Sheriff’s budget for gas, diesel also boosted $31K this year due to rising fuel costs

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature has approved several resolutions and agreements for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.

• One resolution is with the NYS State Canal Corp. for $39,920 for marine patrols to enforce the NYS Marine Law and monitor activity along the canal and its pathway, effective from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

• The Legislature last week also voted to transfer $31,000 from contingency to the Sheriff’s Office so its budget has enough money to pay for diesel and gas, which are much higher than a year ago.

• The Legislature also authorized filling vacancies in the Sheriff’s Office including two vacant part-time dispatchers at $15.68 per hour, a vacant part time correction officer in the county jail at $15.68 per hour, and a vacant part time deputy sheriff in the Sheriff’s Road Patrol at $24.80 per hour.

• In another resolution, the Legislature authorized the sheriff to apply for $30,190 from the state in the STOP DWI Plan. This funding for this plan would allow the Sheriff’s Office, and other local law enforcement agencies, to participate in increased STOP DWI patrols throughout the year with combined total of $5,000. The money also would pay for $4,000 of equipment, with $5,000 also going to town courts, $5,000 to probation, $10,840 to the Orleans County Youth Bureau for outreach and education. Another $350 would cover administrative fees including NYMIR and Association dues. This STOP DWI Plan goes from Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec. 31, 2023.

• The Sheriff’s Office also was authorized to apply for a $15,000 High Visibility Engagement Grant from the state’s STOP DWI Foundation. The money would allow the Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies to do increased DWI patrols during peak holiday periods throughout the year. Grant period dates are effective from Oct. 1, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2023.

• The Legislature approved purchasing jail uniforms for $16,050 from Galls LLC in Lexington, Ky.

• The county accepted a $50 donation to for the Sheriff’s K9.

ALBION – A second dentist has joined the team at Silsby Family Dental in Albion.

Dr. Evan Spencer, 27, is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He completed a one-year residency program at Rochester General Hospital and about two weeks ago started with Silsby.

Spencer is a native of the nearby Town of Greece. He welcomed the opportunity to work with Dr. Evan Silsby, who is also a graduate of the UB School of Dental Medicine.

“I like the smaller-town feel,” Spencer said today. “I can establish and grow with the community. Everyone has been super-friendly here.”

Silsby has operated the dental office in Albion for about six years, following the retirement of Dr. Karl Heuer. Silsby has remodeled the office, put in new dental chairs and other equipment, including a CEREC milling machine that makes crowns on site during the same appointment. Silsby also uses digital technology for impressions.

He said the practice has been growing and he is pleased to welcome Spencer.

“We have been looking for like-minded people,” Silsby said. “Dr. Spencer is easy to talk with and he is a fantastic person.”

Spencer graduated from Greece Odyssey, the smaller of the four Greece high schools with about 100 in his graduating class.

He has aspired to be a dentist since he was a kid. His grandfather was a dentist who was much loved in his community.

Spencer said he knows many people dread going to the dentist. But he feels a sense of satisfaction in helping people who are often in much discomfort.

“The dentist can get you out of a lot of pain,” Spencer said.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at Brockport State College before going to UB, and earning a doctorate in dental surgery.

He joins a team of 11 employees at Silsby Family Dental. Spencer will do general dentistry – fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, extractions and other services.

Spencer offered this advice for dental care:

“Come in and get checkups frequently,” he said. “Just like a car that should be maintained, you have more options if you catch it early on.”

Provided photos

ALBION – The Orleans County DPW finishes a new concrete sidewalk in front of the COVA ambulance base at 239 South Main St.

The DPW workers include Scott Dugan, Neil Bartel and Joe Grager.

The sidewalk is part of a “Founding Fathers” tribute at COVA that leads to a memorial garden.

Orleans Ready Mix in Medina donated the cement for the project.

COVA President Jennifer Stilwell thanked Orleans Ready Mix, the County DPW (including Commissioner John Papponetti) and other community members who contributed to the project.

COVA crew members also donated time and rented an excavator for the prep work, Stilwell said.

ALBION – Two people were sentenced to jail by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.

Matthew Delosh, 31, of Holley was sentenced to 364 days in jail last week for violating his probation from Genesee County. Delosh was charged with driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in May.

Joshua Rothmund, 37, of Holley was sentenced to nine months of weekends in jail for violating his probation back from 2016 in Livingston County. Rothmund didn’t reported to probation for four years.

