By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2020 at 9:58 pm
MEDINA – The lightning strike that hit City Hall last Tuesday could keep the phones for Medina’s village offices off line for at least another week, Mayor Mike Sidari said.
The lightning hit the City Hall and Fire Department annex, and took out phone lines, computer servers, two computers and damaged the HVAC system. Sidari said it might have been two lightning strikes.
“We’re not in a good spot,” Sidari said today. “We’re getting estimates.”
Many of the phone lines and ethernet wires “are fried beyond repair,” the mayor said.
A contractor will need to trace the lines to determine the full extent of the repairs needed.
Sidari expects the village is looking at about $10,000 in damages. The village has a $1,000 deductible and the insurance company has agreed to cover the rest of the costs.
The drive-through window remains open at the Village Office on Park Avenue. For all emergency calls for the fire department and police department, please dial 911, Sidari said.
For non-emergency calls for fire and police, call (585) 589-5527, which goes to the dispatch center at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2020 at 8:56 pm
Kristine Mostyn, assistant director the past 10 years, is the library’s new leader
MEDINA – Catherine Cooper has retired after 33 years of service to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.
Cooper worked 23 years as assistant director and the past decade as the director. She led a renovation of the library, and pushed for public art projects, concerts and other events to bring in the community.
Lee-Whedon hired Kristine Mostyn as the new director. Mostyn has worked at the library for 10 years as the assistant director. Her vision for the future aligns with Mrs. Cooper’s, the library said in a statement.
“Kristine will continue to expand programming and hopefully expand the building for more community space,” according to the statement from the library today.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Catherine Cooper is shown in November 2013, sitting in one of the reupholstered chairs. She said the remodeled library added “warmth” and technology.
Cooper led several ambitious projects at Lee-Whedon. During a renovation completed in 2013, the library was emptied for a major overhaul.
The library closed for five weeks for the renovations. The library used to feel and look like a big long room all painted in the same color, a beige-yellow. The carpet was also one solid color.
“It was kind of blah,” Cooper said during a previous interview with the Orleans Hub.
The project left the library full of color – on the walls and on the floor. The walls were painted green, blue and yellow. The carpet has circles and other designs to help delineate spaces in the library. The library also added many pedant lights that hang from the ceiling.
The project also replaced the ceiling, and added many new high-speed Internet access points and upgraded computer technology.
The renovation created a teen area with a divider with a big circle cutout for people to walk through into the teen space. That helps give teens the feeling of their own spot in the library.
Lee-Whedon opened the 11,000-square-foot library in 1966. The inside of the building didn’t change too much for nearly a half century until the five-week construction project from Sept. 28 to Nov. 1, 2013. Cooper said that project, with internet connections in power chairs, brought Lee-Whedon into the 21stCentury.
Cooper wasn’t done with making the site more appealing to the public. She pushed for art projects in the children’s section, include an entrance that resembles a giant children’s book. That book features many characters from children’s books, such as Wilbur, the pig from Charlotte’s Web.
Judith Villavisanis, an artist, created the giant book entrance in 2014.
Villavisanis returned to Lee-Whedon to paint a new “Worlds of Wonder” mural in the children’s section, finishing that project on the south wall in 2018.
Cooper for the past 19 years also coordinated the concert series, Finally Fridays! Those events typically brought in about 200 people on Friday evenings during the winter for live music performances.
Cooper, in her retirement, will stay active in the community as Ridgeway town historian. She also is an active member with the Tuesday Club and the Medina Historical Society.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2020 at 4:50 pm
Orleans County has suffered an additional death from Covid-19, bringing the county’s total to 54.
The latest death was a resident of the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina, where 23 residents have now died from Covid-19.
“We are saddened to report the death of one of our county residents,” according to a statement from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments. “This person lived at the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this very challenging time.
Orleans also has 2 new positive cases of Covid-19. The county has now had 266 residents test positive for the coronavirus.
One of the new positive individuals lives in Barre and the other lives at the Orchard Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
One of the individuals is in the 20s and the other is in the 60s. Neither of the two new positive individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive.
