Archives February 2013
ARCHIVES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2013
LOCAL NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2013
Lakeside Health System in process of redeveloping services
by Kristina Gabalski
Neighborhood meeting Feb. 28
Lakeside Health System has scheduled a Neighborhood Meeting at the Sweden Senior Center, 133 State Street, Brockport, Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. To share thoughts and opinions call 395-6092 or email hereforyou@lakesidehealth.org
This is the first such meeting in a proposed series.
Many in the Brockport community have been shocked and saddened by the recent announcement that Lakeside Health System is closing its emergency room and inpatient services as part of a transformation from an acute care hospital and emergency room to an outpatient diagnostic and treatment center.
Lakeside Acting CEO James Cummings sees the changes differently.
“I’m excited about the new Lakeside,” he tells the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald.
He says residents should not see the transformation as a loss to the community, but rather as a change that will help guide Lakeside toward the future.
“When the environment around you is changing, you have two choices,” Cummings says. “You can get up in the morning and do the same thing until you no longer exist or seize the change and decide what your role is in the new model and redevelop yourself in that vein.”
“Lakeside Health System is open now and will remain open,” Cummings says.
Full emergency room services will be available up until April 15.
“People can come in as they always have,” he says.
Inpatient services will end April 22.
The transformation of Lakeside reflects a shift in health care models, Cummings explains, a shift that is continuing to progress more and more rapidly towards care in physician offices and outpatient settings.
“The country is trying to control the cost of health care and inpatient and emergency room services have the highest cost,” Cummings says. “To reduce costs you want to reduce utilization.”
He says to continue to provide health care services to the community, Lakeside must work to fit into that trend.
“We want to be an outpatient based organization (which) supports physicians in the community,” Cummings says.
The current emergency room will be transformed into an urgent care center and Cummings says Lakeside hopes to have it up and running by the time the ER closes in mid-April.
He notes that urgent care visits are increasing and Lakeside will, “... provide urgent care services ... and continue to meet those needs.”
Urgent care offers treatment for minor emergencies and acute and chronic illness and injury.
“If someone is suffering a heart attack or stroke or trauma (from a serious accident, for example) .... they will need to go to the other three health systems, but that’s something folks are doing already,” Cummings says.
In addition to urgent care, other medical services that will be available at Lakeside include out-patient surgery, endoscopy, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, Cummings says.
The Beikirch Care Center will remain open and fully functional.
There will be many advantages to the new Lakeside, Cummings says. “We’re going to focus on those services most heavily utilized by the Brockport community and surrounding area and because of that utilization, our organization will be financially sustainable into the future. It’s about serving the community.”
He says that if the ER and inpatient services were to continue to stay open, “Those may have declined to a point where they were hardly used. We’re going to re-emerge as an organization which will be utilized and will meet community needs.”
Lakeside has a formal affiliation with the University of Rochester Medical Center and Cummings says Lakeside will continue to work to bring physician specialists to Brockport.
“We will rent space to such physicians,” he says, “(and) build the number of physician specialists in Brockport.”
Lakeside also has a collegial and supportive relationship with Unity Health System and Cummings says URMC may prefer that Unity provide some specialist services in Brockport.
“We want to keep both doors open,” he says.
The vacated inpatient units may eventually be allocated for future use as Lakeside will constantly assess what health care services the community needs, Cummings explains.
Regarding loss of jobs, Cummings says it’s too early for exact numbers, although some reports have said about one-third of Lakeside workers will lose their jobs.
Lakeside will hold job fairs on site to help employees find new positions. “We want to do everything possible to help those who may be displaced,” says Cummings.
Community reaction
Lakeside ER nurse Kathleen Fink says she was stunned to hear the ER was closing.
“The ED staff is devastated,” she says. “We are a very close-knit group. We know each other well because the core of us has been together for many years. We can work together in a crisis nearly without conversation because we’ve done so for so long and we anticipate each other’s actions and needs.”
She says many ER staff members are in their fifties and sixties and planned to retire from Lakeside.
“It’s a tremendous loss for the community, but the numbers cannot support this facility in Brockport any longer,” Fink adds.
Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball says the announcement was “a shock, but not surprising. It’s a very sad day for the community.”
Brockport Mayor Connie Castaneda says Lakeside has been a pillar and true asset to the community and called the potential loss of jobs devastating and unfortunate.
“It is regrettable that Brockport will be without an inpatient and emergency room. It is unfortunate but during hard economic times difficult decisions have to be made,” the mayor said. “The village has not been immune to this and has had to make difficult decisions that have also included cutting services to its residents.”
Brockport Village Trustee Margaret Blackman says, “As someone who has driven herself to the emergency room more than once, I am definitely going to miss that service - and the quality of service for sure. I’m concerned about the impact on the community, and I hope the closing of inpatient services doesn’t drive away the physicians in the affiliated medical offices.”
Trustee Carol Hannan says Lakeside has been like a beloved family member, “... always there to comfort and protect me ... when I was born, when I was injured, when I sat at the beside of a grandparent during his final illness. A huge medical complex can’t replace Lakeside, but insurance companies and government policies seem to favor them to the exclusion of local hospitals. I hope the Lakeside complex will be successfully re-purposed to serve the community, but it won’t be the same and we’ve suffered a great loss.”
Sweden Town Supervisor Pat Connors says she, too, was shocked but not surprised and recognizes that health care is an evolving process.
“The closure of hospitals has been happening throughout the state for some time,” she says. “Health care is a business and when the business is losing money, you have to make adjustments. When it hits close to home it’s very unsettling. I am concerned about the impact to the people on the west side of the county as well as our neighbors in Orleans County as well as the impact to the local economy, possible loss of jobs and the effect on local businesses.”
Connors adds that she hopes Lakeside is successful in its transition to a diagnostic and treatment center and that they, “... obtain the State Health Department’s approval of their Transformational Business Plan.”
2/24/13
Board vacancies remain unfilled despite applicants
by Kristina Gabalski
BROCKPORT -- Ten vacancies currently exist on various boards and committees in the Village of Brockport.
During the February 12 regular meeting of the Village Board, Trustee Margaret Blackman called on the mayor to bring forward names of four individuals who applied in November 2012 for four of the vacancies.
“It’s a sad commentary that capable, interested people are turned away or ignored,” Trustee Blackman said during her report.
The mayor did not reply, but tells the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald she is not in a hurry to make appointments.
“I did bring forth names and they (trustees) did not approve,” Mayor Connie Castaneda says and adds that trustees are trying to “press my hand” to make the appointments.
She notes that as mayor, it is her job to bring forth names for consideration, but she says she will not do so until she sees more diversity among applicants.
The mayor says currently the boards and committees consist of several members of the Pro-Brockport group and many recent applications have been submitted by residents who are also Pro-Brockport members.
“I’m not looking for more Pro-Brockport members,” she says, “I want to be able to have diverse and fair boards that will take into consideration everyone’s opinion and not just one agenda.”
Castaneda says she is not looking to bring forward more names until other members of the community come forward, and so far, that has not occurred.
Blackman says it shouldn’t matter how many board/committee members are also members of Pro-Brockport.
“It’s the people in this community who want to make Brockport a better place who step up to the plate and volunteer to serve on committees that work for better-ment, not people who want to dissolve the village,” she said.
As of November 2012, vacancies included one position on the Planning Board; one position on the Zoning Board of Appeals; one vacancy on the Historic Preservation Board; three vacancies on the Tree Board; one vacancy on the Ethics Board; one vacancy on the Code Review Committee and two vacancies on the Parks Committee.
According to a list of residents who applied for various vacancies between September 2011 and November 2012, six people applied for the Zoning Board of Appeals; one person applied for the Historic Preservation Board; two people applied for the Parks Committee; three people applied for the Tree Board; one person applied for the Planning Board; three people applied for the Ethics Board and one person applied for the Emily L. Knapp Museum and Library of Local History Committee.
Blackman said the four applications currently in question include two for the Tree Board, one for the Parks Committee and one for the Museum Committee - all of whom applied in November 2012.
“We made a public point of urging them to volunteer as ex-officio, non-voting members of those boards and they have done so,” Trustee Blackman says. “Another one was Larry Vaughn for Zoning Board. Some of us urged him to apply because of his familiarity with zoning regulations from the time he was assistant code enforcement officer. (The mayor) refused to appoint him and brought forward Dan Kuhn’s name instead and we refused to approve Kuhn, noting that a highly qualified candidate had already applied.”
2/24/13
Final public meeting set for Finger Lakes Sustainability Plan
The second and final public meeting in Rochester on the Cleaner, Greener Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 28 at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester. The public is invited to attend.
A Coalition, which includes representatives from the nine counties in the region, the City of Rochester, local municipalities, the Genesee Regional Transportation Council and the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, has been meeting since August and are in the final stages of developing a Regional Sustainability Plan that will be submitted to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for consideration. This study is part of Governor Cuomo’s Cleaner Greener Communities Program. Ten regions across the state have been invited to submit plans and are competing for a portion of $90 million in funding to implement specific projects identified in their plans. The Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Planning Consortium must submit the most comprehensive plan possible to secure a portion of this funding for the nine County Genesee-Finger Lakes Region.
The Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan will outline tangible methods to improve the long-term sustainability of the region’s natural resources. Viable strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with recommendations on specific energy improvements, renewable energy sources, water and waste management initiatives, transportation and land use, agricultural improvements, housing and economic development will be included. The plan also makes recommendations on ways local stakeholders can collaborate to achieve realistic goals, sets milestones for key projects, and identifies completion dates for all actions recommended in the plan.
“This public meeting will really be a great opportunity for the public to review and comment on draft strategies while also providing new ones, and talk one-on-one with the consultant team before the Sustainability Plan is fully drafted,” explains David Zorn, Executive Director of the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council and spokesperson for the Consortium.
The upcoming Public Meeting on the Sustainability Plan will be held “Open House Style.” This means people can come any time between 5 and 7 p.m. and stay as long as they like within that timeframe. There will be no formal presentation at this meeting. Instead participants can review a series of boards that will be on display throughout the meeting room. These boards explain the draft goals and the current strategies under consideration for submission to New York State. Attendees can then discuss the content with consultant team members who will be on hand to answer questions and document their input. The public is encouraged to voice its opinions on the topics under discussion and to provide new insights and ideas whenever possible.
For information on the Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan please contact David Zorn at G/FLRPC, 585-454-0190 x14 or dave.zorn@gflrpc.org or visit the Finger Lakes Regional Sustainability Plan website at www.sustainable-fingerlakes.org.
For further information on the Cleaner Greener Communities program, please contact Lindsay Robbins at NYSERDA, 212-971-5342 ext. 3008 or lrr@nyserda.org.
Provided information
2/24/13
Four candidates for two trustee seats on Spencerport ballot
Mayor unopposed
Spencerport mayor and two trustee seats will be decided in village elections March 19, at Spencerport Fire Department Station I on Lyell Avenue.
Mayor Joyce Lobene is completing her first term as Mayor and is running unopposed for another 4 year term.
Four candidates are running for two seats as village trustees. Incumbents Deputy Mayor Ted Rauber and Fritz Gunther have both chosen to run again, Fritz completing his first term. Ted Rauber has served for the past 16 years and been deputy mayor since 1999.
Candidates Glenn Granger and Charlie Hopson also have had experience as board members in the past.
“I want to thank the Spencerport Community for their support and trust these past four years and look forward to the next four,” Lobene stated in a press release.
2/24/13
Decision on variance for Hamlin Library building postponed
by Kristina Gabalski
Members of the Hamlin Zoning Board of Appeals have decided to hold off on a decision regarding a variance for the town’s proposed new library.
A crowd of more than 100 people gathered at the Hamlin Town Hall on Monday, February 18 for a public hearing on the matter.
Construction of the library hinges on the Zoning Board granting a variance of 22 ft. The library building would sit 48 ft. from Route 19, rather than the 70 ft. required by code. It would be situated on the Town Hall campus as a way to centralize its location.
Library trustees have more than $1 million in grant funds and donated funds to construct the library - meaning the library’s operating budget would remain the same and there would be no impact on taxes in the town, officials say.
“A lot of pressure has been put on us,” Zoning Board Chair Norman Baase said following comments by the public. “This will be looked at exactly the way anybody else would be looked at. We want to make the right decision.”
Zoning Board members will hold a special meeting February 27 at 7:30 p.m. to vote on the variance. Baase said that would give members time to consider comments made during the public hearing.
James Bonsignore, an attorney for the library trustees, told Zoning Board members that the library meets statutory criteria for the variance.
“The balance is in favor of the applicant,” he argued. The library would “enhance and consolidate town amenities in one location.”
Several members of the audience spoke out against the variance. One resident said he agrees that the town needs a library but the proposed placement of the building would spoil the aesthetics of the Town Hall and “open a Pandora’s box,” by setting a precedent regarding set-back codes.
Another resident said that he, too, was for the library, but not for putting “the library on top of the road - we will have to live with this (decision) for another hundred years,” he said.
One resident said the 70 ft. set-back is in place for the safety of children and therefore the variance should not be granted.
The library is currently located between a bar and a pizza parlor at the old IGA Plaza on the southern border of the town. Trustees say they have spent years searching for a suitable location to build a new library and the location chosen directly south of the Town Hall is the best spot.
Library Director Kay Hughes-Dennett told Zoning Board members that the state grant of $466,000 will not be available if the site of the library is changed.
“We would have to re-write the grant and would have to reapply,” she said. “I hope we would not lose the library over a 22 ft. variance.”
Many in the audience agreed, saying it would be a “terrible shame” to lose the opportunity to build the library with the grant funds.
“We can’t pass up an opportunity that will not come again,” one man said, adding that the benefits that a new library would provide the community outweigh any detriment from going 22 ft. beyond the code.
Two young mothers who recently moved with their families to the town said they use the library frequently and are excited about the new facility and its location.
“Don’t kick a gift horse in the mouth,” one young woman told the board. Her comments were met with applause.
Resident Ed Evans likened the new library to a “Star Trek dream - it can happen if Hamlin support boards will let it happen,” he said.
2/24/13
Seymour Library signs contract with director
Andrea TillinghastThe Board of Trustees of the Seymour Library in Brockport voted unanimously to award an improved contract to Library Director Andrea Tillinghast thereby extending her stay and confirming her leadership. Tillinghast accepted the new contract on February 14 and will continue her duties which began last March, according to a press release.
Former director of Red Jacket Community Library (Manchester-Shortsville) and Gorham Free Library, Tillinghast says she plans to focus on a variety of goals this next year. First and foremost will be a concentrated effort to establish a new strategic plan for the library. “We would like to discover how the library could help the community of the greater Brockport area become what the people need. These needs and the library’s role in the fulfilment of these needs will become the basis for our new strategic plan. What we will be looking for is input from a cross-section of community members,” the director pointed out in the press release.
Tillinghast is a graduate of Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in English literature from Elmira College and completed her master’s degree in library science at the University at Buffalo. She current lives in Penfield with her son and spouse.
2/24/13
FEATURE STORIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2013
Parma gardener’s green thumb efforts featured in book
by Kristina Gabalski
Sandra Foote inside her beautifully decorated home. Her gardens are featured in a book coming out in March. The interior will be featured in the Christmas edition of the book that comes out in October.“It’s what I love, love, love to do,” Sandra Foote says about gardening ... and interior decorating ... and antiquing ... and crafting ... and she does them all very well.
The multi-talented mom of two young children has worked for 15 years to make her 150-plus-year-old home in Parma a showplace both inside and out.
So much so, in fact, that her gardens are featured in a book that will be released in March. Through the Garden Gate is the 25th book in the popular “simply country” book series by Judy Condon.
Books in the series come out four times each year and are filled with over 500 inspiring color photographs of country homes and gardens.
The series has created a forum for country collectors and gardeners.
Sandra says she has always enjoyed Condon’s books that reflect the New England/colonial style in which she decorates her home.
“People who have my style know her books - they include a lot of the things I love,” she says.
Sandra corresponded with Condon via email and was asked to provide photographs of her garden for the Through the Garden Gate book. The interior of the Foote home will also be featured in the 2013 Christmas edition of the series - an all holiday house tour - It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, which will be released in October. Sandra says those photos will show the interior of her home decorated with multiple Christmas trees and trimmings for the holiday season.
“I’m just ecstatic,” Sandra says about being featured in the books which are sold world-wide.
“You put all this work and time and energy into your home and garden and it’s exciting to know people will appreciate it.”
Sandra finds gardening very rewarding and works to have something blooming at all times during the growing season.
“Even now, I have a fresh hyacinth blooming in the kitchen,” she notes. “I always have fresh flowers in the house. They put people in a good mood, they’re soothing.”
As we head into late winter, Sandra says she can’t wait to get back outside and start the annual rituals of clearing and raking out beds, dividing perennials and designing new plantings.
“I’m an outside person, I try to be out there as much as humanly possible. Every spring I have a new plan. I’m always moving things around and changing things.”
Old-fashioned heirloom flowers like foxgloves, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers and hostas are some of her favorites.
Sandra also grows culinary herbs which she dries and adds to her meals all year long.
“It’s not just pretty to look at,” Sandra explains, “I use what is grown. Rosemary tastes great with potatoes and sage goes well with pork.”
Sandra uses natural fieldstone in her gardens. “I love natural elements,” she says, “I don’t like formal things.
“A lot of people think gardening is so expensive,” she continues, “but after the first couple of gardens you can just take what you have and divide.”
She does purchase some annuals each spring, “But I haven’t bought perennials in years. I love lilacs and dig up the shoots and plant them around the yard.
“I never sit down,” she adds, “I’m out there working in the summer and when I’m not digging outside, I’m doing work inside.”
This mural is one Sandra painted on the wall of her front parlor.Her beautiful home includes many antiques as well as her own artwork. The walls of the parlor feature a primitive-style landscape mural she painted herself.
Judy Condon’s “simply country” books are sold at country shops around the United States and Canada and Condon says she hopes to broaden the availability of her three garden books through wholesale sales to garden centers and nurseries.
Her books can be purchased through her website - www.marshhomesteadantiques.com or by calling 877-381-6682.
Interior photos by Kristina Gabalski
Garden photos provided
2/24/13
Spencerport Community Chorus presents Spring Concert
The Spencerport Community Chorus Spring Concert will be held Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. Both concerts will be held at the Spencerport Wesleyan Church, 2653 Nichols Street, Spencerport.
Comprised of singers from Spencerport and surrounding communities, the 40 member chorus is directed by Margaret Page Colucci. The chorus will perform a wide variety of musical pieces from the theme music of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus “Anything is Possible,” the inspiring “The Awakening,” the comic “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I’ve Been a Liar All My Life,” to the patriotic, including David Naylor’s arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and many others.
Guest performers at both concerts will be the local women’s group “For Singing’s Sake.”
Concerts are free. Refreshments follow each concert. The church is handicapped accessible.
The Spencerport Community Chorus is a member of the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium. Call 352-6223 for other information.
Provided information
2/24/13
Local Amnesty International group donates book to Seymour Library
Shown left to right: Patty Good (Seymour Library Circulation Department), Don Zimmer, Barb Deming, Art Smith and John Honeck.Amnesty International Group 191 of Brockport presented a copy of Drone Warfare by Medea Benjamin to the Seymour Library. The book was given in memory of Robert and Sylvia Thompson, founding members of Brockport’s chapter in 1979. Benjamin’s book is a comprehensive look at robot warfare, a topic receiving much attention as the nation examines global war and policies. Who is producing the drones, where they are being used, and the moral implications of such warfare are all questions addressed by Benjamin.
Amnesty International (AI), founded in London in 1961, is a Nobel Prize-winning grassroots activist organization that has more than one million members around the world. AI is dedicated to freeing prisoners of conscience, gaining fair trials for political prisoners, ending political killings and “disappearances,” abolishing the death penalty and ending torture throughout the world. Anyone wishing to learn more about AI and the local group may call 637-7504.
Seymour Library’s policy of accepting books, DVDs, or other appropriate items given as memorials provides a meaningful way to honor special people. For information, call the library.
Provided information and photo
2/24/13
American Cancer Society Relay For Life kicks off in Spencerport
Area residents will gather at a rally to officially launch their 13th annual Relay For Life season. Hundreds of participant will ring in the new season with a rally that educates everyone on how their involvement benefits the American Cancer Society’s goal to save lives and create more birthdays. Money raised will fight cancer by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. Rally activities will include a complimentary spaghetti dinner and dessert for attendees, presentations by guest speakers followed by an expo style display of all things Relay - Survivor registration, fundraising, incentive prizes and more.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, picnic, dance, play games and take turns circling around a track “relay” style to raise funds and fight cancer. The event opens as cancer survivors lead the way around the track and are honored with the Survivor Lap.
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents hope in that those lost to cancer will not be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.
Started in 1985, Relay For Life began with one man who circled around a track for 24 hours raising $27,000. This year, Relay For Life has grown to more than 5,200 communities and more than 25 countries worldwide.
The kick off event is Wednesday, February 27, dinner served at 6 p.m., Rally from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cosgrove Middle School, 2749 Spencerport Road, Spencerport. To join Relay For Life call 585-224-4941 or visit www.relayforlife.org/Spencerport NY.
2/24/13
The Great Fire of Main Street, Hilton
by David Crumb, Hilton Village Historian
On a quiet cold and damp Sunday morning, March 21, 1965, disaster struck the small village of Hilton, population 1,700, with sudden and awful consequences. This year is the 48th year since the local event occurred, and it certainly is not an event to celebrate. However, it is an event that should be remembered and not forgotten. The fire changed Hilton’s Main Street, a small tight knit village commercial district where everyone was known, and recognized, and where life seemed to operate casually and efficiently. After the fire, development in the village spread out in different directions, to different locations with more automobile parking, and larger and more modern structures.
Around 7 a.m. on that day, Margaret Culverhouse was making a cup of coffee in her kitchen at 32 Lake Avenue before getting ready for church when she looked out her window and noticed smoke coming from the back of one of the stores fronting on Main Street. She quickly called the fire department and reported what she was seeing. Margaret knew about fires. She could recall the devastation the village experienced in 1903 when three fires in the same year wiped out Main Street. About the same time, volunteer fireman Russell Wright was driving into town, and, while looking north into the furniture store, saw flames leaping. The shrill fire whistle sounded and the fight to save the Hilton’s Main Street began. Before the day was over between 400 to 500 firemen would be engaged in battling what would be a raging inferno for over six hours until it was put under control. It was freezing, the wind came up and blew, the smoke poured out in all directions, flames raged and leaped, and ice from the water hoses began to cover everything. It was, in fact, a winter inferno.
Bank officials Bernard Kedian, Jim Whitley and Beryl Ingraham Campbell (left) and Ann Barons (right) spread wet currency from the bank on Main Street after the fire. The money was removed from the bank vault.
Over 80 percent of Main Street’s commercial district was destroyed. Sadly, one woman, Dorothy Sisson, 73, and a renter of one of the upstairs apartments, perished in the fire, overcome with smoke, and unable to be rescued by the firemen. Several firemen were also injured in the ordeal.
Henry S. Carter was the Mayor, and he received a telegram from Governor Nelson Rockefeller stating, “This is to assure you that the state stands ready to render all appropriate aid to you and to residents ... in the immediate emergency, and in the restoration of your community.” The estimate of damage from the fire was $2,000,000 ($12,000,000 in today’s present value). Over $500,000 was not covered by insurance. Rep. Barber Conable, Jr., of the 37th Congressional District including Hilton, stood ready to assist.
The aftermath of the fire rippled through the community; families, friends, distant relatives and former Hilton residents were shaken to the core. The valor of the fire department, many volunteers from not only Hilton, but other communities, and the aid received from many civic organizations will always be the positive things remembered from the tragedy. However the resurrection of Hilton’s tight knit and once attractive Main Street did not happen. News of the event circled the globe. One resident recalled learning about the fire while traveling in Italy.
Note: A unique presentation on Monday evening, March 11 at 7 p.m. will focus on Hilton’s Main Street during the 1965 fire. The Parma-Hilton Historical Society and historians Charles Nichols, Dave Crumb and John Foster have organized an evening showing never-before-seen photos and films of the fire. Several eyewitnesses who fought the fire will give testimony to their recollections. The event will be in the Hilton Firemen’s Exempt Hall, 137 South Avenue, Village of Hilton. This presentation is a continuation of last year’s presentation of “Main Street Hilton Before the 1965 Fire.” The public is invited.
Provided photos
2/24/13
Hilton native to perform at fundraiser
by Kristina Gabalski
Hilton native Emma Lane performs March 10 in a fundraiser in honor of West Webster firefighters killed when responding to a call. “30 Firehouse Shows in 30 Days” makes its way to the Hilton Fire Department Exempt Hall on Sunday, March 10 starting at 4 p.m.
The tour is in honor of the West Webster firefighters killed this past Christmas Eve while responding to a call and in appreciation to all area firefighters.
Each 90 minute show is meant to raise awareness of the work of firefighters and showcase each station. Donations benefit the West Webster Fire Department.
Hilton native and musician Emma Lane is among the talent scheduled to perform on March 10.
“I jumped at the chance to perform,” Lane says, “because I spent a lot of my time at the old fire hall. Two of my best friends growing up - their dads were firemen.
“My dad is a musician,” she continues. “I guess you can say I was born into music. I was interested in music at an early age and when I was in my later teen years, I joined my dad on stage.”
Writing her own songs became an outlet to express what she couldn’t say any other way, Lane explains. “Now, I think of myself as a storyteller.”
Lane currently plays shows around Rochester and is working on recording a country rock EP. “I would love to perform one day for the Grand Ole Opry,” she says.
