By Mary Obear, MD, PhD, family physician at Oak Orchard Health

Dr. Mary Obear

Americans are living longer. Over the last four decades, life expectancy in the United States has largely risen, although certain groups have experienced slight decreases in their life expectancy (according to the U.S. Census Bureau). Americans are projected to have longer life expectancies in the coming decades. By 2060, life expectancy for the total population is projected to increase by about six years, from 79.7 in 2017 to 85.6 in 2060.

Since we are living longer, the question is how do we live a healthier life? How can we age gracefully? As a primary care physician, I often discuss this topic with my patients. Here are a few tips for you to consider.

Have a good relationship with your primary care provider (PCP)

This is a simple yet important step to take to live a healthy life. To have a good relationship with your provider, you need to see a medical professional annually, get a physical, and have open, frank discussions. If your primary care provider suggests medical advice that you do not want to do or you don’t see any utility in doing so, don’t just ignore it. Instead, have a conversation about why it is important and try to reach a compromise.

Waiting too long before going to see your primary care provider is not good practice. If you have not been feeling well for a period of time or something has changed, please make an appointment with your primary care provider. Be careful not to seek medical information on the internet. Please reach out to your medical providers for the best advice.

Preventive measures: medications and screenings

As you age, you may be prescribed many different medications and it’s important that you understand why you are taking each and what the long-term benefit is. Have you been taking medications for 20+ years? It may be time to have a conversation with your physician about whether it is still having a positive effect on your health.

Screenings such as a colonoscopy are especially important but so is getting a yearly physical. At your physical, discuss with your PCP which screenings are appropriate for you. Be sure they know your family’s cancer history.

Nutrition and Sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is a key component to staying healthy so practice good sleep hygiene. There are things that may interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Think about screen time including TV, computers, and your telephone. If watching certain programming upsets you, please avoid it. Consider turning all your screens off two to three hours before sleep time. If you need entertainment, an enjoyable book or magazine will help relax you. Sleep in a cool dark room with no stimulation on and avoid drinking a lot before you sleep. Also, the timing of your medication is important. Again, be sure to discuss this with your PCP.

Of course, the food you put into your body is another way to age gracefully. Eating real food and not processed food is the key to healthy living. Processed food can have a lot of salt or ingredients that contain salt, and that is not good for you. Everyone needs a little sodium in their diet but avoiding fast foods is a good idea. Eating well also includes drinking well. Be careful not to drink empty calories in soft drinks and flavored coffees. Coffee can be fine, but most creamers do not contain natural ingredients.

I know many people think of cooking as a chore, but mealtimes can be a pleasant way to nurture your body. Spend time thinking about what healthy foods you can cook quickly or consider “batch cooking” where you make three or four meals and freeze them. If you have healthy foods in the house, you are more likely to eat healthily.

Also, the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest choices because it emphasizes seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, and whole grains.

Exercise

I want to close on an important thought about aging. Be sure to exercise. Walking is one of the best exercises but please be sure you are doing it in a safe location. Be careful not to trip or fall. In the winter, the mall, community centers, and schools are better places to go. They are warm and safe.

If you need a primary care provider, please call Oak Orchard Health at (585) 589-5613.

(Oak Orchard Health, celebrating our 50th anniversary, with offices in Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Pembroke, Hornell, Medina, and Warsaw.)

By Stephanie Aquilina, mammographer at Medina Memorial Hospital

In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook routine health check-ups until we are faced with a problem. However, some screenings, like a mammogram, are crucial to ignore.

Stephanie Aquilina

Mammograms are not just for those with a family history of breast cancer or older women; they hold immense importance for every individual. In this article, we will delve into the significance of mammograms for everyday individuals and the role it plays in early detection and prevention.

Understanding Mammograms

Mammography is a specialized medical imaging used to examine breast tissue. It involves taking X-ray images of the breasts, which are then interpreted by radiologists. Mammograms can detect abnormalities in the breast tissue, such as lumps or masses, often before they can be felt through physical examination.

