Several Orleans County residents have made the President’s List at Genesee Community College or the fall semester. The students are full-time with a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
GCC said the following made the President’s List from Orleans County:
ALBION – Daniel Behrend, Kastriot Bela, Mckenna Boyer, Jacob Ettinger, Katelyn Farone, Delaney Ford, Amanda Gillette, William Gregoire, Morgan Haak, Allison Howard, Jayden Neal, Madison Papaj and Jacob Weller.
ALFRED – Dr. Kristin Poppo, provost at Alfred State College, has announced the dean’s list of academically impressive students for fall 2019. To be listed, students must have completed at least 12 credit hours for the semester and earned a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.
The following Orleans County students were among those recognized:
Erik Balys of Holley, majoring in Heavy Equipment Operations; Melody Purtell of Holley, majoring in Radiologic Technology; Jessica Sedore of Holley, majoring in Nursing; John Ramsdell of Kent, majoring in Building Trades-Building Construction; and Keegan Bayne of Lyndonville, majoring in Machine Tool Technology.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 January 2020 at 9:15 am
Mother of 4 works as supervisor at Intergrow Greenhouses
Photo by Tom Rivers: Rosa Santiago, in back, is joined by her daughters during a celebration on Monday after she passed her American citizenship test. Rosa’s daughters include, from left: Tiffany, Michelle and Alexis.
WATERPORT – Rosa Santiago was celebrated on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, for earning her American citizenship.
Santiago, an Albion resident the past 13 years, passed the citizenship test last Wednesday. She will be sworn in as a new American during a ceremony on Feb. 27 at the U.S. Courthouse in Buffalo.
Santiago, 38, started taking English classes at the World Life Institute in Waterport about two years ago. She also studied American history and prepared for the civics test she needed to pass to become an American.
Her teachers and classmates threw a party for her at the school on Stillwater Road, where she has taken classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings the past two years.
Santiago, a supervisor at Intergrow Greenhouses, said she was motivated by her four children to learn English and pass the test. She has a son, 18, and three daughters, ages 9, 12 and 14.
She has been in the area for the past 13 years, working in agriculture. She was at Lake Ontario Fruit, an apple packing facility in Albion, before going to Intergrow.
A native of Mexico, Santiago said earning her American citizenship gives her security to stay in the country with her family. She also looks forward to voting and having a US Passport.
Cheryl Lieberman, one of Santiago’s teachers, praised Santiago’s persistence in learning English and preparing for the citizenship exam.
“Do not be fooled by this tiny, shy, young lady,” Lieberman said during a celebration for Santiago on Monday. “She has tremendous strength inside of her and a determination.”
Santiago went to her classes on the two evenings each week after a full shift at work.
“Rosa maintained the strong desire to pass this test and she let nothing discourage her from achieving that goal,” Lieberman said. “She fought for it and never gave up.”
Santiago is the 12th student from the World Life Institute to earn American citizenship since 2010. She said seeing the other students reach that goal was a strong motivator and encouragement for her.
WLI runs the program with support from the Orleans-Niagara BOCES Continuing Education. Sue Diemert, a literacy specialist for the program, said the World Life Institute staff are dedicated and caring teachers. She praised Santiago for her success with the program.
“We celebrate out students and our new citizens,” Diemert said.
Provided photo: The staff at the World Life Institute in Waterport celebrated Rosa Santiago on Monday evening. Pictured from left include Linda Redfield, a teacher at WLI; Monica Beck, a teacher; Rosa Santiago; Rosa’s daughters, Tiffany, Michelle and Alexis; and teachers, Gejlana Carter, Harris Lieberman and Malvy Rivera.
Provided photos from Catholic Charities: June Seager speaks last week at East Pembroke during a kickoff event for the 2020 Catholic Charities appeal. Next to her is Kelly Grimaldi, Catholic Charities Tri-County district director.
EAST PEMBROKE – An Orleans County woman was honored last week by Catholic Charities for her “unwavering commitment to helping those in need in the community.”
June Seager received the “Hero of Hope Partner Award.” She works as the coordinator for the Orleans County Office of Children and Family Services. In 2018 she was named the Orleans County Employee of the Year.
She has worked the 16 years as a caseworker for the county. She was recognized in 2018 as the county employee of the year for her work as an adult protective caseworker with residents 18 and older. Most of the cases involved elderly residents at risk. They may be financially exploited, or suffer from a physical disability or mental health issue.
This photo includes, from left: Deacon Steve Schumer, Catholic Charities president and CEO; June Seager, county coordinator for the Orleans County Office of Children and Family Services; and Kelly Grimaldi, Catholic Charities Tri-County district director.
“June really goes above and beyond the call of duty for her clients,” said Kelly Grimaldi, Tri-County district director for Catholic Charities. “She truly cares about them, not just as clients, but as individuals, and it continuously shows in her work. When we try to reach her at her office, more times than not she isn’t there because she is out taking care of someone. She genuinely cares.”
