By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2022 at 10:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Amanda Krenning-Muoio and others from the First Presbyterian Church of Albion hand out candy for Beggar’s Night this evening in Albion. Sue Thaine, the church’s pastor at lower right, dressed up for the occasion.
Several hundred kids wore costumes and collected candy. Downtown was closed off to traffic for the event.
Albion teacher Samantha Flansburg hands candy to Drake Neri, 4, who wore a green skeleton costume. Other teachers in the Albion Teachers Association spot included Meghan Kania, Jen Simpson and Bob Epperson.
A group of women dressed as witches and did a dance down Main Street.
Connie Boyd of Batavia joined in the witches’ dance.
The group of ladies pose for a photo at Marti’s on Main before their dance.
A group from Body by Summer in Brockport performed Michael Jackson’s Thriller in front of the Downtown Browsery. Some Browsery vendors joined in the dance of people dressed as zombies. Summer Torrance led the group in the dance.
A long line of kids stopped by Arnold’s Auto Parts for trunk or treat from the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries. The church gave out more than 1,000 pounds of candy. The Albion Free Methodist Church also did a trunk or treat with lots of candy given away.
Amy Sidari gives away candy at Gotta Dance by Miss Amy. Ray Keffer and Stephanie Yankevich brought their twins, Ryan and Evelyn, to the event. Sidari said she was impressed by the variety of costumes on the kids throughout the evening.
The Albion PTA did a trunk or treat at the village’s municipal lot on Bank Street. Angie Wolfe, an Albion teacher, was one of the stops with candy stashed in her trunk. Her son Caleb helped to give out the candy.
Liz Groat of the Downtown Browsery holds one of the gloves that was filled with candy. The Browsery filled 350 gloves with treats for the kids. Groat was happy to see so many kids and their parents come inside and walk through the Browsery, where there are more than 40 vendors.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 October 2022 at 7:42 am
United Way, Community Action and YMCA teamed on project
Provided photos: Key players in the new respite care program in Orleans and Genesee counties include Matt Holland, left, grant writer hired by United Way of Orleans County, and Jesse Cudzillo, director of the Orleans YMCA.
A new $290,000 family caregiver initiative will provide respite for caregivers in Genesee and Orleans counties.
Matt Holland, a grant writer with the Orleans County United Way, applied to Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative, in April and learned in June the local proposal made it to the last round.
Notification of approval of the grant came recently and will provide funding for a Caregivers’ Revitalize program developed in collaboration with United Way of Orleans County, GLOW YMCA and Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
Exhale is a Family Caregiver Initiative which funds innovative collaborative projects that are reimagining and increasing respite opportunities for family caregivers of older adults.
Funded by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, and managed by the Philanthropic Initiative, the 2022 Exhale initiative involves a total of more than 60 partner organizations across Western New York and Washtenaw County, Mich. They will work in teams led by the 13 grantees, including United Way of Orleans County.
“Exhale, the Family Care Initiative, has approved Caregivers Revitalize for three years of programming, with a budget of $290,000,” Holland said. “The first two years, beginning in the winter of 2023, will utilize the YMCA in Medina and Main Street Store location in Albion, while a third expansion year will create three new respite locations – one at the Holley Community Center, another at Genesee County YMCA’s Healthy Living Campus in Batavia and a third location to be determined in Genesee County.”
Caregivers Revitalize will provide weekly, three-hour long respite sessions along with free, onsite wellness programming and activities for caregivers of aging family members.
Grant writer Matt Holland, left, poses with Community Action personnel who will be involved in the new respite grant. With him are Katrina Chaffee, director of community services and reporting; Renee Hungerford, Community Action’s executive director; and Cassandra Eagle, Thrift Store manager and classroom instructor.
Locations will alternate initially on a weekly basis between the YMCA and Main Street Store.
“This program is an excellent opportunity for our community’s caregivers to get a break from their daily schedule and utilize the amazing programs and locations provided by the YMCA and Community Action,” Holland said. “Whether it is getting time to hop on a treadmill, participate in communal activities with other caregivers or just get some alone time, Caregivers Revitalize will provide a variety of respite opportunities for our community’s caregivers.”
There are still some program details that are still being worked out as Holland drafts the work plan and contracts.
The program will employ a part-time program coordinator and caregiver with certified nursing qualifications and caregiving experience. Caregivers can visit one of these locations during a respite session and utilize free programming and services provided by each organization, while a trained caregiver and onsite staffing will provide supervision and activities for caregivers and the family members in their care.
