WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), alongside Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), introduced a resolution reaffirming the United States’ steadfast support for Israel as it works to dismantle the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities and defends its citizens from ongoing Iranian attacks.
Additional cosponsors of this resolution include Representatives Don Bacon (NE-2), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-5), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-10), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-6), Chris Smith (NJ-4), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-5), Randy Feenstra (IA-4), Tom Barrett (MI-7), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Robert Aderholt (AL-4), and Elise Stefanik (NY-21). The resolution was also supported by FDD Action, JINSA, AJC, AIPAC, and Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI).
For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has actively pursued a nuclear weapons program in direct violation of international agreements while funding terrorism, threatening the existence of Israel, and fueling instability throughout the Middle East. Despite bipartisan diplomatic efforts across multiple U.S. administrations, Iran has consistently obstructed inspections, expelled international monitors, and advanced its uranium enrichment to levels dangerously close to weapons-grade. On Friday, June 13th, the International Atomic Energy Agency declared Iran in breach of its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
This resolution underscores the United States’ full support for Israel’s recent targeted actions to degrade the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which protects not only Israel but also the United States and the free world. It reaffirms the vital importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance and makes clear that the pursuit of a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated.
“This bipartisan resolution reaffirms the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to self-defense and for its bold, courageous efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program once and for all,” Tenney said. “The U.S.-Israel partnership remains unshakable, and this resolution sends a clear and unified message: we will work together to ensure the Iranian regime is never able to obtain a nuclear weapon.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 10:02 pm
Sharon Narburgh
POINT BREEZE – Sharon Narburgh, one of Point Breeze’s staunchest and most dedicated promoters, has passed away at age 83 on June 14, about two years after she closed Narby’s Superette & Tackle.
Narburgh ran the business for 58 years. She and her late husband Bill were the first business to sell fishing licenses in the state. Before, only municipalities sold the licenses. The Narburghs became active in promoting the local fishing industry, attending many sportsfishing trade shows on behalf of Orleans County, urging people to come to Orleans County and fish Lake Ontario and the tributaries.
Mr. Narburgh died unexpectedly in 1992. His wife would run the business another 31 years.
“She was definitely an icon around here,” said Ron Beirstone, the county’s sportfishing promotion coordinator and owner of Oak Orchard Tackle & Lodge. “She was one of the earliest proponents and supporters of the fishery.”
Narburgh volunteered her time and attended many sports shows for the county, promoting the local fishery and amenities.
For 30 years she also compiled a daily fishing report. Narburgh listened to the fishing stories from her customers and local charter boat captains, and managed to compile their observations in a fishing report that became a go-to for local and out-of-town anglers. She stepped back from that duty in 2010, and received a citation from the County Legislature for doing that report for three decades.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle, is shown in October 2020 for a news article about how local fishing-related businesses adapted during the Covid pandemic. Narburgh said Narby’s was busy during Covid. “We’re getting more people who were stuck at home and haven’t fished for years,” she said then. “They want to be out of the house.”
She was a big cheerleader for the area, and helped rally the community to land the “The Ultimate Fishing Town” designation for Point Breeze in 2013 from the World Fishing Network. Point Breeze topped 700 other fishing communities for the title and a $25,000 prize.
“I love this area,” Narburgh told county legislators in 2010 when she was honored by the group. “The potential for this area is just astronomical.”
The Albion Rotary Club in 2016 honored Sharon Narburgh as a Paul Harris Fellow, the club’s highest award. She is shown with Dick Pilon, left, and Bill Downey of the Rotary Club. Narburgh was recognized by the Albion Rotary Club for her long-time commitment to the club’s fishing derby. Narburgh sold more than half of the tickets for the fishing derby, which was last held in 2019.
Bierstine marveled how Narburgh ran a convenience store and gas station that also catered to tributary and lake fishermen. She kept up with a demanding business for more than 50 years.
“She did it all,” Bierstine said. “Narby’s was front and center for lake and tributary fishing. She was part of the earliest scene down here and she endured through all those years.”
