Sofie Kennedy reads the Alfred Sun with some of her creations during the Senior Art Shows held Saturday, May 9 at Alfred University.
$1.25
Comes, Burch, Miles ...Pg. 2 Ambulance facility in Andover? ..Pg. 3 Lions fortunate to have Wally ...Pg. 4 Art Force Five Summer Tour ...Pg. 5 Amazing projects ...Pg. 6 Wally’s Day in Belmont ...Pg. 7 Cultural Calendar ...Pgs. 8-9 Around Allegany County ...Pg. 10 Phi Kappa Phi inducts 36...Pg. 11 Years Ago in the SUN ...Pg. 12 Blood Drive Monday, May 18 ....Pg. 13 Littell takes ‘His Turn’...Pg. 14 AU softball wins Regional title ..Pg. 16
Sun at Senior Shows
T he “A pretty darn good newspaper serving Alfred since 1883” A lfred S un
Of the Community. By the Community. For the Community.
Official Newspaper Of TOwN aNd Village Of alfred aNd alfred-almONd ceNTral schOOl disTricT
Vol. 130, No. 19 Alfred, Allegany County, New York State, U.S.A. 14802 Thursday, May 14, 2015 Inside
T he A lfred S un
By SHERRY VOLK Alfred Sun Reporter BELMONT—In a departure from his usual self-effacing hu- mility, Wally Higgins arrived at the luncheon to honor him on the back of son Don Higgins’ rum- bling Harley-Davidson motorcy- cle.Entering the honor guard ring and making a circuit of flag- bearing Patriot Guard Riders and American Legion members, Don brought the machine smartly to the entry of the Belmont Ameri- can Legion Hall on Friday, May 8, 2015, parked, and helped his
Wally awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Above the cake is a photo of Higgins with Leon Lobdell, a dear friend, and comrade-in-arms. See additional photos on Page 7.
(Cake Photo by Dick Lang) Higgins displays the medal. (Photo by Sherry Volk)
dad dismount to enthusiastic ap- plause by family members and well-wishers.
Wally was there to be honored by county, state, and national leaders for his work with the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States, and Higgins joins an illustrious com- pany of awardees. George Wash- ington, Charles Lindburgh, Jessie Owens, Neil A. Arm- strong, and many others have re- ceived this signal honor.
Nominated by New York State
Senator Catharine Young, Hig- gins’ award caps an awe-inspir- ing life of selfless service to his community, his country, and the world.
Curt Crandall (Chairman, Al- legany County Board of Legisla- tors), Tom Reed (U.S.
Representative), Colonel Robert Pecoraro (Civil Air Patrol), rep- resentatives for Governor An- drew Cuomo and State Senator Catharine Young, and Joseph Giglio (NY Assemblyman), added congratulations.
Don Higgins spoke of his dad and Brent Reynolds, master sto- ryteller, told of adventures with Don while “practically growing up” in the Higgins household.
Capping the story-telling, Hig- gins himself told of some of his experiences, and mentioned, sadly, that his life-long love and wife, Norma Miller Higgins was unable to attend. Other family members, and many friends helped make up for the lack, by rendering standing ovations, and loving congratulations.
The delicious lunch was pre- pared and served by the Allegany County Office for the Aging, with a spectacular cake for dessert (see Dick Lang photo).
Personal note: in a previous story about Mr. Higgins, I erro- neously reported the location of Tuskegee Institute, as it was then known. It is in Alabama. S.V.
ALFRED–Two Alfred State students and a faculty member will depart for Ven- tura Beach, CA, Friday to partake in the seven-day Everyone Loves Kids (ELK) Charity Challenge.
Held May 16-23, the event is an inter- active adventure that pits 50 philanthropic vehicle enthusiasts against one another in a journey to give back to America’s chil- dren, according to www.elkcharitychal- lenge.org. Each day, participants will navigate through numerous challenges and locations that test their dedication, de- termination, and preparation.
Points are earned by completing daily missions based on historical significance, local points of interest, and more. A
$10,000 daily contribution is made to the children’s charity of the winning squad.
A variety of vehicles will be competing in the challenge, from high-end models such as Ferraris and McLarens, to classics such as Cords and Dusenbergers, to more unique vehicles, including the “Back to the Future” DeLorean time machine.
Alfred State’s car is a 1966 Lincoln Continental once owned by American
diplomat and political scientist Henry Kissinger. Craig Corbel, owner of the Lin- coln and friend of Alfred State, is spon- soring the college’s team, which consists of Automotive Trades Assistant Professor James Fleischman, and heavy equipment:
truck and diesel technician students Jacob Macken, of Alden, and Ryan Balcerzak, of Elma.
Macken said he feels very excited and privileged to be competing in the ELK Challenge.
“Hopefully, we’ll represent Alfred State
in a good way and get a win out of it, but it’s all about raising money and helping out a charity,” he said.
Balcerzak said he is also very excited about the challenge, especially the travel- ing aspect.
“I’ve never been out of the state very far, let alone to California,” he said. “I’m very grateful to go and it’s for a good cause.”
Roughly 25 to 30 students from a vari- ety of majors worked on the car, accord- ing to Fleischman, who said their efforts
included rebuilding the engine, painting, and performing an alignment.
“The cool part is that it’s a good applied learning project because everything the students are learning in class is everything that we worked on for the car,” he said.
Fleischman said competing in the ELK Challenge is an honor and noted he was surprised that Corbel decided to sponsor the Alfred State team.
“It’s not often that somebody will foot the bill for something like this and send you across the country to be in an event,”
he said. “I just want to thank everyone who was involved and helped pull this off.
_________________________________
Pictured are the members of the Alfred State team competing in the Everyone Loves Kids (ELK) Charity Challenge May 16-23, along with the car they will be using – a 1966 Lincoln Continental once owned by Henry Kissinger. From left are heavy equipment: truck and diesel technician students Ryan Bal- cerzak, of Elma, and Jacob Macken, of Alden, and Automotive Trades Assis- tant Professor James Fleischman.
