By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2021 at 8:16 am
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame cancelled last year’s induction due to Covid-19 restrictions which made the committee reluctant to travel around the state and into Pennsylvania for site inspections.
The committee also didn’t feel right inviting the owners of the sandstone sites for a celebration, while Covid was so prevalent in the community.
But the Hall of Fame committee is ready to accept nominations again and to go on site visits. An induction ceremony is planned for 2 p.m. on Oct. 21 in Medina’s City Hall.
The Hall of Fame committee is seeking nominations for prominent buildings made of Medina Sandstone that are well-maintained and architecturally significant.
Since the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame was created in 2013, the society has inducted churches, public buildings, private buildings and other ornamental buildings/structures, such as the Civil War Memorial at Mount Albion Cemetery. There have now been 29 inductees and 59 nominees into the exclusive club.
This year’s class could include nominations from previous years not already selected, and any new nominations received by June 30.
Criteria for consideration shall include age, beauty, longevity, structural soundness, and architectural uniqueness. If possible nomination information should have full background and documentation, and, at the very least, should give a name and phone number to be contacted for further information or a website.
The Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia opened in 1889. It was built of Medina sandstone. The site utilizes gray Medina sandstone and red sandstone from Albion. It was built in a Richardson Romanesque style, with rounded windows and arches.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 May 2021 at 7:15 am
Marc Shurtz speaks at annual Twig banquet; Twigs donate $8k for new oven
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Georgia Thomas of Medina,, a member of Laurel Twig, holds a hanging basket she won at the Twig banquet Monday night at Zambistro’s.
MEDINA – The 29 members who attended Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs banquet Monday night was by far the smallest number in the organization’s 68-year history.
News, however, shared by Orleans Community Health CEO Marc Shurtz and Foundation director Heather Smith reflect a much bigger picture.
Shurtz and Smith were guests at the annual banquet which used to highlight the dedication of Twig members in supporting the hospital. Due to Covid, however, and many programs and services being cut back, there were no achievement awards to be announced this year.
Twig president Jeanne Crane welcomed members and guests, saying that although their numbers were sparse, they still managed to get together.
Orleans Community Health CEO Marc Shurtz is introduced by Association of Twigs president Jeanne Crane at the Twig banquet Monday night at Zambistro’s. Shurtz announced several areas of growth at the hospital.
Crane, who retired in 2003 as Risk manager and Infection Control manager at the hospital, was called back to work during Covid, to assist the Orleans County Health Department in administering vaccine at its clinics.
She praised the members for their past dedication, saying, “Service to humanity is the greatest form of art.”
Shurtz told the members he was nearing the end of his first year as CEO, a year he called “an exciting one.”
He announced the culture inside the hospital is shifting.
“The hospital has shrunk for a lot years, but now we are working on growth,” Shurtz said.
He said patient satisfaction is a big focus, but to make it work, they first have to make sure their employees are satisfied.
The recently announced closing of Lockport hospital opens up new opportunity for Medina, Shurtz said.
“Lockport is planning to build an ER with 10 rooms behind Home Depot on Transit Road, and any patient needing hospitalization will be shipped to Mount St. Mary’s in Lewiston,” he said. “That opens the door for us to be the community hospital. We will now be the closest by mileage and time for EMS responders from Barker and Newfane. Our focus now is to be ready for this growth.”
Editor’s Note: Catholic Health said the 10 in-patient beds will allow people to be admitted for care. If patients need surgery or a higher-level care they would be transferred to another hospital.
Shurtz said Medina is already seeing Lockport care providers sending patients to them for lab work and tests. Medina has had a daily census of about eight patients per day, with a goal to expand to 18 to 20 a day.
“The sky’s the limit for us,” Shurtz said.
Medina Memorial Hospital opened a Wound Care Center a year ago, whose operator has one of highest healing rates in the nation.
Orleans Community Health is expecting to bring cardiology back into the area, starting in June or July.
Shurtz said Medina surgeon Dr. Misiti had donated his practice to the hospital and they plan to expand general surgery by including Dr. DiBenedetto.
Two empty wings on the south side of the hospital will be turned into a patient waiting area, as part of the hospital’s $350,000 improvement project. This includes installation of an elevator going up to the first floor.
“We are excited to get Medina Memorial Hospital back to growing again,” Shurtz said.
Smith added a list of projects for which the Foundation has been trying to raise money.
“We were working on the money for late nurse Nancy Albanese’s memorial, when Covid hit and we had to stop,” Smith said. “We have the money totally raised and hope to start work again.”