Narburgh announced the closing of Narby’s in March 2023. In a Facebook post, she thanked her customers for their kindness, loyalty and friendship.
“Your loyalty and support have meant the world to me and I am truly humbled by the relationships we have built over the years,” Narburgh stated. “Although Narby’s Superette & Tackle may be closed, the memories and friendships forged within its walls will always remain cherished.”
The Albion Rotary Club in 2016 presented Narburgh with a Paul Harris Fellow, the club’s top award, for her many years helping with the annual fishing derby. Narby’s was a weigh station and Sharon regularly was the top ticket seller for the derby.
Calling hours will be held at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home at 21 West Ave. in Albion from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25. A memorial Mass will immediately follow at the same location.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 3:47 pm
Prison officials say facility remains in ‘recovery phase’ after strike, trying to fill many positions
Photos by Tom Rivers: Melinda Samuelson, superintendent of the Albion Correctional Facility, gave a tour last week to about a dozen community members, including County Legislator John Fitzak at left, who is retired as a corrections officer next door at Orleans Correctional Facility.
ALBION – The Albion Correctional Facility last week gave community members a tour of the women’s prison. This is the third year the facility has let in some local business owners, clergy, elected officials and others for the tour.
Prison leaders said the facility is hiring, seeking to fill many civilian positions and more than 100 jobs as corrections officers.
The tour highlighted educational and vocational training opportunities for the incarcerated population.
“We’re very proud of what goes on inside the prison walls,” said Melinda Samuelson, the Albion Correctional superintendent. “We have a desire to help. We want them to leave on track and better prepared.”
She said many of the staff choose to stay at Albion long-term for their careers, with some even driving well over an hour each way. Some employees have left to work at other prisons and returned to Albion.
Greg Bennett, an Albion village trustee, works in the prison as a locksmith. He was on the tour last week. He said he wished he had taken a job at the prison sooner. He said there are good benefits and pay, and plenty of room for advancement.
Albion Correctional, besides needing to fill many corrections officer positions, also is hiring for keyboarding, mail, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, vocational instructors, teachers, library clerk, recreation program leader, production control supervisor, administrative assistant and cooks. For more information, contact personnel at (585) 589-5511, ext. 3600.
Danielle Hodges (left), first deputy superintendent, walks with Se Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian on the tour at the correctional facility, which several said would look like a college campus if there weren’t fences with razor wire on the perimeter.
The state’s prison system dominated the news with a 22-day strike by corrections officers that started Feb. 17 and ended March 10. About 2,000 corrections officers were fired when they didn’t report to work by a March 10 deadline. Staffing statewide at prisons dropped from about 13,500 before the strike to about 10,000 with many officers choosing to resign.
Corrections officers said the prisons have been short-staffed since long before the strike, resulting in far too much forced overtime, and COs said the prisons were less safe due to the HALT Act, which limits solitary confinement in prisons.
At Albion Correctional, the facility is about 130 officers short of being fully staffed and continues to have a National Guard presence. There are about 36 soldiers from the National Guard at Albion Correctional, down from 90 during the strike.
Albion Correctional should have 394 corrections officers to be fully staffed and currently is at about 260. (The facility also has 160 civilian jobs.)
The prison also has about 500 inmates, even though it was a capacity for 1,200. If the prison was at full capacity, it would need 463 COs and sergeants to be fully staffed, prison officials shared on the tour last week.
“We are in the recovery stage from the strike,” Samuelson said at the QWL building during a discussion before the tour. “Many have returned but we are still short. We are constantly recruiting.”
She said the administration strives to make the prison safer for staff and the incarcerated population. The COs have used body worn cameras since 2017 to record any of their interactions with inmates. There are 570 other CCTV cameras on site, and Samuelson said another 6,000 cameras are going in throughout the prison.
The prion’s top administration met with about a dozen people at the QWL building before heading out on a tour of Albion Correctional Facility.
Samuelson said the prison is doing more regional hiring. It used to be corrections officers and civilian staff often had family and friends that worked in a prison. But she said many COs no longer recommend the job.
