The Synergy of Two Hearts

Thirty years ago on July 27th, I entered St. Joseph’s Church in all white. My future father-in-law said, “Welcome to your funeral.” Thankfully, I appreciate his inappropriate sense of humor, because I was about to marry his son that afternoon. It is no wonder 30 years later my husband Brian and I are still palling around together because both our parents have been married over 50 years each! They left a great road map to follow. It has not always been perfect, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

Sometimes we failed each other privately, but our vows said until death do us part … not failure do us part. Good thing. I am sure those of you who weathered the failures, to experience all the joys that followed, can understand what I am saying without dwelling on this.

Being positive, it is much more productive to focus on what does work. You know what works for us? Bickering. My Mom calls us the Bickersons. If I say left, he says right. If I say black, he says white. Sometimes we just have to say grey. It is called compromise. We can not always get our own way.

Sometimes you have to do things you do not want to when you are part of a team. Like go into a home improvement store for 3 hours and shop for nuts and bolts. Dang, I do not like that. Or admit we were wrong about something. But then there are those times that make it worthwhile. Like when they have to admit they are wrong. Just kidding! Keeping it real now. It is gratifying to be a shoulder to lean on, and having one to lean back on is just as sweet.

When it is time to play and explore, a playmate is never too far away. When the other needs a dollar, it is priceless to know the other would give up their last. When we disappoint ourselves or others we can try to show each other a better way. Hopefully, we are wise enough to get out of our own way and pay attention. 

A good, committed team can grow and adapt. In the beginning one of us was more rigid and less tolerant and the other was more laid back. Somewhere along the way the roles have changed. We met in the middle and then switched.

I think it is that way for alot of couples. It helps to understand each other and proves we are truly paying attention to each other when we become each other. It allows us to appreciate the other even more, because we understand the other’s perception. Marriage is the union of two people. If you are successful, you can unify into one common goal and plan for your golden years together.

As we look to our next 30 years, I have no doubt it will be filled with laughter, adventure and a lot of bickering. I just expect we are together making our dreams still come true. Perhaps rocking in two chairs overlooking a mountain somewhere- joyful for all we overcame to build a life around loving each other. How has your union flourished and what are your aspirations?

To see 30 years later, visit my blog online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. 

Truly,
Debbie London

The lobby in Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Caesar’s is a huge and beautiful hotel and casino. If you go to Vegas, even if you stay off strip, be sure to go in all the big hotels and just wander around. They are amazing and have so much to see and do. Our favorites were Caesar’s, the Venetian, and the Mirage.

Let’s go on an adventure together….to Las Vegas!

Let’s go back a few….well, a LOT….of years to 2006. I was booked to go to Las Vegas for a seminar for work. My Mom always wanted to go to Las Vegas. So, since it didn’t cost any more for a second person to stay in my room, I talked her into joining me. I flew from Raleigh, NC (I was living near Raleigh at the time) and Mom flew from Buffalo and we met up at the Las Vegas airport for a chance to make some amazing memories together.

The seminar was held at Caesar’s Palace, so that’s where I was booked to stay. If I recall correctly, we spent four full days there. During the day, I was tied up with the seminar, but we had our evenings free to explore. Also, we rented Mom a scooter because she couldn’t walk a long way without pain, so she scooted herself all over the place while I was “working”. We’d meet in the room to get ready for dinner and adventuring and she’d tell me all about what she did all day. She definitely got out and about and enjoyed herself. I’m glad we got the scooter and she didn’t feel stuck waiting for me to get done for the day. And, then, our dinner and together time fun began!

Las Vegas is an amazing place. Full of fun and excitement and lights and activity – right from the day we arrived at the Las Vegas airport and walked through several mini casinos on the way to baggage claim! With the help of the scooter, we covered the whole strip and checked out many of the wonderful hotels, casinos, and restaurants. We didn’t go off the strip – mainly because we only had the evenings and we weren’t there that long. But, also because the scooter was our only means of transportation, unless we wanted to take a taxi somewhere. But, we got around and saw everything we could on the strip.

