Daniel Doctor urges community to be mentors and leaders for children

Provided photo: Julie Webber, the Medina school district’s director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Daniel Doctor, the district’s director of Community Partnerships, promote the Black History Month events at the school district this month.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – The Medina school district is inviting the public to celebrate Black History Month during February. Events will be held in the Clifford Wise Intermediate School’s auditorium and are free of charge.

There will be at 6:30 p.m. talk show-style event today, hosted by Medina’s own Daniel Doctor (Director of Community Partnerships). It will have an Arts and Culture theme featuring Shannon Carter, an assistant pastor, published author, songwriter and recording artist.

Joining her on the stage will be World Tap Champion Christian JaVaughn who will be performing a fusion of British and West African step dancing and talking about his career.  There will also be representatives from the African American Cultural Center – African Dance and Drum who will discuss the influence of African American pioneers in dance and music.

On Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. the film Hidden Figures will be shown. Hidden Figures tells the story about an amazing team of African American women mathematicians who played an important role in the U.S. space race at NASA.

Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m. will feature a keynote speaker who has 15 years of experience working as an educator and administrator in Texas. Patrick Briggs is passionate about ensuring that all students achieve high levels of academic success, thereby enabling them to be prepared for college and career opportunities after completing high school. This is a topic very near and dear to Mr. Doctor’s heart.

“I am in such a firm believer in pushing past the obstacles in your life and becoming the best person you can be,” Doctor said. “As educators and community members we need to lead by example.”

He points to his own life as inspiration to many of the young men and women he mentors in the community.

“I was the eighth child of nine growing up in Lockport,” Doctor said. “We were poor, but my mother made sure we didn’t realize that by providing us with clean clothes, food and a roof over our heads. She instilled in us to get an education and shared her stories of hardship of working in the fields and taking care of her children and other people’s children.  She sheltered and protected us and made sure to push us to be whatever it was we dreamed of being.”

Doctor said he was blessed to have teachers who fostered his talents and his aspirations.

“I had several great art teachers who pushed me and because of them I ended up being accepted into the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City,” he said. “I also auditioned for Broadway shows and made several callbacks to be in The Lion King. Unfortunately, the director felt I did not have the gravelly voice needed for the role and cut me before the show hit the stage. But I was so proud of myself that I made it that far. It told me I had the talent to pursue a stage career if I wanted.”

Unfortunately, a health crisis forced him to return home where he decided to attend Buffalo State College to pursue a career in education.

“I will never forget sitting in one of my classes, which I was failing, and the instructor putting a statistic on the board that a high percentage of children of color in a single parent household would not be successful,” Doctor said. “That pushed me to succeed and I did. After graduating I got a job at DeSales Catholic School making $14,000. I loved every moment of teaching, but I could not afford many things on that salary and took a job in Rochester.”

It was during those long drives from Lockport to Rochester he would pass through Medina.  “I would always think this is where I want to be,” he said.

When he heard of a job opening, he applied and was asked to be interviewed immediately. He was offered the job.

“Being at Medina Central School District has been amazing,” Doctor said. “I am so lucky to have such a support network here like my Superintendent Dr. Mark Kruzynski, Assistant Superintendent Marc Graff and our Director of Curriculum and Instruction Julie Webber. I have been a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal and now the Director of Community Partnerships.”

Doctor also has three businesses: West Side Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, Daniel’s Men’s Apparel and an antique store, Just What the Doctor Ordered.

“It has not been an easy road to get where I am and there have been challenges, but like I tell the children in this community keep your head up and your eyes on the prize,” he said. “Tomorrow is another day and you can always shake the dust off and move forward no matter what.”

 He continued, “It is so important to instill in our youth that they are someone and they can achieve what they want and how important it is to focus on academics and a career.  I am proud and happy to help mentor these children, no matter what color they are. I was fortunate enough to have great adults in my life that pushed me towards education and my goals.

“I am looking towards our community and I am sending out a request to be a mentor, be a leader that our children need. They need that message ‘if you believe it, you can achieve it.’ This is the first time we have had a Black History celebration in our district and I am so excited to show everyone the talent and knowledge we have right here in our backyard. I am hoping they inspire everyone the way they have inspired me and others.”