Albion Correctional started doing the tours for the community in 2023 to try to shine a light on careers within the prison, she said, and the facility is doing more work fairs and listing positions on Indeed.
The administration also is trying to show staff more appreciation. One of the display boards had pictures of staff and thanked them for keeping the facility afloat during the recent strike and the continued staffing issues.
Albion Correctional has been holding steady at about 500 incarcerated women the past several years. She doubts the prison will get back near the 1,200.
Although the inmate population is much lower than its capacity, Samuelson said today’s incarcerated population often struggle with many challenges. More than 80 percent of the population has a diagnosed mental health issue, and many come to Albion plagued with drug addictions. About 130 of the inmates are on methadone treatment to help them with their opioid addictions. She said the prison reflects society with an increasing disrespect for others.
She praised the staff for teaching the incarcerated population new skills, better ways of dealing with anger and strategies for mental health challenges.
On the tour, the community members saw inmates making garbage receptacles and metal furniture. They were welding and painting bins that are prevalent at state parks.
Jeff Benfer leads the vocational program at the prison where inmates learn metal fabrication, welding and painting. He said 32 inmates recently earned more than 250 occupational ed credits as the program rebuilds after the Covid pandemic.
During Covid, the metal fabrication and painting was shut down so inmates could bottle sanitizer. The shop was transformed into a bottling site with 48 inmates working two shifts each day.
Benfer, the industrial superintendent, also oversees a section where inmates use CNC lasers to engrave name plates for park police, state troopers and corrections officers. They also make numerous plaques. Benfer said the group is trying to get caught up on back orders.
A culinary café prepares breakfasts and lunches for staff. During the 22-day strike, the café served 4,500 meals for staff, including making deliveries.
The café serves breakfast burritos with home fries, monster sandwiches, French toast, sausage and cheesy grits. For lunch, there are cheeseburger with fries, chicken finger poutine, chicken dip, meatball sliders, fried bologna sandwich with chips and a pickle.
Mike O’Conner has been the horticulture program instructor the past 10 years. He teaches the incarcerated women in the program to grow and care for flowers and vegetables. The program has a competition among the residence halls to see which ones can best display their flowers. O’Conner, center, is shown chatting with Sue Starkweather Miller, the Albion village historian and also a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative extension.
Troy Hopson, left, was on the tour. He is director of a juvenile program in Auburn for incarcerated girls.
Some of the produce grown by the horticulture program has been donated to Community Action in Albion.
Melinda Samuelson, the prison superintendent, and Sue Starkweather Miller take a close look at some of the flowers grown in the greenhouse. Starkweather Miller also is a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative Extension. She said there are opportunities for the horticulture program to partner with the community.
Albion Correctional is one of only three women-only prisons in the state. The other two, Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional, are on the other side of the state in Westchester County. Albion and Taconic are both medium-security while Bedford Hills is a maximum-security site.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state is looking to possibly close five prisons in the coming year. Samuelson believes Albion Correctional is in a good position to stay open as the only women’s prison in the western part of the state, and the many successful programs offered at the site.
The chapel at Albion Correctional Facility is one of the oldest structures remaining from the original prison complex built in the 1890s.
The site initially was established as the Western House of Refuge in 1890, with construction beginning in 1891 and operations starting in December 1893. The chapel was part of the initial complex.
The site has been a women-only prison since 1986.
The inside of the chapel shows where church services are held for the incarcerated population. Albion Correctional is trying to find a specialist to fix one of the old stained-glass windows above the pulpit.
ALFRED – The Spring 2024 Dean’s List features 755 Alfred State College students including several from Orleans County. To be named to the Dean’s List, students had to take a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work and earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0.
“I’m continually impressed by the dedication our students show in both the classroom and the labs,” commented Vice President for Academic Affairs Carrie Cokely, PhD. “Congratulations on achieving this milestone—keep pushing forward in your pursuit of academic excellence!”
