SUNY Brockport is now formally recognized as a university. Interim SUNY Chancellor Deborah Stanley has approved Brockport’s application to earn this recognition under the authority granted to her by the SUNY Board of Trustees.
The university will continue to be known as SUNY Brockport. Its official state education title will change from “State University of New York College at Brockport” to “State University of New York Brockport.”
“SUNY Brockport is proud to be recognized formally as a university, a recognition that is reflective of our robust, high-quality academic offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Our new designation appropriately represents the type of institution that we are today,” SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson said last week. “But while our legal name changes, our mission remains the same. SUNY Brockport is an inclusive learning community that inspires excellence through growth, engagement, and transformation.”
This recognition follows New York State Board of Regents’ new guidelines for what constitutes a university. These guidelines require institutions of higher education to offer registered undergraduate and graduate curricula in the liberal arts and sciences, including graduate programs registered in at least three of the following discipline areas: agriculture, biological sciences, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health professions, humanities, physical sciences, and social sciences. SUNY Brockport offers graduate level programs in seven of those disciplines.
Editor’s Note: Roberts Wesleyan College and Houghton College also were recently approved to be recognized as universities.
Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse has scheduled in-person and virtual Naloxone & Opioid Overdose Prevention Training sessions into June of next year.
Twelve sessions will take place at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road in Batavia and six will be held at GCASA’s Outpatient Clinic in Albion starting in January. Additionally, six virtual training classes are scheduled, beginning Jan. 9.
The dates at The Recovery Station are as follows:
Jan. 20, 10 a.m.
Feb. 23, 6 p.m.
Feb. 17, 10 a.m.
Feb. 27, 6 p.m.
March 17, 10 a.m.
March 27, 6 p.m.
April 21, 10 a.m.
April 24, 6 p.m.
May 19, 10 a.m.
May 22, 6 p.m.
June 16, 10 a.m.
June 26, 6 p.m.
The dates at the Albion Outpatient Clinic are as follows:
Jan. 9, 6 p.m.
Feb. 13, 6 p.m.
March 13, 6 p.m.
April 10, 6 p.m.
May 8, 6 p.m.
June 12, 6 p.m.
Virtual training dates, all at 1 p.m., are Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8 and June 12.
Participants are asked to register in advance by sending an email to dklos@gcasa.org or calling 585-815-1883.
Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine and morphine.
The GCASA series is partially funded by United Way.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2022 at 9:15 am
Provided photos
BUFFALO – The Safe Harbour Program through the Orleans County’s Department of Social Services sponsored a trip to see the Broadway musical Aladdin at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre.
There were 44 people on the trip including youth, parents/chaperones and staff.
Mackenzie, in top right photo, is shown with Krista LeFrois, one of the county employees.
The group attended the show on Nov. 27.
The Safe Harbour program is designed to be a safe place for teens (12-18 years of age). In addition to providing education and awareness, Safe Harbour will be providing lessons in life skills to promote a strong foundation to help children launch into their future.
For more information on Safe Harbour or how you can get your child involved in the Safe Harbour Program, email SafeHarbour@orleanscounty.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2022 at 9:47 pm
Photos by Marsha Rivers
ALBION – About 200 people attended the Christmas in the Neighborhood concert on Sunday, an event that is a partnership between Albion Alumni Foundation and the First Presbyterian Church.
Santa was one of the attendees, shown here sitting next to Steve LaLonde.
Joe Condoluci (’12), middle; Susan Boring (’81), right; and Mike Thaine (’86), left performed “O Christmas Tree” as the Christmas Bones Trombone Trio.
Concert-goers attended the event in one of historic churches at the Courthouse Square.
Photos by Sue Starkweather Miller
(Left) Ethan Ferchen (’21) sang “12 Days of Christmas.” (Right) Jennifer Trupo sang “Jesus Born on This Day.”
This year’s theme for the concert: “A Merry Little Christmas.”
