‘We are overcome by grief and appreciate the support of those who have reached out to us.’

Press Release from Millennium Roads

YATES – On the morning of June 8th, a tragic incident occurred at the headquarters of Millennium Roads. As a result of this accident, one man lost his life, and another remains in critical condition.

The men were servicing a tanker truck when the accident occurred. The tanker had been used to transport Lignin, a byproduct of paper production that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation defines as a non-hazardous substance.

There were no witnesses at the scene therefore existing news reports cannot be substantiated. No further information is available at this time as authorities are still conducting an open inquiry into the cause of the incident.

The principals of Millennium Roads have issued following statement:

While the investigation into the cause of this tragedy is ongoing, we are providing the information we do have to the public at this time.

In the process of flushing out a tanker, Keegan Bayne (19) and Chase Johnson (35) were somehow overcome for a reason that has yet to be determined.

We are devastated that Keegan passed away at the scene. Chase Johnson, the operations manager for Millennium, was flown by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

To Keegan Bayne’s family and loved ones, words cannot express the depth of sadness we feel for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The status of Chase Johnson’s condition will be updated by his wife via social media only.

Everyone at Millennium Roads is working diligently with authorities to determine the cause of this tragic accident. We are overcome by grief and appreciate the support of those who have reached out to us. Thank you for keeping both families in your thoughts and prayers.

We ask the media for the time and respect to grieve and process this terrible tragedy.” – Jeff and Lynne Johnson, owners of Millennium Roads

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director, Vol. 2 No. 23

The life and times of former NYS Attorney General John Cunneen is intrinsically tied to the Hamlet of Childs through his presence here as a teacher in the one-room cobblestone schoolhouse, Town of Gaines District #5 in 1873.  From there his path was directed to the County government where he served as Clerk, and once admitted to the NYS Bar, he rose to the highest New York State legal office, State Attorney General.

Charlotte Cunneen Hackett

John Cunneen was born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, on May 18, 1848. (Late 1800s image shown above.) He was the oldest of seven sons whose parents, in good Catholic tradition, named all of their sons after the Apostles. The family was very poor, residing in a baked mud hut with thatched roof.

From a very young age, John worked several jobs and saved a portion of his meager wages with a goal to book passage on a sailing ship to the United States. One of his early jobs in Ireland was to collect eggs on his family farm, then walk five miles to sell them to a general store in Ennis.

John’s daughter, Charlotte Cunneen Hackett, shown at left, also an attorney, provided commentary on her father’s life through his diary that dates to his journey across the ocean in 1860 at the age of 12.

In 1966 she wrote, “Coming across the ocean on a sailing vessel, he was cold, hungry and seasick.  He spent most of the voyage huddled against the mast or a smokestack for warmth.

Reaching Albany by railroad he made the trip to Albion by packet boat where he was met by a cousin named Scanlan and lived with them for a period of time in the 1836 Brick House now owned by the Cobblestone Museum (shown above).  Shoes and socks were a big problem. During the next three years he worked on a farm for his room and board while attending school. No clothes were furnished.

His jobs were many and varied while he managed to get an education, study law, and was finally admitted to the bar. But he always said he found the trades he had learned to be of the utmost value in questioning laborers and workmen in accident cases because he knew what they were talking about. His ability soon marked him as one of the best trial lawyers in Western New York.”

While teaching in Childs, John Cunneen studied law in Albion under the direction of Chief Justice Sanford E. Church, shown above.  (Current Orleans County Judge Sanford A. Church is a direct lineal descendant of Sanford E. Church.)

Cunneen’s repeat trek, by foot, from Albion to Fair Haven (Childs) each day, involved a six-mile round trip. He remarked in his diary that, “Now and then someone came along with a team and gave me a lift.”

Another entry stated, “School went very well today. Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Bass and Miss Elizabeth Bass visited the school today, which pleased me.”

I believe he was “very pleased” with Elizabeth, because the two became husband and wife in 1876. Elizabeth’s photo is shown above.