Mom and I spent a little time with “Elvis” in Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. We had so much fun having our photos taken with all our favorite celebrities and laughing about some of the poses and dramatics we shared. You might think, “nah, I’ll pass”, but give it a chance – could be a lot of fun!

One night, we had dinner at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. What a place – a bit pricey, but so worth it to do at least once in your life! The food was awesome and the waiters and staff were all dressed like pirates and many were on stilts! We were amazed watching them carry trays of food walking (sometimes running) on those stilts going up and down stairs to the various levels and ducking to avoid overhead collisions with beams and doorways. It was a riot! Then, every hour or so, they would play “Margaritaville” and the huge blender pool at the end of the bar would light up and a bikini-clad pirate gal walked the plank at the end of another pirate’s sword and slid down a big slide to splash into the blender…..and the crowd roared while the whole place sang out loud!!! Definitely an experience not to be missed.

Another restaurant we enjoyed was Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar and Grill” – I think it was in Harrah’s. We had delicious steaks with wonderful country music blaring in the background.

We also loved exploring all the hotels. Of course, Caesar’s is amazing – HUGE – and so much to see and do with the casinos and statues and entertainment and a mall under a ceiling that looked like the sky – you feel like you’re out in the open. Our next favorite was the Venetian. It, too, has a huge mall with a sky-like ceiling and a casino and statues, but it also has a canal with gondolas flowing all through it inside and out – just like in Venice. At the Mirage, we saw stunning gardens with water features and the famous white tigers strolling around a beautiful enclosed pool.

We had a great time scooting through Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. I know – corny – but we had a BLAST taking our photos with all our favorite celebrities – some we posed rather dramatically with. We laughed so hard and enjoyed sharing memories that popped up when we saw certain ones.

Here I am helping “Tiger Woods” line up the perfect putt in Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. He didn’t seem to mind that I know absolutely nothing about golf! Hahaha

But, the most wonderful part of the whole trip was the special surprise I arranged for us to share. We were there not long before Mom’s birthday, so I searched to see if there was a show she might really enjoy for her birthday gift. I discovered that the Mirage had a Cirque du Solei based all on Beatles music called “Love”. It was just getting started at that time and the tickets I got were for “dress rehearsals” they were doing for live audiences to get opinions and work out any bugs, so they cost about half what they did once the show officially opened. You’d never know it wasn’t the official show….it went smoothly and was absolutely incredible! I got us front row balcony tickets, so we were right on eye level with the high flying action and could easily see all the action on the stage, as well. This was perfect for us — Mom and I had a lifetime of shared love of the Beatles and had many wonderful memories connected to their music and movies. This was one more cherished memory we shared with them. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to see this show with her in Las Vegas. 

I don’t know if I’ll ever go back to Las Vegas. I really enjoyed it and am incredibly happy to have memories of sharing it with my Mom, who we lost just 10 years after this trip. But, I can’t help but feel like I can’t top the experience I had there in 2006. If I do ever decide to go, again, I really want to do the off-strip stuff and maybe get over to the Hoover Dam and other things near there. Maybe someday…..we’ll see. 

The best part of the trip and the thrill of a lifetime for me was getting to see the Cirque du Solei show “Love” with my Mom at the Mirage. “Love” is a highly entertaining and energetic show based all on Beatles music. Incredible! I don’t know if it is still there or if you can find it playing anywhere, but if you ever get the chance….go see it!!!

As I mentioned at the beginning…..this adventure was “pre-blog” and before I got into taking photos of everything I see. So there is no blog post with lots of photos and stories to refer you to. But, you can still visit my blog for photos and other adventures – just type ADVENTURE in the search box (or just scroll around) and see what you can find to read about – not just trips, but local adventures, too:  https://thoughtsbykim.com

Happy Adventuring!

The number of Covid-19 cases has jumped in Genesee and Orleans counties, especially in the past few days.

About a month ago on July 8 there was only one active case in the two counties, with one in Orleans and none in Genesee.

