Cooperative Extension serving about 275 households with food distributions

Photo by Tom Rivers: Marsha Cook, a 4-H volunteer, and Peter Beach, a buildings and grounds employee for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, work together getting cans of corn and beans ready as part of a pop-up food pantry on July 12 at the Fairgrounds.

The Nourish New York program has permanently enshrined into state law. Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov. 20 signed the legislation, reaffirming New York’s commitment to providing support to those facing food insecurity across the state.

The Nourish New York initiative reroutes New York’s surplus agricultural products to the populations who need them most through the state’s food banks. The program also provides much-needed support for the food producers and farmers who have lost markets as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic because the state’s food banks are buying agricultural products from New York farmers and food processors, Hochul said.

The program provides some of the food for about 275 households in Orleans County during recent distributions at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

This week’s distribution at Fairgrounds served 281 households and a total of  895 people, according to the check in.

The Fairgrounds will be hosting distributions on Jan. 3, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 28, April 25, May 23 and June 27.

The distributions used to have volunteers setting 20-pound boxes of food in the trunks of vehicles. The Extension in July shifted to a pop-up food pantry. In the new format, people park their cars and go into the Lartz Building and pick and choose what food they want.

Hochul’s Office said through three rounds of the program, New York’s food banks have purchased over 35 million pounds of New York food products, which equates to 29,800,000 meals.

In this fourth round, to date, New York’s food banks have purchased 6,903,366 pounds of food, creating an additional 5,752,805 meals for households in need. A total of $85 million has been committed to Nourish NY since its launch in May 2020. Nourish NY food purchases have positively impacted 4,178 businesses across the state, Hochul’s office said.

“Nourish NY served as a critical pipeline getting food from our farms to people in need during the pandemic, especially when there were serious disruptions in the supply chain,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “Nourish NY will continue to assist farmers with the costs of harvesting, packaging, and transporting fruits, vegetables, dairy products and more while making sure all New Yorkers can put food on their tables. It is important that we continue to work together to strengthen New York agriculture and our local food system, so we have the ability to feed ourselves long after the pandemic subsides.”

MEDINA – For the third year, stylists at Salon de Couffeur in Medina held a basket raffle to benefit a local charity. This year they chose the Knights-Kaderli Fund, and on Tuesday they presented a check to Mary Kaderli Zelazny for $1,488.

Owner Terah Jackson said they got the idea to years ago to do something to help their community and decided a basket raffle was the best way to go. The first year, proceeds went to the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans and last year they chose Supportive Care of Orleans as the recipient.

“We had some beautiful baskets,” stylist Leslie Saj said about the 59 baskets. “People are so generous.”

Jackson said she went downtown and asked for baskets, and businesses and clients responded with enthusiasm.

“People would ask if they could donate a basket, and they’d come in with four,” Jackson said.

The raffle ran through the month of October. Some people said they didn’t want a basket, so dropped in $20, even $50, Jackson said.

“We are very grateful and very blessed to be in such a wonderful community,” Zelazny said.

The Knights-Kaderli Fund is named for Richard Knights and Mary’s mother Sue Kaderli, both of whom died of cancer. The fund helps 40 to 50 Orleans County residents a year who are ill. It provides funds for prescriptions, medical supplies, co-pays, transportation to medical appointments and utilities.

“Each patient has a different need,” Zelazny said.

Donations to the Knights-Kaderli Fund can be made by sending a check to P.O. Box 684, Medina.

Press Release, Heritage Wind/Apex Clean Energy

ALBION – In recognition of “Giving Tuesday,” Heritage Wind announced the latest round of grant awards from the Heritage Wind Community Grant Program.

The program, launched in 2020, supports community organizations throughout Orleans County working to build healthy communities, support economic development, foster environmental sustainability, and promote education.

“We are thankful that Orleans County is home to so many motivated individuals and innovative groups doing everything they can to support their community,” said Carmen O’Keefe, Development Manager with Apex Clean Energy. “We are proud to support their work and are committed to being a long-term partner to the Town of Barre and all of Orleans County.”