About 40 Catholic Charities appeal parish volunteers, clergy, and staff attended a volunteer training workshop on Jan. 8 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church at East Pembroke. The event helped kick off the $10 million Catholic Charities and the Fund for the Faith in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
The patron saint for Appeal 2020 is Saint Joseph. Working under the theme “Think of Me,” Appeal volunteers from Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties will begin reaching out to individuals and businesses in the community to encourage their support of the Appeal, which helps fund Catholic Charities’ 51 programs and services across 43 sites in Western New York, along with a number of programs and ministries through the Fund for the Faith.
“Funding is vital not only for Catholic Charities to continue its robust mission of serving those most in need in Western New York, but for the Fund for the Faith to provide its important ministries for parishioners in our diocese,” said Rick Cronin, chair of Appeal 2020. “This marks our 96th Appeal, and we know that we couldn’t have come this far without prayers, dedicated volunteers and generous donors. As we begin our climb to $10 million, we will once again rely on this combination, and will remain committed to ensuring that Catholic Charities is a beacon of hope for those in need in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.”
Catholic Charities provided assistance which impacted more than 160,000 individuals, Catholics and non-Catholics alike during the past year, including more than 3,600 individuals in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Donors from these three counties contributed $418,727 to the 2019 Appeal.
Catholic Charities provides a range of services in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. These services include basic assistance; counseling for individuals, couples and families; Domestic Violence program for men; Our Kids: Parent Education and Awareness Program; and outreach to homebound seniors through Friendly Phones in Orleans County and Friendly Phones and Home Visitation in Genesee County.
Catholic Charities’ offices are located at 25 Liberty St., Suite 7, Batavia, 243 South Main St., Albion, and 6470 State Rt. 20A Bldg. 1, Perry.
This year’s Appeal Week will take place March 28-April 5 throughout the eight counties of Western New York to celebrate the support of those who have made contributions to the Appeal, and to encourage those who have not already donated to do so. Volunteers will continue to work to achieve the final goal until the conclusion of Appeal 2020 on June 30.
To make a donation to Appeal 2020 or for more information contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to ccwny.org, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2020 at 1:50 pm
Photo courtesy of Bruce Landis, Photos by Bruce
GAINES – Bruce Landis took this photo – “You want it when?” of Dave Clark working in the harness shop at the Cobblestone Museum in Gaines. This was taken on Sept. 14 during the Old Timers Fair at the museum.
The image earned a first place award at the Professional Photographers of America International photo competition, and will be on display at their annual convention in Nashville Tenn., from Jan. 18-21.
Landis has worked as a professional photographer locally since 1974. In 2017 he was honored by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce with a “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
LATHAM – Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.
Samantha Harvey of Kent received a promotion to the rank of sergeant. She is assigned to the Company D (Forward Support Company Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.
Victoria Moreland of Medina received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class. She is assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
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.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Timothy Roath, a building and grounds worker with the Orleans County Highway Department, accepts an award on Dec. 13 as the participant of the year for Orleans County through the GLOW Workforce Development Board. He is joined up front by Jessica Sutch, left, and Pamela Chatt, who are both employment and training counselors with the Orleans County Job Development Agency.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2019 at 3:20 pm
BATAVIA — The four-county GLOW Workforce Development Board recently held its annual meeting and honored businesses and workers in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Jay Lazarony is director of the GLOW Workforce Development Board.
The GLOW program has six sites in the four counties, including two in Albion – the Orleans County Job Development Agency at 14016 Route 31 (County Administration Building) and the Orleans Center for Workforce Development at 458 West Ave. Those six sites in GLOW served 25,000 people, helping people with job searches, resume and job interviewing preparation, and helping to connect them to classroom and job training programs.
About 300 businesses listed 1,300 job openings in the program, and 1,900 people were able to find jobs through the program during a time of very low unemployment in the region, said Jay Lazarony, executive director of the GLOW Workforce Development Board.
Norb Fuest is chairman of the GLOW Workforce Development Board.
“Their work guidance and sometimes tough love is exactly what is needed,” Lazarony said on Dec. 13 during the GLOW Workforce Development Board annual meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.
The four counties also served about 300 youth through a summer job program.
Lazorony praised the adult and youth participants in the programs for showing resilience and determination. Some have needed to overcome homelessness, car accidents, learning disabilities, financial hardships and other challenges to find and maintain employment.
Norb Fuest is chairman of the board for the GLOW organization. He praised the Job Development staffs and the people they serve.
“What this program is all about is helping people meet their goals,” he said.
The region needs more workers of all different skill sets, especially in the trades. The GLOW Workforce Development Board is partnering with local school districts to promote careers in the four counties.
“There’s a lot of needs throughout our region,” Fuest said. “We need to educate our youth about the careers that are available in our region.”
The GLOW board supported a first-time event for the region on Sept. 24. The GLOW With Your Hands event brought 800 students to the Genesee County Fairgrounds to get hands-on experience laying bricks and sampling other jobs in the building trades. The program will continue next year.
Some of the award winners from the four counties gather for a group picture at the conclusion of the GLOW Workforce Development Board meeting.
The GLOW board recognized the following in Orleans County during the annual meeting:
• Timothy Roath was named the “Participant of the Year” from Orleans. He had been a long-time employee at Community Action. He started with the Orleans County Highway Department in buildings and grounds by giving people rides in a golf cart while the County Administration Building was undergoing an addition. He helped keep visitors to the building safe while many contractors were working on the addition.
