By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 August 2024 at 8:33 pm
IRONDEQUOIT – If there is one thing which defines David Hebert, it is his motto, “SITPROUD!”
The Irondequoit resident has been a paraplegic for 39 years. Paralyzed from the chest down, Hebert now shares his story in hopes others like him will realize they can live a happy, fulfilling life.
Hebert, 58, was a passenger in his best friend Steve’s car, when on June 2, 1985 Steve convinced him to go to Charlotte Beach for a couple of drinks.
The evening ended when their car hit a tree at 85 miles per hour.
“The car accident left me paralyzed from the chest down,” Hebert said. “Although the word ‘accident’ is defined as an unfortunate incident, I have been nothing but fortunate since that day. The accident obviously changed me physically, but it also molded me into the person I am today. It has provided me with focus, drive, resilience and purpose. I am mentally and physically stronger than the person I was 39 years ago.”
Provided photo: Randy Bower, right, sits in a wheelchair designed for him by David Hebert of Irondequoit, an assistive technology specialist. Since meeting, the two have become best friends. This photo is from 2016 when Bower was Orleans County sheriff.
He continues to say the accident has allowed him to gain a large group of family and friends.
“I have met people I would never have crossed paths with if it was not for my accident,” Hebert said. “I was blessed with the opportunity to be part of the Rochester Wheels. The knowledge I gained from this group of guys was invaluable. I could have never learned what I have in school. It just can’t be taught. It has to be lived.”
Hebert was also able to find the path to the job he does now as an assistive technology specialist, designing and selling assistive equipment for people with different kinds and severities of disabilities.
“It’s the most gratifying job anyone could ask for,” Hebert said. “I live the life, and can show others there is good to come after injury or loss. Just strive high. And, of course, SITPROUD!!!”
SITPROUD!!! has become his motto and trademark. And what he does best.
Hebert has played wheelchair basketball for the Rochester Wheels and the European Venture Philanthropy Association’s Buffalo Chariots. He lifts weights 40 minutes a night and wheels at least two miles four times a week.
He has been married, although now divorced, and has a 13-year-old son.
In his own home he has devised a stair lift to the basement and one upstairs. He has a wheelchair on every level.
He has worked with former sheriff Randy Bower for many years, having designed him a new, lightweight, rigid wheelchair.
Bower praised Hebert for his work for those with physical disabilities and his compassion.
“David is my doctor, my physical therapist and my psychiatrist, as well as my friend,” Bower said. “He’s the first call I make whenever I have any issue. An example is when I tore my rotator cuff. Getting in and out of my van was very difficult. I called David and he told me how to get in and I’ve been doing it ever since. After our first meeting, he was a friend for life.”
Bower was also injured in an automobile accident – in 1983. When he needed his first wheelchair, a person with no handicap came to evaluate him, but when he was ready for his second chair, it was Hebert who showed up. That impressed Bower, because he knew someone in a similar position would understand his needs better.
“He is so knowledgeable in his field,” Bower said. “Selling you a wheelchair is the extra he gives you. Now he is a good friend, and we both still live fast and busy.”
Hebert works at Tim’s Trims in Rochester as a sales person, providing people with specialized equipment and vehicles to get them back out on the road.
“It’s not about what you can’t do,” Hebert said. “It’s what you can do.”
Although paralyzed from the chest down in a motor vehicle accident 39 years ago, David Hebert leads a very active life, including collecting and driving vintage cars. The license plate reflects his motto, “SITPROUD!”
Since 1973, Oak Orchard Health has been committed to providing person-centered and culturally competent care to our most underserved communities, especially in our agricultural community.
Oak Orchard was originally funded as a migrant health project. Agriculture is the number one industry in Western New York, specifically in Orleans and Genesee counties, where most of our farmworkers and their families reside, work and attend school.
Farmworkers are exposed to risky and harsh conditions, such as harmful chemicals, long working hours, working with large animals, operating heavy equipment, and extreme weather conditions. Agricultural workers are also responsible for feeding our local communities and our country, and we must keep them healthy.
