Provided photo: This group was recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Front row, from left: Brendan Schyve, Jacob Kelkenberg, Noah Rocklein, Fessor Thomas, Tanner Bulmer, Jake Stern and Paul Grabowski. Back row: Cheyenne Pegelow, Sarah Kurbs, Cassidy Geise, Andrew McKee, Rielly Albee, Alexis Rinker, Jessica Kassmann, Rajillya Storms. Back row: Teri-Ann Graham, Scott Zeitz, Baily Michel, Stephen Zayac, Jarrett Thompson, Tim Moriarity, Jonathan Costanzo, Anthony Harris, Ryan Townsend, Tanner Rees and Brandon Luthart.
Posted 21 November 2016 at 1:44 pm
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Congratulations to 28 students from the Orleans Career and Technical Education Centers who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
The students were honored at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES technical education centers in front of their teachers, families and district representatives for maintaining an 89.5 average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools.
This year’s inductees include: Stephen Zayac (Albion/Diesel Technology), Baily Michel (Barker/Culinary Arts), Noah Rocklein (Barker/Welding), Sarah Kurbs (Lockport/Cosmetology), Fessor Thomas (Lockport/Electricity), Ryan Townsend (Lockport/Cosmetology), Paul Grabowski (Medina/Diesel Technology), Brandon Luthart (Medina/Electricity), Jonathan Costanzo (Newfane/Security and Law Enforcement), Cassidy Geise (Newfane/Cosmetology), Teri-Ann Graham (Newfane/Cosmetology), Anthony Harris, Jr. (Newfane/Building Trades), Jacob Kelkenberg (Newfane/Computer Technology), Scott Zeitz (Newfane/Building Trades), Andrew McKee (Orleans County Christian School/Computer Technology), Rielly Albee (Roy-Hart/Early Childhood Ed), Tanner Bulmer (Roy-Hart/Electricity), Jessica Kassmann (Roy-Hart/Allied Health), Matthew Maines (Roy-Hart/Auto Tech), Timothy Maines (Roy-Hart/Welding), Timothy Moriarity (Roy-Hart/Electricity), Cheyenne Pegelow (Roy-Hart/Early Childhood Ed), Tanner Rees (Roy-Hart/Graphic Communications), Alexis Rinker (Roy-Hart/Allied Health), Brendan Schyve (Roy-Hart/Electricity), Jacob Stern (Roy-Hart/Allied Health), Rajillya Storms (Roy-Hart/Security and Law Enforcement) and Jarrett Thompson (Roy-Hart/Auto Tech).
LYNDONVILLE – English as a Second Language teachers Shelly and Jeff Smith recently saw one of their students achieve a dream. Their student, Jesus Garcia, became an American citizen.
Garcia is from Xoaxia, Mexico and came to the United States when he was 15 years old to pick apples with his parents at a local farm. He worked with them picking apples for a local farmer. He wanted to attend school, but his parents would not allow it.
At the age of 25 he found his way to the Yates Baptist Church in Lyndonville and started attending ESL classes there. The program is run by the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.
Recently with his teachers and his family – wife Janna and his sons Liam and Jamie – Garcia stood in front of the Honorable Judge Hugh B. Scott and was sworn in at a Naturalization Ceremony in Hamburg.
“We are so very proud of his accomplishments that he has made,” says Mrs. Smith. “It was amazing to observe.”
Garcia now is employed at Ontario Shores Construction working on metal roofs and pole barns.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department is pleased to announce being awarded the 2016 Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award by the America Automobile Association.
The nationally recognized AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award is the highest award AAA can bestow on any Police Department. It’s awarded to departments that have developed and maintained traffic safety initiatives in their communities and who have shown success in those initiatives.
The Albion Police Department has used programs such as Buckle Up New York, Selective Traffic Enforcement Program, Stop DWI, Pedestrian Crossing Safety and Awareness, and the Child Passenger Safety Seat Program to enforce vehicle and traffic laws as well as to educate and assist motorists.
Throughout 2016 the Albion Police Department conducted several targeted details that focused on specific areas of safety for both motorists and pedestrians. These details were done in non-traditional ways to increase their effectiveness.
Several more details are planned using techniques that have never been done in our area and will increase awareness and effectiveness with the end goal of making our community safer.
