Greece News January/February 2021

Greece News Published by Westside News Inc.

Also in this issue: • Bonding Together In Nature • Chamber Youth Hall of Fame • Greece Resident Celebrates Heroes Webster, NY Permit #91

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Volume 7 Issue 5 January/February 2021

2 Greece News January/February 2021

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4 Greece News January/February 2021

Greece Cobras U10 Boys run canned food drive The Greece Cobras U10 Boys (Miceli) ran a canned food drive to benefit the Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf. Due to COVID, each family only collected canned foods from family and friends. The team gathered and dropped off donations to the food shelf on December 19. The 278 pounds of donated food went to assist those in the Greece community during the holidays and through the ongoing pandemic.

Provided information and photo

Work Accomplished

by Town of Greece Parks Department Recognized The Town of Greece Parks and Recreation Team are blazing trails. In November 2020, they cleared several miles of trails that were greatly overgrown. Pictured is Bisig Trail, off Manitou Beach Road, which was recently cleared.

“I am proud of our Parks and Recreation Team for the great work they have been doing in clearing trails so residents can safely use them as a fun outdoor activity. Our local parks help make Greece a great place to live, and I am always excited to announce enhancements to these beautiful areas to make them even more enjoyable for our residents,” Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich said.

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Greece Chamber Announces 2020 Youth Hall of Fame Inductees The Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the 2020 Inductees into the Youth Hall of Fame, with key support from Presenting Sponsor Buckman’s Plaza. Now in its 30th year, the Chamber’s Youth Hall of Fame Program provides an important annual opportunity to recognize outstanding 11th and 12th grade high school students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and personal development along with generous contributions to others and to the community.

The Youth Hall of Fame is an initiative of the Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce with support from regional businesses, schools, and government. Inductees are chosen annually by the Chamber’s Youth Hall of Fame Committee, currently chaired by Kim Bellavia of Tompkins Bank of Castile/Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and comprised of Greece Regional Chamber Business Members, all of whom serve as volunteers. The Committee reviews nominations of area 11th and 12th grade students who have shown leadership and community spirit through exceptional personal, volunteer, scholastic, and workforce achievement.

Candidates for the award are nominated by high school teachers, counselors and administrators, area businesses, community youth agencies, service organizations or area residents.

The Greece Regional Chamber will be presenting this award to youth who have demonstrated leadership and dedicated service to our community and their peers, have coped with a life challenge, or overcome a personal tragedy. In some cases, our award winners meet all of these criteria.

The 2020 Youth Hall of Fame Inductees are: Joseph P. Alphonse, Grade 12, Greece Olympia HS; Caleb Costain, Grade 11, Greece Olympia HS; Kendall Givens, Grade 12, Greece Arcadia HS; Fiona Grana, Grade 12, Greece Odyssey Academy; Teagan Holmes, Grade 11, Our Lady of Mercy; Makyle Murdock, Grade 12, Greece Olympia HS; Brianna Myles, Grade 12, Greece Olympia HS; Solange Ndatabaye, Grade 12, Greece Athena HS; May Ree, Grade 12, Greece Athena HS; Daniel Santos, Jr., Grade 12,

Greece Olympia HS/Phoenix Academy; Babucarr Taal, Grade 12, Greece Athena HS; Thomas Zacks, Grade 12, Greece Athena HS. The Chamber thanks the following sponsors for this year’s Youth Hall of Fame: Presenting Sponsor: Buckman’s Plaza; Platinum Sponsors: Bryant & Stratton College, Greece Central School District, and The Mall at Greece Ridge; Gold Sponsor: Sign Impressions; Silver Sponsors: Allwright’s School of Driving, Deborah Ham Whitt Agency, Fidelis Care NY, The Victors Gymnastics; Tompkins Bank of Castile/Tompkins Insurance Agencies, and Wireless Vision T-Mobile; Bronze Sponsor: WellNow Urgent Care.

“We are extremely grateful to the business and nonprofit organizations in the Greece Regional Chamber membership for their ongoing dedication and commitment to the youth of our community,” said Greece Regional Chamber President/CEO Sarah Lentini. “I especially want to thank our presenting sponsor, Ralph DeStefano, of Buckman’s Plaza and our Youth Hall of Fame Committee Chair, Kim Bellavia, of Tompkins Financial/Tompkins Insurance. We are proud to mark the 30th anniversary of the Chamber’s Youth Hall of Fame and to note all of the wonderful young people – past and present – that we’ve been honored to be able to recognize.”

For more information, contact the Chamber at Info@GreeceChamber.org or 585.944.5800.

