achievements

Shirt Factory wins Buffalo contest for most creative Bloody Mary

Posted 9 March 2020 at 2:39 pm

Press Release, Shirt Factory

Provided photo: The Shirt Factory in Medina won the award for most creative Bloody Mary during a competition in Buffalo.

MEDINA – The Shirt Factory is proud to announce its recent victory as the “Most Creative Bloody Mary” at Sunday’s Bloody Mary Festival in Buffalo. The recipe submitted was a collaborative effort by all members of the Shirt Factory, but developed by Lead Bartender Chris Kozody and Manager Madison Greenwald.

“Competing in an event of that magnitude was a lofty goal for us considering the small scale of our kitchen and equipment,” said Alix Gilman, co-owner of the Shirt Factory. “Something about the nature of our team made the announcement and call for applications to the festival more realistic despite the obvious concerns about our limited space. Everything we dream, every challenge we throw their way, they take it and run together.”

The Shirt Factory also finished 3rd in the “Best Overall Bloody Mary” category.

Sponsored by Step Out Buffalo, Buffalo’s Bloody Mary Fest is now in its 5th year. The event was held at Buffalo Riverworks and included 10 bars from around the Buffalo area. Hartman’s Distillery was the sponsoring vodka and was used in every competing Bloody Mary.

“While this is certainly an incredible victory for the Shirt Factory, we are equally as excited to further showcase what Medina can do when up against the best the city has to offer,” said Scott Robinson, co-owner of the Shirt Factory.

Located in the heart of Medina, the Shirt Factory is a cafe by day and cocktail bar by night. Recently named one of the top cocktail bars in Western New York by Step Out Buffalo, the Shirt Factory also focuses on showcasing only local beers and wines from the region. The winning Bloody Mary will be available all this coming weekend during “Boozy Brunch” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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HCR Home Care promotes Holley man to IT director

Staff Reports Posted 6 March 2020 at 11:57 am

Michael Kamm

HCR Home Care, a leading provider of home health care services across New York state, announced the promotions of six company executives, including a Holley man.

• Michael Kamm of Holley has been promoted to IT director. Previously serving as IT operations manager/ network administrator, Kamm now is responsible for overseeing operation of network and server systems, for managing the infrastructure portion of the IT Help Desk and its staff, and for identifying and recommending new technology solutions.

• Andrew Bascom has been promoted to chief operating officer, having previously served as senior vice president. Bascom now directs and manages all lines of business operations, including the certified agency, licensed agency and care management. He also oversees IT and is responsible for managing the infrastructure and application support across HCR’s footprint. Andrew Bascom is a resident of Walworth.

• Suzanne Turchetti has been promoted to chief administrative officer, after previously serving as vice president of administration. In this new role, Turchetti now oversees all non-clinical administrative operations, including human resources, contracts, corporate compliance and communications/public relations. Suzanne Turchetti resides in Irondequoit.

• Karen Bonomo, RN BSN C.D.S., has been promoted to executive director of LHCSA/ administrator/outreach, after previously serving as director of patient services licensed agency. In this new role, Bonomo develops and implements strategies aimed at promoting the organization’s mission, creates business plans, and ensures adherence of the organization’s daily activities and long-term strategies and legal guidelines. Karen Bonomo is a resident of Hilton.

• Rui Ventura has been promoted to executive director of patient care coordination and care management. Formerly senior director of HCR Care Management, Ventura is responsible for leading and overseeing care management services, clinical intake and patient services coordination, as well as strategic involvement in business planning to optimize organizational performance and meet growth initiatives. Rui Ventura resides in Pittsford.

• Laura Bartolotti has been promoted to director of administrative operations & communications, having previously served as procurement manager. Bartolotti is responsible for both internal and external communications, as well as marketing collateral, public relations, procurement, property management and the customer care center across HCR’s footprint. Laura Bartolotti resides in Honeoye Falls.

About HCR Home Care

Founded in 1978, HCR Home Care is a leading provider of home health services to patients, physicians and other health care professionals across New York state. HCR is certified and approved for Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans. Recognized as a top workplace two years in a row and as a top-ranked woman-owned business, the company is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y. and operates in 25 counties across the Catskill, Central New York, Finger Lakes and North Country regions.

