Kevin Howard, mainstay for Lions Club, first honoree

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kevin Howard, left, was presented with the inaugural “John Keding – Pride of the Pride Award” during Tuesday evening’s Albion Lions Club annual meeting.

The award was named in honor of John Keding, a Lions Club member for more than 50 years and a longtime local auto repair shop owner. He passed away at age 85 on Jan. 18. Howard is pictured with Keding’s wife, Pat, and their daughter Christine Buongiorne.

Kevin Howard and Mark Johnson work the grill during the Lions Club meeting which was held outside at the Elks.

Howard, a retired state trooper and former Albion town justice, has been a member of the Albion Lions Club for 15 years. He was praised for his willingness to cook food during Lions Club fundraisers. He also helps the first Friday each month for the Community Kitchen in Albion, when the Lions take a turn preparing the meals.

“It’s a way to give back to the community, and the this community has been very good to me,” Howard said.

The Lions Club isn’t a demanding commitment, he said.

“It’s fun and you get to see a lot of people,” Howard said.

The award winner also helps with cleanup projects, and brings a positive attitude.

“He is very hardworking and fun to be around,” said Mary Janet Sahukar, the club secretary. “He keeps things moving.”

The club also installed its officers for 2021-22, including from left: Dan Conrad, president; Mary Janet Sahukar, secretary; Lloyd Wright, treasurer; and Ron Albertson, vice president.

Conrad said the club wanted to honor Keding with the Pride of the Pride Award.

“That man was Mr. Lion,” Conrad said. “I could be a Lion the rest of my life and not fill his shoes.”

The club on Tuesday also welcomed two new members: Ben Lennox and Jonathan Doherty.

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) voted to advance the bipartisan Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (HR 4374) out of the House Agriculture Committee.

“Today the House Agriculture Committee proved that legislators can come together in a bipartisan way to advance legislation,” Jacobs said. “The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act directs $43 billion in investments in rural communities to expand high-speed internet access, partly through the successful USDA ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.”

The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act (H.R. 4374) was modeled off legislation Jacobs and his Republican colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee introduced earlier this year, the Broadband for Rural America Act (H.R. 3369). H.R. 4374 harmonizes the USDA’s broadband programs and authorizes $43 billion in broadband investment over the next eight years.

Currently, a bipartisan group of Senators is developing infrastructure legislation with $65 billion allocated for broadband. The Broadband Internet Connections for Rural America Act serves as a pathway to direct a majority of that spending through existing USDA programs with a proven track record of delivering for rural communities.

“Broadband expansion is essential to advancing our rural communities and providing critical services to families, schools, small businesses, and seniors. I remain committed to working proactively to address the digital divide in Western New York,” Jacobs said. “As the House and Senate continue negotiating infrastructure legislation – I urge them to follow the example set today by the Agriculture Committee and advance bipartisan proposals that address the direct needs of the American people.”

Contributed photos

LYNDONVILLE – Demolition has begun to take down the Crosby-Whipple building at 30 North Main St. in Lyndonville.

These photos are from behind the Main Street site, with the sided part of the building close to Curley’s Bar.

The site will become a 7,600-square-foot Dollar General with 29 parking spaces. The Broadway Group in Huntsville, Alabama is the developer for the project.

The 7,600-square-foot store is the smallest model offered by Dollar General. Most of the Dollar Generals are more than 9,000 square feet. The parcel of land on Main Street doesn’t give enough room for the larger size store.

Friday will be first traditional parade in county since 2019

This photo from June 20, 2019 shows the last Kendall carnival parade. A big crowd of community members watched the procession of floats, marching bands and fire trucks. Lloyd Christ of Murray brought his big tractor to promote a tractor pull in Murray.

KENDALL – The Kendall Firemen’s Carnival will return this week after last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Kendall Fire Department is planning a full schedule including the first traditional parade in Orleans County since 2019. Last year all of the community parades were cancelled and there hasn’t been one yet in 2021.

The state lifted restrictions for outdoor events with Covid cases declining and the vaccination rate rising. However, people who haven’t been vaccinated will be encouraged to wear masks if they can’t maintain social distancing.