The county is reporting one more recovery from Covid-19, bringing that total to 111.
In Genesee County, there are 3 new positive cases of Covid-19, bringing the Genesee total to 224 cases.
Two of the new positive individuals reside in Batavia and the other lives in Le Roy.
One of the individuals is in the 20s, one is in their 40s and the other is in the 50s.
None of the new positive individuals were on mandatory quarantine prior to testing positive. Eight of previous community cases have recovered, bringing Genesee’s recoveries to 159.
Click here to view the online map of confirmed cases in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
More from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments:
• The facility breakdown is only showing the total positive cases from those facilities from where we received a positive swab for COVID-19.
• July Fourth holiday and Graduation Parties: Now that summer is in full swing and with the Independence Day holiday and graduation parties picking up it is important to limit the number of contacts people have.
Make sure you are practicing social distancing especially if you have underlying health conditions or are over 65 years old. Wear masks/face coverings whenever you are out in public, especially if you cannot maintain a 6-foot space between non-household members. Wash or sanitize your hands and shared items often.
The most important thing to remember is if you are having any type of symptoms to STAY HOME! Some of the symptoms people have been reporting are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste and/or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, headaches, fatigue nausea or vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Quarantine for travelers from nine states: New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut announced that as of 12:01 a.m. today travelers from states with high coronavirus rates will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days. Click here to see the travel advisory and click here for interim travel guidance.
Currently, states include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah and Texas. Those violating could be subject to a judicial order and mandatory quarantine and potential fines. These states may change at any time.
To file a report of an individual failing to adhere to the quarantine pursuant to the travel advisory, please call 1-833-789-0470 or visit this website.
• Community Testing: Oak Orchard Health is now able to provide expanded Covid-19 swabbing to the public at their Albion location (future locations may be added later). Anyone needing testing and meeting the criteria (being symptomatic or required for profession) can call Oak Orchard Health at 585-589-5613 for an appointment, no walk-ins.
Oak Orchard Health will do their best to accommodate scheduling demands, but be aware appointments may fill up quickly. The current testing schedule is Monday 3:40 to 4:40 p.m., Tuesday 4 to 5 p.m., Wednesday 2:20 to 3:20 p.m., Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m., and Friday from 3:20 to 4:20 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2020 at 3:43 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This banner of Sidney Eddy hangs on a light pole next to the First Presbyterian Church of Albion. Eddy served in World War I. He returned to Albion and ran a printing company and was a charter member of the Albion Rotary Club.
The Albion Department of Public Works hung up 33 banners this morning.
Provided photo: Albion Mayor Eileen Banker coordinated the effort with the banners. She is shown in a lift next to the banner of her father, the late John Pahura. The banners are 2 ½ feet by 5 feet.
“They look beautiful,” Banker said today.
Families or loved ones of the soldiers paid the cost for the banners. Banker is putting in another order for about 15 more banners.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2020 at 12:19 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that the State Police will have a fireworks enforcement detail with a focus on keeping illegal fireworks from coming into the state.
The governor said most of the fireworks are coming from Pennsylvania. Communities throughout the state have been subjected to residents setting off fireworks at night. That includes villages in Orleans County.
“I want to remind New Yorkers that fireworks are illegal and that fireworks are dangerous,” Cuomo said during a news conference today.
He said some nights sound “like the Wild West” with fireworks being set off.
“They bother people and they are dangerous,” Cuomo said about the fireworks going off in residential neighborhoods.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 June 2020 at 10:07 am
Henry Waters Jr., after serving under General Grant, returned to Medina and became a community leader
MEDINA – Patty Blackburn is very proud of her ancestry, especially her great-grandfather who served in the Civil War. Last year she was looking at the banners which had been hung throughout Medina paying tribute to veterans from Medina who have served their country, and realized there were no veterans from the Civil War.
Patty Blackburn of Medina holds a pin which belonged to her great-grandfather Henry Waters, who served in the Civil War. He is the first Civil War soldier to be honored on a banner in downtown Medina.