Counting this year’s recipients, the grant program has awarded nearly $50,000 to community causes and non-profit organizations since its inception.

Some of the grants announced today include $2,879 for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County, $1,554 for Orleans County Adult Learning Services, $1,245 for Beds from Brian Inc., $1,000 for Albion Betterment Committee and $600 for Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Beds from Brian is a non-profit organization that works with local partner agencies to ensure all children have a bed to call their own. A Heritage Wind community grant will provide enough funds to provide beds and bedding to five children in partnership with the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern.

“We appreciate being the recipient of a Heritage Wind Community Grant. The generous amount will allow us to purchase new beds and bedding for children in Orleans County,” said Beds from Brian Founder and President Doreen LaFluer. “Thank you for helping us fulfil our Mission of ‘Comforting children with warm and cozy beds and bedding’ and for keeping our Vision of ‘For every child in our area to have a bed to call their own’ at the forefront of what we strive to do.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County will receive a grant to purchase new interactive educational displays to engage children at events such as the Orleans County Fair. Among a variety of agricultural-themed activities, the displays will also include a renewable energy puzzle game.

“We are incredible grateful for the support. Heritage Wind has allowed us to do some excellent educational activities in the past and has again supported that mission,” said Robert Batt, President of the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. “The proposed learning through play exhibit will provide families at the fair and other events a free, interactive experience that educates both about agriculture and is fun to do. We look forward to seeing people playing and learning together thanks to this funding.”

A grant to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library will fund new discovery kits that can be borrowed from the library for use by children and families looking to explore nature, science, and the world around them. Library Director Kristine Mostyn thanked Apex Clean Energy for supporting the project, saying “Lee-Whedon Memorial Library greatly appreciates receiving this grant from Apex. We will be using the funds to create discovery kits, such as stargazing and geocaching, to be used around the community. The kits will benefit homeschoolers as well as anyone interested in nature or the sciences.”

Orleans County Adult Learning Services (OCALS) will receive a grant to help train and supply five new tutors for their digital literacy mentoring project. “The Orleans County Adult Learning Services Program is grateful and proud to receive this grant from Heritage Wind,” said OCALS Vice President and Treasurer Don Colquhoun. “It will be used to provide digital literacy services to County residents to enhance their skills and help them to become computer literate and connected to the power of the internet. It is a perfect complement to the tutoring services the agency has provided since 2006.”

The Orleans County United Way assisted OCALS with the grant application and is helping administer the funds.

“The Orleans County United Way is pleased by the generosity of Heritage Wind in helping OCALS with their request for equipment. We assisted in the grant application. These funds will help more community mentors assist their neighbors with Digital Literacy,” added Orleans County United Way Executive Director Dean Bellack. “The Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative has begun training Orleans County Residents and our goal is to have one on one training with 2000-3000 Orleans County residents to improve their skills.”

Other grants included a donation to the Albion Betterment Committee as part of their Charles W. Howard statue fundraising effort, and donations to Christ Church Community Kitchen, Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, and Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA) in recognition of their consistent service and support to the community.

As the project approaches construction, Heritage Wind will continue its commitment to being a strong community partner to local governments, area businesses, and non-profits working to improve people’s lives across the region. To learn more about the program, or apply for a future round of grant funding, click here.

Photo and information courtesy of Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina Central School District’s SRO (School Resource Officer) Officer Dustin Meredith recently swore in the safety patrols at Oak Orchard Elementary School. Superintendent Mark Kruzynski, Medina Police Department Lieutenant Todd Draper and several staff members were on hand to take part in the ceremony.

Front row from left: Jack Smith, Henry Dresser, Kellan Bensley and Logan Bashford. Standing: Lieutenant Todd Draper, Dylan Wood, Molly Flansburg, Savannah Finch, Iszabella Eaton, Abigail Sutch, Destiny Cherry and Officer Dustin Meredith. Absent from the picture: Fiona Travis and Juliana Poole.

Thirteen students have volunteered to help the younger students at the bus loading and unloading zone, hallways and playgrounds to help keep them safe. The students were recommended by staff members for their outstanding behavior and their willingness to help others.