Provided photos: Creekside Floral in Medina was recognized by the GLOW Workforce Development Board with a Business Recognition Award. Pictured from left include: Hans Rosentreter, owner Mary Lewis, Jamie Wagner and Sue Fuller.
Roath went on to get his driver’s license and secured a full-time position with the Highway Department as a custodian. Highway Superintendent John Papponetti praised Roath for being an excellent addition to the staff, bringing a friendly demeanor and strong work ethic to the job.
Roath praised the Job Development staff in Orleans County for their motivation and helping him to overcome some of the obstacles to getting a full-time job.
“I want to thank Job Development from Orleans County,” he said during the awards program. “They’ve been the backbone I just didn’t have.”
• Creekside Floral in Medina received a “Business Recognition” award. The floral shop has been owned by Mary Lewis since 2006. Creekside participated in the summer youth employment program for the first time this past year. Lewis proved to be an enthusiastic mentor to the youth worker, and accommodated the student’s schedule for classes.
Creekside taught the youth participant floral décor and how to prepare and maintain flowers, as well as teaching other job skills such as customer service, communication, time management, responsibility and patience.
• Autumn Dercqu received the “Youth Recognition” award for her work at Creekside Floral in Medina. Autumn impressed Creekside so much she was offered a job after the summer program ended.
Autumn also is working towards earning her high school equivalency diploma and plans to attend Genesee Community College in 2020 in the Veterinary Technology program.
Autumn Dercqu received the Youth Recognition Award for her work at Creekside Floral.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2019 at 10:16 am
Courtesy of Santa Claus Hall of Fame
The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame announced today that an Albion woman will be inducted with the Class of 2019.
Elizabeth Babcock made Santa Claus suits at Christmas Park, which was run by Charles Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus school. After Howard’s death in 1966, Babcock continued the Santa suit business.
Howard was inducted in the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in 2010 (Click here for more about Howard from the Hall of Fame). He was one of the charter members. The Hall of Fame is located at Santa’s Candy Castle in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Babcock’s Hall of Fame inscription reads:
“For over thirty years, Elizabeth Babcock made Santa Claus Suits that were worthy of the Howard name. Before she took over the suit business, Elizabeth worked at Christmas Park for many years in many roles. When the suit business became available, she was the perfect person to keep the tradition going. Elizabeth knew business, book-keeping, customer service, and most importantly, she could sew.
“She never strayed from the original concepts of the suit and was loyal to the Howard philosophy to the end of her life. She made the finest Santa Claus Suits in the world. She used the finest materials. She sewed them to specification to keep the high standard. But the component she added that was the most important to the suit was … Elizabeth Babcock’s Santa Claus Suits were made with love. Elizabeth Babcock passed away in 2006 at the age of 92. She left behind her own legacy of integrity and quality for the sake of keeping Santa looking like he should.”
Babcock is one of 13 inductees in the Class of 2019. Click here to see more on all the new members of the Hall of Fame.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This Santa suit made by Babcock is on display at the Christmas Cottage in Lockport.
Babcock is the third person connected to Christmas Park to go into the Santa Claus shrine. After Howard was inducted in 2010, George Cond went into the Hall in 2016.
Cond, a Holley resident, was trained as a Santa by Charles Howard. Cond was so good at portraying Santa that Charles Howard embraced Cond to be the Santa at Christmas Park in Albion, Howard’s entertainment venue at Route 31 on Phipps Road. (Click here to see the Hall of Fame’s write-up on Cond.)
The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is an ongoing project that celebrates, studies and preserves the historical documentation of the many men and women who have greatly contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus, the organization states on its website.
A 15-member Hall of Fame committee reviews the candidates and considers their overall career, service to their community, range of appearances, contribution to the Santa world, length of service, uniqueness of career, originality, and charity.
Profiles are reviewed with a point value in each standard. The top 21-point value profiles are submitted for a 1 through 21 percentage vote. Those candidates who receive 75 percent are elected to the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
Julie Berry’s book, Lovely War, has been critically acclaimed.
Author Julie Berry, a 1991 Medina graduate, has topped several best of the year lists for 2019 with her young adult/adult crossover novel, Lovely War.
The novel, a dual love story set during World War I, as told by Greek gods from the vantage point of World War II, was named a New York Public Library Best Fantasy for Adults, a Kirkus Best YA Romance of 2019, a Horn Book Fanfare Title for 2019, a BookPage Best Young Adult Book of 2019 (ranking third out of ten books), a Shelf Awareness 2019 Best Children’s & Teen Book of the Year, a 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards Semifinalist, and a Texas Library Association TAYSHAS Top Ten Book.
The novel, released from Viking Books for Young Readers, also won the 2019 Young Adult Prize given by the Southern California Independent Booksellers’ Association.
Berry visited her hometown on Oct. 30 for a book-signing and discussion at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
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.
Photo by Travis Tanner of Julie Berry
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 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 is also the author of 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.