Provided Information and Photo

Greece Resident Celebrates Local Heroes

by Tami Raco In the Fall of 2018, Nancy Fetzner of Greece was in her kitchen when she heard a noise that sounded like an explosion in the house. She ran towards the sound and found her husband, Jim, lying on the bathroom floor, foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back, bleeding and not breathing. Her husband, who had previous heart issues, just had a massive heart attack. Nancy called 911 immediately and the 911 operator talked her through CPR. Greece Volunteer Ambulance arrived quickly and took over. “Kelly came in and told me I can stop and she took over,” Nancy said. The English Road Firemen showed up and shocked Jim eight times before his heart eventually restarted. Jim was taken to the hospital and survived the daunting odds that only 1% of people survive a heart attack of this magnitude.

Each year the Fetzners celebrate Jim’s survival thanks to the first responders who were there that morning in 2018. They bring pizza and snacks to the Firehouse to honor the men and

women that saved Jim. In 2019 the Fetzners were invited to a dinner at the Firehouse. “These men and women do not just put out fires, they save lives,” Nancy said.

Say You Read It In The Greece News

6 Greece News January/February 2021

From the office of The Supervisor, Bill Reilich As I look back on this past year, I am grateful to all the residents of this town who have come together to help and support one another during a very difficult year. The kind of behavior and attitude exhibited by Greece residents throughout hard times makes me proud both to live in this community, and represent you all as Town Supervisor. I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to each and every resident of Greece who has stepped up and faced this challenging year with kindness and resilience I would like to thank everyone who participated in the giving opportunities we had this holiday season. We had a box dedicated to Matt’s Coats for Kids to collect new and gently used winter outerwear to help keep our local kids warm this winter. We also collected donations for the Greece Ecumenical Clothing Shelf.

I was humbled and inspired to witness community members selflessly give this holiday season to bring the spirit of Christmas to those in need.

We have officially welcomed a new police chief to lead the Greece Police Department. Welcome onboard, Chief Andrew Forsythe. Chief Forsythe will be taking the place of outgoing Patrick Phelan, who will be taking on the new role of Executive Director of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police.

Patrick Phelan has served our community with honor and will continue to be an advocate for and leader to his fellow law

Greece News

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enforcement Chiefs in his new role and we all thank him and wish him well on this next stage of his career. Chief Forsythe’s experience with strategic partnerships, program development, tactical deployment, program innovation, and community relations will all be valuable tools that he will bring to the table as the next Chief of Police in the Town of Greece. Of Note, in December of 2017, Chief Forsythe earned the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office highest honor, the Purple Heart Medal, for injuries sustained and service above and beyond the call of duty.

This is the model of the selfless service that we believe personifies the individual who should lead our department.

As always, I enjoy hearing feedback from residents about programming and other Town- related matters. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit our website. Keep on the look-out for additional details regarding town sponsored events and news on my Facebook page: Bill Reilich Greece Town Supervisor.

From my family to yours, I wish you a safe and happy New Year!

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Upcoming Events Greece Historical Society Tuesday, February 9, 2021 “Everyday People: The Dinkle Family and Rochester’s African American Past” Everyday People explores the city’s black heritage through the eyes of the Dinkles, an ordinary family that has resided in the Rochester area since the late nineteenth century.

The Greece Historical Society Museum is Closed for the Winter Season. Reopen date is March 7, 2021.

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RG&E Completes Circuit Upgrades in Greece Resiliency investments to bring enhanced reliability to more than 1,600 customers Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) announced that it has recently completed circuit upgrades in Greece on Latta Road, Island Cottage Road and Mount Read Blvd on the company’s 5255 circuit, which delivers power to customers’ homes and businesses. The project will bring enhanced reliability to 1,604 customers. It is part of the company’s Resiliency Program which proactively hardens the company’s systems to continue providing safe and reliable service to all customers.

“I’m very happy to have worked with RG&E to help bring these important enhancements to our residents here in Greece. When challenging events like the wind storm of 2017 impacted our community, we responded with every resource at our disposal to aid and assist our neighbors and families. We then got to work on formulating our own resiliency goals as part of our Town Comprehensive Plan that was approved earlier this year,” said Greece Town Supervisor Reilich. “I commend RG&E on the completion of this project and will continue to offer our support as they further invest in the safety and viability of their system here in the Town of Greece.”

The primary goal of the project was to make the grid more reliable and decrease the number of customers impacted by outage-causing incidents. This was achieved by upgrading equipment on the circuit by installing three switches. This equipment provides RG&E with the ability to temporarily switch which circuit is powering a customers’ home or business.

That will result in quicker restoration times for customers when outages do occur.

“Our primary duty as a utility is to provide our customers with safe and reliable service year-round,” said Andy Gumkowski, Manager of Resiliency Field Projects at RG&E. “This is an important responsibility and requires continued investments in our systems, like those made on the 5225 circuit in Greece. With these upgrades, our customers can count on more reliable service for their homes and businesses.”

