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.

Village urged to remind community that ‘Downtown is still open’ during bridge construction

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Main Street lift bridge, shown on Wednesday evening, will be closed Oct. 17 for a major rehabilitation of the bridge that is scheduled to take 18 months.

ALBION – Village officials said they would ask the state Department of Transportation to post detour signs in the village when the Main Street lift bridge is closed for about 18 months.

The bridge is set for a major overhaul and will be closed starting Oct. 17. The DOT is doing major repairs to the Albion and Brockport lift bridges on Main Street in a combined project that will cost $28 million.

Karen Sawicz, owner of Lake Country Media which includes the Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub, urged Albion village officials to post detours in the village to help drivers navigate through the village and not just bypass the downtown area during the project.

She also suggested a temporary stop sign at the intersection of Ingersoll Street and East State Street. That area will see a big increase in traffic when the bridge is closed. The Ingersoll lift bridge will become the main outlet to cross the canal.

“We need signage in the Village of Albion,” she said during a forum on Wednesday evening at the Village Hall.

The DOT is planning to post detours on state roads, but wasn’t planning to post signs to help drivers navigate in the village, said Jay Pahura, the village Department of Public Works superintendent.

The village doesn’t post detour signs in the village for state projects, Pahura said, because then the village assumes liability for anything that happens because of that detour. The DOT also has standards for the size and spacing of detour signs.

“We don’t do it because it’s not our project,” Pahura said.

But he said he would ask the DOT to put up more signs in the village while the bridge is closed.

Sawicz said the DOT should pay for the signs and assume any liability.

“The state needs to step up and help these smaller villages,” she said.

The village was also urged to have signs up that “Downtown is Open” while the bridge is shut down.

Wednesday’s meeting was the first village-led discussion on the upcoming project. There will be a “Bridge Brainstorming” meeting on Monday at Hoag Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to discuss ideas to help businesses and the community while the bridge is closed.

The village will then have another meeting next Wednesday at the Village Hall at 6 p.m. about easing the impact on the community from the bridge being closed. The village is looking for residents, business owners and property owners to be on a committee coordinate projects on Main Street and also connect with the village and DOT about concerns in the downtown and ways to lessen the impact of the closure.

Sue Starkweather Miller suggested the village allow the merchants to have sandwich signs and bigger signs during the closure. She said the village should consider backing off some of the codes for signs to help the merchants through the bridge closure. She also suggested signs be up in the community, reminding people that the downtown is open for business.

Part of Main Street will be blocked off near the south and north ends of the bridge, and contractors will be parking near the bridge with some supplies kept close to the site.

Sawicz said she doesn’t want to see nearby merchants to lose parking to the work crews. The DOT needs to emphasize that bridge workers don’t take up private parking spots for businesses and property owners in the downtown.

Some of the businesses – Krantz, Morrison Realty, PathStone – won’t have access to the parking in front of their buildings because the DOT will block off part of the street for a staging area.

Village officials during Wednesday’s meeting were urged to install signs identifying the municipal parking lots on Main and Bank streets, as well as a lot behind the fire hall at the end of Platt Street so people can see there are lots of options for public parking.

The village was also asked to see if the DOT could move back the closure of the bridge until work is very close to getting started. The public will be frustrated if the bridge is closed and not much happens with it for several weeks, even months.

Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Deputy Mayor Joyce Riley said the Village Board is open to suggestions and will take concerns to the DOT about the project.

“We understand there will be some hardships and we want to alleviate some of that for us,” Riley said.

Press Release, Medina Tree Board

Tom Draves, owner of Draves Tree Service, operates the lift required to install the big spruce trees.

MEDINA- An early Christmas gift arrived in State Street Park this morning! After a successful fund-raising campaign, two huge Christmas trees arrived on site and were installed by Draves Tree Service of Corfu. The two 12’ Black Hills spruce trees will eventually grow to replace the current aging “village Christmas trees” in the park.

The project cost approximately $4,000 and was made possible through generous donations from citizens and organizations to Releaf Medina. All donors will be listed on a Donors Plaque that will be on display later this year in Medina’s Christmas HQ– the Santa House in Rotary Park.

“To secure trees of that size, the trees had to be specially dug and shipped East Amherst. From there, Draves Tree Service transported the trees to Medina for the specialized installation,” said Chris Busch, Municipal Forestry Coordinator for the village. “As you can see, it’s quite an undertaking.”

