By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 November 2024 at 12:24 pm
Growing congregation on Crandall Road eyes expansion
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Trellis Pore, pastor of Shiloh Church on Crandall Road, Albion, and his wife Caleia are shown with some of the more than 50 blankets they recently collected and donated for the homeless.
ALBION – When Trellis Pore started to lead the Shiloh Church, only a few people showed up for his first sermons. That was Nov. 17, 2021, and last Sunday Pastor Pore celebrated his third anniversary with guest speaker the Rev. Wayne Lewis and a full congregation.
Pore has a full-time job as weapons trainer with the New York State Department of Corrections, but his passion is preaching. He first became licensed to speak at the age of 19 at Shiloh Church and was ordained at 21.
Since that time, he and his wife Caleia have seen Shiloh grow, along with their desire to make a difference in their community.
They are aware of rising number of homeless in Orleans County.
“Growing up here, I didn’t see that as a kid,” the Rev. Pore said. “We saw that was where we could make a difference.”
They put the word out for donations of blankets for the homeless, and the support was absolutely amazing, the pastor said. Just recently, they delivered more than 50 blankets to warming shelters at Hoag Library in Albion, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina and Community Action’s Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley.
They plan to continue collecting blankets for the homeless, and then branch out to see what else they can do to help out in their community.
Going forward, the Rev. Pore knows they are going to have to expand at the church on Crandall Road. Their congregation averages 130 people and continues to grow. The building is outgrowing their needs and they need more space to accommodate the things they want to do, such as mentoring, tutoring and youth activities.
They have formed Shiloh Angels, which is compiling a prayer book filled with prayers from youth. Artist Pat Standish is doing the illustrations and the book will be handed out to anyone in need, especially kids who are facing tough times.
“We want them to know their prayers will be answered,” the Rev. Pore said. “When we come together in unity, all things are possible.”
Shiloh Church is also planning a Shiloh family Christmas giveaway at 3 p.m. Dec. 21 at Albion Elks Lodge.
A Christmas Eve service is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., with a New Year’s Eve service, also at 6:30 p.m.
The Pores welcome anyone to join them in Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and worship at 11 a.m. Sundays.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2024 at 9:40 am
HOLLEY – The Holley Rotary Club is leading the effort to place 250 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Hillside Cemetery.
Last year was Holley’s first time in the Wreaths Across America program and 200 wreaths were placed at Hillside.
This year, the Rotary Club wants to see more wreaths at the cemetery where about 600 veterans are buried. There will be a noon ceremony on Dec. 14 at Hillside Cemetery. Volunteers are then welcome to help set the wreaths.
Holley was the third Orleans County community to join Wreaths Across America. Lyndonville and Medina have been a part of effort in recent years. Mount Albion also will be in Wreaths for the first time on Dec. 14. Wreaths has grown to about 4,000 communities around the country.
Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America or sponsoring a wreath to support Holley Rotary should visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NY0482 to learn more. The wreaths are $17 each. Holley already has sponsors for 183 wreaths.
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today reminded licensed pet dealers with retail stores that selling dogs, cats, and rabbits will be illegal in New York starting on Dec. 15.
The pet sale ban is intended to stop dangerous large-scale breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” where animals are often mistreated and suffer from serious health issues. Puppy mills often misrepresent the health of the animals they breed and send retail stores sick pets that then cost families thousands of dollars in veterinary care.
Retail pet stores that continue to sell pets after Dec. 15 can face penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. New Yorkers can still adopt pets from duly incorporated humane societies, animal rescues, or licensed breeders.
“Bringing a new pet into a family should be a time of excitement and joy, but often animals from ‘puppy mills’ suffer from serious medical issues and leave families heartbroken over their sick pet and with a heavy bill to pay,” said Attorney General James. “This pet sale ban will help put an end to the dangerous puppy mill to pet store pipeline that endangers pets and costs New Yorkers thousands of dollars in veterinary care. New Yorkers interested in adding a furry friend to their family can still adopt a pet at a human society, animal rescue, or a licensed breeder.”
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced retail rebates are now available for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to purchase energy efficient appliances at participating retailers.
Through the state’s new Appliance Upgrade Program, New York is the first state to offer retail point-of-sale appliance rebates to provide a customer-centered process for replacing inefficient electric or fossil fuel-powered clothes dryers with clean heat pump powered alternatives, and making associated electrical upgrades if needed.
