By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2025 at 3:55 pm
Federal cuts have hit other food programs for needy
Photos by Tom Rivers: Volunteers and employees from Community Action of Genesee & Orleans get food ready this morning for about 200 households in the monthly pop-up food distribution in Albion. Vehicles start lining up in the municipal parking lot by Dubby’s Tailgate at about 6 a.m. for a distribution that usually starts around 8:30 a.m.
ALBION – Despite cuts by the federal government to emergency food programs, the pop-up food distributions are expected to continue in the near future.
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee led a distribution this morning after a delivery by Foodlink in Rochester. Community Action and volunteers gave out about 200 boxes of food. Some of the cars were in the municipal lot on Platt Street at about 6 a.m. for a distribution that started around 8:30.
“It makes a big difference for them because of the price of groceries and everything else,” said Ricky Standish, facilities manager for Community Action.
He put in packages of applesauce at this morning’s distribution, while others sorted out fruit, vegetables and meat.
Community Action has been doing the monthly distributions for five years now. They started during the early days of the Covid pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently recently announced a $500 million cut to the emergency food system in the country. Foodlink said cancellation of “Commodity Credit Corporation” goods as part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program directly impacts 17 truckloads for its food bank – totaling about $655,000 worth of food and an additional $42,500 in funding.
Julia Tedesco, president and CEO of Foodlink, said the $500 million cut by the USDA comes at a time when food insecurity remains at an all-time high, and impacts more than 150,000 people in the Rochester region.
She said food prices remain high, “forcing families across our region to make impossible choices between purchasing food and other basic needs.”
Katrina Standish, director of Community Services & Reporting for Community Action, and Ricky Standish, facilities manager for the agency, carry boxes of food to put in the back end of a vehicle this morning.
Foodlink manages the pop-up pantries in the Rochester region. Foodlink covers the cost and fundraises for the program, which isn’t specifically tied to government funding, said Elisha Mykins, Rural Programs Coordinator for Foodlink.
“The USDA cuts that were recently announced, however, may impact how much food we can offer to our food bank members, which may have a ripple effect on the types and quantity of products available at PUPs (pop-up pantries),” Mykins said. “Foodlink is working on fundraising and getting funding from other avenues to make up for it so it doesn’t make a big impact on our network.”
The schedule for pop-up pantries in Orleans County through June includes:
Albion at 165 South Platt Street – managed by Community Action
Monday, May 12 at 9 a.m.
Monday, June 16 at 9 a.m.
Lyndonville at 107 North Main St. (Lyndonville Presbyterian Church)
Friday, May 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, June 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension at 12690 State Route 31 in Albion (Knowlesville)
ONEONTA – Daisy Perez-Reyes of Albion was one of 42 first-generation SUNY Oneonta students who were inducted into the Alpha Alpha Alpha national honor society during a ceremony on April 12 at Morris Hall.
Perez-Reyes is studying Sociology and is part of the class of 2027.
Alpha Alpha Alpha, known as Tri-Alpha for short, was founded in 2018 to recognize and celebrate the hard work and academic success of first-generation university students. This was the fourth class of SUNY Oneonta students to be inducted into the national honor society.
Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria: The student has earned at least 30 credits/semester hours in the academic year toward an associate degree or baccalaureate degree; the undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; and neither of the student’s parents, stepparents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year university in Central New York, enrolling about 5,300 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and more than a dozen graduate certificate and degree programs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2025 at 12:50 pm
MEDINA – The Medina Police Department has released the name of a woman who was fatally struck while crossing the intersection at West Center Street and West Avenue on Saturday.
Kellie Staschak, 55, was struck by a pickup truck at about 11:40 a.m. Police and citizens providing first aid at the scene and then a Medina ambulance soon arrived to provide advanced treatment. Despite those efforts, Staschak was pronounced dead at the scene.
The preliminary investigation shows that Staschak walking eastbound through the crosswalk on the south side of the intersection. A pickup truck was traveling westbound on West Center Street and turning southbound onto West Avenue, said Medina Police Chief Todd Draper.
Following the incident, the intersection and surrounding streets were closed for approximately three hours for the on-scene investigation. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene and is assisting with the investigation, Draper said.
