The Blog

“If you have a building in a place like Michigan, you have to maintain it.” – Virginia Cram-Martos Albion’s beloved train depot is getting a much-needed face lift, 40 years after the original restoration. Train History Built in 1882 as part of the Michigan Central Railroad, the Italianate style depot provided a transportation hub from Detroit to Marshall, while the …

Black History Month is an annual celebration that highlights the achievements of Black people throughout our history and culture. Black History Month is an expansion of the work of historian Carter G. Woodson. Woodson founded the “Association for the Study of Negro Life and History” in 1915 that aimed “for Black scholars to study and preserve Black history”1 after observing …

Paint & Sip Fundraiser for Rotary Club of Albion at Galazio of Albion 6PM Monday, February 10th Kick off your Valentine’s celebrations with Rotary Club of Albion’s Paint and Sip Fundraiser! Unlock your inner artist and create your next masterpiece with step-by-step instructions from Annette Lerma. Immerse yourself in culture and cuisine at Galazio of Albion all while supporting the …

After 18+ years of service, Robert (Bob) Dunklin has step down as the President of the Albion Branch NAACP. Dunklin has been an integral part of the organization, fighting for freedom and equity not only in Albion but in our state and our nation. When Albion community members think of the Albion Branch NAACP, more likely than not, their minds …

Scouting America is a national program providing leadership, character building, and community service through hands on work with an emphasis the outdoors. A part of Scouting is earning the rank of Eagle Scout, it’s the highest rank of the program with only one in four Scouts achieving it. When becoming an Eagle Scout, the youth must complete an “Eagle Scout …

Are you looking to have a hearty meal before kickoff on Superbowl Sunday, or just craving some delicious dishes and quality time with the Albion community? On Sunday, February 9th, Citizens to Beautify Albion is hosting the 38th annual Men Who Cook, a community event second only to the Festival of the Forks. In previous years, over 100 men from …

Mae Ola Dunklin, Dianne Guenin-Lelle, and Mary Slater, who kindly refer to themselves as the Three Muses of the Sister City Committee, received one of the most honorable awards from Albion’s Sister Cities in France. Each received a personal Medal of the City from Noisy-le-Roi and Bailly. The official beginning of the Sister City relationship was in 1998 between Albion, …

Martin Luther King Jr. is a civil rights activist our nation and community honors annually on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day). But to celebrate and observe this holiday, it is important to know the history of the federally recognized day, and the ways Albion celebrates. According to Blackmore from HISTORY, the fight for …

Meet the ladies who are impacting food security of our youth, AKA, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. AKA is an international service organization dedicated to empowering families and the community*. With over 360,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters*, 3 local Albion women are continuing their legacy in the Albion area: Vivian Davis, Mae Ola Dunklin, and Barbara Landry-Davis. …

Meet Lynne Sellers, owner of Up & Up Upholstery in downtown Albion! Up & Up opened in early 2024 with the goal of offering a new local service to Albion residents. As Sellers explained, upholstery is the process of taking your solid frame of furniture and making it into something you fully love. Sellers does this work through taking the …

Stroll downtown Albion November 14th to kick off your holiday shopping with Albion’s Winter Market! Businesses across Superior Street will be joining in the fun with specialty activities, evening hours, and holiday spirit. Pop-up vendors will line the alley way between Anna’s House of Flowers and the Secretary of State, with exciting opportunities from organizations like Albion’s Sister City Committee, …

By Cassidy Porter It’s hard to believe that this year Albion’s Big Read is celebrating 10 years! As a participant in the first year of the program, it is even more difficult think that 10 amazing years of community togetherness, youth empowerment, and common reading have gone by.  Created with a vision to have educational experiences beyond the classroom for …

Albion’s Octobers are filled with crisp air, walks on the trails, and changing leaves. You can cheer on the home teams at Albion College and Marshall High School football games, shop for your favorite fall reads at Stirling Books & Brew, enjoy warm soups from Foundry Bakehouse & Deli, and come together as a community for Albion’s Big Read. This …

Arts Midwest is bringing the Arabian flamenco jazz of Farah Siraj to Albion as part of Arts Midwest World Fest! Named Jordan’s Musical Ambassadress, Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, having performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, World Economic Forum, and …

In 2015 the Build Albion Fellows program was built to bridge the gap between the community and Albion College. The vision for the program centers around local Albion students gaining a post-secondary education and experiences within their home community. Each year the program welcomes up to ten local Albion students, and in exchange for financial support, the students complete community …

Collectively, the staff and board of Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum are gearing up to host their largest fundraiser of the year, Bids ‘N’ Stuff. Primarily a live and silent auction, the event offers an array of items for attendees to bid on, including unique experiences, vacations, signed memorabilia, tickets, memberships, and artwork. The theme for this year’s event is, …

Since 1967, the Festival of the Forks has been engrained in the culture and community of Albion. Beginning as a heritage celebration, the Festival is an annual event that brings the community together to celebrate one another, our ethnic diversity, and our love for Albion. Although the food is amazing, from tamales to BBQ, the Festival of the Forks is …

Meet the Fuentes, the owners of Honey P’s Flower Farm! Named after their daughter Penelope, Nathan and Audra Fuentes started their flower farm this year with the vision of adding something new to the community of Albion. Located at their fourth generation family farm off of 28 ½ mile road in Albion, Michigan, this hidden gem is a breathe taking sight. …

“Our goal is to help support the academic growth and well-being of our area kiddos.” – Eddie Williams, Albion Branch NAACP Education Committee Member As school is fast approaching, so is the Albion Branch NAACP’s Annual Back to School Celebration! The annual celebration is chance for community connection and school preparation for Albion’s youth. I’ve recently spoke with a few …

In late June, eight youth and four adults set off to Noisy-le-Roi and Bailly, France for a two-week trip! This adventure was the most recent of those coordinated by Albion’s Sister City Committee. Each traveler stayed with a host family in our sister cities, creating a unique and special experience. The group of travelers spent their trip exploring Noisy-le-Roi and …

The Albion Community Foundation has completed two of their three 2024 grant rounds, impacting several community organizations. Over the two rounds, the Foundation has awarded over $70,000!The Albion Community Foundation is dedicated to building community focused capital that serves community needs. They focus on three central tenets: community improvement, cultural heritage, and youth development. This is done through grantmaking to …

Difference Makers is a local opportunity for students 3rd through 12th grade in the Albion area. Students receive support in developmental skills outside of the classroom including character and leadership building. Difference Makers offers afterschool and summer programming with a mission to impact students’ educational success by “empowering future leaders with the tools necessary to become engaged members of our …

Welcome to the ultimate ice cream adventure in Albion, Michigan! If you’re an ice cream lover like me, you’re in for a treat—literally. Picture this: a sunny afternoon, a sweet treat in hand, and the sound of laughter as families and friends gather to indulge in the creamy, dreamy delights that Albion has to offer. Whether you’re a fan of …

Albion Rainbow Connection (ARC) was founded in 2012 by a few passionate Albion College students who found a gap in the Albion community when it came to LGBTQIA+ representation. It was needed to build a “safe space in places, minds, and hearts”* for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and expanding identities (LGBTQIA+). This overarching goal of creating …

The City of Albion has 17 registered parks within our humble community. Ranging in play structures, splash pads, walking trails, and more, each park is unique in it’s offerings. Bournelis Park Named after local shoe merchant Pete Bournelis, this small park offers the best view to the restored Coca-Cola Mural. The mural is the only one in the country painted …