News for the week of November 12, 2001
News for the week of
November 12, 2001

In Features:

4-H centennial - celebrating a century of leadership and service
The 4-H movement did not start at any one place or time. 4-H is a combination of the efforts of those concerned about young people; and its characteristics are unique. From its inception it tied both public and private resources together for the purpose of helping young people. Major factors which propelled the 4-H Program were the needs for education in rural communities and advancement in agricultural technology. more

A cuddle a day keeps the doctor away
It will come as no surprise to current pet owners that keeping an animal at home has many wholesome benefits. But now some new studies undertaken at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine reveal some very impressive statistics. more

A star among us
As a performer, Mark Phillips, Chili resident and lead singer of local band Twilight, knows how to get a reaction out of the crowd. Sometimes that response can be quite moving. more

Alhart to lead conversation with Walter Cronkite
Don Alhart, Associate News Director and Anchor of WOKR, Channel 13 News, will continue in his role as emcee of the Lakeside Foundation 2001 Annual Gala Dinner planned for December 7, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. However, this year he will have a very special role. more

Brockport selects new police chief
The Village of Brockport has selected Irondequoit Police Department Lieutenant Daniel P. Varrenti to be the next Brockport police chief. Varrenti, 44, will become Brockport’s chief on January 1. more

Hilton Lions select winning peace poster
Dana Voldan, an eighth grade student at Merton Williams, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally-recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Hilton Lions Club. Voldan's poster is among more than 325,000 entries submitted worldwide in the fourteenth annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. more

Local girl in comedy wedding show
Eighteen year old Hamlin resident Gina Mastrodonato has joined the cast of Joey & Maria's Comedy Wedding, a dinner-theater show from Great Lakes Productions. more

Maley's win secures Republican sweep in Parma
Newcomer James E. Maley, Jr. beat out incumbent Kathleen F. Mullaly, making him the new town justice and securing a perfect sweep for local Republicans in Parma. The town justice position was the only contested race. more

RPYO memorializes September 11 in its fall concert
On Sunday, November 18, at 3 p.m., in the Performance Hall of the Hochstein Music School, the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra presents the opening concert of its 2001-2002 season of "Musical Impressions." RPYO Music Director David Harman had originally selected for this program of "Latin Charm" music by Dvorak, Bizet, and Respighi that represents the "Latin" cultures of Europe. more

Series exploring global conflict planned
The Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Rochester is organizing a series of events on global conflict. The programs begin in November with several roundtables and will continue in the following months with a film series and speakers series. more

Spencerport's Christmas on the Canal
The 6th annual Christmas on the Canal celebration on Union Street (between West Avenue and Amity Street) in the Village of Spencerport is scheduled for Sunday, December 2. The old fashioned event is a fun filled day for the whole family with festivities beginning at 2:30 p.m. with church choirs singing, horse drawn hayrides, food and entertainment by school bands, dance studios and area vocal talent. A living Nativity scene, nursery school play, Santa, as well as the new children's tent will appeal to young and old alike. more

Strong Museum hosts Hanukkah Happening
Spin along, sing along, and snack along at "A Hanukkah Happening" at the Strong Museum Tuesday, December 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event is co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Federation. more

Veterans are all around us
An American military helicopter delivers Special Forces troops behind enemy lines on an obscure mountaintop half a world away from home. Dateline Afghanistan 2001? No, Vietnam1969. A different millennium, a different enemy, a different type of war. more

In Briefly:

Chili sponsors Christmas home decorating contest
The Chili Recreation Department will hold its annual Christmas Home Decorating Contest on Wednesday, December 12. more

Erie Canal Planning Commission sets year end agenda
The Planning Commission for the five-county Erie Canal Heritage Corridor has set a schedule for community sessions through December 31. "With the significant data we have collected from focus groups, on-site observations and interviews and community meetings, the Planning Commission now has a solid base of information, which has not been available, to move forward with drafting a meaningful management plan for the region," stated William Condo, coordinator of the group. more