John Cunneen established a newspaper in Albion known as the Weekly News. In 1891 the publication was sold to Arthur M. Eddy, shown here in 1905 at the corner of Bank and Platt Streets. Cunneen was also instrumental in organizing the Orleans County Bar Association serving as their first Secretary.

Many Albion locals told him his decision to represent an Albion youth who was alleged to have murdered his father was ill advised. However, the case actually served to increase his prominence and his law business flourished. Shortly thereafter, Cunneen started his own law practice and eventually hired several other attorneys.

In another landmark case, Cunneen argued against seven corporate lawyers in a case that became known as The Franchise Tax case. The day that the case was decided in Cunneen’s favor, President Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican, sent Cunneen, an Irish Democrat, a congratulatory telegram. His daughter later stated, “It was an odd coincidence that some 40 years before, John Cunneen had come to America as a lonely boy of twelve years with all his worldly possessions tied up in a bandanna handkerchief slung over his shoulder from a stick poked through the knot.”

Cunneen served as a member of his local school board and secretary of the Orleans County Board of Supervisors, a precursor to the county legislature, for seven years. Cunneen became the only Democrat to win a statewide election in 1902 in his successful bid to serve as New York State Attorney General, a post he held from 1903-1904. Being an Irish immigrant and Catholic created a huge uphill climb for Cunneen, as he dealt with discrimination in both camps throughout his political career.

National Prohibition Party Convention, 1892, Cincinnati, Ohio

In the end, political pundits say that it was Cunneen’s cross-registration with the Prohibition Party that provided enough votes for him to win the statewide election for Attorney General.

Just a few short years later, John Cunneen’s obituary in 1907 stated, “A Bright Life Cut Short.” His daughter commented, “In February 1907 my father developed a severe cold and died of pneumonia ten days later. He was scheduled to deliver an important Washington’s Birthday address. He was 58 years old.  We buried him in the Catholic Cemetery in Albion.”

The original burial took place in what we know today as the Old St Joseph’s Cemetery on Brown Road.  The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Western New York accompanied Cunneen’s body on the funeral train from Buffalo to Albion in 1907 with many other mourners.

Later, circa 1920, Monsignor Francis Sullivan approached the families of those interred in the old cemetery, seeking permission to move the bodies to the new St. Joseph’s Cemetery on East Avenue, west of Mount Albion Cemetery in the village. Rev. Sullivan scored an early “coup” in his attempt to move the cemetery when an agreement was reached with the Cunneen family to have John’s body moved to a prominent location in the new cemetery, shown above.

Once that commitment was in place, many other families agreed to have their loved ones moved to the new St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, too. In another strange quirk of circumstances. John Cunneen’s wife, Elizabeth (Bass) Cunneen, died in 1917 but was never allowed to be buried alongside her husband. Elizabeth was a Protestant and as such, was not allowed to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. Cunneen’s daughter later reflected, “Since the days when Father taught school at the Cobblestone Schoolhouse we have cherished our friendship with the Church family. His life proves that America is indeed the land of opportunity.”

To honor Cunneen’s accomplishments, a NYS Historic Marker was erected at 27 Platt Street, late in the 1900s, in front of what was known then as Cunneen Hall.  The building was owned at that time by Orleans County and served as the County Sheriff’s Office. Later, the building was sold and serves now as a counseling facility.

In closing, John Cunneen’s eulogist, Judge W. C. Ramsdale, offered remarks that can help inform our thoughts today, “Cunneen was a self-made man. Whatever success he attained in life is due to his own industry, perseverance, ability and character. A poor boy, he became what he was at the time of his death, a good man, a firm and steadfast friend, and influential and respected citizen and an imminent lawyer. Attorney General John Cunneen, the Irish immigrant, in his rise to fame, remained a true friend.”

Days in the Sun

“I’ve had my Moments, days in the sun, Moments when I’m second to none.” This song written by Sam Tate and two others, reminds us all of the impact we have on those who are in our presence.

The song was inspired by an interaction that Tate had with a soldier who was a Silver Star recipient for bravery. He was injured in a way that left him unable to speak and his spirit was broken. Tate spent 3 days fishing with this soldier named Travis and at the end of their time together, Tate assured Travis that he was going to be OK. Travis responded, I know because I have had my Moments.