The $350,000 in renovations and improvements is spread across the entire Orleans Community Health, Smith said. Some of the money will be raised by the golf tournament, Treasure Island and a mega drawing. Projects include $10,000 for privacy walls for the registration area; $8,000 for a new oven in dietary; $40,000 for new signage for the hospital and dialysis; three new patient care beds at a cost of $10,000 each; and a bariatric bed at a cost of $25,000.
The Pharmacy Department is in need of new monitor system for temperature control, which can alert personnel at home on their cell phones. They can also regulate the device from home, eliminating the need to drive from the city in the middle of the night.
Smith said the Pharmacy hasn’t had new cabinetry since the 1960s, and it is in need of new windows, all at a cost of $95,000.
The hospital also needs new IV pumps, for which they are looking for a grant.
As was customary for Twig when it was fully operational, the membership Monday night voted on a donation to the hospital. They chose to donate the $8,000 for the new oven in dietary, as that is something which would benefit patients and employees.
The evening concluded with a drawing for six hanging plants. Winners were Jean Benson, Ethel Valentine, Pat Rizzo, June Bush, Georgia Thomas and Janet Blount.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2021 at 9:18 pm
ALBANY – The union representing correction officers in New York has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit to repeal the state HALT legislation that limited solitary confinement in state prisons to 15 days.
The State Legislature passed the HALT Solitary Confinement Act and it was signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 31.
This legislation limits the amount of time an incarcerated person can spend in segregated confinement to 15 days, clearly defines and reduces the number of disciplinary infractions eligible for segregated confinement, and exempts certain vulnerable populations, including the young, elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and individuals with a serious mental illness.
The New York State Corrections Officers Benevolent Association filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Albany.
The group said the legislation was hastily passed without any significant input from stakeholders, and will further restrict inmate discipline that was already significantly watered down by the New York Civil Liberties Union Settlement with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in 2012.
Since then, NYSCOPBA said assaults on staff, inmate-on-inmate assaults and contraband have risen dramatically while the inmate population continues to dwindle. Assaults on staff are up almost 100 percent and inmate-on-inmate assaults have increased 85 percent during the same time period that the inmate population has decreased by 20,000, the union said.
The new HALT legislation will result in more violence in state prisons, with violent inmates getting a free pass when they hurt staff members and other inmates, NYSCOPBA said today in a news release.
“Today’s federal lawsuit is the first step to NYSCOPBA finally saying enough is enough!” said NYSCOPBA President Michael Powers. “It is unacceptable that our members continue to get attacked and receive little or no support from our elected officials who choose to turn a deaf ear to those men and women who provide safety and security for all New Yorkers.
“The stories of staff getting viciously attacked and injured are endless and will continue without any meaningful reform to these short-sighted policies,” Powers said. “Instead of catering to the inmates, our members deserve the respect and support of every state legislator they have sworn to protect.”
The lawsuit filed by Lippes, Mathias, Wexler, Friedman LLP and names the defendants – Gov. Andrew Cuomo, DOCCS and Anthony Annucci, acting commissioner of DOCCS.
In enacting HALT, the defendants have created “a substantial and imminent risk that correction officers, correction sergeants and non-violent incarcerated individuals will be seriously injured or killed,” the lawsuit states.
The suit says the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees public employees the right to be free “from state-created danger.”
The State Legislature and governor, in passing the HALT legislation, have shown “a deliberate and callous indifference to the lives and safety of correction officers, correction sergeants and peaceful incarcerated individuals in the general population of state prisons that shocks the contemporary conscience,” the lawsuit states.
The suit states the inmate population is down from 54,865 in 61 prisons in 2012 to 34,446 in 52 prisons in 2020. While the inmate population is down dramatically, the percentage of the inmate population with a violent crime conviction is up from 79.2 percent in maximum security prisons in 2011 to 86.4 percent of the inmates in maximum security sites in 2021.
In medium-security prisons, the percentage of inmates with violent crimes is up from 54.6 percent in 2011 to 65.8 percent in 2021.
The lawsuit also states conditions have improved for inmates in segregated housing. Beginning in 2018, DOCCS issued electronic tablets with ear buds/head phones which allow up to 6 hours of phone calls a day for greater access and support from family and friends, as well as educational materials, music, books and games. Those tablets are provided at no cost to the incarcerated individuals. In 2018, inmates in segregated housing made 2,039,237 calls from the tablets lasting about 36 million minutes.
Those inmates are allowed weekly visits, religious counseling, programming, access to law library materials and correspondence, according to the lawsuit.
“For years, NYSCOPBA has implored DOCCS and statewide elected officials to take a hard look and research why violence against all staff, sworn and civilian, was increasing in prisons across the state,” the union said. “Those concerns, unfortunately took a back seat to advocacy groups who continued to push a progressive criminal justice agenda that plain and simple endangered every one of our members.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the SUNY and CUNY boards will require proof of vaccination for all students attending in-person classes this fall, and encouraged all private universities and colleges to adopt the same guidelines.