Henry Kissinger’s car in the ELK Charity Challenge
ALFRED STATE COLLEGE
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2 THE ALFRED SUN, Thursday, May 14, 2015
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Agnes Comes had operated greenhouse many years
Wayne Burch was in Cuban Missile Crisis operations
Roland ‘Rolly’ Miles was partner in insurance agency
AGNES ROSE COMES Operated Comes Greenhouse
ALMOND–Agnes Rose
Comes, 79, of State Route 21, Almond, passed away Monday, May 4, 2015 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville sur- rounded by her family.
Born in Albany March 11, 1936, the daughter of Carl and Lottie Worner Meyer, she had resided in Almond for 55 years.
Agnes was a graduate of Alfred State College with a degree in horticulture and was owner, op- erator and designer of Comes Greenhouse in Almond.
She attended Almond Union of Churches and was a member of the Almond Historical Soci- ety, 20th Century Club and had a passion for cooking, flowers, her family as well as her ex- tended family.
Agnes loved her greenhouse work and could hardly wait to get out in the morning. She had
given hundreds of cherry toma- toes to children to plant. She demonstrated to many clubs how to arrange and cut wild flowers, as well as making ter- rariums and herb gardens. She designed planters using both perennials and annuals for her many customers.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son, James Comes in 2008.
She is survived by husband, James Comes to whom she was married on June 29, 1957; one son, Joe (Sandy) Comes of Buf- falo; one daughter, Cindy (John) Ketz of Rocky Hill, CT; one brother, Carl (Mary) Meyer of Albany; one sister, Margie Kauf- man of Albany; four grandchil- dren, Nick, Michael, Patrick and Jonathon; daughter-in-law, Michelle Comes of Wellsboro, PA; brother-in-law, John (Julie) Comes of Smethport; special
friend, Adrienne (Keith) Stanley of Almond; as well as several nieces and nephews.
To send a remembrance to the family please visit www.brow- nandpowersfuneralhomes.com.
The family is being assisted by Adam E. DuBois, Director.
Calling hours were held from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at the Bender- Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St., Hor- nell. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 8, at the funeral home. Burial was in Al- fred Rural Cemetery.
Friends wishing may make memorial contributions to the Jim Comes Memorial Award, care of College AG Science, 240 AG Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802, or to Jones Memorial Hospital, 191 N. Main St., Wellsville, NY, 14895.
WAYNE ROBERT BURCH 1961 Andover C.S. graduate
W E L L S V I L L E – Wa y n e Robert Burch, 71, passed away Thursday (May 7, 2015) at Jones Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Burch was born on July 19, 1943, in Hornell, to Wellman B. and Helen (Littlefield) Ordi- way Burch. He was a 1961 grad- uate of Andover Central School.
He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Cony from 1962-1966 and participated in operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Wayne worked for Dresser- Rand in Wellsville as an electri- cian for 24 years until his retirement in 1990.
Wayne is survived by two daughters, Barbara A. Trenchard of Hornell and Lorraine S.
(Jerry) McLane of Niagara Falls;
one son, Wayne Burch of Texas;
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four brothers, Jerry Burch of Coudersport, PA, Wellman (Debbie) Burch, Jr. of Medford, OR, Gary Burch of Anchorage, AK and Paul Burch of Pennsyl- vania; four sisters, Francelia Griswold of Ewing, NJ, Betty (Doug) Dodge of Punta Gorda, FL, Nancy Meyers of Hornell and Kathy Burch of Medford, OR; two grandchildren, Nicole Trenchard and Caitlin Tren- chard; his step-mother, Alice (Jesse) Shaw of Andover; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Pauline Burch Majot and Elaine Burch Summers, and his longtime companion, Ellen Bur- rell.
Wayne was an avid camper and enjoyed playing cards with his friends. He was a member of the Wellsville American Legion
Post 702, the Wellsville VFW Post 2530 and the Hornell AMVETS Post 245.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m.– 12 noon Saturday, May 9 at Baker-Swan Funeral Home, 3256 Riverside Drive in Wellsville. A funeral service with full military honors was held at 12 noon Saturday, May 9 at the funeral home immediately following the visitation with Rev. John Francisco of the Riverside Assembly of God Church in Wellsville, officiating.
Burial was in Valley Brook Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker- swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Wayne's name may be made to Wellsville American Legion Post 702, 23 Jefferson St., Wellsville, NY 14895.
ROLAND P. “ROLLY” MILES 1966 Friendship Central School graduate FRIENDSHIP - Roland P. "Rolly" Miles, 67 of 4460 State Rd. 275, Friendship, passed away Monday, May 4, 2015 at his home, following a lengthy ill- ness. Born Feb. 7, 1948, in Buffalo, he was the son of Paul R. Miles and Evelyn Peabody. On April 26, 1969, in Friendship, he married the former Cynthia A. Dieter, who survives.
Rolly had grown up in Buf- falo through his elementary schooling. In his sophomore year (1963) in high school, he moved to Friendship, where he graduated from Friendship Central School, class of 1966.
After graduation, Rolly entered the Air Force, where he served and saw action in Viet Nam from 1967-1968. Upon returning home, he took two years of college at Alfred Ag. Tech, receiving his associates degree. During college and after he worked two years at McCulloch Mite-Lite in Wellsville.
In 1977, he began employment at the George Schenk Insurance Agency in Friendship. Eventu- ally, Rolly became a partner in the business along with the new name for the business as Schenk and Miles Insurance Agency, operating in Friendship and later Wellsville.