Early Detection Saves Lives

One of the most compelling reasons for individuals to consider yearly mammograms is the role they play in early detection. Breast cancer, when caught in its early stages, is highly treatable. The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer (cancer that has not spread outside the breast) is around 99%.

Yearly mammograms can detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, most often before symptoms develop. This means that the individuals can receive treatment when the cancer is most responsive to therapy, increasing their chances of survival and minimizing the need for aggressive treatments.

Early detection means taking it upon yourself to do monthly self-breast exams. Early detection can also mean easier treatment.

For Every Age and Risk Level

Contrary to popular belief, mammograms are not exclusively for older women. While breast cancer risk increases with age, it can affect individuals of all ages and genders. In fact, approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.

Mammogram guidelines vary, but generally, women should start considering annual mammograms around the age of 40. However, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate screening schedule based on individual risk factors, which could include family history, genetics, and personal health history.

Approximately 50% of females have dense tissue in their breast. The dense tissue is normal but it will increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about your preventative measure for this dense tissue.

Moreover, breast cancer is not limited to women. Men can develop breast cancer as well, though it is rare. Men with a close relative with breast cancer or certain genetic mutations may benefit from genetic testing as a preventive measure. 1 in 5 men with breast cancer have a close relative with breast cancer.

Peace of Mind

Beyond the medical benefits, mammograms can provide help peace of mind. Many people worry about their health, especially when there is a family history of breast cancer. Yearly mammograms can offer reassurance, knowing that you are actively monitoring your breast health.

Additionally, for those who are experiencing breast symptoms such as pain or changes in breast tissue, diagnostic mammograms can help rule out serious issues. Talk to your doctor for your next step. This can reduce anxiety and ensure that the individual receives appropriate medical care when needed.

Financial Considerations

Some may argue that mammograms are expensive, but many health insurance plans cover them as part of preventive care. Under the Affordable Care Act in the United States, mammograms are one of the essential health benefits that insurers must cover without cost-sharing.

Even for those without insurance, many healthcare facilities offer free or low-cost mammogram screenings, particularly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. These resources make it more accessible for everyone to prioritize their breast health.

Remember, mammograms are not just for a select group of individuals. They are a vital tool in the early detection and prevention of breast cancer, which can affect people of all ages and genders. Yearly mammograms can save lives, provide peace of mind, and offer financial support through insurance coverage and community resources.

Taking charge of your health should be a priority, and mammograms are a crucial step in that journey. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the right screening schedule for you. Remember that early detection through mammograms can make a significant difference in your overall health and well-being. Don’t wait until a problem arises; prioritize your breast health today.

(Stephanie Aquilina is a member of the Imaging Department at Medina Memorial Hospital (Orleans Community Health), where she has been for 20 years (as mammographer for the last 14 years). She is a radiologic technologist, registered rad tech, and registered mammography.)

140 attend first-time event as museum seeks more supporters for mission

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Andrew Meier, an attorney in Medina who has tackled several preservation projects, served as keynote speaker on Friday at a preservation awards celebration for the Cobblestone Society and Museum.

About 140 people attended the event at Maison Albion. Meier entitled his speech, “Preservation 101: A Brief Science Lesson.”

Meier has led the ongoing renovation of the former R. H. Newell Shirt Factory. He started that project in 2005, and continues with the work on the building from 1876. It has hotel rooms, a law office, the Shirt Factory cocktail bar, and for many years was home to 810 Meadworks.

Meier said the labor from the stone and wood artisans, and other craftsmen can’t be duplicated with new buildings, where the focus is often on speed and the lowest cost possible.

Those older buildings in the county were built with old forest trees that were 200 to 300 years old. The sites were often made of the incredibly durable Medina Sandstone, which was hauled to sites on wagons by powerful animals.

“There were no concrete trucks or cranes,” Meier said. “This was all brute force, muscle labor from men and horses,” he said.

Andrew Meier acquired the Robert H. Newell Building at 113 West Center St. in 2005, when he was 25 and starting out as an attorney. The 14,000-square-foot building for 86 years was home to the Robert H. Newell Shirt Factory, which manufactured custom-made shirts, including for many famous customers, including Winston Churchill and Bob Hope. The site was originally a hotel that opened in 1876.