The 5255 circuit project in Greece began in early July. It is one of the several local resiliency investments RG&E is making to reduce the number and duration of outages during extreme weather and to enable an efficient and effective response when outages do occur.

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One hundred-year-old dream lives on in heirloom dollhouse

by Tami Raco John Wesley Leach grew up in the Spencerport area. After his military service in World War 1, he returned to the area, married his wife, and began a family in 1919. A carpenter by trade, John worked for Morse Lumber Company.

According to his daughter Shirley, John dreamt of owning a beautiful home someday and began crafting a doll-sized modeling of his dream home. John handcrafted the entire house with his masterful carpentry skills – the structure, walls, roof, interior, detached garage, furnishings, and windows. The roof is removable allowing a view into the furnished rooms. Shirley recalls when she was a little girl that her dad would set the house out on display at Christmas time and put Santa Claus in the chimney.

Although John Leach’s dream home never came to fruition, his dream house has continued to live on as a legacy for nearly a century. This family treasure has been passed on throughout the decades, starting with the eldest children.

Shirley received this cherished dollhouse, representing her father’s dream, several years ago. This Christmas, Shirley set the house up in front of a picture window in her Parma home. She even found a Santa to include on the rooftop, just as her dad once had.

The most treasured heirlooms are the ones that capture the sweet memories of family and keep them alive.

John Leach constructed this model of his dream home nearly 100 years ago. His daughter displayed the heirloom at her Parma home over the holidays. Provided photos

Greece News January/February 2021 13

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14 Greece News January/February 2021

Greece Rotary Theme for 2021

The Rotary International theme for this year is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.”

The Greece Rotary Club has welcomed four new members joining as “People of Action” improving our communities.

Provided Information and Photos

Sponsor Terri Granger-Christiano with newly inducted Steve Nash, retired GCSD teacher/librarian and Greece Rotary Past President Pattie Anthony.

Greece Rotary Past President Al Meilutis inducting Cameron Knaub and David Georiev of the Guardians of Hope.

Greece Rotary Past President Pattie Anthony inducting Alicia Welch of Canandaigua National Bank with sponsor Bill Selke.

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Greece Chamber Foundation Supports RRH Nursing Students The Greece Chamber Charitable Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded scholarships from the Foundation’s Daniel E. Richardson Memorial Fund in support of three students of the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing of Rochester Regional Health: Christine Seeger, Terrajah Nelson, and Shaniqua Williams. The Board of Directors are proud to be recognizing and extending the legacy of excellence in nursing that was such a central theme in Daniel Richardson’s life. In March 2018, the Greece Chamber’s Charitable Foundation established the Daniel E. Richardson Memorial Fund in honor of Daniel Richardson, the Foundation’s first Board Chair and an active member of the Foundation Board of Directors up until his untimely passing in January 2018.

“The Greece Chamber Charitable Foundation was established to support programs that prepare individuals for success in education and business. Through the Foundation’s Daniel E. Richardson Memorial Fund we are pleased to provide scholarships.

The scholarships are consistent with the Foundation’s objectives and will help students to pursue their careers in nursing, while filling critical needs in our healthcare system and community.

Congratulations to Christine Seeger, Terrajah Nelson, and Shaniqua Williams,” Michael A. Mordenga President Greece Chamber Charitable Foundation.

For more information, visit the Greece Regional Chamber website, Greece Charitable Foundation webpage, email Info@ GreeceChamber.org, or call (585) 944-5800.

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Greece Artists Help Children with Disabilities Three local Greece artists have combined talents to create a comic book story that illustrates how to turn one‘s “disability into an ability.”

Entitled DREAMER, the story begins when a 14-year-old boy suffers serious life-threatening injuries while saving children with disabilities from a hospital fire, forcing the doctors to put him in an induced coma to save his life. With damage to his brain and nervous system, the young boy, if he survives, may be disabled for the rest of his life. In his coma, he awakens in a dream-state world and discovers that, because he was willing to sacrifice his life to save these children, he can now travel into their dreams to help them overcome their fears in their daily struggles by motivating them to tap into their inner strengths.

Through his encouragement and devotion to help make their lives more meaningful, the Dreamer helps each of them to discover the “true hero” within themselves. In the continuing series, he races against time to help as many children as he can, while the doctors debate whether to end his coma, and possibly end his life.

Each issue of the comic book will explore the lives of different children and their individual “disability.” Storylines will include blindness, autism, immunity disorder, speech and hearing impairment, shyness, and suicide. The main character in the comic book, the Dreamer, will help each person to “Flip the Hero Switch” in themselves, particularly when they are being faced with bigger-than-life challenges.

The comic book is drawn by Greece artist, Ken Wheaton, illustrator of Popeye and the Simpsons comic books. The story was

created and written by Greece comic book writer and novelist, Joe Janowicz. Greece resident Liz Pritchard, a nationally known artist who has autism, also contributed to the comic book.