Lane attended Hilton High School, “was in the musicals, got books from the library and ice cream at Abbotts. It’s a great small village to grow up in,” she says.
Her roots and hometown have hugely impacted her music, Lane says.
“I’d say Hilton is a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll which is my style of music. I write about home a lot,” Lane says. “I think being in a small town and a small community, heart breaks hurt more, loneliness feels so much bigger than it is because everyone is so close. But the great thing about a small town is we are also dreamers. There isn’t much out here to do, no malls or movie theaters, so we have to use our imagination. You can’t hide away from things, especially in school.”
Other musicians scheduled to perform on March 10 are Paul Cummings (host), Worthy Duncan, John Houston, David Lockwood and Steve Geraci.
Provided photo
2/24/13
Marie Bell (left), newly-elected president of the Greater Brockport Chamber of Commerce, presents the first Alan Bader Community Service Award to outgoing, long-time Chamber of Commerce President Elaine Bader.
The award was named for Alan Bader in honor of his many years of service to the Brockport Community. Alan’s wife, Elaine, took over the responsibility of the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce following Alan’s death in June 2004.
The award was presented at the first annual dinner for the Greater Brockport Chamber of Commerce in January.
Provided photo
2/24/13
On Saturday, February 9, a special charity event took place at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Brockport. “Cook Brothers Magic” performed for a crowd of over 100 people who rewarded them with a standing ovation at the end of their show.
The Cook Brothers raised over $700 for the private school at this special ‘bring your gifts and talents’ fundraising event, performing skits both together and separately with many illusions, comedy, and a lot of participation from audience members.
Illusions included physical miracles, mentalism, a death defying feat involving a sling shot, and even a levitation illusion. The Cooks have been members of the Society of Young Magicians (S.Y.M.) Rochester chapter for many years.
Visit cornerstonechristianacademy.us for information about the school and cookbrothersmagic.com for information about the Cook Brothers.
Provided photo
2/24/13
Break up the winter blahs at Maple SugarFest
“Maple SugarFest” Saturday, March 2 begins at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast in the Spencerport High School east cafeteria, and then continues from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a number of free outdoor activities/events in the Nature Center.
Tickets for the pancake breakfast are $5 per person, and free for children under 5. Tickets may be purchased at the door or for pre-sale tickets visit the Community Education web page at http://spencerport.revtrak.net/tek9.asp?pg=regwerks.
Highlighted events include maple sugaring demonstrations, orienteering, tours, walks and children’s activities. Visit www.spencerportschools.org for other information.
Provided photo
2/24/13
Joe’s stories - old, new, mostly true
by Joe Reinschmidt
PART 1
How did my immigrant family end up here?
by Joe Reinschmidt
The Reinschmidt brothers pose for a formal photo. Anton is on the left, Peter on the right. It was taken at the Berliner Gallery, 142 State Street in Rochester, probably around 1895.In 1869, Peter Reinschmidt immigrated from the Village of Fautenbach in the State of Baden, Germany to Western NY and eventually settled in Rochester. His trade was that of a woodturner and he was self employed. Peter married in 1874 and had six children when his wife died in 1885. In 1888, he married a widow with three children, who he adopted, and together they had seven more. She died in 1904 and in 1905 Peter married another widow with a son, but they had no more children.
In 1882, Peter’s brother, Anton, joined him here but in 1896, at the urging of several aunts, Anton returned to Fautenbach to take over the family farm. Anton married in 1897 at the age of 35 and they had four children in five years when his wife died. Their first child born in 1898 was Josef who unbeknownst to him was destined to become my father. In 1906 Anton married again and had 11 more children, three of whom died in infancy. The net result was a family of eight boys and four girls. Anton farmed and was also the manager and keeper of the funds for their local farm cooperative. Anton died in 1938 at the age of 76. As of 2013 only one of his children, Christina, is living and recently celebrated her 94th birthday.
Their village was first shown on a map in 1085 as Vultenbach. Subsequent maps identified it by variations of that until 1528 when it appeared as Vautenbach. Later maps had further variations until 1700 when it was shown as Fautenbach, which remains today. The location is in Southwestern Germany in the area where the Rhine River flats merge into the foothills of the Black Forest. The Roman legions passed through the are in their attempt to conquer northern Europe. They traveled the edge of the foothills and in some areas the road they established remains and is known as the Roman Way. Parts of it are now a hiking or biking trail. Fautenbach lies 15 miles south of Baden-Baden, 15 miles east of Strasburg (France) and about 40 miles north of Freilburg.
Peter never returned to Germany so when Josef and his brother, Leo, wanted to immigrate in the 1920s, Uncle Peter sponsored them and housed them at his home on Sullivan Street until they got established. Apparently there was always room for one or two more in Uncle Peter’s home.
Next time - Josef and later his betrothed, Anna, immigrate.
2/24/13
PART 2
Josef immigrates first, then sends for Anna
by Joe Reinschmidt
Josef and Anna's German passports. Although her birth certificate shows her name as Maria Anna Aeckerle, all other documents have it as Anna Maria or just Anna Aeckerle.Born May 1, 1898, Josef was soon joined by two brothers and a sister but when he was four his beautiful mother died. No doubt there was mourning but two years later his father, Anton, married again and more siblings arrived until there was a family of eight boys and four girls. The last of them was born when Josef was 20. As the eldest son, Josef likely had some privileges but also had responsibilities which he apparently handled well. Even in later years when I first met some of my aunts and uncles, it was obvious that Josef had earned the respect and love of his siblings.
He grew up as a typical farm boy of that era until at age 17 when he was invited to join the Kaiser’s Army. For him it was an adventure as well as a duty. He was able to go places, and meet people he might never have seen otherwise. Being very much an outdoor person he hated the confinement of the trench warfare and readily volunteered for patrols, where he could be on his own with one or two others. On one such patrol in northern France he suffered multiple grenade shrapnel wounds to his upper body. One entered his skull just above the right eye which caused the loss of that eye. Upon recovery from his wounds and fitted with a glass eye he returned home and obtained a job with the German Railway System until he decided to immigrate. He and his brother, Leo, sponsored by their Uncle Peter, arrived in Rochester in 1923. Josef obtained work at General Railway Signal Co. at $18 a week, $10 of which he paid to his aunt and uncle for room and board. However, he said with beer at 5 cents a glass and sandwiches free at some bars, he could have a good time and even save a dime or two.
After Josef’s return from the war, he had met Maria Anna Aeckerle, a blond maiden from the Village of Renchen which is five or six miles south of Fautenbach and is significantly larger. Like him she was from a farm family but only had six siblings. They were quite poor and despite being farmers, food wasn’t plentiful. After completing the normal 8 years of school, which for girls included cooking lessons, Anna went to live with and work for a farm family in Switzerland for a year or so. This was a common practice designed to give them some different experiences. Upon returning to Renchen she entered a sewing apprenticeship and also worked at a local cigar factory. Tobacco was a cash crop for many farmers. Much like “husking bees,” they had tobacco stringing bees which young men and women participated in. Although real work was done, they were a social event with much singing and some flirting as you can imagine. Perhaps this was where Anna met Josef.
They grew to know each other, and once they were sure it was serious, Josef told her of his intent to immigrate to the United States. He also promised that if things looked good he would send for her in about two years. He kept his word, and to spare her the experience of being processed through Ellis Island he bought a first class ticket, so she went direct from the ship to Grand Central Station wearing a tag on her coat that stated “Rochester, NY.” Hours later she was greeted in Rochester by Josef, his brother, Leo, and some of their cousins. You can be sure there was a party at Uncle Peter’s that night.
1/27/13
PART 3
Josef and Anna start their version of the American dream
by Joe Reinschmidt
Within a few days of her arrival, Anna obtained a job as a live in housekeeper/cook and occasional nanny for the family of a Rochester lawyer. They knew little if any German and she knew no English but that wasn’t a deterrent. The wife/mother took pains to help Anna get familiar and worked with her on learning the language. The children were also friendly and helpful. Anna also attended night school classes for immigrants when possible as did Josef. Josef continued living with his uncle rather than renting elsewhere until he and Anna had some idea of what their future would be.
That question was answered when Josef’s brother, Ludwig, who had immigrated to the Fredonia, NY area to join his fiancé who was already there, heard of a farm owner that was looking for a married couple to live and work on his farm. Interestingly his name was McDonald, a Buffalo businessman who also had the farm. He needed a farm manager with a wife who would cook and keep house for themselves and the two single hired men that worked there. The wife’s additional duties were to care for the chickens, collect the eggs and box them up for McDonald to take to the market. They all lived in the farm house which was rent free, received quantities of milk, eggs, meat and firewood and a monthly salary. They could also use whatever area they needed to grow vegetables for consumption and canning.
Josef driving a 15-30 McCormick Deering tractor, with the farm hands loading hay. 
Anna and the single farm hands feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs.osef and Anna, desiring to save money for a farm of their own, saw the free rent and limited need to spend much money as a good opportunity. Doing the work, of course, was nothing they hadn’t already done so they decided to take the job. There was the matter of getting married to address, because they had to get there as quickly as possible. Arrangements were soon made at St. Michael’s Church on Clinton Avenue which they attended with Uncle Peter’s family. So on Saturday, March 27, 1927 they were joined in marriage, had a family and friends celebration that evening and on Sunday drove the 100 miles to Gowanda, NY. Monday morning found Josef hand milking cows along with the hired men and Anna learning her way around the kitchen so she would hopefully have breakfast ready when the milking was done. Hardly a honeymoon most folks would want.
Josef had not milked in years and after the first few days of milking 8 or 10 cows, he could no longer bend his fingers, so Anna had to button his shirts. Of course that resolved itself in a few weeks, when his fingers realized what had happened to them. Despite the hard work and Anna’s emergency appendectomy, there were some good times and interesting experiences on McDonald’s farm.
Next time: Josef and Anna decide to come back to Rochester.
2/3/13
PART 4
Josef and Anna buy a farm of their own
by Joe Reinschmidt
Joseph and Anna ReinschmidtAfter a year and a half as hired help on the farm in Gowanda, NY, Josef and Anna gave their future some serious thought and decided to move back to Rochester, where non-farm jobs were more available and they would be closer to friends and family. They moved, appropriately, to Joseph Avenue. Josef was able to return to work at General Railway Signal and Anna did house work, but not as a live in. On November 27, 1928, five years and five months after immigrating, Joseph became a U.S. citizen. On the Certificate of Naturalization his name was spelled Joseph and that’s what he used the rest of his life.
They, of course, began looking for a farm that met their criteria of having decent cropland, suitable pasture land, an orchard, a mature woodlot and a live stream, and it had to be inexpensive. They found it at 336 Ogden Parma Town Line Road in Parma. The previous owners had defaulted on a bank note which was purchased from the bank by Samuel and Wilhemina Rowitz, German immigrants from a previous generation. They had a farm nearby on Webster Road. The property had not been maintained very well, the barn had collapsed and the house roof was questionable. A six room home was built around 1885 and seven rooms were added in 1910 resulting in a house with 13 rooms, 18 doors and 33 windows. There was no electricity, so kerosene lanterns were used. Heat was provided by a pot belly stove in the parlor and a kitchen cook stove. Sanitary facilities were chamber pots and an outhouse. Toilet facilities were the kitchen sink and a laundry tub for baths. In the summer, Northrup Creek served as the laundry and bathing facility.
The homestead at 336 Ogden Parma Town Line Road, Parma.The decision was made - this would be their home. A down payment of $800 was made and on July 30, 1928 a deed and mortgage for $3,000 was executed with the Rowitzes and filed. The terms were a $300 principal payment and 6 percent on the unpaid balance due each year on December 1. They still had a few dollars left to buy some used equipment and a team of horses.
No doubt Joseph and Anna were happy farm owners, but hopefully they didn’t envision it as the American dream. As future events occurred, it could seem more like a nightmare to less hardy folks.
2/24/13
SPORTS NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2013
AREA
Roberts drop pair to Molloy
by Warren Kozireski
Marissa SellRoberts Wesleyan’s women’s basketball team watched their ten point lead evaporate over the final ten minutes in a 73-65 loss and the men fell behind on a 14-3 late first half run in an eventual 72-59 loss to Molloy from Long Island in an East Coast Conference doubleheader.
For the women, Marissa Bunce knocked down consecutive treys, Hilton grad Carneisha Henry hit a jumper and Marissa Sell (Brockport) and Brittany Williams each hit two free throws during a 12-3 run to put the Redhawks up by ten.
But a 28-7 spurt by Molloy put them ahead by eleven before freshman Lakiah Huff put in two lay-ups and Bunce hit a jumper and a free throw in the closing minutes to make it close.
Sell, who entered the contest second in the conference in rebounds per game at 9.7, finished with a double-double on a game-high 17 rebounds and 14 points. Huff score 13 points, Bunce 12 with three steals and Henry had ten points and nine rebounds.
In the men’s contest, Molloy trailed just briefly, but largely put the game out of reach with a 30-14 run starting late in the first half and extending to the second to build their lead to 17.
“We’ve been inconsistent, which is troubling to us,” said Roberts’ men’s head coach Rob McCoy. “We’ve been up and down and we’re starting to see what we need to do. We looked tired today and ultimately we didn’t have the energy, we didn’t play well and we didn’t shoot well.”
Guards Mike Stone and Patrick Downer led the team in scoring with 12 and 11 points respectively while Tyrel Dixon had a team-high ten rebounds. The team shot just 36.5 percent from the field and 63.6 percent from the line in the contest, which dropped them to 4-11 in conference.
The final home game of the regular season is March 2 when the Redhawks host NYIT at 2 and 4 p.m.
2/24/13
BROCKPORT
Blue Devils win first round playoff game
by Warren Kozireski
Senior Andrew Zimmer scored 13 of his team-high 18 points in the first half and Brockport never trailed in a 55-49 Section V boys basketball playoff victory over Victor in an eighth seed versus ninth seed first-round contest.
Zimmer hit a pair of treys, two free throws and a field goal in the first quarter to help stake Brockport to a three point lead.
They extended that to as many as 13 points in the second quarter including a 10-0 run with Donald Cook and Cody Gould hitting from the field and Jake Burgio adding six points.
Zimmer hit a lay-up and three-pointer early in the second half and Gould added six more to help the Blue Devils build a fifteen point advantage, but Victor battled back after putting on full-court pressure.
An 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter cut the Brockport lead to four points, but Cook hit a three-pointer from the top of the key with two minutes remaining and Denzel Knight two consecutive lay-ups after his teammates broke the press to seal the win.
In addition to his 18 points and four treys, Zimmer added three assists. Burgio came off the bench to add 11 points and three steals, Gould and Knight each had eight points with the latter adding a team-high eight rebounds. Cook had six points with three assists.
Brockport advanced to the Class AA2 quarterfinals to play top-seed Irondequoit.
2/24/13
CHURCHVILLLE
C-C Saints fall in playoffs
by Warren Kozireski
Eighth-seeded Churchville-Chili’s girls basketball team managed just one field goal over the final 16 minutes and dropped a 53-24 decision to ninth-seed Victor in the first round of the Class AA2 Section V playoffs.
Jessica Hyde and Maggie Tabone hit field goals in the opening minutes to stake the Saints to an early lead, but the Saints trailed by six after the first quarter after managing just two more free throws.
They stormed out of the second quarter huddle and tied the game on free throws by Tabone and Brooke Ennis sandwiching a basket by Carly Zimmerman.
Zimmerman hit a runner and Nicole Giacolone scored on a fast break to bring the Saints to within three points of the lead at halftime, but the game quickly got away from them in the second half.
An 18-1 third quarter run turned into a 25-1 early in the fourth as the Blue Devils pushed their lead to as many as 27 points.
Abbie Tabone hit a free throw and a jumper for the only Saints field goal of the second half.
Maggie Tabone led the Saints with six points while Ennis and Zimmerman each finished with four points. Seniors Nicole Picardo, Zimmerman and Giacolone all played in their final high school basketball contests.
2/24/13
March Madness game raises funds for Chili family
by Kristina Gabalski
The 15th annual March Madness benefit basketball game between the Churchville-Chili LEO Club and the Churchville Lions Club is set for Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. at the new C-C Middle School gym.
This year the event will benefit the John Carr family of Chili. John and Deb Carr’s young son, Patrick, is battling a form of cancer called neuroblastoma.
“We’re hanging tough,” Deb Carr says of her family.
Patrick is nine years old and a third grader at Chestnut Ridge School. He has been battling cancer for most of his life - being diagnosed in 2008 when he was four, Deb says.
He wrapped up another round of chemotherapy recently and began radiation February 18, she adds.
“He takes it all with a positive attitude and keeps the family going - kids are resilient.”
Patrick is just as active as any other young boy his age, swimming in the summer and currently playing hockey along with his younger brother, Gavin.
Deb Carr says after a difficult chemo session recently, she told Patrick to take it easy and rest in the evening. He insisted on playing hockey as he regularly does.
Support from the community means so much to the family, Deb says.
“It’s awesome and amazing,” she says. “People I don’t even know come up and say, ‘You’re Patrick’s mom.’ ”
Deb says benefits like the March Madness game are a great help to the family.
“Any time I’m off from work (to help Patrick), I don’t get paid,” she says.
Through it all, the family tries to stay positive and right now the news they get from the doctors is good, she adds.
“The tumors have shrunk.”
All proceeds from the March Madness game will be donated to the Carr family to help offset medical expenses related to Patrick’s illness.
The LEO Club team will be joined by the school Student Executive Council as the entire school community is participating in the Pennies for Patrick collection taking place during March. The Churchville Lions Club team will be joined by members of the Lions Club of Chili and the Churchville Volunteer Fire Department in an attempt to break their 12-game losing streak to the LEO club team.
Donations will be accepted by members of the LEO Club or Churchville Lions Club. Donations may be mailed to Churchville-Chili LEO Club, Churchville-Chili Sr. High School, 5786 Buffalo Road, Churchville, NY 14428.
2/24/13
HILTON
Robson, Divasta help Cadets advance
by Warren Kozireski
Sean Robson scored two goals with one assist and Chris DiVasta added a pair of goals to lead Hilton to a 5-1 high school hockey victory over Spencerport in the Section V playoffs.
Robson staked the Cadets to a 1-0 lead at 11:55 of the first period when he came from behind the net and tucked the puck in off the goaltenders equipment. Austin Bull received the only assist.
In the second period, Hilton made it 2-0 when Robson won an offensive zone faceoff back to Alex Whitehair at the point. The rebound from his blast was knocked in by DiVasta at the 2:30 mark.
Spencerport closed the deficit a little over two minutes later when Tyler McDonald sent Matt Simoncelli in all alone shorthanded. He deked to his backhand and found the back of the net to make it 2-1 at 4:18 of the second.
DiVasta gave the Cadets their two goal lead back at 6:52 of the second on a high wrist shot after a pass from Bobby Vasta on the power play.
The Cadets scored twice more in the third. Robson took a pass from Bull and swept in from the wing before tucking it inside the post on the first shift of the period.
Later Frank Gaffney went top shelf from the right circle after a pass from Whitehair at 1:11 to finish the scoring.
“Between periods we talked about making sure we pay attention to defense first and to shoot lower to hopefully get rebounds,” said Hilton head coach Chris Monfiletto.
Hilton outshot the Rangers 52-10 in the contest. Spencerport senior goaltender Matt Sahrle made 47 saves including a two-on-one and a breakaway over the final five minutes of the first period to keep the game close.
The Cadets also defeated Irondequoit 4-3 in the quarterfinals and advanced to play top-seed Webster Thomas in the Class B semi-finals.
2/24/13
SPENCERPORT
Ranger boys swimming and diving team awarded Sportsmanship Award
Pictured back row from left, Jared Kettinger, Jacob Wilson, Max Wersinger, Zach Mulvihill, Doug Nichols (Capt.), Leo Buoye, Trevor Benson (Capt.), Bailey Plummer, Nolan Benson, Alex Thornton, Amanda Ventrella (Mgr.), Alissa White (Mgr.); front row, from left, John Rodman, Mod B Coach, Stephanie Hodge, JV Coach and Josh Nellist, Varsity Coach.The Spencerport Ranger’s Boys Swimming and Diving Team has been selected as the recipient of the Rochester-Monroe County Swimming and Diving Official’s Sportsmanship Award for the 2012-13 Season.
The award is given to the team with coaches, athletes and parents that have promoted respect, encouragement, fairness, good judgment and team spirit in their program.
The Rochester-Monroe County Swimming and Diving Officials developed this award to highlight the teams that understand the real value of competitive sports. The teams nominated for the award are only from those schools that have gone above and beyond what is normally expected to promote sportsmanship.
The award was presented at Sectional Finals on February 15 at the Webster Aquatic Center.
The Rangers are coached by Josh Nellist and Stephanie Hodge with Trevor Benson and Doug Nichols serving as captains.
Provided information and photo
2/24/13
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2013
AREA
MCC supports key workforce initiative, develops certificate program
In partnership with the Finger Lakes Food Processing Cluster Initiative, Monroe Community College’s Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute (ALSI) surveyed employers and conducted focus groups to identify and better serve the educational needs of food and agricultural workers in the region. Responses to a voluntary, online survey were used by ALSI to develop a new Agriculture and Food Studies Certificate program - providing students with more informed career pathways within the local food and agricultural sector.
Responses to the survey identified that although education and training are highly valued, most employers lacked the funds to reimburse employees for formal education and training. The majority of the 47 responders preferred online training programs over classroom instruction. Most employers currently train their employes on a one-on-one basis.
“The survey confirmed that employers and employees are interested in and realize the benefits of higher education,” said ALSO Senior Specialist Bob King, Ph.D. “The challenge faced by employers is revising budgets and seeking grants or additional revenue to support higher education for their employees.”
The new certificate program requires 24 hours of instruction and is expected to be offered beginning in fall 2013. Offering the program both in the class room and online provides opportunities for students to fit the program into their work schedules while reducing the cost of traveling to and from MCC.
The Finger Lakes Food Processing Cluster Initiative (http://www.rit.edu/gis/flfpci/) is a coordinated effort led by the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Golisano Institute for Sustainability. The initiative offers education and certification for incumbent, underemployed and displaced workers designed to spur economic growth and job creation in the nine-county region. The program offers advancement, training and small business programs.
MCC courses that support the food and agriculture industry include Introduction to Agriculture, Introduction to Greenhouse Management, Introduction to Sustainability, Supervising for the 21st Century, Computer Literacy, Independent Study - Agriculture and Food Studies, General Microbiology for Food and Agriculture (proposed future course), Food and Agriculture Problem Solving - Behavioral Applications (proposed future course).
To find out more about the Agriculture and Food Studies certificate program, contact the MCC Admissions Office at admissions@monroecc.edu or (585) 292-2200.
Provided information
2/24/13
BYRON-BERGEN
Byron-Bergen student organizes student leadership conference for area schools
Byron-Bergen CSD 12th grader Jennalyn Long invited political panelists, including (l-r) New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell, to attend the Student Leadership Conference.Jennalyn Long, a 12th grader at Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, is creating connections between students at area schools.
As an AmeriCorps representative for her school, Jennalyn has spent months planning for a large, community service event that involved students from Genesee County and featured local and state leaders.
Over 60 students from Byron-Bergen, LeRoy and Oakfield-Alabama Schools gathered for the Student Leadership Conference at the Genesee County Building #2 in Batavia on February 8. The half-day conference included roundtable discussions between students from the three schools; guest speaker, Batavia City School Board Member Patrick Burk; and a political panel, featuring Genesee County Manager Jay Gsell, New York State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
Jennalyn said she has always been active in student leadership at Byron-Bergen.
“I wanted to make sure that other students have the opportunities that I have had,” she said.
The goal of the conference was to enhance multi-school connections and share ideas from students for what has worked at their school for schoolwide events and activities, according to Jennalyn.
Other than the connections between students, the political panelists offered students an opportunity to ask questions about politics, leadership, community service, and other related topics.
“Seeing young people show such initiative and leadership provides us all with confidence that the next generation of New Yorkers is in good hands,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley. “The Student Leadership Conference brought together some of the brightest minds from our local schools and forged partnerships that will benefit all of our students.”
Looking ahead, Jennalyn is planning for life after high school.
“I am hoping someone from my school will carry on the Student Leadership Conference next year to start a tradition of it,” she said. “After high school I plan on attending college and major in either social work or news broadcasting.
Provided information and photo
2/24/13
HILTON
Hilton’s Village Elementary Drama Club spins fairy tales and nursery rhymes into laughs
Detective Green, interrogates The Old Woman in the Shoe during a performance of "Law & Order - The Nursery Rhyme Unit" at Hilton's Village Elementary School.Fairy tale characters competed in a game show and nursery rhyme characters were part of a detective’s investigation during two plays recently presented by the Village Elementary Drama Club.
In the first play, “Happily Ever After,” the Wicked Witch, played by Linzee Reyes, hosts a game show in which four fairy tale couples compete to win the coveted prize of being able to actually live happily ever after.
The second play, “Law & Order - The Nursery Rhyme Unit,” Detective Green, played by Will Czebatol, and his sidekick The Punnish Sir, played by Austin Holley, question a cast of nursery rhyme characters on the apparent homicide of Humpty Dumpty, who ended up just fine as a hatched chicken.
In its fourth year of productions, the Village Elementary Drama Club is for students in grades 3 through 6. The year begins in late November with three afterschool workshops that give students a chance to learn and practice acting techniques. Open auditions are held after school for those who would like a speaking part. Students can also volunteer for a supporting role, such as costuming, lighting and stage crew. The cast is announced the Friday before Christmas break so students can begin reading and memorizing their parts over the holiday break.