Dirt bike driver killed in head-on collision with pickup truck

Photos by Tom Rivers: Emergency responders and law enforcement are shown at the scene of a fatal collision on McNamar Road in Barre near Angevine Road on Thursday evening.

BARRE – A person was killed on Thursday in Barre when he was struck by a pickup truck going the wrong way on McNamar Road, State Police said this morning.

Roger Kingdollar, 24, of Holley was killed while operating a dirt bike while headed westbound on the north shoulder. He was struck at about 4:05 p.m.

State Police said a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado was driven by Noah Magee, 19, of Brockport. He was driving eastbound on the north shoulder, which is the wrong way of travel, State Police said.

After the collision Magee continued eastbound on McNamar Road, leaving the scene, State Police said.

Kingdollar was driving a Honda CRF450R Dirt Bike. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

There were two uninvolved four-wheelers traveling with Kingdollar, State Police said.

Magee returned to the scene without the truck and state troopers detained him. Troopers arrested Magee on the recommendation from the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office, State Police said.

He has been charged with reckless endangerment 1st degree (D Felony), leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident (D Felony) and other vehicle and traffic infractions.

Magee was processed at the State Police barracks in Albion. He was then transported to the Orleans County Jail for centralized arraignment today.

The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation, which State Police said is ongoing.

Quill Diesel Repair removes a Chevrolet Silverado that was involved in a fatal collision.

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

LEWISTON – State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt was joined today by members of the New York State Assembly, local government officials and members of law enforcement to call for more security along the Northern Border – and revisit policies that New York State have enacted that entice illegal aliens to flock to the state.

In recent weeks, rafts have been spotted crossing the Niagara River from Canada to the United States, residents along the shores of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario have raised concerns over an increase in trespassers and suspicious vehicles, and drones have been caught ferrying loads of drugs, weapons and cash between the United States and Canada.

“These examples are just the latest in what I see as New York Democrats devaluing what it means to be a citizen of our country and legal resident of our state,” Ortt said. “New York Democrats are more concerned with the woke ideology of a Sanctuary State, welcoming illegal aliens and writing blank checks to support them all while slashing the budgets of our schools and essential services to taxpayers in order to provide over $4.3 billion to asylum seekers.”

Over the past year, nearly 92,000 illegal crossings were reported here in New York State – and thanks to policies set forth by far-left Democrats, law-enforcement agencies are handcuffed when it comes to dealing with the problem. New York State policies such as the “Green Light Law” and Executive Orders preventing local and state law enforcement from working with their federal counterparts have made New York State a refuge for illegal immigration.

“Assuring the safety of our communities is the paramount role of the government,” said Assemblyman Mike Norris of Lockport. “To do this, we must be certain that our borders are secure and that everyone entering our country is properly vetted with health and criminal background checks. Further, recent New York State laws have severely limited the ability of our law enforcement agencies and border security officers to ensure compliance with immigration rules. Action must be taken now to reverse these laws in order to provide law enforcement and border officers the proper tools to protect communities.”

Last week, Ortt along with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay wrote a letter to Governor Hochul, urging her to activate the New York State National Guard to not only protect our borders with Canada, but to assist with securing the Southern Border as well.

“Our constituents are demanding action, leadership, and results in response to the migrant crisis,” Ortt said. “An effective response is long overdue. Our state must place the needs of our law-abiding, legal residents before those who illegally enter our country and seek to exploit our laws for personal gain.”

All local state parks see increase in visitors, except for Golden Hill

Photos by Tom Rivers: A motorist drives through Letchworth State Park on Oct. 28, 2023. The park had 975,406 visitors in 2023, up by more than 100,000 from the previous year when there were 869,513.

Attendance at the state park system set a new record in 2023 with 84.1 million, breaking the previous record set in 2022 by 4.7 million.

Most of the local state parks all saw an increase including Lakeside Beach State Park in Carlton and the Oak Orchard Boat Launch in Carlton.

