In my household I was not the only one who was sassy. I self proclaimed myself sassy by calling myself a “Sassy Small Town Missus.” What you need to know is that by my side these last 17 ½ years was a Sassy-Pants that could out-sass me 10 times over. She was my girl. My little Weezie.
I have spoken of her in the past, but this post pays special tribute to a little four-legged sweetheart who came to us at six weeks old. A little Shih Tzu, she learned early on she had to have grit to survive in our household of other four-leggeds. So tiny at six weeks old she would get stepped on and tripped over too easily. Although she was tiny, she had courage and grit large enough to conquer the house and become the boss. Even boss of us 2-leggeds. She had this way of winning people over with her charm and cuteness. When she walked, her little butt wiggled – a lot. When she was unhappy with you she could really mouth off, too.
There was no doubt she was the Queen of our castle. In her prime she loved to race across the back yard to try to catch squirrels. She could hear a can of corn beef hash being opened with the first crack of the can opener. Everyone who knew her loved her. As all my nieces and nephews were growing up, so was our girl. In the cold weather she loved to wear her little sweaters, it just added to the sass. She never backed down from a fight and always stood her ground. Each afternoon she snuggled with Brian and took a nice long nap. She loved to take rides and feel the wind on her face. She did not however like bath time. She would really sass about that.
Being Sassy for my girl was not about being naughty, although she could be. It was about having that perfect mixture of charm and sass. The kind that draws you into people’s hearts with your enduring ways but also lets them know that you are in control. I loved it when she would flop over onto her side and her ears would flop over and I would just kiss her up. She knew she was being cute, it was all part of her plan to stay in control. Even as she aged and her senses were dulling, her mind stayed sharp. As a senior she showed us how to be tough as she took challenges head on, on her terms, without weakness. The joy that is gifted to us from our little creatures is a Positive Perk that is a priceless treasure.
Little paw prints leave a lasting impression on our hearts. And when their tiny little bodies are tired and the light their joy has brought us is extinguished, we must find a way to honor them and keep their memories alive. On May 14, 2021 at 8:37 a.m. we kissed our girl one last time as we helped her find her way to heaven. I will try to keep her joy alive in my heart by following in her little paw prints and always be Sassy, strong and keep on keepin’ on. Be at peace my little peanut, I will always love you- Mama.
How have you honored Paw Prints left on your heart?
To see more Miss Sassy Pics, Visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2021 at 9:00 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Joyce Foley, a board member for Care Net of Greater Orleans, greets people during a garden gala Thursday at Maison Albion. Care Net has 90 items up for bid and that silent auction will continue throughout Sunday, ending at midnight.
Care Net usually has a fundraising banquet attended by about 400 people in the spring. Last year’s benefit was cancelled and Care Net opted to try the garden gala and online silent auction this year, with a goal of raising $25,000. As of 8:45 p.m. today, Care Net was up to $6,661.
Wende Swick, Care Net executive director, welcomes people at the event on Thursday. The garden gala was spread out from noon to 8 p.m. to avoid a big crowd of people.
Care Net, like many other non-profit organizations, has been forced to cancel or downsize many of its fundraisers since the Covid-19 pandemic. The silent auction and garden gala was a chance to raise money for the organization and bring people together on a smaller scale to socialize and support Care Net.
The organization is located at 168 S. Main St., Suite 2 in Albion. Care Net is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It provides free services that include pregnancy and STI testing, limited ultrasounds, classes in parenting, Bible study and life skills, and material aid.
Maison Albion welcomed Care Net to use the site for free. Maison is owned and operated by Cole and Kerri Glover. They are offering 10 community groups the chance to use the site without a charge as a way to give back to the community.
This group settles into the ballroom for a virtual presentation from the keynote speaker. The Care Net banquet usually includes a high-profile speaker. Care Net this time welcomed a virtual speaker with a prerecorded message.