Rehearsals begin after break and are usually four to five times per week depending on the play. “This year, we rehearsed 30 hours for ‘Happily Ever After’ and about 37 hours for ‘Law & Order’ ” said Deb Lynch, Drama Club advisor. “We research various scripts and evaluate them based on cast size (not too big, not too small); quality of story/script; prop, costume and scenery requirements; and length of play.”
Adult volunteers for the plays included two costume moms, one hair and makeup mom, one concession stand coordinator, one program designer, and multiple helpers the night of the performances to supervise the actors when they’re not onstage and to help run the concession stand. Numerous families assist with getting costumes and props.
“Offering the students a chance to participate in the development and management of full stage productions gives them the opportunity to gain pride and confidence as public speakers, performers, and collaborators,” said Lynch. “For performers, the production helps develop their ability to creatively interpret a role. It is a powerful experience.”
2/24/13
OBITUARIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 24, 2013
AREA
•Rock, Annette (Ann) L., on February 12, 2013. Resided in Brockport and Sand Bay, NY. Beloved wife of the late William C. Rock. Predeceased by her brother, Richard Lamphier. Survived by her children: Sally (Craig) Skinner Brothers, Laura Rock Kopczak, Stephen Skinner, William Randolph Rock, Susan Beth (Stephen) Skinner Fornof, Susan Lorraine Rock Schleede; siblings: Jack (Elaine) Lamphier, Joyce (Jim) Rauhe, Patricia Saggese, and Sandra (Jerry) Kelly; 14 grandchildren; five great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and dear friends. In her early years, her career included working as an RN at Rochester General Hospital and as a school nurse at Fairbanks Road Elementary School.
A celebration of her life was held February 23 at Springdale Farm, Colby Road, Spencerport. Contributions can be made in her memory to the Annette Lamphier Rock Nursing Scholarship by mailing a check to the Brockport Foundation, 350 New Campus Drive, The College at Brockport, Brockport, NY 14420.
CHILI
•Alden, Corinne R. (Kramer), February 19, 2013. Predeceased by her mother, Helen A. Kramer. Survived by her husband, Wesley; daughter, Jenna; father, Philip Kramer; sister, Kim (Jim) Creighton; nephew and niece, Joey and Jaime Creighton and many dear friends.
A Funeral Mass was held February 23 at St. Pius X Church, Chili. Entombment, White Haven Memorial Park. Donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association in her memory.
•Benson, Robert L., February 18, 2013 peacefully at age 88. Predeceased by his wife, Francis. Survived by his children, John Marc (Janet) Benson and Karen (Shaun Flanagan) Vocco; grandchildren, Jennifer (Robert) Gutzmer and Melissa (William) Kelly; great-grandson, Justin Kelly; sister, Barbara (Gene) Monette; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob was a WWII Navy Veteran and a member of the Masonic Lodge Hesperus #837, Bergen.
A Funeral Service was held February 21 at White Haven Memorial Park All Seasons Chapel. Entombment, White Haven Memorial Park.
•Herzog, Anne (Grace), February 16, 2013, seven weeks after her loving husband of 57 years, James H. Herzog. Predeceased by parents George and Bridget (Reid) Grace, siblings Mary Cruttenden, Lorraine Robinson, Veronica Harrington, Rev. Patrick Grace, Albert Hasenauer. Survived by children, Mark, Timothy (Betsy Yagel), Janet, and Gregory Herzog; grandchildren Bridget Anne Anderson-Mays, Kurt Anderson (fiancée Nicole Paryz), Colin (Parrish Gibbons), Peter Herzog (fiancée Rebecca Denee); great-grandsons (Her “Dollies”) Devin Greek, Bailey Mays; siblings George Grace, Shirley Hasenauer; sisters-in-law Norma (Joe) Grolling, Jean (Jim) Keenan, Dorothy Salzer, Jane Muratore, Irene Herzog; niece Jean and nephew Deacon Ray Noll; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Anne was a 44 year member of St. Pius the Tenth Parish, retired from General Medical.
Funeral Mass was said February 23 at St. Pius the Tenth Church. Interment, St. Pius Cemetery. Donations can be made to Lifetime Care Hospice, 3111 South Winton Road, Rochester, NY 14623 or St. Camillus Catholic Community at MCH, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620 in her memory.
•Korn, Jean D., February 16, 2013. Predeceased by her husband, Chuck Korn; son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Michelle Korn. Survived by her sons, Gary (Sarah) and Keith (Michelle); grandchildren, Kym Weaver, Michael Korn, Rachel (Dave) Demanchick, Jason, Tim (Laura) and Chelsea Korn; great-granddaughter, Mary Grace; sisters-in-law, Jeanie, Rose, Fern, Nancy and Sylvia; brother-in-law, Len; several nieces and nephews. Jean was a longtime member of Gates Presbyterian Church.
Funeral Services were held February 20 at Gates Presbyterian Church. Interment, Grove Place Cemetery. Donations can be made to the church or Visiting Nurse Hospice in her memory.
CLARKSON
•Mehserle, Louis W., On February 12, 2013 at age 75. Predeceased by his wife of 49 years Carol A. Brundage Mehserle, his parents William and Helen (Swick) Mehserle, siblings Bernice Hayes, C. Louise McConachie and Douglas Mehserle; brother-in-law John McConachie and sister-in-law Chun Mehserle. Surviving are children and spouses Tracy and Ernie Ross, and Michael Mehserle, all of Brockport, Greg and Patti Mehserle and Vicki and Jon Remington all of Nevada; grandchildren Jamie Chapman and husband Brady, of Maryland, James Mehserle and girlfriend Heather Brock of New York and Kelly Mehserle, Jessica Mehserle, Phillip Remington and girlfriend Dobnei Hintze and Rachel Remington and fiance Shane Coleman, all of Nevada; five great-grandchildren; siblings and spouses, Shirley and Karl Burlingame of Florida, Bernard Mehserle Sr. of Massachusetts, Robert Mehserle of Hamlin, Beatrice and Robert Farrier of Georgia, and Dwight Mehserle of Brockport; sister-in-law Carmela Mehserle of New York; many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral Services were held February 19 at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Spring interment, Lake-view Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Brockport Firemen’s Exempts in his memory.
HILTON
•Burroughs, Audrey, age 93, died February 10, 2013. Predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Edwin C. Burroughs. She is survived by her children, Robert (Dina) Burroughs of Hilton, Richard (Linda) Burroughs of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and daughter, Barbara (Mark) Wilson of Lilburn, Georgia. Also survived by five grandchildren, Laura Burroughs Zigarowicz and Victor Burroughs both of Hilton, Steven Burroughs of Brooklyn, Kimberley Burroughs of Tampa, Florida and Garrett Wilson of Lilburn, Georgia and three great-grandchildren; and twin great-grandsons due this summer; also survived by three nephews and a niece and their families.
Funeral Services were held February 23 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Hilton. Contributions can be made to the Salvation Army in her memory.
•Juergens, Emma J., on February 13, 2013. Predeceased by her husband, Harald. Survived by her children, David (Risa), Kenneth (Gaby), Monika (Michael Kramer), Stephanie (George Cantebene), Harald (Lauren) and Heather Juergens; her grandchildren, Thayer, Mary, Ryan, Harald, Courtney and Alyssa; and her brother, George (Myra) Brand of Glasgow, Scotland; nephews, James (Lucy) Bunce, Andrew (Ana) Burke and Carolan Burke. Born in Scotland and a Hilton resident for over 46 years, Emma was known for her wit, sense of humor and story-telling.
Her Memorial Service was held February 18 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hilton. Contributions can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund in her memory.
•Warren, Joanne C., on February 14, 2013 at age 78. She is predeceased by her husband, Darwin Warren. Survived by her son, David (Dawn) Warren; daughters, Mary (James) Koval, Beth Evans and Laura Warren; grandchildren, Daniel (Becky) Koval, Eric Koval, Timothy (Michelle) Evans, David (Leslie) Warren, Andrew (Nichole) Warren, Jennifer Warren; 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held February 19 at New Comer Funeral Home, Greece. Interment, Creekside Cemetery.
NORTH CHILI
•Gibson, Ada Mae, peacefully, February 13, 2013 at age 68.
Funeral Services were held February 18, at Calvary Spiritual Church, Morgan Street. Interment, Grove Place Cemetery, Chili.
•Sak, Eugene J. Sr., February 12, 2013, at age 93. Predeceased by his daughter, Carol Ann Sak; sister, Eleanor Sak. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Edna Sak; children, Eugene J. Jr. (Susan) Sak, Cheryl (Gary Randolph) Sak; grandchildren, Israel (Karen) Sak, Peter (Jackie) Sak; great grandchildren, Shannon, Maggie, Ellie, Tommy and Ryan; brother, Richard Sak; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Verhay, Rita Gatz; special nephew, Daniel (Lori) Callipare; many nieces and nephews. Mr. Sak was a retiree of Alliance Tool and Die, a member of the Greece American Legion Post #0468 and an Army Air Force Veteran of WWII.
His Memorial Funeral Mass was said February 23 at St. Jude’s Church. Interment, private. Donations can be directed to Honor Flight Rochester, P.O. Box 23581, Rochester, New York 14692 in his memory.
SPENCERPORT
•Mura, Nancy A., February 19, 2013. Predeceased by her husband, Raymond; mother, Marie and sister, Patricia. Nancy is survived by loving cousins, in-laws and dedicated friends.
Please join the family on Saturday, March 2 at 11:15 a.m. for Nancy’s Memorial Mass at St. Theodore’s Church (168 Spencerport Road 14606). Interment private. Donations can be made to Hildebrandt Hospice Care, 2652 Ridgeway Avenue 14626 in her memory.
Helen Moore - business woman and community leader
by Maggie Fitzgibbon
Helen Moore will be remembered for her service to a community she loved. Moore, a lifelong Spencerport resident, died February 6 at the age of 85. She was a business woman, and a community leader, and most importantly, a person who loved the Spencerport/Ogden community.
In an article about Helen published in Suburban News in 2005, she was quoted, “I love this area. I never wanted to live anywhere else.”
Helen Moore lived in Spencerport for her entire life; she was the daughter of Eva and W. Boyd Moore and grew up in a house located in the Village of Spencerport. This home is now the Ogden Senior Center, located at 200 South Union Street. Her father’s insurance business, W.B. Moore Company, was located adjacent to this home, in the building where the Spencerport Veterinary Clinic is located. In 1956, Moore joined her father in his business and eventually renamed the company, Helen C. Moore Insurance. After her father passed in the 1960s, she moved with her mother to another home in Spencerport and expanded the insurance business to a new location on Nichols Street.
She never married; but devoted her life to her business and her community. She served on countless committees and gave her time to a myriad of groups and boards. The Ogden Town Board, Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce, the First Congregational UCC (also known as the historic White Church), the Ogden Republican Committee, the Spencerport High School Alumni Association and the Order of the Eastern Star - Etolian Chapter #308 are just a few of the organizations in which she held membership. Her contributions to Spencerport were so great and far reaching that in 2011 she was named Citizen of the Year.
Local attorney Fred Holbrook knew Moore for almost 50 years. He first met her when he purchased real estate from her and moved his law firm into the building that previously housed her insurance business. Over time their friendship grew as they both were active in the Ogden Republican Committee and other community projects. In the late 1980s, Holbrook and a few other community members spearheaded a project to create a local chamber of commerce.
“Joyce Lobene, Keith Ryan and I embarked upon a revival of the Spencerport Chamber in 1988, and Helen was an enthusiastic supporter,” Holbrook explained. At this time, Moore was very active in the Rochester Area Downtown Chamber of Commerce. In the 2005 article, Holbrook said Moore was the catalyst for this new Spencerport Chamber.
Holbrook also described Moore as an historian. “She was very involved in the publication of the Ogden-Spencerport Arcadia book in 2002. This book is still sold in the local history section of area bookshops,” Holbrook said.
Ginny Swarthout, owner of The Unique Shop in Spencerport, will always remember Helen Moore as an active and enthusiastic supporter of the Spencerport Chamber of Commerce and of her church.
“She was always willing to help wherever she was needed. She served as president of the Chamber and worked on the nominating committee. She would represent us when we were affiliated with the Downtown Rochester Chamber. Helen would inform us of programs the Downtown Chamber was offering and encourage us to attend when it was something we could benefit from,” Swarthout said.
Swarthout also knew Moore through their church, First Congregational UCC, where they both were active members.
“Helen served on the Finance Committee for many years and was active in the Women’s Guild. She always offered new ideas and continually worked on finding new members. She always looked for and suggested ideas that would interest the various age groups within the church,” Swarthout said.
Above all, Swarthout recalls that Moore will be remembered because her love of Spencerport carried through in all she did.
“Helen enjoyed being involved in the community and volunteered her time as needed. The history of the village and town was important to her. She was one of the guides when school classes came to the village to learn more about the area. Helen shared her knowledge of the community whenever she could. She recorded information that she felt would be of interest to others,” she said.
Joyce Lobene, mayor of the Village of Spencerport, knew Moore through the Spencerport Chamber of Commerce. She described Moore as a true asset to Spencerport.
“Helen never married and this community was very dear to her. She was small in stature but she was a go-getter who was able to accomplish so much in a quiet, unobtrusive way. She was a friend to everyone and will be greatly missed,” Lobene said.
Love your neighbor is one of the Ten Commandments and Dan and Betty Kelley followed that commandment faithfully. They were neighbors to Moore for almost 25 years and have many fond memories. Dan recalled a time when he painted Moore’s garage.
“I purchased two gallons of paint to cover the inside of her garage and after finishing the walls, I told Helen that I needed more paint to cover the ceiling. She quickly replied, ‘Don’t worry, I don’t even look up there,’ and I never finished painting the ceiling,” Dan added with a laugh.
Both Betty and Dan described Moore as a determined lady who was not afraid to voice her opinion and a person who was committed to her village and town.
“She was a pillar of our community and was very forward thinking. Because we were neighbors for so long, she became part of our family. We will miss her and Spencerport is a better place because of Helen’s good works,” Betty said.
Helen Moore passed away peacefully at her home. She was predeceased by her parents, Eva (Westcott) & W. Boyd Moore and is survived by many friends who remember her for her tireless energy and commitment to the community she loved.
ARCHIVES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2013
LOCAL NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2013
Ruby Foote - Compassionate and energized enabler
Honored for meritorious service by the Monika Andrews Leadership Award selection committee
by Doug Hickerson
Brockport resident Ruby Foote received a special recognition from the Monika Andrews Leadership Award selection committee. At the young age of 12, Ruby Foote’s passion to serve flared up when she saw the movie “Hotel Rwanda.” Seeing the devastation in Darfur, “I got angry. It hit me hard,” she said. She wanted to make an awareness video and raise funds for the victims, but found no resources in her middle school. Undeterred, she sought the help of a freshman friend and a teacher at the high school. They made the video which played on morning school announcements. Barred from placing collection boxes in the classrooms, Ruby and her friends went around the lunch room and hallways, and collected $400 for Darfur. Her caring concern continued years later. In high school, she worked with other humanitarian causes through The Key Club, The Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf, Camp Abilities, and other projects.
Ruby Foote turned 20 years old on February 12. She is a 2011 graduate of Brockport High School. Ruby is in her second year of AmeriCorps in Rochester. Across the United States, AmeriCorps members make an intensive commitment to service through more than 3,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and other community organizations, meeting critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.
That same determination as a 12-year-old helped get Ruby into AmeriCorps at the age of 18. The organization usually requires a couple of years at college first, but they allow one applicant to be selected under special circumstances. Ruby wanted AmeriCorps right out of high school. Because of her application essay, she was granted an interview “by the grace of God,” she said. As a result of the interview, she was the only 18-year old among the 200 young people accepted out of 700 applicants.
In her first AmeriCorps year, Ruby was at Mercy Community Services in Rochester as the volunteer coordinator for activities involving pregnant or parenting teens. Activities included Jeans for Teens, Spa night for girls, baby-sitting services for girls going to school, clothing drives, and more. In this work, Ruby found that AmeriCorps did not allow anyone under 18 to volunteer, thinking it was a burden to train them. “This is crazy,” she said, “I was once that kid who wanted to volunteer (in AmeriCorps at age 18).” She took the lead in finding the places where children and their moms could be useful and trained properly, and it was successful. After she left that program last year, there are still mothers and their children volunteering.
Now in her second year, Ruby works in the Recreation Department of the City of Rochester. She has two different programs, one in unplanned pregnancy prevention. The other is a girls’ coalition at the Rec Center, meeting once a month with role models and positive messages for girls.
Reflecting on her first year in AmeriCorps, Ruby said, “It was, beyond words, my favorite. It was a fabulous experience. I learned so much from the hard-working moms and their kids,” Ruby said of her time at Mercy. “I would go home at night and say my day was tough. But, I would think of those moms, raising children without support systems, or without a home, trying to finish school, and working at jobs. It made me rethink my idea of hard work and how hard my day was.”
Looking back, she said she still has a connection with the people she served, but the relationship was never one of their dependence on her. “I never thought of them as ‘my moms or my kids.’ With that attitude, they don’t have a chance to be themselves. It’s not about doing something for them. It’s more about letting them see the strength that they have and to be themselves.”
Ruby herself received that same kind of support in high school. “I had someone who was patient with me when I was a mess and had my own things to figure out,” she said. She was speaking of a “prevention education specialist,” an AmeriCorps worker, who taught and counseled at Brockport High. Feeling that her high school experience was too impersonal, “I wanted something connected with people, a face-to-face interaction and personal growth.” The specialist from AmeriCorps told her of the focus his organization had on people. “He referred me to AmeriCorps and helped me get my foot in the door,” she said. In AmeriCorps, and other positive experiences beyond high school, she has found the relationships and growth she wanted. “He was patient and encouraging, and made me see my higher self,” Ruby said.
“Letting people see how strong they are in their own right -- It is a really powerful place for them to be,” Ruby said about her new self-insight. “Now, I am paying it forward.”
Ruby will be attending the SUNY College at Purchase in the fall.
Note: During the January 22, 2013 Brockport Village Board meeting, the first Monika W. Andrews Creative Volunteer Leadership Award was presented to Pam Ketchum and to Jack and Chris Mazzarella. Ruby Foote was presented a Certificate of Merit “in recognition of meritorious service to the greater Brockport community.” Representing the selection committee, Helen Maier said the committee recommended Ruby be recognized for her outstanding work raising $400 for the victims of Darfur through school activities at the age of 12, and for service in AmeriCorps. “The committee was quite impressed with what this young woman has accomplished in a very short time,” Maier said, and explained that, even though the AmeriCorps stipend conflicted with the award criteria for volunteering, the committee wished to honor Ruby with a Certificate of Merit.
Photograph by Doug Hickerson
2/17/13
Village of Brockport selects consultant for historical survey
The Village of Brockport has engaged Buffalo-based Clinton Brown Company Architecture to survey 269 village residential structures for potential local historic designation and listing in the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Listing in the State and National Registers will allow the rehabilitation of a structure to be eligible for state and federal tax credits totaling 40 percent of the rehabilitation costs.
Clinton Brown Company was selected in a public process as the best qualified firm for this important economic development, environmental and planning initiative, according to a press release from village officials.
The first settlers came to the Brockport area soon after 1800. The Erie Canal, farm implement manufacturing and higher education fostered its growth and prosperity in the mid-1800s. Early Brockporters played important roles in bringing the Industrial Revolution to agriculture and popular literature to American women. Today, Brockport is a remarkably well-preserved Victorian village on the revitalized Erie Canal, the press release states.
“We are pleased to support the Village of Brockport’s leadership in marrying historic preservation and economic development,” stated firm president Clinton Brown, FAIA.
The work of the six-month contract entails research, field survey and documentation of 269 structures that could possibly be eligible for listing in the State and National Registers of Historic Places due to their design and/or cultural significance. An annotated list of properties with thumbnails, information and a brief architectural description will be created.
Information from the survey will be used for a new historic preservation website, a tool that will help the work of the Village of Brockport Historic Preservation Board and will also provide more support for the Board’s Certificate of Appropriateness reviews.
Provided information
2/17/13
Town of Riga recognized for water project
Shown (l to r) Jon Hinnman, Dave Smith, Paul Chatfield, Bob Ottley, Chuck Bastain, Marcia Havens.In January 2013 the Town of Riga was awarded with the Small Cities/Rural Communities Award from the Genesee Valley Chapter of the American Public Works Association for the Town of Riga Water Improvement Benefit Area #1 Project.
The water project was completed in 2012. The total cost came in at $1.4 million under budget and was completed in one year rather than the three years that were initially projected. Residents who received the water benefit saved as well. The $3.75 million that they voted to bond the project was secured at about 4.5 percent interest rather than the 6 percent that was initially projected. The term of the bond was also reduced from a projected 34 to 29 years. These changes from the projection will save residents in the Benefit Area about $144 per year over the life of the bond.
At the ceremony, Riga Supervisor Bob Ottley said that it was an honor to accept the award on behalf of the Town of Riga. He credited the foresight of the original steering committee and the experience and expertise of Special Counsel, Marcia Havens, and Engineering and Design Firm, Chatfield Engineers, especially Paul Chatfield and Jon Hinnman. He also credited the residents of the town for allowing this project to move forward by authorizing the use of landfill revenues and the borrowing of funds for the balance of the project.
The American Public Works Association was formed in 1934 and continues to demonstrate its commitment to the education, support, and betterment of all aspects of Public Works. The Genesee Valley Chapter represents all Public Works agencies and people located in Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne County.
Each year the Genesee Valley Chapter of APWA celebrates the achievement and power of public works to transform the environment. The Town of Riga project will be submitted to the New York Chapter for statewide consideration in its category; and they will also be considered for national awards.
Provided information and photo
2/17/13
Lakeside Hospital to discontinue some services
In an announcement made February 14, Lakeside Health System Board and Acting CEO James Cummings said the heathcare systems emergency department and inpatient beds would be closing in the near future. He said hospital officials are working on a plan to transform the health system from an acute care hospital and emergency department to an outpatient diagnostic and treatment center. The goal is to restore Lakeside’s financial stability so that it can meet the community’s health care needs for the long term, he stated in a press release.
“For the last several years, the number of patients admitted to our impatient beds has continued to decline as has the number of patients cared for in our Emergency Department. These declines have occurred despite a concerted effort to grow our services,” Cummings said. “We are now at a point where maintaining inpatient hospital beds drains resources that could be applied to services that are essential as part of ongoing health care reform. To ensure our place in the region’s health care system and to continue to provide essential services, Lakeside is conceding inpatient care to others.”
Cummings said the Beikirch Care Center, Lakeside’s 120-bed skilled nursing facility, will remain open and fully functional. It was recently named by Elderbranch as one of the region’s top nursing homes, based on data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The move away from inpatient care comes as Lakeside faces a rising deficit and increased pressure to provide support for new models of care that emphasize services provided in physician offices and outpatient centers. The decision to pursue a transformational strategy followed weeks of discussion with attorneys, consultants, local physicians, and other health care systems in our area.
Lakeside’s plan includes focusing on diagnostic and treatment services, possibly including an urgent care center, ambulatory surgery center, outpatient pharmacy, imaging services, endoscopy, and echocardiography. Plans are not yet finalized and must be approved by the New York State Department of Health (DOH).
“This is a delicate transition, but one that offers hope for future stability as a different type of provider that suits tomorrow’s needs,” said Nancy Plews, Lakeside Board chair. “We will work closely with the State to determine exactly what options are available to restore financial stability and help us become a more sustainable health system that aligns with future needs.”
If the state accepts Lakeside’s Transformational Business Plan, the Health System’s Emergency Department and 61 inpatient beds could close within the next two months. On a typical day, Lakeside provides care to about 22 inpatients. Lakeside officials will work closely with the DOH and Rochester’s other health systems to plan for a smooth transition.
“We have a collaborating institution agreement with the University of Rochester Medical Center and we have a collegial and supportive relationship with Unity Health System, so we are certain we can work together to make an immediate and safe transition for those who’ve relied on Lakeside for inpatient care,” Cummings said. “We are also optimistic that, in the long run, some outpatient services may be preserved; those that support new health care models. As we develop our reorganization plan, we’ll work closely with local physicans to build supports that enable them to help patients stay healthy.”
Provided information
2/17/13
Brockport’s upcoming budget won’t include fire service funding
by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport Mayor Connie Castaneda says the village will remove Fire Department expenses from the 2013-2014 budget.
“Taxpayers will be taxed through the Brockport Fire District and not the Village of Brockport,” Mayor Castaneda said during her report at the regular Village Board meeting February 12.
She noted that some village residents had expressed concern that the new budget might not be reduced by the amount previously allocated for fire protection.
In last year’s budget, $89,115 was allocated for fire service because the fire district was still in the process of being formed, the mayor said. “This year the fire budget is gone - it has been taken out.”
The board held a preliminary budget workshop February 5 and Mayor Castaneda said the current fund balance is good and that expenses will “easily fall within the two percent tax cap.”
She noted that the village needs to continue to manage both revenues and expenses in order to keep moving forward financially.
The mayor also discussed the Local Government Citizens Reorganization Empowerment grant application that trustees refused to consider at the January 22 meeting of the Village Board calling it a “back door to dissolution.”
The grant would fund a study that would “help the board achieve savings ... reduce government cost and save taxpayers money,” the mayor said.
She said the board should reconsider applying for the grant and added the village would not need to determine what services it would like to consolidate before applying for the grant.