Mary Woodruff, a Ridgeway town councilwoman, coordinated the effort to get the banners in Medina. There are 107 banners of veterans so far, with more expected next year.
“I thought it was such an honorable thing for Mary Woodruff to do,” Blackburn said. “When I realized there were no soldiers from the Civil War I asked if she would like one. I had been looking at this picture of Henry on my wall all my life. He had it made for his wife when he went to war.”
Blackburn took down the picture of her great-grandfather Henry Waters Jr., gathered up his memorabilia and called Woodruff.
Blackburn said Henry was 25 when he bought a $40 Sharps rifle and went to war. He served with the 151st New York Volunteers under General Grant and the Grand Army of the Republic. Henry was in the honor guard when General Lee left the court house at Appomattox after surrendering.
“The men were told to be 100 percent respectful to Lee,” Blackburn said. “Lee had gone to the court house alone, because he didn’t want his men to be humiliated.”
Henry served at many battles of the Civil War, including Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Third Winchester and Appomattox. He was separated from Federal service in Washington, D.C. on June 26, 1865.
Henry was born on April 11, 1837 in Palmyra, one year after the Alamo, Blackburn explained. His parents were one of the early settlers of Ridge Road. His father Henry first went to Batavia in 1828 and after looking about the section for a week, he returned home where he decided to remain, as land in the Holland tract was too expensive considering the amount of work which would have to be done to prepare it for cultivation.
Then in the fall of 1829, Henry was attracted to a group of pioneers traveling from Connecticut and he joined them, traveling with them to Batavia. At this point he learned of a former acquaintance who had taken up land northwest of what is now Albion, and Henry decided to pay him a visit and look at land there.
He set forth upon his horse and made good time until he reached the Alabama swamp, where he became confused and decided to return to Batavia. His next attempt was in the company of Uri Moore, who at the time was in Batavia conducting business at the Holland Land Office. Henry rode with Moore as far as his hotel in Medina, where he stayed the night, continuing to Ridgeway the next day.
Henry returned to Palmyra to get his family, sending them on the canal. He and his son Henry Jr. then rode on horses and drove a team of oxen hitched to a wagon loaded with essentials. Their new home was the large cobblestone house at the corner of Ridge Road and Oak Orchard River Road. Blackburn said there was a general store on the first floor.
This cobblestone house at the corner of Ridge Road and Oak Orchard River Road at Oak Orchard on the Ridge is the ancestral home of Patty Blackburn of Medina. Her great-grandfather Henry Waters Jr., who lived there, is the first Civil War soldier to be memorialized on one of the banners hanging throughout downtown Medina.
Henry Jr. went to school at Oak Orchard on the Ridge and was very attentive, except for several days one spring when high water washed out the log bridge on Oak Orchard Creek. His father was one of the settlers who went to Rochester and insisted upon an improved road through the flats, and succeeded in getting a log bottom road, which was a vast improvement.
Provided photos: Alonzo Waters is a great-uncle of Patty Blackburn of Medina. He served in the 308th Field Artillery 78th Division during World War I. Blackburn’s great-grandfather was in the Civil War, and she has had his picture put on one of the banners paying tribute to veterans, which line the streets downtown.
Gilbert Howell, a colonel who served in the War of 1812 in the local area, took up the land on the corner of Ridge Road, south of the Waters’ property. Howell did considerable work for Henry in exchange for help in building his first buildings.
Henry Jr. married Triphene Achilles, daughter of Alfred Achilles, who took up 149 acres adjoining Henry in 1837. Henry purchased land adjoining his parents, where he lived all his life. He died Oct. 30, 1903.
Henry Jr. had a son Frank, who served the town of Ridgeway as supervisor from 1908 to 1911, and was chosen chairman of the board in 1910. He was elected to the Assembly in 1910 and re-elected in 1911. Information provided by Blackburn states Frank purchased the 20-room brick home on Ridge Road near his boyhood home, which he named “Riverside.” Blackburn said she thought his boyhood home was the large cobblestone home on the corner of Ridge Road and Oak Orchard River Road, but she had never heard it referred to as “Riverside.”
