Photos and information courtesy of Albion Central School:
ALBION – Albion Middle and High School students have made 50 ponchos and over 100 seatbelt covers for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Pluta Cancer Center this fall.
This is the second year Mrs. Shari Berg and Mrs. Kathy Winans’ classes have created ponchos and seatbelt covers for patients. According to Berg, the project was inspired by Kim Toombs, a substitute teacher in the district who makes and donates these items year-round.
Dejeanna C., a high schooler in Mrs. Winans’ class, said that making the seatbelt coverings is her favorite part “because it is soft and [she] likes the fabric.”
As a cancer survivor, Toombs said that, when she went through treatment, having something like a poncho or seatbelt cover to help keep her comfortable helped a lot.
“Some patients have ports for their treatment,” Toombs explained. “The seatbelt coverings help make riding in the car more comfortable.”
Since January 2023, she has made 360 ponchos for patients, not including the ponchos she helped ACS students make.
“I keep track of the number of ponchos I make each year and it’s more than I’ve done in the past,” Toombs said. “The sad reality is that, while I am increasing the number of ponchos I am making this year, the [Pluta Cancer] center told me the average age of patients receiving treatment is declining.”
According to Toombs, on average, more than one person starts treatment at the Pluta Cancer Center per day.
All of the funds for the fabric and materials for the projects was provided by the staff members at Albion Middle School. Each Friday, staff members donate to a cause in order to “dress down.” This fall, members chose to donate to Mrs. Berg’s and Mrs. Winans’ students and help make a difference in the greater Albion community.
Originally, the goal was for students to make 31 ponchos. With at least one new patient receiving treatment daily, on average, that would cover one month of patients at the center.
“I love doing this [making a difference],” Kayla S. said. “Cutting out [the pattern] is fun and easy. I’m good at it and it’s easy to help.”
The students are still working to finish the seatbelt coverings and have plans to use “literally every scrap of material from this project to give back to others,” according to Berg.
“The scraps of fabric have been saved and we have been connected to a lady who uses the scraps to make dog beds that she donates to local shelters,” Berg explained. “We will be using the bigger scraps to make dog toys for Paws Animal Shelter!”
The best part, according to Emily L., a student in Mrs. Berg’s class, has been “working with [her] friends and helping others by making them comfortable.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2023 at 9:12 am
Photo courtesy of Lori Laine
ALBION – An Honor Tree Garden is now on display by the Orleans County Courthouse. Lori Laine pushed for the trees to be displayed and received permission last week from the Orleans County Legislature.
The trees will add to the Christmas atmosphere in Albion and also recognize organizations that serve the community. So far, the trees are in honor of Hospice of Orleans County, Pathstone, GLOW Arc, Donate Life, the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, UConnectCare Behavioral Health Services (formerly GCASA), Orleans Koinonia Kitchen, The Villages of Orleans, and Albion youth football and cheerleading – the Albion Youth Sports and Athletic Program (AYSAP).
Laine said the effort is part of a push for Albion to celebrate its Santa lineage as the home to a Santa School from 1937 to 1966 and also Christmas Park.
Volunteers working on the “Bring Christmas Back to Albion” committee are planning other new projects, including decorating lampposts, and caroling once a week during December in the community. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at Hoag Library.
“There are many ideas, many projects already being worked on for next year!” Laine said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 November 2023 at 6:30 am
The unemployment rate in Orleans County was at 3.5 percent in October, which is up from the 2.9 percent in October 2022.
However, there are more people employed in the county, 16,600 last month compared to 16,500 in October 2022. The unemployment rate is up because there are more people on unemployment, from 500 to 600 (numbers are rounded to nearest hundred in the state Department of Labor report.)
The 3.5 percent in October is up from the 3.2 percent in September for the county.
The rates for WNY counties for October include:
Orleans, 3.5 percent
Genesee, 3.0 percent
Wyoming, 3.3 percent
Livingston, 3.2 percent
Allegany, 3.6 percent
Chautauqua, 3.7 percent
Cattaraugus, 3.8 percent
Erie, 3.8 percent
Monroe, 3.7 percent
Niagara, 3.9 percent
Nationally the unemployment rate increased from 3.4 percent in October 2022 to 3.6 percent last month. Statewide it changed from 3.7 to 4.4 percent during those 12 months.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation S.5026/A.6040, known as the “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act, which provides protections, rights and opportunities for recourse to freelance workers experiencing non-payment for their services.