Attendance at nearby state parks includes:

• Lakeside Beach State Park – 109,596 in 2023, 104,207 in 2022, and 116,817 in 2021
• Oak Orchard Boat Launch – 11,030 in 2023, 9,849 in 2022 and 10,940 in 2021
• Hamlin Beach State Park – 381,964 in 2023, 356,714 in 2022 and 367,960 in 2021
• Letchworth State Park – 975,406 in 2023, 869,513 in 2022 and 903,505 in 2021
• Golden Hill State Park in Barker – 48,694 in 2023, 50,065 in 2022 and 58,038 in 2021

Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted the record attendance, which see said is the 11^th straight year of more people at the parks. Over the last two decades, state park attendance has climbed steadily, increasing nearly 60 percent, she said.

“These numbers reflect New Yorkers’ strong demand and appreciation for places to swim, hike, camp, gather with friends and family, and enjoy safe, healthy recreation,” Hochul said in a news release. “As we celebrate the New York State Park Centennial this year, my administration is committed to keeping this progress going to ensure New Yorkers have access to world-class recreational facilities for years to come.”

New York State Parks this year is celebrating of its 100th anniversary of the creation of the park system in 1924.

“State Parks is welcoming many millions more visitors than ever before to see all our improved facilities have to offer,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. “With continued support from Governor Hochul and the hard work of our State Parks team, more exciting projects and programs are coming as we celebrate our State Park Centennial this year, and I am confident we will keep seeing more visitors, who help drive many local economies across the state.”

Letchworth State Park in Wyoming and Livingston counties offers many gorgeous views.

Press Release, Department of Environmental Conservation

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has released for public comment new proposed eligibility guidelines improve, expand, and assess the state’s forestry efforts on public and private lands under the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.

The guidelines will help support implementation of Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative to plant 25 million trees by 2033 by building capacity for production of plant materials and investing in a comprehensive data tracking and management system for forestry projects.

“Growing New York’s next generation of forests is vital to ensuring community resiliency and fighting climate change, and the guidelines released today are an important step in advancing Governor Kathy Hochul’s commitment to plant 25 million trees by 2033,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “The modernization and expansion of our tree nursery capacity and a new tree planting database will ensure our aggressive tree planting efforts directly benefit communities statewide, and I encourage New Yorkers to provide input on this Bond Act-supported initiative.”

To further achieve New York’s climate goals, Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State Address and Executive Budget included $47 million to support a new goal of planting 25 million trees statewide by 2033.

This goal will invigorate our state’s tree planting efforts, send an unmistakable market signal to private nurseries, advance efforts to meet the Climate Act’s net-zero goal, and grow the state’s vital forest products industry. Capital investments through the Bond Act and other state sources, and multi-year annual grants to municipalities to plant trees in support of resilient reforestation and urban forests, are key components of this initiative.

Governor Hochul will also prioritize tree planting in urban areas to mitigate potential extreme heat, as cities warm faster than rural areas. These efforts will also engage youth across the state through education and planting programs to foster a conservation ethic, inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and create deeper connections about the importance of trees for the environment, climate, and public health.

To put New York on a path to achieve these goals, the State will provide annual grants to municipalities over three years to plant trees to support resilient reforestation and urban forests.

To assist with tracking the progress made with these upgrades and other ongoing forestry initiatives, the guidelines support investing Bond Act funding to create a database for tracking forest stand asset creation, tree planting, inventory, assessment, management and monitoring, and data dashboards reporting on acreage and type of land conserved.

The database will help meet New York State’s 30 x 30 goal to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and water by 2030 and mandates for modelling forest carbon sequestration and storage that contribute to achieving New York State’s climate goals. The database would also enhance collaboration among DEC programs, stakeholders, and other partners by providing a platform for sharing information and coordinating landscape-wide reforestation efforts, particularly in disadvantaged communities, on both private and public properties.

Public comments on the draft guidelines may be submitted in writing to: Division of Lands and Forests, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12223, or by email to dec.sm.urbanforestry@dec.ny.gov. Public comments will be accepted through March 8.

