Show appreciation with words, not gifts

We are entering the first two weeks of National Procrastination Week. I was going to touch on that, however I think I will wait until later. Why do today what you can do tomorrow?

Instead let’s talk about today, Sunday March 1st, which is World Compliment Day created by a Netherlander named Hans Poortvliet.

The idea is to appreciate people with words, not gifts. What an awesome concept. Words are so powerful because they are often driven by a thoughtful heart. Everyone loves a good compliment – don’t deny it because you know you do too! Makes you feel all good up in your “feels” when someone pays you a compliment.

Personally I like it when people compliment my baubles or tell me I am a good person. That is a good balance. One is for vanity and one is for validation that you are making a positive difference.

You know what I like better than receiving a compliment? Giving a compliment. I told a waitress that she had great skin. She was older than I but her skin was dewy fresh. Well you would have thought I left her a $100 tip. She smiled from ear to ear. Men, here is little tip. If you aspire to make a lady happy, a good skin compliment never fails, trust me on that one.

Some people deserve validation so I like to pass out a good compliment there too. For example, if I am lucky enough to be entertained by a street performer that is making my day a bit brighter, I pass along a little “green” and tell them they are doing awesome. I think next time I will just say they made my day brighter. I feel that would mean more.

Then there are people who need a compliment. Perhaps the trickiest because you don’t want to come across as pitying. Like if someone is struggling at work, find an opportunity to compliment what they are doing right. I might tell a Designer at The Shop what specifically they have done that made a design special. Perhaps I find the color scheme uplifting. Be specific for those who need a compliment so they know their actions created a positive impact in some way. That will make the compliment more meaningful and motivational.

Whatever it is that compels you to offer a kind word to someone else, know this for sure…you really just helped yourself as well. A compliment is a mirror of an emotion. There is no greater joy than knowing you created happiness in another person. The joy on their face is now joy on yours!

This brings me to another important March Day on the 20th World Happiness Day. Two great holidays in one month that can be celebrated with one kind act – a compliment.

Procrastination is the thief of time, so if you see someone deserving or in need of a compliment offer it today. It is free but pays back immeasurably. Join My Blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com to catch up on weekly photo perks and past posts. Like and Share Your Comments on what compliments brought you joy. Happy Perks to Everyone!

Truly,

Debbie Burgoon London
Your Sassy Small Town Missus from Albion

Event with several hundred players is in memory of Ben Kirby

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Connor McQuillan, formerly of Albion, watches action at today’s Ben Kirby Memorial Indoor Soccer Tournament. Connor’s dad Sean played goalie for one of the teams. Sean organized the tournament for several years.

About 30 teams played today at the high school and elementary school gyms. The tournament continues on Sunday with about 40 teams competing.

Each team has a minimum of five players. Several hundred players will be in Albion for the tournament.

Dennis and Wendy Kirby, right, are Ben’s parents. They are pictured with Cole Schmitt, the main organizer for the tournament, and his girlfriend, Katlynne Tubo, who also is a key organizer.

Ben Kirby was a long-time Albion soccer player whose family has been dedicated to the program at Albion.

Kirby was a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology when he died in a car accident on Nov. 6, 2017, on Route 531 in the Town of Gates. He was 21 at the time, in his senior year majoring in software development.

“We’re so thankful and appreciative that they remember our son,” Mrs. Kirby said.

The family works with the Albion Alumni Foundation to give two $500 scholarships each year in Ben Kirby’s name. The scholarship is to be given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. It is intended for someone who is a “good kid” who may not be a Scout, but best exemplifies the characteristics of the Scout Law that Ben lived by: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

Aaron Kirby, Ben’s older brother, was among the players in today’s open division games. Aaron lives in Buffalo.

Most of today’s players were girls at the junior varsity and varsity. An open division also was available to adults – men and women – later in the day.

On Sunday, most of the teams will be boys at the elementary, junior high, JV and varsity levels.

Kendyll Hadick and his Albion teammates warm up before their game in the open division.

Photos courtesy of Lionel Rhim

MEDINA – Lionel Rhim took these photos of a small owl this morning sitting on the tire of a Chevy Silverado 2500HD. The vehicle is for sale at Hartway Motors on North Main Street in Medina.

Several people have commented on the Orleans Hub Facebook page that this looks like a screech owl.