Goodness that is powerful. The song released in 2006 opens with an old homeless man crawling out of his cardboard box to follow a young man who is walking to the midpoint of a bridge. The young man knows he is being followed by the homeless man so he reaches into his pocket for change. You see he does not feel he is going to be needing it, his reasons for being on the bridge are despair and loss of hope. You might think this old man wouldn’t bother with such things, since he has his own pain. But his pain helps him to recognize this young man needs him and he is generous enough to see him through this Moment. He needs to remind him to not lose faith because we all have our Moments, both good and bad.

The old man reaches out to the young man and tells him that he has had his Moments, like when he was a soldier or when he had his son. Although the old man’s life appears to be one of hopelessness, he explains that he has had his Moments and was not always homeless. His Moments, he shares, keep him so warm that even the cold can not cut through him. What a metaphor, right? During his Moments he did things he thought he could never do. Those Moments and the one he is in right then lets him know he has purpose.

The young man is wondering if anyone would notice or miss him if he was no longer alive. The old man’s example teaches this young man that even though he feels invisible, his Moments have touched people just as this old man’s Moment is touching him right then. In the end the presence of this man allows the younger man to see his life flash before him and he is able to see clearly his life does have value and he has touched many. He is able to walk away from his despair with renewed faith. And that old man, he just earned himself another Moment… it was a cold night, but he fearlessly saved this young man from his Moment.

We are all human beings that have one great thing in common, our need for purpose. If you see someone who can not find their purpose, gently show them they have one. Maybe with words or with actions. Our life is meant for Moments like these made of grace, kindness and consideration. It could make all the positive difference in the world. Here is the song. What was your Moment?

Visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. 

Truly,
Debbie London

‘It’s been beyond our expectations. We’ve been beyond busy.’

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Bobby Skrzypek & the Pedestrians perform today as part of a food truck rodeo event at the Courthouse Square. In addition to the food trucks, three bands performed from noon to 7 p.m.

There wasn’t an official Albion Strawberry Festival today, but the village was busy with food and entertainment at the Courthouse Square and also at a “Caring for COVA” event at the Arnold Gregory office Complex.

Brian Alexander of Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza said the customers kept coming throughout the day, which he said was the first “mega event” of the year.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “It’s been beyond our expectations. We’ve been beyond busy.”

The food trucks and vendors were lined up along East State Street at the Courthouse Square.

The Albion Merchants Association organized the food truck rodeo with the live bands. It was an attempt to fill a void with the Albion Strawberry Festival cancelled for the second year. Covid-19 restrictions capped the crowd at 500 people and those restrictions have been in flux and uncertain.

Alice Casson, left, and Annette Mannella serve up a strawberry sundae at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion. The church continued its strawberry sundae booth and also has more than 60 baskets up for raffle through Sunday afternoon. Church leaders said the sundaes were in demand.

The band Vette was the lead off performer. This trio includes from left: Travis Mackie, Kole Moore and Alex Fitzak. Shelby Starr is the drummer.

Today was the band’s first performance in front of a live audience since last August during a benefit at the Elk’s Lodge. The band enjoyed playing southern, classic and hard rock for the crowd.

“It feels amazing,” Fitzak said about performing in front of people again. “It’s unbelievable.”

Another band, the Zackstreet Boys, also performed at the Courthouse Square.

The “Caring for COVA” included several food and craft vendors, and other entertainment. Serenity Acres brought along several farm animals including a horse.

Kylie Brown, 10, of Albion pets the horse, “Gooby,” from Serenity Acres.

The Albion Lions Club served up some grilled goodies. In this photo Lions Club member Kevin Howard is grilling sausage while Barb Navarra gets a customer a drink.

Dylan DeSmit of the band Driven sings “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes during today’s benefit for COVA.

Arnold’s Auto Parts coordinated a classic car show that included two lines of vehicles.