On Friday, there were 34 active cases in the two counties – 14 in Genesee and 20 in Orleans. On Tuesday there were 10 cases in the two counties, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported.

Here are some daily updates of the active cases in the two counties the past month:

• July 8: 0 in Genesee, 1 in Orleans (1 in 2 counties)
• July 12: 4 in Genesee, 8 in Orleans (12 in 2 counties)
• July 15: 5 in Genesee, 9 in Orleans (14 in 2 counties)
• July 19: 4 in Genesee, 8 in Orleans (12 in 2 counties)
• July 22: 5 in Genesee, 4 in Orleans (9 in 2 counties)
• July 26: 3 in Genesee, 6 in Orleans (9 in 2 counties)
• July 29: 4 in Genesee, 6 in Orleans (10 in 2 counties)
• Aug. 2: 7 in Genesee, 3 in Orleans (10 in 2 counties)
• Aug. 5: 11 in Genesee, 10 in Orleans (21 in 2 counties)
• Aug. 6: 14 in Genesee, 20 in Orleans (34 in 2 counties)

“The Delta variant is the dominant strain of Covid-19 circulating in the United States right now and presumably it is here locally,” said Kristine Voss, public information office for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Currently, genetic sequencing to differentiate between variants is not widely available.”

There is currently one Orleans County resident hospitalized from Orleans, and none from Genesee.

The daily Covid cases state-wide are up 10-fold in the past month. On July 6 there were 307 new cases reported in the state, and on Friday there were 3,700.

Local and state health officials urge unvaccinated people to get the vaccine. There will be several vaccination clinics next week in Genesee and Orleans, timed to help get children 12 and older vaccinated for start the school year. For more information on those clinics, click here to be directed to the Health Department website.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The 160-foot-high spire at First Baptist Church added lights about two weeks ago, and now the steeple is visible from many blocks away at night. This photo shows the spire next to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at left.

Anonymous donors paid to add lights in 12 steeple windows. Greg Smith and Richard Neal from the church installed the lights.

The church was built in 1860 at 30 West Park St. It was the tallest point in Albion until the Presbyterian Church built a 175-foot-high spire in 1875.

The Baptist church was built with Gothic elements with the steep buttresses and a tall hexagonal tower rising from the center of the front façade. It also includes Romanesque features with round-arched windows and corbel tables.

The church wanted year-round dusk-to-dawn lights in the steeple and bordering the sign at the front entrance.

“This is the first time since 1876 when Mrs. Stafford sold the neighboring property to St Joe’s that Albion First Baptist Church could easily be seen from Main Street year round!” the church posted on its Facebook page. “These lights look amazing at night! The steeple now stands out in the skyline for blocks in multiple directions! Drive by at night and check them out!”

“And, join us every Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. for Worship…..we’ll leave the lights on for you!”

Press Release, Niagara County Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti

Provided photos: In Niagara County some of the incarcerated individuals are working with dogs to prepare them for homes with veterans.

LOCKPORT – Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti is proud to announce the “Pawsitive for Heroes” program at the Niagara County Correctional Facility.

This program, in partnership with WNY Heroes and Niagara County SPCA, will have incarcerated

individuals training canines which will be used for veterans who are in need of a service dog.

Through a partnership with the Niagara County SPCA, a canine is selected by a WNY Heroes’ trainer and then housed at the Niagara County Correctional Facility. There, they

are paired up with incarcerated individuals who will complete a rigorous training program with their partner.

After completing their program, the dogs will continue on their journey to stay with veteran in Western New York.

The first three dogs to enter the Pawsitive for Heroes program are Hemi and Daffodil, two pit bull type breed of dogs that were available for adoption through the Niagara

County SPCA. This program has afforded Hemi and Daffodil an opportunity to serve those in need. We also received a dog from WNY Heroes to train, who answers to Bandit.