The students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List include:
Lorelei Dillenbeck of Lyndonville, majoring in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Owen Hirschman of Kendall, majoring in Welding Technology
Alex King of Kendall, majoring in Business Administration
Xavier King of Medina, majoring in Welding Technology
Ethan Kuhn of Kendall, majoring in Health Sciences
James Salvatore of Albion, majoring in Motorsports Technology
Jacob Wilson of Lyndonville, majoring in Elec Cons & Maintenance Electrician
BUFFALO – The following students from Orleans County graduated from the University at Buffalo.
• Jylees Bermudez of Albion graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Brooklyn Brown of Medina graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in public health from the School of Public Health and Health Professions.
• Amaya Cancino of Holley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in health and human services from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Thomas Costello of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Ethan Creig of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history/social studies adolescence education from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Nathan Dillenbeck of Lyndonville graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Matthew Drum of Medina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Anthony Gagliardo of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in physics from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Ej Lloyd of Albion graduated with a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Allison Lyndaker of Holley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Elizabeth McCarthy of Medina graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
• Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the College of Arts and Sciences and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Chris Shabazz of Albion graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geographic information science from the College of Arts and Sciences.
UB is New York State’s flagship and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system. The university awarded over 10,100 degrees across 18 school-based degree-conferral ceremonies held May 1-18 and earlier in the academic year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 10:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Mike Thaine directs the Albion High School concert band in the debut of “Freshly Baked Cookies.”
ALBION – The final concert of Mike Thaine’s career as a band teacher had an extra special element last week: an original composition that was played publicly for the first time.
Thaine’s wife Susan and their children, Abigail and Kyle, commissioned Stephen Shewan to write a piece that could be played in Thaine’s final concert of a 34-year career in public education.
Provided photo: Mike Thaine, left, and Stephen Shewan are pictured after the concert on June 10 in Albion.
Shewan, a Shelby resident, went to a band rehearsal last October. He noticed a strong camaraderie between Thaine and his students. After the rehearsal, about 20 students stayed after. The teacher had baked cookies and shared them with the kids. That day was close to Halloween and the cookies had candy corn in them.
“The cookies captured the love and joy that permeated this group of students and their director, somewhat like an informal breaking of bread,” Shewan wrote in the Albion concert program about the song. “It was evident the students and director had a special bond built upon mutual respect, love and appreciation.”
The six-minute piece, “Fresh Baked Cookies,” made its world debut on June 10 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium.
Shewan created a piece that he said is playful and youthful in spirit. He also wanted a few sleigh bell cameos to highlight Albion’s heritage as the home of a Santa School run by the late Charles Howard from 1937 util 1966.
Thaine is an Albion graduate. He worked in Steuben County, first a year at Greenwood and then seven years at Prattsburgh before returning to his alma in 1998 as the elementary music teacher, introducing third- and fourth-graders to musical instruments. He worked in that role for nine years before becoming the high school band and music teacher.
He has led multiple groups – the marching band, jazz band, pit orchestra and many smaller ensembles.
Thaine said he started baking cookies and breakfast casseroles for students about four or five years ago.
“I just think the world of the kids,” he said. “A lot of the kids like to stay and have lunch.”
He is pleased with Shewan’s composition and the title. The band started rehearsing with the music in February. Thaine said it is a challenging piece to play, which is what he wanted.
“I couldn’t have been happier,” Thaine said about the newly created music.
Villages, towns, cities and counties seek higher threshold, from $35,000 to $50,000
Press Release and joint statement from New York State Association of Counties, New York Association of Towns, and New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials
Local governments across New York State are grappling with significant workforce challenges across all areas of public service.
The ability to recruit and retain qualified employees for positions ranging from public health nurses to assessors and municipal finance officers has become increasingly difficult, particularly in rural areas where specialized expertise is at a premium.
The current $35,000 earnings cap for retired public employees seeking to return to government service has become a significant barrier to addressing these staffing shortages. This limitation, which has been adjusted only once since 2007, has not kept pace with inflation and no longer provides sufficient incentive for experienced professionals to continue contributing their invaluable knowledge and institutional expertise to public service.