Victoria Robinson, a pro-life advocate, gave the keynote address. She is an author, public speaker and television personality. She is the director of external relations for the pro-life organization, Save the Storks, and lives in Nashville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2021 at 5:39 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – A massive fire this afternoon destroyed several buildings and damaged the main office for Rick & Ron’s Auto Sales at 11205 Ridge Rd.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 3:20 p.m. Flames were shooting out of windows in the garage/workshop and explosions could be heard. One of the employees was transported by ambulance to Medina Memorial Hospital for burns that weren’t expected to be too serious, a Ridgeway fire official said.
A Hartland firefighter sprays water on the smoldering site where there was a garage and a shed. Firefighters expected to apply more water on hot spots.
Several of the vehicles were damaged from the hot flames.
Cole Hardenbrook, one of the Orleans County fire investigators, takes photos and inspects the damage. No official cause has been determined yet.
The blaze was stopped from going to the neighbors’ properties.
A Hartland firefighter hoses down a fence separating Rick & Ron’s from a neighbor next door on Route 104.
Several fire companies brought water to the site to supplement the water from the hydrants. This photo shows water hauled from a Lyndonville tanker fire truck being put into a portable water pond. Howard Watts from Shelby has his back to the camera and Guy Scribner of Ridgeway is next to him.
Many local residents walked to the site to get a close look once the flames were extinguished and the scene was under control.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2021 at 11:25 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Debbie Smith and other members of the Holley Garden Club were out this morning planting flowers in 24 large planters on Route 31 near the former Holley High School and also in the Public Square.
The Garden Club has planted the flowers in the Holley downtown area since 2005.
Some of the Holley Garden Club member are shown this morning at the Public Square where they planted flowers and added mulch. Pictured from left includes Mylynda Kuba and her bulldog Biz-Kit, Denise Bedard, Beverly Whiteman, Dee Langfitt, Debbie Smith, Janet DeGraw, Jude Lane and Ingrid Lestorti.
Beverly Whiteman joined the group about a year ago. Besides the annual spring project, ordering and planting the flowers, the group of about 10 members gets together for garden tours.
“We have a good time and have fun together,” Whiteman said.
Ingrid Lestorti and Jude Lane plant flowers in front of the former Holley High School, which is now apartments and the village offices.
The village pays for the flowers. The Garden Club orders them through Kirby’s Farm Market in Brockport. The village Department of Public Works will water the flowers in the coming months.
Mylynda Kuba adds flowers to one of the planters. She stopped by last year when the Garden Club was working on the flowers and offered to help. She joined the group and she said she has learned a lot from the other members.
“I fell in love with what they do,” Kuba said. “We share plants when we have extras. They have a lot of knowledge.”
Dee Langfitt gets a batch of flowers from the back of the Holley DPW truck. Langfitt joined the Garden Club about five years ago and is the acting president.
“I look forward to this every year,” she said about planting the flowers in the downtown. “We’re beautifying the village. It is so pretty when the flowers fill out.”
Denise Bedard spreads mulch in the Public Square.
For more information on the Holley Garden Club, which started in 1998, check their Facebook page by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2021 at 9:07 am
After two days in the upper 80s, Orleans County will get a little break the next few days from the intense heat. There might also be some rain after several dry days.
Today is forecast for a high of 81 with a slight chance of showers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Sunday is forecast to be partly sunny with a high near 77 and a slight chance of showers. Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 70, the Weather Service said.
Tuesday will be hot again with a high near 87. There is a chance for showers after 8 a.m. and it will be partly sunny.
The highs after that include 79 on Wednesday, 69 on Thursday and 72 on Friday.
Author’s note: Webster’s Dictionary defines “eponym” as a person or place that something or someone is named after. One nice benefit of writing articles on the history of the Hamlet of Childs has been that I learn a lot in the process. Such is the case when I learned the eponym for the Hamlet of Childs, namely NYS Supreme Court Justice Henry A. Childs.
Henry Augustine Childs was the eldest son of Levi and Ann (Wright) Childs, born in the town of Gaines on July 17, 1836. After finishing his early education at the Albion Academy, he started to fulfill his childhood ambition to become an attorney, by studying law under Benjamin Bessac in Albion.
Four years later he was admitted to the bar and associated with the firm of Sickles and Graves in Medina. In 1868 Henry was elected Orleans County District Attorney, an office he held for nine years, until 1877.