Matteo Lambert gives his medals to children facing much harder test

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Matteo Lambert, 11, of northern Virginia finishes the Albion Strawberry Festival 8K this morning. He won his age group completing the course in 37:43.

Matteo made the trip to Albion to run in honor of Gage Stacey, 12, of Lockport who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

After the race, Matteo presented Gage with the cape that Matteo wore during the race and the medal he earned.

Matteo Lambert and Gage Stacey pose for a photo after the race today. Matteo said Gage has super hero powers.

Matteo has been running races for kids with cancer since 2019. He wears a cape with the name of a kid with cancer, and gives them the cape and his medals.

He has now run about 50 races for other people. If they can’t make the race in person, Matteo sends them the cape, the medal and a video praising their courage.

“You’re a champ and a hero,” Matteo posted on Facebook this morning after meeting Gage.

Gage recently turned 12. Like Matteo, he loves to play soccer and be outdoors. The fathers of the two boys connected through social media and arranged for Matteo to come to Albion this morning to run for Gage.

Matteo said he borrows the super powers of the kids fighting cancer for the race.

Matteo’s father, Brandon Lambert, said his son has an “extraordinary empathy gene.” Mr. Lambert noticed it about 2 years ago when Matteo won a medal at a 5K and gave it to a kid fighting an illness.

The family has formed the Off The Charts Club, where kids with cancer are nominated as heroes, and can receive care packages from Matteo including a personalized cape, race medal and other gifts.

Matteo has run races for other kids in more than 15 states. He will be running a 4K race on Sunday morning in Syracuse.

Mr. Lambert said the children fighting cancer feel empowered when they get the cape and the medal.

“They’re getting it from someone their size and age who really sees them,” he said.

Matteo and Gage started talking months ago. The families began planning for today’s race and get together about six months ago.

Matt Stacey, Gage’s father, said Gage was happy to attend the race and see Matteo run in his honor.

Gage is the family’s super hero, showing tremendous courage since being diagnosed with Medulloblastoma.

“He takes it on the chin and is very resilient,” Gage’s dad said.

Brandon Lambert said the kids fighting cancer are all extraordinary. They have inspired Matteo and the family.

“A lot of these kids who have cancer they become leaders,” Mr. Lambert said. “After what they’ve been through they can face anything.”

Photo by Marsha Rivers: Matteo Lambert turns from the Erie Canal Towpath and gets ready to cross the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in Albion this morning during an 8K race.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jackson Skrypnick, 8, of Spencerport races “The Strawberry” is the last stretch of today’s Strawberry Festival 5K/8K. Jackson held off The Strawberry.

Brett Sobieraski of Kent wore the costume. He is a retired Rochester Police Department sergeant and continues to be an endurance athlete.

About 200 finished the race this morning. This was the 30^thyear for the race. Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Bert Gallmon, left, served as the race director for the Albion race for the first time. He runs Wolfpack Multisport, which manages other events in the region. Gallmon helps Sobieraski put on the Strawberry costume. Gallmon kept the tradition of having a local runner wear the costume for the race.

Alden Cayea of Medina was the first male to finish, completing the 5K in 18:08. Dana Goetze of Lyndonville was the first female to cross the finish line, with a time of 21:00.

In the 8K, Roger Bolton of Albion was the fastest male in a time of 30:41 and Amy Konopka of Scottsville was the fastest female at 34:22.

Erin Smith Casillo heads down East State Street near the finish for the race. She is pushing her dog Ruthie in the stroller. She has pushed three of her kids in a stroller in the race in prior years. This was Ruthie’s first time in the 5K. Ruthie is a Shorty Bull – half English and half French bulldog.

Band and chorus perform at lawnchair concert

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – For the first time since December 2019, the Albion High School band performed live for a concert on Thursday. Covid-19 prevented in-person concerts since the middle of March 2020. Some of the band members on Thursday had just stepped off the baseball field for the Purple Eagles.

Until April this school year, band students were on a hybrid schedule with half the students one day and half the next, and others remote. They weren’t able to get together as a group until about two months ago.

