Judging by the price of gas, this photograph of Narby’s Superette was taken in 2001.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 4, No.12

CARLTON – For over one hundred and forty years, a general store has operated from the location which until recently housed the now closed Narby’s Superette at The Bridges in Carlton.

Several photographs from the Orleans County Department of History collection document this history.

This photograph, dated 1887, shows two adjoining businesses – that of G.W. Root on the left and G.D. Fowler’s general store on the right. A hotel, later destroyed by fire, had originally been built on this location.

Two men are standing on the left of the building. Peering closely, we can see two young children wearing white shirts peeking out from either side of what appears to be a tub.

The man standing on the left on the front porch is identified as George Root, who was a Civil War veteran of 8th NY Heavy Artillery. To the right, the man leaning against the pillar is identified as Ed, but his last name in not readable, while the man to his right is identified as G. D. Fowler.

This photograph, dated 1888, shows G.D. Fowler’s’ General Merchandise delivery wagon. Canned goods and fabric may be seen on the back of the wagon. The body language captured in the interchange between the three people shown here is classic. The salesman, identified as A.J. Small, is obviously pitching a sale for his goods. The older lady in the middle appears skeptical, while the young lady on the left is almost convinced, but still a little uncertain.

Fowler’s store also housed the Post Office. Benjamin and Gifford Fowler alternated as Postmasters from 1877 -1915 with a brief interruption from 1894-1897 when the post was held by James J. Waldron. Postal service to The Bridges was discontinued in 1915, when the mail was sent to Kent. Benjamin Fowler was one of the directors of the Albion-Carlton Telephone Company formed in 1880 and his store was among the first to provide telephone service in the area.

Fowler’s store was later purchased by Benjamin Bamber. A listing in the 1903 Orleans County Directory noted that Bamber was a general merchant who sold dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps, drugs and medicines, hardware, crockery, paints, and oils. The store was also identified as a “Telephone Pay Station.”

Following Benjamin Bamber’s death in 1921, the store was run by his son Ward and was later acquired by Floyd Burns. The left half of the building was torn off many years ago.

Sharon and William Narburgh, Jr. acquired the business in the mid 1960s. Sharon continued the operation following the death of Mr. Narburgh in 1992. Upon her recent retirement, she calculated that she had worked at the store for a remarkable 58 years.

By Randy LeBaron

Good morning! Grab your favorite cup. Fill it up. And let’s start this week right… TOGETHER!!!

This Sunday (Palm Sunday) is the beginning of Holy Week which caps off Lent, leads into Easter, and focuses on the the passion of the Christ. I know that not everyone celebrates Easter, some are preparing for Passover which is only a month away, but for me as a Christian pastor this is the climax of the Christian calendar. It is also, as I have found, a great time to connect with others in the community.

Over the past 6 weeks I have enjoyed gathering with others from different churches and different backgrounds at the Lenten Lunches offered in Albion and Medina. Not only do I like to fellowship with others in the community who I do not get a chance to see on a regular basis, but it is the one time of year that I am pretty much guaranteed to get a delicious egg salad sandwich. Even if you don’t celebrate Lent you have probably partaken of a Friday Night Fish Fry with friends or family. Even as I write this, I am realizing how much this season of fasting is actually centered around food, but I digress.

The point I am trying to make is that there are plenty of opportunities for people to come together during this time and it only multiplies during holy week. Most churches will have their own Palm Sunday and Easter morning services, we meet @10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Medina in case you are looking for somewhere to go, but there are other occasions to connect with those outside of your immediate circle on Good Friday and Easter morning.

Last year I participated for the first time in the MAAC Cross Walk where I was one of many who took turns carrying a cross around Medina while pausing at different spots to read the Scriptural account of Jesus’ journey to Golgotha. It was interesting last year because just before we were about to start a fire broke out filling the area with smoke which caused us to reroute. Thankfully the first responders on scene did a good job containing it so after praying for the safety of all involved we began our walk. If you are interested, we will be doing it again at noon this Good Friday starting at the Medina City Hall.