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Medina Postal Carrier to be honored for heroic act

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2020 at 12:50 pm

MEDINA – A U.S. postal carrier in Medina will be honored on Wednesday with the Postmaster General Hero Award.

Lisa Moule has worked for the United States Postal Service as a Medina rural carrier for nearly 14 years.

She will be honored on Wednesday at the Medina Post Office for her concern and quick response when she was delivering mail to one of her hardship-case customers.

When Moule was speaking to an elderly customer while bringing the mail, Moule noticed the woman seemed confused. Without hesitation, Moule called 9-1-1 to get the woman medical attention. Moule waited until help arrived. She later heard that it was believed the woman had suffered multiple strokes.

“I’m proud of the service our carriers provide at the mailbox and the care they take of the community they serve,” said Medina Postmaster Scott Streebel. “Lisa certainly went above and beyond her regular duties. It’s an honor to recognize her for this life-saving act.”

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2 local students named to SUNY Morrisville Dean’s List

Posted 22 February 2020 at 3:06 pm

MORRISVILLE – Two students form Orleans County have been named to the Dean’s List at SUNY Morrisville for the Fall 2019 semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve an average of 3.0 to 3.99 for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Cooper Rowley of Kendall and Jon Strobele of Albion both are on the Dean’s List at Morrisville.

National Guard soldier from Albion promoted

Staff Reports Posted 19 February 2020 at 9:04 am

Michael Landauer from Albion and assigned to the Company B, 3-126th Aviation of the New York Army National Guard received a promotion to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.

These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber citizen soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

Megan Leight named to Dean’s List at Canisius

Staff Reports Posted 17 February 2020 at 3:47 pm

BUFFALO – Megan Leight of Albion was named to the Canisius College Dean’s List for the fall 2019 semester.

Leight is one of more than 1,100 Canisius College undergraduate students named to the fall 2019 Dean’s List. To qualify, students must have attained a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester and completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.

Leight is from the Canisius Class of 2021 and pursuing a degree in Animal Behavior Ecology and Conservation.

Public Works Association honors 3 from Orleans County

Provided photos: The Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association on Jan. 30 honored this group for its work on a culvert in the Town of Albion on Clarendon Road. Pictured from left include: Matt Passarell, Albion town councilman; Richard Remley, Albion town supervisor; Mike Neidert, Albion town highway superintendent; Ryan Hill, Orleans County DPW motor equipment operator; John Papponetti, Orleans County commissioner of public works; Chris Bayer, project manager with LaBella Associates; Wayne Krull, Orleans County DPw lead MEO; and Brian Ettinger, Orleans County MEO.

Staff Reports Posted 5 February 2020 at 12:19 pm

The Genesee Valley Branch of the American Public Works Association recognized two long-time highway workers and a public works project in Orleans County during a Jan. 30 awards program at the RIT Inn and Conference Center in Henrietta.

The following descriptions of the honorees was taken from the program during the awards celebration.

Public Works Project of the Year Award for Small Cities/Rural Communities

The Town of Albion was honored for the Clarendon Road Culvert Replacement Project in Orleans County.

On the surface this project looks like a typical rural town culvert replacement project, the Genesee Valley Branch of the APWA stated.

However, it was the cooperative effort between the Town of Albion Highway Department and the Orleans County Highway Department that sets this project apart.

The existing structure was in very poor condition and lacked appropriate guide rails to protect the traveling public. In addition, Clarendon Road is a heavily travelled thoroughfare adjacent to the Albion Central School District.

This Town of Albion was awarded a grant through the 2016 BridgeNY Program with an overall project budget of $174,000 for design, construction, and construction oversight. The project was put out to bid as a precast concrete buried structure and wing wall system supported on precast concrete footings. The bids came in higher than budgeted and the town needed to find an alternative method for completing this project.

The construction of the new corrugated metal culvert pipe, approaches and guide rails were designed by Labella and constructed by the Orleans County Highway Department under their shared services agreement with the Town.