He was an avid golfer, making golf clubs for himself and others. He enjoyed hunting, wood- working, watching sports on TV, traveling and going to stock car races. He also coached Little League baseball In Friendship. For 22 years, he was the assistant coach for the Wellsville High School baseball team. Rolly was a friend to all and enjoyed talking with his friends, loved driving his 1957 Chevrolet, but most of all he loved his family and spending time with them.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Friendship American Legion Post
#1168, president of the Maple Grove Cemetery Association, president of Serenity Hill Men's Golf Association and member of the Allegany County Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition to his wife, Cindy, he is survived by two sons, Mark E. (Kelli) Miles of Spokane, WA, and Brent A. (Janel) Miles of Pasco, WA; four grandchildren, Brayden Miles, Emily Miles, Max- ton Miles and Vivienne Miles; a brother, Dennis (Christy) Miles of Wellsville; a step-brother, Chuck (Cheryl) Wiser of Scio; a sister, Dawn (George) French of Lockport; a step-sister; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a step-sister, Sue Booth.
Calling hours at the Treusdell Funeral Home, Friendship were from 3-7 p.m. Friday, May 8.
A graveside service will be held at the conven- ience of the family. Memorials may be made to the Cure PSP 30 E. Padonia Rd. Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093.
There’s a new New York State Senate Majority Leader. Senator Catharine Young reports:
“Today was an historic day at the state Capitol, when we averted a disaster for the taxpayers, the economy, and Second Amendment rights. New York City-controlled Senate Democrats filed a resolu- tion to seize control of the state Senate, and the Republican Confer- ence blocked them by unifying behind a new leader...
“If the New York City politicians had succeeded, it would have been a replay on steroids of the debacle in 2009-10, when they hiked taxes by $14 billion, and sent our upstate school funding, road and bridge money, and economic development dollars downstate. Over the last five years, the New York City Democrats have gotten even more rad- icalized because of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who pulls their strings.
“Every single member of the Republican Conference united be- hind Senator John Flanagan to ensure balance in state government and safeguard the future of the state,” she said.
Young added that Senate Democrats have 25 active anti-Second Amendment bills that they would have pushed into law had they suc- ceeded in hijacking the Senate.
Things can get weird. This is Palindrome Week. Using the numer-***
ical means of writing the date, every day this week is the same back- wards and forwards. For example, 5/10/15 is the same if reversed (with a simple move of the slash marks). If you have a fear of palin- dromes, beware. That fear is called “aibohphobia,” which, of course, is itself a palindrome! Yikes!
Hard to believe the Alfred University women’s softball team could***
ever top the 2015 season, what with a record 38 wins, only 4 losses and they’re still playing! Scheduled to play at Heidelberg in Tiffin, Ohio on Friday and Saturday in the NCAA Super Regional, it’s un- fortunate the games will conflict with AU commencement. Seems like the NCAA could address those potential conflicts with its sched- uling.
2 5-14-15:Layout 1 5/12/2015 3:36 PM Page 1
[Editor’s Note: Like most of the recipes she shared with our readers over the past couple of decades, Ellen Shultz’s Sunny Side Up columns are worth repeating. This one appeared on May 12, 2005 and readers will recall how much Ellen enjoyed Vidalia Onions! ]
Frances Catherine Polan Clarke was born in Kansas, but from 1963 on she lived her life in Alfred. She taught briefly before raising her five children. She used her secretarial skills in helping her hus- band, Rev. David S. Clarke, edit sermons and articles. She was ac- tive all her life in various church committees and community organizations. She also enjoyed writing poems.
Fran played the violin, sang in church choirs, and even took voice lessons in her 50s so she could sing solos and perform duets with David who played the flute. She encouraged her children to care for other people and to be respectful of all life. She and her hus- band were always quietly helping some person or family who were having difficulties. Her son Doug says she liked to make polenta for an evening meal, especially on Friday and the family members would each decorate it differently. Some would smother it with tomato sauce, others with butter and brown sugar or milk and sugar.
Polenta and Tomato Sauce 1/2 c. yellow corn meal 2 c. water 2 c. evaporated milk 1 tsp. salt
Bring water to boil, add 1 tsp. salt and meal slowly, then evap- orated milk. Cook 20 minutes or until it starts to thicken and put in second pan of water (double-boiler) and continue, so as to prevent sticking. Takes about an hour.
Sauce:
1 c. tomatoes (peeled or stewed) 1 1/2 tsp. minced onion
1 T. flour, stirred into small amt. of liquid, then slowly into the rest 2 tsp. salt
Warm the ingedients in saucepan. Cheese may be added to sauce or sprinkled on top of sauce on the polenta.
THE ALFRED SUN, Thursday, May 14, 2015 3
Kelly’s Forecast
By KELLY SNYDER Alfred Sun Weather
Forecaster
“The storm starts, when the drops start dropping. When the drops stop dropping then the storm starts stopping."
―Dr. Seuss Thursday May 14 MOSTLY SUNNY (HIGH 69– LOW 46) Chance of precipitation...0%
Friday May 15 PARTLY SLOUDY (HIGH 72 – LOW 58) Chance of precipitation...20%
Saturday May 16 CLOUDY, SHOWERS LIKELY
(HIGH 74 – LOW 57) Chance of precipitation...50%
Sunday May 17 SCATTERED T-STORMS
(HIGH 80 - LOW 59) Chance of precipitation...40%
For more up to date weather information add your Alfred Sun
Weatherman Kelly Snyder on Facebook and as always if you
don’t like the weather in Alfred just wait five minutes!
A L F R E D
Weather for the Week
May 5-May 11 May Hi Lo Precip. Snow
5 84 47 0
6 74 50 0.16”
7 68 46 0
8 84 47 0
9 *88 48 0
10 *89 64 0
11 *89 55 0.26”
*Record high temp for date.
By JOHN BUCKWALTER Alfred Area Weather Recorder
The Center for TradiƟonal
Acupuncture and Herbs alfredacupuncture.com 607Ͳ587Ͳ9401
Framed by fresh spring leaves and white-clouded azure sky, an iconic structure on Alfred University's campus gleams in the sunlight.