“We are proud to have the opportunity to partner in supporting caregivers,” said Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. “Caregivers often come upon this responsibility unexpectedly and they rearrange priorities to help someone through a difficult stage of life. Our hope for this program is to offer some positive quality time to these caring individuals and the people they care for.”
Greg Reed
Holland added that he, Katrina Chaffee, director of community services at Community Action, and Greg Reed, former YMCA director in Orleans County, developed this project while attending the Exhale seminars nearly a year ago. Reed is now the district executive director of Genesee and Orleans YMCA.
“This collaborative program is near and dear to my heart, as my mother was the primary caregiver for my grandmother as she navigated life with Alzheimer’s Disease,” Reed said. “The YMCA is here for the community to develop the social, metal and physical wellness of all people. This program provides refreshment amongst caregivers of older adults, where caregivers can connect socially, receive a mental break from caring for their loved ones (young and mature) and/or care for themselves physically through exercise opportunities at the YMCA. In working with Community Action, we’re able to work across the county for families who have limited transportation, too.”
Of Exhales’s latest grants, nine were in Western New York and three in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
Exhale, the Family Caregiver Initiative, is dedicated to offering innovative solutions that give caregivers of older adults an opportunity to breathe a little easier.
More information on the Caregivers Revitalize program will be released in the winter of 2023. To learn more about Exhale, visit www.exhaleforcaregivers.org.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2022 at 10:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A Day of the Dead display is part of this ofrenda that was created inside the Orleans County YMCA. The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) teamed with the YMCA and Mariachi de Oro to put on the event today. GO Art! counted 420 participants, the most in the three years the Day of the Dead has been at the YMCA.
This ofrenda in back was created by the Rosario family. An ofrenda is an offering placed in a home altar during the annual Mexican Día de Muertos celebration. An ofrenda is often large and elaborate, and is usually created by the family members of a person who has died and is intended to welcome the deceased to the altar setting.
Jesse Cudzilo, YMCA director, was happy to share the facility on Pearl Street for the Day of the Dead.
“It is exactly what we want this place to be – a place where everybody can come together,” he said.
He was pleased to see the big turnout “from people of different backgrounds enjoying a cultural event.”
This display gave people a chance to write notes to a departed loved one.
The Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration is a time of joyful remembrance of deceased loved ones, filled with an array of colors, scents, sounds and stories.
Centered around the observance of All Saints and All Souls Days on Nov. 1 and 2, the celebration also includes images and ideas about the roles of ancestors that trace back to Mexico’s indigenous peoples. Tradition holds that this is the one time of the year when souls can return to earth for a day and commune with their families and friends.
Erin Allis, 9, of Median gets her face painted by Lydia Fox, a Medina High School student who volunteered as face painter. Other art students at Medina helped with the celebration.
Antonio Cruz Zavaleta created this sand painting.
After he made the sand painting, Antonio Cruz Zavaleta served in the popular face painting station.
The festivities included Mexican crafts, dance and drama performance, sand painting and ofrenda displays, and special food tastings.
Karla Alcalá teaches Mexican folklore dances. A former member of a folkloric dance group in Mexico, Alcalá now teaches community members traditional dance from a variety of regions.
Mexican dance and music performances were shared by Alma de México, a group from Rochester.
Abby Fuller made more than 50 paper flowers that she shared with people.
Eleanor Oakes, 5, of Medina makes a mask.
In another activity, children were welcome to create colorfully decorated skulls or calaveras. GO Art! ran out of all 200 of those sugar skulls that were decorated with icing.
File photos by Tom Rivers: Erin Allis, 8, of Medina has her face painted on Oct. 23, 2021 at the Orleans County YMCA as part of the fourth annual Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration or the Day of the Dead. The event returns on Oct. 22.
Posted 14 October 2022 at 11:40 am
Press Release, Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
MEDINA – GO ART! is happy to invite you to our Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration, co-sponsored by the Orleans County YMCA and Mariachi de Oro Mexican Grill.
Join us on Saturday, October 22 at the Orleans County YMCA, 306 Pearl St., Medina, from 3 to 7 p.m. Come learn about and enjoy this holiday that remembers ancestors, with free activities for the whole family.
The festivities will include Mexican crafts, face painting, dance and drama performance, sand painting and ofrenda displays, and special food tastings. All activities will continue throughout the day. A full schedule can be found at www.MedinaDoD.com.
The Mexican Day of the Dead Celebration is a time of joyful remembrance of deceased loved ones, filled with an array of colors, scents, sounds and stories. Centered around the observance of All Saints and All Souls Days on November 1 and 2, the celebration also includes images and ideas about the roles of ancestors in our lives that trace back to Mexico’s indigenous peoples. Tradition holds that this is the one time of the year when souls can return to earth for a day and commune with their families and friends.