Joe Janowicz wrote DREAMER based on his life-long friendship with Frank Johnson, a Rochester resident who was trapped in a fire over 40 years ago. Frank incurred a TBI, traumatic brain injury, which impaired his speech and some hand movements.

It changed his life and altered his dreams. Throughout his life, Frank showed perseverance and courage as he fought his innermost demons to overcome his deficiencies and became a nationally recognized inspirational speaker and friend to not just others like himself, but to anyone who has a disability. He is the author of the book From Flawed to Fantastic, How I Turned my Disability Into an A$$et. He was also one of the people written about in the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Frank continues to be an inspiration to all people, and Joe made him the inspiration for DREAMER. According to Joe, “This story is dedicated to Frank, a comic book fan who is a ‘real dreamer,’ not only discovering the inner strengths in his own life but influencing and helping the dreams of others.”

Joe Janowicz, a Kodak retiree, said inspiration for his many literary works comes from the experiences he had as a writer and producer for Kodak. “I’m fortunate to have a good life and to have worked at a company like Kodak that gave me the opportunity to travel worldwide. After retirement I focused my energy on my writing. It is a way to leave a legacy for my grandchildren

Greece artists Ken Wheaton and Joe Janowicz at the comic book signing for their collaboration DREAMER.

continued on page 18

18 Greece News January/February 2021

Greece Artists Help Children with Disabilities continued from page 17

to enjoy,” he said. Joe’s inspiration for his stories comes from the many places he traveled to, and the people he met during his years working for Kodak. He filed these experiences away in his mind, and draws from them now in his writing.

DREAMER will be marketed online as well as through hospitals, schools, and comic book shops. Part of the proceeds from sales of the comic book will be donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital. Joe has a personal connection with Golisano Children’s Hospital. He said, “Years ago I work in the hospital as a photographer. I would go into the children’s wing and meet the people, and they inspired me. With DREAMER we are working closely with hospitals. We have donated books to many hospitals and hope to do more with hospitals across the country. The message that runs through the book is that if you have a disability it doesn’t have to define your life, you can live a purposeful life and touch others with how you live. If you see someone with a disability, don’t turn away, there is much to be learned from everyone we encounter in life. We are all dreamers in our lives.

If we don’t follow the dreams in our minds and hearts we will be left with regrets and be left with the feeling that there was so much more that we wanted to do.”

Joe Janowicz has written several novels and is currently working in collaboration with Greece screenplay writer Rob Jones in adapting the DREAMER comics into a potential TV series. Joe, who is also an avid comic book collector, met Rob Jones at a comic book store. “It is important to surround yourself with other creative people. We can learn from each other. In talking with Rob we decided to adapt the comic books to scripts for a TV series. We are also working with another Greece resident, book agent Marisa Zeppieri, who will be contacting Hollywood agents about DREAMER. Marisa is the author of her own book dealing with her disability Lupus. She read DREAMER and was excited to represent the scripts for TV and take it to the next level. It is all about connectivity and getting your work into the right people’s hands. DREAMER is a story that I really want to tell. It is a family type story, and it has heart. It is about the idea that disabilities should not hold us back from achieving our dreams,” he said.

DREAMER illustrator is freelance artist Ken Wheaton. Ken has

Pictured are artists Joe Janowicz, Liz Pritchard and Ken Wheaton among avid collector Joe’s comic book and memorabilia collection.

Photos on front cover and above photo by Karen Fien

worked on local and national projects, contributing artwork and designs for a series of television ads for clients Toyota, McDonald’s, and Wegmans. Ken teaches popular comic book production workshops each summer, which yield anthologies of student work and prepare young students for entering the field. He has also worked with The Strong National Museum of Play as a teaching artist.

Liz Pritchard is an Autism Advocate and Disability Rights Advocate. She is also an author, videographer, and comic book illustrator.

Recently Ken, Liz, and Joe did an in-person signing of the comic at Rhino’s Comics & Collectibles, 3805 Dewey Avenue, in Greece.

To find out more about the DREAMER comic, where it’s being sold or how to order online, go to www.dreamercomicbook. com

Chamber Accepting Annual Community Awards Nominations Deadline: February 15, 2021 Each year, the Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce recognizes exceptional individuals and organizations whose business and volunteer activities demonstrate significant contributions to our community. Community residents who know of an individual, organization or project they think is deserving of one of this year’s Community Awards, are encouraged to submit nominations by Monday, February 15, 2021.

