Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are offering their final 2024 free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics in October. Funding for the rabies clinics are provided by the New York State Department of Health.
Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.
The Genesee County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia)
The Orleans County Rabies Vaccination Clinic will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion)
“We encourage all Genesee and Orleans County residents to take advantage of our last rabies immunization clinics of 2024 and ensure their pets are protected against rabies,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in both counties and is a preventable viral disease.”
To prevent the spread of rabies, the health department reminds residents to take the following precautions:
Keep your pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
Obey leash laws. Keep your pets under direct supervision and on a leash so they do not come in contact with wild or stray animals. If an animal bites your pet, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the health department.
Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, touch, or attract wildlife (raccoons, skunks, bats, bunnies, rabbits, and foxes) or stray dogs and cats.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
Prevent bats from entering living quarters. If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and call the health department. Do not release it! For a video on how to safety capture a bat, click here.
Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood or if you see an animal showing signs of rabies. Signs of rabies in animals may include aggression, excessive drool or saliva, confusion, hair loss, and loss of movement or function.
For more information about GO Health Programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
HOLLEY – The Holley High School Class of 1974 celebrated its 50th class reunion last month.
The top photo shows classmates gathered at Bill Gray’s in Brockport on Friday, Aug. 2.
The class the following day toured the old high school, which is now senior apartments and the Village of Holley offices. The class then went to Red, White and Moo for ice cream followed by a visit to Holley Falls.
The reunion concluded with a dinner at the Holley VFW.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters
OSWEGO – The Medina Mustang Band travelled to Oswego on Saturday for their third competition of the fall field band season.
Seven bands competed with Medina in Small School 1 division against Phoenix and New Hartford. Medina placed third with a score of 77.250. Phoenix was first with a score of 81.650, with New Hartford second with a score of 81.500.
Next Saturday the Medina band competes closer to home in Webster.
Press Release, Jeff Gifaldi, chief deputy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Department
ALBION – A 14-year-old student at Albion Central School was charged today with making a terrorist threat against the school district.
The arrest took place following an investigation that began after a complaint was made to local authorities. The investigation determined that the threat was made via a Snapchat post during a conversation with peers over a week ago.
Deputies and investigators with the Sheriff’s Office worked swiftly to assess the situation, interview witnesses and gather evidence.
The student was taken into custody without incident and is facing the charge of Making a Terroristic Threat, section 490.25 of the NYS Penal Law, a Class D Felony. The Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with the Albion School District Administration to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to maintain a safe learning environment.
While this incident is concerning, the Sheriff’s Office wants to reassure the community that swift action was taken to address the situation, and we encourage parents and guardians to have open discussions with their children about the seriousness of threats and the importance of reporting any concerning behavior.
Due to the restrictions of NYS law, the juvenile was released to the custody of the parents on an appearance ticket.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 September 2024 at 4:03 pm
MEDINA – A few clouds and an occasional drop of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 750 visitors who participated in Ale in Autumn on Saturday.
As is traditional, registration times were staggered at 1, 2 and 3 o’clock to prevent crowding in the stores. Twenty-two shops and organizations downtown took park in the event, including the American Legion, Medina Historical Society, Canal Village Farmers Market, Medina Railroad Museum, Walsh House and Canalside Tattoo in their new location on West Avenue.
Guests met at Medina Senior Center to show proof of age, pick up their glass, receive a free bag of goodies and purchase tickets for the raffle baskets in each store.
Each business poured a different ale or cider, and no one appeared get a taste they didn’t like.
(Left) Lindsay and Rick Siejak of Lockport came out in fashion for Medina Area Partnership’s annual Ale in Autumn Saturday. They bought the lederhosen and traditional German dress while visiting Munich with her parents this summer. (Right) Adrianna Noone of Rochester was one of the buskers entertaining on the streets of Medina during Ale in Autumn Saturday. She is across the street from Key Bank.