“Having this type of program in the Niagara County Correctional Facility is an outstanding opportunity for our veterans, incarcerated individuals and the canines selected,” said Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti. “The skills that are being learned throughout this process will enable those incarcerated individuals to apply what they have learned upon their release. This is a win-win for all of the organizations who will benefit from this program.”

Chris Kreiger, founder of WNY Heroes, stated, “This has been a program in the works since 2018. We are ever so honored to put this program together which will only serve more

veterans in WNY. In partnership with the Niagara County SPCA, we will strive to gather our dogs from their facility, saving both veterans and dogs at the same time.”

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Monsters, Inc. is shown on a large screen at the new amphitheater at Bullard Park. It is the first of three outdoor movies planned for Bullard the first Friday night through October.

The leaders of the Albion Summer Festival organized the event. The next ones will be Sept. 3 and Oct. 1.

Three were three food vendors at the event, including Best of Tymes Party Rentals in Albion at right, The Shack and Blue Groove Coffee.

About 50 people watched the movie from lawn chairs and on blankets.

Michelle Wiseman, left, and Christine Nenni are co-owners of Best of Tymes Party Rentals. Wiseman served popcorn and Nenni made snow cones.

Photos courtesy of Kristina Gabalski: Charlotte (left) and Makenzie McGrath pose in the Fairy Garden they created in memory of their “Aunt Gail.”

By Kristina Gabalski, 4-H Program Coordinator in Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – Something “magical” is now located just outside the classroom entrance to the Education Center on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

Gail Culver

It is a fairy garden planted recently by Orleans County 4-Hers to honor the memory of Gail Culver, a long-time volunteer at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Gail, a life-long resident of East Shelby, passed away in April of 2020.

Gail served Orleans County CCE for over 40 years in many ways – as a 4-H club leader, Master Gardener, member of the Fair Board and member of the Orleans CCE Board of Directors. She also worked at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County for many years.

Robyn Watts, her cousin, and Robyn’s grandchildren, including Makenzie, Jackson, and Charlotte McGrath – ages 13, 11 and 9, all of Medina, were always very close to Gail and wanted a way to keep her memory alive.

“She loved the fair,” Robyn Watts said. “She would bring my kids and then my grandkids. My children and grandchildren always called her ‘Aunt Gail.’ She was my children’s 4-H club leader and then started the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club with me.”

Watts explained that Gail had an extensive fairy garden outside the front of her own home.

“It had lights and houses and was built around a tree,” Watts said. “She loved fairy gardens. I think she found them to be magical.”

Back when Gail’s health began to fail, her son, Dan, asked Robyn’s grandchildren to help tend her home fairy garden. They cleaned it up and installed new lights, Watts said. After Gail’s death, her house was sold.

“The fairy garden was so important to her,” Watts said. “Her fairy garden accessories were given to Makenzie to do with what she wanted.”

It was decided a memorial garden for Gail on the fairgrounds she loved so much would be a wonderful way to make use of the materials. The idea was brought before the 4-H Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee, of which Gail was also a former member, and was unanimously approved. The garden was planted just prior to the start of the 4-H Fair, which was held last week.

All the fairy garden accessories – houses, fairies, etc. – belonged to Gail Culver and used to be at her home garden in East Shelby.

“First, we put down weed-suppressing fabric, planted the plants and then placed mulch and fairy garden accessories (which belonged to Gail),” Makenzie McGrath explained.  “We didn’t really have a plan, we put items down as we went.”

Makenzie has many happy memories of participating in 4-H with her “Aunt Gail” who encouraged both Makenzie and her siblings and taught them so much.

“She was very active in 4-H,” Makenzie remembered. “She helped us with our own fairy gardens.”

Her younger sister, Charlotte, also helped with the fairy garden installation.

“My favorite thing in the garden is the big tree stump,” she said.  The big tree stump is a planter made especially for fairy gardens.

The 4-Hers had some help installing the garden from Orleans County CCE Master Gardener Deanna Poczciwinski of Barker. Poczciwinski provided some of the plants and guidance as well as help in getting everything planted and placed.

