By Kim Pritt, Contributor Posted 21 March 2023 at 8:00 am
In the Hall of Fame room, you’ll find plaques of all the greats inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame over the years. This is the very first set of inductees in 1936: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Matthewson, and Walter Johnson.
Let’s go on an adventure together…. to Cooperstown!
The other night I was flipping channels looking for something to watch on TV when I found “A League of Their Own” just starting. I loved that movie and – just guessing here – I’ve likely seen it close to a million times. (only a slight exaggeration) But, I hadn’t watched it in a long time, so I settled in to watch. It didn’t disappoint…..I laughed and cried and was on the edge of my seat watching the final World Series game like I had no idea what the outcome was going to be. And, then, it came to the last scene where they all gathered later in life at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY and I was right there….remembering my little trip to Cooperstown in the fall of 2013. I decided right then that I would take you all back there with me.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame had been on my bucket list for years. In September of 2013, I finally decided to take an overnight trip to see it. The plan was to get an early start, drive down via Route 20 with some quick photo stops along the way, arrive in Cooperstown around noon to explore and see the Hall Of Fame, do a bit more exploring the next morning, and head back home that afternoon. Well…I love being retired and having the flexibility to change plans on the fly! My estimated 5-6 hour drive (with photo stops) turned into 10 hours because of all the amazing things I took the time to stop and see along the way. I had a reservation at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in downtown Cooperstown that was happy to accommodate me for a second night so I could do everything I wanted to do and not be rushed. So, my overnighter turned into a two night, three day adventure that I’ll never forget.
One of the exhibits is “The Baseball Experience” – a short film that takes you right into the heart of baseball, tugs at your heart strings, and ends with the entire audience singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”…don’t miss it!
Taking the scenic route is the best way to go. The thruway would have gotten me there quicker, but I would have missed so much long the way. Some of my stops along the way included: breakfast in Canandaigua, the Montezuma Winery, a couple hours exploring Seneca Falls and the history of Women’s Rights, Skaneateles, Cazenovia Lake, and Chittenango Falls.
Just about 10 hours and lots of memories later, I arrived in Cooperstown in time to check into my Bed & Breakfast and walk downtown for some dinner. I loved Cooperstown. It is an awesome small town on Otsego Lake with all the small town charm and appeal. Of course, it takes full advantage of the Baseball Hall of Fame with lots of baseball themed shops, restaurants, and attractions, but there is so much to love for everyone – regardless of their interest in baseball.
After I explored a little and had some dinner, I went to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was getting late, so I wasn’t sure how much I could see, but I discovered that the purchase of a ticket that late in the day also included access the next day. I spent about an hour and a half that first evening and barely made it through the first floor. The next morning, I returned and spent another three hours going through the second and third floor and revisiting parts of the first floor. It was really amazing! The hall of plaques of those inducted into the Hall of Fame was quite an experience. There were several people wandering through looking at the plaques, but no one spoke more than a whisper – it was a respectful and emotional room. I thoroughly enjoyed all the time I spent there. If you’re going to visit the HoF, you should definitely allow at least 3-4 hours to see it all – more to really do it justice.
Other places I enjoyed visiting while in Cooperstown included Doubleday Field – the birthplace of baseball, Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum, Otsego Lake – I was happy to see a lighthouse, and just spending time wandering around downtown. It was September, so the leaves were turning and the town is so quaint, it just made for such a lovely time. I also visited the Fenimore Art Museum and the Farmer’s Museum – both very interesting – plan for at least a couple hours or more for each.
So, if you’re looking for a 2-3 or so day get away, consider Cooperstown – take the scenic route – you won’t regret it! Check out these blog posts that provide much more info and photos about my Cooperstown adventure:
Legislation named in honor of man who died working in 93 heat on Geneseo bridge in 2020
Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) introduced the Timothy J. Barber Act on Monday, which would require the Department of Labor to study the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s spending on technical support and compliance assistance for heat-related illnesses and recommend ways to increase its effectiveness.
Technical support and compliance assistance help small businesses comply with OSHA’s regulations and defray the costs of complying with these regulations.
Tragically, Tim Barber, 35, passed away on July 7, 2020, at a work site on the Route 63 Bridge over the Genesee River in Geneseo. It was Tim’s second day on the job when the temperature hit 93 degrees with a heat index of 95 degrees, and he died from hyperthermia. After a nine-month investigation, OSHA determined that Tim’s employer “failed to train him and implement other safeguards to protect him and other employees against extreme heat hazards.”