Provided photo: The Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County last week named Elissa Nesbitt, left, a “Friend of Extension” for her efforts in securing funding from Xerox for the 4-H robotics program. Laura Olinger, board president, presents Nesbitt with the award at the Black North Inn.
POINT BREEZE – The Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County recognized several key supporters and contributors during the organization’s annual meeting last week at the Black North Inn.
The following were honored:
Friend of Extension – Elissa Nesbitt and Xerox
Elissa Nesbitt and Xerox have been supporters of the 4-H robotics program since the program’s inception. Through the years Xerox’s name has appeared on every robot the team has built for competitions.
Nesbitt has searched for ways for the team to seek contributions from other sponsors as well. When she found out this year that the team is hoping to build a STEM shop on the fairgrounds that will provide a permanent build site, she leapt into action by helping to draft materials to share with perspective members and sponsors, identifying furniture and equipment donations to fill the new building, and being a champion for the participants.
Thanks to this ongoing support, many of those first year participants have now completed their college education and moved into STEM careers.
Outstanding 4-H Leader – Kayla Sucy
Extension annually recognizes an outstanding 4-H leader who has demonstrated successful club work, has worked to maintain a group of active youth and contributes greatly towards the successful project work of 4-H youth.
Kayla Sucy has served as leader of the Paw Praisers Dog Club for five years. She is a member of Fair Committee and the dog program development committee. Sucy takes on other roles as well including volunteering to travel with our Orleans County delegation to 4-H Tech Changemaker training at the National 4-H Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland and as a chaperone for other events when needed.
Friend of Master Gardeners – Jena Buckwell
Master Gardeners chose Jena Buckwell as the Friend of Master Gardener for her commitment to furthering CCE’s educational mission. Buckwell has completed training as both a Master Gardener and Master Forest Owner through CCE.
Buckwell leads educational programming at the Spring Education Day and Fall Education Day each year. Her class topics are always ecologically centered, with a strong focus on sustainability and ecological health. She is meticulous about her research and always willing to offer participants additional resources to further enhance their understanding of her topic material. Most of all, she always conveys her passion and experience in subjects that matter to her and to the natural world.
Also honored were retiring board members – Ed Neal, Charlie Pettit and Laura Olinger. These members have all served the two full terms on the board. All of the honorees were recognized with engraved ice cream spoons and gift cards to enjoy ice cream, just one more way they will continue to support Orleans County agriculture.
ALBION/MEDINA – Each semester, GCC Campus Centers in Albion and Medina recognize one instructor and one student from each campus center for their outstanding instructional and/or academic performances.
The nominations have been made, the committee has decided and James Simon, associate dean at Medina and Albion Campus Centers, proudly announces the Fall 2019 Instructors and Students of the Semester.
From the Albion Campus Center, located at 456 West Ave.
Kevin Gardner
Mr. Kevin Gardner has been named Instructor of the Semester. Students who nominated Kevin appreciated his ability to make learning fun stating, “Mr. Gardner makes his students feel comfortable asking questions… I have learned so much in his class and realize now how much I enjoy writing,” and “He does his best to help us understand why things are the way they are.”
Gardner is a graduate of Albion High School and received his BA and MA in English/Creative Writing through GCC and SUNY Brockport. He is married and enjoys family time at his home in Brockport with four children, two grandchildren and two cats. One of his cats, Chester, is often used as the subject of his lessons and his students find it “comical but informational.” When he’s not teaching, Kevin enjoys writing, woodworking and watching Empire Boulevard. In this holiday season you may also find him reading his current favorite, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.
In his teaching tenure, Gardner has taught at SUNY Brockport and GCC, tutored for Pearson Smarthinking Services, edited the Oak Orchard Review and he currently serves as test proctor at GCC’s Orleans County Campus Centers. When asked if he would change his career choice, he simply stated that he might have started teaching sooner. He is a big fan of GCC and all it has to offer, calling it “a great place to start the rest of your life.” His advice to new instructors? “Be kind. Be fair.” Words he, himself, tries to live by.
Laurie Marchner
The Albion Campus Center Student of the Semester has been awarded to Laurie Marchner of Medina. Laurie is an adult student pursuing an AAS degree in Business Administration and is expected to graduate in the Fall of 2020. She chose to further her education at GCC so that she could have more opportunities. Her hobbies include spending time with her pets, reading, crafting and helping others. She currently serves as a volunteer emergency medical technician.
On the nomination form, one of Laurie’s instructors wrote, “Laurie brings wisdom and positive energy into the classroom every day. Not only does she have valuable things to say, but her approach often contains humor and makes us laugh… Her light presents the foundation for building a creative environment so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow.” Her instructor concluded, “I look forward to hearing about the positive impact she has yet to make on the world.”
From the Medina Campus Center, located at 11470 Maple Ridge Rd.
