By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2024 at 10:15 pm
Arc GLOW, an organization serving people with disabilities in the four local rural counties, is grateful for today’s announcement from Tom Golisano that he is donating $5 million to the agency.
“What a wonderful and unexpected surprise we received today!” the organization posted on Facebook.
Golisano announced he is giving $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse regions.
Of those donations, $104 million is going to 26 organizations serving people with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
Arc GLOW is among eight Western New York and Finger Lakes chapters of The Arc New York that will each be receiving a gift of $5 million from The Golisano Foundation.
“We are thrilled to learn that Arc GLOW will be receiving $5 million from the Golisano Foundation,” said Martin Miskell, Arc GLOW’s chief executive director. “This will allow the agency to expand our programs to meet the needs of the individuals and families we serve.”
Arc GLOW serves people with disabilities in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
“On behalf of the entire Arc GLOW community, thank you to Thomas Golisano and the Golisano Foundation for opening doors for opportunities for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) to be valued members of their communities with the opportunity to realize their full potential and a future that is secure,” Miskell said.
Press Release, Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition
ALBION – This Sunday, Sept. 22, the Medina Teachers’ Association and the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition will be hosting our first Men’s Day Out event from 1 to 6 p.m. at Dubby’s Tailgate, 165 S. Platt St.
This event is for men, their sons, nephews, neighbors, co-workers and friends. It will be an opportunity to play some neat games – fowling, soccer pool and cornhole – and learn about suicide prevention, and local resources.
The free registration includes a brief message of hope, Dubby’s mini pizza, 4 wings, a bottle of water, cornhole, fowling, soccer pool, resources and so much more. More food and other beverages/games will be available at cost.
Students in grades Pre-K to 8 must be accompanied by adult to enter Vets Park
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – The Medina Central School District is looking forward to an outstanding fall season. The district’s goal is to provide a positive and welcoming experience to our athletes, students, parents, fans, visitors and officials.
Please help us achieve this goal by following our expectations and contributing to a positive environment.
As a reminder, all students in grades Pre-K to 8 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or responsible adult when attending a game. This parent or responsible adult must supervise their children at all times. Students in grades Pre-K to 8 will not be allowed into Vets Park without a parent or responsible adult.
Also, as a reminder, there should be no use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or any controlled or banned substance on the Medina Central School District premises. Additionally, vapes, “dab” pens, and e-cigarettes are not allowed on District premises.
We also want to remind fans to refrain from using profanity and making negative comments toward coaches, athletes, or officials. Game supervisors and administrators will address inappropriate behavior. The District and the New York State High School Athletic Association may prohibit unruly spectators from attending games.
Thank you for helping us maintain a positive, supportive atmosphere for all our student-athletes! Go Mustangs!
ROCHESTER – Tom Golisano announced today he is giving an unprecedented and historic series of major awards totaling $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse.
This commitment nearly doubles Golisano’s lifetime giving, bringing the total to $775 million, with more to be expected. The announcement was made at the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship.
Golisano, the founder of Paychex and the former owner of the Buffalo Sabres, is listed on the Forbes 400.
The unrestricted, multiyear awards range from $250,000 to $20 million each, paid over four to five years, spanning healthcare, education, animal welfare, disability services, and other crucial community needs.
Almost all of the organizations who learned today that they are receiving a major award have been recipients of prior awards by Mr. Golisano and/or the Golisano Foundation. This significant financial commitment represents support for a diverse range of causes, all of which are meaningful to Tom and follow suit with prior awards given. Awards received may be used at each organization’s discretion.
Capping the monumental nature of this initiative, Mr. Golisano is also making a transformative $52 million award to the Golisano Foundation by increasing the total investment assets to $120 million. This infusion of funding will increase the Golisano Foundation’s giving from approximately $3 to more than $5 million annually, allowing even more opportunities for new and current organizations to access crucial grant funding that falls within the Foundation’s established mission.
“I’m thrilled to provide support to the Upstate New York community, to the region where I built my life and my business,” said Mr. Golisano. “I know that there are many organizations doing great work and understand that running a nonprofit is not easy, facing both opportunities and challenges, like raising money. These awards are the result of relationships I’ve formed over the years. I am impressed with these organizations’ dedication and innovation. It is extremely rewarding to see what they have been able to accomplish with my financial support over the years. I hope this unexpected, unrestricted funding helps them build on their successes and broaden their impact.”
