Lights of Remembrance at Aurora House June 12
Aurora House Comfort Care Home is holding a Lights of Remembrance event on Thursday, June 12, to pay tribute to and cherish the memories of those who have died. As the sun sets, luminaries will be scattered around the Aurora House property in Spencerport and lit in honor of loved ones who are no longer with us.
Peace, comfort and dignity are provided free of charge to the residents of
Aurora House as they live out the final weeks of their lives. Proceeds from luminary gifts allow Aurora House to continue to support its residents and their families.
Visit https://aurorahousewmc.com/ luminaries/ to arrange for a luminary in the name of a loved one to be honored. The cost is $20 per luminary. Provided information and photo
Spring Happenings!!
Mondays are wing night! 3-9pm- $.75 wings (increments of 10) drink purchase required and dine in only
Tuesdays- $5 Bud, Bud Lights and Michelob Ultras ALL day!
Wednesdays- $5 Jose Cuervo Margaritas 4-9pm (Lime, Strawberry Lime and Watermelon) Thursdays- Open Mic 7-9pm with Dave B. ($5.50 drafts 6-9pm)
Fridays- Fish Fry!
SaturdaysLive Music!
Sundays- $5 Mimosas 12-4pm and $5 Coronas all day!
Some Hilton Lions Club members decided to show their support and commemorate the day by wearing orange to the club’s dinner meeting on May 15.
Provided information and photo.
Oak Orchard Harbor and Great Sodus Bay to be dredged
89 South Union St., Spencerport 585-617-4279
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded a $2 million contract to Michigan-based Dean Marine & Excavating on May 13 to conduct dredging of the federal navigation channels in Great Sodus Bay and Oak Orchard Harbor on Lake Ontario.
Dredging of these harbors ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports more than $24 million in business revenue and labor income to the transportation sector combined.
“Great Sodus Bay and Oak Orchard Harbor are critical components of the Great Lakes Navigation System, supporting economic growth in the local economy and ensuring safe refuge for boats on Lake Ontario,” said Lt. Col. Robert Burnham, USACE Buffalo District commander. “We look forward to delivering these projects on time and within budget, ensuring their waterfronts continue serving the local community and the country.”
“Dredging will be a plus for all of Sodus Bay’s shoreline and businesses, as vessels are getting larger with deeper drafts. We have a great fleet of eight-meter sail boats competing in races and using the bay when the lake gets rough, as well as many fishing charter boats that call the bay home,”
said Village of Sodus Point Mayor William Kallusch.
“Oak Orchard Harbor is an important part of our local tourism and recreation economy, so ensuring the safe passage of boats in and out of the harbor has always been a top priority of ours,” said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “We look forward to the dredging project getting underway later this year and thank the Army Corps of Engineers for their collaboration and leadership.”
Dredging will focus on the mouth of Oak Orchard Harbor first, followed by the inside of Great Sodus Bay past its piers. Work is scheduled to take place from mid-June 2025 through the end of August 2025.
A total of approximately 15,000 cubic yards of material from Oak Orchard, and 20,000 from Great Sodus is contracted to be dredged and placed in designated open lake sites.
Dredging of both harbors is conducted by USACE on an infrequent basis, based on need and the availability of funding. Oak Orchard Harbor was last dredged in 2014, with 9,000 cubic yards of sediments removed. Great Sodus Bay was last dredged in 2017, with 56,000 cubic yards of sediments removed.
Provided information and photo
Dredging of Oak Orchard Harbor is scheduled to start mid-June.
Lions supporting Lions – May 16 was National Prader-Willi Awareness Day. The grandson of Hilton Lion Kim Fay (second from left) was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by a range of physical, intellectual, and behavioral symptoms.
Westside News
Memorial Day Observances
Brockport: Ceremony at the Brockport Area Veterans Club, 222 West Avenue, on Saturday, May 24, starting at 11 a.m. Chicken Barbecue, $15, to follow until 3 p.m. or sold out. Music provided by DJ Ken, Moonshine Productions.
Chili: Memorial Day Parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. and will travel across Old Chili Scottsville Road/Memorial Park and to the Community Center’s Veterans Memorial. The Memorial Day Ceremony will follow upon arrival at the memorial.
Churchville: Ceremony at Churchville Elementary School on Monday, May 26, at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine, followed by the traditional Memorial Day Parade through the Village of Churchville at 11 a.m.
Greece : Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony is Monday, May 26. Parade begins at 11 a.m., traveling along Long Pond Road from Janes Road to the Greece Town Hall Campus. Remembrance Ceremony at the Town Hall Pavilion at 11:45 a.m. Parking available at the Greece Town Campus until approximately 10:45 a.m., and road closures will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on parts of Long Pond and Janes Roads.
Hamlin : Hamlin VFW Memorial Day Celebration will be held Monday, May 26, starting at 11 a.m. at Hamlin VFW Post 6703, 1739 Lake Road. Food will be served after.
Hilton : Flag-lowering ceremony at Parma Union Cemetery, 260 Parma Center Road, Hilton, on May 26 at 8 a.m. immediately followed by a second ceremony at the memorial flagpole in front of the Parma Town Hall, 1300 Hilton-Parma Corners Road. The Memorial Day Parade in Hilton steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the west driveway of St. Paul Lutheran School, proceeding west to Main Street, and continuing to West Avenue. The parade ends at the Hilton Community Center where veterans organizations will conduct a short ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the south lawn.
Holley : Memorial Day ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. with a service at the American Legion Post. The Holley Kendall Marching Band will perform patriotic songs. Following the service, attendees will proceed to Hillside Cemetery where the ceremony will continue with the playing of Taps. It will conclude at Jewell Buckman’s grave. A final prayer service will be held at the Catholic cemetery.
Honoring Our Heroes: Scouts and Legion place flags on veterans’ graves in Churchville
Kendall: Memorial Day Celebration on May 30, 7 p.m., at the Gazebo.
Spencerport: Spencerport’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony is Monday, May 26, starting at 9 a.m. The parade starts at the corner of the Union and Amity Street. It will travel south on Union to Memorial Park (Union and Old Spencerport-Brockport Road) across from Fairfield Cemetery. There will be a 30-minute ceremony and then return to the starting point.
Poppies a symbol of sacrifice
For over 100 years, the red crepe poppy has been worn as a symbol of the sacrifice of our military men and women who have lost their lives to keep our nation free. American Legion Auxiliary members distribute these poppies during the month of May leading up to Memorial Day. During WWI, poppies bloomed on the battlefields of Flanders Field, among the ruins and rubble. Their brilliant red color, like the blood of fallen soldiers became a symbol of hope and perpetual memorial to the courage and bravery displayed there.
In Flanders Fields
by Major John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Shot days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
On Sunday evening, May 18, 2025, in the crisp early spring air, members of Boy Scout Troop 133 joined forces with the Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post 954 Family to honor the legacy of local veterans laid to rest in Creekside and St. Vincent Cemeteries in Churchville.
In a solemn and respectful tradition, over 500 American flags were placed at the gravesites of those who served our country. Beginning at 6 p.m., each Scout took time to read aloud the name of the veteran, place a new flag into the grave marker, and render a hand salute in tribute. The ceremony concluded around 7:30 p.m., with quiet reflection and a deepened sense of gratitude from all who participated.
Tish Juergens, Legion Family member and cemetery coordinator, gives out maps and directions to the scouts and parents on the locations of the Veterans’ graves.
“This is about teaching respect and remembering the sacrifices that made our freedoms possible,” said Tish Juergens, Legion family cemetery coordinator. “The Scouts showed maturity and pride in every step they took.”
The Significance of Memorial Day Memorial Day is a solemn national holiday dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is a time for Americans to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the freedoms secured through the ultimate sacrifices of these heroes.
The tradition of placing American flags on veterans’ graves is a powerful act of remembrance. Each flag serves as a symbol of respect and gratitude, ensuring that no veteran is forgotten. By placing flags, especially on Memorial Day, we pay tribute not only to their service but to their enduring legacy. This gesture reaffirms our community’s commitment to never let their sacrifice fade from memory.
Memorial Day Events in Churchville
The Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post 954 invites the entire community to continue this spirit of remembrance by attending Memorial Day events on Monday, May 26. The day will begin with a ceremony at Churchville Elementary School at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine, followed by the traditional Memorial Day Parade through the Village of Churchville at 11 a.m.
Take some time this Memorial day to honor those who gave everything and ensure that their service is never forgotten.
Provided information and photos
Brenden Saunders places a flag and salutes a veteran.
School budget vote results
Brockport: The proposed 2025-26 district budget of $102,502,074 passed with 444 yes votes and 230 no votes. Proposition 2 for the 2025 Bus Purchase Capital Reserve Fund passed by a vote of 447 to 224. Proposition 3 for a 2025 Building Capital Reserve Fund passed by a vote of 451 to 218. David Howlett (526 votes) was elected to serve a five-year term on the Board of Education.
Churchville-Chili: The 2025-26 budget of $108,879,682 was approved with a total of 869 yes votes to 470 no votes. Proposition 2, to authorize the purchase of ten electric school buses failed, receiving 643 yes votes to 697 no votes. Steve Hogan, Kathy Dillon and Jason Marsherall have been elected to the Board of Education, effective July 1, 2025. They received 1044, 951, and 727 votes, respectively. Thomas Albano received 595 votes and Matthew Smeltzer received 302 votes.
Gates Chili: Voters approved the 2025-26 budget with 458 in favor and 227 opposed. Proposition 2 for bus purchases passed by a vote of 475 to 210. Proposition 3 to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for future bus purchases passed by a vote of 485 to 199. Tanya Srbinovski (531 votes), Andrea Minchella (511 votes), and Christine Brown Richards (455 votes) were elected to the Board of Education.
