By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2018 at 10:29 pm
Eric Schneiderman
Eric Schneiderman, New York’s attorney general for nearly eight years, has resigned after The New Yorker published an article today with four women claiming he physically assaulted them.
The calls for his resignation were swift after the article was published this evening.
“The New Yorker has published an article on Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, which reports multiple women making serious allegations of assault,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “No one is above the law, including New York’s top legal officer. I will be asking an appropriate New York District Attorney to commence an immediate investigation, and proceed as the facts merit. My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign.”
Schneiderman, facing pressure to resign, announced tonight he would step down.
“It’s been my great honor and privilege to serve as attorney general for the people of the State of New York,” Schneiderman said in a statement. “In the last several hours, serious allegations, which I strongly contest, have been made against me. While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt, on Twitter, said soon after the article was published that the “allegations of assault, drug use, and death threats by @AGSchneiderman are deeply disturbing and I’m calling for an immediate, independent investigation.”
Tom DiNapoli, the state comptroller, also weighed in on Twitter.
“The allegations against the Attorney General are shocking,” DiNapoli said. “In light of the serious nature of these accusations, Eric Schneiderman took the appropriate step and resigned.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2018 at 7:35 pm
ALBION – Today was the start of a trial for a Albion man facing first- and second-degree assault charges.
Wesley Askew
Wesley Askew, 50, has been in the county jail on $250,000 bail after he allegedly seriously injured another Albion man on June 9 during a late-night fight at 175 North Main St., an apartment building north of the Erie Canal.
Sara Sheldon, a judge from Niagara County, is presiding over the trial. Today the jurors were picked.
Askew allegedly got into an altercation at 1:45 a.m. and allegedly punched another man several times, causing serious head injuries. Askew allegedly punched the other man so hard that Askew broke bones in his hand and wrist. He was treated for his injuries at the Erie County Medical Center.
Askew is a level 3 sex offender, the highest possible risk for re-offending. He was released from prison in late 2015 after being convicted in May 2009 for second-degree rape.
Photos by Tom Rivers: A new drug take-box box was added to the lobby of Medina Memorial Hospital last Friday. Mark Cye, chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health and the hospital, is pictured with Kate Brauen, the hospital’s director of pharmacy.
MEDINA – Two new pharmaceutical take-back boxes have been added in Medina with new boxes at Medina Memorial Hospital, 200 Ohio St., and Rosenkrans Pharmacy, 526 Main St.
The State Department of Environmental Conservation in February announced the collection boxes were approved for Medina Memorial and Rosenkrans, which are now among 246 sites to be funded by the DEC for the take-back effort.
“We’re very excited about it,” said Kate Brauen, director of pharmacy for Medina Memorial Hospital. “We think it’s a great community service.”
The DEC paid for the box and packaging materials to send the medication to a service where the pharmaceuticals will be incinerated.
Mark Cye, CEO of the hospital, said the box will help eliminate unneeded prescription drugs from the community.
Rosenkrans received its collection box about two weeks ago. Both Rosenkrans and Medina Memorial have the boxes available while they are open. For the hospital that is all the time, 24-7, because the box is in the lobby for the emergency department.
“Installing medication drop boxes in community pharmacies, hospitals and long-term care facilities, increases opportunities for New Yorkers to properly and easily dispose of unwanted medications,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said in February. “The hundreds of pharmacies and facilities participating in New York’s free drug take-back program are protecting their communities and the environment.”
Under the drug take-back program, DEC will purchase medication collection boxes and pay for the disposal of waste pharmaceuticals collected by participating facilities for two years. Implementation of this pilot program will help improve water quality, protect public health by removing medications from home medicine cabinets, and reduce potential adverse impacts to fish and aquatic organisms, Seggos said.
The statewide Pilot Pharmaceutical Take-Back Program is funded with $2 million from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.
With technological advances in analytical techniques, it is now possible to detect low levels of drugs in surface water and groundwater. Some drugs pass largely unaltered through wastewater treatment plants and enter rivers and other waterways, the DEC said.