Orleans County continues to benefit from the legacy of people who built for the long haul with downtown buildings, churches, residences, even cemeteries, Meier said.

Meier admitted preservation projects are often very frustrating, with unknown challenges and expenses. But he said the undertakings are well worth it. Reviving a historic site or an already-built structure is good for the earth by preserving existing materials.

“Retrofitting an existing building emits less carbon than building new,” Meier said.

Meier said the four villages in the county – Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina – all have buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s that are marvels. Even the hamlets and countryside in the county feature many sites that have endured for generations.

Those buildings are tremendous feats and the residents today benefit from them, and are linked to the “giants” of the past, who put so much human capital into these buildings, Meier said.

That human energy remains stored and is ready to be unleashed, he said.

“Our built environment is waiting for that little nudge from the dreamers and risk-takers,” Meier said.

Andrew Meier speaks during Friday’s preservation awards program which was held at Maison Albion.

The community is seeing the benefit of projects in the historic buildings, from bustling restaurants in Medina, and several “boutique” hotels and small businesses in the region’s historic downtowns.

Meier said he is pleased to see so many people in his hometown of Medina take a chance on the older buildings, and give them new purpose that has been embraced by the local community, and increasingly many out-of-town visitors.

“Medina has become a different town,” he said. “There is more vibrancy, more restaurants. It would have been impossible without the buildings.”

He is thankful the county largely avoided the urban renewal movement that leveled many historic downtown sites in the 1960s and ’70s. He noted Albion has the wondrous Courthouse Square, downtown business district, and Mount Albion Cemetery with the Cobblestone Museum close by.

Holley has its Public Square which is seeing a resurgence in investment, and so is Main Street in Lyndonville. Kendall’s historic tavern has been a success in the year since it opened with new owners with a vision for the culinary arts, Meier said.

(Left) Brenda Tremblay, an Albion native and morning radio host for WXXI in Rochester, served as emcee of the dinner and celebration on Friday. She told the group, “You are surrounded by so much amazing historical stewardship.”

(Right) Matt Holland, a member of the Cobblestone Museum board of directors, urged the group to donate and support’s the museum’s mission, which includes breaking ground on a new visitors center next year.

The Thompson-Kast Visitors Center will be a new building next to an 1824 brick home that will be part of the visitors center at the intersection of routes 98 and 104.

The center will join the museum’s building inventory that includes the Cobblestone Universalist Church from 1834, Brick House (museum office) from 1836, Ward House from 1836, Peter’s Harness Shop from 1838, District No. 5 Schoolhouse from 1849, Farmers Hall from 1855, Hill’s Print Shop from the 1870s, Voting House (now used book store) from 1909, Vagg’s Blacksmith Shop from 1921-22, and the Vagg House from circa 1830s and then remodeled in the 1920s.

Doug Farley, right, is director of the Cobblestone Museum. He presents an award to Steve and Paula Nesbitt, owner of the Pine Hill School at 4757 Pine Hill Rd., Barre. They were one of six winners of preservation awards from the Cobblestone Society and Museum. The Pine Hill School was built circa 1835 of fieldstones.

The award winners also received citations from the Orleans County Legislature and State Legislature.

(Left) Tim and Catherine Cooper of Medina restored the Wash Hotel, which goes back to 1852, when the Rochester, Lockport and Niagara Falls Company completed the railroad through Medina. The building was recently purchased by Rollin Hellner.

(Right) Harriet Greaser and her late husband Phil restored the Presbyterian Manse at 31 East State St., Albion. The site has now been privately owned for more than 30 years. The Greasers brought the site back to grandeur.

Diana Dragan Reed’s home at 349 South Main St., Albion, was built in 1876 and took seven years to build. Reed recently moved back to her childhood home and has made several changes more reflective of its historic character.

Talis Historic Restoration employees, Ian McAnn and Dan Totten, accepted an award on behalf of Roger Hungerford for the restoration of the Bent’s Opera House.

