By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone presents the Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award to Margarita Aldaco during a crime victims’ vigil Thursday at the county courthouse.
ALBION – The recipient of the annual Milford Phinney Victim Advocate Award told crime victims they aren’t alone.
“You have a voice and a choice and a way out,” said Margarita Aldaco, the program advocate administrator for PathStone’s domestic violence services in Orleans County.
Aldaco received the Victim Advocate award during a crime victims’ vigil and rally at the Courthouse steps.
Aldaco has worked with local domestic violence victims for nine years. She sees about 25 to 30 victims and their families a year, assisting them in receiving counseling, transportation and other supportive services.
“You make a difference in their lives,” Aldaco said. “You see them make it on their own when they didn’t think they could do it.”
The award is named for Phinney, a former assistant district attorney. The annual vigil and rally included a testimonial from a victim of domestic violence, who said “help is out there” and urged other victims to leave their abusers.
“I’m back on my feet and I’m going strong again,” the domestic violence victim said.
Sister Delores O’Dowd shares a reflection from the Orleans County Courthouse steps during a crime victims’ vigil on Thursday.
The vigil was part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Sister Delores O’Dowd from Holy Family Parish in Albion shared a reflection during the rally.
“We realize that violence done to one of us effects all of us in one way or another – it steals part of our humanity,” she said in addressing a crowd of about 25 people.
She urged the group to work towards eliminating violence from the community.
“Let us embrace with healing kindness hose who are victims and call to a just accountability those who would make victims of others.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2013 at 12:00 am
Peggy Schreck spends two days a week at Rainbow Preschool
Photo by Tom Rivers – Arc of Orleans County Executive Director Kellie Spychalski, left, congratulates Peggy Schreck on receiving the agency’s “Best Friend” award tonight at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club.
HOLLEY – Twice a week Peggy Schreck joins classrooms of 3- and 4-year-olds, singing and playing with children at Rainbow Preschool in Albion.
Schreck spends about 12 hours a week as a volunteer with the students. She brings enthusiasm and a gentle spirit in a role that has endeared her to students, said Kellie Spychalski, Arc of Orleans County executive director.
“She serves almost as a surrogate grandmother for the kids,” Spychalski said tonight when Schreck was honored as the Arc’s “Best Friend,” one of the agency’s top awards.
Schreck has been volunteering with the Arc for about 10 years, first helping to decorate for the annual Signature Series gala. She has served on Arc committees, but she said she most enjoys being in the classroom.
“I have fun,” she said. “The kids are just precious.”
Schreck was looking for a volunteer opportunity about three years ago when she retired after a career as corporate secretary for Medina Savings and Loan.
She believes in the mission of the Arc, an agency that works with residents with disabilities.
“They do good work and they appreciate their volunteers,” Schreck said about the agency.
Spychalski welcomes more volunteers to help at Rainbow Preschool, which serves 300 children in a nursery and preschool programs.
Schreck was honored at the agency’s 33rd annual “Best Friend” dinner. About 300 people attended the event at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club.
The Arc presented other awards:
Community Service Award – Samantha Neal for her efforts with the Bagels Group in Orleans County.
Self-Advocate of the Year – Joseph Moltrup, who earned a degree at Genesee Community College, worked at LynOaken Farms and helped his mother at her store, Della’s Chocolates in Medina.
Heritage Award – BMP America in Medina for its years of commitment to the Arc as a sponsor of its golf tournament and other generous donations, including a van for Orleans Enterprises.
Community Worker of the Year – Michael Woodward, who has been a dedicated employee at Avanti Pizza and Grill since 2006.
Enclave Worker of the Year – Anthony Avino, a dedicated employee at Associated Brands.
Mobile Crew Worker of the Year – Tauhna Micek, who is always on time and is always positive.
Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year – Jon Bombard, a role model to his peers.
Business Partnership Award – Chapin Manufacturing in Batavia, which contracts with Orleans Enterprises for many light packaging jobs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 April 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Kevin Pawlak, 20, of Albion holds his medal from finishing the Boston Marathon on Monday. Pawlak completed the 26.2-mile course in less than 3 hours, a personal best in his first time running the legendary Boston race. But he said that really doesn’t matter compared to the loss of life and injuries suffered from the terrorist attack.