Concert organizers are Gary Simboli, Mike Thaine, Sue Thaine and Sue Starkweather Miller.
Proceeds go to the Albion Alumni Foundation and First Presbyterian Church for hosting/coordinating the event.
The Albion High School Clarinet Choir led by director Mike Thaine performed “Jesu Bambino.”
Thaine also performed “Silent Night” on the euphonium.
Travis Klossner (’08) played the trumpet to “O, Holy Night.” His wife Janet Miller Klossner (’05) also performed and sang “Breath of Heaven.”
Marlene Seielstad (’85) performed “Love Has Come.”
The Albion High School Choir sang “Sure on This Shining Night.”
Hannah Brewer (’20) sang “Man with the Bag.”
Other performers included: Gary Simboli (’81) who sang “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Jingle Bells”; Jason Pahura (’08) who performed “Christmas Time is Here” on his guitar; Alec Sherman (’68) who led a Christmas Sing-Along – “Joy to the World,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Angels We Have Heard on High'” and “Holly Jolly Christmas.”
Karen Kenney Conn (’86) also sang “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The Albion Presbyterian Church Choir, led by Pastor Sue Thaine (’86), performed “All You Are” and “Gonna Sing About a Baby.”
The Albion Community Choir closed the show with the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah.
Press Release, Orleans County 4-H Program Coordinator Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-Hers, their friends and families gathered at the Trolley Building on the Fairgrounds on Saturday for the annual Holiday Faire event.
“Holiday Faire is Orleans County 4-H’s wintertime event to showcase projects with a holiday theme,” said Kristina Gabalski, 4-H Program Coordinator. “It is also a time to gather and share with the rest of the 4-H community some of the project work we have been doing and participate in fun activities.”
The Abundant Harvest 4-H Club offered kits to make sweet little gingerbread houses.
In addition to holiday-themed projects created by 4-H youth, 4-H clubs set up tables with inexpensive crafts and fundraising items.
“The Beef and Dairy Club offers wonderful peppermint milkshakes that are always popular,” Gabalski said.
Members of the Rabbit Raisers club bring bunnies to pet, Goat Busters members make goat milk fudge to sell, and the Abundant Harvest Club offers pre-constructed gingerbread houses to decorate with colorful candies.
“These are just a few of the fun activities offered by our 4-H clubs,” Gabalski said.
Members of the Rabble Rousers 4-H club had a busy and festive table.
Comfort food refreshments including homemade macaroni and cheese, vegetable soup and cinnamon rolls were available from the Trolley kitchen. Proceeds from the food sales go to the Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee, which organizes the event, Gabalski said.
This year featured the start of a new Holiday Faire tradition with a first-ever visit from The Grinch.
“Holiday Faire goers were able to pose for photos with the Grinch and/or take a shot at him with a marshmallow gun,” Gabalski explained. “It proved to be a popular activity.”
The 4-H Holiday Faire is held annually on the first Saturday in December from 1 to 3:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend.
A Holiday Faire participant takes a shot at The Grinch with a marshmallow gun. This was the first year The Grinch visited the event.
Provided photo: Todd Eick (second from left), a Medina agricultural teacher, was honored by the National Association of Agricultural Educators for his exemplary performance and dedication to agricultural education.
Press Release, National Association of Agricultural Educators
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Todd Eick, an agricultural educator at Medina, is one of six agricultural educators nationwide who received the 2022 National Association of Agricultural Educators Ideas Unlimited award.
The awards were presented during the 2022 NAAE Convention, which was Nov. 29 through Dec. 3, in Las Vegas.
The NAAE Ideas Unlimited award is presented to NAAE members to recognize them for their innovative ideas that optimize student success and development. The Ideas Unlimited Award is sponsored by National Geographic Learning | Cengage Learning.
Eick received this award for his Blackout Poem lesson plan. To celebrate Ag Literacy Week, Eick collaborated with his school district’s English department to promote ag literacy with his high school students.