It came as no real surprise to his fellow Orleans County residents that Henry’s name was placed in nomination for a Supreme Court Justice position with the Western District of New York at the Judicial Convention held in Buffalo in 1883.
He was elected by a large majority and served with distinction in that office from January 1884 until his death in May 1906. His jurisdiction covered Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties.
Judge Childs married Julia Freeman in 1859 and they had three children. Their family home, seen here, later known as The Maple Crest Inn, is located on the corner of W. Center Street and Prospect Avenue in the Village of Medina. Incidentally, Henry Childs’ son Milford W. Childs Sr. married Pearl Cook, daughter of S.A. Cook, a significant person in Medina history, through his furniture business, the S.A. Cook building etc. Their son, Milford II’s wife Elizabeth, died in January 2021 at the age of 99.
The Medina Tribune published a very enlightening article in 1884 regarding Child’s Supreme Court nomination. “The people…were delighted with the nomination of Mr. Childs for justice of the Supreme Court and the citizens of this county feel greatly honored at his selection as one of the candidates for the position. Mr. Childs is a gentleman in the prime of life, whose character in every respect is above reproach and of the most excellent kind, and whose knowledge and ability will make him one of the best and ablest judges. He possesses the confidence of his neighbors and fellow citizens to the fullest extent, and they are highly gratified at the honor bestowed upon him which they know to be justly merited. This nomination was not the result of any trick or political intrigue but because the convention regarded him as the strongest name to be placed on the ticket.”
Judge Childs’ local fame in the Hamlet of Childs came about in 1897 when the residents of “Fairhaven” wanted to open a U.S. Post Office in that name. That’s most likely when the citizens learned that the name Fairhaven, was, unfortunately, already taken. Postal regulations only permit one post office in the state to use the same name, and Fair Haven was already spoken for in a small town near Oswego. That’s when the decision was made to register the name of the community as Childs, NY.
Hamlet of Childs, early 1900s
The first post office for Childs was located in George Geringer‘s General Store, located at the corner of Ridge Road and Oak Orchard Road in the Hamlet. The Postmaster of Childs in 1897 was Oris C. Knapp. The post office had a short life, closing up shop in 1902, when the mail for Childs was transferred to Albion, a situation that continues to this day.
Judge Childs was selected for the hamlet’s namesake because folks felt he personified the high ideals and integrity of the community, all the while demonstrating the axiom of “A Local Boy Who Makes Good.” It was very fitting that the community was named after Henry Childs during his lifetime. Many times, that sort of honor is done posthumously.
Henry Childs died in 1906 and was buried in Boxwood Cemetery in Medina, shown here. Boxwood Cemetery was established in 1849, and is the resting place of many early settlers. The cemetery includes approximately 5,000 marked burials in the cemetery, spanning from 1849 until the present day. It features entrance ways flanked by Medina sandstone columns and wrought-iron gates built in 1925. Also located in the cemetery is a Gothic Revival style chapel built in 1903 of rough-cut red Medina sandstone, just three years before Justice Childs’ burial.
Judge Henry Childs’ death in 1906 ended his legal career, but it’s fitting that his life still lives on in the community that bears his name.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2021 at 5:59 pm
Arthur Barnes creates ‘magical’ scene, his fifth canal-themed mural
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Arthur Barnes is shown installing a mural today at the Orleans County YMCA facing West Avenue on a brick building near Lee Place.
This is the fifth Erie Canal-themed mural Barnes has created.
Barnes used a scene near the Allens Bridge Road canal bridge on the west end of Albion for inspiration.
“The picture of the home and bridge was important not only to this canal community, but it’s the Y’s desire to be building bridges to the home and connecting the community to health and wellness,” said Greg Reed, YMCA executive director.
Barnes said he painted the sky five different times with a striking sunset that reflects in the canal water.
“I was trying to do something magical instead of a tourism brochure,” Barnes said.
He used mural paint on a special plywood suitable for murals.
Barnes was assisted in the installation today by his friends, Leon Jonathan and his sister Deanna Jonathan.