Mike Thaine, the high school band director, is shown directing the band outside the school during a lawnchair concert.

The band performs in front of family and friends who were spread out in lawnchairs in the grass between the middle and high schools.

The high school chorus this year is led by Connor Doran. The chorus last performed in a live concert on March 3, 2020 during a district-wide chorus concert in front of about 1,000 people in the high school gym. The district last year had its last day of in-person classes on march 13 due to the Covid pandemic.

The high school band and chorus performed for about an hour and 15 minutes on Thursday.

Press releases will go out on as needed basis; Health Department website will continue to track data

Today will be the last regularly scheduled update from the Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments on Covid data due to declining caseloads. There are currently 11 active cases in the two counties, with 3 in Orleans and 8 in Genesee.

The Health Departments have been issuing news releases on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, which was down from Monday through Friday updates. Earlier in the pandemic there were updates every day, including Saturdays and Sunday.

Since Tuesday, there are 9 new cases in the two counties with 7 in Genesee and 2 in Orleans.

In Orleans the 2 new cases bring the total since March 2020 to 3,094. The 2 new cases are individuals in their 40s and 70s.

Orleans currently doesn’t have anyone hospitalized due to Covid.

The county is also reporting 2 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

In Genesee County the 7 new positive cases bring the total to 5,333 positive cases since March 2020.

The individuals are in their 20s, 40s, 60s and 70s. There is one Genesee resident currently hospitalized due to Covid.

Genesee also is reporting 7 more of the previous positive individuals have completed their 10- day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.

Strating on Monday the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will track Covid-19 data on the “Emerging Issues Page” of the GO Health website every Monday and Thursday, with the exception of holidays. Press releases will be distributed and Zoom briefings will be scheduled on an as needed basis.

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County Health Departments Covid-19 Case and Vaccination map will continue to be updated Monday through Friday.

The 30th Strawberry Festival 5k/8k will happen on Saturday morning. Last year’s race was cancelled but it is back this year.

ALBION – There isn’t a Strawberry Festival for the second straight year due to the uncertainty with Covid restrictions in the months leading up to the event, as well as the limits on crowd sizes.

Last year it was quiet in Albion when the festival was scheduled for the second weekend in June.

This year, there are several events planned for tomorrow, the second Saturday in June which is typically jam-packed with activities during the festival.

5K/8K RACE: The 5K/8K is back for the 30^th year and begins at 8 a.m., starting in front of the Courthouse on East State Street. So far nearly 200 people are registered for the race. Click here for more information.

CARING FOR COVA: There will also be a Caring for COVA event at the COVA Base and Arnold Gregory Complex at 239/243 South Main St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

That event includes a basket raffle, craft vendors, COVA open house, fire department apparatus, Blue Groove coffee, K9 demonstrations from the Albion Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Car Seat Safety Checks, State Police rollover simulator, Best of Tymes Party Rental, Lion’s Club Food Booth and a Car Show sponsored by Arnold’s Auto Parts. The car show will be from noon to 3 p.m. The Lion’s Club will be serving food for free to law enforcement officers. Tree House will be doing a “Splash Bash” with proceeds going to COVA.

FOOD TRUCK RODEO: The Albion Merchants Association has its first Food Truck Rodeo from noon to 7 p.m. on East State Street near the Courthouse.

There will also be three bands playing during the time period.

The band lineup includes:

• Vette, noon to 2 p.m.
• Bobby Skrzypek & the Pedestrians, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Zackstreet Boys, 5 to 7 p.m.

The Albion Merchants will also celebrate opening day of a new farmers market on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be at the municipal lot on main Street next to the Presbyterian Church.

STRAWBERRY SUNDAES: The Presbyterian Church will have strawberry sundaes available from noon to 4 p.m. for $5.

The church is also doing a basket raffle with over 60 baskets that will begin at noon. Tickets and baskets will be available for viewing at the church, 29 East State Street. Tickets will be drawn on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Let’s go on an adventure together….to Pensacola and Mobile!

I stumbled on a Pelican Hangout with so many amazing pelicans. This one was defending his prime real estate from a seagull looking to take it over.

