My Hometown Magazine November 2021 Issue

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

Your Westside Community Connection

Feast • Fun & Family Traditions

A FREE COMMUNITY NEWS MAGAZINE COVERING CHILI, CHURCHVILLE, GATES, OGDEN AND SCOTTSVILLE

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index 4 Chili Park to provide family entertainment A Westside News, Inc. Publication Pubisher Keith Ryan

6 My Hometown Sports 6 My Hometown - A magazine like no other 7 C-C Saints win Volleyball and XC titles 8 My Hometown Community Events

Managing Editor Gary Sajdak Email: gary.sajdak@westsidenewsny.com Contributing Writers & Photographers Barbara Burke, Maggie Fitzgibbon, Colleen Onuffer, Tami Raco, John Robortella, Joe Territo Advertising 585-352-3411 Lori Antonelli ext. 133 Rachael Blair ext. 139 Debbie Day Ext. 131 Tami Raco ext. 129 Mary Lou Rockow ext. 134 Gary Sajdak ext. 135 Ellen Stevens ext. 130

9 Skills USA raises funds for Breast Cancer Coalition 10 My Hometown Thanksgiving Traditions 11 GCV&M line up of festive holiday happenings 12 My Hometown Authors 13 My Hometown Holiday Helpers 14 Mended Hearts mark 55th Anniversary 15 The Esther Project 16 My Hometown Health & Wellness 17 My Hometown Holiday Traditions

Production 585-352-3411 ext. 126 or 128 Vicki Caspersson, Karen Fien, Joanne Michielsen & Suzette Coleman News Submissions: editor@westsidenewsny.com

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My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 3

My Hometown Recreation

Proposed park to provide family entertainment and recreation

By Colleen Onuffer For years, the Town of Chili had its eyes set on a 48-acre parcel of land on Archer Road, just south of The Father’s House church.

Once the owner of the former farmland decided to sell and agreed to terms with the Town, plans began for a new park in Chili. The property will tie into the community center that opened earlier this year, expanding the recreational opportunities available to residents.

Town Supervisor David Dunning wanted to establish a place that families could use to play a game of flag football or toss around a baseball. Those opportunities currently don’t exist due to the Town’s large sports groups using area fields. “We didn’t have that family-type park. And that’s what I wanted,” said Dunning. “More and more, we’re finding the demand for that. They just want another place to go, something to do in their community.”

Visions for the parcel range from walking trails and bike paths to an amphitheater for summer concerts and movies. Other ideas include open-air pavilions and closed lodges that can be rented out, a skate park, tennis and pickle ball courts, a multi-purpose field that can be used for soccer or football, and another field for softball, baseball, or kickball. The Town would also love to have space for an ice-skating rink.

“There’s very high demand [for a dog park],” said Dunning.

“Right now, the design includes a pond for the dogs to jump in and swim around.” Another feature that residents expressed high interest in is a community garden. Although details for how it would operate are still undetermined, the goal is to allow schools and students to grow various vegetables and plants on the property.

“Because this is old farmland, the soils are ideal for growing,” explained Dunning.

The land formerly belonged to the Zuber family, where it was used for their dairy operation. In fact, there used to be a milk house on Archer Road that was dismantled piece by piece by the Historic Preservation Board and will be reassembled on-site in honor of

4 | My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021

David Dunning - Chili Town Supervisor the Zubers. Another tribute to the family is the name proposed for the property, Milk House Park at Zuber Farms, a suggestion that came from a resident.

Following significant input from community members – 703 responses to the online survey, approximately 50 people in attendance at the public meeting, multiple Facebook comments, and a dozen individual emails – concept plans for the property have been created.

Next, the Town will look into additional resources to help fund the project. The initial demo of the barn and house on the property, along with engineering on-site, came from a $500,000 grant. The remaining grant money will be used to move the project forward, such as finishing the connection between the community center, the park, and Archer Road. Likely by summer 2022, residents will see roads going in and will be able to use the property for walking, biking, and cross-country skiing.

“I was overwhelmed by the support this had,” stated Dunning, noting how well the project has been received by the community.

“Thank you for embracing it, and I look forward to helping to get it developed in my tenure.”

My Hometown Recreation

Residents placed stickers to indicate which facilities they most wanted to see incorporated into the park.