At the English Rose Tea Shoppe, Graham Huwyler and Kim Houston sampled Black Widow Cider, a mix of blackberry and apple. It was very good, Houston said. They also liked the flavored teas store owner Cindy Robinson had available.
Nick Boyle said he and his friends started the day before they left home by toasting to all their old friends and the new ones they would meet.
“This event is a great way to see our old friends and meet new people, too,” he said. “We also enjoy the shops.”
Four friends who work at the Roy-Hart Learning Center in Gasport met a former employee at Medina Senior Center on Saturday to enjoy Ale in Autumn. From left are Shatel Peters, Colleen Sandolfini, Robin Boyle, Tina Dunham and Jennifer Dunham.
Rick and Lindsay Siejak of Lockport turned heads when they showed up in traditional lederhosen and dress, which they purchased in Munich this summer when they took her parents to Germany. They met their best friends from Medina, Matt and Lauren Backlas, to do Ale in Autumn.
“We love walking around Main Street in Medina,” Lindsay said. “It is wonderful so many businesses participate.”
Robinson doesn’t remember how long ago they started Ale in Autumn.
“We got the idea for Wine About Winter in February and were looking for a fall event,” she said. “It was Kelly Kiebala who came up with the idea.”
The event has grown in popularity and been a continuous sellout.
Glasses for the event were sponsored by Walsh House, C&H PC and Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home.
Upcoming events sponsored by Medina Area Partnership include Beggar’s Night on Oct. 25, Moonlight Madness on Nov. 21, Old Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and holiday open houses Dec. 5 and 8.
The popular Wine About Winter is scheduled for Feb. 1, following the same format as Ale in Autumn.
(Left) Patty Balcerzak pours Black Widow cider for Alyssa Hancock of Webster at The English Rose Tea Shoppe during Ale in Autumn Saturday. (Right) Virginia Klotzbach, left, and Chris Parone poured ale for guests at the Butts-Clark American Legion. Here, they pour Mary Guzik, center, a glass of Young Lion from a brewery in Walworth.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 September 2024 at 3:23 pm
MEDINA – With a new building and a new pastor, Kevin Lawson said it was only fitting the church should have a new name.
The church on Maple Ridge Road, known as Calvary Tabernacle, is now The Vine.
Pastor Kevin Lawson is shown with a sign in his church’s lobby, which indicates the new name, The Vine, was taken from the Book of John, Chapter 15, Verse 5.
“We wanted it to be easier for people to understand and make it more inviting to the public,” said Pastor Lawson. “The name was 35 years old and didn’t resonate with people anymore. We are not changing our belief and our preaching. We are working very hard at being an outward church in the community.”
He explained “The Vine” is talked about in the Book of John, Chapter 15, Verse 5, where it tells about Jesus being the vine and the people the branches.
“If people stay connected to him, we will bear much fruit,” Pastor Lawson explained. “That is a simple explanation of how we can connect people with Him.”
He said the church is working at doing more community outreach. He has met with the school on how they can help some kids and their families.
The church already has a big outreach ministry with their food pantry, which is open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday.
“With the way the economy is and rising prices, we are on course to serve 1,000 families this year,” Pastor Lawson said. “That is a 25% increase.”
The pastor said everything is changing there. The church is growing, and attendance has doubled since opening in the new building in 2021.
“We have things for people of all ages to get involved in,” he said.
Family Night is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, with adult Bible study and activities for all kids.
Sunday morning starts with coffee hour at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:30 a.m.
One of the exciting new things, the pastor explained, is a new website and app which can be downloaded. All social media platforms have been upgraded.
When the congregation voted on the name change, Pastor Lawson said there was 98% approval.
He invites the public to come in person, and also to check out their website.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 September 2024 at 11:31 am
MEDINA – Medina Fire Department held its annual Open House from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, a week earlier than in previous years.
“We usually hold it the first Sunday in October to kick off Fire Prevention Week and Month,” said fire chief Matt Jackson.
