
Question: How did you work through that? Any advice for people?
Answer: I found my study group, my group that I stuck with for the remaining three years after my first year. I found my study group and I didn’t stop working on something until I handed it in.
I think it was me and how I got through my school here in Albion and did my associate’s as well. It was don’t finish your assignment until it’s done and it’s handed in. If it’s something you’re not sure about, go to office hours, talk to your professors and teachers, even other students. That is the other thing that Harvard fosters, they give you pretty difficult assignments, but the main goal of that assignment is to learn. But it’s not just to learn, it’s also to network, and figure this out together. We will get through this together.
I think they try to foster students reaching out and having those connections with other students to realize we’re in this together and we can get out of it together.
Question: When did you start to feel like you did belong there?
Answer: Honestly, at the end of my sophomore year. That was when I found a larger group. I realized I could get my assignments done, do well on them, still have time to hang out with my friends. I finally found that balance. Life doesn’t just have to be academics. Life can also be me going out and having fun. It wasn’t until I relaized I had a balance in academics and extracurriculars. It was a perfect triangle of me realizing I didn’t have to spend my day locked in my room trying to finish an assignment.
Question: How are you a different person now than you were four years ago?
Answer: I feel like I’m more well-rounded. I think I’ve learned to join conversations and be an active person and engage with other people. I think I was a very introverted person, just somebody who kept to himself and was closed off to people. At Harvard I realized saying “Hi” to people and reaching out to them, and establishing and maintaining connections became easier. I could meet somebody new and then maintain that connection.
I now feel comfortable talking to people from all walks of life, and then maintaining those connections.
Question: I should ask you about Harvard being in the news. Did that have an impact on you? Was it talked about much among the students?
Answer: It is talked about but I would say there is a disconnect between adminsitration and the students. I think adminsitration tries their best to not involve the students because of things that had happened previously. I think they try not to put students at the forefront.
The school does have students who are a little bit more high profile. I think in the interests of all students they try to make sure nobody is left out. To us it feels like they don’t want to engage with us, but I think it is their way to keep us maybe a half-step away from them.
Question: What else do you want to say, Nolberto? Can someone from Albion hang with the very best students?
Answer: Oh yes, definitely. I think it’s very do-able. I think the only thing that is ever needed is the want. If you want to do it, you can do it.
I met a lot of friends with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, similar cultural backgrounds and I realized we did different things and those made us stand out. I don’t think being from a small town should be something that scares somebody. If anything being able to go to a bigger city and meet new people is always fun. It’s always fun to realize what other people have done and I’ve come to find a lot of friends who genuinely want to do great things – as lawyers, people in finance, people who will do public health work. There is a wide range of people I have met.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 3:47 pm
Prison officials say facility remains in ‘recovery phase’ after strike, trying to fill many positions
Photos by Tom Rivers: Melinda Samuelson, superintendent of the Albion Correctional Facility, gave a tour last week to about a dozen community members, including County Legislator John Fitzak at left, who is retired as a corrections officer next door at Orleans Correctional Facility.
ALBION – The Albion Correctional Facility last week gave community members a tour of the women’s prison. This is the third year the facility has let in some local business owners, clergy, elected officials and others for the tour.
Prison leaders said the facility is hiring, seeking to fill many civilian positions and more than 100 jobs as corrections officers.
The tour highlighted educational and vocational training opportunities for the incarcerated population.
“We’re very proud of what goes on inside the prison walls,” said Melinda Samuelson, the Albion Correctional superintendent. “We have a desire to help. We want them to leave on track and better prepared.”
She said many of the staff choose to stay at Albion long-term for their careers, with some even driving well over an hour each way. Some employees have left to work at other prisons and returned to Albion.
Greg Bennett, an Albion village trustee, works in the prison as a locksmith. He was on the tour last week. He said he wished he had taken a job at the prison sooner. He said there are good benefits and pay, and plenty of room for advancement.
Albion Correctional, besides needing to fill many corrections officer positions, also is hiring for keyboarding, mail, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, vocational instructors, teachers, library clerk, recreation program leader, production control supervisor, administrative assistant and cooks. For more information, contact personnel at (585) 589-5511, ext. 3600.
Danielle Hodges (left), first deputy superintendent, walks with Se Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian on the tour at the correctional facility, which several said would look like a college campus if there weren’t fences with razor wire on the perimeter.
The state’s prison system dominated the news with a 22-day strike by corrections officers that started Feb. 17 and ended March 10. About 2,000 corrections officers were fired when they didn’t report to work by a March 10 deadline. Staffing statewide at prisons dropped from about 13,500 before the strike to about 10,000 with many officers choosing to resign.
Corrections officers said the prisons have been short-staffed since long before the strike, resulting in far too much forced overtime, and COs said the prisons were less safe due to the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement in prisons.
At Albion Correctional, the facility is about 130 officers short of being fully staffed and continues to have a National Guard presence. There are about 36 soldiers from the National Guard at Albion Correctional, down from 90 during the strike.
Albion Correctional should have 394 corrections officers to be fully staffed and currently is at about 260. (The facility also has 160 civilian jobs.)
The prison also has about 500 inmates, even though it was a capacity for 1,200. If the prison was at full capacity, it would need 463 COs and sergeants to be fully staffed, prison officials shared on the tour last week.
“We are in the recovery stage from the strike,” Samuelson said at the QWL building during a discussion before the tour. “Many have returned but we are still short. We are constantly recruiting.”
She said the administration strives to make the prison safer for staff and the incarcerated population. The COs have used body worn cameras since 2017 to record any of their interactions with inmates. There are 570 other CCTV cameras on site, and Samuelson said another 6,000 cameras are going in throughout the prison.