Good Friday is also a great time to gather with other churches and denominations in order to reflect on the cross and look ahead to the empty tomb. For the past decade I have been a part of the P.A.C.T. Good Friday Service where hundreds come together to worship and share in Communion. Personally, this is one of my favorite and most anticipated events each year. If you would like to join us it is at the Oak Orchard Assembly of God Church @ 6:30 p.m. on March 29.

Lastly, another thing I was able to experience for the first time last year was Easter Sunrise Service at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina. A little over 40 of us joined together on a cold, windy day to sing a few songs and hear a short message in what turned out to be a beautiful, serene setting. If you are an early bird we will be gathering there again at 7 a.m. this Easter morning.

See you in two weeks!
Pastor Randy

About 75 participate in Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Runners gather at the start line in front of a new inflatable resembling a colon this morning in the parking lot at the Albion Elementary School.

There were 56 finishers in the race, and several others who walked part of the 3.3-mile distance.

Photos by Marsha Rivers: Alex Zirkelbach of Olney, Maryland is out in front in today’s

Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K in Albion. Alex won the race in a time of 19:45.

Jody Lynn Musolino of North Tonawanda was the first female, crossing the finish line in a time of 23:36.

The course was changed from the usual route along Route 31, from the elementary school to Mount Albion Cemetery and back after heavy snowfall last night.

The state Department of Transportation deemed the shoulders of 31 off limits after the snowfall.

Race organizer Bert Gallmon of Wolfpack Multisports considered cancelling the race, but Albion school officials agreed to be out early and have the parking lots and walkways plowed.

The course ended up being three loops of 1.1-mile each in the elementary and high schools.

The Cayea brothers of Medina take off fast at the start of the race. Arian Cayea, second from left, was second overall in 19:46 and his brother Aeddon, left, was sixth overall in 22:35.

The course was longer than a typical 5K by about 0.2 mile.

Photos by Tom Rivers: A runner heads to the finish line, the inflatable of a colon. Wolfpack Multisports recently acquired the inflatable for the Burlison 5K, which is in memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who passed away at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

Wayne’s wife Lisa and son Adam attended the event today.

Race organizer Bert Gallmon of Wolfpack Multisport encourages people to get checked for colon cancer, starting at 45.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Colon cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum grow uncontrollably. Abnormal growths, known as polyps, can occasionally develop and certain polyps may eventually develop into cancer. Polyps can be found by screening tests and be removed before they become cancerous. Colon cancer is preventable, with the proper screening and education.

Some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• Lifestyle factors that include overweight and obesity; not being physically active; certain types of diets such as a diet low in fruit and vegetables, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, and a diet high in processed meats; tobacco use; and alcohol use

Colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms right away and some people have no symptoms. Some of the symptoms may include:

• A change in bowel habits
• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement)
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
• Discomfort in the stomach area such as cramps, gas, or pain that do not go away
• Unintended weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of people whose colorectal cancers are found early, diagnosed and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Mallory Ashbery, center, is Marmee March, the mother of four daughters in Little Women. Marmee’s husband and the girls’ father is away in the Civil War, serving as a Union Army chaplain.

The girls include, from left: Danielle Wyant as Meg, Lily Brigham as Amy, Ella Trupo as Beth and Mallory Kozody as Josephine “Jo” March. They are at home in Concord, Mass. Mr. March sends a letter that he has contacted pneumonia. His wife prepares to go see him in Washington.

Albion performed the musical with shows on Friday at 7 p.m., and today at noon and 7 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.

The show is co-directed by Elliott Michki, Kailey Winans and Kathy Winans.

Jo (Mallory Kozody) acts out one of her novels, “An Operatic Tragedy,” while sister Meg (Danielle Wyant) chimes in.

Jo aspires to be a great novelist. Her stories entertain her family but so far have been rejected by 22 publishers.

James Ruiz plays Mr. Laurence and Zackary Baron is Theodore “Laurie” Laurence. Mr. Laurence is upset that Jo cut down one of his trees.

Laurie becomes friends with the March sisters. He first proposes to Jo and is rejected, and later marries Amy, the youngest sister.

