Photos courtesy of Chris Busch: Shoppers check out the wares at Black Button Distillery of Rochester’s booth at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market last year. The summer market begins June 4 at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue.

MEDINA – Opening day of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market is a sure sign of summer, and shoppers can look forward to the opening on June 4.

“Our winter market had a very good season, but we’re always fired up for opening day of the summer season,” said Chris Busch, president of Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market. “The Saturday morning gathering of vendors, musicians and friends under sunshine and blue skies is a welcome sign of summer. After a long winter and more Covid, people are ready to enjoy summer life. We’re excited to be able to provide this great weekly summer event for the community.”

Gail Miller is manager of the market.

“I am looking forward to a great summer season the Canal Village Farmers’ Market,” Miller said. “As always, there’s a lot packed into the Saturday market, including regular and rotating vendors, food trucks, live music, kids’ scavenger hunts and more. Weekly updates can be found on the market’s Facebook page.”

Returning anchor vendors include Baker Farms, Roberts Farm Market, Human Farms, Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels, LynOaken Farms, Gardner’s Gardens, Catherine Street Bakery, Heartland Organics, HateCuddler Craftworks and Flower Fields Forever.

Products to be found at the market include local beef, pork, chicken, garlic, garlic powder, eggs, mushrooms, cheese, numerous fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, bagels, herbs, barbecue sauce, herb blends, tea blends, fudge, jam, jellies, sea salts, cookies, pies, cakes, breads, scones, muffins, honey and many other items.

New regular vendors this year include Shirt Factory, Lock Ridge Apiary and Barn Owl Blacksmithing.

Wineries, mead and spirits will return, along with local beer. Scheduled throughout the season will be 819 Meadworks, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Mountain Mule Ciderhouse and Schulze Winery and Vineyard. Black Button Distillery will also be back every month, along with a new vendor from Batavia, Eli Fish Brewery.

“We are super excited to welcome Eli Fish Brewing to our family of vendors,” Miller said. “It’s great to be able to add a local beer vendor to the market.

Tom Keefer of Celtic Cross will perform from 10 a.m. to noon on opening day of the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.

The market also has a great lineup of food trucks, with a nice variety for all tastes, Miller said.

“If there are other food trucks interested, we still have some Saturdays open,” she said.

Food trucks rotate throughout the season. In addition to the weekly anchor food truck, El Gran Burrito, other food trucks scheduled are Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza from Albion, Some Like it Hot from Buffalo and Greenlief’s on the Go from Middleport. Dubby’s will be on site for opening day.

Artisans and crafters include Between the Vines, Stillwater Pottery, HateCuddler’s Crafts/HHC and Laurel’s by the Creek.

“We’ve been contacted by quite a few artisans and crafters, and some spots are still available,” Miller said.

The weekly kid’s scavenger hunt will be sponsored by Maureen Hungerford this year, Miller said.

“Each week, kids can play by answering five market-related questions to win a prize from a box full of cool kid stuff,” Miller said.

Miller said the scavenger hunt is a very popular attraction, and they are grateful to Hungerford for her sponsorship.

“We have many kids play each week and they really love a choice from the prize box,” Miller said.

Live music at the market will be sponsored this year by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services-Zambito Realtors.

“We’re incredibly grateful for live music sponsorship,” Busch said. “It really makes the market vibe something special, and thanks to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services-Zambito Realtors, we have a full slate of musicians.”

Entertains scheduled so far are recording artist Barry DiGregorio, Rob Robinson, Thom Jennings, Thomas Keefer solo, Steve Novak, Zach Busch and Dark Road Duo.

The community tent is also back, according to Miller.

“The tent is for community organizations, such as tourism, veterans’ organizations, health and wellness organizations, Master Gardeners, charitable organizations and the like,” Miller said. “This gives these organizations a helpful outlet to share information about their services.”

Opening day will see the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services at the Community Tent. They will be answering questions and handing out Fresh Connect Check Coupon books to veterans.