The celebration last year included Mexican dance, music and dramatic performances by Alma de México, a group from Rochester led by Karla Alcalá. They will be back for the event on Oct. 22.
“We’re excited to be at the YMCA again this year, with the continuing support of local Medina businesses and community members,” says Karen Canning, director of GLOW Traditions at GO ART!
Mexican celebrations of the holiday often include animated skeletons, colorfully decorated skulls (calaveras), elaborately cut tissue paper banners, emphasizing life’s continuing vibrancy in the midst of mortality. Local business owners and community groups are hosting workshops in such arts, including sugar skulls, paper flowers and banners, and paper masks.
Hosts and volunteers include Della’s Chocolates, The Downtown Browsery, Oak Orchard Girl Scouts, and Medina High School students. Canalside Tattoos will offer temporary tattoos, Case-Nic Cookies will have Day of the Dead themed treats for sale, and Las Toxicas will feature Mexican jewelry and clothing for purchase. GO ART! staff will host face painting, and Mariachi de Oro will provide samples of Mexican hot chocolate and pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a typical food of the holiday.
Beautiful altars (ofrendas) in homes welcome the returning souls and feature candles, wild marigolds, incense, photographs, mementos and loved ones’ favorite foods like fruit, tortillas, tamales, chocolate, and bread.
People dance inside these puppets were more than 10 feet tall. The street puppets were created by artist, Antonio Cruz Zavaleta. He is among the returning artists for the upcoming Day of the Dead.
Members of the Rosario family will again create a large ofrenda at the YMCA in the style of their hometown in Oaxaca, Mexico. Artist Antonio Cruz Zavaleta will create a sand painting in front of the ofrenda, another decorative art found in Oaxaca for the holiday—check the schedule for a Q & A with the creators of these artistic traditions.
Attendees can contribute to a community ofrenda, where they can place a candle (electric, provided) and add their own remembrances of loved ones.
Mexican dance and music performances will be presented by Alma de México, a group from Rochester led by Karla Alcalá. A former member of a folkloric dance group in Mexico, Karla now teaches community members traditional dance from a variety of regions. Live music will also be provided by La Marimba, a marimba band from Buffalo, led by Tiffany Nicely.
Large monos de calenda (street puppets), created by artist, Antonio Cruz Zavaleta, will also return to dance and wander among attendees. Everyone’s invited to join in, and feel free to come in Day of the Dead themed outfits.
This year we welcome four artists—Dan Butler, Ted Canning, Ruben Ornelas and Gaitrie Subryan—from the newly-formed GLOW Creatives collective, supported by a 2-year grant from Creatives Rebuild New York. They will assist with face painting, sound reinforcement, and presentations of personal ofrendas and dance—see the online schedule for exact timing (www.medinadod.com).
The event is co-sponsored by GLOW Traditions at GO ART!, Mariachi de Oro Restaurant, and the YMCA, with partial funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
The gymnasium at the Y will be transformed for the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
RESTORE Sexual Assault Services, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, is recruiting volunteer advocates for an upcoming training cycle in November 2022. There is an urgent need for Volunteer Advocates in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Volunteer advocates are responsible for taking crisis phone calls from their home and providing information and advocacy to sexual assault survivors at a hospital or police station. Volunteers offer support, information and resources to survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. The time commitment is flexible, and at the volunteer’s discretion. All applicants will be screened and must complete 32 hours of training prior to beginning their volunteer commitment.
The training is planned to take place in person, in Monroe County. However, all RESTORE services are dynamically responding to the changing Covid-19 protocols and using a variety of communication methods, depending on the needs and comfort level of the volunteer advocate (and survivors).
Those interested in volunteering for RESTORE must be at least 20 years of age, have reliable transportation, and be comfortable working with those in a crisis situation.
For further information about volunteering with RESTORE, email restore@ppcwny.org.
RESTORE’s 24-hour hotlines include: 585-546-2777 (Monroe County) and 1-800-527-1757 (Livingston, Wyoming, Orleans and Genesee counties).
Giant wind turbines in Shelby. Let’s be clear, these are not the windmills seen on family farms or the wind turbines seen while traveling through the southern tier.
These giant wind turbines would be 633 feet tall, located less than ½ mile south of the Tops Plaza, on a ridge line 75 to 100 feet higher than most of the Town of Shelby or the Village of Medina. That means to observers they will appear be over 700 feet tall.
As a matter of scale, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall, mature maple trees 50 to 75 feet tall and those wind turbines in Sheldon, NY are under 400 feet.