ALBION – Kevin Pawlak was euphoric crossing the finish line on Monday, completing the grueling Boston Marathon in less than 3 hours.
But that mood changed about two hours later when two bombs went off near the finish line.
Pawlak, his brother, father and two coaches from high school were back in a hotel in Boston when they saw the news reports about an explosion on the course.
Initially, people at the hotel speculated it might have been an overloaded generator. But the media then reported bombs were placed near the finish line, designed to hurt and kill a big crowd of people.
“It is shocking,” said Pawlak, 20, of Albion. “We were right there. We were standing right there.”
Pawlak was at the hotel getting ready to ride to the Logan International Airport in Boston to catch a flight to Baltimore. He is a junior majoring in history at Shepherd University in West Virginia.
But Kevin’s father, Jerome, wouldn’t let him get on the plane.
“My fatherly instincts took over,” the elder Pawlak said this morning at the family’s home in Albion. “I didn’t have a good feeling about it.”
All flights would be cancelled anyway. The group of five just wanted to get back home and drove back to Albion. Along the way they stopped at rest areas, and other Boston Marathon runners were wearing bright yellow shirts from the race. They expressed their disbelief about an attack that killed three people and injured 130 others.
“Runners have such a bond, especially marathon runners,” Kevin Pawlak said. “They’re essentially your brothers in arms. You feel bad for the people who couldn’t finish or who were injured.”
‘You look back and realize we were very lucky.’ -Kevin Pawlak, Boston Marathon finisher from Albion
One woman at a rest stop told the runners she was near the finish line when the second bomb went off. She had a video running, wanting to capture herself approaching and then crossing the line. She showed Pawlak the footage from the second explosion. She wasn’t able to finish the race.
For months Pawlak was up at the crack of dawn, training in the hills of West Virginia. He ran 40 miles a week about four months ago and increased that mileage to about 70, building his strength and endurance for the race on Monday.
He wanted to break 3 hours, a blistering pace. On Monday, the temperature was ideal for a runner, about 50 to 55 degrees. There was a faint wind and the sky was overcast, so Pawlak and the other 23,000 runners wouldn’t have to battle the sun and other elements.
A huge and boisterous crowd lined the course.
“It was wall-to-wall people for nearly the entire 26.2 miles,” Pawlak said. “It was fantastic. The runners fed off the crowd.”
A group of five from the Albion area were in Boston over the weekend. It was a festival atmosphere with Massachusetts celebrating Patriots Day on Monday. Pawlak said people were dressed for the occasion, wearing colonial garb. He spotted a runner dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
“It was a wonderful experience being in Boston,” Jerome Pawlak said. “The whole thing revolved around patriotism.”
Kevin’s brother Joe and two cross country coaches from Notre Dame High School in Batavia – Eric Geiter and Aaron Sherman – joined Kevin and his father for the experience.
The group received automated text messages during the race, giving updates on Kevin’s pace. He was “right on target,” including a 1:28:05 time for the first half of the course, Jerome said this morning.
Kevin Pawlak finished the Boston Marathon on Monday.
Kevin still had to get past three hills between miles 16 and 21, including “Heartbreak Hill,” the last hill near the 21-mile mark. Kevin had been nursing a sore right knee leading up to the race, but it wasn’t any trouble on Monday. He climbed and descended the hills, pushing himself to the end.
He crossed the finish with a time of 2:57:11, nearly 3 minutes to spare from 3 hours. He grabbed a water bottle, a blanket and connected with his family and coaches.
“I was so excited,” he said. “I was sore, but I was so pumped up on adrenaline.”
The group then spent about a half hour getting back to the hotel. Pawlak’s phone was soon inundated with calls and text messages. His friends wanted to make sure he was OK, that he wasn’t hurt in the bombings.
