By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2021 at 5:15 pm
2 counties pass 8,000 Covid cases in pandemic
Orleans and Genesee counties have 66 more confirmed cases of Covid-19 since Friday, and that puts the two counties past 8,000 cases in the pandemic since March 2020.
The two counties combined have a population of 97,632, according to the 2019 Census estimate. The 8,040 cases represents 8.2 percent of the population. In Genesee, 5,109 of the 57,280 residents have tested positive for Covid, or 8.9 percent. In Orleans, 2,931 out of 40,352 residents have had confirmed cases or 7.3 percent of the population.
There have been 204 Covid-related deaths in the two counties, with 121 in Genesee and 83 in Orleans, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
In Orleans County in updated numbers today, there have been 34 new cases since Friday. The new cases are in the West Region (Yates, Ridgeway, Shelby), Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s.
Orleans also is reporting 42 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are 3 residents from Orleans currently hospitalized due to Covid.
Albion Central School said today an elementary student tested positive for Covid-19. The student was last in school on April 30.
The Department of Health has contacted any additional individuals deemed to have been in close contact with the student. At this time, no cases of Covid-19 have been transmitted through the school, the district said.
Lyndonville Central School said it was notified over the weekend that one student and one staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
The Health Department has determined that these cases have not resulted in any necessary quarantines, the district said.
In Genesee County there are 32 new positive cases and they are in the West Region (Alabama, Darien, Pembroke), Central Region (Alexander, Batavia, Bethany, Elba, Oakfield) and East Region (Bergen, Byron, LeRoy, Pavilion, Stafford). The individuals are in the age groups of 0-19, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.
Genesee is reporting 32 more of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are currently 4 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.
Outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500; indoor residential limit up from 10 to 50
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced a significant easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions on the region’s businesses, venues and gatherings given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations.
“The tide is turning against Covid-19 in New York, and thanks to our increasing vaccination rates, as well as our successful, data-based regional approach, we’re able to take more steps to reopen our economy, help businesses and workers, and keep moving towards returning to normal,” Governor Cuomo said. “Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers and our partners in government, we are now able to increase capacity limits for businesses, event venues and residences to reflect what we’re seeing in the Covid data.”
New York and New Jersey Announce Today:
Social Distance-based Business Capacities
Effective May 19, most business capacities—which are currently based upon percentage of maximum occupancy—will be removed in New York and New Jersey. Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet.
This new distance-based maximum capacity will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings. It will also apply in houses of worship.
Increase in Social and Residential Gathering Limits
In New York beginning May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500 people. Beginning May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people.
Also, the outdoor residential gathering limit of 25 people will be removed, reverting to the social gathering limit of 500 people with space for appropriate social distancing, and the indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people.
In New York, any event gatherings in excess of the social gathering limits may only occur if all individuals present proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result.
Event Venues
Congregate commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if all attendees over the age of 4 present either proof of full vaccination status or recent negative Covid-19 test result and the required social distancing can be accommodated.
Starting May 19, large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 percent capacity, which is an increase from the current 10 percent capacity limit. Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33 percent. Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full vaccination or recent negative Covid-19 test result.
Industry Reopening Requirements
While most industry capacity restrictions will be lifted, industry-specific requirements will remain in effect for a longer period of time, including state or local health authority event notification, health screening, contact information for tracing, enhanced air handling and building system standards, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols. The State will continue to provide additional guidance on these provisions as they apply to each industry.
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Cuomo’s recent measures to further reopen the economy amid a steady decline in New York’s Covid-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. On April 30, Governor Cuomo announced that New York City indoor dining will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7, bringing New York City in line with the rest of New York.
The Governor also announced that hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7. New York City gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50 percent capacity beginning May 15. On April 28, Governor Cuomo announced that the food and beverage service, and catered event, curfews would end this month.