Medina firefighter Dylan Schrader lets Elaine Kyle, 10, hold an axe from one of the fire trucks on display.
The event featured tours of the fire station, all the trucks on display outside, a bounce house for kids, the county’s Fire Safety Trailer, a spray house where children could spray water to put out a simulated fire and Dubby’s Wood Fire Pizza on site.
In the morning, the firefighters had the annual memorial service to honor those who had passed away during the year.
“We were very fortunate we didn’t have to add any names this year,” Jackson said.
Jackson said Dustin Pahura, firefighter, set up the activities for children.
“We put a lot of effort into making this event happen,” he said.
He said the kids enjoyed the spray house and bounce house the most. Children who wanted a small plastic helmet were given one to take home.
Pahura said he liked seeing the kids having fun on the bounce house and trying to spray water from the big hose.
Matthew and Jessica Weit of Clarendon came with their three children, Robby, 8; Amelia, 4; and Andy, 2. The children all love fire trucks and wore tee shirts with fire trucks on them. The family has traveled out west to visit fire companies.
Jessica said her brother-in-law Dustin Meredith, a police officer, texted her Saturday morning about the open house.
“I told the family I guess we are going to the fire department open house today,” she said. “The kids just love fire trucks.”
Siblings Robby, 8; Andy 2; and Amelia Weit, 4, loved looking at all the firefighting apparatus at Medina Fire Department’s Open House.
POINT BREEZE – “The air seemed foreboding that day. A northeast wind had sprung up the previous day and had increased in intensity and reached gale force proportions by nightfall.
“During the night, the mounting fury of the wind whipped the lake into a frenzy, the beach disappeared and enormous waves crashed against the banks with a deafening roar and hurled tons of water far back on the land.
“As a snarling tiger tears the flesh from its victims with wicked claw and tooth, so the hideous roaring monster into which the usually beautiful lake had changed, attacked the helpless land and with gleaming white fangs and horrible wet arms with vicious claws tore away great chunks of earth and trees.
“The storm struck with particular venom at the place where the shoreline starts to turn out in the little point which suggested the name, Point Breeze. Here the main road turns abruptly west toward the creek. The water hurled out by the waves flowed down the road in a veritable river making its way into the creek at the edge of the Selheimer (Saw Mill) dock.
“Mr. Lewis Roger, who owned the Point Breeze hotel, feared that the lake would tear out a channel to the creek and that his property would become an island.
“The storm continued the next day; waves broke over the lake road in some places with such force that it was hardly safe to travel that way. A steady cold rain fell which chilled one to the very marrow of one’s bones.
“Inland, however, the wind was less violent.”
This dramatic account of an 1880s storm on Lake Ontario was written by Miss Helen E. Allen, Town of Carlton Historian. It was published in the Albion Advertiser, Sept. 16, 1948.
Writing in the Albion Advertiser in 1947, Helen Allen wrote poetically about the lake’s ever-changing symphony of sound and color:
“There were days when vision ended a few feet away in one white swirl of snow. Sometimes water, misty air and sky were all one indistinguishable grey.
“On other days, fleecy white clouds drifting in the azure sky above the blue-green lake became a blaze of glorious color as the setting sun sent a shining path of gold across the water. Then slowly the bright shades of yellow, reds and purple would fade into one soft afterglow, then darkness and the twinkling stars above and the beam of light from the lighthouse.
“Dark days came too, when lake and sky seemed almost black and the waves flung themselves with a roar, like angry beasts with gleaming white fangs upon the shores. But however fierce and menacing it might be, one always knew that there would come a day when the lake would again be serene and calm.
“Lake Ontario, always changing, ever the same, reminding one of the Eternal God.”
A life-long Carton resident, Helen Elizabeth Allen was born in 1894, the daughter of Albert and Lucy (Boughton) Allen. The family resided on the east side of Oak Orchard Creek, just north of the Two Bridges. Helen assisted her parents in the operation of the family chicken farm for many years.