Pawlak was unable to make any outgoing calls. He knew people were worried about him. He posted this message on Facebook:
“Just wanted to let everyone know that I am safe and heading out of Boston back home to New York. Not sure when I’ll be back at Shepherd. Please keep everyone in Boston in your thoughts and prayers.”
This afternoon he is taking a flight from Buffalo to Baltimore. He said he has a lot of studying to do with finals next week.
Right now, his mind can’t focus on school work.
“You look back and realize we were very lucky,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2013 at 12:00 am
Karen Watt, an Albion fruit grower, leads Oak Orchard Health
Photo by Tom Rivers – Karen Watt, chairwoman of Oak Orchard Health, is pictured inside the center’s Albion facility on Route 31. She also has served as a director for the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health and on the board for the National Center for Farmworker Health.
ALBION – The winner of a national award for service to community health centers has pushed a local organization to upgrade its health care facilities and expand into underserved communities.
Karen Watt, an Albion fruit grower, has served on the board for Oak Orchard Health for more than a decade, including the past two years as chairwoman. She is a former chairwoman of the National Advisory Council on Migrant Health and currently serves on the board for the National Center for Farmworker Health.
“She is well known around the country,” said Bobbi Ryder, president and CEO of the National Center for Farmworker Health. “She has been very instrumental as a board member and leader of her local center and at a national level.”
Ryder nominated Watt for the 2013 Outstanding Migrant Health Center Board Member Award. Watt will receive the honor next month in San Diego at the annual conference for the National Association of Community Health Centers.
Ryder said Watt, a retired math professor at SUNY Brockport, has been an advocate for healthcare in rural areas at the local, national and international levels. Watt often reminds professionals in health care to not overlook the humanity of their patients, who are often farmworkers and rural poor residents.
“I have admired her very frank recognition for the agricultural workers in her community,” Ryder said. “She recognizes them as human beings with feelings and families.”
Watt was asked to join the Oak Orchard board about 13 years ago. Besides her work with that organization, she has taken humanitarian trips to three African countries, working with farmers to increase profits and become more sustainable. In January she went to Cuba on a medical humanitarian trip, taking supplies into rural villages.
She led the Orleans County Farm Bureau in the late 1990s, serving as its president. She also led a North American association of farmers in direct marketing. She and her husband Chris were at the forefront of the agri-tourism movement in Western New York, turning their Route 98 market into a destination.
Watt said access to health care remains a personal mission. In January 2005, she was detected with breast cancer. She is a survivor, and works hard to raise money for research.
Nine months after she was diagnosed in 2005, she and her husband hosted a fund-raising walk through their orchards. The event has continued every October, and has raised about $225,000. The event last year attracted 1,000 participants and netted about $50,000.
Watt remains committed to community health centers. In the past few years Oak Orchard Health has acquired a healthcare site in Lyndonville, expanded and upgraded sites in Albion and Brockport, and will open a new facility in Warsaw in June. The organization also runs a mobile dental unit to schools in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
Oak Orchard Health serves 16,000 patients in the community, and is pushing to do more to promote health and wellness in Orleans County and nearby rural towns.
“We are known throughout the region for delivery of excellent primary health care, whether you’re insured or uninsured,” she said.
Oak Orchard sees 60,000 client visits annually and 42 percent of the patients have insurance, which is high for a community health center. Watt sees that as an indication Oak Orchard has won respect in the community for its high quality of care.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2013 at 12:00 am
Albion trio recognized for years of research, programs
Photo by Tom Rivers – Hoag Library in Albion on Friday honored three local historians for leading programs at the library for many years. The group includes, from left, Gaines historian Dee Robinson, Albion historian Neil Johnson and Bill Lattin, the Orleans County historian.
ALBION – Neil Johnson, Dee Robinson and Bill Lattin have spent decades unearthing the stories of long-forgotten residents from Albion and Orleans County.
The trio of local historians has each published books on local history. They regularly lead programs in the community, sharing stories about residents who shaped the community often from two centuries ago.
Carole Patterson and five of her friends attend nearly every lecture. Johnson has dubbed them “The Groupies.” Patterson, a member of the Hoag Library board of trustees, said the community is lucky to have three hard-working and dedicated historians.
