MEDINA – Multiple people were stabbed in an argument that escalated to a physical altercation early Sunday morning at 610 Main St.

There were five people either cut or stabbed. All of the people who were stabbed are in stable condition, Medina Lt. Todd Draper said.

There was an unrelated death in the village on Sunday that was due to a medical situation and had no connection to the stabbings, Draper said.

The Medina PD was dispatched to the scene at 1:35 a.m. on Sunday for a stabbing. Medina Police arrived on scene at 1:36 a.m. and were advised of multiple stabbing victims including a person bleeding severely from a leg wound.

Officers requested additional units and emergency medical services while administering first aid, placing a tourniquet on the leg of one of the victims, Draper said.

Additional resources responded to the scene including the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, State Police, Medina Fire Department Ambulance and COVA Ambulance.  Multiple victims were transported by both ambulance and private vehicle to Medina Memorial Hospital and Erie County Medical Center, according to a press release from the Medina Police Department.

The initial investigation determined that all parties involved knew each other, Draper said. The incident started as a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation in which a subject used a knife against multiple people.

The subject in this incident is known to law enforcement and he is wanted for questioning.  There have been no charges filed at this time as the investigation is still ongoing.

Anybody who has information regarding this situation is encouraged to contact the Medina Police Department immediately at 585-798-5602.

This incident is being investigated by Medina police officers Richard Messmer and Jonathan McManus.

The Medina Police Department would like to thank all law enforcement and EMS agencies that responded, along with Orleans County Dispatch for their assistance, Draper said.

Provided images: Keely Hutton, right, co-wrote “Don’t Look Back: A Memoir of War, Survival, and My Journey from Sudan to America,” a critically-acclaimed memoir. The book was cowritten with Achut Deng, a survivor of the Second Sudanese Civil War.

Press Release, Author’s Note

MEDINA – Rochester author Keely Hutton will visit Author’s Note in Medina today at 7 p.m. to read from and discuss “Don’t Look Back: A Memoir of War, Survival, and My Journey from Sudan to America.”

This critically-acclaimed memoir was cowritten by Hutton and Achut Deng, a survivor of the Second Sudanese Civil War. Achut Deng spent ten years, from age 6 to age 16, at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

The memoir, published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Books, releases to the public on Oct. 11. During the day, Hutton will present her new title to students at Lyndonville High School, Royalton-Hartland High School and Albion High School. She has already visited students at Medina Junior/Senior High School.

For ten years, Achut Deng survived at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya after her family was ripped apart by the Second Sudanese Civil War. But Achut wanted to do more than merely survive. She wanted to live.

The 22-year civil war essentially orphaned over 20,000 children and drove them from their villages in southern Sudan. Some of these children walked over a thousand miles, through dangerous war zones and across unforgiving deserts. They are often referred to as The Lost Boys. But there were girls, too. Achut Deng was one of them.

Achut Deng was born in South Sudan and came to America as a refugee when she was 16. She is now an American citizen and works in human resources at a meat-packing plant in South Dakota, where she also resides. She is the mother of three sons.

Keely Hutton is a children’s book author and former English teacher. She worked closely with Ricky Richard Anywar to tell his story in her debut novel, “Soldier Boy.” Booklist named it one of the top ten first novels in 2017 and one of the top ten historical novels for youth in 2018. Her second novel – “Secret Soldiers” – was a 2020 Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year and 2020 Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Book for Young People. Keely lives in Rochester with her husband, two sons, and adorable dog, Maximus.

This evening’s event at Author’s Note is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at authorsnote.com. Please contact Author’s Note for more information at (585) 798-3642.

LYNDONVILLE – The community came together in a big way Sunday night to show their support for United Way of Orleans County.

“We are blessed to have such fantastic community support,” said Dean Bellack, director of United Way. “We are especially fortunate to have Matt Holland (grant writer) and Nyla Gaylord (fundraiser) and our exceptional board of directors.”

The second annual gala brought more than 200 people to White Birch Golf Course for the event which featured a gourmet buffet dinner, Las Vegas entertainer Jimmy Mazz, a silent auction and opportunities to win prizes.

United Way’s board chair Jim Punch welcomed guests and issued a plea for everyone to consider making a donation to the organization. All money donated stays in Orleans County to provide food for those in need, counseling, child care and many other services from the 15 agencies that receive United Way funding.