“Heat-related illnesses like hyperthermia are easily preventable,” Tenney said. “We must work with companies to help them protect their employees from hyperthermia. OSHA’s compliance assistance and technical support should continue to help our small businesses protect workers without increasing costs.
“By introducing this bill, we remember and celebrate the life of Tim Barber while working to make OSHA’s spending more effective. Additionally, as we begin to enter warmer months, I encourage all of my constituents, especially those who work outdoors, to be careful in the heat, drink water, and take rest breaks when necessary. Together, we can honor Tim’s life and prevent others from needlessly suffering from hyperthermia.”
“We would like to thank Congresswoman Tenney for her help joining with us to bring awareness to the dangers of heat illness. We hope the results from this legislation bring recommendations that will prevent another loss of life due to hyperthermia,” said Jim and Kathy Barber.
Provided photo: U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer was in Macedon in Wayne County today to highlight the dangers of Xylazine, which caused 59 fatal overdoses in Monroe County last year, and is suspected in 10 recent deaths in Wayne County. Schumer is joined by Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby and other officials during a news conference this afternoon at Lakeview Community Services’ Woodland Commons in Macedon.
Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer
MACEDON – Standing with local law enforcement and health leaders, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today revealed his three-pronged plan to combat the horrific rise in Xylazine, a deadly, skin-rotting zombie drug, also known as ‘Tranq,’ that is fueling a new wave of overdoses and deaths heading towards Rochester and spreading across the Finger Lakes.
“Upstate New York is seeing a dramatic rise in Xylazine, a horrific skin rotting zombie drug, plaguing our streets, overwhelming law enforcement and causing serious concern because it is Narcan resistant, putting lives at greater risk,” Schumer said.
The senator explained that Upstate communities cannot fight the scourge of this dangerous drug on streets alone and is calling for a major boost in federal support to combat drug trafficking and this public health crisis.
First, Schumer said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to accelerate its operations to track down illicit sources of Xylazine that are plaguing Northeast, and Upstate New York in particular, to cut off supply that is flooding New York streets.
Second, the senator detailed his new push to supercharge the federal COPS Hiring Program with nearly $537 million in new funds to help stop drug trafficking in its tracks.
Third, Schumer said we need an all-of-the-above approach to treat the overdose crisis, and said he is calling for new boosts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) appropriations, including grants that can be used to fund testing infrastructure for Xylazine.
“The feds need to accelerate their efforts to crack down on this drug illegally being shipped from overseas and unlawfully making its way onto the streets of Rochester, Wayne County, and communities across New York,” Schumer said. “In far too many communities, including the Finger Lakes, the pandemic has made opioid addiction and its health impacts worse, and Xylazine could make this growing problem even more deadly which is why we need the feds to step up now.”
Schumer explained that although Xylazine is a sedative most commonly used as an animal tranquilizer by veterinarians, the deadly drug is now finding its way onto Upstate streets through illicit sources.
He said that these dangerous drug deals are contaminating opioids like fentanyl, heroine, and cocaine with Xylazine, which has the ability to compound the effects of opioids and has led to countless overdoses and deaths in Upstate NY. This dangerous drug is right on the doorstep of the Finger Lakes and has already been identified in several local communities.
Xylazine has been a contributing factor in fatal overdoses across Monroe County for years, with over 180 deaths tied to the lethal drug since 2019. Out of 22 deaths that were directly attributed to drug overdoses in nearby Wayne County last year, 3 deaths were directly tied to usage of Xylazine in conjunction with other opiates and Xylazine is suspected in up to 10 fatal overdoses now under investigation in Wayne County. This deadly drug, which is already at large in Central NY and responsible for over 40 overdoses this month alone.
“Law enforcement working together in tandem with our partners in medicine, prevention, and recovery,” said Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter. “Xylazine powder can be purchased for prices ranging from $6-$20 per kilo. At a price that low, drug trafficking organizations and dealers use this dangerous drug to reduce the amount of fentanyl or heroin used in a mixture, prolonging the effects of the drugs, while increasing profits. As those dealing this poison change their tactics, so must we in our response to this crisis which is why I appreciate the Senator’s push. Lives depend on it.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2023 at 6:33 pm
$2.5 million project to be recognized in Binghamton ceremony
Photos by Tom Rivers: Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon speaks during a Sept. 24 ribbon cutting for upgrades at the Yates Town Park. Simon also announced the new pavilion at the park would be dedicate in honor of Russ Martino, the retired town supervisor and elementary school principal.