“Maintaining this progress is critical and in order to keep moving in a positive direction, New Yorkers must continue to take all the proper precautions,” Cuomo said. “If we let up now, we could slide backwards and that is something nobody wants. So, let’s be safe and for anyone who has yet to be vaccinated, please do so as soon as you can. With the addition of walk-in appointments, we’ve made it as easy as every to get your shot, so there are truly no excuses.”
Connecticut Previously Announced:
Starting May 1: The elimination of outdoor restrictions including limits on table sizes, and the requirement that food be served with alcohol.
Starting May 19: The elimination of all remaining business restrictions including those on capacity limits at large event venues in the state.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2021 at 11:07 am
ALBION – The ridership was down about half for RTS Orleans and its parent organization, Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
In Orleans, there were 22,670 riders during those 12 months, down from 43,000 the previous 12 months, Bill Carpenter, RGRTA chief executive officer told the Orleans County Legislature last week.
The last fiscal year for RGRTA, ridership was ridership was 7,689,525. It is usually close to 16 million for an 8-county region.
The Covid-19 pandemic kept many people off the buses, especially when the state was on “PAUSE” with non-essential businesses closed from March 22 to May 28. During those 10 weeks ridership was down 70 percent, Carpenter said.
RTS Orleans has been part of the RGRTA system since 2003. RTS Orleans has 12 employees and 6 buses that drove 159,083 miles from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
RTS took Covid precautions with increased vehicle washing and disinfecting, increased use of PPE with masks required for all drivers and customers, daily employee health screening, and installation of operator barriers and fareboxes.
RTS Orleans operated on a $838,698 budget from April 2020 to March 2021. Fares and contract revenues totaled $16,312 for a net income loss of $822,386.
Government revenue included $85,000 in federal aid, which doesn’t count the $654,556 in federal stimulus funding which is intended to support the operation through September 2024. State funds in the past budget year were $30,173 with $29,166 from Orleans County. The locally collected mortgage tax added up to $241,416 towards the bus service.
RTS Orleans currently has a daily ridership of about 100 with two regular routes in Albion and Medina. Service is for those people traveling within 3/4 mile radius of the route. There is also dial-a-ride available within Orleans County with reservations made at least 24 hours in advance
RGRTA is looking to do a study of 10-12 smaller villages in the eight counties where there currently isn’t much public transportation service. Carpenter told county legislators last week that Holley in Orleans County will likely be part of that study.
RTS Orleans also wants to put a bus shelter in Medina, and the organization is waiting to see if federal funds will be approved for that project, Carpenter said.
RTS Orleans also would like to expand partnerships in the community, providing rides for free for vaccinations, partner with Workforce Development to help more people have transportation to jobs. That could include the agricultural sector, where farmers tend to work out those details themselves. In other counties, Carpenter said RGRTA assists farmers with getting migrant farmworkers to the fields, packing houses and other locations, including the grocery store.
RGRTA also is looking to start a bike share program in Brockport, and that program could be expanded to Orleans County. With that program, people rent a bike, and can go several miles one way and then get a return trip back on the bus. A vendor rents out the bikes.
Carpenter said RTS and the parent organization continue to look for ways to improve the service locally and throughout the region.
“Our biggest challenge us being in a state where people are leaving and not staying,” he said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2021 at 9:49 am
There are four upcoming vaccination clinics in Genesee and Orleans counties for the single-dose John & Johnson vaccine which has been deemed and recently reauthorized for use in the United States.
The federal CDC and FDA on April 23 both lifted a brief pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and approved its use for people 18 and older. To learn more about the CDC’s overview of the safety of the vaccine, click here.
“The CDC and Food & Drug Administration have recommended that the use of J & J’s Covid-19 vaccine resume in the United States,” said Paul Pettit, public health director in Genesee and Orleans. “We encourage everyone to talk with their primary care provider if they have concerns about any of the vaccines. With the options we currently have we continue to encourage everyone who is able to get vaccinated with the vaccine they are comfortable receiving.”
The four upcoming clinics all have walk-in options. However, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourages people to register online. They can click here to register and pick the appropriate J & J link or call the vaccine helplines in Orleans County at 585-589-3170 or Genesee County at 585-815-7168.