The $360 million commitment announced today brings Mr. Golisano’s overall philanthropy to $775 million. This includes more than $41 million in grants made by the Golisano Foundation, which he founded in 1985, primarily to organizations devoted to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It also helps animal welfare organizations through Bailey and Friends, an initiative of the Golisano Foundation founded in honor of Golisano’s two dogs, both of whom were named Bailey.
“We encourage non-profit organizations to visit our website to learn more about Tom’s personal giving and the Foundation’s mission,” said Erica Dayton, executive director of the Golisano Foundation. “We look forward to the new influx of agencies we’ll be introduced to through the widespread news of Tom’s most recent giving. Understanding the needs of the communities we support and the organizations that devote their expertise to serving them is a constantly evolving process. We are always looking to learn more and determine how we can be supportive with the resources available.”
Today’s announcement follows Mr. Golisano’s June 2024 commitment of $50 million to the University of Rochester Medical Center to establish the Golisano Intellectual and Development Disabilities Institute—his largest single gift to date.
$360 Million in gifts announced today to 82 organizations
Gifts by Region: Rochester, $201 million; Buffalo, $66.5 million; and Syracuse, $40.5 million. $52 Million also is going the Golisano Foundation, which serves the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse regions and Southwest Florida
Community – 8 Organizations – $25 Million
The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester – $5 Million
Foodlink – $5 Million
Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind – $2 Million
Hillside Family of Agencies – $5 Million
Lifespan – $2 Million
Medical Motor Service of Rochester & Monroe County – $2 Million
Veterans Outreach Center – $2 Million
WXXI Public Broadcasting – $2 Million
Education – 16 Organizations – $86 Million
Alfred State College – $5 Million
Allendale Columbia School – $5 Million
Aquinas Institute of Rochester $5 Million
Bishop Kearney High School – $5 Million
Canisius University – $5 Million
The Charles Finney School – $3 Million
Daemen University – $5 Million
The Harley School – $5 Million
Hope Hall School – $3 Million
McQuaid Jesuit High School – $5 Million
Nazareth University – $5 Million
Niagara University – $10 Million
Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women – $5 Million
Roberts Wesleyan University – $5 Million
Rochester Institute of Technology – $10 Million
St. John Fisher University – $5 Million
Health – 9 Organizations – $69 Million
American Cancer Society, Golisano Hope Lodge – $2 Million
American Red Cross – Greater Rochester Chapter – $5 Million
Daystar Kids – $5 Million
Mercy Flight Central – $5 Million
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center – $10 Million
Oishei Children’s Hospital of Buffalo – $10 Million
Rochester Regional Health – $20 Million
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY – $2 Million
Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital – $10 Million
Arc GLOW (Genesee/Livingston/Orleans/Wyoming) – $5 Million
Arc of Monroe County – $5 Million
Arc of Ontario County – $5 Million
Arc of Wayne County – $5 Million
AutismUp – $3 Million
Best Buddies, WNY – $1 Million
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services – $5 Million
CDS Life Transitions – $5 Million
Cobblestone Arts Center – $2 Million
Empowering People’s Independence (EPI) – $5 Million
EquiCenter – $2 Million
Golisano Autism Center – $3 Million
Heritage Christian Services – $5 Million
Holy Childhood – $5 Million
Lifetime Assistance – $5 Million
Mary Cariola Center – Future Announcement
Mozaic (Arc of Seneca, Cayuga & Yates Counties) – $5 Million
People, Inc. – $5 Million
Special Olympics New York – $1 Million
Springbrook – $5 Million
Starbridge Services – $2 Million
Summit Center – $5 Million
Animal Welfare – 23 Organizations – $24 Million
Better Together Pet Rescue Center – $250,000
Beverly Animal Shelter – $1 Million
Chautauqua County Humane Society – $1.5 Million
Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA – $1 Million
Finger Lakes SPCA – $1.5 Million
Headed for Furever – $250,000
Hornell Area Humane Society – $1.5 Million
Humane Society of Schuyler County – $1.5 Million
Humane Society of Wayne County – $1.5 Million
Humane Society of Yates County – $1.5 Million
Joyful Rescue – $250,000
Keller’s Kats Rescue – $250,000
Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester – $2 Million
Mr. Grey’s Strays – $250,000
Operation Freedom Ride – $250,000
Pet Adoption Network – $250,000
Pet Pride of New York – $1.5 Million
Rochester Emergency Veterinary Services – $1.5 Million
Rochester HOPE for Pets – $250,000
SPCA in Cattaraugus County – $1.5 Million
SPCA Serving Allegany County – $1.5 Million
SPCA Serving Erie County – $1.5 Million
Wyoming County SPCA – $1.5 Million
Golisano Foundation – $52 Million
“One of my favorite sayings is ‘the only wealth you keep is that which you give away,’ and I’m so lucky to be able to live that out,” Golisano said. “The success of Paychex and the hard work of the employees there are ultimately what makes these donations possible, and I am beyond grateful that I have the ability to do so. I look forward to seeing how this will be used to strengthen their organizations and better the communities they serve.”