My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 5

My Hometown Sports

Churchville-Chili Saints Outstanding Teammate Awards This year, the Churchville-Chili Saints Sports Booster Club partnered with Mark’s Pizzeria in North Chili to highlight and honor outstanding varsity athletes from each of its fall teams.

Coaches selected athletes whom they thought exemplified what it meant to be an “Outstanding Teammate.” Each “Outstanding Teammate” received a free large pizza award from Mark’s Pizzeria to honor the hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes that they displayed throughout their season. The ChurchvilleChili Saints Sports Booster Club, the school community, and families are all proud of the entire C-C sports program and look forward to successful winter and spring seasons. All are invited to come out and support the athletic teams.

Provided information and photo

Outstanding Teammates pictured below from left to right: Cheerleading – Amanda Kurdt Cross Country (Girls) – Chenoa Lyon Cross Country (Boys) – Isaiah Bauch Football – Chris Hall Soccer (Girls) - Sydney Bailey Soccer (Boys) - Cameron Burke Tennis (Girls) - Meghan Hughes Volleyball (Girls) - Camille Fonseca Volleyball (Boys) - AJ Wilson Not pictured: Golf (Girls) – Sydney Goettel Swimming & Diving (Girls) – Murphy Pynn

My Hometown - a magazine like no other!

By Gary Sajdak Thank you for reading our November issue of My Hometown Magazine! We hope that you enjoy not only the printed version, but also enjoy the exciting multimedia features of the magazine on your smart phone, tablet, laptop and desktop.

The digital age is here... and could be a little intimidating for many of you...But trust me, it can be very beneficial and exciting as well. Today, our community feels they must get the information they seek immediately. With the ease of grabbing your cell phone out of your pocket or purse you have the world at your fingertips. At the click of a button you can find out about just about anything. You can shop, watch videos, chat with high school friends, watch commercials, learn about and look for business locations, order pizza, book a vacation and much more.

As the only publication of it’s type, My Hometown Magazine’s digital format can be enjoyed in many ways that you may not know of or be familiar with. Here is an outline of the special features and easy ways to enjoy our magazine beyond the printed paper version.

Flip-book Reading By simply following the link provided you are able to flip through a beautiful, full color interactive copy of My Hometown Magazine 24-7, 365 on any mobile device or computer. Simply click the page-flip arrows to turn the pages. Enjoy the great multimedia articles and the beautiful photos of people and places in your community each month.

Clickable Links As you flip through the digital magazine and enjoy the locally written articles and local advertising, be sure to click on website and email addresses, social media pages, product info, addresses for map links, video

6 | My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021

interviews and much more! When flipping each page you will see a blue highlight appear on the page. This tells you that there is more information to be found when clicking on the links.

Video Unlike any other publication in the area, you can enjoy our links to video interviews within our special feature stories, commercials, product information, how-to videos and much more. Whenever you see the “Play Button Icon” within our magazine you can click and enjoy some valuable information about people and businesses in our community.

If a business is advertising a special offer on a certain snow blower that you would like more information on, then click on the highlighted item for a video tour of that product.

Coupons & Maps Do you see a special offer or service from our advertisers? Want to find out their location? Then be sure to click the address in their ad and we’ll take you to a detailed map with driving directions from your current location.

Got the munchies and found a great pizza coupon in the magazine?

Then click on the coupons in your favorite location, show the business your coupon on your smart phone or print them off before you go.

We hope you enjoy our multimedia versions of My Hometown Magazine. You’ll find that new technology offers some unique and entertaining possibilities in the publishing world. We look forward to providing our west side communities with some great news, feature stories, special products and services from our advertisers each month throughout the year. Please follow us on our social media pages @MyHometownMag and visit our website www.myhometownmagazine.com.

My Hometown Sports

C-C wins girls volleyball Section V title twice in 2021 From the program’s launch in 1973 up until 2021, no Churchville-Chili Saints girls volleyball team had ever won a sectional title. In Fall 2020, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, volleyball was put on pause. The sport was finally given the green light to play in what was called the Fall2 season in March and April of 2021.

The team won the school’s first-ever Section V title on May 1, 2021.

All sports ran on schedule this fall, so just six months after the program’s first Section V title, the Saints won their second consecutive title by defeating Irondequoit 3-0 on November 6 at Gates Chili. Winning two titles in the same calendar year is something that has never happened before and is a unique accomplishment.