“Witnesses confirm the pickup truck had a green light and law enforcement confirmed that cell phone use was not a contributing factor in this incident,” Draper said. “Further information is still being collected and the investigation is ongoing.”
The Medina Police Department would like to thank the Medina Fire Department, Medina Public Works Department, State Police and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.
“We would also like to commend all of the first responders, dispatchers, and civilians who assisted in all stages of this tragic incident,” Draper said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 April 2025 at 8:25 am
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas has dropped 8 cents nationally to $3.18 and 3 cents statewide to $3.11 in the past week, AAA reported this morning.
A year ago, the national average was at $3.63 while the average in the state was at $3.51.
In Orleans County, the average price for regular unleaded is up 3 cents from $3.143 a week ago to $3.176 today.
“Prices at the pump are coming down even though this is the time of year when gas prices go up,” AAA said. “Supply and demand are the main reason for the dip. After OPEC+ announced it’s increasing oil production next month by more than 400,000 barrels a day – much more than expected – the price of crude oil has been falling. Oversupply coupled with tepid gasoline demand is resulting in lower pump prices.”
Here are the average prices in counties around Western New York:
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, April 14, in honor of former Congressman John LaFalce, whose district included Orleans County and other parts of Western New York.
LaFalce won his first election to the New York State Senate in 1971, then moved to the State Assembly in 1973. He then won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served three different districts from 1975 to 2003.
His death at age 85 was reported on Saturday.
“John LaFalce had a profound influence on my early career, recruiting me from a large DC firm to serve as his Legislative Counsel on Capitol Hill and putting me on the path to a lifetime of public service,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “A true champion for Western New York, John cared deeply about his constituents and worked tirelessly to bring transformative projects home to the district he loved. My thoughts are with his wife Pat, his son Martin, and all who loved him.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 April 2025 at 6:55 pm
Program offers physical, occupational and speech therapies
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Gary Wakefield of Lyndonville is surrounded by personnel in Medina Memorial Hospital, where he is a patient in the sub-acute rehab wing. From left are Josh Hotz, physical therapy assistant; Amanda Luckman, admissions coordinator; Randi Ingersoll, director of care management; Wakefield; and Mackenna Fagan, certified occupational therapy assistant.
MEDINA – Not only is Medina Memorial Hospital celebrating its 100th anniversary during 2025, but it is also basking in the successful growth of its subacute rehab program.
According to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health, during 2024, Medina Memorial Hospital’s transitional care unit/subacute rehab doubled the number of patients served. In addition, the hospital has developed a very successful partnership with Orchard Manor which is providing dialysis patients with transportation, allowing them to get care close to home.
Amanda Luckman, admissions coordinator, said they had been able to double admissions and maintain that high census throughout the past two years. She explained a subacute rehab is able to offer three different therapies – physical therapy, occupational therapy (for daily living) and speech therapy.
“Our goal for subacute therapy is to get the patient back to their physical baseline,” said Randi Ingersoll, director of care management. “It is important for the community to know when they have an injury or illness and can’t do the things they did before, they can come here for subacute rehab.”
Luckman added the hospital now accepts most insurance plans. If a patient needs a longer stay than initially approved, they can work around that. She also explained a newly developed relationship with Orchard Manor means if a patient needs a long-term stay, the hospital will send them there.
Gary Wakefield of Lyndonville was recently admitted to Medina Hospital for rehab and praised the care he was getting.
“It is really great that I can get the rehab I need close to home,” Wakefield said. “The crew here are wonderful. I’d recommend this to anyone.”
Another important advance in care for the hospital and their relationship with Orchard Manor is offering medical transportation, which enables the hospital to transport Orchard Manor patients to Lake Plains dialysis.
“We have been able to continue enhancing our relationship with Orchard Manor by being able to send them more patients who are already on dialysis at our Lake Plains Center,” Ingersoll said. “It has made the discharge planning process smoother, as patients now do not have to worry about how they will get their treatments. It has been a relief to all of us involved in the patient’s care, as well as their families.”
Robinson said Orleans Community Health has two handicap accessible vans in service. Since last September one has been dedicated to dialysis patients.