Hungerford restored three floor of a historic Medina Sandstone building at the corner of West Center and Main streets in Medina. The building opened in 1865. It is now home to a boutique hotel with 10 rooms, an upscale restaurant and events center.

Kim and Neal Muscarella were honored for their efforts to turn the former Cooperative Extension building at 20 Main St. in Albion into the Marti’s on Main art gallery.

Cobblestone Museum leaders said they are pleased with the attendance at the first-time event.

Provided photos

HOLLEY – Vendetti Farms in Holley recently welcomed first-graders from Holley for a hayride, tour of farm equipment and pumpkin picking.

The farm hosts the first-graders every fall. The kids play a variety of games with pumpkins including pumpkin bowling, tic tac toe, ring toss and pumpkin stacking.

Students learn about the different types of corn grown on the farm and make a craft using ornamental corn.

Karen Clark, a school employee,  brings her goats and chickens to the farm.

“It’s a fun day, not just for the kids, but also the adult volunteers, most of who are retired teachers from Holley School District,” Lynn Vendetti said.

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – The “Spider” could be on the move, but not too far at Gulf Street Park in Medina.

The Spider has been part of the park for at least a half century. Now it is an obstacle at a new disc golf course at Gulf Street Park.

Some of the players have been complaining about some of the playground equipment being in the way, Jason Watts, DPW superintendent, told the Village Board on Monday evening.

He is looking to move the Spider, Merry-Go-Round and possibly some other equipment to a different part of the park.

A backstop for baseball and softball players may be relocated to the Pine Street Park, Watts suggested at the meeting. He said the swing-set should stay put because that would be challenging to move.

Village Trustee Marguerite Sherman said the Spider and the equipment that stays at Gulf Street should be painted with wood chips added to the ground for the apparatus.

“If a park is inviting, kids will want to come to it,” Sherman said. “That park is not inviting right now.”

The park wasn’t getting much use in recent years. But the new disc golf course has been popular, Watts said. He expects some of the disc golf players will bring their children to Gulf Street and they could use the playground while their parents play disc golf.

Watts also informed the board that a contractor is expected to be at Butts Park this week to pave the new basketball courts.

Mike Sidari

MEDINA – Mike Sidari announced at the end of this evening’s Village Board meeting that he wouldn’t be seeking re-election in March to a fifth 2-year term as Medina mayor.

Sidari has been the mayor for nearly eight years. He was on the board as a trustee for two years prior to that.

He said due to a health issue for a family member he wouldn’t be running again for mayor.

The board went into an executive session soon after his announcement.

He has said recently that Medina has a great team on the Village Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and with many community organizations.

Those groups have been able to push Medina forward with its downtown business district, industrial park and other community initiatives, he said said.

He praised citizens who led efforts for a new dog park, skate park, bluebird trail, an upgraded Pine Street Park with a splash pad, and much improved Boxwood Cemetery.

The community projects improve the quality of life for local residents, Sidari said, and also play a factor in whether a business chooses to come to Medina. The business owners want to see a community with pride, and strong schools, a vibrant downtown and thriving neighborhoods, Sidari has said.

Sidari has led the board in recent major initiatives, including a push for a new ladder truck and addition for the fire department. Sidari helped Medina with the successful application for a $4.5 NY Forward grant from the state for downtown and waterfront projects. He is co-leader of a committee working to identify projects to be submitted to the state for its final approval.

The mayor grew up in Albion. He has been an active member of the Medina Fire Department. He is retired as the food service administrator for the Orleans Correctional Facility in Albion.

Press Release, New York State Police

On Tuesday, starting at 9 a.m., the New York State Police will be escorting an oversized load starting at Gwinn Street in Medina and going to a location at Crosby Road in Alabama.

The route is Gwinn Street south to North Avenue, east to NY-31, south to NY-63, south to Shelby Road, southwest to Salt Works Road, south to NY-77, east to NY-77, and southeast to Crosby Road.