New York State contractors are also eligible to enroll to participate and receive incentives for installations. Today’s announcement will help New York families save energy and reduce harmful emissions in their homes and communities.
“New York is demonstrating its continued commitment to ensuring an equitable energy transition by leveraging all federal funds available to incentivize consumers to make energy efficient appliance purchases a priority,” Governor Hochul said. “As a result of these new rebates, low- and moderate-income New Yorkers will save energy and money while doing their laundry with modern technology that will reduce emissions.”
Today’s announcement was made in New York City at Samsung 837, an interactive sustainable green space that also showcases efficient technology options for consumers. The new Appliance Upgrade Program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Home Energy Rebate (HER) Programs.
This launch builds on New York being the first state to offer HER funding for home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades through the IRA.
In total, New York’s allocation of federal funding is $317.4 million with $159 million from the Home Efficiency Rebates program and $158.4 million from the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program.
The Appliance Upgrade Program will allow income eligible customers earning up to 150 percent of the state’s area median income (AMI) to apply for rebates on a first-come, first-served basis to replace their non-working, outdated or inefficient dryers with ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump clothes dryers, as well as receive additional support for electrical wiring and/or panel upgrades that may be necessary for such appliance installations.
ENERGY STAR certified heat pump dryers use around 70 percent less energy compared to conventional dryers, which will save consumers significant electricity costs over the life of the product. Eligible appliances also include all-in-one washer-dryer units with a heat pump clothes dryer.
Households may receive a maximum of $840 in incentives for the appliance purchase and installation, and additional maximum incentives of $2,500 and $4,000, respectively, for necessary electrical wiring and panel upgrades. Households under 80 percent AMI are eligible to receive up to $14,000 in total combined incentives under the Appliance Upgrade Program and EmPower+, which helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence. New York will expand the rebate program in 2025 to include additional clean energy appliances and eligibility for owners of residential low- and moderate-income multifamily buildings to apply for rebates.
Participating retailers include:
Connect Distributors – New York City Metro Area
Happy Electronics – Flushing
Keith’s Appliances – Norwich, Connecticut
Klearview Appliance – Brooklyn
LG Electronics – Statewide
Michael’s Appliance – Middletown
Orville’s Appliance – Western New York Area
PC Richard & Son New York City Metro/Long Island
Riester’s Appliances – Auburn
Samsung – Statewide
Supreme Appliances – Monroe – (845) 288-2661
S&W Appliances – Brooklyn
NYSERDA’s website will be updated as additional retailers sign up. To assist consumers, NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hubs will be engaged to help low- to moderate-income households apply for appliance incentives including the ability to submit applications on behalf of customers, attendance at community events, partnering with community organizations, and connecting customers with participating retailers and contractors.
NYSERDA has created the MyEnergy portal, a one-stop shop for information on state and federal incentives and rebates, home energy technologies and services, participating retailers and qualified contractors to help implement home improvement projects, and NYSERDA’s Regional Clean Energy Hubs (Hubs) with local experts who can provide support to customers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2024 at 6:12 pm
Provided photo: Katie Harvey, left, the county’s director of personnel, presents the “Employee of the Year” award to Danielle Figura, the county’s mental health director.
ALBION – Danielle Figura, the county’s director of the Mental Health Department, was named the “Employee of the Year” during an awards program last week.
The county recognized the employees of the month from October 2023 to September 2024. From that pool the employee of the year was chosen by a separate committee.
Figura, a county employee since 2014, was praised for “strengthening the presence of mental health services in Orleans County for all residents.”
She has mental health personnel working from all five public school districts in the county. Figura also expanded walk-in counseling appointments at the Mental Health building in Albion, allowing for increased access for services at a time when mental health services are a critical need all over the country, said Katie Harvey, the county’s director of personnel and self insurance.
Figura also leads a staff that responds to a local crisis offering grief counseling for students and staff at schools or for firefighters and other first responders.
“As a member of the Orleans County community she can respond timely to numerous other local incidents and crisis situations that our first responders have had to respond to,” Harvey said. “Her attention to the need for mental health services for first responders both as a coordinator for services and a counselor are critical to our ability to have a vibrant, healthy first responder service for our residents in a rural county.”
The EAP Committee at the county is tasked to recognize employees of the month.
“This is a very important and a very special occasion when fellow county employees are recognized for not only their service to the citizens of the county but to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond their duty,” Harvey said. “The EAP Committee receives nominations from fellow employees and department directors and then the nominations are reviewed and discussed by the committee and a selection is made.