Hilton: The proposed budget passed by a vote of 743 to 329. Proposition #2 for the purchase of 11 gas/diesel buses passed 757 to 312 while Proposition #3 for the purchase of one electric bus failed 557 to 513. There were three candidates for three spots on the Board of Education: Mark Hilburger (815 votes), Amanda Diedrich (802 votes), and Nancy Pickering (781 votes).
Holley: Voters passed the district budget with 260 yes votes and 88 no votes. The Purchase of Replacement School Buses proposition passed with 249 yes votes and 98 no votes. The budget for the Holley Community Free Library passed with 267 yes votes and 78 no votes. Holley voters elected four board members. Tracy
Van Ameron (263 votes) and Jessica Sniatecki (244 votes) will each serve a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2025. Stephanie Merkley (221 votes) was elected to a two-year term beginning on May 21, 2025. Janet Klossner (65 write-in votes) was elected to a one-year term beginning on May 21, 2025
Kendall: The proposed district budget of $21,424,159 passed with 175 yes votes and 61 no votes. Proposition #2 for Transportation Replacement Reserve Fund Usage of $350,000 passed by a vote of 186 to 61. Proposition #3 to establish a 2025 Transportation Capital Reserve Fund passed by a vote of 184 to 64. Proposition #4 to authorize expenditure of $260,000 from the Capital Reserve to defray construction costs in furtherance of the completion of the 2018 capital project passed by a vote of 190 to 58. Incumbent Bryan Hardenbrook was re-elected to a five-year term on the Board of Education commencing July 1, 2025 and expiring on June 30, 2030. His opponent, Scott Martin, received 74 votes.
Spencerport: Voters approved the $102.5 million budget for 2025-26 by a vote of 626 in favor and 530 opposed. Proposition 2 to authorize the use of reserves to purchase two EV buses was narrowly defeated with 570 in favor and 590 opposed. The outcome for Proposition 2 means the district must now determine its next steps to accomplish this legislative mandate. Incumbents Megan Sarkis (897 votes) and Leah Brown (850 votes) were reelected to the Board of Education.
Wheatland-Chili: Voters approved the proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year with 165 yes votes and 64 no votes. Proposition 2 for the use of Capital Reserve Fund 2018 for transportation purchases passed 174 to 55. Proposition 3 for the establishment of Capital Reserve Fund 2025 to support transportation and grounds equipment purchases also passed by a vote of 175 to 54. Incumbents Adria Callery (186 votes) and Gregory Berl (180 votes) were elected to three-year terms beginning July 2025. Provided information
Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester to host 5K Celebration
Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester will hold its highly anticipated end-of-season 5K Celebration on Friday, May 30, 7 p.m., at MCC. This non-competitive, family-friendly 5K serves as the culminating end-of-season event for the 900 local Girls on the Run participants and as a community gathering focused on fun, connection, and empowerment.
Girls on the Run combines physical activity with engaging lessons to help participants build self-confidence, foster healthy relationships, and develop vital life skills. Over the course of the 10-week program, participants prepare to complete a 5K, while learning how to set goals, overcome challenges, and make a positive impact in their communities. At the 5K Celebration, girls have the opportunity to employ the skills they have learned and achieve the goals they’ve been working toward all season long.
“We are thrilled to host our 30th 5K Celebration and witness the joy and pride of our participants as they cross the finish line,” said Kelly Fisher, Executive Director. “Since the first practice, these girls have been working hard to fulfill this goal all while learning new skills, building confidence, and becoming a team.
Last season’s 5K brought together over 1,000 participants at the starting line, and we can’t wait to see the community unite again to celebrate the limitless potential of our GOTR girls.”
Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester is also looking for volunteers to help prepare, organize, and host the 5K Celebration. The council needs volunteers to serve as Sparkle squad team members, sideline cheerleaders, hydration station workers, and clean-up crew members. Throughout the 5K, Girls on the Run of Greater Rochester strongly recommneds every GOTR participant to have a 5K Buddy. 5K Buddies must be 18 years or older, pass background checks if they are paired in advance with participants and did not sign up to support a specific girl, and stay sideby-side with the participant from start to finish. 5K Buddies support GOTR team members at their own pace and motivate them throughout the event. The 5K Celebration and 5K Buddies welcome and encourage all forms of movement.
For more information about the event, how to register, and how to sign up for volunteer opportunities, visit www.gotrrochester.org Provided information
Public workshop for Brockport NY Forward on May 28
The Village of Brockport was selected as one of the Finger Lakes region’s recipients of a $4.5 million NY Forward grant. NY Forward is a statewide initiative that provides funding for high-priority projects designed to boost local economies and transform village centers where the next generation of New Yorkers will want to live, work, and raise a family.
The first of several public engagement events will be held on Wednesday, May 28, at 6 p.m. at the Seymour
Public Library, 161 East Avenue, Brockport.
This public workshop is an opportunity to gather community-driven ideas and perspectives about the types of projects and improvements that will help transform the Village of Brockport’s downtown. Topics will include:
•Overview of the NY Forward Planning Process and Schedule
•Information about Eligible Project Types
•Interactive Visioning Session
•Opportunity to Provide Input on Potential Public Realm Projects.
This interactive workshop is open to all members of the public. More information about Brockport NY Forward can be found at www.BrockportForward. com.
The Village of Brockport is committed to hosting open, inclusive, and accessible meetings. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, contact Leigh Ann Kimber at leighann.kimber@ collierseng.com.
Provided information
Profiles in policing: Sgt. Geoff Catlin, The Night Sergeant
An occasional series focusing on the officers of the BPD, their jobs, their stories, and their thoughts on policing.
by Margay Blackman, Brockport Village Mayor
It was a cold, rainy, but quiet early April night when I climbed into the passenger seat of Sergeant Geoff Catlin’s police car just after 10 p.m. At this point in the series “Profiles in Policing,” I had written my way through the specialties (Investigator, Drug Recognition Expert, K9 Officer) and was working my way down the chain of command from the Chief to the sergeants, the first level of supervisors. Geoff Catlin is a recent appointee to the position, having been tapped by Paul Wheat when he became Chief. Sgt. Catlin oversees the first platoon, the night shift, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Catlin is one of two Sergeants in the Brockport Police Department (BPD). The other is Robert Hagen, who works the third platoon, 2 to 10 p.m. I purposely chose a night other than a weekend night for a ride-along so that we could easily talk as Sgt. Catlin drove the streets of the village. I recorded our interview.
Sgt. Catlin proved very conversational. “Ask away, I’m an open book. I’m brutally honest with everyone. That’s just how I operate,” he assured me. He was hired in 2014 by Chief Varrenti; he and Elliot Cave came into the BPD together and were the last officers the village has put through the police academy. Like several others, he is local, graduating from Brockport High School and holding an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Genesee Community College. And, like a few other BPD officers, he is also a parishioner at Brockport’s Nativity Catholic Church.
Catlin said many officers “have law enforcement in their families, but I didn’t, so I sought it out.” He worked at the Brockport Diner for eight years, starting in high school, and often interacted with the police who stopped in for coffee or meals. They recruited him for the high school Police Explorers program, which really opened his eyes to policing. Steve Mesiti, then Sergeant, headed the program and was an important mentor to Geoff. At regular meetings in the basement of the fire hall, the Explorers were introduced to various police topics – traffic stops, building searches, and understanding drugs. They went on ride-alongs and toured the Monroe County Public Safety Facility. They did community service. The Explorers are still with the BPD, overseen by officers Sime (K9 handler) and Dawson (Investigator).
“When I went to college, my goal – my only goal – was to become an officer,” said Sgt. Catlin. “No backup plan. I couldn’t see myself in any other job. Brockport was the only place I had aspirations to work. I grew up here.” Following his time with the Explorers, Sgt. Catlin honed his policing skills in a college internship with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Once hired by the BPD just days after his 21st birthday, he entered the police academy at the Monroe County Public Safety Facility.
The police department pays the attendee for participating in and graduating from the six-month academy.
Catlin described it as very intensive and militaristic, like basic training with both physical and classroom instruction. Sgt. Catlin still consults the two thick binders he has from his academy days. Upon graduation, the new officer returns to the department to complete 180 days of field training with a departmental field training officer. Not only do they work with different officers, but they also switch shifts.
During our discussion, we drove most of the village streets, some of them twice. On Holley Street, we stopped by the new pedestrian bridge and boathouse under construction. We shined our headlights on a few deer eating grass behind 200 State Street. On North Main Street, we stopped in front of what had been the butcher shop; new shelving was now filled with glass pipes. I had hoped the butcher would return to business in the building after the bridge rehab, as he indicated when the bridge first closed. A few doors away stood the empty space of CHPC’s offices, a computer and IT services business headquartered in Medina. They put up the webcam on Custom House to focus on the Main Street bridge work, but the camera has been silenced for several months; CHPC moved out of Brockport, one of several casualties of the Main Street bridge project.
Early into our ride, we were called to a domestic disturbance at Willowbrooke Apartments. Domestic calls have notably increased since COVID. Officer Blodgett and Sgt. Catlin resolved the immediate issue that had triggered the call. Catlin reflected on the inherent challenge of domestics: “You’re dealing with years of issues. The expectation is that the police can fix it, but there are so many moving parts and a backstory. You try to solve the problem that led to the situation that night.”
I asked about his responsibilities as Sergeant. Property management is one. The property room, comprised of non-agency property (found, seized, or otherwise criminal evidence), is heavily regulated, secured, audited, and inventoried. Catlin is training another property clerk and streamlining the agency’s property procedures.
The police fleet is another. The police Department recently received a federal no-match grant for $190,000 to procure and upfit (outfit for police use) three new police cars. Catlin is in charge of the upfitting process, in addition to assigning vehicles to officers and performing fleet maintenance.