Dorothy Cox, a teacher who later married a jeweler, wrote of her adventures

This is an early picture of Dorothy Roberts Cox, whose life story was shared in a presentation Monday by Catherine Cooper at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

MEDINA – The Medina Historical Society has planned a season of programs designed to create interest in the organization, but the one Monday night at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will not soon be forgotten.

Historical Society president Reinhard Rogowski welcomed the crowd which gathered at Lee-Whedon to hear library director Catherine Cooper give a presentation on the life of former Medina resident Dorothy Roberts Cox. While her life had its exciting moments, it is the circumstances under which a notebook from her family literally “fell into our laps,” which are truly intriguing, Cooper said.

“Each of us leaves a paper trail of documents that attest to our existence,” Cooper said. “We have photos, newspaper clippings, wills, birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates, some all neatly organized and others in envelopes or boxes at the back of the closet. But what if we had no close relatives? What are the chances some kind person would come in and gather your papers? And what are the chances this person will parcel them up and arrange for them to be sent to your second cousin in Australia? Then what are the chances, 35 years later, the child of that second cousin will feel compelled to save your records, arrange them, decipher them, figure out the relatives, digitize them and then reach out to your home town because he believed they belonged back where you spent your life?”

Cooper explained what happened in March 2017, when she was made aware of an e-mail on the Medina Historical Society’s website from Australia. She made contact with the person, the son of Vera Colley, Dorothy Cox’s second cousin, who lives in Western Australia. He wrote that he had this giant notebook full of pictures, newspaper clippings and other information on the life of Dorothy Roberts Cox. They had been sent to Vera after Dorothy died in 1982. Vera had visited Dorothy in Medina several times.

The fires in Australia were just becoming a worry and Vera’s son Brad decided to ship Cox’s belongings to Medina, where they would be safe and could be viewed by people who knew her.

Dorothy was born in 1896 in Rome, a daughter of Robert and Catherine Jones Roberts. Both her parents were Welsh and her father came to Medina as a quarryman. He worked as an engraver with Thomas Platt and bought the business. His shop was on East Center Street, which later was a monument business and a lawyer’s office. It was just recently purchased and remodeled by Alex and Pat Greene as an artist’s studio and space to do psychic readings.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Catherine Cooper talks about the extraordinary circumstances in the life of the late Dorothy Cox and how a notebook chronicling her life history came from Australia to Medina, during a presentation Monday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

In a picture from one of the slides from Dorothy’s cousin, there is the engraver’s shop next to the brick building on the corner of Main and East Center Street, on which can be seen the words “Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco,” and “EAT,” referring to the diner which operated there until the mid 1900s’.

The Roberts bought a house at 119 Maple Ave. in 1894, and also bought two lots on Roseland Avenue, where they built a home in 1911.

Dorothy attended Medina High School, where she graduated in 1914. Graduation was held at Bent’s Opera House. At a time when many stopped going to school at grade eight, her mother insisted Dorothy continue and get an education. One year at Brockport State Teacher’s College qualified her as a teacher, and she taught in several different schools.

Her reminisces in the notebook recall World War I, war bonds and dating officers.

In 1918, she was in bed a month with the flu when armistice was declared.

Dorothy went on to complete additional training at Harvard Summer School in 1922 and 1923, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Columbia in 1937. Her first teaching job was on Long Island.

In 1923, she spent five weeks in Mount Vernon Hospital with a perforated appendix. Two nurses working 12 hour shifts attended to her at a salary of $50 per week. Her total hospital bill was $975. She came home to Medina on a sleeper car.

During the 1920s, Dorothy was involved with Camp Nundawaga at Thirty Mile Point on Lake Ontario. She was depressed when it was sold during the Depression.

Before her hospitalization, Dorothy had been saving her money to take a trip to Wales. When her doctor told her she was susceptible to tuberculosis and should go to a warmer climate, she moved to Florida.

After her mother died in 1938, she finally went on the trip she had saved for. She traveled to Toronto to catch her ship, the SS Montrose, to Liverpool. She wrote there were whales blowing quite a way to the north of the ship, then suddenly a big one appeared on the other side, about as far as Ensign Avenue was from their back window.

“Right after that, we saw a good sized iceberg,” Dorothy wrote. “I always thought they were the color of ice and hard to see, but they are the whitest things I have ever seen.”