“Any community-oriented organization who feels they might be appropriate for the market should contact us,” Miller said.

Miller encourages customers to check the Canal Village Farmers Market Facebook page for products available each Saturday.

The market has multiple options for making sales transactions. These include, besides cash, credit via Square, PayPal and VenMo.

The market accepts Senior Coupons, WIC, SNAP and Fresh Connect Checks and will soon be able to offer Double up Food Bucks to SNAP recipients. More information is available at the market manager’s tent.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. Miller can be reached at canalvillagemarket@gmail.com.

Provided photo: Pictured from left include Seana Hamilton (Roy-Hart), Jovany Trejo (Albion), Gracelin Mahnke (Medina), Sophia Tronolone (Newfane), Mackenzie Clogston (Newfane), Antinina Renee Sikora (Lockport), Keira Wass (Barker) and Alyssa Clare (Newfane).

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Health Occupation Technician (HOT) students recently partnered with the Early Childhood Education students at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

The HOT students invited their preschoolers into their class for their first annual Stuffie Clinic.

The event encouraged the preschoolers to bring in their favorite stuffed animal or doll and the HOT students taught them how to brush their teeth, take a blood pressure reading, and use a stethoscope, proper techniques of handwashing and X-rays.

HOT teacher Courtney Slack says she and her students were happy to report that all the stuffies and dolls were in good health!

Photos by Ginny Kropf: The Rev. Sohail Akhtar, pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina, gives a blessing at a luncheon Tuesday in celebration of the Medina Food Pantry’s 40th anniversary. “You are exhibiting God’s love by running this food pantry,” he told the volunteers of the pantry.

MEDINA – Forty years ago, three local clergy teamed up to start an enduring program to help the people of the Medina area.

That program would become the Medina Food Pantry, which on Tuesday was celebrated 40 years with a luncheon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Jane Stroyan, a member of St. Peter’s Church Council, welcomed the volunteers, saying it was amazing that this group kept the food pantry open during a global pandemic.

“Being 77 years old, and with a couple of underlying conditions, I sheltered and stayed safe,” Stroyan said. “But you folks stayed strong. You showed up. You put on your masks protecting yourselves and others, and made sure our Medina residents in need got food and understood they were not alone.”

Stroyan commended Hancock, Robin and Denny Dubai, Sally Grimm, Diane Mazur and the others who kept the pantry staffed and stocked with foods for those who needed it.

Also honored was Jim Hancock, a member of St. Peter’s Church and the only person still involved from the pantry’s early days.

“Jim Hancock has been with the food pantry for the entire 40 years of its existence,” Stroyan said. “Volunteering for that length of time is laudable and quite amazing. The Church Council of St. Peter’s thanks Jim for this accomplishment and so much more.”

In 1982, Hancock said Medina had a Medina Clergy Fellowship which helped people who needed food, gas or money. At that time, three local pastors, the Rev. Ron Haefer of St. Peter’s, the Rev. Benjamin Moss from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the Rev. George Yiengst from St. Mary’s started talking about what they could do to help the community.

Jane Stroyan, a member of St. Peter’s Church Council and volunteer at the Medina Food Pantry, presents a gift to Jim Hancock, who was involved in forming the food pantry 40 years ago.

The result was the founding of a food pantry. Their first referrals came from the Medina Clergy Fellowship, Hancock said. Most of their donations of food came from local churches.

As the need for the food pantry grew, they organized and in 1991 formed a board of directors and adopted a constitution and bylaws. It became known as the Medina Emergency Food Pantry. Board members came from different churches, but were overseen by St. Peter’s, Hancock said.

In those years, St. Peter’s had a parsonage next to the church, which was used for Sunday School and the kitchen became home to the food pantry.

From 1982 to 1989, the food pantry was moved to the basement of the church, then moved back to the parsonage until 1999. Then the church was planning an addition and the parsonage was torn down. The food pantry was relocated to Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God during 2000 and 2001.