YATES – The Yates Town park improvements will be recognized this week as a project of the year by the New York State chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Yates already was honored by the Genesee Valley Branch of the APWA on Jan. 26. Now it will receive statewide honors on Thursday in Binghamton.
Yates will receive the award for project of the year in the category for Small Cities/Rural Communities Structures.
The $2.5 million park upgrades include a 75-foot-long pier, a pavilion with bathrooms, new playground equipment, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, and new parking lot with sidewalks.
The project was 95 percent funded by the state, which made $300 million available to southshore communities through the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative or REDI.
That was in response to historic flooding along the shore in 2017 and 2019. That flooding destroyed part of the shoreline at the Yates park and the town used a separate $400,000 grant from the state to put in a massive breakwall.
The park upgrades included a new elevated platform or pier that extends out into Lake Ontario. Other projects at the park featured a pavilion with bathrooms, new playground equipment, a kayak launch, a crusher-run walking trail, and new parking lot with sidewalks. There will also be horse-and-buggy turnaround with hitching posts.
The project turned a small park with few amenities into a site that Yates officials believe will become a vibrant destination
The town worked with the MRB Group for engineering services and Keeler Construction in Barre served as the general contractor.
Town Supervisor Jim Simon plans to attend the awards banquet on Thursday with Jon Hinman, the Town Engineer from MRB; and Dave Herring, representing Keeler Construction.
By winning the state award, NYS APWA will submit the Yates project to APWA National for consideration for a national award. Those awards will be announced later in the spring.
Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program matches students with job shadows, paid co-ops
Provided photo: front row from left include Brayden Flynn (Roy-Hart), Peter Kieffer (Newfane), Tim Goerss (Newfane), Vincent Molisani (Albion), Diamond Chandler (Lockport), Conner Dietz (Lockport) and Evan Pease (Lockport). Back row include Tyler Chandler (Roy-Hart), Zack Walker (Roy-Hart), Jaiden Just (Lockport), Anthony Cercone (Lockport) and Gavin Cunningham (Lockport).
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Several students in Bill Rakonczay’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering program were matched up with companies by the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program’s Signing Day on March 14.
Anthony Cercone, Diamond Chandler, Tyler Chraston, Gavin Cunningham, Conner Dietz, Brayden Flynn, Tim Goerss, Jaiden Just, Peter Kieffer, Vinny Molisani, Evan Pease and Zack Walker were connected with advanced manufacturing companies through matching day events that lead to job shadows and paid co-ops.
“High School students get recognized for sports and where they are going to college,” said Mr. Rakonczay. “I think we need to recognize the students that are in our local workforce. I want to thank all the local employers that opened their doors and allowed my students to do a paid co-op with them. Also thank you to all the parents and guests who came out on a snowy afternoon to support their loved ones. I am extremely proud of all my students.”
FLYAP is the first of its kind in New York State and is an essential workforce solution that ensures a robust economic future for Western New York. Companies Custom Laser, E&R Machining Inc., Jeffery Machine, J.W. Burg Machine & Tool, Metal Works, Myles Tool, Niagara Precision, Nuclear Alloys, Nutall Gear and TF Enterprise partnered with the students from Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.
“FLYAP is a one-of-a-kind career exploration program which provides students across the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region the opportunity to explore and begin a career in advanced manufacturing while still in high school,” said Rich Turner, RTMA (Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association) Director of Workforce Development. “We are connecting students to local companies offering great career opportunities. Events like ‘Signing Day’ are a great way to celebrate our students, families, educators and businesses as we celebrate one of our region’s largest industries.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 March 2023 at 11:35 am
Provided photo: This is a Stickle quilt, also known as a Dear Jane quilt, made by Carole Patterson of Albion. The Stickle Quilt will be the topic of a program at the Cobblestone Museum on March 30, in celebration of Women’s History Month. The public is invited to a virtual (Zoom) presentation from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center.
CHILDS – A program scheduled by the Cobblestone Museum at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center is a must-see event for all quilt makers and lovers of quilts, said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Society.