“CGR (Center for Governmental Research) would do that as part of the study,” she said.
The mayor said she asked Village Clerk Leslie Morelli to contact Gary Rouleau, Director of Grant Operations at J. O’Connell & Associates, to answer questions regarding the need for the village to determine what services would be consolidated before a study took place and if the village would be obligated to follow through on findings of the study.
Rouleau also responded that as part of the study process, CGR would form a committee consisting of members appointed by the Village and Town Boards to gather information and data, the mayor explained.
The village would be obligated to share study findings with the public, but would “not be obligated to follow-through on findings of the study,” she said, even if those findings recommended consolidation.
The mayor emphasized that in order to move forward with any grant application, the Village Board must first approve a resolution.
A Letter to the Editor from Trustee Margay Blackman on page 4 of this issue discusses the topic further.
Mayor Castaneda also commented on an article published in the February 10 edition of the Suburban News West Edition regarding the Brockport Police Department and Chief Daniel Varrenti’s report of reductions in the cost of running the department.
The mayor said she is not against the Brockport Police Department. “My job is to represent the best interests of all village residents ... I’m against the cost of the Police Department,” she said.
Budget numbers she cited can be “verified by current and past village treasurers,” the mayor explained.
“It’s not up to me or the Board to decide (if the Police Department should be eliminated). I have called for a referendum (so) residents can decide if it’s a service they want to continue,” the mayor said.
She also addressed the figure of an 18 percent tax increase which surfaced prior to the dissolution vote of 2010.
The figure was included in a report from Bernie Donegan’s office, she said, after the village treasurer at the time asked department heads what the cost would be if they were to complete all projects they would like to see accomplished.
“Of course that’s not going to happen,” Castaneda said, and added that the double-digit projected increase was drastically reduced shortly after.
2/17/13
Riga Town Board passes resolution opposing SAFE
by Kristina Gabalski
Members of the Riga Town Board have passed a resolution opposing the NY SAFE ACT and in support of the Second Amendment.
Council Member David Smith brought the resolution forward during the February 13 regular meeting of the board.
The resolution states that the right to keep and bear arms is guaranteed under the Second Amendment to the U. S. Constitution and under the Constitution of the State of New York. It also states that the town board opposes the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the Right of the People to keep and bear arms and considers such laws to be unnecessary and beyond lawful legislative authority granted to our state representatives, as there is no documented correlation between gun control measures and crime reduction.
“Legislation passed in the night, six hours after introduced, without any public notice or opportunity for comment by citizens effected, by the New York Assembly and Senate, infringe on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms,” the resolution states.
Council Member David Smith tells the Suburban News the resolution was well received both by board members and residents in attendance.
“Both (Board Members) Debbie Campanella and Brad Obrocta had some good comments,” he said. “Cornell Juleano also thanked us in the comment time at the end of the meeting.”
He added that he planned to send out copies of the resolution to elected officials at the state and national levels on February 14.
2/17/13
FEATURE STORIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2013
Garden Symposium offers lots of fresh garden ideas
by Kristina Gabalski
Planning, dreaming, brainstorming - for gardeners those are three of the fundamental activities at this time of year and if you’re looking for some fresh ideas to use for the 2013 growing season, you’ll want to attend the 22nd annual Spring Garden Symposium Saturday, March 9 at the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG), 500 University Ave. in Rochester.
The Symposium is presented by the Rochester Civic Garden Center (RCGC) and Clover Nursery and Garden Center and RCGC Executive Director Christine Froehlich says people enjoy the day-long event which begins with registration at 8:15 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. and includes lectures, shopping and refreshments.
“People want to go home with ideas they can use for reviving their gardens. That’s what winter’s about. We like to inspire people,” she says.
This year’s theme promises to be very inspiring - “Art in the Landscape” coincides with the launching of the Centennial Sculpture Park at the MAG.
Three landscape architects are the featured speakers - Pietro Furgiuele and Mark Bayer are from Rochester and W. Gary Smith is based in Toronto.
Smith is well known for his unique approach to landscape design which combines art, horticulture and architectural features to create exceptional gardens that connect people and plants.
His two Symposium talks - “Designing for Beauty” and “Nature’s Patterns” - are based on his latest book: From Art to Landscape: Unleashing Creativity in Garden Design.
Pietro Furgiuele is principal designer and owner of the Rochester landscape design firm Waterford Tilling. His talk is entitled, “The Concept Garden - Where Amazing Garden Concepts Sprout.” Furgiuele will share many of his private and public projects centered on provocative concepts.
Mark Bayer is founder and principal designer at Bayer Landscape Architecture and will present a slide lecture on the new Centennial Sculpture Park at MAG.
Froehlich says she’s finding Smith’s book compelling. He tells gardeners to “go ahead and call yourself an artist. Anyone can learn to work like an artist. People get intimidated by designing gardens, but Smith says to let your creative self go wild,” she says.
Local gardeners may know Pietro Furgiuele as the “guy who does flipped-out things at Gardenscape. He’s an out-of-the-box garden thinker,” Froehlich says. “Having him in Rochester is kind of neat.”
Mark Bayer has been working on the Centennial Sculpture Park at MAG.
Froehlich says the sculpture park will expand on the MAG’s goal of connecting people to art, by making art more accessible.
“Gardening is an art and art makes life worth living,” she explains. She says it’s wonderful that something “that cool is going on in Rochester. People need to come and see what’s going on at the MAG. It’s very inspiring and to have two people in Rochester who are doing such awesome things is compelling.”
In addition to the lectures and talks, the Symposium includes a Gardener’s Marketplace, book sales and book signings. Local vendors are also included.
This is a great time to consider joining the RCGC, she adds. There is a membership special that takes $10 off the combined price of a Symposium ticket and a membership.
Individual memberships are $35; Family memberships are $45. Members receive many benefits including discounts on all classes and use of the RCGC library.
“You can see the collection online and have a book delivered to the Monroe County library of your choice,” Froehlich says.
To register in advance for the Symposium call RCGC at 473-5130 or go online to rcgc.org. Tickets are $48 for RCGC members and $58 for non-members.
Box lunches are available for $15 each, but must be pre-ordered by February 28. Prices for RCGC membership specials are $73 for an individual membership and one Symposium ticket, $83 for a family membership and one Symposium ticket.
2/17/13
Gates-Chili Rotary supports community needs
Florence Brasser students with dictionaries.The Rotary Club of Gates-Chili, whose motto is, “Service Above Self,” continues to provide support for those in need. The club is collecting food supplies through the end of February to support the needs of community organizations. This year, SWEM (South West Ecumenical Ministries) is the organization that will receive this food collection. Support from the community is welcome. Contact the club at gcrotary@gmail.com and arrangements will be made to provide donation pick-up.
Over the last few months, the club provided staffing for the Ronald McDonald House sale, supported the Salvation Army Bell Ringing by providing a staff at the North Chili location, provided and distributed food baskets to 25 families before Christmas and wrapped presents for needy children in the city through ‘Holiday Outreach.’ Members also held the annual Christmas party for Boy Scout Troop 327, a special needs troop that the club founded and supports.
As part of the club’s literacy program, members provided 250 dictionaries to each third grade student in four schools: Gates Chili Florence Brasser School, Coldwater Road School, Walt Disney School and to Rochester School No. 43, located at Mt. Read and Lyell Avenue. These dictionaries also include an atlas.
The club meets Wednesdays at 7:15 a.m., Garlock Hall, Roberts Wesleyan College. Visitors welcome.
Provided information
2/17/13
Boy Scout Troop 90 celebrates Court of Awards and Scout Sunday
On Tuesday, February 5, Boy Scouts from Troop 90 celebrated their winter Court of Awards honoring 13 scouts who advanced in rank, and one new scout who joined the troop. The ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church of Chili, 3182 Chili Avenue and was followed by a celebratory reception.
Scout Master Keith Wimer and Advancement Chairperson Jeff Bishoping presented the boys with Merit Badges and honors earned over the past several months. Earning the rank of Tenderfoot were: Jason Li and Joshua Valdez. Earning the rank of Scout 2nd Class: Kyle Fingar, Mark Greene, Connor O’Hara, Thomas Reynolds and Michael Smith. Earning the rank of Scout 1st Class: Zachary Glidden, Blaine Pawlaczyk, Alex Steiner and Ryan Stratton. And, earning the rank of Life Scout: Tyler Auble and Ty Pawlaczyk.
Additionally, on Sunday, February 2, twenty-one scouts from the troop participated in Scout Sunday, a day to recognize that The Boy Scouts of America have long been affiliated with faith groups, with many churches, synagogues and other religious organizations sponsoring Scouts as part of their youth ministries. Boy Scout Sunday is observed annually in early February to coincide with the birthdate of Scouting founder Robert Baden-Powell and to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. At the service, the First Baptist Church of Chili also renewed the troop’s charter with them for the 47th year in a row.
“We are very proud of all the work the scouts of Troop 90 have put into our year to advance to each of these ranks in boy scouts,” said Keith Wimer, Scout Master. “We look to advance as many scouts as we can to the rank of Eagle and are always pleased with the creativity, thought and effort that go into those projects, these steps along the way help each scout to move toward the goal of Eagle. We are very happy with the efforts of all of the young men in our troop.”
Provided information
2/17/13
Holley Cub Scout Pack 62 participated in the Pinewood Derby 2013 held February 10 at St. John Lutheran Church in Hamlin.
Cub scouts proudly display the Pinewood Derby cars they constructed themselves. Shown (front row) Caleb Skowneski, John Patt, David Moy, Raymond Jin and Jacob Skowneski; back row - Dawson Moy, Riley Weaver, Hunter Kennedy, Jacob Weaver and Nicholas Wolf.
Provided photo
2/17/13
SPORTS NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2013
AREA
Gymnasts win in Florida
Bright Raven gymnasts traveled to Coral Springs, Florida to participate in the Sun and Surf Invitational January 19 and 20 where their Level 6 team captured first place with 11-year-old Indya Richards of Gates earning first place all around with a total score of 36.00 in the Junior Division. Richards also took first place on both vault and floor exercise. In the same division, teammate Jadasia Lee of Gates earned first place on balance beam. In the Senior Division, Megan Welch of Caledonia earned three first place medals for her performance in the individual events: vault, uneven parallel bars and floor exercise. Twelve year old Welch finished second in all around competition totaling 35.25. Other Level 6 gymnasts contributing to the team win included Ariana Johnson of Clarkson and Hannah Cubiotti of Spencerport.
The Bright Raven Level 5 team finished in second place with 11-year-old Emily Field of Greece winning bars and floor and placing second in the all around competition with a 35.70. The Level 4 team also finished second with 9-year-old Ashlyn Neathawk of Chili winning bars. In the Level 8 competition, 13-year-old Taylor Pohleven of Spencerport earned first place in the floor exercise competition.
Provided information
2/17/13
HILTON
Hilton wins second straight basketball title
Prince earns 100th
by Warren Kozireski
Senior Nick Ross scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half to help his Cadets to a 74-57 win over Gates Chili and a share of a Division regular season basketball championship with Greece Athena for the second consecutive season.
Ross netted four points during a late first quarter 7-0 run to push a one-point lead to six. He added seven more, including a buzzer-beating 360 spin move, in the second quarter as the Cadets added 19 more to lead by 12 points at the half.
In the second half, Gates Chili crept back into the contest trailing by eight, but an 8-0 run highlighted by back-to-back drives by Nick Prince put the game out of reach. Prince had three more baskets to start the fourth quarter to extend the lead to as many as 25.
“It’s never one guy; they are all fully capable of filling it up,” said head coach Troy Prince. “We had too much balance and senior leadership - six guys plus three more guys off the bench that could start for most teams.”
Ross finished with a team-high 16 points while Prince and Miller each had 12. DJ Logory also was in double-figures with ten. Miller and Scotty Eisenmenger each led the Cadets with nine rebounds with the latter adding five blocks. Tyler Farrell added five assists.
The win was the 14th of the season for Hilton against three losses and marked the 100th career victory for head coach Troy Prince, who has coached the Cadets since 2004.
2/17/13
SPENCERPORT
Leone’s 25 points leads Rangers
by Warren Kozireski
Senior Emily Leone scored 11 of her game-high 25 points in the first eight minutes and Spencerport exploded on a 12-2 run to open the fourth quarter on their way to a 51-44 win over visiting Churchville-Chili.
The first three quarters featured 13 lead changes with a late third quarter 8-4 spurt by the Rangers staked them to a four point lead heading to the fourth.
Senior Sabrina DeBellis scored ten points over the first four minutes of the fourth including consecutive treys to help the Rangers open a 14-point lead.
Leone, heading to the College at Brockport to play basketball next fall, added nine rebounds and three blocks to her 25 points. DeBellis scored 11 points with five assists, Christa White seven points and six rebounds and Catie Broderick four assists for the Rangers.
Jessica Hyde led the Saints with 12 points, Maggie Tabone had ten, Nicole Picardo led with five rebounds and Carly Zimmerman four assists.
Spencerport finished the regular season with an 8-10 record and the sixth seed for the upcoming Section V playoffs. They expected to play East or Mercy February 14. Churchville-Chili, at 5-13, as the seventh seed, plays a first round game February 18.
2/17/13
Kopp headed to Duke University
Spencerport High School Senior Madeline Kopp signed her official letter of intent to attend Duke University on a half track and field and half academic scholarship on February 6.
Her accomplishments include: Girls Track and Field Class A Section V 2012 Championship in the 100m, 200m and 400m; First place Section V 2012 State Qualifier Division 1 in the 200m and 400m; Section V Girls Indoor Track and Field record holder for 400m (56.64) on 3/10/12; 2012 MCPSAC Championship in the 100m, 200m, and 400m; All Greater Rochester First Team Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field in 2011 and 2012. Kopp carries a 3.92 GPA, is a member of National Honor Society, Black Scholar/Urban League of Rochester, Service Club and Recycling Club. She is a four year varsity letter winner in Indoor Track & Field and will earn her fourth varsity letter in Outdoor Track & Field this spring. She has also been manager of the varsity girls soccer team the past two (2) seasons.
Outside of school Kopp participates with the youth group at St. John the Evangelist Church, and is a member of the Rochester Running Rebels Track Club. Her parents are Tom and Teri Kopp.
Provided photo
2/17/13
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2013
AREA
WEMOCO grad hits the ground running; partners with CWD to share her knowledge
(L-r) Gerry Wilcox, Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance instructor at the WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center; Corey Minster, a senior at Spencerport; Adam Blaszyk, a senior at Wheatland-Chili; Jennyrae Brongo, owner of Brongo Contracting and Supply; and Jim Slocum, who teaches adults heavy equipment operation at the Center for Workforce Development.Jennyrae Brongo grew up in a big sandbox at the corner of Manitou Road and the 531 expressway. She is the third generation to work in construction and excavating – an unlikely profession for a 23-year old woman. Her grandfather, Charles Brongo, started Lyell Excavating in the 1950s and was known for the major site development of Spencerport schools, Kodak Park, the 531 expressway, and worked with the early Habitat for Humanity. His son, Jeff, learned the trade at a young age and followed in the footsteps of his father. The successful team operated a large fleet of earthmovers, developing many areas of the Rochester community.
After the death of his father, Jeff Brongo juggled the roles of business owner and father to a special needs son who required constant care. Meanwhile, Jenny already had a solid background in the business thanks to her father, and decided to further her education at WEMOCO Career and Technical School as a student in Gerry Wilcox’s Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance class. “I knew I’d be the only girl in that class, but I also knew that I’d be good at it,” she said.
After graduating high school, Jenny headed to Alfred State College where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in construction management engineering technology. She excelled in project planning, scheduling, safety, and estimating. “I wanted to learn the management skills behind the field work that I already knew,” she said.
Jenny graduated on May 15, 2011 and exactly two months later, her father died unexpectedly at the age of 52 leaving full responsibility for the family business to his daughter. “We had dreams of doing great things together and then I was left to figure it all out alone,” Jenny remembered.
Despite being left with the overwhelming responsibility of caring for her mom, autistic brother, the business and herself, Jenny rose to the occasion. With a new name, “Brongo Contracting and Supply,” and a new vision, specializing in construction and demolition recycling, the business has been reinvented.
“Construction and demolition materials make up approximately 40 percent of the waste in the U.S.,” Brongo explained. She recycles everything on the property, has no dumpsters, and doesn’t transport anything to a landfill. Among the materials recycled are dirt, concrete, asphalt, brick, wood, and green waste. These products are then reused in the construction process and sold to contractors and homeowners. “Everything is worth something in its cleanest form,” she said.
Also part of her father’s vision was the desire to give back to the community and create jobs. “My dad always wanted to have a land lab – a bigger, better experience for students with more hands-on learning,” said Brongo.
So Brongo Contracting and Supply now partners with the Center for Workforce Development (CWD) in creating “Project Sandbox,” where she gives adult students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Operation I and II classes access to projects and land at her 16-acre gravel pit to better learn their trade. “To see the transformation of these students in just six weeks is like seeing someone walk for the first time,” she said. In addition to providing the opportunity for hands-on learning, Brongo allows students to use her as a reference, and helps them with their resumes and making job connections.
At WEMOCO, high school students learn how to maintain heavy equipment by working on Brongo’s vehicles. “I’m excited by her commitment to education and renewable resources,” said Wilcox. “She’s embracing both with her business and taking us with her.” Thanks to Brongo, WEMOCO students are able to gain experience working on larger vehicles than what they have available in class.
Brongo is hoping the future of her business includes training a workforce that will help create homes and environments for special needs individuals, another population served by BOCES 2.
As of this year, Brongo will be opening a not-for-profit to build a group home for adolescents with autism.
“I would not be where I am today if I didn’t have the WEMOCO option for hands-on learning,” said Brongo. “BOCES opened doors for me and now I want to open doors for others.”
Provided information and photo
2/17/13
BROCKPORT
BISCO supports 3rd Annual BCHS Peace Day
(l to r) BCSD Student Assistance Coordinator Karen Breslawski, Student Coordinators Ashlee Wilmier and Amanda Stroh wait as BISCO Treasurer Andrew Pacitto signs a check for $1,000.
The money was granted after the group recently submitted a proposal to the BISCO Board of Directors. Half of the money will go to help support a peace video (filming and editing) and the rest will help with student facilitator T-shirt costs and some materials and supplies.
The Peace Committee is student organized and student led. The goal is to promote peace, kindness, caring and acceptance - to work to prevent bullying and violence seen throughout society.
In addition to the special video, Peace Day will feature a keynote speaker, Joel Penton, of The Ohio State University, a football champion who will relate the day’s theme to his own life. There will be classroom activities developed which will see about 130 students who will be trained to lead the activitites in classrooms throughout the day. Some of the activities also will be extended to the middle school.
Provided photo
2/17/13
HILTON
Hilton school takes the Follett Challenge
Register to vote online for cash for Quest
While schools across the country grapple with changes in funding, implementing new curriculum standards, and how to use technology in classrooms, Stephanie Harney, a library media specialist at Hilton’s Quest Elementary School, decided to take a creative approach to tell its success story. She made a case for why the school has the most innovative education program and is now hoping it will be enough for a shot at thousands of dollars worth of products and services from a leading education company.
Quest applied to the Follett Challenge, a program run by Follett to recognize and reward schools for their work applying technology, content and creativity in ways that engage students, foster literacy and promote critical thinking. Six winning schools will be awarded with the cash-equivalent of a total of $200,000 worth of products and services, according to a district press release.
As part of the competition, Harney created a short video about their program and submitted a 5,500 word essay describing their program in detail. The video is now posted on the Follett Challenge website so the public can vote for their favorite school. Thirty percent of the school’s total entry is determined by the number of votes its video receives.
Follett created the Follett Challenge to reward innovation in schools. “There’s a lot of change happening in education and many challenges with the economy,” said Tom Schenck, president of Follett School & Library Group. “We want to reward educators with innovative ideas, who rise to the occasion through all the chaos using technology and new teaching techniques.”
The public can vote until March 15 for the school with the best video overview about their library program. Quest’s submission is available on the Follett Challenge website under the “View Entries” tab at the following link: http://www.follettchallenge.com/video.cfm?id=372. The video highlights their unique program for children in grades K-6. Quest Elementary School is a multiage, International Baccalaureate School of Choice. After registering, users can cast one vote per day.
The Follett Challenge winners will be notified by April 5. To cast a vote or learn more about the Follett Challenge, visit www.follettchallenge.com. The company can also be contacted at follettchallenge@follett.com.
2/17/13
OBITUARIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17, 2013
AREA
•Robinson, Robert Henry, died January 25, 2013. Born in Medina, January 1951. He was a Veteran of the United States military, who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1992, after honorably serving his country for 22 years. He is survived by his wife Sabrina; his son Richard Robinson and wife Suzanne of Spokane, Washington; his daughter Michelle Dunn and husband Jason of Litchfield, Maine; his daughter Sandy Singleton and husband Aaron of Cabot, Arkansas; his mother Evelyn Robinson of Henderson, Nevada; his siblings Lynda Crandall, Fred Robinson, Jim Robinson, Sally Martinez, Sybil Robinson, and Katherine Robinson; 11 grandchildren; beloved dog, Zoe; also numerous extended family and close friendships.
Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675; or the Boy Scouts of America, 1485 Valley Forge Road, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087 in his memory.
BERGEN
•Partridge, Richard D., Died February 9, 2013 at age 83. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marian Thornell Partridge; his children, Bruce (Sandra) Partridge of Bergen and Jan (Maurice Riddle) Kent of Byron; four grandchildren, Joshua (Heather) Kent of Byron, Amber (Jason) Tomlin of North Carolina, Michael (Chantel) Partridge of Texas and Seth (Lauren Rohan) Kent of Bergen; his brother, Lewis (Helen) Partridge of Batavia; his sister, Joyce (Richard) Glazier of Byron; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held February 13 at Bergen United Methodist Church. Contributions in his memory can be made to Bergen Historical Society, P.O. Box 281, Bergen, New York 14416 for the early 1900’s Baby Carriage Restoration Project.
BROCKPORT
•Easton, Gloria, of Inverness, Florida, formerly of Brockport, died February 3, 2013 at age 75. She is survived by her loving husband, Myron of 58 years; her children Daniel (Cheryl), Cheryl Hill (Steven), Linda Rodas (Scott), Larry, Susan Korn (Jon); seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers, Bert (Shirley), Murlin (Lois) Altoft.
Her Memorial Service was held February 6, 2013.
•Miller, Mary R. (McCollom), February 7, 2013 at age 82. Predeceased by her husband, Lester G. Miller Jr.; siblings, Theodore McCollom, Doris Self and Gerald McCollom. Survived by her brother Thomas McCollom and her children, Richard and Kate (Doran) of Kendall, Susan of Brockport, Robert and Beth (Schulte) of Fancher, J. Douglas of Brockport and David and Amy (Zeigler) of Fairfield, California; grandchildren, Joel Brooks and Stephanie (Vega), Erik Grant, Jonathan Knight, Daniel Richard, Bridget Kathleen and Sophia Grace Miller. Great-grandchildren, Jayden and Alexandria Miller.
A Memorial Service was held February 11 at the First Presbyterian Church of Brockport. Spring interment Lakeview Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620 in her memory.
•Polisseni, Albert J., February 9, 2013, at age 95. Predeceased by his parents, Peter and Carmella Polisseni; and his children Patricia Williams, Robert Polisseni and Albert Joseph Polisseni, Jr. Survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Vivian E. Polisseni; daughter, Kathleen (Ronald) Bruzzese; daughter-in-law, Jan Polisseni; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Robert) Humphreys, Ronald (Deanna) Bruzzese, Lori (Robert) Deuberry, Kim (Robert) Hurst, Richard (Samantha) Williams, Nicole (Mark) Sommer, Andrea Polisseni; 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Eleanor Palmeri; several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Albert was a proud Army veteran of World War II and the longtime Post Commander of VFW Post #1457.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated February 14 at Our Mother of Sorrows Church. Interment private. Contributions can be made to the VFW Post #1457 or the American Cancer Society in his memory.
CHILI
•Carney, Maura A., February 10, 2013, age 76. Predeceased by her brother, Edward Fitzgerald and sister-in-law, Patricia Kimball. Survived by her loving husband of 53 years, William; children, Kathleen (Warwick) Holland, Christopher (Teresa), Michael (Janice), Kevin (Mary) and James (Julie); grandchildren, Alicia, Liam and Daniel Holland, Maura, Nolan, Declan, Micaela, Elise, Jonathan, Shayla, Jillian, Joshua, Jacob, Hannah and Sarah Carney; sister-in-law, Patricia Fitzgerald; brother-in-law, Edward Kimball; nieces and nephew.
A Funeral Mass was said February 16 at St. Pius the Tenth Church, Chili. Donations can be made to The Friendly Home in her memory.
•Hall, Curt AJ, February 10, 2013, age 19. Survived by his parents, Stephen and Janice; sister, Rachel; grandparents, Doris and Jack Hall of Maryland; aunts and uncles, Deborah (Jeff) Webber of Maryland, Carolann (Frank) Rhoades of South Carolina; great-aunt, Lena Rosato; cousins, Kelly Ann, Gregory, Hilary and Garth; best friends, Nick Servati and Kyle McMinds; and many other friends. Curt was a graduate of Gates Chili High School and a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh. Loved his dogs, playing music and cross country running.
His Funeral Mass was said February 15 at St. Pius the Tenth Church, Chili. Interment, Grove Place Cemetery.