Reflected in the glass of Davis Memorial Carillon are other trees, and a student enjoys the view as he basks in the abundant early May sun- shine.
Taylor Chapman, an architectural technology major from Hamburg, and Roberto Trujillo, an ar- chitecture student from Jackson Heights, present their schematic designs for a Volunteer Emergency Ambulance Corporation (AVAC) facility for the village of Andover to AVAC members April 15.
Fran Clarke liked to make polenta
ALFRED–Under the direction of Professors William Akiyama, Richard Carlo, and William Dean, some Alfred State archi- tecture students have been work- ing on a civic engagement project involving the design of a Volunteer Emergency Ambu-
ANDOVER COMMUNITY
lance Corporation (AVAC) facil- ity for the village of Andover.
On April 1, the students and faculty met with members of the ambulance corporation at the ex- isting fire station in Andover.
Students had prepared questions to assist them in better under-
standing the problems involved with the ambulance corporation sharing the fire station facility.
“This meeting also assisted the students in developing addi- tional program information,”
Carlo said. “Afterward, students were provided with a tour of the facilities, equipment, and processes of the corporation.”
The group also toured the pro- posed site of the new building, located directly adjacent to the fire station. Students collected on-site photos and other obser- vations that assisted them in the preparation of a site analysis and the subsequent schematic de- signs.
On April 15, students pre- sented their schematic designs to members of the Andover Emer- gency Ambulance Corporation, including Chief Kelly Padden;
Kevin Waters; Thomas Kent, president of the board; Kathleen Kent, board member; and Ken Gray, vice president.
“The students presented six of more than 20 options generated to give an overview of the pos- sible approaches to the design,”
Carlo said. “The guests were very impressed with the stu- dents’ work and are looking for- ward to the future design development of the project.”
Carlo said the students intend to have a final design presenta- tion and collate all the solutions into a design booklet.
“This will hopfully aid the AVAC in establishing priorities of the project and acquiring pos- sible grant money to realize the facility,” he said.
Students were to give their final presentations to members of the AVAC from 3-6 p.m.
Wednesday, May 13, in rooms 417 and 424 of the Engineering Technology Building.
ALFRED–The Department of Architecture and Design at Al- fred State is pleased to welcome a traveling exhibit of 2014 American Institute of Architects Rochester Design Awards sub- missions.
The exhibit features the work of 12 architects and firms from the greater Rochester area and includes submissions by two Al- fred State alumni, Erik Reynolds (BS in architectural technology,
’12) and Emily McCaffery (BS in architectural technology, ’05).
Reynolds, an intern at SWBR Architects, won Honorable Mention for his submission in the Rochester Designers Un- leashed Ideas Competition, and McCaffery, an architectural technician at Labella Associates, was part of a team that took the other Honorable Mention in that same category.
The work is on display in the Hall Gallery on the fourth floor of the Engineering Technology Building through May 29.
Ambulance facility study undertaken
Architectural exhibit continues thru May 29
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WALLY HIGGINS DAY IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
Many wonderful individuals live in Allegany County. One of the most extraordinary of them is Wallace C. Higgins, better known to many of us as “Wally” Higgins. On Friday, May 8th, Wally was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal for his involvement with the Civil Air Patrol (“CAP”).
Many friends, family and officials gathered in Belmont to recognize and honor our friend and neighbor. Legislature Chairman Curt Crandall read a proclamation declaring that May 8, 2015, as
“Wally Higgins Day” in Allegany County. How- ever, being part of the CAP was only part of what makes Wally so special.
On May 30, 2014 President Barack Obama signed into law a bill awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to the Civil Air Patrol for its service during World War II. Wally couldn’t attend the Washington ceremony, so arrangements were made to present it to him here. During WWII the CAP logged more than 500,000 flying hours, sank two enemy submarines, and saved hundreds of crash victims. The CAP helped protect our nation by warding off German U-Boats that were attack- ing tankers along the Atlantic coast.
Wally joined the CAP during his senior year in high school. As a CAP Cadet Wally was also en- listed in the Army Air Corps Reserve. During his senior year in high school he enlisted in the Army Air Force. He subsequently became one of the Tuskegee Airmen and served throughout the rest of the war. After two enlistments and attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, Wally received his Honor- able Discharge. He returned home and finished high school in Rochester, and then obtained his Bachelors Degree from Alfred University in 1952.
In 1951 Wally married Norma Miller, whom he had met at Alfred University. They raised their family of four children in Alfred Station. Wally served as an Associate Professor at the NYS Col-
lege of Ceramics. He has served our community in numerous ways throughout his life. He has been a member of the Alfred Lions Club for 50 years, and a member of the Alfred Station Volunteer Fire Department since 1957 (almost 58 years). He is a member of the Bakers Bridge Historical Society.
In 1988 he was appointed to the County Office For the Aging Advisory Council, and has served on it ever since. He has served as Chairman for more than 15 years. In 2003 he helped found the Allegany Senior Foundation, which has raised more than $300,000 for various programs to meet the needs of the elderly. Wally has been a tireless advocate and supporter of the County Office For the Aging.
Wally Higgins has blessed his family, his com- munity and his nation in many different ways. A theme ran through Wally’s Congressional Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony. Almost everyone describes Wally as a “good man.” One speaker, former Legislator Brent Reynolds, noted that he has never heard anyone say anything negative about Wally Higgins. I haven’t either. Although it sounds simple, it is the highest compliment that can be given. It is appropriate that our nation fi- nally honored Wally Higgins. He has made our county and community a better place to live. It has been a privilege and honor to know and serve with him.There are many other senior citizens in our community similar to Wally Higgins, but each still a unique individual with a different story. These members of the “Greatest Generation” won’t be with us for that many more years. I urge you to take some time to find out about their lives and ex- periences. Those that fought in World War II and the Korean Conflict helped preserve our nation and our freedom, often at great personal sacrifice.