The public is invited to a virtual presentation (Zoom) from 7 to 8 p.m. March 30 by Callie Raspuzzi, collections manager at the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vt.
Limited seating will be available at the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center across from the Cobblestone Museum. Pre-registration is required by calling the Cobblestone Museum at (585) 589-9013. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants on March 29. Cost is a $5 to $20 sliding scale fee.
Most commonly referred to as the “Dear Jane Quilt,” the Stickle quilt was made in the small town of Shaftsbury, Vt. in 1863 during the Civil War by Jane A. Stickle.
She completed more than 169 blocks in 1863. She had married Walter Stickle sometime before 1850. She did not have any children, but looked after at least three children in her neighborhood. In the 1860s, Stickle was 43 and living alone on a farm, during which time she was creating the Dear Jane quilt as a reminder of the turbulent times the country was going through at the time. She carefully embroidered the words “In War Time 1863 into the quilt.
The original quilt contained a total of 5,602 pieces. The quilt has inspired books, exhibits and quilters all over the world, Bonafini said.
One of those quilters is Carole Patterson of Albion, whose Stickler quilt hangs in her stairway. She has been quilting since 1986 and first became interested in the Stickler quilt when she read a book about it in 2002.
“I worked on it a good part of the year, including the whole winter,” she said. “It has Civil War prints and is all hand sewn. I just love piecing .”
Raspuzzi’s illustrated talk will explore the history of the quilt and its maker. It will also use the quilt as a jumping-off point to talk about diverse topics, including female education, the Civil War, country fairs, disability, textile manufacture, poverty and museum collecting.
Raspuzzi has been collections manager at the Bennington Museum since 2004. Her job includes keeping track of the museum’s tens of thousands of objects, photographs, rare books and archival collections and ensuring everything it properly cared and accounted for. She attended Colgate University and earned a master’s degree in museum studies from George Washington University. The program is sponsored by Tompkins Community Bank.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2023 at 9:43 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. from Michigan dredges the Oak Orchard Harbor on Aug. 26, 2021. The dredging barge is near the breakwall at the end of the Oak Orchard channel. The harbor last was dredged in August 2014, when it was done for the first time in 10 years.
ALBION – Orleans and Niagara officials are teaming to lead a regional dredging effort for southshore harbors at six counties.
The Lake Ontario Regional Dredging and Maintenance Council was officially formed in 2019 under a memorandum of understanding between the six contiguous counties of Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego.
Orleans County is lead agency for the council with Lynne Johnson as the council’s chairman and Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey as its vice chairman.
The 19 harbors were last dredged in 2021 through $15 million from the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI). The state made $300 million available through REDI in response to historic lake flooding and erosion from 2017 and 2019.
Johnson, the Orleans Legislature leader, said there needs to be a plan for the future to make sure the harbors are routinely dredged.
The Orleans and Niagara officials say boating activities and fishing generate about $100 million annually at the southshore harbors.
“The failure to keep our harbors dredged and open means that boats cannot access our communities and that has a very negative financial impact,” Johnson and Godfrey said in a statement.
The council is trying to secure federal funding to help with regular dredging of the 19 harbors in the six counties. The council’s plan also has the six counties sharing resources to contribute to the effort.
“The dredging needs for our Lake Ontario harbor access channels, even those under the responsibility of the US Army Corps of Engineers, are not being met due to federal budget constraints, lack of responsibility by other levels of government, and the limitations of sporadic privately funded dredging,” Johnson said. “Our only choice is to do it ourselves.”
The plan proposes annual funding shares from the six member counties at $163,919. It would be $245,923 with a capital cost included.
The plan pro-rates the shares from each county based on a proportional share of dredge volume in one option or a proportional share of sales tax generated in another option.
Orleans would pay a low of $12,360 annually in one option (sales tax generation without capital cost) to a high of $23,655 (based on dredge volume with capital cost).
The report includes total spending in the counties through boating activities: $7,087,101 in Orleans, $10,500,954 in Niagara, $30,930,870 in Monroe, $18,416,854 in Wayne, $6,611,742 in Cayuga and $20,443,860 in Oswego.
The plan sets time frames for when each of the 19 harbors should be dredged. The Oak Orchard Harbor in Orleans should be dredged every five years with 15,000 cubic yards removed, according to the plan.