Three Saints team members were named to the Section V Class A All-Tournament team - Skylar Jehlen, Camryn Karelus, and Alyssa Rich. Rich was also named the Section V Class A Most Valuable Player. The team is led by head coach Shelby Gear.

Provided information and photo

Saints win first girls XC Section V title in school history Since 1978 when Churchville-Chili Hall of Fame Coach Gary Boyce built the program, the school’s girls cross country team has grown into a competitive force, winning several division titles and sending many runners to state finals.

Last year, the team was seconds away from capturing its first Section V title but finished second. This fall, the team accomplished what no other C-C girls cross country team had done in 43 years – they won the Section V Class A title. The team ran a great race, led by McKenna Arguien, who finished third overall out of 87 runners, and Alexa Briggs, who finished seventh overall. The remaining team members all ran strong races to help earn the title.

Head coach Richard Strasser, who has coached the team since 2007, was named Section V Class A Coach of the Year. In his 15th year with the Saints, Strasser is the school’s all-time leader for most wins as a girls cross country coach with 150.

Provided information and photo

My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 7

My Hometown Community Events

Town of Gates Gobble Wobble

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Nov. 25th • Thanksgiving Morning 5K Walk, Run or Jog Arrive by 8:15 am • Town Hall

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*Bring a donation for the Pirate Toy Fund and/or non-perishable food item for food cupboard

Town of Gates

for Thanksgiving!

From The Grill

Breakfast with Santa

Sat., Dec. 11th • 9:30-10:30am Gates Recreation Center $15 per family Register online gatesrecparks.org

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Town of Chili Shaved Ribeye Steak Sandwich $ 95

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8 | My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021

Parade of Lights & Christmas Tree Lighting Fri., Dec. 3rd • 5:00-9:00pm

Dec. 3rd

Bundle up as we bring the holiday cheer to Chili!

Local organizations, residents and businesses will brighten the night during the Parade of Lights, which will lead Santa Claus to the stage outside the Chili Community Center. The Chili community will then gather around to kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the Town Christmas Tree. Stick around for festive fun including carols, children’s activities, and horse-drawn wagon rides with Santa Claus and Rudolph. Food will be available for purchase.

The Parade begins at 6:00pm (parade route TBD) and the Tree Lighting is at approxiamately 6:30pm. Up-to-date details can be found at townofchili.org/community-events. *Contact Chili Recreation to be a part of this year’s parade at 889-4680.

My Hometown Schools

SkillsUSA raises funds for Breast Cancer Coalition

Three SkillsUSA officers delivered the donation in person. From left to right are BCC Program Assistant Ali Dennison, SkillsUSA PM President Kaylin Woodin, SkillsUSA PM class Officer at Large Sarah Kelly, SkillsUSA PM Treasurer Ryan Frank, and BCC Social Events Coordinator Carly Euler.

WEMOCO’s SkillsUSA chapter presented a check for $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, the result of a successful fundraiser that ran through October.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the SkillsUSA students developed several activities. They sold pink wristbands in each classroom. These were so popular that they sold out. Students decorated jars for the cause and placed them in each classroom to collect cash donations.

They also organized a school-wide outdoor breast cancer awareness walk for the entire student body. The walk took participants past dozens of pink ribbon theme pumpkins, which SkillsUSA members decorated in advance at a team building event.

The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCC) exists to cultivate community among those touched by breast or gynecologic cancer; to empower informed decisionmaking through education, support and advocacy; and to advance research in our region with the goal of eradicating breast cancer.

Provided information and photo

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My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 9

My Hometown Holiday Traditions

Two unique ways to cook a Thanksgiving turkey Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday. Families may have their own unique Thanksgiving traditions, but one staple of this kickoff to the holiday season is bound to make its way to Thanksgiving dinner tables no matter how unusual families’ holiday celebrations may be: turkey.

Much effort goes into picking and preparing a Thanksgiving turkey. Depending on the size of the bird, turkeys can take many hours to cook. Thanksgiving celebrants are no doubt familiar with oven-roasted turkey, which is the most traditional way to cook turkey. But this year hosts who want to expand their horizons and think beyond the oven can consider two popular alternative methods to cooking a Thanksgiving turkey.