This is the sixth consecutive year that the Albion Police Department has received the Community Traffic Safety Platinum Award.
The Albion Police Department is dedicated to making our highways and streets safer for all who use them. Throughout the holiday season we will continue our efforts by adding more patrols and details and we urge motorist to make responsible decisions.
(Editor’s Note: The Holley Police Department, which is also managed by Nenni, won AAA’s Bronze Award for community traffic safety.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 November 2016 at 12:38 pm
Provided photo: Mary Jo Syck is pictured with David Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, after she was named the county’s employee of the year during a luncheon last Thursday at Tillman’s Village Inn.
ALBION –Mary Jo Syck is one of those “extraordinary” people who go above and beyond her job in serving Orleans County veterans and their families, said Earl M. Schmidt director of Veterans Service Agency.
Syck is assistant administrative veterans secretary for the county. She does far more than typical secretarial work, Schmidt said.
“The biggest thing is she goes over and beyond – she goes that extra step,” Schmidt said about Syck, who last Thursday was named the county’s employee of the year. “In today’s workforce you have the people who go to work and do their job, but she does more. People like that are extraordinary.”
She was instrumental in the plan for recent renovations of the Veterans Service Agency, making the site more user-friendly for the public and more secure for employees and volunteers.
Syck has worked for the county for 26 years, serving roles in the Personnel Office, Social Services, the County Highway Department, the County Clerk’s Office and the Veterans Services Agency.
“Whether it is making contact with a town clerk to make sure the right veteran exemption for taxes is correct or to assist the funeral director to get the death certificate in a timely manner to assist a widow or a family member with burial benefits, she makes every effort to assist the mission of the Veterans’ Office every day,” said Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director. “She also ensures that the five volunteer vans are schedule for maintenance to ensure that they are safe and ready to serve our veterans.”
Syck assists volunteers that run the van service, where veterans are transported for medical appointments.
She will often write letters to the families of deceased veterans, urging them to check to see if the family is entitled to veteran’s benefits.
“This employee is able to perform her duties and is willing to take on additional service to the veterans and their families, always cheerfully with a can-do attitude,” Welch said.
Syck was recognized during the county’s annual employee luncheon. Each month, one employee is recognized. A committee then reviews the nominations for the employees of the month and picks the employee of the year.
Other employees of the month recognized include:
Michelle Sargent (Office for the Aging), October 2015; Elizabeth Milazzo, (Social Services), December 2015; Diana Kephart, (Social Services), January 2016); Mary Jo Syck, (Veterans Services Agency) February 2016; Ryan McPherson, (Social Services) March 2016; Ryan Stork (Buildings and Grounds), April 2016; Mary Grouse (Social Services), May 2016; Linda Karp (Mental Health), June 2016; Cathy Miller (Public Health), July 2016; and Nola Goodrich-Kresse (Public Health), September 2016.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2016 at 1:15 pm
Provided photos: Thom Jennings Sr. and Thom Jennings Jr., left, are part of Mouse Pad, which won a band competition a week ago in Buffalo.
BUFFALO – Thom Jennings and his two sons were part of a band called Mouse Pad that won the “Battle of the Corporate Bands” in Buffalo a week ago at The Town Ballroom.
Jennings and his son Thom Jr. are both employees at 360 PSG, a web development company.
The elder Jennings is a business development manager for the company and Thom Jr. works as a digital marketing specialist. Another Jennings, Trevor, is pursuing a music career and is a member of four bands.
Trevor plays the drums. Thom Jr. is a guitarist and musical director, and their father sings, plays the guitar and manages the band.
The band includes other 360 PSG employees. They won not only won bragging rights, but a chance to perform a at the next Music Is Art Festival in September 2017.
The band performed five songs at The Town Ballroom.
The bands in the competition all picked band names that had a connection to their company. 360 PSG picked Mouse Pad because it relates to the business’s services. National Fuel chose “Methane” and a debt collection agency picked “Paid in Full” for a band name.
Mouse Pad performed 5 songs. Three were cover songs – Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s,” Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned the Night” and Pink’s “Just Like Fire.”
Thom Jennings Jr. plays the guitar for Mouse Pad.
