Press Release, NYS Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association

ALBANY — The New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (NYSCOPBA) today criticized Governor Cuomo’s decision to close more prisons as a part of his Executive Budget plan for fiscal year 2020-2021.

The announcement to close Gowanda Correctional Facility, Watertown Correctional Facility and the Annex at Clinton Correctional Facility will impact more than 900 NYSCOPBA positions, disrupt the family lives of thousands and devastate communities.

“Announcing closures just days before Christmas is not only highly inconsiderate but it also demonstrates a lack of respect for the hardworking men and women of NYSCOPBA and their families,” said Michael B. Powers, President of NYSCOPBA. “Can Governor Cuomo look our members in the face and say that, despite prison violence at near record levels, closing prisons is what’s best and will produce a safer environment?”

Despite having authority to close more state prisons, NYSCOPBA has urged the Governor and the Legislature to halt any closure plans until violence escalation within the prison system is first addressed.

“Even in the face of the pandemic that greatly restricted inmate movement, New York did not see a reduction in prison violence during 2020,” Powers said. “And despite limited visitations during the pandemic, illegal contraband remains a significant problem in correctional facilities. Calling for additional closures will only serve to condense the prison population within a decreasing number of facilities, further jeopardizing the safety of NYSCOPBA members and the inmate population as a whole.”

The Union, which represents correctional officers and sergeants working inside New York’s prisons, has for years been calling on the State Legislature and the Governor to refrain from prison closures before an adequate assessment of safety within the prison system occurs. That has yet to happen, according to NYSCOPBA.

Likewise, the economic impact of this news cannot be understated. Upstate communities that maintain prisons rely heavily on revenue generated from those employed in such facilities.

“Upstate communities were struggling even before the onset of COVID-19. Removing hundreds of jobs within these localities will be a crippling financial blow,” Powers said. “And to deliver this news just days before Christmas is flat out wrong. We’ll continue to fight for our members and the communities where they live.”

NYSCOPBA is also calling on the State Legislature and the Governor to enact safety reforms to the prison system that recognize the dangers that the men and women who are on the front line face every day, regardless of the existence of a pandemic.

According to Powers, the State needs to reinstitute a secure vendor package program, enact statutory measures requiring the removal of double bunks in the medium dormitory settings, and provide a more robust officer to inmate ratio, among other initiatives.

NYS Senate Republican leader Rob Ortt issued this statement: “Today’s announcement by Governor Cuomo that three upstate correctional facilities will close is not only untimely but demonstrates an ill-will toward hard-working Upstate New Yorkers.It is no secret that Albany has buckled under the pressures of pro-criminal special interest groups, but to make this announcement the week of Christmas is distasteful.

“The closure of these three corrections facilities will make our state less safe and devastate the communities where these facilities are located. I urge Governor Cuomo to stand up for Upstate communities and the men and women who serve them by immediately reversing this decision.

“We thank the brave men and women who showed up every day to ensure the protection of New York’s residents – you deserve better.”

Press Release, NYS Homes and Community Renewal

The Covid Rent Relief Program has reopened for application with expanded eligibility criteria in an effort to serve New Yorkers who may have not had the opportunity to initially apply and to serve those who may have been previously ineligible due to the program’s restrictive criteria set by the Legislature.

The application period will remain open through February 1, 2021. Previous applicants do not need to reapply to be considered. HCR will re-evaluate all applications that were denied according to the new criteria and issue revised determination letters to applicants.

Applications for the program and additional information is available here.

The Program’s eligibility has been changed to no longer require households to have been considered “rent burdened” prior to the pandemic in order to qualify. Rent burden is defined as paying more than 30 percent of monthly gross income towards rent.

To qualify for this one-time subsidy, low-income renters impacted by the pandemic must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be a renter and have a primary residence in New York State;
• Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020;
• Before March 7, 2020, household income must have been at or below 80 percent of the Area • Median Income, adjusted for household size; and
• Households must be “rent burdened” during the months they are applying for assistance between April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.

For the purposes of assessing applicant income, cash benefits and unemployment benefits are both included in the calculation.

The subsidy for eligible applicants will be calculated as: the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the household’s rent burden during the months of April, May, June and July of 2020. For applicants who were not considered rent burdened on March 1, 2020, the subsidy will be calculated to bring them to the 30 percent rent burden threshold.

The Program’s online application is available in both English and Spanish. Over the next week, HCR will provide translated applications in six foreign languages – Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Korean, and Bengali. We are working with local Not-For-Profit organizations to ensure New Yorkers receive the assistance they need to apply.

Throughout the application period, residents who need help or have questions about their application can contact HCR’s COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center for assistance at 1-833-499-0318 or covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov. Call Center representatives are available Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

HCR will also allow applicants who are unable or uncomfortable applying online to do so over the phone rather than by mail. More information on this assistance and expanded language support on the hotline will be available on HCR’s website in the coming days.

MEDINA – Medina’s Parade of Lights Committee has announced the winners of its first Village of Lights contest.