“More than 60 percent of the population here in New York has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, but we remain aggressive in our efforts because the reality is we are seeing a decline in the vaccination rate not only here in our state but nationwide,” Governor Cuomo said. “There is no factual argument against the vaccine, and there is no excuse not to get your shot. This vaccine is the weapon that will help us win the war on Covid, and so I urge everyone who still needs to take it to do so quickly at one of our many sites across the state.”
All New York State mass vaccination sites are now open to eligible New Yorkers for walk-in vaccination on a first come first serve basis. The walk-in appointments are reserved for first doses only with second doses to be scheduled automatically after administration of the initial shot.
In addition, all vaccine providers are encouraged to allow walk-in appointments for eligible New Yorkers. People who would prefer to schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site can do so on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX.
People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccines.gov to find information on vaccine appointments near them.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2021 at 5:25 pm
A frost advisory has been issued tonight for Orleans County and all of western, central and northern New York.
Temperatures will drop to the low to mid-30s and will result in frost formation, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.
The advisory is in effect from midnight to 8 a.m. The frost could kill sensitive outdoor vegetation if left uncovered.
The Weather Service urges people to take steps to protect tender plants from the cold.
The high temperatures the next few days include mostly sunny and 52 on Tuesday, sunny and 56 on Wednesday, sunny and 62 on Thursday and partly sunny and 63 on Friday.
These sheep enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind the passersby at the Genesee County Village and Museum.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will host a series of town hall meetings in Genesee County in the towns of Pavilion, LeRoy and Bergen on May 22.
Residents are encouraged to attend to discuss local issues and share any questions or concerns they have with Hawley. Social distancing and other health and safety protocols will be followed during this event.
“After having to suspend last year’s town halls due to Covid-19, I am excited to have the opportunity to speak with residents and discuss their concerns directly,” Hawley said. “The budget that passed recently is the largest and possibly the most consequential in our state’s history, though frankly I fear those consequences will be negative, so I am eager to hear from people in the district in regard to how they feel about it and how it affects their lives.”
Town Hall meeting schedule for May 22:
Town of Pavilion, 10 a.m. to 10:45a.m., Pavilion Town Hall on 1 Woodrow Drive.
Village/Town of LeRoy, 11 a.m. to 11:45a.m., LeRoy Village Hall, 3 West Main St.
Village/Town of Bergen, noon to 12:45p.m., Bergen Village Hall, 11 North Lake Ave.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) and Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C,I-East Aurora) will be hosting an electronic waste recycling event with Sunnking from 8:30 a.m. to noon on May 15 at the parking lot of 5130 E. Main Street, next to National Grid, in the town of Batavia.
Any e-waste including cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, and more will be accepted for recycling at this event, though pre-registration online is required.
Those interested in attending this event can pre-register by clicking here.
“Electronic waste is some of the hardest and most expensive to dispose of,” Hawley said. “This event will provide residents from throughout the area with a convenient and economical way to dispose of their electronic waste, giving people the opportunity to do some spring cleaning, while also preventing their old gadgets from becoming pollutants.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2021 at 12:11 pm
In Orleans County, 433 people have skipped their second appointments for a Covid-19 vaccine. Not getting the second shot makes the vaccine less effective.
The Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub provides a breakdown of nine counties in the region and the percentage of people who have not got the second vaccine shot within six weeks after the first one.
The 433 who didn’t come back for the second shot represents 3.7 percent of the people who should either get the second shot after 21 days with Pfizer or 28 days with Moderna.
The 3.7 percent is Orleans is lower than Yates, at 4.5 percent, and Genesee, at 4.2 percent, among the nine counties in the region.
Paul Pettit, public health director for Orleans and Genesee counties, “strongly encourages” people to get their second shot to be fully vaccinated.
“We’ve heard from many that end up out of town, not feeling well, some even on quarantine when they were supposed to come back,” Pettit said. “We will work with folks that have missed their appointments and get them in to another clinic to make sure they get fully vaccinated as soon as they can.”
Public health officials, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urge people to still get the second shot, even if it’s past the desired timeframe. The second shot, even after more than six weeks, increases the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Here is a breakdown of how many haven’t come back for the second dose within six weeks in the nine counties in the Finger Lakes:
Genesee – 4.2%, 837 people
Livingston – 3.3%, 734 people
Monroe – 2.8%, 8,831 people
Ontario – 3.6%, 1,768 people
Orleans – 3.7%, 433 people
Seneca – 3.1%, 345 people
Wayne – 2.8%, 870
Wyoming – 3.5%, 421
Yates – 4.5%, 390
Throughout the nine-county region 14,629 individuals have not received their second shot within six weeks, as of April 22, the Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub reported.