“They do such a fabulous job with the programs,” Patterson said on Friday when she organized a reception for the trio. “They do such a good job for Albion that we thought it was time to do some honoring. What a treasure they are for the library.”
Johnson has worked as the village historian since 1982. The Michigan native ran an archaeology firm for many years from his home office in Albion. He wrote 1,314 weekly columns for the Albion Advertiser.
He shares a program – “Take a Bite out of History” – every third Wednesday at Hoag from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. He often speaks about a local connection to the Civil War.
Robinson, a reference librarian at Hoag, leads a “Tea with Dee” program the first Tuesday each month at noon. Robinson, a past president of a state association of historians, speaks about trail-blazing women in the community from more than a century ago. That includes Jennie Curtis of Albion, the first woman spy for the Union during the Civil War.
Robinson has researched women who worked as lawyers, doctors and nurses in the community in the 1800s. She has compiled many of those stories in a book, “Historical Amnesia,” about women’s role in local history.
“Women’s history hasn’t been publicized as much as men’s history with the public,” she said.
Lattin was a senior in high school when he researched the architecture and construction dates for the buildings at Courthouse Square. He then led his first tour. He hasn’t stopped in the 50 years since.
He served as Cobblestone Society Museum director for 40 years. A former Gaines town councilman and town supervisor, Lattin remains active as county historian. He has written a weekly column since January 1979. He is working on a couple books, and continues to share about local history with frequent talks in the community.
He said the community enjoys local history, and many residents have spearheaded their own projects. He noted how Albion drama students every fall portray famous Albion residents in Mount Albion Cemetery, a “Ghost Walk” that attracts about 500 people.
Albion seventh-graders two years ago also led the effort to clean up the burial grounds on West Countyhouse Road at the former poor house. Students researched residents, and worked with Lattin and county officials to put up a marker and rededicated the cemetery.
“It’s great when it comes from the citizenry,” Lattin said about history projects.
Local history remains popular at the library, and Hoag has a room devoted to local research, said Susan Rudnicky, library director. She praised the historians for providing so much written information for residents to learn about the community.
“It’s unusual to have three active historians,” Rudnicky said. “They are a great resource because there’s tremendous interest in local history.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2013 at 12:00 am
Crowley served 35 years ‘with integrity and honor’
Photo by Tom Rivers – Peggy Crowley, the retiring Medina village clerk/treasurer, was given a framed copy of a New York Times article celebrating Derek Jeter’s 3,000 hit. Crowley, a big Yankees fan, was honored during the March 25 Village Board meeting.
MEDINA – Village Board members and mayors come and go, but Peggy Crowley proved to be a constant in Medina’s village government the past 35 years.
Crowley worked as deputy village clerk for two years before being promoted clerk-treasurer. She was in that role for 33 years, until March 28, her last day in the village clerk’s office.
Her long-time deputy, Debbie Padoleski, will become the new clerk/treasurer.
“She’s definitely all about the village of Medina,” Padoleski said. “She’s a down-the-road thinker who has the ability to see the big picture.”
Crowley has long been the face of Medina, working closely with residents, village department heads and board members.
“She’s always been the power behind the mayors,” said Marcia Tuohey, a former Medina mayor. “She was dedicated.”
Photo by Tom Rivers – Medina Mayor Andrew Meier congratulates Peggy Crowley, second from right, on her retirement after 35 years of service in the village clerk’s office. Past mayors, Howard Lake and Marcia Tuohey, attended the March 25 meeting to help honor Crowley.
Howard Lake, another former mayor, praised Crowley for her commitment and competence in the job, especially when the village took on administration of the Pass-Through Project, the reconstruction of Main Street about a decade ago. Crowley took on added and complicated duties, negotiating with the state and federal governments, and contractors on the project. She kept track of the paperwork on the project, and insisted the village receive the proper reimbursements.
“She was fantastic,” Lake said about Crowley’s role with the ambitious public works project. “The village of Medina has some great people that work for them.”
