News for the week of
January 9, 2005

In Features:

A very special Christmas present
for a young blind lady from Ogden
Cheryl (Beaman) Kells was suffering from kidney failure. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly, and she was recently placed on dialysis. Her brother and sister volunteered to be tested as possible donors, but were found to be unacceptable because of their own health issues. more

Gearing up for bird counting
The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place February 18 through 21 and on Tuesday, January 18 from 7 to 8 p.m. details will be given on how to participate in the international event. more

Hamlin postmaster prepares for retirement
Terry Wright, long-time Hamlin postmaster, is proof that having a back-up plan is a really good idea. After 32 good years in the United States Postal Service, 25 of those years in Hamlin, Wright will retire in March. more

Hilton community at heart of involvement
Before ever taking office, Joe Lee, the newest Village of Hilton trustee, had earned an impressive reputation for giving back to his community. more

Holley residents file new law suit
In their continuing quest for justice from Diaz Chemical, residents in the Village of Holley have filed another law suit. Holley residents filed the suit on January 4 in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York against Novartis AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical firm, and related companies. more

Investigation clears transaction process
As a result of charges levied against a Village of Brockport landlord and a financial transaction that transpired during those court proceedings, board members had asked for an investigation by the district attorney to determine the propriety of the case. On Monday, December 27, Assistant District Attorney Larry Bernstein announced that no criminal charges were appropriate. more

Monroe County offers crop insurance
education for farmers and growers
Diversified farmers and growers have an opportunity to learn more about innovative risk management tools designed for large and small-scale producers of multiple crops. Adjusted Gross Revenue (known also as AGR and AGR-Lite depending on the size of the operation) is a whole-farm revenue protection approach for which most farm-raised crops and livestock are eligible. more

Red Cross/RG&E heating fund available
Winter means there is an increase in the amount of heating fuel being used. For those on a strict budget, paying higher heating bills can be a challenge, but there is help through the Red Cross/RG&E Heating Fund. more

Riga adopts Host Agreement amendments
The issue of amending the Host Agreement for the Mill Seat Landfill, one that had split the Riga Town Board and the residents, was decided by a divided board on Monday, January 3. The contentious issue gives town officials a say in future expansion of the Mill Seat site. more

Support group for parents begins winter sessions
Winter sessions for a new support group designed to help parents share parenting strategies will start January 13 at the Family Support Center at Spencerport Central School. The program, Better Days Ahead, is a joint effort of the Family Support Center and the Mental Health Association. more

Tips to cut winter home energy bills
The Powerful $avings campaign, a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Alliance to Save Energy, offers a variety of smart energy practices and energy-efficiency home improvements to fit every pocketbook, so consumers can reduce their home energy bills and the nation's overall energy use this winter. more

Work progresses at Hilton Village Park
Mild temperatures have permitted rapid progress in finishing the exterior of a new pavilion in Hilton's Village Park. The exterior work being done by Bennett Construction, Dansville, NY, should be finished by the middle of the month. more

Youth program development coordinator hired
Patty Jo Groenendaal has been hired as the Youth Program Development coordinator at the Brockport Central School District. Groenendaal will work with youth and help them build assets - positive experiences, opportunities and qualities - that all youth need to grow to be responsible, successful, caring individuals. more

In Briefly:

Bell ringers thank local businesses
The Churchville-Chili unit of the Salvation Army has posted another successful year. They thank the following volunteers: Roberts Wesleyan College students; United Methodist Church of North Chili; Knights of Columbus of Spencerport; Gates-Chili Rotary; Churchville-Chili High School students and St. Christopher's Church of North Chili. more

Friends group plans February Indoor Garage Sale
The Friends of the Ogden Farmers' Library are organizing an indoor garage sale for Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19. more

Genesee Center for the Arts hosts performing arts day
The Genesee Center for the Arts will hold its first "Performing Arts Day" on Thursday, January 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Local high school students, drama directors and guidance counselors are invited to attend. more

Hamlin FD officers elected
On December 9, 2004 the Hamlin Fire Department held its annual elections for officers for 2005. more

Hamlin resident featured in Preferred Care calendar
Shirley Alexander of Hamlin is among the Preferred Care Gold and GoldValue "stars" featured in the health maintenance organization's fourth annual calendar for its Medicare Advantage health plan members. more