Expect delays on those roads during business hours.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

BATAVIA – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will be holding their Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Quarterly Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Genesee County Health Department (3837 W. Main Street Road Batavia, NY 14020) or by Zoom video conferencing. During the meeting, advocacy will be discussed and the election of officers will take place. Refreshments will be provided.

The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, early intervention providers, child care providers, parents of children with disabilities and other community members. The members of the council are encouraged to collaborate and voice their opinions to help raise concerns to better the program, and ultimately, help the children.

The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers.

For Zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Sarah Kathryn McLaughlin, Early Intervention Service Coordinator for Genesee County, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5503 or 585-589-3147.

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney

WASHINGTON, DC– Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today, alongside Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-8), introduced H.R. 6007, the Retirement Investment in Small Employers Act (RISE Act) to incentivize micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees to adopt retirement plans, helping more workers save for retirement.

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 enhanced the retirement plan startup tax credits for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to create incentives to adopt new plans. SECURE 2.0 allows for 100 percent of retirement plan administrative and startup costs to be covered for new plans, up to $5,000 per year.

However, the law did not amend the formula relied upon to determine the amount an employer may claim in retirement plan startup tax credits, leaving the smallest micro-businesses and their employees unable to take full advantage of the credit. The RISE Act rectifies this issue, ensuring that micro-businesses benefit in the same manner as larger businesses.

“Congress must empower and reaffirm our commitment to small businesses across the country by taking steps to grant them a competitive edge in our economy,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “I introduced the Retirement Investment in Small Employers Act along with Congressman Kildee today to enable micro-businesses across NY-24 and the nation to offer their employees robust retirement plans and allow their employees to save for the future. I remain committed to advocating for tax policies that work in favor of our small businesses and hardworking families.”

ALBION – Harry Papponetti, the village’s code enforcement officer, typically is called about loose dogs, stray cats and a wandering skunk.

But lately, he’s been getting reports of chickens, and some noisy roosters.

Papponetti said he has been notified about chickens on East Avenue, West State and East State streets.

He urged the Village Board to remind the public in the village newsletter that roosters, chickens and “poultry” are not allowed in the village.

He said there have been some unusual animal control calls recently, including an large iguana in someone’s front yard on West Academy Street.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jonathan Doherty walks in Holley’s parade in June 2016 with the Self Advocate All Stars. In 2016 he was named Volunteer of the Year for the western region of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State.

ALBION – A tree will be planted at Bullard Park in memory of Jonathan Doherty, a much-loved local resident who died at age 38 on May 5, 2022.

Ingrid Lamont of Albion agreed to pay for the tree and a plaque in honor of Doherty. The Village Board approved the offer with Lamont to work with Jay Pahura, the DPW superintendent, on selecting the tree and its location in the park.

Doherty graduated from Albion in 2003. He was an Eagle Scout and active in many civic organizations in his community, selling numerous fundraising tickets for over 20 years. He was part of the Bullard Park restoration, pushing for upgrades at the park along Route 31.

He was a member of the Albion Lion’s Club, an employee of the ARC Cleaning Crew and a substitute cleaner at Albion Central School.

He also was a founder of the Self-Advocacy All Stars for the local Arc, and attended statewide and national meetings on behalf of his differently-abled peers.

Provided photo: Orleans County Treasurer Kim DeFrank holds an award recognizing the county’s money management.

ALBION – Orleans County Treasurer Kim DeFrank has been recognized for managing the county’s finances.

DeFrank invests county dollars, which makes more money. At the end of August, she had $44,478,480 invested.

“Every dollar is invested,” she said. “The taxpayers’ money is earning money every day.”

DeFrank was recognized at the recent New York State Association of Counties conference with the “90+ cashvest” Award.  This distinction is given to entities that receive a score of 90 or better for four consecutive quarters on several money management benchmarks.

“What this award really says is that Orleans County’s cash flow and money management are excellent, investing every tax dollar possible to maximize interest earnings and we adhere to best practices,” DeFrank said. “That leads to lower borrowing costs and maximization of tax dollars. That’s what our taxpayers deserve and expect.”