S.6956-B (Ryan)/A.8720-A (Stirpe) would increase the earnings limitation from $35,000 to $50,000, providing local governments with the flexibility to address urgent staffing needs while ensuring that seasoned professionals can afford to return to public service roles without devastating impacts to their retirement benefits.
This legislation represents more than just a salary adjustment—it is an essential step toward addressing local government staffing challenges that will enable counties, cities, towns, and villages to recruit experienced professionals for hard-to-fill positions in specialized fields like public health, finance, corrections, and social services.
It will preserve institutional knowledge by allowing retiring employees to share their expertise to new workers, reduce recruitment costs and training time, and maintain high-quality public services during challenging workforce transitions.
The importance of this reform was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when an Executive Order temporarily removed the earnings cap to support staffing continuity. This temporary measure proved vital to maintaining essential services, but it expired in 2023, leaving local governments once again constrained by the outdated $35,000 limitation. Notably, the Legislature has already acted to suspend the cap for retirees working in schools and BOCES through 2027—recognizing the urgent need to expand the public workforce. This bill would extend that same flexibility to counties, cities, towns, and villages facing similar staffing challenges.
Local governments cannot afford to wait another year to address these pressing workforce challenges. We commend the Senate for passing this legislation and urge the Assembly to act swiftly to advance this bill before the end of the 2025 Legislative Session.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2025 at 8:02 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion’s park counselors for the upcoming season include, front row, from left: Ezra Bloom, Noah Harrison, Makyell Walker, Keira Zambito, Faith Bennett, Semaj Miller, Cierra Johnson, Sophia Albanese, Mia Prinzing and McKinley Knight. Back row: Mayzair Walker, ChrisJen Winters, Hailey Crawford, Dylan Baxter, Bri Dugan, Kendall Derisley and Paige Derisley.
ALBION – The Village of Albion summer park program kicks off a 6-week season on June 23 with a full slate of programs as well as free food for children every day. The season ends on Aug. 1.
The village has teamed with Foodlink to have lunches, snacks and beverage from Mondays through Thursdays, while the Masonic Lodge and the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries will provide meals on Fridays, usually pizza or tacos in the bag.
There will be park counselors at Bullard from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will lead children in games, arts and crafts and other activities.
The first couple days of the park program include registration. Children should have a list of their immunization records, said John Grillo, who is leading the summer program for Albion. Grillo has been the village’s recreation director for about 50 years.
Grillo said the options for the program have expanded with the recent additions of the basketball courts, splash pad, new pavilions, GaGa pit, walking trail, disc golf course, new playground apparatus.
Some highlights in the season include:
Tennis clinic from June 30 to July 3rd
July 3rd celebration later in the day, including fireworks
Wrestling and tennis camps from July 7-11
Baseball camp from July 14-18
County Park Fun Day on July 16 with bounce houses, food vendors
Volleyball camp from July 21-25
There are also outings planned including a trip to Dubby’s Tailgate on July 9, Cone Zone for ice cream on July 10 and 11, and bowling at Oak Orchard Lanes on July 24.
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department was dispatched to the 700 block of Church Street on June 12 for report of a man with a gun.
Upon arrival witnesses described that the man had displayed the gun in a threatening manner and fled the area prior to the patrols arrival.
The suspect was identified on scene and officers began searching the area. The suspect fled into the area of North and South Avenue where he was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. A loaded .380 semi-automatic handgun matching witnesses’ descriptions was located along the path that the suspect fled.
Based on this incident, the following arrest was made:
Quincy Casanova, 29, of Medina who was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, Class C felony; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class C felony; criminal use of a weapon, Class C felony; and second-degree menacing Class A misdemeanor; and endangering the welfare of a child, Class A misdemeanor.
Casanova was transported to Orleans County jail for centralized arraignment.
These types of incidents highlight the dangers that our law enforcement officers face all across the country, along with the bravery that they display when responding to help others.