Dr. Melinda Grube
• Dr. Melinda Grube has been named Instructor of the Semester for the Fall 2019 semester. This is her first semester at GCC as a Western Civilization instructor. She also teaches history at Cayuga Community College and performs historical impressions of famous people including Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Abigail Adams. Dr. Grube earned her Ph.D. from Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Grube’s students reported that she “has opened a new way of learning in such an exciting manner” and “she challenges our minds and challenges us to listen to other ideas and beliefs, to see things in a new perspective, and to allow us to step out of our comfort zone to see that maybe there are other ways and more solutions.” One of the nominations forms read, “I was not looking forward to a three-hour history class. I was completely shocked and very engaged in the materiel due to the way she uses her teaching strategies.”
“The world is astonishingly beautiful, exquisitely painful and fabulously complex. The best moments in teaching are when students are not afraid to explore it with me,” Dr. Grube said. “I tell any new instructor, never take yourself too seriously. It isn’t actually about you.”
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Grube enjoys reading everything from Quest and Friends Journal to the Nature Conservancy, and her favorite TV program is Star Trek. She is married with three children and resides in Medina with an unidentified number of pets. When asked about her first semester as part of GCC’s Medina Campus Center, she responded, “The Medina Campus Center is the most supportive and friendly environment I have ever encountered.”
Uriah Allis
• The Student of the Semester in Medina for the Fall 2019 is Uriah Allis from Gasport. Uriah is pursuing an AAS in Nursing and after he completes his degree, he plans to work as a pediatric nurse and write novels and screenplays for the television industry. He would also like to travel around the world and bike the Great Wall of China. In his spare time, Uriah volunteers at a homeless shelter in Lockport.
Instructors who nominated Uriah observed he is an exceptionally hard worker but also he goes out of his way to organize a variety of study groups that are open to everyone, noting, “Uriah has taken a sincere interest in ensuring the success of his fellow classmates. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it.” Another nominee noted: “He is a mature student who will make an amazing nurse someday.”
Uriah has made a difference at the Medina Campus Center not only as a student in class, but as a concerned citizen at the Medina Campus Center, overall. His presence inspires kindness and compassion from everyone.
When asked why he decided to attend college, Uriah shared, “I’ve heard great things about GCC’s Nursing Program, which is what I ultimately wanted to get into. I also took a lovely summer class at the GCC Albion Campus Center in 2017 with Derek Maxfield.”
Uriah enjoys writing novels and short stories, reading of any kind, running and cycling, listening to a variety of music and podcasts, as well as roasting and making “pour-over coffee.” Major influences in his life include and start with Jesus Christ, and of course parents and friends, but also admittedly film directors such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Wes Anderson.
Uriah’s advice to new students is to greet everyone you meet, whether faculty, staff or your fellow students with a smile and “how-do-you-do.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce held its 21st annual Awards Dinner on Thursday at the White Birch Golf Club in Lyndonville. The following were recognized, front row, from left: Mark Zambito, co-owner of Zambito Realtors in Medina, Phoenix Award; Courtney Henderson, owner of Milk & Honey in Albion, New Business of the Year; Greg Reed, executive director of the Orleans County YMCA, Business Person of the Year; Amy Sidari, owner of Cabaret at Studio B in Albion, Hidden Gem Award; and Tim Winters, CEO of Western New York Energy in Medina, Business of the Year. Second row: John Burris, Hands 4 Hope, Community Service Award; Ellen Eaton, director of Recruiting and Employee Experience for Takeform, Employer of the Year – presented by Orleans Job Development; Dr. Dan Schiavone of Holley, Lifetime Achievement Award; Aaron Schifferie, human resources manager for H.H. Dobbins in Lyndonville, Agricultural Business of the Year; and Jerry and Molly Ulrich, owners of Ace Hardware in Albion, Small Business of the Year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2019 at 12:28 pm
LYNDONVILLE — The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce honored several businesses and community members on Thursday during the 21st annual awards dinner.
About 120 people attended the event at the White Birch Golf Club in Lyndonville. The event had a theme, “Linking Business with Community.”
Darlene Hartway, Chamber executive director, said the honorees all give back to the community that supports them.
“They are wonderful examples that business is bigger than revenues and profit margins,” Hartway said. “They understand the power they have to bring positive, measurable change to both the community and to their businesses.”
The following were recognized (Most of the write-ups were provided by the Chamber):
Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Dan Schiavone
Dan Schiavone is honored for lifetime achievement by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Dan Schiavone, a Holley dentist, graduated from Holley in 1986. He opened his dental office in Holley in 2000 after a major transformation to a former hardware building in the Public Square.
Schiavone’s key to success in the dental business is re-investing, adding technology, delivering his product with great customer service and staying involved in the community. He sees his practice growing through the utilization of new technology and an “in-house” business style.
Schaivone has been involved in the community. A former Clarendon volunteer firefighter, he also served as Holley’s mayor and is currently president of the Holley Development Corporation, which has worked to find new life for distressed properties in the village.
Schiavone also sponsors and volunteers for the Holley June Fest and Night of Lights, and also donates to community causes through the Holley Rotary Club and Holley Central School.
Schiavone also spends a week each year as a volunteer on a dental trip to the Amazon in Peru. He has done that for more than a decade.
He praised all the award winners for running successful businesses, which he said is a challenge in Western New York and New York State.
Business of the Year – Western New York Energy
Tim Winters, Western New York Energy CEO, accepts the award on behalf of the company.