As historian, Miss Allen made a point of speaking to older residents and gathering their tales. They recounted stories about their grandparents who would have been among the early population of the locality. Gifford D. Fowler, for example, recalled going fishing with his grandfather about 1868 when one of the piers at Oak Orchard Harbor was being built.
Miss Allen contributed vicinity news from the Two Bridges as well as articles on local history to the Albion Advertiser and the Orleans Republican-American newspapers for over fifty years.
In 1972, she completed an exhaustive study of the religious societies and churches formed in Orleans County. An active member of the Orleans County Chapter of the D.A.R., Helen was a charter member of the Cobblestone Society.
She passed away on March 15, 1979 and is buried in Mt. Albion Cemetery.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2024 at 9:19 pm
Site also includes bench and lamppost made from repurposed steel from lift bridge
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion eighth-graders sing “Low Bridge, Everybody Down” as part of today’s dedication ceremony for the Erie Canal Park, a site across from the Albion fire hall on Platt Street. The students are joined by a miniature donkey and mule.
The village Department of Public Works cleared part of the land in the spring and has made other improvements to the park by the Erie Canal, between to the two lift bridges.
Today’s dedication also included the unveiling of a monument to the 15 people killed in the Sept. 28, 1859 bridge collapse. There was a crowd of 250 people, plus five horses, on the bridge that day 165 years ago. The people gathered to see a wirewalker on a tight rope over the canal.
The bridge would tumble into the canal, killing 15 people.
The park includes a lamppost and a bench made from repurposed steel from the Main Street lift bridge when it was originally constructed in 1913. The bridge is getting a major overhaul and is expected to reopen to traffic on Dec. 19 following just over two years of construction.
Bill Schutt, left, is the artist from Batavia who made the lamppost, which will be solar powered. A Go Art! grant paid for Schutt to make the lamppost. Schutt said the lamppost was made in an art deco style from the 1930s and ’40s. He said he enjoys making art from recycled materials.
Albion Mayor Angel Javier Jr. is next to Schutt and Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley is on the bench that was made by employees in the sewer plant, the Joint Pollution Control Facility. Village employees Ric Albright, Kyle Piccirilli and William Malone worked on the bench, which also includes a time capsule to be opened on Sept. 28, 2059.
Albion students who were part of today’s celebration join in the photo.
The village worked with community volunteers to make the Erie Canal Park more enticing to boaters and residents.
Tim Archer, an Albion teacher, served as the emcee for today’s program. Albion students have painted a mural about the canal on the Albion fire hall, put in an interpretive panel about the Erie Canal and its impact on Albion, and also helped secure a historical marker noting Marquis de LaFayette’s tour along the Erie Canal which included a stop in Albion on June 6-7, 1825.
David Oakley (left), owner of Bridgen Memorials, and Dave Strickland, the stone cutter at Bridgen, were instrumental in creating the monument.
They are shown on a side with 15 handprints from local community members to represent the 15 people who died in the bridge collapse.
The side includes a silhouette of Charles Blondin, the famous wire walker who crossed Niagara Falls and who inspired George Williams to try walking on a tightrope in Albion.
The outline of the bridge shows the Squire Whipple bowstring iron truss bridge that crashed into the canal 165 years ago. The bridge was 60 feet long, about half the length of the current lift bridge over the canal.
