Photo courtesy of GCC: The Department of Campus Safety and administration members include, from left: Patricia Chaya, Randal Henning, Mike Donnalty, Brenda Case, Erik Anderson, Stephen Wise, Dan Rimmer and Dr. Shelitha Williams. Missing from the photo are Campus Safety officers John Wolcott, Joe Meacham, Liz Mills, Dave Childs, Dave Lester, Nelson Scott and Bill Wells.
Press Release, Genesee Community College
BATAVIA – The Department of Campus Safety at Genesee Community College is once again assisting students who are suffer from food insecurity by joining law enforcement officials around the country who refrain from shaving facial hair through November and into the New Year in an effort to draw attention to the need for donations to GCC’s campus food pantry, and it’s working.
In all, the department’s effort has generated six beards but most importantly, in just four weeks, the initiative collected food items and cash donations that will provide at least 25 meals to GCC students who are currently facing food insecurity on GCC’s campus.
“The Department of Campus Safety team was proud to participate in the annual No-Shave November in an effort to support the college’s food pantry and help our own students,” Stephen Wise, director of GCC’s Campus Safety said. “I have formally waived our standard policy that prohibits facial hair until January 7, 2020 in exchange for the opportunity to make a real impact on the availability of precious food and personal hygiene items that many students need.”
“Our Campus Safety officers interact with students every day and see first-hand how many students struggle in securing a nutritious meal for themselves or some of their family members,” Patricia E. Chaya, dean of Student Services at GCC, said. “No-Shave November puts a spotlight on the potentially hairy, faces of the teams making a difference.”
GCC’s food pantry served more than 330 students and more than 1,100 meals this year and also supplies countless personal hygiene items such as toiletries and feminine products.
Genesee Community College currently operates a primary food panty at its Batavia Campus, but links to similar services through each of its campus centers in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, in conjunction with the Adult Educational Opportunity Center. Students in need are encouraged to contact an AEOC representative at aeoc@genesee.edu or visit GCC’s food pantry at the Batavia Campus.
Anyone wishing to donate to GCC’s food pantry, whether cash, food or personal hygiene items, can do so year-round by emailing the AEOC at aeoc@genesee.edu, calling (585) 343-0055 ext. 6836, or simply dropping the donation off to any food bin on GCC’s Batavia campus.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2019 at 4:54 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion FFA member Kyle Pappalardo is on a flatbed trailer and handing down a box of eggs to Adam Krenning, the former FFA advisor who helped load and then unload the trailer on Saturday morning during the FFA’s annual food drive.
Local farmers donated 40,000 pounds to the food drive. The food was packed by the FFA students and alumni and then delivered to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee on East State Street.
Michael Bonnewell, the Albion school district superintendent, helps unload the truck on a rainy Saturday.
The 40,000 pounds is a new record for the FFA food drive, up from the 35,000 pounds each of the past two years.
The farms that donated include: Triple G, Panek Farms, Root Brothers, Kludt Brothers, Orleans County Farm Bureau, Nesbitt Fruit Farms, Orchard Dale Fruit, Kreher’s, Martin Farms Inc., Kirby Farms, Call Farms, Partyka Farms, Costanzo’s Bakery, Starowitz, Torrey Farms, L Brooke Farms, Colby Farms, G. Mortellaro & Sons, My-T Acres, Lynn-ette & Sons Inc., and CY Farms.
Jenn Ashbery, the Albion High School principal, carries a box inside Community Action. She helped unload the items on Saturday.
Paige (Levandowski) Hungerford, the Albion FFA advisor, managed the food drive for the first time as the FFA advisor. She was a student in 2010 during the first drive, which yielded 3,000 pounds of produce and was delivered on two pickup trucks.
She said she is amazed how the food drive has grown since then. The goal was always to connect the local farming community to filling a need locally.
The donated food is shared by six local food pantries including the Lord’s House in Waterport, Calvary Tabernacle in Medina, Alabama Full Gospel in Shelby, Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, Community Action in Albion and Community Action in Batavia..
The food drive has grown from 3,000 pounds in 2010 to 9,000 pounds in 2011, 17,000 the following year and 19,000 in December 2013. The FFA reached 27,000 pounds in 2014 and reached 30,000 for the first time in 2015. It was at 33,000 pounds in 2016 and hit 35,000 pounds in both 2017 and 2018. This year was the first time it reached 40,000 pounds.