These turbines proposed by Borrego Energy would be taller than anything in NYS and only Texas has anything this size. A large Texas turbine that is not located anywhere near a populated area. Google map it at 3700 East Nance Rd, Canyon, TX 79015 and click here to see a construction video.
Impacts:
Visual – Most of us have chosen to live in this area because of friends, family and the small-town rural setting, beautiful country side, free from high rises and massive industrial developments.
Some have been fortunate enough to find jobs locally while many commute to Rochester or Buffalo, but remain here to live. Thanks to the hard work and vision of some, downtown Medina has seen a resurgence, becoming a destination for its quaint architecture, wonderful restaurants and shops. These industrial giants will intrude on everyday living and stain the quality of life here, for the benefit of one family.
Wildlife – We have the great fortune to live in a place of natural beauty and resources. Many of us hunt, fish, photograph, hike, canoe or kayak or otherwise enjoy our surrounding. A few miles to the south, is the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge the Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas, home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, listed as threatened by the DEC and not the only species of concern that reside here.
We are part of the Mid-Atlantic flyway, a major migration path for geese, swans, cranes and the occasional golden eagle. Make no mistake, these turbines will be responsible for bird kills. It’s a shame to think that when our eagle population has grown and stabilized, we choose to put a rotating blades, up to 633 feet high, in their environment.
Noise – Wind turbines make noise that changes with wind conditions and blade angle. I don’t know how loud these will be, but I can tell you that the town supervisor in Sheldon said that it sometimes drives him and his wife off their patio, retreating indoors.
Flicker – Located south of town the turbine blades will cause a flicker at certain times of the year and day. In a previous letter to the editor Karen Jones included a link to a YouTube video. The company has done a flicker study which I’m hoping to see. However, using a SunCalc software it would appear that some residences on 31 and on Furness Parkway will be in the flicker zone.
I’ve reached the word limit allowed here. My next letter will outline thoughts on a way forward.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 September 2022 at 9:49 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Chris Busch, left, and Rob Robinson look at one of the T-shirts designed for the entertainers participating in the first ever Busker Festival in Medina, scheduled to coincide with Ale in Autumn this Saturday.
MEDINA – A tradition which dates back to the Medieval ages is about to make its debut in Medina.
A busker is a street performer who entertains crowds with their musical, unusual or comedic acts for tips in public areas. Busking has a long history dating back centuries when local merchants would invite buskers to their storefronts, plazas or public squares to attract new business.
On Saturday, Medina’s annual Ale in Autumn will be enhanced by 17 buskers throughout the downtown.
The idea was brought to the Orleans Renaissance Group before Covid by Rob Robinson, a local musician, said Chris Busch, president of ORG.
Robinson said he has buskered a lot, in places including Toronto and Olcott.
Once things got back to normal after Covid hit, the idea was brought up again. Robinson laid out a map of downtown and determined places where a busker could perform.
“We started reaching out to businesses and made 17 Xs on the potential spots on the map,” Busch said. “Buskers will be spread out throughout the downtown.”
The buskers will provide a variety of entertainment, including country, blues and gospel music, hula hoop girls and magicians. They will be on the streets from 1 to 6 p.m. and people are encouraged to visit downtown and tip the performers.
“It’s going to be fun,” Busch said. “It’s unusual and people will like it. It’s another first for Medina.”
Robinson said the only other time he knew of anything like this was in the early 2000s, when Middleport had buskers at their Labor Day celebration.
“I could just see its vision,” Robinson said. “It’s an old idea, but new in Medina. I see it becoming an annual thing. There are a lot of street performers in Western New York, but no actual buskers.”
The annual Ale in Autumn will be from 1 to 6 p.m., with time slots staggered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to prevent congestion. Check-in is at the Medina Senior Center on West Avenue, said event coordinator Ann Fisher-Bale. Twenty-one local businesses have signed up to take part.
Beers and ciders have been ordered from around the world, Fisher-Bale said.
Staff Reports Posted 12 September 2022 at 11:14 am
Provided photo
ALBION – Orleans chapter DAR Regent Sharon Schneider (left) and Historían Jamie Baumgardt (right) present Albion Middle School Service Learning teacher Tim Archer with a check for $500 to be used toward projects the classes are researching on Mt. Albion Cemetery this school year.
The students plan to prepare a 50-page booklet on the cemetery to be distributed to area libraries, historians and schools. Archer said the students also hope to identify and tag 30 to 40 individual varieties of trees along the cemetery’s main walking paths.
They have applied to have Mt. Albion Cemetery accredited as an arboretum due to its wide variety of trees.
The DAR has been a consistent donor to the Service Learning program and its projects over the last decade, Archer said.