Those who perished in the bridge collapse include:
Perry G. Cole, 19, of Barre
Augusta Martin, 18, of Carlton
Ann Viele, 36, of Gaines
Edwin Stillson, 16, of Barre
Joseph Code, 18, of Albion
Lydia Harris, 11, of Albion
Thomas Handy, 66, of Yates
Sarah Thomas, 10, of Carlton
William Henry, 22, of Saratoga County
Ransom S. Murdock, 17, of Carlton
Adelbert Wilcox, 17, of West Kendall
Sophia Pratt, 18, of Toledo, Ohio
Thomas Aulchin, 50, of Paris (Canada)
Jane Lavery, 16, of Albion
Charles Rosevelt, 21, of Sandy Creek
The handprints used in the memorial are from people close in age to the victims. Those handprints include Dr. Tom Madejski, 64; Tom Rivers, 50; Aaron Flanagan, 17; Gideon Pask, 16; Nick Andrews, 19; Zack Baron, 16; Mollie Radzinski, 35; Cameron Ecker, 21; Nicholas Baxter, 16; Reuben Rivers, 19; Rosemary Kirby, 9; Phoebe Kirby, 14; Graham Kirby, 10; Cordelia Rivers, 13; and Al Hand, 17.
The Albion Rotary Club led the effort to have the monument erected, and received financial contributions from the Albion Betterment Committee, Albion Merchants Association, the local DAR chapter, Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals, and an anonymous donor.
Tim Archer, right, interviews middle school students Thailer Seibert, left, and Blake Doty who portrayed hoggees, who were kids who worked with canal boats. Hoggees typically led mule teams that pulled the canal boats.
The miniature donkey and mule that were part of today’s festivities came from Painted Sky Ranch in Brockport.
Sophie Kozody and Hailey Styer portray two of the bridge collapse victims, Jane Lavery and Lydia Harris. In recent years, Albion students worked with Mount Albion Cemetery to have headstones in the cemetery for the two girls. Harris didn’t have a head stone and Lavery’s had broken into pieces.
The site by the canal was never formally named a park until Aug. 14, when the Village Board gave it the name, “Erie Canal Park.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2024 at 5:12 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Albion village trustee Greg Bennett, right, was among a group of about 50 people this morning at the dedication of four memorial benches at the new basketball courts at Bullard Park.
The courts opened last October. Today the four coated steel sport benches were dedicated with memorial plaques. The flowers were donated by Homestead Wildflowers in Albion.
One of the benches is in memory of Craig Anderson, who was a three-sport standout athlete at Albion. A 1972 graduate, he led Albion to its first Section 6 basketball title. He passed away from cancer at age 18 in 1973. The high school gym is named in his honor.
Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church paid the $750 cost to have the bench dedicated for Anderson. Church is good friends with Craig’s younger brother Tom Anderson. Church and Tom Anderson were managers for the Sectional winning team in 1972, back when the two were eighth-graders.
Meghan Doherty speaks about her brother Jonathan. One of the benches is in his honor and was paid for by the Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events. Jonathan was an active promoter of Bullard Park and other causes in the community. He was 38 when he passed away on May 5, 2022.
“His focus was his community, his family and his church,” Meghan said. “He did everything for other people.”
Ron Albertson, a member of the G-ACRE organization and a Lions Club member with Jonathan, said Doherty was well known in the community, by his first name only.
“He is the best team player I’ve ever known,” he said.
Torin Swartout places the plaque on the bench in memory of his son, Jesse Swartout, who passed away at age 21 in 2002 when he was a senior at Skidmore College. He has family in the local area.
Jesse was a gifted athlete and scholar, and a left-handed pitcher. He loved socializing with his friends by playing sports.
“We hope Jesse’s spirit will help make these courts safe haven for Albin athletes,” his family said.
Alyssa Swanger and her daughter Vivi put the plaque on the bench for Alyssa’s brother, Justin Swanger. He was a basketball star and three-point specialist for Albion. He passed away at age 21 on Nov. 28, 2014.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to make Justin proud and carry on his basketball legacy in this community that would live on for many years to come,” his mother Paula Canne said.
The benches are the latest upgrade to the park. The village would like to add two pickleball courts next to the basketball courts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2024 at 8:28 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Holley school community dressed up as Disney characters for the annual parade through the village on Friday evening.
The senior class created a float celebrating Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.