Micah Johnson of Rochester has a dolly cart to move crates of food going to the Lord’s House. The crate containers were donated by Navarra’s Greenhouses in Albion.
“This is a great boost especially this time of the year,” said Angela English of the Lord’s House. “This time of the year is a struggle for many families.”
The Lord’s House had a food pantry open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every other Saturday.
FFA member Charley London, center, was among 50 students who helped with the food drive. FFA alumnus Barry Flansburg was among several graduates who helped pack and deliver the food.
Natalie Bertsch, an FFA member, carries boxes of rolls from Costanzo’s Bakery.
Ed Fancher, executive director of Community Action, appreciates the donations from the farmers and the FFA’s efforts in organizing the food drive and delivering the produce.
“I just feel general amazement at the generosity of the farming community and the students who pack the truck,” Fancher said Saturday morning, watching the FFA students unload a flat-bed trailer and other vehicles. “On behalf of the families we serve, thank you.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley helps unload the truck.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today unveiled the 2nd proposal of his 2020 State of the State agenda: legislation banning fentanyl analogs — a deadly synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine — by making them subject to the same criminal sale or possession penalties as other controlled substances.
The legislation will also empower the New York State Health Commissioner to ban any new fentanyl analogs that have been added to the federal schedule of controlled substances, allowing the State to deal with these deadly substances in real time rather than play catch up. The Governor will also propose a series of actions to expand access to medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in hard to reach communities. Medication assisted treatment entails using medications in combination with education and counseling to treat substance use disorders.
“The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis that continues to ravage too many communities across this country. In New York we have taken aggressive action to combat this disease, and we are seeing results with the first reduction in opioid deaths in 10 years,” Cuomo said. “Despite this progress, drug dealers have turned to lacing opioids and other illicit drugs with fentanyl analogs — a deadly synthetic opioid that current law does not ban. This two-pronged proposal will tackle that problem by banning these dangerous fentanyl copycats and providing treatment to people suffering from opioid addiction before it’s too late.”
Scheduling Fentanyl Analogs
Although the overall number of overdose deaths is declining in New York State, there has been a dramatic increase in overdose deaths due to fentanyl and its analogs. Fentanyl is a very powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Compared to 30 milligrams of heroin, just three milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal.
Overdose deaths involving fentanyl and its analogs among New Yorkers outside of New York City increased 124 percent in 2016 and again by another 28 percent in 2017. Fentanyl analogs are not illegal in New York State.
This is because although some analogs are prohibited by the federal government’s controlled substances schedule, they are not listed in the State schedule. This loophole creates a nightmare for prevention and prevents prosecution. Currently, selling an unscheduled fentanyl analog is not against New York State law, unless the fentanyl analog is mixed with a banned substance.
In response to this crisis, the Governor will advance legislation to ban illicit fentanyl analogs. This action will close a prosecutorial loophole and make fentanyl analogs subject to the same criminal sale or possession penalties as other controlled substances. Giving law enforcement the ability to arrest and prosecute drug traffickers who deal in emerging fentanyl analogs. These new rules will give police and law enforcement the authority to prosecute the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of these drugs to the fullest extent of the law.
The proposed legislation will also give the State Department of Health commissioner the authority to add additional analogs to the list of controlled substances, allowing the State to stay in front of these deadly substances as they appear on the market.
The New York State Association of Counties supports the governor’s proposal about fentanyl.
“County service providers are on the frontline of the opioid epidemic, which continues to inflict pain and suffering in communities across New York State,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “The Governor’s proposal to ban fentanyl analogs will close a loophole in the law that hampers the ability of law enforcement officers to investigate and prosecute sellers of deadly opioid drugs. We commend Governor Cuomo for continuing to lead the fight against opioid addiction by updating our list of controlled substances and expanding access to treatment.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2019 at 1:27 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
GAINES – Bob Fisher of Robert Fisher Contracting Inc. in Kendall is about 26 feet up high today, working on the base of the bell tower roof at the Cobblestone schoolhouse.
Fisher on Friday set up the scaffolding for the lofty work. Today he removed old tine from the bell tower roof on the schoolhouse, which was built in 1849 and is part of the Cobblestone Museum, a National Historic Landmark on Route 104.
Fisher is putting in new plywood sheeting and aluminum for the roof on the base of the bell tower roof. He expects to be finished with the project on Tuesday.