The arresting officers from the Medina PD were Tanner Ferris and Brandon Brown. The Medina PD also would like to thank the Orleans County Dispatch, Sheriff’s road patrol and State Police for their assistance.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 June 2025 at 6:51 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kelly Swanson, a surgical technician at Medina Memorial Hospital, talks with Medicare specialist Liz Schyve, who had an informational table at For Women Only.
(Left) Kim Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, welcomes guests to the annual For Women Only Thursday at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. (Right) Lori Condo, assistant comptroller at Orleans Community Health, introduced a video paying tribute to those whose lives have been touched by cancer – survivors, those currently fighting and those who have been lost.
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans Community Health’s 27th annual For Women Only Thursday night at White Birch Golf Course was all about the journey – from early detection to advocacy, to the ongoing fight that so many must take on, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.
The event was a full team effort, Robinson said, from early on in planning when the idea was brought up to have panels and allow for individual speakers to tell their stories.
“Anne, Betty Sue, Megan and Kate shared their stories and has us all glued to each word,” Robinson said. “The expert panel was another great addition that brought even more backgrounds to the discussion. Cancer affects so many – this evening was an opportunity to come together and lift one another up.”
The evening began with a welcome from Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, who thanked major sponsor Baxter Healthcare and extended appreciation to vendors, table sponsors, volunteers and speakers.
A highlight of the program, titled “The Journey,” was the stories told by four speakers – Anne Downey, Betty Sue Miller, Megan Pillar and Kate Backlas.
Downey’s story focused on early detection and her journey, which began with early detection of colon cancer in the summer of 2022.
“My faith was tested, but strengthened after early detection and removal of cancerous polyps,” Downey shared.
Guest speakers, who shared their stories of cancer survival, are introduced by Kim Gray, right, at For Women Only. From left are Kate Backlas, Megan Pillar, Betty Sue Miller and Anne Downey.
Miller encouraged all women to be an advocate for themselves, and shared her story of breast cancer and undergoing a lumpectomy, radiation and then chemotherapy.
“No one is going to cope the same, but you have to advocate for yourself,” Miller said.
Pillar, the former Megan McGrane of Medina, was only 31 and not married yet when she learned in 2015 she had a blood cancer she had never heard of.
Her journey of cancer was one of unexpected turns, resilience and, most importantly, learning how to speak up for herself. Pillar had moved to Florida after high school, but 10 years later when her mother was battling her third round of breast cancer, Pillar returned to her home in Ithaca to be nearer her. Her mother died that winter, and Pillar couldn’t help but wonder if she would breast cancer, too.
Two years later, in 2015, Pillar and her future husband were planning a life together, when a routine blood test showed something wasn’t right with her blood cells. A subsequent bone marrow biopsy determined she had Multiple Myeloma, the disease which took Colin Powell, Tom Brokaw and Roy Scheider from Jaws.
“I was initially told I needed to start chemo right away, followed by a stem cell transplant,” Pillar said.
Because she would be in the hospital for months, she chose to go to Roswell Park, knowing it had helped others in Medina. There, she learned she might have five to 10 years to live. She underwent subsequent testing and was told she shouldn’t have children. A few weeks later she got better news – that the cancer wasn’t in its later stages yet, so she could “watch and wait.”
During this time she found a cost-free women’s cancer retreat called “Mary’s Place by the Sea” in Asbury Park, N.J. There she met a volunteer who told her she needed to see a Myeloma specialist at Mount Sinai in New York City, who was accepting new patients.
There, they found something completely missed by two other hospitals – T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia, a second rare blood cancer she had never heard of.
Through it all, Pillar said John, now her husband, was her rock. Today, at 41, they have two boys, 4 and 6.
In October she started a clinical trial at Mount Sinai – one of only 21 people in the country receiving a drug created to directly target the mutated T-cells.
“It’s far from easy juggling traveling five hours each way, work, young kids, weekly local labs and treatment every four weeks in the city – but it’s worth it,” Pillar said.
She is encouraged, as early data looked promising, she said.