Sgt. Catlin also manages the field training program when new officers need training, the Honor Guard (for funerals), and departmental equipment, from the building itself to radar and breathalyzers. He is also in charge of the sex offender registry, responsible for tracking and monitoring sex offenders who reside in the village.
Talk turned to his supervisory responsibilities over the night platoon. “I want to be the kind of leader where people want to come to work. Part of being a leader – do the work; don’t ask someone else to do it.” He sees being in charge while simultaneously being friends as an advantage in his posi-
tion. “I’m still your friend and I’m still your boss. Respect each other. This correlates back to working in the community I grew up in. Some people see it as a disadvantage. I see it as having intimate knowledge and insight about constituents and residents.”
Catlin has worked every shift in the department. His favorite? The day shift. “I like to talk to people, walk through schools, walk through the court, stop and talk to residents.” The late-night shift is pretty much devoid of those opportunities.
Off duty, Catlin says, “I’m a big family guy. I enjoy doing anything with my kids.” He and his wife have three children.
In warm weather, Sgt. Catlin spends off-duty hours working with another member of the BPD doing hardscaping. “I’m an outdoor guy,” he confesses. “I’d rather be outside than looking at a computer screen.”
Like the others I have interviewed, Sgt. Catlin is passionate about policing in a small community. “Because it’s small, you can provide more and better service. Officers could work elsewhere and make more money. Agencies in the county offer sign-on bonuses; we don’t. When politics and policing overlap, dangerous things happen. If the officers weren’t committed to Brockport, they wouldn’t be here. It makes the agency even more tightly knit.”
Despite the commitment to a small community, Brockport police services and obligations can range well beyond Brockport. Sometimes quite far away, as they did when Sgt. Catlin recently answered a resident’s request involving a mental health crisis that their colleague in Missouri was experiencing.
The BPD got in touch with the city police there, who secured needed mental health assistance for the individual and resolved the immediate crisis.
About policing, Sgt. Catlin mused, “Law enforcement is unique because we deal with so many individuals on a daily basis. We don’t remember every interaction. But every single person you encounter as a police officer will remember that encounter and how they were treated. That’s something that you don’t get in many other careers.”
Sergeant Geoff Catlin. Provided photo.
Westside News
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Also
Blood Drives
•Upcoming Red Cross blood drives: May 27, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Leos Church, 110 Old Hojack Lane, Hilton; May 28, noon to 5 p.m., Spencerport Fire District, 175 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport; May 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Strong West, 156 West Avenue, Brockport; June 4, 1 to 6 p.m., Brockport Fireman’s Exempt Club, 248 West Avenue, Brockport; June 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Amazon, 2600 Manitou Road, Rochester; June 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gates Town Hall, 1605 Buffalo Road, Rochester; June 13, 1 to 6 p.m., Ogden Community Center, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport; June 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aquinas Institute, 1127 Dewey Avenue, Rochester. Schedule a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Donations Needed
•The RMSC Council is gearing up for their annual Fantastic Findings Sale (September 17-20 at the RMSC Campus) with their Donation Days this summer. The RMSC Council accepts donations of antiques, art, collectibles, decorations, gardening tools, housewares, jewelry, linens, furniture, seasonal decorations, small working appliances, sporting goods, and tools/hardware. They do not accept books, clothing, china cabinets, couches, cribs, dehumidifiers, infant seats, mattresses, box springs, medical supplies, or pressboard furniture. Drop-off donations at the Eisenhart Auditorium, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, on Wednesday, June 4, 3 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday, June 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To arrange a donation outside of these dates, contact Lauren at laurenan.alex@gmail.com.
Events & Entertainment
•Information Session of proposed updates to RTS On Demand service will be held Thursday, May 29, 5:30 to 7 p.m., at the Sweden-Clarkson Recreation Center, 4927 Lake Road South, Brockport. RTS representatives will be on-hand to help answer questions about the proposed changes. Watch a video overview and learn more at myRTS.com/ondemand. Those with questions may call 585-2881700 or go to myRTS.com/Contact-Us.
•Both divisions of The Erie Canal Ringers – The Red Door Ringers and The Heavy Metal Ringers – will present a free community concert, The Erie Canal Ringers Ring the Erie Canal, on Saturday, May 31, 4 p.m., at 14 State Street, Brockport. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted to support the St. Luke’s Music Fund. Non-perishable food donations also accepted for the Brockport Ecumenical Food Shelf.
•The Kendall Community Band will perform on June 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bullard Park, 12792 East Avenue, Albion. The concert is part of the Village of Albion’s Summer Concert Series.
•The Churchville-Chili Community Music Fest is Friday, June 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Churchville-Chili MS/HS Bus Loop, 139 Fairbanks Road, Churchville. Enjoy great food, vendors, a family atmosphere, and entertainment by C-C student musicians of all ages. Presented by the C-C Music Boosters.
•The 12th annual Camp Haccamo Car, Truck and Cycle Show will be Saturday, June 7, at the Mall at Greece Ridge (rain date Sunday, June 8). Gates open at 8 a.m., judging at noon, and awards shortly after 1 p.m. All makes and models are welcome. Fifty “People’s Choice” awards, 16 special awards, and trophies for all winners. Pre-register for $15 at http://www.camphaccamo.org ($20 day of show).
Spectator admission is $3. There will be a 50/50 raffle, vendors, music, door prizes, and food. Those with questions may contact Chuck Krause at ckrause613@gmail.com or 585-703-0918. Proceeds benefit Rotary’s Camp Haccamo, a free, fun, safe overnight summer camping experience for individuals with special needs.
•Hilton Baptist Church’s third annual Dog Days of Summer and Pet Blessing is Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Crafters are invited to show and sell their item for $15 per spot at the Trunk Sale. Bring leashed pets for an individual pet blessing. Activities include Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets (GRASP) with pets waiting for adoption, Hamlin Animal control meet and greet, Antique Appraisals for $4 per item or three for $10 (pre-register by calling 392-7990. Kids activities.
•Street Machines of Rochester is holding their 51st annual Outdoor Auto Show on Sunday, June 8, at 1120 Latta Road, Greece. Gates open from 9 a.m. to noon for registration ($20). Spectator gates open all day with $3 admission. Awards presentation at 4 p.m. Visit streetmachinesofrochester.com for more information.
Fundraisers
•Gift cards for Sara’s Garden ($25) available at the Ferris Goodridge American Legion Post, 691 Trimmer Road, Spencerport, during post hours through June.
•Memorial Day Breakfast on Monday, May 26, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Union Congregational Church, 14 North Main Street, Churchville. Serving pancakes, eggs, sausage and beverages. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children, and free for veterans. All are invited.
•The American Legion Auxiliary #379 will serve a Lasagna Dinner on the second Wednesday of the month and a Chicken & Biscuit Dinner on the
fourth Wednesday of the month to help support the Brockport Area Veterans Club, 222 West Avenue, Brockport. Both dinners are from 4 to 6 p.m. and are available for dine in or take out. Cost is $12 per person, $6 for veterans. For reservations, call 585-637-5012. (Dinners may vary.)
•Chicken Barbecue at Morton Baptist Church, 1152 County Line Road, on May 31, 4 to 6 p.m. Drive thru only. Tickets are $15 and include BBQ chicken, mac salad, coleslaw, roll, brownie. Call 710-2789 to reserve tickets by May 24.
•Ogden Presbyterian Church Annual Plant Sale, 2400 South Union Street, on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. until noon. Rain or shine. Sale will be held in the church pavilion. Assortment of perennials, indoor house plants, and garden-related items for sale.
•Jerry J. Helfer Memorial Food Truck Rodeo and Summer Concert is Wednesday, June 4, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Greece Town Campus. This free event features live music from the Zac Brown Tribute Band and food available from a variety of local food trucks.
•Brockport High School Tri-M and National Honor Society are holding a Morgan-Manning House Benefit on Friday, June 6, 5 to 8 p.m., on the front lawn of Brockport High School Performances by: Unaccompanied Minors, Heart Strings, and live karaoke with The Flowerhead Folks. There will also be a trident apparel sale and a food truck will be on site.
•Greece Chamber Charitable Foundation 2025 Golf Tournament, supporting local nursing education, will be held Monday, June 23, at Ridgemont Country Club. Sign-up as a foursome or as an individual. Visit https://public.greecechamber.org/ events for information.
•The Rotary Club of Greece is holding its Rino Pappano Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, July 28, at Ridgemont Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Greece Little League’s Challenger Division and the Greece Rotary Foundation. Visit www. greecerotary.org for information, registration, and sponsorship opportunities.
Government Meetings
•Chili: Library Board of Trustees – May 27, 6 p.m., at 3237 Chili Avenue, New Community Center; Zoning Board of Appeals – May 27, 7 p.m., at Town Hall Main Meeting Room.
•Churchville: Board of Trustees – May 27, 7 p.m. at 23 E. Buffalo Street.
•Clarkson: Town Board – May 27, 6 p.m., at Clarkson Town Hall.
•Hamlin: Conservation Board – May 27, 7 p.m.; Town Board – May 28, 7 p.m.
•Ogden: Town Board – May 28, 7 p.m., at 269 Ogden Center Road.
•Sweden: Town Board – May 27, 6 p.m.
Health/Help
•Veterans with Cancer Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club, 255 Alexander Street, Rochester. Call 585423-9700 x304 or visit www.cscrochester.org for information.
