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Whether you have Diabetes or not, here are some helpful nutrition and lifestyle tips

Posted 24 May 2022 at 2:00 pm

By Chrissy Krueger RN, RD, CDN, CDCES,
Diabetes Education Specialist, Oak Orchard Health

Let us start by talking about diabetes since I am a Diabetes Educator, at Oak Orchard Health and have been a registered nurse and dietitian for 15 years. Much of this information will be helpful whether you have diabetes or not. I will also discuss nutrition tips that are helpful to everyone.

Two main types of Diabetes

With type 1 diabetes, genetics and viruses are often the main reasons why people get this. With type 1 diabetes, your own immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. This is a problem as no one can live without insulin. Insulin is key to helping our bodies obtain energy. Type 1 diabetes most often affects younger people, but it can also be found in people in their 30s-40s and even older.

Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes; some risk factors include family history, age above 35, and high blood pressure. Two main things are going on with type 2 diabetes. Your insulin doesn’t work the way it should and over time, you may not make enough insulin. Both these factors make it difficult for your body to obtain energy and lead to high blood sugars.

What does weight have to do with it?

Two risk factors found in many people with type 2 diabetes are also very common among people living in America today. You guessed it! Being overweight and inactive. Per the CDC 73.6% of adults and 22% of adolescents are overweight/obese. Physical activity stats are not much better. Only 23% of adults are meeting the physical activity guidelines, which is very similar to our younger folks.

Just having a diagnosis of diabetes puts you at increased risk of heart disease. Not surprisingly being overweight/obese also places you at higher risk.

What you eat helps control diabetes

Eating heart-healthy foods is one of the key tools to managing your diabetes. It also is effective for disease prevention. There is no diabetic diet currently endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. Overall, your nutrition plan should be individualized, so it fits within your lifestyle. Yes, it is true carbohydrates do affect your blood sugar more than other nutrients. However, carbs are your main source of energy for your body. So, what is a person with diabetes supposed to do? Include healthy carbs, spread your intake of carbs throughout the day, pay attention to the portion size, and have balanced meals.

For diabetes, we often review the meal planning method called carb counting. In this plan, you learn what foods are high in carbs, and what is a portion, and then learn to have a consistent amount at each meal. By following this type of plan, you will have blood sugars that are more predictable. Another type of plan commonly used is called the plate method. It is based on a 9-inch plate. Half your plate should include non-starchy veggies, ¼ is for starch and ¼ is for protein.

For people on insulin pumps or 3-4 injections of insulin per day, some learn how to adjust the insulin to the number of carbs they will eat. This gives people much more flexibility in their eating habits.

Carbohydrates are not necessarily bad for you

For everyone out there, carbs are not bad, just like fat and protein are not bad if eaten in moderation. They make up our nutrients and nutrients are what we all need to live on. It is true; however, if you have diabetes, it is important to pay attention to the number of carbs you eat. Instead of eliminating an entire food group, work on including a variety of heart-healthy food choices most often and limit your intake of less healthy ones. With diabetes, you can really have your cake and eat it too! Just do not eat the whole cake whoever you are!

This article gives you a peek at diabetes and nutrition. There is so much more to know so if you have questions, talk with your primary care physician or a diabetes educator.

GCC seeks nominations for Alumni Hall of Fame

Posted 17 May 2022 at 1:23 pm

Press Release, Genesee Community College Foundation

BATAVIA – The Genesee Community College Foundation invites nominations for its Alumni Hall of Fame, which recognizes graduates who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community.

The GCC Foundation intends to induct the next class of nominees during the fall of 2022 semester.

“We encourage those who know outstanding graduates to nominate them now,” said Lori Aratari, Alumni Hall of Fame chair. “We know there are a lot of deserving graduates out there, and we are eager to honor more of GCC’s best and brightest.”

Nomination forms can be downloaded from GCC’s Foundation website by clicking here or email Foundation@genesee.edu.

GCC introduced the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007. In over 14 years, the college has recognized 43 outstanding graduates in a variety of fields, from law enforcement to economic development.

“The success of these graduates serves as an inspiration to all of us here at the college and the community at large,” Aratari said.

The criteria for nominating an individual to the Alumni Hall of Fame are based on the individual’s contributions to his or her profession, distinguished service to the community and/or service to Genesee Community College. Nominees must be well-established in their professional lives, having completed their GCC degree at least ten years prior to nomination.

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee. New inductees will be honored at a reception, and their photo and a short biography will be displayed in the Alumni Hall of Fame, located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building.

Albion honors 38 soon-to-be-grads with GPAs at 90 or higher

Photo courtesy of Albion Central School: The group of honor grads are pictured in the high school gym after a dinner catered by Zambistro in Medina. This is the first time the event was held at the gym. Previously it was at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Holley.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2022 at 5:14 pm

ALBION – The district honored soon-to-be graduates on Thursday who have attained grade point averages at 90 percent or higher during the four years of high school. The students were recognized at the annual Academic Honors Convocation Dinner.

The event is normally held at Hickory Ridge Country Club but this time was held in a transformed high school gym with food catered by Zambistro in Medina.

There are 38 seniors at a 90 percent GPA or higher, including: Alicia Allen, Carson Bader, James Beach, Katelyn Beach, Valentina Beato Herrera, Olivia Bieber, Lauren Brooks, Elisa Bropst, Jeffrey Brown, Collin Capurso, Hannah Coolbaugh, Nicolina Creasey, Angel Cruz Cruz, Ann Faery, Ethan Ferchen, Jacob Foote, Rowan Ford, Tyler Gibson, Emily Graham, Kenzi Hapeman, Emily Harling, Samantha Johnson, Leah Kania, Adrian Kingdollar, Alyson Knaak, Kyle Kuehne, Charley London, Allison Mathes, Sydney Mulka, Hannah Papponetti, Leah Pritchard, Reuben Rivers, Belen Rosario Soto, Aurora Serafin, Aidan Smith, Paris Smith, Presley Smith and Colleen Usselman.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Valentina Beato Herrera, one of the honor grads, is congratulated by Board of Education member David Sidari. Other board members from left include Margy Brown, Kathy Harling and Kurt Schmitt.