This represents 3 percent of all people with at least one dose, and doesn’t include the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with is one-shot only.
The 3 percent is much lower than the national average of 8 percent, which has been reported by the CDC.
The Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub reports that older ages have the highest rates of missed second shots, with 65-74, 75-84 and 85-plus age groups missing at 4.1%, 4.9%, and 7.0% rates of second doses, respectively.
Eligible households could receive up to a $50 per month toward high-speed internet service
Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs
ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is announcing a Federal Communications Commission program designed to lower internet service costs for customers nationwide. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will begin accepting applications on May 12.
“Internet service has become even more vital during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Jacobs said. “As our economy continues to recover and Americans recover from financial hardships brought on by the pandemic, this program will allow them to continue or access internet services at a discounted rate through the end of the pandemic. I commend the FCC for implementing this program, and I will continue my work in Congress to expand broadband access for rural communities.”
The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands.
The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers;
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or Covid-19 program.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.
MEDINA – The Culinary Arts students of James Atzrott got all fired up about making pizza. Special guests from Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza food truck stopped by the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center to show the students how they use a wood-fired oven to make pizza, pretzels, turkey and cinnamon bites. They also talked about what is involved in owning and operating a food truck.
Owners Brian and Rebecca Alexander of Carlton told the classes that they would have parties at their house where they would make wood-fired food.
“Everyone loved it and they also wanted us to host parties,” laughs Rebecca. “So Brian, who is an engineer, designed a mobile cart with a wood fired oven and we decided to take the party to other people’s homes and our food truck was born.”
Lenny Sanchez of Lockport gets a lesson from Rebecca Alexander.
The students and Chef Atzrott got a chance to make their own pizza after the demonstration. Brian then loaded the pizzas into the oven and showed the students how to turn them so they get properly cooked, which takes only 3 minutes. He told the students how cooking has always been a hobby for him.
“This was something to do for fun and it just sort of exploded,” he said.
Rebecca talked about how they have been exploring pizza styles from all over the country and she is looking forward to going to Detroit and taking classes on their pizza style.
“Brian is from Detroit, so I thought it would be cool to learn how to make that kind of pizza,” she said. “It is usually rectangular with a thick crust that is crispy and chewy. It is topped with tomato sauce and Wisconsin brick cheese that goes up to the edges. It will be great to be able to offer that to our customers.”
Their food truck has proved so popular that is not unusual for them to make 400 pizzas in five hours where they are set up.
“We make 10-inch pizzas with high hydrating dough and we have gone everywhere from fairs to catered events,” Brian said.
They usually set up between Rochester and Buffalo area and have proven so popular that they will be announcing a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the near future in Albion.
“We are very excited about that,” Rebecca said. “It will be great to help revitalize Albion and offer more options to our customers.”
Chef Atzrott says he is very thankful to Brian, Rebecca and their daughter Lillian Strickland spending the day with his students.
“I found it amazing that Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza could cook 500 pizzas in an afternoon,” he said. “The result was beautifully charred and tasted amazing.”
‘With everyone looking forward to the summer and the looser restrictions we encourage everyone to get vaccinated now.’ – Paul Pettit, public health director
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
Genesee Orleans County Health Departments will be on the road this week with pop=up Covid-19 vaccine clinics.
Clinics with Johnson & Johnson Janssen and Moderna will be available for walk-in and registration. Pfizer clinics are by registration only.
“As we transition away from the larger mass vaccination clinic approach, we will be hosting mobile clinics that will be held in various locations throughout our communities along with smaller scaled clinics at both of the health departments moving forward,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the two counties. “Working with community partners in both counties is a great way to reach out to those who want to be vaccinated against Covid.”
J & J and Moderna clinics offer walk-in opportunities. However, we encourage you to register via the vaccination webpage (click here) and choose the vaccine that best works for you. You can also click on the direct links below.
For those who do not have internet they can call the GO Health Vaccine Registration Help Lines:
Genesee: 585-815-7168
Orleans: 585-589-3170
These lines are only to make vaccine appointments, are not able to answer Covid-related questions, and are not associated with either Health Department.
“With everyone looking forward to the summer and the looser restrictions we encourage everyone to get vaccinated now,” Pettit said. “There are plenty of options to get any of the three vaccines offered. For your health and the health of others, we encourage everyone who is able to be vaccinated to get vaccinated now.”
The clinics this week include:
Today (May 10)
• 9 to 11:30 am, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at Ridgeway Fire Hall, 11392 Ridge Rd., Medina. Moderna: walk-ins and appointments; J&J: walk-ins. Click here for more information. As of 10:30 a.m. there are 72 appointments available.