We are deeply indebted to them. This coming Me- morial Day would be a good occasion to express our gratitude to them for their service.
4 THE ALFRED SUN, Thursday, May 14, 2015
Lions Club fortunate to have Wally
Additional info about village budget
‘Anything can happen’
Specter Spectating Senses heightening,
Muscles tightening, Faces whitening,
Heavens brightening, Thunder frightening:
Enjoying lightning.
—Scared A. Mouse
I received the following news release from the Office of the New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli this week:
The Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) spent $211 million on an advertising contract to promote economic development and tourism in New York state with no tangible results, according to an audit released Monday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“When government spends hundreds of millions of taxpayer dol- lars to send a message that New York is a place to visit and open for business, it should have clear objectives and show the public actual results,” DiNapoli said. “ESDC’s attempts to measure the results of this advertising campaign were weak at best, leaving real questions about whether the results justify the cost.”
In December 2011, ESDC awarded a contract to BBDO USA LLC, an advertising and marketing agency, for up to $50 million. ESDC amended and increased the contract four times, bringing the total of the contract to $211.5 million. Of this, $36.5 million was targeted to promote tourism and business in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
The remaining $175 million could be spent at the authority’s discre- tion, which ESDC allocated to promoting Start-Up NY, tourism, Taste NY and Masterbrand.
As required by law, the State Attorney General’s office and the State Comptroller’s office reviewed the contract and amendments and found the state’s procurement and legal process was followed.
The purpose of DiNapoli’s audit, which covered December 2011 to November 2014, was to determine if ESDC received the services it paid for and whether its advertising effort achieved sufficient out- comes. Although auditors found that ESDC got the advertising serv- ices it paid for, at a fair price, they found ESDC was not able to effectively quantify and assess tangible outcomes from the initiatives.
ESDC officials told auditors they do not believe that the advertis- ing program should be formally measured against outcome targets established for the various programs, and that the advertising was not intended to directly produce positive economic benefits. Instead officials stressed that the primary expectation for the contract was to improve perception of the state as a good place to visit and to do business.[Boldfaced and underlined by the janitor.]
How about actually improving the business climate rather than im- proving “perceptions.”? The Village of Alfred’s state revenue sharing hasn’t increased in five years but millions are spent to spread lies.
T he A lfred S un
WEEKLY DEADLINE:
We’ve got a deadline and we’re stickin’ to it.
12 noon Monday for Thursday publication E-mail news, ads, to: [email protected]
Mail ad and subscription paymentsto: P.O. Box 811, Alfred, NY 14802
Dear Editor:
Reading about a fellow Lions Club member, Wally Higgins, in the paper, makes me realize just how fortunate we Lions are.
As a charter member I have many memories of his contribu- tions during the almost 50 years of service to the Alfred area.
Wally has not been just a mem- ber of the club but besides serv- ing on the Board of Directors in almost every position, he also has served four terms as Presi- dent.
His knowledge of ceramics and his artistic creativity helped him create many gifts and fund
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raising items for the club.
Probably his best production was when the country celebrated our 200th anniversary. Wally showed all of us how to produce a word in ceramics from start to finish. The club members worked evenings for many days to sell a bell made of Alfred shale
and for those fortunate to pur- chase one should realize they own a valuable keepsake.
Wally has designed and pro- duced many other items for the Alfred Lions to share with visi- tors. Items such as clocks, dishes and pins given away or sold over our many years of service.
We have been friends during all of these many years and I hope that we will be together when we celebrate the 50th an- niversary of the Alfred Lions Club.
Congratulations, Wally!
Charles Phillipson
Hi Alfred Sun,
Thank you for the headline piece in the April 30 issue about the Village budget process.
Please allow me to share three pieces of additional information.
(1) Over the course of the 2014 tax year, the Village experienced a decline in total assessed prop- erty value as a result of several
properties being removed from the tax roll. The 34 cent tax in- crease was enacted to maintain the current tax levy (amount of total property tax revenue to the village) at its 2014-15 level.
(2) As a result of New York State's property tax freeze pro- gram, each eligible village resi- dent will receive a check that will
include an amount equal to the increase in village taxes (because the village met the state's require- ments for the freeze program).
(3) The cost of the tax increase on the "average village house- hold" assumes a property assess- ment of $100,000. Meaning a 34 cent property tax increase will cost the average household $34 dollars. The $46 total increase described in the article factors in small increases to other village service fees - namely water, sewer and fire protection. Those increases are driven by continu- ally increasing costs for energy, materials, etc.
Thanks to the Sun for its ongo- ing coverage of Village affairs!
Mayor Justin Grigg To the Editor:
To whom it may concern:
To quote a recent musical at the Alfred-Almond Central School, “Anything can happen if you let it” and the Alfred Almond Community “let it.”
With permission of the School District, the Evangelical Chris- tian Churches of Alfred and Al- mond (ECCAA) took the lead in hosting MORP, (an after Prom all night lock-in) held on the AACS campus and the Community ral- lied to “let it.”
There were 27 students or 1/5 of those who attended the Prom were at the MORP.
ECCAA wishes to give spe- cial thanks to the following com- munity persons and groups who aided the success of the MORP:
Mrs. Bain-Lucey, Muhleisens,
Bicycle Man, AACS Teachers’
Association , Canacadea Country Store, Little Sicily, Fox’s Pizza, Uncle Al’s Sub Shop, Uni-Mart in Alfred, Hair Care, Barb’s Cre- ative Hair Studio, Alfred Almond Bible Church and members, Southern Tier Concrete, Mem- bers of the Alfred Station Sev- enth Day Baptist Church, Kampus Kave, Alfred Sports Studio, The Jet/Terra Cotta, Peter McClain, Alfred Pharmacy, The Latham Family, The Ryan Agency, J&R Rentals, and Stearns Poultry Farm Store.