Karri Schiavone, the district superintendent, dressed up as the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. The school administrators all wore costumes of villains from Disney shows.
Brendan Keiser (in back), Holley’s director of teaching and learning, is Hades from Hercules, while Sharon Zacher, the district’s assistant superintendent of business, is Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians.
The junior high student council portrayed characters from Maui.
Matt Feldman, the junior-senior high school principal, dressed as Scar from The Lion King. Feldman urged the other administrators to join him as a Disney villain.
These youth football players were energetic during the parade.
These youth cheerleaders enjoy the parade through the village.
Mike Roffe, who worked security at Holley with COPS for nine years, played the bagpipes in the parade. Roffe is a retired sergeant from the Greece Police Department and a member of the Gates Keystone Police Pipes & Drums.
Holley administrators dressed as villains from Disney shows for the parade. In front from left as Karri Schiavone, the district superintendent as the Queen Hearts; Sharon Zacher, the districts’ assistant superintendent for business as Cruella de Vil; Henry and Harlow Zacher (Sharon Zacher’s grandchildren as dalamations); and Stephanie Sanchez as Ursula from Little Mermaid. In back: Mackenzie Swartz, Holley’s assistant elementary school as Mother Gothel from Tangled; Tim Artessa, elementary principal as Gaston from Beauty and the Beast; Dan Courtney, athletic director and assistant jr./sr. high principal as Captain Hook; Brendan Keiser, director of teaching and learning as Hades from Hercules; and Matt Feldman, jr./sr. high principal as Scar from The Lion King.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 September 2024 at 9:06 pm
Provided photo: Mick Tower hugs his wife Elizabeth, a resident of Medina Memorial Hospital’s North Wing, after bringing her flowers for their 70th wedding anniversary.
MEDINA – Harry “Mick” and Elizabeth Tower are happy to share their secret for a long, happy marriage.
“The secret is open communication and not to hold a grudge. Deal with the situation and move on,” they say.
On Thursday, the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at the North Wing, where Elizabeth has been a resident since Feb. 9. Her husband visits her nearly every day.
Mick and Elizabeth were high school sweethearts. They were married at St. Joseph’s Church in Albion and are the proud parents of two sons, Michael and Ronald. They also have four grandchildren.
Elizabeth worked as a secretary for Dr. Karl Heuer, an Albion dentist, and Mick was self-employed at his business, Tower Electric.
The couple enjoyed a lot of the same things, like camping and square dancing. They had a fifth wheel and belonged to a camping club, and were also members of a square dancing club.
When asked about their marriage, Elizabeth said, “It wasn’t always peaches and cream, but my husband is pretty easy going.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2024 at 8:41 pm
Erie Canal Park also will include lamppost, bench made from old steel from lift bridge
Photo by Tom Rivers: Employees at Brigden Memorials today at about 11 a.m. move a 1,200-pound granite monument to the Erie Canal Park. The monument is in remembrance of 15 people killed on Sept. 28, 1859 when the Main Street bridge collapsed. They were among 250 on the bridge watching a tightrope walker attempt to cross the Erie Canal. The Brigden employees include David Strickland, Ken Strickland, Frank Abbott and Dustin Goetze.
ALBION – The public is welcome to attend a dedication at noon on Saturday for the Erie Canal Park. The program will include the unveiling of a monument to the 15 people killed in the Sept. 28, 1859 bridge collapse.
The park also includes a lamppost and a bench made from old steel from the Main Street lift bridge, which is currently undergoing a major rehabilitation. That bridge is expected to reopen to traffic on Dec. 19.
Bill Schutt, an artist from Batavia, created the lamppost, with the village using a grant from GO Art! for the project. The Village Pollution Control Center employees (Rick Albright, Kyle Piccirilli and Michael Malone) made the bench that includes a cylinder that will be a time capsule to be opened on Sept. 28 2059.