The dredging needs for other nearby harbors includes: the channel in Wilson should be dredged every 5 years with 15,000 cubic yards removed; Olcott Harbor very five years with 15,000 cubic yards removed, and Sandy Creek in Hamlin every five years with 1,200 cubic yards removed.
Johnson and Godfrey presented a dredging plan for the harbors last week to the Great Lakes Dredging Team. They also have been working with Congressman Joe Morelle’s office to obtain funding to remove sediment form the harbors.
“Our small harbors serving recreational boating and fishing generate approximately $94 million annually in economic activity, support over 1,350 jobs, and provide sales tax revenues of approximately $7.6 million annually for the local counties and New York State” Godfrey said. “These same small harbors also provide safe harbors-of-refuge for vessels on Lake Ontario and can only provide these important benefits if adequate water depths are maintained in their access channels by regular, periodic dredging of accumulated sediments.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2023 at 8:16 am
Spring is finally here today after another winter, which didn’t go out quietly. After a cold weekend with blowing snow, today will be sunny with a high of 42, the National Weather Service in Buffalo reported.
The highs for the rest of the week include 47 on Tuesday, 52 on Wednesday, 54 on Thursday, 41 on Friday and 42 on Saturday.
ALBION – On March 14 at about 5:57 p.m., Albion Police officers were dispatched to a location on West State Street for the report of a male covered in blood and threatening people nearby while holding a knife.
The male was identified by other residents as Shane W. Lake, 31, of Albion. As responding officers were approaching the incident location, Lake was observed operating a silver Jeep SUV eastbound on West State Street, away from the initial scene. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the male and he was taken into custody without incident.
After a subsequent search of Lake’s person and his vehicle, a large amount of heroin was located and seized. The heroin was found packaged up into 68 small plastic baggies.
Lake was charged with the following:
• Criminal Possession of Narcotic Drug with intent to sell 3rd Degree (B-Felony)
• Criminal Possession of Narcotic Drug 4th Degree (C-Felony)
Lake was transported to the Albion Police Department where he was processed and released on an appearance ticket under NYS Bail Reform guidelines. Lake is scheduled to appear in the Town of Albion Court on a later date and time.
No one was injured during this incident.
The Albion Police Department was assisted by members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 March 2023 at 9:09 pm
Mary’s Confections will be new bakery business at historic opera house in Medina
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mary Sandy, left, executive pastry chef at Harvest Restaurant, confers with events coordinator Faye Conley and owners Heather and Roger Hungerford about developing a bakery business, specializing in wedding cakes.
MEDINA – Bent’s Opera House has developed a top restaurant, one-of-a-kind boutique hotel rooms and historic opera house for events. Now its staff is ready to promote it as a prime wedding/event venue and bakery.
On Friday, Bent’s owner Roger Hungerford, his wife Heather and events coordinator Faye Conley sat down with pastry chef Mary Sandy to finalize plans for starting a service to offer wedding cakes and dessert platters.
Sandy made eight flavors of cupcakes and seven flavors of frosting for the Hungerfords to sample and make recommendations.
Cupcake flavors were white, almond, chocolate, marble (white and chocolate), strawberry, strawberry marble, white almond raspberry and funfetti.
Frosting flavors were marble, strawberry, lemon, mocha, cookies and cream, vanilla and chocolate.
Bent’s Opera House has already attracted entertainment acts, private parties and regular swing dancing, but owners now want to emphasize the space as a wedding/reception venue. Having a bakery under the same roof will be a convenience for brides.
Sandy envisions brides coming in to sample an array of cupcake and frosting flavors, which they have chosen for her to prepare. She would have a display of wedding cakes on hand to view, as well.
A second meeting room at Harvest will become a tasting room.
The new business will be called Mary’s Confections. Sandy will offer custom wedding cakes, cupcakes and dessert platters containing such confections as brownie bites, mini cupcakes, fresh fruit tarts, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate mousse cups, mini cheesecakes and cream puffs.
In addition, Bent’s will offer a complete package to couples, which will include a reception in Bent’s Opera House, bar service and an overnight stay in the Color of Love Suite.
The Hungerfords have also announced another new service to be offered by Harvest – full-service catering, which will begin in June 2024.
