By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 April 2018 at 8:16 am
District won’t be increasing taxes in 2018-19
KENDALL – The Board of Education approved a $17,367,477 school budget on Wednesday that will go before voters on May 15.
The budget reduces spending and doesn’t increase taxes. It also includes $100,000 for a school resource officer. Kendall will keep its security staff and wants to have a deputy from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office devoted to the school.
Julie Christensen, the district superintendent, said Kendall is seeking $50,000 in state funding to help offset the cost of the resource officer. If the district doesn’t receive the grant, Christensen said school officials still plan to have a deputy working full-time out of the district. Kendall will be the second district in Orleans County with a full-time resource officer. Medina contracts with the Medina Police Department to have an officer assigned to the school district.
Overall spending in the Kendall budget is down from $17,415,783 in 2017-18. The tax levy, what the district collects in taxes, will remain the same at $4,715,842. However, the tax rate will decrease from $17.04 to $17.02 per $1,000 of assessed property due to a boost in the tax base.
Kendall’s spending is down because it has less costs with BOCES next year, and also will be spending less in transportation.
In addition to the school resource officer, Kendall is adding a Lego team in the FIRST Lego League (there will be an information meeting May 10 at 6 p.m.). The Lego teams use robotics to program a robot to do tasks. Kendall also has added a trap shooting team this spring.
Christensen and the Board of Education will go over the budget during a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on May 2 at the Kendall Jr/Sr High School Library.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 April 2018 at 7:49 am
Jim Baker battled freezing rain, hypothermia to finish in 3:45
Photos courtesy of Jim Baker: Jim Baker, 55, of Kendall is pictured near the start of the Boston Marathon. He toured the city with his family over the weekend before the prestigious race on Monday.
BOSTON – Jim Baker’s second try running the Boston Marathon felt like redemption, and euphoria despite 26.2 miles in cold rain and wind.
Baker, 55, of Kendall ran the prestigious marathon on Monday and finished in 3 hours, 45 minutes.
“What a great feeling,” he said Tuesday evening. “I really enjoyed it this time.”
He ran the race two years ago and was a minute shy of 5 hours. That day it was hot and humid and Baker said he was in distress quickly into the race and had to struggle to get to the finish line.
The soreness and the slower-than-expected time two years was more than a tough day of running. Baker found his times didn’t rebound in races after that marathon. He went to the doctor and was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Baker had surgery to remove a plum-size tumor. He started chemotherapy in June 2016. After seven months of treatment, his doctors declared him cancer-free on Jan. 13, 2017.
Baker kept running during chemo. It wasn’t his usual 8-minute mile pace. It was much slower, but he kept going, fighting nausea.
When he completed his treatments, he set a goal to qualify again for Boston and have a better experience there on race day.
Last Sept. 17, when he was 54, he finished the Rochester marathon in 3 hours, 35 minutes. That was 5 minutes faster than he needed to qualify for Boston. Baker has been training all winter, with some long runs at 18 to 20 miles.
He was ready for Boston. But Monday the weather was horrible, with hard rain throughout the race and temperatures in the 30s. There were giant puddles throughout the course that soaked sneakers.
Jim Baker was in good spirits at mile 18 of the Boston Marathon despite running in the freezing cold.
Baker felt good, really good during the first half of the race. He reached the halfway point in 1:45:05, which had him on pace for a 3:30 marathon. But the cold weather took a toll. At the 15-mile mark Baker started to cramp from the hypothermia. Many runners had to leave the course for medical treatment.
But Baker pushed onward.
The crowd still came out despite the onslaught of rain, and they were loud along the course. Baker said they lifted his spirits and helped keep him going. His wife Stacey and their daughter Megan also were there cheering him on. His son Kyle and many of his friends followed his progress on-line. The Boston Marathon posts updates on a runner’s times about every 3 miles. Baker was slowing down a little after the halfway mark but was still posting a good time, much faster than the race in 2016.
Before the final right turn, Baker could hear the roar of the crowd.
“It was so cool,” he said. “I have to give the crowd credit.”
He crossed the finish line in 3:45:25, an 8:36 pace per mile.
He was drenched when it was over and suffering from hypothermia. He didn’t stop shaking until an hour and half after crossing the finish line.
