health & wellness

At Arc forum, speakers advocate services for developmentally disabled

Posted 9 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Raymond Coniglio – Kari Powers of Le Roy speaks during a legislative forum Tuesday hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans.

By Raymond Coniglio, Courtesy of The Batavian

BATAVIA – Kari Powers takes great pride in her daughter’s achievements.

Morgan, 8, was diagnosed with autism in 2009. She received early intervention through the Genesee ARC’s Rainbow Preschool, and is now enrolled in a “6:1:1” elementary school program six students, one teacher and one aide in Monroe County.

“I can’t speak enough about how much these services help my daughter,” Powers, who lives in Le Roy, said during a legislative forum Tuesday at the Genesee ARC Community Center in Batavia. “She is doing so well.”

Her pride is tempered by worry.

Worry, that state budget cuts threaten educational, housing and other services for children like Morgan, now and as they grow into adulthood.

“There are so many children diagnosed with autism or learning disabilities who are going to need services down the road,” Powers said. “It’s just so important that the funding continue.

“It matters to me,” she added. “It matters to Morgan and it matters to every single person in this room.”

Powers was one of 18 parents, caregivers and self-advocates who spoke for an hour-and-a-half at Tuesday’s forum. It was attended by state Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Jay Grasso on behalf of state Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer. Ortt is chairman of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

More than 100 people attended the forum, which was hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans, which are in the process of merging.

Powers’ words echoed “It Matters to Me,” the title of a grassroots advocacy campaign organized by the local agencies’ state affiliate, NYSARC Inc.

The campaign focuses on four issues:

Residential housing and other opportunities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are living at home with aging parents or other caregivers.

The conversion of workshops into integrated businesses, to ensure employment for people with developmental disabilities.

Funding to boost wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) who serve people with developmental disabilities.

Increased state funding for preschools that serve special-needs children ages 3 to 5.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, speaks during Tuesday’s legislative forum hosted by the Genesee ARC and the Arc of Orleans. Jay Grasso, left, attended on behalf of state Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer.

Tammy Caldwell has worked for the Arc of Orleans for more than two decades, including the past 15 years at Rainbow Preschool in Albion. She said low wages and poor benefits, make it difficult to recruit and retain qualified employees.

“We have very dedicated staff,” Caldwell said. “They don’t come here for the money; they’re in it because they are truly passionate about their job and the kids they see.

“But it’s getting harder and harder, because of the lack of funding, to find good staff who want to come to a rural community like Orleans County and Genesee County.”

Wendy Eden said the starting wage for a DSP $9.66 an hour is “shameful.”

“Recruiting has been the biggest struggle,” said Eden, a residential supervisor for the Arc of Orleans. “We deal with staffing shortages on a daily basis.”

Alexis Arthur, a DSP at the Genesee ARC Day Habilitation Center in Elba, said it is “outrageous” that fast-food workers in New York will be paid $15 an hour while many of her peers work second jobs to make ends meet.

“My job is very rewarding, and I have a deep sense of pride and gratitude that I get to work with the people I do,” Arthur said. “My only wish is for myself and my coworkers to be compensated for our hard work.”

Loretta Stratton of Elba said her life changed when her son Hank was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old.

She switched careers, and trained to work with children like her son. “I thought I would be able to reach him,” she said. “And I couldn’t. I wasn’t able to reach my own child.”

Fortunately, help was available. Hank received in-home care, and attended preschool. By the time he started kindergarten, Stratton was in a position to insist Hank attend “regular” class.

By 10th grade he was taking Regents courses, and is now ranked third in his class. Stratton said he is Elba’s first special-needs student “in full inclusion” from kindergarten through senior year.

“We don’t want our kids to be a burden on society,” Stratton said. “We want to empower our kids to be the best that they can be at whatever ability they have.”

Hank is also an advocate, and spoke in support of job opportunities.

“We need people with special needs in the work force,” he said. “They really want to be a part of it, and they deserve the (same) respect as any other citizen.”