The Black Hills spruce is described as a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader. It has a distinctive and refined pyramidal form and is highly tolerant of urban pollution. According to Busch, the tree is drought tolerant once established and can live for nearly 100 years.

“This is a big day for Christmas in Medina,” said Kathy Blackburn, Chair of Medina’s Tree Board. “On behalf of Releaf Medina and the Village Tree Board, an enormous ‘thank you’ to everyone who so generously supported this effort!”

Medina has gained a reputation far and wide for its annual Christmas displays and celebration.

“Every year, people come from miles around to experience a real, old-fashioned, hometown Christmas in Medina, and these two magnificent trees will at the heart of our celebration for years to come,” Blackburn said.

She also encouraged citizens and organizations to continue supporting tree plantings in the village and stated that Releaf Medina accepts donations throughout the year. All money collected go towards tree plantings in the village. Tax deductible donations can be sent to Medina Releaf Fund c/o ORG, PO Box 543, Medina, NY 14103, check payable to: ORG/Medina Releaf Society.

A specialized installation in Medina by Draves Tree Service of Corfu.

60 people currently work out of site on West Avenue

Photo by Tom Rivers: Freeze-Dry Foods is based at 111 West Ave. in Albion, the former Lipton’s plant.

ALBION – Freeze-Dry Foods, which has operated at 111 West Ave. for more than 20 years, has announced that it has been acquired by Thrive Foods, and the new owner will invest in the Albion facility and looks to expand the workforce which is currently at 60.

Freeze-Dry Foods specializes in freeze-dried products, including pet treats, proteins and ingredients. It was honored in 2016 as the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year.

Provided photos: Aimee Galindo, current CEO of Freeze-Dry Foods, and Steve Palmer, CEO of Thrive Foods, celebrate the merger.

The products have a shelf life of up to 25 years because Freeze-Dry eliminates moisture and oxygen, while preserving nutrients, flavor, taste, color and aroma.

It operates out of a 240,000-square-foot facility, which previously was used by Lipton’s and then Ontario Foods.

Freeze-Dry is one of the few freeze dry companies in the United States. (The technique dehydrates frozen foods so the moisture content changes directly from a solid to a gaseous form. The product maintains its original size and shape with a minimum of cell rupture. Removing moisture prevents a product from deteriorating at room temperature.)

Thrive Foods also manufactures freeze-dried products, including fruits and vegetables, proteins, pet treats, probiotics, enzymes and prepared meals. Thrive currently has facilities in Modesto, California and American Fork, Utah. It serves as a technical expert and flexible manufacturing partner for its customers.

“We are very pleased with the acquisition of Freeze-Dry Foods, which will further expand Thrive’s manufacturing capabilities and add to our existing geographic footprint throughout the United States,” said Steve Palmer, CEO at Thrive Foods. “We are impressed with FDF’s focus on high-quality products and look forward to executing upon several key initiatives and opportunities together to fuel further growth.”

The acquisition of Freeze-Dry Foods was announced by Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on the food and consumer packaged goods industries, and the Private Equity business of Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company. Thrive Foods is one of their portfolio companies. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Steve Palmer, CEO of Thrive Foods, met with the Albion workforce on Aug. 26. He told the staff there would be more jobs, and investment in the Albion facility.

Freeze-Dry was founded in 1968. Thrive Foods said Freeze-Dry has established an exceptional reputation for high-quality products. The acquisition will allow Thrive Foods to better service customers across the Midwest and East Coast by adding specialized formulation and wet processing capabilities to Thrive’s world-class freeze-drying operations.

“This strategic acquisition adds valuable customer relationships and production, and we look forward to growing the combined business,” said Ryan Schweet, partner at Entrepreneurial Equity Partners.

Adnan Azam, director at Mubadala Capital, added: “We invested in Thrive as the foundation of a growing platform to build and consolidate the freeze-dried products space. Since we invested in the business, we have been integrating Thrive with Mercer Foods while continuously evaluating new opportunities to expand our product capabilities, enter new markets and create growth opportunities for our employees. FDF achieves each of those objectives and we look forward to continuing its market leadership as part of the Thrive Foods family.”