Fisher heads down the ladder on the schoolhouse, which closed in the 1950s and remains largely preserved by the Cobblestone Museum from the era when it was an active schoolhouse.
Fisher said working on older buildings requires some ingenuity. “They’re always interesting,” he said about the historic sites. “You never know what you’ll run into.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2019 at 9:32 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Members of Albion High School’s select choirs join with community members in singing Christmas carols during Sunday’s Christmas in the Neighborhood concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion.
Sue Thaine, the church’s pastor, directs the group in singing, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Deck The Halls,” and “Joy To The World.”
The church hosted the annual Christmas concert that is also a fundraiser for the church and the Albion Alumni Foundation.
A combined community choir sings Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” to close out the concert on Sunday. The event was postponed two weeks due to bad weather on Dec. 1.
Alec Sherman sings “O Holy Night.” Scott Schmidt plays the organ.
Albion students sing, “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow.”
The Albion High School Percussion Ensemble performs, “We Three Kings Swing.”
Performers at the concert includd Gary Simboli, Gwen Martillotta Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Kailey Winans, Travis Klossner, Eric Deiboldt, Janet Miller, Mike Grammatico, Kyle Thaine, Karen Kenney Conn, Shannon Broda, Alec Sherman, the Albion High School Percussion Ensemble (led by Mike Thaine), Albion High School Select Choirs (led by Gary Simboli), Community Brass Ensemble, Community Christmas Choir, What About Jane, and a trio that included Aleka Schmidt, Sue Boring and Sue Thaine.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2019 at 8:10 am
Provided photos
BARRE – Landon Flansburg meets Santa and got to ring his bell on Sunday.
Landon, 18 months, is held by his mother Sara Flansburg. Brian Neal, a Barre firefighter, is in back. (Ben Flansburg, Landon’s dad, is a Barre firefighter.)
The Barre Volunteer Fire Company took Santa to 24 homes on Sunday during the 5thannual Santa Express.
People dropped off gift-wrapped presents at the firehall and those gifts were then delivered by firefighters and Santa.
Firefighters and Santa posed for photos with many of the families. About 35 firefighters helped with the effort.
The fire company wants to spread holiday cheer. The Santa Express also is a fundraiser for the fire company with families paying $30 for a stop from Santa.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 December 2019 at 6:02 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Russell Stephens and Medina’s Christian Drisdom and their Tiger and Mustang teammates will both face key league contests this coming week.
Defending champion Medina will face a key first full week of Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball competition as the Mustangs visit rival Albion on Tuesday and then host Newfane on Friday.
Albion, which is off to a 2-0 start in the league (4-1 overall), returns a veteran lineup including last year’s N-O Player of the Year Deyonci Farley along with Liam Ward, Kevin Hillman, Michael DiCureia and Xavier Cornick.
Over the past three years Newfane has been Medina’s closest challenger for the league title. The Panthers finished second to Medina in the N-O title race in both 2017 and 2019 and shared the crown with the Mustangs in 2018.
Defending Genesee Region League Division 2 champion Lyndonville likewise faces a key divisional contest at Elba on Wednesday.
Weekly Schedule Monday Boys Basketball: Rochester Academy at Kendall, 6 p.m.; Pembroke at Holley, 7 .m. Girls Basketball: Notre Dame at Albion, Holley at Barker, 7 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball: Roy-Hart at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Medina at Albion, Akron at Barker, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball: Medina at Nardin, 6:30 p.m.; Elba at Lyndonville, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 7 p.m. Swimming: Albion at Barker, Roy-Hart at Akron, Medina at Newfane, 4:30 p.m. Wrestling: Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Basketball: Lyndonville at Elba, Holley at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Wheatland-Chili, Cleve Hill at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Wrestling: Roy-Hart/Barker at Albion, Newfane at Medina, Akron at Wilson, Alexander at Holley/Kendall, 6 p.m.
Thursday Girls Basketball: Wilson at Barker, 6 p.m.; Medina at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Akron at Albion, Lyndonville at Wheatland-Chili, Holley at Pembroke, Kendall at Notre Dame, 7 p.m. Swimming: Albion at Newfane, Barker at Akron, Roy-Hart at Medina, 4:30 p.m. Wrestling: Albion at Byron-Bergen, 6 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball: Barker at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Newfane at Medina, 6:30 p.m.; Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, Kendall at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Saturday Wrestling: Lyndonville at NCCC Tourney; Holley-Kendall at South Seneca Tourney
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2019 at 10:20 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Grinch was a greeter at 39 Problems on Saturday as part of Albion’s Hometown Holiday.