Tuesday (May 11)
• 1 to 5 p.m. at Six Flags Darien Lake, Human Resources, 1501 Sumner Road, Corfu. Pfizer: appointment only (Click here) and J&J: walk-ins & appointments (click here).
Wednesday (May 12)
• 9 to 11 a.m. at GCC Athletic Arena, 1 College Rd., Batavia. Moderna: Walk-ins and appointments (click here) and J&J: walk-ins.
Thursday (May 13)
• 1 to 4 p.m. at Ridgeway Fire Hall, 11392 Ridge Rd., Medina. Moderna: walk-ins and appointments. Click here for more information. As of 10:30 a.m., there are 72 appointments available. J&J has walk-ins available.
Friday (May 14)
• 3 to 7 p.m. at Batavia Downs Gaming, 8315 Park Rd, Batavia. J&J: walk-ins and appointments (click here).
Saturday (May 15)
• 9 a.m. to noon at GCC Athletic Arena, 1 College Rd, Batavia. Pfizer: appointment only (click here) and J&J: walk-ins.
If you are a business/church/organization that is interested in hosting a vaccination clinic at your location, please fill out the survey (click here). One of our staff members will be in contact with you.
For those who are seeking testing, both health departments provide limited free rapid testing for those without symptoms at the respective Health Departments.
For Orleans County, a rapid test clinic is scheduled for May 12th from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans County Health Department at 14016 Rt. 31 West, Albion. For Genesee County, a rapid test drive-through clinic is scheduled for May 13th from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. at County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Road, Batavia.
To register for testing go to the GO Health testing page (click here) and choose your preferred clinic location.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2021 at 7:49 pm
This map from the Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub shows the percent of residents 16 and older in each of the nine counties who have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
A breakdown of Covid-19 vaccine rates among zip codes shows Albion is significantly behind Medina for the percentage of its residents 16 and older with at least one dose.
Albion is the lowest of the seven zip codes in the county at 36.8 percent, while Medina leads the county at 47.6 percent.
The nine-county Finger Lakes has a breakdown of each county, and each zip code on the Finger Lakes Covid-19 Vaccine Hub, which is updated every Friday. Click here to see the website with the data.
In Orleans County, 14,109 of the 32,560 people 16 and older or 43.3 percent have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. That rate is only above the 41.2 percent in Wyoming County among the nine counties in the Finger Lakes Region, and significantly behind two counties over 60 percent – Ontario at 60.9 percent and Monroe at 60.2 percent.
In the Finger Lakes region, 56.6 percent of population 16 and older has had at least one dose of the vaccine, and 43.1 percent are done with vaccine series.
Here are the rates for the nine counties in the Finger Lakes (Percent of population 16 and older with at least one vaccine dose)
Ontario: 60.9 percent
Monroe: 60.2 percent
Wayne: 51.1 percent
Genesee: 49.5 percent
Seneca: 48.8 percent
Livingston: 48.5 percent
Yates: 45.9 percent
Orleans: 43.3 percent
Wyoming: 41.2 percent
Orleans County zip codes (% of people 16 and older with at least one dose)
Medina – 47.6 percent, 4,009 out of the 8,427 people 16 and older in 14103 have received at least one dose
Kendall – 46.8 percent, 814 out of the 1,739 people 16 and older in 14476 have received at least one dose
Waterport – 46.1 percent, 480 out of 1,042 people 16 and older in 14571 have received at least one dose
Lyndonville – 44.2 percent, 1,038 out of the 2,346 people 16 and older in 14098 have received at least one dose
Holley – 44.1 percent, 2,801 out of the 6,354 people 16 and older in 14470 have received at least one dose
Kent – 40.0 percent, 587 out of the 1,467 people 16 and older in 14477 have received at least one dose
Albion – 36.8 percent, 4,113 out of the 11,186 people 16 and older in 14411 have received at least one dose
Pittsford has the highest percentage of 16 and older with at least one dose in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region. The 14534 zip code has 21,002 out of 25,675 with at least one dose.
Romulus in Seneca County is the lowest at 23.6 percent with only 783 with at least one vaccine dose out of the 3,320 people 16 and older in the 14541 zip code. Attica in Wyoming County also has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the Finger Lakes Region at 24.2 percent or 1,941 out of 8,016 people who are 16 or older.