The idea for a home lighting contest was born in the summer when the Parade of Lights Committee was brainstorming about whether they could have the Parade of Lights, when someone asked, “What about a village of lights,” said Pat Payne, a member of the Parade of Lights Committee.

They decided to advertise the contest and put up posters around town.

The home of Gianna and Jody Sargent at 1009 West Center St. was named winner of the Christmas Spirit – Traditional category in the Village of Lights contest.

All entries had to be within the village limits, and organizers hoped for a dozen entrants.

“We were hoping for two entrants in each of the six resident categories,” Payne said. “Imagine how thrilled we were to have 22 homes enter.”

They also created categories for businesses.

Each entrant was given a number and signs with their number were placed in their yards, so judges would not know who they were judging. Last weekend, six anonymous judges drove throughout the town viewing the displays, and then met in a Zoom conference to share their decisions.

“They came to some really nice decisions,” Payne said. “We are very, very pleased with the results.”

Erika Payne of 152 State Street won “Most Whimsical” for the Christmas decorations at her home in the Village of Lights contest.

Erika Payne, whose home at 152 State St. was named “Most Whimsical,” said her family has been decorating their home for Christmas on and off for years. Her grandparents, the Palones, started it when they were younger and many of the decorations belonged to them, including the big bow on the roof, the Noel posts on the porch and a Santa and snowman. Her grandfather hasn’t put up Christmas decorations since her grandma died 10 years ago, but this year he chipped in and helped with the cost.

Payne said her kids help every year and now her grandkids are joining in, although they are only 3 and 4 years old.

“This is something to do as a family, and it’s exciting to see the cars going by and taking pictures,” Payne said. “My daughter tested positive for Covid-19 10 days ago, and with everything else going on the world now we needed something cheerful to do.”

She said they were hoping they’d win something in the contest, and were thrilled to learn they were considered “Most Whimsical.”

Joe and Julie Granchelli’s home at 121 Zacher Drive won the “Christmas Spirit” category for their Christmas decorations.

Jeff and Jamie Wagner of 814 Gwinn St. were named Grand Champion. They had already put their decorations up when the contest was announced, and they decided they might as well enter it, Jeff said.

They first got the idea to decorate for Christmas a long time ago after they had visited the historic town of Mumford, with all its old houses. At first they just decorated the fence, and then one year kids stole all the decorations during the night.

“We discontinued it, but last year I retired so we decided to try it again,” Jeff said.

The Wagner’s home was built by Medina’s sleigh maker Ed Davis, and the Wagners have one of his sleighs.

“Restoring it is my project next year,” Jeff said.

Jeff said it takes them about 40 hours over four or five days to put up all their decorations.

“I enjoy every minute of it,” he said. “We’re excited to have won. It’s very cool, and it’s nice to be acknowledged. I’m also very happy Gwinn Street did so well, with so many homes decorated. I would love to see the contest keep growing.”

Jeff is so happy with the event he is considering volunteering to help with it next year.

These three neighbors on Gwinn Street won the category “Most Visible from Space” for their Christmas decorations in the Village of Lights contest in Medina, sponsored by the Parade of Lights Committee. The homes, from left, belong to N. Dieter, J. Dieter and J. Sherman.

John Sherman, Nick Dieter and his dad John Dieter, who are all neighbors on Gwinn Street, didn’t intend to enter the lighting contest together, but when it was suggested they consider entering as one, they agreed. Their decision earned them the “Probably Visible from Space” prize.

Sherman and his wife Marguerite have been decorating for quite a few years.

“There really isn’t a competition among us,” Sherman said. “We’re all good friends just trying to keep it festive for everybody. We’ll probably take our prize money and get a big pizza together.”

Sherman said he usually tries to pick up a few more decorations each year after Christmas, but this year the shelves are already pretty much cleaned out.

He starts putting up his decorations before Thanksgiving while the weather is still nice, and it takes him a couple of weekends. He said he was glad he had them up during the Parade of Lights, because so many cars were lined up on his street and this gave them something to see. He will begin taking them down after the first of the year.

Cindy Watson’s home at 935 Gwinn St. was chosen winner of the “Best Use of Lights” category in the Village of Lights contest.

Signs identifying all the entrants have been placed in the yards and will remain there until the New Year. A map of all the entries can be found at www.christmasinmedina.com.

Residential winners were Gianna and Jody Sargent, 1009 West Center St., Christmas Spirit – Traditional; Joe and Julie Granchelli, 121 Zacher Dr., Christmas Spirit – Innovative; Erika Payne, 152 State St., Most Whimsical; Cindy Watson, 935 Gwinn St., Best Use of Lights; N. Dieter, J. Dieter and J. Sherman, 913, 915 and 917 Gwinn St., Probably Visible from Space; and Jeff and Jamie Wagner, Grand Champion.

Business winners were Della’s Chocolates, 512 Main St., and ATB Staffing, 534 Main St., Christmas Spirit; and Herbalty Cottage, 415 Main St., Community Spirit.

Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: The Grinch, Santa Claus and Cindy Lou Who visited students at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion last week.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Students in Albion’s Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary were in for a holiday surprise last week as Santa Claus, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch all made an appearance.

Santa Claus paid a special visit to students in grades PreK through first, reading his favorite story, “‘Twas the Night before Christmas.” Spaced 6 feet apart and wearing masks, the students and Cindy Lou Who sat and listened to the story and answered questions about Santa’s reindeer.

Cindy Lou Who was a friendly greeter throughout the day at the school.

It turned into an action-packed event as students soon spotted the Grinch’s arrival and warned Santa as the Grinch stole a present from under the tree. Cindy Lou jumped to the rescue, quickly chasing down the Grinch. She soon returned, bringing the Grinch and present back to the students and Santa – saving the day.

After the reading, Santa asked every student what he or she wanted for Christmas this year, with answers ranging from Barbie Dream Houses to toy combines to Play Station Fives and Nintendo Switches.

While the older students weren’t visited by Santa, many of them met Cindy Lou and the Grinch in the hallway throughout the day, getting in on the holiday fun.

Santa chats with students and reads the story, “‘Twas the Night before Christmas.”

As for next week, students throughout the district will join in the festivities with holiday-themed crafts and activities in the days leading up to Winter Break.

We would like to thank the Albion Elementary Parent Teachers Association and the staff who helped to make these visits possible, bringing some holiday magic into the building in a fun and safe way.

Santa shows some nimbleness in greeting these kids at eye level.

Many of the students wore Santa hats in meeting the jolly old elf.

Photos courtesy of Sue Starkweather Miller: Riley Seielstad sings the uplifting tune “Underneath the Tree” during a Christmas concert that is available online.

Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation

ALBION – Every year the Albion Alumni Foundation hosts an annual Christmas in the Neighborhood concert. Proceeds from the concert help to fund some of the Foundation’s more than $89,000 in Class Night scholarships for Albion High School seniors.

The popular holiday concert always attracts several hundred attendees and spotlights Albion Alumni and community members performing a selection of songs of the season.

After a difficult 2020 and concerns with in-person events, the concert was in jeopardy of being cancelled. The Foundation decided to move ahead with the concert by creating a virtual event called Christmas in the Neighborhood: Tidings of Comfort and Joy. It will be offered for two weeks of unlimited viewing with a one-time donation of $10.

What About Jane performs “Winter Wonderland”. Pictured (l-r): Jan-Mikael Erakare, Rhonda Smith, Tom Smith and Gary Smith.

Concert organizers Sue and Mike Thaine, Gary Simboli and Sue Starkweather Miller selected and scheduled performers and secured sponsors and advertisers.  Simboli accompanied many of the performers on the piano.

Joram Bierdeman, a professional videographer and Albion Class of 2011 alumnus, agreed to videotape the concert performers in the historic First Presbyterian Church. Jan-Mikael Erakare provided technical assistance as the sound engineer.

Performers scheduled a specific time to perform so all involved could maintain a safe social distance. The entire concert was filmed in one evening.

Class of 1968 alumnus Alec Sherman is an annual performer at the Christmas concert.  He also provided technical assistance with sound for all of the performances.

Concert tickets can be secured in one of two ways:

Go to www.albionalumni.org and click on the yellow “Tidings of Comfort and Joy Concert” button. You can pay by credit card or Paypal. Call 589-7220 to secure your virtual ticket.

Once your donation is made you will receive viewing information and instructions on how to access the concert link from the comfort of your own home.  Access to the concert will be available until Dec. 31.  You can view it as often as you wish for the two week time period.

The organizers would like to thank the following for sponsoring this virtual concert:

• Gold sponsors – Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes; Brighton Securities; Nathan & Gail Lyman.
• Silver Sponsors – Margy &Eric Brown; Steve & Rachel Hicks
• Bronze Sponsors – Dr. Thomas & Sandra Madejski; Christopher-Williams Agency; Annette Mannella; Alec & Kathy Sherman; Brad Shelp; Doug & Sue (Starkweather) Miller; Mike & Sue Thaine; Gary & Laura Simboli; Pets in Peaceful Rest.
• Advertisers – Bloom’s Flower Shop; D & K Auto; Cobblestone Museum; Albion Agencies Insurance; Light of Victory Church; Rush’s Vegetable Stand/Petals and Lace Florist; Orleans Agencies; Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina; Brigden Memorials; Olde Dogge Inn; Scott M. Schmidt Coroner; Plaza Liquor Store.

Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven” in memory of his son Brennan.