In cases in county court today, an Arcade man formerly from Le Roy was arraigned for third-degree burglary, four counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, petit larceny and attempted petit larceny.

Travis Cook, 34, on May allegedly took a wallet from a vehicle in someone’s garage. The wallet had four credit cards. He also allegedly had a handgun without a license, and is accused of taking a pill bottle with pills, and attempting to steal from another vehicle. District Attorney Joe Cardone said Cook threw a loaded firearm out onto the road when he was pursued by law enforcement.

Judge Church set bail for Cook at $100,000.

A Medina man was arraigned for violating his probation. Isaiah Casanova, 22, allegedly was driving a vehicle that had a 9 mm gun in the glove compartment.

As a prior convicted felon, he isn’t allowed to have a gun. Casanova said he was driving a friend’s vehicle with the registration expired and didn’t know there was a gun in the glove compartment. He was stopped by law enforcement and said there weren’t any weapons in the vehicle.

His attorney, Ian Penders, said Casanova thought he was being truthful with that statement.

Casanova was free after posting $1,500 bail at the town court level, but Judge Church increased the bail to $10,000 cash and $20,000 bond.

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

Recent changes to the parameters of the federally funded offender re-entry program are widening the path for formerly incarcerated individuals to receive services as they return to society.

Trisha Allen

Trisha Allen, coordinator of the re-entry program at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, said those changes include reducing the length of a person’s jail or prison sentence (actual time served) from three to two months.

“Previously, we were only allowed to support people who had been incarcerated at least three months – or were on a one-month or greater parole violation,” Allen said.

GCASA has a re-entry residence for up to five men in the City of Batavia and a separate re-entry home for up to three women in the Town of Batavia. Potential participants must be at least 18 years old.

Allen also reported that the geographic area for those to access GCASA’s program has been expanded from Genesee and Orleans counties to Livingston, Wyoming and other neighboring counties.

Started about three years ago, GCASA’s Re-entry Program has provided numerous services to around 60 people, taking a “person-centered peer approach,” Allen said.

“We focus on the participant’s self-identified needs, goals, preferences and strengths, which means that each person’s process and experience may look different,” she explained. “Typically, we offer housing from three to six months.”

Allen emphasized that the goal of the program is to expand substance use disorder treatment, recovery and re-entry services for sentenced adult ex-offenders with SUD, who are returning to their families and community following their incarceration.

She added that sex offenders and convicted arsonists are not eligible for re-entry housing, but GCASA does support those individuals through other programs while living in the community.

With the program primarily funded by a grant through the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, services are free to participants. Health insurance is billed when allowable for healthcare.

After establishing eligibility and concluding the intake process, men and women immediately are moved into housing, whether it be at GCASA’s facilities or at emergency housing provided by the Department of Social Services or more permanent housing.

The list of services provided include applying for benefits at DSS if needed, securing food, applying for health insurance, setting and attending a substance use disorder assessment appointment, obtaining identification if needed, setting physical and/or mental health appointments, and discussion a plan for education, employment, income, family and other priorities.

“It’s important to point out that we also provide case management on a 1-to-1 basis and 24-hour peer recovery support,” Allen said. “Beyond that, participants have access to all of GCASA’s counseling, treatment and recovery services – including rapid access to Medication Assisted Treatment, Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, detoxification, residential, inpatient referrals and The Recovery Station (social programs).”

Re-entry programs, for many years a part of the state’s Department of Corrections operations, have become popular throughout New York as a service of nonprofit, religious, for-profit and governmental agencies.

At GCASA, Allen’s staff consists of case managers Jason Rolle and Erin Cornell and assistants Chester Shivers and Taylor Peck.

“We’re constantly looking to make connections with the local jails and prisons and have been working with the parole and probation offices and DSS since the program’s inception,” Allen noted. “We just started a peer-run support group at the Orleans County Jail on Fridays.”

Allen said that GCASA has openings at both the men’s and women’s residences. Referrals to the program can be made by contacting her at tallen@gcasa.org or 585-813-6570.

David Simoni continues to be deemed unfit for trial

ALBION – A Holley man who faces an attempted murder charge after an attack on a Holley police officer remains in psychiatric care and continues to be deemed unfit to stand trial.

David Simoni, 33, was charged on June 15, 2021 after he allegedly lunged at a Holley police officer, attempting to stab him, when the officer was dispatched to the Holley waterfalls on Frisbee Terrace that evening.