Kendall is the last fire department in Orleans County that runs a carnival. The event is an important fundraiser for the department, helping to maintain an ambulance service, and the fire department’s building and grounds, said Bryan Hardenbrook, Kendall FD lieutenant and a co-chairman of the carnival.

The midway rides will be back with American Amusements out of Franklinville providing the fun.

Hardenbrook is expecting a big turnout for the three days of the carnival from Thursday through Saturday. The ride operator, American Amusements, told Kendall officials it has had a very big response so far this year with festivals and carnivals returning.

“Every where they’ve gone they have had a record turnout,” Hardenbrook said.

There will be ride specials this week from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday with ride bracelets for $20.

There will be a kiddie parade Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with the lineup starting at 6 p.m. Friday’s main parade, which will include numerous fire trucks and community groups, will be at 7 p.m.

The beer tent, lots of carnival food and live bands also are on the schedule. The bands include High 31 on Thursday night, 7^th Heaven on Friday night, and the Kid Kurry Band on Saturday night.

Saturday’s schedule also includes a corn hole tournament at noon, garden tractor pull at noon, cruise-in car show from 4 to 7 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Kim Corcoran and the Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies are shown performing to “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra on June 20, 2019. They have been a crowd favorite for several years. They will be back in the parade on Friday.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Serenity Acres brought horses, goats, a donkey and a dog to Hoag Library today as part of the “Tails and Tales” summer reading program.

The top photo shows River Marat, 10, riding the horse owned by Dona Scharping of Serenity Acres.

Hoag will have animals visiting the library outside on many upcoming Tuesdays, including calves at 11 a.m. on July 20 from Poverty Hill Farms in Albion, birds at 11 a.m. on July 27 from the Braddock Bay Raptors, and 4-H Small Animal Friends at 11 a.m. on Aug. 3.

These kids check out the goats visiting today.

Tanya Bjornstad and her daughter Alice get a close look at the donkey.

Jenna Uderitz, 5, of Albion gets a ride on one of the horses.

POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association announced this evening’s concert featuring the Who Dats has been cancelled due to the stormy weather.

“We have tentatively rescheduled The Who Dats to perform Tuesday, August 17,” OONA announced on its Facebook page. “Sponsor tickets for tonight will be honored at that event.”

The series is scheduled to be back next Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Orleans County Marine Park with The Brick Band in concert.

Press Release, Rob Ortt, leader of Republican conference in NYS Senate

New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt today urged constituents and all New Yorkers to become involved and make their voices heard in the redrawing of legislative and congressional districts to help ensure fair representation in state and federal government for our region and across the state.

“In 2014, New Yorkers took power away from politicians and put it in their own hands with the promise of the Independent Redistricting Commission,” Ortt said. “The constitutional amendment to create the Commission ensured that no region of the state, special interest or political party gained an unfair advantage in the redistricting process. Now, as their work begins, we must ensure that the end result is a balanced and equally-represented government for all New Yorkers.”

Once a decade, New York State is required to draw new district lines that reflect population and demographic changes reported in the most recent Census. Unlike in previous years when politicians drew those lines, more than 2 million New Yorkers voted in a 2014 referendum to give that responsibility to a new “Independent Redistricting Commission.” The new Commission has planned virtual hearings this summer and fall to collect input from citizens and devise the best possible redistricting plan.

As part of its charge to revise district lines for the State Senate, Assembly and Congress, the Independent Redistricting Commission must consider impacts on existing neighborhoods and communities, based on information it gathers from its virtual hearings and written testimony.

“This Commission, overwhelmingly approved by voter referendum, created a redistricting process that is more open and transparent. At the end of the day, it only works if everyday New Yorkers stand up and make their voices heard as lines are redrawn. I urge my constituents and all New Yorkers to learn more, and join with friends, neighbors, community groups and others to speak up for the issues that matter most to our communities.”

The Independent Redistricting Commission will accept submissions through its website, www.nyirc.gov, and any group or individual is entitled to submit opinions or testimony.

This map from the National Weather Service shows a vast area of New York is in a severe thunderstorm watch.

Orleans County and much of western central and northern New York are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. today.

The watch is already in effect. The Weather Service warns that thunderstorms will increase through the afternoon.