With his permission, Jose Iniguez shares his story of working with Oak Orchard Health to keep his farmworkers healthy. Iniguez began his journey when he came to the US at age 16 in 1991. He began as a farmworker in Washington State, saying, “My employer was ahead of the times, engaging in state-of-the-art growing practices, so I learned a lot.”
In 1994, he had the opportunity to come to New York, bringing the knowledge and skills he had learned in Washington State and working his way up to VP and Chief Operating Officer at Lamont Farms. He is one of the three partners.
Apple Harvesting is labor intensive
Apple harvesting is a labor-intensive process by the time it hits the stores.
“By the time you get apples to the store, it has been touched 20-25 times from the time it blossoms and eventually turns into an apple,” Iniguez said. “Mowing is also important to the upkeep of the orchard; mowing before the harvest can make it easier to move ladders, bins, and boxes through the orchard. The bottom line is that a lot of hard work goes into each apple by the time you get it to the store. To achieve this, it takes many people; you must prune the trees, removing suckers and bad wood, which help stimulate the tree to produce more fruiting spurs. Pruning also opens the branches so sunlight and air reach the ripening fruit. This is why so many workers are needed for one harvest.”
Lamont Farms has not had a good harvest in almost eight years due to the weather and the Covid-19 pandemic. “But this year is looking much better,” Iniquez said.
Not only does Iniguez have to work with the farmworkers, but he also has to adhere to NY State labor laws, harvesting times, weather, and balancing out the needs of the farm owners. If they have bad weather or there is a miscalculation in their numbers, workers are still paid at least 30 hours per week.
Most farm workers do not know they have sick time available. Lamont Farms recognizes this and encourages workers to take the available time so that farmworkers can get the care they need. Because of how well Lamont Farms treats their employees, they have had a return rate of 95% over the last 10 years. Iniguez says, “It has taken us almost 20 years to build this team. It is built on a lot of trust.”
How Oak Orchard Community Health Centers keeps farmworkers healthy
One step to keeping farmworkers healthy is the Oak Orchard Health Outreach Team and their community health workers. CHWs visit the farms or camps and provide necessary healthcare, health education, immunizations, and blood pressure checks.
They can also help set up future medical appointments and get prescriptions filled. The community health workers are certified Spanish interpreters and have built a trusted relationship with the farmworkers, their families, and the farm owners. In addition to the above services, the outreach team provides the following services:
Covid-19 education, testing and vaccinations
Spanish-English interpretation and translation
Transportation
Expanded evening hours for just farmworkers so they don’t lose pay
If farmworkers are eligible for health insurance, Oak Orchard has facilitated health insurance enrollers in their health care facilities, or facilitated enrollers will tag along with the OOH Outreach team to enroll them where they live to help with medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Having health insurance removes the financial barrier to getting health care. If they are not eligible for health insurance, Community Health Workers will help guide them to enrolling an individual into our Sliding Scale Fee program.
Our Vision for the Future
Oak Orchard Health’s Vision is to be a leader of continuous growth and transformation, where innovative, holistic, and comprehensive care—for body and mind—is provided for all in partnership with our community.
We are here for everyone, all farmworkers, and their families, regardless of financial means, immigration status, or station in life, as a caring, compassionate, nonjudgmental, trustworthy provider.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 August 2024 at 9:18 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – It’s been two months since Sammy the Stone Snake emerged at Patterson Park behind the Post Office in Lyndonville.
Sammy started with 34 stones. He is now up to about 200.
Darlene Hartway pushed to start Sammy after seeing him in other communities. Hartway is the director of the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce and has been running the Webber Café on Main Street. Many of the stones have been painted at Webber.
People are welcome to keep adding to Sammy to see how long he can get before the end of summer.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 August 2024 at 8:40 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Nicole Tuohey, left, holds a frosted elephant cookie, while her mother Mary Lou Tuohey holds a string of “elephant chains” Nicole has made. Every time a customer buys a cutout elephant cookie at Case-Nic Cookies, Nicole adds a link to the chain, with the goal of stringing them the entire block of Main Street. All money raised benefits the Alzheimer’s Association. (Right) Lisa Robinson gets instructions from Mary Lou Tuohey at Case-Nic Cookies on how to fill out a basket raffle form to support the upcoming Alzheimer’s walk on Sept. 7.