Hawley and Grasso said issues raised Tuesday, will be part of negotiations when work on the 2016-17 state budget begins in January. (Ortt had to leave early to attend a public meeting in Barker.)

Hawley hoped advocates would take their case directly to Albany, and “hammer away” at Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders via letters, emails and YouTube videos.

Will their voices be heard?

Hawley pointed to the career of former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, a Democrat who represented Long Beach until last year. He has an adult son with a mental disability.

In 2013, Weisenberg led a successful bipartisan effort to restore $90 million in funding that had been cut from the state Office of People With Developmental Disabilities.

Hawley was among the Assembly co-sponsors of the legislation. Ranzenhofer co-sponsored the Senate version.

“I’m always optimistic,” Hawley said.

For more on The Batavian, click here.

Extension honors long-time volunteers and supporters

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 December 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Sharon Smith (left), principal of the Kendall Elementary School, receives a “Friend of 4-H” award from Jennifer Wagester, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County during the organization’s annual meeting on Tuesday evening. Smith was recognized for the school’s support in hosting 4-H clubs.

KNOWLESVILLE – Local officials, Cornell Cooperative Extension staff, 4-H Leaders, volunteers and friends gathered Tuesday evening for the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension annual meeting at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Jennifer Wagester, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, reported on 2015 highlights, which included an increase in programming for nutrition with participation in the federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the addition of a nutrition educator to the staff. The Master Food Preserver program was also revived and a three-day training held during the fall.

Wagester reported the most significant increase in program enrollment was in 4-H with the addition of 84 new members, a record growth of 24 percent. She noted the 4-H program is on its way to meeting the 2016 enrollment goal of 500 youth.

The highest facility update was in the Trolley Building kitchen made possible by grant funds, the Fern Blackburn Memorial, Fair Committee, the Leaders’ Association and a concession stand hosted by staff. A fire suppression hood was installed and the range refurbished. Additionally, a three-bay sink was installed along with a commercial refrigerator.

“These positive changes occurred because our volunteers, staff, community members, and county legislators worked together to make a difference in the lives of Orleans County residents,” Wagester said.

Long-time Lake Ontario Fruit Program Team Leader Debbie Breth receives recognition in honor of her upcoming retirement from special guest, Dr. Chris Watkins, Cornell Cooperative Extension director.

Neil Johnson, right,receives the Legacy Award from Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Board of Directors President Ed Neal while Board Vice President Erin Anheier looks on.

Anheier said the Legacy Award is special as it is not given annually. She noted Johnson has served Extension and 4-H over the last 40 years in “as many capacities as possible.” She said the History of the Orleans County 4-H Fair, written by Johnson, was his most lasting and profound contribution over those years. The history provides, “Valuable insight into the past…. which would have been lost,” without Johnson’s efforts, Anheier said.

“I love 4-H,” Johnson said in accepting the award. “I couldn’t think of a better organization to give my time to.”

Stephen Kruger (left), architect, and his dad, Warren Kruger, Kendall Highway Superintendent, were honored along with Oak Orchard Concrete with Friend of Extension Awards.

All three worked with the Extension in 2015 donating time, expertise and materials to help make much needed structural repairs to the Curtis Pavilion on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. Board of Directors member Vincent Flow of Holley made the presentation and noted the Pavilion, which was constructed decades ago, was beginning to tilt to the northeast.

Nineteen posts supporting the Pavilion were reinforced, and Flow said Oak Orchard Concrete was always very prompt with deliveries, even though they were needed sporadically throughout the project.

Through the efforts of the Krugers and Oak Orchard Concrete, Extension was able “to minimize the cost without sacrificing the quality of the job,” Flow said.

Other special awards went to Shelly Daggs, Outstanding 4-H Leader; and Sara’s Garden Center (Kathy Kepler), Friend of the Master Gardeners.

4-H’ers test cooking skills with food grown in NY

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 8 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Ariel Vinca chose to feature corn in her corn loaf recipe which was topped with fresh raspberries during a competition Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

KNOWLESVILLE – Participants in this year’s Grown in New York contest, sponsored by the Orleans County 4-H Leader’s Association, had the opportunity to demonstrate cooking, baking and menu planning skills during the annual event held Saturday at the Trolley Building on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The contest featured items grown or produced in New York State and demonstrators and those in attendance enjoyed samplings of the recipes prepared.