“Isolated thunderstorms are developing in an unstable airmass across the region early this afternoon, the Weather Service said. “Expect these thunderstorms to expand in coverage and intensify through by mid to late afternoon.”

The storms could bring gusts over 50 miles per hour and tropical downpours.

“Flooding could occur if multiple storms move over the same area,” the Weather Service said.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.3812/A.436) that repeals provisions of law prohibiting the practice of barbering on Sunday.

Though rarely enforced, there had been a law on the books making it a misdemeanor to cut hair or provide a shave to another person on Sunday.

“This is the very definition of an archaic and meaningless law that makes little to no sense in the 21st century,” Governor Cuomo said. “While not routinely enforced, I’m more than happy to sign this repeal into law and allow these businesses to determine what days they choose to operate.”

The law takes effect immediately.

“I am pleased that the Governor has signed into law a bill that I introduced that will repeal the state’s archaic prohibition on barbering on Sundays,” said State Senator Joseph Griffo. “Barbershops and salons, like all small businesses, have faced significant, unprecedented and strenuous challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. By removing outdated and unnecessary laws such as this, these businesses will be provided with an additional opportunity to recover financially as we work to rebuild our local and state economies.”

Local assemblyman will present merits of making region its own state

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will be joining State Sen. George Borello of Chautauqua County and attorney James Ostrowski in discussing different ideas for granting the Greater Western New York region more autonomy in its political affairs.

Hawley will defend the merits of making the region its own state. Borello will discuss the benefits of making the area an autonomous zone within the state, and Ostrowski will detail the benefits of following a path of nullification of disagreeable laws by local sheriffs and elected officials.

Those who wish to attend the virtual town hall, must register using this link (click here).

Provided photo: The United Way team takes a short break after hours of hard work. On July 10 during a chicken barbecue at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Press Release, Orleans County United Way

KNOWLESVILLE –  This past Saturday an enthusiastic group of 15 staff and volunteers came together at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds for the United Way’s summer chicken barbecue fundraiser.

Community members were able to drive up and have their meals brought to their vehicle by a team of volunteers while the kitchen crew assembled over 700 dinners. The event raised approximately $3,500 for United Way funded programs in Orleans County. Remaining dinners were donated to Community Action’s Holley Community Center.

The United Way is grateful to the volunteers who helped make this event a success: Kathy Valley, Carol Bellack and Chris Leavitt. Katie Moll, Natalie Wagner, Matt Kreutz and Scott Gaylord assembled dinners in the kitchen along with United Way staff Matthew Holland, Nyla Gaylord and Dawn Winkler. Executive Director Dean Bellack and board members Jackie Gardner, Darren Wilson, Jim Punch, and Ayesha Kreutz handled the drive-up dinner distribution.

The United Way is launching an aggressive fundraising campaign to raise support for its 15 partner agencies in Orleans County. This fall there will be a Chiavetta’s chicken barbecue fundraiser on Sept. 25. Tickets are available online right now by clicking here.

On November 19th, entertainer Jimmy Mazz will be at the Maison Albion to headline the United Way’s signature fundraising event “Blast from the Past” featuring songs that made memories from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. In addition to Jimmy’s Las Vegas-style performance, the event will feature an elegant dinner and live auction.

The Orleans County United Way is truly appreciative of the community for their outstanding support and the service provided by our volunteers. We are “neighbors helping neighbors” and together we are making our community stronger by raising funds to help support our local non-profit organizations.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.3941/A.6040) expanding New York State’s definition of telemarketing to include marketing by text message.

New Yorkers have protection against unwanted robocalls under state law, but texting was not previously defined as telemarketing, exempting it from those protections. This legislation closes that loophole.

“Our consumer protections need to keep pace with technology and New Yorkers who have long been plagued by the nuisance of annoying calls from telemarketers now have to contend with unwanted texts attempting to sell them things they don’t want,” Cuomo said. “This legislation closes this annoying loophole and will help ensure our laws are modernized to confront the needs of New Yorkers.”