MEDINA – Supporting the Alzheimer’s Association is a tradition near and dear to the family of Nicole Tuohey and her parents.
Nicole’s maternal grandparents both died from Alzheimer’s, her Grandpa Bradley at age 65 and her Grandma Bradley at age 89.
With the help of her mom, Mary Lou Tuohey, Nicole makes sure the public is kept aware of the disease and the toll it takes.
A poster in Case-Nic Cookies, the store run by Mary Lou on Main Street, lists Nicole’s “NOT” Fun Facts of a loved one having Alzheimer’s.
Some of her memories are, “Grandpa couldn’t remember he had a wife, four children and six grandchildren. Grandpa wore diapers, had to be fed and couldn’t dress himself. And Grandpa never got to know me.”
Nicole has the same memories of her grandma. “She couldn’t remember her husband died of Alzheimer’s. She couldn’t remember how to sew, play golf, read books or do crafts. Gramma spoke ‘gibberish’, wore diapers and had to be fed. Gramma had a doll named Andrew that she held and cuddled, just like she did to me.”
Now Nicole has one last “NOT” for fun question.
“Since Gramma and Grandpa Bradley both had Alzheimer’s Disease, do you think my Mom will get it?”
On Sept. 7, many members of Nicole’s family will participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, while others will be helping with events at State Street Park and Case-Nic Cookies.
Since opening her store, Mary Lou has allowed non-profits to use her store windows for basket raffle fundraisers. During the Covid pandemic, when customers didn’t come in the store, Mary Lou devised a system where customers could pick up a form in the doorway, mark their choice of baskets, leave the money for the tickets in an envelope and drop it in the mail slot.
This month, the basket raffle is for the benefit of the Alzheimer’s Association, and the drawing will take place after the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 7.
The walk starts at 10 a.m. in State Street Park, goes along the canal, back down Main Street and East Center Street back to the park.
Mary Lou and her family first participated in the walk in the early 1990s, when it was at Art Park in Lewiston. Then it moved to Albion for a few years, before coming to Medina.
In the earlier years, regulations prevented the basket raffle from taking place at the site of the actual walk, but this year the raffle will be allowed to take place after the walk in State Street Park.
Activities in the park will also include kids’ games, a bounce house, pizza for sale and free frosted elephant cookies.
The cookies were an idea of Mary Lou’s, who sells them in her store for $1, with the money going to the Alzheimer’s Association. The elephant symbolizes memory – an elephant who never forgets, and a person stricken with Alzheimer’s who never remembers. Nicole makes links out of construction paper, and for each elephant cookie sold, she adds a link to her chain. Her goal every year is to have enough to stretch them the length of the main block of Main Street.
Nicole urges everyone to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, whether by walking, donating a basket, supporting the basket raffle or buying an elephant cookie.
ALBION – Albion Central School District will be offering free breakfast and lunch for all students throughout the 2024-25 academic year.
As part of the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, each student grades PreK-12 will be offered a free breakfast and lunch every day.
“We are excited to announce that Albion Central School District will continue to offer all of our students two free meals a day,” said Mickey Edwards, superintendent of Albion Central School. “It’s crucial that our students enter the classroom ready to learn, and that begins with a nutritious breakfast. The more we can prepare them for success, the better their outcomes will be.”
In order to continue this wonderful program for our entire district, it is extremely important that families who meet the income eligibility guidelines complete the Household Income Eligibility Form.
Please return completed forms to:
Mail: Albion CSD Re: CEP Form 324 East Avenue, Albion, NY 14411
We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity to our students and their families. Please contact Katie McGaffick at 585-589-2056 with any questions.
MEDINA – Oak Orchard Primary School and Clifford Wise Intermediate schools will be kicking off the school year with a meet and greet between staff, students and their families.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Wise Intermediate School gymnasium, the administration and staff will be hosting a welcome back picnic. Students will find out their teacher assignments in grades UPK to 6th grade.