The gym turned into a venue for the meal and awards presentation.

Greg Madejski, Ph.D, the Class of 2006 valedictorian at Albion, gives the keynote message to this year’s honor grads advice on Thursday during an Academic Honors Convocation Dinner. Madejski urged the group to be problem solvers and make a plan for action.

The keynote speaker for the event was Class of 2006 valedictorian Greg Madejski, who works on biomedical problems.

He earned a degree in microelectronic engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2010 and earned his PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Rochester in 2018.

He is a laboratory engineer for the Integrated Nano Systems Center at the University of Rochester.

Madejski also is the co-founder and CEO of Parverio, a company focused on combating nanoplastic contamination. That company researches detecting microplastics in water.

Madejski enjoys climbing, singing with the Rochester Oratorio Society and is a cantor at the Holy Family Parish in Albion.

He urged the honor grads to be problem solvers.

“I encourage you to not rest on your laurels because there’s so many interesting problems out there, and we need your help,” Madejski said.

A key component of being a problem solver: curiosity. “How does this thing work? What does this one thing do when I change inputs?” he said. “How can this be done better?”

He shared how he was working in a research lab and accidentally breathed on a chip when it was close to his face. He wouldn’t recommend that.

It was a humid that day. His breath opened a new fabrication strategy and that process went on to detect over a million pieces of DNA in a row, a record for the time. He learned to observe and make changes in a process.

Madejski said being a problem solver means taking care of yourself – and being honest with yourself. He said at times he has struggled with anxiety and depression. He focuses his time on activities that bring him joy.

He recommended to the grads they have a plan, and ask for help when they need it.

He urged them to run the risk of being wrong and of being unpopular.

“I can say without reservation that the education I received here allowed me to navigate college, graduate school and studies abroad in another culture,” Madejski said. “You have a fine quality of education to compete and excel in a variety of settings. What you do with your well-earned knowledge and learning will matter more than simply gaining it. I challenge you to be an active problem solver wherever they arise in your lives and for our community.”

Emily Harling shakes hands with board member Wayne Wadhams after receiving a certificate for earning a GPA at 90 percent or higher. Parents of the graduates then presented them with their honor cords.

The seniors have fun singing Albion’s alma mater. The Class of 2022 is set to graduate with an outdoor ceremony at the football field on June 24 with June 25 reserved as a rain date.

The four other districts in Orleans County – Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – will honor their top 10 graduates during a program on June 14 at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.

Holley library celebrating 75th anniversary this year with art show, many events

Posted 12 May 2022 at 10:37 am

Press Release, Community Free Library in Holley

HOLLEY – To celebrate its Diamond Jubilee (aka 75th anniversary of service to the community), the Community Free Library is planning a variety of events to be timed to coincide with the Holley June Fest on June 4.

Ahead of the activities planned during June Fest is a raffle – a floral arrangement sprouting gift cards totaling more than $300. These gift cards are not only for Holley businesses such as Dustin’s and Sam’s, but include Lowes, TJ Max, Sara’s Garden, Red Lobster, Chili’s, the Outback, Wild Flour and more – something for every taste.

Need to fix something around the home? Want to go out to eat? Need flowers for your garden? All of these are possible for the lucky winner. Tickets are currently on sale in the library, and are $2 each or three for $5. The drawing will be held at the end of the day on June 4. Don’t miss your chance to win!

Starting June 27 and running concurrent with June Fest will be an art show presenting the works of three local artists – Tony Barry, Debra Mignano and Ken Claus in the library board room. Many of these art works are also available for sale. An exhibit of children’s art from the classes of Ken Claus – art works that reflect the joy children feel when working in different media – will be on view in the Library Children’s Room.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during June Fest, there will be an “Outrageous Book Sale” where participants can bring a bag from home and fill it to the top with books, DVDs and other items on sale – all for only $1. For those who want to add more to their home library, they can bring a box and fill it to overflowing for $3.

Historic Childs: Musical Instruments – Part 3 – The Melodeons

Posted 9 May 2022 at 8:27 am

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 3 No. 12

GAINES – As we mentioned in an earlier article, the Cobblestone Museum musical instrument collection has been enriched with a variety of artifacts that represent by-gone eras of musical entertainment.

The Museum is actually quite fortunate to have in its possession two historic Melodeons. The first melodeon came to the collection in 2010 from Kent, NY and the second one came a decade later from the Fancher family in 2020.

During the latter half of the 19th century, Buffalo, NY was described as the “Melodeon Capital of the World,” which is odd considering many folks from this area today probably don’t even know what a melodeon is. By definition, a melodeon is a small, reed organ with up to a five- or six-octave keyboard, usually housed in a piano-like cabinet.

The melodeon’s popularity in 19th century homes even exceeded that of the piano, which was more costly to produce and required frequent tuning. The melodeon produces its sound by drawing air in through suction produced by a foot pedal bellows, the air then passes over metal reeds, to produce specific musical notes, all without the need for tuning.

The Buffalo connection was forged through the partnership of Jeremiah Carhart and Elias Needham, working under the employ of George A. Prince & Co. Music Store at 200 Main Street, Buffalo. Their patent in 1846 solved several deficiencies found in earlier melodeon versions, hence their model became known as the “Improved Melodeon” as shown above.

The Cobblestone Universalist Church probably used an early melodeon, historically, to provide accompaniment for congregational singing. The Universalist congregation found here in the 19th century had ceased regular services in the church in the 1890s, when the parishioners moved to their new Pullman Memorial Church in Albion.

Daniel Heater of Kent donated a melodeon and stool to the Cobblestone Museum in 2010. On this instrument, players must continuously pump the right foot pedal to power the bellows while playing the keyboard. The left foot pedal is for volume control.

On some melodeons the legs are collapsible so that they could easily be moved. One local family in the past folded the legs up under their melodeon and loaded it on to their sleigh to take it to a gathering in order to have music. Unfortunately the museum’s melodeon is not currently playable, but it is still a lovely example of a popular instrument of the times and is a great addition to the museum’s collection.