2020 performers include:

• Gary Simboli singing several songs including “Oh Holy Night”
• What About Jane (band members Tom Smith, Gary and Rhonda Smith and Jan-Mikael Erakare) perform “Winter Wonderland”
• Community Christmas Brass Ensemble (Mike Thaine, Susan Boring, Joe Condoluci, Roger Bolton, Shannon Broda and Kyle Thaine) perform “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “Jesu Bambino”
• Erin Moody sings “Christmas in Heaven”
• Kailey Winans sings “Grown Up Christmas List”
• Roy and Julie Smith perform on the trumpet and flute the song “Somewhere in My Memory”
• Pastor’s Trio (Pastors Sue Boring, Aleka Schmidt and Sue Thaine) perform “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
• Shannon Broda performs on the French horn “In the Bleak Midwinter”
• Mike Thaine performs on the euphonium “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
• Lindsay Almeter performs on the flute “Celebrate the Gift”
• Shannon Vanderlaan plays piano and sings “Love is Christmas”
• Alec Sherman sings “The Christmas Song”
• Scott Schmidt performs on the First Presbyterian Church organ “Improvisations on Joy to the World”
• Riley Seielstad sings “Underneath the Tree”
• Sue Thaine sings “Auld Lang Syne”

The First Presbyterian Church was beautifully decorated for the concert.  Pictured: Roy and Julie Smith perform “Somewhere in my Memory.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jennifer Cassidy of Connecticut, standing, and Shari Cassidy of Medina gather around their aunt, Flora Posson, who will be 107 in January.

MEDINA – On Jan. 19, Flora Posson will celebrate a milestone.

She will be 107 years old.

Posson was a triplet born Jan. 19, 1914 at home on Hedley Street. The two girls and a boy weighed three pounds and were put in the oven to keep them warm, according to their niece Sheri Cassidy.

Posson’s brother Karl died in the Pacific in 1945 while serving in World War II. Her sister Maggie died at 92. The siblings had an older sister Virginia, who was Sheri’s and Jennifer’s mother.

Growing up in Medina, Posson was the star player on the girls’ basketball team, and early in life she was given the nickname “Fuzzy.” Her nieces think it was because she had tight curly hair, while her brother and sister had straight hair. Sheri and Jennifer still fondly call her “Fuzzy.”

Posson attended Skidmore College, where she received a degree in secretarial science.

She worked at FMC Corporation in Middleport as secretary to the CEO Robert Malott, and visited him in Chicago when he retired.

She has always been an animal lover and still has a kitty, said niece Sheri Cassidy, who is staying with her for a while. Niece Jennifer Cassidy of Connecticut recently visited, but just returned home this week. Posson has 24-hour caregivers.

Jennifer Cassidy gives her aunt, Flora Posson, a cup of tea, while niece Sheri Cassidy looks on. Posson still lives in her own home and her nieces visit regularly.

Posson was a ballroom dancer in her early years, having learned at Arthur Murray’s studio, and competing in New York City. Her favorite dance was the tango. She was a longtime member of Medina Memorial Hospital’s Twig Association and was active on the Child Welfare League.

She has always loved to play bridge and still played last year. She still plays Kings in a Corner with her nieces.

“She throws the cards down when she’s not winning,” Sheri said.

After her 100th birthday she spent a year in Connecticut with Jennifer.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at the Walsh Hotel, where she enjoyed going with her friends, including the late Barny Hart. Her nieces said her favorite drink was scotch on the rocks, and she smiled and said yes when Sheri asked if she’d like one.

Until this summer, Posson was still able to walk on her own, but she recently had a slump, which prompted her nieces to call Hospice. Hospice, now known as Supportive Care of Orleans, still comes in once a week, but Posson has been slowly improving, Sheri said.

Posson has survived two World Wars and two pandemics. She has lived in Medina nearly her entire life.

Her nieces said one thing is for sure.

“She loves this town.”

(Editor’s Note: UPDATE AT 10:52 A.M.: Orleans Hub was notified late this morning that Flora Posson passed away last night. An obituary will be forthcoming.)

Slipping off ladder, chipping tooth from candy cane among the potential pitfalls

Press Release, AAA Western and Central New York

The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but many serious household accidents occur in December.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, there are about 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with about half of the incidents involving falls. In the 2018 holiday season, about 17,500 people were treated in emergency rooms due to holiday decorating-related injuries.

“While the holidays are a time for cheer and goodwill, an accident can quickly spoil the spirit,” said Stacey McConnell, vice president of insurance at AAA Western and Central New York. “Being aware of your insurance coverage can offer peace of mind and a measure of reassurance at the holidays.”

Here are some of the typical – and not so typical – situations your AAA insurance policy might cover:

• Up on the rooftop: Traversing wet roofs and icy stepladders can be dangerous. Should a guest slip and fall while helping hang the holiday lights, your insurance policy may cover associated medical bills.
• Candy cane pain: Should a visitor chip a tooth on a candy cane or peanut brittle, dental repairs may be covered.
• Santa’s four-wheeled sleigh: While you’re battling it out inside the mall, your car is at the mercy of careless drivers, runaway shopping carts and the elements. Broken taillights, door dings and hail damage may be covered by your auto policy.
• Down through the chimney: The chimney may be famous for gift delivery, but unlocked doors and windows are often to blame for unwanted gift removal. While theft is a covered loss, it’s a good idea to maintain an up-to-date inventory of existing and new purchases to ensure all your possessions are safely documented.
• Ice follies: Winter wonderlands are great for songs, but terrible for sidewalks. If guests or other invitees slip and fall on your property, protection for medical payments and legal fees may be covered.
• Eat, drink and be responsibly merry: Most states have social host liability laws, which may hold you responsible for accidents or injuries caused by your inebriated guests. Be sure to monitor your guests’ alcohol intake and designate drivers.
• Runaway reindeer: Crowded roadways and inclement weather can make it difficult to see and avoid animals that dart across the road. Animal collisions can cause significant vehicle damage, but the associated repair costs are usually covered with comprehensive coverage.