The originals were “Perfect Pop Song” written by Thom Jennings and “Guilty Pleasure” written by Jessica Chizuk.
Music Is Art hosted its second annual Battle of the Corporate Bands. The Music Is Art was founded by Buffalo native and Goo Goo Dolls bassist, Robby Takac.
Mouse Pad swept three awards including Grand Champion. Six bands competed in the event.
The event was designed as a corporate team building activity, and participating bands were made up largely of employees of each organization.
Mouse Pad featured six 360 PSG employees, which represented about 20 percent of the company’s workforce. In addition to Grand Champion, they captured awards for Best Original Song and Best Individual Performer (Jessica Chizuk).
Mouse Pad’s victory earned them a spot on the main stage at Music Is Art 2017 and studio time. 360 PSG has partnered with Music Is Art to assist the not-for-profit in rebuilding their website to optimize the organization’s web presence and produce a larger platform for the music events, programs and culture that Music Is Art and Buffalo offer each year.
Trevor Jennings plays the drums for Mouse Pad. He is a member of four bands.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 November 2016 at 8:28 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
GAINES – The Cobblestone Society and Museum held its 56th annual meeting on Thursday evening at Tillman’s Village Inn and honored several supporters for their efforts at the museum.
The following are pictured, from left: Emily Maxwell, secretary and vice-president elect for Brockport History Forum; Robert Bretz, president of Brockport History Forum; David Mitchell of Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes; Shirley Helfer; and Patty Blackburn, illustrator for new coloring coloring book about the museum and Cobble the Mouse. (Not pictured: Georgia Thomas and Kim Martillotta-Muscarella.)
Business Partner of the Year: Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes was recognized for being a steady supporter over the years, including sponsoring events this year at the museum. Christopher Mitchell was the first sponsor to step forward and support the Halloween Bash on Oct. 21. David Mitchell of Christopher Mitchell was praised for supporting many local organizations, including the museum on Route 104 and Route 98 in Childs.
New Partner of the Year: Brockport History Forum. This group of students at Brockport enjoys history. Many of the members are history majors, but not all of them. They helped put on the Halloween Bash at the museum. That event attracted more than 100 people and raised $1,100 for the museum. The activities included wine tastings, music, ice cream from a food truck, “ghoulish games,” a Halloween costume contest, pumpkin painting contest, swing dance lessons and lectures.
Kim Martillotta-Muscarella organized several art shows at the Cobblestone Museum this year.
New Partner of the Year: Kim Martillotta-Muscarella. The Albion resident coordinated several art shows at the museum as her “First Friday” shows moved from her house on Main Street in Albion to the Cobblestone Church. The shows drew hundreds of people to the museum, and also showcased several local artists. The shows included wine-tastings and refreshments.
Volunteer of the Year: Shirley Helfer. She gave nearly 70 hours at the museum, helping to prep buildings for weddings and other events. She volunteered at the gift shop and was flexible in helping behind the scenes.
Georgia Thomas of Medina is dressed up as Cobble the Museum Mouse during the Fourth of July parade at Lyndonville.
John Proctor Award: Georgia Thomas and Patty Blackburn. This award is named for the founder of Childs who helped establish the Cobblestone Church. The Ward House, which is part of the Cobblestone Museum, also was built in 1840 under the direction of Proctor. The award in his honor is given “for selfless efforts to promote the Cobblestone Museum.”
Thomas and Blackburn worked together to create a coloring book. Thomas wrote the book which shows Cobble the Mouse visiting the different buildings at the museum. Blackburn illustrated the book.
“Other museums have coloring books with a character,” Thomas said in a July interview. “Cobble is a wonderful mouse and he gives you an enchanting tour of the museum.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 November 2016 at 2:24 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: These Little People, which were manufactured when Fisher-Price was in Medina, are pictured as part of a display by the Medina Historical Society in 2014.
ROCHESTER – A toy that was once mass produced in Medina at the former Fisher-Price plant has been inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.
Museum officials announced Little People have joined the distinguished group of toys. Other inductees announced today include the swing and the game Dungeons & Dragons.
The honorees were selected from a field of 12 finalists that also included: bubble wrap, Care Bears, Clue, coloring book, Nerf, pinball, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Transformers, and Uno.