The project is forwarded to the APWA State Level for consideration of a statewide award. If chosen for a state award, it will be considered for National APWA recognition.

Public Works Leader of the Year

Ed Morgan was recognized for an active 30-year career as highway superintendent for the Town of Murray.

The Public Works Leader of the Year Award was established to inspire excellence and dedication in public service by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of individual public works professionals.

Ed Morgan has served as the Town of Murray Highway Superintendent since elected in 1990. During that time, Ed has helped facilitate the construction of nearly 300,000 linear feet of water main to serve the residents of the community.

Ed performs dual responsibilities, as Water Superintendent operating the water system, while at the same time maintaining over 30 miles of roads throughout the town, along with total winter maintenance on 17 miles of county roads and 16 miles of State roads.

Under Ed’s urging and direction, the Town of Murray Highway Department staff completed the replacement of the Highway Department flat roof with a new truss roof, built a large storage building and expanded the Town Hall to accommodate the expanding court system with accessibility for town residents and operational staff.

They also built a 1,200-ton salt storage building and installed a computerized fuel system to accommodate not only the Town’s needs, but also service two fire departments. These improvements completed by Town staff have saved the Town hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Ed and his employees were also the lead agency in the construction of the Holley Industrial Park including, roads, water and sanitary. Ed was also instrumental in building two complete soccer fields for the Holley Central School District.

Ed has works closely with other Town Highway Superintendents to assist them when needed. He has been a strong advocate for highway departments across the state. He has served as President of the Orleans County Highway Superintendents Association several times over the past 30 years.

Ed is community minded and previously served as Treasurer of the Holley Rotary Club, has received a Rotary Paul Harris citation, served as the Orleans County Republican Chairman for 12 years, currently sits on the Western New York OTB Board of Directors as Chairman of the Batavia Downs Committee and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation Board. Ed also serves as Vice-Chairman on the Board of Fire Commissioners for the F-H-M Fire District as well as a Trustee for St. Mary & St. Mark Church.

It is with this combination of professional and personal dedication that we recognize Ed Morgan as the Public Works Leader of the Year.

Douglas C. Zefting Public Service Employee Award

Steve Fuller (right), lead motor equipment operator for the Orleans County DPW, is pictured with John Papponetti, DPW superintendent, during the awards celebration on Jan. 30.

This award recognizes outstanding public service and achievement of an operational maintenance level employee of a public works agency of a political subdivision. Candidates must be employed on a full-time basis by any state, county, city, village or town and shall have a minimum of 10-years public service. The award is named in honor of Douglas C. Zefting, P.E., former City of Rochester Engineer.

Steven Fuller was recognized for his 31 years of service to Orleans County where he has worked his way up through the ranks from laborer to become a Lead Motor Equipment Operator, and head of the County’s paving operation.

Steve is the main point of contact for the County for all paving operations and coordinates all project needs including equipment, materials, and labor. Steve works closely with the 10 Towns and 3 Villages within the County to complete their paving projects. This is a $3.5 million countywide operation each year.

Steve is a valuable asset to the County. He is the first one to show up in the morning, and the last one to leave. He is a hard worker that leads by example and maintains a positive working relationship with all of the Town and Village Highway Superintendents.

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Tompkins Bank of Castile named Business of the Year in Genesee County

Posted 5 February 2020 at 11:25 am

Press Release, Tompkins Bank of Castile

BATAVIA – Tompkins Bank of Castile is being honored as the 2019 Business of the Year by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

The award—which recognizes organizations that demonstrate significant business stability, commitment to the community and leadership—will be presented at the Chamber’s 48th annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia.

“We are grateful to the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce for this wonderful recognition,” said John McKenna, President and CEO of Tompkins Bank of Castile. “Tompkins is proud to partner with the Chamber and other community organizations to ensure our region’s growth and prosperity in the years to come.”

Tompkins Bank of Castile recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with yearlong celebrations throughout 2019. Based in Batavia, the bank serves the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties) and beyond in Rochester and most recently, expanded into Buffalo with the opening of its Amherst location. Tompkins Bank of Castile has a branch in Medina.