Sales tax up more than $5 million in the county since 2019

Orleans County continues to see growth in its sales tax revenue. The state comptroller reported the county’s sales tax collection went up more than $600,000 from $22.46 million in 2022 to $23.10 million last year.

That continues a streak of sizable increases in the local sales tax, which has now grown by more than $5 million since 2019.

• $23.1 million in 2023
• $22.5 million in 2022
• $21.8 million in 2021
• $19.4 million in 2020
• $17.7 million in 2019

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported that 50 of the 57 counties outside New York City experienced growth in the local sales tax in 2023.

Here are the changes among the four rural GLOW counties:

• Genesee up 2.4 percent from $54.87 million in 2022 to $56.20 million in 2023
• Livingston up 6.9 percent from $44.79 million in 2022 to $47.89 million in 2023
• Orleans up 2.8 percent from $22.46 million in 2022 to $23.10 million in 2023
• Wyoming up 5.1 percent from $24.77 million in 2022 to $26.03 million in 2023

Sullivan County had the largest increase among counties in the state at 11.6%, followed by the counties of Schoharie (10.9%), Chenango (7.9%) and Schuyler (7.8%), DiNapoli reported.

Yates County saw the steepest decline in collections (-5.6%), followed by the counties of Cayuga (-2.5%), Steuben (-1.5%) and Rockland (-1.4%).

Local government sales tax collections in the state totaled $23 billion in calendar year 2023, up 4.2%, or $919 million, from 2022, largely influenced by growth in New York City sales taxes, DiNapoli said.

NYC’s sales tax growth of 5.9% in 2023 exceeded the amount for the counties and cities in the rest of the state (2.4%). NYC accounts for about 40mpercent of the state-wide total. NYC’s growth was boosted by increases in domestic and international tourism, which approached pre-pandemic levels this past holiday season, the state comptroller stated.

“Growth in local sales tax collections statewide moderated in 2023, following two years of double-digit increases,” DiNapoli said. “The fluctuations in sales tax collections that characterized the pandemic period have subsided. Local officials should plan for sales tax revenue with more stable and modest growth rates.”

In 2020, during the peak of the Covid pandemic, sales tax collections were down 10 percent statewide, and then increased by 19.1 percent in 2021, 12.7 percent in 2022 and then 4.2 percent in 2023.

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College announced students from Orleans County who made the Dean’s List in the fall semester. Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

• Brianna Smith of Lyndonville
• Calista Stinson of Lyndonville
• Chyenne Tackley of Lyndonville
• Kristi Oliver of Medina
• Melanie Poynter of Medina
• Faith Oberther of Medina
• Amanda Jones of Holley
• Sara Kingdollar of Holley
• John Butler of Kendall
• Isabella Zasa of Knowlesville
• Shawna Grabowski of Waterport
• David Garrow of Medina
• Alex Stahl of Medina
• Logan Gardner of Medina
• Makayla Heideman of Medina
• Kenley Fenton of Medina
• Faith Woody of Albion
• Lucy Rivers of Albion
• Sandra Hammond of Albion
• Ethan Hofmann of Albion
• Rowan Hofmann of Albion
• Cheryl Root of Albion
• Sandra Intorcia of Albion
• Sadie Gregoire of Albion
• Gabriella Olshefski-Koch of Holley
• Hannah Knight of Holley
• Kayleigh Bopp of Holley
• Paige Struble of Kendall
• Qasim Huzair of Waterport
• John Troy of Waterport

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Liz Schyve of Gasport has joined Walsh Duffield in Medina as a Medicare consultant. She is shown here at her desk in the office at 534 Main St.

MEDINA – Those on Medicare or approaching the age of eligibility for Medicare can turn to Liz Schyve for advice.

Schyve joined Walsh Duffield Insurance last year, after a 16-year career in skilled nursing and long-term care. Her focus with the company will be with people on Medicare or anticipating Medicare.

Walsh Duffield is a fifth-generation family-owned business that has helped countless people and businesses on their financial journey since 1860. The company sits in the top 2 percent of insurance agencies across the United States.

Schyve of Gasport is a former Medina resident. She explained she raised her daughter in Medina during her early years, and Schyve found it a wonderful community that took them in like family.