By Kim Pritt, Contributor Posted 10 September 2022 at 3:00 pm
Let’s go on an adventure together…on a Mediterranean Cruise
Entertainment on cruise ships is always top-notch with a variety of venues and types of entertainment. On the Norwegian Epic I enjoyed several different shows featuring a Beatles tribute band called “The Epic Beatles”. Fantastic. And there were other stage shows and performances throughout the ship every day.
This is the second in a series of articles from a Mediterranean Adventure I took in August. The first post was about the two days I spent in Rome to start the adventure. This post will cover the seven day cruise and I’ll talk about each port in separate posts coming soon.
A major bucket list item for me was to cruise the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, on my tenth cruise, I checked it off the list. The cruise I chose was on the Norwegian Epic – one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ships (I believe I read it ranked 4th in size for Norwegian’s fleet and it is second based on passenger capacity). The cruise was seven ports in seven days and a whirl wind of amazing experiences and memories that took me through ports in Italy, France, and Spain.
The cruise began and ended in Rome, Italy. The itinerary included stops at the following ports: Naples Italy, Livorno Italy (Florence and Pisa), Cannes France, Palma de Mallorca Spain, Barcelona Spain, and Corsica France. And, I checked off FIVE major bucket list items during the trip: Take a Mediterranean Cruise, Visit Tuscany, Visit the French Riviera, Visit the home of Princess Grace of Monaco, and See Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Ceiling. It was all so exciting and I can’t wait to share those specific experiences with you in other posts.
A fun lounge on the Norwegian Epic is an Ice Bar. You don a parka and gloves to spend time in a lounge where everything is a frozen ice sculpture.
As for the cruise, itself, I felt very comfortable and safe cruising in this post-Covid world we find ourselves in. We had to show proof of vaccination to get on the ship, so masks were optional while on ship. Off ship, mask requirements varied based on the port and venue, but were for the most part optional – we were told to always be prepared to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination when off ship. Norwegian Cruise Line implemented some new procedures for the boarding process and the muster drill requirements that greatly reduced the number of people in those places at any given time, making the processes so much better and promoted social distancing. I hope they keep them that way going forward and that other cruise lines do similar things – even if the need for Covid precautions go away – because it was a great improvement over prior cruises before Covid.
With no “at sea” days, I spent my days off ship exploring the wonderful ports we visited. But, I did get to enjoy the amazing entertainment each evening, a little time relaxing pool side, and, of course, the food! Two specific highlights from my time on ship were: 1) A wonderful Beatles tribute band called “The Epic Beatles” that performed three times in the main theater – all different shows – and a couple times in a smaller venue called “The Cavern Club” (named after the original Cavern Club in Liverpool where the Beatles performed before they became famous). I only missed one show and absolutely loved the ones I did get to see. 2) The Ice Bar Lounge was a really cool club – literally! I was curious about it and made a reservation for one evening – so glad I did! It is a room that is kept at 17 degrees F. Everything in there is a frozen ice sculpture – the bar, the seats, the glasses, the decorations – everything! I was given a poncho and gloves, paid my $15 entry fee, and in I went. We were only allowed to stay for up to 15 minutes because of the temperature and we could have up to two drinks – a nice menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. I chose to have two of the non-alcoholic “Day at the Beach” – strawberry puree, pineapple juice, and lemon juice – soooooo good! What a fun experience – so glad I did it.
View from the upper most deck of the ship – the Sky Deck – overlooking the pool deck with the port of Ajaccio in Corsica in the distance.
I did something a bit different regarding my cabin this time. I typically prefer a balcony cabin. This time, though, I was curious about the Studio Cabins that Norwegian (and some other lines) offer as an alternative for solo cruisers to help with the significant cost that comes with single occupancy when typically booking any cruise ship cabin. So, I booked one for this cruise to give it a try. Very nice – I’d do it again under the right circumstances. I still missed my balcony, but for this particular cruise – no “at sea” days – it worked out just fine. I put some videos on the blog post as a “review” of my experience in the studio cabin – check them out when you visit the link below.
The Norwegian Epic is a huge ship – I’m sure with the time I spent off ship and the size of it, there was a lot I never got to see. Personally, I like the smaller ships better – easier to get around and not so overwhelming. But, I still loved this adventure – the thrill of a life time, for me!
For lots more about the cruise and the ship with tons of photos and information, check out my Blog Post.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 September 2022 at 5:16 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HULBERTON – Volunteers serve up Italian food at the 46th St. Rocco’s Festival today in Hulberton.