Simoni was allegedly walking around with a knife antagonizing people, Robert Barton, Holley police chief, said a day after the incident.

Simoni has spent a year in a Rochester psychiatric care facility. The staff there says he remains unfit for trial, Public Defender Joanne Best said in Orleans County Court today.

Judge Sanford Church said he intends to sign a notice on Sept. 7, stating Simoni will continue in psychiatric care and won’t have to stand trial for at least another year unless his condition improves.

Simoni’s status will be reviewed annually and he could spend as much as 2/3 of the maximum prison sentence he faces in psychiatric care without going to trial. That would be more than 16 years because he could face up to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder charge.

Simoni also has been arraigned on menacing a police officer, reckless endangerment in the first degree, attempted assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, menacing in the second degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, criminal mischief with intent to damage property, acting in an injurious manner to a child younger than 17, and resisting arrest.

Survey planned to get feedback to strengthen childcare services and availability

In February, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services announced that funding would be made available to develop new childcare programs in areas of the state without sufficient childcare slots, known as childcare deserts.  They identified most of Orleans County as a childcare desert.

On Aug. 3 the United Way of Orleans County hosted a “listening session”  with representatives from the county, day care providers and interested professionals, to discuss the lack of childcare in Orleans County and develop ideas for strengthening childcare resources.

Rachel Bonsignore, director of Lift-Off Western New York, facilitated the discussion and information sharing session and in an e-mail to all who attended, summarized the challenges and gaps identified by the group and what is going well in Orleans County. She also listed opportunities and a timeline going forward.

A number of factors were identified as challenges and gaps in the childcare system in Orleans County.

Shared information and understanding population trends by age and geography; pre-K expansion plans in schools, full or half day, timelines and wrap care option; changes in how employers do business, such as working from home, hybrid, hours and flex time; and employee childcare needs.

• Attitudes and beliefs – a perception that early childhood educators are “babysitters,” instead of education professionals who are highly trained, well regulated and offer safe and enriching care; lack of political support and recognition that childcare is an economic development driver and opportunity for Orleans County.
• Supply of childcare that matches families’ needs, including traditional hours, a lack of providers that operate during evenings, overnights and/or weekends; distribution challenges of registered child care options close to parents’ home or place of employment; getting new providers.
• Transportation – Limited public transportation options and hours; varied car ownership and related costs (fuel, insurance); ride sharing is limited, particularly for families with young children.
• Costs – Parent often pay the equivalent of rent or their mortgage for childcare; awareness of the Child Care Subsidy program and parental eligibility; program operating costs, payroll, overhead, etc., infrequently breaks even; impacts on minimum wage increases by centers and GFDE programs.
• Workforce – Hiring and retaining high quality staff; workforce pipeline, expected retirements; minimum wage and struggle for competitive wages outside of early care and learning field.

Opportunities for improving childcare access and services included developing a targeted employer and parent survey, to include small and large businesses, churches and faith community, Leadership Orleans alumni and partners; and convening a childcare community forum, to include schools, employers, child care providers, government partners, workforce development, schools, libraries, higher education and pediatricians.

Its purpose would be to create a better understanding of how business gets done (onsite, hybrid and work from home) and the unique needs of their workforce and employees with children.

Short-term opportunities (five to eight months) identified are creating an Orleans County Early Childhood Educator of Distinction Award, a county proclamation of April 1 – 8, 2023 as “Week of the Young Child” and planning events and happenings during “Week of the Young Child,” by libraries and church sermons, etc.

Medium-term opportunities (12 months) include a community child-care plan/agreement, created and informed by the community; and improved and continuous communication with schools, employers, the county, Child Care Resource and Referral (services in Orleans County provided by Community Action) and policy makers.

The report has been well received by those in attendance at the “listening session.”  The opportunity to share information and ideas on the topic of childcare in Orleans County strengthened communication among providers and generated many new ideas.

As a starting point, the group endorsed the idea of conducting a survey. Bonsignore suggests a survey should be a collaborative effort between Community Action, Leadership Orleans and United Way. Any others who would be interested in participating are welcome. After the survey goes out, the group will convene again to review the results and invite additional community members to help with a plan to strengthen childcare services and availability in Orleans County.

Press Release, NYS Department of Labor

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced the next meeting of the Farm Laborers Wage Board will be held virtually at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6.