•Community Health Fair at Oak Orchard Health (OOH), 300 West Avenue, Brockport, on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to noon. All are welcome. The Kiwanis Club will be serving free pancakes. Oak Orchard and UR Medicine will be doing free health screenings. OOH will do blood pressure screenings, blood glucose checks, dental and vision screenings, and provide behavioral health information, plus more. Children’s activities include the Kid Zone and Teddy Bear Clinic. UR Medicine will be doing free skin cancer checks and vision screenings. First come, first served. UR Medicine will do mammograms, but appointments are encouraged. Call 1-844-870-0002 to schedule. FidelisCare will be at the Fair to answer health insurance questions.
Library Programs
•The Hamlin Public Library is open Mondays/ Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays/Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preschool storytime with Mrs. Carlson is Mondays at 10:30 a.m. Join to read, talk, sing and play with friends. Register for programs online through the library calendar at https://calendar.libraryweb.org/calendar/Hamlin. For more information, call 964-2320 or visit the library’s website or Facebook page.
•Newman Riga Library, 1 South Main Street, Churchville, is open Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays/Thursdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Upcoming events include: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program – Tuesday, June 10, 6 to 7 p.m., registration required. Local volunteer Deb Grasso will educate on responding to dementia-related behaviors. Annual Book Sale – shop gently used books and more in the library’s basement: Thursday, June 12, 4 to 8 p.m.; Friday, June 13, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (fill a bag for $3). For more information and registration, call 293-2009, go to newmanrigalibrary.org, or visit the library’s Facebook page.
•The Ogden Farmers’ Library, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, is open Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (every third Friday opening at 10 a.m.). The library will be closed
June 19. Events: Presentation on Horseshoeing & Blacksmithing Demo – June 6 at 3:30 p.m.; Button Tree Painting – June 7 at 10 a.m.; Presentation: The Continental Army – June 13 at 2 p.m.; Coloring for Adults & Teens – June 27 at 3 p.m. Call 585617-6181 to register. Find kids and teen events at ogdenfarmerslibrary.org.
•Parma Public Library, 7 West Avenue, Hilton is holding the following events (no registration unless indicated): Closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26. Intro to Mindfulness – Saturday, May 31, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aubree Guiffre, Ph.D. teaches about the foundations of mindfulness through focused practice on breath, thoughts, emotions, movement, and communication. Chairs provided, but participants are welcome to bring mats, cushions or bolsters. ZOOM: Creating a Bird Sanctuary in Your Backyard – Tuesday, June 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., registration required. Cornell Cooperative Extension presents how easy it is to add some colorful songbirds to your backyard with just a little knowledge, time and effort. ZOOM: Growing Herbs – Wednesday, June 11, 6 to 7 p.m., registration required. Cornell Cooperative Extension presents how easy it is to grow herbs in any space. The Center of it All: Baseball on the Erie Canal – Thursday, June 12, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., registration appreciated. The Erie Canal Museum teaches about the Erie Canal’s many connections to America’s pastime, told through the stories of some of the game’s biggest stars. Teen/Tween Craft Club: DIY Stickers – Thursday, June 12, 6 to 7 p.m., open to grades 6 and up. Create your own sticker or trace some premade designs. Crafternoon: Button Tile Mosaic – Friday, June 13, 2 to 3 p.m., please register. Buttons, tile, and other small decorative elements will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. For information, call 392-8350 or visit www. parmapubliclibrary.org.
•The Seymour Library, 161 East Avenue, Brockport, runs programs for patrons of all ages. For the complete schedule and additional information, visit seymourlibraryweb.org or call 637-1050. Some programs require advance registration.
Meetings
•The Chili Lions Club meets Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m., at the Moose Club, 5709 Chili Riga Center Road (at the corner of Betteridge Road). Text President Joe Korn at 469-1426 for information.
Reunions
•Country Mouse Nursery School is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an Open House on Sunday, June 8, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Morton Baptist Church, 1152 County Line Road, Morton. Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Unterborn, and Mrs.Grimm look forward to reconnecting with their former students and families.
•Brockport High School Class of 1990 is holding a Reunion Weekend, July 25 through 27, 2025. Special events are planned all weekend long. Alumni of the BHS Class of 1990 are asked to email the reunion planning committee at bkptclassof90@gmail. com and include their full name (noting name at graduation if different). The planning committee will email the 35th Reunion Itinerary and a link to RSVP. Updates will also be shared on the Brockport High School Class of 1990 Facebook Page. School Boards
•Churchville-Chili Board of Education meets Tuesday, May 27, at 139 Fairbanks Road, Churchville. Work Session at 6 p.m. in Professional Development Room A. Regular board meeting at 7 p.m. in the Administrative Board Room.
•The Spencerport Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, May 27, for a Business Meeting at approximately 6:30 p.m. Check the district’s website for details.
Seniors
•Bingo every Tuesday, 1 p.m., at the Hilton Community Center Ingham Room for anyone 55+. Loose change is preferred.
•GetSetUp offers peer-led classes in technology, health and wellness, financial literacy, and more, free for New Yorkers age 60 and up. Visit www.getsetup.io/nystate for information.
Sports and Recreation
•The Rochester Croquet Club is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., and Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. at Grace and Truth Sports Park in Hilton. They offer free instruction to anyone who would like to learn the game, and all needed equipment is provided. They are hosting National Croquet Day on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It is a free event for the community to come and see what croquet is all about, and to try it first-hand. Visit https://gandtathletics.info/croquet or contact Denise Ireland at roccroquet@gmail.com with any questions.
•The adaptive kayak launch at Brockport’s Harvester Park is open for the 2025 season. The launch is free to use and open to the public.
•The Brockport Welcome Center is open for the 2025 canal navigation season. Located at 11 Water Street, it is open from noon to 6 p.m. every day and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Bike rentals are free with a photo ID.
lafayette returns to Monroe and ontario counties after 200 years
The National Bicentennial of Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour will “arrive” in Rochester on Saturday, June 7, 2025 as part of a four-stop tour in Monroe and Ontario Counties. This stop is part of the 13-month, 24-state tour that kicked off on August 16, 2024 in New York City and will end with a great celebration on September 7, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Exactly 200 years ago, Lafayette’s Farewell Tour saw the 67-year-old last surviving major general of the American Revolution triumphantly return to the America he loved. The reenactment of Lafayette’s 1825 celebrated return visit begins on June 7 at 11:30 a.m. as Lafayette disembarks from a boat at the Corn Hill Marina on the Genesee River. There will be a small brass band to welcome the general as he greets local dignitaries and citizens alike. He’ll next make a brief stop during the afternoon in the Hamlet of Mendon where the Rochester Committee will hand off the “Nation’s Guest” to the Canandaigua Committee just as it did two hundred years ago, as members of the community look on. The Canandaigua Committee is slated to host a parade and a dinner ball later
death notices
area
•Stratton, Dawn Marie (Micheli), age 68, of Brooksville, Florida, formerly from Rochester, died May 6, 2025. Born December 6, 1956, in Corning, Dawn was the daughter of the late Anthony Micheli and Janet and Joe D’Agostino. Dawn is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, William; her children, Christopher, Tia (Kyle) and Andrew; siblings, Donny (Karen) D’Agostino, David (Carol) Micheli, Debbie (Bill) Hallett, Joey (Patty) D’Agostino, Tommy (Lynore) D’Agostino, Bernie D’Agostino, Jimmy (Francesca) D’Agostino, and Tony D’Agostino.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at St. Vincent De Paul Church, 11 North Main Street, Churchville, followed by a Graveside Service at St. Vincent DePaul Cemetery, North Main Street, Churchville. Arrangements entrusted to Walker Brothers Funeral Home, Churchville.
•VanWinkle, Tammy Marie, age 64, of Rochester, died May 10, 2025 after a long illness. She was born January 3, 1961, to Carl and Nancy Bernstine Sr. Tammy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gerald VanWinkle, in 2009; her parents, Carl and Nancy; her stepmother, Ann Marie; her brother, Carl “Johnny” Bernstine Jr., and her grandson, Owen. She is survived by her devoted children: son, Paul Padoleski and his wife Laura; and daughters, Kara French, Jessica (Justin) VanWinkle, and Amy (Jeff) Ocasio; her 10 grandchildren - Eli, Kirsten, Sara, Delia, David, AJ, Amber, Owen, JJ, and Audrey; six great-grandchildren; many beloved cousins and extended family members. Tammy was a woman of quiet resilience, faith and deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched with her kindness, compassion, and unwavering dedication to those she loved most.
A Celebration of Tammy’s Life will be held Saturday, June 7, beginning with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., 735 East Avenue, Hilton, and followed by Tammy’s Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Donations can be made to the Hilton High School Theatre program, 400 East Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468 in Tammy’s memory.
brockport
•Bielewicz, Arthur Joseph Jr. (Art), died May 4, 2025. Born April 12, 1961 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Art was the eldest son of Arthur Joseph Bielewicz Sr. and Sylvia (Perry) Bielewicz. He is predeceased by his parents, his uncle Conrad (who he often referred to as a second father) and his sons Aaron and Trevor. He is survived by his five siblings Terri, Vicki, Scott, Lisa, and Troy; sons David and Spencer; and two grandchildren. After graduating from Brockport High School, where he gained accolades as an exceptional wrestler, Art served in the U.S. Navy as a Sonar Technician, part of the submarine fleet. He had a 25+ year career as the Director of IT at Ultra Electronics - Flightline Systems. His leadership and expertise earned him the prestigious Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, May 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Fowler Funeral Home Inc., 340 West Avenue, Brockport.
churchville
•Bennigsohn, Arnold G., age 69, died suddenly May 17, 2025. Arnold is survived by his devoted wife, Karen Bennigsohn; his children, Steven (Susan) Bennigsohn, Kristy Bennigsohn (Robert Zajonczkoski), and Adam Bennigsohn; his grandchildren, Joshua, Olivia, Aubrey, and Max; his mother, Lorraine (Eugene) Kolacki; siblings Aldo (Cheryl) Bennigsohn, Lillian (Roger) Loth; sister-in-law Kathy Buechel; many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Garry (Pat) Bennigsohn. Arnold served his country in the US Army before dedicating his professional life to public service with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and later at the United States Federal Building. In retirement, Arnold enjoyed camping, riding motorcycles with the Blue Knights, joining the Free Masons and taking memorable trips with his wife Karen.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, May 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Walker Brothers Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Churchville. Donations can be made to Heritage Christian Services, 275 Kenneth Drive, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14623 in his memory.
in the evening. Finally, a morning reception at Pulteney Park in Geneva is scheduled for Sunday morning, June 8, 2025 to see “Lafayette” off as he travels east en route to further bicentennial celebrations.