Western New York Energy started production 12 years ago at its ethanol plant on Bates Road in Medina. The company employs 50 people.
Originally designed to produce 50 million gallons per year of fuel-grade ethanol, the company has increased production capacity to about 60 million gallons per year.
It will grind 20 million bushels of corn this year and produce more ethanol per bushel of corn than ever before. In addition to producing clean burning ethanol that saves people money at the pump, WNYE produces high quality co-products such as distillers’ grains for animals, feed grade corn oil for feed or biodiesel, and raw carbon dioxide processed into beverage-grade carbon dioxide.
The company spent $90 million building the ethanol plant, and has since invested another $15 million in what is one of the most efficient ethanol plants in the country.
Tim Winters, a Medina native who is the company CEO, said the ethanol plant buys as much local corn as possible, which has helped local farmers. The company also donates to many community causes, and helps reduce gas prices.
“Most people don’t realize all the good that we’re doing right in their backyard,” he said.
Agricultural Business of the Year – H.H. Dobbins
Aaron Schifferie, human resources manager for H.H. Dobbins in Lyndonville, said the company has invested in its Lyndonville facilities and values the local workforce.
H.H. Dobbins started as a small family farm in 1905. It is now a vertically integrated apple growing, packing, storage and sales organization with offices in Lyndonville and Yakima, Wash., and customers from around the world.
The company has 75 employees in Lyndonville, with most from Orleans County, said Aaron Schifferie, human resources manager for Dobbins.
“I don’t know what H.H. Dobbins would be without Orleans County,” he told the Chamber crowd.
The company continues to have very dedicated employees locally in a “very tight labor market,” Schifferie said.
Dobbins provides a stable workforce for a great team of associates who are extremely loyal and dedicated to the success of the company and being a productive member of the community. The company’s future plans include expansion of its orchards, and grower base to support sales increases of 30 to 40 percent. It has achieved success with their pledge, “No matter our source, we promise the highest quality with a commitment to food safety, the community and the environment.” H.H. Dobbins has been a trusted fruit handler, manager and marketer providing exceptional work in the Orleans County community since 1920.
New Business of the Year – Milk & Honey
Courtney Henderson, owner of Milk & Honey, accepts the award. She thanked the community for supporting her business in Albion.
The New Business of the Year is presented to Milk & Honey in Albion. Courtney Henderson, the buisness’s owner, combined her love of shopping with her desire to do more for herself and other women in her community when she opened a boutique specializing in women’s and children’s clothing.
Knowing that “It feels good to dress good,” she strives to provide women a local option to shop for themselves, family, friends and children. Her background in business and photography are very visible in her trendy shop located in Albion, and on her company website.
Henderson serves as the interim president of the Albion Merchants Association and as a beginning Girl Scouts troop leader. She is also a very busy, raising three active children who are involved in dance, karate and other activities. Her future plans include helping develop a program to help low-income, unemployed or women of need with dressing for prom, school, interviews or work.
“I have received great support from the community on a daily basis,” Henderson said.
Phoenix Award – Zambito Realtors
Mark Zambito, co-owner of Zambito Realtors, accepts the Phoenix Award. The business relocated its office to Maple Ridge Road this year, in a building that had been vacant for years.
The Phoenix Award goes to a business that not only gave a vacant building a complete upgrade but also implemented a new approach to office space.
The Zambito family opened a real estate brokerage in the fall of 2007. Driven by the core values and tireless work ethic instilled by their mother, Rita, the Zambitos eventually grew enough to purchase the building at 339 N. Main St. and expand their office space.
The business continued to expand and last year, Zambito Realtors closed over 400 transactions with over 30 licensed agents. With plans of eventually utilizing the North Main Street space as a full-service event venue on the Erie Canal, the Zambitos turned their attention to a long-vacated garage space on Maple Ridge Road, and replaced the office space on Main Street with a smaller, efficient, modern floor plan.
The new space on Maple Ridge would eliminate personal desks, 1,000 square feet of space and all personal offices. This July, Zambito Realtors opened its second office in Niagara County on Wrights Corners.
Zambito has seen growth of over 20 percent in sales volume year-to-date.
Mark Zambito, Rita’s son and co-owner of the business, said the family is grateful to work in the Medina community, where many entrepreneurs are making big investments.
“The infusion of growth and energy has been amazing,” he said.
Community Service Award – John “Jack” Burris of Hands 4 Hope
Jack Burris started Hands 4 Hope, which brings food and clothing to sites in Orleans County on Saturdays, and also takes prayer requests.
It was about four years ago when Jack Burris started Hands 4 Hope with a mission: “To serve as God’s Hands in the streets, sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ to reflect His glory.”
Burris, with “Clifford the Big Red Truck” by his side, serves Orleans County, rain or shine, on Saturdays. The Hands 4 Hope Van can be seen all around the county, providing food and other necessities to those in need.
The truck is out the first Saturday of the month in Medina at Starr and Orient streets, the second Saturday at the Holley Public Square, the third Saturday at the Hoag Library in Albion and the fourth Saturday at the Lydun Drive apartments in Albion.