(Left) Jodi Gaines, a member of the board of United Way of Orleans County, presented a plaque to director Dean Bellack, who will be stepping down Jan. 1 and joining the board. Bellack has changed how United Way raises money by seeking grants outside the county. Standing at right is board president Jim Punch. (Right) Jim Punch, president of United Way of Orleans County board, presents a certificate of appreciation to board member Lynn Tyler for his support of United Way. Tyler arranged for the performance by entertainer Jimmy Mazz, a personal friend of the Tyler’s.

Bellack also urged support for a new endowment fund which United Way has started with $62,000 in gifts. Punch said their goal was to reach $100,000 from Sunday’s gala, which they will use to help those in the community.

Punch also praised Bellack for bringing grant writing to United Way, an endeavor which has resulted in the county receiving grants of more than $600,000 during the past year, with several more soon to be announced. This doesn’t include the $450,000 grant written by Nyla Gaylord to fund a grant writer for the county and an additional staff person at United Way.

(Left) Las Vegas entertainer Jimmy Mazz performs for the crowd at United Way of Orleans County’s gala Sunday at White Birch Golf Course. (Right) Cora Goyette, former director of Development for Hospice, attended United Way of Orleans County’s gala Sunday night. She poses here with United Way director Dean Bellack, and basketball star Roosevelt Bouie.

Board member Lynn Tyler was presented a certificate of appreciation for his support of United Way, by chairing committees, hosting meetings and bringing his personal friend Jimmy Mazz to entertain. Mazz has been an entertainer for 40 years in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, 16 of them full time. He has performed his many themed-shows at the Golden Nugget and Caesar’s Palace. The theme of Sunday’s show was “Laughter and Legends” and had the audience laughing, clapping and singing along.

United Way is still striving to reach its 2022 goal, and have just surpassed 70 percent. Donations may be made by credit card, Cash App, Text to Give, Venmo or by writing a check to United Way of Orleans County, P.O. Box 188, Medina.

Photo contributed: A benefit Oct. 19 at Alabama Hotel will benefit Carrie Desjardins of Oakfield, who is battling fourth-stage cancer. She is shown here with a cousin.

OAKFIELD – An Oakfield woman with many ties to Orleans County has recently been diagnosed with a very rare form of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and has masses on both lungs and her liver.

Carrie Gilbert Desjardins, 46, worked in home care for the Arc of Orleans. Her mother Bonnie Grimes Gilbert grew up on Fletcher Chapel Road.

The family is hoping all their friends and relatives in the area will come out and support a benefit in Desjardins’ honor Oct. 19 at Alabama Hotel.

“Carrie would never ask for anything,” said Judy Gilbert, who is planning the benefit. “But she will have extensive treatments moving forward and that means medical bills. Sadly, she has had to resign her job.”

Judy describes Carrie as “a wife, daughter, sister, a very proud aunt, a special niece and a friend to all.”

The benefit, from 4 to 8 p.m., will feature a basket raffle, a bake sale run by Bonnie, side raffles and 50/50 drawings. The family is also selling Oliver’s candy bars.

Judy said doctors have told Carrie the chemo is working and the cancer is not spreading. The family are firm believers in prayer and while they hope everyone will come and support the benefit, they ask those who cannot come to say a prayer for Carrie.

MEDINA – The Village Board has approved spending $8,444 from the village’s American Rescue Plan Act allotment to purchase two sets of ballistic shields and forcible entry equipment for the Medina Police Department.

The board made the decision at the Sept. 26 meeting. The Medina PD currently has one ballistic shield and it’s 22 years old. The new shields will be in two patrol cars, rather than being kept at the police station.

The board also approved purchasing a bucket for the bucket truck. The village had $46,548 budgeted for the new bucket but the total cost is $59,434. Medina is seeking to cover the difference of $12,886 will be submitted to the state CHIPS program for reimbursement.

Fire Chief Matt Jackson also informed the board that a recent boot drive at public intersections raised $6,539 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Orleans and Genesee counties are no longer on the drought watch after recent rainfall boosted the levels of groundwater and surface water.

Orleans, the GLOW region and Western New York were put in a drought watch in late July by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Orleans is among 34 counties where the drought status has been changed from “Drought Watch” to “Normal.” The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced the change on Sunday.