Utilizing ag-based magazines, Eick’s students create a Blackout Poem, a form of poetry that uses another authors words, in their written order, to create something else.
For this past year, Eick provided articles to his that were related to growing their own food, but challenged them to select words to create a poem that focused on the theme of hunger. The unused words are then blacked out or colored out to leave just the desired text. Eick has found that this project drastically increases the reading comprehension of his students.
NAAE is the professional organization for agricultural educators with over 8,000 members nationwide. The organization advocates for agricultural education, provides advancement through professional development for agricultural educators, and works to recruit and retain agricultural educators in the profession. NAAE offers a variety of programs and services to support this three-pronged mission.
The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” NAAE is headquartered in Lexington, Ky.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 December 2022 at 8:28 am
ALBION – The Salvation Army Red Kettle drive has an opportunity to double the money raised in the red kettles at Walmart on Friday.
The Red Kettle drive this year is being arranged through a partnership with The Salvation Army, United Way of Orleans County, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Community Action.
Nyla Gaylord, director of development and fundraising for United Way, said a donor has come forward who is willing to match the money raised at Walmart during a four-hour period on Friday.
The donor will match both kettles, if both doors are covered during any four-hour period. Also, a picture will be needed of the person or persons ringing. The pictures will be posted on the Facebook pages for the Salvation Army and United Way.
Gaylord urges anyone who can to sign up by 5 p.m. today so they can be sure to have enough volunteer bell ringers.
“This is a great opportunity to help bring needed funds to Orleans County,” Gaylord said.
Photos and information courtesy of Community Action
MEDINA – The 6th annual Parade of Lights Toy Drive resulted in 16 big bags filled with donated toys and $160 in donations. Canalside Tattoo was the collection point for the donations.
Pictured from left include Matt Rolfe; Shawn Ramsey, owner Canalside Tattoo and organizer of the effort; Megan Furness; CJ Cruickshank; James Christian and Andrew London.
The toys and money were given to MAAC and Community Action, which then distribute the toys to many local children and families for Christmas.
Pictured left to right include Community Action of Orleans and Genesee representatives: Melinda Daniels, Richard Standish, Jacqualyn Dunham, Ernest Gurrslin, Quarmaine Winters and Sherry Touhey of MACC, representing Medina Area Association of Churches.
We are extremely grateful to the community and to Canalside Tattoo for making sure more children will experience a better Christmas this year, every gift and every penny is appreciated. Community Action and MAAC representatives said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 December 2022 at 8:06 am
The average price for regular unleaded fell an average of 9 cents in New York to $3.70 and 10 cents nationally to $3.40 from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, according to AAA.
Gas prices for regular unleaded in NY were an average of $3.704 on Monday, down from $3.789 a week earlier, $3.858 a month ago and $3.543 a year ago.
The average diesel price statewide was at $5.743 a gallon on Monday, compared to $5.864 a week earlier, $5.884 a month ago and $3.748 a year ago.
The prices in Western New York counties include:
Orleans, $3.814
Genesee, $3.590
Wyoming, $3.730
Livingston, $3.685
Monroe, $3.687
Niagara, $3.591
Erie, $3.695
Chautauqua, $3.823
Cattaraugus, $3.771
Allegany, $3.733
AAA issued this statement: “Millions of drivers continue to see lower pump prices entering the final month of the year. The national average has fallen sharply since the June peak of nearly $5.02. Lower demand is being countered by some uncertainty in the oil markets. A price cap on barrels of Russian oil takes effect today. Sunday OPEC+ announced it will leave production quotas unchanged.”
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 5-9, 2022. This is an annual observance in December to remind everyone that there is still time to get vaccinated against the flu to be protected during the upcoming holidays and winter months.
“The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is by getting the flu vaccine every year,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The vaccine lowers the chance of getting you and those around you sick with the flu. It also reduces the burden on the health care system by reducing doctor visits and hospitalizations.”
Everyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine every year. It’s best to get the flu vaccine early on in flu season, ideally by the end of October. You might wonder, is it too late to get vaccinated? The simple answer is no.
“Getting the vaccine later is better than not getting it at all,” Pettit said. “Once you have the flu vaccine, research shows that the vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness if you do get the flu.”
Vaccination is also important for people who live with or care for high risk individuals to prevent spreading the flu to them. Individuals who are considered higher risk include younger children, pregnant people, people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
Children younger than 6 months old are also at a higher risk of serious flu illness because they are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for or are around infants should be vaccinated to protect those that are vulnerable and cannot be vaccinated.
Below are the number of reported flu cases for Genesee and Orleans Counties since 2018 according to the New York State Department of Health. Note that there was limited flu reported in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 compared to annual averages because of the heightened focus on practicing public health precautions such as frequent hand washing, social distancing, staying home when ill, limiting social gatherings, and wearing face coverings.
During that period, less germs were spread due to people staying home and limiting their contact with others outside of their household as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to receiving your flu vaccine, you can take preventative actions every day to help stop the spread of germs:
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible so that you prevent the spread of infection.
For flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Please note that stay-at-home guidance is different for Covid-19.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Clean and disinfect frequently shared surfaces and objects
Hike will be first system-wide for E-ZPass users in 14 years
Press Release, NYS Thruway Authority
ALBANY – The New York State Thruway Authority Board of Directors today authorized the start of the toll adjustment process on the New York State Thruway system.
The proposed adjustments create a responsible, stable financial plan and ensure the Authority can meet its future capital and infrastructure needs. The Thruway is a user-fee supported roadway and receives no federal, state, or local tax dollars. Under this proposal, New Yorkers with a NY E-ZPass tag will continue to pay close to the lowest toll rates in the nation.
Today’s vote marks the first step to proceed with a transparent public toll adjustment process that will include public hearings, receipt and consideration of public comments, and ultimately final consideration by the Thruway Authority Board of Directors within the next year.
“We have not seen a system-wide toll increase since 2010, and now is the time to move ahead with this financial plan so that we can meet our growing capital investment needs while continuing to provide our customers with the safe and reliable highway they’ve come to expect,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll.
The Thruway Authority, supported by analysis from its independent traffic engineering consultant, has determined that there are additional revenues required for the Authority to fulfill its system-wide operating, debt service, and capital needs through the upcoming forecast period. The full report can be found by clicking here.
In 2021, Thruway Authority staff conducted a five year “Needs Assessment” that identified an additional $470 million in capital project needs that are currently not supported by the resources available for the existing 2022-2026 Capital Program. It’s based on the fact that 85 percent of the Thruway’s roadway base dates back to its original construction, highlighting the need for heavy maintenance, reconstruction, and rehabilitation activities to keep the riding surface in a state of good repair.
The average age of the Thruway’s 815 bridges is 55 years old with 75 percent of those bridges more than 60 years old. While they are continually inspected and maintained for the safety of the traveling public, more than 85 of them have been identified for replacement within the next decade.
The need to replace bridges grows exponentially after the 10-year timeline when hundreds of bridges will need to be replaced in the following decade. To highlight the magnitude of the problem, the projected replacement cost for the most immediate 85 bridges needing replacement is roughly $800 million in today’s dollars. Factoring the hundreds of bridges that will require replacement not long thereafter, the costs escalate into the $6 – $7 billion range which the existing toll rate structure will not support.
First NY E-ZPass System-wide Toll Adjustment in 14 years
Cashless tolling has been in effect throughout the Thruway system for more than two years and other toll barriers on the system have been using it since 2016 (for the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge).
Under this proposal, beginning on January 1, 2024, the base NY E-ZPass rate will increase by 5 percent outside of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, representing the first toll adjustment for these customers since 2010.