“Every single New Yorker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace, whether they’re a full-time, part-time or freelance worker,” Governor Hochul said. “As freelance work becomes more and more common, we need laws have strong protections to ensure these individuals are paid fairly for the work they do. This new law is a major step forward for this critical sector of our workforce.”
Legislation S.5026/A.6040 extends protections to freelancers across all of New York State, building upon the NYC’s Freelance Isn’t Free Law, by adding oversight and enforcement from the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
This law will protect freelancers by establishing a right to a written contract with certain terms, timely and full payment, and protection from retaliation and discrimination for exercising these rights. The Attorney General can bring actions to obtain remedies, including damages and civil penalties, on behalf of impacted freelance workers. Freelance workers would also have the right to pursue a private lawsuit to protect their rights under the new law.
These expanded rights and protections will apply to covered freelancers being paid at least $800 for their services. The Department of Labor will provide model contracts on its website for freelancers and hiring parties to use with terms that comply with this new law.
Freelancers Union Executive Director Rafael Espinal said, “This Thanksgiving we are thankful that New York State is committing to protections for freelancers under the law. We have the utmost confidence that NYS will lead the way in holding bad actors accountable and uplifting the independent workforce into the future.”
Turkey cooking anxiety affects many cooks at this time of year. After all, the roasted fowl is the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. Thankfully, virtual assistance is at hand – talk, text and live chat options are now available to provide advice.
Thawing the turkey is a common concern. How long does it take? Can it be thawed outside the refrigerator? What if it did not thaw sufficiently?
Earlier cooks also had to contend with turkey cooking issues. But their turkeys were not frozen. Nor were they plucked clean, with a selection of the innards wrapped in plastic and nestled inside the clean cavity.
Here are instructions from The White House Cookbook (1900 edition) on how to cook a roast turkey: Select a young turkey; remove all the feathers carefully, singe it over a burning newspaper on the top of the stove, then “draw” [clear the innards] it nicely, being very careful not to break any of the internal organs; remove the crop [pouch at the base of the neck which may contain food] carefully; cut off the head, and tie the neck close to the body by drawing the skin over it.
Now rinse the inside of the turkey out with several waters, and in the next to last, mix a teaspoonful of baking soda; oftentimes the inside of a fowl is very sour, especially it is not freshly killed. Soda, being cleansing, acts as a corrective, and destroys that unpleasant taste which we frequently experience in the dressing when fowls have been killed for some time.
After washing, wipe the turkey dry, inside and out, with a clean cloth, rub the inside with salt, then stuff with “Dressing for Fowls.”
First published in 1887, The White House Cookbook was very popular and was often given as a wedding gift. As the subtitle indicates, it was a “comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home” In addition to recipes and menus, it contained instructions for household management and caring for the sick, such as how to fix cement cracks in a floor or how remove cinders from the eye.
It also includes breakfast, dinner, and supper menus for a week in each month of the year as well as menus for holidays:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2023 at 9:24 pm
ALBION – The Orleans Koinonia Kitchen at the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church will have 650 Thanksgiving meals ready for the community.
The meals will be available for free. People can eat in at the church at 560 East Ave., or they can be to go. The kitchen also will be making deliveries, said Faith Smith, director of the “OK” Kitchen.
The meals will be available from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Smith said the Thanksgiving meals will be made available through a partnership from the OK Kitchen with The Risen Café, the Oasis Church in Medina and Harvest Christian Fellowship.
The church typically serves between 375 to 400 meals each week on Thursdays.
“It’s all about the community coming together to support one another and that’s what the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen is all about,” Smith said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2023 at 5:33 pm
CLARENDON – Two people were killed in a car accident on Route 31A in Clarendon today, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
The two-vehicle crash happened at 11:12 a.m. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene: Autumn Lynn Dercqu, 22, of Medina and Justin S. Christmas, 32, of Rochester, the driver of the vehicle.
They were in an eastbound vehicle and collided with a westbound vehicle at a portion of Route 31A that is a no passing zone, with a double solid line on a curve, Bourke said.
The female operator from the other vehicle was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester with multiple injuries.
Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies and investigators, along with the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office, are continuing the investigation into this crash, Bourke said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2023 at 11:39 am
ALBION – About 200 Thanksgiving dinners will be served beginning at noon on Thanksgiving at the Masonic Lodge at 39 North Platt St.
The Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries and Masonic Lodge will have the meals available to eat-in or take-out until 3 p.m. or until they are all gone.