“The addition was completed in 2002 and the food pantry moved back from Calvary Tabernacle, and it’s been here ever since,” Hancock said.

The Medina Food Pantry serves needy residents in the village of Medina and the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway. There is no income requirement, only proof of residing in the 14103 zip code. Occasionally, families from Middleport, Lyndonville and Albion will be served on a one-time basis, then they are referred back to their home town.

Sally Grimm reads the names of volunteers who have been dedicated to the Medina Food Pantry in recent years.

Each of those towns also has a food pantry, Hancock said.

The Medina Food Pantry was open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday until the pandemic, and since then, is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Thursday.

“We are very blessed that many people in the community donate generously to us,” Hancock said. “In addition, United Way of Orleans County and Food Link in Rochester have been a big help.”

St. Peter’s pastor, the Rev. Sohail Akhtar, said thousands of people have benefitted from this food pantry.

“You are exhibiting God’s love by running this food pantry,” he said. “Jim has done wonderful work – for the pantry and the church.”

Sally Grimm said some of the volunteers have been the glue which kept the food pantry going. She named Robin and Denny Dubai, Diane Mazur, Bob Hoffman and Michelle Capstick.

Hancock called Tuesday “a momentous day in the life of this church.”

“Forty years later, we are here celebrating our history,” he said.

MEDINA – Those who own a vintage vehicle and those who enjoy looking at them will be happy to hear Friday night cruise-ins in the canal basin will return for the summer on June 3.

This will be the 25th year for the weekly summer event, said Dave Green of East Shelby, who has been involved since the very first one.

The cruise-ins were originally headed by Donna Mruczek and Donna Bushover, in addition to Green. The first ones took place at what was then Botsford and Hartway Motors, Green said. Then they moved to the canal basin, where they continued to grow every year.

Eventually, the end of each summer event was celebrated with a Super Cruise on Main Street with Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald. The evening closes Main Street from the four corners almost to Prospect Street and attracts as many as 300 antique vehicles.

Cruise-ins were canceled the last two years due to Covid, so Green is optimistic car collectors and the public will be eager to have them return.

Cars will begin arriving about 5 p.m. and average between 90 and 100 weekly.

“Cars come from a very long distance, including Wyoming County and Niagara Falls,” Green said.

Disc jockey Hank Nevins will provide music weekly. Super Cruise this year will feature the band Crash Cadillac from the Buffalo area.

Special features of cruise nights include a 50-50 drawing, with half going to United Way of Orleans County, which sponsors the event; Christmas in July when people are asked to bring new toys to be given to children at Christmas time; and the local Boy Scouts selling hot dogs and hamburgers.

Every week something different is featured, such as Truck Night, General Motors Night, Ford Night, Mustang Night and Corvette Night.

Green is not only the head of cruise nights, he is a collector himself. He has owned a variety of antique vehicles, which he trades whenever he sees something he likes.

“The thrill in collecting is changing them every so often,” he said.

His most recent trade was a 1980 Chevy pickup, which he traded for a 1973 Mercury Cougar convertible. The 1978 Buick Regal Landau he currently drives was traded for an El Camino from the 1980s.

Green added the cruise-ins wouldn’t be so successful without the support of downtown businesses, Medina Fire Department and DPW, who provide any services needed.

Press Release, Lyndonville Central School

LYNDONVILLE – The school district is proud to announce the Top 10 seniors from the Class of 2022.

This recognition reflects the weighted cumulative grade point average of the students throughout their high school careers, including the first through third marking periods of their senior year.

Jack Whipple is valedictorian and Maddox Stirk is salutatorian.

The remaining students ranked 3 to 10 are listed alphabetically: Ethan Gardner, Amanda Garza, Shawna Grabowski, Roman Heinsler, Aasiya Huzair, Ella Lewis, Katherine O’Brien and Karlee Rounds.