This year on Mother’s Day, Bent’s will be serving a brunch buffet called “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
For information on ordering a wedding cake brides can contact Sandy at pastrychef@bentsoperahouse.com. She will also take dessert orders for customers outside of Bent’s.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 March 2023 at 12:14 pm
Orleans Community Health recognizes them as part of National Women’s History Month
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Four of the 21 women who head departments at Orleans Community Health are shown here. From left, they are Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services; Meghan Siddons, director of the Medical/Surgical Department; Melanie McAdoo, director of Case Management and Utilization Review; and Mackenzie Sullivan, director of the Emergency Department and lead nursing supervisor. The women were recognized during National Women’s History Month.
MEDINA – With a predominantly female work force, Orleans Community Health is taking advantage of National Women’s History Month to acknowledge the women in leadership roles at Medina Memorial Hospital.
National Women’s History Month was proclaimed by Congress in March of 1987, and March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day. Orleans Community Health recognized its female employees that day by posting their photos on social media, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Community Partners.
Women continue to be a vital part of Orleans Community Health’s team, dedicated to providing important health care services to their community.
According to Robinson, there are 27 departments at Orleans Community Health, 21 of which are led by women. Four of them sat down recently to share their duties and love of their jobs.
They are Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services; Mackenzie Sullivan, director of the Emergency Department and lead nursing supervisor; Melanie McAdoo, director of Case Management and Utilization Review; and Meghan Siddons, director of the Medical-Surgical Department.
Gray has been at Medina Memorial Hospital for 20 years, Sullivan a total of nine (two previously and then she left and has been back for seven years), Siddons for a year and a half and McAdoo for 5 years.
“The highly qualified team that works tirelessly to care for our community is second to none,” Gray said. “Some of the women who have chosen to join Orleans Community Health have been here for decades, some have left larger health care systems for us, while others are newer to the profession. Either way, you know when you come to Orleans Community Health, you’re getting a team that prioritizes patient care.”
Sullivan said she thinks that women in general don’t get the recognition they deserve. She also noted that healthcare is predominately a female industry, and can’t be compared to manufacturing, where most CEO or CFO positions are not female. She said leadership at the hospital supports females in leadership roles.
She stated that people using the ER are at numbers they haven’t seen since 2018.
“People are less hesitant in post Covid time to seek health care,” she said. “They know who’s taking care of them here.”
The hospital’s Foundation board is predominately female, and the president is Jeanne Crane. Likewise, the majority of members of the hospital board are women, Robinson said.
Of the hospital’s employees, 68% live in Orleans County, 37% in Medina.
Sullivan serves on the Sexual Assault Task Force of Orleans County and the Mental Health Task Force.
“As women in leadership, we have the opportunity to change how people view females in our positions,” she said. “Often, older patients are uncomfortable with a male nurse.”
Robinson noted the connection between the ER and the second floor.
“Often people who come to the ER are admitted to the second floor,” he said.
While the hospital has added or expanded services in recent years, Sullivan said they also recognize what they can’t do and aren’t hesitant to transfer a patient when necessary.
“We are able to do a lot more and give people the care they need here, instead of going to the city,” Siddons said. “We also have a lot of out-patient services here, and a great patient/nurse ratio.”
McAdoo said Orleans Community Health’s North Wing offers the best of care, with hospital services available under the same roof.
“Our sub-acute rehab provides a higher level of care for medically complex rehab patients,” McAdoo said. “The North Wing also benefits by having the skilled medical team on hand 24/7.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 March 2023 at 8:43 am
Simboli puts emphasis on positivity with new cabaret show
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Gary Simboli, a retired music teacher and theater director for Albion Central School, performed his new show on Saturday, called “Accentuate the Positive.”
Simboli took people through his ABCs of positivity, and shared songs and reflections about joy and seeing good in the world.
He encouraged people to look at situations from more than one viewpoint to try to get a deeper understanding of others and complex issues.
Simboli also shared photos of hopefulness, including this one of a baby. He also has large images of a double rainbow, and a tiny plant growing in a crack of concrete.
The concert at the First Baptist Church in Albion was fundraiser for the church’s Major Projects Fund. Simboli also is the organist at the historic site that was built from 1860.
Marsha Rivers, the church’s pastor, also was in the theater program led by Simboli when she was a high school student in 1989 to 1992. She did a cameo during the Simboli concert on Saturday, performing, “Broadway Baby.”