1. Deep frying Deep frying is a popular way to prepare foods at outdoor events. For example, stroll through the parking lot on game day and you’re liable to find football fans deep frying their favorite foods at their tailgate parties. Turkey can be deep fried and this method makes for an ideal option for hosts who want to enjoy the great outdoors while welcoming friends and loved ones to their homes. Deep frying imparts a juicy flavor that can be hard to replicate when roasting a turkey. Deep frying is a much faster way to cook a turkey than cooking it in the oven. However, deep frying also can be more dangerous, so it’s imperative that cooks remain attentive when setting up the fryer and while the turkey is frying.

10 | My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021

Where to deep fry the turkey also bears consideration. The turkey experts at Butterball® recommend deep frying the turkey outside on a flat surface that’s far away from structures, including your home, garage, deck, etc.

The time required to deep fry a turkey will depend on the size of the bird, but experts note that it typically takes about 3 to 3.5 minutes per pound. Electric fryers may take significantly less continued on page 13

My Hometown Entertainment

GCV&M presents a lineup of festive holiday happenings Visitors will find many opportunities to include Genesee Country Village & Museum in their holiday traditions this December. The Museum presents a full lineup of festive holiday shopping experiences, theatrical tours of the Historic Village, pancake breakfasts with St. Nick, and more.

Visit the Museum on select Fridays and Saturdays in December (December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18) for Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinners. Visitors can explore the village and be invited into scenes highlighting celebrations and gatherings as they would have looked throughout the 19th century. Historic homes will be bedecked in holiday splendor, and visitors can immerse themselves in the exuberance of a spirited town dance, merry singing, candlelit trees, and jubilant gift-giving. St. Nick himself may even make an appearance about town. Yuletide Tours will run from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and from 2 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays. General admission for Yuletide Tours is $27, $24 for members. Yuletide theatrical tours can be paired with a festive Yuletide Dinner – a GCV&M tradition featuring savory and sweet holiday dishes. Yuletide Dinners are $25 for adults and $15 for guests 12 and under.

Reservations are required for both tours and dinner and can be made separately. Yuletide in the Country is sponsored by Valley Propane & Fuels and Cedar Street Sales & Rentals.

On Sundays, December 5, 12, and 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can celebrate the season by exploring the festive Historic Village during Holiday Open House. See villagers bustling with winter tasks and offering greetings to their neighbors and friends.

Bring the whole family for self-guided tours through historic homes that are warmed by fires and alive with holiday lights, candles, and traditional decorations. Tickets are available online for advance purchase as well as at the door. General admission for the Holiday

Breakfast with St. Nick will be held on Sundays in December at GCV&M.

Explore the festive Historic Village this holiday season during Yuletide in the Country Tours and Holiday Open Houses throughout December at Genesee Country Village & Museum.

Open House is $12, $9 for museum members, and children three and under are free.

On the same Sundays as Holiday Open House, December 5, 12, and 19, GCV&M will also be offering a holiday favorite, Pancake Breakfast with St. Nick. With seatings at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m., guests can enjoy a sweet and savory buffet breakfast of pancakes, stuffed French toast, sausage, and other offerings, and afterward, take a stroll through the wintry Historic Village.

Breakfast with St. Nick is $12 for adults, $10 for youths 12 and under, and children three and under are free. Reservations are required.

Those looking to get ahead of holiday shopping can find items for everyone on their list in the Flint Hill Store at GCV&M, open during holiday events and online at gcv.org/shop. Plus, holiday cookies boxes will be available this winter online and in-store.

This holiday season, those wishing to support Genesee Country Village & Museum can make a gift at gcv.org/give-join, become a museum member, or purchase a gift membership for a family member or fellow history lover.

For the remainder of the 2021 season, masks will be required for all visitors. Visitors should also continue to practice safe social distancing at all points when on museum grounds. Those unable or unwilling to wear a mask are asked to consider attending events at GCV&M at a later date when masks are no longer required. Find all upcoming event listings and more information at https://www. gcv.org/events/.

Provided information and photos

My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 11

My Hometown Authors

Ogden resident authors Christmas children’s book Keith Wing, former Byron-Bergen school administrator and Ogden resident, has authored his first children’s book, The Secret of Santa Claus.

“I have worked with kids my whole career, and it is very common for them to begin to doubt in the wonder and magic of Santa Claus. This book helps children solidify that Santa Claus is very real,” Wing said.

The Secret of Santa Claus is available at Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport. Signed author editions of the book are available through the Monkey See Monkey Do Bookstore in Clarence, New York, and proceeds from the sale of those books benefit the PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative.

