By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2021 at 1:39 pm
Amber Hofmeister said she likes how tattoos are a way to express oneself and highlight important personal events and passions.
MEDINA – A Medina woman has emerged as a contender to be a cover model for Inked Magazine, a popular publication highlighting people with tattoos.
Amber Hofmeister, 33, entered the contest after being encouraged by a friend to submit some photos. Inked Magazine puts the potential models in groups of five, with the first place winner advancing to then be in new groups of five with others who advanced.
Hofmeister has won three rounds and is currently in first place in the latest grouping. Click here to vote online for her. Voting ends at 10 p.m. today. If she is in first place, she advances to the next round. She would have to win two more rounds to make it to the finals.
Hofmeister said many in the Medina community have shared the contest on social media, helping her to pick up votes.
“The support has been incredible,” she said. “Never did I think I would have that much support from the community.”
Hofmeister, a mother of three boys, has worked the past four years at Velocitii in Medina. She has a side photography business and has preferred being the one behind the camera.
She got her first tattoo when she turned 18. That tattoo on her leg is of Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas.
She has added many more highlighting interests and paying tribute to loved ones. Her left arm, for example, has many nautical-themed tattoos in homage to her grandparents, who loved to go fishing. She has a tattoo of a camera to represent her interest in photography. She has tattoos showing a microphone and piano keys because she enjoys music.
“It’s self expression,” she said about the tattoos.
If Hofmeister wins first in the Inked Magazine contest, she gets $25,000, in addition to being featured on the cover of the magazine.
“This is something that would really help me and my family,” she said about the top prize. “I would love to be able to win for my family and to draw attention to Medina. And if I win I will treat myself to a tattoo.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2021 at 10:39 am
ALBION – State Police have identified the man who was killed in a two-vehicle accident on Wednesday afternoon on West County House Road in Albion.
Steven C. Noah, 46, of Hamlin was pronounced deceased at the scene after a 2016 Jeep he was driving overturned multiple times, with Noah ejected from the vehicle, State Police said this morning. Noah wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, police said.
A 2010 Dodge was east bound on West County House Road, with the driver attempting to make a left-hand turn into a driveway. It struck a 2016 Jeep head-on that was traveling west bound, with the Jeep then overturning several times, State Police said.
The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Forensic Identification Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted in the investigation, which is ongoing, State Police said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2021 at 10:21 am
The International Joint Commission plans to increase outflows from Lake Ontario until the spring peak, a proactive move to try to prevent flooding, the organization said.
The IJC intends to exceed the outflows set in Plan 2014, its lake water level management plan. The lake levels are down 3 inches in the past month and 22 inches lower than the level a year ago.
Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) said he supports the IJC’s decision to increase outflows from Lake Ontario.
“Severe flooding has been devastating to our communities along Lake Ontario,” Jacobs said in a statement. “Small businesses and homeowners have suffered major damage to property, structures, and facilities for several years – ensuring we are doing everything possible to mitigate the threat of flooding is critical. I am proud to have successfully advocated for increased outflows to better protect our lakeshore communities, and I will continue my tireless effort to support their well-being and prosperity.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 February 2021 at 10:09 am
The percentage of positive Covid-19 tests in Orleans has dropped to 3.1 percent over the past seven days.
A week ago, the 7-day average in Orleans was at 4.7 percent. On Feb. 6, Orleans was at 7.2 percent for the seven-day average, the highest in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region.
The current seven-day positivity average for the nine counties in the region includes:
Genesee, 2.4 percent
Livingston, 2.6 percent
Monroe, 2.1 percent
Ontario, 2.3 percent
Orleans, 3.1 percent
Seneca, 3.2 percent
Wayne, 2.2 percent
Wyoming, 5.3 percent
Yates, 1.0 percent
The Finger Lakes had a 7-day positivity rate for Covid-19 at 10.29 percent on Jan. 5, among the highest in the state. Now it is well below 3 percent. The seven-day average is currently 2.39 percent for the Finger Lakes Region. The Southern Tier has the lowest rate at 0.79 percent while the Mid-Hudson is the highest at 4.40 percent.