A second 5 percent increase would take effect in January 2027. Standard toll rates for Non-NY E-ZPass (currently 5.1 cents per mile for passenger cars) and Tolls by Mail rates (currently 5.8 cents per mile for passenger cars) will increase to 8.6 cents per mile for both groups by 2027. These rates will remain below the current standard rates of many other systems across the nation.
Similar adjustments would be made to all rates system-wide (Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and other fixed rate tolling points) and for the Non-NY E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail commercial rates as well. This change results in toll rates that are comparable with what other cashless tolling facilities charge nationwide.
For example, the Massachusetts Turnpike has an 87 percent differential and the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s differential is 98 percent for Tolls by Mail passenger toll rates. More importantly, it will increase the incentive for NY E-ZPass usage. Under this plan, the differential will not be applied to NY E-ZPass customers, making it the most affordable payment option available to all of our motorists who sign up for a tag (thruway.ny.gov/getezpass).
Photos and information from The Orleans County 4-H Robotics Club
SPENCERPORT – The Orleans County 4-H Robotics Club’s FIRST Lego League Challenge team, known as the Robusters, competed at the Spencerport Qualifying Tournament on Sunday and won the won the “Core Values Award.”
This is the 10th year for the local team, including two years during the Covid when the team met but didn’t have competitions.
There are nine students on this year’s team with participants from Holley, Lyndonville, Albion, Medina, Byron-Bergen as well as 2 home schoolers.
The Core Values Award “celebrates a team that displays extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit, knows they can accomplish more together than they could us individuals, and shows each other and other teams respect at all times.”
In addition to the Core Values Award, the team won an “advancement” to the FLL Championship, which will be held at the Nichols School in Buffalo, on Feb. 18.
There are about 100 FLL Challenge teams this year in the western New York region, with 10 qualifying tournaments in Buffalo, Penfield, Spencerport, Corning, Auburn, Olean, Fairport, Rochester, Syracuse and Mount Morris.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Trust, a community endowment, just completed its eleventh year of making small grants to local programs, projects and organizations and the total in grants over that period comes to nearly $55,000 plus $8,000 in scholarships.
We’re pleased to announce the organizations selected in 2022 – each receiving $500 for their projects.
• Beds from Brian, Inc. to provide Pack n’ Plays, fitted sheets, pajamas, blankets and bed pillows for children in need through Care Net Center, Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern and Holy Trinity Outreach requests for the 2022 holiday season.
• Boxwood Cemetery Commission to help offset the cost of rehabbing the stained glass window in the Silas Mainville Burroughs Memorial Chapel at Boxwood Cemetery.
• Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern to their client services fund which provides assistance with services including prescription co-pays, personal hygiene items, dental care and short-term emergency housing.
• Joint Recreation Commission to help with the cost of summer programs which include Arts & Crafts and several field trips.
• OCALS Learning Services to purchase advertising and public relations materials to be used in seeking new students and volunteer tutors.
• YMCA to assist in covering the costs of scholarships, funding for field trips, special events and guest speakers for youth in the YMCA Summer Day Camp and Kinder Camp.
• Orleans Renaissance Group to erect an interpretive sign in State Street Park to honor the Burroughs family who resided on the property in the nineteenth century.
• P.Raising Kids Child Care Center to help with the cost of installing a CCTV security system.
• Go Art! to help with the cost of the 2023 Day of the Dead Celebration.
• Medina Historical Society for funds to cover historical program speaker and publicity costs.
Donations to help grow the Medina Sandstone Trust can be made at any time to the Sandstone Society, Post Office Box 25, Medina, NY 14103. Or, make an online donation at our website’s Gift Shop. Gifts to this 501(c)(3) are tax deductible.
National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 5-9, 2022. This is an annual observance in December to remind everyone that there is still time to get vaccinated against the flu to be protected during the upcoming holidays and winter months.
SPENCERPORT – The Orleans County 4-H Robotics Club’s FIRST Lego League Challenge team, known as the Robusters, competed at the Spencerport Qualifying Tournament on Sunday and won the won the “Core Values Award.”