“We are proud to honor the hard work and achievements of our top ten seniors,” said Lyndonville Middle-High School Principal Aaron Slack. “Saluting our top ten graduates has been a school tradition for over three decades. I am confident this group of exceptional scholars will go on to do remarkable things.”

Please join us in congratulating Lyndonville’s Class of 2022 Top 10!

Provided photo: Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, stands alongside veterans at the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C. during the 12th Patriot Trip in 2019. The trip was cancelled in 2020 and 2021.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing the resumption of his Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., taking place from Sept. 15 to 18, where veterans and their family members are hosted on a tour throughout the area to visit many historical sites and landmarks erected to pay tribute to their service to America.

This year’s trip will feature stops at war memorials and other notable locations throughout the DC-area, including the Arlington National Cemetery, as well as the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War memorials. The trip also stops in Gettysburg.

Participation in the trip is open to all military veterans and their family members, and will cost between $400-500 per person. Those interested in participating in this year’s trip are encouraged to reach out to Assemblyman Hawley’s district office at 585-589-5780 for more details.

“Every year, taking veterans to the memorials built to honor their service is one of the most fulfilling experiences I partake in, and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to do it again this year,” said Hawley. “Our veterans are the reason we are able to peacefully enjoy all this country has to offer, so it’s been my honor to take them to see some of the most awe-inspiring, historical places in our nation over the years.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The tugboat Edna A., which is owned by the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company of Troy, pushes away from the Erie Canal bank just east of the Gaines Basin Road bridge.

It is pushes a barge carrying a condenser for a nuclear submarine. The condenser was trucked in on an oversize load weighing just under 400,000 pounds. The condenser itself weighed about 200,000 pounds. The unit was manufactured by Graham Corp. in Batavia.

The condenser travelled by truck from Batavia this morning and reached the canal in about 2 ½ hours. It went up Route 98, to 31A in Barre, then down Gaines Basin Road before turning right on Albion-Eagle Harbor Road.

A massive crane lifts the condenser from the truck.

Ken Printup of Shelby brought binoculars to watch the heavy-duty operation. He is in the parking lot for the Sheret American Legion Post on Gaines Basin Road.

The heavy equipment was then set on the barge in the Erie Canal.

The process drew a crowd of onlookers along the north side of the canal. Many said they had never seen such big cranes and equipment before.

The Edna A. pushes the barge down the canal. It will go to Albany, then down the Hudson River to New York Harbor. From there it will be moved to an ocean-going-barge for the trip to the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.

The tug and barge approach the Main Street lift bridge in Albion at about 1:30 p.m.

Photos by Tom Rivers

BARRE – A caravan of vehicles started down Route 98 in Barre this morning, delivering a huge oversize load to the Erie Canal in Albion.

The large piece of equipment was manufactured by Graham Corp. in Batavia and will be used for the Navy.

The equipment will be put on a barge in the canal. An enormous crane is at the site just east of the Gaines Basin Road bridge.

Orleans County dispatchers warn to expect some delays and power outages while the caravan moves to its destination. It was going on Route 98 to Route 31A, then along Gaines Basin Road in Albion and then the last stretch is Albion-Eagle Harbor Road along the canal.

This company kept raising wires and traffic lights so the big load could pass through.

This group of escorts was out in front of the oversize load.

The Niagara-Orleans League will be represented by a quartet of teams Thursday in the semifinal round of the Section VI baseball playoffs.

In Class B1, No. 8 seed Albion will visit No. 4 Lew-Port at 5 p.m.

The Purple Eagles, after needing a last inning rally to nip Dunkirk 7-6 in the opening round Monday, ousted top seeded City Honors 11-3 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday while the Lancers blanked No. 5 Olean 3-0.

The victor will advance to Saturday’s B1 final at 3 p.m. at Grand Island against the winner of the No. 3 Depew vs. No. 2 Maryvale semifinal.

The Class B2 semifinals will be a nearly all N-O affair as No. 8 Akron visits No. 5 Roy-Hart and No. 6 Medina travels to No. 2 Southwestern for 5 p.m. contests.