Fancher House, South Main Street, Albion, circa 1905

More recently, the Museum was fortunate to receive another, albeit smaller, melodeon that harkens back to the “Fancher House” in Albion, having been passed down from Ida Baldwin Fancher (1858-1929), wife of Rev. Edward Fancher, and then to Mrs. Archie (Irene Hayes) Fancher (1897-1940). In 2020, Sandra Fancher-Bastedo donated her Fancher family heirloom to the Museum for posterity, on behalf of her siblings, children and many extended family members.

The Fancher melodeon, stands approximately 30″ high, 30″ wide, and 14″ deep, has a four-octave range with ivory keys. The bellows are attached beneath the keyboard and are pumped using the musician’s knees instead of feet.

In his book, “Trivial Tales,” author Bill Lattin tells a story about a certain Irishman who was his great-grandfather’s tenant in 1880. Lattin knew that the Irish family was hard up and needed whatever help they could get. He approached the Poormaster and explained the family’s dire straits. (At that time, before our current Social Service system, each town selected a Poormaster who made the decisions on who in that town should receive public assistance.)

The Poormaster agreed to check in on the Irish family. A few weeks later, Lattin inquired once again of the Poormaster who offered the following reasoning for not extending public assistance to the Irish family. He said, “I went to see them, but we can’t help them, they have a melodeon in the house.”

His reasoning was, if they could afford a melodeon, they didn’t need assistance. But actually, the story just goes to show the universal appeal and affordability of the simple melodeon in the 19th century household, unlike its more expensive cousin, the piano or reed organ. The Irish family’s melodeon may well have been acquired second hand, or even been given to them at little or no cost. By 1880, reed organs were replacing the melodeon as the instrument of choice.

Author’s Note throws big celebration on Independent Bookstore Day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 May 2022 at 8:17 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ammi-Joan Paquette, an author from Boston, greets book lovers on Saturday at Author’s Note in Medina as part of an Independent Bookstore Day celebration.

Paquette was one of six published authors featured during the day, which also included many prizes at the store on Main Street.

Author’s Note was one of about 900 independent bookstores in the country celebrating the day.

The nationwide event was started in 2013 by the American Booksellers Association to promote and highlight the value of independent bookstores and their impacts upon local communities.

A steady crowd of people visited the store at 519 Main St. throughout the day. Julie Berry, a Medina native and author of several books, owns the store.

Author’s Note was part of its first-ever Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday and celebrated with a theme, “A Bookstore is a Candy Store for the Mind.”

“Independent Bookstore Day gives us a megaphone to proclaim the difference we make in our communities,” Berry said. “Indie bookstores return two and a half to four times as much revenue to their local economies as chains do. We add whimsy, culture and variety to downtown shopping districts. And we work hard to foster literacy and reading for all ages, and especially for kids in our communities.”

These authors greeted Author’s Note customers on Saturday and signed books. From left include Ammi-Joan Paquette of Boston, Keely Hutton of Rochester and Dee Romito of Buffalo. Other authors at the store on Saturday included Bree Barton of Ithaca, Kate Karyus Quinn of Buffalo and Julie Berry of Medina.

Bank publication in 1934 highlighted Barre as gateway to mucklands

Posted 30 April 2022 at 9:14 pm

Barre Center Public School, Albion Midlander, 1934

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 15

Enos Rice and George Culver, Barre residents. Albion Midlander, 1934

BARRE CENTER – Bank publications are not typically thought of as a source of local history – with the rare exception of the Albion Midlander, a monthly publication of the Orleans County Trust Company from 1933 – 1937. Each four-page issue contained photographs and short articles on a variety of Orleans County related topics, from Point Breeze to Barre, quail raising to racoon farming.

Banking and financial information was not neglected. The July 1933 issue contained an article on banking by mail which was promoted as a safe convenient way for people who lived in the country to handle their financial affairs. An article on check cashing noted that the use of checks had become commonplace as a medium for the everyday transfer of money and explained the procedures for processing out-of-town checks. The March 1934 issue included the annual statement of the Orleans County Trust Company, its total resources were $2,313,010.75.

The April 1934 issue featured Barre Center, which was described as the northern gateway to the fertile Genesee-Orleans mucklands. The most important factor in the early growth of “the Center” was the Oak Orchard Road, which was reserved by the Holland Land Company as a public road, four rods wide and which was initially the main travel route to Oak Orchard Harbor. Following the completion of the Erie Canal, it became the main route for the transportation of goods and produce to Albion.

A tract of land about a mile and a half south of Barre Center had been drained in the previous 25 years and this fertile soil produced lettuce, onions, potatoes, carrots, spinach and turnips which were shipped to Buffalo, Cleveland, Philadelphia and New York.

Barre Center had a population of 250. Business places in the village included:

Phillips & Son General Store,
Homer J. Dawley, General Store,
Orleans County Canning Company
John Benthin & Son Evaporator
S. Elton Miller Garage
Albion Oil Company Garage, Bruce Clapp mgr.

The article noted that many of the people and businesses in and about Barre Center used the banking facilities of the Orleans County Trust Company.

Barre Center Grange No. 1026. Albion Midlander, 1934

Orleans County Canning Company, Barre. Albion Midlander, 1934.

Wendell Phillips, Barre Town Clerk (left) and Homer J. Dawley, Barre. Albion Midlander, 1934

Photograph of John Benthin & Son’s Evaporator, Barre. Albion Midlander, 1934

Volunteers took on many tasks during Day of Caring

Provided photos: Volunteers from Velociti and CRFS , who couldn’t take off work on Friday, came to Supportive Care of Orleans County (Hospice) on Saturday to weed and care of the yard and memorial garden.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2022 at 1:56 pm

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Emegriz Ryan, left, and Gina Burns, both employees of Baxter Healthcare, hold their goodie bags they received as volunteers for Day of Caring on Friday.

More than 100 volunteers gave up their day Friday to participate in United Way of Orleans County’s annual Day of Caring, and another group volunteered on Saturday to help with the garden at Supportive Care of Orleans.

United Way director Dean Bellack welcomed the volunteers on Friday who then enjoyed breakfast before embarking on their assignments.

United Way’s board president Jackie Gardner added her welcome and thanked the volunteers.