Pastor Al Wilson said volunteers already have a list of people where they will make deliveries.
The church last year prepared and served 182 of the meals for free on Thanksgiving. Wilson said about 200 of the meals are ready for Thursday.
Wilson also leads a church in Buffalo, the Greater Royal Worship Center, that served 4,500 Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday.
“It’s my ministry, it’s not a job for me,” Wilson said today.
The church has other big events planned in Albion. It will be doing its third annual “Que In” for Christmas from noon until all 2,000 chicken dinners are gone on Dec. 9. Those dinners will be served as part of Albion’s Hometown Christmas event. The meals will be take-out only at the Masonic Lodge, 39 Platt St.
Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries also is organizing a Resource Fair on Dec. 8 at the Elks Lodge, 428 West State St.
There will be information on programs and services available in Orleans County from noon until 3 p.m. There will be free giveaways and food, as well as the chance to meet with local agency leaders.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2023 at 11:10 am
Rochester woman eyes 162 South Main St. for licensed cannabis retailer
ALBION – A Rochester woman has submitted paperwork with the Village of Albion that she intends to seek a license from the state to have a marijuana dispensary at 162 South Main St., unit 4.
That would be in the plaza that includes Subway, Family Dollar, Care Net of Greater Orleans, Rent-A-Center and Chia Sen.
Nicolene Sercu submitted a “Notification to Municipality” form to the village.
The Albion Village Board voted on Oct. 21, 2021 to opt in and allow legal marijuana dispensaries. Albion officials at the time said allowing the marijuana sites will make it easier for local residents to get the product in town, instead of driving to other communities and possibly putting others at risk on the roadways.
Village Board members also cited the potential tax benefits for the village. The state will have a 13-cent excise tax per $1 on the marijuana sales, and the village will get 3 of those cents per dollar.
However, Village Trustee Chris Barry opposed having licensed dispensaries in the village then and said at the Tuesday board meeting he continues to be against it.
The Village Planning Board on Nov. 9 had a public hearing about marijuana dispensaries and said the sites would be limited to areas in the village that are zoned general commercial – as long as they meet the regulations set by the state.
Those regulations keep dispensaries from at least 500 feet from a school and at least 200 feet from a church.
“We will use general commercial as an acceptable area but they still have to meet codes,” Karen Conn, the Planning Board chairwoman, said following a public hearing on the issue. “It’s up to them to find a spot and work with the code enforcement officer.”
Village Trustee Tim McMurray said the board will keep a close eye on the process, which he said is largely dictated by the state whether the dispensary is approved.
“We’ll follow up and do our due diligence,” McMurray said at the board meeting on Tuesday.
ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge rejoined the Albion Midget League program as a sponsor this season. The Elks helped support a 12U team with donations to help with costs of uniforms, bats, equipment bags, helmets, catchers gear, and other equipment.
Pictured are some of the players from different age groups that the donations went to, along with some of the board members: front (catcher) Ryan Coots; standing first row: Evan Coots, Kenny Draper, Stryker Sanders, Jackson Frasier, Linda Standish and Bonnie Draper. Back row: Dan Ward, Drew Boyce, Jake Haines, Gavin Boyce, Brett Boring and Ross Kaine.
The Elks Lodge looks forward to continuing their relationship with youth baseball in Albion this coming season and seasons to come by sponsoring one team from the Elks themselves and one team from the Elks Riders, a subdivision of the Elks that will enter into a sponsorship of a youth team of players from the Albion school district who will play in the GLOW league this coming spring.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are alerting residents that cases of respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, are rising throughout Genesee and Orleans counties. GO Health has also seen an increase in the presence of RSV in wastewater throughout both counties.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that can be mild for most people, but can be very harmful and serious for very young children, older adults, people with medical conditions, those born premature, or with underlying lung conditions.
Symptoms of RSV include fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing and runny nose. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once. In young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties. Severe illness can result in bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. Hospitalization due to RSV is needed when a person is experiencing difficulty breathing or is dehydrated.
A vaccine is available to prevent and protect against RSV for adults aged 60 and older, infants and young children, as well as pregnant people to protect their unborn child. If you are interested in the vaccine, you are encouraged to talk with your healthcare provider and for the best protection, you should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
To protect against all respiratory viruses including RSV, Covid-19 and the flu, practice the following precautions:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing/sneezing. This may prevent those around you from getting sick. Use your elbow or shoulder to limit the spray when coughing/sneezing.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. It is especially important to wash your hands after you have coughed or sneezed into your hands or blown your nose. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol- based hand sanitizer.