All three N-O teams scored lopsided wins in the quarterfinals on Tuesday as Akron blanked top seeded Alden 12-0, Roy-Hart bested No. 4 Fredonia 12-1 and Medina topped No. 3 Eden 10-1. The other quarterfinal saw Southwestern down Allegany-Limestone 7-4.

Roy-Hart and Akron split a pair of meetings during the N-O season with each team winning on its own field.

Medina also met Southwestern in last year’s B2 sectionals and the Mustangs blanked the Trojans 10-0 in the quarterfinals at Vets Park.

Thursday’s semifinal winners will advance to the B2 title contest at noon on Saturday at Grand Island.

Section VI has gone cashless for finals tickets

Section VI has announced that it has moved to all-digital ticketing through GoFan for all post season championships.

The Section VI press release stated that “All tickets for Section VI Championship events at neutral sites will need to be purchased on-
line ahead of time at: https://gofan.co/SectionVI.

Once purchased on-line and upon entry, fans must show their phone to redeem their ticket(s)
with an event staff member at the gate. NO screenshots or printed tickets will be accepted.
Event staff assistance will be available at Section VI Championship sites.

For GoFan Digital Ticketing Help go to: https://get.gofan.co/digital-ticketing-guide.

Section VI WILL NOT TURN ANY SPECTATORS AWAY… BUT IF CASH IS THE ONLY OPTION THE
TICKET PRICE WILL BE $10 PER PERSON.

ON LINE TICKETS WILL BE REQUIRED AT ALL THE FOLLOWING SECTION VI EVENTS:
Track & Field Class Meets at: East Aurora 5/26, Randolph 5/26, Falconer 5/27, Wilson 5/27, Jamestown 5/28
Track & Field State Qualifier at: West Seneca West 6/3 & 6/4

Softball Finals & Regionals at: Will North 5/26, Depew 5/31, Allegany-Limestone 5/31, Will North 6/1, Grand Island 6/4
Baseball Finals & Regionals at: Grand Island 5/28, Depew 5/28, Jamestown 5/28, Niagara Univ. 5/30 & 6/4, Salamanca 6/4.”

Map from NYS Legislative Task Force On Demographic Research And Reapportionment – Orleans County will be split into two different congressional districts, with the 25th district stretching from Rochester to part of Orleans, and the sprawling 24th district that has some of Orleans and Niagara counties, and goes all the way through the Finger Lakes to Oswego and Jefferson County. The 25th is Democrat leaning while the 24th is solidly Republican.

Orleans County will no longer be represented in Congress by Chris Jacobs after this year.

Chris Jacobs

New redistricting maps (click here) have been finalized and Jacobs, if he is elected in November, would be in the 23^rd Congressional District that is dominated by Erie County and also includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.

Some of Orleans – the northern towns and some more – will be in the 25^th Congressional District that includes the City of Rochester and Monroe County. Joe Morelle, a Democrat from Irondequoit, currently represents the Rochester area in Congress.

The other part of Orleans will be in a sprawling district that goes from Niagara and stretches through the other GLOW counties, the Finger Lakes and up to Oswego and Jefferson counties.

Claudia Tenney, the current representative for the 22^nd Congressional District that includes Utica, has announced plans to run for the 24^th district.

“We’re going to miss Jacobs,” said Skip Draper, Orleans County legislator and Republican Party chairman. “He represented us well.”

Joe Morelle

Draper said having the county split into two different districts has benefits and disadvantages.

“My concern with being paired with an urban area that has all the population is that is where all the attention will go,” Draper said. “I hope that is not the case. They need to understand we’re part of the district and Orleans County is important, too.”

He was concerned a decade ago when the county was no longer fully in one Assembly District. Shelby was in one district and the other nine towns in a different one. Mike Norris had Shelby and parts of Niagara and Erie counties, while Steve Hawley had the majority of Orleans, Genesee and part of Monroe County.