The schedule for the clinics includes:
GCC in Batavia on Wednesday, May 5, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Genesee County Office for the Aging, downtown Batavia, on Wednesday, May 5, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ridgeway Fire Hall on Route 104 on Thursday, May 6, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Orleans County Health Department in Albion on Friday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Health Department also is willing to do vaccine clinics at businesses, churches and other organizations. Those interested in hosting a vaccine clinic should fill out a short online survey (click here).
Covid Testing: For those who are seeking testing, both counties 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 5 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 6 at County Building #2, 3837 West Main St. Road, Batavia.
To register for testing go to the GO Health testing page by clicking here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2021 at 8:32 am
MEDINA – The Board of Education has adopted a $39,323,374 school budget for 2021-22 that doesn’t increase taxes for the 10th straight year.
The budget, however, maintains all existing programs and will help students catch up in learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Next year’s proposed budget accounts for the challenges schools have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, and will allow the district to do everything possible to address the learning loss that has happened during the recent school shutdowns,” Mark Kruzynski, district superintendent, wrote in a letter to the community.
The tax levy, what the district collects in taxes, remains at $8,641,861. Medina now has not increases taxes in 13 of the last 14 years.
The budget vote will be May 18 from noon to 8 p.m. in the District Office Board Room.
The budget was adopted by board on April 21. It maintains all academic and extra-curricular programs, including modified sports, gifted and talented opportunities, and clubs.
Medina’s overall state aid is up $1,265,391 or by 4.6 percent from $27,494,499 to $28,759,890. The district’s Foundation Aid is up $539,981 or by 3.0 percent from $17,999,389 to $18,539,370.
The budget is down more than $1 million from the $40,491,733 in 2020-21. The proposed spending plan eliminates one clerical and three teaching positions through attrition.
The budget includes the purchase of two large buses. It eliminates one contract bus run and returns it to the district, resulting in $74,800 savings, Kruzynski said.
The budget also includes a new Bobcat vehicle for the Buildings and Grounds department. The district superintendent also said a 2010 capital bond has been paid off.
There are also three seats up for election in Medina this year. There are two 3-year terms and 1-year term that will assume duties on May 19. None of the incumbents – Ann Webster Bunch, Lori Draper, or Brian Koch –submitted petitions to be on the ballot.
Two people – Corrine Ryan and Alissa Bruce – submitted petitions and will be on the ballot. This means at least one of the three vacant seats will be filled by write-in candidates.
People who need an absentee ballot for the budget vote and election should contact District Clerk Julie Kuhn at 585-798-2700 or via email at jkuhn@medinacsd.org.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A flock of geese are in flight in Lyndonville during a sunset over Johnson Creek. The wildlife and rural landscapes are a big part of the appeal in Orleans County.
ALBION – National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry, will spotlight the critical role that travel will play in driving economic recovery efforts and building the path forward through the theme Power of Travel.
Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 38th annual NTTW (May 2-8) arrives at an opportune moment to recognize the importance to the U.S. economy of initiating a post-pandemic travel recovery.
“NTTW takes on a special significance this year as the travel industry looks to rebound quickly from the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “The past year was incredibly challenging, but we saw the full power of the travel industry on display in the way we united and supported one another through this crisis.”
“Before the pandemic, travel generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S.—evidence of the outsized role the industry will play in America’s broader economic recovery,” Dow said.
Orleans County Tourism is saluting the power of travel by participating in a number of regional and statewide campaigns. The “AGLOW” region is launching their new website “Fresh Air Adventures – New York’s Falls to the Finger Lakes” at www.freshairadventuresny.com this month featuring tourism assets throughout Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties as well as an online trip planner.
This logo used to promote tourism in Orleans County includes the courthouse dome and a boat on the Erie Canal.