“You have no idea how important the work you are doing is to our agencies,” Gardner said. “I work for Community Action, which is supported by United Way, and we depend heavily on volunteers. We couldn’t do the work we do for the community without volunteers. I come to this event every year and every year there are more of you. I am so humbled by your support.”

Bellack also introduced United Way’s grant writer Matt Holland; Robert Batt, director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, who provided the space for meeting; and Katie Leach, coordinator of the Digital Literacy project at Cooperative Extension.

Volunteers came from numerous organizations throughout the county, including Baxter, Orleans Community Health, GCASA, Orleans County Mental Health, Community Action, Albion FFA, Medina Lions, Medina High School, Self Advocacy All Stars, Takeform, Albion Correctional Facility and Medina Sandstone Society.

Volunteers did a variety of tasks, from painting decks and folding clothes to shredding paper and working in flower beds.

Project sites were the ARC’s Camp Rainbow, ARC’s Orleans Enterprises, Community Action, Head Start, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Main Street Store, YMCA, Project Stork, Medina Historical Society, P Raising Kids, Medina Railroad Museum and Bullard Park.

CRFS employees who volunteered at Hospice on Saturday were Steve Mowers (president), Libby Bentley, Dena Pogue and Rose Friedl with her two children. Second from left is Nyla Gaylord, event coordinator at United Way of Orleans County, who arranged breakfast at Hospice for the volunteers.

Emegriz Ryan from Baxter Healthcare said she volunteered last year and had such a good time helping to clean the playground at the former Towne School.

“I like helping people, not only at work, but outside in the community,” she said.

Gina Burns, who came with her, said this was her first year volunteering. She saw the information posted on the bulletin board at work and wanted to help.

“Besides, Emegriz said it would be a lot of fun,” Burns said.

Diana Fulcomer from GCASA was sent to paint at the Medina Railroad Museum. In the past she was volunteer coordinator for the Museum’s Day Out With Thomas, so getting to help at the museum made her feel right at home, she said.

Volunteers from Velociti spent Saturday working in the yard at Supportive Care of Orleans County (Hospice). Velociti members were Desiree Dunn, Brenda Jo Nanni, Hailey Engel, Deanna Mangiola, Dorothy Wilson, Polly Morien and Nichole Lewis.

This year’s Day of Caring was one of the most successful in United Way of Orleans County’s history. Not only did an amazing number of volunteers show up on Friday, but another crew from CRFS and Velociti arrived on Saturday when they were unable to leave work on Friday.

Nyla Gaylord, event coordinator at United Way, coordinated their efforts on Saturday and arranged for breakfast to be served at Supportive Care before they started work.

“We are blessed to have such community support,” Bellack said. “How happy Hospice is because we went to the extra effort to get them a work crew on Saturday.”

Steve Mowers, president of CRFS, led his team which volunteered at Hospice.

“I want them to learn the importance of helping others,” Mowers said.

The group weeded and mulched the Memorial Garden.

“This garden is special to everybody and we want it to be nice,” said Maggie Stewart, director of development at Supportive Care.

“We are so grateful for all of the volunteers who came to help us out Saturday morning,” said Julie Kumiega, director of Supportive Care. “Our volunteers and the community’s continued support allow us to help our neighbors in need.”

Kumiega added they have plenty of volunteer opportunities available during the summer, including the Holley June Fest on June 4, Albion Strawberry Festival June 9 and 10, the annual golf tournament July 20, Orleans’ Toast to Hospice on Aug. 27, the ninth annual car show Sept. 10 and a memory walk in October.

In addition to Saturday’s special crew, Friday’s volunteers came from Takeform, Self Advocacy All Stars, Albion Correctional Facility, Baxter Healthcare, GCASA, Medina Sandstone Society, Orleans Community Health, Orleans County Mental Health, Community Action, Albion FFA and Medina High School.

Self-Advocacy All Stars painted the shed for the Main Street Store in Albion. Pictured include Tyler, James, Duane, Jonathan Doherty, ARC GLOW employee Karen Appleman and Mike Woodard.

Author’s Note in Medina will celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday

Posted 27 April 2022 at 11:28 am

These authors will be part of the independent book store celebration on Saturday – from left to right, and top to bottom include Bree Barton (Ithaca); Dee Romito (Buffalo); Kate Karyus Quinn (Buffalo); Keely Hutton (Rochester); Ammi-Joan Paquette (Boston, Mass.); and Julie Berry (Medina).

Press Release, Author’s Note

MEDINA – Author’s Note, Medina’s independent bookstore located at 519 Main Street, joins nearly 900 independent bookstores around the country in celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday with a roster of visiting authors and other celebratory activities.

The nationwide event, first conceived in 2013 by the American Booksellers Association, promotes, celebrates, and highlights the value of independent bookstores and their impacts upon local communities.

Author’s Note’s self-chosen theme for their first-ever Independent Bookstore Day is “A Bookstore is a Candy Store for the Mind.”

“It goes without saying,” says owner and author Julie Berry, “there will be quite a bit of candy at Author’s Note that day. Please, come take it off our hands.”

Author’s Note’s IBD celebration includes author visits in Medina and Royalton-Hartland schools in the days leading up to Independent Bookstore Day. Ithaca-based author Bree Barton will travel to the area to present her newest novel, Zia Erases the World, to students at both schools.

Bree Barton will be the first featured author at Saturday’s celebration, signing books and greeting fans from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by Buffalo-based authors Dee Romito and Kate Karyus Quinn from noon to 1:30, then Rochester-area author Keely Hutton and Boston-area author and literary agent Ammi-Joan Paquette from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Author Julie Berry, the owner of Author’s Note, will be available throughout the day to sign books and greet guests. All the visiting authors will serve as “guest booksellers,” recommending favorite titles from the store.

Throughout the day, games, drawings, and giveaways will be available for customers of all ages, with several IBD-exclusive items supplied by the American Booksellers Association for sale or giveaway that day only.

“Independent Bookstore Day gives us a megaphone to proclaim the difference we make in our communities,” Berry said. “Indie bookstores return two and a half to four times as much revenue to their local economies as chains do. We add whimsy, culture, and variety to downtown shopping districts. And we work hard to foster literacy and reading for all ages, and especially for kids in our communities.”