A huge crowd didn’t let rain keep them away from the festival in the early afternoon. Many people were lined up at 11, an hour before the festival started.
The popular event served up a variety of Italian food, including a spaghetti dinner, eggplant parmesan, meatball sandwiches, pasta fagioli, pizza and shells.
Tina Burrage shows off a St. Rocco’s shirt. There were also St. Rocco’s hats, Koozies and sun catchers.
The event is a fundraiser benefitting St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Holley. The parish also includes St. Mark’s Church in Kendall.
There were 29 teams competing in a bocce tournament, with teams from the Holley area, Lockport and Rochester. The top team wins $600. Players said the rain actually helped to compact the surface of the courts.
Zach DeLuca competed on a team with his dad Sal, brother Seth and friend Paul Quaranto.
“It’s fun,” Zach said. “We come out and play and see people we grew up with.”
Kevin Lynch, the former Holley mayor, enjoys bocce while smoking a cigar.
Eddie Bower, right, chats with cousin Jake Bower. They competed on a four-person team with Jake’s father Randy and their friend Will Barniak. They compete as “Team Wardo” in memory of Eddie’s father Ed Bower.
Dan Mawn was busy cooking waffles.
Gail Christ puts powered sugar on one of the waffles. She is joined by Ava Barnett, in back, and Ava’s mother, Traci Barnett.
Andrea Newman of Clarendon was among 50 arts and craft vendors. She was selling acrylic paintings, prints and cards. Newman is holding one painting entitled, “Sisterhood 2.”
Eveyln Stryker of Rochester is a knitter. She had many knitted hats and slippers available, including many in Buffalo Bills colors.
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College will proudly induct both Shari A. McDonald and William M. Powers as honorees into its Alumni Hall of Fame at 4 p.m. on Sept. 27.
Shari A. McDonald
Shari A. McDonald, GCC class of 1997, is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. She has been part of Catholic Health System’s Mercy Hospital of Buffalo for the last seven years, serving as Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. She has executive oversight over regulatory standards, compliance, patient satisfaction, patient safety, quality of patient care and employee engagement.
McDonald previously practiced 20 years in Rochester, New York, Starting at Strong Memorial Hospital where she was mentored for Leadership and then Rochester General Hospital, where she served as the Senior Administrative Director of Emergency Services, Women’s services and Acute Services. Among her numerous accomplishments, she was instrumental in helping guide strategic planning to increase inpatient and emergency volume, change management and building strategic direction.
In addition to a Master of Science in Nursing with Leadership in Health Care Systems from Grand Canyon University in Arizona, McDonald holds a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Rochester.
She has been recognized for her work with several awards throughout her career, she was named to Buffalo Women of Influence in 2020, the Mercy Hospital of Buffalo 2018 Nurse of Distinction, Greater Rochester Quality Award in 2013 and 2014 and the Nursing Leadership Award from Rochester General Hospital in 2012 and Strong Memorial Hospital in 2006.
McDonald was the President of Finger Lakes Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, past president for Western New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, board member of New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, a member of the Emergency Nurses Association where she served as a New York State Delegate and past President of the Genesee Valley ENA. She is also a member of the Western New York Professional Nurses Association, American Heart Association where she serves as Chair and Spokeswoman for the Go Red for Women Campaign in Western New York, and is part of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
McDonald taught adjunct courses at Cornell University, and is a board member for Connect Life. She is the Nurse Executive Chair for Hany’s Hospital Association for Western New York & Central New York, 2021-present and Healthcare Executive Forum/American College of Healthcare Executives (HEF/ACHE) Board of Directors Board Member, 2019-present.
A Buffalo native, Shari resides in Lakeview with her husband, and has three adult children and 12 grandchildren.
William M. Powers
William M. Powers, GCC class of 1975, graduated from Genesee Community College with his A.A.S. degree in Business Administration and is retired Superintendent of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. He is a proud third generation New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision employee.
Powers continued his education and earned a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport in Business Administration in 1977. While working and raising a family, he continued with his education and received a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Buffalo State in 1987.
Powers started his career as a correction officer and was promoted to correction counselor, senior correction counselor, assistant deputy superintendent, deputy superintendent and superintendent. He was assigned to ten correctional facilities and was superintendent at five of them.
He became involved with the American Correctional Association Accreditation process in 1984, and served as Accreditation Manager at several facilities. He currently serves as a Delegate Assembly member for ACA.
Powers was appointed a member of the New York State DOCCS Female Offender Task Force where he assisted in developing policy for the agency executive team consideration, collaborated with local and state law enforcement including local District Attorneys dealing with criminal prosecution of offenders.