The 35th Annual Community Awards Committee is accepting nominations for outstanding individuals, organizations, and projects in the following categories: Business Person of the Year; First Responder of the Year; Girlie Goodwin Citizen of the Year; William E. Selke Senior Citizen of the Year; Young Professional of the Year; Arts & Culture Award; Building Award (New & Existing); Education Award; Environment Award; Health Award; History Award; Thomas E. Schommer Spirit of the Chamber Award.

The Presenting Sponsor for the 35th Annual Community Awards is M&T Bank. The Chamber thanks the following sponsors to date for this year’s Annual Community Awards: Pre-

senting Sponsor: M&T Bank; Platinum Sponsors: Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home and LeChase Construction Services; Gold Sponsor: EFPR Group and Site Hub; Bronze Sponsor: WellNow Urgent Care.

“The Annual Community Awards Gala is one of our favorite events,” said Greece Regional Chamber President and CEO Sarah Lentini. “It gives us great pleasure to highlight the outstanding individuals and organizations that make our community so exceptional. We are especially grateful to M&T Bank for continuing to serve as our Presenting Sponsor once again this year.”

For details and nomination forms or to sponsor this event, visit www.GreeceChamber.org, email Info@GreeceChamber.org or call the Chamber at 585-944-5800.

Greece News January/February 2021 19

Reasons to keep those dead and dying trees in your landscape

by Kristina Gabalski

In one of their recent newsletters, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation argued that some of the most important trees in a woodlot are ones that are no longer alive. The DEC explained that dead or dying trees, called snags, help keep woodlands healthy by providing habitat for wildlife.

Birds and mammals need snags for foraging, nesting, roosting, perching, and for dens. Woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees nest in dead trees, and bats roost in their cavities and crevices. Snags also provide insects, fungi, and lichens that many species rely on for food. Additionally, the DEC says that snags provide structural complexity, provide visual interest, store carbon, and will enrich soil in the future.

Even in your home landscape, snags and fallen trees can be beneficial and add interest to your plantings. As long as the tree is not in a hazardous location – such as near a road or building – there are no local zoning ordinances regarding leaving dead or dying trees on your property. If the tree is not infected with disease or a fungus, you might want to consider the possibilities that dead trees offer.

Washington State University Master Gardener Kathy Wolfe writes that using dead or dying trees in your landscape can enhance important biomass as well as attract beneficial wildlife.

Even fallen logs make a good ground cover for many varieties of birds, and organic matter from rotting trees encourages mushroom growth, which can feed turtles, birds, squirrels, and deer.

If you have trees with weak wood, are shading an area where you want sun, or have roots that are invading pipes or septic systems, you can consider turning them into a snag.

If you would like to try incorporating a dead tree into your yard, an arborist can be helpful in the process of creating a snag in your landscape. Wolfe advises retaining other trees and shrubs near the snag to protect it from wind and provide additional habitat for birds and wildlife. Try to retain as much of the tree as possible. A high stump can support a lot of wildlife compared to one cut to ground level, Wolfe explains. Get creative with your design; arborists can cut a jagged top to your snag to give it a natural look or add slits or a cavity.

Logs can be used to make nooks and crannies for plants in a

natural woodland garden. Hollow stumps can be used as planters; nurse logs can foster the growth of ferns and mosses. Limbs pruned from large trees can be used to line paths, curtail erosion, or border planting areas.

If incorporating dead and dying trees into your landscape is not possible or doesn’t appeal to your aesthetic, wood and bark from dead trees can be chipped up and used for mulch, as long as the tree is not diseased.

Dead trees are a common part of the landscape, and they have an important role to play in nature. Retaining at least a portion of dead or dying trees can add interest and healthy diversity to your yard. Speaking of dead trees, if you still have your live Christmas tree, remember it can be staked in your yard northwest of your bird feeders to provide a windbreak and cover for birds. Branches can be cut and used as an excellent mulch for perennial beds, too. Happy New Year!

There are many benefits to keeping a dead tree in your landscape - that they are especially helpful to birds, and can add a lot of personality to your yard are just two. Photo by Kristina Gabalski

Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester spring coaching opportunities Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester’s spring season Coach Registration is now open. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that inspires girls in third through eighth grade to be joyful, healthy, and confident.

The eight-week program incorporates physical activity to teach critical life skills, encourage personal development, foster meaningful connections with others as well as contribution to the community – activities and skills that are necessary and valuable in both national and personal recovery efforts. Volunteer coaches will utilize a structured curriculum to engage teams of girls in fun, interactive lessons. Teams meet twice a week for 75 to 90 minutes in person or virtually and the program culminates

with all teams completing a 5K event.

Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester has served almost 10,000 girls in Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Livingston counties since 2010. Volunteers provide critical leadership and the nonprofit organization is currently seeking coaches to facilitate the program.