Lake and Tuohey were on hand at the March 25 Village Board meeting, Crowley’s final session as clerk before she retired later in the week. She received a standing ovation from village employees and residents at the meeting.
“Every employee, past and present, owe you a debt of gratitude,” said Andrew Meier, the current mayor. “You’ve performed your duties with integrity and honor.”
Meier presented Crowley, a long-time Yankees fan, with a framed copy of a New York Times article on July 10, 2011, highlighting Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit. The framed article included a capsule of dirt from Yankee Stadium. It was taking from the field after Jeter’s milestone game.
There also was a cake with a Yankees theme that was served after the meeting.
Meier said Crowley has a great sense of humor.
“I’m going to miss her wit the most,” he said. “She has been dedicated to her job and the village.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Hospice of Orleans County Director of Development Cora Goyette, left, and Hospice Executive Director Mary Anne Fischer are pictured outside the new hospice residence that Goyette helped raise more than $2 million to build.
ALBION – Six years ago Hospice of Orleans County leaders were looking for a dynamic person who could help the agency raise $2 million to build a residence for the terminally ill.
The agency hired Cora Goyette, who brought with her 14 years in development for Lakeside Health System in Brockport, and an endearing British accent.
Goyette was successful in rallying Orleans residents to support the Martin-Linsin Residence, which opened in December. With that major goal complete, Goyette decided to retire last month. She plans to stay in Albion, but she said she won’t be asking people for money again.
The 8,500-square-foot hospice home on Route 31 in Albion has rooms for eight residents. There is 24-hour-a-day nursing care.
Goyette said the project is the result of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things.” Mary Anne Fischer, the hospice executive director, praised Goyette for building support for the agency throughout the county.
“She has an innate charisma that draws people to her,” Fischer said. “She’ll tell you it’s not about fund-raising, it’s friend-raising.”
The final tally for donations is about $2.3 million for the project. Fischer said the building is needed in the county because so many elderly residents have family members scattered around the country. Many terminally ill residents do not have a primary caregiver at home, she said.
The Martin-Linsin Residence provides “a home away from home” for residents with complex medical issues, Fischer said.
The eight residential suites were designed to accommodate visitors and allow family members to stay overnight. The site includes a family kitchen, lounge and dining room, spa area with therapy tub, family meeting room, a chapel and an indoor courtyard.
“They tell us it is their home,” Goyette said. “They love it. Their privacy isn’t invaded. It’s been amazing and phenomenal.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Margo Bowerman, a 4-H program coordinator in Orleans County for 13 years, is leaving the county to take a 4-H staff development job in Minnesota.
KNOWLESVILLE – From her days as a kid showing animals or preparing projects for the 4-H fair, Kerri McKenna said she could always count on encouragement and direction from Margo Bowerman.
Now as an adult, McKenna has been working alongside Bowerman in the 4-H office for almost a year. McKenna has developed a deeper appreciation for Bowerman’s skills and dedication, working with 300 4-H youths and about 100 adult leaders.
Bowerman also stays in touch with the 4-H’ers long after they age out of the program, continuing to serve as a mentor when they go to college or enter the workforce.
“It wasn’t just for me, she did it for all the 4-H’ers,” McKenna said. “She’s had an immeasurable impact.”
Bowerman ended her 13-year career with the Orleans program on March 8. She is taking a job in Minnesota, supervising 4-H staff there in 17 counties.
“She has always been supportive and encouraging,” McKenna said. “She could handle anything thrown at her.”
Bowerman organized many events for the 4-H’ers, and was influential in the annual 4-H showcase, the week-long fair in late July. She restarted the annual 4-H animal meat auction at the fair.
She was honored by the Orleans County Legislature during a Feb. 27 meeting, when the group presented her with a “special recognition award.”
“Your deepest dedication to youth and adults through Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension is priceless,” Legislator Ken Rush said. “You have instilled confidence, leadership, and citizenship to our youth and have organized the volunteer program to a huge success.”
Bowerman said budget uncertainties with the Extension in New York state were a factor in her decision to leave. She praised a committed team of leaders in Orleans County for building a strong youth program.