Dorothy was in Wales when war was declared and the ship she came home on was also used for soldiers. The ship Athenia was the first English ship torpedoed by the Germans on Sept. 3, 1929, and several passengers from that ship were onboard the ship SS Importer bringing her back to America. There were 211 passengers, 28 of them Americans, on the ship with a capacity of 80. Husbands and wives were separated and the men were stuffed anywhere, Dorothy wrote in a letter home.

Lee-Whedon Memorial Library director Catherine Cooper holds a notebook she received from Australia on the late Dorothy Cox, wife of Medina jeweler Harry Cox.

“There are 18 in the barroom,” she wrote. “They have to put up their own cots after the passengers are shooed out at 10 p.m. and they have to get out early in the morning.”

They described the lifeboat drill as very realistic. There were four lifeboats for 200 passengers. Four survivors of the Athenia group were making comparisons. They said when the whistle was blown on the Athenia, the boat lurched violently and two lifeboats were slowly lowered over the side and swung out.

In the disaster, they said the boats were lowered by passengers, who bungled things. The boat just nicely swung out when the ropes supporting one end broke and dropped 30 feet, tossing all onto one end of the boat. Two members of the crew received broken arms, leaving only one able-bodied man to row. The boat was overloaded and water was up to their knees. Woman bailed with toeless, heelless shoes.

Dorothy’s father, who died in 1942, had been a friend of Lloyd George, one-time prime minister of England. Lloyd George once visited Niagara Falls and Robert Jones traveled up to see him.

Dorothy worked at Curry’s Dress Shop on Main Street at one time. She married Medina jeweler Harry Cox on Sept. 3, 1944 at the First Presbyterian Church, after his first wife had died.

Harry and his first wife had an interesting connection to the Orphan Train. They had adopted two sisters from the train. One girl, Barbara, married Armand Bacon, who owned parts stores in Medina and Lockport.

Dorothy loved to golf at Shelridge Country Club. She took many trips with the Senior Center in Medina.

Another interesting connection to Medina was that with the Tony and Rose Napoli family.

Tony was born in Italy. He served in the Navy during World War II and his ship was in Australia during the war. As there were not enough sleeping quarters for all the men, some of them were billotted out to homes in town. Tony ended up in the home of Vera Colley. Vera and her husband had a son named Brian.

Brad Colley indicated to Catherine that it was Tony who had arranged for Dorothy’s papers to be sent to Vera in Australia.

The story of Dorothy Cox’s notebook brought many comments from the audience.

Jack Wasnock remembers Dorothy was a member of the Medina Historical Society. He said he bought his class ring at Cox’s Jewelry, which was later Limina’s Jewelry Store and now houses Della’s Chocolates.

Cooper commented that the wooden chairs in the library would have been there when Dorothy used to visit.

Lynn Ambrose, who lives on Ensign Avenue, said the Cox’s back yard backed up to her front yard.

“I used to see her all the time,” she said.

Monday’s program was one of several events which the Historical Society hopes will help increase its membership.

“We have been trying for several years to raise our membership, with a goal of 100 members,” Rogowski said. “We are now at 75.”

Upcoming programs include a members’ tea in May, led by Georgia Thomas; an old-time bridal show in June; and a program by sculptor Brian Porter of Pendleton on creation of the Company F monument.

‘Weight Socials’ provided fundraising opportunity for local organizations

 “Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 6, No. 9

With one extra day this year, I thought it would be interesting to dive into some early newspapers to extract a handful of interesting “February 29th” events. Lo and behold, the leap year provided few notable deviations from everyday life. That is, of course, aside from the prevalence of “Leap Year Parties” scattered throughout the calendar.

However, one particular paragraph published in the February 28, 1884 edition of the Holley Standard caught my eye. Lyman Preston was scheduled to host a “Weight Social” at his home in Clarendon on Friday, the 29th of February. A rather foreign occasion to readers today, the Standard was kind enough to provide some brief insight into this unique gathering. The social event paired men and women together based on luck, with the occasional dire consequence for the unsuspecting gentleman. Each guest received a card as they arrived and on that card was a number; lucky couples would identify themselves by matching numbers.

Then the real fun began. As in the case of Mr. Preston’s party, each man paid one cent for every ten pounds that the lady “he may draw” will weigh. After confirming the lady’s weight on a scale, the gentleman paid his debt. The couple would then eat supper together, usually a meal that the woman prepared. The Holley Standard provided some additional, yet perhaps snarky, context to the story. “Gentleman will please remember and carry sufficient of the “needful” to meet any emergency that may arise. Clarendon has been noted for stout women…”

The ”emergency” referenced here came by way of female attendants who tied rocks, horseshoes, or other objects to their hoop skirts in order to increase their weight on the scale. These socials served the purpose of raising funds for charitable and religious organizations in the community. Often organized and hosted by ladies’ societies, it was in their best interest to tip the scales when possible to increase contributions.