The employees of the month for the past year include:
October 2023 – Kailyn Dellinger (Planning & Development)
November 2023 – Sharolyn Wallis (Public Works)
December 2023 – Carie Doty (Public Health)
January 2024 – Brandy Tooley (Social Services)
February 2024 – Kelley Ortiz (Social Services)
March 2024 – Kathy Fantasia (Social Services)
April 2024 – Dana Goetze (Sheriff) & Danielle Figura (Mental Health)
May 2024 – Michael Schultz & Leigha Collins (Dispatch)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2024 at 3:42 pm
ALBION – The tentative Orleans County budget for 2025 increases funding one agency while others stay at the same level.
The tentative budget includes $99,092,747 in spending, a 7.1 percent increase and would raise taxes by 1.95 percent.
The county allocates some funding to different agencies that provide services in the community.
Only the Soil & Water Conservation District was given an increase, from $97,500 to a proposed $100,500.
Jack Welch, the county chief administrative officer and budget officer, said Soil & Water has been working with more property owners who have experienced flooding damage and need help from Soil & Water with drainage issues.
The agency requested the additional $3,000 and it was approved in the tentative budget.
The Legislature will have a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 for the budget, with the Legislature to vote in a meeting following the hearing in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County both sought increases but have been kept at the same level as 2024.
GO Art! sought $6,000 but stays at $4,000 in the budget, while the Cooperative Extension asked for $250,000, but was kept at $240,000. That is where the county funding for the Extension has stayed since 2017.
The Extension last year requested an increase to $275,000. This time the organization tried for a more modest hike of $10,000 but again is in the budget at $240,000.
The four public libraries collectively asked for $1 per resident or $40,343 to reflect the county’s population in the 2020 Census. But the libraries remain $10,087 in the budget, the amount since 2011. (The county was giving $29,914 to be shared among the four libraries as recently as 2002, but that dropped to $7,480 in 2003. Since then, the amount was raised to $12,587 in 2007, $13,617 in 2010, and then was cut to $10,087 in 2011.)
Two other agencies stay the same and didn’t request more money: the Orleans Economic Development Agency at $200,000 and Mercy Flight at $5,000. The Orleans EDA was boosted to $200,000 in 2024 after getting $190,000 in 2023.
One of the funded agencies in 2024 was dropped from $3,000 to zero in the tentative budget. The Cobblestone Museum was given the $3,000 in 2024 after not being in the budget. Welch said the museum didn’t submit a formal written request for funding for 2025. The museum expects to break ground on a new visitor’s center in 2025.
The Sportsmen’s Federation used to be in the county budget and typically received $1,000 a year through 2023. It was dropped to $0 in 2024 and isn’t allocated any funding for 2025 in the tentative budget.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 November 2024 at 11:14 am
Holley sees return and growth of jazz band, marching band and Music Boosters
Provided and file photos: Medina native Zachary Busch conducts the Jazz Band at Holley High School, where he is director of the Fine Arts Department and the band program.
HOLLEY – The director of Holley High School’s band program brings a lifetime of talent and passion for music to the table.
Zachary Busch grew up with music, son of Chris and Cindy Busch of Medina. His dad played trombone in the Mustang Marching Band and was a former assistant drum major. Zach believes he and his father were the only father/son duos to each serve as drum major in the Mustang Marching Band, until this year’s Ryder Jones, whose father Ric Jones was also drum major in his senior year.
Zach’s earliest memories of band are seeing his sister in the Mustang Color Guard in the 1990s.
Zach began playing trombone in the fourth grade. He continued to play in Medina’s concert, jazz and marching band as he grew up. He was drum major from 2010 to 2011, when the Mustang Band won the 2010 New York Field Band Conference title in their division and Grand Champion at the 2011 Gorham Pageant of Bands.
He graduated from Fredonia State College in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in music and in 2019 with a master’s degree. He studied trombone with the late Carl Mazzio, former principal trombonist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a member of the Fredonia Trombone Choir; and a member from 2013-16 and director in 2015-16 of the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble.
Pictured from left in May 2019 include Callie Updike, Evan Valentine, Band Director Zach Busch and Thomas Dobri of the Holley HS Concert Band. The band won first place in a music festival at Darien Lake, topping seven other bands.
Busch started teaching at Holley Junior/Senior High School in the fall of 2016.
“Teaching at Holley is my first and only gig,” he said. “Something I think about often is my goal for this to not only be my first job, but for me to be the only teacher to spend his entire career here and retire from here.”