Tables will be set up for paperwork collection. So please make sure that the paperwork you have been sent is completed in full, along with any other additional documentation/medication that your child will need to provide to their school.
Families will receive complimentary hot dogs and water and are encouraged to participate in a new “graffiti wall” tradition and leave their child a message of encouragement for the upcoming school year.
Many community organizations will also be present to share resources for all their Medina families.
“It is a nice opportunity to visit the campus before the start of the school year, catch up with friends and find out who their teachers will be,” said Jennifer Stearns, principal of Oak Orchard Primary School
Families are encouraged to park at the bus garage, by the Oak Orchard playground or Vets Park due to ongoing construction.
Police seize 50 vials of crack cocaine, several plastic bags of cocaine
ALBION – An Albion man and an Albion juvenile are facing drug charges after an investigation into the sale and distribution of crack cocaine in the villages of Albion and Medina, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reported today.
The Task Force and the Albion Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and the Orleans County Special Response Team executed a search warrant at 238 East Bank St. in Albion.
Police seized over 50 plastic vials of crack cocaine, several plastic bags containing cocaine, over $800 in cash, scales, hundreds of new and unused plastic vials and other drug paraphernalia.
Andre R. Robinson
Andre R. Robinson, aka “Moola”, age 29, of 238 East Bank St., Albion is charged with: 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, which are B felonies.
A juvenile, age 15, of the same address also is charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
The Task Force reported an arrest was also made related to this case by the Albion Police Department on July 23, after receiving a complaint of drug activity at St. Joseph’s Park at 120 South Clinton St. An individual that was staying at 238 East Bank St. was utilizing a bicycle to distribute drugs around the village, the Task Force reported.
Albion police seized 33 plastic vials of crack cocaine and arrested Jovan R. Cooper-Smith, age 21, of 44 Samuel Way in Rochester. He is charged with 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (B felony), 1 count of resisting arrest. (A misdemeanor) and 1 count obstructing governmental administration in the second degree. (A misdemeanor).
Cooper-Smith was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Albion Court.
Robinson was arraigned in CAP court by the Shelby Town Justice Ed Grabowski and was committed without bail to the Orleans County Jail due to two prior felony convictions. Robinson is also currently on state parole. He is to return to County Court on Wednesday.
The juvenile was issued an appearance ticket and released to the mother.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this case, the Task Force said in a news release.
Provided photo: Richard Diminuco is a Hall of Fame football coach at Albion. He led the team Section VI championships in 1979, 1981,1983 and 1987. He was inducted in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
ALBION – The Albion Central School District invites you to join them in celebrating the opening of the Richard C. Diminuco Athletic Complex before the Purple Eagles’ home opener on Friday, Sept. 13.
“This celebration underscores our commitment to celebrating the success of both our students and our broader Albion community,” said Mickey Edwards, district superintendent and a former player for Diminuco. “We look forward to sharing the official opening of the Richard C. Diminuco Athletic Complex with the Albion Community this fall. Once a Purple Eagle. Always a Purple Eagle.”
Named for the record-setting former Albion Athletic Director and football head coach Richard Diminuco, fondly called “Coach D” by his players, the athletic complex will encompass all of the newly turfed fields including Spierdowis Field, the multipurpose fields, soccer fields, softball fields, concession stand and Stackwick Field House.
The ceremony will take place before the game at 6:45 p.m. at Spierdowis Field located behind District Office at 324 East Ave. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and kickoff is at 7 p.m. Parking will be available next to District Office.
During his 34-year coaching tenure, Diminuco was named Coach of the Decade for the 1980s, recorded 204 wins and was selected as New York State Coach of the Year in both 1983 and 1984. In 2004, Diminuco was inducted into the Ottawa University Braves Athletic Hall of Fame and has also been inducted into the Section V and Section VI Halls of Fame. This October marks 10 years since Coach D was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Diminuco has lived in Albion for nearly 50 years, and started his teaching and coaching career as a Purple Eagle. In 1979, he became the Purple Eagles’ Athletic Director, leading the Varsity Football Team to New York State Section VI Champions in 1979, 1981,1983 and 1987.
LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates is pleased to welcome people to the 3rd Annual Street Dance this Friday, August 23rd, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The festivities will be held on Main Street in the Village of Lyndonville which will be closed to traffic from Maple Road to Eagle Street starting at 4 p.m.
“We are very excited to work with the village to host our 3rd street dance on Main Street,” said Town Councilwoman Susan Hrovat, the event coordinator. “Join us for good music and dancing, card games and a bounce house, and enjoy some fun, food and fellowship with family, friends and neighbors.”
Live music will be played by a local band, the Guzinyas, and there will be food trucks, craft vendors and more. The event is free, and there will be tables and chairs on the street as well as plenty of room for dancing. All are welcome.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 August 2024 at 9:35 am
Planning Board chairman seeks compromise to allow 6 hens
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Village of Lyndonville Planning Board discusses a proposed chicken ordinance on Monday. Steve Vann is the chairman, and Justin Edwards, left, and Patti Gawne are members. Two other members, Terry Chaffee and Virginia Hughes, weren’t at the meeting. Village Clerk Teri Woodworth is taking notes.
LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville’s Planning Board is trying to reach a compromise to allow residents to have a small flock of up to 6 hens.
The board had a draft ordinance ready on Monday, but failed to get at least three votes for the proposal which would then be forwarded to the Village Board.
Two of the five Planning Board members weren’t at Monday’s meeting. That meant the three remaining members all needed to be in favor of it for it to advance to the Village Board. Justin Edwards cast a nay vote because he doesn’t like the language in the proposed law about neighbor notification. He isn’t convinced having neighbor approval should be required to have hens.
Planning Board Chairman Steve Vann put together the draft ordinance, taking from other municipalities that allow chickens. One of those municipalities requires neighbors to give approval to allow chickens.
Vann wanted to have a majority of neighbors sign off when a resident applied for a permit to have chickens.
Kate Hardner, who has led the effort to have chickens be allowed in Orleans County villages, said neighbor approval shouldn’t be required for chickens. She noted the Health Department and state Department of Agriculture and Markets don’t require regulations for chickens.
She recommended Lyndonville instead have a process where neighbors can file a complaint about chickens, if the owner is not keeping the coops clean, if chickens are wandering off the property or other issues.
Vann said he doesn’t want to put more work on the village code officer in dealing with complaints and oversight.
“We don’t have the resources to be a neighborhood cop,” he said.
There are 457 homes in Lyndonville. Hardner estimates there would be 20 that would want to have chickens.
The Planning Board is proposing a one-time application fee of $25, with pictures of the coop and cage that the chickens would be kept in. The owners would need to reapply for a permit every three years, but wouldn’t be subject to the $25 fee every three years.
They would need neighbor approval every three years, including from any new residents who moved in adjacent to the chicken owner’s property.
Chickens won’t be allowed at duplexes or muti-family residences. They will be restricted to the rear or backyards of properties, and must 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. They must also be at least 5 feet from a side lot line or 18 inches from a rear lot line, according to the proposal.
The proposed ordinance also states the coops shall not exceed 32 square feet. The chickens must be kept in the coops or a fenced-in area at all times, unless there is a responsible individual directly monitoring the hens.
Vann said he intends to keep working on the ordinance.
“This is a good start,” he said. “We have to start somewhere. We’re trying to find a solution that works for all village residents.”
Hardner thanked the Planning Board for working on the issue. She said she supports the language in the proposal except for requiring neighbor permission.
Photos and information courtesy of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library
MEDINA – Library users had a fun-filled summer this year, said Kristine Mostyn, library director.
“Offering 45 programs over 6 weeks, we had 1,337 people learn how to make Nautical Knots, watch a movie with us, or learn about photography,” she said. “We visited the Iroquois Wildlife Preserve, created a Natural History Museum, sampled new recipes,
studied nature, and marveled at the stars. As part of the Library Adventure Map contest, we had over 175 visitors from other NIOGA libraries.”