Melanie McAdoo of Medina, left, had a booth at For Women Only, selling a variety of items, including Koozies, T-shirts, Buffalo Bills glasses, soy wax melts, earrings and key chains. Carrie Bias of Ridgeway, attending her first For Women Only, looks at the selection of earrings.
Backlas, the next speaker to share her story, said while everyone’s journey is different, the word “cancer” is always gut-wrenching.
She was 32 and planning to have another child when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2016. In the fall she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction.
“This was a small price to pay for the opportunity to be with my husband and watch our daughter grow up,” Backlas said. “I cut my waist-length hair, and felt a sense of control.”
She suffered weight loss, fatigue and nausea, but she stayed positive. Doctors told her she couldn’t get pregnant after chemotherapy, but in September 2019 she was amazed when a pregnancy test came back positive. She gave birth to a daughter in May 2020.
During this time her mother was fighting her seventh bout of cancer, but in spite of it, always stayed positive, Backlas said. Her mother lost her battle in February 2022.
Backlas faced anger and depression, but knew she needed to do something to help others like herself and her mother.
She has an organization called the Nancy Beicke Project, in which she delivers packages to Roswell Park and their satellite on Park Club Lane in Amherst, as well as to Great Lakes Cancer Care and Oishei Children’s Hospital oncology unit. People can message her with specific requests for packages for loved ones or themselves. She sometimes does individual fundraisers as well. At Christmas, she collects pajamas for Oishei Children’s Hospital Oncology unit. Last year they collected 354 pairs of pajamas.
Lori Condo, assistant comptroller at Orleans Community Health, thanked the ladies for sharing their stories.
“Your courage, honesty and strength inspire us all,” Condo said. “We are truly grateful for your willingness to be vulnerable and share your experiences – reminding us that while every journey is unique, we are all connected by the compassion and support of this community.”
At thas time, Condo introduced a video honoring all who have been touched by cancer – survivors, those currently fighting and those we have lost.
“This video tribute is a celebration of their strength and a reminder of why we gather here tonight – to ensure no one faces cancer alone,” Condo said.
Megan Johnson, right, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, introduces the Resource Panel at For Women Only. From left are Danielle Figura, licensed clinical social worker and director of Community Services with Orleans County Department of Mental Health; the Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of New Hope Community Church in Medina and spiritual care counselor with Hospice of Orleans; Elizabeth Schyve, benefits consultant with Walsh Duffield; Darlene Muehlbauer from the Cancer Services Program with GOWN; Pamela Eaton, nurse practitioner with Orleans Community Health; and Heather Miles, radiology technician at Medina Memorial Hospital.
The evening’s program continued with Megan Johnson, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, who introduced the Resource Panel, a first-time addition to the event. This included the Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of New Hope Community Church in Medina, president and evangelist at Go Scatter Ministries and spiritual care counselor at Hospice of Orleans; Elizabeth Schyve, Medicare benefits consultant with Walsh Duffield; Darlene Muehlbauer, Cancer Services Program with GOWN, providing financial help and resources for those in need; Pamela Eaton, certified nurse practitioner with OCH’s Medina Healthcare Center, certified advanced aesthetic nurse practitioner and certified wellness and medical eight loss practitioner; Heather Miles, radiology technician at Medina Memorial Hospital; and Danielle Figura, licensed clinical social worker and director of Community Services with Orleans County Mental Health.
After answering questions from Johnson, the panel took questions from the audience. Topics addressed included the five stages of grieving from the Rev. LeBaron and his duties at Hospice and how children process grief; Schyve’s sharing of the need for an adequate insurance plan and what Medicare covers; Muehlbauer’s information on certain cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured; Mental Health’s individual and group therapy; and more.
The evening also included a buffet, vendors with a health theme, basket raffle and 50/50 drawing.
Jeanne Crane, former nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, has attended many of the For Women Only events, and said the new format was a wonderful improvement to the program. She said it is a wonderful opportunity for women to learn more about their health, so they know they are not alone and support is there for them.