The board is expected to deliver its report and final recommendations to NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon on the proposal to reduce the overtime threshold for farm workers from 60 hours to 40 hours a week.

A link to the meeting livestream will be made available on the Farm Laborers Wage Board webpage.

“I thank the Farm Laborers Wage Board for thoroughly examining this complex issue and for their service to New York State,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “I’m also grateful for the many New Yorkers who provided input on this statewide discussion, which will be vital as we evaluate the state’s agricultural future. I look forward to reviewing the board’s report and recommendations before announcing my decision.”

Under the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act of 2019, farm laborers became entitled to overtime premium pay starting on January 1, 2020, for any work that they perform in excess of 60 hours per week, and for work performed on their designated day of rest. As required by the act, New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon convened a wage board comprised of the members in 2020.

Board members include Brenda McDuffie, former President and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League; David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President; and Denis Hughes, former President of the New York State AFL-CIO.

Per the statute, the wage board was tasked with considering and making recommendations regarding the extent to which the overtime threshold for farm laborers can be lowered below 60 hours per week and whether any such reductions should be phased-in through a series of successively lower thresholds.

To inform its decision, the board hosted one in-person public hearing in 2020 and eight virtual public hearings between 2020 and 2022 where testimony on the matter was heard from farm laborers, agricultural employers, academic experts, and elected officials, among others. Four virtual informational meetings were also held during this time.

On January 28, 2022, the Farm Laborers Wage Board passed three resolutions that made the following recommendations:

• Reducing the overtime threshold for farm laborers from 60 hours to 40 hours a week;
• The reduction of the overtime threshold from 60 to 40 hours will 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.

Once the board delivers its report, Commissioner Reardon will have 45 days to review it and announce her decision. Within five days of receipt, DOL will publish notice in at least 10 newspapers of general circulation in the state. Any objections to the report and recommendations can be sent to the Commissioner within 15 days after such publication. Should the recommendations within the report be adopted, the Department will undergo a rule making process during which there will be a 60-day public comment period.

Photos courtesy of Bruce Landis

The Class of 1972 members at the reunion include:

Front row – Joanie Neri, Ann Germeo, Ron Vanderlaan, Carolyn Hill, Marilee Tokotch, Sue Pilon, Susan Glassner, Joey Fiorilli, Vickie Condolucci, Barb Chappius. Debi Becker and Sandy Kast.

Second row – Marita DeLuca, Patti Smith, Bentley, Gail Hudson, Faye Hollenbeck, Sandra Jones, Brenda Staines, Paul Harvey and Joel Linton.

Third row – Clarence Whitfield, Steve Seidel, Vicki Pratt, Ned Parker, Cindy Downey, Steve Licht, Randy Conlon, Eileen Williams, Joanne Githens, Joan Peters, Candy Hockenberry and Christine Mathes.

Fourth row – Howard Ward, Gary Smith, David Kofahl, Rick Babbitt, Dean Burdett, Mark Adema, Pat Scharping, Paul Theodorakos, Bob Capurso, Michael Hinman, Karl Spanton and Dennis Monacelli.

Writeup courtesy of Sally Capurso

LYNDONVILLE – The Albion Central School’s classes of 1971 and 1972 hosted a whirlwind of memories on Aug. 19-20 to celebrate 50 and “50-ish” years since their graduations.

When the class of 1971 found it difficult to book a venue for their 50th reunion in 2021 due to Covid restrictions, they needed to think outside the box. What better way to celebrate than with those who graduated in 1972?

The festivities began with a golf scramble in memory of 1972 deceased classmate, Brian “Bucky” Buckner.  A Friday night gathering at St. Mary’s Athletic Club afforded classmates the opportunity to informally chat and catch up while munching on everything from ACS Sloppy Joes to chips and diverse salsas. Marty Taber ’71 provided an entertaining look back at our high school years.

Saturday morning afforded the classes the opportunity to tour their old high school under the direction of Superintendent Mickey Edwards. What a memory jogger!

The Saturday evening reunion was held at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. Gorgeous table decorations surrounded by tea lights in mini vases with purple ribbon and handmade purple napkin holders warmly greeted the classmates.

After a social hour, there were class pictures by Bruce Landis. Then Melanie Repko Barbarito ’71, Rev. Clarence Whitfield ’72, and Rev. David Kofahl ’72 prayed about the classes’ past, present and future.