Telemarketing, also known as robocalling, has been a longstanding nuisance for New Yorkers and people across the country. Under New York State law, the definition of telemarketing was previously limited to phone calls. Text messages are commonly used by telemarketers, but were not previously defined as telemarketing in the law.

“Now that cell phones are as common, if not more than landlines, electronic text messages to our mobile devices have become the newest unwelcomed invasive marketing technique,” said Senator Leroy Comrie said. “Consumers should not be burdened with excessive and predatory telemarketing in any form, including text messages and I thank my colleague Assemblyman Kenny Burgos for working with me on this bill to close this loophole, modernize the statute and protect the people. I commend the Governor for signing it into law.”

Assembly Member Kenny Burgos said, “During the pandemic, New Yorkers experienced a dramatic rise in text-based telemarketing because the law had not caught up with technological advancements. With this essential piece of legislation, New York consumers on the ‘Do Not Call Registry’ will no longer receive these types of messages. I thank the Governor for signing my bill, A6040, designed to include electronic text messages as a form of telemarketing, and I am proud to see this bill now become State law.”

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2 No. 27

GAINES – The Albion Rotary Club is a civic organization about to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022, and has been meeting in the Hamlet of Childs at Tillman’s Village Inn for over a quarter of a century.

Twenty one businessmen were originally present and voted in as Charter Members of the Albion Rotary Club on April 20, 1922 at the Lone Star Inn in Albion, located on Gaines Basin Road near the New York Central Railroad tracks. The Lockport Rotary Club served as organizers and the Constitution of the International Rotary Association was adopted.

Albion Rotary members could not have asked for a more elegant meeting headquarters at that time than the Lone Star Inn, one of the finest restaurants in Orleans County in the 1920s. It was created out of the Thurston Farm and had a seating capacity of 450 guests. It was owned and operated by Lewis E. Sands of Albion and for a time, was also operated by Art Case who used to manage the old Lakeside Hotel in Lakeside Park.

It was said that the Inn had such a large following that often three cash registers were needed to handle all of the guests present. Live music was frequently provided by some of the best bands in the area. A large porch was used as an additional dining area in nice weather, where many a lobster, fillet mignon, broiled shrimp and other house specialties were served with vistas of the beautiful flower gardens around the lawn.

The Rotary Club continued to meet there for several years, until a disastrous fire destroyed the Lone Star Inn on Friday, November 28, 1930.  After that time, the property was sold to New York State and served as a Prison Farm.  (Needless to say, no longer a suitable locale for Rotary meetings!)

The Rotary Club assembled for this photo in the 1930s in front of Four Chimneys Restaurant at Eagle Harbor.  It can be noted that the ladies present would have been guests of the Rotarians as it was a men’s organization at that time.  (Rotary Club International changed its policies in the 1980s to begin allowing women to become Rotary members.)

Ladies: L_R: —–, —-, —-, Marjorie Garnett Weller Pauley, Enid Strassner Hakes, —-, —-, —-, and Albertine Garrison.

Gentlemen seated L-R: William Karns, Monuments; Eugene Wilcox, Hardware; Herman Neuremburg, Clothing; Charles Dean, Produce; and Nelson Barrus, Dry Cleaning.

Second Row: Earl Sullivan, Carpenter; John Mansfield, Farmer; Clayton Anderson, Beans; James Lonergan, Journalist;  John Kane, Vinegar; Dr. Cramer, Dentist; Amos Beedon,  Dry Goods; Dr. Ralph Brodie, M.D.; John VanStone, Car Dealer; and Kirk Cole, Lumberman.

Third Row: William Luttenton (guest), Carl Bergerson, School Superintendent;  Henry Anderson,Albion Brass Works; James Craffey, Insurance; Stanley Woods, Feed; Edward Archbald, Fruit Farmer; Burt McNall, Furniture & Embalming;  Sidney Eddy, Printing; Dart Porter, Insurance; and Howard Woods, Miller.

This picture taken of the Albion Rotary Club taken in Rotary Year 1959-60 is a veritable “Who’s-Who” of local businessmen at that time.