He met up with many of his running friends from the Rochester area when it was over. Baker said he has made many good buddies since he started running 11 years ago when he was 44. He works as a chemist for Kodak. He would go for walks during lunch breaks at work more than a decade ago, but Baker said that walking didn’t do anything to chip away at his extra pounds. He initially couldn’t run more than 200 yards without stopping. But he didn’t give up.
Conquering 2 miles while running was a milestone. He ran his first race at a 10K (6.2 miles) and enjoyed the energy and people at the races. He signed up for more races and joined the Bagel Bunch, a running group in Greece.
Jim Baker enjoys a post-race celebration with Jason McElwain, another Rochester area runner. The two often went on training runs together as part of the Bagel Bunch. McElwain is one of the Rochester’s top long distance runners. He ran Boston in 3:10:28.
He wants to lower his time at Boston next year. He would like to run the race when the weather is ideal, about 50 degrees without punishing rain. Two years ago it was way too hot, and Monday was a freezing deluge.
“It’s been either end of the extremes,” he said. “I’d like a 50-degree day and I’d like to do a 3:25.”
Despite the difficult conditions on Monday, Baker said he will cherish the memory.
“The first time I did it, it was a disaster,” he said about the race two years ago. “But I will remember this one because I had so much fun with it. I just want to improve on it.”
Baker’s upcoming running calendar includes the Shoreline Half Marathon on July 14 in Hamlin, the Metro 10 race in Albion (a 10-miler on Aug. 18) and the Rochester marathon in September.
Baker is an Albion native. He has lost 40 pounds since he started running. He credits the sport with saving his life. Running made him more in tune with his body. When he was running slower than his usual pace two years ago, he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with cancer. He had no other warning signs. He had no loss of appetite.
He was able to have the tumor removed and completed chemo before the cancer spread.
He wasn’t the only local finisher at Boston. Roger Bolton of Albion finished in 3:20:48 and Evan Dumrese, a Scottsville resident who grew up in Albion, completed the course in 3:25:33. Mike Conn, an Albion native and graduate of the Class of 1985, finished the Boston Marathon in 3:31:32. Conn currently lives in Rochester.
Any other local finishers are welcome to send a note to news@orleanshub.com.
File photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from last December shows waves bearing down on a new breakwall along Lomond Shores in Kendall.
Press Release, Gov. Cuomo’s Office
Two towns in Orleans County have been approved for state funding for flood relief projects.
The Town of Yates has been awarded $414,500 in Community Development Block Grant Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program funds to make repairs and reconstruct approximately 700 feet of Lake Ontario shoreline that was damaged as a result of the 2017 Lake Ontario flood event at various locations.
The Town of Kendall has been awarded $397,950 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program funds to mitigate future shoreline erosion along Lake Ontario as well as stabilize the existing shoreline with the use of stone rip rap and other geotextile material.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Monday the funding of $2.9 million in Lake Ontario Flood Relief funds to local governments in Wayne, Orleans, Niagara, Cayuga, and Jefferson counties. The projects are dedicated to restoration resiliency and recovery efforts following last year’s flooding and to protect the community from the damage of future storms. The state has committed $95 million to recovery efforts to support homeowners, small businesses, and community infrastructure, Cuomo said.
“The Lake Ontario shoreline experienced historic and damaging flooding last year, and we continue to stand with New Yorkers whose communities are still recovering,” Cuomo said. “This funding supports our mission to build back stronger and smarter and help every impacted town and resident get back on their feet.”
The window for applications for the recovery program has closed. The deadline for homeowner applications for assistance in relief and recovery was September 29, 2017. The deadline for municipality applications was December 29, 2017 and the deadline for small businesses was December 31, 2017. Homeowners wishing to appeal a determination regarding eligibility should email LakeOntario@nyshcr.org.
“Our state made a promise and a commitment to the residents, small businesses, and local governments of Orleans, Monroe and Niagara counties that we would help them rebuild,” Senator Robert G. Ortt said on Monday. “Today, we’re taking an important step. Significant work remains, especially for recovering homeowners, but these funds will help municipalities rebuild critical infrastructure damaged in last year’s flooding and upgrade moving forward. We’ll continue to advocate for relief funding until residents, businesses, and municipalities receive the resources that they need to rebuild.”