The Little People are manufactured by Fisher-Price and for many years were made in Medina until Fisher-Price left in the late 1990s. The company started operations in the Orleans County community in 1970.
The Little People are the first Fisher-Price toy to make the Hall of Fame.
“Little People have been a fixture—albeit a small one—in many American playrooms for more than 50 years,” said Chris Bensch, Strong Museum’s vice president for collections. “More than two billion Little People have been sold since 1959, and they have helped generations of small children imagine big adventures in play sets representing farms, schools, airports, and other fascinating places in their worlds.”
Here’s what the the Strong National Museum of Play had to say about the Little People:
“Fisher-Price first offered its Little People in a 1959 Safety School Bus pull toy. These stylized figures populated a variety of play sets that encouraged youngsters to explore the world beyond their homes and to imagine themselves at school or the airport, at the service station or the amusement park, and at the zoo or a faraway farm. Fisher-Price made the first Little People of wood and lithographed paper; solid, single-colored wooden bodies followed. Later figures were made of hard plastic. In the 1980s, concerns about the small figures becoming a choking hazard led to the 1991 introduction of a new design for larger diameter Little People known as “Chunky People” or “Chunkies.” By the mid-1990s, the Little People became more people-like with arms, legs, and dimensional faces.”
The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 and recognizes toys that have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period. Each year, the prestigious hall inducts new honorees and showcases both new and historic versions of classic toys beloved by generations.
For more information about the hall and to see the list of previous inductees, visit toyhalloffame.org.
Provided photo by Julie Sanford: The 35 Remembrance Scholars are pictured Friday at Syracuse University. Joyce LaLonde, a senior majoring in policy studies and public relations, is one of the 35 scholars awarded $5,000 scholarships for the year. It is one of the prestigious scholarships at Syracuse.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2016 at 9:05 am
University picks 35 students annually in memory of students killed in Lockerbie terrorist bombing
Joyce LaLonde is pictured at The Place of Remembrance at Syracuse on Friday where there was a memorial service and rose-laying ceremony. LaLonde is one of 35 Remembrance Scholars. The scholarships are a tribute to the 35 Syracuse students killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. LaLonde was awarded her scholarship in memory of Frederick “Sandy” Phillips.
SYRACUSE – On Dec. 21, 1988 Syracuse University suffered a huge loss when 35 students, who were returning from a semester of study in London and Florence, were killed when their plane was bombed.
The students were among 270 killed with the terrorist attack of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Syracuse University continues to honor and remember those 35 students. This past week was remembrance week at Syracuse and it was capped with a service on Friday at The Place of Remembrance in honor of the fallen students.
Joyce LaLonde of Albion is one of this year’s Remembrance Scholars, who all receive $5,000 scholarships. The Remembrance Scholars are picked in a rigorous review by the university.
LaLonde, a senior policy studies and public relations major, received her scholarship in honor of Frederick “Sandy” Phillips.
The scholars had to write three essays as part of a comprehensive application, and finalists were interviewed by members of the selection committee, composed of university faculty, staff and current Remembrance Scholars.
The $5,000 scholarships are awarded on the basis of distinguished academic achievement, citizenship and service to the community.
LaLonde, 21, is vice president of the student association which represents about 15,000 students. She is also on the board of Nourish International, which is based in North Carolina. She has attended humanitarian trips to Uganda on behalf of Nourish.
LaLonde was back in Albion on Saturday for the “Orchard Walk for the Cure” in honor of people battling cancer. Many of LaLonde’s friends from Syracuse joined her for the trip.
Joyce’s mother, Kathy LaLonde, died from breast cancer at age 54 on Oct. 6, 2013. Joyce has followed her parents – Kathy and Steven LaLonde – by attending Syracuse.
Joyce LaLonde said she is honored to be chosen as one of the 35 Remembrance Scholars for her senior year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2016 at 2:06 pm
File photo, Badge of Honor Association: Orleans County Deputy James DeFilipps speaks on June 18 during the Policeman’s Ball in Rochester.
San DIEGO, CA. – James DeFilipps, the Orleans County deputy who survived a shootout last year after being shot twice in the abdomen, was honored earlier this month in San Diego by the International Police Chiefs Association/DuPont Kevlar Survivors’ Club.