Other nearby zip codes
Elba (Genesee) – 67.7 percent, 1,199 out of the 1,770 people 16 and older in 14058 with at least one dose
Stafford (Genesee) – 61.7 percent, 536 out of the 869 people 16 and older in 14143 with at least one dose
Le Roy (Genesee) – 54.3 percent, 3,668 out of the 6,755 people 16 and older in 14482 with at least one dose
Batavia (Genesee) – 48.6 percent, 8,745 out of the 18,007 people 16 and older in 14020 with at least one dose
Bergen (Genesee) – 48.5 percent, 1,507 out of the 3,105 people 16 and older in 14416 with at least one dose
Hamlin (Monroe) – 46.9 percent, 2,730 out of the 5,826 people 16 and older in 14464 with at least one dose
Corfu (Genesee) – 45.9 percent, 1,863 out of the 4,055 people 16 and older in 14036 with at least one dose
Basom (Genesee) – 45.5 percent, 580 out of the 1,276 people 16 and older in 14013 with at least one dose
East Bethany (Genesee) – 44.9 percent, 508 out of the 1,132 people 16 and older in 14054 with at least one dose
Alexander (Genesee) – 44.3 percent, 601 out of the 1,356 people 16 and older in 14005 with at least one dose
Byron (Genesee) – 44.0 percent, 844 out of 1,917 people 16 and older in 14422 with at least one dose
Brockport (Monroe) – 43.9 percent, 7,574 out of the 17,244 people 16 and older in 14420 with at least one dose
Pavilion (Genesee) – 43.9 percent, 990 out of the 2,254 people 16 and older in 14525 with at least one dose
Oakfield (Genesee) – 43.3 percent, 1,276 out of the 2,945 people 16 and older in 14125 with at least one dose
Darien Center (Genesee) – 40.2 percent, 728 out of the 1,812 people 16 and older in 14040 with at least one dose
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 9 May 2021 at 5:59 pm
Group will have annual banquet on Monday after last year’s was cancelled due to Covid-19
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Seated during their recent meeting of Laurel Twig at the home of Ginny Roberts are, from left, Jan McCloy, Sue Metzo, Jean Sipple and Nelda Toussaint. Standing is Ginny Roberts.
MEDINA – For nearly seven decades, the TWIG organization has been a vibrant part of the Medina community and avid supporter of Medina Memorial Hospital.
But, like many other service organizations, it has fallen victim of the times – a generation which is not of a mindset to volunteer.
The organization, whose membership once neared 400, had dwindled to less than 70 at its 2019 banquet.
There was no banquet in 2020, due to Covid, but the membership has regrouped and decided to have their banquet this year on Monday night at Zambistro.
TWIG, which stands for “Together With Individual Goals,” began as a vision of Mrs. Donald Acer of Medina, who felt there was a need for a women’s organization at Medina Memorial Hospital. She sought advice from women who were members of Twig Associations in nearby communities. She learned that women from Rochester, where a Twig Association had flourished, along with the Albion Twig Association at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital, were most helpful in several areas to their hospitals.
It is interesting to note that women of that era were usually referred to by their husband’s name, not their own first name.
On March 16, 1953, Mrs. Acer and Mrs. John Wilkinson, with the approval of the Medina Memorial Hospital directors, called a meeting at the Elks Club for the purpose of organizing a Twig Association. About 50 women responded.
From this meeting grew a committee to draw up a constitution, chaired by Mrs. Hubbard White, and a nominating committee, chaired by Mrs. Gladys Walters.
By April of 1953, the Medina Memorial Hospital Association of Twigs was established under the leadership of Mrs. John E. Wilkinson, the first president. Other officers were Mrs. Horace Bird, 1st vice president; Mrs. D.J. Cleary Jr., 2nd vice president; Miss Margaret McCarthy, treasurer; and Miss Laura Dombrowski, secretary.
Eight original Twig groups were formed, totaling 75 members. They were Apple Blossom, Bittersweet, Cherry, Evergreen, Juniper, Linden, Oak Leaf and Silver Birch.
Their early activities included sewing and securing bed pads. Surgical stockings, bandages, glove covers, surgical sheets, curtains and pillows. The first major project was a Christmas party undertaken that year for hospital personnel in the hospital dining room. Twigs supplied all the food and decorations and served the meal.
Georgia Thomas, standing, hands out face masks she made for the members of Laurel Twig during their fall meeting. Seated at front are Carol Smith of Albion, left, and Carol Shafer of Middleport. At rear are Jan McCloy and Sue Metzo, both of Medina. Hostess Ginny Roberts stands in the doorway.
In 1954 it was suggested that each group form a new Twig to ensure growth, and four new groups evolved – Dogwood, Hawthorne, Holly and Plum. The Association’s treasury showed a balance of $350, which Twigs donated, starting what was to become the first of hundreds of thousands of dollars and an unending supply of hospital equipment.