“Despite the encouraging hydrological conditions, all New Yorkers are urged to continue reducing unnecessary water waste, fixing leaks, and choosing efficient water fixtures,” the DEC said.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas went up 12 cents nationally in the past week, but dropped 3 cents in Orleans. Statewide the price is up 4 cents in the past week. AAA said higher demand is fueling the increase in price.

The average current price for regular unleaded in the state is at $3.634 in New York, compared to the national price of $3.919.

A week ago the price in New York was an average of $3.596, a month ago it was $3.912 and a year ago it was $3.350. The average diesel price in New York is at $5.116 today compared to $4.997 a week ago, $5.224 a month ago and $3.534 a year ago.

In Orleans County, AAA is reporting the average price today is at $3.650 a gallon, compared to $3.681 a week ago. Orleans usually has the highest average price per gallon in Western New York, but AAA is reporting today that the price in Orleans is among the lowest in WNY.

Here are the average prices in the WNY counties:

• Orleans, $3.650
• Genesee, $3.753
• Wyoming, $3.800
• Livingston, $3.718
• Monroe, $3.661
• Niagara, $3.529
• Erie, $3.739
• Chautauqua, $3.832
• Cattaraugus, $3.772
• Allegany, $3.771

Suffolk has the lowest average price at $3.421 while New York (Manhattan) has the highest at $4.004.

AAA issued this statement about gas prices: “The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen by 12 cents in the past week as the Energy Information Administration reports an increased demand for gas.

“High gasoline demand, amid tight supply, has led to higher pump prices nationwide. Pump prices on the West Coast have increased due to ongoing refinery maintenance at roughly six refineries. California officials are now allowing less expensive winter-blend gasoline to be sold a month ahead of schedule to offer drivers relief at the pump. Meanwhile, a deadly refinery fire in Toledo, OH has tightened supply in that region.

“Locally, pump prices have escaped factors that are pushing gas prices up across most of the country. But rising oil prices could soon impact local gas prices. This morning, oil prices range from $92 to $97 per barrel, up about $10 from last week. Crude prices jumped last week after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies including Russia, known as OPEC+, announced intentions to cut crude production by 2 million barrels per day this fall.

“The exact impact of the production cut on crude prices and domestic gas prices will depend on how the market interprets the reduction. There’s concern that a recession could lead to lower crude demand, which would offset price increases while lower demand during the winter could do the same.”

Photos courtesy of Kim Pritt

GAINES – Democratic Party-endorsed candidates for Congress and the State Assembly stopped by the Cobblestone Museum on Sunday for a meet and greet with about 40 people.

Pictured from left include Steven Holden, Jennifer Keys, Joe Morelle and Orleans County Democratic Party Chairman Jeff Lewis.

Holden is running for Congress in the redrawn New York 24^th district against Claudia Tenney, who won a Republican primary on Aug. 23. The district includes about a dozen counties and covers about the southern half of Orleans County

Holden served 22 years in the National Guard and U.S. Army. He lives in Central New York and works as a chief financial officer for an organization that helps military veterans receive government contracts.

Keys, a Le Roy resident and a social worker, is challenging Steve Hawley in the 139^th Assembly District that includes all of Orleans, Genesee and a western part of Monroe County.

Morelle, an Irondequoit resident, has been in Congress for four years. He succeeded the late Louise Slaughter. He is running for the redrawn NY-25th district that includes most of Monroe County and an area of Orleans that is mostly the northern half of the county. Morelle faces former Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary.

Jeff Lewis, Orleans County Democratic Party chairman, welcomes the candidates to Orleans County.

Joe Morelle speaks inside the the Visitor’s Center at the Cobblestone Museum. The three candidates spoke at an event hosted by the Orleans County Democratic Party.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Tegan Miller, an employee with Panek Farms, moves a big bin of pumpkins this afternoon at a field on West Countyhouse Road in Albion.

The colorful pumpkins are sold at Panek’s at the corner of West Countyhouse and West Barre-Eagle Harbor roads.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Band Boosters

WEBSTER – On Saturday, Webster Central School hosted a marching band competition, which was Medina’s  fourth competition this season.

A total of 10 bands in five different classifications presented their shows. In SS1 Medina earned 1st place with a score of 82.825 followed by East Irondequoit with 82.55. Both of these bands are under the direction of  Medina band alumni.

In SS3 Leroy took 1st place with 71.675 followed by Marcus Whitman with  71.1. Greece took 1st place in LS3 with 75.9 followed by Hilton w/73.4. In LS2 West Seneca earned 1st place with 80.65 followed by Webster with 79.175.