“Having two assemblymen represent us has worked out,” Draper said. “I don’t know it’s necessarily a bad thing to have two congressional reps.”

He is disappointed all of the county isn’t in the same district with other similar-size rural counties in the GLOW – Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.

Claudia Tenney

“I’d like to be in the GLOW because that’s where all the partnerships are,” Draper said. “But we don’t have a lot to say about it. Whoever is in the seat we will work with them.”

With the split county, the 25^th Congressional District would include the Orleans towns of Yates, Carlton, Kendall, Gaines and Murray and about a third of Clarendon. The other towns – Ridgeway, Shelby, Albion, Barre and two-thirds of Clarendon – would be in the 24^th.

Tenney has been quick to launch a campaign for the 24^th District, releasing a news release with endorsements from several of the Republican Party leaders in the district.

“After reviewing the revised maps, which were released in the dead of night, I am announcing my candidacy for New York’s 24th Congressional District,” she said in a news release. “As drawn, the 24th District includes areas I currently represent in Congress such as Oswego County.”

This shows the boundaries for how Orleans County will be split into different congressional districts.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning & Development

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from August 2016 shows corn on Brown Road in Albion.

ALBION – Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in its existing, certified agricultural district during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law.  The annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property that consists of predominantly viable agricultural land.

During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from County Agricultural District No.1, which in 2016 became the sole agricultural district in the County as a result of a consolidation process.

This opportunity supplements, but does not replace, enrollment in an existing agricultural district during a more comprehensive review process held once every eight years. The next eight-year anniversary review – the only time during which parcels can be both added and removed – will not occur until 2024.

Presently, there are over 116,837 acres in County Agricultural District No. 1, including an additional 137 acres through six lots last year.

Requests for inclusion in District No. 1 will be evaluated, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. To enroll, owners must complete and sign a Letter of Intent for Annual Enrollment form.

These are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development (589-3197) or online by clicking here.

Completed forms should be sent by July 1st to:

Corey Winters, Planner

Orleans County Department of Planning & Development

14016 Route 31 West

Albion, NY  14411-9382

Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that an owner’s property will be added to Agricultural District No 1. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify your land for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact your local assessor.

Any qualifying lot must be included entirely rather than partially.

Agency recognizes staff and supporters for efforts to fight substance use disorder

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

Provided photos: Joy Mercer, left, and Charlotte Crawford received Friends of GCASA awards on Monday at the agency’s annual meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant.

BATAVIA – Understanding the importance of enlisting all segments of the community to fight the scourge of substance use disorder, Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse leaders on Monday afternoon recognized its board of directors, staff, scholarship recipients and “friends” at the nonprofit agency’s annual meeting.

About 80 people attended the luncheon meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant.

Four individuals and one business were presented with Friends of GCASA awards:

• Mickey Edwards, superintendent of Albion Central School (and former superintendent at Byron-Bergen Central School), Friend of GCASA Prevention;

• One World Projects, Harvester Avenue, Batavia, Friend of GCASA Residential Services;

• Hon. Sanford A. Church, judge for the Orleans County Court Multi-Bench in the Eighth Judicial District of New York (and former Orleans County public defender), Friend of GCASA Treatment;

• Joy Mercer of Corfu, licensed mental health counselor, Friend of GCASA Treatment;

• Charlotte Crawford of Batavia, R.N., interim executive director at Crossroads House and retired chief executive officer at Lake Plains Community Care Network, Friend of GCASA Recovery.

Four students each received $1,000 GCASA Foundation Scholarships as a result of their enrollment in fields related to substance abuse prevention/treatment:

• Kendra Lonnen, a 2022 graduate of Lyndonville Central School, who will be attending Genesee Community College to study Human Resources, with a goal of becoming a social worker;

• Sarah Volpe, a 2022 graduate of Elba Central School, who also will receive an associate’s degree in General Studies from GCC this summer. She will be attending Daemen University in the fall with direct entry into the Physician Assistant program.