Through our association with the New York State Tourism Industry (NYSTIA), Orleans County is participating in a statewide collaboration, “Roam the Empire.” NY’s destination marketing organizations, museums, attractions, and other tourism related businesses are rallying New Yorkers to “ROAM THE EMPIRE” and choose their home state when making their 2021 travel and vacation plans. Organizers of the “ROAM THE EMPIRE” initiative point to the obvious benefits that will result if New Yorkers choose to explore the Empire State and vacation in-state in 2021.
Tourism is the third largest industry in New York State. During the pandemic year of 2020, tourism was inarguably New York’s most impacted industry. By year-end 2020, the tourism industry was devastated:
Average annual employment declined 34%, a loss of over 330,000 jobs vs 2019 – nearly three times the employment impact in any other major category!
An estimated 56% loss in travel spending and a corresponding 45% drop in tax revenues, the third most severely impacted state in the country!
Orleans County actually fared better than the metropolitan regions due to our wide open spaces, including world class fishing, the Erie Canal, the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and our camping facilities. Campgrounds were filled to capacity throughout the summer.
The total bed tax collected during 2020 had remained on par from 2019 collections, partially due to the popularity of airbnb vacation rentals during the pandemic. Despite losing valuable state funding used to promote tourism in our area, we’ve had to adjust our sails to continue the momentum created when our department was expanded in 2018. The staff at the Tourism Promotional Agency of Orleans County had to think outside the box to market Orleans County on a limited budget in 2020 and looks forward to 2021 when new funding resources become available.
“Despite the hardships of the last year, Orleans County is ready and eager to welcome back visitors and help drive New York State’s recovery efforts, especially for our local restaurants, specialty shops and attractions,” said Dawn Borchert, Orleans County Tourism director. “National Travel and Tourism Week, the ‘Roam the Empire’ and ‘Fresh Air Adventures NY’ campaigns will remind visitors and residents of the incredible contributions of the travel industry not just to our local economy and workforce, but to our community’s identity and culture.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2021 at 8:37 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Fred Miller, right, presents a special recognition award to Tom Kuryla during Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting.
Kuryla was praised for more than 11 years as commissioner of the county’s Department of Social Services. He was commended for restructuring the department during his tenure, which lowered the county’s operating costs while maintaining services to the public.
“Tom was able to rebalance our workforce with the changes directed by Albany so that Orleans County was able to reduce the workforce and maintain the required services to our residents,” said Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer. “This unique skill was much appreciated by the County Legislators.”
Tom Kuryla thanks the county legislators and the DSS employees during his brief remarks on Wednesday when he was recognized for his service to the county. He led the DSS since Jan. 1, 2010. He came to Orleans after being deputy commissioner in Seneca County.
The DSS and the county’s Job Development Agency in 2019 were recognized by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for the county’s success in transitioning people from public assistance to securing employment. The county was honored for its success from 2015 to 2018.
Under Kuryla, the DSS also stepped up efforts with welfare fraud recoveries and cost avoidance. The DSS would often recover about $75,000 in welfare fraud each year and avoid paying out about $1.5 million in unentitled benefits.
“We appreciate all of Tom’s work in Social Services and for working within the system creating positive change in our County,” Welch said. “Tom Kuryla as Commissioner of Social Services brought a balance to the Social Services Department of serving our residents who are in need with an eye and respect for our taxpayers who provide the funds for these services.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2021 at 3:35 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – There are three or four baby birds making a lot of racket from a nest on the east side of the Orleans County Courthouse, in a crevice below the dome. This is on the side facing the Orleans County Jail.
The nest has been quite a curiosity in recent months. There are plenty of strong opinions whether these birds are crows or ravens.
The parents have been swarming around the Courthouse Square, hanging out in trees and on top of churches.
One of the parents returns to the birds and they greet the parent with wide-open beaks and loud squawks.
At least one of the parents is second from left and returns to check on the babies. The bigger beak could be an indicator that the bird is a raven – or maybe it’s a crow, I can’t say for sure. Others have told me they are too big to be a crow and have to be a raven, but others have also been quite incessant these are crows.
