MEDINA – Corning Museum of Glass will bring its Mobile Hot Shop to Medina for three days from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, showcasing its glassmaking artistry as part of the On the Canals initiative.

Corning’s Mobile Hot Shop uses unique glassmaking equipment to recreate a state-of-the-art studio environment. At venues around the world, in conjunction with exhibitions, events and art and design initiatives, Corning’s gaffers demonstrate complex hot glassmaking techniques, the state’s Reimagine the Canals said in a notice about the upcoming event.

The event at Medina’s Canal Basin is free to the public and people of all ages are welcome. Demonstrations take place every 45 mins throughout the day. To sign up, click here.

“You Design It; We Make It!” demonstrations take place the following dates and times:

• Sept. 29 at 10:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.;
• Sept. 30 at 11 a.m.;
• Oct. 1 at noon.

The protocol for “You Design It; We Make It!” includes:

1. Arrive early and pick up a drawing sheet.
2. Make your own unique drawing using the colored markers provided.
3. Include a description or “artist’s statement” – it helps our team understand your idea – and submit your design 30 minutes prior to the show.
4. Our glassmakers will choose one idea and make that piece live on stage.

On the Canals is a year-round program of free recreational and cultural activities highlighting the many ways you can enjoy the canal water ways and trails across New York State.

The Orleans County Tourism Department and Orleans County YMCA are working with the Reimagine the Canals and Corning on the event.

MEDINA – The author of a book about a scientist from Medina, who was an innovator in the pharmaceutical industry, will be at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library this evening to discuss the book.

Julia Sheppard wrote the book, “Silas Burroughs, the Man who made Wellcome – American Ambition and Global Enterprise.”

Burroughs was born in Medina in 1846 and died in Monte Carlo in 1895. He and Henry Wellcome pioneered the use of Empirin Compound for headaches. They also developed a technique to make powdered medicine more palatable by making pills, Sheppard said.

His biography was recently published by the Lutterworth Press, of Cambridge, England. Sheppard has long had an interest in the life and career of Burroughs. Her presentation at 7 p.m. at Lee-Whedon is entitled, “From Medina to Monte Carlo: Silas Burroughs, An Extraordinary Life.” Books will be available for purchase at library, made available by the Author’s Note bookstore.

Sheppard visited Medina twice to conduct research on the Burroughs family. She consulted with local historians Richard Nellist, Todd Bensley and the late Ed Grinnell and used the resources at Lee-Whedon.

Burroughs also was instrumental in the foundation of the Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation which specializes in biomedical research.

Sheppard shared a press release about the book:

“Silas Burroughs arrived in London from America in 1878 and proved himself an exceptional entrepreneur, taking the pharmaceutical business by storm. He was the brains and energy behind Burroughs Wellcome & Co. With his business partner Henry Wellcome he created an internationally successful firm, the legacy of which can be found in the charity the Wellcome Trust, yet few now remember him and the impact he made in his short lifetime.

Julia Sheppard

“A consummate salesman, Burroughs was also an astute businessman, with new ideas for marketing, advertising and manufacturing: his writings describe sales trips around the world and the people he met. He was also a visionary employer who supported the eight-hour working day, profit-sharing, and numerous social and radical political movements, including the single tax movement, free travel, Irish Home Rule and world peace.

“In this first biography of Burroughs, Julia Sheppard explores his American origins, his religion and marriage, and his philanthropic work, as well as re-evaluating the dramatic deterioration of his relationship with his partner Wellcome.”

ALBION – The Albion Town Planning Board on Wednesday approved a 25-bed women and children community residence on Butts Road. This will be the first residential program for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse that serves women and their children.

The Planning Board approved the site plan for the project. John Bennett, GCASA executive director, said he expects the project will go out to bid for construction next month.

The agency has seen more women in recovery and addiction programs with the opioid epidemic, with the prevalence of addictive painkillers, Bennett said during a public hearing about the project on Aug. 3.

The $4.6 million community residence will be the first in the GLOW region for women in recovery.

About 12 years ago, women accounted for 23 percent of the GCASA census or people served by the agency. But by 2016-17, that percentage jumped to nearly 40 percent, Bennett said.