DeFilipps was chosen as the 2016 Honoree of the Year. He received the award during a luncheon on Oct. 15 during the 123rd International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition.
DeFilipps was one of the first on the scene in response to a domestic disturbance call when he noticed the suspect’s vehicle speeding by on the road on March 21, 2015.
DeFilipps was in pursuit when the suspect exited his vehicle and hid from the officers on scene. The suspect then began to shoot at the officers from a nearby wooded area in Clarendon, striking DeFilipps twice in the torso.
DeFilipps fired back, eliminating the threat, and then maintained his position and used the flashlight on his rifle to illuminate the suspect’s location for the other officers. His quick response saved the lives of the other officers at the scene and, thanks to the use of his body armor, DeFilipps sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to a news release from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
“The brave actions of Deputy James A. DeFilipps helped save the lives of his fellow officers,” said IACP President, Chief Terrence M. Cunningham of the Wellesley (MA) Police Department. “We are pleased to honor Deputy DeFilipps for being an example to others for wearing his vest.”
Since 1987, IACP has partnered with DuPont to honor those police officers who have survived life-threatening incidents because they were wearing their personal body armor. To-date, more than 3,100 officers who have been saved from death or serious injury by wearing body armor have been honored, with one officer chosen annually as the Honoree of the Year. The award helps to reinforce the use of body armor every day and every shift for officer safety. It also serves as a reminder of the heroic efforts police exhibit while serving their communities.
“Every day, law enforcement officers confront multiple, unpredictable situations that can quickly become life-threatening or disabling,” said Steve LaGanke, Global Marketing Manager, DuPont Protection Solutions. “At DuPont, we are committed to providing advanced materials that help officers, like Deputy DeFilipps, come home safely day after day. We hope that his inspiring story of heroism and survival will help reinforce the fact that wearing personal body armor can mean the difference between life and death.”
DeFilipps, a Holley resident, has worked as a deputy in Orleans County for 13 years after starting his career with the Holley Police Department. The New York State Sheriff’s Association named him the “Deputy of the Year” in 2015.
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band competed twice over the weekend and won first place at both competitions.
On Saturday the band performed in Orchard Park where 10 schools in six classifications competed. In SS1, Medina took 1st place with a score of 86.75 followed by East Irondequoit in 2nd with 83.20.
The following came in first in their classifications: In SS3, Pioneer with a score of 68.75; West Seneca in LS3 with a score of 81.50; Northwestern in SS2 with a 80.10; Orchard Park in LS2 with 85.70 and Lancaster in National Class with 86.2.
On Sunday, the Mustangs traveled to Webster where they won 1st place in SS1 with a score of 87.85 followed by East Irondequoit in 2nd with a score of 84.6.
Hilton took 1st place in LS3 with a score of 78.55; Leroy in SS2 with 76.1; and Webster in LS2 with a score of 83.55.
After the show the Medina and Webster bands proceeded to the auditorium and the groups performed for each other.
Jim Steele, the Mustang band director, commented that the band had two great opportunities to perform their 2016 show this weekend. They did a good job Saturday night in Orchard Park and bested that with a great performance in Webster on Sunday, Steele said.
The Mustangs next head to the NYS Field Band Championships on Sunday, Oct. 30. (There are 7 seats left on the spectator bus. If interested, contact Jim Steele at 585-317-9389.)
The Carrier Dome is the grand finale of the field band season. There will be 51 bands in seven classes, performing beginning from 8 a.m. with SS3 and working down. The SS1 class starts at 6 p.m. and includes 9 bands with Medina performing at 7:08 pm. The day also includes exhibition performances by UB’s Thunder of the East and the Syracuse University Marching Band.
For more information on the competition, click here.
Photos courtesy of The College at Brockport, State University of New York – Matthew Yeoman photographer: Frank Sacheli, a former Brockport mayor, accepts a proclamation from the current mayor, Margaret Blackman, during a tree planting ceremony last week in his honor. Heidi Macpherson, the college president, is at left.
Staff Reports Posted 18 October 2016 at 6:31 pm
Frank Sacheli chats with people at the dedication last week. He worked on his family’s onion farm before going to The College at Brockport, State University of New York. He graduated in 1945.