Robyn Watts said the family and members of the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club will work to maintain the garden. It currently includes succulents and evergreen shrubs along with annual flowering plants.

“We will work to replace the annuals with more perennials next year,” Watts said.

The Abundant Harvest 4-H Club will maintain the garden in the future.

Press Release, Holley Central School

HOLLEY – Holley Central School students attending kindergarten this fall are invited to attend the Transportation Department’s School Bus Safety Event on Aug. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Middle School/High School Parking Lot.

Participants will have the opportunity to ride a bus to the Elementary School Parking Lot and rotate through five, 15-minute safety stations. Buses will depart every 15 minutes.

Please RSVP to attend this event by Aug. 20 and select a time for departure (9 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. or 10 a.m.) by calling 585-638-6297 or emailing tbeaney@holleycsd.org. Limited space is available, so participants should only bring their kindergarten student to this event.

In the event of severe weather, the event will begin at 1 p.m. on Aug. 28. We will notify registrants of this change.

New sidewalks, exterior lighting, landscaping and cupola work on the docket

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Workers this morning are up high on the Orleans County Courthouse in Albion, making repairs to the façade trim on the dome.

The county will also be replacing the roof hatch and seal the cupola, said John Papponetti, superintendent of the Orleans County Department of Public Works.

The sealed cupola should stop water from leaking inside. The hatch, which is used for workers to access the cupola and top of the dome has deteriorated.

The workers make a repair to the courthouse dome. The building was constructed in 1858 and is the focal point on the Courthouse Square, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The sidewalks and concrete steps have deteriorated and will be replaced. The County Legislature set aside $50,000 last month to replace sidewalks, upgrade landscaping, and relocate existing light fixtures at the Courthouse Square. That work will not begin until the dome and cupola work is completed. Papponetti said the dome/cupola should be done next Friday, Aug. 13.

Some of the large sandstone steps at the courthouse also will be repaired. They are crumbling in spots and don’t withstand salt, Papponetti said. The steps aren’t used that much because the main entrance to the courthouse has shifted to the side facing East Park Street through the County Clerks Building, which is a handicapped accessible entrance.

The big sandstone steps temporarily will be pulled out so there can be an inspection underneath.

“The courthouse is our pride and joy, the center of attention, but it is falling apart,” Papponetti told county, village and town officials during a recent meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

Some of the efforts are preventive maintenance, but he said the building needs other attention outside of the immediate projects. He also is concerned about the main second floor courtroom that has cracks in the ceiling and some peeling paint. The large columns out front have cast-iron rings on the bottom that are rusting.

The officers and board members of the Democratic Rural Conference met on Wednesday and are calling on Andrew Cuomo to resign as governor.

“Regrettably, in light of the release of the results of Attorney General Letitia James’ investigation, which found credible and corroborated evidence that the Governor had engaged in pattern of sexual harassment, we the Officers and Board of Directors of the Democratic Rural Conference of New York State, call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign immediately,” according to a statement from Judith Hunter of Livingston County, who is chairwoman of the Democratic Rural Conference of NY State.

An investigation into allegations of sexual harassment from the governor concluded he harassed 11 women, and broke and state and federal laws for his actions. Attorney General Letitia James said Cuomo created a “hostile work environment.”

Cuomo has denied the allegations and said the report was full of “bias.” He hasn’t resigned and said he wants to make the state’s recovery from Covid his priority.

The State Assembly, however, is preparing for an impeachment trial.

“It is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement on Wednesday. “Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.”

Provided photos: Black Button distillery in Rochester has been a regular at Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market every month all summer.

MEDINA – The Canal Village Farmers’ Market has come a long way since it first opened six years ago.

Like other farmers’ markets everywhere, Medina’s market this week is celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week.

Although struggling through months of uncertainty, farmers’ markets became essential throughout the Covid pandemic, according to Chris Busch, president of the Orleans Renaissance Group, which sponsors the market.

“Now, in 2021, they’re better than ever,” Busch said.