The Albion site will allow women, 18 and older, to receive services to aid in their recovery while in a residential setting. Five of the 25 units will accommodate women with children younger than kindergarten. Up to two children can stay in those units. The property will include walking trails and a playground.

Keeping the mothers with the children eliminates a huge barrier preventing some women from going into acute recovery programs, Bennett said.

The project has been awarded a $4.6 million grant from the state Department of Health for construction of the residence. That grant doesn’t include the operation of the site, which will be staffed 24-7, including two employees at night.

GCASA will have 25 employees at the site, including mental health counselors, a nurse, peer counselors, aides, drivers, a child care coordinator, administrators and kitchen staff.

One nearby resident, Aaron Vosburgh, said he was concerned the site will add traffic to a road where there are frequent accidents because of a railroad overpass with a low clearance.

‘We are hoping to bring back family nights, more field trips and other fun activities for our students and families.’ – Principal Jennifer Stearns

Provided photos: Courtney and Dr. Aaron Slack are pictured with their son Brendan as he starts his first day in universal Pre-K.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Oak Orchard Primary welcomed 366 students this week in universal prekindergarten through second grade. Of those students, 74 are in Pre-K.

District Superintendent Dr. Mark Kruzynski, Oak Orchard Primary School Principal Jennifer Stearns and her staff greeted students and their families on the opening day of the school year on Wednesday.

“So much planning and preparation went into this,” said Mrs. Stearns. “We hired new staff, trained teachers and administration with an Early Learning Specialist from BOCES and did curriculum writing all focused around play-based learning.”

Dr. Mark Kruzynski, Medina Central School district superintendent, assists students to find their homerooms.

Students were excited to enter the building, and even those who were hesitant to leave their parents, were smiling in no time as they made new friends and met their teachers. By the time the morning announcements began everyone was happy to be starting a new school year.

“I really can’t thank the staff and families for helping us have such a successful first day,” Stearns said.

Oak Orchard Principal Jennifer Stearns and clerical staffer Heidi Albone get ready to greet students and their families.

The Oak Orchard staff said they are looking forward to an exciting school year that will include new clubs like Glee Club, STEM and Upstanders. They also have Art Club and Student Council in place.

“We are hoping to bring back family nights, more field trips and other fun activities for our students and families,” Stearns said.

Students enjoying the balloons on the front lawn of Oak Orchard.

ALBION – The Town of Albion is closing a section of Phipps Road to the traveling public starting tomorrow until the culvert (bridge) that crosses Otter Creek can have a thorough inspection, Highway Superintendent Michael Neidert said.

The culvert at the west end of Phipps Roads near Eagle Harbor Road was inspected today and Neidert and John Papponetti, the county DPW commissioner and engineer, agreed it is in the best interest and safety of the public that the bridge be closed to traffic until a more thorough inspection can be done.

The town has applied for the Bridge NY grant to replace the culvert but has was denied, Neidert said.

The town will know more once the culvert is given a thorough inspection, Neidert said.

Press Association/Danny Lawson – Queen Elizabeth II

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced flags on State buildings will be flown at half-staff on Friday, Sept. 9, in honor of Queen Elizabeth II.

She died today at age 96 and was queen for seven decades, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

“Queen Elizabeth II was a force on the world stage for decades and an inspiring female leader who leaves a lasting legacy,” Governor Hochul said. “New York joins the people of the United Kingdom and all those who are mourning in honoring her life, and we send our prayers to her family.”

Those who received Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit will automatically receive checks

Press Release, Gov. Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders today announced $475 million in tax relief for eligible low-income New Yorkers and families as part of the state’s ongoing effort to combat inflation and improve affordability.

The New York Department of Taxation and Finance will soon begin sending direct financial assistance to 1.75 million New Yorkers who received the Empire State Child Credit and/or the Earned Income Credit on their 2021 state tax returns. New Yorkers can expect to receive their checks by the end of October.

“With this relief package, we’re making good on our commitment to helping hardworking New Yorkers through the nationwide affordability crisis,” Governor Hochul said. “This program will put money back in the pockets of nearly two million New York families struggling to make ends meet in the face of the pandemic, inflation, and other rising costs. My administration remains laser-focused on improving affordability statewide, and I thank the Legislature for its partnership in ensuring that New York families get this much-needed financial assistance.”