Wing said, “Writing this book was a truly a wonderful experience, and my hope is that this story brings joy to a lot of families at Christmas time.”

At right, Keith Wing with his book The Secret of Santa Claus.

Provided information and photo

Spencerport author’s new novel delves into one family’s mysteries, secrets and drama Spencerport resident David B. Seaburn recently released his eighth novel, Broken Pieces of God. The book, set in the Rochester area, explores the complex and extraordinary lives of an average American couple, Eddy and Gayle Kimes.

The Kimes are like many American families. Eddy has lost his job and Gayle has cancer. Unemployment, failed chemotherapy, and no insurance bring them to the edge of life’s precipice. Can anything save them? Eddy turns to a local preacher and a statue called Jesus the Consoler, seeking a miracle; Gayle dives deep into a secret scheme devised years earlier when her husband lost his first job.

This is a story of resilience in the face of uncertainty, hope in the midst of darkness, and family ties strengthened by life’s vicissitudes.

Seaburn’s first publication was a series of poems when he was in seminary at Boston University (1972-75). He continued writing while serving a church for six years, mostly short stories, plays, songs, essays, and two manuscripts of inspirational prose.

He entered the field of marriage and family therapy in 1986 and was Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center where he did extenDavid B. Seaburn sive academic writing.

12 | My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021

He started writing fiction in 2000, completing his first novel, Darkness is as Light, in 2001. It was published in 2005. “My publishing arc seems to be one novel every two years,”Seaburn said.

His previous works have received critical acclaim. He was a Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award in General Fiction (2011), placed second in the TAZ Awards for Fiction (2017), was short listed for the Somerset Award (2018), was an American Book Fest Finalist for “Best Book” in General Fiction (2019), and a Semi-Finalist in Literary, Contemporary and Satire Fiction for the Somerset Award (2019).

“Common to all of my work is an abiding interest in the common struggles that make us human – loss, fear, hope, uncertainty, connection, separation, meaning, seeking, questioning, love, guilt, wonder, joy and storytelling,” Seaburn said. “I think we are all storytellers. That is how we make sense of our lives and the world around us. When I write, I feel that more than anything else, I am trying to make sense of life, trying to explore its meaning. And, of course, I am trying to tell a good story in the process.”

Seaburn lives in Spencerport with his wife, Bonnie. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren.

Broken Pieces of God is available at Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport.

Provided information and photo

My Hometown Helpers

Brighten spirits by becoming a DePaul Holiday Helper

Thanksgiving turkey

With the holiday season nearly here, DePaul, a not-for-profit health and human service agency based in Gates, is seeking the community’s support for its annual Holiday Helpers Program.

Individuals, businesses, schools, and service and faith-based organizations can “adopt” clients from DePaul’s mental health residential programs who may not have family support during this meaningful time of year. Participants can select from items on a wish list or choose to donate generic gifts such as hats, gloves, personal care items, or socks for adults. Past client wishes have included items as simple as a piece of chocolate cake, boots, or basic articles of clothing.

For those interested in adopting actual gifts from an individual’s holiday wish list, arrangements can be made to ship adopted wishes from online retailers to DePaul. For those personally delivering purchased gifts, procedures are in place to support socially-distanced delivery, including specific appointment times and a convenient location for drop off. Donations of gift cards and financial contributions can also be made instead of purchasing gifts.

For over 20 years, generous members of the community have made the season special for those less fortunate by taking part in DePaul’s Holiday Helpers Program. DePaul serves some 5,000 people annually in programs that encompass mental health residential and support services, senior living residential services, addiction prevention and support programs, vocational programs, and affordable housing.

For information about the Holiday Helpers Program, contact Amy Cavalier via email at acavalier@depaul.org or by calling 426-8000, ext. 3102. Tax-deductible financial contributions can be made by check and mailed to “DePaul Holiday Helpers Program,” 1931 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624, or made online on DePaul’s website at https://www.depaul.org/donate/donation-form/.

2. Smoking Smoking has grown in popularity in recent years as grills that make this method possible have become more affordable. Smoking is a “low and slow” method of cooking, so this option is ideal for people who intend to be home all day on Thanksgiving and want to infuse their birds with a smoky flavor. However, even busy hosts can still consider smoking, as electric smokers now allow cooks to remotely control the temperatures in their grills.