Flushed medications have been found in New York lakes, rivers, and streams and can negatively affect the waterways. A national study conducted in 1999 and 2000, by the U.S. Geological Survey found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives, and steroids in 80 percent of rivers and streams tested. Medications adversely affect fish and other aquatic wildlife and increase the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
In addition, there are concerns about unused pharmaceuticals getting into the wrong hands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one U.S. citizen dies every 16 minutes from a drug overdose and has declared this public health threat an epidemic.
This shows what is accepted and what isn’t at the collection boxes.
ELBA – What started as a tribute to their late father has grown into a major annual event, not only for the Esten family, but for many local antique tractor collectors, said Chuck Esten of Albion.
After their father died, they wanted to do something as a tribute, and Chuck’s brother Louis Esten of Elba came up with the idea of having a plow day with old time tractors, in which the entire family was interested.
“Louis and his son Nick have done a great job with it,” Chuck said Sunday at the 18th annual event, as he and his grandsons, Benjamin, 3, and Joshua, 16, showed off one of their antique tractors, a 1939 Farmall F.
Nearly a dozen and a half Farmall and International tractors are lined up on the lawn of John Torrey on Route 98 in Elba, where antique tractor collectors from around the area participated in Plow Days Saturday and Sunday.
About 60 vintage tractors from throughout the area, including Orleans, Genesee and Niagara counties, plowed 75 acres of ground on the John Torrey Farm on Route 98. Torrey has been a big supporter of the event ever since it started, allowing for the use of his barn and fields.
The Estens own a number of antique tractors, mostly Farmalls.
Chuck bought a Farmall Cub which he gave to Joshua on his 5th birthday. Joshua said he thought that was a great birthday present. Chuck just purchased a Farmall A, which he is restoring for Benjamin.
The Estens think it’s important to remind people of how things were done in the old days.
And, they enjoy the fellowship and opportunity to talk with fellow antique tractor collectors.
MEDINA – The Board of Trustees of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina has scheduled its annual meeting for 7 p.m. today at the Library. It will be preceded by the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
Corduroy, a bear in a children’s book, is part of this scene.
The Board will present the Library’s Annual Report to the community as well as the proposed budget for 2018-19. Also on the annual meeting agenda will be the election of one member to the Board of Trustees. Incumbent Isabella Mark is running unopposed for another term.
The Board is proposing a total budget of $608,061 for 2018-19. The proposed increase to the tax levy would be $3,473. This increase of .66% would increase the property tax levied for the library from $525,946 to $529,419. This tax, which comprises the majority of the library’s funding, is charged to all property owners in the school district and is collected on the school tax bills.
“As in past years, this budget reflects the Board’s concern for providing materials and services to the community and, at the same time, maintaining a viable building,” said Isabella Mark, Board President. “We have held the tax levy stable since 2016, this year’s request is certainly very conservative.”
The proposed tax increase will primarily be used to offset increased costs for technology.
Copies of the proposed budget are available at the library.
Voting on the budget will take place at Lee-Whedon on Tuesday from noon until 8 p.m. Residents of the Medina Central School District over the age of 18 are eligible to vote at the annual meeting and on the budget. Identification and proof of residence are required.
‘We’re a very eclectic group of women’ – member Pat Payne
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent
MEDINA – In a time when social organizations are losing members, some even closing, a Medina club has maintained its membership for more than a century.
Although 120 years old, the Medina Tuesday Club hasn’t deviated much from the traditions established when the club was formed.
The Tuesday Club’s roots go even farther back, having sprung out of what was called the Fortnightly Culture Club, organized in 1891 for the purpose of reading about and presenting at each meeting papers on American history, literature and travel.
An 1897 souvenir edition of the Medina Tribune states, “Such is the interest in the work that it is a rare exception if a paper is not presented when expected.”
In 1894, the FNCC joined the New York State Federation of Women’s Clubs and Societies as charter members, and later the Western Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Pat Kennedy, a member of the Tuesday Club, reads a review of her assigned book, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, during the April meeting.