•Peters, Lawrence C., February 6, 2013, age 75. Survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jean; daughters, Ann Miller and Suzanne Lowenthal; grandchildren, Amber Miller, Aaron Lowenthal and Gavin Dankert; sister, Carol (Ace) Simpson; and brother, Martin (Kathy) Peters; several nieces and nephews. Lawrence was a retired Vice President of M&T Bank (Batavia Branch), member of the Free Mason Constellation Lodge 404 and Damascus Shriners.
Services were held February 9 at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home, Chili. Donations can be made to Chili Ambulance or Shriners Children’s Hospital in his memory.
CHURCHVILLE
•Preston, Linda L., February 6, 2013. Predeceased by her parents, Edward and Mary Louise Preston. Survived by brother, Peter (Loretta) Preston of Florida; sisters, Sally (John) Lipari and Kathy (Jon) Baldwin of Philadelphia; niece, Katie; and nephews, Michael (Patty), Joseph, David and Peter; four great nephews and one great niece.
A Funeral Mass was said February 11 at St. Pius The Tenth Church, Chili. Interment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at a later date. Donations can be made to the School of the Holy Childhood, 100 Groton Parkway, Rochester, NY 14623 in her memory.
•Quimby, Virginia R. “Ginny,” February 5, 2013 at age 90. Ginny was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Arlie D. Quimby. She is survived by her son, Bruce (Susan) Quimby; grandchildren, Michelle (Nick Dwyer) Quimby, Stacy (Ryan McMindes) Quimby and Ashley Quimby; great-grandchildren, Sammy Dwyer and Allison McMindes; several nieces and nephews.
Ginny’s visitation will be held on Sunday, February 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Walker Brothers Funeral Home, Inc., 21 South Main Street, Churchville, where Ginny’s Funeral Services will be celebrated immediately following visitation at 3:30 p.m. Springtime interment will be held in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. Donations can be made to the Episcopal Church Home, 505 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 in her memory.
HAMLIN
•Compson, Shirley J. (Walch), February 7, 2013. Predeceased by parents, Louis and Emma (Nothiger), and brother, Duane. Survived by sister-in-law, Diane Walch; nieces, Dana Michael, Deidre Cass, Deanna Walch and nephew, Daniel and several cousins.
Services were held February 11 at the J.H. Cameron Funeral Home, Scottsville. Interment, Oatka Cemetery, Scottsville.
HILTON
•Bona, Samuel J., of Fullerton, California, died February 3, 2013, age 95. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Verna Bona; four children, Marie (Ronald) Tippets, Jeanne (Gary) Fontana, Joseph (Gricelle) Bona and Carole (Ronald) Cassell; grandchildren, Erin (Michael) Druez, Alexis Tippets, Samantha Cassell, Gabrielle Cassell, Ryan Cassell, Greg (Jill) Fontana and John (Anna Marie) Fontana; and great-grandson, Nolan Druez; brother, Chel (Virginia) Bona; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Funeral Mass was held in Fullerton, California on February 7. A Prayer Service was held February 12 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Hilton. Burial at Parma Union Cemetery. Donations in his memory can be made to New Horizon Board and Care, 5330 East Rural Ridge Road, Anaheim Hills, California 92807 Attn: Mel Aguila.
•Naugle, William R. “Bill,” February 11, 2013, age 73. Survived by lifetime companion, Diane DeLosh; daughters, Bonnie (Mike) Colony, Jennifer, Jessica; “adopted son,” Mark (Therese) Flannery; “adopted grandchildren,” Joshua, Julianna Flannery; brothers, Robert (Kathy), Daniel (Phyllis), John Naugle; sister, Susan McFarland. Predeceased by children, Marc, Beth Michael Naugle; brother, Wayne Naugle and sister, Rella Ralston.
Funeral Services were held February 14 at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Contributions can be made to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport 14450 in his memory.
•Reynolds, Ruth F., February 12, 2013, age 89. Predeceased by her husband, John Reynolds, 1996. Survived by her sons, Paul D. Meeks of Greece, Thomas L. (Deborah) Meeks of Tennessee; grandson, Shawn (Anne) Meeks of Florida.
A private service was held at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., followed by interment, Parma Union Cemetery.
HOLLEY
•Pruner, Geraldine “Gerrie” (Guyette), age 82, died February 12, 2013 at Unity Hospital. She was born July 31, 1930 in Rochester, a daughter of the late Frederick and Pearl (Peterson) Guyette. Gerrie was a member of the Disciples United Methodist Church and had worked in the business office at the Kendall Central School District for many years. She was predeceased by her husband, James; son, James; step-granddaughter, Bridget Buzard. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Linda Pruner; sons, Wayne (Amy), Ken (Kim), Steven (Patty); daughter, Eleanor (Don) Buzard; grandchildren, James, Matthew, Rachael, Craig James, Kurt, Chad Pruner, Cody Buzard; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Amberlyn, Cadence, Hadley; sisters, Arleen (Gordon) Wilcox of Oregon, Louis (Ray) Zimmer of Cape Vincent; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services were held February 16 at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home, Inc., Holley. Spring interment, Lakeside Cemetery. Contributions can be made to Mercy Flight Central, 2420 Brickyard Road, Canandaigua, NY 14424, Clarendon Fire Department, P. O. Box 136, Clarendon, NY 14429 or Disciples United Methodist Church, 4410 Holley Byron Road, Holley, NY 14470 in her memory.
NORTH CHILI
•Kozan, Rita Anne, on February 6, 2013 at age 71. She is predeceased by her brother, Francis Mitchell. Survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Joseph; children, Joseph (Cass), Karen, Richard Kozan; grandsons, Alex and Colin; sister, Virginia (Joseph) Troy.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated February 16 at St. Christopher’s Church, North Chili. Private interment. Contributions can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1710, New York, NY 10122 in her memory.
•Marchner, John C., February 9, 2013 at age 90. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy M. (Zimmer) Marchner; daughter, Mary Lou Marchner; brother, Theodore Marchner. He is survived by his son, David (Janine) Marchner; grandchildren, Kelly (Christopher) Brody, Michael (Catherine) Marchner and Robert Marchner; sister, Kathleen (William) Aman; brother, Michael (Mary) Marchner; nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Services were held February 16 at Miller Funeral Homes, Inc., Rochester. Private interment. Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester 14620 in his memory.
SPENCERPORT
•Boothe, Florence M. (Allen), February 11, 2013. Predeceased by her husband, Edward Boothe; son, Clarence John Murray. Survived by her children, Pauline Fish, Richard (Janet) Murray and Christine McAvoy; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service was celebrated February 16 at Spencerport United Methodist Church. Donations can be made to the American Lung Association, 1595 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 in her memory.
•Finnegan, Irma L., February 6, 2013. Predeceased by her husband, Robert J. Finnegan; daughter, Emily J. Helfrich. Survived by her children, Donald J. Finnegan and Elizabeth A. Finnegan; grandson, Jesse A. Finnegan; sister, Anna Brown; dear friends, Armond and Ruth Dumont; Cutie Pie and Little Kittie.
Irma’s Memorial Service will be celebrated June 16. Please contact Elizabeth for more details.
•Fuller, George W., February 9, 2013. Predeceased by his wife, Betty Fuller; daughter, Gilda Shaw; grandson, Shawn Shaw; parents, William and Frances Fuller. Survived by his children, Kathy (Neal) Meskill, Michael (Jeannine) Fuller, Thomas (Tamara) Fuller, Howard (Mary Beth) Fuller and Debbie Santucci; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Betty (John) Finch; several nieces and nephews. George attended the Rochester School for the Deaf and he was instrumental in helping the 1949-1950 basketball team win its first championship in the history of the school.
George’s Graveside Service will be held in the spring. Donations can be sent to the Mount Carmel House, 4 Planet Street, Rochester, NY 14606 in his memory.
•Moore, Helen C., February 6, 2013, peacefully at home. Predeceased by her parents, Eva (Westcott) and W. Boyd Moore. Survived by many dear friends including Betty and Dan Kelley, Brad (Kerry) Kelley, Jackie (Mark) Howard. Helen was a lifelong resident of Spencerport and the 2011 Citizen of the Year. She devoted her entire life to community service.
A Memorial Service was held February 11 at the First Congregational UCC (White Church), Spencerport. Donations can be made to the White Church, 65 Church Street, Spencerport, NY 14559 or The Helen Moore Spencerport Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, P.O. Box 7, Spencerport, NY 14559 in her memory.
ARCHIVES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013
LOCAL NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013
Brockport Police Department costs decrease, chief reports
by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti says it’s costing less to run the Department today than it did five years ago.
During his report at the January 22 regular meeting of the Brockport Village Board, Chief Varrenti said there has been a decrease in overtime and a decrease in cost to the community despite the challenges of running the Department with 11 full-time officers (formerly 14) and maintaining two officers on duty at all times.
“Our goal is always to come in within budget,” Chief Varrenti said.
Varrenti reported that in 2008, there were 4,924 overtime hours; in 2012 that number had dropped to 3,390. He said the operating cost of running the Department is $1.155 million, $200,000 less than five years ago.
“I’m proud to produce those numbers to you,” he told the Village Board members.
Chief Varrenti told the Suburban News he is proud of the fiscal accomplishments of the Brockport Police Department.
“I also want to publicly acknowledge that the best of managers are usually only as good as those they manage. In this particular case, the members of the Brockport Police Stetson Club are by far the most generous group of people I have ever worked with. They continue to give to the community they serve without question or hesitation. Additionally, they are the only union in Monroe County, police or otherwise, that has ever taken a two percent decrease in salary to help with the financial situation the village was once in. The union, along with the sergeants and lieutenant, deserve all the credit.”
During the January 22 Village Board meeting, Chief Varrenti noted the Police Department budget is 91 percent salary based, meaning the two percent reduction in pay makes a huge reduction in the overall budget.
Brockport Mayor Connie Castaneda told the Suburban News she was very surprised to hear Chief Varrenti publicly say that overtime has been reduced.
“Chief Varrenti has repeatedly said, ‘The only way to reduce police overtime is by hiring additional full-time officers,’ yet at the Village Board meeting of January 22, he stated, ‘That overtime has been reduced over the past several years’ - so which is it?,” the mayor questioned.
The mayor said she was perplexed that overtime could go down without hiring more full-time paid employees.
She said Chief Varrenti, “... tries to mislead the public ... he blatantly refuses to acknowledge the cost is more than the budget ... employee benefits cost much more than that.”
“The total cost of the police budget including employee benefits is $1.93 million, which is 80 percent of the property tax levy,” the mayor says. “Almost all of the tax dollars collected go to the Police Department. There has to be a way we can reduce that and no one on the Board or the Chief have really tried to work on that.”
Chief Varrenti says the hiring of additional full-time police officers is the proper way to resolve overtime issues and notes recently published reports regarding exorbitant increases in overtime faced by the Rochester Fire Department due to the shortage of firefighters.
“Part-time police officers are usually offered full-time positions in other municipalities and as such are usually a temporary solution to a long term problem,” Chief Varrenti explains. “This said, the hiring of additional part-time officers, a better coordinated effort with subpoenaing of officers to court and, most importantly, concessions made by the union, have made a huge difference in overtime. We continue to spend overtime money and/or part-time salary money to maintain the status quo. I personally would rather make an investment but, absent that, I’ll always choose spending the least amount of money possible when given the opportunity to do so.”
The police chief says the mayor does not support the Village and/or the Police Department.
“The mayor has and continues to use numbers that fit her own agenda ... elimination of the Police Department,” Chief Varrenti says. “The mayor also said the village was going to have an 18 percent tax increase during the dissolution vote and that never occurred. Additionally, she has signed federal forms attesting to cost figures for the Police Department that are very much different than what she publicly says. Let’s face it, if someone doesn’t like seafood, they probably don’t like lobster; if someone doesn’t like meat they probably don’t like filet either.”
2/10/13
Villages prepare early for upcoming Erie Canal opening
by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport, February 6, 2013Even during these winter months while the Erie Canal sits emptied of water, plans are in the works for a multiple day celebration of the canal’s annual opening in the spring.
From May 1-5, the Village of Brockport will celebrate its first-ever “Low Bridge, High Water” event.
“It’s a sign of spring when water starts rising in the canal,” says Brockport Village Trustee Margay Blackman.
She says the idea for the celebration came to her in November 2012, when the Village to Village Challenge regatta took place on the canal from Brockport to Spencerport.
The regatta returns during “Low Bridge, High Water” on May 4, this time with the start line in the Village of Spencerport and the finish line in Brockport.
Trustee Blackman is heading up the organizing committee which is planning the celebration. Currently, the event involves the Brockport Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Merchants Association, the Stetson Club, Pro-Brockport, the Morgan-Manning House, and the Village of Brockport.
In addition to the regatta, Blackman says many events are planned including a Brockport Police Stetson Club 5K Race on May 4, music by Bill Hullfish’s band, a progressive tasting on the evening of May 4 and a visit to Lift Bridge Books on May 5 by author Donna Winters, writer of “Bluebird of Brockport.”
A slide show/talk on the history of the Erie Canal will be presented at 7 p.m. on May 1 by Canal Society of New York State president Tom Grasso and will be held at the Morgan-Manning House. On May 3 at 6:30 p.m., a “Stone Soup Art Auction” will be held at the Brockport High School to raise funds for an historic canal-themed mural to be painted on the Village Department of Public Works building next summer.
In collaboration with the events in Brockport, the Village of Spencerport is working to plan special events for the celebration. In addition to the regatta, Mayor Joyce Lobene says, “I am hoping to do a Walk-A-Thon and Bike Hike.”
Trustee Blackman says she doesn’t know of any other community locally that celebrates the annual opening of the canal. The Village of Waterford on the Hudson River celebrates the opening, but, “Brockport could be the first in the western section to do so in 2013. The occasion will be a strong reminder of yester-year’s important waterway and the continuation of today’s Erie Canal as an economic engine, tourist attraction, and natural asset to our region, state and country,” she says.
Additional confirmed events include a poster contest for 4th graders at Brockport Central School. Posters will be based on the theme of the celebration and the winning poster will be used for marketing next year’s event. First Friday at the Alumni House at The College at Brockport on May 3 will bring participation by the college into the event.
Trustee Blackman says the progressive tasting from 6 to 9 p.m. on May 4, will be held at the Welcome Center on the canal, the Redbird Café, A Different Path Art Gallery, Java Junction, Lift Bridge Books and Fountain of Youth Organics. Tickets are $20.
There will be music at each tasting location, Blackman says. Restaurants participating will serve their own food; local caterers will provide food at the other locations.
The committee is also considering additional events including a contest for who has the best pizza in Brockport; an illustrated talk at the Seymour Library by local artist Stacey Kirby who has been commissioned to create the historic mural; rowing sprint races on the canal by area high school clubs/teams; street musician groups; a Rochester Community Orchestra performance of “Erie Canal Rhapsody;” and the annual CROP Walk may have a portion of their fundraiser along the canal path.
“Another year down the line, we may have historical pageantry,” Blackman adds.
She notes that the Erie Canal is a tremendous resource for the area and brings tourism dollars into the community.
“It’s a treasure,” Trustee Blackman says.
Information about becoming involved in organizing or participating in the canal opening event is available by contacting Margay Blackman at 585-637-7426.
More information on Spencerport’s events will be included in a future issue.
Photo by Rick Nicholson
2/10/13
NYS grant and donation make new Hamlin library possible
Setback variance last part of approval
by Kristina Gabalski
Construction of a new free standing library in Hamlin would begin this spring if the town zoning board grants a setback variance for the project. These Architectural sketches were provided by town officials: Top, exterior side view; left, north entrance.
“An unbelievable opportunity - a miracle,” that’s how library and Town of Hamlin officials describe the awarding of a $466,000 New York State Construction Grant to build a new library.
“Obtaining this grant is almost a miracle; we will now be able to construct a library without using any Hamlin taxpayer dollars while maintaining the same operating budget,” says Sue Evans, president of the Library Trustees.
She tells the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald she’d like to give great thanks for those who enabled this, “...unbelievable opportunity to happen. For Hamlin to have its own library is a dream come true for this wonderful country town. I can’t wait for the residents to see the beauty this structure will offer to the center of its town and the cultural feel of the interior with its increased potential to serve so many more of the residents.
“I’d like to make it clear,” Evans continues, “that this would not be possible without the support of Supervisor Tom Breslawski, the Hamlin Town Board and our outstanding Library Director Kay Hughes-Dennett. Without the site being donated by the Hamlin Town Board, construction would not be possible.”
In addition to the state grant, trustees have been in possession of $600,000 in funds donated by Margaret McGrath, who passed away several years ago and bequeathed the money to the library trustees for the sole purpose of constructing a new library in the town.
According to Evans, the McGrath bequest was vital because there would have been no possibility of obtaining the state grant without the required matching funds.
Hamlin Supervisor Thomas Breslawski agrees that without the McGrath award, the town would not be in a position to build a new library.
“It’s a miracle to have acquired over $1 million in taxpayer-free money,” he says.
The library currently is housed in cramped conditions in four storefronts in the former Bauch’s IGA Plaza. Far from the center of town, it is situated between a bar and pizza parlor.
Supervisor Breslawski points out rent is also costing the town more and more each year, currently increasing 10.5 percent and further increases expected in the future.
Before being elected supervisor, Breslawski was a town board member and served as liaison to the library trustees. The experience gave him a profound understanding of the nearly decade-long process of preparing to construct a new library including the evaluation of possible sites.
“I have the background and knowledge of the library,” he says.
In the spring of 2011, the site where the library will be constructed was agreed upon, Breslawski says.
At that time, the town board gave permission to use land the town had recently acquired located directly south of the current Hamlin Town Hall. In addition to the Town Hall, the town campus currently houses the Justice Courts, recreational lands, and the recently constructed Charlie Maier Lodge.
In 2012, Breslawski, Kay Hughes-Dennett and Hamlin Library Trustees began the work of seeking grant money to augment the McGrath Award and the town board unanimously voted to hire a grant writer to assist in acquiring funds for a new library.
Supervisor Breslawski remembers the call he got from Hughes-Dennett telling him the news that the town had received the grant. “Kay said, ‘Tom, are you sitting down?’ ” he says. “Then she told me that we’d been approved for $466,000 and I sat there in stunned silence.”
Construction on the new library is scheduled to begin this spring with an occupancy goal of December 2013, if one final hurdle can be overcome. Trustees need approval of a 20 ft. setback variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
“It’s in the Zoning Board’s hands,” Breslawski says. “We got the grant and then did the site plan and found we were 20 feet short.”
The Hamlin Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing Monday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hamlin Town Hall regarding the variance.
“There is urgent need for the Zoning Board members to see the support the library has for approval,” Sue Evans explains. “We’d like to leave no doubt that Hamlin residents want this library and so we would like to see as many citizens as possible attend to express this support. I’d like to stress that the library will be constructed free of Hamlin taxpayers’ money. I am hoping that the Zoning Board will be able to approve this variance knowing that it will be greatly appreciated by our town. Again, the trustees are thrilled to be able to provide this opportunity to the town.”
The new library will be a “definite benefit to the town for generations,” Breslawski adds, “we have to make it happen.”
2/10/13
Spencerport Planning Board hears plans for Heritage Landing
by Kristina Gabalski
Spencerport Village Plaza owner David Pelusio and engineer Kris Schultz appeared before the Planning Board February 5 and addressed traffic concerns - parking needs in particular - regarding the multi-million dollar mixed use residential/commercial Heritage Landing renovation project planned for the plaza.
Traffic engineer Stephen Ferranti of SRF Associates discussed results of a traffic study which included analysis of peak parking demands on a monthly, weekday and weekend basis.
“Mixed-use developments are highly desirable,” Ferranti pointed out, but said it is more complex to figure out parking.
The study showed peak demand on weekdays was 605 spaces; on weekends, 657 spaces, but that peak occurs only during weekends in the month of December.
“Do you want 657 spaces for just the month of December on weekends?” Ferranti questioned. He said if it was his decision, he would go with 620 spaces for the development.
“You don’t want to provide too much parking,” he told Planning Board members, “It’s not sustainable.”
Additionally, Ferranti recommended dimensions of individual parking spaces be changed from 10’ by 20’ to 9’ by 18’.
Village engineer David Willard said 657 spaces are more than is needed. He suggested each business in the plaza make a calculation of what they need parking-wise. He also said reports on issues like drainage, storm water management, water and sanitary sewer usage are important things that need to be reviewed soon.
The Planning Board took no action regarding the Heritage Landing renovation during the meeting.
The Spencerport Village Board is currently considering incentive zoning regarding the Heritage Landing plan. Mayor Joyce Lobene and Trustee Carol Nellis-Ewell say the zoning allows for compromise, giving developers more density in exchange for community improvements in their projects.
Those improvements might include additional open space, affordable housing, special building features or public art.
“It has been used in other places,” Lobene says. The Village Board planned to set a date for a public hearing on incentive zoning during their regular meeting February 6.
2/10/13
FEATURE STORIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013
Be a creative part of the Hilton Apple Fest tradition
The Hilton Apple Fest is holding a contest to select this year’s festival logo. The winning entry will be applied to sweatshirts, t-shirts, and other memorabilia. The winner will also receive $100 and a sweatshirt featuring the chosen logo.
The logo must be an original creation, and can not be copyrighted. Entries should emphasize the value of the Hilton Apple Fest to the artist and the community in its entirety. The theme is limited only by one’s imagination and experienced Apple Fest patrons may have plenty of memories from which to draw. This year, light grey t-shirts and sweatshirts will be embroidered with the winning logo. Multiple entries per person are encouraged.
Logo designs must be submitted via postal mail. All entries become the property of Hilton Apple Fest. All submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, March 13.
Send your entry to: Hilton Apple Fest, Attn: Logo Contest; P.O. Box 1; Hilton, NY 14468.
Further details about this year’s Apple Fest and an archive of the past 23 winning entries are available online at hiltonapplefest.org.
2/10/13
The Spencerport Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards dinner at Plantation Party House recently.
Receiving the Clyde W. Carter Citizen of the Year was Carol Coburn (center). The Business Persons of the Year were John and Gene Romagnoli, owners of Pinewood Country Club. John Romagnolo (left) was on hand to accept the award for himself and his father. The recipient of the Civic Beatutification Award was the Aurora House. Karen Kuebler, RN (right) accepted the award for the Aurora House.
Provided photo
2/10/13
UPK class gathers non-perishable goods
The Universal Pre-Kindergarten class at Parma Free Center in Hilton learned about sharing with others through a unit on the community and healthy food.
The children did jobs at home and earned money, which they then spent at Tops in Hilton. The store gave them a “royal tour,” including watching a cake being decorated and a close-up view of a live lobster. Each member of the class was given a reusable bag to remember to reuse resources.
A total of $65 in food the class purchased was donated to the Hilton Food Shelf.
Parma Free Center is a ministry of Parma Christian Fellowship Church, and meets in St. Leo’s building at 167 Lake Avenue, Hilton. Pam Merrill is director.
Provided photo
2/10/13
SPORTS NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013
AREA
Local wrestlers dominate championships
by Warren Kozireski
While none managed a team title, wrestlers from every area high school made their mark on the Class Championships competed at five separate locations last weekend.
•Spencerport finished in third place in the Class A competition held in Canandaigua, but took home five individual titles. Jon Haas won at 106, Tahj Eaddy at 126, Trent Egenlauf at 182, Collin Pittman at 195 and Austin Coleman at 285 were weight class champs for the Rangers. Kyle Pittman finished second at 132 lb.
•Hilton finished just four points behind first place Victor led by the DePrez brothers, who each won their weight class. Lou DePrez won via pin at 120, Vincent the same at 138 and Anthony took a major decision at 145. Yianni Diakomihalis won by fall at 99 lb.
Austin Hertel (106), Mike Spallina (152), Harold Juergens (160) and Dan Norris (182) each finished second for the Cadets.
•Churchville-Chili finished eighth, but had two champions. Josh Powell won via major decision at 160 lb. and Sam Egan eked out at 3-2 decision in the 220 lb. final.
•Brockport’s Jared Mestiti won a 2-0 decision in the 170 lb. final for the Blue Devils only champion as they finished fourth overall. Barton Peters (113) finished second.
•In the Class BB competition, Holley finished in second as a team behind first place Warsaw with Andrew Flanagan winning by major decision at 99 lb. and Michael Silvis pinning his man in 3:19 to take the 220 lb. final. Martin Beadle (132) and Caleb Diep (160) were second for the Hawks.
•Byron-Bergen took sixth with Hunter Taylor (126), Jon Levchuk (170) and Mike Saxman (285) each with second place finishes.
•In the Class B event at Red Jacket, Kendall took second just three point shy of first place Alfred-Almond led by runner-up efforts from Paul Urqhart (99), Averey Iqbal (106), Alex Bierworth (120) and Mason Requa (132).
2/10/13
Bright Raven Gymnastics boys win Nickel City meet
Bright Raven Level 5 Team - Jon LeFrois (Gates), Jesse Underwood (Greece), Aiden Arena (Fairport), Jake Scherbyn (Gates) and Justin Ciccone (Greece), with coaches Kevin Kirkland and Adam Nowak, back.Bright Raven Gymnastics Boys Teams traveled to West Seneca January 12 and 13 to compete in the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympic Nickel City Invitational and brought home a first place team banner and several individual awards.
Competing in a field of six teams from upstate New York, the Bright Raven Level 5 team earned first place with Jake Scherbyn of Gates earning the highest all around total across all age divisions (64.40). In the individual events 8-year-old Jake was also awarded first place on the pommel horse (11.50), rings (10.30), parallel bars (10.70) and high bar (11.70). Teammate, Justin Ciccone of Greece also competed in the 7-8 age division and captured first place in floor exercise (11.60) and vault (9.40) and took second all around (61.90). In the 11 and older age division, Jesse Underwood of Greece earned first place on high bar (10.60) and second all around (56.10).