Row 1 (L-R) Bill Monacelli, teacher & Mayor; Don Nesbitt, Farmer; Charles Martina, theater owner; Burr Trumble, travel agent; —-Unidentified—, Harlan Harvey, Wells Harrison, car dealer; Jacob Schanels, Hunt Canning Factory; Dr. Bob Raemsch, veterinarian; Guido Monacelli, grocery store; Dr. Thomas Orlando, dentist; George Brunelle, insurance.

Row 2: Hon. Charles Signor, County Judge; Charles Byrne, Birdseye Laboratory; Franklin Cropsey, Attorney; Stanley Landauer, dry goods; Richard Fenton, Bemis Bag Co.; Bill Snowen, Firestone Tire Store; Sidney Eddy, Printing; Dr. James Parke, M.D.; Bob Babbitt, hardware; Ed Archbald, farmer.

Row 3: Brad Shelp, car agency; Neal Beach, Winson Hatch, Dept. of Labor; Thomas Heard, Jr., Marine Bank; R.E. Greenlee, Hunts plant; Carl Bergerson, School Superintendent; Roland Kast, service station; Dr. John Ellis, M.D.; Dr. John Jackson, dentist.

Row 4. Bob Root, insurance; Thomas McNall, Furniture/Funeral Director; Arthur (Dick) Eddy, printing; Richard Hollenbeck, Skip Landauer, dry goods; George Lamont, farmer; Richard Bloom, insurance; Bill Host, School administrator; Albert Raymond, insurance; Francis Blake Jr., Cold Storage.

Row 5: Len Morneau, Lipton’s Company; Lee Maine, Lumber Co.; Leonard Depzinski, sign painter; Daniel Marquart, appliances store; Homer Marple, furniture; Ray Severns, auto sales; Sam Shelp, auto agency.

Row 6: Roy Merrill, Funeral Home; Gordon Gardner, pharmacist; Walter Martin, James Lonergan, journalist; Henry Keeler, construction; Carlton Wilkinson, electrical store; John Merrill, Funeral Director; Harold Farnsworth, Rev. Earle Hamlin, Frank Sachali, produce; Rev. Jack Hillary Smith.

Inset: Homer Luttenton who was absent from the group photo.

In the same decade, The Albion Rotary Club members participated in an annual Variety Show for many years.  One of the “acts” is seen here with (left) Homer Marple, Tom McNall, Winton Hatch and Bob Raemsch.

It was all good natured fun and even the ladies got into the spirit of entertainment: (left) Norma Marquart, Ray Severns, Marilyn Brunelle and Sue Eddy.

The Albion Rotary Club observed its 50th Anniversary with a special Golden Anniversary celebration on May 25,, 1972 at the Fireman’s Recreation Hall in Albion.  Taking part in the evening’s program were (Front) Rotary District Governor Dan Mitchell and Mrs. Mitchell of Amherst, District Governor and Mrs. Bob Reader of Auckland, New Zealand, (back row) Roy Merrill, Albion Rotary Past President and his son, John Merrill, Club President in the Anniversary Year, and Sidney Eddy, Charter Member from 1922.  The Merrill’s were one of several father-son presidents in the Club’s history.

In 1979, the Rotarians gathered for this Club photo outside the Albion Courthouse.

Front Row:  Conrad Cropsey, Rollie Kast, Wells Harrison, Bob Temple, Frenchy Downey, Dick Pilon (Club President 1979), Jim Nesbitt, Pete Dragon.

Second Row: Winton Hatch, Ashley Ward, Dick Eddy, Don Shawver, Bob Remley, Brad Shelp, John Stable, John Koval, Steve Heard.

Third Row: John Merrill, Don Nesbitt, Sam Shelp, Bruce Smith, Leonard Rice, Carlton Wilkinson, Roy Merrill, Erling Maine, Norm Phillips, Merritt London.

Fourth Row:  Harlan Harvey, George Wolfe, Curtis Lyman, Jeff Rheinwald, Bob Babbitt, Tom Heard, Lee Maine, Franklin Cropsey, Al Raymond, Jarvis Swartz, Sid Eddy, Carl Bergerson, Joe Sadler.

Dick Pilon, a 55 year Albion Rotary Club member this June, offered his reflections on meeting venues during his tenure. “The first place we met when I started was the Presbyterian Church in Albion, then Marti’s Restaurant for a short time, then we went to the Methodist Church for 20 years, then Albanese Restaurant for a couple of years and finally to the Village Inn in the 1980s.”