ALBION – Orleans County is planning two voter registration days for people to make sure they can cast ballots in the upcoming election.
The Orleans County Board of Elections has set the following voter registration days:
Oct. 5 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Hoag Library, 134 S Main St., Albion.
Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Board of Elections office, 14016 State Route 31, Suite 140.
Eligible New York voters have until Oct. 26 to register to vote in the general election on Nov. 5.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is urging New Yorkers to contact the NYS Board of Elections or their local County BOE for accurate and trustworthy election information.
The governor noted today, Sept. 17, is National Voter Registration Day. Eligible New Yorkers can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. Information about voter registration eligibility requirements, as well as links to the online voter registration portal and downloadable registration forms, can be found on the State Board of Elections website (click here).
“National Voter Registration Day is an important opportunity to foster engagement in our democracy,” Governor Hochul said. “Our democratic institutions are only as strong as the voters who participate in them, and I encourage every eligible New Yorker to make their voice heard.”
Voters who are unsure of whether they are already registered to vote can check their registration status at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
Contact information for county boards of elections across New York State can be found by clicking here.
Election Day this fall will take place on Nov. 5 with early voting from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 September 2024 at 8:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Jesse Cudzillo (left), director of the YMCA in Orleans County, and Tim Elliott hold the new Medina-opoly game that is being sold as a fundraiser to upgrade the women’s locker room at the Y.
MEDINA – The Monopoly game has been given a facelift in Medina, with local businesses taking the place of the prime real estate featured in the economics-based board game.
Players buy and trade properties in the game, and seek to develop them with houses and hotels.
The Medina-opoly game starts in a corner featuring the Medina Area Partnership. About 70 Median businesses and organizations are featured on the board.
Tim Elliott, a former Medina village trustee, worked with Jesse Cudzillo, director of the YMCA in Orleans County, to sell the spots on the board. They were a quick sell out.
“Medina is lucky to have businesses to fill it up and to have a waiting list,” Elliott said.
The board highlights Medina’s historic downtown business district.
There are 350 copies of the game that arrived in early September. The sponsorships paid to have the game produced in a Medina theme.
The games are being sold for $35 each, and the proceeds will go to the Y to update the women’s locker room. If the games sell out, the Y should receive about $12,000 towards the locker room improvements.
“It’s a Medina keepsake,” Cudzillo said. “It takes a snapshot of where Medina is in 2024.”
The Y director said he appreciates the support from the community in buying spots on the board, and also in purchasing the games. So far about 75 have sold. The came be purchased at the front desk of the Y. They will be there for the upcoming Ale in Autumn event on Sept. 28. They are also available online through the Canalside Tattoo website.
Medina was featured in the Monopoly game before, back in 1995 and 2000. The Medina Rotary Club led the effort to sell the spaces on the board and to make the games available to the community.
Elliott said the game could be updated again in the future.
“This shows how Medina has changed,” he said about the new board, compared to the Medina businesses from 1995 and 2000. “In 10 years there will be more changes.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 8:59 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Village Planning Board, after several months of discussion, today recommend to the Village Board that Lyndonville update its zoning ordinance to allow residents to have up to six chickens, but no roosters.