We are a community that cares about our young people. ECCAA hopes you will be a part of MORP in 2016.
Sincerely Yours ECCAA Friends
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Moonlighter
Entertainment News...5-7 Cultural Calendar...8-9 Movie listings...9 What’s Cookin’...9 Classifieds...11
Years Ago in SUN...12 Alfred Sun’s Second Section--Entertainment, Classified Advertising, Etc., Etc.
Week of May 14-May 20, 2015 ALFRED SUN, PO Box 811, 764 Route 244, Alfred, NY 14802 607-587-8110
ETHICAL ATTENTIVENESS
Reading a promotional brochure from the Laz-y-Boy corporation the other day, I came upon the reassurance that Laz-y-Boy, Inc. is
"being mindful" with respect to the environment. I was glad to find that reassurance, but I couldn't help wondering whether the company was voicing an authentic concern or merely striking a fashionable attitude.
Over the past two decades, the practice of mindfulness has as- sumed a prominent place in American culture. In the vernacular of our times, mindfulness has gone mainstream. American corpora- tions, particularly those situated in Silicon Valley, have embraced the practice, chiefly as a means of reducing stress and increasing productivity. So have the military academies, the health-care system, the prison system, and, more gradually, public schools and higher education. Yet, as the practice has gained in acceptance, it has some- times lost sight of its origins in Buddhist meditation, and a central component has often been left behind.
That component is the ethical dimension, especially as it pertains to the practitioner's emotional life. In his book Living with Aware- ness, the Buddhist monk and scholar Sangharakshita (formerly Den- nis Longwood) reminds us of this important dimension of the practice:
To be human is to inhabit a realm in which ethical responsibility is not only possible but requisite. Thus mindfulness must be understood to be more than simple concentration: we need to be as clear as we can about the nature of what we are doing and why. A murderer in- tent upon his victim is certainly concentrating, but that kind of sin- gle-mindedness is very different from the ethical attentiveness that characterizes a state of true mindfulness.
As these remarks suggest, "ethical attentiveness" begins with mo- ment-by-moment awareness of what we are doing at any given mo- ment and the impact of our actions on the rest of the world. If, for example, we are playing loud music or talking into a cell phone in a public space, true mindfulness will remind us that we are contribut- ing to noise pollution and diminishing the peace and well-being of other people. Merely by being present for our actions, we can rec- ognize when we are causing harm and when we are not.
Beyond this basic social awareness, the practice of mindfulness can awaken us to the ethical content of our feelings, thoughts, and states of mind. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana Sutra), a core text for the practice, enjoins us to identify our present, transitory feelings (that is, sensations) as "pleasant," "unpleasant,"
or "neutral." We are also directed to examine the "roots and fruits"
of our feelings, distinguishing between "worldly," ego-based feel- ings such as craving and aversion, and "unworldly" feelings such as compassion and sympathetic joy, which are based in selfless aware- ness.
By watching our feelings in this way, even as they are arising, ma- turing, and disappearing, we can learn to observe how pleasant, un- pleasant, and neutral sensations engender our emotions and mental states, which last much longer than feelings and often result in speech and action, whether harmful or beneficial. We can note how a spark of anger can become the flames of rage, or a tinge of melan- choly spiral into depression. With practice, we can also learn to dis- tinguish between so-called "unwholesome" mental states, such as craving, hatred, and delusion, and "wholesome" states like concen- tration, loving-kindness, and equanimity. By bringing awareness to our unwholesome states of mind, we diminish their potential to harm ourselves and others. Fully aware of our lust or anger, we are less likely to translate those mental states into speech or action. Con- versely, by recognizing and actively contemplating our wholesome states of mind, we can strengthen their force in our daily lives. In Buddhist meditative practice, specific contemplations are devoted expressly to that purpose.
The English word mindfulness is a translation of the Pali word sati, which derives from a root meaning "to remember." In part, the practice of mindfulness consists of remembering to be present for the present moment--to "keep our appointment with life," as Thich Nhat Hanh would put it. But in its deeper, original context, the prac- tice also consists of remembering to recognize, identify, and monitor our changing feelings, emotions, and states of mind and their influ- ence on the conduct of our lives. "One thing you need to remember and understand," observes the Burmese master Sayadaw U Tejaniya,
"is that you cannot leave the mind alone. It needs to be watched con- stantly. If you do not look after your garden, it will overgrow with weeds. If you do not watch your mind, defilements will grow and multiply. The mind does not belong to you, but you are responsible for it."
Continuously responsible, I might add, even when you are surfing the internet--or relaxing in your Laz-y-Boy recliner.
_____________________________________________________
Ben Howard leads the Falling Leaf Sangha (www.fallingleaf- sangha.blogspot.com), a Zen practice group in Alfred.
The Art Force Five, a real-life superhero team comprised of Alfred University students, promote equality through art. The group features heroes wearing colorful aprons (“capes in reverse”) and each possess their own artistic power. The team consists of Graphite, the illustrator; Brushstroke, the painter; Zoom, the photographer; 3-D, the sculptor; and Runway, the fashion designer.
THE ARTS
ALFRED–Alfred University (AU) students dis- guised as superheroes will present non-violence workshops at more than 20 New York State (NYS) libraries this summer to coincide with the state’s
“Every Hero Has a Story” summer reading pro- gram.
AU’s Art Force Five team, which uses creativity to promote equality, reduce violence, and strengthen communities, will be making the pre- sentations.
The Art Force Five, the outreach arm for the University’s Drawn to Diversity (D2D) program, has presented workshops to more than 100 audi- ences in educational settings ranging from elemen- tary schools to college campuses. While the team has visited various cities for one-week tours, this three-month summer residency is its most ambi- tious yet and a precursor to a planned five-month Rochester residency in 2016.