Another milestone was reached in the Rotary year 1986-87 when Diane Arsenault was the first woman admitted as a member of the Albion Rotary Club.  Today, there is about equal representation with men and women.

Rotary members gathered for this group photo in 1994 at Tillman’s Village Inn.  Those attending are:

(Seated L-R) John Greene, Chris Haines, John Stable, Ed Archbald, Al Raymond, Rollie Kast, Jim Nesbitt

Row 2: Bruce Landis, Tom Anderson, Brad Shelp, Dick Eddy, Nathan Lyman, Paul Miles, Lynn Phillips, Ashely Ward, Don Nesbit

Row 3: Mark Reed, Ron Sodoma, Don Butts, Dick Pilon, Darlene Benton, Frenchy Downey, Fred Nesbitt Stan Allen

Row 4: Ed Fancher, Jim Neilans, Mike Pilon, Ed Guthrie, Jeff Hanes, Dan Marquart, Don Bishop.

The Rotary Club assembled wearing red for a meeting in February 2015 to promote heart health. Those assembled included: (Seated L-R) Fred Nesbitt, Don Bishop, Bruce Landis, Marlee Diehl and Mary Anne Braunbach. (Standing) Dick Remley, Bonnie Malakie, Marsha Rivers, Tammy Yaskulski, President Bill Diehl, Ron LaGamba, Brad Shelp and Maynard Lowry from Lockport Rotary. Rotarian Brad Shelp is the Albion Club’s most tenured member. He started with Rotary in 1958 and will have 63 years of perfect attendance this August. Marlee Diehl represented the Albion club as District Governor in 2016-17, with a theme that year of “Serving Humanity.”

Beginning in 1975, the Albion Rotary Club presented its first Paul Harris Award, a tradition that continues through today that honors individuals, both members and non-members, who have made outstanding contributions to their communities. The first recipient in 1975 was charter member Sidney Eddy.  Since that time, the Albion Rotary Club has recognized 75 individuals as Paul Harris Fellows, the highest honor bestowed by Rotary International. Those so recognized are (in alphabetical order):

Ahmad Abdallah, Marian M. Adrian, Stanley Allen, Edward B Archbald, Timothy Archer, Diane L Arsenault, Carl Bergerson, Donald W. Bishop, Harriett Bishop, Richard C Bloom, Michael J. Bonafede, Michael Bonnewell, Donald Butts, Sanford A. Church, Sanford L. Church, Conrad Cropsey, Grace E. Denniston, Marlene Marlee Diehl, William F. Diehl, Kevin Doherty, Everett G. Downey, William F. Downey, Arthur B. Eddy, Sidney M. Eddy, Edward Fancher, Mildred Gavenda, Ada Grabowski, George P Guthrie, Christopher P. Haines, R Wells Harrison, Harlan E. Harvey, Winton P Hatch, Thomas E. Heard, Jr., Scott Hess, Rebekah Karls, Rolland W. Kast, Teresa M. Kelly, Kelly Melinda Kiebala, Alexandra R. Krebs, Bruce Landis, Cary W. Lattin, Leo La Croix, Raymond M. Lissow, Kathleen R. Ludwick, Curtis L Lyman, Evelyn L. Lyman, Erling W. Maine, F. Leland Maine, Bonnie B. Malakie, John B Merrill, Rho B. Mitchell, Sharon  Narburgh, James R. Neilans, Charles H. Nesbitt, Fred W. Nesbitt, Jerome Pawlak, Margaret A. Pearson, Cindy Perry, Michael R. Pilon, Richard Pilon, Charles Pulley, Albert C. Raymond, Francis Richard Remley, Thomas Rivers, Gary A. Saunders, Patricia M Shelp, Bradley J. Shelp, Walter A Shelp, Gary Simboli, David G. Spierdowis, Susan A. Starkweather, Ashley R. Ward, William Morrell Washington, Jr., Patricia J Wood, Tammy Yaskulski.