One of our major stops on the cross country motor home trip I took with my brother and sister-in-law in 2016 was Houma, LA. We spent ten days there visiting with my

nephew and his family. I broke away from the rest of the family for a three day mini-adventure on my own. I discovered that Pensacola was about a four and a half hour drive from Houma. I had been to central and eastern Florida, but not the panhandle or the gulf coast side. Also, I have a friend who lives in Pensacola I wanted to visit. So….yep…..I decided I had to go!

I booked two nights at the Pensacola Victorian Bed and Breakfast – a GREAT choice! The write-up about it said it was reported to be haunted, but I found it to be charming and quite unique. I love staying at B&B’s when I am able and usually check that option before looking into hotels. Once I had my plan and accommodations in place, I took off in the rental car and followed a route that kept me hugging the gulf coast from Houma, through New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama, and on to Pensacola – awesome scenery all along the way.

I arrived in Pensacola mid-afternoon and was really sleepy from the drive, so I checked in at the B&B and took a little nap. That evening, I found a little seafood shack for a delicious dinner and drove around a bit to get my bearings.

This really cool spaceship house was found on a scenic drive along the gulf coast at the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Pensacola Beach. There was actually another one very similar to it, too.

The morning of my second day, I hit the beach. Pensacola Beach is absolutely STUNNING with silky white sand that felt amazing when I stuck my toes in it. I sat and enjoyed the sun and water for a while and then had a fabulous shrimp boil lunch at a place called “Crabs” with the tag line: “We Got Crabs” – Hahaha!

After leaving the beach, I took a drive down a scenic road along the gulf coast with water on both sides and stopped for some amazing photo ops. I even found two alien homes that were built to resemble spaceships.

When I knew I was going to Pensacola, I really hoped I’d see some pink flamingoes, but, apparently they tend to be further south and didn’t get to see any. But, I did stumble on a “Pelican Hangout” – a harbor FULL of pelicans! I got so excited, I found a place to park and spent some time watching their antics and taking photos. I got a kick out of one perched on a pillar out in the harbor that was fiercely defending his turf from a seagull who was determined to take it over – the pelican won and I cheered his victory!

That evening, I was able to meet up with my friend, Debbie. She took me to a wonderful Irish Pub for a delicious steak dinner. We walked off our meal by strolling through a beautiful Veterans Memorial Park. This is a must see if in Pensacola – very impressive! They even had a traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. At that time, I hadn’t seen the one in DC, so I was happy to see it there. A few years later, I finally got to see the one in DC.

Pensacola is home to the Pensacola Naval Base, the Blue Angels, and National Naval Aviation Museum. This is one of the displays at the entrance of the very impressive museum.

After a full day and an excellent meal, I had a second good night’s sleep in the B&B (no weird noises or smells from the reported hauntings either night – either I was too tired and slept through it or the spirits were behaving while I was there….hehehe). The next day, I went to the Naval Base to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum and stopped at a lovely lighthouse on the way. The museum is another must see in Pensacola – amazing! I could have spent an entire day there, but I needed to get on the road back to Houma. So, I wandered through the first floor and was totally blown away by what I saw – I really wish I had planned a full third day there so I could have spent more time.

On my way back to Houma, I saw a sign for a Battleship Park in Mobile, AL. I decided to make an unscheduled stop just long enough to get a few photos…..well, almost three hours later, I was back on the road. What got me side-tracked was one of those amphibian tour vehicles – you know the ones – a Duck Tour that drives on the road and then right into the water for a cruise. I had never been on one and always wanted to, so…..I did!!!  And, I had a BLAST!!! We went all over downtown Mobile and then saw more of the city from the water. The guide and driver made it so much fun — they played the song “Sweet Caroline” and turned up the volume for the chorus and we all sang along as loud as we could….and, the best part was when we got to the part that goes “Sweet Caroline, bah, bah, bah” we were told to sing “quack, quack, quack”, instead and some of the people had loud duck call quackers to use – it was so much fun! We stopped at a red light by a group of people sitting outside at a café and when we sang, they joined in and sang with us. Best time ever!!! I went on another duck tour in Seattle a couple years later and it was fun, too, but not as great as the one in Mobile – it will always be my favorite duck tour!