When he accepted the position at Holley, he knew the first thing he wanted to do was revive their marching band. Over the years they had had several versions of a marching band, but when Busch came on board, they had been two years without one.
“I wanted the students to enjoy the same benefits of marching band I enjoyed,” he said. “Marching band was always a highlight of my life.”
Busch said there was a group of about 20 kids who were enthusiastic about marching band, including wind instrumentalists, a drum line and color guard.
“The group was small, but they knew they were important because they were bringing band back,” he said.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band Color Guard includes students from both Holley and Kendall school districts.
A joint effort with Kendall had previously been established around 2011, and after getting approval from Holley’s principal Sue Cory, he approached the Kendall administration. The schools already shared other activities, such as unified sports, wrestling, basketball and bowling, and were onboard with a combined marching band.
“Holley and Kendall are rival schools, but I love the way they come together to be better as one,” Busch said.
The Holley-Kendall Marching Band’s first performance was Memorial Day 2017. They played an arrangement of theme songs from “The Magnificent Seven.”
Soon after the marching band’s rebirth came the global Covid pandemic.
“To not only maintain our numbers, but to grow though it was pretty indicative of how much the kids wanted to be part of a band program,” Busch said.
From 20 students in 2017, the band has grown to 50 this year. They have marched in the Holley June Fest Parade, Holley Memorial Day Parade and Albion Strawberry Festival Parade. They competed in Springville’s Pageant of Bands in 2022, winning first place in Class C parade and Best Drum Major. In 2023, they were third in Class B Parade. At Sherburne Pageant of Bands that year they were second in Class B Parade and third in Class B Color Guard.
Members of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band enter the field for a competition.
Several Holley band members shared their passion for the group.
Isabella Emery, 12th-grade trumpet player and drum major of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band, said her favorite part of being in the concert band was seeing the growth during the school year.
“It is fun to look back on our progress and the great music we have made,” she said. “I first knew I wanted to be a part of the marching band when my elementary band director started talking about marching band. I expressed my interest and she invited me to join in fifth grade as a banner carrier. My favorite part of being in the Holley-Kendall Marching Band is the family feeling I get during the course of our session.”
Senior Owen Schultz, trombonist and assistant drum major, isn’t sure what drew him to join the band in seventh grade.
“It was more of a gut feeling this was something I should be part of,” he said. “My favorite part of concert band is contributing to the larger goal of giving great music performances. I knew I wanted to join the marching band because Mr. Busch said it would be a good opportunity to ‘play loud,’ and in my opinion, that is the best way to play the trombone.”
Maggie Keehan is a senior and alto saxophone player. She got to watch all her siblings play in the band and knew she wanted to be part of the fun they had. She didn’t join until her junior year, when her friends told her how much fun it was.
“My favorite part is building new friendships with people I normally wouldn’t see or interact with.”
Sophomore Aidan Kelley signed up for band in fourth grade. A clarinet player, he said he has always loved music and it plays a big role in his life. He joined marching band in sixth grade after the invitation from Busch.
“I’ve enjoyed being part of the growth of the program ever since,” he said. “I have made friends with people I wouldn’t have otherwise met.”
Holley’s band began in 1958 as the Holley Hawks Marching Band under the direction of Raymond Shahin. They enjoyed tremendous success, including State Fair championships and New York State Field Band Conference titles under direction of Jerry Kelsey.
The Kendall Royal Blue Marching Band was formed in 1963 under the direction of Richard Roberson and had many top finishes at the State Fair from 1963 into the 1970s.
Students perform during a performance of the Holley High School Concert Band, under the direction of Zach Busch of Medina.
Busch also revived the Holley Jazz Band in 2019 with 15 members. It was derailed by Covid in 2020 but the jazz band came back in 2021. It has grown to 30 members in grades seven through 12.
Holley Music Boosters was revived in 2022 and is still building up, Busch said. They have helped with travel costs for the Music Department trips, including Philadelphia this year; purchases for the Marching Band, such as new instruments, and registrations for students attending area All-State festivals.
Busch said he still bounces ideas off his dad.
“I know he loves it and has an ear for it,” Zach said. “And I value his perspective, as well.”
Zach’s wife Andrea, originally from Staten Island, is music teacher at Oak Orchard Elementary School and assistant band director for the Mustang Marching Band.