“This support represents an important step in the state’s ongoing commitment to shouldering the burden of recovery brought on by last year’s devastating flooding,” said Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson. “With the lake already high, we are thankful to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in delivering these funds, which will help our communities reinforce their shorelines so that we are prepared for the next flood.”
Besides Orleans County, the funding approved includes:
• Wayne County $1 million
The Town of Wolcott has been awarded $1,000,000 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program funds to make construct an approximately 200-foot revetment along the Lake Ontario shoreline that will mitigate future flood damage and protect the most critical Town infrastructure.
• Niagara County: $558,440
Niagara County has been awarded $199,865 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief CDBG Program funds to reimburse themselves for necessary emergency repairs and expenses incurred as a result of the 2017 Lake Ontario flood event. The expenses incurred included funds for shoreline restoration and reconstruction, from Youngstown to the Niagara County line, as well as funds related to materials and labor.
The Village of Wilson has been awarded $10,263 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief CDBG Program funds to reimburse themselves for necessary emergency repairs and expenses incurred, including the purchase of a new trash pump for the Village’s wastewater treatment plant, as a result of the 2017 Lake Ontario flood event.
The Town of Porter has been awarded $348,312 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program funds to mitigate future shoreline erosion along the Town’s Fort Niagara Beach as well as stabilize up to 300-feet of the existing shoreline with the construction of stone rip-rap and rubble.
• Cayuga County: $400,000
The Village of Fair Haven has been awarded $400,000 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief CDBG Program funds to make repairs to village infrastructure that was damaged as a result of the 2017 Lake Ontario flood event at various locations. The Town will reconstruct protective seawalls surrounding several public parks along the Lake Ontario shoreline and will also make necessary infrastructure repairs around and adjacent to the shoreline.
• Jefferson County: $215,468
The Town of Lyme has been awarded $215,468 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief CDBG Program funds to both reimburse themselves for necessary emergency repairs and expenses incurred as a result of the 2017 Lake Ontario flood event and to make future repairs to the Town’s public infrastructure. The expenses incurred included funds related to materials and labor. The future repairs include the reconstruction of roads and culverts.
New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas today announced that construction has begun on a $5.2 million paving project to rehabilitate nearly 30 lane miles of the Lake Ontario State Parkway between Route 19 in Hamlin, Monroe County and Route 237 in Kendall, Orleans County.
The project will significantly improve the existing pavement conditions through a multi-course resurfacing in both eastbound and westbound lanes. Work on the project is beginning nearly one month earlier than anticipated and will minimize the impact on tourism drawn by nearby Hamlin Beach State Park.
“Thanks to the commitment of Governor Cuomo, the State Department of Transportation continues to make smart investments in our local infrastructure,” said Acting Commissioner Karas. “This significant rehabilitation work along Lake Ontario will enhance safety and make it easier for the traveling public to utilize this asset in the summer months and beyond.”
Consistent with Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative, the project has been designed to minimize impacts to the traveling public. The Lake Ontario State Parkway will remain open to traffic throughout construction, with at least one lane of traffic maintained in each direction. Short-term ramp closures will take place during paving of the on and off-ramps at the Route 237, Route 272 and Hamlin Beach interchanges. These ramps will be kept open Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The eastbound ramp at Hamlin Beach State Park will close in early May for approximately 7 days for concrete repairs to the bridge deck over Yanty Creek.
Work will consist of overlaying the existing deteriorating concrete pavement, the installation of new wrong-way signs, upgraded pavement markings and striping, along with narrowing the existing shoulder of the Parkway from 12 feet to 8 feet in width.
The pavement’s newly enhanced rideability will prove beneficial for motorists travelling to and from businesses in Monroe and Orleans counties, along with tourists visiting nearby Hamlin Beach State Park during the summer months. Access to the park will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.
“Today’s news that Department of Transportation has begun rehabilitation construction work on the Lake Ontario State Parkway from Hamlin to Kendall is certainly a relief to those living in the adjacent communities and those who use the roadway on a daily basis,” said State Senator Joe Robach. “I have consistently heard from my constituents just how needed and important this work is and I am glad that the state has made a commitment to ensure the entirety of the Parkway is a modern and safe thoroughfare for all who use it.”