In these early years, it was more common for each Twig branch to donate small equipment individually, such as ice pitchers, glasses, trays, stainless steel medicine trays, pictures, packages of patient tissues, ash trays, books for the library, baby foot printer, ice crushers, etc. A sewing machine donated in 1955 by Mrs. E.C. Rosenkrans was widely used and much appreciated.
At the suggestion of Mrs. Elizabeth Robbins in 1955, the first “coffee corner” for the public was set up in the Twig Room.
By 1956, Twig was already purchasing many fundamental medical supplies for the hospital, such as bandages, pads, basins, gowns, waste cans, service tables, towels, drapes, etc. The annual Christmas party continued to be totally funded by Twig until 1975.
A machine for dispensing drinks for public use was installed in the lobby, when in 1956, Medina Memorial Hospital was in the planning stages for two new wings to be added – a three-story front wing and a two-story rear wing. Olive Twig and Tulip Twig joined the association.
Twig added six new groups in 1957, Beech, Lilac, Magnolia, Jasmine, Willow and Locust and the association grew by 125 members. A cookie and candy dispensing machine was added to the lobby and Twig donated an incubator to the Maternity Ward at a cost of $273. They also pledged $600 to the hospital building fund. Magnolia Twig organized the first hospital benefit dance at the Elks Club, netting $550. The Volunteer Service Program began and decorative tray favors were made for hospital patients. Olive Twig raised $300 for the building fund through a public book review, and decided to fashion puppets to be given to children in the hospital.
In 1958-59, Azalea, Tupelo, Wisteria, Spruce, Forsythia, Laurel, Maple, Wiegela and Tamarack twigs were formed, giving the association 27 twigs and 337 members. A water flash warmer costing $490 was donated for the operating room, along with the Twigs building fund pledge.
Cinnamon and Rosamond Twigs joined the association in 1960, and magnolia and Oak Leaf combined memberships. Miss Katherine Brown chaired the first Twig Fair in October. It took place at Oak Orchard Elementary School and included a roast beef dinner. There were 19 booths and full support of 27 Twigs, netting a profit of $2,500.
A Mardi Gras ball in 1961 created a big sensation, netting $1,500. The association continued to support the hospital with its purchase of equipment such as plastic bassinets for the nursery and two recovery room stretchers. A silver tea service was presented to the hospital in 1962 as a memorial to Miss Estelle Douglas, the first hospital administrator. Twigs made a donation of $3,000 to establish a physical therapy department.
The fundraising events, donations and projects supported by the Twig Association grew to be far too numerous to continue naming them all. It can be said, however, the Twig Association continued until just a few years ago to raise money by their individual projects, sponsor the hospital Christmas party, provide tray favors and puppets for patients, volunteer their services at the Greeter Desk and Reception Desk (saving the hospital thousands of dollars yearly) providing a hospitality room and attending to tons of mending and sewing of hospital linens.
When the hospital undertook a major renovation, the Twig Association pledged $100,000 for the new birthing wing, which was named for the association.
On Sunday, Aug. 10, 1969, Medina’s Twig Association earned prominent mention in The New York Times. The newspaper carried a feature story on Medina’s organization and its use of the term “twig” instead of the more usual guild, auxiliary or league. The story also mentioned the use of flowering shrubs as names for the individual groups.
In the 1965, Wildwood Twig was established for those members who were only interested in the volunteer aspect of Twig and required no monthly meetings. Volunteer service awards were initiated in 1959 when Mrs. Thomas Hickey received the first 100-hour pin. Since that time, endless awards have been presented at the annual banquet for accumulative hours of service, many numbering in the thousands. At its annual volunteer luncheon celebrating Twig’s 25th anniversary, it was reported volunteers over the years had given an estimated 63,500 hours.
In 1969, a newly remodeled Gift Shop and Snack Bar were opened. In 1974, the Gift Shop was expanded into the main hall of the hospital, where it continued to be a major source of funding for the Twig Association until approximately three years ago when it closed due to lack of volunteers. The Gift Shop annually earned an estimated $20,000, which the Twig presented to the hospital CEO each year at the banquet.
By 1979, when Mrs. White retired as Volunteer Services director, the Twigs were responsible for the Reception Desk, Gift Shop, Snack Bar, Gift Cart, Central Supply and Sewing.
By the late 1960s, some of the original Twig groups had disbanded, mainly due to the health and age of their members. In the 1970s, Oak Twig joined the association. By now Twig had begun purchasing larger pieces of equipment for the hospital, such as a surgical lift, operating table ($6,000), proctoscopic table, obstetrical table ($4,300) and mammography X-ray equipment ($25,000).