Volunteers critical to 4-H program in Orleans County

Posted 20 April 2022 at 3:21 pm

Editor:

The Orleans County 4-H program would not be able to fully function without our dedicated and talented volunteers. Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension is celebrating its volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 17-23.

4-H volunteers are involved in a wide variety of tasks. Some come one day a year to help evaluate youth at events such as Public Presentations or Produced in New York. Others are club leaders who are involved in programming year-round. Others are highly involved in helping with the 4-H Fair each July. The time commitment varies, but volunteers share their talents and interests with the next generation.

A few of our volunteers recently shared reasons why they give their time so generously to positive youth development in our community.

Zack Welker of Medina began as a 4-H volunteer in 2015 as leader of the Beef and Dairy Club. He has also served on the Animal Welfare and Fair committees and is the current president of the OCCCE Board of Directors. Zack grew up in 4-H, which opened many doors for him, and as a 4-H Leader he can help shape and give back to the next generation.

Floyd Young of Kent co-leads the Outback Orleans Outdoors Club with Dale Frasier. Both are parents of 4-Hers and stepped forward to lead the club just before the Covid shutdown in 2020. They waited more than a year to take the necessary NYS 4-H Shooting Sports training so that the club could be fully active again. Floyd says club members choose the activities and skills they want to focus on with safety as the priority. He says it’s important that youth be active outdoors, and 4-H is also an opportunity for parents to learn and interact with their children.

The Orleans 4-H Program is grateful for newer volunteers like Zack and Floyd. There are also volunteers who have served for decades – Pauline Lanning of Albion is one of the longest at 55 years. Pauline was a club leader, Senior Council advisor/leader and continues to help as a member of the Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee (FCSPDC).

Many long-time volunteers were 4-Hers growing up. Robyn Watts of Medina was a 4-Her, her children were 4-Hers, and now her grandchildren are 4-Hers. Robyn says she appreciates the support and information provided through Cooperative Extension. She says parents often stay to help during club meetings. Robyn currently leads the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club and is chair of the FCSPDC.

Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville has served as a volunteer, club leader and program development committee member for more than four decades. She says 4-H has always been on the cutting edge of issues like going green and organic gardening. She appreciates being able to provide opportunities for youth and has fond memories of the many 4-H award trips that offered local youth the chance to visit new places and meet new people.

Louise Henderson of Barre and her daughter Alice Mathes, also of Barre, are decades-long volunteers who are club leaders and members of the FCSPDC. They like that 4-H emphasizes learning by doing and that youth receive lots of experience in hands-on, actual reality. Alice remembers 4-H youth were able to change the tire of an Extension van years ago when they were traveling to a state-level 4-H Dairy event in the days when there were no cell phones. Louise now has great-grandchildren in the 4-H Program who she says are also gaining valuable life skills while participating in 4-H.

A huge thank-you to all our volunteers in the Orleans County 4-H Program. You are making a huge difference in the lives of our youth and we appreciate you!

Kristina Gabalski

4-H Program Coordinator, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension

Medina Police Advisory Committee members see benefits in group, urge feedback from public

Posted 19 April 2022 at 7:24 pm

Editor:

I would like to introduce our community to the newly formed Medina Police Advisory Committee. We are a group of community members chosen by the Medina Village Board to serve on the committee and our mission is to act as a liaison between the Village Board, the community, the Police Department and other interested parties in an effort to assist all parties by presenting a professional police force while being mindful of taxpayer expenditures.

This committee was formed at the recommendation of the Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. We encourage residents of Medina to reach out to us with questions, comments, suggestions or issues regarding community policing. We are here to help facilitate and encourage positive interactions between our Police Department and the community. Our email address is medinapoliceadvisorycommitteeffigmail.com. Or, feel free to reach out to any of our committee members.