Congressional leaders announced they have reached a $900 billion relief package that calls for $600 in direct payments to most Americans.

The rescue package would also bring financial aid to small businesses, unemployed Americans and health care workers.

Charles Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said the funding doesn’t address all of the needs, including money for local and state governments.

“But anyone who thinks this is enough does not know what’s going on in America and has not looked into the eyes of a small business owner, a restaurant owner losing their business,” Schumer said. “We must do more under President Biden.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the agreement will provide needed resources to Americans who have suffered much of 2020 from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As the American people continue battling the coronavirus this holiday season, they will not be on their own,” McConnell posted on Twitter. “Congress has just reached an agreement. We will pass another rescue package ASAP. More help is on the way.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued a joint statement and outlined highlights of the $900 billion agreement:

• Direct payment checks: A new round of direct payments worth up to $600 per adult and child, and also ensuring that mixed-status families receive payments.
• Strong support for small business: The agreement includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, expanded PPP eligibility for nonprofits and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, key modifications to PPP to serve the smallest businesses and struggling non-profits and better assist independent restaurants, and includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. The agreement also includes $20 billion for targeted EIDL Grants which are critical to many smaller businesses on Main Street.
• Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions: The agreement includes dedicated PPP set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions.
• Rental assistance: $25 billion in critically needed rental assistance for families struggling to stay in their homes and an extension of the eviction moratorium.
• Enhanced Unemployment Insurance benefits: There won’t be a sudden expiration of Unemployment Insurance benefits for millions and Schumer and Pelosi said they secured an added a $300 per week UI enhancement for Americans out of work.
• Nutrition assistance for hungry families: Democrats secured $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure.
• Education and child care: The agreement provides $82 billion in funding for colleges and schools, including support for HVAC repair and replacement to mitigate virus transmission and reopen classrooms, and $10 billion for child care assistance to help get parents back to work and keep child care providers open.
• Broadband access: The agreement invests $7 billion to increase access to broadband, including a new Emergency Broadband Benefit to help millions of students, families and unemployed workers afford the broadband they need during the pandemic.

“State and local governments will certainly need additional funding to prevent the senseless layoffs of heroic essential workers and critical service cuts,” Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement. “The agreement provides some important new targeted funds for state and local government functions that will help alleviate their overall budget burdens.”

Provided images

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office joined several local families at Walmart on Saturday for the second annual “Shop with a Cop” program. The Walmart Foundation awarded the Sheriff’s Office a $3,000 grant for the program.

Sheriff Chris Bourke said it was a “great day” for the children, their families and members of the Sheriff’s Office who were part of the program.

“A big thank you to Walmart for providing the very generous gift cards for the kids to shop with and Orleans County Child and Family Service for assisting with the organization of this event,” Bourke said. “Several kids along with a family member were able to go with our Sheriff’s Deputies, Correction Officers and Volunteer Clergy members to pick out gifts for their parents and siblings. The kids then picked out gifts for themselves. The kids picked out some toys and other items but some  bought food items so they would be able to have a nice dinner on Christmas Day.

“I would like to personally thank the Sheriff’s Office members who reached into their own pockets to pay the difference for the families that went over the card limit.”

This photo shows Charles W. Howard as Santa Claus in a color postcard. The message printed on the back says, “Santa’s bag and sleigh all packed with wonderful presents for good girls and boys as he starts out on his annual trip. Which package is which, only he knows, but try and guess which one is yours at Christmas Park.”

ALBION – Local officials will gather at 2 p.m. on Monday to dedicate a section of Route 31 in memory of Charles W. Howard, who operated a Santa School and Christmas Park in Albion.

Howard started the school in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. The school continues in his name in Midland, Mich.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley will be at the dedication at the corner of Route 31 and Transit Road. Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt pushed the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve legislation naming the section of Route 31 in Albion for Howard.

The section from Transit Road to Wood Road near the 4-H Fairgrounds will be known as the “Charles W. Howard Memorial Highway.”

In addition to running the school and Christmas Park, Howard served as the Santa in the Macy’s Day Parade for 18 years.

The Albion Betterment Committee requested the section of Route 31 be named for Howard. The group has worked in recent years to have signage in place to celebrate Howard and his local legacy.

Howard also was a farmer and a toymaker with a flair for the dramatic. He was part of community efforts to build a model of Niagara Falls with 10,000 gallons of sweet cider in 1928. He also helped make a 12-foot-wide apple pie in 1929 and creating a 14-foot-high cake that weighed 3.5 tons.