Barnes said he has some touching up to do on the painting, and needs to add his signature.
This project was funded through a grant from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2021 at 4:34 pm
Active cases in 2 counties fall below 100, about half of caseload from a month ago
There are 35 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties since the last update on Tuesday afternoon, bringing the total cases the past 14 months of the pandemic to 8,333 in the two counties. That includes 3,056 in Orleans and 5,277 in Genesee.
In Orleans County there are 13 new cases reported by the Genesee and Orleans County health Departments. The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
There are 17 more recoveries or people who have completed their 10-day isolation and been removed from mandatory isolation.
One Orleans resident is currently hospitalized due to Covid.
In Genesee County there 22 new positive cases and the individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s.
Genesee is reporting 25 more recoveries or people who have completed their 10-day isolation
and been removed from mandatory isolation.
There are currently 9 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.
• Active cases continue to drop: The number of active Covid-19 cases in Genesee and Orleans counties has declined from 108 a week ago to 94 today, according to the update this afternoon from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
The 94 active cases today includes 44 in Orleans (down from 65 a week ago) and 50 in Genesee (up from 43 a week ago). That compare to 82 in Orleans on May 7 and 69 in Genesee on May 7.
The active in the two counties in recent weeks includes: 94 today, 108 on May 14, 151 on May 7, 163 on April 30, and 185 on April 23.
• 7-day totals: The number of new cases the past seven days totaled 91 in the two counties, with 33 in Orleans and 58 in Genesee.
That is down from 111 the previous seven-day period when there were 53 new cases in Orleans and 58 in Genesee.
That compares to 157 cases the seven days ending on May 7 with 73 new cases in Orleans and 84 in Genesee.
Before that there were 164 the seven days ending April 30, 187 the seven days ending April 23, 180 the seven days ending April 16, and 186 the seven days ending April 9.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 May 2021 at 10:13 am
Funding includes a grantwriter who will assist non-profit agencies
MEDINA – A $450,000 grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation is a game changer for Orleans County, said Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County, who realized several years ago how beneficial a grant writer would be for the county.
The Health Foundation announced last week that Orleans County’s grant request for nearly half a million dollars had been approved, and the United Way would be receiving $449,291 over a period of five years. The money will pay for a full time grant writer, who will be available to non-profit agencies, and for a second employee, who will work on fundraising out of United Way’s office at 3217 South Gravel Rd.
United Way recently moved from its Albion location, after sale of the CRFS building on East Avenue, to the South Gravel Road location, where space has been donated by United Way Board President George Bidleman.
Bellack first came up with the idea of a grant writer about eight years ago when he led a successful campaign to raise nearly $750,000 for the YMCA renovations. He began talking about a grant writer position right after he joined the United Way board on April 1, 2019.
The new grant writer will focus solely on Orleans County for the first year and then during the second year will be available in Genesee County. Bellack noted there are several non-profit agencies which are affiliated with both counties, such as Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, the Arc of Genesee Orleans and the Genesee Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!).
“The Health Foundation gave us a tremendous amount of trust,” Bellack said. “They told us to create this position and then integrate it into the community, which we will eventually do – in Orleans and Genesee counties. This is a long-term commitment from them. They believed in our vision.”
Bellack said the grant writer position greatly amplifies the United Way’s ability to bring in more money for local agencies for a long time to come. These agencies have had not had the consistent ability to monitor the grant world. Most, if not all, agencies in rural communities are running lean, he said. This position adds capacity to the agencies and the county.
Nyla Gaylord, director of the Ministry of Concern, is experienced in grant writing and made Bellack aware of the Health Foundation last fall. She wrote the grant requesting funds to hire a grant writer. Her request included letters of support from 17 areas in the county, from County Legislature Chair Lynne Johnson to the majority of agencies funded by United Way. Bellack said the Foundation requested ideas and 52 responses were received. That number was reduced to 17 during the second round, which included the United Way.
“Every non-profit in the county is excited to learn our grant request has been approved,” Bellack said.