Hochul and members of the state legislature approved the Additional NYS Child and Earned Income Tax Payment as part of the FY 2023 Enacted Budget. The program will provide an average payment of $270 per eligible recipient. Eligible New Yorkers do not need to take any action to receive their checks; checks will be mailed automatically.  (Click here to check eligibility.)

The program builds on Hochul’s commitment to putting more money back in the pockets of everyday New Yorkers. Earlier this year, the Governor accelerated the distribution of $2.2 billion in tax relief to more than 2 million New Yorkers through the new homeowner tax rebate credit. The governor also announced a statewide gas and diesel tax holiday to provide New Yorkers relief at the pump as fuel prices hit record highs.

New Yorkers who have recently moved should update their address with the Department of Taxation and Finance to prevent delays in receiving their Additional NYS Child and Earned Income Tax Payment checks. To do so, they can create an account (click here) on the Department’s website and follow on-screen instructions to complete required fields and save their updated address.

Lowering OT threshold would be ‘death warrant for thousands of farms’

Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) introduced the Protect Local Farms Act (H.R. 8756) to prevent the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board’s recommendation to lower the overtime threshold from 60 hours to 40 hours per week from taking effect. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) is a co-sponsor of the legislation as well.

“Two days ago, the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board handed down their final recommendation to lower the overtime threshold for farm workers from 60 hours to 40 hours – this is a devastating decision made by out-of-touch bureaucrats which will bankrupt family farms throughout our state and end farming as we know it,” Jacobs said. “If Gov. Hochul approves this recommendation, she is signing the death warrant for thousands of farms.”

The Protect Local Farms Act (H.R. 8756) is designed to combat the New York State Farm Laborers Wage Board decision by mandating federally that the overtime threshold for the agriculture industry cannot be set lower than 60 hours per week – keeping New York’s current threshold in place.

“Farming is not like other industries,” Jacobs said. “It is not a normal work week, is subject to weather, and operates within very slim margins. None of these factors were properly considered before this recommendation was made. Our already small workforce will be further depleted as workers seek more hours in other states, and our farmers will face dire financial burdens.”

“The farmworker overtime threshold in New York makes it harder for our farms to make ends meet when we face higher labor costs than nearly every other state in the country,” said Patrick McCormick, dairy farmer and New York Farm Bureau State Director. “Rep. Jacobs common-sense legislation looks to put every farm on the same level playing field. A set minimum federal overtime threshold will eliminate the competitive edge one state has over another and benefit farmworkers at the same time.”

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5056 East Main St., Batavia.

“Rabies continues to be a public health issue in Genesee County. We urge pet owners to take this opportunity to ensure their pets are protected against rabies,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Our drive-thru clinics are well-organized, run very smoothly and prevent animals from getting into any altercations with other animals.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.

To save you time, click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

The next anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:

• Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Thursday, October 13, from 4 to 6 p.m.
• Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 Rt. 31, Albion, NY) on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Health Department services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call 585- 344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County or 589-3278 for Orleans County.

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

For someone in recovery, every sober day is cause for celebration.

Still, it’s only fitting that the nation sets apart a time to honor those fighting their way back from substance use disorder and mental illness.

Harry Rascoe

“Although every day at The Recovery Station we focus on recovery, Recovery Month is the time to recognize and celebrate the gains made by those men and women who have not given up or given in,” said Harry Rascoe, who recently was hired by Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse as coordinator of the social event center on Clinton Street Road.

Rascoe and his staff have put together some special events that highlight their support of new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedicated service providers and community members who help make recovery in all of its forms possible.

Additionally, the Genesee County Legislature will be issuing proclamations on Sept. 14 in commemoration of Recovery Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Month (which also is in September).

The agency’s activities through The Recovery Station include fishing trips to Medina and the DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia; visits to Genesee County Park, Stony Brook State Park, Hamlin Beach State Park and Niagara Falls State Park, roller skating in Buffalo; shopping trips, and health and fitness group sessions.