Residents will need to get a permit (a one-time fee of $25), and the chickens are restricted to the rear or backyard of any residential zoning district. Chicken owners will need to submit photos of the cages or coops where the chickens are housed. The cages shall not exceed 32 square feet or be taller than 7 feet.
The cages or coops need to be at least 30 feet from any door or window of a dwelling, school, church or other occupied structure other than the applicant’s dwelling.
The coops or cages also need to be at 5 feet from a side yard property line and more than 18 inches from a rear lot line. No chickens shall be kept in a front yard or side street yard areas, according to the draft ordinance.
An earlier proposal for the ordinance called for residents to have consent of neighbors within 50 feet of the property, but that was scrapped at this afternoon’s meeting of the Planning Board.
Board member Justin Edwards said he supported the ordinance, but didn’t think neighbor approval should be required.
“You don’t have a say if your neighbor gets a dog or puts up a fence,” he said. “I think it sets a very bad precedent (to require neighbor approval for chickens).”
Planning Board Chairman Steve Vann said he wanted to reach a compromise in the ordinance that could be submitted to the Village Board for its consideration. The Village Board asks the Planning Board to recommend a draft ordinance for the village trustees and mayor to review.
Edwards said he couldn’t support a proposal with the neighbor consent required. Board member Virginia Hughes agreed.
The proposed ordinance passed 4-1, with member Terry Chaffee casting the lone opposing vote. He said chickens shouldn’t be allowed in the village.
Village code enforcement officer David Reese said he is concerned neighbors will be upset if the chickens prove to be noisy and smelly.
“We have close quarters in the village,” he said.
The proposed ordinance requires the coops and cages be kept “in a clean, dry and sanitary condition at all times.”
Despite removing the requirement for neighbor approval, the proposed ordinance was called “extremely strict” by Kate Hardner, who has led the effort to have chickens be allowed in Orleans County villages.
“I would not call this loose by any means,” Hardner said during today’s meeting.
Vann said some restrictions are needed for having chickens in the village.
“The neighbors are living with your chickens, too,” he said. “The goal was to find common ground to make it allowable.”
The issue now goes to the Village Board, which next meets 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 for a workshop and then 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 for a regular board meeting.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 7:43 pm
SHELBY – The state comptroller’s office has issued a report of the town’s fiscal affairs since 2021 and found many accounting discrepancies. The comptroller’s office said there is no evidence of missing funds, but the town is not properly reconciling accounts.
The comptroller found $29,993 in unreconciled differences in 2021 out of a $3,233,773 budget, $31,881 in differences in 2022 out of $3,593,795 budget, and $102,712 in unreconciled difference in 2023 out of a $3,665,533 budget. The comptroller’s office said in a report posted on Friday that it couldn’t do reconciliations in 2024 because of incomplete accounting records.
The comptroller’s office said it has tried to get the town supervisor and bookkeeper to make changes since an audit in December 2021, but six of the seven recommendations have not been implemented, and the other recommendation was only partially followed.
Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz was faulted for not providing monthly financial reports from the town supervisor, and not providing proper oversight of the bookkeeper’s work, to make sure the bank accounts and accounting records matched. Wengewicz was appointed town supervisor on Dec. 13, 2022. He applied for the position after Jeff Smith stepped down as town supervisor about two months earlier.
Town bookkeeper Miranda Bennett stood before the Town Board at last Tuesday’s meeting and resigned, effective Aug. 28.
She told the Town Board the past five years working for the town have not been easy, and have taken toll on her health and family.
“I’ve chosen to live a happier life away from the constant drama and finger-pointing,” she told the board on Tuesday, three days before the report from the comptroller was made public. “I’ve learned a long time ago that life is too short to deal with constant harassment and name-calling.”
“I step down knowing I’ve made some lifetime connections that I hope to never break and some that I hope to walk away with my head held high.”
Bennett also served as secretary to town supervisor, human resources manager, and IT program manager. Wengewicz would like her to continue in a part-time role as confidential secretary until a replacement can be found. Wengewicz said at the board meeting he foresees it as 20 hours a week at $22 an hour.