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
BROCKPORT – A former Brockport mayor whose family owned a muck farm in Barre was honored with a tree planted in his name last week.
Frank Sacheli is a proud graduate of The College at Brockport, State University of New York. He served as president of Brockport Alumni Association, and was inducted in the Alumni Association’s Hall of Heritage in 1990.
The college celebrated Sacheli with a tree-planting ceremony on Oct. 11 with a reception at the Alumni House after the ceremony.
Sacheli has lived in Brockport for 73 years. He is well known for owning the Landmark Hotel in the late 1940’s, and for his family onion farm in Orleans County.
After serving in World War II for two years, Frank graduated from Brockport State College in 1945. Twenty years later, he was elected mayor of the Village of Brockport, a role he would fill for four years.
Frank married Patricia Curtin in 1946, and as a widower became a faithful friend of Antoinette Ercolano. He is the father of Kathleen, John, Anne and Elizabeth. He freely shares his expertise in euchre and gin, continues to enjoy golf and his garlic/vegetable garden, and remains an avid supporter of his community and church.
On behalf of the Village Board, Mayor Margaret B. Blackman proclaimed October 11, 2016 as Frank Sacheli Day in the Village of Brockport.
The tree is planted on the front lawn of Hartwell Hall.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 October 2016 at 5:45 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Friday’s annual Medina/Lyndonville vs. Albion football game featured a special pre game ceremony as three new members were inducted into the Mustangs’ John “Pinky” Loughlin Wall of Fame including Ron Taylor (Class of 1975), David Maiorana (Class of 1981) and Charlie Wilson (Class of 1989). Their banners are shown here hanging at Vets Park. All three helped lead the Mustangs to division titles , and in Maiorana’s and Wilson’s case also to sectional football championships in their senior year.
Here David Maiorana is welcomed by players and cheerleaders as he is introduced in the pre game ceremonies.
Charlie Wilson here is cheered by players and cheerleaders during his introduction.
Photo courtesy of Lydia LaDue: Marisa Hanlon of Kendall competes in the Texas T Barrels at the NY State Fair.
(Editor’s Note: This week is National 4-H Week. Orleans Hub posted an article recently about State Fair winners from Orleans, but didn’t include these local youth who competed in the Gymkhana Games for the Horse Division.)
SYRACUSE – Several 4-H’ers in the horse program competed over Labor Day weekend at the State Fair in Gymkhana Games.
Emma Klaver and Katelyn Spierdowis competed in the Junior Division. Emma was 8th in Sweetheart Barrels, 2nd in Texas T Barrels and 10th in Figure 8 Barrel. Katelyn finished 8th in Straight Barrels.
Faith Woody participated in the Pony Division and was 6th in Texas T Barrels, 8th in Quadrangle Barrels and 5th in Pole Bending.
Mary DiBattisto and Marsia Hanlon competed in the Senior Division. Mary was 9th in Keyhole Race and 10th in Pole Bending. Marisa was 6th in Quadrangle Barrels, 6th in Texas T Barrels and 10th in Figure 8 Barrels.
Susan Christie created this artwork that will be featured in the 2017 “Art From the Heart” wall calendar.
Staff Reports Posted 30 September 2016 at 11:55 am
Provided photo: Orchard Manor Administrator Martin MacKenzie, left, is pictured with resident Susan Christie. Jamie Murphy, Orchard manor’s activities director, is in back.
MEDINA – Susan Christie, a resident of Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina, was recently honored at a reception to celebrate her artistic achievement.
Christie’s artwork is one of 13 chosen of 87 submissions that will be featured in the 2017 “Art From the Heart” wall calendar.
The art competition is sponsored by The Foundation for Quality Care with the New York State Health Facilities Association.
“Art From the Heart” is an opportunity for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in New York state to share their artwork.
Christie, a self-taught artist since the age of nine, said she has used artwork to help cope with abuse she experienced in her past.
“I express myself through my art,” she said. “The more I express myself, the more I blossom and heal.”
Jamie Murphy, Orchard Manor activities director, encouraged Christie to enter the contest. Murphy asked Christie what she enjoys most about creating art. Christie replied, “I like to start with a piece of paper and end up with a face staring back at me or a pretty picture.”