The Albion workforce gathers for a group photo with Steve Palmer, CEO of Thrive Foods.

Press Release, RTS

ROCHESTER – Effective immediately, masks are optional for customers and employees on all Regional Transit Service (RTS) vehicles and in all RTS facilities.

The change in this RTS policy comes after the announcement today by Governor Kathy Hochul that the mask mandate on public transportation is no longer in effect.

“This change in the RTS policy on masks reflects our continued efforts to follow guidance from Governor Hochul, the New York State Department of Health, the CDC, and TSA, to ensure public transit is safe for our employees and customers,” said RTS CEO Bill Carpenter. “As Governor Hochul stated in her announcement today, ‘masks are encouraged, but optional.’ I appreciate our customers and employees for being respectful of everyone’s choices on this issue.”

RTS encourages all customers and employees to stay home and away from public transit if you are sick, have COVID-19, or believe you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19.

For all other information, visit www.myRTS.com.

About RTS

Regional Transit Service (RTS) is a regional transit authority established by New York State with more than 900 employees who proudly serve customers and business partners in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Players will share insights, sign autographs in benefit for prostate cancer awareness

MEDINA – Expectations are high for the Buffalo Bills this season with many top sports prognosticators picking the team to win the Super Bowl.

The Bills remain the only team to ever play in four straight Super Bowls. They didn’t win any of those from 1991 to 1994.

But the team has won two league championships, in 1964 and 1965, when they conquered the American Football League. The AFL would merge with the NFL in 1970.

Players who helped build the foundation for the franchise, including those on the the AFL title teams, will be in Medina on Saturday at the Medina Theatre as part of a benefit of Prostate Cancer Awareness.

Attendees can hear from Booker Edgerson, Ken Jones, Marlon Kerner, Paul Maguire, Lou Piccone and Ed Rutkowski. They will sign autographs, share key moments in Bills history and answer questions.

The event includes a spaghetti dinner, autograph-able program, door prizes, silent auction, live auction, 50/50 drawing  and photo opportunities. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children under 12.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the Buffalo Bills and meet some outstanding individuals,” said Joe Cardone, owner of the Medina Theatre and also the Orleans County district attorney. “All six have unique stories that will be inspiring to kids and their parents.”

The Buffalo Bills alumni featured at the event include Booker Edgerson, a member of the AFL championship teams in ’64 and ’65. He is on the Bills Wall of Fame. He played cornerback for the Bills from 1962 to 1969 and was assigned the other team’s top receiver, which included Hall of Famers Lance Allworth of the Chargers, Otis Taylor of the Chiefs and Fred Biletnikoff of the Raiders.

Edgerson is the president of the Buffalo Chapter of the NFLPA Retired Players Association. He also is a prostate cancer survivor and leads a campaign to “Cure the Blue.” He said proceeds from the event in Medina will support prostate cancer awareness and research at Roswell Park in Buffalo and other organizations.

Pictured from left include Lou Piccone and Marlon Kerner. Ken Jones, not pictured, will also be at the event in Medina.

Edgerson wants to see the Bills and NFL put more into prostate cancer education, including the importance of early screenings. He said the league has embraced breast cancer awareness but hasn’t put that kind of support behind prostate cancer.

“No one wants to talk about it,” Edgerson said.

As part of the “Cure the Blue” initiative, men who are minorities are urged to be regularly screened for prostate cancer beginning at age 40 while white males should do annual screenings beginning at 45.

“It should be treated just like mammograms,” Edgerson said.

Early detection dramatically increases the chances of survival, he said.

He is now in his 26^th year since he was first detected with prostate cancer.

“If you get screened and treated early there is a very good chance you will survive,” he said.

Most of Saturday’s presentation will feature Edgerson and the former Bills talking about their time on the team, and the changes in professional football.

Edgerson said the AFL and its pass-happy playcalling brought more entertainment to professional football, changes that were followed by the NFL with the merger.

“We were the MTV of that era,” Edgerson said. “It was fast football with a lot of throwing.”

The players in the 1960s earned a scant amount compared to today’s stars. Edgerson said he was paid $7,500 his first year in 1962 and peaked at $25,000, even though he was among the top cornerbacks in the league. Tre’Davious White, the Bills star cornerback, is set to earn a base salary of $9,950,000 this year.