Frequently disinfect shared items, like doorknobs, handrails, phones, pens, remotes, etc.
For more information about RSV, visit the New York State Department website.
For the Genesee and Orleans Counties Wastewater Dashboard that tracks RSV, Covid-19, and flu in local sewersheds, visit the GO Health Wastewater Dashboard.
For more information on GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2023 at 9:30 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers – The 1-million-gallon water tank on Route 98 will be replaced with a smaller tank at 750,000 gallons north of the village in the Town of Gaines. The village will have the 1-million gallon tank demolished. The new tank will keep the water drop design with “Village of Albion Water.”
ALBION – The Albion Village Board is moving forward with replacing a water tank on Route 98, north of the village in Gaines.
The current tank was built in 1962 and has a capacity for 1 million gallons.
The board voted to accept a construction bid this evening for a new tank that will hold 750,000 gallons. It will be a glass-fused steel tank, said Adam Rush, the village water plant chief operator.
The tank mostly serves the town of Carlton. Water is kept in the tank and backflows into the Carlton waterlines.
Statewide Aquastore from East Syracuse submitted the low bid of $1,369,000 for the project. Another bid for a concrete tank was $1,949,105.
The project will be funded with a state grant through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA).
The board in September also accepted a $1,527,000 bid from STC Construction of Springville for the first phase of the project, which includes demolition of current tank, and installation of new piping, valves and a meter pit.
A $1,250,000 grant from the state will cover most of the cost for the first phase. That money is from the Community Development Block Grant program, with another grant from WIIA covering 60 percent of the remaining cost or $166,200. The village expects it will pay its share through the water rates in the water fund.
The first phase needs to be done by April 9, and then the new tank will be constructed in the spring or summer, Rush said.
The new tank will be smaller the current one because the village added more capacity with a 3 million gallon tank in the mid-1990s near the intersection of routes 98 and 31A.
The village also is close to completion with another project for its water system. Keeler Construction in Barre is on target to be substantially complete by Dec. 1 with a new building to store fluoride.
The village accepted a $388,000 bid from Keeler for a fluoridation building that is 14-by-14 feet, with mechanical (HVAC and plumbing) and electrical components and systems. Rush said fluoridation equipment will be moved in soon after Dec. 1.
That project is funded with $312,000 grant from the state Department of Health, with the other $76,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The village was previously keeping the fluoridation chemicals in the water plant. Rush said it was a subpar setup. The village hasn’t added fluoride to the water since the summer of 2021 but will start doing that again when the new concrete building is ready.
(Editor’s Note: This article was updated from an earlier version that had the wrong company listed as the low bidder.)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 November 2023 at 5:45 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community will decorate 85 trees at Veterans Park for the annual Christmas in Lyndonville celebration.
The trees are decorated by many families as memorials, or by businesses and organizations to be part of the display which is lighted up through New Year’s Day.
“It’s a lot of people taking pride in representing their loved ones who have passed, or their organizations and their businesses,” said Teri Woodworth, the village clerk and one of the coordinators of the event.
Lyndonville has been decorating the trees since 2013 when there were 26 the first year. The trees cost $40 and are then decorated by families, businesses or organizations for the big unveil at 5 p.m. on Dec. 2.
The trees are part of a day-long celebration at Lyndonville, which continues to grow each year. Thos year’s schedule adds Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, cookie decorating at Webber’s Kitchen, and a Frosty Toss game led by Christine Heideman Insurance Broker.
The event is sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department, Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville United Methodist Women.
The schedule for the day includes:
8 to 11 a.m. – Community Breakfast/Basket Raffle at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Music Boosters Craft Sale at Lyndonville School
11 a.m. to sold out – Music Boosters Beef on Weck Dinner at Lyndonville School
Noon to 2 p.m. – Holiday Cookie Decorating Station at Webber Kitchen
2 to 4 p.m. – Petting Zoo at Library Parking Lot
2 to 4 p.m. – Hot Chocolate from M&T Bank at Library Parking Lot
2 to 4 p.m. – Catherine Street Bakery at Library Parking Lot
2 to 4:30 p.m. – Frosty Toss with Christine Heideman Insurance Broker at Library Parking Lot
2 to 4:45 p.m. – Horse Drawn Carriage Rides at Village Hall
2 to 6 p.m. – Mr. Pix Popcorn at Library Parking Lot
2 to 6 p.m. – Blue Groove Coffee/Bubba’s Loganberry at Library Parking Lot
2 to 6 p.m. – Dubby’s Wood Fired at Library Parking Lot
2 to 6:30 p.m. – NYS Child ID with Orleans County Sheriff’s Dept at Village Hall
3 to 4:30 p.m. – Craft & Games at Yates Community Library
3 to 6 p.m. – Hotdogs & Sodas from Lyndonville Lions Club at Library
3 to 6 p.m. – Cup of Chili from Champs at Library Parking Lot
4:30 to 5 p.m. – Caroling at Veterans Park
5 p.m. – Santa’s Arrival & Lighting of Trees at Vet’s Park
5:15 to 6:30 p.m. – Visit with Santa
7 p.m. – Christmas LaLaPalooza at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
Letters can also be mailed to Santa at the North Pole Post located at the Yates Community Library.