For the Bright Raven Level 4 team, Simon Carmack of Brockport competed in the 10-11 age division and won first place in floor exercise (10.30), rings (9.60), vault (9.40), parallel bars (10.60) and all around (59.00).
Sixteen-year-old Josh Sokolowski of Spencerport competed as a Level 8 and took first all around (59.70).
Provided photo
2/10/13
BYRON-BERGEN
Richardson clutch in Bees win
by Warrren Kozireski
Austin Richardson went six-for-six from the free throw line - all in one-and-one situations - over the final 38 seconds to help Byron-Bergen secure a 58-51 win over Holley in boys basketball.
The Hawks survived five lead changes over the first eight minutes of the contest to lead by two. They then held Byron-Bergen to just six points in the second quarter and got three lay-ups off steals by Kyle Bell among their 11 points for a seven point halftime advantage.
The Bees came out of the locker room on fire offensively led by 15 points from Richardson on three treys and two other old-fashioned three-point plays to outscore the Hawks 26-10.
Holley used fourth quarter put-backs by Will Barniak during their fourth quarter comeback and a Hunter Keys drive pulled the Hawks to within three points of the lead with 3:40 remaining.
Another Barniak put-back and a Keys lay-up made it a one point game with one minute left, put the Bees’ Jeff Maskell hit on a drive and made the ensuing foul shot and Richardson sealed the win down the stretch.
Barniak had a team-high 20 points with 15 rebounds for the Hawks, Keys had 12 points and six rebounds and Bell added seven points, six steals and four assists.
Khari Sabb had a double-double for the Bees with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Zach Dubois added nine points to Richardson’s game-high 26 points for the Bees.
2/10/13
Byron-Bergen student-athletes donate to community
Byron-Bergen High School’s Varsity Club recently donated time and resources to the community through a monetary donation to a local charity and a canned food drive.
During the half-time of a recent boys basketball game, Social Studies Teacher Nick Muhlenkamp and Physical Education Teacher Danielle Carson, Varsity Club co-advisors, and several Varsity Club officers presented Ricky Palermo with a monetary donation from the proceeds of the club’s fourth annual Lift-A-Thon fundraiser.
Palermo is a Byron-Bergen graduate who was injured in an accident that left him paralyzed from midchest down. In 1997, Palermo and his family started the Ricky Palermo Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raise money and awareness for the Miami Project. The Project strives to continue research to cure spinal paralysis and helps local community members manage with paralysis.
Also recently, the Varsity Club collected and donated over 600 non-perishable food items to the Byron-Bergen School District’s Holiday Community Service Project as part of their fourth annual canned food drive.
For the drive, athletic teams competed against each other in an effort to collect the largest amount of food. The junior varsity and varsity boys basketball teams won the challenge for donating the largest amount of food.
The Varsity Club, which includes varsity and junior varsity student-athletes, supports the Byron-Bergen athletic programs with community service projects and fundraising throughout the year.
Provided information
2/10/13
KENDALL
Nauden double-double paces Eagles
by Warren Kozireski
Sophomore point guard Mookie Nauden registered his second consecutive double-double as Kendall’s boys basketball squad defeated visiting Northstar Christian Academy 76-61. The point total marked the Eagles highest offensive output of the season.
Trailing after a first quarter that featured seven lead changes, Kendall exploded in the second quarter for 24 points, including seven by Garett Love, to take a 12 point lead into halftime.
The Eagles extended their lead to as many as 19 points in the third before Northstar began to use the full court press to tighten the game.
But Kendall added 17 more points in the fourth with contributions from seven different players to close the win.
Nauden finished with 14 points, 12 assists and six rebounds for the Eagles while Love led all scorers with 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Jonah Dalcin had ten points, five rebounds and six blocks while Dan Kelly also scored in double figures with 15 points and six assists.
2/10/13
SPENCERPORT
O’Connell hits OT winner for Rangers
by Warren Kozireski
Jake O’Connell knocked down a ten foot runner with ten seconds remaining in overtime to lift Spencerport to a 66-65 overtime victory over Greece Arcadia in boys basketball.
It seems amazing the Rangers got to that point considering they didn’t manage more than a free throw for the first 7:20 of the contest and trailed by as many as nine points.
“This is number one for sure,” O’Connell said after the contest. “My senior year, our second consecutive overtime win and at home.
“We struggled in January and we were cold in the first quarter. Plus missing our top two point guards, so I had to start (the game) handling the point.”
Brandon Ellis came off the bench to handle point guard duties for large stretches of the rest of the contest and that freed up O’Connell to hit a pair of treys in the final minute of the first quarter and he added nine more points before halftime.
In the third quarter the two teams exchanged the lead twice and were tied on four other occasions with the Titans leading by five heading to the fourth.
Devon Pascoe dunked and made two lay-ups while Mike DeBack hit two free throws in a 8-0 Rangers run to open the fourth. Kevin Reese hit two free throws with 23 seconds remaining in regulation to give Spencerport a three-point lead and, after a Titans field goal, DeBack hit both ends of a one-and-one with ten seconds left.
But a Titans three-pointer in the final second tied the game after regulation.
Arcadia began the extra session by jumping out to a five point lead, but O’Connell hit a trey and DeBack a jumper from the right corner to tie the game at 61-61 with 1:20 left.
After the Titans took a two-point lead, Reese hit a huge three-pointer to give the Rangers a one-point lead.
Another Titans bucket put them back in front leading to O’Connell’s game-winner.
“His stats won’t show it, but Ellis coming off the bench to handle the point was huge and Reese hit a key shot at the end,” said fifth-year Spencerport head coach Chris Crowell.
“We were 0-6 in January, but we talked about coming out of our abyss and that February is a new time for us. We’ve played a tough non-conference schedule and games like this now will be a big deal for us in sectionals.”
O’Connell finished with a game-high 27 points with ten rebounds, eight steals and six assists. Pascoe also had a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds plus four blocks. DeBack had 12 points and Reese added nine.
2/10/13
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013
BROCKPORT
BCSD counselors recognized
Brockport Central School District's School Counselors - pictured from left: Peter Kramer, Calisha Bertram, Teri Henick, Amy Scheel-Jones, Marcia Bartalo, Superintendent Dr. Lesli C. Myers, Chrisitne Howlett, Martha Terilli, and Judith Jones. Not pictured are Brenda Hamling, Kathleen Kaluau, and Mamie Smith. Brockport CSD counselors were recognized during National School Counseling Week (February 4-8) at the February 5 Board of Education meeting. The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), focuses public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors.
National School Counseling Week highlights the impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
Superintendent Dr. Lesli C. Myers presented the counselors with a proclamation from Brockport’s Mayor Connie Castaneda and thanked them for the wonderful things they do for our children and their families all year.
Provided information and photo
2/10/13
“The Nearlywed Game” comes to Brockport High School
Back by popular demand. “The Nearlywed Game,” a spinoff of the 1970s program “The Newlywed Game,” will take place in the Brockport High School auditorium at 700 Central School Drive on Wednesday, February 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $2.
Ten couples will battle for the title as the “Nearlyweds 2013.” The couple that correctly answers the most questions about their relationship will be awarded Prom tickets for the June 8 Junior/Senor Prom at Hickory Ridge.
This production, presented by the Class of 2013 and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club, features couples: Lauren Bellinger and Brandon Dalle, Matt Moody and Bonnie Centrone, JW Cook and Amanda Stroh, Olivia Barone and Anthony Disanferdinando, Greg Smith and Alisha Allison, Julia Przybysiewski and Samuel Cherwonik, Jakob Bartalo and Courtney Rombaut, Cassie Schwartz and Richie Cardiel, Lauren Goodell and Daniel Maines, and Danielle Burrell and Nick Jackson.
Concessions available prior and during intermission, include water and pizza. Also, a variety of perfume and cologne created by the FBLA club will be on sale for only $5.
Provided information
2/10/13
BYRON-BERGEN
Students design, build lamps out of recycled materials
Byron-Bergen seventh-grader Adam Swapceinski builds his recycled lamp during technology class. Adam used an elephant, from a souvenir he found at home, as his lamp base.Seventh-graders at Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School recently designed and built a lamp - from discarded or used items from around their home - as their culminating technology classroom project.
Technology Teacher Jay Wolcott said he teaches students about recycling, electricity basics, components of a lamp, and how to assemble a lamp correctly.
“We discuss how students have the skills to do basic repairs at home in the future so they may be able to ‘save’ an old lamp from the trash pile,” he said.
Wolcott provides students with a wood blank, paint/stain, and the electrical hardware, but all other materials to create the lamp base and shade the students provide.
“We live in a disposable world today - we have the ever expanding Riga landfill just down the road from our school,” said Wolcott. “This lamp project demonstrates to students that things may have other uses after their completed life cycle of its initial intended use.”
Principal Aaron Johnson said he remembers making lamps as a student in technology class.
“Mr. Wolcott’s project puts a new spin on this classic (project) by showing students how basic materials found around their homes can be integrated in an artistic way,” he said. “Recycled materials are becoming more popular as building materials as green technologies advance in our society.”
Wolcott said he has former students use their recycled lamp at home, as he has been doing this project with students for many years now.
Provided information and photo
2/10/13
Byron-Bergen students compete in ‘Poetry Out Loud’ competition
Byron-Bergen 12th graders Sydni Casper and Frank Presicci are the school's Poetry Out Loud champions.Sydni Casper and Frank Presicci, both 12th graders, are Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School’s ‘Poetry Out Loud’ champions after scoring the highest in the school’s memorization/recitation competition.
Seven Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School students were selected from classroom performances to compete in the school-level competition. Ninth-grader Colby Savage was selected as the alternate.
Poetry Out Loud, a join effort by The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation, is a program that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.
The next step for Sydni and Frank is the Western Regional competition, February 12 at Amherst High School. The State Level competition is March 16 in Albany, and the National Level competition is April 28-30 in Washington, D.C.
Provided information and photo
2/10/13
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI
Gates-Chili Chamber of Commerce offers new scholarship awards
The Gates-Chili Chamber of Commerce plans to award the first College Scholarship Award to recognize those students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in a secondary business/marketing program and have chosen to pursue a business or marketing degree at the college level after graduation.
The Chamber is offering two $500 awards, one to a student from Gates Chili High School and one from Churchville-Chili High School.
To be eligible, a student must be a senior enrolled at Gates Chili High School or Churchville-Chili High School, enrolled in business/marketing course(s) (fall and/or spring), must have completed three units in business/marketing by the end of the current school year, plus a minimum GPA in business/marketing courses of 90% or 3.75 and an overall GPA of 85% or 3.5.
Students selected for recognition will have also demonstrated both in the classroom and through extracurricular involvement the following: Character, leadership and service to their school and/or their community. Interested students or their parents can contact their high school Guidance Office or Business Department for an application.
Provided information
2/10/13
GATES-CHILI
Gates-Chili Chamber of Commerce offers new scholarship awards
The Gates-Chili Chamber of Commerce plans to award the first College Scholarship Award to recognize those students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in a secondary business/marketing program and have chosen to pursue a business or marketing degree at the college level after graduation.
The Chamber is offering two $500 awards, one to a student from Gates Chili High School and one from Churchville-Chili High School.
To be eligible, a student must be a senior enrolled at Gates Chili High School or Churchville-Chili High School, enrolled in business/marketing course(s) (fall and/or spring), must have completed three units in business/marketing by the end of the current school year, plus a minimum GPA in business/marketing courses of 90% or 3.75 and an overall GPA of 85% or 3.5.
Students selected for recognition will have also demonstrated both in the classroom and through extracurricular involvement the following: Character, leadership and service to their school and/or their community. Interested students or their parents can contact their high school Guidance Office or Business Department for an application.
Provided information
2/10/13
HILTON
Hilton’s Evening of Jazz features Grammy winning trombone virtuoso
Jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon performs at Hilton's Evening of Jazz on February 15.The Tenth Annual Evening of Jazz will be held on Friday, February 15 at 7 p.m. in the Hilton’s Merton Williams Middle School, 200 School Lane. This year’s guest artist is five-time Grammy winning trombone virtuoso Wycliffe Gordon. Mr. Gordon’s credits include:
•Jazz Journalists Association Award/Trombonist of the Year - 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002, 2001;
•Jazz Journalists Association Critics’ Choice Award for Best Trombone - 2000;
•Former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet;
•Former member of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra;
•Featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at the Kennedy Center” Series;
•Performance experience includes work with Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Tommy Flanagan, Shirley Horn, Joe Henderson, Eric Reed, Randy Sandke and Branford Marsalis, plus many top players from the swing and traditional jazz world;
•Compositions performed by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon and Friends, the Brass Band of Battle Creek and numerous other ensembles, and performed in programs throughout the U.S. and abroad.
The Evening of Jazz is an annual event highlighting the musical talents of Hilton’s instrumental jazz students in grades 7-12 as well as a fundraiser for the Hilton Music Boosters, a volunteer parent and community group dedicated to students’ music and academic careers. Tickets are $15 each for general admission. Reserved tables are available with the purchase of 10 or more tickets. Checks can be made payable to: Hilton High School Jazz Ensemble. Tickets can be purchased by calling Instrumental Music Teacher Jared Streiff at 585-392-1000, extension 2293 or emailing jstreiff@hilton.k12.ny.us.
Provided information and photo
2/10/13
Hilton CSD kindergarten registration in February and March
Children whose fifth birthday falls on or before December 1 following the start of the school year in September are eligible to attend full-day kindergarten in the Hilton School District.
The registration information letters from the Hilton School District to all eligible district families are mailed by the Office of Census/Central Registration. Anyone eligible who did not receive a letter by mid-March can call the Census/Central Registration Clerk Dawn Blodgett at 585-392-1000 extension 7031.
To register, bring the child’s original birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of immunizations, and custody or guardianship papers if applicable.
For information on preschool screening (birth to age five) for possible developmental delays, call Learning Support Services at 585-392-1000 extension 6071.
New kindergarteners are eligible to attend the Quest Elementary School, a school of choice, no matter where they reside in the district. Applications to attend Quest Elementary School were due February 1. Only those accepted to attend Quest in the fall may register on February 27-28. For information about Quest Elementary School call 585-392-1000 extension 6102.
The Hilton High School District elementary school attendance boundary line is Route 261 (Manitou Road). All Greece residents attend Northwood Elementary School, 433 North Greece Road, and all residents west of the town line (Parma, Clarkson, Hamlin) attend Village Elementary School with the exception of some private drives.
•Quest Elementary School Kindergarten Registration, 225 West Avenue, Hilton - Wednesday, February 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 28 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
•Village Elementary School Kindergarten Registration, 100 School Lane, Hilton - Monday, March 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
•Northwood Elementary School Kindergarten Registration, 433 North Greece Road, Greece - Monday, March 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
2/10/13
OBITUARIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013
BROCKPORT
Niccloy, Barbara Ann, Age 71, died February 5, 2013 of cancer at the Hildebrandt Hospice Center. Barbara is survived by her husband Brian Niccloy of 30 years along with three children, four grandchildren, four step-children and 10 step-grandchildren. Barbara retired eight years ago from a nursing career at Rochester General and resided in Brockport since 1975.
A Memorial Service was held February 9 at Cameron Funeral Home, LeRoy. Donations would be welcomed at Lifetime Care, Hospice of Rochester or Planned Parenthood in memory.
CHILI
Guyette, Paul M., February 3, 2013 at age 42. Survived by his loving wife, Mary (Lingeman); children, Jenna and Emma; parents, Lou and Doris Guyette; grandparents, George and Betty Bachner; sisters, Christina (Dave) Westmiller and Rachel (Vinnie) Triolo; mother-in-law, Kathleen (Michael) O’Neil; brother-in-law, Michael (Anne) Lingeman; sisters-in-law, Ann (Andy) Lembaris and Teresa (David) Switzer; 12 nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Predeceased by his father-in-law, William Lingeman.
His Funeral Mass was said February 8 at St. Pius the Tenth Church, Chili. Private interment. Donations can be made to the Guyette Children’s College Fund, c/o St. Pius X Federal Credit Union in his memory.
•Max, Charles Edward “Chuck,” February 2, 2013 at age 42. Predeceased by his father, Donald C. Max; grandparents, John and Bridget Neary and Charles and Eva Max. Charles is survived by his loving wife, Terri (Nevis) Max; daughter, Janelle; loving companion, Lacey; mother, Ann Max; brother, Don Max; sisters, Eileen Max, Maureen (Doug) Foster; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Gerri Nevis; brother-in-law, Tom Nevis; niece, Shannon Foster; his nephews, Dominick and Anthony Nevis; many aunts, uncles, cousins, dear friends and his brothers of the New Breed Motorcycle Club.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated February 7 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Greece. Contributions in his memory can be made to Janelle’s college fund at Summit Federal Credit Union, Att: MSC, 100 Marina Drive, Rochester 14626.
•Richardson, Catherine D., February 2, 2013. Predeceased by parents, Theodore and Jule McCracken, sister, Christine Dillenbeck and brother, Butch McCracken. Survived by husband, Rusty Richardson; daughters, Cathy Jo (Lori) and Jule “Sissy” (Jamie “Sonnie”) Richardson; grandchildren, Theodore, Bianca (Patrick) and Devon; great grandson Nicolas; brother, Ted “Tom” (Kathy) McCracken; her beloved dogs Lucy and Ozzy; other extended family members and friends.
Services to be held at a later date.
CHURCHVILLE
•Laley, Richard “Dick,” Peacefully on February 2, 2013 at age 91. Dick was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Margaret (Chase) Laley; his brother, Howard; son-in-law, Robert Emerson. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Faye Laley; children, Cynthia Emerson, David (Marjorie) Laley and James (Jeanne Thesing) Laley; grandchildren, Thomas (Heather), Jason, Elizabeth, Kevin, Jeffrey; great-grandchildren, Mairin and Gwenna; his sister, Barbara (Charles) Platner; several nieces and nephews. Dick was a United States Army Veteran of WWII and a retiree of Kodak.
A private interment will be held in the spring.
CLARENDON
•Woodworth, Marion L., Age 77, died January 29, 2013. Predeceased by husband, Rotten Robert Woodworth and brother James Allen. Survived by son, Stephen “Woody” (Linda) Woodworth; daughter Merrie (Robert) Woodworth-Brice; sisters, Emma (Doug) Cosby, Catherine Gallegher; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild. Also survived by several in-laws as well as nieces and nephews.
Services were held February 3 at the Brockport Elks Lodge. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to Clarendon Ambulance, P.O. Box 136, Clarendon 14429 or Hospice of Orleans, P.O. Box 489, Albion 14411 in her memory.
GREECE
•Brooks, Ryan J., February 1, 2013 at age 28, after a long battle with cancer. Ryan is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Cassidy) Brooks; parents, Thomas and Joyce Brooks; brother, Kyle Brooks; grandparents, Katherine Brooks and Al and Esther Fiege; many aunts, uncles and cousins; dear friends. He is predeceased by his grandfather, Robert Brooks and cousin, Robert Stultz. Ryan enjoyed football and is a graduate of Churchville-Chili High School in 2002 and RIT in 2009.
His Funeral Service was held February 6 in the All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park, Pittsford. Interment was held privately. Contributions can be made to Cure Childhood Cancer Association CURE Childhood Cancer (CureKidsCancer.com) or First Descents (FirstDescents.org) in his memory.
HAMLIN
•Webster, Jean Catherine Swan, January 30, 2013 at age 86. Jean is predeceased by her siblings: Wilhelmina (Mina) Webster, Gladys Hughson, Onis and Robert Swan; her son, Daniel E. Webster and son-in-law, Fred Gilman. Jean will be greatly missed by her children: Alma Gilman of Holley, Robin (Duane) Schepler of Hilton, Catherine (William) Terwilliger of Kentucky, and Sharlene (John) Sorg of Kent, and daughter-in-law, Roxanne Webster of Florida. Her grandchildren, Amy (Brandon) Harris of Texas, Danielle Steele of North Carolina, Kelly (Scott) Daly of Hamlin, Adam (Tina) Schepler of Chili, Trisha (Robert) Anderson of Minnesota, Sean (Blythe) Webster of Florida, James Terwilliger of Kentucky, Jason Sorg of Rochester, Megan Sorg and Devon Sorg of Kent; 12 great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Jean spent her working years at Duffy Mott in Hamlin and later with the Brockport School District as a bus driver for all children special.
Services were held February 4 at the Fowler Funeral Home, Brockport. On Sunday, February 10, a celebration of life will be held at Kendall Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. Donations can be made to Mt. Carmel House, 4 Planet Street, Rochester 14606 in her memory.
HILTON
•Hermance, Jean A., January 31, 2013, age 74. Jean is survived by her husband Paul Hermance; son, F. Scott (Melissa) Padoleski, step-daughter, Cindy (Dan) Wiler. Siblings Jane Crowe, Charles Rohde, Herbert (Kathy) Rohde and Shirley Class; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; also several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by step-son, Scott Hermance.
A Funeral Service was held February 4 at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Interment Parma Union Cemetery. Donations can be made to a Cancer Charity of one’s choice in her memory.
•Nettnin, Linda L., February 4, 2013 at age 66. Predeceased by her parents, Robert and Olive Nettnin; sister-in-law, Patricia Nettnin. Survived by her best friend and partner, Kathleen M. Zins; sister, Pamela (James) Galloway; brothers, Thomas Nettnin (Roberta); Jeffery Nettnin; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services were held February 8 at the Vay-Schleich and Meeson Funeral Home, Hilton. Private interment. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory.
NORTH CHILI
•Brewer, Mark S., January 30, 2013 at age 64. Mark was predeceased by his parents, Wallace and Grace Brewer. Mark is survived by his wife of 35 years, Janice R. Brewer; his children, Sherrie (Chris) Paddon, Richard (Joy), Carol and Daniel Brewer; granddaughters, Amelia and Jillian Brewer; his brothers, Gary, Randy and Ted Brewer; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service was held February 2 at Ogden Baptist Church, Spencerport. Interment will be held privately. Contributions can be made to Ogden Baptist Church, 721 Washington Street, Spencerport 14559 in his memory.
•Ives, Robert A., Peacefully, January 31, 2013 at age 92. He is predeceased by his wife, Marie. He is survived by his children, Bonnie (Jan) Stein, James Ives and David (Jackie) Ives; grandchildren, Kevin (Jackie) and Chris (Nichole) Gath; Laura, Ruth and Sarah Ives, Jason (Pam) Klotzer and Jon Ives; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Ashley and Jacob Gath; several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service was held February 4 at the First Presbyterian Church of Chili. Interment, White Haven Memorial Park. Contributions can be made to C.A.S.T. Catch a Special Thrill, 297 SW 41st Street, Renton, Washington 98057 www.castforkids.org or the American Cancer Society, 1120 Goodman Street South, Rochester 14620 in his memory.
PARMA
•Henchen, Judith G., Peacefully, February 3, 2013. Predeceased by her husband, Edward, 1993. Survived by her children, Kimberly A. Henchen, Kevin C. Henchen and Douglas Pease; her sister, Linda (Peter) DeMar; several nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Mass was said February 9 at St. Lawrence Church. Interment, Parma Union Cemetery. Contributions can be made to United Cerebral Palsy Association, 3399 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY 14623 in her memory.
•Shambo, Michael Earl “Daddy,” January 30, 2013 at age 46. Survived by his children, Bethany and Alexander; parents, Cecilia and Earl Shambo; former wife, Anna Shambo; brother and sisters, Christina (Bill) Vargulick, Jessica (David) Raines, Rebecca (Ron) Parks, Celia (Patrick) Graham, Peter (Gail) Shambo, Jennifer (Ian) Boulton; girlfriend Amy Stolberg; maternal grandparents, Antonio and Carmela Sardelliti; his many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral Services were held February 9 at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home, Inc., Greece. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons Street, P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057 in his memory.
SPENCERPORT
•Magar, Katherine F. “Kat,” Suddenly on February 3, 2013 at age 18 from complications of surgery. Katherine was predeceased by her grandfather, Frank Magar. She is survived by her great-grandmother, Alice O’Connell; grandparents David and Barbara O’Connell and Shirley Magar; her parents Danna and Bridget Magar; siblings, Robert, Meghan and Grace; aunts and uncles, Kevin (Kirstin) O’Connell, Roger (Debbie) Magar, Brian (Cindy) Magar, Don (Donna) Magar and Kathy (Rich) Amico; cousins, Kayla and David, Nicholas and Jacob, Stephanie and Jennifer, Matthew and Ashley, Ernie, Ciara, and Dakota; many other loving family and friends.
The Celebration of Katherine’s life was held February 8 at the First Baptist Church, Brockport. Donations can be made to Golisano Children’s Hospital, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642 in her memory.
ARCHIVES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2013
LOCAL NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2013
Hugh Collins resigns as CEO of Lakeside Health Systems
In an announcement dated January 31, 2013, Lakeside Board Chair Nancy Plews says Hugh Collins recently stated his turn-around work at Lakeside is complete and, “… that in the interest of further reducing expenses for the Health System, he is leaving to pursue other opportunities which are available to him.”
Collins came to Lakeside in March 2012 as CFO and was given the task of leading a financial turnaround for the Health System. Soon thereafter he was named both CEO and CFO and in June of 2012, in an effort to reduce expenses, he was named CEO, and together with the assistance of a senior finance person, continued his efforts to turn the organization around.