That’s important, as smoking requires cooks to periodically check the temperature on their grills to ensure it has not dropped too low or risen too high.

Smoking a turkey typically requires maintaining a temperature between 225 and 250 F. Cooking times for smoked turkeys are typically around 30 minutes per pound, though it can take longer if the temperature is lower. Because of the extended cooking time, hosts may want to pick a turkey that weighs around 15 lbs., especially if they don’t have much experience smoking.

This Thanksgiving, hosts can try something new by deep frying or smoking their turkeys. (Metro)

Provided information

continued from page 10

time and they typically require less oil, so this is another option to consider. Many experts note that it’s best to deep fry turkeys that are 15 lbs. or less, as the turkey will need to be completely submerged in oil when frying. In addition, turkeys larger than 15 lbs. may cook unevenly, which can affect flavor.

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My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 13

My Hometown Organizations

Mended Hearts

Mended Hearts Chapter 050 officers (l-r) Marty Levin, Eugene Binder, Marlene Adams, Jeff Ordan, Bruce Rychwalski, and John Fisk.

Local Mended Hearts chapter marks 55th anniversary Officers and members of Mended Hearts Chapter 050 - Rochester observed the chapter’s 55th anniversary when it received a certificate from the national organization at its monthly meeting on Monday, October 18.

Mended Hearts Chapter 050 - Rochester was established in 1966. It is a nonprofit support organization dedicated to alleviating the stress and trauma associCertificate from The Mended Hearts, Inc. ated with heart disheadquarters in Albany, Georgia. ease and surgery. It

offers the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families, and caregivers. It brings together patients, spouses, family members, and medical professionals to form a network of caring and informed individuals. It visits cardiac patients recovering from heart procedures and surgery at both Rochester General and Strong Memorial Hospitals.

The group holds meetings ten months a year on the third Monday of the month where speakers discuss heart-related subjects.

Guest speakers have included cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, pharmacists, dietitians, cardio rehab nurses, fellow heart patients, and others.

The chapter always encourages and welcomes new members and says when people join, they just don’t become members; they become friends. Interested individuals may go to www.mendedheartsrochester.com/members to join.

Provided information and photos

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My Hometown Helpers

The Esther Project

A collection event for The Esther Project’s annual Purse Project is taking place Saturday, November 20.

Provided photo

Gates family closing the gap from shelter to the home

By Tami Raco Cheryl Snead began helping women and single moms when she was a stay-at-home mom raising her family in Gates. Cheryl felt blessed that her husband could provide so that she was able to be home to raise their three children. She began helping single moms who struggled with childcare so that they could work. “I saw these moms with no husband or support struggle, and I kept asking myself, ‘How can I help them?’” Cheryl and her husband Dwayne lived by the motto, “When blessed, bless others.” They began helping displaced women with housing, transportation, and necessities. For more than 30 years, they used their own home to house displaced women and even gave their own car to help a single mom struggling to get to work. Helping women in need eventually blossomed into a non-profit called the Esther Project Inc. The Esther Project’s mission is to help women transition from shelter living by providing a clean and safe home in which to live while re-establishing themselves.

A few years ago, The Esther Project purchased its first property.

The home, located in the city and in need of many renovations, was purchased with the dream of converting it into a clean, comfortable home to house women in transition. The home has been gutted and is currently being renovated. Cheryl’s husband has done much of the work. Dwayne, who is retired from the Rochester Police Department, is looking for volunteers with skilled

trade experience to help him with roofing work, HVAC, and drywall. Once the house is open, women from homeless shelters will be placed in the Esther Project house. Cheryl will help the residents transition to independence through coaching, training, resume writing, and workshops. The goal is to help them be employed and independent.

The Esther Project’s annual Purse Project is underway. An area-wide collection of toiletry items, socks, mittens, and underwear is taking place on Saturday, November 20, to fill purses for women, book bags for men, and drawstring totes for teens. The filled bags will be given to those living in area homeless shelters.

Four area collection sites will be accepting items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One is at Grace Covenant Church, 224 Chestnut Ridge Road in Chili. Visit the website for a wish list of items being collected and other drop-off locations.

To find out more about the Purse Project donations, to learn more on how to support the Esther Project, or offer help with the home renovations, visit https://sites.google.com/view/ the-esther-project-inc/home.