This data from the governor’s office shows the 7-day positivity rate for the 10 regions in the state.
State-wide the daily positivity rate was 3.15 percent on Wednesday, the lowest since November 23. The 7-day average positivity rate has declined for 41 straight days, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release today.
There were also 6,434 people hospitalized due to Covid on Wednesday, which was down 140 from the previous day and a decline of nearly 3,000 from the 9,273 on Jan. 19.
The Finger Lakes hit a pandemic high with 964 hospitalized due to Covid on Dec. 28. The Covid hospitalizations was down to 265 on Wednesday in the Finger Lakes Region.
“New Yorkers fought through the holiday surge of Covid-19 and came out on the other side, and now that the numbers are decreasing we’re able to loosen the valve and increase economic activity,” Cuomo said. “We’re in a footrace between ongoing new infections and our ability to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as possible, and although we have vaccine distribution sites at the ready throughout the state, we’re limited by available supply. New Yorkers have already had huge burdens to bear, and we’re getting to the light at the end of the tunnel, but we need everyone to double down on the behaviors that make such a difference combatting this pandemic. Wash your hands, wear a mask, stay socially distanced, and be safe.”
Press Release, Independent Living of the Genesee Region
Kara Beth Baker
BATAVIA – Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Kara Beth Baker to assist people with disabilities in the Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County Region as a New York Connects Independent Living Outreach Specialist.
Ms. Baker brings 22 years of experience in counseling and accessibility, including: Counselor/Case Manager with the Salvation Army Men’s Rehabilitation Center in Buffalo; Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program Assistant at Attica Correctional Facility; Residential Habilitation Trainer at Heritage Centers in Alden; Crisis Counselor at Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia; and a 504 Assistant (dealing with Federal disability access) and Board Member at Bethel Elementary School in Bethel, Vermont.
Baker completed a Master Life Coach Certification Program with the Transformation Academy; holds a Certification in Peer Recovery and Ethics from Recovery University of the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services; plus additional coursework and trainings at Liberty University, Cazenovia College, the University of Vermont, and Life Space Crisis Intervention, Inc.
In her new role, Baker will connect people with disabilities and their families to needed home and community-based supports and services, as well as facilitate access to public benefits.
“I intend to use my skills and abilities to offer helpful solutions, and to help consumers help themselves,” she said. “I intend to focus on the individuals’ specific needs in order to help them best navigate their journey.”
ILGR is delighted that Kara Beth Baker is bringing her vast experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2021 at 6:20 pm
Provided photo from Cynthia Kiebala
MEDINA – Rev. Nancy Guenther of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Medina, hands “ashes-to-go” to parishioner Roland Howell as Ash Wednesday was observed today.
The Rev. Guenther distributed at St. John’s in Medina and Rev. Colleen O’Connor did the same at Christ Church in Albion.
The parishioners were given a small bag with ashes, a prayer card and a Touch Stone made of clay and ashes that was imprinted with the sign of the cross.
Ash Wednesday is the start of the Lenten season, which is about six weeks with fasting and prayer for many Christians.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2021 at 5:12 pm
ALBION – A person has been killed after being ejected in a two-vehicle accident on West County House Road at about 4 p.m.
State Police are investigating the accident between Allen’s Bridge and Long Bridge roads. Part of West County House Road is expected to be closed for a few hours.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2021 at 4:28 pm
11 of new cases are at Federal Detention Center in Batavia
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reported 20 new Covid cases in the two counties, with 3 in Orleans and 17 in Genesee.
In Orleans County the 3 new positive cases bring the total of 2,351 confirmed cases since last March.
The positive cases reside in the Central Region (Carlton, Gaines, Albion, Barre) and East Region (Kendall, Murray, Clarendon). The individuals are in the age groups of the 20s and 40s.
Orleans is reporting 2 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are currently 2 county residents hospitalized due to Covid.