The prion’s top administration met with about a dozen people at the QWL building before heading out on a tour of Albion Correctional Facility.
Samuelson said the prison is doing more regional hiring. It used to be corrections officers and civilian staff often had family and friends that worked in a prison. But she said many COs no longer recommend the job.
Albion Correctional started doing the tours for the community in 2023 to try to shine a light on careers within the prison, she said, and the facility is doing more work fairs and listing positions on Indeed.
The administration also is trying to show staff more appreciation. One of the display boards had pictures of staff and thanked them for keeping the facility afloat during the recent strike and the continued staffing issues.
Albion Correctional has been holding steady at about 500 incarcerated women the past several years. She doubts the prison will get back near the 1,200.
Although the inmate population is much lower than its capacity, Samuelson said today’s incarcerated population often struggle with many challenges. More than 80 percent of the population has a diagnosed mental health issue, and many come to Albion plagued with drug addictions. About 130 of the inmates are on methadone treatment to help them with their opioid addictions. She said the prison reflects society with an increasing disrespect for others.
She praised the staff for teaching the incarcerated population new skills, better ways of dealing with anger and strategies for mental health challenges.
On the tour, the community members saw inmates making garbage receptacles and metal furniture. They were welding and painting bins that are prevalent at state parks.
Jeff Benfer leads the vocational program at the prison where inmates learn metal fabrication, welding and painting. He said 32 inmates recently earned more than 250 occupational ed credits as the program rebuilds after the Covid pandemic.
During Covid, the metal fabrication and painting was shut down so inmates could bottle sanitizer. The shop was transformed into a bottling site with 48 inmates working two shifts each day.
Benfer, the industrial superintendent, also oversees a section where inmates use CNC lasers to engrave name plates for park police, state troopers and corrections officers. They also make numerous plaques. Benfer said the group is trying to get caught up on back orders.
A culinary café prepares breakfasts and lunches for staff. During the 22-day strike, the café served 4,500 meals for staff, including making deliveries.
The café serves breakfast burritos with home fries, monster sandwiches, French toast, sausage and cheesy grits. For lunch, there are cheeseburger with fries, chicken finger poutine, chicken dip, meatball sliders, fried bologna sandwich with chips and a pickle.
Mike O’Conner has been the horticulture program instructor the past 10 years. He teaches the incarcerated women in the program to grow and care for flowers and vegetables. The program has a competition among the residence halls to see which ones can best display their flowers. O’Conner, center, is shown chatting with Sue Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian and also a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative extension.
Troy Hopson, left, was on the tour. He is director of a juvenile program in Auburn for incarcerated girls.
Some of the produce grown by the horticulture program has been donated to Community Action in Albion.
Melinda Samuelson, the prison superintendent, and Sue Starkweather Miller take a close look at some of the flowers grown in the greenhouse. Starkweather Miller also is a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. She said there are opportunities for the horticulture program to partner with the community.
Albion Correctional is one of only three women-only prisons in the state. The other two, Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional, are on the other side of the state in Westchester County. Albion and Taconic are both medium-security while Bedford Hills is a maximum-security site.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is looking to possibly close five prisons in the coming year. Samuelson believes Albion Correctional is in a good position to stay open as the only women’s prison in the western part of the state, and the many successful programs offered at the site.
The chapel at Albion Correctional Facility is one of the oldest structures remaining from the original prison complex built in the 1890s.
The site initially was established as the Western House of Refuge in 1890, with construction beginning in 1891 and operations starting in December 1893. The chapel was part of the initial complex.
The site has been a women-only prison since 1986.
The inside of the chapel shows where church services are held for the incarcerated population. Albion Correctional is trying to find a specialist to fix one of the old stained-glass windows above the pulpit.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 10:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Mike Thaine directs the Albion High School concert band in the debut of “Freshly Baked Cookies.”
ALBION – The final concert of Mike Thaine’s career as a band teacher had an extra special element last week: an original composition that was played publicly for the first time.
Thaine’s wife Susan and their children, Abigail and Kyle, commissioned Stephen Shewan to write a piece that could be played in Thaine’s final concert of a 34-year career in public education.
Provided photo: Mike Thaine, left, and Stephen Shewan are pictured after the concert on June 10 in Albion.
Shewan, a Shelby resident, went to a band rehearsal last October. He noticed a strong camaraderie between Thaine and his students. After the rehearsal, about 20 students stayed after. The teacher had baked cookies and shared them with the kids. That day was close to Halloween and the cookies had candy corn in them.
“The cookies captured the love and joy that permeated this group of students and their director, somewhat like an informal breaking of bread,” Shewan wrote in the Albion concert program about the song. “It was evident the students and director had a special bond built upon mutual respect, love and appreciation.”
The six-minute piece, “Fresh Baked Cookies,” made its world debut on June 10 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium.
Shewan created a piece that he said is playful and youthful in spirit. He also wanted a few sleigh bell cameos to highlight Albion’s heritage as the home of a Santa School run by the late Charles Howard from 1937 util 1966.
Thaine is an Albion graduate. He worked in Steuben County, first a year at Greenwood and then seven years at Prattsburgh before returning to his alma in 1998 as the elementary music teacher, introducing third- and fourth-graders to musical instruments. He worked in that role for nine years before becoming the high school band and music teacher.
He has led multiple groups – the marching band, jazz band, pit orchestra and many smaller ensembles.
Thaine said he started baking cookies and breakfast casseroles for students about four or five years ago.
“I just think the world of the kids,” he said. “A lot of the kids like to stay and have lunch.”
He is pleased with Shewan’s composition and the title. The band started rehearsing with the music in February. Thaine said it is a challenging piece to play, which is what he wanted.
“I couldn’t have been happier,” Thaine said about the newly created music.