The Grinch is Chet Kwiatkowski. He is pictured with his granddaughter Myleigh Miller, grandson Garrett Miller, and daughter Erica Miller.
39 Problems would later host an ugly sweater contest.
The Albion Merchants Association had many activities in the downtown as part of the annual Hometown Holiday.
Paula Brooks, a vendor at the Downtown Browsery, dressed up as Sparkles the Elf. Many of the stores had opportunities to make Christmas cookies, write letters to Santa, make ornaments and sample holiday treats.
Nathaniel Staines, an Albion police officer, joined children and families in a coloring contest at the Albion Village Hall. Police officers were on hand to share coffee, doughnuts and pizza.
Saturday there was also a benefit by Red Check Rustic for Lisa Wilson and her family. Wilson recently suffered three strokes and is recovering at Unity Hospital in Rochester. The benefit included 105 baskets that were raffled from the second floor of the Pratt Building.
Debbie Prest, second from left, was one of the main organizers of the benefit. She is pictured from left with June Wilson (Lisa’s mother-in-law), Terri Drennan and Lynn Burgess. Lisa’s son Damian, a senior at Albion, is at far left. Lisa also has a son Drake with her husband Chad.
The two went to Albion school together and have stayed in Albion. Lisa works for ESL in Rochester after working about 20 years in Albion at the site that has been Dime Bank, Washington Mutual, Chase and CRFS.
Her husband thanked the community for its support, and the organizers of Saturday’s benefit.
Provided photo: Tinsel hosted a Christmas painting with Santa in the morning and later showed holiday movies and did cookie decorating.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2019 at 8:47 am
Photos courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
ALBION – About a dozen law enforcement officers joined 16 local children in the debut of Shop with a Cop on Saturday at the Albion Walmart. The deputies joined children in picking presents for their family members.
The Orleans County Deputy Sheriffs Association led the program for the first time in Orleans County. The kids are pictured with Santa, deputies, Sheriff Randy Bower, Undersheriff Chris Bourke and Chief Deputy Michael Mele at the Albion Walmart.
The Sheriff’s Office received a grant from the Walmart Foundation to cover the costs of the presents. Sheriff Bower said the program was a success and he hopes it will continue in the future.
Sgt. Donald Draper joined this boy for Shop with a Cop.
Deputy Adam Hazel, left, and Sgt. Kevin Colonna were happy to help this girl with her shopping.
Before the group went to Walmart, they had lunch at Tillman’s Village Inn. Many of the children were then escorted to the store in patrol cars.
If you celebrate Christmas then at one time or another you have had the special treat of hanging up your stocking on Christmas Eve … “In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.”
This stocking was mine throughout my entire childhood. It is made of felt and glue and stitched on the ends. For 20 years I put it out with the anticipation of what Santa might put in it.
It got me thinking about how this tradition started. Legend has it, there was a father who was concerned that his daughters would never marry because he had no dowry to offer husbands. So one Christmas Eve, St. Nick knowing that the Father was too proud to accept charity, threw gold down the chimney and it landed in their stockings drying by the fire.
This charitable act by St. Nick provided the young ladies with the money they needed to wed and find happiness. Since then, children and adults have been putting their stockings out on Christmas Eve with the anticipation of what Santa will bring them.
The Christmas Stocking is a symbol of Holiday traditions. You don’t have to be young in age to participate, just young in spirit! When you enter a home that has stockings present, it makes you smile because you feel traditions are being carried on and you know it will bring laughter and joy.
Although the stocking is meant to receive gifts, it also is a way to give gifts. I hope every child can hold the joy of the Christmas Stocking.
Several years back Santa entrusted me to help him place some stocking gifts on the front porch of a little boy on Christmas Eve. His family, like the father of the 3 daughters, did not have much money. Christmas morning I watched out my window as he wandered down the street, wearing a new t-shirt tossing a little nerf football that this elf left.
And in the words of the Grinch … My old heart grew 3 sizes that morning, because I knew the spirit of St. Nick did it again. He helped facilitate warm feelings of hope and love that Christmas morning for one special little boy. Perhaps if you know of someone who needs hope and joy this holiday, you can grow your heart, too.