• Samantha Kabel, a 2022 graduate of Alexander Central School, who also will be attending Daemen University in the fall to study Pre-Medicine Biology;

• Tess Pettit, a 2019 graduate of Albion Central School, who is graduating from Houghton College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

“It is our honor and privilege to recognize the people that support the work that we do here at GCASA, and to be able to assist in the education of those who are choosing to pursue careers that ultimately will make a positive difference in the lives of so many of our neighbors,” GCASA Chief Executive Officer John Bennett said.

Recipients of GCASA Foundation Scholarships are, from left, Sarah Volpe, Kendra Lennon and Samantha Kabel.

Bennett underscored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic upon substance use disorder prevention and treatment, noting a remarkable spike in anxiety, depression and other mental health problems among those dealing with drug and alcohol issues.

“At the same time,” he said, “filling vacancies for mental health and substance use disorder professionals has become a huge concern. The increase in individuals leaving and the lack of individuals coming into the workforce have created even more problems for a system that has been hit hard by the pandemic.”

He said that the profession is bouncing back to some extent, but “the challenge of the next year or two is to figure out what is the new normal.”

Calling his staff “the heart and soul of this organization,” Bennett thanked GCASA employees for “persevering and keeping our doors open over the past two years.”

“You are truly amazing and I and the board of directors appreciate you more than you can imagine,” he said.

Outgoing Board President Virginia Taylor, Ph.D., presided over the election of new board members and the slate of officers. Bennett commended Taylor, a Higher Education Administration consultant, for her dedication and passion to the GCASA mission during her six years as a board member.

Elected to three-year terms were Jerry Ader, Genesee County public defender; Don Allport, Orleans County legislator; Gary Graber, Darien Town justice; Gretchen Rosales, superintendent at Elba Central School; Jennifer Wakefield, GCC Foundation director of Development & Alumni Affairs.

Officers elected were Tim Batzel, president, Alexander Central business administrator; Katie Cotter, vice president, specialist with WNY Independent Living, and Fred Rarick, secretary-treasurer, Batavia attorney.

In 2021, GCASA provided 812 comprehensive substance use disorder evaluations through its outpatient treatment services, with 249 admitted to the Batavia Outpatient Clinic, 191 admitted to the Albion Outpatient Clinic, and 124 admitted to the Opioid Treatment Program.

Forty-three individuals were admitted to the Atwater Community Residence in Batavia, with another 18 admitted into supportive living.

GCASA’s Prevention educators served 28,938 youth and adults in various programs, while the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force membership stands at 441.

The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road in Batavia served 477 individuals, hosting activities five to six days per week throughout the year, while Employee Assistance Program counselors provided services to 46 people.

By Chrissy Krueger RN, RD, CDN, CDCES,
Diabetes Education Specialist, Oak Orchard Health

Let us start by talking about diabetes since I am a Diabetes Educator, at Oak Orchard Health and have been a registered nurse and dietitian for 15 years. Much of this information will be helpful whether you have diabetes or not. I will also discuss nutrition tips that are helpful to everyone.

Two main types of Diabetes

With type 1 diabetes, genetics and viruses are often the main reasons why people get this. With type 1 diabetes, your own immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. This is a problem as no one can live without insulin. Insulin is key to helping our bodies obtain energy.  Type 1 diabetes most often affects younger people, but it can also be found in people in their 30s-40s and even older.

Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes; some risk factors include family history, age above 35, and high blood pressure. Two main things are going on with type 2 diabetes. Your insulin doesn’t work the way it should and over time, you may not make enough insulin. Both these factors make it difficult for your body to obtain energy and lead to high blood sugars.

What does weight have to do with it?

Two risk factors found in many people with type 2 diabetes are also very common among people living in America today. You guessed it!  Being overweight and inactive.  Per the CDC 73.6% of adults and 22% of adolescents are overweight/obese. Physical activity stats are not much better. Only 23% of adults are meeting the physical activity guidelines, which is very similar to our younger folks.