There were two national bands competing and Victor earned 1st place with 85.925 followed by Lancaster with 84.025.

Medina’s next competition is Saturday in Victor.

It takes support from the Medina Band Boosters and the community to put the Medina band on the road week to week. These four people are a crew who unload equipment needed for the band performance, from left: Chad Kenward, Jason Clare, Dennis Wright and Art Clare.

Some of the Medina band staff include Diana Baker, Matthew Jaeger, Steve House and Kyla Leno.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: This family were kids at heart when they came to make their own scarecrow. From left are Maegan Zeller of Wilson, who intends to take her creation to her classroom in Wilson, where she teaches; Kimberly Eick of Medina; and Karen Eick of Nashville, who plans to take her Bills-attired scarecrow home in the front seat with her.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Medina Lions’ 2022 Scarecrow Fest attracted 200 people to the 4-H fairgrounds on Saturday.

Held in the Lartz Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, the event brought families from throughout the area.

Organizer Sherry Wheatley she had been collecting clothing all year to make sure they had enough shirts and pants. Those left over will be stored for next year, along with the T-posts which were cut and donated by Barden Homes.

Wheatley’s mother Pauline Lanning of Albion has volunteered every year to cut and sew the heads, making 400 for this year, in case they surpassed last year’s record 300.

Piles of straw also provided a lot of fun for kids to play in while their parents stuffed scarecrows.

The Art Class at Medina High School and Barb Jantzi painted faces on the heads, and no two were alike, Wheatley said.

For those who wanted to paint their own face, there was a table with markers.

Adam and Kristine Stockwell and their children K.J. and Penelope came from Buffalo after seeing it advertised on Facebook. They didn’t see anything like it in their area and they wanted to make a scarecrow, Kristine said.

Meagan Zeller teaches in Wilson High School and came with her future sister-in-law Kimberly Eick and Karen Eick from Nashville. Meagan said her scarecrow will probably make it to her classroom, while Karen said her Bills-attired scarecrow was going to sit on the front seat beside her on the drive home.

Lion Tom McGrane of Medina explain the procedure to K. J., Penelope and their parents Kristine and Adam Stockwell of Buffalo.

There were new features this year. Patty Caleb of Medina bought a booth to sell her stuffed dogs, and they were selling like hotcakes.

Wheatley said they came up with a new idea for scarecrow heads. They pulled three pair of panty hose over a head and then braided the six legs together. They looked adorable, she said.

A table was set up with assorted colored markers for the child who wanted to design his own face. One was Emma Lilleby, 7, of Medina. Emma’s mom had painted her daughter’s face like a scarecrow. She said Emma loved to draw and chose to make her own face.

Jarred Saj, left, sews a scarecrows arms together, while Dean Bellack measures out a lengthy of string.

Jarred Saj and Dean Bellack of Medina “operated” at one of the three surgical tables, sewing the scarecrows together. Bellack asked everyone to give their scarecrow a name.

The piles of straw to stuff the scarecrows were also popular for kids to play in.

The Scarecrow Fest is not only popular with kids, but adults as well. Hallie Gray and Steven Long of Medina came with his sister and two kids, but made a scarecrow for themselves. Grandparents came and just watched the beehive of activity.

Boy Scout Troop 28 did a brisk business selling hot dogs, chili, corn chowder, hot chocolate, water, banana boats and smores.

“We put a lot of work into this,” Wheatley said.

Proceeds from all Lions’ events go back for projects to help the community.

A festive Halloween display greeted visitors to the Lions Club’s annual Scarecrow Fest Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Pauline Lanning of Albion, mother of the Scarecrow Fest’s founder Sherry Wheatley, spent three months cutting and sewing 400 heads. They were painted by the Art Class at Medina High School and Barb Jantzi.

Jack Hansler of Medina staples heads onto the T-posts before they are stuffed.

Emma Lilliby, 7, of Medina, whose mom painted her face like a scarecrow, chose to draw her own face on her scarecrow head.

We got to see views overlooking Florence from a high end neighborhood and a lot more of the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

Let’s go on an adventure together…to Tuscany

This is the fourth in a series of articles from a Mediterranean Adventure I took in August. This post will focus on the second port of the Mediterranean cruise portion of the trip – The Tuscan Region of Italy.