“The counties of Monroe and Orleans are home to some of the most beautiful scenery in our state, but unfortunately the state of the Lake Ontario Parkway developed notoriety as an aggravating stretch for motorists and residents,” said State Sen. Robert Ortt. “This significant investment will repair 30 miles of the Parkway and provide residents with safer and more manageable commutes. It will also allow visitors to experience the beauty that Lake Ontario has to offer with minimal congestion as the summer travel season commences.”
Assemblyman Steve Hawley: “This scenic byway is crucial to local tourism, travel and recreation as a main artery through Western New York that hosts numerous campers, travelers and fishermen. I am proud to be a part of this project’s success, and I look forward to smoother and safer travel in the near future.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo: “I’m excited to see improvements being made to Lake Ontario State Parkway, especially along this stretch. The Parkway improves accessibility in northwestern Monroe County and enhances our efforts to attract and retain jobs here in our community. This project, in concert with Monroe County’s previously announced $32 million investment in infrastructure, will help support jobs, strengthen our economy and enhance our world-class quality of life.”
Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson: “I am very pleased to be seeing some progress on this long-standing issue. My hope is that this is just the beginning of a larger effort to restore the Lake Ontario State Parkway to a condition fitting the beautiful scenic drive along Lake Ontario.”
During the paving project, detours will be posted for all ramp closures at Hamlin Beach Park. Motorists will be informed of construction work and detours using variable message boards and temporary work zone traffic control signs. Work will continue through the end of summer with a targeted completion date of early fall.
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.
Photo courtesy of Ken DeRoller: The state Department of Transportation has a sign by the Lake Ontario State Parkway, telling drivers that road work will start on Monday. That is a welcome sign for users of the Parkway who have been pushing for improvements for several years.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2018 at 11:37 am
$5.2 million project will address ‘worst section’ of road
KENDALL – The long-awaited paving of the Lake Ontario State Parkway along a rough section in Kendall and Hamlin will start on Monday.
The $5.2 million project includes both the eastern and western lanes of the Parkway for 7 miles from Route 19 to 2 miles west of the Kendall town line.
“We’re very happy about it,” Ken DeRoller, Orleans County legislator, said at this morning Orleans Economic Development Agency meeting. “This is the worst section of the road.”
DeRoller, a Kendall resident, has been one of the loudest voices in recent years seeking upgrades to the Parkway.
The state last year spent about $9 million paving a section of the Parkway from Route 19 east to Payne Beach. Now the paving will stretch into Orleans County.
The bumpy road has deterred traffic, especially people with campers, local officials say. In March 2016, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley delivered to the Governor’s Office nearly 2,000 petitions signed by local residents asking for state support to better repair and maintain the highway.
“This is humungous,” Carol D’Agostino, Kendall High School principal and EDA board member, said about the paving work. “That road is horrible. People have damaged their cars.”
DeRoller said the improved Parkway should draw more visitors to Orleans County, especially to the upgraded Bald Eagle Marina, which expects to open a restaurant next month near one of the Parkway exits.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 April 2018 at 9:00 am
Provided photo
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club is pleased to present the proceeds from our 2018 Chicken BBQ to two very worthy organizations. The Lions Club this week presented two checks for $2,000 each to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Rochester Chapter (JDRF) and CURE Childhood Cancer Association of Rochester.
Pictured include, from left: Lions President Mike Cusimano, Linda Robbins of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, BBQ Chairman Phil D’Agostino and Samantha Corrigan of CURE Childhood Cancer Association.
The Lions Club had its 15th Chicken BBQ the Saturday before the Super Bowl. From its inception Lion Phil D’Agostino has chaired and developed the Chicken BBQ into one of the Kendall Lions Club’s most successful fundraisers. Held each year, many Kendall residents have received aide with medical bills due to accidents, cancer and other illnesses.
KENDALL – Kendall Central School District is currently accepting registrations for its Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) and kindergarten programs for the 2018-19 school year.
Any child who is 4 years old by December 1, 2018 is eligible to enroll in UPK. Any child who is 5 years old by December 1, 2018 is eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Eligible students must be a resident of the Kendall Central School District.
Kindergarten follows the Elementary School calendar and schedule of 8:40 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Kindergarten screenings will occur on July 31 and August 1-2. You will receive a phone call in June to schedule an appointment.