MC Bob Capurso ’72 then led us through time: then and now. A trivia contest at the tables afforded a blast from the past as well as an ice breaker. Table winners were presented eagle coasters donated by Jane Kast Gill, ’71.

The Hastings Duo provided background music throughout dinner and gave a chance to show off their dance skills. Sally Sadowski Capurso ’71 presented everyone a verbal collage of highlights of classmates’ contributions to society in the years since leaving ACS.  Barbara Karls Dawson, chief registration collector ’71 and Sally Capurso then awarded the first Humanitarian Awards to one member of each class who has served their communities in selfless ways.

Judy Delamarter Craddock ’71 was the recipient for her selfless missionary work. Howard Ward ’72 was the recipient for his ongoing commitment to many communities. The class of 1971 challenges future 50th Reunion Committees to honor someone with the Humanitarian Award.

In addition to those mentioned above, major contributors of the blended committee included Ann Germeo Tower, chief registration handler for ’72, Marita DeLuca Dumrese, purple decorator extraordinaire, Joanie Neri Millis, Patti Smith Buckner, Eileen Williams, Howard Ward and John Grillo.

The of Class of 1971 attendees at the reunion include:

Front row from left – Elizabeth Thom Cowan, Cindy Glassner Piedmonte, Jamie Lynn Halstead, Pam Staines Merrrill, Bonnie Lee Cooper, Chuck Lafferty, John Grillo, Bernie Baldwin, Alan Heard, Diane Sharping, Barb Karls Dawson, Mike Smith, Ronald Pritt, Delores D’Amico and Ruth Carr Snyder.

Second row – Susan Warne, Bonnie Bower, Donna Kast Trotter, Sue Perfitt Landis, Sally Sadowski Capurso, Roxie Gaylard Basinait, Cathy Boone Sabo, Tom Fiorelli, Melanie Repko Barbarito, Barbara Babbitt, Sue Mack, Mary Keitel Donahue, Bill Munger and Lorinda Cook Anderson.

Third row – Bertha Barber, Betsy Hunt O’sick, Jeanie Sherman Greenwood, Joanie Anderson Smith, Cindy Drew, Judy Delamarter Craddock,  Marcia T Harris, Melanie Woolston Schaffran, Becky McGuire Allport, Jane Kast Gill,  Harold Germeo, David Vanderlaan and Jim New.

Back row – Mary Clair Bell O’Kane and Marty Taber.

HOLLEY – The school district has boosted the pay for security officers that work at Holley, increasing the hourly pay from $32.50 in 2021-22 to $40.00 this upcoming school year.

That raise will result in a $26,000 overall increase in security for the district if all the hours are filled, said Sharon Zacher, assistant superintendent for business.

Holley has contracted with C.O.P. Security Inc. since 2013. The Scottsville-based company hires many retired police officers who were former school resource officers or DARE officers.

COP Security has some unfilled positions and may not be able to have a security officer at each of the two Holley schools throughout the school days, district superintendent Brian Bartalo, advised the Board of Education recently.

Holley increased the pay to make the positions more appealing to security professionals at COPS. The district typically works with three or four security staff from COPS throughout a school year.

“Having someone every day in each of the schools would be awesome,” Bartalo told the board.

If COP Security can’t have two security at the district during the school days, Bartalo said he will reach out to the Holley Police Department and Orleans County Sheriff’s Office for increased patrols.

Ambulance provider says $150K needed or it faces closure Jan. 1

Photo by Tom Rivers: COVA is based out of 239 South Main St., Albion. COVA responded to 2,214 calls in 2021.

ALBION – A rally is planned on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. in Albion to show support for COVA, a local ambulance provider based in Albion.

The non-profit organization faces closure by Jan. 1, said Jennifer Stilwell, COVA’s president.

The organization has maxed out its lines of credit, after not needing to borrow until three years ago. COVA started in 1979.

Stilwell wrote a letter to the editor on Orleans Hub on Aug. 14, detailing the fiscal challenges faced by COVA. The organization has tried for four years to secure local support through the taxes in Barre, Albion, Gaines and Carlton, but that request hasn’t been taken up by the towns. Stilwell said $50 on each property owners’ tax bills in those towns annually would keep the organization viable.

Since her letter, COVA has met with county legislators and Stilwell said she is hopeful there can at least be a short-term solution to keep COVA operating.