I have wanted to visit Tuscany in Italy for as long as I could remember. Then, along came the movie “Under The Tuscan Sun” and it became an obsession…a major life goal…one of my top bucket list items! So, our second port on the cruise was the one I was most looking forward to and it did not disappoint! 

The second port on our cruise was Livorno – a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. The main areas of focus for shore excursions were Pisa and Florence – a few others, but most of the excursions involved one or the other, both, or in some combination with other stops. The excursion I chose was a 10 hour tour called “Florence and Pisa on Your Own”. For those that read my post about Pompeii, you’re thinking – wait, she said “on your own” tours weren’t always the best way to go. Well, I did three of them on this trip and, yes – you definitely need to do your research to make sure you know what you’re getting and how long you’ll have to explore! The Pisa and Florence excursion was ten hours and gave us plenty of time at both stops to leisurely see all we wanted to see – a great choice. The only downfall that I wish I had been aware of was that busses are not allowed anywhere near the main attractions. It was more than a 20 minute walk both ways at both stops. However, the guide noticed there were five of us ladies of a certain age that struggled with the walk in Pisa and ordered us a taxi that was waiting for us when we arrived in Florence. We had to pay for it, but for three euros a piece, we were driven to the primary spot in Florence and another three euros a piece took us back to the bus. What a wonderful thing that was…the guide was our hero and we all tipped her very well! Hahaha Things always work out the way they should!!! 

Our first stop was Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower.

Our first stop was Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower. From photos I’d seen, it looked like it was a stand-alone tower. But, as part of the Piazza del Duomo, it is actually the bell tower (campanile) of a medieval cathedral (Duomo) constructed in 1064 in the distinctive Pisan Romanesque style of architecture. The other main structure in the piazza is the Baptistery – a round Romanesque style building built in the mid-12th century and dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The Baptistery is separate from the cathedral because at the time the buildings were constructed, people had to be baptized before they could enter the cathedral. It is the largest baptistery in Italy and stands a few centimeters taller than the cathedral’s bell tower (the leaning tower). The piazza had other buildings, as well, but I took my time gazing at the three main ones – all incredible examples of Italian architecture.

We spent the bulk of our day in Florence – the capital of the Tuscan region. We were taken to a central location and given a map of how to get to some of the more common places to visit. I was interested in seeing Michelangelo’s original David, but we were told that the museum requires advance reservations to get in. Since I didn’t have one, there was no reason to go there. So, I decided to spend my time shopping, wandering around, sitting in the sun, and enjoying lunch and a gelato. It was the most perfect day and such a thrill to just relax and be there in Tuscany. And, of course, I loved just knowing I was sitting “under the Tuscan sun”.

We spent the bulk of our day in Florence – the capital of the Tuscan region.

While in Florence, I had the BEST MEAL of my LIFE!!! It sounded so simple – and it was – the appetizer was bruschetta and the entrée was rigatoni with sausage! But, the flavor created an experience in my mouth that I will never forget and will likely never duplicate! And, I don’t know if it was just because it was so very hot and the water was so icy cold, but everywhere I went in Italy, I especially loved the bottled still mineral water — it tasted so much better than any bottled water I’ve ever had! Amazing! Later I stopped for a gelato – nut cream flavor that tasted like hazelnut with swirls of chocolate and bit of nuts – awesome! 

The group returned to the bus right on time, so the guide and driver treated us to some bonus sights as they had time to take us on a little detour going back to the ship. We got to see views overlooking Florence from a high end neighborhood and a lot more of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. So gorgeous!

I am so glad I chose to do the “on your own” excursion. I couldn’t have enjoyed the day any more than I did…it was PERFECT! If I ever get back to the Tuscan region, I will do more of the same over several days – just leisurely experiencing the essence of Tuscany.

For more info and photos about my day in Tuscany, check out my Blog Post: here!

Happy Adventuring!

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Allan Kropf of Medina talks to volunteer Friends of the Lighthouse, who are getting ready for Christmas at the Lighthouse on Sunday.

SOMERSET – The historic 30-Mile Point Lighthouse will welcome visitors on Sunday for the last big event before closing for the season.

Located in Golden Hill State Park, the lighthouse will be closed on Saturday to prepare for Christmas at the Lighthouse on Sunday, sponsored by Friends of the Lighthouse. The lighthouse will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature a pulled pork dinner in the Carriage Barn, hot dogs, chili and beverages. There will also be vendors and a basket raffle at 3 p.m. Three wineries will also be on site.