The Tuesday Club, as it is known today, first met on Oct. 10, 1898 at the home of Mrs. Earl Card (the married women were all known by their husband’s names). They had yet to decide on a name for their new club. There were 16 ladies in attendance, several of whom had been members of the FNCC.
They finally decided on the name, “Tuesday Evening Reading Club,” with membership limited to 30. Dues were 25 cents.
A history of the club was compiled in 1949 for the 50th anniversary, in which it says a fee of 5 cents was imposed on members who were absent without an excuse, such as illness or out of town. There were few social activities, as it was difficult to do much on 25-cent dues.
The name was changed to the Tuesday Reading Club in 1903. At the last meeting of 1905, it was voted to omit “Reading” from the name of the club, as it had become a study club.
Previously, a waiting list had been maintained with names of candidates for membership, but it was voted in January 1906 to abolish the list. In the future, names of possible new members would be handed to a committee who would recommend which names should be asked to join. Today, a woman must be asked to join.
In the beginning, they met twice a month, but decided in the late 1950s to discontinue the second meeting of the month, except for October and April. Special events include a Calendar Lunch in October, Christmas party in December and banquet in May. The club today does not meet in June, July or August.
Throughout the years, the club has had entertainment at their meetings, put on plays and invited guest speakers, all focusing on a subject chosen by the program committee for that year.
Today, programs have been simplified, with book reviews replacing individually researched papers, debates and round-table discussions. Since the 1990s, meetings have been held in member’s homes, rather than schools, churches or other public places.
Some years ago, it was decided they would not have desserts at their meetings, so as to eliminate the possibility of one hostess trying to outdo another. Their format now is to have one book review, and then break for 15 minutes for water and nuts. Then the second half is devoted to the second book review.
The club today has 24 regular members, five associate members and four honorary members, one of whom is Joyce Beatenbough of Lyndonville. Having joined in 1958, Beatenbough is the longest standing member. Other honorary members are Lil Hagood (1977), Arden Dick (1987) and Ann Perkins (1991).
To celebrate their anniversary this year, two members each month have been looking back through the club history and selecting a year to review.
Nelda Toussaint of Medina joined in 1978, because she had two little kids and it was a wonderful way to get out of the house, she said.
“It offered a cultural evening and no extra duties went along with it,” Toussaint said. “It is an organization full of tradition.”
Jan McCloy of Medina said she joined in 2004 because it was an interesting thing to do.
Pat Payne of Medina said she likes the diversity of people in the club.
“If you look around the room, you see a variety of occupations, ages and backgrounds,” she said. “We’re a very eclectic group of women.”
Each year, a program committee decides on a theme for the year, and Lee-Whedon Memorial Library director Catherine Cooper, also a member, helps get the books to go along with the theme.
Rarely does someone get asked to review a book they don’t like.
“Once, I had to read a book on the World Bank and it was so boring, but I got through it,” Lorraine Root said. “If you really didn’t like a book, I think they might give you another.”
Kathie Valley, club president, said presentations are always high quality, very well given and interesting.
The club has always been philanthropic and uses its dues to make a donation to a worthy cause at Christmas time.
Current officers are Kathie Valley, president; Pam Maryjanowski, vice president; Bonnie Heck, secretary; and Sandy Thaine, treasurer.
Program gives students exposure to GLOW’s leading industry
Provided photo: Students in the Agri-Business Academy toured Intergrow Greenhouses in Albion last month.
Press Release, Genesee Community College
ALBION – Commonly referred to as the GLOW region, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties have celebrated agriculture as its number one industry driving the local economy for the past two centuries.
As the demands of that industry continue to change, today’s agricultural businesses need dependable, hard-working professionals with college degrees, technology and management experience, as well as business and communication skills.
The Agri-Business Academy offered through a partnership between Genesee Community College and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership is a one-year program designed to expose high school seniors to the many career options available in today’s agri-business industry. The academic year is comprised of classroom learning, critical on-site internships, job-shadowing and as the photo of the tour of Intergrow Greenhouses indicates – many dynamic site visits to local agri-businesses that are often seeking for talented employees.