Albion Central School is reporting a staff member from the Elementary School has tested positive for Covid-19. The staff member was last in school on Feb. 4. Due to the 48-hour look-back period, the Department of Health determined there was no need to quarantine any additional individuals.
In Genesee County the 17 new positive cases bring the total of 4,087 positive cases since last March.
The new positive cases reside in the 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 and 80s.
Of the new cases, 11 are inmates at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia, which has now had 67 inmates test positive during the pandemic. Another new case reported today is a resident of the LeRoy Village Green Residential Healthcare Facility, where 122 residents have now tested positive for Covid during the pandemic.
Genesee is reporting 11 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list.
There are currently 15 Genesee residents hospitalized due to Covid.
• SCAM Alert: From the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments: We have received word that several older adults in the Rochester area were called. The caller said for a small price they could get them an appointment to be vaccinated.
The caller says no hassle, no worries. The caller “gave them an appointment” and told them to go to a state-run vaccination site in Rochester. When they arrived, they didn’t have an appointment. Lost $100. Please note that no one is to ask for money to set up Covid-19 vaccine registration. If you get a call from someone saying they can get you an appointment for a “small” amount of money, hang up, it is a scam!
Day and overnight summer camps also can plan to reopen this year
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement can open with a 25 percent capacity limit beginning Friday, March 26.
Outdoor amusement parks can open with a 33 percent capacity limit beginning Friday, April 9.
All facilities must submit reopening plans with health protocols to the local health department. Face coverings and social distancing will be required for all customers and staff, and customers will be required to have a health screening with temperature checks prior to entry.
Additionally, day and overnight summer camps in New York State can begin to plan for reopening. The Department of Health will issue specific reopening guidance, including details on timing, in the coming weeks.
“In New York, we base our decisions on the science and data and adjust as the virus adjusts,” Cuomo said. “With continued decreases in the infection and hospitalization rates, we have been able to take steps toward beginning our post-Covid recovery and we are excited to now be in a place where we can bring back our recreational industries with safety protocols in place.”
In addition to face coverings, social distancing and mandatory health screenings, all indoor family and entertainment centers and places of amusement, and outdoor amusement parks, must follow the below guidelines:
Contact information must be collected from each party to inform contact tracing, if needed;
High-touch areas, attractions, and rides must be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day;
Attractions must close if they cannot ensure distancing and be frequently cleaned/disinfected;
Sufficient staff must be deployed to enforce compliance with rules, including capacity, distancing and face coverings;
Tickets should be sold in advance, and entry/exit and waiting times should be staggered to avoid congestion;
Indoor areas must meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards; and
Retail, food services and recreational activities must abide by all state-issued guidance.
Bob Duffy, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and former Lt. Gov., issued this statement:
“The decision to allow reopening of indoor and outdoor amusement parks this spring is welcome progress. Last year Seabreeze, a local treasure, was not able to open their doors to guests, but the bills never stopped. For them and many others in our region, this decision provides much needed relief. This move is one more sign that we are slowly returning to normalcy. Greater Rochester Chamber commends the Governor and his team for putting forth guidelines to allow this reopening.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2021 at 11:49 am
Provided photos: Sheryl Watts, owner and creator of Air Raising Events, is pictured with some of the Balloon Buddies she created.
This woman is pleased after receiving her Balloon Buddy.
MEDINA – Senior citizens at Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Applegate Manor in Medina received a special delivery of “Balloon Buddies” earlier this month.
Sheryl Watts, owner and creator of Air Raising Events, made 152 of the Balloon Buddies with messages. The community paid $15 each to sponsor one of the buddies.
Watts delivered 140 of the buddies to Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (Orchard Manor) on Feb. 8. She brought 12 to Applegate Manor on Feb. 5.
“It was amazing,” Watts said about delivering the Balloon Buddies. “The staff and adopted grandparents were so happy. The support from the community has been very positive and enthusiastic. Families from out of state have been very appreciative of the campaign and happy to see their loved one get a Balloon Buddy to brighten their day.”