Edgerson is grateful the Bills have stayed in Buffalo, the league’s second-smallest market. Only Green Bay has fewer people. Los Angeles, where the Bills open the season on Thursday against the Rams, enticed that team to move from St. Louis.

Edgerson credits the Bills late owner Ralph Wilson for refusing to uproot the Bills. Terry and Kim Pegula, the current owners, also are committed to keeping the team in Western New York.

Edgerson said he is proud of the community service over the years by the Buffalo Bills alumni. That group has donated $2.6 million to many different causes in the region.

Edgerson continues to live in the Buffalo area.

“I’m so thankful I’ve stayed here in Western New York,” he said. “It’s because of the Buffalo Bills and the people of Western New York.”

Lou Piccone also is a featured former Bill at the event. Piccone was an undersized wide receiver and kick returner who played 10 seasons in the NFL with the Jets from 1974 to 1976, and then the following seven years with the Bills retiring in 1982.

He will share how he overcome obstacles to make an NFL team, and then was able to stay on a roster for a decade, despite weighing only 168 pounds. He caught 100 passes in his career, gaining 1,380 yards. He led the NFL with 39 kickoff returns and 961 kickoff return yards with the Jets as a rookie.

He was a teammate of two of the biggest stars in the NFL in the 1970s – Joe Namath with the Jets and O.J. Simpson with the Bills.

Other Bills in Medina on Saturday include:

• Paul Maguire, who may be best known as television sportscaster, was a punter and linebacker. He first played for the San Diego Chargers in 1960 and then joined the Bills, playing with Buffalo from 1964 to 1970. He was a member of three AFL Champion teams, two with Buffalo and one with the Chargers. He twice was an AFL all star.
• Ken Jones was a tackle in the NFL for 12 seasons, playing with the Bills from 1976 to 1986, then a final season in 1987 with the Jets.
• Marlon Kerner played cornerback with the Bills from 1995 to 1998.
• Ed Rutkowski was a wide receiver and backup quarterback on the Bills from 1963 to 1968. He may be best known for serving eight years as Erie County executive from 1979 to 1987.

“This is a chance to learn about the formative years of the AFL and building the NFL up to what it is today,” Cardone said.

For more information on the event, click here.

Assemblyman urges DOL commissioner not to adopt changes

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is expressing disappointment following a decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board to advance a recommendation to Commissioner of Labor Roberta Reardon to lower the farm laborer overtime threshold from 60 hours to 40.

For months, Hawley has stood alongside farmers, farmworkers, agricultural advocates, owners of agri-businesses and other lawmakers to call on the board to reject a proposed reduction to the overtime threshold, warning of the devastating effects such a decision would have on rural communities and all who work in the agricultural sector.

As the board considered whether or not to implement a lower threshold, they collected testimony regarding the proposal during a series of virtual hearings. During those hearings, the vast majority of testimony provided by farmers and farmworkers opposed its implementation, warning that it threatened the livelihoods of both farm owners and laborers.

The concerns expressed by those opposed to lowering the threshold have been corroborated by a number of studies, as a report by Farm Credit East has stated that the total cost of lowering the overtime threshold to 40 hours, coupled with minimum wage increases, would result in an increase in labor costs by over 40 percent for New York’s farms.

Another study by Cornell University found that 70 percent of New York farm labor guest workers would not return to New York were the threshold to be lowered and would instead seek work in other states where they have the opportunity to work longer hours.

Following the advancement of the Wage Board’s final report and recommendation, the fate of the farm overtime threshold rests in the hands of Reardon, who has 45 days to decide whether to accept or reject it.

“Now that the fate of farming as we know it here in New York state has been put in jeopardy by the Wage Board, even after hearing how their decision will jeopardize the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and farm laborers, I sincerely hope that Commissioner Reardon will step in to prevent what would prove to be a catastrophic event for rural communities and the entire agricultural sector,” Hawley said. “Lowering this threshold helps nobody while threatening the existence of multi-generational family farms and an entire way of life, so I sincerely hope that ultimately both the threshold and the continued viability of our farms will be preserved.”

With the start of a new school year, drivers are being reminded to take extra precautions of children walking to school or crossing streets when getting on or off a bus.