The board last week also hired an accounting firm for the remainder of the year, to make sure the town bills are being paid. The board expects to seek proposals from firms to do the work in 2025.
The comptroller’s report posted on Friday urges the town to “take appropriate actions to fullt implement our recommendations.”
Those recommendations from 2021 include:
• Recommendation 1 (not implemented) – Resolve discrepancies in the town’s accounting records. The town supervisor and bookkeeper could not provide a “reasonable explanation for not correcting the discrepancies in the town’s accounting records,” according to the report from Robin L. Lois, the state’s deputy comptroller.
• Recommendation 2 (not implemented) – Complete bank reconciliations. Neither the town supervisor or bookkeeper performed monthly reconciliations between bank accounts and accounting records, the report states.
The comptroller’s office noted that the town supervisor and bookkeeper attributed accounting discrepancies and unreconciled differences to a change in the accounting system. But the comptroller’s office said the issues existed before the change in an accounting system.
“As the Town’s chief financial officer, the Supervisor is responsible for maintaining complete and accurate accounting records,” the comptroller’s report states. “Without complete and accurate records, the Board and Town officials do not have sufficient information to properly manage and monitor Town financial operations.”
The report notes that two accounts that weren’t reconciled resulted in 28 bank overdraft charges at $38 each, collectively totaling $1,064 from Jan. 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024. In a three-day period, from May 24-26, 2023, an account was overdrawn 16 times because the bookkeeper issued 15 of those checks 12 days before the money needed to cover those checks was transferred and available in the bank account. Another check was issued five days prior to money being transferred into the account.
“Had transfers been made prior to or at the time checks were issued, these overdraft fees would not have been incurred,” the report states. “incurring overdraft fees is an unnecessary cost and form of wasteful spending that could be easily avoided by requiring the bookkeeper to monitor cash flow and to make transfers prior to issuing checks.”
• Recommendation 3 (not implemented) – Review records and reports, and monthly bank reconciliations. The town supervisor did not provide a proper review of the bookkeeper’s reports. In 2023, Town Supervisor Scott Wengewicz did not sign off on the monthly reports from the bookkeeper in 11 of 12 months to indicate he reviewed them.
Wengewicz told comptroller staff he relied on the bookkeeper and reviewed the reports with her. In six of the reports, the beginning balance did not agree with the ending balance from the previous month, according to the comptroller’s report.
“However, had the Supervisor completed a proper review, he likely would have identified those discrepancies,” the report said.
The town supervisor also didn’t generate or review any financial reports for fiscal year 2024 and did not ensure that bank reconciliations were completed, the report said.
• Recommendation 4 (not implemented) – Monthly financial reports to the board. The town supervisor hasn’t been providing monthly financial reports to the other Town Board members, detailing all money received and disbursed.
Two Town Board members, Linda Limina and Ed Zelazny, have been opposing paying town bills due to the lack of accurate financial records and reconciliations of all accounts.
• Recommendation 5 (not implemented) – Annual financial reports to the Office of the State Comptroller. The reports for 2021 and 20022 were filled 60 days late, while 2023 was submitted on time but the amounts for all three years were not supported by accounting records, the comptroller’s office stated.
• Recommendation 6 (partially implemented) – Attend trainings. The town supervisor and bookkeeper both attended trainings but they are not properly performing all of their accounting responsibilities, the report stated.
“We encourage the Supervisor and bookkeeper to apply what they learned from training courses into their daily work, and seek out additional training as needed,” the report stated.
• Recommendation 7 (not implemented) – Implement CPA recommendations. A CPA management letter in 2021 recommended a standard policy that ensures that bank reconciliations be performed and be reviewed on a timely basis. Cash accounts should be reconciled on a routine basis to ensure that all transactions are accounted for, according to the CPA letter, which also urged the town to have a preparer and reviewer sign off on the bank reconciliation.
The comptroller’s office said that neither the town supervisor or bookkeeper prepared proper bank reconciliations, and the Town Board did not adopt a policy requiring bank reconciliations be performed and reviewed on a timely basis by designated town employees.
To see the report from the comptroller’s office, click here.
ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced legislation he co-sponsors to strengthen resources for early cancer detection. He was joined by local leaders in support of the Find It Early Act building upon last week’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling requiring all mammography reports and result letters sent to patients to include an assessment of breast density.
“The recent FDA rule requiring breast density assessments for patients is an important step toward improving the outcomes of breast cancer diagnoses—but sadly, not every woman in our country has access to these essential screening services,” Morelle said. “That’s why I’m advocating for legislation that would increase accessibility and coverage for additional tests. It’s simple: the earlier we can detect cancer, the better. This legislation will help us achieve that goal and save lives.”
Last week, the FDA issued a ruling requiring all mammography reports and result letters sent to patients to include an assessment of breast density. Breast density measures how much fibroglandular tissue there is in a woman’s breast, and higher amounts can make a woman more likely to develop breast cancer and make it more difficult to detect the presence of cancer on a mammogram.
For women with higher breast density or a family history of breast cancer, follow-up screenings are required. Depending on their health insurance, most are forced to pay out of pocket for these additional tests, which can cost more than $1,000. Those who cannot afford this cost often choose to forego or delay these critical screenings, leading to later-stage diagnoses. The Find It Early Act would ensure all health insurance plans cover screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and MRIs with no cost-sharing.
Christina Thompson, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition, said: “While mammograms have never been a perfect diagnostic tool regarding breast cancer, they remain a critical part of an individual’s healthcare plan. We are pleased to see recent legislation focused on improving equity in access, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of income or background, can benefit from these screenings. This step toward greater healthcare equality helps reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. Access for all is essential to improving overall health and survival rates.”
Rep. Morelle also sponsors the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Service (SCREENS) for Cancer Act, to fund life-saving breast and cervical cancer screening services for low-income and underinsured patients, and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, to provide access to support and medical care for individuals with metastatic breast cancer.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 12:55 pm
The leaves are starting to change color in Orleans County and in several upstate regions.
The first 2024 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York State includes reports from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions.
That first report from last week states the Adirondacks, Catskills, Thousand Island-Seaway, Capital-Saratoga, Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Greater Niagara regions “are all beginning to show indication of autumn’s brilliant palette,” according to the report from Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.
It’ s still early in the foliage season, with 5 to 25 percent foliage change in some regions and just touches of seasonal colors in other areas, according to the report.
Leaves are starting to change color on this tree next to a private bridge along the canal in Albion between Main Street and Gaines Basin Road. This photo was taken on Sunday afternoon.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 12:08 pm
The commander of the State Police substation in Albion is in critical condition after suffering severe injuries on Friday in Niagara County.
Sgt. Salvatore A. Mattina, a 10-year veteran of the State Police, was operating a State Police Harley-Davidson for a safety/dry run for the Mercy Flight-Western New York Dice Run.
Mattina was eastbound on Route 93 at about 1:23 p.m. That’s when a 2010 Chevrolet operated by Anastassia Radell, 69 of Youngstown, exited the Niagara Scenic Parkway northbound onto State Route 93. Radell failed to yield the right of way and was struck Mattina, State Police said.
Mattina was transported to the Erie County Medical Center.
“Sgt/Station Commander Mattina has sustained very serious injuries, including multiple fractures, internal bleeding, and organ damage,” State Police stated in a press release. “The extent of these injuries especially the broken bones in his face, arm, pelvis, right leg tibia, fibula, right ankle, sternum, along with the internal bleeding and brain injury makes it clear that he’s going through a critical and complex medical situation with multiple surgeries ahead.”
Radell was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital with minor injuries. No intoxication was detected, State Police said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 September 2024 at 8:57 am
Photos courtesy of Becky Persons: Community Acton of Orleans and Genesee was presented with donations of cash and toys from ABATE on Sunday as a result of their annual toy run. Pictured from left include Chuck Persons, president of ABATE in Orleans County; Katrina Standish, director of community services and reporting for Community Action; and Ricky Standish, Community Action’s facility manager.
MEDINA – The Orleans County Chapter of ABATE held its annual toy run on Sunday, with 20 bikers riding 50 miles in the county.
The trip started at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and ended at the VFW in Medina. About 45 people were part of the event and they contributed more than $600 and also donated toys to Community Action of Orleans and Genesee for the organization’s annual toy drive for local families.