As for Zach, he loves his job and wouldn’t want it any other way. In addition to his duties as band director, he is chair of the Holley Fine Arts Department, Holley golf coach and president of the Orleans County Music Educators Association.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2024 at 10:00 am
Faith Smith, shown in top row in center photo with her husband Michael Smith, has been named one of six “Hometown Heroes” by Save A Lot.
ALBION – The director of the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen has been named one of six “Hometown Heroes” by Save A Lot.
Faith Smith has served as volunteer director of the OK Kitchen since it opened in June 2022 at Harvest Christian Fellowship. She also led the community kitchen for more than a decade when it was based at Christ Episcopal Church.
The OK Kitchen serves several hundred meals every Thursday, and has expanded to frozen soups for people to take home.
“Faith’s contributions go far beyond providing a hot meal,” Save A Lot stated. “She is deeply compassionate, offering birthday goodie bags, distributing gifts to needy children at Christmas, and delivering meals to shut-ins while performing wellness checks. She supports other community organizations, provides free items to those in need when there is a surplus, and assembles essential items like blankets, hats, and toiletries for the homeless. Tirelessly, she recruits volunteers to help with OKK’s mission.
“Her work is entirely unpaid, driven solely by her passion for helping others. Faith Smith is selfless, hardworking, compassionate, resourceful, and deeply committed to her cause. Her efforts ensure that no one in her community goes hungry, and she makes the most of every resource and donation she receives.”
Save A Lot, a large discount grocery chain with about 800 stores in 32 states, accepted nominations for Hometown Heroes and to showcase the people and organizations making a difference in the communities Save A Lot stores serve.
The six winners will receive $500 gift cards for Save A Lot. The Hometown Heroes include:
Tammy Amburgey, President, Middle Creek Community Development & Food Pantry, Prestonsburg, KY
Doug Ducheney, Owner, Children Without A Gift Ministry, Bronston, KY
Grant & Gina Hasty, Founders, Lord’s Café, Whitley City, KY
Jessica Lee, Founder, Help the Homeless, Somerset, KY
Faith Smith, Director, Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, Albion, NY
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2024 at 8:54 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Construction crews gave a worn-down section of Ingersoll Street new pavement today, after the old pavement was removed on Tuesday.
Ingersoll has faced much more traffic than usual in the past two years with the Main Street lift bridge closed for major repairs and an overhaul. That lift bridge could reopen next month.
The state Department of Transportation had a section of Ingersoll milled and repaved between Bank and Caroline streets, the sections closest to the lift bridge.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2024 at 3:33 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Joyce McNutt, the Orleans County commissioner of jurors, accepts a proclamation from County Legislator Fred Miller on Tuesday declaring November as Juror Appreciation Month.
McNutt said jurors are needed in trials at the local and county courts, and also for the grand jury.
The proclamation from the Legislature states, “The right to a trial by jury is one of the core values of American citizenship and the obligation and privilege to serve as a juror are as fundamental to our democracy as the right to vote.”
The Legislature said it appreciates the services of Orleans County residents “who annually give their time and talents to serve on juries whether it be in person or on telephone standby.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2024 at 2:25 pm
Provided photo: One free preparedness class will be available per household for people completing the Citizen Preparedness Training Class on Nov. 25.
CARLTON – Orleans County Emergency Management will be offering a Citizens Preparedness Training Class on Nov. 25 that is open to county residents at no cost.
This training will help people to prepare for severe weather events, said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director.
“The registration for the event last year was overwhelming and interest exceeded capacity so this year Carlton Fire Company has stepped up to host the event at the Carlton Rec Hall, which will allow a much greater capacity,” he said.
The class will be on Nov. 25, starting at 6 p.m. at the Carlton Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
The NY Citizen Preparedness Training Program provides an introduction to responding to a natural or human-caused disaster. Participants are advised on how to properly develop family emergency plans and stock up on emergency supplies. Each family that attends will receive one preparedness kit.
Pre-registration is required. Click here to register.
ALBION – The Orleans County Youth Board today said organizations seeking funding for youth services programs and projects must have their applications submitted to the county by Dec. 10.
Applications are for programs and projects in Orleans County that take place between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30, 2025.
Kelly Kiebala, Orleans County Youth Bureau Administrator, said there are three different funding categories, the Youth Development Program (YDP), Youth Teams Sports (YTS), and Youth Sports & Education Opportunity Funding (YSEOF).
There are separate applications and the required documents for each funding source can be found on the Youth Bureau website (click here).