Chad Kenward, Medina Police Department, Chief of Police: “I am in my 19th year with the Medina Police Department as an officer, and for the past 6 years, as the Chief of Police. I also served as SRO in the Medina School District for 8 years. I was a member on the original Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative that created the Police Advisory Committee. Being on this committee, it is my hope to continue the ideals presented by the initial committee to promote a healthy environment regarding police and community relations; making Medina a better place to live.”
Todd Draper, Medina Police Department, Lieutenant.: “I am in my 19th year at MPD. I was previously a K-9 handler and still stay involved in the program as a maintenance trainer. I also oversee our department’s training to include providing instruction in many areas including Firearms, Taser, Spike Strips and Emergency Vehicle Operations. Recently, I graduated from a 10-week leadership training course at the National Academy, hosted by the FBI. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We enjoy camping, sports and being outside. I have been an assistant coach in many local sports including football and baseball and am actively involved as a Scout leader. I was born and raised in Medina and graduated from Medina High School. I am an Army Veteran and was deployed to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. My involvement with the Reform and Police Advisory Committees are due to my position at the MPD but I believe strongly in the work we are doing. I feel that the law enforcement community and the public need to grow together instead of moving apart.”
Jovannie Canales, Paster/Spiritual Leader, Second Church True Disciples of Jesus Christ A.G.: “I am a Hispanic pastor/spiritual leader in this beautiful Village of Medina. As a member of the Police Advisory Committee, I have the opportunity to work with other members and the Police Department in finding effective ways to communicate information to the public. We also work together to brainstorm ideas for community policing that will increase the department’s presence in our community. As a Hispanic/minority, I am beyond blessed to be a part of this committee. It is an honor to be a voice that bridges the gap in our village while promoting a healthy relationship between the MPD and our community members.”
Danielle Figura, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Director of Orleans County Department of Mental Health: “I have worked in Orleans County for the past eight years and recently relocated to the Village of Medina from the Buffalo area to live in the community I work in. I look forward to bringing my professional background along with my personal interests to the Medina Police Advisory Committee while building and promoting relationships between our local law enforcement officers and our community.”
Debbie Fuller, Co-owner of Pudgie’s Veggies and 25-year public service employee: “I have made a career out of service to the public sector in several criminal justice agencies and have a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration with a concentration in Leadership and Staff Development. I joined this committee because I wanted to give back to my community by using my education and experience in the criminal justice field to help build positive community/police relations.”
Jessica Marciano, Member of the Medina Village Board: “l moved to Medina with my wife in 2017, and we now have a 3-year-old daughter. I am passionate about connecting the community with the resources available to it, and this includes fostering a relationship between the police department and ail residents. With this committee, I am working to develop and support opportunities to have productive dialogue. This is a special community and I am excited to be a part of the growth that will take place from this endeavor.”
Jacquie Chinn, Owner of Lyric & Lizzy Boutique and Lyncoln Bears & Buddies: “As a business owner, I am invested in the prosperity of our community and the people in it. I served on the initial Committee on Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative and wanted to continue working to build community/police relations by serving on the Police Advisory Committee. I believe it takes a Village to raise our children and am committed to creating a safe community for all residents. We need our police and our police need us.”
Donnell Holloway: “I was born and raised in Medina graduating from Medina High School, then, obtained my Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Brockport. I currently work as a Production Supervisor at Tesla and live in Medina with my 2 children. I love our community and want to be a part of the direction we are going in. The Police Advisory Committee provides a great opportunity to do just that. We work hand-in-hand with members of the Medina PD finding creative ways to improve community policing, be a voice for the community and plan events that allow for members of the community to interact with members of the Police force. Every town should have a police advisory committee and it’s an honor to be a part of the only active one in the area.”
Heather Jackson, Senior Probation Officer at Orleans County Probation: “I have worked in Orleans County for 14 years and feel my professional background is helpful in giving me different perspectives from ail of the agencies I interact with. I graduated from Medina High School, and after 10 years in the Air Force on Active Duty, I returned to Medina and completed my enlistment as a Reservist retiring in 2016. I have been an active member of the community through a variety of programs to include Boy Scouts, AYSO, Little League, One Church, Powder Puff, Medina Marching Band and the Medina/Lyndonville plays. I joined the Police Advisory Committee to help improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community. I feel that working together will be essential to bettering that relationship and I am happy to be a part of it.”
Mark Kruzynski, Superintendent, Medina Central School District: “I have worked with the schools for over 20 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director, principal, business official and now as superintendent. I also served on the Medina Village Board for 4 years, where I was the liaison from the board to the police department. I am serving on this advisory committee to help continue building strong community relationships between the police department and everyone in the village of Medina.”
Christian Navas, Sergeant, Medina Police Department: “I am in my 6th year with the Medina Police Department. Prior to this position, I was a part-time Correctional Officer at the Orleans County Jail. I am honored to have been sent to training such as Principled Policing (a course in Community Policing), Instructor Development School, and most recently the Police Supervision course when I was promoted to Sergeant. I have lived in the Village of Medina since 2005. I graduated from Medina High School in 2007 and I am now raising my family here. I believe I was asked to become a member of this committee due to both being a resident as well as my role in law enforcement in this same community. My goal being on this committee is to help bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement in this area.”

The Medina Police Advisory Committee will be sponsoring events throughout the year to help bring the community and the Police Department together. If you or your organization are interested in engaging in dialogue promoting community/police relations or have an event that you would like us to appear at, please contact us via our email.

We are also interested in adding a few more members to our committee. If you share our passion for the community and want to help build a positive community/police relationship, please forward your letter of interest and a brief work history or resume to medinapoliceadvisorycommittee@gmail.com.

Respectfully submitted by,

Medina Police Advisory Committee – Chad Kenward, Todd Draper, Jovannie Canales, Danielle Figura, Debbie Fuller, Jessica Marciano, Jacquie Chinn, Donnell Holloway, Heather Jackson, Mark Kruzynski and Christian Navas

Cooperative Extension praises 4-H leaders during National Volunteer Week

Posted 16 April 2022 at 5:13 pm

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County

Provided photo: Zack Welker, a 4-H club leader and Orleans CCE volunteer, participates in the ice cream eating contest at the 2021 4-H Fair.

KNOWLESVILLE – Volunteers are invaluable to the Orleans County 4-H Program.

“We would not be able to provide programming to local youth without our dedicated and talented volunteers,” said Kristina Gabalski, Orleans County 4-H Program Coordinator.

Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension is celebrating its volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 17-23.

4-H volunteers are involved in a wide variety of tasks, Gabalski said.

“Some come one day a year to help evaluate youth at events such as Public Presentations or Produced in New York,” she said. “Others are club leaders who are involved in programming all year-round. Others are highly involved in helping with the 4-H Fair. The time commitment varies, but volunteers share their talents and interests with the next generation.”

Zack Welker of Medina began volunteering with Orleans CCE in 2015 as leader of the 4-H Beef and Dairy Club. He has also served on the Animal Welfare and Fair Committees and is the current president of the Extension Board of Directors. Zack grew up in 4-H and said the program opened many doors for him during his youth.

“Being a 4-H leader allows me to help shape and give back to the next generation in the same way that my leaders did for me,” he said.

Floyd Young co-leads the Outback Orleans Outdoors 4-H Club with Dale Frasier. Both are from Kent and both have children enrolled in the Orleans County 4-H Program. The club needed new leaders back in 2020 and Floyd and Dale stepped forward about when Covid hit.

“The club focuses on shooting sports, outdoor activities and survival skills and the new leaders needed NYS 4-H Shooting Sports training before the club could be fully active again,” Gabalski said. “After more than a year of waiting during the Covid pause, they were able to complete the training in June of 2021. The club can continue because of their expertise and perseverance.”

“I am blessed to have this opportunity,” Young explained. “I wish that when I was at these kids’ age, I would have had the knowledge and instruction they are getting.”

He said the youth in the club help drive the focus of the group.

“The youth do the activities they choose and are able to learn the skills they want and will take into their future,” Young said. “Being outdoors is something kids are not getting enough of these days. 4-H helps them to be more active outdoors than indoors. It’s also nice to see parents interact with their kids, the parents learn, too.”

Young and Welker are among the newer group of 4-H leaders/volunteers in Orleans, but the program has many volunteers who have served for decades – Pauline Lanning, one of the longest serving volunteers, has been helping the program for 55 years. Others are 4-H alumni.