Editor’s Note: Since this article was initially posted, more Paul Harris award winners were identified, including Cary W. (Bill) Lattin, Karen Sawicz, Jim Parke, Paul Miles, Don Nesbitt, Ron Sodoma, Gordy Gardner, Nathan Lyman, Gail Lyman and Bill Tillman.

In 2019, the Albion Rotary Club named Becky Karls, center, as a Paul Harris Fellow. Karls is congratulated at a club meeting at the Village Inn by Rotarians Cindy Perry, left, and Don Bishop, Rotary Foundation Chairperson; right. Bishop called Karls “the secret ingredient of the Albion Rotary Club.” She is instrumental each year in many of the club’s fundraisers, including the St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner, the Turtle Race at the Strawberry Festival, the golf tournament and the fishing derby. Karls also is active with many other community efforts, including organizing the car show at Bullard Park as a fundraiser for Hospice of Orleans County (now known as Supportive Care of Orleans County).

The Albion Rotary Club has been a sponsor of the Albion Strawberry Festival since 1986. The success of this annual event depends on the many Rotary members, as well as community members, who oversee the event each year.  Thousands of visitors flock to the two-day event that plays out across downtown Albion.

The poster above shows the logo for the 2020 festival which had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 health restrictions.  The Rotary Club is hopeful that the event will return in full swing for 2022.  The Club maintains several other community events each year such as the Rotary Fishing Derby, St. Patrick’s Day Ham Dinner, and the Rotary Golf Tournament.

The Club also sponsors Interact, a group of Albion High School students led by advisor Tim Archer. In 2017, Albion Rotary Interact members spent the day at Foodlink in Rochester. Pictured from left: McKenna Boyer, Alanna Holman, Emily Mergler, Noah Wadhams, Cody Wilson, Aubrey Boyer and Annalise Steier. Over the years, the Albion Rotary Club has also been very active in sending and receiving students and adults for overseas foreign exchange opportunities.

Over the years, Albion Rotary has been a sponsor for many youth sports teams, providing uniforms, leadership and much more. Perhaps you can lay claim to one of these “sluggers” from 1988.

Albion Rotary’s two newest members, Robert Batt, Executive Director of Orleans County Cooperative Extension and Laura Olinger, President of Bentley Brothers, are welcomed to the Club on June 10, 2021.

Incoming Albion Rotary Club President for 2021, Jessica Capurso, accepts the gavel from outgoing President Alexandra Krebs.  The Club held their Installation Service outdoors at the Cobblestone Museum in Childs at a potluck luncheon meeting on Thursday, June 24.  Many thanks to Kendall Lions Club who provided the tent.

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Marsha Cook, a 4-H volunteer, and Peter Beach, a buildings and grounds employee for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, work together getting cans of corn and beans ready as part of a pop-up food pantry today at the Fairgrounds.

Foodlink in Rochester delivered two trucks of food earlier today at the fairgrounds. The Extension is hosting the first pop-up food pantry in a switch from the food distributions from April 2020 to last month, when 20-pound boxes of food were set in the trunks of vehicles.

In the new format, people park their cars and go into the Lartz Building and pick and choose what food they want. The CCE had about 200 people come through by 2:30 today, in the first hour and half of the program.

Detonse Burroughs of Kendall, a summer worker for the Job Development Agency, and Kayli Miller, a 4H’er from Albion, have watermelons ready for people to pickup.

There was enough food for about 400 households. There were limits on the quantities, including one watermelon per household.

The pickup today was scheduled to 5 p.m., but Extension staff and volunteers are expected to stay longer if the food isn’t gone.

Two brothers from Medina, Aeddon Cayea (left) and Alwyn, have Romaine lettuce and bags of pears ready. The two are working as summer employees for the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Robert Batt, CCE executive director in the county, said he expects more of the pop-up pantries at the fairgrounds. He would like to offer them to the community on a monthly basis.

“It fits with our mission and we’re centrally located,” he said.

The new format was much easier on the CCE staff and volunteers, who didn’t have to lug heavy boxes to vehicles, Batt said.

He also thought the people receiving the food preferred the new format where they could select what they wanted.

“It’s been nice to see people who we have only been seeing through their car window,” Batt said.