“The Agri-Business Academy is a significant jump start to numerous career options in our region and beyond,” said Deborah Dunlevy, ACE Programs Career Pathways project director. “Perhaps the most rewarding learning comes from the internships, job shadowing and site visits. Being immersed in the field gives them the experiences that will put them at the top of the job candidate list.”
Agri-Business Academy students earn 15 college credits applicable to a wide variety of college degrees and careers through its unique combination of business and community involvement, work-based experience, and a foundation in agri-business learning.
Agri-Business Academy students receive a substantial college tuition discount and pay only $55 per credit hour, which is roughly one-third of GCC’s regular tuition rate for the same courses. Also, as a GCC enrolled student, these individuals have GCC IDs with access to the college’s facilities including computer labs, athletic facilities, library resources and databases, as well as a GCC email account to communicate with professors and fellow students.
During the academic year, Agri-Business Academy students take five college courses for a total of 15 college credits; Western NY Agriculture (AGR101), Career and Educational Planning (CEP101), Public Speaking (SPE108), Principles of Biology (BIO101) and Principles of Business (BUS101). These courses provide a foundation for a number of two and four-year degree programs and many professional careers ranging from Agricultural Journalism and Bioengineering to Energy Technology and Farm Management, Food Science, Supply Chain Management and so many more. Additional information is available by clicking here.
Agri-Business Academy eligibility requires high school seniors to have maintained an 80 percent or higher overall grade average for the first three years of high school, demonstrated exemplary attendance and a proficiency in reading and writing. They must also possess the responsibility to work independently and with a team.
Interested students should contact ACE Programs Career Pathways Project Director Deborah Dunlevy at (585) 343- 0055 ext. 6316 or via email at dkdunlevy@gensee.edu before the end of the school year or Agri-Business Academy and GCC Adjunct Instructor Kerri Richardson at (585) 344-7783 or via email at krichardson3@gvboces.org. Applications are free and are being accepted now.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 May 2018 at 7:38 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The flowers and fruit trees are out in bloom around Orleans County now that spring-like weather is finally here. This photo shows a tulip in Albion on Sunday.
Today starts cloudy and becomes sunny with a high of 61, followed by a sunny Tuesday with a high of 66, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. Wednesday will be mostly sunny with a high of 72, followed by a high of 69 on Thursday when showers are likely and a thunderstorm is possible. Friday should be partly sunny with a high near 59.
WEST BARRE – Chief Akela (Ivan Barry) leads the Webelos 2 (a.k.a. Wookiee Patrol) in for the crossing over ceremony on April 23 at the West Barre United Methodist Church.
Scouts who crossed over include Sawyer Brigham, Matthew Mathis, Ethan Dunn and Dillon DiGiulio with Ivan Barry as Chief Akela. Members of their family are behind them.
Eli Pask applies a stripe of blue from the summer sky on their chin. The color blue represents the Spirit of Scouting. Scout spirit applies to how a Scout lives and conducts his “daily” life. He shows Scout spirit by being a role model to his peers, living by the Scout Oath and Law. He also brings out the best in others as a reflection of his own character and attitude in life.
Dominic DiGiulio changes the neckerchief of his younger brother Dillon. Now they are both Boy Scouts.
Scoutmaster for Troop 175 is Karl Driesel, left. Mike Schreiner and Pat Lamka are assistants. Cubmaster for Pack 175 is Mary Barry.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 May 2018 at 4:04 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – About 85 motorcycle riders take off at about 2:30 this afternoon following a motorcycle safety rally in front of the Orleans County Courthouse.
The bikers then went on a 50-mile safety and awareness ride throughout the county.
Orleans County Deputy Sheriff Jeff Cole and K-9 Otto helped to start the motorcycle safety ride in front of the courthouse. The group will then go on a 50-mile police-escorted ride within the county, ending at the VFW in Medina.