“We are glad to see this response to our grant request,” said Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action. “We have an important project for which we desperately need a grant writer, so this person can’t start soon enough from our perspective.”
Bellack said he has no doubt all non-profits share her words.
Health Foundation president and CEO Dr. Matt Kuhlenbeck thanked United Way for their patience during the process and congratulated the organization on the grant.
“We strive to bring equity and community voice into our grantmaking and understand that community-wide challenges require community-wide solutions,” Kuhlenbeck said. “This practical and critical effort addresses the imbalance of funding that the pandemic has exacerbated, while building off the collaboration and dedication of rural providers essential to responding to the health needs within their community. Demonstrating the type of capacity building we strive to accomplish while serving our rural communities, we are proud to be a supportive partner in these efforts.”
Bellack has put together a team of professionals committed to be involved in hiring this grant writer and managing the community integration which will be so important to non-profits in Orleans County, and eventually Genesee County. With Bellack, the team includes Renee Hungerford from Community Action, Don Colquhoun from OCALS, Nyla Gaylord from Ministry of Concern, Robert Batt from Cornell Cooperative Extension, Ken DeRoller representing local government and United Way board members Jackie Gardner and Jodi Gaines.
“This group of committed individuals represent how we have come together for the betterment of our county,” Bellack said.
Bellack said since posting ads for the two positions, United Way has received 20 resumes for the grant writer – from Orleans County to New York City and Minnesota. He plans to announce hiring of the part-time fundraiser by the end of the month.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2021 at 9:47 am
The sign on the tugboat, Pittsford, is shown in May 2020 in Albion, where the vessel is stationed.
A new navigation season started at 7 a.m. today on the Erie Canal for the historic waterway’s 197th season.
The canal is currently closed between Holley and Spencerport with the Holley, Brockport and Spencerport guard gates in the lowered position. That has allowed the Canal Corporation to lower the Erie Canal’s water level as engineers and contractors work to mitigate localized seepage occurring west of the Smith Street Bridge in the Village of Brockport, the Canal Corp. said in a notice to mariners.
The canal system is scheduled to close to navigation on October 13. That puts the canal on a schedule that is close to normal after last year’s start was pushed back until June 26. The start in 2020 was supposed to be May 15 but was delayed because canal staff and construction crews were sidelined early in the pandemic. That prevented the State Canal Corp. from doing some of the work needed before the canals could be opened.
The Canal Corp. also again won’t be charging any tolls or fees for recreational use of the canal system. This is the fifth straight year the tolls have been waived. Those tolls were normally $25 to $100 for a season pass, depending on the size of the vessel.
Standard hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following lift bridges in Orleans County will operate on demand from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. until September 15: Holley, Hulberton, Ingersoll Street in Albion, Main Street in Albion, Eagle Harbor, Knowlesville and Medina.
Adele Mathes, 9, of Barre models capri pants and a matching flora top, one of the three projects she completed for fashion revue, following her morning evaluation.
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-Hers were able to walk down the runway in person at this year’s Fashion Revue program held in the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds on April 24.
Last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns, but this year, youth were able to showcase their textile and sewing skills by modeling projects they made themselves. The Revue this year included 21 participants.
“Fashion Revue is an opportunity for youth learning and growing in citizenship to gain leadership and life skills,” said Kristina Gabalski, 4-H Program Coordinator. “The event inspires appreciation of clothing, textiles, consumer science and personal development.”
This year’s event was held with Covid safety measures in place, Gabalski says. During the morning, participants had projects reviewed by evaluators who provided guidance and feedback. “We typically include some educational and fun workshops, but this year decided to focus on scheduled evaluations for safety reasons.”
The 4Hers plan, select, and construct clothing or accessories and then model their creations during the evening fashion show portion of the event.
“Participants learn design elements in clothing, sewing techniques as well as how to care for fabric,” Gabalski explained. “Fashion Revue encourages personal expression and confidence in personal experience. Youth also write their own commentary which is read as they walk the runway.”
Ariel Vinca, 14, of Holley (left) completed two projects for the fashion revue – a skirt outfit for herself and a dress for her sister, Tresza, 11.