4-Hers from around Orleans County competed in Jr. Novice, Junior, Senior and Sr. Novice (based on age) divisions and were judged on their demonstration skills as well as the taste and nutritional value of the finished product.

Recipes featured fruits, meats, vegetables, grains and dairy products, and could be baked, cooked or prepared to eat raw, such as a salad. Evaluators observed demonstrators to look for techniques, organization and ability to prepare their recipe.

Additional evaluators tasted a finished product prepared at home to look for eye appeal, taste and to review the nutrition statement of the product.

Orleans County 4-Her Lauren Becht is evaluated as she prepares Mexican chicken and rice during the annual Grown in New York Competition Saturday at the Trolley Building. Demonstrators have about 30 minutes to prepare their entry during the silent food demonstration.

Participant Lauren Becht, 16, of Albion prepared Mexican chicken and rice featuring chicken she raised herself. She said she has been competing in Grown in New York for, “as long as I can remember. It’s a little nerve-wracking.”

She said she enjoys the competition. Lauren typically prepares a dessert item but wanted to try a savory main dish this year.

Orleans County 4-H member Saleya Williams prepares a Rustic Pear Tart featuring New York State pears.

Lilly Mathes, competing in the Junior Division, prepares her own homemade applesauce.

Apples were a featured ingredient in an apple salad prepared by Zac Albright.

Emma Mathes is evaluated as she begins to prepare carmel apple cheesecake.

Here are the yummy results of Emma’s efforts.

Holley Central School opens satellite office for mental health

Posted 6 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Nicole Ashton

Press Release
Holley Central School

HOLLEY – In response to the national concern about mental health issues and the impact they have on student performance and school district climates, Holley Central School District has partnered with Orleans County Mental Health to offer a satellite office at Holley Middle School/High School two days a week.

Nicole Ashton, a mental health counselor with the county, works out of the satellite office at Holley on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is a real boost for our side of the county to offer mental health services here,” said Holley Superintendent Robert D’Angelo. “This saves our families travel time to come here instead of Albion, plus it augments the services provided by our district’s counseling staff. By having the satellite office at the MS/HS, students can use the services provided to help them concentrate on their studies and be positive contributors in school. This new service opportunity also encourages our parents to further engage with the district on students’ academic issues.”

Since Oct. 7, Ashton has begun to make assessments of students, offer counseling appointments and give referrals to other mental health professionals to help address the needs of students and their families.

Students are referred to her by Holley faculty and staff or a parent/guardian request. After receiving the referral or request, she begins the process by obtaining parent/guardian permission and insurance information, then scheduling an hour-long initial assessment.

Once the assessment is complete, she works with the student’s schedule to make regular appointments. For appointments scheduled after school, students can utilize the 5 p.m. bus for a ride home.

“The school district support here in Holley is amazing,” said Ashton. “I have been welcomed by the students and staff. The district personnel have been helpful with providing information on students and tracking their progress. I’m here to serve the needs of the students and families, so I try to be flexible to set appointments with the hours and days that fit their schedules.”

Ashton has a master’s degree as a Licensed Master Social Worker and a bachelor’s degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling.

Ashton graduated from Holley and worked as an intern for Holley MS/HS Social Worker Samantha Zelent when she was pursuing her master’s degree.

“She built such great connections with the kids when she was here,” Zelent said. “Many of them would tell me that they would only seek outside counseling if it was through Nicole. She has a special way of connecting with the students and their families. Having her here is a huge asset.”

Families of Holley students can contact Ashton directly for counseling sessions. When she is at Holley, she can be reached at 638-6316, extension 5504. Her email address is nicole.ashton@orleanscountyny.gov and her Orleans County Mental Health office phone number is 589-7066.

Walk at Watt’s raised $35K for Cancer Society

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Pam Allen and her daughters Trinity, center, and Savannah have cups of apple cider to start the 5-kilometer walk through the Watt Farms orchards on Saturday.