Proceeds from the Art From the Heart calendars will benefit the Foundation for Quality Care.
MEDINA – The Orleans/Niagara BOCES kicked off the new school year by announcing the employees of the year. District Superintendent Dr. Clark Godshall announced the winners at opening day ceremonies.
The winners were nominated by their peers in the categories of administrator, clerical, maintenance, staff specialist, substitute, teacher aide and teacher, all for doing an outstanding job the previous school year.
Dr. Michael Weyrauch
• The Administrator of the Year was Dr. Michael Weyrauch, principal at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center. He has been with BOCES for 4 ½ years and says his favorite part of his job is the staff and students that he gets to work with on a daily basis.
“I felt very honored that in this organization, which has a large number of outstanding staff who give it their all each and every day, that I was chosen,” he said. “It is an outstanding feeling.”
Theresa Clause
• Special education teacher Theresa Clause was named the Teacher of the Year. She has worked at BOCES for 20 years.
“My favorite part of my job is the paperwork – Just kidding!” she said. “Of course it is the kids! My personal experiences are the greatest contributing factors to me becoming a teacher. These experiences shaped my views and continue to influence my teaching style. I love the fact that I can give back.
“I have a learning disability (dyslexia) and I have been on the other side of the classroom. I understand the daily struggles our kids have to overcome just to be on an even playing field with peers and hope I can be a positive role model for them. I want to challenge them to dream bigger and imagine themselves in a different set of circumstances. I want to make them aware of the opportunities they may be oblivious to because they do not know they exist outside of school or the life they know. I strive to meet students where they are, and not dwell on where they should be. I truly believe that you can accomplish anything your put your mind to. When I was in school I always wanted to be a teacher and with hard work and family support I made it happen. I was so surprised and humbled by this award.”
Shirley Campbell
• In the clerical category, Shirley Campbell works for the Special Education Department and has been with BOCES for 14 years.
“My favorite part of my job is working with the secretaries in all the districts,” she said. “They are a wonderful group of women. I was very shocked that I won. It was a wonderful surprise.”
Rene Becht
• Rene Becht has worked at BOCES for 22 years and is the teacher aide in the Welding Program. She was named the outstanding teacher aide during the past school year.
“I started working in the day care as a Toddler Room teacher and after 10 years, I started working with the high school vocational students where I have been an aide since 2008.
“My favorite part of my job is working with the students, helping them realize their potential. I have enjoyed the positive relationships I’ve built with many of them and the daily interactions in and out of school. The staff at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center are all great and I would not be able to do my job without them. It was a great honor to be recognized. I especially want to thank Dr. Elaine Black-Richards for all her advice over the years and always being there for me.”
Tom Wright
• In the maintenance category Tom Wright has worked in the Print Shop for seven years.
“The best part of working at BOCES is the people, of course! “ he said. “All my coworkers and administrators are great to work with. I was very surprised and excited that I was named an employee of the year.”
• Staff Specialist Leon Szczerbinski has been with BOCES’ Safety Risk Department for eight years. He was employee of the year for the staff specialists.
Leon Szczerbinski
“I work in a very solid unit that provides a valuable and necessary service for our component districts,” he said. “I am impressed by the quality of service the Safety Risk unit has been able to provide and I am encouraged daily to see the end result; a safer place to learn and work.
“I have also met so many wonderful people at BOCES and in all the districts wherever I am assigned. I am grateful for their cooperation, assistance and the opportunity to know and interact with them. Being named an employee of the year is an awesome tribute!
“I am humbled and grateful by this honor and recognition, but I am certain that my inspiration and dedication was and is instilled from my parents, family and my BOCES family of whom I work and interact with daily.”
Robin Quinones
• Robin Quinones is an independent hair stylist at the Blue Door Salon, NYS Certified Instructor for Career and Technical Education and a Career Coach for Beauty Industry Professionals. She has substituted at BOCES since 2006. She was named the outstanding substitute for the past year.
“It’s incredibly gratifying helping students prepare for future careers and continued education. I am honored to be chosen as Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Substitute of the Year. It truly validates my efforts that I brought into the career and technical ed classrooms.”
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band competed twice over the weekend and won first place at both competitions.