Sawyer Brigham plays Sir Braxton and acts out a scene Jo’s operatic tragedy, with Clarissa, played by Keira Zambito. She is fleeing Sir Braxton and is heroine of Jo’s operatic tragedy. Julia Button, right, is in the ensemble.

Jo (Mallory Kozody) comforts her sister Beth (Ella Trupo) who has been stricken by scarlet fever and would die from the illness, causing a great sadness in her family.

Gideon Pask plays Professor Bhaer, a German professor who falls in love with Jo. The two become engaged with plans of opening their own school. Pask sings “Small Umbrella In The Rain.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

BATAVIA – Medina firefighters Tiffany Petry and Dustin Pahura show students how to do CPR. The two firefighters were among many stations on Friday at Genesee Community College in Batavia, which hosted the second annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.

There were 575 students from 31 school districts in the four rural GLOW counties, including the Orleans County school districts of Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

This group from Holley includes, from left: Mya Brown, Haidynn Mullins, Mia Thom and Isaiah Johnson.

The Holley  students said the day at GCC connecting with healthcare organizations was very helpful as they consider careers. Johnson wants to work in EMS, while the three girls are considering careers in psychology.

“There are many different options,” Mya Brown said about careers in healthcare.

They are at a table for the Livingston County Health Department, which showed candy and medicine, and also cleaning products. People were asked if they could tell the difference from cady and pills that could be potentially harmful to them. The exercise was intended to show the value of having a medicine lock box to make sure people, especially young children, didn’t accidentally confuse prescription pills with candy.

GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare started in 2023 and connected students to over 200 representatives from 57 companies, municipal agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions.

The healthcare event and GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing attract over 1,500 students annually with the goal of empowering youth in the four counties to seek success in careers.

“With GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare and GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing, we are seeing a generation of students that are engaging with careers with great opportunities in our region,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair and Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce. “Meeting the healthcare needs of our communities is a challenge that we are proactively addressing through the support of our participating organizations, sponsors, and volunteers.”

These students are in a vet tech workshop where they could simulate hearing the heartbeats for small dogs.

Every student participated in a pair of self-selected workshops with a variety of healthcare careers led by healthcare and emergency response professionals.

Sessions covered careers in EMS, pharmacy, healthcare administration, physical therapy, healthy living, physicians/residents, holistic medicine, radiology/sonography/ultrasound, mental health and social work, research science, nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner, surgery and vet technician.

Students put bandages on these stuffed dogs as part of the vet tech workshop.

Hospice of Orleans was among many organizations at the event. The agency was represented by Julia Alt, right, the director of advancement, and Kelli Birch, the volunteer coordinator.

Hospice is looking to fill positions for home health aide, social worker and registered nurse, and the agency welcomes more volunteers, Alt said.

Students were able to learn about Hospice, and also had a chance to fill out a greeting card for hospice patients.

Audra Fisher, a secretary with the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, and Justin McAdoo of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company show students how to “stop the bleed” and put on tourniquets.

These students try a stethoscope on a baby mannequin “Luna” at a station for the nursing program at Genesee Community College. The students could listen to the heart beat, the sound of the lungs and the abdomen.

GCC has about 100 students complete an associate’s degree in nursing each year. The graduates go into careers with high demand, said Deborah Penoyer, director of the nursing program.

Jennifer Kula, back left in blue, is a current student in the program. She has done clinicals at local hospitals and a long-term care facility.

“The science and learning are awesome,” said Kula, a Batavia resident. “I love the opportunity to serve people in the community.”

File photo by Tom Rivers: This portrait of Wayne Burlison was displayed on a tree along the course at Mount Albion Cemetery during the 2016 race.

ALBION – A big snow overnight has necessitated a course change for this morning’s 5-kilometer race in Albion.

The Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K is in memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who passed away at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

The route usually starts on Clarendon Road by the elementary school and heads east on Route 31 to Mount Albion Cemetery for a loop there and then heads back on 31 to the school parking lot.

But with about a half foot of snow on the ground, the state Department of Transportation advised race director Bert Gallmon that Route 31 would be off limits for the race.

He was informed of the change Friday when the forecast called for significant snow. Gallmon and Albion school officials have come up with a modified course that includes three loops of about a mile in the school parking lots.