About 500 people, many of them wearing pink, walked the orchard at Watt Farms on Saturday.

ALBION – More than 500 people raised about $35,000 during the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday at Watt Farms.

The farm market has hosted 11 Making Strides walks and raised about $350,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“The Saturday event was a moving example of passion in action,” said Michael Crisona, senior market manager for the American Cancer Society. “Our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk unites the community together with a shared determination to help finish the fight. Making Strides participants can be proud that their fundraising efforts are helping to save more lives from breast cancer.”

Karen Watt, a breast cancer survivor, said the farm is looking to partner with a local organization in the future for fund-raising walks through the orchard.

On Sunday, she was honored with a humanitarian award from the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church for her efforts to raise money for cancer research and support services for people affected by the disease, as well as her other community involvements.

She praised her husband Chris for mowing the orchards and getting the route ready for the public for the Making Strides event.

Rotarians stay committed to eradicating polio

Posted 25 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Local dentist shares how polio took his mother’s life when he was a young boy

Photos by Kim Pritt – Albion Rotary Club member Don Bishop, a dentist, speaks about Rotary’s efforts to defeat polio during Thursday’s meeting at Tillman’s Village Inn. Bishop shared his family’s difficult experiences with the disease.

By Kim Pritt, Correspondent

ALBION – Rotary Club International joined the fight to eradicate polio in 1985 with their Polio Plus Program – a world-wide commitment to raise funds and awareness to combat this devastating disease.

Poliovirus is a highly contagious virus that affects humans with no known cure. At one time 350,000 children were diagnosed with polio each year world-wide. Through research and vaccines made available in the early 1950s, polio has been nearly wiped out in most of the world.

This past year, only two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan – have reported new cases of polio and Africa has not seen a new case in over a year. However, as long as there continue to be new cases reported, Rotary Club International’s Polio Plus Program will continue its work to raise awareness and funds.

Locally, Albion Rotary Club has been a strong supporter of the Polio Plus Program since its inception in 1985. To commemorate World Polio Day, the Albion club devoted its regular Thursday meeting to raising awareness and funds for this disease and the program committed to eradicating it.

The eradication of polio is not only a priority for the Albion Rotary Club, but it is also very personal for Albion Rotary member, Don Bishop.

Bishop spoke at the Thursday meeting about his personal experience with polio. When he was a child, his family was exposed to the poliovirus, resulting in two of his family members contracting the disease. Bishop’s mother was severely afflicted with the disease, causing her to be completely paralyzed from the neck down and confined to an iron lung.

Bishop talked about visiting his mother in a clinic in New York City where she was isolated with other polio victims in an effort to control the spread of the disease. They were eventually able to bring their mother home with her iron lung after they converted their living room into a hospital room for her, but she soon had to return to the hospital and succumbed to the disease in 1957.

Albion Rotary Club President Karen Sawicz, right, presents Don Bishop with a certificate for 25 polio vaccinations to be donated in his name.

He went on to say that at the age of 7, he and his sister, aged 4, were placed in a vaccine trial because of the unknown risk of them passing the disease on to others. They discovered that he did receive the vaccine, but his sister had received a placebo. Shortly after that, his sister began to exhibit symptoms of the disease.

Bishop’s sister developed a much milder case and responded to various therapies over the years, including painting therapy. She earned an art scholarship to Nazareth College and went on to a career as an art teacher.

Bishop talked about seeing images of clinics with rows and rows of thousands of iron lungs and stated those images were not an exaggeration, as he witnessed similar scenes while visiting his mother. As further research and the success of the vaccine helped to reduce the numbers of people diagnosed with polio, the use of the iron lungs has also reduced.

Bishop shared that he recently read that in 1959 there were 1,200 people confined to an iron lung and in 2004 there were only 39 such people. Others in the group commented about knowing children here in our community during the 1950s and 1960s, who had polio and how terrifying it was during the height of the epidemic.