The harried parent takes off to get more food for the youngsters.
The parent is on top of the Albion Free Methodist Church and is either taking a break from the loud baby birds or patrolling for some worms or other food for the demanding infants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 May 2021 at 10:10 am
County moves from last to tied for 7th lowest among 62 counties
Jessica Sutch, an employee with the Job Development Agency in Orleans County, holds a sticker given to people who get vaccinated at a mass clinic at the Ridgeway fire hall. She has been among the volunteers for several months at the vaccine clinics and the Covid testing sites before that run by the Health Department.
Orleans County continues to move past counties in the push to get residents vaccinated.
In early April, Orleans had the lowest percent of residents with at least one vaccine dose among the 62 counties in the state.
Orleans on April 27th moved up to a tie with Fulton County for the third lowest vaccination rate at 32.8 percent.
On Saturday, Orleans was tied was seventh lowest with Steuben County at 35.2 percent. That is still well below the state-wide rate of 46.3 percent with at least one dose or 9,243,145 and the Finger Lakes Region’s rate of 47.4 percent.
Here the 10 lowest vaccination rates (at least one dose) for NY counties:
Allegany County (population: 46,430) – 31.1 percent
Cattaraugus County (population: 76,840) – 34.1 percent
Tioga County (population: 48,560) – 34.4 percent
Lewis County (population: 26,447) – 34.7 percent
Bronx County (population: 1,432,132) – 34.9 percent
Fulton County (population: 53,591) – 35.0 percent
Steuben County (population 95,796) – 35.2 percent
Orleans County (population 40,612) – 35.2 percent
Jefferson County (population: 111,755) – 35.4 percent
Chemung County (population 84,254) – 36.8 percent
In Orleans County, the state’s Vaccine Tracker reports that 14,308 people out of 40,612 have received at least one dose for 35.2 percent. The county has had 26.7 percent or 10,844 of its population complete the vaccine series, the state reported.
The vaccine has been available through pharmacies, Orleans Community Health, Oak Orchard Health and other healthcare providers, as well as the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. The G-O Health Department has been running mass vaccination sites at the Ridgeway Fire Hall and GCC in Batavia.
The Ridgeway site is nearing 10,000 doses. Staff and volunteers at the site have now administered 5,311 first doses and 4,035 second doses, said Paul Pettit, public health for Orleans and Genesee.
Orleans is behind the rate among similar-size nearby rural counties. The rates for the GLOW counties include:
Genesee County (population: 57,511) – 41.0 percent
Livingston County (population: 63,227) – 41.4 percent
Orleans County (population 40,612) – 35.2 percent
Wyoming County (population: 40,085) – 36.7 percent
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – As part of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the Orleans County Corrections Division is committed to meeting the standards of the community, striving to promote safety, security and provide opportunity for rehabilitation. Their core values include respect, responsibility, honesty and empathy.
Our dedicated Corrections Officers have the responsibility to operate a safe and secure detention facility in compliance with the New York State Corrections Law and with regulations set forth by the New York State Commission of Corrections.
Each member faces the difficult and often dangerous assignment of ensuring the security, safety and well-being of the inmates housed in the Orleans County Jail. Their position is essential to daily operations to achieve institutional goals of care, custody and supervision of approximately 600 inmates annually.
Please join us in recognizing our Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officers for their dedication, hard work and service to the community.
(PROCLAMATION 5187-It is appropriate that we honor the many contributions and accomplishments of these men and women who are a vital component of the field of corrections. In recognition of the contributions of correctional officers to our Nation, the Ante, p. 92. Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 132, has designated the week beginning May 6, 1984, as “National Correctional Officers Week,” and authorized and requested the President to issue an appropriate proclamation. – RONALD REAGAN)
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 2 May 2021 at 8:41 am
The weather may have been cold and blustery, but it didn’t stop United Way of Orleans County volunteers from completing their mission.