“The Youth Board encourages all youth organizations to download the applications and understand the different requirements for each grant,” Kiebala said. “Organizations should apply for the funding that best suits their programs and maximizes their funding opportunities. We appreciate the important work these groups do in serving our youth and want to be sure they do not miss the deadline for funding.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 November 2024 at 10:37 am
‘It won’t be perfect this year, but it’s going to be pretty cool’
Photos by Tom Rivers: Michael Bonafede, right, and a team of volunteers work on a float last week at Bonafede’s property. Mick Tower, in back, worked for the late Charles Howard with many of the floats and attractions he had at Christmas Park in Albion and also at the State Fair. Howard was founder and director of a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966. The committee organizing the lighted Christmas parade on Dec. 14 has named the parade in his honor. It is now the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade.
ALBION – A committee working on Albion’s Christmas parade on Dec. 14 has changed the name from Santa’s Hometown Parade to the Charles W. Howard Hometown Parade.
The committee wants to pay tribute to Howard, who ran a Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966. He also operated Christmas Park beginning in the mid-1950s. That site attracted about 80,000 people a year.
Howard turned part of his farm on Phipps Road into Christmas Park with amusement park rides, a petting zoo and other attractions.
The parade on Dec. 14 already has 20 floats committed as well as bands. It will honor Howard with more than the parade name.
A group of volunteers is building a float in Howard’s style. They are putting Santa in an older sleigh, and it will appear to be ready to take flight with a group of reindeer.
“New generations of people don’t know Charles Howard,” said Michael Bonafede, one of the volunteers building the float. “He is an excellent role and a unique asset for this area. His character and integrity were the keys to his success.”
The float design team includes, in front from left: Ron, Mick and Mike Tower. In back, Michael Bonafede, Frank Jenks and David Valente.
The volunteers last week made a 20-by-10 foot deck for the float. It has room for an 8-piece band on the back of the float with the sleigh in the middle and the reindeer up front.
Michael Bonafede said the sleigh was acquired in Connecticut and the sleigh will usher in Santa for the parade. The sleigh has a classic look. Its curved in the front which matches some of the photos from when Charles Howard portrayed Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parades in the 1950s and early 1960s.
The group wants to build an iconic float to cap the parade. Howard was known for his creative mind in building floats. The Albion group building the new float will create a display where it will look like nine reindeer are taking off.
Bonafede found two long pieces of metal that used to be part of a soccer goal on his property. For many years, Bonafede hosted the youth soccer program in Albion.
Frank Jenks and Ron Tower brainstorm how to best position the sleigh on steel railings that used to be the top of a soccer goal. Mick Tower, in back, offers some insights. He urged the group to not “bite off more than they can chew” with the first float.
Howard, too, would repurpose pieces of wood and other materials to make his displays. One of his employees, Mick Tower, is helping with the new float. Tower, 89, was tasked by Howard to turn his visions into reality. (Tower will serve as grand marshal of the upcoming parade.)
Tower was part of a team that built the track for a train at Christmas Park, a tunnel, wooden snowflakes, wooden icicles hanging down from the roof, the fire place, and many other projects. There was never a slow moment. Howard had short- and long-term projects. Tower recalled the effort in turning a pond on the property into Snowflake Lake.
Bonafede said the volunteers eventually would like to have the reindeer in motion and some other special effects. For this year, the reindeer may just be lawn ornaments.
“It won’t be perfect this year, but it’s going to be pretty cool,” Bonafede said.
Tower’s son, Ron and Mike, also are part of the team building the new float. Like their father they work in construction.
Frank Jenks also is part of the team, and so is David Valente who has put in a steel railing on the float and is working on other touches to give it strength and some seasonal flare.
David Valente of Hamlin has repurposed steel for railings on the float. Bonafede secured the steel and Valente said he is pleased to lend his talents to the project.
The group is seeking donated artificial Christmas trees to fill out the float this year. Anyone willing to donate can contact the parade chairwoman, Susan Oschmann, at (585) 202-0594 or susanoschmann@gmail.com.
She welcomes more entries for the fourth annual parade. Participants can sign up by Dec. 13. Click here for more information about registering to be in the parade.
Oschmann said several sponsors are backing the parade, which is allowing the committee to double the prize money. First place gets $600, with $400 for second and $200 for third.
The group working on the Santa float also said they would welcome a spot to store it in the offseason if someone has space in a barn, Quonset hut or garage. For more information, contact Bonafede at (585) 749-1413.