During the Albion Rotary Club’s meeting two sets of Sabres hockey tickets were donated and auctioned off for the purpose of donating the funds raised to the Polio Plus Program. The Gates Foundation has teamed up with Rotary Club International and will do a two-to-one match of any funds raised for the Polio Plus Program. So, thanks to the Gates Foundation, the $120 raised in the auction will be tripled to make a $360 donation to the Polio Plus Program.

In addition to raising awareness and funds for the Polio Plus Program, it is Albion Rotary Club’s practice to present a certificate to their guest speakers indicating a pledge to vaccinate 25 children in countries still reporting new polio cases in the name of the guest speaker. Don Bishop was presented with a certificate for sharing his family’s story at the Thursday meeting.

Big crowd again for breast cancer awareness walk at Watt Farms

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Watt Farms hosted a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk for the 11th time today and several hundred people participated in the event at the farm on Route 98.

People could walk for either 1 kilometer or 5 kilometers through the orchards at Watt’s.

Karen Meiers, a breast cancer survivor for four years, is pictured with members of the Holley Fire Department and their families. Meiers is married to Ron Meiers, a former Holley fire chief.

The Holley firefighters passed out pink plastic fire helmets today for children at the Making Strides event.

Kevin Dann, the deputy Holley fire chief, shows his support for fighting breast cancer.

Liz Snyder of Albion signs in to participate on the walk at Watt’s.

Karen Watt, right, is a breast cancer survivor. She is pictured with her children, Brody and Lauren Kirby, and Lauren’s son Evan, 3.

Harris Reed, the assistant fire chief at Holley, pulls a wagon with his daughter Abigail. They opted for the longer route: 5 kilometers.

A team from Hartway Motors in Medina stops for a group photo in the orchard at Watt’s.

The event in recent years has annually raised about $50,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Albion 8th-graders present 70 ponchos, 100 pillows to benefit breast cancer patients

Posted 23 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photos – Student Mykaela Hill presents one of the pillows the class made to Dr. Supriya Mohile at UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute at Highland Hospital in Rochester.

Press Release, Wilmot Cancer Institute at University of Rochester Medical Center

ROCHESTER – During a reception today at Pluta Cancer Center, eighth-graders from Carl I. Bergerson Middle School in Albion presented 70 ponchos they made in their Family and Consumer Science class for women who are facing breast cancer.

The students today also presented 50 pillows to both the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester and UR Medicine’s Highland Hospital.

Seventeen students from Albion Middle School presented – and modeled – ponchos for patients undergoing radiation therapy at Wilmot Cancer Institute’s Pluta Cancer Institute in Henrietta.

The ponchos are more comfortable than a hospital gown and help women feel more secure and cozy while undergoing radiation therapy that breast cancer patients often receive daily for five to seven weeks.

The pillows help provide underarm support where lymph nodes have been removed and also help increase comfort for patients in other ways.

Kimberly Toombs, the class’s teacher, gratefully received a poncho from Pluta and pillows from BCCR and Highland Hospital during her treatment, which began after she was diagnosed in 2014.

Judy Zeeman-Golden (left), social worker and poncho project organizer at Pluta Cancer Center, poses with Kimberly Toombs, family and consumer science teacher at Albion Middle School and breast cancer survivor.

Having sewing skills as a family and consumer science teacher, she wanted to give back to the projects that had helped her. This was music to the ears of Judy Zeeman-Golden, a social worker at Pluta who manages the Poncho Project.

“The Pluta Cancer Foundation buys the fabric for the ponchos but what’s hard is making sure I have enough sewers to keep the project going. Until Kim came along, I was constantly scratching my head,” Zeeman-Golden said. “Kim has been this gift from the poncho gods. She kept busy while recovering by making ponchos, then got her class involved. She knew how wonderful it was to have because she’d been given one.”

Toombs says getting her class involved in this project not only helps those affected by breast cancer but also provides a valuable service learning opportunity for the students.

“Service learning engages the students in that it allows them to become actively involved in projects,” Toombs said. “When they have the ability to make something that will help someone else, it becomes personal to them.”