Lyman Preston’s weight social was not the only gathering of its kind held that year. On December 11th of the same year, an ad in the Holley Standard read, “Pick out a good heavy girl and attend the Good Templars weight social at McCargo’s Hall tomorrow night. A jolly time is anticipated.” In fact, it appears that the International Organization of Good Templars in Holley frequently hosted these events in the 1880s.

Another social in December of 1884 received considerable attention. The papers wrote, “Now let every young man who feels an interest in the organization display his generosity by taking to supper the heaviest young lady he can find…he may equalize matters by taking two smaller ones.” Hoping to raise money to support the organization’s temperance activities, women were weighed as they arrived, given a number, and the corresponding number placed in a bag. Men pulled numbers from the bag and paid the price per pound before sitting down to eat. The Standard included a follow-up article noting, “one girl, with an eye to the shekels, hung some heavy clock weights from her waist under her dress and made herself weigh 209 pounds! Her partner had cold shivers when he saw the beam balance.”

On March 1, 1888 (another leap year), Henry Brown held a weight social at his home to raise funds for the Good Templars. “It was amusing in the extreme to notice the contrast in some of the couples who sat down to a sumptuous supper, the largest man present escorted a little dot weighing less than 80 lbs.” Of course, the odd pairings of attendees became the most entertaining feature of these fundraising events.

The weight social represented just one of many interesting social gatherings. The Box Social placed additional emphasis on the prepared supper, where women wrote their name on a card and placed it inside of a box with a meal they prepared. Men bid on each box, paid the fee, and enjoyed supper with the woman who prepared it.

A local “Old Folks Social” encouraged attendees to bust open their old trunks and dress in pioneer attire for a party; what an antiquated sight! Conundrum Socials or Quiz Socials paired men and women together based on questions and answers. The occasional Sock Social required guests to fill old socks with pennies, which were then deposited in a large sock hung at the party venue.

Then, of course, was the very rare and mysterious “Handsome Social,” once hosted by Mrs. Minerva Pratt of Clarendon. Although it attracted considerable attention from local papers, they never provided a detailed explanation of the event. It is surmised that the social included an activity similar to a “Bachelor Auction.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lincoln Voorhees, 5, of Albion gets a lift from state trooper Greg Narburgh, an Albion native, during a break in this evening’s basketball game between the state troopers and the Albion faculty.

It was a high-scoring game with the faculty winning, 104-103. Some of the long-range shots were worth 10 points.

Albion teacher Rich Gannon served as the announcer in the game, which was a benefit for the Albion varsity softball team, which is coached by Cathy Schmitt.

Retired Lt. Kurt Schmitt goes over the ground rules for the game – lots of offense and not much defense. His wife is the varsity softball coach at Albion and one of the players for the Albion faculty this evening.

Jamison King, a first-grader, gets lifted up by state trooper Greg Narburgh for a close shot at the basket.

Mike Jones, one of the top players for the Albion faculty, is introduced just before the game.

Albion teacher Josh Green warms up with his 3-year-old son, Hollis, before the game at the high school gym.

State trooper Randy Shenefiel, left, did a demonstration with Arry, an explosive detection dog. Shawn Gourdine, right, also is a state trooper and K9 handler.

Arry is named for Sgt. Harry Adams, a member of the State Police who was killed on Sept. 1, 1951 on Sawyer Road near Albion. He was directing traffic at an accident scene when he was struck by a car.

All of the K9 dogs at the State Police are named for troopers who were killed in the line of duty.

State trooper Randy Shenefiel introduces Arry to the crowd during halftime at the game. They are based out of Niagara. Arry is a Dutch Shepard that specializes in explosives, patrol and tracking.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that he has endorsed State Sen. Chris Jacobs of Buffalo in the April 28 special election for U.S. Congress.

Jacobs is running to serve the remaining seven months of former Rep. Chris Collins’ term representing New York’s 27th Congressional District. The district spans eight counties, including Orleans.

There will be another general election in November for a full two-year term for the position.