One program helped educate children about the stars.
Storytime at the library was well attended.
“To say we traveled far and wide, through time and space seems appropriate,” Mostyn said. “We had a fantastic time learning and teaching alongside each and every one of you that attended. Thank you for a wonderful summer. Watch for more fun with Lee-Whedon to come in the fall.”
Some artifacts were on display for one of the programs where a natural history museum was created.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2024 at 11:02 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Puckdaddys will be performing on Wednesday evening at Yates Community Library. The band was supposed to play on Monday, Aug. 19, but the event was pushed back to Wednesday due to the weather.
It’s part of the Concerts on the Lawn series. The Puckdaddys are an acoustic group that plays music from the 1960s up until current favorites.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed landmark legislation S.2852A/A.3132A that allows New York’s small craft manufacturers of spirits, cider, and mead to ship directly to consumers.
The newly signed law opens significant opportunities for the state’s growing craft beverage industry by providing a vital market expansion tool—allowing these producers to ship their unique products directly to consumers within New York and across state lines.
“New York’s craft manufacturers create distinctive, world-class products that deserve a broader audience,” Governor Hochul said. “This legislation levels the playing field, allowing these small producers to reach new markets and foster economic growth across the state. With this new law, we are ensuring that New York remains a national leader in craft beverages, continuing to support our local businesses, tourism, and agriculture.”
Expanding Market Access for Craft Producers
New York’s craft cider and spirit producers often struggle to gain access to traditional wholesale distribution channels, placing these smaller manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage, as their products are less likely to reach licensed retailers and consumers. Direct-to-consumer shipping offers an essential new outlet for these smaller producers, enabling them to build brand loyalty by connecting directly with consumers who want to enjoy the unique products that define New York’s craft beverage industry. For consumers, the new law means greater access to high-quality New York-made products, driving demand for the state’s craft beverages both locally and nationally.
This expansion of market access is particularly significant as New York is home to the largest number of craft cideries in the nation and ranks second in the U.S. for the number of distilleries. By allowing these manufacturers to ship directly to consumers, New York strengthens its position as a leader in the craft beverage industry while supporting the state’s broader agricultural economy.
This legislation also represents a milestone for parity for New York’s spirits and cider producers, who have long advocated for the same privileges that wine manufacturers have enjoyed for nearly two decades, while providing safeguards against underage access to alcohol and ensuring proper tax collection by mirroring the responsible sales and delivery practices established under the DTC wine shipping laws.
Temporary Covid-19 Relief Now Permanent
During the Covid-19 pandemic, New York craft manufacturers of spirits and cider were granted temporary DTC shipping privileges to help them survive the economic downturn. This temporary measure proved highly successful, with no recorded violations, demonstrating that direct shipping can be done safely and responsibly. The new law permanently codifies this privilege, allowing small craft manufacturers to continue growing their businesses by reaching customers both within and outside of New York.
New York State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan said, “This legislation will hopefully support the long-term survival and create another growth spurt of New York’s vibrant craft and farm alcohol producers. I am immensely proud that our agency is able to support our manufacturing licensees in obtaining this long-sought change, which would allow them to directly touch their consumers and build brand loyalty in a meaningful manner.”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “This legislation provides our distilleries and cideries with tremendous opportunity for growth that will have a ripple effect on our economy. With the most cideries and the second-most distilleries in the nation, New York State is committed to continuing to support these small businesses, who ultimately also help provide a boost to our farmers as well. By opening up the direct-to-consumer shipping option, producers can reach even more customers and consumers have an opportunity to discover a new, favorite New York beverage.”
The new law takes effect in 90 days, just in time for the upcoming holiday season, allowing consumers to explore and enjoy New York’s world-class craft spirits, cider and mead from the comfort of their own homes.
New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “We are excited for our farm distillers and farm cideries who will now be able to expand their market by shipping their products directly to consumers. This is a lifeline for many struggling distilleries and cideries throughout the state. This will help strengthen the fruit, grain and potato industry in New York and is a huge win for agriculture.”