Welcoming Lafayette at these events will be representatives from veterans’ groups, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, members of the local Masonic community, and elected officials. They will be joined by re-enactors of notable dignitaries of the era. Several of the events will feature school and community bands playing music from the 1825 era to honor the last living general from the American Revolutionary War. In addition, there will be a few short, historical speeches to highlight the importance of this 200-year anniversary. The entire community is invited to attend and greet Lafayette as our “Hero of Two Worlds.”
“As we begin to anticipate the 250th birthday of America, we are thrilled and delighted to share with our communities a taste for things to come with that celebration by celebrating
•Gilluly, Donald J., died May 11, 2025 at age 80. Survived by his children, Greg (Kathy), Sandy (Eric) Springle and Matt (Marie); six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy (Mike) Curran; and several nieces, nephews and dear friends. Don was a man who enjoyed life to the fullest and was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a retiree of the phone company, CWA Local 1170.
Private Service and Interment at the convenience of the family. Arrangements entrusted to the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home, Chili.
Jerilyn “Jeri” Pimm
May 5, 1956 – May 15, 2025
Churchville – May 15, 2025 at age 69.
Jeri is predeceased by her mother and father, Beverly and Samuel Bird, sister, Jeanne Alison and brother, Robert Bird.
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Gary Pimm, son, Travis Pimm, daughter, Tristan (Jim) Maier, grandchildren, Alyssa and Raelyn Pimm, Bailey, Parker and Piper Maier, sisters, Janalee (Kevin) Marszalek, Jacqueline (Rick) Bird, brother, Samuel (Carol) Bird, many nieces, nephews, friends.
Jeri enjoyed her family, especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also had a tremendous love for animals, especially her dogs and horses. She spent much of her early years riding her horses from sun up till sun down.
She was very quick witted and always said it like it was. She was also very giving, especially through the holiday season with her cookie trays which she would send to family and friends.
A special thanks to Dr. Joshua Jones at the Lipson Cancer Center and staff for their support.
Per Jeri’s wishes, there will be no services.
clareNDoN
Gale A. Gurgir (Winkley)
Clarendon – Gale A. Gurgir, age 83, passed away suddenly on February 20, 2025, at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
She was born in Brockport, NY on June 10, 1941, to the late Edwin Sylvester and Florence Maude (Scott) Smith. She is survived by her sons Dwight (Cathy), Darryl (Sally), Dwayne (Lisa), Darrin (Anne), several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Betty Webster, husbands Lorenzo J. Winkley and Edward H. Gurgir. She was a 1959 graduate of Brockport High School.
There were no prior calling hours, and a graveside service is being held for the family. A celebration of Gale’s life will be held at 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Brockport Elks Club, 4400 Sweden Walker Road, Brockport NY 14420. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 or PAWS Animal Shelter, 3371 Gaines Basin Rd, Albion, NY 14411
hiltoN
•Lercher, John S., age 87, died May 12, 2025. John was born in Middleport, NY, the son of the late John S. Lercher and Gladys Pynn Lercher. John is predeceased by his sisters, Mary Lercher Ennis and Dorothy Lercher Hodgens. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jeanette (Jan) Lercher; daughters, Jody (Ken) Johnston, Janine Henderson; sister, Jean Lercher Stisser; grandchildren, Amanda (Nick) Haywood, Dana (Bryan) Williams, Joshua (Casandra) Paul; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A veteran of the US Navy, John worked for Eastman Kodak Company until he retired in 1992. John and his wife, Jan, enjoyed 22 years as snowbirds in Florida. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, camping with family, traveling with his beloved wife and was involved in a Corvette Club.
His Funeral Service was held May 19 at Walker Brothers Funeral Home, Spencerport. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1120 South Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14620 in his memory.
General Lafayette’s historic tour through our region,” says Catherine Blind, DAR coordinator of the events. “This will allow everyone to embrace and remember the French General’s contribution to fighting for our nation’s independence, just like American citizens did in 1825. His visit represented a heartwarming capstone to the ‘Era of Good Feelings.’ We look forward to offering more of this fascinating history in the months to come.”
For more information, visit the Farewell Tour website at lafayette200.org or call 585-290-7985. Provided information
•Speers, James L., of Gainesville, GA, died April 28, 2025 at age 87. He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca McEntire; his son, Jeffrey Speers; his brother, John (Donna) Speers; four grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia A. Speers; and his son in law, Kenneth McEntire.
Family and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service at the Hilton United Methodist Church, 21 West Avenue, Hilton, June 14, 11 a.m. Private Interment in Parma Union Cemetery.
Donations can be made to the American Heart Association, ATTN: Rochester, Four Gateway Center, 444 Liberty St., Suite 1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or to the Hilton United Methodist Church, 21 West Ave, Hilton, NY 14468 or by making a donation of blood or platelets to the American Red Cross in his memory. Arrangements entrusted to the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Hilton.
holley
•Girangaya, Christopher J., age 53, died unexpectedly May 19, 2025. He was born January 2, 1972 to Ronald and Linda (Jaczynski) Hafner. He is survived by his husband of almost 14 years Alan; their children: Bart, Leilani, Elena, Michael, Cadence, Mason, Maxell and Myles Girangaya; his brother: Jack Robertson; his sister: Courtney Robertson; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Chris worked as an LPN at the Orleans County Nursing Home. He had many pastimes but perhaps his greatest joy in life was staying at home and spending time with his family.
There will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Chris’s life will be announced and held at a later date. Donations can be made to an organization or charity of one’s choice in his memory. Arrangements entrusted to the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home of Holley. To share a special memory of Chris, please visit: www.mitchellfamlyfuneralhomes.com
•Hartleben, Vincent, age 65, died away unexpectedly May 18, 2025. He was born April 19, 1960, in Rochester, a son of the late Norman and Elfriede Hartleben. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Mary Ann Hartleben; brother Robert Hartleben. Vince is survived by his daughter Sara (Matt Studley) Hartleben; granddaughter Brooklyn; mother of his daughter Lisa (Michelle Branker) Cronin; siblings Jean Regan, Norman (Patti) Hartleben, Vicky Hartleben, Bonnie Sue (Miguel) Perez, Susan (Tim) Calkins, Mark Hartleben; brother-in-law Randy Brien; sister-in-law Stephanie LaDolce; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. Vince was an avid antiquer, he enjoyed going to garage sales and collecting things.
His Celebration of Life Service will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to a homeless shelter of one’s choice. Arrangements been entrusted to Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Holley. To share a memory of Vince, visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
speNcerport
•Turiano-Fox, Mary Elizabeth, (8/13/53-5/19/25) died May 19, 2025. She is survived by her loving family, including her husband, Dr. P. Michael Fox; their two children, including Maria (Neil); three beloved grandchildren; sisters Carole Taylor (Jack), Kathleen Turiano; and several nieces and nephews. MaryBeth was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Vincent Turiano, and her sister, Mrs. Susan Crump (Stephen). MaryBeth graduated from SUNY Brockport with an undergraduate degree in Biology and later a Master’s in Education, with a focus on reading. She taught first at Nativity B.V.M. Elementary School, and later at Brockport Middle School. MaryBeth loved nature and wildlife, from birds to the great whales, and spent many summers in Maine and Massachusetts in these pursuits. She also loved literature and music.
The family will greet friends and loved ones during a visitation on Tuesday, May 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fowler Funeral Home Inc., 340 West Avenue, Brockport. Donations in her memory can be made to the Aurora House (Comfort Care Home), Spencerport.
LegaL NoticeS
Notice of Formation
Legal Notice
Churchville-Chili Central School District
Notice to Bidders
Notice of Formation of Finch Holdings, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the New York Department of State on 5/21/2025. Its office is located in Genesee County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent upon whom process against the Company may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: 9 Leah Lane, N. Chili, NY 14514. The purpose of the Company is any lawful activity.
Legal Notice Town of Ogden
Ogden Zoning Board of Appeals
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 267 of the Town Law of the State of New York, that a public hearing will be held by the Ogden Zoning Board of Appeals at the Town Hall, 269 Ogden Center Road, Spencerport, New York, on:
June 5, 2025 at 7:00 pm to consider the following applications:
Appeal of Gary Wiest of Embassy of Christ Bible Church to renew a Special Use permit to allow a church use in a Light Industrial District at 3900 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624, whereas, similar uses not specifically permitted must apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for conditional use approval, pursuant to Chapter 300-34 D in a Light Industrial District.
Tax Acct. #132.02-1-1.1
Recipients Named For 26th Annual Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce
DENNisa. PELLEtiER YouthhaLL of famE
This award directs special attention to those youths who have demonstrated, through contributions to the community and outstanding achievements, their personal growth and development.
Nikos Bitsas
Nikos is an impressive young individual who exemplifies resilience in every aspect of his life. No matter the situation,
Nikos is determined to overcome any challenge with commitment, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow while maintaining a positive mindset. His character and optimism make him a stand-out role model to his peers and an inspiration to those around him.