Provided photos

CLARENDON – A group of 73 students in the Holley Rotary Interact Club spent part of today cleaning headstones at Hillside Cemetery.

The cleaning will help keep the headstones clear of dirt and moss or lichens for several years. This is one of the service projects done each year by the Interact members who are led by advisor Samantha Zelent.

The students were up early today and worked in some chilly weather with some guidance from Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon’s town historian and a former member of the Holley Board of Education.

“This is such a meaningful event not only to teach our younger generations how to give back to the community they live in but to honor the generations of local residents who have been buried in the cemetery since 1866,” Ierlan said.

Donuts from Paula’s have become a tradition were supplied by Alex Lane, a member of the Holley Rotary Club. Dr. Dan Schiavone, a dentist in Holley, was a big giver towards the cleaning supplies, and Zelent was able to round up other donations towards the project.

“It is so amazing to me the attitude the young people of our school district towards doing community service,” Ierlan said. “They do it with ease and are so sincere in their efforts to give back. The staff, parents and local residents who came out today did a lot of work. It is so rewarding to see the before and after results of this event.”

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 3, No. 34

National Portrait Gallery image of Carl Carmer (1893-1976), Class of 1910, Albion.

ALBION – “Albion is a boom town now, alert, progressive, dynamic. It is about the same size as it was forty years ago, but it believes in growth as it never did then, and it will grow. It has a local ‘Committee of Economic Development’ which was sponsored by the Albion Chamber of Commerce and that committee has worked hard and with intelligence and foresight.”

This was Carl Carmer’s optimistic observation following a visit to his hometown in the 1940s after an absence of 40 years. At the time of this return visit, he was nationally recognized as an accomplished author and folklorist. His first book “Stars Fell on Alabama,” published in 1934 was a bestseller and Literary Guild Selection. He told American folktales on a CBS radio show called Your Neck O’ the Woods.

He described this trip to Albion in the chapter “Hometown Revisited” which is included in his book “Dark Trees to the Wind” published in 1949. He referenced as sources, Charles D’Amico, principal of Albion High School, and Joseph B. Achilles, Orleans County historian. What lively conversations they must have had!

Carmer graduated from Albion in 1910 and then pursued studies in English literature at Hamilton and Harvard. He had happy memories of growing up in Albion in the early 1900s –learning to swim in a swift-running culvert, jumping to the decks of slow canal boats on one bridge and climbing back at the next, bicycling nine miles to Oak Orchard to swim.

He recalled an era when:

 “Albion was big houses and deep tree dominated lawns…The houses of South Main St., paid for by tolls, canal trade, dividends and apple profits, were set apart, each on a spacious lawn.”

Change was immediately visible as soon as he approached the four corners where East and West Avenues meet South Main Street.

“Those corners, austere in the dignity of massive houses set back on green and level lawns, had been the symbol of South Main.

“But East and West Avenues are now part of a brick-paved pike, called the Million Dollar Highway, and where the Swan house had stood serene in the assurance of its redbrick towers lay a wide cement covered yard decorated only by the garish protuberances of a gasoline station.”

He was dismayed to find that the Bruner house across the street, an elegant, dark-green house with piazzas, bay window and cupola, had disappeared. It had been his home, the center of his hometown memories. Only the foundations remained, and they seemed pathetically small for the building that had rested on them.

As he walked down South Main Street, he saw that the remaining mansions were no longer family homes: the Dye house was a funeral home, the Taylor house was a cafeteria. The Wage house was gone and its big barn, which had once sheltered the first horseless carriage in town, was a restaurant and night club known as Marti’s.

He realized that the era and cultural patterns he had grown up with were gone, they had died along with the big houses. He believed that the town had lived through a crisis, but, at that postwar juncture, he was optimistic for its future.

He returned to Orleans County on at least one other occasion – in May 1959 when he spoke in Lyndonville for the benefit of the Yates Community Library. A presentation on his Yarns and Folktales will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Schoolhouse at 3286 Gaines Basin Rd., Albion.