Orleans County legislators issued a proclamation declaring May as “Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.” The Orleans County chapter of the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education organized today’s rally and ride.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed the group and thanked them for promoting safety on the local roadways.
Legislators praised ABATE for helping to prevent accidents through awareness programs aimed at all drivers, acting as liaison on behalf of motorcyclists with government agencies, and promoting good citizenship by encouraging members to use their right to vote.
ABATE reminds the public that motorcyclists are out and drivers should, “Look twice, save a life.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 May 2018 at 10:53 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion will face rival Medina in a key Niagara-Orleans League baseball game Monday. Here Albion’s Vinnie Zona is at bat with Medina’s Chris Goyette catching during an earlier season meeting between the Purple Eagles and Mustangs.
With both teams battling to stay in the title race, Albion will face rival Medina Monday in a key Niagara-Orleans League baseball game.
However, the site for the game will not be determined until Monday morning. If conditions on Albion’s newly renovated field permit the Purple Eagles will host the game at 4:45 p.m.. If not, the contest would be played at Medina at 6:45 p.m. following the Albion vs. Medina softball game (4:45 p.m.)
Medina is currently in third place in the N-O standings at 6-2 and Albion in fourth at 6-3 as they chase front-running defending champion Roy-Hart (8-1) and runner-up Akron (7-2).
The Mustangs downed the Purple Eagles 9-1 in their earlier season meeting at Vets Park.
Medina will also host the rescheduled Evoy Memorial Scholarship doubleheader on Saturday at Vets Park. The doubleheader will match Albion vs. Pembroke at 4 p.m. and Wilson vs. Medina at 7 p.m.
N-O boys track will feature a key matchup of unbeatens as 4-0 Newfane meets 4-0 Barker on Tuesday.
The Medina lacrosse team faces a pair of key Division contests at defending champion Akron on Tuesday and at home against Gowanda on Thursday.
Weekly Schedule Monday Baseball: Kendall at Lyndonville, Holley at Pembroke, Lockport at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; Medina at Albion, Barker at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, 4:45 p.m. Softball: Lyndonville at Wheatland-Chili, Kendall at HAC, 4:30 p.m.; Albion at Medina Akron at Newfane, Wilson at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Holley at Byron-Bergen, 5:30 p.m. Tennis: Medina at Newfane, Albion at Barker, Akron at Roy-Hart, Holley at Attica, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, 4 p.m. Track: Medina at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday Baseball: Holley at Alexander, Albion at Lyndonville, Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; North Tonawanda at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m. Softball: Akron at Barker, Roy-Hart at Cleve Hill, 4:45 p.m. Tennis: Albion at Akron, Roy-Hart at Medina, 4 p.m. Track: Akron at Medina, Roy-Hart at Albion, Newfane at Barker, 4 p.m. Lacrosse: Medina at Akron, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Baseball: Alexander at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; Medina at Wilson, Barker at Newfane, Akron at Roy-Hart, Albion at Aquinas, 4:45 p.m. Softball: Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, 4:30 p.m.; Wilson at Medina, Newfane at Barker, Roy-Hart at Akron, 4:45 p.m. Tennis: Barker at Medina, Albion at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, Holley at Alexander, Oakfield-Alabama at Kendall, 4 p.m. Track: Alexander at Holley, Kendall at Oakfield-Alabama, Lyndonville at Wheatland-Chili, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday Baseball: CG Finney at Lyndonville, Tonawanda at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m. Softball: Barker at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; Wilson at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Mt. Mercy at Roy-Hart, 5 p.m. Tennis: Akron at Medina, Barker at Roy-Hart, 4 p.m. Track: Medina at Newfane, Barker at Albion, Wilson at Akron, 4:15 p.m. Lacrosse: Gowanda at Medina, 5 p.m.
Friday Baseball: Kendall at Notre Dame, Medina at Batavia, 4:30 p.m.; Newfane at Akron, Albion at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m. Softball: Attica at Holley, 3:30 p.m.; Lima Christian at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; Akron at Albion, 4:45 p.m. Tennis: Newfane at Wilson, Holley at Pembroke, 4 p.m.