Friday was Day of Caring, an annual event sponsored by United Way in which local companies allow employees to take the day off to do projects for non-profits in the county. An amazing 88 volunteers showed up at 8 a.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, where they were welcomed by United Way director Dean Bellack and enjoyed breakfast pizza and bagels from Papa Thom’s Rockin’ Bagels, along with coffee from HeBrews 5:9 in Albion.
Danielle Figura, Orleans County mental Health director, works in a flower garden at Cooperative Extension on the 4-H Fairgrounds during United Way of Orleans County’s Day of Caring on Friday.
Volunteers came from Baxter Healthcare, ARC Angels, Arc of Orleans/Genesee, Catholic Charities/Tri-County, Medina Sandstone Society, Takeform, Velociti, Albion village office, M&T Bank and Western New York Energy.
Also, as part of Day of Caring, local Boy Scouts on Saturday cleaned up around the canal Culvert on Culvert Road and Lions Park in Medina.
United Way director Dean Bellack welcomed the volunteers Friday morning and thanked them for their efforts. He also announced United Way in 2020 raised more money than in any other year.
“We’ve had some amazing things happen this year,” Bellack said.
He went on to announce the approval for a $450,000 grant written by Nyla Gaylord with Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern to hire a grant writer and second United Way employee for the next five years. Early Friday morning he also shared the news the county’s grant request, written by Robert Batt from Cooperative Extension, was approved for $364,000 to fund the county’s Digital Divide initiative.
Work sites where volunteers spent the day included the fairgrounds, Headstart in Albion and Medina, Arc of Genesee Orleans, Camp Rainbow, YMCA, canal culvert, Ministry of Concern and P’raising Kids Daycare in Medina.
Volunteers performed such duties as weeding flower beds, planting flowers, raking, painting picnic tables and spreading mulch.
Day of Caring is an annual event sponsored by United Way, except for last year when it was canceled due to Covid.
John and Tim Winters, standing, and Rachel Frasier rake and clean up around P’raising Kids Day Care Center in Medina on Friday’s Day of Caring.
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald. That is the beginning of a great positive message that I lean on often. Drink up each message in this quote like it is life’s tonic of hope and possibilities. Kinda like, it’s not over until it’s over.
The month of May being Mental Illness Awareness Month, it is not lost on me that this quote comes from a man who suffered from alcoholism his entire life and was married to a woman who suffered from mental illness that eventually left her hospitalized at the end of her life.
I wish he could have experienced the wisdom of his words. No matter who you are, you have had struggles, perhaps physical, emotional or both. To that extent you can laugh or cry – make the best of it or the worst of it.
There are times to cry because we need to be able to feel grief, strife, anxiety in order to truly appreciate and feel gratitude for the good times. The trick is not to let those times of despair take control in a way that life seems hopeless.
For me, I use laughter a lot. Whether I see someone struggling or am struggling myself, I feel compelled to create a light-hearted moment. Laughter truly is the best medicine. You can not buy it at the pharmacy, but if you are lucky enough you can pop that top off your own inner bottle any time and feel the anguish slip away, even if only for a moment. I pray everyone can do that.
F. Scott brings home the point that we are all capable of creating a life we are proud of. If not yesterday, then today is a new day and tomorrow is full of hope and possibilities. If you suffer from mental illness I heard that one of the best things to do is create moments to look forward to. Perhaps a long walk in a beautiful park, a home cooked meal with family, a concert, special cuddle time with your dog, game night with your friends, reacquainting yourself with a movie that always made you smile.
To have nothing to look forward to or aspire to, creates a lonely and sad space in your brain. Start creating spaces that are full of daydreams and dreams come true. Joyful moments, creating memories and carving out a plan to make you proud of yourself is a powerful motivator in creating self worth. And as long as you are breathing in life’s beautiful air, you can choose to stay the same if that sameness brings you joy!
Or you can choose to find purpose and make positive changes that will bring you joy. Maybe you need the help and kindness of others. That is totally appropriate and nothing to be ashamed of because we all need help sometimes and truth be told, sometimes those helping reap the greatest rewards. Pack your pride away and reach out when needed, because there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes you need to put your binoculars on to see it… but trust it is there. What do you look forward to?