The Art Force Five superheroes wear colorful aprons (“capes in reverse”) and possess their own artistic power. The team consists of Graphite, the illustrator; Brushstroke, the painter; Zoom, the photographer; 3-D, the sculptor; and Runway, the fashion designer.
Participating libraries are located in various NYS library systems including the Southern Tier, Monroe County, the Finger Lakes, and Mid-York.
With the summer library tour already serving as the impetus for building a summer Art Force Five team, the program is looking to add school and after-school visits in both mid-May and through- out June, said Dan Napolitano, D2D founder/Art Force Five coordinator, and AU’s director of stu- dent activities.
The University students have also been invited to present at the National Conference on Race and
Ethnicity in Washington, D.C. in late May, he noted.
The Art Force Five team will provide three serv- ices to partnering communities/organizations:
“Creativity over Conflict” workshops which uses magic tricks, costume-play, games, and prizes to explore the power of creativity rather than the fight or flight reflexes which may not be the most productive solutions.
Craft stations which allow youth to build their own clothespin superhero and design their own cape. College students interact with youth dis- cussing desired powers, heroes’ names, and inspir- ing the young artists.
The Drawn to Diversity exhibit which features 40+ artifact comic books exploring issues of equality through the art form’s history.
The 20-plus local/regional library visits already in place throughout the summer months include stops at the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education Horizons Summer Program;
Wimodaughsian Library, Canisteo; the Hornell Public Library; Penn Yan Public Library; Central Library, Rochester; Lyell Public Library, Rochester; Steele Library, Elmira; Horseheads Public Library; Utica Public Library, and Cuba Public Library.
The Drawn to Diversity program at AU, founded in 2006 by Napolitano, has received nu- merous national awards and participants have been invited to present throughout the country.
Questions about the program can be directed to Napolitano at [email protected] or by calling 607.871.2925. A continuously updated list of lo- cations and performance dates may be found on the team’s website at www.drawntodiversity.com .
ANGELICA–Music is an integral part of every Friday and Saturday evening at Black-Eyed Susan Acoustic Cafe.
Guitarist Miché Fambro, singer in the style of Frank Sinatra, will be featured beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 15.
The café is pleased to present a musician and en- tertainer Rolling Stonemagazine has called “…a quiet storm.” Miché Fambro is known by many different people for very different things. Some know him as the dynamic leader of one of Upstate NY's most popular bands. Others know him as an extraordinary guitarist/vocalist singer-songwriter touring through their small town, performing with the energy and sound of a full band on his single instrument. He was twice named Showcase Artist
at the International Folk Alliance Conferences.
Warren Paul, who specializes in folk, country, pop singer-songwriter, will perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
Warren Paul plays acoustic six- and 12-string guitars and harmonica, and sings mostly original music in the folk-rock-pop-country genres, with a bit of comedy tossed in for fun. He’s been per- forming for more than 30 years at festivals and coffeehouses in the Rochester area. Notably, he has opened for Jerry Jeff Walker and the late Steve Goodman at Red Creek in Rochester.
Dinner, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, begins at 4:30 p.m. with music be- ginning at 6:30 p.m. Visit black-eyed-susan.com or call 585-466-3399 for info or reservations.
‘Art Force Five’ plans summer tour
Music this weekend in Angelica
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6 THE ALFRED SUN, Thursday, May 14, 2015
Pictured are Alfred State mechanical engineering technology students and their entry for the Baja SAE international engineering competition that took place May 7-10 at the University of Mary- land, Baltimore County. From left to right, are Jason Walker, of Phelps; Zach Shadbolt, of Attica;
Alex Fisher, of Painted Post; Nathan Sheckler, of Phelps; Nathan DeMario, of South Wales, and (kneeling) Eli Bell, of Shinglehouse, PA. (Alfred State Photo)
ALFRED–Whether they are increasing energy efficiency or looking to showcase their skills in an international engineering competition, Alfred State me- chanical engineering technology (MET) students have been work- ing hard during the spring semes- ter on some amazing projects.
In one such venture, students have developed a solar-thermal clothing dryer prototype that uses 90 percent less energy than a traditional dryer and improves drying performance. Jon Owe- jan, assistant professor of Me- chanical and Electrical Engineering Technology, said the dryer has a novel energy-re- covery system and a solar-ther- mal heat source.
In order to create the proto- type, the students designed two heat exchangers, fabricated parts, and retrofitted an existing dryer.
“These students are taking a real hard look at something that’s in every household and making it a lot more efficient,”
said Matthew Lawrence, associ- ate professor of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technol- ogy.Peter Borglum, of Pittsford, said he is proud to have been in- volved in this project, which he said shows “such promise” and considerable cost-effectiveness.
“Hopefully the results of our work will spur future MET proj- ects that put the knowledge we have gained into practice,” Bor- glum said.
In another project, through a collaboration with the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) and Yanmar Energy Systems, Alfred State has com- missioned a micro combined heat and power (Micro CHP) co- generation system that utilizes a natural gas engine to produce 5 kilowatts of power. As part of his senior project, Luke Miller, of Hornell is helping to install the system, which will become a regular part of the MET teaching curriculum.
According to Owejan, the co- generation system has a higher efficiency than traditional stand- by generators because it captures the waste heat and re-deploys it for a number of uses, such as do- mestic hot water, heating pools, radiant heating systems, and more.
“This is a great example of next-generation energy systems the students are being exposed to in the MET program,” he said.
Michael Alfano, sales applica- tion engineer at Yanmar, said,
“We at Yanmar are pleased to have the opportunity to work in partnership with the students, faculty, and staff of Alfred State on the Yanmar Micro Cogenera- tion Project. We are excited to introduce micro cogeneration concepts and ideas and assist in facilitating an operational sys- tem for the students to observe and learn from.”