Saturday Baseball: Evoy Memorial Scholarship doubleheader at Vets Park (Pembroke vs. Albion, 4 p.m.; Wilson vs. Medina, 7 p.m.) Softball: Kendall at Notre Dame, 10 a.m. Lacrosse: East Aurora at Medina, 12 p.m.
ALBION – The First Presbyterian Church is hosting a concert this afternoon with proceeds to help victims of hurricanes in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and others in the Western Hemisphere.
The 3 p.m. concert feature the Sweden Senior Singers of Brockport, which includes about 60 members, and the First Presbyterian Church Choir.
“All proceeds will go toward helping those still in need as a result of the devastating hurricanes last fall,” said Alec Sherman of the Presbyterian Church. “Come and join us and enjoy an afternoon of music and friendship.”
The Albion First Presbyterian Church Choir is led by interim organist and choir director Scott Schmidt. The church is located at 29 East State St.
The Sweden Senior Singers are led by director Maryellen Giese. They started as a small sing-along choir in the late 1990s. Giese, who is retired from teaching vocal music at the Brockport school district, was hired in 2003 by the Town of Sweden to direct the Sweden Senior Singers when they had about 10 members.
The ensemble has grown steadily each year in number, energy, enthusiasm and musicality. Today, the Sweden Senior Singers is a chorus of 60-plus enthusiastic, active seniors from the Brockport area. They rehearse weekly at Sweden Clarkson Recreation Center in Brockport, and perform in nursing homes, senior facilities and at special musical events throughout the Rochester area.
Photos courtesy of Arc of Genesee Orleans: Peggy Schreck was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to students at Rainbow Preschool in Albion.
BATAVIA – The Arc of Genesee Orleans presented Peggy Schreck with its Volunteer of the Year award on Thursday during the agency’s annual awards program.
Schreck began volunteering at Rainbow Preschool in Albion in 2012, and before that she participated on various Arc committees. Schreck actually began her career in the very same building that Rainbow Preschool is now, when it was the Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital and she was a lab technician.
Schreck and her husband moved to this area so her husband could complete college at GCC and Brockport where he then went on to become an elementary teacher. Peggy also enjoyed the educational setting and was a teacher aide for several years at Medina schools. She later moved in to a position at Medina Savings and Loan where she retired 2010. She wanted to still be a part of the classroom and that is when Peggy began volunteering at Rainbow Preschool.
“It is very obvious to the staff, students and families that Peggy thoroughly enjoys her time in the Rainbow Preschool classrooms and the time spent with the children,” said Shelly Kordish, director of education at Rainbow Preschool. “Peggy states she most enjoys watching the children’s growth and success during the school year, such as hearing a child’s speech develop or their gross motor skills expand. She also enjoys all the children’s smiles and hugs when she gets to the classroom.”
Schreck received the award in front of 400 people Thursday at GCC’s new field house.
“Peggy notes she enjoys the structure of the classrooms and this is a good fit for her with her prior classroom experience,” Kordish said. “Peggy says she has also developed many friendships with the staff and families from her volunteer role and she enjoys these new relationships within the community.”
Schreck spends two days a week volunteering in the classroom. She is known as Miss Peggy or Grandmom to the students.
“The teachers and aides all comment what an incredible addition Peggy is to the classroom and she brings such compassion and care to her work,” Kordish said. “She does special projects with the children and brings fresh ideas to the classroom. Peggy treats all the children as she would her own grandchildren.”
Mary Anne Graney Scholarship Recipients with Scholarship Committee Chairwoman Molly George, from left: Riley Seielstad – Albion Central; Abigail Klos – Oakfield-Alabama; George; Hannah Duhow – Medina Central; and Kathleen Dessert – Le Roy Central.
The following received staff recognition awards, seated from left: Brandi Kinnicutt, day habilitation specialist; Carolyn Dawson, chief administrative officer; Dylan DeSmit, direct support professional; and Jim Henning, trash collection/recycling driver. Standing: Jennifer Conklin, Special Education teacher; Kim Austin, Culinary Arts manager; Kaelie Grazioplene, supported work assistant manager; and Carl Jones, trash/recycling/transfer station manager.