“Tompkins Bank of Castile has seen unprecedented growth in Genesee County in recent years,” said Tom Turnbull, President of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. “Not only are they a thriving business in our area but they have continued to be a leader in community service and volunteerism. With Tompkins celebrating their 150th anniversary, they were a natural and worthy choice to receive the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year.”

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Medina native’s book wins 2020 Golden Kite Award for YA fiction

Posted 5 February 2020 at 7:39 am

Press Release, Julie Berry Books

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles-based author Julie Berry’s young adult novel set in World War I, Lovely War, has won the prestigious 2020 Golden Kite Award for the top work of young adult fiction by the Society of Children’s Books and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Photo by Travis Tanner of Julie Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate

Instituted in 1973, the Golden Kite Award is an annual award for excellence in children’s literature given in six categories and, along with the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, is the only children’s literacy award judged by a jury of peers.

Over 1,000 books are entered each year. Julie Berry and the other winners in each category will formally accept their awards at SCBWI’s gala on Feb. 7 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, and will each receive $2,500 plus an additional $1,000 to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice. Berry will direct her donation funds to the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights advocacy group committed to ending mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial and economic injustice in the United States.

Lovely War, released from Viking Books for Young Readers, has topped several best of year lists for 2019. Lovely War was named a Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book of 2019, a New York Public Library Best Fantasy for Adults, a Kirkus Best YA Romance of 2019, a Booklist Editor’s Choice for Youth 2019, a Horn Book Fanfare Title for 2019, a 2019 Blue Ribbon from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, a BookPage Best Young Adult Book of 2019, a Shelf Awareness 2019 Best Children’s & Teen Book of the Year, a BuzzFeed Best Young Adult Book of 2019, and a Texas Library Association TAYSHAS Top Ten Book.

Libraries naming it to their best teen and YA reads of the year lists include Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library, San Jose Public Library. The novel also won the 2019 Young Adult Prize given by the Southern California Independent Booksellers’ Association.

Julie Berry’s book, Lovely War, has been critically acclaimed.

At the time of its March 2019 release, Lovely War received glowing reviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Cosmopolitan. The New York Times Book Review called Lovely War a “virtuoso” achievement, saying it “reads like a divine mix of Kate Atkinson and Neil Gaiman.” The Washington Post called it “the novel you’ll want to steal from your teen’s nightstand.” BookPage praised “Julie Berry’s superb research and attention to detail” as “perfectly suited to the layers of this moving, unflinching and, yes, romantic story of love in wartime.” Barnes and Noble called it “a story of love, healing, and meddling gods you won’t want to miss.” Lovely War also received seven starred reviews from industry journals including Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage, Booklist, The Horn Book, and Shelf Awareness.

Berry is also the author of the award-winning young adult title, The Passion of Dolssa. The critically acclaimed novel won a 2017 Michael L. Printz Honor award from the American Library Association, was a finalist for the L.A. Times Book prize, a The New York Times Notable title, and was on Best of the Year lists with Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and others.

Berry’s other novels include All the Truth That’s In Me and The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place, both award-winning titles for young people. This year, she released her first picture books including Long Ago, on a Silent Night, illustrated by Annie Won and published by Scholastic, and Happy Right Now, illustrated by #1 New York Times Bestselling illustrator Holly Hatam, and published by Sounds True.

Julie Berry grew up in Medina and spent most of her adult life in the Boston area before moving to Pasadena, California with her family. She holds a BS from Rensselaer in communication and an MFA from Vermont College of the Fine Arts in writing for children and young adults.

For more information, visit www.julieberrybooks.com. For information about SCBWI, visit www.scbwi.com. For information about the Equal Justice Initiative, visit eji.org.

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Karina Rosario of Albion has perfect GPA at Hofstra

Staff Reports Posted 29 January 2020 at 8:29 am

HEMPSTEAD – Karina Rosario of Albion achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA during the Fall 2019 semester, earning a spot on the Provost’s List at Hofstra University.

Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, that is the only school to ever host three consecutive presidential debates (2008, 2012 and 2016).