The Kendall UPK program is held five days per week. The morning session is held from 8:40-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session is from 12:50-3:30 p.m. The district offers transportation for children enrolled in the Kendall UPK program who are 4 years old. You are also welcome to transport your child on your own. Placement in the UPK morning or afternoon class will be determined by the transportation department and your address. Parents will be informed which UPK session their child has been assigned to in July.
Both the kindergarten and UPK programs follow the school district’s calendar and adhere to the district’s Board of Education student attendance policy.
Kendall Central School District has established a collaborative partnership with Head Start of Orleans County. The Head Start program is held at Kendall Elementary five days per week, following the district calendar and providing transportation for students. The main difference is the Head Start program is held Mondays through Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and on Fridays from 11:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. To enroll your child in this program, you may contact Head Start at 585-659-8916.
If you would like to enroll your child in the Kendall UPK or kindergarten programs, please contact Tammie Miller at 585-659-8317, extension 1402, to have a registration packet and a list of required documents mailed to you. The completed packet and a copy of the required documents must be returned no later than May 4. The mailing address is Kendall Elementary School, Attention: Registration, 1932 Kendall Rd, Kendall, NY 14476.
If you have any questions about the kindergarten or UPK programs, please feel free to contact the Elementary Principal, Sharon Smith, at 585-659-8317, extension 1401.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2018 at 8:37 am
Photos courtesy of David Klafehn
KENDALL – Kendall High School students performed Shrek the Musical with three shows last Friday and Saturday.
Hanna Hofstra portrayed Fiona, while Ryan Barrett was Donkey and Caleb Henion played Shrek. Shrek and Donkey strike an unlikely friendship and the two rescue Fiona who is trapped in a castle surrounded by lava.
The cast of characters put on a high-energy show. Michael Billotti and Daniel Lauritzson directed the musical for Kendall.
Archer Knapp played Lord Farquaard, who sends Shrek to rescue Princess Fiona, with Farquaard intending to marry her. The Duloc Dancers include Brianna Drennan, Olivia Reed, Kiersten Rodas, Willow Clark, Paige Beers, Grace Robinson, Sara Mattle, Megan Elliott and Anna Oakley.
Young Fiona is played by Abby Barrett, Teen Fiona by Lauren Miller and Fiona by Hanna Hofstra. Fiona spends many years in the castle waiting to be rescued by a prince. She is surprised when Shrek, an ogre, pulls off the feat.
Many Fairytale creatures descend on Shrek’s swamp, to his annoyance.
Shrek and Fiona discover they have a lot in common and fall in love.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2018 at 11:26 am
Provided photos
ROCHESTER – Michela Hanlon, a senior at Kendall Central School, runs from the cold water of Lake Ontario on Sunday during the Polar Plunge. The water was at 39 degrees on Sunday.
A group from Kendall Central School raised $1,675 for the Special Olympics on Sunday at the Polar Plunge at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester.
The group from Kendall includes, bottom row, from left: Lizzie Sutphen, Michela Hanlon, Shianna Patten, Adriana Passarell and Kierstyn Christensen.
Top row: Lyndsay Wright, John Rath, Megan Hardenbrook, Nate Warters, Mickey Gardner, KCS staff and team captain Kevin Watson and Lovette French.
Kevin Watson (left), Kendall’s athletic director and middle school administrator, heads for the water.
Michela Hanlon, Lovette French (a security guard at Kendall) and Adriana Passarell enjoyed the Polar Plunge, which is a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics.
There were about 2,000 participants in the Plunge, who raised about $175,000.
A team from Holley also jumped into the lake. The Holley group raised $665. Anyone with photos of the Holley participants is welcome to send them to news@orleanshub.com.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 February 2018 at 7:32 am
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KENDALL – Ryan Barrett and Hanna Hofstra sang their way to the “Most Colorful” Award for their animated performance of “A Whole New World” in the Jr./Sr. High Acts division.
It was a night of song, dance and comedy Friday evening at Kendall Central Jr./Sr. High School as the Kendall Central chapter of AFS and the Class of 2020 hosted the annual Kendall’s Got Talent program.
Kendall students and alumni performed. The most memorable acts received “Paper Plate Awards.”