“We appreciate all of Mr. Collins’ work to stabilize the finances of our Health System and we wish him well as he moves on to new challenges,” Plews says.
Officials say Jim Cummings will immediately assume the role of Interim CEO until the Board can consider the available options for the future.
On January 25, 2013, Collins announced the resignation of Lakeside Beikirch Care Center Administrator Terry Klinetob. He plans to assume a similar position at a larger facility in the area. Cummings will serve as Acting Administrator for the immediate future.
2/3/13
State audit questions some Parma budget practices
by Kristina Gabalski
An audit recently released by the Office of the State Comptroller Division of Local Government and School Accountability is critical of budgeting practices utilized by the Town of Parma.
“The Board’s budgeting practices decreased the transparency taxpayers are entitled to and caused town-outside-village (TOV) taxpayers to pay real property taxes that were higher than necessary,” the Financial Management section of the audit states.
The audit also found the Town Board did not allocate adequate revenues to the TOV highway fund, which caused the highway fund to report a deficit fund balance since 2007.
“Without a formalized budget process, the Board repeatedly adopted unrealistic budgets for the majority of its operating and special district funds, which led to the Town maintaining financial resources in excess of the Town’s operating needs. The effect of these unrealistic budgets was most apparent in the general and highway funds, where there were significant budget variances. The library fund also accumulated excess fund balance,” the audit states.
The audit examined the Town of Parma’s management and oversight of financial operations and information technology (IT) for the period of January 1, 2010 to January 20, 2012.
Regarding TOV funds, the audit states that during the budget process, it is important that the Board either include budgeted transfers from the general fund to the highway fund, or allocate sales tax revenues to the highway fund for the purpose of funding highway department operations and ensure that taxpayers are not being unnecessarily taxed.
“For the past five fiscal years,” the audit continues, “the Board did not allocate adequate revenues to the highway fund. Instead, the Board allocated and recorded all sales tax revenues in the general fund and then transferred resources to the highway fund as needed during the year. However, the Board did not transfer sufficient resources to cover highway operations which caused the highway fund to report a deficit fund balance since 2007.”
Town officials explained that the Board used this budgeting process to strengthen the Board’s control of surplus funds.
“However, it is misleading for the Board to carry negative fund balances in the highway fund while sufficient funds are available in the general fund to eliminate the deficit,” the audit states.
The State Comptroller’s Office says the Board should transfer additional moneys from the TOV general fund to make up for the highway fund deficit.
Included in the audit is information on the 2012 town budget which - although it was about $7,000 less than the tax cap - may have resulted in the town levying unnecessary taxes for 2012.
“The Board could use the general fund’s excessive fund balance to eliminate the highway fund’s deficit and fund some current expenditures,” the audit states.
As of November 30, 2012, the Comptroller’s Office found that the town’s general fund had already received $269,000 more in sales tax than budgeted.
“The Board has transferred almost $224,000 from the general to the highway fund, but has not made extra transfers in an attempt to eliminate the highway fund’s longstanding deficit fund balance. Thus, we expect the Town to again report excessive surplus funds in the general fund and a deficit fund balance in the highway fund,” the audit reports.
In a letter of response by Parma Supervisor Carm Carmestro, Supervisor Carmestro says the Town of Parma has positioned itself to prevent tax spikes for its citizens.
“In doing such, the Town is able to finance capital improvements, bridge replacements, salt shed and a septic system replacement without borrowing which incurs interest. Beginning in 2009, the Town Board established its first reserve account and have added three additional reserve accounts in 2011 and 2012, Highway Equipment, Farmland and a Capital Library Reserve,” Supervisor Carmestro writes.
Supervisor Carmestro tells the Suburban News the town has not been doing anything wrong. “We felt the audit was not very fair to us,” he says, however; he adds that the town is taking the audit seriously and will do things the way the state recommends. “We’re acting on every issue … we’re going to set up more reserve funds and get in compliance probably by June.”
Supervisor Carmestro points out that although the audit is critical of what the state regards as “over taxing,” the town is debt free. “We just did $2.2 million in bridge work with no bonds,” he explains. “On Tuesday, (February 5), we are accepting bids for a salt shed … we don’t have to go out and get a loan.” He says the salt shed is a joint project that will benefit the town, the village of Hilton and the fire and school districts.
In regards to Highway Department funds, “The Highway Department does not go without,” Supervisor Carmestro says. “Whatever they need, we buy for them.” He adds that the Highway Department could be doing more work to increase revenues.
Highway funds were an issue during the 2011 race for Parma Highway Superintendent between incumbent Brian Speer - who won re-election - and challenger Mike Clark.
During the campaign, Clark cited the Hungerford Report - an internal audit of the Town - which found the highway department was struggling with accumulated debt and decreasing revenues.
Superintendent Speer criticized town government for its years of lowering tax dollar support for the Highway Department.
“There was a lot of tax dollars denied the Highway Department while the general fund increased beyond what the State Comptroller recommends,” Speer told the Suburban News before the 2011 Republican primary.
He now tells the Suburban News that the recent State Comptroller’s audit reiterates his concerns. “These are things we have tried to tell the Town Board for seven to eight years and it fell on deaf ears,” Speer says.
Other key findings in the State Comptroller’s audit include:
•The Board appropriated nonexistent fund balance in the highway fund budget for three of the last five fiscal years, all the while knowing that the highway fund had a deficit fund balance.
•The Board did not audit or contract with an independent accountant to audit the books and records of the Supervisor or Town Clerk and did not develop a multi-year financial plan to address the Town’s long-term operational needs.
•The Board has not adopted comprehensive IT policies and procedures or a disaster recovery plan to follow in the event of emergency.
•The Town did not designate an administrator over the Town’s financial software application who is independent of the financial record keeping functions.
•The town does not maintain an inventory of its IT assets.
Key recommendations include:
•Develop and adopt budgets that include realistic estimates for revenues and expenditures and the appropriation of fund balance only in amounts that are available and necessary.
•Conduct an annual audit of the financial records and reports of all town officers and employees who received or disbursed money during the preceding fiscal year or contract with an independent auditor to conduct the audits. Develop a comprehensive multi-year financial plan.
In his letter of response, Supervisor Carmestro states that in 2013, the Town will proceed with an adoption of an Acceptable Internet and Computer policy along with a Disaster Recovery Plan.
“We have contacted various companies to start the process to establish the safeguards and security that reflects the changes in technology environment. The Town does have an inventory of our IT assets,” Supervisor Carmestro writes.
He also states that the Town will continue to work closely with Department heads to build budgeting policies, “so that timely information is available to the Town Board to closely monitor the needs of our community. This will help with any long term planning that needs to be put in place. We agree that an independent CPA firm should and will audit the Supervisor’s and Town Clerk books on a yearly basis.”
According to the Office of the State Comptroller the audit’s results and recommendations are “resources for local government officials to use in effectively managing operations and in meeting the expectations of their constituents.”
2/3/13
Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce honors award winners March 14
The Greater Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its 2012 awards, which will be presented at its annual dinner on Thursday, March 14 at Naughton’s Johnson House. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. following social time starting at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year share something in common. They both have been serving the community for over 50 years. In her nomination for Jim Fitzsimmons as the Citizen of the Year Nancy Steedman, the Mayor of the Village of Churchville, said, “It has been (Jim’s) dedication and faithful service to the Village (as Village attorney) that has kept our community moving forward.” Village Clerk Meghan Lodge echoed those sentiments by stating in her nomination, “... he has maintained the highest standard of ethical conduct. He always goes above and beyond what is required.”
Also marking 50 years of service to the community in 2012 was Westside Federal Credit Union, being recognized as the 2012 Business of the Year. Village Clerk Meghan Lodge heaped praise on the Credit Union for their help in making the 2012 Walkabout a great success. “Their contribution of having entertainment, food and trolley rides to the east end of town was an inspiration,” said the Village Clerk.
Dr. Nancy Perkins Weyl is the 2012 recipient of the Civic Beautification award. Dr. Weyl donated $10,000 to both the Village of Churchville and the Town of Riga for beautification projects. The Town of Riga has used their funds to beautify the town hall property with the planting of trees and shrubs. The Village of Churchville purchased 150 trees and shrubs with their funds to plant along the West Shore Trail in the village. There are now flowering Japanese Lilac trees at the entrances to the trail along with Arrow-wood Viburnum, Colorado Spruce and Rugosa roses.
This year the Chamber of Commerce is recognizing Stacy Stanton as the Chamber Member of the Year. Stacy Stanton has been the treasurer of the chamber of commerce since December of 2008. Once again, the chamber of commerce has a member who stands out for her service both to the chamber of commerce and the community.
Tickets for the dinner are $25 per person and may be purchased at the Riga Town offices, Churchville Village offices and Naughton’s Johnson House. The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, March 8. No tickets will be available at the door.
2/3/13
Grants boost Erie Canal education, preservation, and tourism
Area recipients of Erie Canalway grants received "big checks" at a press event at the Rochester Museum and Science Center on January 30. They are (l to r) Jim Farr, Erie Canalway Commissioner; Susan Rudnicky, Library Director, Hoag Library, Albion; Kate Bennett, President, Rochester Museum and Science Center; Beth Sciumeca, Erie Canalway Executive Director; Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, US Representative; Joyce Lobene, Mayor, Village of Spencerport; Tom Grasso, Erie Canalway Commissioner.Congresswoman Louise Slaughter joined representatives from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor to announce $45,800 in grants to assist organizations with telling the story of New York’s legendary canals through education, preservation, and tourism projects.
Nine organizations from Albany to Buffalo received funding, including three in Western New York: Hoag Library, Albion; Rochester Museum & Science Center; and the Village of Spencerport.
“These grants will do more than remind us where we’ve been - they will show us where we have the potential to go,” said Congressman Slaughter. “The Erie Canal reminds us that when we come together to invest in modern infrastructure projects, we all reap the rewards in the end, and we should never lose sight of this as we address the economic challenges of future generations.” Western New York recipients accepted big checks for their grant awards at a press conference at the Rochester Museum & Science Center on January 30.
“Distributing grants is critical to helping organizations develop new programs and advance their missions, especially in tight economic times,” said Judy Schmidt Dean, ECNHC Commission Chair. “We are pleased to be able to fund these worthy projects in 2013.”
Grants to Western New York organizations:
•Hoag Library in Albion received $7,000 to create an exhibit and related programming about the history of the Erie Canal in Albion.
“This grant will enable the Hoag Library, in partnership with the Cobblestone Society Museum, to highlight the Erie Canal heritage of Orleans County,” said Library Director Susan Rudnicky. “The interpretive display and programs we develop will prove valuable to residents and visitors and will help increase awareness of the canal and the National Heritage Corridor.”
•The Rochester Museum & Science Center received $6,250 to upgrade its current Erie Canal lock model exhibit, including upgrades to lock mechanisms, electronics and surrounding space.
“The canal exhibit is a cornerstone experience for the Rochester Museum & Science Center, and we are grateful to the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund for supporting our construction of the next generation interactive canal lock exhibit,” said Calvin Uzelmeier, RMSC Director of Education. “It will include multiple improvements to the visitor experience, further engaging audiences and developing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Erie Canal’s impact on our region.”
•The Village of Spencerport received $2,500 to create a walking tour and produce a guide to introduce residents and visitors to the history of the village.
“Receiving this grant from the Eric Canalway National Heritage Corridor gives Spencerport the opportunity to share our rich history as a farming community and busy shipping port on the Erie Canal for our produce” said Mayor Joyce Lobene.
Provided photo
2/3/13
First Monika Andrews Leadership awards presented
During the January 22 Brockport Village Board meeting, the first Monika W. Andrews Creative Volunteer Leadership Award was presented to Pam Ketchum and Jack and Chris Mazzarella. The purpose of the award is “to encourage, recognize, and reward outstanding creative leadership by residents of the towns of Sweden (including Brockport village) and Clarkson who have served as volunteer leaders in improving the lives of their fellow citizens and the greater Brockport community.
Monika died in the fall of 2011 after battling a brain tumor. She was very active in a number of community organizations.
Decades of grit and grace show their impact around Brockport
Monika Andrews Award honorees Jack and Chris Mazzarella
by Doug Hickerson
Jack and Chris MazzarellaMany years ago the doctor came into Jack Mazzarella’s hospital room to see his patient and said, “Where’s Jack?” Jack was under the bed making needed repairs to stabilize it. That story sums up much of Jack’s life -- a man who can fix or build almost anything, with passion and a plan, even under adverse conditions. His wife, Chris, was the one who brought the tools he requested. That suggests their relationship -- either as partners at work, or Chris providing moral support in Jack’s unique projects. “Anything I have achieved in life has been possible only with her support,” Jack says.
Tour around Brockport and you will see many places that have received the devoted work of Jack and Chris Mazzarella: Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Morgan-Manning House, the Toy Shelf at Christmas time, the Welcome Center on the canal, and Lakeside Hospital where they volunteer every week. And, go beyond the village to Ledgedale Airport. Jack purchased the land, developed it for about 25 years, and sold it in 1987 to Walt Eisenhower complete with a paved runway, 13 individual hangars, and a hangar for airplane and airport maintenance.
The couple first met and married in 1952 while attending the College at Brockport. They graduated in 1954, with one child and two more to come. Chris stayed home, raising their children. She moved from substitute teaching to full time in 1973, when two of their children entered college. She retired in 1995. Jack taught school full-time from graduation until retiring in 1983.
As lifetime members, Jack and Chris raised their family in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM). Chris taught religious education for six years and helped start the Martha Ministry which provided receptions after funerals. Part of their legacy at BVM goes back about 20 years to the beginning of the annual summer Church Festival, popular for its barbequed chicken. Someone had a special formula for barbeque sauce, but there was no equipment for grilling large amounts of chicken. Jack welded four huge charcoal pits with special grills. They are still in use today, and Chris continues selling and serving as she has each year.
Across Main Street from their church, the historic Morgan-Manning House has had the caring touch of this couple for almost two decades. Jack has been a handyman, when called upon, to repair furniture, electrical wiring, plumbing, and other fix-ups. Chris has worked on housekeeping, polishing silver and furniture, and similar tasks to keep the house in pristine condition. Both have been regular members of the men and women volunteers every Monday morning (until about three years ago for Jack). Starting in mid-1990, Chris served three terms on the board of trustees of the Western Monroe Historical Society which maintains the house. She chaired the House Use Committee, and led the way in devising the first usage contract for outside groups. Both Jack and Chris have worked with other volunteers every summer to collect and refurbish items contributed for the “Junque Sale” held at the annual fall Peddlers Market. The couple expressed a deep commitment to maintaining Brockport’s history. “It’s who we are. We have to know our past, in order to know how we got here and where we are going,” Chris said, emphasizing the obligation to the coming generations.
Jack may be best known for providing refurbished bikes to the Brockport Toy Shelf each Christmas. He has done the same for the Welcome Center on the canal, enabling visitors to borrow bikes for touring Brockport. In mid-1990, with a few bikes left over from an auction, Jack sent out a call for more used bikes to fix up in his shop and provide to the annual Brockport Toy Shelf in December. Over 100 bikes have been provided each year since. When Jack lost the full use of his hands three years ago, his friendly assistance to R-Bikes (a bike give-away in Rochester) resulted in that group continuing to provide the bikes for the Toy Shelf. Jack still does minor repairs to the bikes, as he is able.
Jack’s loss of the full use of his hands follows a lifetime of painful arthritis since he was a teen. “I can’t grip a screwdriver and I can’t squeeze the pliers,” he said. But, Jack is resilient. Pointing out the kitchen cabinets and table he crafted, he was pleased with his proven handiwork, and with therapy that is slowly increasing movement in his hands. “You keep going, right?” he affirmed, saying he is still able to cut trees at a local golf course.
An hour’s interview revealed the devoted couple’s mutual support for over 61 years of marriage, family, and volunteer work that earned the award for “outstanding service to their community.” Through their struggles and ultimate rewards, Jack says “The Guy Upstairs” is in charge. “He arranges things. Everything is planned.”
Reviving gardens, restoring people, and respecting history for Brockport’s vitality
Monika Andrews Award honoree Pam Ketchum
by Doug Hickerson
Pam KetchumPam Ketchum has a knack of bringing out the best in plants and people. Working on Brockport’s public gardens, she has enhanced the beauty of flower beds and has given a sense of worth and accomplishment to the court-assigned individuals who assist her. Over 40 years of gardening experience, plus graduate studies in floral and textile design, are behind Pam’s creative touch. Starting in 2007, she has applied her skills at: Remembrance Park, the Visitor’s Center, Sagawa Park, Corbett Park, and on the north side of the canal between Main Street and Park Avenue where work is just starting. The small garden squares at the base of trees on Main and Market Streets are a work in progress.
Pam emphasizes that she avoids imposing herself on someone else’s work. In biking or walking Brockport, she would first see how a garden’s design is violated by weeds, overgrowth, or poor edging. “At the Welcome Center there was a sea of grasses,” she said. “The original design had become overgrown.” With permission, “We edged and defined the garden, put down a lot of newspaper and cardboard with wood chips,” she said. “In these gardens, I respect the design that is there and help to accentuate and maintain it.” At the Village Hall she did similar maintenance, but this year, “recognizing the structure and design, I made some additions here and there.” Her “unique combination of skills” were cited by Village Trustee Margay Blackman, adding, “Her artistic eye and sense of pattern have resulted in visually pleasing and inviting garden spaces throughout the Village of Brockport.” Pam credits the occasional help she receives from volunteer groups, such as churches, the Parks Committee, Pro-Brockport, and Walk! Bike! Brockport!
Also supporting yet adding to her work are court-assigned community service workers, serving an alternate sentence to jail or a fine, called “restorative justice.” She started in August 2010, and in 2012, she supervised 14 workers over 291 hours. She doesn’t ask what their past offenses have been, but respects them as partners in the work at hand. Pam encourages their suggestions and instills a sense of pride and ownership in the work accomplished. Some college students showed their handiwork to visiting parents, and a young father did the same for his daughter. “Pam’s unconditional caring, concern and respect she shows these individuals and everyone else she works with is amazing,” said village resident Heather A. Packer.
Pam expresses many different motivations for her work, one being to beautify the village. She also wants to add economic value in making Brockport a destination, and to save the village money through volunteer time, talent, and muscle. And, she wants to promote Brockport as a very positive place to live, raise a family, and grow traditions.
Pam’s career after graduate school was short-lived -- teaching summers at RIT, Chautauqua, and Cornell. She earned her real estate license 29 years ago to supplement the household income and raise a family. “My life was reincarnated as a real estate agent and mother,” she said.
For Pam, Brockport houses are not just commercial goods. Many have historic architecture which she treasures. “I want to preserve the older architecture, character, and integrity of our village,” she said. She started by purchasing the rental home next door to restore it. She and husband Greg now own five rental homes. Four of them, along with their own home on Park Avenue, have been refurbished to landmark status. The fifth historic home burned down and was rebuilt. She is an advocate for good building code enforcement, especially on rental properties, to maintain the quality of residential neighborhoods. Pam has been a member of Brockport’s Historic Preservation Board for about 24 years.
Pam is president of Pro-Brockport, and member of the political action group since it started in 2010. She emphasizes that the primary work of the organization is as a grass roots citizens’ group involved in “good things happening in Brockport,” such as gardens, parks, historic restoration, and festivals. She points out the slogans for Pro-Brockport express her personal devotion to her village: “Bridging tradition and tomorrow“ and “Promoting positive living in Brockport.”
Photos by Doug Hickerson
2/3/13
FEATURES STORIES - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2012
Barrus family cherishes personal reflections
by Leisa Strabel
Offering glimpses of a more genteel age, a Brockport family is sharing the collected works of Lucy Snyder Barrus with the community. Her 400 essays, poems and reflections written between 1948 and 1955 have been published with copies entrusted to the Seymour Library and the Brockport Baptist Church.
Lucy Snyder was born in the neighboring Town of Clarendon in 1898, one of 11 children. In 1920 she married Milford Dewey Barrus, a World War I veteran and Purple Heart recipient. The newlyweds soon settled in Brockport, purchasing the wood-frame house at 183 Park Avenue. The couple had five children: Janet, Marjorie, Ruth, Robert and Patricia.
According to Robert Barrus, his mother was a smart, loving woman and a strong disciplinarian. As was more typical in that time, each child in the family had chores and was held accountable for his/her behavior.
“She was a Christian woman, very active in church, very generous in giving of herself.” Barrus recalls that “hobos” rode the train during the Depression Era, often getting off in Brockport. “My mother would always feed them,” Barrus said, “she couldn’t turn anyone away. But then she would have them do a little work in the yard or around the house so that they would feel good about themselves, feel that they had earned their meal.”
In 1948, with all the children grown and gone except the youngest, Milford took a job as a part-time patrolman for the Village of Brockport working the evening shift. Lucy filled those evening hours by sitting at her spinet desk in the front living room of the Park Avenue house, writing out in long-hand her observations on family, faith, nature and country. She wrote in essay form, poetry and even a few short stories. The works number about 400 separate pieces.
Lucy passed away in 1977 and her various notebooks, journals, sketchbooks and accountings pads were packed away. Recently, the three surviving children, Janet, Robert and Patricia, decided to compile the writings and have them published to share with the 20 grandchildren, extended family and other interested community members.
At first the siblings tried to arrange the pieces by theme, then they decided that chronological order would be best. Many of the pieces are dated, some are not so the order is approximate. A few photographs have been added to offer a visual connection to the author. The brother and two sisters spent months revising the order and layout of the writings. The result is a book entitled “My Old Spinet Desk; The Collected Writings of Lucy Snyder Barrus.”
Robert said the 20 grandchildren have been presented with a copy – the project had been kept quiet so most of them were surprised - and they have all been “thrilled and touched” to receive the piece of family history.
“My mother was someone who devoted her life to her family, her church and her community,” Barrus said. “This book lets us all remember her and remember what one Brockport family’s life was like during that time.”
2/3/13
2013 Hilton Apple Fest and Board of Directors announced
The Village of Hilton will celebrate the 2013 apple harvest by hosting the 33rd Annual Hilton Apple Fest Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 6, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The 2013 Board of Directors of the festival has also been chosen. Linda Viney will serve as treasurer and chairperson of this year’s festival. Terry Quetschenbach and Jim Sage will serve as vice chairpersons, and Ginny Kidwell as secretary. The remaining board members include Cathy Carmestro, Joe Lee, Jane Mitchel, John Sage, Jill Tobin, Matt Ulakovic and Kristine Watson.
The Board of Directors extends an extra special thanks and farewell to Kathy Bjornholm, Rick Bjornholm, Chris Young, and Harriet Zunno for their exceptional service to the Apple Fest and the Hilton community as they step away from serving on the board this year. Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in making the festival a tradition and a success, organizers say.
Those interested are invited to attend the board meetings, which are mostly held on the fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m. and open to the community. Further details for this year’s Hilton Apple Fest are available online at www.hiltonapplefest.org.
2/3/13
Spencerport grocery store ‘good fit,’ Bob Ryan says
Spencerport Tops Manager Bob Ryan“I feel privileged to work here,” Bob Ryan, the manager of the Tops Neighborhood grocery store in Spencerport says of his job.
Ryan is well known to area grocery shoppers as the owner of Ryan’s Big M in Brockport for 22 years. He has been the manager at the Spencerport Tops since November 2012.
Ryan says a Tops local district manager visited him in Brockport before his store there closed in November of 2010.
He says the district manager told him Tops is always looking for good help.
“I looked into other possibilities,” Ryan remembers, “but I always kept coming back to grocery.” He started training with Tops in January 2011 and has never looked back.
“I feel very good about it,” he says, “I haven’t regretted a day since.”
He notes it is different not to be the store owner anymore - much of the “thinking” is done for him now because of the Tops corporate structure, but, “I’m still doing what I love doing - taking good care of customers and keeping the grocery shelves full,” he says.
Ryan is well aware of the importance of Tops to Spencerport. He grew up in the community and went to school for eight years at St. John’s.
“I’m fortunate to be back here,” he says. “I have been welcomed by Tops with open arms.”
Taking care of local residents and helping out community groups is important to him, Ryan says and Tops is “fully supportive” of that philosophy.
Ryan has spent his whole life in the grocery business. Before opening his store in Brockport, he worked at the former Big M in Hilton, starting at age 16. “I met my wife there and worked there for 15 years,” he says.
After coming to Tops two years ago, Ryan says he trained and worked at some of the larger local Tops stores including the one in Hamlin before being assigned to Spencerport.
Not surprisingly, the Spencerport store reminds him of his years in Brockport. Four of his former employees now work at the Spencerport Tops.
“I love it here,” he says.
Photo by D. Knox
2/3/13
GCC welcomes “Lincoln” actor Stephen McKinley Henderson to Civil War Lecture Series
Genesee Community College’s spring 2013 lecture series on the history of the Civil War has finalized its four-part lecture series scheduled on Wednesday evenings at the Batavia Campus in room T102. All lectures are free and open to the public. Pre-registration for each lecture is encouraged by contacting The BEST Center at 585-345-6868
•On Wednesday, February 6 at 7 p.m., “Hanging Henry Wirz: Debating the Meaning of ‘War Crimes’ during the American Civil War” will be presented by Carole Emberton, assistant professor of History at the University of Buffalo. Her presentation will explore how the concept of “war crimes” emerged in response to Wirz’s trial as commandant of Andersonville Prison. The debate over Wirz’s guilt as well as other atrocities committed during the war, including the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre and even the act of secession itself reveal the anxiety produced by the war’s immense devastation and the struggle to control its meaning for future generations. It also highlights the importance of mid-nineteenth century developments in international law pertaining to the rules of war and justice for those who violate them.