Coaches do not need to be athletes but are required to be a minimum of eighteen years old to serve as an assistant or twenty-one years old to serve as a head coach. All volunteer coaches must complete a background check and attend a virtual training session. One of the program’s coaches from last season said, “It was so rewarding to be part of the girls’ journey to becoming empowered women. And I can’t begin to describe how changed I am as a person by learning the curriculum alongside them.”

For more information about coaching and Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester, visit www.gotrrochester.org/coach.

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20 Greece News January/February 2021

Has calorie counting failed you?

by Tami Raco Personal Trainer and Health & Nutrition Coach

The New England Journal of Medicine predicts that by 2030 one out of two Americans will be obese. With obesity being one of the largest predictors to chronic disease it is so important that we strive to manage our weight and body fat composition.

Why do obesity rates continue to climb despite the expansive nutritional and exercise information available? Let’s look at the most common weight loss advice that many follow despite the increasing trend of obesity.

Calorie Restriction: The theory behind calorie restriction is one of the most pervasive approaches to dieting. The theory is that obesity comes from eating too many calories and if we reduce them we will reverse obesity. For decades the eat less and exercise more model has people struggling to lose weight and keep it off. So why has it continued? Likely due to the simplicity of this way of eating. But it often comes at the expense of regaining weight and reduction in overall health and wellbeing. Using this model of dieting would require a person to consume less than their daily expenditure, the bigger the deficit, the bigger the weight loss is what this theory suggests.

The human body is more complex than this which is likely why America’s obesity rate is not trending in the right direction. It ignores the human metabolism and hormone systems. Most people who restrict calories for any length of time gain it back as it decreases the overall metabolism, increases hunger and spikes hunger hormones as well as fat storage hormones. Over time, eating less calories than the body needs will teach the body to adapt by slowing down the metabolism. The body will put on the brakes to burning calories as a survival mechanism and the body begins to store fat again, if the person does not continually reduce daily caloric consumption.

Quality over quantity: Nutritional quality is a better place to focus dieting energy and efforts. Nutritional quantity leads to disregarding the important factor of nutritional quality. Everything we eat contains instructions for the body on everything from cellular function to metabolism and hormonal responses.

The human body will respond very differently to one hundred calories of almonds in contrast to one hundred calories of cookies. They are both metabolized differently, impact blood sugar and insulin differently, as well as affect fat storage differently. Hormones are often at the root of weigh loss struggles. Insulin (the fat storage hormone), ghrelin (the hunger hormone), leptin (the feeling full hormone) and cortisol (stress hormone) are critical in managing for successful weight management.

The solution: Focus more on the quality of the foods you consume. This means eat more whole foods that are not highly processed. A diet with more fruits, vegetables, natural fats like nuts and avocados, and good quality protein sources will help you stabilize your hormones, hunger and metabolism. These types of foods are nutrient dense and will naturally help you feel more satisfied. The quantity of food will adjust naturally as you focus more on the quality of your diet and less on the calories. Reducing the foods that are processed and full of sugar and refined carbohydrates will lower the risk to insulin resistance, diabetes, high cholesterol and certain types of cancers.

By changing our focus from counting calories to the quality of our health and wellness is how we can adapt a healthy lifestyle versus a short-term diet. The focus on quality of health will help us manage our weight as well as positively impact our health, quality of life and our relationship with food. Our bodies thrive from nutrients, not numbers.

Healthy Recipes For Families Black Bean Burgers

Packed with veggies, these burgers are a healthy choice for lunch.

Ingredients: 15 oz. canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1 Tbsp. tomato paste or salsa 1/4 red onion, minced (1/2 cup) 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil 6 whole wheat hamburger buns 6 leaves iceberg lettuce, for serving (optional) 1 tomato, sliced, for serving (optional) 6 slices Cheddar or Muenster cheese, for serving (optional) 1/2 cup salsa, ketchup, mustard and/or barbecue sauce, for serving (optional)

Directions: Steps for Kids: Coarsely mash beans with a fork.

Place the beans in a large mixing bowl and add the tomato paste, onions, bread crumbs, vinegar and egg.

Mix it well and, using wet hands, form the mixture into 6 patties.

Place the cornmeal in a shallow bowl or plate. Coat the patties on both sides with the cornmeal. (You can store the uncooked patties in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or freeze them for up to 3 months.)

Steps for Adults: In a large nonstick skillet or heavy skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, heat the oil over medium heat. Fry the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are browned. Drain them on a paper towel.

Adults and Kids: Serve them warm on buns, with desired toppings.

Greece News January/February 2021 21

Certain messages need to be repeated several times “Sit”

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The more often a consumer sees your advertising message, the better your chances are that they will remember you when they’re ready to buy!

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22 Greece News January/February 2021

Greece Chamber Offering New U.S. & International Trips for 2021-2022

Open For Take Out, Outside Dining and as soon as able open for indoor dining!