Cheryl Snead

Provided photo

My Hometown Nov/Dec 2021 | 15

My Hometown Health and Wellness

Shovel snow safely this winter The beauty of freshly fallen snow is undeniable. Such beauty compels millions of people across the globe to ski and snowboard each winter, while millions more enjoy simply looking out their windows at snow-covered landscapes.

If it was as convenient as it is beautiful, snow would likely be welcomed with open arms whenever the local weatherperson includes it in his or her forecast. But heavy snowfall can be inconvenient, making it difficult to travel and even creating more work for individuals responsible for shoveling their driveways and walkways.

Shoveling snow can increase a person’s risk for injury, and some may be surprised to learn just how frequently such injuries happen. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission notes that, in 2018, more than 137,000 people needed medical assistance for injuries that happened while shoveling snow or using snowblowers.

Sprains and strains in the back and shoulders are the most common injuries when shoveling snow. But people also can suffer lacerations and injuries related to below-freezing temperatures when shoveling snow. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends people keep these safety precautions in mind when shoveling snow this winter.

• Stretch before shoveling. Just like you would do before exercising in a gym, stretch prior to picking up your snow shovel. Warm up your muscles with some light exercise for 10 minutes to reduce your risk of sprains, strains and muscle tears.

• Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. The AAOS notes that snow shoveling and snow blowing are aerobic activities. Such activities require participants to be hydrated. In addition, taking frequent breaks can help prevent injuries.

• Avoid shoveling snow if you’re at risk for heart attack. Some

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people should avoid shoveling snow entirely. According to the Harvard Medical School, researchers correlated hospital admissions and deaths due to heart attack the day after it snowed in Canada between 1981 and 2014. Researchers found that the deeper the snow, the more men died of heart attacks. In fact, researchers found that there was a 34 percent increase in heart attack deaths the day after an eight-inch snowfall, and those rates increased when snowfall increased. Most deaths were men, but both men and women who are at risk of heart attack should avoid shoveling snow, particularly after heavy snowfall. Adults who are unsure of their heart health should consult with their physicians prior to shoveling snow.

• Use the right equipment. Ergonomic snow shovels can make shoveling less taxing, reducing your risk for sprains and strains. Spacing hands on the tool grip can increase leverage, making shoveling easier and less likely to lead to injury.

• Pushing snow instead of lifting it.

The AAOS recommends pushing rather than lifting snow when possible. If snow must be lifted, squat with your legs, knees bent and back straight. When lifting, lift with your legs and do not bend at the waist.

Scoop small amounts of snow at a time and walk to where you want to dump. The AAOS warns against holding shovels full of snow with arms outstretched, as doing so puts too much weight on the spine. Snow should not be thrown over the shoulder, as such a technique requires a twisting motion that puts stress on the back. In addition, the AAOS notes that heavy wet snow should be removed in pieces and not all at once.

Anyone can get injured while shoveling snow. Such injuries are preventable when certain safety measures are taken. (Metro)

My Hometown Holiday Traditions

Chocolate cookies are a sweet finale to Thanksgiving dinners Holiday entertaining season begins on Thanksgiving. Anyone who has been tasked with hosting Thanksgiving understands the commitment required to prepare a delicious meal for guests, which often encompasses appetizers, several side dishes and, of course, turkey as the centerpiece. Guests attending a Thanksgiving dinner can give holiday hosts and hostesses a break by providing dessert.

Cookies are a popular treat. Thanks to their flavor, portability and relatively short preparation and cooking times, cookies are a smart choice when bringing dessert to a holiday gathering.

This recipe for “Flourless Chocolate Cookies” from Danielle Rye’s “Live Well Bake Cookies: 75 Classic Cookie Recipes for Every Occasion” (Rock Point) offers the added benefit of being flourless.

That means that even those with gluten allergies or intolerances can indulge.

Flourless Chocolate Cookies Makes 24 to 36 cookies 3 3⁄4 1⁄2 1⁄4 2 1 11⁄2

cups powdered sugar natural unsweetened cocoa powder teaspoon espresso powder (optional) teaspoon salt large egg whites, at room temperature large egg, at room temperature teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, sift the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder together, then whisk in the instant espresso powder (if using) and salt until well combined. Set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg whites, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and stir until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room

These flourless chocolate cookies are delicate and need to be cooled completely before handling. between each one.

Bake for 11 to 14 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set.