“I am wholeheartedly endorsing Senator Jacobs to serve as our next Congressman,” Hawley said. “In an era highlighted by radical ideals and attacks on our values, we need a strong leader and proven legislator who will stand up for our beliefs here in Western New York. Senator Jacobs is a successful businessman with a proven track record of creating jobs and giving back to his neighbors philanthropically. I endorse Senator Jacobs in the April special election and am confident he will serve with honor and dignity as our next Congressman.”

Jacobs has picked other other endorsements from key Republican leaders including President Donald Trump, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), former Congressman Jack Quinn (R-NY), State Senator Patrick Gallivan (SD-59), and Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard.

Kate Messner is a Medina native won now lives in Plattsburgh. She has written 50 books for children and educators and sold more than 3.5 million copies.

MEDINA – Kate Messner’s love of books goes back to growing up in Medina, when she spent a lot of time visiting Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

“My favorite titles were Beverly Cleary’s Ramona books, but I also loved reading nonfiction, especially about natural disasters and dangerous animals,” said Messner, now living in Plattsburgh with her husband Tom.

A daughter of former Medina school superintendent Tom Schirmer and his wife Gail, Messmer has become an award-winning author, who has published 50 books for children and educators and sold more than 3.5 million copies. She has 12 books for children scheduled to come out this year.

Messner graduated from Medina High School in 1988 and attended Syracuse University, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication. She spent seven years working as a television news producer and reporter at NBC affiliates in Syracuse and Burlington, Vt., before going back to school to get her master’s degree in education.

“Both of my parents were educators, my dad superintendent of schools, and my mom an elementary school art teacher,” Messner said. “Teaching was something that was also calling me.”

Chirp is a new book out by Kate Messner.

After getting her teaching degree, she taught middle school English in Plattsburgh for 15 years and earned National Board certification in 2006.

“It was while I was teaching that I started writing more seriously, mostly to share stories with my students and model writing and revision,” Messner said. “That’s when I published my first books. In 2012, I transitioned to writing full time, but I still love that time I get to work with kids in school systems as a visiting author.”

Messner’s husband, who is from Rochester, is chief meteorologist at WPTZ, the NBC affiliate in Burlington, Vt., where she met him when she worked there.

Ideas for her books come from all over the place, Messner said.

“That is why I always carry a writer’s notebook,” she said. “I’ve had inspiration strike on airplanes and in museums, on school field trips and in line at the grocery store. Mostly, I tell aspiring writers that the best way to court ideas is to be curious about people and the world around you. I talk to strangers and ask a lot of questions.”

She doesn’t know how to answer when asked what her favorite book is.

“That is always such a tough question for a writer to answer,” she said. “It’s a little like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. But I’m always excited about the newest books and the projects I’m working on at the moment, so today, I’d tell you that one of my favorites is my newly released novel, Chirp, which is a mystery set on a cricket farm, as well as a coming-of-age story about summer, friendship, family and finding your voice. I’m also really excited about a new series I’m writing for Random House, called History Smashers, which is aimed at undoing some of the lies and myths we teach young children about history. It’s illustrated by comic artist and graphic novelist Dylan Meconis, and the first two books – about the Mayflower and Women’s Right to Vote – launch in July.”

The Next President comes out next month, one of 12 books to be released this year by Kate Messner.

She is really excited about three books coming out in March. Tracking Pythons: the Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem is about a team of scientists researching South Florida’s invasive Burmese pythons, and comes out from Millbrook on March 3.

The Next President, illustrated by Adam Rex, is a picture book about where future presidents were when any given president took office. That comes out March 24 from Chronicle Books.

Another favorite of Messner’s is a title she co-authored with her sister Anne Ruppert, who lives in the Buffalo area and just retired from teaching high school science.

“She taught forensic science for years, so we teamed up to create a book for kids that puts them in the role of a forensic scientist, solving imagined mysteries,” Messner said. “Solve This: Forensics comes out from National Geographic Kids on March 17.”

Messner’s titles are frequently selected for One School, One Book and One School/One Author programs, according to her publicist. The novel Chirp has already received impressive five star reviews from critical journals, and her books have been New York Times Notable, Junior Library Guild, IndieBound and Bank Street College Education Best Books selections. Her novel The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. won the E.B White Read Aloud Medal, and her science picture books have been finalists for the American Academy for the Advancement of Sciences/Subaru SB&F prize for excellence in science writing.

In addition, Messner is a frequent speaker at conferences for writers and educators and visits schools all over the world to talk to students about books, writing and the power of curiosity.