“As the new school year approaches, please remember when a school bus is stopped with its lights flashing, all motorists MUST also stop,” the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office said. “Regardless of what lane you’re in, what type of public highway/road you’re on or what direction you’re traveling, all vehicles MUST stop. Passing a school bus is a violation of NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law, and poses a danger to children getting on and off a school bus.”

• Albion had its first day of school on Tuesday, moving it up a day from Wednesday. The district started the school year a day earlier to accommodate the addition of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19 during the final week of school.
• Holley has first day today for students in grades 1 to 12.
• Kendall’s first day was Tuesday for grades 1 to 12, while today is first day for kindergarten and PreK.
• Lyndonville welcomed back students in grades 1 to 12 on Tuesday with the first day today for grades kindergarten and PreK.
• Medina has the first day today for its students.

AAA Western and Central New York said students are eager to return to class mask-free as the pandemic winds down.

“With school buses back in action, and many districts facing driver shortages, commuters should give themselves extra time, be patient, and be prepared for bus traffic,” AAA said. “Motorists should also use caution amidst student drivers returning to high school and college while parents are encouraged to talk to their children of all ages about traffic safety.”

AAA’s “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” issued the following tips for motorists and parents:

• Always stop for a school bus when the lights are flashing
• Remove all distractions from the driver – put cell phones down
• Do not pass other vehicles
• Obey crossing guards at all times
• Check you mirrors before moving
• Teach your children the rules of traffic safety

Photo by Tom Rivers: Workers harvest cabbage on Route 98 in Gaines in August 2017

If given final OK, Ortt says change would be ‘monumental disaster that will sadly be the final straw for many of our struggling family farms.’

A three-person Farm Laborers Wage Board voted 2-1 this afternoon in a recommendation that the state reduce the overtime threshold for New York farm workers in a gradual phase-in from 60 to 40 hours a week.

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher cast one of the three votes and he opposed lowering the threshold. Fisher said the report is flawed and doesn’t reflect the data and witness testimony in hearings that he said showed lowering the OT threshold would hurt farms and farmworkers.

“It barely touches on the testimony of how this will make our farms less competitive and how labor shortages are already a challenge and will only get worse if workers leave the state to seek more hours elsewhere,” Fisher said about the report. “The facts cannot be ignored, even if the report does not give them their due diligence.”

The two other boards members – chairwoman Brenda McDuffie, former president and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League; and Denis Hughes, former state AFL-CIO president – voted in favor of lowering the farmworker overtime threshold in a gradual phase-in to 40 hours over the next decade.

“What’s become clear throughout these proceedings is that action is needed,” McDuffie said during today’s meeting. “It is our duty to protect tens of thousands of farm workers and align their rights with those in other industries.”

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt blasted the Wage Board’s decision, saying it will put many New York farms at a competitive disadvantage with nearby states.

“Today’s decision by the Farm Laborers Wage Board is a monumental disaster that will sadly be the final straw for many of our struggling family farms,” Ortt said in a statement. “The current labor mandates were already a tremendous burden on our farmers, particularly at a time when many of them are still reeling from the pandemic, supply chain issues, and soaring prices.”

Ortt said testimony from farms and farmworkers, warning about the negative impact of the changing the OT threshold, where ignored by the majority of the Wage Board.

“At a time when we have already seen many businesses leave New York and family farms have been forced to shut down, this reduction will cause further devastation to our agriculture industry,” he said. “It will sadly force even more of our family farms out of business, hurt workers, and increase costs to consumers.”

Reducing the overtime threshold for farm laborers is proposed to be phased in over a ten-year period, with reductions of four hours on a biannual basis.

The phase-in schedule would begin on January 1, 2024, with the threshold set at 56 hours; on January 1, 2026, with the threshold set at 52 hours; on January 1, 2028, with the threshold set at 48 hours; on January 1, 2030, with the threshold set at 44 hours; on January 1, 2032, with the threshold set at 40 hours.

The New York Civil Liberties Union praised the decision by the Wage Board and urged the Department of Labor and the governor to formally approve it.

“Farmworkers have waited over 80 years for an end to the racist exclusion that has stolen countless hours of overtime pay,” said Lisa Zucker, senior attorney for legislative affairs. “Gov. Hochul and Commissioner Reardon must prevent another generation of workers from suffering by unequivocally accepting the Wage Board’s recommendation. With Gov. Hochul’s more than dollar-for-dollar refundable tax credit, there is no reason that the overtime threshold cannot be immediately lowered to 40 hours, eradicating this racist Jim Crow policy once and for all.”