No one can confirm there was a brick home, and it is believed it is a reference to the cobblestone home, as there is no information available about a second 20-room home in the area. However, William Mesler, who has lived across the road for 70 years, said the back of the cobblestone home was partly brick.
Mesler also provided information about having talked to Jennie Beals, who lived in the hollow near the creek and told him there used to be a tunnel running from her house to the cobblestone house which was part of the Underground Railroad. Mesler then said a member of the Waters family years ago lived in a big house on Oak Orchard Creek Road, north of the cobblestone house, but he didn’t know which Waters.
Patty Blackburn’s cousin Robert Waters also served his county as a member of the Army during World War II.
Former Orleans County historian Bill Lattin checked an 1813 atlas in his possession and came up with the following information.
The Honorable Frank Waters (Frank Jr.’s father) purchased 26 acres at Oak Orchard Village on Ridge Road. It consisted of 10 acres of apple trees, five acres of peach trees and 2 acres of pear trees. Crops raised were wheat, corn and potatoes, which thrived because of a good well and the creek nearby.
It also describes a “commodious farm mansion of 20 rooms built of stone,” (obviously referring to Riverside) and a grain barn, storage house, tenant house and cooper shop.
Henry Waters Jr. isn’t the only veteran in Blackburn’s past who served his country. Her parents were Lewis and Dorothy Waters. Lewis was a brother of Alonzo Waters, noted publisher of the Medina Journal Register, Harold Waters and Viola Waters. Alonzo served with the 308th Field Artillery 78th Division during World War I. Alonzo’s son was the late Robert Waters, pillar of the Medina community who also became publisher of the Medina Journal Register. Robert served with U.S. Army during World War II.
Blackburn thinks it would be appropriate for the next round of banners to include Alonzo and Robert.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2020 at 9:19 am
MEDINA – The phone lines have been down for nearly a week at the Medina Village Office after a lightning strike last Tuesday.
The lightning hit the City Hall and Fire Department annex, and took out the phone lines..
“We have several phone and computer lines that were ‘fried’ from the strike,” Medina Mayor Mike Sidari posted on Facebook this morning. “Hopefully within the next couple of days they will be up and working properly. If you have any questions you can use the drive-up window (at the Village Office).”
For all emergency calls for the fire department and police department, please dial 911, Sidari said.
For non-emergency calls for fire and police, call (585) 589-5527, which goes to the dispatch center.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 June 2020 at 8:57 am
With major fundraiser cancelled GOMOC uses raffles to generate revenue
Provided photo: Captain Paul Nau of Lake Runner Charters and first mate Hunter Westcott drew the winning ticket for a half-day fishing charter to benefit Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. The trip, donated by Nau, would have been auctioned off at GOMOC’s annual gala, which had to be canceled because of the pandemic.
ALBION – With the recent pandemic, Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern has had to change its approach to fundraising, according to director Nyla Gaylord.
Faced with the need for a new truck for their Furniture Program and having to cancel their gala fundraiser in April, Gaylord and her fundraising committee decided to raffle off some of the major items donated for the event which has been rescheduled for October.
This week at Lure’s Restaurant in Bald Eagle Marina, the winning ticket was drawn for a half day fishing charter with Captain Paul Nau from Lake Runner Charters, who donated the trip for a second year in a row.
The winner was Charlie Sheets of Clarendon. He will be joined by three of his friends on the fishing trip.
Gaylord was delighted with the results of the raffle, saying they made more selling raffle tickets than they would have made at a live auction during our event.
“We are grateful to Captain Nau for his donation and willingness to donate another charter for our fundraiser,” she said.
A committee member paid for printing the raffle tickets.
GOMOC plans to use the profits from the raffle, which totaled $2,000, toward the purchase of a much-needed truck for their furniture program.
GOMOC has also decided to auction off additional donated items on their Facebook page during the summer. These include a drone, a bicycle and assorted gift baskets.
Meanwhile, plans are going forward for the gala event on Oct. 17, featuring entertainer Jimmy Mazz. Because it is Sweetest Day, Mazz has changed his program to focus on love songs, including a medley of songs paying tribute to love, charity and the celebration of goodwill.