Luckman said the hospital has been working closely with Rochester Regional Health to welcome even more dialysis patients.
“From an admissions standpoint, having a referral requiring dialysis can be more rigorous because of the issue of transportation,” she said. “Through our partnership with Lake Plains Dialysis, we are able to help more community members receive exceptional therapy and dialysis. We have even had cases from our Batavia dialysis site who were able to come to Medina while having rehab. It is comforting to know we are able to provide our own reliable transportation to and from dialysis.”
Ingersoll added it is important for people to know they can choose where they want to go for rehab.
“We have pre-registry, so if a patient knows they are having surgery and going to need rehab, they can call me and let me know they are going to need a bed,” Luckman said. “I like to tell people there are benefits to coming here for rehab. We have private rooms, intense but kind therapists and, being in a hospital setting, there is a doctor available 24/7. Another benefit is if a patient needs an IV or antibiotic, we can administer that.”
The staff is very proud of their growth during the past several years. When Ingersoll started working at the hospital in 2021, she said the average daily census in rehab was six. It has been 16 for the past two years. For the year, 122 patients were served, and that number for the past two years has doubled to 244.
“We are looking to grow even more,” Ingersoll said.
The rehab unit has the capacity to hold 22 patients.
The hospital has also developed a relationship with Hospice, which has temporarily closed or paused the Martin-Linsin residence in Albion.
“Since Hospice closed the Martin-Linsin residence, we have a contract with them and have designated two rooms for hospice patients,” Luckman said.
She said most insurance companies will cover their stay.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 April 2025 at 2:27 pm
Diane Shiffer among ‘grandfluencers’ who are 60-plus with enormous followings
CBS Sunday Morning today featured Diane Shiffer of Albion who has about 1 million followers on both Instagram and TikTok. Shiffer’s uses the hashtag: “YourChubbyVintageNana.”
ALBION – CBS Sunday Morning today highlighted social media who are 60 and older with enormous followings. Diane Shiffer of Albion is among the “grandfluencers” with a massive following on both Instagram and TikTok.
Shiffer, 68, is a retired educator and social worker. She started to go viral on social media during the pandemic in 2020 when she posted short videos of her in daily life – baking, sewing, doing household chores, sharing words about kindness, and showcasing some of her vintage finds, such as potholders.
Shiffer told the story to CBS about how she first went viral. She accidently took a time lapse video of her doing her hair. She posted it on social media and amassed about 2 million views. She also suddenly had hundreds of thousands of followers.
Shiffer uses the hashtag: “YourChubbyVintageNana.” She speaks directly to her followers in her videos, calling them “my sweeties.”
Instagram: These screenshots from Diane Shiffer’s Instagram account show posts of her doing a household task of the laundry, left, and then her making an announcement she will be writing a book and welcomes title suggestions.
CBS correspondent Faith Salie said Shiffer’s “soothing voice and infectious laugh” are a big part of her appeal. Salie said about Shiffer, “spending time with her feels like a warm hug.”
Other “Grandfluencers” with a large social media following have used that to make big money by promoting products. Shiffer hasn’t done that. She announced she does have a book deal focusing on her messages of kindness to others and oneself.
Shiffer about a year ago did something out of the norm. She asked her social media followers to donate to a family in Medina that suffered a tragic loss. Those followers responded in a big way, donating $100,000 to a Medina family that suffered heartbreak with a miscarriage and then a hospitalization.
Click here to see the feature on CBS Sunday Morning.
ALBION – Listen for the peal of the Courthouse Bell in Albion at noon on Tuesday April 15, 2025!
The bell will ring for one minute on that date, in celebration of the Orleans County Bicentennial. Churches throughout the county are encouraged to ring their bells also.
Albion’s Courthouse bell was installed in the dome in 1860, two years after the construction of the building. The cost of hanging it was $24.06. At one time it was used regularly to indicate when the Court was called to session.
It was rung on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, by some boys who had gained access to the belfry, on January 19, 1959, to celebrate the Courthouse Centennial and again in 1976 for the country’s Bicentennial celebration.