“We were 4-Hers, our kids were 4-Hers and now our grandchildren are 4-Hers,” said Robyn Watts of Medina.

She has been involved in volunteering and leading clubs as well as serving on the Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee (FCSPDC) for more than 40 years.

“The support and information is fabulous through Cooperative Extension,” she noted. “You know where to go for help. The parents are great, they stay during meetings to help.”

Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville has also served as a volunteer, club leader and FCSPDC member for more than four decades. She said the 4-H program offers many opportunities to youth.

“4-H is on the forefront of important issues like going green and organic gardening,” Chizick said.

She remembers the many trips offered by Orleans County 4-H which opened many new places and experiences for youth.

“The trips brought people together and gave them exposure to different ways of living,” Chizick said. “They got to see plays in New York City and see that there is something else out there. Many 4-Hers had not been out of Orleans County or even to Buffalo.”

Helping to provide experiences for youth such as award trips, teaching them life skills and guiding them as they pursue their interests has kept these 4-H volunteers coming back year after year.

Louise Henderson of Barre has volunteered for more than 40 years in the Orleans County 4-H program. She now has great-grandchildren in the program and says she appreciates the fact that 4-H youth get lots of experience in hands-on actual reality.

“It’s the importance of learning by doing,” she said.

Henderson’s daughter, Alice Mathes, leads the Adventurers 4-H Club with her mother. Both are members of the FCSPD committee. Alice says 4-Hers have the skills and knowledge to deal with anything. She remembers traveling in an Extension van to a state 4-H Dairy event in the days when there were no cell phones.

“The van got a flat tire, and the 4-Hers who were with me were able to help,” she recalled.

Mathes added that her granddaughter can cook and sew.

“She has learned many valuable skills in 4-H,” Mathes said. “Her teachers are blown away.”

Historic Childs: Musical Instruments, Part 1 – The Bass Viol

Posted 14 April 2022 at 8:03 pm

The Cobblestone Museum owns a Bass viol that is more than 200 years old. It is displayed in the choir loft of the Cobblestone Church on Route 104.

By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 3 No. 10

Lately, I’ve enjoyed teaming up with retired museum director Bill Lattin to produce several recent articles of the “Historic Childs” series, including the eight article series on “Popular Images of Yesteryear.”

I always learn a lot when I work with Bill and, having been a “Niagara County boy,” I’m pleased to have firmly extended my horizons into Orleans County. And, it’s very nice that Orleans County readers have made me feel so welcome.

The crunch to produce weekly articles has required me to open my eyes and take a good look at the great wealth of history in and around the Hamlet of Childs, and particularly, the Cobblestone Museum. That being said, I pitched the idea to Bill about a new series of articles about historic musical instruments at the Museum, and we decided that while we are at it, we could throw in some articles about some of Edison’s earliest devices that reproduced the human voice, too.

Let’s begin with a Bass viol that has been displayed in the choir loft of the Cobblestone Church since well before my arrival in 2017. The idea of a Bass viol on exhibit at the church makes perfect sense. The bass was one of the early instruments that would have accompanied hymn singing in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bill Lattin wrote about this particular instrument in his Directors Report of August 1996:

“The museum was given an old Bass viol by Marion “Mickey” Lusk. I did a story on it for my weekly column (Bethinking Old Orleans) and also a news release for Batavia, Lockport and Niagara Falls. Jim Orr took a photo for these.”

The Bass viol in question was believed to be over 200 years old at the time of its arrival at the Museum. The instrument itself, when examined closely, shows that it has seen a lot of use over the years, decades, and even centuries of music making. To quote Paul Harvey, I was pleased to learn “the rest of the story.”

Marion “Mickey” Lusk (1921-2012) and her mother, Rose Foreman, circa 1940s

Prior to the instruments arrival at the Cobblestone Museum, Marion “Mickey” Lusk had played the bass with a variety of musical groups including the “Rhythmnaires” and “Troubadours.”

Mickey related that both she and her mother, Rose Foreman, played the bass. Her mother began by first using a bow, until someone said, “Rose, just pluck it!” Mickey said, after that she just plucked it, “but used to get some pretty sore fingers.”

Mickey Lusk and the Rhythm-Aires providing Country-Western entertainment, Medina Journal Register, Feb. 1, 1973

In 1939, Mickey Lusk played with the “Rhythm Ramblers” at the Corfu Grange. Others who played with the ensemble were Joe Colby, Pee Wee Southcott and Jack Lacy. Years earlier this popular group could be heard on radio stations in Lockport and Batavia. This group broke up in the 1940s and another group known as the “Rhythm-Aires” was formed in the mid-1950s. In 1955 Mickey also played with Cy Roberts and the “Troubadours.”

In 1963, Mickey Lusk and her “Rhythm Ramblers” performed in the Holley “Hootenanny Show” to benefit the Cancer Society. The presentation followed the same format as the “Hootenanny” TV Show that was popular at the time. Other entertainment at that event included the “Epics” of Mount Morris, and the “Cyclones” of Medina.

Going back even further, Mickey Lusk offered more history about the old Bass viol:

“Sometime in the early 1920s, Frank Bissell went to the Bragg Schoolhouse Road and bought the bass from Veteran Bragg for five dollars. He brought it home and taught his daughter Rose to play it for house dances. In the late 1920s, Frank sold it to Walter Lusk, again, for five dollars. Then in 1940, Alvie Culver had an auction and Rose and Mike Foreman saw it there. They bid on the bass and bought it for fifty cents. They brought it home and took it over to Fred Hagadorn at Royalton to fix it. He wanted to buy it and offered $300. At that time, it was about 150 years old. Rose told him “no” and took it home and played it with her daughter in their orchestra. It was played until about 1955.”

In 1996, Mickey Lusk said the Bass viol represents “a lot of good times and a lot of tears.” Today, it is an artifact which represents the cultural climate of a bygone era. The bass is unusual in that it was built with only three strings (which helps to date it.) Fred Hagadorn thought it might have been built by a German maker of musical instruments.