That is the message the Farmers’ Market Federation of New York wants to get out by celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week.

Markets everywhere stayed open throughout the pandemic as an essential source of local, healthy food, and Canal Village Farmers’ Market was no exception, Busch said.  The local market created “meal deals,” which were packages of local products that could be ordered online and picked up via a drive-thru system at the market. Rose and Ken Baker of Baker Farms, along with market manager Gail Miller of Medina, and other CBFM vendors kept the market alive, providing healthy, local food for families’ tables, Busch explained.

“Now that the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, markets are open to all and finding ways to be better than ever,” Busch said.

“People really seem to be grateful for the return of the market,” Miller said. “This year, Canal Village Farmers’ Market has had outstanding vendor participation and record numbers of customers. Our old vendors have returned and new vendors have come on board. While regular and familiar customers have also returned, many new faces are in the mix too – especially young families. It’s been fantastic.”

Dubby’s Wood Fire Pizza made several appearances at Medina’s Canal Village Farmers’ Market this summer. Farmers’ Markets across the country celebrated National Farmers’ Markets Week from Aug. 1 to 7.

After a slow 2019 and 2020, Busch said they are seeing a 65 to 70 percent increase in customer traffic this year.

“Sales are strong with all vendors,” he said. “The increase is tangible and the market is hopping.”

“People are truly enjoying being able to gather Saturday mornings at the market,” Miller said. “Great crowds, outstanding product selection, live music, food trucks, weekly contests for adults an kids are just some of the market events. We absolutely love providing such an outstanding experience for the community every Saturday, and folks seem to be enjoying it.”

New vendors this year include NewHouse Breads, Heartland Organics, HateCuddler Craft Works, HeBrews 5:9 Coffee, Panek’s Pickin’ Patch, Flower Fields Forever, in addition to rotating food trucks, including Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, Kaleema’s Creative Foods, Greenlief’s On the Go and El Gran Burrito.

Those who are income-eligible are reminded to get and use SNAP coupons at the market. In addition to those, the market also accepts Double UP Food Bucks, FMNP and Fresh Connect checks. Most of the vendors now accept credit, Venmo and/or PayPal, as well as cash.

The summer market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through October. The winter market will return from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from November through May.

Several new weekly contests have been added this summer, Busch said. “Passport of Prizes” and a kid’s scavenger hunt are two of them.

Cheyenne Farewell

LOCKPORT – A 17-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Niagara County Court on Thursday in the shooting death of a Medina woman on Oct. 17.

The teen admitted to firing eight shots at a garage door in Lockport, where about 100 people were having a Halloween party.

The gunfire caused the death of Cheyenne Farwell, 20, of Medina, and injured five other people including two others from Medina.

The 17-year-old shooter will spend a maximum of 20 years to life in prison. He will be sentenced on Sept. 30, according to the Lockport Union Sun & Journal.

A second defendant who is 16 pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and could be sentenced to 5 to 25 years in prison. That teen said he had the gun, but didn’t shoot it. With manslaughter, he admitted to “aiding and abetting” the crimes, the Lockport newspaper reported.

The names of the two defendants are being withheld by the media due to their age and provisions of the Raise the Age Law, which in 2017 raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18 years old. However, 16- and 17-year-olds convicted of serious crimes can be sentenced as adults.

Farewell was a Brockport State College student, where she was studying to become a therapist and writer. She was an advocate for mental health. More than 300 people mourned her death at a vigil on Oct. 18, 2020 at State Street Park in Medina.

Farewell’s mother Rochelle Horner posted on Facebook on Thursday that her daughter received justice with the two teens pleading guilty.

She said the one teen who pleaded guilty to manslaughter showed remorse, while the shooter did not.

“There will be no horrific trial where anyone has to relive that awful night,” Horner said in her post. “Cheyenne may have her justice, but her dad and I and her family and friends still don’t have HER. The kids at that party who were shot or witnessed that nightmare will never be fully okay. But today we were given a gift. Thank you to everyone who has showed us support.”