The race starts at 10 a.m. Participants can sign up this morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. inside the elementary school in the cafeteria. A post-race gathering with food will be at Dubby’s Tailgate.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Provided photo: Building Trades teacher Matt Anastasi, left, welcomed back recent grads Alayna Trautman and Tyler Currie to talk with students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

MEDINA – The teachers at the career and technical education center at Orleans/Niagara BOCES love hearing from former students about where their education took them in their lives after graduation.

Recently Alayna Trautman, a graduate from Bill Leggett’s Electricity/Electronics program, and Tyler Currie, a graduate from Matt Anastasi’s Building Trades program, came in to talk to students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

Both the graduates wanted to pay it forward and talk with current students how Orleans/Niagara BOCES set them on their path towards a career and attending Alfred State College of Technology.  Both students shared how their career and technical education classes made them candidates for several scholarships that are helping put them through college with little or no debt in the Construction Management Program.

Trautman, a Royalton-Hartland graduate, has such drive, focus and passion for the construction field, she is graduating a year ahead of time and has already completed paid internships at a couple of large construction firms specializing in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) and general construction.  She already has several job offers from companies when she graduates in May.

Currie, a graduate from Lockport, is currently doing his internship with Danforth, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the Northeast that focuses on Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Plumbing Systems. The company is allowing him to work as an assistant project manager on some very large projects already. He told the students that taking the Building Trades program at BOCES gave him a strong learning trajectory and how happy he is with his career choice.

Mr. Anastasi says he and his seniors were very thankful for the time Alayna and Tyler spent with them.

“They both reflected on their pathways, gave incredible guidance, offered mentoring, and were very excited to share their success stories for my students to hopefully choose to emulate,” Anastasi said. “Seeing how these former students have become so focused, career driven, and passionate to want to guide current students really makes teaching rewarding.”

Winter weather started sooner than expected today. This morning, an advisory said the snow would go from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

But the snow came sooner.

The National Weather Service tweaked a winter weather advisory to start at 11:30 a.m., 5 1/2 hours earlier than initially reported. The advisory continues until 8 a.m. Saturday with 2 to 6 inches of snow expected in Orleans, Niagara, northern Erie and Genesee counties.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – The Orleans County Department of Social Services’ Safe Harbour Program has announced the winners of its poster contest for students in grades 7-12 to raise awareness on the issue of human trafficking. The theme was “Spot the Signs – Stop the Traffick.”  Three winners were chosen.

“We were so impressed by the number and quality of posters we received from students across Orleans County for this year’s contest, more than double from last year,” said Cynthia Stumer, Orleans County Deputy Commissioner of Social Services and the Safe Harbour Coordinator.  “Students got very creative in helping draw attention to the signs of trafficking and exploitation.”

The winners were Michael Girangaya, 1st place, Holley; Inez Stangler, 2nd place, Kendall; and Kelli Dingle, 3rd place, Albion.

The Safe Harbour program is designed to be a safe place for teens and young adults (12-21 years of age). In addition to providing education and awareness on sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and healthy relationships, Safe Harbour provides lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.

For more information on Safe Harbour or how you can get your child involved in the program, email SafeHarbour@orleanscountyny.gov or contact Heather Jackson at DSS at heather.jackson@orleanscountyny.gov or (585) 589-2837.

If you suspect that a child or adult is being trafficked, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Things will look a little bit different for Albion Central School’s budget vote and Board of Education elections for the 2024-25 academic year.

Every May, the district asks the community to vote on the annual budget and board election for the upcoming school year. This year, the vote will happen on May 21at the Hoag Library rather than in the district’s conference room like in years past.

“With the increase of people on campus this year, due to the ongoing capital project, we made the decision to move the annual school budget vote and Board of Education election to the Hoag Library,” Superintendent of Albion Central Schools Mickey Edwards said. “We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the Hoag Library and we thank them for their support as we work to ensure a seamless voting process for the community.”

The annual district art show will also be on display at the library this year. In order to keep the food at the proper temperatures, voters that participate in the annual FFA barbecue dinner will still need to pick their meals up from Albion High School.