She is close to meeting her fundraising goal to take 105 to The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion. Click here for more information about donating or sponsoring.
After the Villages, Watts wants to bring the Balloon Buddies to the Clover Hill site in Albion.
Balloon artists throughout the country are bringing “Balloon Buddies” to residents of nursing homes and assisted-care sites are part of the Adopt-A-Grandparent Balloon Buddy Campaign.
Residents receive a smiley-faced character holding a heart.
The balloon buddy campaign seeks to bring some extra joy to senior living facilities, which have suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic, including extended separation from loved ones.
Watts has added a message that tells the recipients they are not forgotten and are loved.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2021 at 10:27 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone said legalizing recreational marijuana will make the roadways less safe.
ALBION – Orleans County District Attorney Joe Cardone is concerned the state will follow through with legalizing recreational use of marijuana, which he said will result in more accidents and fatalities on the local roadways.
Cardone said Colorado legalized marijuana and marijuana-related traffic deaths went up by three times.
“In other stats, road fatalities have more than tripled,” Cardone said in a conference call Tuesday evening with other local officials. “It’s created a tremendous amount of problems.”
The District Attorneys Association of New York expects the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve legalizing marijuana this year, Cardone said.
Cuomo this week said he will push to have legalization approved as part of the state budget, which is due by April 1.
Cuomo said legalization is projected to create more than 60,000 new jobs, spur $3.5 billion in economic activity while generating an estimated $350 million in tax revenue once fully implemented.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley spoke on the Tuesday conference call and said the state’s fiscal woes are putting even more pressure on state legislators and the governor to legalize marijuana. Hawley said he opposes the move and said the governor has inflated numbers on the economic benefits of legalization.
“It’s hiding in the budget bill,” Hawley said about the marijuana proposal. “It should be based on facts and figures and statistics. We’re going to do all we can to make sure this isn’t going to happen.”
Cardone said the state shouldn’t ease up on laws to generate revenue.
“I see it as selling out on our morality to balance budget, which is wrong,” Cardone said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2021 at 9:24 am
County working with Genesee, Wyoming for regional mass vaccine clinic
ALBION – Orleans County officials were disappointed last week when its weekly vaccine allotment was cut from 400 to 200.
This week the county received 500 doses, plus 200 second doses for those who received the first dose about 28 days ago.
Despite the increase in allotments this week, Public Health Director Paul Pettit said there is a long way to go for the county which has about 40,000 residents.
“That’s 500 doses for tens of thousands of people,” Pettit said. “It’s obviously not enough to go around.”
The breakdown of the 500 doses this week includes 200 for the Orleans County Health Department for essential workers and those with underlying conditions. (The Health Department also will administer 200 of the second doses, making those people fully vaccinated.)
Orleans Community Health will receive 100 doses for patients and those with underlying conditions.
Oak Orchard Health will receive 100 doses for patients and those with underlying conditions.
Rosenkrans Pharmacy in Medina will receive 100 doses for residents 65 and older.
Pettit bemoaned the system for signing up for vaccines has been very frustrated for people, with typically no appointments available or the state website crashing from too many users.
Pettit and Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, were on a state conference call on Tuesday afternoon with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He said the state is working to develop regional mass vaccination sites to speed up the pace of people getting vaccinated.
Pettit and Johnson said Orleans is reaching out to Genesee and Wyoming counties for a tri-county mass vaccination clinic that may be at GCC. Pettit said the counties will apply to the state for the mass vaccination site that would include staffing from the National Guard.
Each of the three counties is too small on its own for a mass vaccination site, but Pettit said the three together have a better chance of meeting the state’s expectations and being selected for such a site.
Johnson said Cuomo, on the conference call, wants the regional clinics targeted to communities “underserved and disproportionately hit” by Covid.
“That’s us,” Johnson said in a Tuesday evening conference call with local government officials at the village, town and county level.