Two Kendall graduates Bethanie Mason (Class of 2001) and Kaitlyn Curtis (Class of 2008) served as judges for the event. They also performed. Mason is now a Kendall Central school nurse and Curtis teaches math at Kendall Central.
The first alumni act featured Cody and Carley Lester (Class of 2010 and Class of 2015) performing, “The House that Built Me.”
Elementary students Jonny Conte, Nicholas Cole, Aidan Kwiatkowski, Vinnie D’Agostino, C.J. D’Agostino, Brooke Rodas and Brady Werth (not in order shown) performed a skit satirizing Olympic synchronized swimming. The blue tarp served to mimic pool water. The ensemble received the “Most Colorful” Award in the Elementary Acts category.
Irelynn Maloney and Alivia May received the “Star Quality” Award in the Elementary division for their performance of “Fly.”
Caleb Henion and Megan Hardenbrook joined forces to sing “Somewhere Only We Know.”
Elementary students Amberlyn Pruner and Lana Strapp danced their way across the stage.
Emily Brundage received the “Out of This World Performance” Award in the Elementary division for her rendition of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”
Michela Hanlon and Kierstyn Christensen took home the “Star Quality” Award in the Jr./Sr. High Acts division for their dance performance.
Brothers Eric and Kirk Warren were awarded the “Out of This World Performance” in the Jr./Sr. High Act division for their hilarious “Who’s on First?” skit.
Brandi Stephens sings “Lost Boy” in the Jr./Sr. High Acts division.
The evening wrapped up with a performance by the AFS 2018 Crew who helped make the evening such a success. This year’s AFS advisors are Mirjam Bauer and Katie Driesel.
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club donated $1,700 on Thursday to the Kendall Food Cupboard. Lion President Mike Cusimano, left, presents a ceremonial check for $1,700 to Marty Goodenberry for the Food Cupboard.
Each year at their holiday party, Lions Club members donate and bid on items to be auctioned. This year club members raised a record amount. Marty thanked the club and shared that they prepared 270 boxes and gifts for 120 kids at Christmas.
He shared that the Food Cupboard is now a 501c3 organization. This status will allow the organization to seek grants to further support the Food Cupboard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 January 2018 at 7:51 pm
Jim Baker says running saved his life, allowing for detection of tumor
Photos courtesy of Jim Baker: Jim Baker is pictured on Sept.17 when he finished the Rochester marathon, covering the 26.2-mile course in 3 hours, 35 minutes, which qualified him to run in the Boston Marathon in April.
KENDALL – Jim Baker had achieved a dream in April 2016 when he ran the Boston Marathon. Baker expected to feel triumph that day, but he struggled to get to the finish line.
His time of 4 hours, 59 minutes was more than an hour off what he was expecting for the race. Baker’s best time of 3:27 was at the Rochester marathon in September 2015. That time qualified him for Boston.
But on April 18, 2016, he felt a cramp and “side stitch” during the prestigious race in Boston. He almost stopped, but pushed on to the finish. It was the Boston Marathon after all.
“I wasn’t my normal self,” he recalled on Saturday. “But I gutted it out.”
The slow time wasn’t a one-day aberration. Baker, a Kendall resident who works as a chemist for Kodak, didn’t get back to his brisk 8-minute pace in the weeks after Boston.
The pain also continued when he ran. He went to the doctor and was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had run Boston with a plum-size tumor in his colon.
“I had a huge tumor in my side,” he said. “It had grown like wildlife.”
The tumor was removed and he started chemotherapy in June 2016. After seven months of treatment, his doctors declared him cancer-free a year ago on Jan. 13, 2017.
Baker didn’t let cancer derail his running. Even during chemo, he typically ran 15-20 miles a week – “at a very slow pace.” He battled nausea but kept going, except when it was cold out. The chemo made him especially sensitive to cold temperatures. He decided to take a two-month break from running during the harsh winter weather.
Jim Baker is shown on Jan. 13, 2017 when he received a certificate of completion for chemotherapy at Interlakes Oncology at Wilmot Cancer Institute.
He picked up his mileage after completing chemo, with a goal of running a marathon again and qualifying for Boston. On Sept. 17, he ran the Rochester marathon in 3:35, and that 8-minute, 12-second pace earned him another chance to run Boston.
He will be back at the starting line for that big race on April 16.