This building found in Mobile, AL is actually called “Twin Robots”. It reminded me of the 1986 movie, “Short Circuit” – kinda looks like the robot character, doesn’t it?

I also learned that there is a major rivalry between Mobile and New Orleans about exactly who started Mardi Gras. Mobile claims that they were the beginning of it all because the person who did the first Carnival started the parade in Mobile and it went all the way to New Orleans, where it lasted several weeks and became a tradition there. The people of New Orleans say it was created by a Frenchman from New Orleans and it just happened that the parade started in Mobile. Whatever the real origin is, both cities are able to lay claim to some part of it.

I’m glad I decided to take a side-trip mini-adventure to experience Pensacola and Mobile and to spend a wonderful evening with my friend, Debbie.

Visit my blog for all the photos from my drive along the Gulf Coast and time in Pensacola, FL and Mobile, AL:  (click here) 

Happy Adventuring,
Kim Pritt

‘It’s all about helping. It’s our love for Orleans County.’

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Kevin Ross, an employee at the Iroquois Job Corps in Medina, moves a 20-pound box of produce this morning during a food distribution in Albion.

Anthony Washington, right, is another Job Corps employee who helped lug boxes to car trunks and truck beds for about 2 hours.

The Job Corps had six employees helping at the distribution this morning. The Job Corps staff go to almost every distribution, which typically is three or four a month.

“They have been angels,” said Annette Finch, director of emergency service at Community Action of Orleans & Genesee.

Ross has volunteered at about 25 of the distributions since last year. He works as a nursing instructor at the Job Corps.

“This is about helping people and it’s good for the community,” said Ross, who is also a firefighter and paramedic.

Anthony Washington is a career transitions specialist for Job Corps, helping students to find jobs or get connected to college. He is happy to help at the distributions.

“It’s a change of pace, but it’s more about helping people out,” he said.

Krista Fiegel, an employee at the Iroquois Job Corps, has led the Job Corps team at the distributions since at least last September. She is thankful the Job Corps supports allowing staff to be off site to help at the distributions. With the drive time and work at the distributions it can be a three to four hour commitment.

Finch said the Job Corps staff have a great system down for organizing the boxes and getting people in place. The men often handle the heavier boxes with dairy products, but Fiegel said the women are strong and can move the heavier boxes, too.

There are typically 300 main boxes at the each distribution, but there are often surprise items that aren’t known until the delivery truck arrives in the morning. Today there was tofu for the first time, and corn on the cob, sealed in packages of four.

Community Action staff and the volunteers will quickly count all the loose or unexpected items, and determine how many to include with each boxes. Sometimes that’s two or three bags of Brussels Sprouts, grapes, apples, green bags, containers of yogurt, and other items.

They do the work in all kinds of conditions, from stifling heat to sub-freezing temperatures. At one of the distributions last month, the weather went from rain to sleet to hail to rain in the morning.

“We power through it,” said Fiegel, who works in outreach for Job Corps. “Nobody complains.”

She sends an email to staff with a list of the upcoming distributions, and people volunteer, often from many different departments. The efforts have helped build a stronger team at the Job Corps.

But Fiegel said the main motivation is wanting to help people get food and have the distributions go more smoothly and quickly.

“It’s all about helping,” Fiegel said. “It’s our love for Orleans County.”

The Orleans Hub each year recognizes a group of “Outstanding Citizens.” The Orleans Hub picked the Job Corps as one of the award winners in 2020. We normally recognize the “Outstanding Citizens” during an awards presentation with all the winners. A larger gathering was difficult due to Covid restrictions earlier this year. Tom Rivers, the Orleans Hub editor, presented the Job Corps team with the plaque this morning and commended the group for staying committed to the food distributions.

The group this morning includes from left Anthony Washington, Marylou Porter (human resources manager), Lance Tlustos (TEAP specialist), Krista Fiegel, Kevin Ross and Denise Socha (data integrity specialist).