The First Baptist Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation wants to be a good steward of the building, including the large stained-glassed windows.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2023 at 7:56 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A new fundraiser for the Albion band program was a sell-out today with all 300 dinners gone.
This photo show Scott Mann, left, of Mann vs. Food working with Albion band students and adults involved in the marching band, including Jon Trembley, second from left, who is the percussion instructor.
The meals included the pulled pork, potatoes, cole slaw, a roll and a cookie. They were served from the High School FFA.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 March 2023 at 11:12 am
Power Authority teaming with Canal Corp., UB architecture students to enliven north side of canal
Photos by Tom Rivers: Graduate students in the architecture program at the University of Buffalo met with Medina art students recently in Jennifer Scott’s class to discuss possibilities for a playground area with artistic elements at a former concrete plant site on the north side of the canal near Glenwood Avenue. One idea calls for a “forest of flutes” where people could make sounds and music from flutes. There would also be rocks or stone walls that could be used to make music, too.
MEDINA – State Canal Corp. officials want to build on the success in Medina and eyeing a former concrete plant on the north side of the canal as a new attraction.
The Canal Corp., New York Power Authority and graduate students in an architecture program at the University of Buffalo are brainstorming a new playground for about 4.5 acres of the site. It wouldn’t be a typical play area.
“It will be something to engage the youth and it will be experiential,” said Chris Romano, a professor in UB’s department of architecture.
Romano and professor Joyce Hwang are leading a team of nine graduate students in developing the playground at the vacant former industrial site. They have been tasked by the Power Authority and Canal Corp. to develop concepts for the project.
Medina is a test site for the project, trying to better utilize public spaces to connect people to the water, said Joanna Pacheco, capital planning manager for the New York Power Authority and lead architect for Reimagine The Canals of the New York Power Authority.
“We need to have two sides of the canal,” she said about the efforts to bring an attraction and fun area on the north side of the historic waterway.
She thinks the former concrete plant is an underutilized asset. The spot is close to the Glenwood canal bridge and the “Big Apple” sculpture, with views of the church steeples close by.
The UB students will continue to work on the design process this spring with construction possible this summer and fall.
Pacheco said the project will enliven that part of the village, which currently doesn’t see too much activity.
“There is no wrong answer which is what I like about architecture,” she said.
With the “Not Wall,” people could interact and do fun things with walls that vary in size, color and materials.
Recently the UB team met with art students at Medina High School in Jennifer Scott’s class to present three different ideas and get their feedback.
One concept was a “Not Wall.” Walls typically aren’t interactive but the UB grad students proposed walls of varying shapes, colors and dimensions. There could be a large wall and smaller ones. They could be played in – or on. People could tap the walls with rocks and other materials to make sounds, for example.
Students also proposed a “forest of flutes” that would be large flute-like structures projecting from the ground. They would make for a striking visual site and also could make music. Next to the flutes would be large rocks or stone walls that could be struck with objects to make music, too.
Medina students Franky DiCureia and Jordan Olsen look at concepts of using colorful bars and steps to interact with, and also jazz up an area.
Another idea was mixing art in structures that people could step on and cling to. It would be like an outdoor gym class, or a space to interact with objects.
The grad students and professors asked the Medina high schoolers how they view public art. The students listed murals, statues, the “Big Apple” sculpture in Medina and the Eiffel Tower in Paris as examples.
The group from UB encouraged them to expand that view, and see public art as “community spaces that bring people together.”
The UB team polled students on the concepts, and one student praised the “super cool ideas.” Students asked if the three concepts could be merged together in the final project.
“They took a boring wall and made it crazy,” one student said. “They saw the potential and made it into something better.”
Jennifer Scott, the Medina art teacher, thanked the UB professors and grad students for sharing the ideas with her students.
“I love it,” she said about the ideas. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids to interact with the grad students.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 March 2023 at 8:19 am
ALBION – Due to an overwhelming response to a previous article announcing a Narcan training class March 29 at the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, an additional class from 6 to 7 p.m. April 17 at Hoag Library, 134 Main St., Albion, according to Jeanette Worsley, case manager/health coach at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
This event is free and open to the public, however, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Training will be provided by GCASA. Participants will learn how to identify an opiate overdose and the proper way to administer the live-saving overdose reversal drug, Narcan. All attendees will receive a free Narcan kit to take home.
Pre-registration is required by calling or texting (585) 866-5494 or stopping at Community Action in person.