Jennifer Morgan, a nursing supervisor at Medina Memorial Hospital, has also been to many of the events and said she likes the new informational format.
Condo announced at the conclusion of the evening that the event had raised $3,200 for cancer services programs.
ROCHESTER – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Jordan Health’s Woodward Center to highlight how President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” will hurt Rochester hospitals and families.
If passed, this legislation would cause 10.9 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their health insurance coverage by 2034, and 11 million would be at risk of having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated.
“President Trump’s bill is not ‘beautiful’—it’s a betrayal of millions of hard-working Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history, and it puts the future of our state’s critical rural hospitals in jeopardy. Congress and the Trump administration should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials, not limiting access to the health care and benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care and put food on the table. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing.”
President Trump’s bill would cause Americans to lose their benefits by imposing work requirements on people receiving Medicaid and even stricter, more onerous work requirements for SNAP recipients.
This would force families with children and people with disabilities to jump through more hoops to access benefits, and it would generate additional administrative costs for the program. In New York State, work requirements for Medicaid will cost an estimated $510 million annually to administer and enforce.
President Trump’s bill would also put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting the use of provider taxes, which help make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care.
Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers are typically located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas, where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid.
New York-based community health centers, like Jordan Health, that care for every patient who walks through their doors are estimated to lose $300 million annually as a result of this bill. The impact will vary by health center, but losses will range from 6 to 17%, depending on how many of their patients are covered by Medicaid or New York’s Essential Plan.
Health centers already operate on a shoestring budget, and this kind of funding cut will have very serious consequences. Already, over 60% of health centers have less than 90 days of cash on hand, and more than 20 percent have reduced staffing or closed sites in the past year due to financial strain. Cuts of this magnitude will cause more closures, more staffing cuts, and reduced access for the 2.4 million patients that our New York community health centers serve.
Gillibrand was joined by Jordan Health President and CEO Dr. Linda Clark and State Senator Jeremy Cooney.
“Here are the facts: One in every eight people in New York State relies on a Community Health Center for care, and more than 60% of those people are covered by Medicaid, so nearly half of all health center funding comes from Medicaid,” said Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO. “We’ve done the math – the proposals included in the House bill will cost New York’s community health centers $300M annually. If you limit access to Medicaid, you hurt Community Health Centers and the people they serve. That’s a fact.”
“We are in a critical state when it comes to the proposed Medicaid program funding cuts and changes,” said Dr. Linda Clark, president and CEO of Jordan Health. “More than 70% of our patients are enrolled in a Medicaid program and depend on funding to cover the costs of their care. Access to high-quality healthcare is not a privilege it is a necessity and impacts our community as a whole.”
Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: From left include Scott Clark (Royalton-Hartland), Edward Grabowski (Medina Board of Education Representative for ONBOCES) and Sophia Goyette (Medina).
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Four students, at the Orleans (OCTEC) and Niagara (NCTEC) Career and Technical Education Centers received the Dr. Clark J. Godshall Scholarships at their end-of-the-year ceremonies.
The following students were awarded the scholarships: Sophia Goyette (Medina), who is in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Program; Scott Clark (Royalton Hartland), who is the Computer Technology Program; McKenzie Taggart (Niagara Falls) in the Allied Health Program; and Sean Kropp (Wilson) in the Computer Technology Program.
Sean Kropp (Wilson) is shown at left, while NCTEC Principal Michael Mann congratulates McKenzie Taggart (Niagara Falls).
The four scholarships recipients were chosen by retired Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ District Superintendent Dr. Clark Godshall to receive $500 each to use towards furthering schooling and/or tools to start their careers.
Medina Board of Education Representative for ONBOCES Edward Grabowski commends Gloria Haller (Barker).
Gloria Haller (Barker), who is in the Security and Law Enforcement program, received the $500 Wayne Van Vleet, Esq. Memorial Scholarship. Mr. Van Vleet was the former General Counsel and Executive Director of Personnel, Human Resources & Labor Relations.
Local governments across New York State are grappling with significant workforce challenges across all areas of public service.