“I’ve got redemption on my mind,” he said.
Baker wants to break 3:45.
Although he’s disappointed in his time at Boston in 2016, Baker said that race was a sign that something was wrong with his health. When he didn’t bounce back after Boston, he went to the doctor for a colonoscopy, which revealed the tumor.
“If I didn’t run I’d be gone,” he said. “I wouldn’t have known I had the tumor if I didn’t run. There were no other warning signs. I had no loss of appetite.”
He also didn’t get what he thought was a cramp, except when he was running. If he wasn’t a runner, he would have felt that pain.
He had a colonoscopy two years before the one that showed the tumor. Baker had been fighting Crohn’s Disease for 15 years. (When his tumor was removed, taking out part of his colon, Baker said the Crohn’s Disease went away, too.)
Jim Baker completed a half marathon in Rochester on Jan. 6 when temperatures were just above 0 degrees. Baker ran the course in 1:47.
Baker started running 11 years ago when he was 44. He would go for walks during lunch breaks at Kodak, but Baker said that walking didn’t do anything to chip away at his extra pounds. He initially couldn’t run more than 200 yards without stopping. But he didn’t give up.
Conquering 2 miles while running was a milestone. He ran his first race at a 10K (6.2 miles) and enjoyed the energy and people at the races. He signed up for more races and joined the Bagel Bunch, a running group in Greece.
The other runners have become good friends and given him plenty of advice on increasing his speed and avoiding injury. He has completed 11 half marathons and five marathons – and shed 40 pounds.
Baker grew up in Albion and wasn’t a runner. He didn’t have the slightest inkling to run in high school or as a young adult. “Back then softball was my form of exercise,” he said, laughing.
Baker and his wife Stacey moved to Kendall about 27 years ago. They have two grown children, Kyle and Megan.
He knows running is difficult for many people, especially when they start. He encourages people to stick with it. It took him about six months of steady running to feel comfortable and really enjoy his runs.
Running also makes you more in tune with your body. If you’re running a little slower than normal, and that time lingers, you should go to the doctor.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 January 2018 at 11:24 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski
KENDALL – Ethan Billings, a junior at Kendall, recites his winning oratorical speech from this year’s American Legion Oratorical Contest to members of the Kendall Board of Education on Wednesday evening.
Billings was second in Orleans County and placed 3rd at the regional competition held Jan. 14. Kendall High School Principal Carol D’Agostino described Billings as a quiet young man, “and one of those students you want around everyday.”
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 January 2018 at 11:02 am
Says district didn’t properly notify residents of project, and veered from scope of work approved by voters
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall’s capital project included a dramatic change to the exterior and front entrance of the junior-senior high school.
KENDALL – Julie Christensen, school district superintendent, on Wednesday evening responded to a recent critical audit by the State Comptroller’s Office.
The Comptroller’s Office faulted the district for not informing the public enough about the $25.2 million capital project, which stretched from 2012 to 2017.
Key findings of the audit released Jan. 5 criticized the Kendall Central School District for not properly informing district residents prior to voting on a proposition for a district-wide capital improvement project because the Board and district officials did not develop or provide the public with a formal project plan detailing the scope and related costs, the Comptroller’s Office said.
The audit also states that because bids for the project came in significantly lower than anticipated, the Board decided to expand the original scope and spend the remaining authorized appropriations.
“Project reports did not include cost information or sufficient information to allow the Board to properly monitor the project’s progress or determine whether expenditures were properly authorized, funding sources were being used properly, or sufficient funds remained,” the audit states.
The State Comptroller’s Office recommended that the district provide voters with specific information on what will be included in proposed capital projects, including detailed descriptions of the improvements to be made and the locations where work will be performed as well as ensure the district stays within the scope of a capital project, and actively monitor capital project activity.
Christensen spoke during Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting. She said the audit results were frustrating as the State Comptroller’s Office, “doesn’t really understand” the process the district must follow. She said the district does not have project details when a capital project is first proposed as the expense of design work is significant and is not undertaken until after a project is approved by voters.
She also called some of the detailed expenses the Comptroller’s Office would like to see reported, “unreasonable, we may not have access to all the details,” Christensen said.
Kendall School Board President Nadine Hanlon said the Comptroller’s Office, “should let us know what our duties are when it comes to a capital project.”