In her commentary, 7-year old Lily Botsford of Lyndonville, a member of the Abundant Harvest 4-H Club, noted that this was her first time using a sewing machine.
“The hardest part of making the dress was trying it on while it was still pinned together,” Lily said. “The most fun part of the process was finding rainbow thread from her grandmother’s collection to use in sewing the dress.”
Seven Orleans County 4-Hers will move on to the Western District Fashion Revue being hosted this year by Orleans County on June 5. Lillian Mathes, Shania Mathes, Adele Mathes, Allison Mathes, Sarah Mathes, Ariel Vinca and Makenzie McGrath all qualified to move on to the district level.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 May 2021 at 7:42 am
MEDINA — Medina will be going to four days of in-person learning for grades 7 to 12 starting June 1, the district announced on Thursday.
The district last month was able to bring the elementary students back to school four days each week, when the CDC and state reduced the social distancing for desks from 6 to 3 feet.
The high school wasn’t able to move forward with four days because of the Covid-19 caseload in Orleans County. But the cases have been declining, with the designation for the county changing from “red” to “orange” with the falling Covid transmission rate, Mark Kruzynski, district superintendent, said in a letter to the community on Thursday. (The NYS Department of Health currently puts Orleans County at 81.78 cases per 100,000 the past seven days.)
“Please understand that is cases surge in the next week, and Orleans County returns to a ‘red’ designation, our plans may change and we will be forced to remain in our current hybrid model,” Kruzynski said. “Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are looking forward to all students returning to campus on June 1!”
Medina will continue to have a virtual day with all students on remote learning at the high school on Wednesday.
Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) released the following statement in response to the Canadian announcement the US-Canadian Border would remain closed until June 21st, 2021.
“This indefinite closure of the US-Canada border is unacceptable. To continue to do this for over a year without a plan for heartbroken families and anxious homeowners represents a failure of leadership.
“Vaccines are rolling out; the United States especially has done the work to tame the pandemic and reopen our nation. There is no excuse to willfully continue this uncertainty that has plagued citizens living on both sides of the border.
“We know how to reopen safely and have proven we are able to do so – the President, the Prime Minister, and respective federal officials need to develop and implement a metric-based, binational plan to reopen the US-Canada Border as soon as possible.”
Orleans EMO named GCASA ‘friend’ for getting agency hand sanitizer, masks, other supplies
Press Release, GCASA
Two senior class members from Charles D’Amico High School in Albion and one from Pavilion Central School were honored with Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Foundation scholarships today during the organization’s annual meeting via Zoom videoconferencing.
Melissa Robinson
Melissa Robinson and Madelin Tabor of Albion and Madison Maniace of Pavilion each will receive $1,000 toward their college education once they complete their fall semester at their chosen colleges.
The GCASA Foundation also honored an adult student, who wished to remain anonymous, with a $1,000 award.
The scholarship was established to provide financial support to individuals pursuing their education at an institution of higher learning in the fields of human services or social services for the purpose of contributing to improving community health. One goes to a Genesee County student, one to an Orleans County student, one to a technical student and one to an adult student.
Madelin Tabor
Melissa Robinson, who will be attending Nazareth College in the fall to study nursing, was involved in numerous school and community activities, including Future Farmers of America, basketball, tennis, cross country, pit orchestra, 4-H, dance and horseback riding. In her application, she emphasized the importance of community service and being active in her church, adding that growing up on a farm helped her to learn the value of hard work and dedication.
Madelin Tabor, who plans to attend Niagara University in the fall to study nursing, also will be graduating from Orleans Niagara BOCES, where she is a health occupations technician student. She, too, has been involved in various activities, including horseback riding, 4-H, sailing, soccer, cheerleading and dance. In her application, she said her quiet demeanor and sharp sense of humor will serve her well in helping people with medical emergencies.
Madison Maniace, who is going on to Rochester Institute of Technology’s bachelor’s/master’s degree Physician Assistant Program in the fall, also will be graduating from Genesee Valley BOCES Health Careers Academy. Her extracurricular activities include competition dance, yearbook club, literary club, debate team, Spanish club, varsity soccer and varsity track, as well as community service. In her application, shared a very personal story that inspired her to pursue an occupation where she can support and comfort others in their time of need.