During his 38-year career Powers was assigned to maximum, medium, minimum, shock/boot camp, work release and alcohol and drug treatment facilities. He was also assigned to both male and female correctional facilities.
After his retirement from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in 2014, Powers has continued to be active in the criminal justice field by conducting training and ACA audits of correctional facilities in the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Colombia and The Kingdom of Bahrain. He remains active as a consultant for Vital Core Health Strategies.
Powers is an Attica native and continues to live there with his wife and has two adult children and four grandchildren.
Each year, candidates are nominated by friends, family, colleagues or other associates for their impactful contributions to their profession and distinguished service to the community and Genesee Community College. The GCC Alumni Hall of Fame, which is located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building, boasts honorees from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 August 2022 at 9:02 am
Contributed photos: A young volunteer takes corn from the roaster at a Barker Corn Fest years ago.
BARKER – A Barker tradition which delighted the area years ago is being revived.
For years, the Barker Lions Club sponsored an annual corn festival, until an aging membership and lack of volunteers resulted in it being discontinued.
Then a local resident, Heidi Dergel, who grew up in Barker, moved away for 20 years and returned five years ago, heard about the corn festival and decided to revive it. She formed a committee and started planning.
Barker mayor Aaron Nellist, deputy mayor Seanna Bradley, local resident Ruth Dent and Lions past president Scott Ecker helped in planning and supplied information on prior festivals.
As a result, the Barker Corn Fest will make its comeback on Aug. 13, with a variety of activities at the Barker Fire Hall pavilion on Quaker Road and a 5K run/walk at the Village Park on Main Street.
“The response has been great, and our group of organizers is getting bigger every day,” Dergel said. “It was a bit tough getting the ball rolling, but I can feel that it is already raising spirits in town. Most people I speak to say they are very excited to see the corn fest coming back, and that it has been sorely missed. They often tell me stories about the things they miss the most about the festival, from carnival games and a parade to the 5K.”
Ecker said at the Barker Lions board meeting Aug. 16, 1989, they voted to have a corn festival the following year, and the Barker Corn Fest was born. The first one, for which was proposed a pig roast, and those which followed, featured a 5K race, parade and games of skill, as well as vendors and a chicken barbecue.
An annual highlight of the Barker Corn Fest was the Barker Community Band, shown performing here at a corn fest from the past.
Ecker doesn’t remember how many years the festival continued but it met its demise a few years back when they were faced with aging members and lack of manpower. Then the ride companies wanted a three-day commitment, and there weren’t enough volunteers to do that, he said.
“I’m happy it’s returning,” Ecker said.
Local veterans lead off a parade to kick off a past Barker Corn Fest. The festival returns on Aug. 13.
The Lions are contemplating a booth to sell snow cones, added.
The festival will begin with the 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. in the Village Park on Main Street. From noon to 6 p.m., the Barker Community Band will entertain and a farmers’ market will take place. There will be local artisans and vendors, roast corn and food trucks, a tug-of-war and corn hole competitions.
The Dark Road Duo will play at 2 p.m. and Bad Influence Band at 5 p.m. A magic show is scheduled at 3 p.m.
Events for adults and kids will be ongoing through 10 p.m. Other features include bike night and a beer, wine and cider tent.
Major sponsors of the Corn Fest are Con Equip Construction Equipment Parts, Mahar Septic and Excavating, Sunrise Door and Woodworks, Harris’ Outdoor Services and Harris Farm.
Ecker said they are also grateful for local farmer Jim Bittner, who works for Niagara County Farm Bureau and runs the corn roaster.
“Next year the Corn Fest will be planned in July in combination with the 200th anniversary celebration of the town of Somerset,” Dergel said. “I am so thankful to the community members who have come out of the woodwork to make this happen. This incredible rebuilding year will no doubt make next year’s celebration an even bigger success.”
Employees get 2% raises first two years, then 3% for three years
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the ratification of a five-year labor agreement with the Civil Service Employee Association, CSEA, which includes over 52,000 New York State employees in a wide variety of roles.
The agreement, which runs until April 1, 2026, won the approval of more than 80 percent of CSEA members who cast ballots.
“This contract fairly compensates the hard-working men and women of the Civil Service Employee Association who help to deliver critical services to New Yorkers every day,” Hochul said. “I thank President Sullivan for her partnership in getting this agreement over the finish line and ensuring that it acknowledges the valuable contributions of CSEA members to our great state.”
The ratified contract includes raises in each year of the agreement of 2% for the first two years and 3% for the remaining three years. In addition, the contract includes other increases in compensation such as a one-time lump sum bonus of $3,000 and changes in longevity as a result of changes in the health insurance program that will encourage in-network employee participation and help control health insurance costs. The contract also includes funding of labor-management committees.