Take a lesson from St. Nick and sprinkle a bit of cheer on Christmas Eve. Help to make sure all children can experience the treat of The Stocking. Although there is much received during the holidays, it truly is about the giving that is the Magic of the Season. It is not the tangible items in The Stocking that make it a treasure … it is the unseen … the traditions, the hope, the joy, the smiles on young faces.
Happy Perks to Everyone! To view My Blog live online and share any of your holiday traditions just go to https://www.positiveperksposts.com were you can also Join in, Like and Share Your Comments.
Truly, Debbie Burgoon London Your Sassy Small Town Missus from Albion
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2019 at 9:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARRE –These tractors head down Route 98 to the Barre Town Park after starting on East Barre Road. About a dozen tractors and farm vehicles were in the parade, despite heavy falling snow.
The operator of a tractor is lined top on East Barre Road, waiting for the parade to start.
Lacey Meyers drives this tractor on the snow-covered road. Kurt Dudley joined her for the trip.
The Van Lieshout farm pulled a trailer with a cow statue. Lamb Farms of Oakfield has the tractor behind with the American flag.
The Van Lieshout farm had a sign on their tractor saying, “A Barre Merry Christmas To All.”
Tom Decker wore a Santa hat while driving this tractor in the parade.
Lamb Farms carried a patriotic message on its tractor.
Santa rode in the parade and then joined people at the Barre Town Park for refreshments and photos.
The Barre Betterment Committee thanks the parade participants, the spectators, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the state Department of Transportation.
(Click here to see a video of some of the tractors before the parade on East Barre Road.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2019 at 9:37 am
Food will be delivered to Community Action this morning
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion FFA students load a flatbed trailer this morning with produce donated by local farmers. This is the FFA’s 10thannual food drive. Last year there was 35,000 pounds delivered to Community Action.
There isn’t a final tally available yet today, but FFA members said it looks like there is more food this year.
Paige Derisley, left, and Meganne Moore carry crates of carrots from the ag shop. Many of the FFA students arrived at 6:30 this morning for the big effort.
Paige (Levandowski) Hungerford, lower left, is the FFA advisor this year. She was a student in 2010 when the FFA organized the first food drive. They filled four pickup trucks with food the first year. Now the fill a long flatbed trailer and other vehicles.
Barry Flansburg, a member of the Albion FFA Alumni, helps with the food packing this morning. He is moving a bin of squash.
David Bertsch, right, and Patricia Levandowski (Paige Hungerford’s mother), help with the packing this morning.
The FFA students fill bags with squash and other produce which is headed to Community Kitchen and other local food pantries.
(Click here to see a video of the students loading up the flatbed trailer with produce.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 December 2019 at 7:43 am
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a winter weather advisory for Orleans County today from 2 p.m. to midnight.
The Weather Service said 3 to 5 inches of snow is expected with winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour in Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, northern Erie and Genesee counties.
“Periods of snow will result in snow-covered roads and limited visibilities,” the Weather Service said. “Slow down and use caution while driving.”
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 14 December 2019 at 7:35 am
Charles Howard works with a student at Howard’s Santa Claus school in Albion.
“Overlooked Orleans” – Volume 5, Issue 46
ALBION – There is no better way to reflect upon the holiday season than to recall the story behind the foundation of the world’s first Santa Claus school established in Albion. Thankfully, the history of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School was recorded in 1966 in Charlie Howard’s own words before his passing on May 1st of that year.
As a young child, Howard enjoyed crafting toy furniture and wagons from wood, which friends and neighbors adored so much that they often gifted them to loved ones. His mother sewed a suit for him as a boy to play the role of Santa Claus as he was “a short fat boy.” Wearing a “false face,” his blue eyes were filled with joy but he felt the mask was “more frightening to children than his own.”
He always admired the store Santa, but was never able to work up the courage to do it himself. One year he visited the Merrill & Son Furniture Store at Albion and suggested that they hire him to play the role of Santa while making toys in the front window; he was quickly hired and paid $15 per week.
Eventually he wrote to a store in Rochester seeking a similar position and was asked to visit for an interview. After traveling 35 miles outside of Albion, Howard arrived at the store dressed in his suit. The store owner took one look at him and asked “when can you start work?”; no questions asked.
Charlie was so terrified on his first day that he refused to exit the dressing room. When the store staff eventually forced him out, the smiling faces of hundreds of children melted those fears away and the day passed quickly. The journey from Albion to Rochester was a lengthy one, but convenient by way of the Falls Branch of the New York Central Railroad. He would awake at 4 a.m., complete his morning farm chores with the aid of a hired man, and his wife would drive him to Albion in time to catch the train.