“I had found myself having to provide for me and my 5-year-old daughter, when I saw this job advertised in the Medina Journal Register for a job in medical records at Orchard Manor,” Schyve said. “It was close to home and even though I took my daughter to the interview with me, they hired me. They adopted us as their ‘family.’”

Two years later she was running medical records when the hospital sold the nursing home. The new owner asked if she would like to be director of admissions.

“I was scared, but it was a good job,” she said.

After graduating from high school, Schyve earned a two-year degree in medical assisting from Bryant and Stratton.

Most recently she was working for Lockport Rehab, when she got a bad case of COVID, which left her with a rapid heartbeat.

“That hasn’t gone away, and I decided I had to find something a little slower,” Schyve said. “I was thinking about how I could do that when my phone rang. It was a friend I had worked with previously who was now working at Walsh Duffield. She said they needed someone for their expanding Medicare team, especially in the Medina and Lockport area.”

She realized that would give her the opportunity to be out in the community, and she accepted.

“I consult with people who are about to turn 65, and work with businesses and their human resource team and those who are getting ready to retire,” Schyve said. “I am excited to be here. I have a wonderful service to offer at no cost.”

She will provide one-on-one consultation with folks who need guidance as they approach retirement, those shopping for a new plan or those wishing information about a stand-alone prescription drug plan, Medicare Advantage plan or other Medicare supplement.

Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health, said he can see how resources like Schyve can be helpful, especially to the aging population.

“There are constant challenges with Medicare that often people are not aware of,” Robinson said.

Schyve agreed, saying it’s a good idea for people to review their plan and benefit, because they change every year. She will meet people at the Walsh Duffield office at 534 Main St., or at their home or in a coffee shop.

“I like people and I want to help them make sure they get a plan that’s right for them personally,” Schyve said. “Educating folks about Medicare allows me to demonstrate my passion for helping seniors navigate the complexities of Medicare coverage, so they can make an informed decision. I think this service will be good for the Medina community.”

She recounted her earlier years living in Medina, where she and her daughter would walk downtown from their home on Commercial Street. She currently lives with her husband Gary near Gasport, where they enjoy walking their two dogs and observing local wildlife.

She stresses that Walsh Duffield is a local agency with national resources and capabilities. She can be contacted by calling her directly at (716) 362-7399, at the office at (716) 853-3820 or by e-mail at eschyve@Walshduffield.com.

In addition, Schyve has received confirmation that she will be allowed to hold a Medicare Basics presentation at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library for people wanting to learn about Medicare as they approach the age of 65. The presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m. March 21. There will be room for 10 people and anyone interested should contact her at the above numbers.

Medicare consultant Liz Schyve stands outside the office of Walsh Duffield in Medina, where she will be available to advise people on Medicare coverage.

It’s going to feel spring-like the next few days in Orleans County with the high temperatures in the 50s.

Thursday is forecast to reach 52, followed by 55 on Friday and 50 on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The high then drops to 38 on Sunday. The extended forecast shows highs of 38 on Monday, 35 on Tuesday and 33 on Wednesday.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Family nurse practitioner Liz Gurnsey, center, is joined by two medical personnel at the Albion Healthcare Center. At left is Pamela Eaton, adult nurse practitioner, and at right is Marlo Castelo, physician assistant.

ALBION – The Albion Healthcare Center was established in 2012 with the aim of offering prompt medical assistance to the community.

Since then, it has evolved into a convenient hub, offering an expanding array of services, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.

The site added two more medical professionals to meet increasing demand.

Joining Dr. Syed Raza, physician assistant Cheryl Kast and family nurse practitioner Liz Gurnsey are Marlo Castelo, physician assistant certified, and Pamela Eaton, adult nurse practitioner.

Castelo was born and raised in Puerto Rico, coming to Bethesda, Md. with her parents at the age of 12. She comes to Albion from Bethal, Alaska, a small town 400 miles west of Anchorage with a population of 500 people. She was their sole provider, she said. She treated new babies to 98-year-olds.