•On March 13, Genesee Community College welcomes Stephen McKinley Henderson who will speak to audiences about “Story-Line Acting” and his experiences as an actor in both film and on stage. Audiences may be particularly interested in his role as Abraham Lincoln’s personal valet in the film “Lincoln,” which was recently nominated for 12 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor. Henderson is a professor of theater and dance at the University of Buffalo. He was nominated for the Tony Award in 2010 for his work on the Broadway production, “Fences” with Denzel Washington, and appeared in Spielberg’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” He also appeared in the comedy “Tower Heist” and the HBO series “The Newsroom.”
•The third lecture on April 3 features “Myths and More at Gettysburg” with George McGaughey. No Civil War battlefield is more famous (at least in the north) than Gettysburg. To many, it is sacred ground that warrants many visits and careful study, and like any other historical landscape, it is prone to myths and legends. In this talk, McGaughey will talk about the basis of those myths and the many discoveries he has made as a frequent visitor. His findings will surprise even the most knowledgeable Civil War buff.
•The Spring 2013 Lecture series in Batavia concludes on May 1 with GCC Professor Garth Swanson presenting the “New York’s Forgotten War-The War of 1812 and the Making of the Empire State.” The War of 1812 remains a confusing and little remembered chapter in the history of the United States. New York, as a result of its extensive border with British-controlled Canada, was one of the primary fronts of the war and its residents experienced considerable hardship over the three years of the conflict. In addition, political divisions brought on by the war threatened to tear the state apart internally. Yet, New York quickly emerged from the war stronger and more economically vibrant than ever. In his talk, Professor Swanson will assess the role of New York in the conflict and evaluate the ways the war helped to create a modern New York state.
In addition to the lecture series, a three-day Civil War encampment will take place at the Medina Campus Center from Friday, April 26 until Sunday, April 28. The encampment will include re-enactors in authentic soldier costumes setting up Union and Confederate camps and many other events and re-enactments throughout the weekend.
For other information on the Civil War and the initiative at GCC, visit Civil War blog at http://civilwaratgcc.wordpress.com/.
Provided information
2/3/13
The Brockport Lions Club welcomed its newest members at the January 16 dinner meeting. Kevin Johnson was inducted by Past District Governor Greg Lund.
Pictured are Lions Norm Fluet, Kevin Johnson, Tiffany Mitrakos, Walt Windus (Kevin’s sponsor), and Club President Chuck Switzer. The Brockport Lions consists of 46 men and women dedicated to service of the community.
For information about membership contact Greg Lund at Lunddargreg@aol.com or 964-2774.
Provided photo
2/3/13
Brockport Rotary holds first Oratorical Contest
Brockport Rotary Club President Doug Clare presented banners to Brockport High School juniors Andrew Carter and Sophia Avery, as well as a check for $50 to the winner, Carter, for their participation in the Rotary District 7120 Oratorical Contest.
Students compete in public speaking for scholarships at a host of colleges for amounts up to $10,000 per year. Carter will continue on to the semi-final next month and if he is a winner in that regional event, he will go on to the finals in March.
Club representatives say both students were courageous for taking this on as no locals have been in the contest prior to this year, so their efforts were especially appreciated. At the Club level, the student may use note cards but are required to have their speeches memorized as they go forward in the competition. The competitor is encouraged to use examples, including those from his/her life. Presentation skills range from voice modulation to ability to use eye contact.
Provided photo
2/3/13
A special guest at the Ogden Senior Center was Ogden Police Sgt. Chris Mears who spoke to the group about safety awareness. More than 25 seniors learned about individual safety preparedness for disasters such as hurricanes, ice storms and prolonged power outages; epidemics and emergency situations both at home and in vehicles.
Shelter, heat, water (at least one gallon per person for every 24 hours) and food are survival necessities, and Sgt. Mears provided simple and clear cut methods for securing them. He covered “Go Bags,” first aid kits, and even demonstrated the use of MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat).
His hands-on approach to training and the take-home notes he provided helped members be more aware and better prepared.
Provided information and photo
2/3/13
In typical fashion, January came to a close with a “wintry mix” of weather that ranged from single digit temperatures for nearly all of the fourth week of the month followed with a warm up with rain at the end and record temperature of over 60° on January 30.
Cold, clear nights on January 26 and 27 gave good conditions for full moon watching and ice formation. Pictured, a creek off Hurd Road on one of those wintry days.
Photographs by Rick Nicholson
2/3/13
SPORTS NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2013
BROCKPORT
Blue Devils drop Rangers
by Warren Kozireski
Brockport head coach Mike Ferris was encouraging the crowd to get to their feet as the seconds ticked off the clock on the final bout. It isn’t often that a standing ovation happens with a loss, but this was different.
Brockport’s wrestlers had defeated visiting Spencerport for the first time since 1985. The head coach was seven years old at the time.
Back-to-back falls by Jacob Sweet at 170 lbs. in 3:07 and Tom Sims at 182 lb. in 3:43 gave the Blue Devils a 19 point lead. Two Spencerport pins plus a decision made it 34-30 with one match remaining and eighth-grader Simeon Horton had a first period reverse and third period escape to hold his opponent to just a three-point decision to clinch the victory.
“This was a chess match in terms of how matchups dictated how the match unfolded,” said Ferris. “Every year we kept chipping away and our kids understood the price to reach their level and made the commitment.”
Bart Peters pins Brandon Barrett. MLPhoto.Bart Peters (113 lb.) and Spencer Mulligan (120 lb.) had first period falls in 1:38 and :50 for Brockport. Austin Mesiti had a 7-0 decision at 132 lb. before Terrance Rowe used a second period escape and takedown on his way to a 4-0 decision at 138 lb.
Justin Clay’s 17-7 major decision at 160 lb. gave the Blue Devils the extra point that would prove crucial in the end.
Jon Haas won via pin in 4:25 at 106 lb. for Spencerport and Tahj Eaddy took a 10-5 decision at 126 lb. Ryan Schirano registered a reverse and three back points over the final 25 seconds to take a 7-5 win at 145 lb. and Kyle Melnyk had a second period reverse stand up in a 2-0 win at 152 lb.
Trent Egenlauf moved up to 195 lb. and pinned his man in 1:20; Collin Pittman had two points in each period for a 6-4 win at 220 lb. and Austin Coleman had a fall in :57 at 285 lb. for the Rangers.
“We had no returning senior starters in the lineup tonight and we beat a team we haven’t beaten in 25 years (actually 28),” Ferris said. “The match came down to an eight-grader and he came through for us. I couldn’t be happier for this team.”
2/3/13
BYRON-BERGEN
Bees pin Eagles
by Warren Kozireski
Trailing by nine points, Byron-Bergen registered five consecutive pins to finish the match in a 54-33 victory over host Kendall.
Cole Thompson, Mike Saxman and Philip Walter began the match with falls to stake the Bees to an 18-0 lead. Thompson’s was in 3:46 at 195 lb. Saxman made quick work of his 220 lb. opponent with a pin in 1:14 and Walter in 3:08 at 285 lb.
Kendall rebounded led by Paul Urquhart’s pin in 3:07 in his 99 lb. match and senior Averey Iqbal followed with a fall in 5:17 at 106 lb. Riley Reis receiving a forfeit at 113 lb. tied the match at 18-18.
Eagles senior Alex Bierworth used a third period escape to eke out a 3-2 win at 120 lb. and junior Mason ReQua had a third period fall in 4:23 at 132 lb.
The Bees Hunter Taylor kept the Bees close with his pin in 2:24 in his 126 lb. bout.
Then the Byron-Bergen comeback began with Mike Shanley fall in 2:22 at 145 lb. followed by Austin Yockel with just 13 seconds remaining at 152 lb. and Josh Hixenbaugh registered a pin in 2:59 at 160 lb.
Jon Levchuk (170 lb.) and Danny Komitch (182 lb.) finished off the Bees comeback with first period falls in 1:52 and 1:49, respectively.
2/3/13
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS - WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2012
SPENCERPORT
Jazz is in the air in Spencerport
The Spencerport High School Friday Jazz Club is directed by Ben Osborne.
The Spencerport High School Jazz Band is directed by John Viavattine.The Spencerport High School Jazz Band will present its 14th annual Evening of Jazz on Saturday, February 9, at 7 p.m. in the SHS west cafeteria. An Evening of Jazz will feature special guest artist Tom “Bones” Malone, former member of the Blues Brothers, and the jazz bands of Cosgrove Middle School, Brockport Big Band, Fairport High School, and Spencerport High School Friday Jazz. Tickets are $7 adults, $5 students/senior citizens, with beverages and desserts included. Live and silent auctions will take place throughout the night.
Provided information and photo
2/3/13
Senior wins Rotary vocal competition
Spencerport High School senior Justin Burr with retired Spencerport teacher Alan Jones prior to the competition.Justin Burr, a senior at Spencerport High School, won the regional Rotary Vocal Competition in January. Sponsored by the Spencerport Rotary Club, Justin will be honored for first place at the Rotary’s District conference to be held at Lake Placid on May 3 through 5, where he will perform one of his selections from the competition.
Justin is a member of Spencerport High School’s Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Stage Drama Club where he has secured a leading role for the last two years. He is the student of Ann Murphy, Laura Szymanowicz, and John Viavattine.
Justin has set his sights on musical theatre and is in the process of auditioning for many leading schools with programs in Musical Theatre.
The Rotary Vocal Competition is designed to encourage high school vocal students as they develop the art of solo singing.
Justin is the son Eric and Beth Burr of Ogden.
Provided information and photo
2/3/13
WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS FEBRUARY 2013
Chinappi - Laniak
Christina Chinappi and David Laniak were married September 8, 2012 at Sonnenberg Gardens, Canandaigua in a small, intimate ceremony attended by family and closest friends.
The bride is the daughter of John and JoAnn Chinappi of Spencerport. The groom is the son of Mark and Nancy Laniak of Rush.
They recently purchased a house in Brockport where they reside with their dog and three cats.
The couple will honeymoon in Europe this fall.
Katharine Kalamaroff - Ryan Hunter
George and Loretta Kalamaroff of Spencerport are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter Katharine to Ryan Hunter.
The couple met at the California Institute of Technology where Katharine received her master’s degree in physics in 2011. Katharine, a 2005 graduate of Spencerport High School, is a 2009 graduate of the US Air Force Academy and is assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ryan received his PhD in microbiology from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech.
An August 2013 wedding is planned.
Brittany Veitch - Brian Kirby
Rosemarie Miller of Spencerport is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter Brittany Veitch to Brian Kirby, son of Charles and Mary Kirby of Spencerport. Brittany is also the daughter of the late Raymond Veitch.
Brittany, a 2007 graduate of Spencerport High School, is employed at Wedgewood Nursing Home, Spencerport.
Brian is a 2006 graduate of Spencerport High School and received an associate’s degree from Monroe Community College in 2009. He is lead editor for the hunting show, Rush Outdoors.
Their wedding is planned for May 17, 2013.
Diana Hunte - Kyle Eich
Martin and Lynn Hunte of Hilton are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter Diana to Kyle Eich, son of Duane and Lynn Eich of Spencerport.
Diana, a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, is employed as a fifth grade teacher in the North East ISD of San Antonio, Texas.
Kyle, also a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, is commissioned in the Air Force as a second lieutenant and is stationed at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas, currently undergoing pilot training.
Their wedding will take place July 13, 2013 in Rochester.
OBITUARIES - WEEK OF FEBURARY 3, 2013
AREA
•Barry-Schmitter, Natalie J., age 88, died January 26, 2013. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 1, 1929, the daughter of John and Beatrice (Weiss) Boag, she had resided in the Angelica area for many years. She was a retired Elementary School Teacher retiring in 1984, from Holley Central School. Natalie was a member of the Retired Teachers Association. She was predeceased by her first husband James V. Barry in 1998. She is survived by her husband Al Schmitter; her two sons, Kevin J. Barry of New Orleans, Stephen (Christine) Barry of Poughkeepsie; two grandchildren; two great grandchildren; five step children Susan Doucher, John (Sarah) Schmitter, Dorothy (Jim) Helmicki, Frank (Maria) Schmitter, Judy (Paul) Koph; 20 step-grandchildren and 22 step great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services were held January 30 at the Brown & Powers Funeral Home, Angelica. Burial in Until the Day Dawn Cemetery, Angelica. Contributions can be made to Care First Hospice, 11751 East Corning Road, Corning, NY 14830 in her memory. To send a remembrance visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com.
BERGEN
•Jackling, Carol A. (Schmitt), January 27, 2013. Predeceased by her parents, Roy and Anna Smith; and son, Douglas Schmitt. She is survived by loving husband, Roy; children, Richard (Laura) Schmitt, Scott (Mary) Schmitt and Thomas (Brenda) Schmitt; grandchildren, Kimberly, Richard, Ashley, Scott, Melissa and Brittany; her nieces, Deborah Ward and Matilda Smith; her loving friend, Florence Shaughnessy. She was a retiree of Bausch & Lomb.
A Funeral Mass was said January 31 at St. Theodore’s Church. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in her memory.
•Schlenker, Douglas R. Sr., Age 67, died January 27, 2013. Beloved husband of Carmen (DePalma) Schlenker of Bergen; loving father of Michael (Brenda) Schlenker of Bergen, Mark (Kathy) Schlenker of Spencerport, Donna McLaughlin of Perry, Trina (Garrick) Yue of Chili and Douglas (Terry) Schlenker, Jr. of Geneseo; devoted grandfather of 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; dear brother of Robert (Diane) and Gerald (Sylvia) Schlenker of Florida, Shirley (late Bruce) Reed of Manchester; fond brother-in-law of Joseph (Judy) DePalma of Hilton and Patty DePalma of Chili; several nieces, nephews, dear friends, and his beloved dog, Rickey, also survive.
His Memorial Service was held January 31 at Bergen United Methodist Church. Interment, Mt. Rest Cemetery, Bergen. Contributions can be made to the family in his memory.
BROCKPORT
•French, John, January 25, 2013. Predeceased by his parents Grant and Josephine French. Survived by his loving wife Shirley (Bell) French; children, Kathleen (Jeff) Danzinger, Colleen (John) Shakshober, Thomas (Sherry) French and Christine (Chris) Courtney; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Sarah Danzinger, Jennifer and Mary Shakshober; brothers, Don and Charlie French; many loving relatives.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated January 29 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport. Interment in St. John the Evangelist Cemetery. Donations can be sent to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, 4053 Maple Road, Suite 110, Amherst, NY 14226 in his memory.
•McCaffery, Harold J. “Doc,” January 25, 2013 at age 86. Predeceased by his wife, Jacqueline Cond Mc Caffery and brother Lee Mc Caffery. He is survived by his son Mark (Kay) Mc Caffery of Grand Island, Nebraska; daughter, Diane Britton of Webster; grandchildren Stephany J. Britton and Jennifer J. Scibona both of New York; Caleb and Jill Mc Caffery, Megan and Matt Lynn, Micah Mc Caffery of Nebraska; Jonas Mc Caffery of Florida; Jacob Mc Caffery of New York; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elsie Cond; several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. Contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church of Brockport in his memory.
•Nichols, Larry H., On January 29, 2013 at age 76. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Pat; children Tim (Kim) Nichols, Maripat (Brian) Kayes; grandchildren Tyler and Doug Nichols, Brian and Corrie Kayes and Jennifer and Lauren Jester; sister Barb (Bob) Huffer; brother Ed (Sherry) Nichols; several nieces and nephews. Larry was the owner of Nichols Service in Brockport for over 30 years.
Funeral Services were held February 2 at the Fowler Funeral Home Inc., Brockport. Interment at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to the Pluta Cancer Center or Hildebrandt Hospice in his memory.
•Obes, Amy Jo (Adriance), of Pinellas Park, Florida, formerly of Brockport, died suddenly December 16, 2012. Predeceased by parents, Wilbur and Carol Adriance and husband, Humberto Obes. Survived by uncle, Wilden (Myrtle) Miller of New Orleans, Louisiana, several cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service is being planned for the late spring in Brockport.
•Wilkins, Theresa (Terry) M., of Athol, Massachusetts, died January 17, 2013. Formerly of Brockport, NY; Westford and Boston, Massachusetts; born in Munich, Germany. Predeceased by husband James Wilkins; brother Carl (Helene) Liebl. Survived by daughters Jo (Jon) Birdsey of Waltham, Massachusetts and Jayma (Doug) Mulligan of Athol, Massachusetts; sons James (Marjorie) of Prescott, Arizona, and Jeremy (Mary) of New Brunswick, Canada; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and their families. Terry was active in Eastern Star and Masonic Lodges, and in the Lakeside Hospital Twig group.
The family of Terry Wilkins wishes to thank the people of Brockport and the Rochester area for the kindness and friendship they extended to her.
CHILI
•Henning, Betty K. (Donahue), Died January 26, 2013. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, William; her daughters, Kathleen (David) Moore, Bev (John) Donnelly and Marlene Bilous; her grandchildren, Megan (Lee) Regnier, John (Catherine) Donnelly and Michael Bilous; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Lillian and Jacob.
A Mass of Christian Burial was said January 30 at St. Monica’s Church, Rochester. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations can be directed to St. Monica’s Church in her memory.
•Mindler, Fredric A., January 27, 2013 at age 83. Survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Lorraine; children, Karen (Michael) Pedeville, Robert (Mariann) Mindler; grandchildren, Jason (Carla), Andrew (Lindsay), Sarah Mindler and Katie Pedeville; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Sydney, Jeremy and Liliana; aunt, Jenny and many cousins. Fredric was a Veteran of the Korean War, a retiree of Eastman Kodak after 33 years of service and a member of the VFW.
His Funeral Service was held February 2 at White Haven Memorial Park All Seasons Chapel. Contributions can be made to Aurora House Hospice in his memory.
•Quartley, Barbara M., January 26, 2013, at age 85. Predeceased by her true love Harold C. Quartley after 40 years of marriage; parents, James and Mae King; sister, Alice Rankov. Survived by her sons, Thomas (Anne) and Dave (Regina); daughter Mary Dixon. Beloved grandchildren, Timothy (Tricia) Quartley, Erin Quartley, Tamara (fiance Justin Myers) Dixon, Robin (Jesse Tiano) Dixon, John (Tina) Quartley; great-grandchildren, Alex and James Quartley, Tawna Roberts, David and Chelsey Quartley; great-great-granddaughter, Leighla Roberts; sisters-in-law, Betty Gautieri and Dorothy Quartley; brothers-in-law, Henry Kiesel and Nick Rankov; many nieces, nephews, cousins-in-law, Carol (Norman) Rogers and cherished friends, including, Jeanne King, Mary Reeves, Shirley Gosnell, Carol Webb and Ruby Burns. Barbara was a long-time secretary at the former St. Helen’s School in Gates.
A Funeral Mass was said January 30 at St. Helen’s Church, Gates. Interment Holy Angels Cemetery, Scottsville. Donations can be made to The Humane Society at Lollypop Farm or a charity of one’s choice in her memory.
CHURCHVILLE
•Filowick, George, January 24, 2013 at age 82. George was predeceased by his son, Buddy Filowick. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Eleanor; his daughters, Cathy Barnes and Rita (Judy Manley) Filowick; grandchildren, Kristopher (Amy) Stasiw, JJ Stasiw, Brett (Michele Warner) Stasiw; great-grandchildren, Megan and Hailey Clark; niece, Jeanmarie (Stanley) Siedlecki and family; God-son, Daniel (Cindy) Culver.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated January 28 at St. Brigid Church, Bergen. Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or Visiting Nurse Service in his memory.
HILTON
•Welch, Donald E., died January 27, 2013. Predeceased by his parents Goodwin and Florence Welch, brothers Goodwin and James Welch. Survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Carole; children, Karen (Dale) Prince, Mary Patricia Welch-Oliphant, Colleen (James) Christ, Donald (Dawn) Welch; grandchildren, Jennifer, Scott, Chelsea, Shelby and Tracey; great-grandchildren Jack and Jordon; sister Mary (Bill) Empey; brothers-in-law, Ken (Sandy) Moore, Bob (Susan) Moore; dear friends. Don was a Navy Veteran and Kodak retiree who will be missed by his family, friends and his dogs Daisy and Roxie.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated January 31 at Holy Cross Church. Interment private. Contributions can be made to Hildebrandt Hospice in his memory.
•Williams, Adam R., January 23, 2013, age 24 after a four year battle with cancer. Predeceased by cousin, Christopher Williams; grandfather, G. Rosco Williams. Survived by mother, Lori Librera-Williams; father, Robert (Cynthia) Williams; sister, Morgan Williams; brother, Zachary Williams; grandparents, Fred (Carol) Librera, Elizabeth Williams, Susan (James) Zornow and Craig (Dona) Hazen; aunts, Theresa Librera, Denise Kane and Carol Melcher; cousins Stefanie, Samantha and Jack Kane; and many, many devoted friends. Adam’s proudest moment was joining the Army.
A Funeral Service was held January 28 at the Greece Assembly of God Church. Interment Riverside Cemetery. Donations can be made to Silver Water Community Ambulance in memory of Adam.
HOLLEY
•Haffly, Melody E., age 62, died unexpectedly January 28, 2013 at Lakeside Memorial Hospital. She was predeceased by her daughter Kimberly Breister and her brother Harold Weaver. She is survived by her husband of 21 years, David; her son Bud (Lisa) Hendry of Holley; grandchildren Kelsie (Zach) Reed of Brockport, Kaitlyn Hendry of Holley, Jason Breister of Brockport; sister Rose Weaver of California; brother Orlen (Martha) Weaver of Colorado; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Melody had worked as a Unit Coordinator in the ER at Lakeside Memorial Hospital.
Her Memorial Service was held February 1 at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Holley. Spring burial in Hillside Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or to the organization of one’s choice in her memory.
•Pratt, Harold “Sonny,” age 80, died January 24, 2013. He was predeceased by his parents, Milo and Myrtie (Kelly) Pratt, brother and his sisters. He is survived by his wife Susie, of 57 years; his daughters Deborah P. (Eugene) Wood of Brockport, Judith P. Chilson of Brockport, Barbara (Robert Defendorf) Morlino of Kendall; grandchildren Zachary Wood, Katelyn (Neil) Foose, Joseph (Stacy Richenberg) Morlino, Alissa (James) Dale, Suzanne (Tim Adams) Chilson; great-granddaughter Natalie Amelia Foose and several nieces and nephews. Sonny served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict and served in the Navy Reserves for 20 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Holley American Legion Jewell Buckman Post #529, Navy Club of Holley and Brockport and was a life member of the Holley VFW Post #202. Sonny retired from S.U.N.Y. Brockport.
His Mass of Christian Burial was held January 29 at St. Mary’s Church with Full Military Honors. Spring burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the U.S. Naval Park, 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY 14202 in his memory.
KENDALL
•Toal, Sean M., On January 24, 2013. He is predeceased by his mother, Sharon. Survived by his father, Thomas; his brothers, Tom, Stephen and Dion (Kim) Toal; a sister, Ivy (Joseph) Blair; also several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Sean was a Veteran of the United States Air Force.
His Funeral Service was held February 1 at Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., Hilton. Contributions can be made to VFW Post 202, 8 Veterans Drive, Holley 14470 in his memory.
SPENCERPORT
•Baker, Robert R. “Bob,” January 26, 2013 at age 72, after a battle with Emphysema and COPD. Predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Marie Baker. Survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanne (Waite) Baker; daughter, Kimberly (Phil); sons, Erik (Andrea), Timothy (Christine), Raynan, Danny (Ellen), Michael and Zachary; brother, Philip Baker; sister, Diane (Dave) Halloway and Barbara; sister-in-law Marge (Jim) Geary; grandson, Dominic; many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Bob’s life was held February 2 at the Senator’s Mansion, Churchville. Donations can be sent to the American Lung Association, 1595 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 in his memory.
•Bischoping, Joan E. (Doran), After a long battle with cancer on January 30, 2013, at age 80. Predeceased by her father and mother, George and Ellen Doran; sisters, Jean Nau and Janet Nau. She is survived by her loving husband, Frank Bischoping; stepchildren, Frank (Debbie) Bischoping, Linda Schrader; grandson, Todd; sister, Joyce (Daniel) O’Shea; nephew and nieces, Daniel (Sheryl) O’Shea, Ellen O’Shea, Patty (Keith) Fournier; great nieces and nephews, Connor, Regan, Tierney, Delaney and Kennealy; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond Nau, Ed Nau, Rita Burton, Robert Bischoping, Arlene (Edward) Young, George (Nancy) Bischoping, Edna (Richard) Wiest, Joan Young, Jerome (Helen) Bischoping, Rosemary (Bernard) Resch; Dorothy Bischoping, Kurt (Carol) Gurgel; many nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Mass was said February 2 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport. Interment, Holy Ghost Cemetery. Donations can be made to Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center, 2652 Ridgeway Avenue, Rochester, NY 14626 in her memory.
•Pier, Eileen C., Died January 26, 2013 at age 93. Predeceased by her husband, Charles S. Pier. Survived by her children, Marcia (Ron) Sisson and Rick (Mary) Pier; grandchildren, Julie and Mike Sisson, Tom and Seth Pier; her “extended family” from the Cottages at Park Ridge.
Her Memorial Mass was celebrated February 2 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport. Interment private. Donations can be made to St. John the Evangelist Church, 55 Martha Street, Spencerport, NY 14559 or the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 in her memory.