The Medina Police Department donated hot cocoa and doughnut holes to celebrate the students’ achievement.

The cover of the booklet features Charles Howard helping one of his students in the finer points of portraying Santa.

ALBION – A group of Albion seventh-graders have been researching and compiling a booklet about Charles Howard, the man who started a Santa Claus School and also developed Christmas Park in Albion.

Students will present the booklet at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10 at Hoag Library. The unveiling includes presentations about Howard and a display of items from the school and Christmas Park.

Howard ran the school from 1937 until his death in 1966. The school continues in his name and is now in Midland, Mich.

The booklet touches on other parts of the Santa School founder’s life.

“Howard was much more than a Santa Claus,” said Tim Archer, an Albion teacher who helped spearhead the project honoring Howard. “Whether in the church, 4-H, or around the world, Howard represented all that is honorable and good. His was a life well lived – a true ambassador of goodwill.”

The community is welcome to attend the event on Dec. 10. Students in Archer’s Service Learning class will read excerpts from the booklet, which will be available for $5. Some of Howard’s family members and former workers at Christmas Park are expected to be in attendance, as well as Ken McPherson, a graduate of the school.

MEDINA – The Village Board is seeking two federal grants to upgrade equipment for the Medina Fire Department.

The board voted Nov. 8 to seek two grants through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Fire Chief Matt Jackson said Medina will seek one of the grants to replace Engine 10, a 31-year-old fire truck that currently does not standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. Replacing the truck would cost about $700,000 with the federal share of $666,667 and a village share of $33,333 if the FEMA grant is approved.

Jackson also will seek an Operations and Safety Grant through FEMA to replace 25 pagers, 25 portable radios and 10 mobile radios. The department’s current equipment will soon be obsolete and difficult to repair, Jackson said.

This has a total project cost of $94,500 with a federal share of $90,000 and the village contribution of $4,500.

The deadline to apply for the grants is Dec. 17.

Through October sales tax increased by $2.3 million compared to first 10 months last year

Orleans County’s sales tax revenue through the first 10 months of 2021 is well ahead of the pace in 2020.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported Orleans is up 14.9 percent in sales tax revenue through October, going from $15.5 million in the first 10 months of 2020 to $17.8 million so far this year.

Last year was a big sales tax year for the county, when Orleans saw a 9.2 percent increase for the whole year, going from $17.7 million in 2019 to $19.4 million for the entire 2020.

Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, attributed a big portion of the increase to sales tax on purchases through the internet.

Higher gas prices also are a factor in the higher sales tax revenue.

DiNapoli said October was up 12.9 percent statewide with Orleans increasing 16.9 percent, from $1.3 million to $1.5 million.

Statewide each month beginning in April this year has exceeded the sales tax from 2020.

“Sales tax collections came in strong in October, boosting local revenues,” DiNapoli said. “The consistent growth over the last few months is a positive sign of our economic recovery and life moving forward as we deal with the ongoing reality of Covid-19.”

Nearly every county saw year-over-year collections for October grow by double digits, with Monroe County having the largest growth at 37 percent, DiNapoli said.

Among the GLOW counties here are the sales tax numbers for the first 10 months:

• Genesee up 20.9 percent from $33.7 million to $40.7 million
• Livingston up 17.9 percent from $29.2 million to $34.5 million
• Orleans up 14.9 percent from $15.5 million to $17.8 million
• Wyoming up 17.3 percent from $16.0 million to $18.8 million

Photos by Bob Murphy

KENT –  Bob Murphy was visiting family in Kent over the weekend and took these photos in Kent at Peter Smith Road. He sent the photos to his sister-in-law, Peggy Bropst.

The owl was hanging out in her front yard but seems to most enjoy sitting on a F12 tractor. The owl was seen there on Saturday and then for about six hours on Monday.

The owls typically nest in the Arctic tundra and winter in Canada. But in recent winters they have migrated into the U.S. in search of food.

Medina site gearing up for Polar Express

Photos courtesy of Chris Podosek/Medina Railroad Museum: The Santa train leaves the Medina Railroad Museum on Sunday under a striking sky.

MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum just wrapped up a successful weekend of Santa trains, which saw nearly 2,000 people ride the trains.

Passengers, who came from across Western New York, took a nearly hour-long ride, during which they talked with Santa and were entertained by dancing elves.

This family of women from the Rochester area came all decked out in red and black checkered pajamas to ride the Santa train Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum for what they called “ladies day out.”

The Santa train is a warm-up for Polar Express, which travels to Medina Railroad Museum the next three weekends.

Polar Express has been a crowd-pleaser for several years and features a ride to the “North Pole” with the hobo character from the popular movie and Santa on the train. All passengers get a train cut-out cookie from Case-Nic Cookies and hot chocolate. First-class passengers get their hot chocolate in a keepsake Polar Express mug.

In addition, each child gets a gift from Santa.

All first-class tickets for Polar Express are sold out, but a limited number of coach seats remain. They may be reserved by logging on the medinarailroadmuseum.com.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive an hour early to allow ample time to park. Tickets include admission to the Medina Railroad Museum, which has the largest toy train layout in New York state.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is honoring the United States Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as the organization approaches its 80th anniversary this year on Dec. 1, highlighting the important role its members have played in preserving peace and safety in the nation since its founding in 1941.

The CAP consists of volunteer members aged 12 to 21 who serve as cadets, as well as a large body of adult volunteers known as senior members. Earlier this year, Hawley joined other members of the Assembly and Senate in passing a resolution honoring the service’s 80th birthday. Hawley is himself an Honorary Major within the New York Wing’s Legislative Squadron in the CAP.

“For nearly a century now, the CAP has stood ready to protect Americans when facing threats to our safety, both from nature and hostile actors,” Hawley said. “Whether gathering intelligence on our adversaries or delivering vital supplies to a disaster zone, our CAP volunteers have played a key role in maintaining our national security.”

Founded on Dec. 1, 1941, less than one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Civilian Air Patrol played a critical role in the Second World War as members conducted air patrols, anti-U-Boat operations, and performed other vital duties.

On May 26, 1948, Congress designated the CAP as the official Air Force Auxiliary with three primary missions: emergency missions, cadet programs and aerospace education. Since receiving this designation, the CAP has been instrumental in maintaining the security of America’s shorelines. CAP volunteers are among the first on the scene in times of disaster, providing aerial photography and assisting in damage assessment while also distributing critical supplies and equipment to people in need on the ground.

“Our Civil Air Patrol is an all-volunteer force for good that anyone can become involved with,” Hawley said. “So I encourage anybody interested in becoming a part of something bigger than themselves to reach out to their local CAP squadron to learn how to join!”

2 counties report 507 new cases in past week, and 3 more deaths

The number of active Covid cases is down from a week ago but the number of people hospitalized due to Covid has increased in both Genesee and Orleans counties.

A week ago the two counties combined for 633 active cases, the most during the Covid pandemic dating back to March 2020.

Today, there are 463 active cases with 222 in Orleans (down from 237 a week ago) and 241 in Genesee (down from 396 on Nov. 22).

The two counties both have an increase in people hospitalized due to Covid. Orleans is at 15, up from 12 a week ago and four on Nov. 18. Genesee has 30 residents hospitalized from Covid, an increase from 19 a week ago and 9 on Nov. 18.

The two counties have had 507 more people test positive for Covid in the past seven days, the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments reported today.

Orleans has 200 more cases in the past week, and 210 more recoveries or people who completed their 10-day isolation and have been removed from mandatory isolation.

Genesee has 307 new cases in the past seven days, and 459 more recoveries.

Orleans also had a resident under age 65 pass away from Covid, while Genesee has two more deaths, who were people over age 65. According to the state, Orleans has now had 96 people die from Covid and Genesee has had 144 since March 2020.

Orleans and Genesee continue to have a positive Covid test rate well above the state average. The 7-day average for positive Covid tests in the state is 4.12 percent. However, that positive rate over seven days is 12.6 percent in Genesee and 11.7 percent in Orleans. Wyoming County currently has the highest positivity rate in the state at 14.7 percent over the previous seven days.