FISH FRY

Available Every Friday

The Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce has lined up great trips to U.S. and International travel destinations with Collette and Mayflower Cruises & Tours in 2021-2022.

Trips include Canadian Rockies by Train, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, Shades of Ireland, Spain & Morocco, Peru: From Lima to Lake Titicaca, Christmas on the Danube, Imperial Russia, Spectacular Scandinavia.

Travel with the Chamber of Commerce to exciting destinations.

Membership is not required to book group travel on Chamber trips, although members are eligible for additional travel discounts on select trips.

For more information about these or any other travel destinations, visit www.GreeceChamber.org, call 585.944.5800, or email Info@GreeceChamber.org.

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Greece News January/February 2021 23

Women’s Rights National Historical Park unveils digital collection of Hunt Papers A set of personal and business papers held by the Jane and Richard Hunt family and private owners for more than 140 years are now available digitally through the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. The Hunt Family Papers includes over 1,100 plans, contracts, essays, store records, and correspondence dating from 1828 to 1856.

“This collection gives us a window into the past,’” said Gene Freese, Acting Superintendent. “From details of the architecture in Waterloo, to a glimpse into the family relationships and business dealings of Richard Hunt, this collection is a treasure trove. I invite everyone to dig in and learn more about this prominent New Yorker and the family who helped lay the groundwork for the national suffrage movement.”

The park is highlighting the collection through an online “Hunting in the Hunt Papers” scavenger hunt on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/womensrightsnps While the park has owned the papers for some time, the newly digitized collection is made available online thanks to the dedicated work of the staff at Northeast Museum Services Center.

The service center assists with the preservation, protection, management, documentation, and conservation of National Park Service museum and archival collections throughout the northeast. The official park website https://npgallery. nps.gov/wori hosts the collection.

Provided information

Landscape Technicians Training Program recruiting students for 2021 The Landscape Technicians Training Program has been offered in Rochester for more than 20 years. During this time, hundreds of people have used the training as a launchpad to a career in the nursery and landscape industry. Many graduates can be found locally as business owners, managers, designers and foremen/ women. The program is now a part of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County.

Classes are taught by individuals who work in the horticulture industry, offering information that is scientifically-based, but in easy-to-understand language. Daily student interaction with employers helps build relationships that lead to job offers upon graduation.

Classes meet Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from February 22 through April 2. Topics covered run from how plants function, soil basics, and plant identification to basic design, proper planting techniques, how to build a patio, and integrated pest management. Class size will be limited to ensure proper spacing, face masks will be required, and daily cleaning of the classroom will be provided.

Tuition for the six-week course is $1,000. There are several tuition-funding sources available, so prospective students are advised to not let the cost keep them from inquiring about details.

For information, contact Marci Muller at 753-2557 or mem545@cornell.edu.

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Presenting Sponsor

Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home Sponsors December Business Voice Program

Bartolomeo & Perotto recently served as the Presenting Sponsor of the Greece Regional Chamber’s Business Voice radio program and podcast on WYSL, hosted by Chamber President/CEO Sarah E. Lentini. Additional advertisers included Spectrum Reach and Greece Chamber Benefit Partners. Program guests included: • • • • •

Michael A. Mordenga, President & CEO, The Victors Gymnastics, Inc. Deborah Stamps, Executive Vice President, Rochester Regional Health Kevin Groth, Owner, Nature’s Little Helper David Mallaber, President, Owner & Operator, Rochester Shuttle Express Kim Bellavia, VP & Marketing Manager, Tompkins Bank of Castile/Tompkins Insurance Agencies

The Chamber’s Business Voice radio program is broadcast on WYSL 1040 AM and 92.1 & 95.5 FM three times each month: second Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm; following Saturdays, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm; and following Sundays, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. In addition to the radio broadcasts, the program is accessible as a podcast on WYSL’s website each month and archived on the Chamber’s YouTube channel and website. To hear Business Voice podcasts, visit www.GreeceChamber.org.

24 Greece News January/February 2021

Bonding Together In Nature

by Barbara Burke Spencerport native Kei Riley fell in love with dog sled racing in 1999 when she attended the Alaskan Iditarod with her father.

For five days, they traveled together, touring Alaska with the race. “I was pretty much hooked after experiencing that,” she said. As a child growing up in Spencerport, Kei could not have a dog as a pet and companion. “Both my brother and I were allergic to dogs, but as soon as we moved out and had our own places, we both got dogs. I took allergy medicine for a while; after some time, I no longer needed it,” she said. Currently, Kei lives with a racing dog and a retired 14-year-old Siberian Husky in her home.

During her college years, Kei studied in Japan on a Rotary Scholarship. She studied, lived, and worked in Japan from 1993 to 1999. “I very much enjoyed my time in Japan. I studied in Japanese colleges; learning the Japanese language was part of my classes. My first two years, I attended classes that were taught in Japanese using English language textbooks, the second two years, I studied using only the Japanese language. I also worked in Japan and played semi-pro soccer while I lived there,” she said.