Please stop by on May 14 at 6 p.m. for the public hearing on the budget which will be held in Albion High School’s LGI. The budget vote and election will be May 21 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hoag Library.

For the most up to date budget information, click here.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for Orleans County from 5 p.m. today until 8 a.m. Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo said 2 to 5 inches of snow is expected with ice accumulations of a tenth of an inch or less.

The advisory also includes Niagara, Genesee and northern Erie counties.

“Periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will result in slippery roads and limited visibilities,” the Weather Service said. “Slow down and use caution while driving.”

The high temperature today will be 31 followed by highs of 33 on Saturday, 35 on Sunday and 47 on Monday.

ALBION – Hoag Library will be hosting two lectures before the total eclipse on April 8.

The first lecture will be this Saturday at 1 p.m. Anna Siebech-Larsen, PhD, will give a presentation, “The Black Hour: Eclipses in the Middle Ages.” Siebech-Larsen is director of Rossell Hope Robbins Library and Koller-Collins Center for English Studies at the University of Rochester.

The second lecture will be at noon on April 5 and be given by Tyler Lucero, an environmental science educator. His presentation is entitled, “From Afraid to Awed: Eclipses in Myth and Culture Through Time.”

The lectures are free and the library will be giving away eclipse glasses to attendees.

ALBION – As part of their mission to encourage people to take better care of themselves, Community Action of Orleans County has partnered with several health organizations to bring preventative scanning to Orleans County.

In addition, Community Action is offering free food vouchers to those who sign up for health screenings.

As the result of research by Jeanette Worsley, lead case manager/health coach at Community Action, several programs are in the works or up and running to bring preventative medicine to Orleans County.

“We are really excited about bringing the Eddy Unit from Roswell to Orleans County,” Worsley said.

Eddy stands for “Early Detection Driven to You,” Worsley said. “This will be the first time the unit has been in Orleans County.”

She explained the state-of-the-art mobile unit is equipped with a low-dose CT scanner which screens for lung cancer in less than 10 minutes. An outreach specialist will be at the pop-up food distribution from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 15 at 155 S. Platt St. to screen individuals for eligibility and schedule appointments. Someone will also be available at the Eastern Orleans Community Center at a date to be determined.

The Eddy unit will be in Albion May 21, 22 and 23, and location will be announced. Reservations must be made by calling Worsley at (585) 866-5494 or via e-mail at JWorsley@caoginc.org.

To be eligible, an individual must have a history of cancer of the lung, esophagus, head or neck (excluding thyroid) or, one of the three following factors:

• Be between the ages of 50 and 79
• Have been a 20-pack/years of smoking history
• Smoked within the past 15 years.

The University of Rochester Mobile Mammogram Unit will be at the Albion Pop-Up food distribution at 11 S. Platt St. on April 15 and at the Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More at 131 S. Main St. from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 15 and at the Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22. on April 22. Registration for these screenings must also be made by called Worsley at (585) 866-5404.

As part of their preventative medicine program, Community Action is offering $200 fresh food Rx vouchers, while supplies last, which can be redeemed at farm markets across Orleans County to incentivize people to participate in preventative healthcare. The vouchers will be reserved at the time individuals sign up for the health scans.

To schedule a mammogram women must be 40 or older, have been at least 365 days since their last mammogram and have no new issues. The procedure is covered by most insurances, and grant funds are available so nobody pays for screening.

Another service will be provided by the Fidelis StreetSide RV, a mobile service which will also be present at the pop-up food distribution from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 15. Insurance specialists will be available to answer questions about insurance enrollment and renewal, and will also provide educational information regarding breast cancer, lung health, nutrition, Lunchology menus and children’s health.

Community Action also partnered with the University of Rochester in February to bring their mobile mammogram unit to Holley Gardens and provided up to $200 in food vouchers to each of the 19 women who got mammograms.

In March, Community Action provided $10 vouchers to people who received monthly blood pressure screenings at the Eastern Orleans Community Center.

The mobile mammogram unit will return several times in April, and one is nearly all booked up, Worsley said. They have the capability to do 20 mammograms per day.