Press Release, New York Sea Grant

Water, wind, waves, and time, even the gentle lapping of Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, erodes the Great Lakes shoreline.

To mitigate the impact of shoreline erosion, New York Sea Grant (NYSG) Great Lakes Coastal Processes and Hazards Specialist Roy L. Widrig is inviting waterfront property owners to participate in online workshops on Dec. 7 and Dec. 9.

The 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. workshop on Dec. 7 will focus on the Western Lake Ontario shoreline areas of Niagara and Orleans counties.

The action and impact of Lake Erie on properties in Erie and Chautauqua counties will be featured in the Dec. 9 workshop from 1 pm to 4 pm. To register for either or both workshops, click here or contact 315-312-3042 or SGOswego@cornell.edu for assistance.

“The processes of erosion and accretion along Lakes Erie and Ontario share some similarities, but vast differences in the physical makeup of their shorelines, and the differences in approaching management options must be considered when planning a project,” says Widrig, author of the “Erosion Management for New York’s Great Lakes Shorelines Guide.”

In each workshop, Widrig will cover ways to address such issues as planning for lake level variations, designing and maintaining seawalls or rock rip-rap, water pooling in yards or basements, and general coastal processes. Participants will learn how they can freely access his expertise through the New York Sea Grant “Virtual Shoreline Visit” tool.

Locally-based New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of State and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel will discuss the permitting process for shoreline projects and answer questions as part of each workshop.

Workshop participants will see before and after photos of properties where options to achieve better drainage, bluff stabilization, and use nature-based features or traditional structures have been applied to manage erosion. Widrig will also share tips as the author of “Working with Nature: A Guide to Native Plants for New York’s Great Lakes Shorelines.”

New York Sea Grant, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021-2022. It maintains Great Lakes offices in Oswego, Newark and Buffalo. For more information on Great Lakes coastal processes and erosion, click here.

LYNDONVILLE — There will be 88 Christmas trees decorated at Veterans Park for Lyndonville’s annual community Christmas celebration. That is the most since Lyndonville started the tradition in 2013, and up from the previous high of 79 last year.

The power will be turned on at 5 p.m. on Saturday with Santa flipping the switch.

The village started the tradition in 2013 with 26 trees, and it has grown each year since. Community members and organization pay $30 to decorate a tree. The fee covers the cost of the tree, materials for the sign, lead cords, replacement cords and adapters as needed. Participants provide lights and decorations.

Saturday’s event has activities from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The schedule includes:

• 8 to 11 a.m. – Community breakfast at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Music Boosters Craft Sae at Lyndonville school
• 11 a.m. until sold out – Music Boosters beef on deck dinner at Lyndonville school
• 2 to 4:45 p.m. – Horse-drawn carriage rides, meet at Village Hall
• 2 to 4 p.m. – Hot chocolate at library parking lot
• 2 to 4 p.m. – Petting zoo at library parking lot
• 2 to 6:30 p.m. – NYS Child ID at Village Hall, led by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
• 3 to 4:30 p.m. – Crafts and games at Yates Community Library
• 3 to 6 p.m. – Cookies, popcorn and $1 sodas at the library
• 3 to 6 p.m. – Cup of chili at library parking lot
• 4:30 to 5 p.m. – Caroling at Veterans Park
• 5 p.m. – Santa’s arrival and light of trees at Veterans Park
• 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. – Visit with Santa at the Yates Community Library
• 6 to 8 p.m. – Nativity Walk at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church

The day’s events are sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department/Auxiliary, Lyndonville Lions Club and Lyndonville United Methodist Women.

BATAVIA – A business, an employee and youth from each of the four GLOW counties will be recognized on Thursday with awards “in honor of their outstanding efforts and achievements in the workforce system,” according to the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming Workforce Development Board.

The organization will have its annual meeting on Thursday morning at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia. The Workforce Development Board will present awards to the following businesses/agencies:

• Genesee County Economic Development Center in Genesee County
• Livingston County Health Department – Livingston County
• Virtual Polymer Compound, LLC in Orleans County
• Advanced Rubber Products in Wyoming County