“It didn’t matter if they had a broken bone or chest pain, I took care of them,” she said. “It’s the same here. I’ll do whatever needs to be done. We had very little resources in Alaska. We had to improvise and do with what we had. We once made a cast out of bubble wrap.”

Castelo earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and later completed her physician assistant degree at Nova Southeastern University. She recently concluded a fellowship in psychiatry at the University of California at Irvine, maintaining her NCCPA certification since graduation from physician assistant’s school in 2010.

With a diverse medical background, Castelo concentrated on family medicine, geriatric care, women’s health and psychiatry, encompassing areas such as substance abuse, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety during her tenure in Florida.

She spent three years in Alaska before deciding she wanted a change. Influencing her decision to settle in Western New York is the fact her brother plays viola with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. She visited him and liked the area.

“I put out my resume and a recruiter for Orleans Community Health reached out to me,” Castelo said.

She is currently living in Brockport until she can find a place closer to Albion.

Pamela Eaton joined the staff on Jan. 15. Eaton grew up in Middleport and obtained her master of science in nursing with a post master’s in adult and geriatric nurse practitioner. She has 22 years of experience serving the community, eight with Dr. Tom Madejski’s office.

A board-certified nurse practitioner, certified advanced aesthetic nurse practitioner and certified wellness and medical weight loss practitioner, Eaton has practiced in geriatric and adult internal medicine and has also worked for three years in hematology and oncology.

She brings a passion for healthcare, wellness and promoting a sense of well-being to her patients. As the owner of Hometown Wellness Center and Sii Bello Beauty Bar in Medina, she is also an advocate for health and wellness through events in the community.

“I love doing things for my community, and this was another opportunity to do that,” Eaton said.

Because of the influx of patients, the Albion clinic has pulled back on accepting walk-ins. The addition of two new providers will help alleviate that problem.

“We’re excited that we’ll be able to begin expanding walk-in services again,” Robinson said. “While walk-in services for patients who are ill won’t be every day, they can now call (585) 589-2273 to check on availability. This should only continue to improve. Walk-in services are still available for laboratory (blood draws) and X-ray, which do not require any calling ahead.”

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and members of the Great Lakes Task Force today introduced the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, which extends this critical program for another five years through 2031, and increases annual funding levels from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 through 2031.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect our Great Lakes and its watersheds, which continue to be stressed by contamination and threats to water quality, and are under increasing pressure from new invasive species, climate change, erosion, and habitat destruction.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has focused federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, prevent future contamination and address new and emerging threats to our lakes and waterways.

“The Great Lakes are an important natural, economic and recreational resource for New York,” Gillibrand said. “Not only must we protect the quality of the Great Lakes and connected waterways, but we must strengthen and improve them. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a massive, multi-state investment in the future of the Great Lakes; it devotes significant resources and funding to ecosystem revitalization, which will simultaneously protect our natural resources and create jobs.”

 Supporters of this popular initiative includes both Democrats and Republicans. In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator J.D. Vance, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Todd Young, Senator Gary Peters, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Tina Smith, Senator John Fetterman, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Bob Casey.

House sponsors include Representative David Joyce, Representative Marcy Kaptur, Representative Bill Huizenga, Representative Debbie Dingell, Representative Gwen Moore, Representative Jack Bergman, Representative John Moolenaar, Representative Claudia Tenney, Representative Bryan Steil, Representative Haley Stevens, Representative John James, Representative Max Miller, Representative Brad Schneider, Representative Elissa Slotkin, Representative Lisa McClain, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, Representative Joseph Morelle, and Representative Mike Quigley.

The legislation also shares broad support among Great Lakes advocates, including: Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Commission, Alliance for the Great Lakes, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Great Lakes Business Network, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Clean Wisconsin, Save the Dunes, Ohio Environmental Council, Ducks Unlimited and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is celebrating Valentine’s Day by offering an opportunity to the public to send their love and appreciation to a staff member who has made a significant impression.

For a $5 donation, a staff member’s name will be written on a heart which will be displayed in the hospital throughout February.

Orleans Community Health Foundation director Megan Johnson said this is the first year they have done this fundraiser. People can make their donation online or in the Foundation office.