On Sept. 13, the “Give Me S’more Recovery” event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Sept. 27, Speaker Jam – featuring stories of hope by people in recovery – is set for 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Other activities during the month (and just about every month at The Recovery Station) include CORE education and work goal setting, creative writing in recovery, guided yoga, open art classes, karaoke night, spirituality in recovery, and open men’s and women’s groups.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Photo from Governor’s Office: Governor Kathy Hochul received a dose of Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster on Wednesday. The booster is designed to add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants and bolster previous vaccination protection. Governor Hochul received the booster at Boriken Neighborhood Health Center in East Harlem.

Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced the availability of bivalent Covid-19 vaccine boosters, which are designed to add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants and bolster previous vaccination protection.

The announcement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to use updated Covid-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older.

Hochul made the announcement shortly before getting her booster shot at the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center in East Harlem.

To schedule an appointment for the updated Covid-19 booster, New Yorkers should contact their regular health care provider, local pharmacy, or local county health department. New Yorkers can also visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

“As we continue to contend with the effects of this pandemic on all our lives, we need to ensure we’re using every tool available to us,” Hochul said. “Throughout the pandemic, New Yorkers have been smart, looked out for one another, and taken steps to protect themselves and their neighbors. Getting vaccinated and boosted remains our best shot at protecting ourselves and fellow New Yorkers, and I encourage everyone eligible to sign up and get the updated bivalent Covid-19 booster.”

In addition, Hochul announced that masking will now be optional in multiple settings where they were previously required, including on public transportation, in for-hire vehicles, at airports, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and detention centers.

Masks will continue to be required at adult care and health care facilities regulated by the state Department of Health, and in clinical settings regulated by the Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

Providers in New York were able to pre-order these new boosters until Aug. 30, with shipping of pre-ordered doses beginning late last week and already arriving at some locations. To be eligible to receive the updated bivalent Covid-19 booster, individuals must have completed their original vaccine series or received a booster at least two months before.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “The novel coronavirus has changed over time, with many new variants, including Omicron. These bivalent boosters for the first time are tailored to a circulating variant. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to take advantage of this advance and contact their health provider, visit the local pharmacy, or call their county health department to get this booster as soon as possible.”

In the coming days, the state Department of Health will be issuing updated clinical guidance on the administration of bivalent booster doses to all providers enrolled in the New York State vaccination program. Providers that pre-ordered and received the COVID-19 bivalent booster doses are now authorized to begin administering them in accordance with the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization for these boosters and the updated CDC recommendations.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Cayden Lilleby runs for a touchdown during the Mustangs season opening win over Newfane.

Both teams will be looking to keep the momentum from season opening victories last weekend as Medina visits Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville for a C North Division football game at 7 p.m. Friday at Middleport.

Also at 7 p.m. Friday, Albion will host Maryvale in a B2 Division game and Holley will visit Mynderse in Seneca Falls in an 8 Man contest.

The Mustangs are the defending C North champions while the Silverbacks are making their C North debut after playing in the B North Division last year. Both teams needed late scoring bursts to claim those opening wins.

The Mustangs broke away from a 7-7 tie to defeat Newfane 21-7 in the C North opener as Noah Skinner scored on a 2 yard run late in the third quarter for the game winner. Cayden Lilleby later added the clincher with a 15 yard TD run midway through the final quarter. Skinner finished with a total of 195 yards rushing and Lilleby had a pair of TDs.

The Silverbacks had to rally from a 20-6 deficit to nip Alden 22-20 on a touchdown run by quarterback Trenton Muck and a two-point conversion carry by Justin Terwilliger in the third quarter and a TD run and two-point run by Wyatt Sherman in the final stanza. Terwilliger finished with 137 yards rushing and a TD and Sherman 121 yards.

Albion is looking to rebound from a 30-16 home field B2 loss to Falconer while Maryvale is looking to keep the momentum from a 28-8 win over cross-town foe Cleveland Hill.

The Purple Eagles got touchdowns from Sh’kwe Riley and Javon Jones on a pass from quarterback Amari Jones.

Holley is looking to keep rolling after downing host Wellsville 30-14 as Tony Geska scored three touchdowns.

Mynderse is looking to bounce back from a 48-0 loss to Canisteo-Greenwood.