Messner writes pretty much every weekday, unless she’s traveling for research or appearances. On a typical day, she writes for three or four hours in the morning, takes a break at noon to get some exercise and have lunch, then tries to get in another writing session in the afternoon.

When she’s not writing, she loves the outdoors. She has aspirations to climb all of the 46 Adirondack peaks, and so far has climbed 32.

More information about Messner and her titles are available on her website www.katemessner.com or Twitter: @Kate Messner.

Her books are available at The Book Shoppe in Medina and Barnes and Noble.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The front door at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medina is pictured during the Easter season.

The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, which serves 690,000 Catholics in eight Western New York counties, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The Diocese includes the Catholic parishes in Orleans County.

The Diocese is the second in New York to declare bankruptcy, as the church faces lawsuits for child sexual abuse from years ago. The Diocese in Rochester was the first to seek bankruptcy protection when it filed in September.

The Buffalo Diocese is currently led by Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger. He stepped into the role following the Dec. 4 resignation by Bishop Richard Malone, who was criticized by many Catholics in the Diocese for his handling of the child sexual abuse scandal.

Bishop Scharfenberger issued this statement today: “We have no more urgent work than to bring about justice and healing for those harmed by the scourge of sexual abuse. The intense emotional, mental and spiritual pain inflicted on these innocent victim survivors is a heavy burden they are forced to carry throughout their lives.”

“Our decision to pursue Chapter 11 reorganization —arrived at after much prayer, discernment and consultation with the College of Consultors and our Diocesan Finance Council — is based on our belief that this approach will enable the most number of victim-survivors of past sexual abuse in achieving fairness and a sense of restorative justice for the harm they have experienced,” he said. “It will also allow the vital, mission-driven work of faith that is so essential to the residents of Western New York to continue uninterrupted.”

The Associated Press is reporting the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has already paid $18 million to more than 100 victims. It faces more than 240 new lawsuits filed since August, the AP reported.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State is now offering a free text message program to help kids quit e-cigarettes as the state moves to reverse the alarming rise in youth vaping.

Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker unveiled this initiative yesterday at a #NoVapeNY rally along with the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, New York State PTA and Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes at the Wheatley School, a public high school in Old Westbury, Long Island. It is the latest action in the Governor’s statewide campaign to end vaping among high school students.

“The alarming increase in the number of young people using e-cigarettes is proof we need to curb this deadly epidemic before another generation develops lifelong nicotine addictions,” Governor Cuomo said. “That’s why we’re taking bold and aggressive actions to ban all flavored nicotine vaping products, end these unscrupulous vaping advertisements aimed at our kids, and offer teens a simple way to get help quitting vaping.”

The State Department of Health partnered with Truth Initiative, a nonprofit national public health organization committed to making tobacco use a thing of the past, to create a NYS-specific version of their text-based intervention, “This is Quitting.” To access this program, users simply need to text “DropTheVape” to 88709.

This innovative and free text message program was created with input from teenagers, college students and young adults who have attempted to, or successfully, quit vaping. It is tailored to specific age groups (13-17 and 18-24) to give appropriate quitting recommendations.

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “The disturbingly high level of e-cigarette usage by young people is nothing short of a public health crisis, and we must do everything in our power to turn the tide. This new program is a valuable resource and we urge everyone to Drop the Vape, starting with a simple text that could ultimately save their lives.”

Upon enrolling in the text message program, users receive interactive daily text messages tailored to their sign-up date or their target quit date, should the user choose to set one. Messages include encouragement, motivation, skill and self-efficacy building exercises and coping strategies.

Messages are available for at least one month if a user does not have a quit date set. If a user sets a quit date, they receive messages for at least one-week prior to the quit date and at least two months following the quit date, which they may change at any time. The program also directs users to the New York State Quitline, which recently added free quit-coaching and nicotine replacement therapy for eligible users of e-cigarettes to address the growing need to help them break their dependence on vaping.

Last week, Governor Cuomo launched a new campaign in support of his FY 2020-21 Executive Budget proposal to ban all flavored nicotine vaping products, including menthol flavors, and to restrict vaping advertisements aimed at youth. The Governor’s proposed legislation would also authorize the Department of Health to regulate the sale of vaping product carrier oils deemed to be a public health risk.