Ortt and others many opposed to lowering the threshold are asking the DOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Gov. Kathy Hochul to reject the plan.

“I implore state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and Governor Kathy Hochul to reject this recommendation,” said Assemblyman Michael Norris of Lockport. “With New Yorkers already struggling to afford groceries and gas with the rising costs of inflation, it is unfathomable that non-elected bureaucrats at the Farm Labor Wage Board are going to make it harder and more expensive to feed a family in our state.”

Norris said the proposal, if enacted, would result in smaller paychecks because of fewer hours being available for farmworkers. He said they would go to other states where they could earn more money.

“These workers will just move on to other states to work,” Norris said. “Sadly, this decision is just another example on how Albany seems intent on pushing everyone out of our state with burdensome mandates.”

GAINES – The lift bridge over the Erie Canal in Eagle Harbor will remain closed to traffic until Sept. 16, the state Department of Transportation said today.

The bridge closed Aug. 8 for repairs and was expected to reopen on Aug. 29.

The bridge from 1910 is being repaired during the closure. The DOT urges motorists to continue to use alternative routes.

File photo by Tom Rivers: More than 100 people walked 2 miles on Oct. 13, 2018 to raise funds to support people battling Alzheimer’s. Some of the walkers pass the canal bridge by State Street Park and head to the towpath by the Erie Canal.

Press Release, Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter

MEDINA – The Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter, is inviting Orleans County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 8 at State Street Park in Medina. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the Walk commencing at 11 a.m.

“The Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s is our signature event for awareness and we are thrilled to bring the Walk back as a completely in-person event this year,” said Lynn Westcott, senior director of development at the WNY Chapter.

Covid-19 concerns prompted the Alzheimer’s Association to hold a virtual Walk in 2020 and a hybrid version in 2021.

(Editor’s Note: The Alzheimer’s Association has set a $28,000 fundraising goal for the Medina event and has already raised $12,645.)

On walk day, participants come together to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and raise funds that ensure the programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association are free to all who need them. In addition, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony, with the colors of the Promise Garden flowers representing people’s connection to Alzheimer’s – their personal reasons to end the disease.

Mary Lou Tuohey, a member of the Orleans County Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee, shares, “I’m excited to serve on this committee of this year’s event because I know how devastating this disease can be, and the funds raised by the Walk will help bring us closer to a cure. I’m walking in remembrance of my Mom, Jane, and my Dad, Don, and I invite everyone in Orleans County to join us for this fun, family-friendly event in support of a great cause.”

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In New York alone, there are more than 410,000 people living with the disease and 580,000 caregivers.

This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is presented by Uniland. To register and receive the latest updates on the Orleans County Walk, visit act.alz.org/orleans. To learn more about the planning committee or sponsorship opportunities, contact Lynn Westcott at lwestcott@alz.org or 716.440.4251.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the return of the Wellness Fair to Medina Memorial Hospital on Sept. 13.

The community is invited to schedule appointments with the imaging/radiology and lab departments, receive an overall health screening from a primary care professional, speak with leadership from Orleans Community Health and meet with several county organizations.

The fair is scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. at Medina Memorial Hospital. Appointments can be scheduled with imaging/radiology and the lab at a discount of $10 per test by logging on to the Orleans Community Health website by clicking here.

Available tests in imaging are AAA (abdominal aorta) screening, carotid screening and ABI screening. Lat tests include hemoglobin A1c, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

Community members do not need an appointment to attend the Wellness Fair. General health checks will be conducted by Elizabeth “Liz” Gurnsey, family nurse practitioner.

Several members of Orleans Community Health leadership will be on hand to act as guides to appointments.

County and regional health and wellness organizations in attendance will include Alzheimer’s Association, Independent Health, SNAP, Supportive Care of Orleans/Hospice, Orleans County Department of Mental Health and M-Power (Medicare assistance).

“This is an opportunity to receive tests, a health check and speak to several of the organizations within Orleans County,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach for Orleans Community Health. “A lot of great things are happening at Medina Memorial Hospital and throughout Orleans Community Health, and this event is an opportunity for the community to stop by for health screenings and simply see what we’ve all been talking about.”