Counselor and nominator Jamie Miner said, “Nikos exemplifies resilience in every aspect of his life.” He is able to inspire those around him while fostering a supportive environment among his peers. Nikos is an active athlete on the soccer team and is regularly involved in the Greek Orthodox Youth Association. He is an active volunteer with the Greek festival which has assisted him in realizing the importance of giving back.
Nikos’ resilience, optimism, and commitment to his community and his own personal growth highlights his leadership and care for others, while creating a lasting impact on his community.
Nikos’ parents are Lisa and Anastasios Bitsas.
BRYNN BuckNER
Brynn is a courageous young individual who has had to face multiple significant issues throughout her life. Despite living through various personal issues as a young adult, Brynn has consistently remained a leader and a role model for her peers while always having a smile on her face.
Teacher and nominator Christina Falbo said, “Her courage in dealing with more tragedy than anyone, especially a young person, should have to encounter is so impressive and uplifting.” This has served Brynn well to succeed in school while navigating the challenges before her.
Brynn is an active athlete on both the volleyball and lacrosse teams. In addition to this, Brynn serves as the Junior Class President and an honor roll student, while taking AP courses. Outside of school, Brynn plays on a county elite volleyball team and works at a local business. Brynn’s dedication to her studies and ability to uplift her peers serves as a constant motivation for us all.
Brynn’s father is Brian Buckner.
Induction Ceremony is Wednesday, May 28, at 5:30 p.m., in the Community
Appeal of Christopher Johnson of 2352 Union Street, Spencerport, NY 14559 to apply for a home occupation permit for a dog breeding business, on property located at same; whereas this may be allowed with a Home Occupation Permit granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, pursuant to Chapter 300-54 in an R1 Residential District. Additionally to allow a temporary sign to advertise this business to remain whereas “the home occupation shall not involve the use of advertising signs; only one nonilluminated nameplate not to exceed 1 ft x 2 ft pursuant to Chapter 300-54 C (2) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 102.01-1-6
Appeal of Renee Van Hooft and Tyler Dufour of 1 Rex Lane, Rochester, NY 14624 for an area variance to install 310 linear feet of 4’ chain-link fencing; some of which will be in the front yard whereas “fences shall not exceed three feet in height in front yards and shall be of open construction pursuant to Chapter 300-50 A (8) (a) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 130.02-2-2.6
Appeal of Robert Jackson and Samatha PowleyJackson of 9 Ashford Circle, Spencerport, NY 14559 for an area variance to install 85 linear feet of 4’ chainlink fencing in the front yard whereas “fences shall not exceed three feet in height in front yards and shall be of open construction pursuant to Chapter 300-50 A (8) (a) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 117.03-1-2.2
Appeal of John & Justine Hoffman of 4322 Canal Road, Spencerport, NY 14559 for two (2) area variances, on property located at same, to have chickens on a 1.65 acre lot, whereas, no lot or structure may be used for the raising or harboring of horses; pigeons; swine; goats; rabbits; cows; poultry; bees or other fur-bearing animals unless the lot is five or more acres in size, pursuant to Chapter 300-45 A in an R-1 Residential District. Additionally, to allow a 16’ x 12’ chicken coop 20’ from the rear lot line whereas, no building in which farm animals are kept shall be closer than 150 feet to any adjoining lot line, pursuant to Chapter 300-28 B (5) (a) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 085.02-1-55.1
Appeal of Heather Fonte of 620 Gillett Road, Spencerport, NY 14559 for two (2) area variances, on property located at same, to have chickens on a .46 acre lot, whereas, no lot or structure may be used for the raising or harboring of horses; pigeons; swine; goats; rabbits; cows; poultry; bees or other fur-bearing animals unless the lot is five or more acres in size, pursuant to Chapter 300-45 A in an R-1 Residential District. Additionally, to allow a 10’ x 8’ chicken coop 64’ from the rear lot line and 16’ from the side lot line whereas, no building in which farm animals are kept shall be closer than 150 feet to any adjoining lot line, pursuant to Chapter 300-28 B (5) (a) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 102.04-2-49.1
Appeal of Jason Eve of 2944 Union Street, Spencerport, NY 14559 for (2) area variances to install a 16’ x 24’ (384 sq ft) whereas the maximum land coverage for accessory structures is 1% which is 253 sq ft for this property pursuant to Chapter 300-28 F (3) (b) and additionally to install this structure 5 feet from the rear lot line and 5 feet from the side lot line whereas accessory structures are required to be installed 15 feet from all lot lines pursuant to Chapter 300-28 F (e) & (f) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 116.04-2-7
Appeal of Brian & Kristina Rich of 202 Whittier Road, Rochester, NY 14624 for (1) one area variance to construct an attached garage with a front setback of 36’ whereas, for residential use, the minimum front yard setback is 60 feet, pursuant to Chapter 300-28 F (1) (d) in an R-1 Residential District.
Tax Acct # 117.04-1-46
Respectfully Submitted, Sue Duggan Zoning Board of Appeals Secretary
The Board of Education of Churchville-Chili Central School District requests separate sealed bids for the following: BUS PARTS
Bids will be received at the Administration Office, 139 Fairbanks Road, Churchville, New York 14428 until 11:00 a.m. on June 3rd, 2025 at which time they will be publicly opened and read.
Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Administration Office.
Any bid submitted may be binding for thirty (30) days following the day of opening the bids. The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids as the best interest of the school may require.
Michelle Penner, Clerk Board of Education
Legal Notice
Town of Riga
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 276 of the Town Law that a Public Hearing will be held by the Riga Zoning Board on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM, Town Hall, 6460 E. Buffalo Road, Churchville, New York, at which time all interested persons will be heard with regard to the following applications:
APPLICATION by Matthew Carpenter, 199 Bridgeman Rd, Churchville, NY for an Area Variance. An Area Variance is requested for a front yard setback of less than 60’. The proposed front yard setback does not meet the requirements listed in the Code of the Town of Riga Chapter 95-24 D (4). The applicant proposes building a 20’x 24’ two-car garage 43’ from the property line. Since the garage will be less than 55’ from the R.O.W. relief from the minimum 10’ side setback will also be required. (Town of Riga Chapter 95-70 B) The property is located on the south side of Bridgeman Rd +/-2,196’ west of Riga Mumford Rd. The zoning is Rural Residential Agricultural. Tax Account # 170.03-1-27
Copies of the above-referenced application may be seen at the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Dated: May 14, 2025
Trish Minni
Town of Riga Zoning Board Secretary
Legal Notice
Town of Riga
Dear Property Owner, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Section 276 of the Town Law that a Public Hearing will be held by the Riga Planning Board on Monday, June 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM, Town Hall, 6460 E. Buffalo Road, Churchville, New York, 14428, at which time all interested persons will be heard with regard to the following applications:
APPLICATION made by Diane Wilkinson, 207 Bridgeman Rd, Churchville, NY 14428 for Site Plan and Special Use Permit Approval. The applicant proposes to construct a new 784 square foot in-law addition with an attached three-car garage to the existing house. The property is located on the south side of Bridgeman Rd +/- 2,391’ west of Riga Mumford Rd. The zoning is Rural Residental Agrigultural. Tax Account # 170.03-1-28.2
Copies of the above-referenced site plan maps may be seen at the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Dated: May 15, 2025
Trish Minni
Secretary – Town of Riga Planning Board
Legal Notice
Town of Parma Planning Board
Notice of Public Hearing
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT PURSUANT TO SECTION 276 OF TOWN LAW, AS AMENDED, A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE PARMA PLANNING BOARD ON JUNE 2, 2025, AT 7:00 PM IN THE PARMA TOWN HALL, 1300 HILTON PARMA CORNERS ROAD, HILTON, NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS FOR PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN APPROVAL:
1) John Tachin, Owner of 16 Huffer Rd
The applicant is requesting preliminary site plan approval for one (1) lot. This property is located on the east side of Huffer Rd, approximately 50 feet east of Zellweger Beach Rd. The total area of this property is approximately 0.77 acres. A single-family home with a garage is being proposed in accordance with current zoning regulations.
All persons will be heard at this time.
Interested parties may obtain further information by calling 392-9449 or by inspecting the project file in the Parma Town Hall during normal business hours.
Parma Planning Board
Photos by adrian DeJesus Photography
The Dennis Pelletier Youth Hall of Fame is sponsored by: Spencerport Federal Credit Union and Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce
Meeting Room of the Ogden Town Hall.
Holley students complete fifth annual community Clean Sweep
On Sunday, May 18 nearly 100 members of Holley CSD’s Interact and EarlyAct clubs braved the rain and successfully led their fifth annual Clean Sweep service project. With support from Holley CSD staff, Holley Rotarians and community members, volunteers split up and picked up litter throughout the village and the Holley Canal Park and pathway, cleaned headstones at Hillside Cemetery, and restored the Vietnam War Memorial at the Holley VFW.
The Clean Sweep event is planned in conjunction with the Parks & Trails New York annual state-wide Earth Day Canal Clean Sweep. This is the first year that they have partnered with the VFW to include the restoration project as part of the clean-up tasks. The memorial initially was installed in 2009 as part of an Eagle Scout project led by Dylan Lotzow. Just in time for Memorial Day, volunteers were able to help restore its beauty by removing weeds, sweeping debris, painting, resetting more than 500 bricks, and mulching the perimeter.
This is the seventh year that the club has partnered with Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to clean headstones at Hillside Cemetry
and honor the generations of local residents who have been buried there since 1866. The cemetery clean-up is historically a fall project but due to a weather postponement, it was included in the Clean Sweep this year.