There was a long line of vehicles down Chamberlain Street this morning. That line then extended down McKinistry, East Park and onto Main Street.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 1, No. 15

ALBION – Weather temperatures have been higher than “normal” of late, but not quite on par with the 119 degrees registered on the Albion Federal Savings and Loan Association sign in this undated photo from the William A. Monacelli photograph collection at the Orleans County Department of History.

The Albion Federal Savings and Loan Association was formed by local businessmen Hon. Sanford T. Church and Freeman E. McNall in 1934, following the closing of the Citizens National Bank in 1932.

On the occasion of the Association’s 25th anniversary, Sanford B. Church attributed the success of the Association in large part to its enthusiastic board of directors and hard-working and conscientious staff. From the beginning, the Association paid as large a dividend as was possible, beginning with 3 percent per annum in 1935. During World War II, the rate fell to 1 ¼ per cent in December 1945, but climbed steadily afterwards.

In support of Albion’s Downtown Restoration Program and the National Bicentennial in 1976, the Association undertook the restoration of the former home of Lorenzo Burrows at 48 North Main Street for use as its expanded headquarters. Albion Federal opened a Brockport office in 1997. Both were acquired by First Niagara in March 2000. First Niagara in turn was acquired by KeyBank in 2016. The pace of change in the banking industry has been as dizzying as the temperature in our photograph, though the interest rates are distinctly chillier.

Photos contributed by Scott Mason, secretary of Towpath Lodge: Frank Berger of Medina is presented with a certificate for 60 years as a Mason by Herb Koenig of Gasport and Robert Donovan of Medina. The Towpath Masonic Lodge, which was formed by a merger of Medina, Yates and Middleport lodges, recently honored its members for years of membership.

MIDDLEPORT – The Towpath Masonic Lodge in Middleport recently recognized members for their years of service to the lodge.

The Towpath Lodge was created in 2019 by a merger of the Medina Masonic Lodge, which had formerly merged with Yates, and the Cataract Lodge in Middleport.

Membership awards were presented to Herb Koenig of Gasport for 63 years; Frank Berger of Medina, 60 years; Robert Harrold of Lyndonville, 50 years; Fulton Rogers of Medina, 50 years; and Allan Kropf of Medina, 20 years.

Also recognized were two members who were unable to attend – Don Ross of Albion, 78 years; and Paul Beatenbough of Lyndonville, 64 years.

Masonic awards are usually presented annually, except for last year when meetings ceased for several months during the pandemic.

Herb Koenig of Gasport, left, and Robert Donovan of Medina present a pin and certificate to Robert Harrold of Lyndonville for 50 years of membership in the Masonic Lodge. A former member of the Yates lodge, Harrold is a member of the Towpath Masonic Lodge, which is a merger of Yates, Medina and Middleport.

Robert Donovan of Medina, center, received his certificate for 50 years as a Mason by Towpath Lodge master Matthew Flamminger, left, and Herb Koenig.

Fulton Rogers of Medina, Center, received a pin and certificate for 50 years as a Mason by Herb Koenig, left, and Robert Donovan.

Allan Kropf of Medina, center, was presented with a certificate for 20 years as a member of the Masonic Lodge by Master Matthew Flamminger, left, and Herb Koenig. Kropf, who is also treasurer of the Towpath Lodge, had been treasurer of the Medina Lodge since 2002.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is hailing the passage of a bill (A7685) through both houses of the Legislature that would give members of Gold Star families free college tuition.

The passage of this bill comes two years after Hawley himself proposed a bill to provide Gold Star families with free tuition, though that bill was blocked in the Higher Education Committee by the Assembly Majority and never brought to the floor for a vote.

“Today is a great day for our military families throughout the state to be shown some appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” said Hawley. “If somebody gives their life for our nation and our constitution, the least we can do is help get their loved ones through school.

“While I wish we were able to get this bill voted on and passed two years ago to help even more Gold Star families, I am glad to see this bill become law to help those who lost people they loved while defending the country we love.”