Friends of GCASA Awards
Various GCASA departments nominated individuals and organizations with Friends of GCASA Awards.
Recipients are as follows:
• Jeremy Barber, Friend of GCASA Residential Services
Nicole Davis, director of Residential Services, presented the award to Barber, a Genesee County senior probation officer.
Davis recognized Barber for being “extremely patient and supportive during a particularly tough year” and continuing to meet with residents either by telephone or in the GCASA parking lot, adhering to social distancing guidelines. She added that he made himself available to staff and residents and contributed significantly to the agency’s efforts in helping those in recovery.
• Greater Rochester Health Foundation, Friend of GCASA Prevention
Christen Ferraro, coordinator of the GOW Opioid Task Force, presented the award to the GRHF, which was represented by Matthew Kuhlenbeck, president and chief executive officer.
Ferraro recognized the GRHF for providing grant funding for two Prevention Department employees to continue working following March 2020 when COVID-19 caused economic uncertainty. She said that the foundation kept the communication lines open throughout the year and provided stability to the Prevention Department during the pandemic.
• Dennis Romero, Friend of GCASA Genesee Treatment
John Bennett, executive director, presented the award to Dennis Romero, Region 2 administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Bennett said that Romero played a pivotal role in helping GCASA establish a drive-thru methadone clinic during the pandemic, allaying the agency’s fears that it wouldn’t be able to sufficiently serve the 180 or so people in recovery due to the social distancing and room capacity restrictions.
Romero, a high-level federal employee, responded to an email by Bennett seeking assistance in hosting a drive-thru setup using the agency’s mobile clinic and worked diligently to get approval for the alternate site. Bennett said Romero “was very humble, helpful and kind at every turn.”
• Orleans County Emergency Management Office, Friend of GCASA Orleans Treatment
Allison Parry-Gurak, director of Treatment Services, Albion Clinic, presented the award to the Orleans County Emergency Management Office and its deputy director, Justin Niederhofer.
Parry-Gurak recognized Orleans County EMO for providing personal protective equipment – hand sanitizer, masks, gloves and no-touch thermometers – “at a time when this was very difficult to obtain and all at no cost to the agency.”
She said Orleans County EMO’s contributions were extremely vital to the operation in Orleans County as it strived to ensure the safety of staff and clients.
• Recovery Coach University, Friend of GCASA Recovery Services
Rosalie Mangino-Crandall, director of Project Innovation and Expansion, presented the award to Recovery Coach University of Rochester, represented by founder Lori Drescher and social worker Keith Greer.
Mangino-Crandall recognized RCU for its work in training and coaching GCASA’s recovery peers, recovery coaches and peer supervisors, while also providing training for other staff members, individual supervision, group supervision and technical assistance.
She added that RCU has made a profound impact upon GCASA employees who work with those in recovery, giving them the tools they need to make a positive difference in others’ lives.
Board welcomes new VP, directors
The board elected two new directors, Batavians Kattie Cotter and Tom Kinsey, to initial three-year terms.
Cotter is a former teacher and now serves as a family advocate for Head Start and is a member of the Council for Independent Living, while Kinsey has been involved with Community Action of Orleans/Genesee, and currently is a reporting analyst at Genesee Community College in the Office of Institutional Research.
Also, current director Tim Batzel, business administrator at Alexander Central School, was elected as the new vice president, replacing Victoria Elsenheimer, who along with Linda Knipe has stepped down after serving two three-year terms.
Fred Rarick, a Batavia attorney, was elected to a second three-year term on the board.
Officers for 2021-22 are incumbent Virginia Taylor, president; Batzel, vice president, and Rarick, secretary-treasurer.
A Tribute to the Original Miss Sassy…
A Tribute to the Original Miss Sassy…
MEDINA – A $450,000 grant from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation is a game changer for Orleans County, said Dean Bellack, director of United Way of Orleans County, who realized several years ago how beneficial a grant writer would be for the county.