“After all, this is what the Ministry of Concern is all about,” Gaylord said.
During the “pause” GOMOC, known as the “Agency of Last Resort,” continued to maintain regular hours of operation, even with reduced staff, Gaylord said.
GOMOC helps people overcome difficult circumstances when no other help is available. They assist with personal care items, bedding, prescription co-pays, preventing utility shut-off and limited assistance with emergency shelter. The Furniture Program picks up gently used donated furniture and delivers it free of charge to families in need.
Their Just Friends Program teaches positive values and helps youth develop the skills to succeed in life and work.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the agency has expanded its services and received emergency funding from a variety of sources. With funding from the Western New York Covid-19 Community Response Fund, GOMOC has been able to assist people impacted by layoff or reduction in hours, by helping them maintain their car insurance and/or assisting with car payments.
“This service is not offered anywhere else in the community,” Gaylord said. “Public transportation in Genesee and Orleans counties is limited, and keeping a car on the road is critical for people working or returning to work. Many low-income workers with limited credit options have high car payments, some with interest as high as 24.5%. These are people who work hard, but cannot afford a big unplanned expense. Faced with reduced work hours, job loss or temporary unemployment, many are forced to make tough choices on how to spend reduced funds. If we can help them by making a monthly car payment or insurance payment, it may be enough to help them overcome the current crisis.”
Gaylord said they have found many people who did not know they were eligible for Unemployment Insurance or public benefits, such as SNA:/Food Stamps or HEAP. GOMOC has been able to help them by providing them with information and assistance to assess these resources.
Along with other organizations, GOMOC brokers FEMA and Salvation Army funds to help prevent shutoff of water, heat and electricity.
Gaylord also expressed how touched she was by the generosity of people in the community and their long-time donors and supporters.
“Some of the local churches, even though they are not meeting in person, are still active in their ministry and support of Ministry of Concern,” she said.
Last year, Gaylord said 3,782 people benefitted from services of GOMOC. This was an increase of 874 (or 30%) over the previous year.
“We have no idea how the demand for our services will change as our community and nation respond to the ever-changing challenges of dealing with the pandemic,” she said. “What I do know is that our community and out-of-area donors help us to help our neighbors through tough times – and for that we are grateful.”
Legislation could be ‘game-changer’ in bringing investment to STAMP site in Genesee County
Press Release, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer
Citing concerns that China is catching up to the U.S. in microelectronics production capacity, U.S. Senator Schumer today unveiled the American Foundries Act, a bipartisan initiative that seeks to re-establish U.S. leadership and revitalize innovation in the global microelectronics sector.
Schumer explained that the bipartisan legislation would make critical investments in domestic commercial and defense-related microelectronics manufacturing and research and development, and address economic and national security concerns by decreasing U.S. dependence on foreign-made semiconductor chips.
“The economic and national security risks posed by relying too heavily on foreign semiconductor suppliers cannot be ignored, and Upstate New York, which has a robust semiconductor sector, is the perfect place to grow this industry by leaps and bounds,” said Senator Schumer. “America must continue to invest in our domestic semiconductor industry, including companies like GlobalFoundries, ON Semiconductor, IBM and Cree right here in New York, in order to keep good-paying, high-tech American manufacturing jobs here at home. We need to ensure our domestic microelectronics industry can safely and securely supply our military, intelligence agencies, and other government needs. This is essential to our national security and to U.S. leadership in this critical industry.”
The senator noted that even though the U.S. revolutionized the microelectronic industry and invented much of the key technology used to this day, competitors in Asia, especially China, have made huge investments into their microelectronics industries in recent years to challenge U.S. leadership.
In fact, Schumer pointed out, 78% of cutting-edge wafer fabrication capacity is now based in Asia, with last year being the first year that North America fell behind China.