To see a Positive Art Deco Visit My Blog live online (click here) and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and Share Your Comments.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 May 2021 at 8:58 pm
MEDINA – Cleaning up their community is part of the program for Medina Lions and local Cub and Boy Scout groups.
For more than 20 years, the groups have participated in a cleanup day in Lions Park, near the lift bridge in Medina.
Don Colquhoun has organized the Lions’ efforts for 25 years, he said this morning, while Frank Berger with the Boy Scouts Iroquois Trail Council has organized participation of Cub and Boy Scouts.
Scouts spread mulch under the shrubs in Lions Park Saturday morning, as part of United Way’s Day of Caring on Friday, when they couldn’t participate. In the background, Tim Winters uses the lawn tractor to bring in the mulch.
The day was an extension of United Way’s Day of Caring on Friday, when a dozen or so of the youth and volunteers couldn’t attend, and a celebration of Earth Day, which was April 22. Scouts pledge to “Keep America Beautiful,” and efforts like this help them achieve that goal.
Colquhoun issued a special thanks to Sons of the American Revolution Squadron 204 who did their part by previously cleaning up the south side of the canal from the American Legion on North Main Street to Bates Road. They landscaped, mulched and picked up trash along the way, he said.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Charlene Walsh, a member of Medina Lions, rakes along the bank in Lions Park this morning.
Don Colquhoun, organizer of the Medina Lions’ cleanup efforts on the canal bank and Lions Park, carries a box of supplies to volunteers cleaning up the grounds this morning.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 May 2021 at 7:54 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kathy Blackburn, left, president of the Medina Tree Board, shows third-grader Elizabeth Dresser, with the little shovel at right, how to throw the first shovel of dirt around the tree being planted in front of Gwinn Street Park.
MEDINA – Students in the third grade at Oak Orchard Elementary School got to learn first-hand how to plant a tree and the benefits of trees, during a special presentation Friday morning in Gwinn Street Park.
Planting trees in the park and along Gwinn Street has been a long-time project of the village and its Tree Board. This year they hope to achieve that goal.
On Friday morning, Mayor Mike Sidari and Tree Board members Kathy Blackburn, Bob Sanderson and Jake Hebdon created a special presentation for third-graders at Oak Orchard Elementary School.
Sidari read a proclamation from the village declaring Medina an official Tree City, USA.
The event celebrated Arbor Day, which was first established in 1872 by the Nebraska Board of Agriculture as a day to plant trees.
Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world.
The mayor read how trees are beneficial by combating climate change by reducing erosion of topsoil by wind and water; cutting heating and cooling costs; moderating the temperature; cleaning the air; producing life-giving oxygen and providing a habitat for wildlife. He added trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products.
Medina Mayor Mike Sidari reads a proclamation on Arbor Day to third graders at Oak Orchard Elementary School on Friday morning, during a ceremony at Gwinn Street Park organized by Medina’s Tree Board.
Sidari added that trees in a community increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify the area.
Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal, he added.
He hereby proclaimed April 30 as Arbor Day in the city of Medina and urged all citizens to support efforts to protect the trees and woodlands, and to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
After his proclamation, Tree Board members conducted a little exercise with students, asking them questions about trees.
In a special presentation, Tree Board members were given a plaque of a tree made by the third graders, in which they created a tree by using their thumbs to make the leaves.
The ceremony concluded by Elizabeth Dresser throwing in the first shovel of dirt around a tree which the village was planting in front of the park.
Third-grade students at Oak Orchard Elementary School created a special painting for Medina’s Tree Board, by making a tree, using their thumbs to make leaves. Presenting it to Tree Board members Kathy Blackburn, Bob Sanderson and Jake Hebdon are, at left, Julie Webber, principal; Katie Toub, third-grade teacher; and students Kaia Hamilton, Hendrix Jones and Philip Shannon.