This photo from 1996 shows Marion Lusk playing the three-string bass next to the Cobblestone Church at the time of her donation.

Fast forward to 2022 during a digitization project for the Museum’s old photos, and the Bass viol became the topic of conversation once again. The archivist became intrigued with this photo of Marion Lusk and the three string bass from 1996. He offered his observations at that time:

“I emailed the photograph (above) to my older brother who is the retired double bass symphony musician. Over the years he has done repairs and restorations of string bass instruments. He replied that 3-string basses were common in the 18th-19th centuries in parts of Europe, especially in Italy and France. He bought (for $3,000) a c.1880 French bass from a friend several years ago that needed some work. It had been crudely converted to 4-strings…and over about six months of part-time fooling, including rebuilding the peg box completely, made it more playable. He sold it a couple of years ago to a friend for $25,000. The pegs (“hat-peg”) in this picture aren’t French, I think; maybe German or Eastern Europe? The bass shape could easily be French though.”

While the Museum doesn’t focus on the monetary value of its collection (We don’t intend to sell our artifacts!) it is interesting to note that an item purchased for 50 cents at auction in the 1940s has possibly appreciated into five-figure territory.

Unfortunately though, the Museum’s Bass viol has many condition issues that the 1996 photograph didn’t depict, such as modern metal screws holding several parts of the instrument’s 1800s wooden body together.

Perhaps a music lover would be willing to help fully restore this cherished piece of history for future generations to enjoy?

10-year-old makes videos to educate about autism, science

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2022 at 10:39 pm

Brody Stirk of Albion has a following on YouTube

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brody Stirk is filmed by his mother Janna Stirk today overlooking Sandy Creek near Bullard Park. Brody has nine YouTube videos so far about science and autism. He is working on some videos about Albion, including some off-the-beaten path.

ALBION – Brody Stirk has autism. The 10-year-old isn’t afraid to let the world know.

Some people with autism will use masking to hide their flaws or characteristics.

“I myself don’t do masking,” Brody said in a YouTube video he made about autism. “I show myself.”

Brody Stirk is shown in a video about the autism spectrum disorder. Brody urges compassion for those with autism. He said having autism isn’t a disability, but a super power.

Brody, an Albion fourth-grader, has teamed with his mother Janna Stirk to make nine videos so far on his YouTube channel – “Brody Educates – Welcome to the world of science.”

Brody, in his videos that tend to be 5 to 9 minutes, has done features on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Keuka Lake (where his parents were married), Pelicans, Dolphins, Flying Boats, Mamba Mia, Star Sailors, Ten Tickles (The Common Octopus) and Ants in my Pants.

He has 230 subscribers to his channel so far. He started posting videos about two months ago.

His mother records him on her iPhone and she edits the videos. Brody is happy to do the research for the videos, and do the talking.

He said he is bringing science – “with a sense of humor.”

His mother is amazed to see him transformed into a very confident chatterbox on the videos. He shares lots of facts and also mixes in some jokes and bloopers.

In his video about ants, Brody tells his audience some “fun facts” including that ants have five eyes – two big eyes and three little tiny eyes. They have an exoskeleton where their bones are on the outside of their body. And ants do a lot of work every day taking care of their colonies. They can carry 50 times their weight which Brody would be like him picking up his dad’s pickup truck.

Brody and his mother feel the most proud about a video released April 2 on Autism Awareness Day.

Brody shares that 1 in 44 kids have autism. He was diagnosed at 2 ½. People with autism are on a spectrum with variety of levels of function. Not everyone is affected the same.

Brody Stirk has nine videos so far posted on YouTube.

He shares that people with autism often communicate differently. It may be hard for them to pick up social cues. They often don’t get sarcasm and may avoid eye contact.

“It can make it harder to make friends,” he said.

He and others with autism will often hyper fixate, and get obsessed on ideas, which he said can be both a blessing and a curse.

Many top inventors or the richest people have autism. It helps them really focus on a task and can lead to a major breakthrough. Brody mentioned Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, and Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, who are believed to be on the spectrum.

He urges people to celebrate neurodiversity, and show them compassion, empathy and understanding.

“People experience and interact with the world in different ways,” he said in his video. “There is no right or wrong way to experience the world.”

Brody also doesn’t like to hear autism referred to in a negative way, as if it’s an affliction.

“It makes me very upset when people say autism is a disorder,” Brody said. “I say it is a super power.”

Brody said many of his classmates and teachers have seen his videos and he feels like a celebrity. His video about Keuka Lake was mentioned by Finger Lakes tourism official and was shared over 100 times on Facebook. He goes to Keuka Lake with his parents, Janna and Morgan Stirk. That’s where they were married. Brody declares it the most beautiful lake in the world.

He is planning more videos about science and also wants to show off special spots in Albion, including those that are often overlooked.

He is happy to use the videos to show himself, a person with autism.

“Just don’t call autism a disorder,” he said today during an interview at Bullard Park. “It’s a different-ability.”

Brody Stirk takes a break today on the railroad tracks behind Bullard Park. He was out to see the waterfalls on Sandy Creek and the aqueduct holding the railroad over Sandy Creek.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region to open office in Albion at Arnold Gregory

Posted 11 April 2022 at 3:06 pm

Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region

ALBION – It will soon be easier for Orleans County residents who have a disability to take advantage of the programs and services provided by Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR).

On April 18th, the agency will be opening an Albion office in the Business Center of the Arnold Gregory Building at 243 South Main St. Office hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ILGR offers a wide range of services to help people with disabilities remain in control of their own lives and live more independently. Among them are long term supports and services for seniors and individuals with disabilities through NY Connects, application assistance for Medicaid, Social Security, and Department of Social Services programs, employment and housing search and assistance; a loan closet with free durable medical equipment; and Taking Control, which provides consumer directed personal assistance services (home care aides).

ILGR joins Catholic Charities and a variety of non-profit agencies, personal health & service practices and other businesses at the former hospital, which also offers easy parking and a coffee & snack shop.

ILGR, which is headquartered at 319 West Main Street in Batavia, will share opening details on the ILGR Facebook page at ILGR14020. For questions, call (585) 815-8501, extension 400.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. Family of Agencies. It offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.