She said COVA is seeking $150,000 from the county to stay afloat in the short-term while it tries to find a longer-term answer.

For the rally on Friday, people are encouraged to be at the COVA base at 239 South Main St. by 3:45 p.m. and to bring their own signs showing support for the ambulance provider. There will be T-shirts available for $15 that show support for COVA.

“Together as a community we can make a difference!” a Facebook event post states. “This is truly a life and death matter! Come out and show support for COVA! Don’t wait until it’s too late ..it could be your family that needs the help!”

Stilwell said COVA isn’t organizing the rally. It is done by others in the community.

She said the organization has suffered from very low insurance payments that often are paid at 20 percent of what is billed, people who keep the insurance checks and don’t turn them in, and rising costs for equipment, gas, wages, medical supplies and medications.

By Angela Shoemaker, WIC Program Coordinator, Oak Orchard Health

From healthy essential foods to breastfeeding support to tasty recipes and tips for keeping kids healthy and active, WIC offers a whole lot more than you may realize. And there is a lot we can do to help you take good care of your growing family. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is designed to help women who are either pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, or have kids up to five years old. It provides food and other kinds of support families need to live healthy lives. But you might wonder if WIC is right for you—or if you even qualify.

WIC is available to lots of people.

Many families in New York State work hard but still struggle sometimes to get by. You do not have to be unemployed to qualify for WIC. For instance, a family of four with $51,338 in annual income or less can qualify for WIC, whether that income is from one or two working parents. And if you already receive SNAP or TANF benefits or you’re on Medicaid, you automatically qualify for WIC.

In fact, if you receive SNAP—also known as Food Stamps—WIC can be even more helpful because it helps pay for some of the basic nutrition your family needs to help your SNAP benefits go further.

Your eWIC card makes grocery shopping easy and convenient.

When you sign up for WIC benefits, you’ll receive an eWIC payment card. It looks just like a credit card, it automatically pays for qualified groceries in your shopping cart, and it’s automatically reloaded each month. Your eWIC card is a hassle-free way to take advantage of your benefits.

Enjoy the bounty of your local Farmer’s Market.

There’s nothing like fresh, local produce in the summertime. And our program supports local Farmer’s Markets by providing you with funds you can spend on delicious local fruits and vegetables. Each participant over the age of 6 months gets $25 —and it is on top of your regular monthly benefits.

WIC can help with breastfeeding and so much more.

If you are pregnant or have a newborn, our expert staff can help prepare you on ways to feed your baby.  Our staff is trained to promote breastfeeding and provide the needed support new mothers and infants need for success. Additionally, WIC’s breastfeeding program offers Breastfeeding Peer Counselors who have breastfed their babies and are eager to help you do the same. WIC even offers free breast pumps if you need one, as well as an increased food package to keep you well-nourished while you are breastfeeding. We are here to support you through your breastfeeding journey.

We also offer great nutrition advice, including tasty recipes you can make the foods you qualify for with WIC. And if you have other health care needs beyond our ability to help, we will connect you with someone who can—from dentistry to housing and many things in between.

It is easy to get started. Just give us a call.

If WIC sounds like it might be right for you and your family, call (585) 344-2203 and we will walk you through it. For details about the WIC program, visit oakorchardhealth.org/health-services/wic.

LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County United Way is planning its second annual Harvest Gala to highlight successes in the past year and thank supporters.

The event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 9 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. The event will include a performance by singer Jimmy Mazz, who will be performing his “Legends and Laughter” impressions and comedy show featuring Three Dog Night.

Last year the debut event was held at Maison Albion and raised about $33,000 for the United Way.

“It is a fundraiser for the United Way, but it’s really a thank you to our supporters and people in the community,” said Dean Bellack, United Way executive director. “This is celebration for everyone in the community.”

Dinner and dessert will be included with a cash bar. The event will also include a wine wall, silent auction and live auction. Tickets are $75 each or $600 for a table of eight. They are available for purchase at OrleansUnitedWay.org. Special seating options and sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, contact Bellack at 585-283-4224 or director@orleansunitedway.org.

The United Way will also highlight successes in the past year. The agency took the lead on a Digital Divide computer literacy initiative and has been working with other agencies and government officials to address community challenges.

“We want to recognize that we get tremendous support from local businesses,” said Nyla Gaylord, the United Way’s executive director. “We will be celebrating our successes and sharing with the community the return on their investment in the United Way, including with grant writing and capacity building.”