Schumer has long-championed increased efforts to expand the domestic microelectronics industry, supporting companies like GlobalFoundries, which houses their most advanced ‘Fab 8’ manufacturing facility in Malta, New York, IBM, and others. With New York home to multiple major companies and research institutions in the semiconductor industry, the state is positioned to securely supply the U.S. government with critical technologies and maintain U.S. leadership in this technology, offering a tremendous opportunity for New York’s semiconductor companies to expand operations, create more jobs in Upstate New York, and help the U.S. reduce its reliance on foreign semiconductor manufacturing.
Specifically, supporters of the American Frontiers Act include GlobalFoundries, IBM, ON Semiconductor, Cree, Inc., the Genesee County Economic Development Center, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Cornell University, Binghamton University, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
“Senator Schumer has long recognized that our 1,250-acre STAMP site in Genesee County presents a tremendous opportunity to create thousands of high quality semiconductor jobs for the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions,” said Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). “Our challenge has always been the considerable cost to get the site developed and shovel ready in the global competition to land projects of this scale. This legislation though is a game-changer in so many ways as it will support cutting-edge domestic semiconductor development and increases in semiconductor manufacturing capacity at a crucial time in our nation’s history.”
Schumer said he will aim to include the legislation as an amendment in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Senator Schumer introduced the American Foundries Act of 2020 in the Senate, along with Senators Cotton (R-Arkansas), Reed (D-Rhode Island), Hawley (R-Missouri), Gillibrand (D-New York), Risch (R-Idaho), Jones (D-Alabama), Collins (R-Maine), King (I-Maine), and Rubio (R-Florida), and details of the bill can be found below:
Support for Commercial Microelectronics Projects: Authorizes the Department of Commerce to award $15 billion in grants to states to assist in the construction, expansion, or modernization of microelectronics fabrication, assembly, test, advanced packaging, or advanced research and development facilities.
Support for Secure Microelectronics Projects: Authorizes the Department of Defense to award $5 billion in grants for the creation, expansion, or modernization of one or more commercially competitive and sustainable microelectronics manufacturing or advanced research and development facilities capable of producing measurably secure and specialized microelectronic for defense and intelligence purposes. This funding may go to primarily commercial facilities capable of producing secure microelectronics.
R&D Funding: Authorizes $5 billion in R&D spending to secure U.S. leadership in microelectronics. Requires agencies that receive this funding to develop policies to require domestic production, to the extent possible, for any intellectual property resulting from microelectronics research and development as a result of these funds. The new R&D funding would be broken up as follows:
$2 billion for DARPA’s Electronics Resurgence Initiative
$1.5 billion for the National Science Foundation
$1.25 billion for the Department of Energy
$250 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Microelectronics Research Plan: Establishes a subcommittee of the President’s Council on Science and Technology to produce a report each year to guide and coordinate funding for breakthroughs in next-generation microelectronics research and technology, strengthen the domestic microelectronics workforce, and encourage collaboration between government, industry, and academia.
Safeguards: Prohibits firms owned, controlled or otherwise influence by the Chinese government from accessing funds provided by the legislation.
“Senator Schumer’s American Foundries Act is the type of innovative, bipartisan legislation that we need to build on our regional strengths and grow the Hudson Valley economy post-pandemic,” said Mike Oates, President and CEO of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation. “With industry leaders like IBM, GlobalFoundaries, and soon ON Semiconductor right here in the Hudson Valley, it is no secret that investing in the microelectronics manufacturing and research and development space will enhance our ability to manufacture semiconductor chips, create jobs, and reimage our economy.”
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York State’s lowest death toll and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Yesterday, there were five deaths and 869 hospitalizations in New York State.
“As states across the country struggle with new outbreaks related to reopening, New York’s numbers continue to go down to record lows,” Governor Cuomo said. “Our progress is a direct result of New Yorkers’ discipline and hard work and an incremental, data-driven reopening. Yesterday, as our hospitalizations dropped below 900, New York had its lowest single-day death toll since March 15th. While today’s numbers are very encouraging, New Yorkers must remain vigilant or the numbers will shoot right back up. Be smart, wear a mask, stay New York Tough!”