By Michelle Okonieczny, DNP, Oak Orchard Health in Medina
Not everyone looks forward to the holidays with a HoHoHo! In fact, many people find it difficult time of year. It’s my hope that this article gives you some advice on finding some happiness during the holidays and beyond, and knowing when to call your medical provider for help.If you don’t have a medical provider or behavioral health therapist, you should call the Oak Orchard Health location nearest you. Having a medical provider that you can confide in is important to staying healthy and happy all year round.
Are you depressed or have the holiday blues?
This time of year is when many of my patients come in feeling depressed. Is it really depression or the holiday blues? We have so many expectations for the holidays that it can certainly make us feel blue. There is a definite difference between depression and the holiday blues.
Depression during the fall and winter is often referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It is thought that shorter days and less daylight may trigger a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression. Light therapy and antidepressants can help treat SAD. So be sure to get help. If you think you may be depressed, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Medications and/or therapy can help you see improvements but expect your mood to get better slowly.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a functional disability meaning you find it hard to function – examples include getting out of bed each morning, inability to go to work, loss of appetite, and you may not feel like taking care of yourself. This type of functional decline is the difference between it and the holiday blues.
What are the holiday blues?
With the holiday blues you may be functioning, but you feel like you’re on autopilot and you’re very unhappy. The holidays can be a gloomy time of year for many people. My advice is to do something for yourself, something that you enjoy. It may be as simple as getting out of the house or visiting a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a while. Think of what would make you happy and put the date on your calendar to go.Remember you’re not the only one feeling the holiday blues. Even if others have family and friends around, they may be feeling lonely. Don’t be afraid to reach out during this time of year.
How do I celebrate the holidays without family and friends around?
You’re not the only one in this situation! So many families are spread across the state or country that you may find yourself on your own for the holidays. How do you get through it without being down? Have a plan! Think about what you’d like to do that day. Are you going to cook for yourself? Enjoy a delicious meal. If appropriate, go to a religious service where you’ll see many smiling faces.
Plan on doing what you like that day. Love movies? Make a list of the movies that you can watch that day at home or go to the movie theater. Love football? Watch a game or two on Christmas Day. When will you take your walk? If the weather permits, get bundled up and enjoy the beauty of the winter. When will you call family or friends to wish them a happy holiday? Whatever you decide, have a plan, write it down, and enjoy yourself.
Get started on your New Year’s resolutions early.
While you’re planning for the holidays, think about your nutrition during the holidays and what you may want to do differently in 2024 to improve your health. Though the holidays represent only a few days during the month of December, people often find themselves overeating for more than that. If you’re the cook, have a plan for the leftovers. Give them to your guests or friends. It’s not realistic to think you won’t eat a piece of pie but keeping that pie around will be a very tempting sweet treat.
Knowing that you’ll be eating differently this month should inspire you to increase your exercise. A walk around the block or inside a department store during the cold weather are both great ways to jumpstart a new healthy exercise routine.
If you have any questions, please contact Oak Orchard Health. We are accepting new patients and now is a great time of year to begin a relationship with a medical provider. Call (585) 589-5613 or visit our website at www.OakOrchardHealth.org. We have health centers inAlbion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Hornell, Medina, Pembroke, and Warsaw.
Here are instructions from The White House Cookbook (1900 edition) on how to cook a roast turkey: Select a young turkey; remove all the feathers carefully, singe it over a burning newspaper on the top of the stove, then “draw” [clear the innards] it nicely, being very careful not to break any of the internal organs; remove the crop [pouch at the base of the neck which may contain food] carefully; cut off the head, and tie the neck close to the body by drawing the skin over it.