According to a File Feature reference in the Journal-Register newspaper, the bell was next rung on August 20, 1985, by David Stevenson, an employee of the County’s Buildings and Grounds Dept. who had joked that he would ring the bell if his first grandchild was born on his birthday.
The ringing of the bell at noon on Tuesday, April 15 will mark the beginning of the Bicentennial event to mark the 200th anniversary of the formation of Orleans County on April 15, 1825.
The event will take place in the Courthouse, a fitting location, long recognized as “a central focus for the citizens of Orleans County,” to quote Irene Gibson, author of Historic Sites in Orleans County, New York. Hon. Sanford A. Church will launch the event which will feature Proclamations and remarks by legislators and historians, followed by cake, of course.
Seating is still available. Descendants of the early settlers are encouraged to attend. The event may be viewed remotely on the Orleans County Tourism Facebook page (click here).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2025 at 6:15 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: John LaFalce, a retired congressman, speaks on April 22, 2018 during a fundraiser for the Geneses-Orleans Ministry of Concern during the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration.
John LaFalce, a powerful former congressman whose district included Orleans County, has died at age 85.
LaFalce served in Congress for 28 years until the end of 2002. During his tenure, he helped many of the towns and villages in Orleans County secure federal Housing and Urban Development grants to expand public water, including in very rural areas.
LaFalce, a member of the House Banking Committee, was critical in getting Dime Bank to come and expand in Albion in the late 1990s.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer issued this statement about LaFalce this afternoon:
“Congressman LaFalce was as Buffalo as they come,” Schumer said. “He had one of the biggest brains and the biggest heart. John was a legislative giant and a dear friend going back to our time serving together in the House. He would see a problem, whether in his beloved city of Buffalo or across the country, and dedicate every fiber of his being to making sure it was solved.
“His dedication to public service and passion for helping others knew no bounds. He loved Buffalo and always defended Western New York. He was a good and loyal friend, and I will deeply miss him. My prayers are with his loved ones and Western NY as they mourn this tremendous loss.”
LaFalce, a graduate of Canisius College, served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was a lawyer in private practice and then was a state senator and assemblyman before being elected to Congress at age 35 in 1975.
Gerrymandering pitted him against another long-time member of the House, Louise Slaughter of Rochester, in 2002. LaFalce opted to retire rather than face Slaughter in a what would have been a bitter primary of two Democrats.
LaFalce was in Orleans County for the 50th anniversary of the Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern in April 2018. During that celebration at Hickory Ridge in Holley, LaFalce praised the agency for serving residents in need for a half century. He was an honorary board member for GOMOC.
LaFalce said the Ministry of Concern followed one of the great commands of Jesus by loving their neighbor, by providing shelter, clothing and food.
“You are sharing love for your neighbors in Genesee and Orleans counties when you provide for those in need,” LaFalce said during the celebration.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2025 at 4:48 pm
MEDINA – A pedestrian was struck by a car and killed today in Medina at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.
“Tragically the pedestrian involved in the accident was pronounced dead at the scene,” the Medina Police Department posted on its Facebook page. “We will release further information pending notification to family.”
The State Police accident reconstruction unit is assisting with the investigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 April 2025 at 3:31 pm
Photo by Kyle Gill
ALBION – The Albion Rotary and Interact Clubs picked up trash along the railroad tracks in Albion this morning and filled 19 garbage bags with a total weight of 307 pounds. That topped the 291 pounds from a year ago.
Albion Rotary has done the cleanup the past five years with students from Albion Central School.
Pictured from left include Makenzie Cook, Lillian Fisher, Ayme Vallejo-Morales, Cordelia Rivers, Adam Burgio, Tom Rivers, Maddison Button, Tim Archer and Mike Schmackpheffer.
Photos by Tom Rivers
Adam Burgio, an Interact Club member, hunts down litter just east of Platt Street.
Mike Schmackpheffer, a prospective Rotarian, helped the garbage collection. He is getting trash near the wall by Dunkin’ Donuts.
Lillian Fisher, an Interact member, tosses a bag of litter into the dumpster at Ace Hardware. Rotary and Interact thank Ace Hardware for use of the dumpster.
ALBION – Listen for the peal of the Courthouse Bell in Albion at noon on Tuesday April 15, 2025!