Burris has also provided additional service at Christ Church Community Kitchen in Albion.
Burris said the ministry has been dedicated volunteers and donors. He used his acceptance speech to solicit help from the Chamber crowd. He asked for drop-off sites for donated socks. Dr. Dan Schiavone agreed to be a drop-off site in Holley, while the Bank of Castile will accept socks in Medina. In Albion, 39 Problems on Main Street and the Sewing Box in at the Arnold Gregory Office Complex will be sites.
Small Business of the Year – Albion Ace Hardware
Jerry Ulrich, owner of Ace Hardware in Albion, accepts the Small Business of the Year award from Chamber Executive Director Darlene Hartway (center) and Paula Knaak, Chamber president.
Albion Ace Hardware set out over 13 years ago to find the perfect home and settled in Albion, where it thrived. Each year, Ace Hardware has consistently added employees, contributed more money to the tax base and has had a greater impact on the community as a whole.
It plans on continual growth as it looks forward to the next decade. Ace Hardware conducts extensive research to enhance its product base. It is a local business, run and staffed by local people.
Business Person of the Year – Greg Reed, executive director of the Orleans County YMCA
Greg Reed accepts the award as Business Person of the Year. He leads the Orleans County YMCA.
The Chamber recognized Greg Reed, director of the Orleans County YMCA, as the Business Person of the Year.
Reed was hired as the Y’s executive director in 2017. He had been working in Denver, where he worked in middle and high school physical education and developed state-sanctioned athletic program from the ground up, while being the No. 1-ranked school in Denver during his time. Since leading the Orleans County YMCA, membership has increased by over 43 percent. Reed has secured more than $200,000 in grant funding and tripled the services, programs, and partnerships now available to the community through the Y.
He’s led with humility and courage, and has embraced the growing process of trial and error. In the next five years, Reed is aiming for the YMCA to be a community hub for wellness and to be a fiscally self-sustaining entity.
Reed said the GLOW YMCA has been a great resource for the Orleans County Y, and many community members have been dedicated to the organization’s success.
“I have an amazing staff that deals with all of my crazy dreams,” he said.
Reed is impressed with the rural community, how so many organizations and businesses are working hard to engage local residents. A busy local calendar, including on weekends, shows just how committed the local businesses and organizations are to connecting with people.
“The community is invested in its growth,” he said. “It’s hard to run programs and events because there is always something happening in the community.”
Hidden Gem Award – The Cabaret at Studio B in Albion
Amy Sidari, owner of Gotta Dance by Miss Amy and the Cabaret at Studio B, thanked her family, her staff and the performers for making the cabaret a success.
This year’s Hidden Gem Award award goes to the Cabaret at Studio B, which opened in 2013 on East Bank Street in Albion. Amy Sidari has hosted many professional singers and other performers at the show. This summer she welcomed six bus tours for shows by Gary Smboli, an Albion vocal teacher and musical director who is an accomplished performer himself.
Sidari started Gotta Dance by Miss Amy as a one-room dance studio in 1997. In 2001, she turned garage space into a dance studio.
Sidari has gone above and beyond to include all forms of art within her dance studio, including singing lessons, guitar lessons and piano lessons.
Sidari and her team have brought in tourists from all over, drawing them to well-known and well-publicized productions. Often featured in the Cabaret performances are artists such as Phyl Constable, Josie Waverly, Ron and Nancy Onesong, and Jimmy Mazz, among others.
As Sidari would say, “Why not in Albion?” For the tour buses this summer, Sidari took the initiative to include several of Albion’s downtown businesses as well. She wants to help the other businesses succeed.
The buses would arrive at 39 Problems and have the opportunity to shop and walk around downtown before the show began.
Employer of the Year Award – Takeform
Ellen Eaton, director of Recruiting and Employee Experience for Takeform, accepts the award on behalf of the company.
The company started in 2003 with nine workers and now has 200. Takeform designs signs and creates architectural graphics for many hospitals and other businesses.
The company last year completed a 15,500-square-foot expansion to an existing 30,000-plus-square-foot building on Maple Ridge Road. It has been experiencing a 27 percent growth rate, and sees more growth in the future.
Takeform’s expansion in Medina included a patio area for employees. The company is sensitive to a work-life balance for employees, and wants them to succeed at their jobs and in their personal lives, said Ellen Eaton, director of Recruiting and Employee Experience for Takeform.
The company has a philosophy of hire right, train right and treat right, she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 October 2019 at 10:03 am
Provided photo: Jonathan Doherty, left, is pictured with his friend Ben Metcalf on Thursday in Elba when Doherty received an Award of Merit from the Iroquois Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Doherty, an Eagle Scout, has remained active with scouts in Albion as an adult, including his current role on the Program Planning Committee for Troop 164.
He was called a perfect representative for the Boy Scouts, and an eager promoter of the values of the program.
He also is active with the Self Advocate All Stars through the Arc of Genesee Orleans. Doherty helped start that group in 2006.
He also volunteers with the Albion Alumni Association, Strawberry Festival Committee and other community organizations.