Today’s data is summarized briefly below:
Patient Hospitalization – 869 (-39)
Patients Newly Admitted – 54 (-24)
Number ICU – 229 (-1)
Number ICU that are intubated – 145 (+1)
Deaths – 5
Total Deaths in NY from Covid-19 – 24,835
Of the 61,906 tests conducted in New York State yesterday, 616, or 0.99 percent, were positive.
The Governor also confirmed 616 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 392,539 confirmed cases in New York State.
I caught this little beauty at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. It is a Monarch Butterfly.
I am not a scientist but here is my dumbed down version of a butterfly’s transformation. The female lays eggs on the underside of milkweed which takes 3-8 days to become caterpillars, which then mature in 15-25 days. The caterpillar spins a silk pad to transform in for 8-15 days, then a majestic butterfly emerges.
It’s bright colors warn predators they taste bad and may be poisonous. So what they lack in palatability they more than make up for with visual impact. These creatures have the most spectacular orange wings with black veins and white speckled edges. Spiritually the color orange is a symbol of strength and endurance. A Monarch needs strength because each year It embarks on a difficult journey migrating from north to south in the fall.
Some say that “Life” is being represented in the caterpillar stage while the animal creeps along to survive. As the animal matures in the silk pad it is said to represent “Death”, followed by “Rebirth” when the Monarch Butterfly emerges!
Maybe this is why Christians view the Monarch as a symbol of resurrection. Many feel Monarchs are signs from angels. Perhaps a sign from someone you love who has passed, letting you know it is OK to embrace the changes that will come with their passing. Or maybe a sign from a past angel sending a message that happiness and good luck are on your horizon.
Monarchs are a symbol for change and luck. It is said if you see a Monarch flying around you, it is important to take a look inside yourself to see what trait could be enhanced by embracing change.
For example, perhaps you are a person who hears words, but does not really listen. If that is your weakness, then this could be a sign to really listen to what others are trying to convey. It could truly change the world.
Try not to fall into the trap of being closed minded, but be like a Monarch and be willing to transform. Use your survival skills and desire for evolution to enrich qualities that promote happiness and get rid of those that promote angst.
This particular Monarch flew around me for a while and then landed on the finger of an employee, which I appreciated because it was a perfect photo opportunity with my old smartphone.
Thinking back on this time I was on the cusp of some changes in my life. I just turned 50 and an injury left me realizing I needed to get healthy. It was important to keep My “Wings” agile and build upon positive energy.
If you are a bundle of energy and crave the freedom to evolve and change, the Monarch could be your spirit animal! If that is the case you are quite lucky because the human race is always evolving and changing. Use that energy to allow the gentle breezes of summertime to take you on a journey of a fresh start and perspective.
How do you feel about Monarchs? Visit My Blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com and catch up on weekly photo perks and past posts. Like and share your comments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2020 at 8:00 pm
‘We are Holley Strong. This hasn’t been easy but we got through this together’ – Sue Cory, principal
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – These graduates walk to a stage set up in front of the Holley Junior-Senior High School parking lot, where graduation was held today.
The state has allowed outdoor graduations at drive-in movie theaters. Holley considered having the ceremony at a drive-in, but there isn’t one very close by. The closest are at Middleport in Niagara County and Silver Lake in Wyoming County.
“Why do you have to go to a drive-in?” said Susan Cory, the high school principal. “We can turn our school into a drive-in.”
This sign greets students and their families at the high school parking lot.
Cory and Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent, said seniors wanted to have a ceremony with the class together.
The state has capped the attendance for outdoor graduations to 150 people, unless people are in vehicles. If they are in a car or truck, they don’t count against maximum number, Holley school officials said.
Without the vehicles, Holley would have only been able to allow each graduate to bring one spectator for the ceremony.
The class has 81 members, but three foreign exchange students have returned to their home countries in Greenland, Spain and Portugal.
Holley was able to keep commencement at its usual time, the last Saturday in June at 10 a.m., rather than later in the summer when the state might ease restrictions on crowd sizes.
“Our main goal was to have everybody together and have it today,” Bartalo said before the ceremony this morning.