Upon returning to the United States, Kei began her dog racing career. She started with skijoring, which is racing with the musher (human) on cross country skis attached with a harness to the dogs. Kei moved to dog sled racing and since then has participated in local, regional, national, and international races. Her sled dog racing career has been very successful. She has participated in the World Cup Dog Sled Racing, where she won a Silver Medal and a Gold Medal in the 2016-2017 season. She has also particicontinued on page 25

Kei and Silex. Photos by Karen Fien

Kei training an eight dog team.

Bonding Together In Nature

Greece News January/February 2021 25

continued from page 24

pated in the World Championships for the North American team in the eight dog classification. She was the fastest team from the United States and the only woman to finish the race in her class.

Due to COVID, recent dog sled races have been canceled.

Currently, Kei’s dog team consists of two racing dogs that she owns with the balance of her eight dog team consisting of dogs from an area kennel. “The medals and the recognition that goes with the competition is fine, and I do like the challenge of racing, but to me, it is all about the dogs, being out in nature with eight of my best buddies. There is nothing else like it. It is truly a quiet sport; all you hear is the patter of the dogs’ feet on the snow. The scenery is beautiful; we are all working together, getting exercise, and having fun. When I’m out running with my dogs, I can’t help thinking that my life can’t get any better,” Kei said.

The dogs that Kei races are a mix of breeds, including Siberian Husky, German Shorthaired Pointer, Rhodesian Ridgeback, and Hound. They are a mix of working dogs, bred for endurance. The American Kennel Club says that working sled dog breeds “are intelligent, strong, watchful and alert. They are bred to assist humans and are happiest when doing a job they love. They are fast runners, true pack animals, calm and mellow, very sociable and trainable with a preference for cool climates, a healthy breed with a love of exercise.”

Within the sled dog racing world, the protection of the dogs is the top priority. Before dogs can race, they are vet checked and tested to make sure that they are fit for the race. Kei said the dog owners also have a huge responsibility in ensuring that their dogs are healthy and happy and that their needs are being met.

She said, “Each dog has their own personality. It is like a puzzle figuring out dog placement in the team. So and so likes to run next to so and so. I make sure to put them next to their buddy.

You can’t run two young dogs next to each other; they just want to play. The best combination is an experienced dog next to a young dog starting out in the racing world. The older dog teaches the young dog what to do and to take care of the business at hand. The key to success is in finding out what, and who, each dog prefers and matching them up, so they are happy in their job, and then they are a faster team.”

Another key to successful dog sled racing is making sure the dog wants to and loves to race. “The dogs are only going to go as far and as fast as they want to go. You can’t make a dog run when they aren’t interested in it. You get the most out of your dogs when they are happy,” Kei said.

Kei also loves the travel aspect of the dog sled racing sport.

“You get to see the world and to meet people from all over our country and from all over the world. I have found that the people in the dog sled racing community are always willing, and wanting, to help each other out.”

Since COVID has canceled the races for the past two seasons, there has been no competition. The dogs still want to do what they love to do and must regularly go for runs to keep them fit and happy. “When I get to the kennel, the dogs are so happy to see me and can’t wait to get out and run. It is a very bonding experience. The dogs are barking and jumping and ready to go, and I feel the same. Every run is very exciting for us all,” she said.

Kei Riley’s full-time job is as an English as a second language teacher in the Rochester School District.

For more information on sled dog sport, visit sleddogsport.net or isdra.net.

Mac, Kei and Nellie.

Prowler and Kei.

Willie getting his harness on for practice run.

26 Greece News January/February 2021

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Additional Toppings Extra

19.25 $19.25

Additional Toppings Extra

NO QUANTITY LIMIT Exp. 3/22/21 COUPON REQUIRED

with Mozzarella & 14 Chicken Tenders or 12 Mozz. Sticks or 10 Wings

496 LONg PONd Rd.

CLIP & SAVE

CLIP& SAVE CLIP &&SAVE CLIP SAVE

RUSSOSPIZZANY.COM

NO QUANTITY LIMIT Exp. 3/22/21

NO QUANTITY LIMIT Exp.3/22/21

225-3570

225-3570

2 X LARGE PIZZAS OR 1 SHEET W/MOZZ. & 40 WINGS OR 50 TENDERS

COUPON REQUIRED

53.95

$

Exp. 3/22/21

EVERYDAY SUPER PARTY SPECIAL 4 X LARGE PIZZAS OR 2 SHEETS W/MOZZ. & 60 WINGS OR 80 TENDERS

81.75

$

Exp. 3/22/21

28 Greece News January/February 2021