He developed the Santa School after noticing many Santas didn’t have training, and didn’t always interact with children well or meet a standard for dress. He established decorum for Santas and his Santa Claus suits became popular.

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director; and Bill Lattin, former Director

John Proctor

GAINES – The presence of water was an important consideration for pioneers to this region when they were looking to purchase property. Plentiful fresh water was important for livestock, crop irrigation and much more.

John Proctor would have pondered the same considerations when he acquired his land from the Holland Land Company in the early 1800s. The meandering brook that now bears his name probably played heavily in his decision to locate his prototype community of Fair Haven (now Childs) at the intersection of the Ridge Road and Oak Orchard Road.

When and how Proctor Brook got its name is not recorded, but most likely honors the community’s founding father.

Time marches on, and over time, little attention was paid to Proctor Brook, so little, that folks had pretty much forgotten its name. Town of Carlton Historian Lysbeth “Betsy” Hoffman recalls “re-discovering” the name in the 1980s when she was reviewing 1820s Town Board Minutes.

In those documents, she saw frequent references to the name Proctor Brook, which grabbed her attention and got her thinking about the probable location of this mystery waterway. Betsy contacted Mike Slack from the abstract office at the County Clerk’s Office, and he verified that Proctor Brook was indeed the historic name assigned to the little tributary that crosses the Ridge Road at Childs while winding through the towns of Gaines and Carlton.

In an effort to make sure the community didn’t forget the name of Proctor Brook again, and to commemorate John Proctor for posterity, a fitting sign was built by Cobblestone Museum volunteer George Callard and erected near the brook on the grounds of the Museum’s Route 98 campus.

Assisting in this effort was Town of Gaines Historian Dee Robinson, Town of Carlton Historian Betsy Hoffman, and Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin. A dedication ceremony for the sign took place on September 11, 1988.

Proctor Brook has its geographic beginning in a marshy area around the present day Sheret American Legion Post on Gaines Basin Road. From there it travels north and approaches the Erie Canal as shown above left.  Then it goes under the canal through a sleuth located west of the canal guard gate and exits on the north side of the canal bank as seen above right. It then meanders mainly northward, but sometimes east and west, too.

Proctor Brook enters the Hamlet of Childs alongside Route 98 near the Cobblestone Museum’s artisan buildings as seen here with the NYS DOT crew cleaning up the bank.  The brook then travels through the Museum campus and crosses Route 104 just west of the Village Inn.  From there it continues through the Town of Gaines until reaching Carlton where it joins forces with Marsh Creek and heads on to Lake Ontario.

At some point in the mid- 20th century, Proctor Brook received a boost with a new supply of water diverted through an Erie Canal syphon. As seen here, the syphon is located west of the canal guard gate.

Farmers can petition NYS to receive a permit to use that water supply for their crops or other needs. Excess water from the syphon drains into Proctor Brook. Jim Kirby utilized the syphon for his farming for many years. Former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin recalls one year in the late 1900s when Kirby said the syphon stopped working. He investigated the situation and discovered a large turtle had been sucked into the vortex and got stuck, effectively closing off the water supply. Kirby said, “Getting that thing out of there was a nasty job.”

Proctor Brook has had some man-made adjustments made to its course, too. In 1921 the original Blacksmith Shop at the corner of Routes 104 and 98 caught fire and burned to the ground. Local farmers knew the absence of a local blacksmith shop would negatively impact their livelihood. Bill Lattin described their desperation, “The farmers, while the embers were still hot from the fire, pitched in to help blacksmith Joseph Vagg rebuild his shop.”

But, this time they decided to site the blacksmith shop a little further south to help protect Joe’s home from catching fire, too.  To do so, they needed to relocate Proctor Brook which would have gone right through the new shop.  So, the farmers and Vagg set about moving Proctor Brook about 20-25 feet south to make way for the new structure.  They did that by dropping boulders into the creek bed that effectively moved the brook, making a sharp turn to the west, and then follow its current course to the south of the shop.

Proctor Brook, usually a very gentle little stream, is known to have an annual freshet or spring flood, usually in May or June. Some have been pretty severe. Melva Vagg Warner, Joe Vagg’s daughter, recalled that during one particularly severe flood, she kept track of Proctor Brook’s high water point by placing a mark on the side of her barn that sits next to the brook.

That marking came in handy in 1977 when the Cobblestone Museum was relocating its Print Shop to the grounds on the banks of Proctor Brook, and pondered how high to elevate the shop to avoid potential flooding. Bill Lattin said that Town of Gaines Highway Superintendent Cliff Kelley used a transit and Melva Warner’s water mark to determine a presumably safe position.

That theory was tested in the 1980s when the spring thaw resulted in flooding that came to within one inch from overflowing the floor of the Print Shop.

At that point, the water rose to over 1 foot above Route 98. It was during that flood that the Cobblestone Museum’s historic wooden cattle trough, usually located in front of Farmers Hall, floated downstream and ended up at the cobblestone house on Route 104.

The high water mark for that flood is still visible inside the Eastlake outhouse located next to the Print Shop. The water line is just above the row of seats.