Holley Middle/High School implemented Interact Club in 2017. It is offered to students in grades 7-12 interested in volunteering. Interact is the largest club in the school with over 70 active members. They participate in multiple service projects throughout the year, including Parks & Trails New York Adopt-a-Trail program, assembling bagged lunches for Rochester Open Door Mission, preparing and serving meals at Orleans Koinonia Kitchen and more. Inspired by Interact, Holley Elementary School launched EarlyAct Club in 2023 where fourth, fifth and sixth graders can learn about their community and participate in service projects, including assembling homeless necessity bags, assembling goody bags for active military members and patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Both clubs are sponsored by Holley Rotary Club.
Village of Spencerport
Spencerport Municipal Electric Customers
Planned System-Wide Power Outage
Monday, June 9th & 16th, 2025
12:01AM-6:00AM (Sunday night into Monday morning)
Estimated Duration: 6 hours
Spencerport Municipal Electric (SME), in coordination with NYPA, will be performing critical maintenance work inside the SME substation. This work is essential to ensure the long-term reliability and safety of the electrical system that serves our community.
We strongly encourage all customers to plan accordingly, power down sensitive electronics, notify your alarm company and make necessary preparations for this temporary interruption.
Perhaps you have no plans to buy or sell a home right now, but you are curious about your possibilities. Real estate professionals can answer any questions you may have about the ins and out of real estate. We can provide you with information to help you make a decision.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Village Office 585-3524771.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to keep your power safe and reliable.
Provided information and photos
Keith Bezon Spencerport
Municipal Electric
We will discuss the local real estate market with you and help you determine whether it is a good time for you to buy or sell. If you are a first time buyer, you may have questions about legal description, fair housing laws or sources of financing. You may be curious about how sale prices are set. A Realtor's job is diverse, and the best Realtors are excellent sources of information. Each day I am actively involved with mortgage lenders, attorneys, surveyors and taxing authorities. Finding the right realtor is like finding the right physician. The help of a professional can help satisfy your curiosity. Call me with your real estate questions. For professional real estate advice, give me a call. Mary Lobene at 585-734-3362.
Some of the nearly 100 Holley Interact and EarlyAct students that participated in the fifth annual Clean Sweep service project on May 18.
AUTO SERVICE & PARTS
Set of four Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires. 205/65R16. 13,500 miles. On a Subaru Forester . Steel rims. $500. Call 585-392-8708.[TFN]
Junk Cars, Trucks & Vans Wanted. Higher cash paid for most. Always free pick up! WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER COMPANY! 585-3055865.[TFN] AUTOS WANTED
2006 Chevy Monte Carlo SS. One owner, $4,200 or B.O.
Reach almost 5,500,000homes in the New York state classified Network available through this newspaper. Only $490 for 15 words. $15 each additional word. Call 585-352-3411 and place your ad today![TFN]
Gravesite Care When You Can’t Get There! Headstone Cleaning • Edging • Mulching • Flower Planting and More! Call Laura or Jeremy at Personal Grave Site Maintenance, 585-448-2498 or email us at 2020PGSM@gmail. com. Visit us on facebook.[TFN]
5141.[5-25]
WEDDINGS/ SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Professionally trained soloist, available to add a touch of elegance to your wedding, meeting or social event. Call 585-455-4362.
newsmakers
The following students were named to the 2024 fall presidents list at SUNY Oswego:
•Carolyn E. Adams Hilton, childhood education
• Rae Allison-Stork Rochester, creative writing
•Judith Cahoon Rochester, linguistics, illustration
•Leena C. Captain Rochester, illustration
•Antony L. Gilbert of Brockport, wellness management (online)
• Avalina Hand of North Chili, wellness management (online)
•Sean D. Hurley of Rochester, theatre
•Elaina N. Johnson of Rochester, biology
•Briana M. Lathrop of Rochester, criminal justice
•Sean Nash of Brockport, creative writing
•Grace M. Richardson of Rochester, criminal justice, wellness management
•Julia H. Ryan of Rochester, zoology
•Natalie R. Shah of Spencerport, creative writing
• Samuel O. Stein of Rochester, criminal justice.
The following students were named to the 2024 fall dean’s list at SUNY Oswego:
•Anthony Brescia of Rochester, business administration
•Gretchen Clarcq of Rochester, studio art
• Eric R. Collins of Rochester, econmics, finance
•Jenna N. Curtis of Rochester, adolescence education
•Brandon M. Ferris of North Chili, business administration (online)
•Will Johnson of Rochester, music (audio recording and production)
•George Kirk of Rochester, meteorology
•Emily L. Kryger of Rochester, health promotion and wellness
•Sophia Lendeck of Hilton, zoology
•Madison M. Mantione of Rochester, business administration
• Clementine M. Matzky of Rochester, broadcasting and mass communication
•Zandyr Meakin of Hilton, graphic design
•Owen R. Miles of Rochester, creative writing, cinema and screen studies
• Corrinne E. Milne of Rochester, public relations
•Molly G. Morano of Rochester, software engineering, applied mathematics
•Jen North of Hilton, human development
•Marie C. Parker of Rochester, global and international studies, language and international trade
•Natalie Reeves of Rochester, human development
•Sophia Schopp of Rochester, psychology
•Matthew Shuryn of Rochester, interaction design
•Ebony E. Smalls of Rochester, journalism
•Elise A. Steele of Rochester, theatre
• Caitlyn E. Tripp of Rochester, human resource management
•Carolyn Western of North Chili, psychology.
Julia Britton of Spencerport, was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. The 2019 Spencerport High School graduate is studying radiation therapy technology.
Candace Colon of Spencerport, was elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at State University of New York at Oswego.
Amanda Ellie of Rochester, was recognized as an outstanding member of their class during the induction ceremony for the Pi of New York chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Ellie was among the Class of 2026 Prize winners. She was also one of seven students inducted into the Elmira College circle, or chapter, of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the National Leadership Honor Society.
Addie Washington of Rochester, was elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Nazareth University.
Adam Lewandowski of Rochester, was elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Nazareth University.
Michael Montgomery was named a recipient of the 2025 Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for Student Excellence at Genesee Community College.
Kadence Grierson of Rochester, was honored at the university’s 40th Annual Student Leadership Recognition Banquet at SUNY Cortland.
The following students were named to the fall 2024 dean’s list at Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania:
•Josh Fleming of Bergen, was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list. Josh is a 2021 graduate of Byron-Bergen High School and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Fleming (Mariann) of Bergen. He is a senior management major.
•Cat Runion of Gates, was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with high distinction.Cat is a 2022 graduate of Homeschool and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Runion (Julie) of Gates. She is a junior English major. •Emma Herrmann of Hilton, a senior communication arts major, was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with high distinction. Emma is a 2021 graduate of Paul V Moore High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Herrmann (Deborah) of Hilton.
•Hannah Herrmann of Hilton, a freshman exercise science major was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with distinction. Hannah is a 2024 graduate of Liberty University Online Academy and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Herrmann (Deborah) of Hilton.
•Matt Herrmann of Hilton, a junior exercise science major was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with distinction. Matt is a 2022 graduate of Paul V Moore High School and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Hermann (Debi) of Hilton.
•Sydney Goettel of North Chili, a freshman computer science major was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with high distinction. Sydney is a 2024 graduate of Churchville-Chili Senior High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Derrick Goettel (Christy) of North Chili.
• Kaitlyn Sipes of North Chili, a senior marketing major was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with high distinction. Kaitlyn is a 2021 graduate of Churchville-Chili Senior High School and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Sipes (Barbara) of North Chili.
•Anna Dueker of Rochester, a senior elementary education major was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list with high distinction. Anna is a 2021 graduate of Greece Arcadia High School and is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Kirk Dueker (JoAnn) of Rochester.
•Madeline Warburton of Rochester, a senior English major was named to the fall 2024 dean’s list. Madeline is a 2020 graduate of Homeschool and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Warburton (Kristen) of Rochester.
The following students have been named to the provost’s list at Genesee Community College:
•Rebecca Cummings of Bergen
•Luke Smith of Bergen
•Kaitlyn Windhauser of Bergen
•Tonya Craig of Bergen
•Grace McKeon of Brockport
•Sophia Renaldo of Churchville
•Lauren Jewell of Hamlin
•Andrew Korzenieski of Hamlin
•Hadeel Amireh of Hamlin
•Christian Furino of Hamlin
•Riley Parkhurst of Hilton
•Lauren Walker of Hilton
•Zachary Schultz of Holley
•Ashton Drought of Holley
•Benjamin McGarvey of North Chili
•Renee McNamee of North Chili
•Tyler Baker of Spencerport
•Marissa Bivone of Spencerport
•Liliana Brutovski of Spencerport
•Mark Lodice of Spencerport
•Juliana Cianciotto of Spencerport
•Mindy Humphrey-Furniss of Rochester (14624)
•Danielle Steffenhagen of Rochester (14624)
•Matthew Brewer of Rochester (14624)
•Jack Sternberg of Rochester (14624)
•Amy Tesch of Rochester (14624).
Katie Daniszewski of Rochester, was recognized with a gold-level leadership milestone through the university’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program. Daniszewski is studying dietetics at SUNY Oneonta.
Joseph Carroll of Hilton, graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic’s Florida Campus in Port Orange, Florida, on March 27, 2025.
Bryon Streb of Rochester (14624) was recognized for achieving the highest GPA in their major during SUNY Canton’s 2025 Barry W. Walch Honors Convocation. Streb is a junior in the bachelor of technology homeland security program.
Nazareth partners with FLPPS to strengthen NY’s healthcare workforce
Nazareth University has partnered with F inger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) on the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program, a state-funded program designed to address workforce shortages in health, behavioral health, and social care sectors across New York State, and aims to build a diverse and skilled workforce capable of serving New York’s most vulnerable populations.
Through this program, tuition and education-related expenses – including textbooks, most supplies, and other academic fees – are covered after financial aid is applied for eligible participants to pursue education and training in one of 13 high-demand health, behavioral health, or social care roles. Support services are also available to participants to ensure academic success.