Visitors will be able to climb to top of the lighthouse for spectacular views of the park and Lake Ontario, said Barb Larson, a park employee who leads tours of the lighthouse during the regular season.

Mike and Kathy Dreyfus of Medina are members of Friends of the Lighthouse, and Mike makes souvenir buttons and magnets to sell in their gift shop.

Mike and Kathy first went to Golden Hill State Park to cross country ski in the winter, and loved its isolation, Kathy said.

“Then our daughter was married there – a lovely, small personal wedding,” Kathy said. “They had decorated, had music and turned on the heat. All they asked was a donation. We’ve been a member of Friends of the Lighthouse ever since.”

Larson said the lighthouse will be decorated with simple things, like pine cones and ribbons, keeping in the style of how it would have looked when the lighthouse keeper lived there.

Spectacular views can be seen from the top of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse. This is looking east over Lake Ontario. Tours of the lighthouse have ended for the season.

Oscar Elmer was the lighthouse keeper from 1947 to 1954, and in 1950 Allan Kropf of Medina spent the night there with Oscar’s son David, who was a classmate at Barker High School. He doesn’t remember what they did, but he is sure there was no television. He said it was a pretty cool thing for a teenager to get to do. He remembers it every time he visits the lighthouse.

The lighthouse was built in 1875 at a cost of $90,000 after several vessels were wrecked on sand bars and shoals at that location. Its six-sided lens was so powerful its beacon was visible for 18 miles. In 1885, the kerosene lamp that was the source of light for the beacon was replaced by a 500-watt electric lamp.

In 1935, operation of the lighthouse was taken over from the Lighthouse Service by the United States Coast Guard. Buildings were added, including a foghorn building west of the lighthouse. Beginning in 1875 the lighthouse was staffed by keepers and their families, who lived in apartments on the first and second floors.

The rooms are furnished today in period furniture of 1850 to 1875. The lighthouse keepers’ quarters can be rented for the night or week for up to six people. It was pretty booked the entire summer, Larson said.

The lighthouse was closed in 1958. Gears were dismantled, and a steel tower with an automatic revolving light replaced the mighty lighthouse.

Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse became the property of New York state in Golden Hill State Park in 1984. It was then placed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

A large celebration took place at the lighthouse in 1989 when America celebrated the 200th anniversary of lighthouses in America. In 1995 it was selected to represent Lake Ontario on a postage stamp. More than 5,000 people attended the celebration.

This is looking down the spiral staircase which leads to the deck and lamp of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse, where they will celebrate Christmas at the Lighthouse on Sunday.

Another big event in 1995 was founding of Friends of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse, a group which now numbers about 75 members. The Friends spearheaded successful efforts to return light to the tower after 40 years. Friends’ members assist the park with tours and fundraisers, and always welcome new members. They meet at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of April through September and November.

Mark Keller of Norwood and his wife are lighthouse enthusiasts who found the lighthouse a few years back and returned to camp there. He is on hand this week to help with Sunday’s event.

Their attraction to lighthouses stems from the ability to be connected between the environment and being on the water, Keller said.

“Every lighthouse has its own story to tell,” he said. “And there’s always a great view.”

Friends of the Lighthouse and Golden Hill State Park are already looking ahead to 2025, when the 150th anniversary of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse will be celebrated.

Information on the lighthouse Friends of the Lighthouse and park are available on their website (click here).

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Oak Orchard Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Oak Orchard Health underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on June 14-16. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health standards spanning several areas including leadership, quality and safety measures, environment of care, infection prevention and control, emergency management, medication management, and rights and responsibilities of the individual.

“This is a comprehensive accreditation and our team stepped up to demonstrate our commitment to our patients confirmed through this Gold Seal of Approval,” said Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Oak Orchard Health for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

To obtain this accreditation, the clinical leadership, managers, and line staff had to focus on the 15 categories of standards that applied to OOH and develop processes and procedures to meet them. We also underwent training to address and meet the JCAHO standards.

About Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard Health has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services including primary care, pediatric care, vision care, dental care, behavioral health, as well as nutrition and outreach services for everyone located in the communities they serve. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville, Medina, and Warsaw, New York. With the addition of the Mobile Medical Unit and Mobile Dental Unit, we will further increase access to care for our patients. To learn more about Oak Orchard Health at www.oakorchardhealth.org.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.