Provided photo: Jonathan Doherty accepts an award on Saturday from Angela Christoforos of Channel 4 in Buffalo. She was emcee of a 20th anniversary celebration for People Inc.’s DisABILITY Museum in Buffalo.

ALBION – An Albion man who has pushed for more opportunities for people with disabilities was recognized on Saturday for his years of advocacy.

Jonathan Doherty was presented with the Chris Burke Award for Excellence in disABILITY Advocacy on Saturday during a 20^th anniversary celebration for People Inc.’s DisABILITY Museum in Buffalo.

Doherty led the effort in 2010 to ban the R-word in Orleans County. The County Legislature formally passed a resolution in May 2010, telling local, state and federal governments to no longer use the word “retarded” in describing people with developmental disabilities.

The R-word is a “vicious slang” that is insulting and hurtful to people with developmental disabilities and their families, legislators said in their resolution in 2010.

Doherty was a founding member of Self Advocate All Stars in 2006. One of its early goals was to rail against official government use of the “R-word.”

Doherty and the Self Advocate All Stars march in parades, wash cars, present at County Legislature meetings and make other efforts to reach out to the community.

Doherty said the community and state have a long way to go to making the communities more accessible for people with disabilities. He is on a transportation committee and he said a goal is later public bus runs so people with disabilities could go shopping, go to the movies or attend other events after the bus runs typically end by dinner right now.

“The transportation issue we need to continue to work on,” he said today. “We want buses after 6 p.m. or else it’s $40 to $50 for a taxi.”

Doherty, 35, said he will continue to be an advocate.

“With self advocacy there are issues across New York State where they cut things and they don’t recognize that people with disabilities matter, too,” he said.

Doherty is an active community member, volunteering with the Strawberry Festival Committee, Boy Scout Troop 164, the Albion Alumni Foundation, the Eastman at Albion Concert Series, and numerous events for The Arc of Orleans County. He also recently started dancing with Gotta Dance by Miss Amy.

He earned his Eagle Scout rank when he was 21 and is an assistant Scoutmaster. He wants to see more local Scouts earn their Eagle rank.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jonathan Doherty is active in the Albion community, volunteering with many causes. He also performed during the May 5 dance recital for Gotta Dance by Miss Amy in Albion.

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Press Release, Girl Scouts of Western New York

MEDINA – Girl Scouts of Western New York is proud to announce sisters Jessica, 17, and Sarah Grancelli, 19, of Medina as 2018 Gold Award Girl Scouts. They will be recognized on June 2 during the Gold Award Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester.

Jessica Grancelli

Jessica’s project, Playing with STEM, consisted of adding puppets, books, games, and storage materials to the new interactive play space at Oak Orchard Elementary School. These materials will enhance the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) experience of children who use the interactive playroom twice a week. Jessica also made the current science literature library more accessible for teachers and students by organizing hundreds of books and producing a list with all of the titles and subjects.

STEM was also a focus for Sarah’s project, Space for STEM. Sarah organized and created science activities and games for a science night at Oak Orchard Elementary School. There were more than 350 people in attendance. The students used these games and activities to learn about space science. Sarah also created and published a book relating space and geography that will help students understand their place in the world. The materials she created were saved and are available as part of the science materials available to classroom teachers from Kindergarten to third grade at the school.

Sarah Grancelli

Sarah stated, “I love science and believe in the importance of STEM education. Girl Scouts taught me to be a leader. I learned to help others before myself and to make the world a better place. I developed courage and confidence as I learned to pursue my goals.”

Jessica commented, “Girl Scouts has taught me independence and to give back to the community.”

The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts. The Gold Award project is the culmination of all the work a girl puts into “going for the Gold.” A Girl Scout’s project should be something that a girl can be passionate about—in thought, deed, and action that encompasses organizational, leadership, and networking skills.

The project should also fulfill a need within a girl’s community (whether local or global) and create change that has the potential to be on-going or sustainable. Approximately 80 hours of community service are involved in the project. Completion of the Gold Award also qualifies the Girl Scout for special scholarship opportunities.

To learn more, visit gswny.org.

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LATHAM – Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General of New York, announces the recent award recognitions for members of the New York Army National Guard who participated in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support missions following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017.