Dogwood and Honeysuckle Twigs were formed in 1973 and Maple, Ming and Willow joined in 1976. Bayberry formed in 1977 and Hydrangea joined in 1978. Twig added some community education services, such as hospital tours for elementary school children in 1973 and expectant parent classes in 1975, instructed by Jeanne Crane. In 1977, they started sewing and stuffing Christmas stockings for all the patients, a project Laurel Twig continues today.
The newest Twig to be formed was Lilac, as the result of a Twig board meeting Sept. 25, 2004.
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, the Twig Association had 20 Twigs totaling 273 members.
As of the last banquet on May 6, 2019, only 11 Twigs remained, with a total membership of 66. Of those, only Laurel still has regular meetings, although membership has dwindled to eight or nine who attend. In 1996, Laurel had 25 members.
Ginny Roberts of Medina has been president of Laurel Twig for many years, and Carol Shafer of Middleport remains secretary/treasurer. They have shortened their year, choosing to meet September through December and in June for a picnic. That is in addition to the annual spring banquet which this year is May 10.
Nelda Toussaint is one of the longest standing members of Laurel Twig. She joined, she said, when her son Jeff was a year old and she was looking for something to do to get out of the house at night. Other original members were Arden Dick, Eileen Incho and Jackie Kaldon.
“It was a big group,” Toussaint said. “Arden and I brought Ginny in.”
Original activities included card parties, big dances and fashion shows.
The lack of volunteers resulted in closing the Gift Shop several years ago, thereby ending the Twig’s biggest money maker. They still have a balance in their bank account, from which they continue to make gifts to the hospital.
BATAVIA – Tompkins Financial Corporation has announced plans for a rebranding effort which will better align its four banks in New York and Pennsylvania under the Tompkins corporate umbrella.
As a result of the effort, Tompkins Bank of Castile, headquartered in Batavia, will be known simply as “Tompkins.” The three other affiliated banks – Tompkins Trust Company, headquartered in Ithaca, Tompkins Mahopac Bank in the Hudson Valley, and Tompkins VIST Bank in southeastern Pennsylvania – will also become Tompkins.
All existing banking products and services will be unchanged and will continue to be offered in all markets under the Tompkins brand. Tompkins Financial’s two other affiliate companies, Tompkins Insurance Agencies and Tompkins Financial Advisors, will keep their respective names and are otherwise unaffected by the change.
Stephen S. Romaine, Tompkins Financial president and CEO, says that over the next year, customers will see signage changes reflecting the new name. However, none of the local leadership is changing, nor is the local Board of Directors.
“Tompkins’ unique community banking value proposition – which is centered around local decision-making, relationship-based products and services, deep community engagement, and a values-driven, collaborative, empowered culture – will be unaffected by the rebranding and name change,” Romaine said.
The alignment of bank names is made possible by a consolidation of four existing bank charters to one, therefore also reducing duplicate regulatory and legal processes.
“It just makes good sense and is well timed,” said Romaine. “Becoming ‘one Tompkins’ in name not only more closely aligns our Tompkins family, but in fact, brings additional advantages which support the company’s ability to maintain its commitment to sustainable excellence.”
Tompkins Bank of Castile has a branch in Medina, its lone site in Orleans County.
The changes are expected to take effect later in 2021, subject to regulatory approval. Other than a slight change to the bank’s brand name, the process and resulting single charter are expected to be a seamless and non-impactful transition for customers.
“We have been serving western New York since 1869 and have been part of Tompkins Financial for more than 20 years,” said John M. McKenna, Tompkins Bank of Castile president & CEO.
“This change only enhances our ability to be that valued partner, delivering the high level of experience excellence our customers know and deserve.”
The Village of Albion is the recipient of over $388K in state grant money for the renovation of buildings located in the area surrounding downtown Main Street. These state grants will help cover up to 75 percent of renovation costs to commercial and residential buildings.
Made possible through the state’s Homes and Community Renewal Program, grants of $50,000, or up to 75 percent of renovation costs, will be allotted for projects that apply.
“The historic small towns and villages located throughout Upstate and Western New York are what makes our area so interesting and unique,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “By investing in these historic towns and villages, we are injecting new life into our local area. Not only will we be attracting new visitors to come and patronize the quaint establishments that form Main Street, but it will also entice the younger generation, who in recent history have tended to leave, to stay, settle down, and start a family in a revitalized community. I am proud to have been a part of the legislative process to make sure that these funds were available for our residents.”
The Village of Albion will be holding a meeting Monday, May 10, at 6 p.m. at The Lockstone, located at 160 North Main St., to deliver additional information to individuals interested in applying for these state funds.
Those interested in attending this meeting should call the Village of Albion’s office at (585) 589-9176.
BATAVIA – Tompkins Financial Corporation has announced plans for a rebranding effort which will better align its four banks in New York and Pennsylvania under the Tompkins corporate umbrella.