The legislation would also prohibit the online, phone and mail order sale of e-cigarettes; only registered retailers would be allowed to purchase e-cigarettes using those methods. The campaign includes a new hashtag – #NoVapeNY – as well as a petition where New Yorkers can show their support for the legislation and a new website – ny.gov/endvaping – with more information about the proposals.

According to Department of Health data, nearly 40 percent of 12th grade students and 27 percent of all high school students in New York State are now using e-cigarettes, and this increase is largely driven by flavored e-liquids. High school use in 2018 (27.4%) is 160 percent higher than it was in 2014 (10.5%). While New York’s high school student cigarette smoking rate dropped from 27.1% in 2000 to a record low of 4.3% in 2016, aggressive marketing strategies promoting flavored e-cigarettes is primed to reverse that trend.

J-Co makes renovations to former Dan’s Cans

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jeff Colonna stands outside J-Co’s Can and Bottle Return, which is having a grand opening celebration this week.

MEDINA – Jeff Colonna this week is celebrating the grand opening of his new can and bottle redemption business at 718 S. Main St.

Colonna made significant renovations to the site, which was operated as Dan’s Cans for about seven years. Dan Gilhooly opened that business in 2009 and ran it until he passed away on Oct. 11, 2016.

Colonna acquired the property and he said it is a prime location in the village, with parking that makes it easy to get in and out. Employees can also easily see customers when they pull in. If they honk, Colonna said he and his crew will gladly help bring in customers’ bags of bottles and cans.

Colonna, 36, wants to run a clean operation that doesn’t reek of strong smells. He put in new stainless steel tables and a sorting tray that are easy to wipe down. The tables are connected to a drain and the frequent cleanings will fight odors.

“I don’t want it smelly or sticky,” he said.

J-Co’s employee Tim Ward sorts through cans that were dropped off on Wednesday at the site at 718 S. Main St. Jeff Colonna, left, is owner of the business.

He also put up a wall to separate the intake area with the sorting that goes on in the back. The cans and bottles are separated into about 50 different groups depending on the distributor, size of the cans and bottles, and color of the glass.

This week J-Co’s has offered an extra penny for the cans and bottles, for six cents. Colonna will keep that rate for firefighters, police officers and veterans.

Colonna is pleased with the steady business so far at the site. Customers bring in varying quantities of cans and bottles, from 8 to 10 to over 3,000.

Colonna also owns a driveway sealing business and works with his father, Rich Colonna, in a rental property enterprise.

Tim Ward and Jeff Colonna work together on Wednesday. Colonna put in new stainless-steel tables and sorting trays, as well as other upgrades. He wants the site to be as clean as possible.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is supporting state legislation to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel.

Dale Banker, the Orleans County Emergency Management director, told county legislators the issue is a growing concern.

“There is a critical shortage of volunteer firefighters and EMS across Orleans County, New York State and the whole country,” said Dale Banker, the Orleans County Emergency Management director.

The Orleans County Legislature passed a resolution on Wednesday in support of the following bills in the State Legislature:

• S.3525 (Breslin)/A.3721 (Pretlow) that requires insurers to issue reimbursement directly to ambulance providers if the insured has filed an assignment of benefits for ambulance services;

• S.6802 (Felder)/A.8817 (Gunther) to increase the volunteer firefighter and EMS state income tax credit to $500 for eligible individuals and $1,000 for eligible married joint filers, beginning in 2020;

• S.3526 (Breslin)/A.6211 (Magnarelli) to ensure that responding ambulance service companies receive direct payment for all ambulance service transports upon submission of an invoice to the insurance company without the need for responding ambulance company to be a preferred provider;

• S.577 (Kennedy)/A.4423 (DenDekker) to allow counties to establish a local tuition grants program for active volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel at state operated institutions, up to 50 percent of tuition required at state operated institutions or community colleges. This legislation also provides that, where a county has created a tuition grants program, the state would reimburse the county at one-half the actual tuition grant established by the county for each eligible volunteer;

• S.1222 (Ritchie)/A.3479 (Zebrowski) give a credit on the New York State income tax for all volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance corps members who are active. In order to be active, the individual would have to attend more than 10% of the company’s activities per year. This plan calls for giving $200 a year for service credit up to a maximum of 10 years, or a maximum of a $1,100 credit.