Genealogy and Family History fireside presentation
The Brockport Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is sponsoring a special presentation on Genealogy and Family History with Sister Annette Richards as the guest speaker. Sister Richards is currently serving on assignment in Rochester. She has worked at the Salt Lake City Genealogical Library, so is a frequent guest speaker on the topics in and near Rochester. Participants should be prepared to take notes. more

Lakeside Twigs will light annual tree
The Lakeside Twig Association will hold its twelfth annual Tree Lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 6 at 7 p.m. on the southwest lawn of the hospital. Following the ceremony and community caroling, refreshments will be served in the lobby of the professional building. more

New book club invites readers
The next best thing to reading a good book is finding someone to discuss it with. To provide an opportunity for this and to encourage an appreciation of books and the joys of reading, the Sweden Senior Center is launching its own book club. more

NYS Open Space public hearing November 13
The New York State Open Space Conservation Plan public hearing will be held Tuesday, November 13 at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. A workshop is scheduled from 1 to 2:20 p.m., with public hearing times set from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. more

"Rochester's Old Glory" flag exhibit opens at the RMSC
Since the tragic events of September 11 and the subsequent threats to this nation's way of life, people everywhere have been motivated to display the American flag. As the most enduring and most recognized national symbol. "Old Glory" has special meaning and significance for people the world over, citizens and non-citizens alike. more

SUNY Brockport radio station to sponsor clothing drive
SUNY College at Brockport's radio station, 89.1 The Point, will sponsor its eighth annual "Coats for Kids" clothing drive, Saturday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside of Ryan's Big M on Main Street in Brockport just north of the canal bridge. Other clothing, toys, and games are welcomed donations. more

Politically Speaking:

Law will protect the democratic franchise of those in military uniform
New York state Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt (R,C-Albion) has announced that legislation, which mirrors a measure he authored, has been passed. The bill eases certain provisions of the Election Law to help ensure that those voters who are serving in the military will have their votes counted. more

In Schools:

BOCES 2 VICA officers raise $9,000 for victims and families
Vocational and Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) officers at the BOCES 2 Career and Technical Education Center in Spencerport raised $9,000 through an "I Care" campaign for victims and their families of the September 11 terrorists' acts. more

Munn School principal resigns
Spencerport's Munn Elementary School Principal Mark Lavner has resigned to take a position as the principal at Canandaigua Elementary School. Lavner's last day at Munn is November 16. He has been principal at Munn since August 1996. more

RIT expands offering of course on terrorism
In response to expected demand in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and incidents of Anthrax-tainted mail, Rochester Institute of Technology's civil engineering technology/environmental management and safety department is expanding its offering of the course, Terrorism, which will be taught in both winter and spring quarters this academic year. more

In Sports:

Cheerleaders on their way to regional tournament
The Greece Charger Junior PeeWee cheerleaders placed first at the Western New York Pop Warner Qualifier competition on Sunday, November 4 in Syracuse. They competed in this state level competition after placing first in the Monroe County tournament on Saturday, October 27. Teri Buckert and Kristie McDonald are coaches. more

Eagles move on
It seemed to be two games in one - a scoreless first half was followed by a combined five goals in the second half as the Kendall Eagles defeated rival Byron-Bergen, 3-2, in the Class C State Qualifier semi-final on November 5. more

Holley boys in final again
For the tenth time in the past twelve seasons, the Holley Hawks boy's soccer team find themselves in the Class CC finals after a 2-1 win over Perry November 1. more

Saints advance to finals
Trailing 1-0 at half-time, the Churchville-Chili Saints girl's soccer team scored three times in the final 30 minutes to pull out a 3-1 win over Canandaigua in the Class A Sectional semi-final October 30. more

Voorheis honored
Spencerport's Bernie Voorheis, a fiery competitor with lots of basketball savvy in the 1930s and early 40s, was honored at an Oldtimer's Sports Association reunion September 30, at the Whittier Party House. more