The Landing of Brockport sponsors "Souper Bowl" canned food drive
The Landing of Brockport is holding their own version of the "Souper Bowl." The Landing of Brockport will be a drop-off site for canned, non-perishable food items to benefit local food banks. more

Politically Speaking:

Lt. Goveror announces $1 million available to local governments
Lieutenant Governor Mary O. Donohue announced the availability of $1 million in state assistance payments to municipalities through the Quality Communities Program. more

Monroe, Orleans receive funding for foster care post-adoption services
Assembly Republican Leader Charles H. Nesbitt (139th District) joined Governor George Pataki in announcing over $82,000 in local funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Adoption Incentive Award Program. The awards honor local social services agencies' efforts to help place foster care children with permanent adoptive families. more

In Schools:

Brockport Central School District registering students for kindergarten
Residents of the Brockport Central School District who have a child who will turn 5 years old by December 1, can obtain a kindergarten registration packet by contacting Kathy Oaks in the Registrar's office by January 19 at 637-1891 or e-mail koaks@bsc.1.org. more

BOCES 2 exec receives Athena Award nomination
Dr. Pamela Kissel, BOCES 2 assistant superintendent for Instructional Support, will be recognized for her impact on public education at the 19th Annual Athena Award celebration, January 13, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. more

Churchville-Chili second-grader
shares GEVA experience with class
Fairbanks Road Elementary School Second Grader, Jenna Keele, portrayed Tiny Tim in GEVA Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol." Jenna, the daughter of John and Angela Keele of Ogden, shared her theater experience with her classmates in Mrs. Trippodo's room the week before Christmas. "Jenna brought the story alive for our class, even singing one of the songs from the show. more

Hilton High School jazz musician
selected to attend GRAMMY Awards
Hilton High School senior Nick Finzer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chuck and Sherry Finzer, will be traveling to Los Angeles next month to participate in the GRAMMY High School Jazz Ensemble. more

Holley Schools solve gas fume problem
Holley Central School was gone over with a fine tooth comb during the recent holiday break in an effort to find, and repair, the cause of the district's gas leaks and fumes. more

SUNY Brockport hosts statewide student financial aid day
SUNY College at Brockport will be hosting a daylong financial aid workshop for prospective students and their families, Saturday, February 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The workshop is designed to answer questions and provide assistance regarding financial aid application, types of aid available and the award process. SUNY Brockport is the only local college holding this workshop. more

In Seniors:

Free tax counseling for senior citizens
Tax return preparation service is available to senior citizens having low or moderate income at 22 locations in the Rochester area. This service begins February 1 and will run to April 15. To make an appointment, call the nearest AARP Tax Service Center. more

In Sports:

Color Guard show Jan. 15 in Holley
The Holley Sports Boosters and the Empire Winter Guard co-sponsor a NECGC Competition at Holley High School on January 15, at 6:30 p.m. more

Gillam Grant Center offers Karate class
Isshin Ryu Karate classes with Sensei Cyndy Jones, 7th degree black belt, starts January 15. Conditioning exercises for stamina and strength are included in the 10-week winter program. more

Hilton Cadets fall to Batavia
Hilton's girl's volleyball team won the first game 28-26, but dropped the next three 19-25, 26-28, 13-25 in a loss to Batavia. more

Holley wins first of season
Steve Wright, Mike Penna and Joel Grimm combined for all but 21 of Holley's points and the Hawks dominated the boards to defeat Northstar Christian Academy 63-51 for their first basketball victory of the season. more

Hunter's late shot leads Roberts
Christine Hunter's basket with the shot clock running down and just six seconds remaining led Roberts Wesleyan back from a 16-point deficit to defeat Walsh University 78-75 in women's basketball. more

K of C hosts free throw competitions
Hilton-Parma Recreation, in conjunction with the St. Leo's Knights of Columbus, will hold its annual Free-Throw Contest on Saturday, January 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Merton Williams Jr. High School. more

Vermont ski trip offered
Hamlin Recreation is offering an adult ski-snowboarding weekend trip to Sugarbush Mountain in Vermont, February 25-27. more