The tag that will be attached to each poncho to inform the recipient who created them.

Friends of paralyzed Albion teen trying to raise funds for van

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Ashley Wiegele is pictured in her senior photo.

ALBION – Ashley Wiegele was only a few days away from her high school graduation when she was in a boating accident on Lake Ontario on June 20, 2014.

Ashley, then 17, wasn’t able to participate in commencement. She was paralyzed from the chest down.

She is home in an apartment with her mother, and receives physical and occupational therapy. Ashley is hopeful she will one day walk again.

For right now, she is mostly limited to her apartment, which isn’t handicapped accessible.

Her friends and the staff at Albion Central School want to give her more freedom to be out in the community. They have organized a benefit on Oct. 24, with a goal to raise at least $10,000 to buy a van with a wheelchair for Ashley.

“Rock ‘n Roll for Ashley” will feature live music from several local musical acts from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Albion Elk’s Lodge, 428 West State St. in Albion. The event also includes a giant basket raffle, pumpkin decorating for kids and adults, and side raffles.

“Albion and Orleans County are great. When somebody is in need they’re there to help,” said Scott Green, a guidance counselor at the high school and also the event chairman.

Ashley’s injuries have required her mom to become her full-time caregiver, resulting in a loss of income for the family.

Ashley has been mostly confined to a bed at her apartment. She only leaves the house for doctor’s appointments, which requires calling for a special van to transport her, Green said.

“This is about her mobility, to allow her to get up and go,” Green said. “Having a van will give Ashley some independence, allowing her to do things that other people take for granted, like grocery shop with her mom, or visit the library, or catch a movie with friends.”

Solo performers at the Oct. 24 “Rock ‘n Roll for Ashley” include Gregg Albertson and Shannon Vanderlaan, who will open the event. They will be followed by several local bands including Delano Steele and Atomic Swamis.

Food will be available for purchase at the event. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or by calling (585) 944-0678.

There is also an on-line fund-raising page for Ashley at CrowdRise. Click here for more information.

Hawley, Assembly minority host WNY health fair Thursday at RIT

Posted 13 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

HENRIETTA – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) will host a free community health fair, sponsored by the Assembly Minority Conference on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RIT Inn and Conference Center at 5257 West Henrietta Rd. in Henrietta.

The health fair will be aimed at informing seniors about services available to them and how they can best manage their health. Free services at the fair will include blood pressure and glucose screenings, hearing, laser and vision screenings, flu shots and organ and tissue donor registration information.

“I am excited to host this free community health fair to give back to our seniors and help them access a multitude of free services,” Hawley said. “Healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive, and unfortunately, many residents lose access to certain services when they retire. I encourage all of my constituents to take advantage of this free health fair, and I look forward to seeing them in attendance.”

Big group turns out for run/memory walk at Browns

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
WATERPORT – The runners take off at the start of the Brown’s 5K Cross Country Run and Memory Walk. Eric Boyce of Bergen, number 360, won the race in a time of 16:25 and Dana Phillips of Lyndonville, number 380, was the first woman to finish with a time of 21:17.

There were 140 participants in the run and walk, which covered 3.1 miles at the fruit farm owned by the Brown family. That nearly doubled the participants from last year.

Runners head down a lane at the beginning of the race, which went through orchards, a wooded area and along a corn field.

Tom Smith of Albion won the 50-59 age group. He also led a “Run for God” training program to get people ready for the race.

Kate Krieger, left, and Sienna Garcia Mathewson hand out water to runners, including John Steier.

The race was dedicated to the memory of Joyce Harris, a former Carlton Town Board member and active community booster. Many of her friends wore “Ya Ya” shirts in her memory.

David Cristofaro finishes the race in memory of his mother, Judy Christopher.

Some members of the Churchville-Chili cross country team present a quilt made from past Brown’s 5K T-shirts to Margy Brown, the race organizer for all 20 of the events. Brown has put on the events as a fund-raiser for Hospice of Orleans. The first 19 races/walks raised $35,000 for Hospice. Proceeds from today aren’t tallied yet.