Harvest Christian Fellowship moves into new space with room for 250

ALBION – A church that started in Albion 33 years ago has completed construction of a new sanctuary where church members did nearly all of the work.

Harvest Christian Fellowship this morning held its first service in the new sanctuary. The church worked 3 ½ years to build the 5,000-square-foot space. They did it without incurring debt.

“We’re just looking forward to it, to finally be in it and be able to worship,” said the Rev. Tim Lindsay, the church’s pastor since Harvest started 33 years ago.

Church volunteers did nearly all of the work themselves on the 5,000-square-foot addition. The church is located on Route 31, across from Bullard Park.

The church is located at 560 East Ave., across from Bullard Park. The new sanctuary has space for about 250 people. The previous sanctuary had a capacity for about 140 people. That space will become a fellowship hall and also will be used for youth programs and community life.

Harvest set a goal to have the new addition done by 2020. It met the goal, despite the challenges of pushing the project to completion during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“One of the biggest testimonies of this whole project is 90 percent of the work was done by volunteers in the church,” Lindsay said on Friday. “God provided people with skills, with willingness, the energy and money.”

The church volunteers brought a range of skill sets, from construction to cleaning, to get the project done.

“It has been really positive for the church,” Lindsay said. “It brought the church together whether physically, through donations or praying for the project.”

The project includes an indoor café and fellowship area. Before, people were crowded in the foyer after services. Now there is more room to congregate and fellowship, Lindsay.

Lindsay has been with Harvest Christian since day one. In the early days, the church used space at what is now the Elk’s Lodge building on West State Street. It was the recreation hall for the Albion Fire Department in 1987, when Harvest started.

The Fire Department used to have Bingo on Saturday nights at the building. When that was over, Harvest Christian Fellowship would start setting up for the church the next morning.

After three years at the recreation hall on State Street, Harvest Christian purchased the former Kingdom Hall on East Avenue after the Jehovah’s Witnesses constructed a new building on Route 31, next to Mount Albion Cemetery.

The building on East Avenue was cramped for Harvest Christian with the sanctuary serving as multi-purpose space. The musical equipment, chairs, pulpit would have to be moved for other events and then reset again.

The sanctuary has room for 250 people. It has more space for social distancing.

The church during the Covid-19 pandemic has been doing two services to allow for more social distancing. With the new sanctuary, nearly doubling the space, Harvest will go back to a single service on Sundays at 10 a.m. The services are also streamed on Facebook.

Harvest will have a bigger celebration and grand opening sometime in 2021, Lindsay said. For now, the church is grateful to be in the space by Christmas.

Lindsay, 63, has been a part of the Albion community since he was 30, raising his family in the village.

“God put this on my heart from the earliest days,” he said about his ministry in Albion. “This is where God planted us.”

During the Christmas season, the church remains focused on discipling people in the community, and welcoming them to Harvest Christian Fellowship.

“This will be a special Christmas celebration for us,” Lindsay said. “My message will be there were so many people involved in the Christmas story. They all had an encounter with Jesus and they were never the same. This will be a place where people can encounter Jesus and never be the same. That is what we hope and pray.”

Provided photo: From left include  Lura Kenward (Crosby’s Team Leader), Michele Harris (District Leader), Susan McLaughlin, Jessica Monaco, Zach Amey (Territory Sales Advisor), Donna VanSlyke and Dr. Hank Stopinski.

Press Release, Roy-Hart Central School

The Royalton-Hartland Elementary School is getting closer to their goal of an outdoor classroom space at their site. Thanks to the generosity of Exxon Mobil’s Educational Alliance, they received a grant for $500. The Crosby-Reid Petroleum Company decided to match the grant and added an additional $500 for the school.

The Exxon Mobil Education Alliance is a national program that funds math and science programs at schools in need.  It is part of their ongoing effort to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

Their hope is that their partnership with Royalton-Hartland Central School District will give students the tools and technology they need to connect what they learn in the classroom with what they see in the real world and create “Aha” moments.

Jessica Monaco and Susan McLaughlin are the two teachers at the school who are spearheading the outdoor learning spaces. “We are trying to extend what we did at the playground,” explains Ms. Monaco.  “As educators we thought it would be nice to give students the opportunity to learn science by interacting with the natural world on campus.”

“We also wanted our campus to have a beautiful natural setting and more space for the community to enjoy things like a walking trail and stage,” adds Ms. McLaughlin.

Thanks from input from their fellow teachers, administration and the community there are several proposals for their vision of their outdoor space which is broken into nine quadrants. Area 1 would be a pollinator garden that will contain an insect hotel and a bluebird house. Area 2 will contain a sundial, an elevated sand table, talking tubes, solar shields and chalkboard flowers.

Sycamore and tulip trees will be planted in Area 3. A greenhouse and mini orchard containing apple, peach, pear and cherry trees will occupy the space of Area 4.

Area 5 will be the designated graduation garden and have a tree planted by the kindergarten class of that year and also contain willow domes. Raised beds, a shed, rain collection barrels and compost stations will populate Area 6.