• Creation of a statewide task force to investigate, promote, and identify funding for the recruitment and retention of volunteer EMS and firefighter personnel;

• S.3685B (Brooks) / A.1778A (Jones) authorizing volunteer fire departments or volunteer fire companies to collect fees and charges for advanced life support services;

• S.1381 (Ritchie)/A.1582 (Jones) to amends the general municipal law, in relation to classifying emergency medical services provided by municipalities as essential services for the purposes of applying for and receiving state aid;

• Grants for volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel recruitment and retention.

Firefighters battled the blaze at Holley on Jan. 5. The house was a total loss. There is a spaghetti dinner on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall on Route 31A to support the 11 residents displaced by the fire. There will also be a basket raffle, 50/50 and a karaoke contest.

Press Release, New York State Association of Counties

The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) is calling on the federal government to provide $3.1 billion in emergency supplemental funding for the public health response to the novel coronavirus. Of the $3.1 billion, at least $500 million should be directed to local and state health departments.

“Our county health officials are on the front lines of preparing communities to respond to disaster, including global outbreaks of infectious disease,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “Local county health departments are already stretched thin addressing existing public health issues, without additional funding they won’t be able to adequately prepare for the potential spread of this virus. We need to properly arm these local health leaders for their ongoing and tireless efforts to prevent a serious outbreak.”

Emergency supplemental funding is needed to support current response activities, as well as future work as additional cases are identified. This includes:

• Isolation/quarantine-related activities, including transportation, lodging, and wrap-around services like behavioral health support, counseling, or even necessities like food and toiletries;

• Finding and monitoring patients that are currently under investigation (PUIs);

• Outreach to the general public, including translation of public health materials and work with healthcare facilities to facilitate additional coordination and education; and

• Purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, face shields, and fit testing by third party vendors.

Additionally, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that he was seeking a $40 million emergency appropriation for the New York State Department of Health to hire additional staff, procure equipment and other resources necessary to respond to the potential novel coronavirus.

NYSAC strongly supports this action and will work with the Governor to ensure that local health departments have the resources they need to work hand-in-glove with their state partners in managing this outbreak.

Press Release, International Joint Commission

The International Joint Commission announced today that it supports the strategy of its International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board to set maximum Lake Ontario outflows until March 31, before the start of the navigation season on April 1.

If, at the end of March, Lake Ontario water levels and inflows to the lake indicate the need for extraordinary action, and if conditions in the St. Lawrence River provide an opportunity for increased outflows, the IJC has directed the Board to maximize outflows from Lake Ontario over the period April 1 to April 15. Under such conditions, all interested parties would be provided with advance notice of any outflow increases that might create unsafe conditions for commercial navigation.

The IJC notes that it is working with the governments of Canada and the United States and all interests, including the Seaway, with the intent of releasing as much water as possible from Lake Ontario as conditions allow. IJC Commissioners commend the Seaway corporations for the collaborative efforts that resulted in the maximum outflow strategy through March 31.

The IJC recognizes that the potential Lake Ontario outflow strategy for April 1 to April 15 is designed as a response to unforeseen and exceptional conditions on Lake Ontario that would require extraordinary action. Implementation of the strategy could be affected by such factors as unfavorable ice conditions in the St. Lawrence River or downstream flooding.

The probability that the Board would have to resort to such action is currently relatively low but will be better known closer to the end of March.

ALBION – Orleans and Niagara officials are teaming up for a joint application for federal funds to bring high-speed internet to underserved and unserved areas of the two counties. That’s about 3,600 addresses just in Orleans County.

The two counties are seeking federal funds to cover 100 percent of the costs of extending broadband internet through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program.

The Orleans County Legislature voted to pursue the grant on Wednesday and the Niagara County Legislature is expected pass a resolution in favor of the application next month. The application is due by March 16.

Orleans is taking the lead on the application. The two counties have been pursuing high-speed internet for several years through a two-county partnership, the Niagara-Orleans Regional Alliance.

David Godfrey, a Niagara County legislator from Wilson, believes this latest effort will pay off for the two counties. They first started working on high-speed internet in 2012.

The counties have pursued state and federal before but haven’t yet been successful. Godfrey said he is very optimistic the counties will land ReConnect funding for a project that could top $15 million.

The counties are looking at putting in broadband through a fixed wireless system, working with vendor ROS Wireless in Framingham, Mass.

“It’s extremely imperative we continue this fight,” said Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller of Kendall.

The lack of high-speed internet on many rural roads in the counties hurts businesses and residents, who download needed reports, homework and other information.

Godfrey said he is hopeful the grant will be awarded and the high-speed internet could be available next year for residents currently unable to access the service.