The Albion Rotary Club led the effort to have a monument for the 15 people killed in the bridge collapse, which included several children. Brigden Memorials in Albion made the monument at a discount, doing the design, engraving and installation at no charge.
One side of the monument describes the tragic day of Sept. 28, 1859 when a crowd gathered to watch a tightrope walker. At the time Albion was hosting the county fair.
George Williams of Brockport attempted to walk across the canal on a tightrope. He didn’t get too far before the bridge collapsed.
The monument lists the 15 people who died in the tragedy:
Perry G. Cole, 19, of Barre
Augusta Martin, 18, of Carlton
Mrs. Ann Viele, 36, of Gaines
Edwin Stillson, 16, of Barre
Joseph Code, 18, of Albion
Lydia Harris, 11, of Albion
Thomas Handy, 66, of Yates
Sarah Thomas, 10, of Carlton
William Henry, 22, of Saratoga County
Ransom S. Murdock, 17, of Carlton
Adelbert Wilcox, 17, of West Kendall
Sophia Pratt, 18, of Toledo, Ohio
Thomas Aulchin, 50, of Paris (Canada)
Jane Lavery, 16, of Albion
Charles Rosevelt, 21, of Sandy Creek
The other side of the monument includes a silhouette of Charles Blondin, who started the wirewalking craze by crossing Niagara Falls on June 30, 1859, walking 1,100 feet on a tightrope. Blondin would walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope about 300 times in his career, including blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow and carrying his manager on his back.
The monument has 15 handprints of Albion community members to represent the 15 victims from the bridge collapse. The handprints are people about the same age as those who perished. The monument also shows the bridge in Albion at the time of the collapse, a 60-foot-long Squire Whipple bowstring iron truss bridge.
The program on Saturday includes two re-enactors, Sophie and Mallory Kozody, who are portraying Jane Lavery and Lydia Harris. Sophie is an eighth-grader and her sister is a senior.
Two mules also are expected to be part of the atmosphere on Saturday, and chocolates with a tugboat theme will also be available.
The Cobblestone Museum also will be selling Erie Canal books created by Albion students.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 September 2024 at 4:38 pm
Rotary also presents $4,500 check to OFA to help seniors with transportation
Provided photo
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club last week recognized the Albion Lions Club for its 100 years of service to the community.
Pictured in front at the tavern of the Ridge include long-time Lions Club members Mary Janet and Dr. Satya Sahukar. In back row are Rotary Club President Tom Rivers, Lions Club President Marie Snyder, and Lions Club members Barb Navarra and Ron Albertson.
Rotary and the Lions for many years sponsored a Little League team together. The two clubs also help organize the annual Strawberry Festival for two days in June.
Rotary praised the Lions for its work in helping to organize the Rock the Park music festival and the recent improvements to Bullard Park.
Photo by Tom Rivers
Rotary also presented a ceremonial check for $4,500 to the Office for the Aging to support a transportation program for senior citizens.
The golf tournament was held on July 20 at Shelridge Country Club in Medina.
Pictured from left include Bill Downey, a member of the Rotary Club and golf tournament committee member; OFA Director Melissa Blanar; Becky Karls, Albion Rotary Club member and OFA employee; and Cindy Perry, Rotary Club member and the golf tournament organizer for many years.
This program is for seniors needing transportation to a variety of services, including medical appointments, and trips to the bank, hairdresser or to see a loved one in a nursing home. There aren’t public funds or grants for this program.
So far this year, Blanar said 36 seniors have received for 315 rides over 6,739 miles.
For more information about the volunteer program, either as a driver or rider, contact the OFA at (585) 589-3191. Drivers can specify if they only want to do trips within Orleans County.
KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are offering their final 2024 free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics in October. Funding for the rabies clinics are provided by the New York State Department of Health.
POINT BREEZE – “The air seemed foreboding that day. A northeast wind had sprung up the previous day and had increased in intensity and reached gale force proportions by nightfall.