MET students have also, for the second consecutive year, de- signed and fabricated an off- road vehicle for a Baja SAE international engineering com- petition that was held May 7-10 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The object of the competition, according to bajasaemaryland.umbc.edu, is to provide SAE student members with a challenging project that involves the design, planning, and manufacturing tasks found when introducing a new product to the consumer industrial mar- ket.This year, the Alfred State ve- hicle features on-board instru- mentation and an advanced suspension. About 15 students
Mechanical engineering students in some amazing projects
planned to make the trip to Maryland to compete against ap- proximately 100 other colleges.
Nathan DeMario, of South Wales, said working on the Baja team has had a significant im- pact on him.
“It has changed my view of my college experience, it has helped me develop a relationship between information gained in class work and applying the in- formation that we have learned, and it has also allowed me to enjoy my college experience more than I ever thought I would,” he said.
Nathan Sheckler, of Phelps, said this year’s Baja vehicle has
“made leaps and bounds over last year’s” entry.
“It’s really exciting to see each individual part come together to make something this cool,”
Sheckler said. “It will be an amazing opportunity to compete with this car in Maryland, put it through such a rigorous test, and truly see how well it is built.”
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THE ALFRED SUN, Thursday, May 14, 2015 7
ALMOND–Alfred Community Theatre and the Alfred-Al- mond Alumni Association will stage a talent showcase titled
“We Remember Ellen” at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 25 in the A-A High School Auditorium.
A-A alumni and Alfred Community Theatre performers who at one time performed under the direction of the late Ellen Shultz are being encouraged to participate.
“This is a one day commitment,” said Brooke Harris, who will serve as co-masters of ceremony with Tom Meacham,
“You prepare your song in advance, we'll do a run-though in the morning and put on a great show in the afternoon. We'll even supply the accompaniment.”
For more information contact director Janna Buckwalter at [email protected]
A-A alumni to ‘Remember Ellen’
with July 25 ‘Talent Showcase’
Alfred State students compete for food truck design
Family members await the arrival of Congressional Gold Medal, Wallace Higgins.
Don Higgins delivers his dad to the fete, flags fluttering on the big motorcycle.
The back of Don Higgins' motorcycle vest, sporting a patch memorializing Leon Lobdell, a dear friend and fellow serviceman of Wally Higgins. Also, please note the Patriot Guard patch, worn by Don, who also served our country in the Armed Forces. (Photos by Sherry Volk)
Brent Reynolds and Don Higgins regale the crowd with sto- ries and humor about Wally Higgins.
Wally gets Congressional Gold Medal
ALFRED–A total of 50 stu- dent designs for Alfred State’s newly acquired food truck were presented for display and judg- ing Tuesday, April 28, at the Stu- dent Leadership Center.
Working together with student leaders from the Alfred State Ar- chitecture Club, the event high- lighted a two-week project completed earlier this semester by 52 first-year Architecture and Design Department students in the design fundamentals studio course. Professors Dr. Alex Bit- terman, Dave Carli, and Terry Palmiter worked with students, who were tasked with develop-
ing a new design “wrap” for the college’s food truck, which will serve as a rolling kitchen to be primarily used at some disaster relief outreach programs.
“The objective of the exercise was to develop a highly visible, recognizable, and meaningful graphic expression for the truck, which embodies the Alfred State commitment to community care and civic engagement,” said Carli.
The event featured 50 presen- tation entries, each of which in- cluded a presentation board and a 3-D model of the food truck emblazoned with the student’s
design.
Christian Jankuloski, an archi- tectural technology major from Webster, whose presentation was titled “Pioneer Plates,” said he enjoyed coming up with his own unique design.
“It made me learn a bit more about myself and what I can do,”
he said.
Architectural technology stu- dent and Buffalo native Brandon Oddo said he based his design,
“Grub-on-the-Go,” on the sharp, crisp decals and logos found on racing cars.
“I love graphic design, so I re- ally enjoyed being able to put some creative effort into this, re- ally express myself, and take my love for racing and put it into a school project,” he said.
Michael Bowman, an archi- tectural technology major from Fairport, whose presentation was titled “Simply Alfred,” said the project helped him learn
more about the layout aspect of the design process.
“That’s very key to designing anything,” he said.
Invited to serve as judges Tuesday were President Dr. Skip Sullivan, Vice President of Aca- demic Affairs Kristin Poppo, Dean of the School of Architec- ture, Management and Engineer- ing Technology Dr. John Williams, Dean of the School of Applied Technology Dr. Craig Clark, Assistant Professor of Building Trades Mark Payne, Culinary Arts Instructor Brian Decker, and other Architecture and Design Department faculty.
Judges were asked to pick their top choices, and the results, along with each student’s name and hometown, are as follows:
First place: “Rising Sun,” by Ryan Debree, architecture, Web- ster.
Second place: “License Plate,” by Hannah Vuozzo, ar-
chitecture, Salt Point.
Third place: “Rebuilding Your Horizon,” by Christiana Mehmel, architecture, Olean.
Fourth place: “The Orvis Mo- bile,” by Alisha Jenney, interior design, Savona.
Carli spoke highly of the stu- dents’ work, saying, “Some of the designs are quite profes- sional in their development and execution and exhibit a high level of design consideration.”
Bitterman said, “The food truck design project is unique in the sense that it engages students in a hands-on study of the built environment and provides the opportunity for students from both Alfred State campuses to work together to bring an idea from conception to completion.
And it puts our best student tal- ent front and center in a very public way and supports the Al- fred State mission by helping others throughout our region.”
Architecture and Design Department Professor and Chair Bill Dean and Dean of the School of Architecture, Management, and Engineering Technology John Williams take a look at the student presentation entries for Alfred State’s newly acquired food truck Tuesday, April 28, at the Student Leadership Center. (Alfred State Photo)
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