Just having a diagnosis of diabetes puts you at increased risk of heart disease. Not surprisingly being overweight/obese also places you at higher risk.

What you eat helps control diabetes

Eating heart-healthy foods is one of the key tools to managing your diabetes. It also is effective for disease prevention. There is no diabetic diet currently endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. Overall, your nutrition plan should be individualized, so it fits within your lifestyle. Yes, it is true carbohydrates do affect your blood sugar more than other nutrients. However, carbs are your main source of energy for your body. So, what is a person with diabetes supposed to do? Include healthy carbs, spread your intake of carbs throughout the day, pay attention to the portion size, and have balanced meals.

For diabetes, we often review the meal planning method called carb counting. In this plan, you learn what foods are high in carbs, and what is a portion, and then learn to have a consistent amount at each meal. By following this type of plan, you will have blood sugars that are more predictable. Another type of plan commonly used is called the plate method. It is based on a 9-inch plate. Half your plate should include non-starchy veggies, ¼ is for starch and ¼ is for protein.

For people on insulin pumps or 3-4 injections of insulin per day, some learn how to adjust the insulin to the number of carbs they will eat. This gives people much more flexibility in their eating habits.

Carbohydrates are not necessarily bad for you

For everyone out there, carbs are not bad, just like fat and protein are not bad if eaten in moderation. They make up our nutrients and nutrients are what we all need to live on. It is true; however, if you have diabetes, it is important to pay attention to the number of carbs you eat.  Instead of eliminating an entire food group, work on including a variety of heart-healthy food choices most often and limit your intake of less healthy ones. With diabetes, you can really have your cake and eat it too! Just do not eat the whole cake whoever you are!

This article gives you a peek at diabetes and nutrition. There is so much more to know so if you have questions, talk with your primary care physician or a diabetes educator.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Adult Survivors Act (S.66A/A.648A), creating a one-year lookback window for survivors of sexual assault that occurred when they were over the age of 18 to sue their abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred.

“Today, we take an important step in empowering survivors across New York to use their voices and hold their abusers accountable,” Governor Hochul said. “The fight against sexual assault requires us to recognize the impact of trauma within our justice system. I am proud to sign this legislation, which is part of our collective responsibility to protect one another and create an environment that makes survivors feel safe. While our work is not done, eradicating sexual assault begins with our ability to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to justice and this legislation is a historic step forward.”

In 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, which created a one-year lookback window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims otherwise barred by the statute of limitations.

Similar to the Child Victims Act, the Adult Survivors Act will empower survivors of sexual offenses that occurred when they were over the age of 18. The one-year window will begin six months from signing and will allow survivors to sue regardless of the statute of limitations. For many survivors, it may take years to come to terms with the trauma of sexual assault and feel ready to seek justice against an abuser, while possibly experiencing fear of retaliation or shame.

In 2019, New York extended the statute of limitations to 20 years for adults filing civil lawsuits for a select number of sex crimes. However, that legislation only affected new cases and was not retroactive.

Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault Joanne Zannoni said, “Sexual assault survivors often need time before they are ready to come forward. The Adult Survivors Act offers a window of opportunity for survivors to hold their abusers accountable. This can be an important part of survivors’ healing.”

Darren Wilson

LYNDONVILLE – A prominent community leader in Lyndonville is facing child pornography and weapons charges.

Darren D. Wilson, 61, has been charged by the State Police with 10 counts of possessing a sexual performance of a child and criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree.

The State Police on Monday charged Wilson. Last month the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Computer Crimes Unit received information from Internet Crimes Against Children on a possible case involving child pornography. Further investigation revealed that Wilson was in possession of child pornography and multiple unregistered pistols, State Police said.

Wilson is a trustee on the Lyndonville Village Board, president of Lyndonville Lions Club and president of the Lyndonville Area Foundation.

He has been turned over to the Orleans County Jail pending arraignment, State Police said.