Civil Service Employee Association President Mary E. Sullivan said, “I would again like to thank our negotiating team for their hard work and dedication to delivering this new state contract. The agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by our membership and across all four of our executive branch bargaining units.”
CSEA represents over 52,000 New York State employees in four bargaining units.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 August 2022 at 3:06 pm
Cobblestone Museum seeks to have hamlet included on National Register of Historic Places
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Cobblestone Universalist Church, built in 1834, is the oldest cobblestone church building in North America. It is among several historic sites in the Childs hamlet near the intersection of routes 98 and 104. Three cobblestone buildings at the museum – the church, the Ward House and a schoolhouse – are listed as a National Historic Landmark.
CHILDS – The Cobblestone Society and Museum is one of this year’s Preserve New York grantees, Museum director Doug Farley announced Monday.
A check for $8,000 received on Monday will fund a Cultural Resource Survey of the hamlet of Childs, which will go on to inform a National Register of Historic Places nomination. The Preservation League of New York State and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts are thrilled to help fund this important work, Farley said.
“A successful listing on the National Register will make tax credits available for approved rehabilitation projects by both home and business property owners in the designated area,” Farley said. “National Register listing will also allow the Cobblestone Museum to qualify for certain grant funding that requires NR designation.”
Through its Preserve New York grant, the Cobblestone Museum will work with the Landmark Society of Western New York to conduct a cultural resource survey of the hamlet of Childs. This reconnaissance level survey will be used to inform a National Register historic district nomination, which will include the Cobblestone Museum buildings and surrounding properties. This project seeks to build on the momentum created by the inclusion of the hamlet on the Landmark Society’s 2019 Five to Revive list. The Museum has been in contact with the New York State Historic Preservation Office and has identified preliminary district boundaries, according to Farley.
At its 2022 meeting, an independent grant panel selected 22 applicants in 18 counties to receive support totaling $235,920. Each grant supports important arts and cultural initiatives, as well as economic development related to the state’s arts and cultural heritage. Many of these grants will lead to historic district designation or expansion, tell the stories of communities throughout the state and allowing property owners to take advantage of the New York State and Federal Historic tax credits. This is even more valuable now, Farley said, with the New York State Commercial Historic tax credit recently expanded for small projects, granting property owners a 30% credit. With this announcement of the 2022 awards, support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 totals more than $3.5 million for 510 projects statewide.
Erin Anheier with the Cobblestone Society wrote this new grant because she has written several successful National Register nominations in the past, and was best prepared to tackle the task, Farley said.
“We currently apply for about 15 grants each year and receive about 10,” he said. “The check came Monday and work on the Historic Register nomination should start very soon. This grant certainly benefits the Cobblestone Museum, but I am also pleased that his particular grant has many benefits for the entire historic hamlet of Childs.”
The Preserve New York program is a regrant partnership between the New York State Council on the Arts and the Preservation League, made possible with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State legislature.
Since 1993, Preserve New York has been providing funds to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that need technical, professional assistance to guide a variety of preservation projects. This historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports and cultural resource surveys funded through this program lead to positive outcomes across New York’s 62 counties, Farley reported.
“The Preserve New York program ensures arts and culture organizations continue to be beacons of New York’s rich history,” said Mara Manus, NYSCA executive director. “By preserving significant spaces and sites, we promote vitality and drive economic activity across our great state. NYSCA applauds the Preservation League of New York State for their stewardship of this crucial opportunity and extends our sincere congratulations to all awardees.”
“The projects funded by Preserve New York exemplify the excellent preservation planning work being done throughout our state,” said Katie Eggers Comeau, vice president for Policy and Preservation at the Preservation League. “With each of these grants, a meaningful historic place takes a significant step toward a more secure future, and we are pleased to be working with such dedicated project sponsors to make this work possible.”
Provided photo and information from John Dieter, Scout Master for Troop 35
MEDINA – Troop 35 spent a week at Camp Mountain Run in Pennfield, Pa. There were 20 Scouts and three leaders from the troop there from July 10 through July 16.
During that time the scouts worked on merit badges and scout skills towards rank advancement. Nine first-year scouts were involved in the “Trailblazer Program” designed to learn skills in order to become a First Class scout.
The remaining members of the troop worked on merit badges towards there next rank advancement several working towards Eagle Scout.
The Medina scouts worked on a variety of badges from welding, swimming, astronomy, pioneering, wilderness survival, climbing, rifle, archery, first aid and others. Troop 35 scouts completed 81 merit badges during the week.