Two soldiers from Orleans County are receiving the Humanitarian Service Award:

Pfc. Jordan Wolcott from Albion and Sgt. 1st Class John Anstey from Holley both served in the U.S. Virgin Islands from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, 2017. They served with the 105th Military Police Company of the New York Army National Guard.

“The support of our New York National Guard in the Caribbean following Hurricanes Irma and Maria was nothing short of exceptional, and our soldiers are the reason for that success,” German said. “Our citizen soldiers are used to responding here at home, so the effort to move troops and equipment to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands presented unique challenges. The presentation of the Humanitarian Service Medal is a great reflection of our soldiers’ commitment to serve others.”

The Department of Defense approved the Humanitarian Service Medal on March 29, 2018 for soldiers who provided meritorious participation in operations of a humanitarian nature. More than 400 Army National Guard Soldiers will be eligible to receive the award. Presentations will be made at the unit level at a future date.

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Photo courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA — Destiny Satkowski, a senior at Medina High School, recently won first place in the New York State Skills USA competition.

Satkowski competed in the health occupation pro portfolio in the Allied Health II program.

Another Orleans County student at the Orleans-Niagara BOCES also placed in the competition. Justin Corser of Lyndonville was third in the technical computer application in computer technology.

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

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Two local licensed practical nurse programs are among the top ranked in the state, according to the latest rankings by the Annual PracticalNursing.org.

Niagara County Community College was ranked third in the state and the Orleans-Niagara BOCES was sixth out of 67 programs.

The rankings are largely based on NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years. The NCLEX-PN exam is used by state boards of nursing around the country for testing proficiency and granting licensure.

NCCC earned a 98.15 overall score for third in the rankings with the Orleans-Niagara BOCES at 95.39 for sixth.

To see the full rankings, click here.

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Photos courtesy of Chris Rice: Neil Newton, left, is presented with his plaque by Steve Wowelco, president of the NYS Outdoorsman Hall of Fame.

Neil Newton, a long-time sportsmen in Orleans County, was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame on Saturday during a banquet at Theodore’s Restaurant in Canastota. Newton’s plaque will be displayed at the Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Museum in Vail Mills, NY.

Newton is one of 10 new inductees in the Hall of Fame. The NYSOHOF is an organization dedicated to honoring those individuals who have spent many years preserving outdoor heritage, working for conservation, or enhancing our outdoor sports for future generations.

Newton has been past president and a member of the Finger Lakes Conservation Council for 35 years. He has been active in St. Mary’s Archery Club, Black North Rod & Gun Club, and Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen for 63 years.

Newton also has been active in Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen for 63 years. He also took the lead in getting centerfire rifle hunting allowed in Orleans County last year.

He has been a hunter safety instructor and served on the Hunter Education Committee of the NYS Conservation Council for many years. Newton was a co-founder of the DEC Walleye Cooperator rearing project and made arrangements necessary for the project in addition being involved with rearing and stocking the walleye fingerlings.”

Neil Newton, front row at right, joins the other inductees for a photo.

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Photos courtesy of Chris Busch

BATAVIA – Two people from Orleans County received inaugural Genean Awards on Saturday during a celebration by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Lisa Roeseler (pictured above), a music teacher and director of Medina High School’s A’Cappella Choir, was recognzied with the individual artist award.

Roeseler started at her career in Medina as a music teacher Towne Primary School in September 1986 and moved to the High School in September 1987. She has been a popular teacher at Medina, with her vocal ensembles performing in the community, especially the annual holiday concert by the A‘Capella Choir at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

When she started, she had 17 students in Mixed Chorus and 43 in A’Cappella. The Mixed Chorus now averages 85 to 90 students and A’Cappella now averages 92 to 100.

Bryan DeGraw received the Supporter of the Year for his efforts to boost the local cultural scene. DeGraw is co-owner of 810 Meadworks with his wife LaRissa. The DeGraws opened 810 Meadworks in downtown Medina on Nov. 30, 2014. They make mead products and have a tasting room. The DeGraws also have run a concert series at the “beegarten” in the back of the building at 113 West Center St.

GO Art! created its own unique awards “like the Oscars or Tony awards for GENesee and OrlEANs Counties, to recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director.

The Genesee Chorale also was honored as the “Organization of the Year.”

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