ABATE member Al Schumacher dressed as Santa for the ride.
ABATE has been doing the toy run for about 40 years. Here some of the participants head out for the start of the 50-mile journey.
HOLLEY/CLARENDON – Mathematical problem: A cow yields 7 gallons of milk daily. It takes about ten pounds or 1.25 gallons of cow’s milk to make a pound of cheese.
How many cows will be needed to supply milk for a cheese factory manufacturing 1,000 pounds of cheese daily?
Though Central New York emerged as the center of cheesemaking in New York state, two small facilities in eastern Orleans manufactured popular cheese in the early 1900s.
In a 1952 article, Ray Tuttle, a columnist with the Holley Standard, traced the cheese-making tradition in Holley back to the descendants of immigrants from Somerset County in southeast England, the “home” of cheddar cheese. George Tuttle, Ray’s grandfather, was one such descendant. Ray wrote that his grandfather, George, made the first local cheddar at his farm on Telegraph Road, north of Holley. About 1897, George began making cheese in Clarendon, on the Fourth Section Road.
The Holley Cheese Factory was established in 1892. Elmer Tuttle, Ray’s father was a cheesemaker there, as was F.W. “Fred” Church who was also the general manager. The facility, which also produced butter, quickly doubled its output but could not keep pace with the demand.
In 1905, the factory produced 114,289 pounds of cheese which sold for an average of 12.03 cents per pound, for a total of $13,757.17.
Ad in the Brockport Republican, May 1906
George H. “Herb” Keople, a Cattaraugus County cheesemaker, was appointed manager of the Holley Cheese Company in 1912. Three years later he built the Clarendon Brand Cheese factory on Hulberton Road.
The Holley plant closed – a newspaper article in 1917 mentioned that seven guardsmen from Tonawanda were headquartered at the “old Holley Cheese Factory.” Their duty was to guard the canal embankment between the two bridges at Holley.
This cheese factory was located on Hulberton Road in Clarendon.
During peak season – May and June – the Clarendon facility produced 1,000 pounds of cheddar cheese daily. Driving a Chevy truck, Herb Keople picked up milk from the local small dairy farmers. He would make about thirty stops, in the Clarendon and Barre areas. He employed several cheesemakers at the plant: brothers Tracy and Eddie Smith and Alfred Davis.
Only whole milk was used and at that time it would have been unpasteurized. Once produced, the cheese was placed on curing shelves – three weeks for a new cheese and up to six months for cheese with a stronger flavor. It was sold in wooden boxes which contained 35 lbs. of cheese. Clarendon cheese was very popular and was shipped throughout the country. By all accounts, it had a distinctive “tang” or “zest” which was attributed to the limestone prevalent in the Clarendon water. Milk is 87% water.
Celebrating the factory’s 25th anniversary in 1940, Mr. Keople noted that Clarendon Brand Cheese was one of the few remaining independently operated cheese factories in New York State. However, it could not compete with market forces. Larger cheese manufacturers offered to pay the farmer more per gallon, so Clarendon Brand Cheese lost its raw material and closed in 1944.
Democrat & Chronicle advertisement, 1943.
Answer to question at top: The milk yield from 180 cows would be needed to produce 1,000 pounds of cheese.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters
HILTON – The Medina Mustang Band competed for the first time this season when they traveled to Hilton on Saturday. Nine bands performed in competition on a beautiful fall day.
The Medina band was led onto the field by drum major Makenzie McGrath and they performed their show, “Reflections.” Medina is in the SS1 class and they came in 2nd place with a score of 72.65 while East Irondequoit came in 1st with 78.25.
In LS3 class Hilton earned 1st place with 66.35; in LS2, Orchard Park earned 1st place at 74.65; in the National class, Victor was 1st with 76.15.
Medina’s next performance is Saturday, Sept. 21, which is their home show at Veterans’ Memorial Park when 10 field show bands will perform in competition. It’s a great opportunity to see the Medina band and not have to travel far. The gates open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6.
HOLLEY/CLARENDON – Mathematical problem: A cow yields 7 gallons of milk daily. It takes about ten pounds or 1.25 gallons of cow’s milk to make a pound of cheese.