“They do not need to come in to put a message or name on a heart,” Johnson said. “I will write it on there for them.”

Donations will benefit the Foundation, which in turn provides funds to support OCH in equipment or patient-related needs, Johnson said.

“We have already had hearts purchased to honor the Emergency Department, North Wing and a few specific RNs,” she added.

Wilma Lemcke aka Ann Mitchell has been a mainstay at jazz clubs in Rochester and Buffalo for many years

Photo by Jack Zuff: Ann Mitchell performs in a Buffalo jazz club.

SPENCERPORT – A Kendall native has just released her first jazz CD, “Again … for the first time” and it features timeless classics spanning the jazz era from the 1930s through the 1950s.

Wilma Lemcke graduated from Kendall in 1976, and has been performing as a jazz singer for many years in the Rochester and Buffalo. She performs under the name Ann Mitchell.

The Spencerport resident has been singing professionally for many years in a very competitive market.

The cover art for the album was designed by Karl Slominski, Ann Mitchell’s son.

“I’ve always followed my heart and passion with music,” she said during an interview by phone today.

Mitchell is a frequent guest on Jazz 90.1, and she performs in jazz clubs, restaurants, and at weddings and funerals in the Rochester and Buffalo region.

She has juggled her professional singing career with raising a family and working as a substitute music teacher. She pushed to get a CD done, and will have it available at her events for $15, and expects it will be in music stores.

“It’s a humbling feeling,” she said today about holding her CD. “You put your heart and soul into it. It’s been quite a journey.”

Lemcke grew up on Carr Road in Kendall. She graduated in 1976 when the country and local community were celebrating the bicentennial of the USA. That commemoration included a trip by Kendall music students to Philadelphia. It was a great year for the Kendall music program, she recalled.

Mitchell earned a degree in theater from SUNY Brockport. She then found her niche in jazz performance as the vocalist for the former bands, Brass Menagerie Big Band and Bob Ames & Co.

Mitchell then formed her own combo to focus her performance on the rich vocals of the jazz era’s timeless classics. Her focus has been to preserve and share music recorded by artists such as Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London and Judy Garland.

Mitchell’s new album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Andy Calabrese. The songs recorded were written by Gershwin, Rogers and Hart, Coleman and Leigh, Warren, Bacharach.

The album include collaborations with musicians Michael Van Allen, John Gabriele, Kyle Vock, Christos Dembeyiotis and Ralph DeBergalis. Mitchell said they have a real understanding of her vocal style and song interpretation.

She will be performing this Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Flight Wine Bar, 262 Exchange St., Rochester. The Ann Mitchell Jazz Trio will be featured in the Jazz 90.1 Greece Baptist Church Concert Series on at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 1230 Long Pond Rd., Rochester.

Mitchell said she would welcome the chance to perform in Orleans County at a concert series. For more information, check her website www.annsings.com or send her an email at annmitchelljazz@gmail.com.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Wilma Lemcke sings “God Bless America” in Kendall on Sept. 29, 2019 when a new war memorial was dedicated at Kendall’s community park.

College students from Orleans County have made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at the University at Buffalo, SUNY Cortland and Hartwick College.

The following from Orleans were recognized for academic achievement at the University at Buffalo:

• Cam Bell of Albion
• Amaya Cancino of Holley
• Jaklin Mofardin of Lyndonville
• Arella Biesinger of Medina
• Brooklyn Brown of Medina
• Carter Green of Medina
• Elle Gross of Medina

The Dean’s List at SUNY Cortland includes the following from Orleans County:

• Paige Derisley of Waterport – Physical Education K-12
• Tessa Heideman of Lyndonville – Psychology
• Lacey Kenward of Medina – Early Childhood and Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6)
• Olivia Morrison of Albion – Anthropology
• Xander Payne of Medina – Sport Management

Hartwick College in Oneonta also announced that Erin Kiefer, an English major from Lyndonville, was named to Fall 2023 Dean’s List. To qualify, students must complete at least 12 academic credits during a term with a grade point average of at least 3.50 and no incompletes.