Other awards include:
• Business Partner of the Year – Ford Gum & Machine Co., Inc. Volunteer of the Year
• Youth Spotlight Award – Jillian Menzie and Julia Menzie
• Friend of Arc – Jan Miner, Medina Bowling Lanes, and Kustom Kreations
• Persons of the Year: Self-Advocate, Nicole Hirtzel; Self-Advocate, Brett Potter; Supported Employment, Elizabeth Padilla; Supported Employment, John Rotoli; Residential, Anton Hinds; Day Habilitation, John Edmonson; Work Center, Dolores Wanser; Work Center, Ronald Martin; and Community Services, Jarred Saj.
Board officers for the coming year include President, Debrah Fischer; Vice President, Jane Scott; Treasurer, John Huber; and Secretary, Marlene Hill.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2018 at 2:14 pm
21-year-old RIT student lost life in car accident in November
Benjamin Kirby
ALBION – A new scholarship has been created in memory of Benjamin Kirby of Albion, an Eagle Scout who was a student at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Kirby tragically lost his life in a car accident on Nov. 6 on Route 531 in the Town of Gates.
He was an active student at Albion, playing soccer and tennis and was involved in the marching band and drama program. He was in his senior year at RIT studying software development.
The new scholarship will be administered through the Albion Alumni Foundation and will start with an annual $500 award. Kirby’s family would like to make it two annual scholarships of $500 in the future.
“Everyone has been so kind and generous supporting our family through this terrible time and we want to give something back to the community and continue to remember and honor our Ben,” said his mother, Wendy Kirby.
The scholarship is to be given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. It is intended for someone who is a “good kid” who may not be a Scout, but best exemplifies the characteristics of the Scout Law that Ben lived by: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Ben followed the motto of his friend, Nick Kovaleski, in that he “Lived With Purpose.” Ben was self motivated and challenged himself to do his best: graduating in the top 10 of his class, a member of the National Honor Society, a Scholar Athlete participating in many sports, All-County Band, All-State Chorus and Drama Club.
Ben was a Boy Scout, working hard to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He contributed to his church family and his community. Ben was a kind and caring person, always willing to help someone out and his friends spanned many generations, his family said in the scholarship packet.
There will be a wine-tasting booth at next month’s Strawberry Festival (south lawn of First Presbyterian Church along East State Street). All proceeds will go to Ben’s scholarship fund.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 May 2018 at 10:54 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Marti’s on Main, a fine arts gallery in Albion, kicked off a new season of art shows on Friday. The gallery is run by Kim Martillotta Muscarella, who is pictured with a painting she did of herons.
She took a season off last year, but is back for an eighth year of showcasing artists from the gallery at her home, 229 North Main St. Muscarella coordinated art shows at Marti’s on Main from 2009 to 2015. In 2016, the art shows shifted to the Cobblestone Museum. Muscarella wanted to bring the art back to Main Street in Albion.
“I couldn’t live without it,” she said on Friday evening. “It’s giving together with my pals.”
Muscarella will feature different artists each month through November. There is a “First Friday” opening each month.
Local artists Connie Mosher of Albion and Tom Zangerle of Medina attended the season-opening art exhibit at Marti’s. Mosher will be featured in a show in August and Zangerle’s work will be highlighted in November.
This month’s show features work by Muscarella and Tony Barry, a retired Holley art teacher. Barry did this painting of “Robb’s Farm.” Other Barry paintings include local scenes and spots in Europe.
Muscarella is shown in front of her home, where half of the house is used for the gallery. Muscarella has created several mosaic columns in front and in back of her house.
The gallery hosts reception the first Friday each month from 6-9 p.m. and will be open on weekends in the summer. Muscarella said people are welcome to stop by at other times when she is home.
Muscarella likes making unconventional art, including the mosaic columns.