Paul Glor, coach of the cross country team, has run the last 13 races and won several of them. He used his past race T-shirts for the quilt.

Margy Brown and her son Jeffrey, right of quilt, are pictured with Paul Glor, left, and the Ruhland siblings, who run cross country at Churchville-Chili. Their mother made the quilt. The siblings include, from left: Matthew (in back), Ian, Elizabeth and Genevieve, far right.

Glor and the team created the quilt for Margy Brown for her commitment to the race for two decades.

Brown’s Berry Patch looks a lot different without the playground, swing set, the Jumping Pillow and other popular attractions. The family decided to retire from the retail side of their business this year.

They remain an active fruit farm, and are committed to helping Hospice.

Albion 8th-graders make pillows, ponchos for breast cancer patients

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Amber Lowery, an Albion 8th-grader, holds a pillow she made for recovering breast cancer patients.

Amber and other students in Mrs. Kim Toombs’ Family and Consumer Sciences class have been making pillows and ponchos for breast cancer patients.

Toombs was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2014. After surgery, she completed chemotherapy and radiation in January 2015.

Kim Toombs gets the thread lined up so student Julie Porter can sew a poncho for a breast cancer patient.

The class will deliver the ponchos and pillows later this month when they take a field trip to the Pluta Cancer Center through Strong Memorial Hospital, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, and Highland Hospital.

Toombs said she received help through all three organizations.

“I didn’t know there was a need until I went through it myself,” Toombs said about the pillows and ponchos.

Ella Knaak shows one of the ponchos she made in class. The students are making 70 ponchos, 50 medium-size pillows and 50 small pillows to be given to breast cancer patients.

Angel Rushing, front, Deyonci Farley and other eighth-graders work on the ponchos during class today.

Toombs wears a sticker noting she is a breast cancer survivor.

She thanked her students for working so hard on the project in class.

“They are doing a great with them,” she said.

New fitness trail opens at fairgrounds

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 8 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – A new fitness trail has opened at the 4-H Fairgrounds on Route 31 in Knowlesville. There will be an opening ceremony today at 6 p.m. with the Albion Running Club, where runners and walkers will then try the course.

“We see people come and walk the grounds all the time and thought this would be a nice addition,” Orleans County 4-H Educator Robert Batt said.

The half-mile trail includes six stations with various exercises/activities. The project is sponsored by the Running Club.

The public is invited to attend the grand opening and also to come out and make use of the trail at any time.

“4-Hers will also be able to use the trail before meetings,” Batt said.

The project includes a number of recycled items. Batt said the poles used for the signs are made from recycled tires and have been repurposed from a former exhibit on the fairgrounds. Additionally, old agricultural tires are used as part of the stations. At Station #1, for example, the tires are used for a triceps dip.

“The project is green and environmentally friendly,” Batt observed. “It’s super exciting.”

Runners give new fitness trail a try at fairgrounds

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – John Steier and his son Evan haul tires on the new fitness trail at the 4-H Fairgrounds, which opened today to the public.

The Steiers and other particpants in the Albion Running Club jogged the course and tried the six stations, doing push ups, dips and other maneuvers while completing the half-mile fitness trail.

Pam Coville and her husband Mark bend down and flip tires, one of the challenges on the fitness trail.

The Running Club kicked in $450 towards the trail, which is open to the public and includes signs showing how to attempt the activities along the course.

Brian Krieger does push-ups at one of the stops.

The project includes many recycled items, including the poles used for the signs. Many old farm tires are utilized as part of the stations.

Runners get in some exercise on the course.

Courthouse dome will go purple and pink to highlight causes this month

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The dome of the Orleans County Courthouse is shining purple the first half of this month for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The county’s domestic violence unit responds to about 400 referrals each year.

The dome is pictured on Monday night on the courthouse.

The second half of the month the courthouse dome will shine pink at night for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. About 70 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Orleans County.

Watt Farms is again hosting the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk this month. The 11th annual event has been moved to a Saturday. It will be an open course from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event has raised $325,000 in its first 10 years. Click here for more information.