The district recently held a public information meeting regarding the next capital project it would like to pursue. Christensen said that moving forward, the Board of Education will make certain to take action on budget summaries of capital projects to ensure that they are included in board meeting minutes.
In their written response to the Comptroller’s Office, Christensen and Hanlon noted the district provided the community with information about the proposed capital improvement project during a public forum in April 2013. Information about the scope and locations was posted on the district website, in the district newsletter and displayed on boards in the offices and at events beginning in Jan. 2013 and continuing through the duration of the capital project.
“The Board will continue to provide the community with information about the scope and location of work; including as much detail as possible given required design work and unforeseen conditions that may impact scope. This information will continue to be shared at the Board meetings, on our website and in District newsletters,” Christensen and Hanlon wrote.
A written project and budget was shared with the board and monthly updates on the plan and budget was reviewed at board meetings for the duration of the project, Christensen and Hanlon wrote. “In the future, the Board will ensure that these documents are formally approved and clearly reflected in the Board minutes.”
The response noted that the capital improvement project stayed within the voter authorization of $25.2 million and, “in actuality, the District stayed below the authorized amount … The Board will continue to stay within the scope of the capital project as authorized by the voters. The Board and District will ensure an updated project plan is available at the District Office for public review,” the District’s response states.
Additionally, the response states that Turner Construction Company and the Turner Project Manager attended most Board of Education meetings before, during and after construction to directly answer questions, and that the Board will continue to monitor project activity and individuals responsible for oversight through regular communications.
Christensen and Hanlon state that they are pleased, “the Comptroller’s Office will be developing a guidance document on Board roles and responsibilities during a Capital Improvement Project to ensure expectations are understood clearly from your office’s perspective.”
To see the Comptroller’s report on Kendall’s capital project, click here.
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Mark O’Brien, director of the Orleans County Department of Mental Health, led the panel discussion which included information on the grieving process and resources for those who are dealing with sudden traumatic loss.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 17 January 2018 at 9:14 am
KENDALL – “Healing is a process and a journey,” observed Don Snyder, a local clergy member and chaplain of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department.
Snyder spoke during the conclusion of an “Evening of Healing” on Tuesday at the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School. Snyder said he felt an “incredible power of family” during the event which included a panel discussion, a short informational film featuring personal stories of those who have survived the suicide of a loved one, and an opportunity for questions and answers.
Snyder was part of the panel discussion which covered topics surrounding sudden traumatic loss of a loved one – either through suicide, accident, or medical emergency – and the grieving process of those left behind. Snyder said when people talk about their shared emotions, help and healing are the result.
“Tonight, we are better, and that’s the reason for this gathering tonight,” he said. “There are many caring people here in Orleans County, we know our neighbors here in Orleans County.”
Members of the panel from left to right: Don Snyder, retired minister and chaplain Orleans County Sheriff’s Office; Holly Baxter, program director of The Care and Crisis Helpline; Paula Callahan, Orleans County Department of Mental Health; Danielle Figura, clinic coordinator for Orleans County Department of Mental Health; Meredith Minier, who lost her husband Lee to suicide and is an Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition volunteer; Nola Goodrich-Kresse, public health educator and member of the Suicide Prevention Coalition. Panel members said there is no way to get around the hurt of sudden traumatic loss, but “you don’t have to do it alone, you don’t have to do it without help.”
The evening was sponsored by the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Orleans County Department of Mental Health.
Mark O’Brien, director of the Department of Mental Health, served as emcee for the evening. He noted the Kendall community has suffered much loss over the past several months with the deaths of two young people and four parents.
“There is healing,” O’Brien told those in attendance. “The pain is real. Together we will get to the other side … We are here with you, we are here for you.”
O’Brien said local agencies, including the Department of Mental Health, provide support services.
Advice was also provided for those who know people suffering from depression or thoughts of suicide. Warning signs of suicide such as hopelessness, withdrawal from normal social activities and curiosity about ways to harm oneself, were discussed. Panel members told those attending to “be there” for those who might try to harm themselves – “engage them in conversation.”
A number of local agencies including the Mental Health Association, GCASA, Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, Community Action, Hospice and the county Department of Mental Health provided information on services available locally to those in attendance.