“Orleans County needs vaccines,” Johnson said. “As you are all aware eligibility doesn’t meet availability here in Orleans County.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2021 at 7:23 pm
Officers Navas, Reeves and Meredith presented UR Trauma Star Commendation
Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina Police Chief Chad Kenward recognizes police officer Christian Navas for applying a tourniquet after a woman suffered a serious dog bite on Dec. 7. Kenward also recognized officers Jacob Reeves, left, and Dustin Meredith, center.
MEDINA – Three Medina police officers were dispatched to a home on South Main Street in Dec. 7. They didn’t know how serious the situation was because the call was disconnected to the 911 center at 4:44 p.m.
Officer Christian Navas was first on the scene and was soon followed by officers Jacob Reeves and Dustin Meredith. The latter was doing his field training as a new officer.
Navas entered the house and saw a woman with a very serious dog bite. Her right foot had nearly been bitten off by a dog, a mixed breed.
The resident thought the dog was safely outside, but it barged into the house. The victim of the dog bite was a visiting nurse.
Navas acted quickly, taking Reeves’ personal tourniquet and wrapping it tightly around the injured woman’s thigh. That prevented her from bleeding out and possibly dying.
Reeves and Meredith were able to keep people calm at the scene and provide support.
Navas said officers frequently train on first aid. Even in tactical training, officers will suddenly be told they need to provide aid to another officer, including applying tourniquets. Navas said the injured woman didn’t panic despite the immense pain and scariness of the situation.
“She was such a fighter,” Navas said. “I’ve never seen such a gruesome injury.”
Medina police officer Christian Navas is pictured by a Stop the Bleed display through the University of Rochester and Strong Memorial Hospital. He was credited for quickly putting a tourniquet on a woman’s leg after she suffered a serious dog bite. His actions are credited with saving the woman’s foot and possibly her life.
Medina firefighters – Tyler Harrington and Lt. Steve Cooley – responded soon after the police officers and then found a tourniquet was already properly in place. That allowed them to set a splint to stabilize the open fractures. They then transported the woman to Strong Memorial Hospital. She was there 54 minutes after the initial dispatch call, within the “golden hour” when care is so critical to survival and recovery.
The woman survived and doctors were able to reattach her foot without an amputation. She wanted to express her “heartfelt appreciation” to the police officers and firefighters for their fast and very proficient response, said Todd Draper, lieutenant of the Medina PD.
The three police officers today were presented Trauma Star Commendation awards today from the University of Rochester. The officers were praised for “stopping the bleed” in those early minutes after the 911 call. The awards from the University of Rochester Medical Center were presented by William Hallinan, Trauma Program Manager, and Nick VanStaalduinen, Trauma Injury Prevention/Outreach Coordinator.
Draper said the response from the police officers shows the interagency cooperation between the police and fire department.
“There are no routine days for law enforcement or emergency responders,” Draper said during a presentation in the main meeting room at City Hall. “This is something our guys are out doing everyday along with our partners at the Medina Fire Department.”
Jacob Reeves, the police department’s field training officer, was doing the field training for Dustin Meredith, a new officer on the police department. Meredith joined the Medina PD after working as the animal control officer in Orleans County. He has seen many dog bites, but never one as serious as the incident in Medina on Dec. 7.
The dog in the attack has been euthanized.
This group of Medina police officers and firefighters responded to a call on Dec. 7 when a nurse visiting a Medina home suffered a very serious dog bite where her right foot was nearly bitten off. Their quick actions saved the woman’s foot and likely prevented her from bleeding out and dying. Pictured from left include Dustin Meredith and Christian Navas of the police department, Tyler Harrington and Lt. Steve Cooley of the fire department, and police officer Jacob Reeves.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2021 at 4:41 pm
New cases reported in past 4 days include 15 in Orleans, 39 in Genesee
The number of active Covid cases in Orleans County, 38 today, is the fewest in the county since there were 37 on Dec. 1, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
Genesee County, with 73 active cases reported today, is at its lowest level since it had 54 active cases on Nov. 9.