A Trim Trail will take up Area 7, which is the old playground. Area 8 will give students a chance to tap into their creative side with an outdoor stage and moveable seating. The final area, number 9, will contain vertical gardens.

When the district was told that they were receiving monies from Exxon and Mobil and Crosby-Reid they were thrilled.  “I thought it was amazing,” says Ms. McLaughlin.  “This will help us fulfill so many plans.”

Ms. Monaco says, “It means a lot to everyone that we have the community’s support for this venture. We think this will be a great space for everyone to enjoy.”

Dr. Hank Stopinski, the District’s Superintendent, adds, “This is what Royalton-Hartland is all about – community.”

“This is very exciting,” says Principal Donna VanSlyke.  “It is very generous and to think we now have $1,000. We can do almost everything we were hoping to accomplish.  We are very thankful to Exxon Mobil and Crosby’s for this gift.”

Since mid March the Covid-19 Pandemic has certainly caused increasing frustration, uncertainty and confusion for high school athletes, coaches and athletic directors.

First the Pandemic wiped out the spring high school season. Then the fall slate was reduced as the so-called “High Risk” sports of football, volleyball and cheerleading were postponed until next spring.

And now the fate of the “High Risk” winter sports of basketball and wrestling are very much uncertain.

The confusion and uncertainty for athletes, coaches and athletic directors has been heightened by the differences in how neighboring sections are approaching the winter season.

Section V has already started the season for swimming, which is listed as a “low-moderate risk” sport. In fact, the neighboring Genesee Region League teams which have swim teams have already held regular swim meets, not “virtual meets”, but regular meets.

However,  the Executive Council of neighboring Section VI of which the Niagara-Orleans League schools are members, has voted to delay the start of practice for all winter sports until January 18. Earlier it had voted to delay it until January 4 but a vote last week backed it up two more weeks to January 18.

And unlike the G-R League the N-O League as of now is planning to hold “virtual” swim meets once the go ahead is given to begin practice which no doubt adds more confusion and frustration for athletes, coaches and athletic directors alike.

Officials of both Section VI and Section V along with area athletes and coaches are now anxiously awaiting a decision from Albany on when the “High Risk” sports of basketball land wrestling can begin.

It is a situation which has local athletic directors scratching their heads as to what direction the sports year is headed, a situation which certainly has been very fluid and changeable.

It will be interesting to see how long past the Christmas-New Years holiday break that such a decision is forthcoming as time to  get the winter sports season in before the so-called “Fall 2” season for football, volleyball and cheerleading is slated to begin on March 1 is getting short.

A Tangled Holiday Inspiration

The Ward Ball. It’s story is about a dash of holiday inspiration given to us by our old neighbor Chuck Ward, some of you may have known him. He gifted us this ball of lights during the holidays but the inspiration given to us by this gentle man started way before the Ball was given to us.

It started in 1993 when we purchased our home on West Park Street, across the road from his. I grew up on this street about 10 houses down the road and lived there for nearly 18 years before going to college.

So my adult self became the recipient of Mr. Ward’s inspiration when we became the owners of our Diamond in the Ruff. Truth be told I was not enthusiastic about purchasing a house on the same street I grew up on, especially a major fix-me-upper. But my husband’s heart was there the moment we looked at it, so I gave in.

We worked tirelessly remodeling and doing our best to make this old house, buried in the bushes and trees, a home. Many times Mr. Ward walked over, just for a moment so as not to interrupt, to say, “You guys are doing a nice job, it’s looking good.” High praise to us and it inspired us to forge on.

During planting season we ripped out bushes and did a major yard overhaul. Mr. Ward came over and offered up sections of flowering plants and bushes that he had in his yard. He was one heck of a gardener and we always admired his yard. So we were grateful for his generosity and gladly accepted. It inspired us to keep going.

He became great pals with my cat, which he gladly let into his home to visit once in a while. A good man to not only the two-legged but the four-legged as well. The holidays were especially fun to watch from across the street as he staked up trees to string lights on and hung lights on his home. It inspired us to make our home special for others as well.

Many a time Santa enlisted the help of my husband to put on the Santa Suit and venture across the street to Ho-Ho it up with Mr. Ward’s grandchildren. But we all knew it was truly Christmas Eve was when Mr. Ward carefully began to line the edge of his sidewalk with paper bags and light a candle in each one. They illuminated the way for his family to come together. It inspired us to do the same. His last Christmas he came to us with a tangled mess of Christmas lights. He thought we could use them. We took one look at that mess of lights and decided we were not up to the task of untangling them and just named it “The Ward Ball”.

Each Christmas we hang that Ball on our porch and it continues to inspire us and remind us of the Magic of the Holiday Season. Mr. Ward passed away many years ago but he taught us about generosity and the power of a kind word or gesture – the truest of holiday gifts and blessing. This holiday give the gift of inspiration and be someone’s Mr. Ward. It truly can make a difference is someone’s life.

To see our 2019 lighted walk visit my blog online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. Merriest of Holidays!

Truly,
Debbie London