Remove from the oven, and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. (Metro)

A guide to picking the perfect fresh Christmas tree Come the holiday season, perhaps no tradition evokes the warm and fuzzy “feels” more than a family outing to pick a Christmas tree. Whether it’s a trek to a live Christmas tree farm or a short drive to the nearest pre-cut tree lot, the process of selecting a tree that will serve as the crown jewel of the entire season is a great way to make lasting memories.

Selecting a tree is a yearly ritual and each person has his or her set of criteria for what makes the ideal Christmas tree. These tips can help families find the right tree.

Choose your species Do some homework on the type of tree you want prior to buying the tree. Balsam fir and fraser fir are popular Christmas tree varieties, but there are many others, such as noble fir and Norway spruce. Balsams are known for having the most fragrant smell, but frasers tend to keep their needles the longest. For those who

prefer a douglas fir, keep in mind that they sometimes drop their needles prematurely due to foliar diseases like needle-cast fungus.

Space for ornaments In addition to aroma and needle longevity, look for trees that have a desirable shape and allow for adequate space between branches, advises the home and garden resource The Spruce.

Trees groomed to be lush and full will look beautiful unadorned, but once ornaments are added, full branches may cause those ornaments to hang low or even fall off. Trees with sparse branches allow for ornaments to hang straight.

Measure your space Trees in the field or in a lot may look much smaller than they do when brought into the living room. Don’t make the mistake of continued on page 18

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My Hometown Holiday Traditions continued from page 17

It’s equally important to measure the width of the area where the tree will stand and allow for ample space for foot traffic around the tree.

Perform a needle check Every tree will drop some needles, and most evergreens hold their foliage. Modest needle loss is not an indicator of a poor tree. However, Decker’s Nursery in Greenlawn, NY says if 50 percent of the needles are lost when you swipe your hand down three to five different branches around the tree, the tree likely is not a good choice. In addition, avoid a tree that has glaring defects in the trunk as it can impede water flow through the tree.

of selecting a tree that is too large for your home. The agricultural firm Ragan & Masey says to measure the room from floor to ceiling and subtract the height of the tree stand and tree topper.

Heavier is better A heavy pre-cut tree means it is full of water and has been cut more recently. A healthy, fresh tree is going to require an effort to lift. Older, dried out trees will not be heavy.

Upon arriving home, make a fresh cut off the tree trunk and get it in water as soon as possible — even if that’s a bucket until the tree stand can be set up. (Metro)

How to create a durable gingerbread house Gingerbread cookies and houses are one of the many symbols of the holiday season, alongside Christmas trees and twinkling lights. In fact, few confections symbolize the holidays more so than gingerbread.

Many a child (or a child at heart) has spent hours carefully trying to create decorative gingerbread houses. Although gingerbread recipes span various cultures, gingerbread houses originated in 16th century Germany. The fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” helped solidify the popularity of gingerbread, which became part of Christmas traditions.

Even though gingerbread houses can be fun to make, there’s no denying it can be exacting work — especially for those who strive for perfection. Prepackaged kits attempt to take some of the guesswork out of the equation, but those who are crafting from scratch can employ these tips as they build their gingerbread houses.

• Go for form and not flavor. Few gingerbread houses ever get eaten, so focus on finding a dough that will bake up rock hard as opposed to one that tastes good.

• Get the right icing texture. Pastry artist Catherine Beddall says royal icing is the preferred “glue” to adhere gingerbread pieces.

Beddall says icing should be thick like peanut butter and not runny.

• Mind the dough. Do not roll out the gingerbread dough too thin or it may become brittle after being cooked. Always cut out shapes before the gingerbread is baked. Let the baked pieces sit overnight to cool completely before using them to build.

• Patience is key. Allow the icing to dry for at least a couple of hours after adhering each piece and before moving and handling the house, says Beddall. Work in stages so that individual items can be decorated and allowed to dry. Then the walls can be put

together, followed by the roof pieces.

• Kids likely will need help. Children may not have the patience or steadiness to handle complete gingerbread construction.

They can decorate the separate pieces of the house while the components are laying flat, which is easier for kids. Adults can do the main assembly later on.

• Utilize a template. Free-handing may not be easy. Cut out templates using cardboard or posterboard for various gingerbread pieces.

One of the most important tips is to have fun. Don’t take gingerbread house making too seriously as a novice. Rather, enjoy the experience and the centuries-old tradition. (Metro)

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