The school year at Orleans/Niagara BOCES started on a great note with the announcement of its 2018-2019 Employees of the Year. District Superintendent, Dr. Clark Godshall, announced the winners at the opening day celebration at the North Tonawanda High School.
Anne Carnahan
Anne Carnahan, a Cosmetology teacher at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, was named the Teacher of the Year.
“I have been lucky enough to have worked at our career and technical centers for 14 years,” Carnhan said. “I began my career here as a substitute teacher and then was able to work as a teacher’s aide for four years, rotating between almost all of the classrooms. My teaching career began in 2011 in the Cosmetology Department at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center and after two years there, I transferred to Orleans Career and Technical Education Center. Through all the years I have been with this organization, I have been blessed to work with absolutely amazing co-workers, friends and students. We call ourselves a “family” and it is so evident that even by the students notice and make mention of it.”
Anne says she has always had a passion doing hair. “Even though I still work part-time at a salon, I find a greater satisfaction in teaching my students my trade,” she said. “One of my favorite parts of teaching is, during a lesson, when the students all feel they can’t master it, and then, the lightbulb goes off. They get that look in their eyes and the pride in their smiles as they realize that they can accomplish anything with practice and determination. My goal each year is not to just teach cosmetology, but to help them get ready for “the real world”. So many of my kids come back after graduation and share their new life experiences and thank me for helping them with their goals.”
She says she is both honored and shocked that she was chosen to be “Teacher of the Year.” “There are so many more deserving people that I work with. I would like to thank whoever nominated me and also say that I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing group of people.”
Paulette Hamilton-Koehler
The Administrator of the Year was Paulette Hamilton-Koehler, coordinator at the Royalton-Hartland Learning Center. She has been with Orleans/Niagara BOCES for 18 years.
“My favorite part of my job is being privileged to work with the children that come to our school,” she said. “I am so appreciative to have been nominated to receive this award. I have been fortunate to work with the special education administrative team, the vision and hearing teachers, counselors and the staff at the Roy-Hart Learning Center. I am privileged to work with the hardest working, compassionate and caring staff that I have ever worked with. Making a difference in the lives of our students and their families at the BOCES has been my dream career and I could have never have done it alone.”
Judy Bennett
The Clerical Person of the Year is Judy Bennett, who works at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center. She has been with BOCES for 10 years.
“My favorite part of my job is interacting with the students, teachers and all the amazing staff at Orleans/Niagara BOCES,” Bennett said. “I was in shock when I heard my name being called by Dr. Godshall. I am honored that someone nominated me among all of the outstanding clerical staff that I work with. It takes everyone coming together as a team to accomplish our jobs. I will work hard to uphold the title ‘Employee of the Year.’”
Greg Klopfer
The Custodian/Maintenance Person of the Year is Greg Klopfer. Greg has worked for BOCES for 20 years.
“I really enjoy driving around as a courier and getting to stop at all our sites and talk to everyone for a few moments a day,” he said. “We have such amazing staff here. It was such an awesome feeling to know that my peers nominated me as an employee of the year. I am so grateful to them.”
Susan Diemert
The Staff Specialist of the Year is Susan Diemert, who has worked at BOCES for more than three decades.
“I have worked at BOCES for 32 years and started as a GED teacher before becoming a Staff Specialist in 2002,” Diemert said. “My favorite part of the job is watching youth and adults achieve their goals every day. Whether it is to obtain a high school equivalency diploma, become employed, enter post-secondary, find housing, learn English, or enroll in a training program, we see positive outcomes that will help the individual move forward to improve his or her life. The incredible adult literacy staff provides a coordinated program that helps students overcome barriers and gain success. This past year we had 169 students receive their high school equivalency diploma and hundreds obtaining jobs and training. I am very fortunate to have a job that is challenging and rewarding. I am much honored to receive the Employee of the Year award for a job I love.”
Ann Stimm
Substitute of the Year is Ann Stimm, who was hired as a substitute clerical person in October 2018. In March 2019, she began a five-month assignment at the North Tonawanda Learning Center and was reassigned in August as a substitute account clerk typist at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center. 5
“What I enjoy most is being able to share my years of business and secretarial experience to make filling in a seamless transition,” Stimm said. “I enjoy meeting all of the wonderful employees and students of Orleans/Niagara BOCES. When I opened the letter from Dr. Godshall, I was shocked, elated and proud to be recognized. I would like to thank BOCES for this recognition and my peers who took the time to write a letter on my behalf.”
Maggie Lupo
Teacher Aide of the Year is Maggie Lupo, who has worked at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center since 2004.
“I started as a personal care aide,” Lupo said. “I then worked as a special education teacher aide until 2011. I came to the Orleans Career and Technical Educational Center in January of 2011, where I am currently working as a Diesel Tech teacher aide and helping out where I am needed. I enjoy my work very much. I am fortunate to have work that I really take much satisfaction from. My favorite part of the job is the people! The students love coming to school here and that just makes work enjoyable. My co-workers are some of the best educators you could ever work with! They care about the students and their futures and this is evident on a daily basis. I was quite surprised to be selected as employee of the year. I was very honored and humbled to receive such a recognition. This positive affirmation will help guide me though the semesters ahead.”