It was after one particular interaction with a child that he fully realized the significance of Santa Claus. On that occasion, a little girl asked, “Santa, will you promise me something?” “What is it you want me to promise?” Howard responded. The child creeped in closer and whispered, “Will you promise me you will never shave?” At that point he understood that Santa meant a great deal to children, an interaction that led to a heightened curiosity about Santa Claus. He began to study, reading about his origins, and about who he was – he quickly realized that there was more to Santa than he had ever imagined.
It was in 1937 that he started the school, an event that made headline news. His first class consisted of one student, Frederick Wise, a welder from New Jersey who paid $15.00 for his tuition. The lack of response was disheartening at first but he was encouraged to raise tuition in an effort to increase the perceived value of the program. Gradually increasing the rate to $25.00, then $40.00, and finally $50.00, he witnessed an increase in enrollment each time.
“Santa originated in the home. It was best to keep him there,” was Howard’s reflection upon the establishment of the school. With no official schoolhouse or classroom, classes were held inside the family home located at the intersection of Gaines Basin Road and Route 31.
As interest in the program increased, he enlisted the help of experts in various areas. Charlie Hood of Medina was respected as a great showman and so his assistance was helpful in that aspect of portraying Santa. Ed Butters of Coldwater, Michigan was an expert in reindeer, so he was brought in to assist with one of the most important aspects of the Santa experience.
During World War Two the shortage of men led to women attempting the role, but as Howard recalled this only worked if the woman had a “deep voice.” One woman had such a voice and was a huge hit until store patrons complained about Santa visiting the ladies’ room! Howard went as far as to try a mail order course, which failed miserably; the spirit instilled by Charlie was the most important part of the school experience.
He told store owners, “to have what it takes to be a good Santa, one must have it in his head and in his heart rather than under his belt…they could take care of that without effort.” From a young age, he realized that teaching the role of Santa was a great task and always viewed that task as a privilege. So important was this role, that Howard remarked, “Show me a store’s Santa or a community Santa and I’ll tell you exactly the kind of store or community it is.”
It is no surprise that Orleans County had the best Santa of all; the original.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2019 at 4:59 pm
ALBION – It will be a busy weekend in Albion with many events to celebrate Christmas and the holiday season.
After a taking a break last year, Gotta Dance by Miss Amy has put together the ninth show for Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. It features many dancers, singers and some comedy in three shows – noon, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The later show is already sold out. (Click here for ticket ionfromation.)
Amy Sidari is the organizer of the event at her dance studio and cabaret at 28 West Bank St. The Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas is a showcase of community talent, and also has raised about $20,000 for a scholarship in memory of Nicholas Kovaleski. The scholarships are given annually to graduating high school seniors who “Live with Purpose.”
Nicholas inspired the Albion community with his valiant fight against leukemia. He passed away at age 15 on June 29, 2011. He was a popular student at Albion, excelling at football, swimming and tennis.
These children, ages 5 to 16, practice the opening number for the Nicholas Kovaleski Hometown Christmas. Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy, said the opening number begins the show with “unbeatable energy and joy.”
The Albion Merchants Association also has many activities planned in the downtown on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a coloring contest, bake sale, brunch with the Grinch, caroling, donuts and pizza with the Police Department, letters to Santa, Christmas movies, cookie decorating, watercolor painting and an ugly sweater party.
Click here to see the full schedule from the Merchants Association.
Sunday the First Presbyterian Church is hosting the annual Home for the Holidays Christmas concert at 3 p.m. The concert is organized by the Albion Alumni Association and includes Albion students and adults from the community, including an 80-person community choir.
Tickets are $5 with the proceeds going towards scholarships for Albion High School seniors.
Performers at the concert include Gary Simboli, Gwen Martillotta Ferchen, Mike Thaine, Kailey Winans, Travis Klossner, Eric Deiboldt, Janet Miller, Mike Grammatico, Kyle Thaine, Karen Kenney Conn, Shannon Broda, Alec Sherman, the Albion High School Percussion Ensemble (led by Mike Thaine), Albion High School Select Choirs (led by Gary Simboli), Community Brass Ensemble, Community Christmas Choir and a trio that includes Aleka Schmidt, Sue Boring and Sue Thaine.