Brian Gay, who is headed to GCC, poses with his family’s vehicle in the parking lot. Most of the cars were decorated for the occasion. Before the ceremony, Holley played rock music, including “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond.
Brian was happy to reconnect with so many of his classmates.
“I love being here and seeing everybody,” he said. “It’s good to see them all again.”
Jamel Hildreth accepts his diploma from Sue Cory, the high school principal, and Brian Bartalo, the district superintendent.
In her message to the graduates and their families and friends, Cory said this group of a seniors is “a history-making class.” They haven’t been inside the school buildings since March 13, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are Holley Strong,” Cory said. “This hasn’t been easy but we got through this together.”
Morgan Cary, the class vice president, said the Class of 2020 missed the last 67 days of school.
“We are the champions of Senior Skip Day.”
She announced the class gift: a mosaic with tiles designed by each of the seniors.
The mosaic made by the seniors will be displayed inside the school.
Valedictorian Tyra Shepherd said the class is very fortunate to live in a community that cares about the students. She noted how Holley has rallied around a student battling cancer. The community has been generous when several families lost their home when a four-unit apartment building burned down in January.
“This is a very supportive community,” said Shepherd, who will major in cognitive science at Brown University.
She appreciates student attention at Holley with the smaller class sizes. Holley teachers also distributed signs to all of the seniors to put in their front yards. Drivers have kept up with beeps to celebrate the students since the signs went up on April 24.
“We have an incredible support system,” she said. “Our community will always rally behind us.”
Tia Brien walks to the stage to accept her diploma. Holley erected a stage in front of the parking lot for today’s ceremony. Usually commencement is at the football stadium unless it rains. Then it’s at the school auditorium.
Ally Benson, the class salutatorian, said Holley has many caring teachers. The seniors also had an amazing first half of the school year. The group, when they were freshmen three years ago, shocked the district by winning the spirit award over the seniors. That remains a highlight for the Class of 2020.
“Thank you friends for giving me memories that will last the rest of my life,” said Benson, who is majoring in physical therapy at Nazareth College in the fall.
The top 10 graduates include Mikaela Auch, Ally Benson, Kamryn Berner, Autumn Bieber, Megan Harrington, Sarah Harrington, Bradley Kingdollar, Tyra Shepherd, Cody Tanis and Rachel Vanelli.
Jenna Miles sings the national anthem near the beginning of the two-hour program. Kohl Morgan, the class president, led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Holley presented the diplomas to graduates in alphabetical order. The first three graduates to receive their diplomas include Sierra Apicella, Mikaela Auch and Nicholas Ballard.
Alexander Brimacomb watches the graduation while standing next to his family’s vehicle in the parking lot. The car was decorated with a big sign including his picture.
Holley teacher Matthew Hennard gave the commencement address. He has worked at Holley for 10 years as a social studies teacher, middle school coordinator and a teacher on special assignment. Before joining Holley, Hennard served four years with the U.S. Air Force.
Matthew Hennard
Hennard told the class they have clearly demonstrated perseverance and togetherness during their time at Holley. The group remains optimistic about the future despite the recent challenges with the pandemic, national unrest and other uncertainty.
“You have faced the unimaginable and so many of you have a hopeful and positive attitude,” Hennard said.
This year’s Holley seniors also experienced some things no other class has – good things. They received a parade from their teachers, who went by the students’ homes. There were personalized visits from the principal, a drive-through prom and many expressions of support from the community.
“This is a generation that knows how to make the best of a bad situation,” he said.
He urged them to choose kindness, understanding and respect in how they respond to others.
Victoria Rich gave her graduation cap a fancy design and a message, “I Winged It.” She plans to study fashion design in college.
Roberto Castillo moves the tassel on his cap to signify graduating. He is headed to the University of Buffalo to major in television and film arts.
Tony Farruggia has this vehicle all decked out for graduation.
Sean Kennedy wore some cool 2020 glasses for commencement.
Holley teachers and staff watched the ceremony in back by the school, sitting at least 6 feet apart.
A Holley fire truck leads the seniors on a parade through the community. They are headed down North Main Street.