Wyoming County is reporting 61 active cases today, which is up slightly from the 58 on Feb. 9, its low in the post-holiday surge. The 58 on Feb. 9 was the fewest cases since 54 on Nov. 9.
There are currently 172 cases in the three counties. On Jan. 7 there were 718 active cases in the three counties. Orleans hit a pandemic high of 279 active cases on Jan. 7. As recently as Jan. 22, Genesee had 241 active cases. Wyoming County reached its pandemic high with 202 active cases on Jan. 8.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments provided the first update in local cases this afternoon since Friday.
Orleans County has 15 new confirmed positive cases of Covid, bringing the total to 2,348 cases since last March.
The positive cases reside 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, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s. One of the new cases is a resident of the Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.
Orleans is reporting 41 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are two county residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.
In Genesee County there 39 new confirmed cases of Covid since Friday, bringing the total to 4,070 positive cases since last March.
The new positive cases reside 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, 70s and 80s. One of the new cases is a resident of the Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Batavia.
Genesee is reporting 47 of the previous positive individuals have recovered and been removed from the isolation list. There are 14 Genesee residents currently hospitalized due to Covid.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2021 at 1:33 pm
Families thrilled heartwarming article has lifted people’s spirits during pandemic
Photos by Tom Rivers: Cooper Traxler, 6, gives his date Natalee Olsen a ride in a Power Wheels toy car at the McDonald’s drive-through on Sunday for Valentine’s Day. Lt. Steve Fox of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office provided an escort while they were driving to keep them safe in the loop around the store.
ALBION – The article on the Orleans Hub on Valentine’s Day about the two 6-year-olds hitting the drive-through at McDonald’s in a toy car has gone viral, and been featured by many news sites in Western New York and beyond. The Fox News station in New York City put together this article today (click here) and is putting it on their national platforms.
The parents of Cooper Traxler and Natalee Olsen reached out to the Orleans Hub about the special Valentine’s Day planned for the two kids who became best friends in kindergarten.
The Traxlers appreciated someone donating a Power Wheels car after Cooper’s mom Jamie posted on Facebook that he wanted to take his date through the drive-through and order their meal like adults. The car was left in Cooper’s dad’s truck with a note from a “Hopeless Romantic.”
The families asked the Sheriff’s Office to provide an escort for Cooper and Natalee to make sure they were safe in the drive-through. Deputy Jeff Cole and his K-9 Otto rode in front of the two in their toy car with Lt. Steve Fox behind.
After Cooper and Natalee made a loop around the McDonald’s in the toy car, they went inside to eat their cheeseburger Happy Meals. Cooper decorated a table and had flowers and a gift basket for Natalee.
“I just thought that with all the negativity going on, this story would be truly heartwarming and cute to cover,” Mrs. Traxler said.
Cooper Traxler and Natalee Olsen settle in their decorated booth at McDonald’s. Cooper wants to be a K-9 handler and wears a jacket courtesy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office from a couple years ago when he met K9 Otto and handler Jeff Cole while Cooper was in preschool. Cooper had on a dress shirt with a tie under the jacket.
Mrs. Traxler is amazed how fast the story spread with more than 1,200 shares on the Orleans Hub Facebook and more than 1,600 likes.
“We all need to see heartwarming events like this after the year that we had,” Mrs. Traxler said today. “That something so innocent and pure just pulls on the heart strings. Seeing their story puts a smile on everyone’s face. It is not something you see everyday.”
She and her family are grateful the story has connected with so many people.
“Let this story soar to bring joy, love and smiles to everyone!” she said.
Ciara Olsen, Natalee’s mom, said she has heard from many in the community how the Valentine’s Day date was “super cute” with the two kids dressed up in fancy clothes once they were inside McDonald’s.
“I didn’t expect it to be like this,” Mrs. Olsen said about the article’s popularity. “Usually what we read in the news isn’t positive. But this is bringing people together.”