Programs offered at Nazareth University include: a Master of Social Work degree and a Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science degree.
“Our collaboration with FLPPS through
the CPT Program enables us to remove financial barriers for students aspiring to make a meaningful impact in their communities,” said Cathy Rasmussen, dean of Nazareth’s College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services. “Together, we’re creating pathways to rewarding careers in essential care fields-while also strengthening the workforce in the regions that need it most. We’re proud to be part of a solution that supports both individual career goals and broader community health needs.”
The CPT Program is open to new academic students and offers pathways for both individuals entering the health, behavioral health, and social care workforce for the first time, and current workers seeking career advancement.
As part of the program, participants are required to complete their education and training by Spring 2027 and then commit to three years of full-time employment with a New York State Medicaid-enrolled provider that serves at least 30 percent of Medicaid members and/or
uninsured individuals. This service commitment must be completed by 2031.
“We’re proud to support individuals who are eager to enter or advance in the health workforce but may face financial or social barriers to do so,” said Carol Tegas, CEO of FLPPS. “The CPT Program is about more than education – it’s about equity, opportunity, and meeting the real needs of our communities. Our partnership with Nazareth University helps ensure that talented, committed individuals can access meaningful careers, while we build a stronger, more resilient health workforce for the long term.”
The CPT Program also offers robust support services to help participants thrive – ranging from program readiness and educational case management to ongoing academic support, career coaching, and job placement assistance. These services help participants successfully transition from education to employment and provide continued support throughout their three-year service commitment.
Working nurses with associate’s degrees are eligible for the R.N. to B.S. degree at Nazareth, a degree that most newly-licensed registered nurses need within 10 years of licensure. People with a bachelor’s degree in any subject who want to make a difference as a social worker in the health care field can earn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) through Nazareth in person or online. This degree prepares students to help individuals, families, and communities manage personal and social challenges through counseling and resource coordination.
Individuals must apply for the CPT Program through the Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) that serves the county in which they have permanent residency. The FLPPS region covers Western NY, the Finger Lakes, and a portion of the Southern Tier. Learn more about the CPT Program at https://healthcareersnow. org/cpt.
C-C senior inducted into Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce Youth Hall of Fame
Churchville-Chili High School senior Louis Ferrari was inducted into the Churchville-Riga Chamber of Commerce Youth Hall of Fame during the 19th Annual Award Ceremony in May. The award is presented by the Chamber of Commerce to an eleventh or twelfth grade high school student who has demonstrated, through contributions to the community and outstanding achievements, their personal growth and development.
Characteristics of a Youth Hall of Fame Award Recipient include volunteering in the community, displaying community spirit, overcoming adversity, and demonstrating leadership.
Louis displayed tremendous resilience and perseverance following a life-threatening accident when he was a sophomore. When asked, he identifies his strengths as nice, athletic and determined. He also says his accident taught him not to take life for granted and not to wait to chase his dreams.
Louis volunteers for a local youth soccer team when he is not playing for the RNYFC team. He intends to play soccer at Roberts Wesleyan in the fall, where he plans on pursing business management as a college major.
Provided information and photo
Jennyrae Brongo honored as Woman of Distinction
A ceremony honoring women leaders from every corner of state was held at the State Capitol in Albany on May 13. Jennyrae Brongo was recognized as the 2025 Woman of Distinction for District 62 represented by Senator Rob Ortt. Ms. Brongo is the heart and soul of Homesteads for Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to providing families like her own with a genuine sense of belonging.
A resident of Ogden, Ms. Brongo has made it her mission to offer a place for individuals and families with and without disabilities to learn, work, live, and grow in nature’s classroom. Homesteads for Hope’s beautiful 55-acre farm is located on Manitou Road in Ogden, directly on the wide waters of the historic Erie Canal. Its classroom provides a peaceful and therapeutic environment. In the past several years, Ms. Brongo has built a series of programs, classes, and social events that bring people together and provide a sense of community.
During a 2018 TEDx presentation, Ms. Brongo said, “I don’t know where I would be without autism. It’s like someone gave me a mission in life to be a voice for those who didn’t have one. My brother, Chucky, is a nonverbal hero. His story is paving the way.”
Homesteads for Hope founders Luann and Jennyrae Brongo felt hopeless trying to find services for Charles “Chucky” Brongo after he graduated from the school system at age 21. Despite unwavering advocacy and a relentless search for options, the family was not able to secure the assistance and support they needed. They spent endless days and nights praying for a miracle.
One day, Ms. Brongo and Chucky went to “Uncle Bob’s” farm down the street. Adventuring around the canalside farm, she did a quick search of “farms for autism” and realized there were hundreds of care farms and intentional communities across the country. That evening, the Brongos started dreaming of a better future for their family. Luann worked with Chucky on the farm, and Ms. Brongo did the
business planning to create the first working farm and housing community for people with disabilities in New York State.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management Engineering from Alfred State College and 15 years of entrepreneurship, Ms. Brongo turned vision into reality with the development of Western New York’s first inclusive “Learn, Work & Live” intentional community. In 2021, Ms. Brongo was named a “Woman of Excellence” honoree by the Rochester Business Journal. Her true joy lies in constructing dreams for a better future for all families. Provided information
Jennyrae Brongo. Photo from @SenatorOrtt on X.
Louis Ferrari with his family at the Award Ceremony.
Get out & grow!
by Kristina Gabalski
Lemon-scented herbs
by Kristina Gabalski
Edible gardening is on-trend, and don’t forget about adding herbs to your landscape for flavor in cooking and scent in the garden. Herbs such as lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon thyme, and lemon verbena add a refreshing and zesty touch both outdoors and in the kitchen.
When planting herbs, pick a location with full sun and well-drained soil. Containers are also a great option for herbs. Keep them as close to the house as possible so they are easy to harvest.
Most lemon-scented and flavored herbs are native to other climates, meaning you will treat them as annuals in the garden. An exception is lemon balm, which is perennial in our climate. It is hardy to Zone 5 and can reach up to three feet tall with pale yellow blooms that fade to white or pink. Yes, it is a member of the mint family and will spread easily throughout your garden. If you want to keep it under control, plant it in containers where it will also thrive. I have let it make its way through some of my garden beds, as it can help suppress weeds and seems to be happy in places where other plants will not grow. Penn State University says lemon balm does attract pollinators, which is a plus.
Use the leaves to help add flavor to teas, tisanes (infusions), and ice water. Penn State says you can also make a simple syrup with lemon balm. Stir and heat equal amounts of sugar and water in a pot, and when the mixture comes to a boil, add six four-inch sprigs of lemon balm and steep for 30 minutes. Strain and store in the refrigerator for use in cocktails, seltzer water, or over pound cake or fruit. It will last for a few weeks.
Lemony herb options that should be considered as annuals include lemon basil. The cultivar ‘Mrs. Burns’ Lemon’ adds an intense lemon zing that is both refreshing and sweet, Penn State says. Lemon basil can be used with fruit, vegetables, poultry, fish, rice, and pasta. Penn State suggests substituting it for Italian basil in pesto recipes.
Lemongrass belongs to the grass family and can reach two feet in height. The leaves are used in Asian foods such as stir-fry and
Garden
meat. It is also used in teas and potpourri.
Lemon thyme is native to the Mediterranean and is hardy to Zone 5, so you might find that it does overwinter. It prefers sandy soil that tends to be slightly alkaline. Leaves are tiny and egg-shaped, and the plant works well along pathways or near the front of borders, Penn State says. It has a typical thyme flavor with a hint of lemon and goes well with grilled veggies and as a marinade for chicken. Penn State suggests making lemon thyme butter to top grilled fish. This herb is easy to dry and retains flavor well.
Finally, lemon verbena is native to South America. It favors loamy and rich soil and grows in shrub form. Stems get firmer as they age, and by the second season, they are woody. It can reach 15 feet tall in its native habitat, but here it will likely not grow to more than three feet. According to Penn State, the leaves of lemon verbena are the most intense in lemon flavor and scent. Leaves can be added to tea or infused in sorbet, ice cream, or to flavor whipped cream. The leaves can also be used to make lemon sugar. Place the leaves in a food processor with sugar and blend. Use it in salads or in baked goods recipes like pound cake or shortbread.
Hot Cherry
Hot Portugal
Hot Hungarian
Golden Bell
Lady Bell
Poblano
Red Bell
Sweet Banana
Jalapeno
Ghost
Hot Portugal
Summer Squash
Zucchini
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Eggplant
Cabbages
Lettuces
Burpless Cucumbers
Bush Cucumbers
Pickling Cucumbers
Onions
Better
Big
Super
Lemon Balm has lemon-scented and flavored leaves that can be used in cooking. It does spread easily, so it may be best to plant in containers. Photo by Kristina Gabalski.
BROCKPORT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is accepting applications for the following positions: NON-TEACHINg
Bus Attendants & Drivers, Cafeteria Monitors, Cleaners, Custodian, Food Service Helpers, Senior Student Behavioral Assistant, Teacher Aides, Security Substitutes and Subs in all other areas.
TEACHINg/CERTIfIED
Art Teacher, Computer Science or Technology Teacher, Business Teachers, Physical Therapist, Social Worker, Spanish Teacher, Speech Teacher, Special Education Teachers (Elementary and Secondary), and Contracted Building Substitute Teachers For all positions, apply on-line at: https://www.applitrack.com/brockport/onlineapp/
Lions Club of Chili update
The Lions Club of Chili held their annual Mother’s Weekend Geranium Pre-Sale Pick-up May 9 and 10 at the Chili Community Center. The club is grateful for the community’s support of this fundraiser. Proceeds help fund future projects in the Chili community. In addition to the Lions’ efforts, students from Churchville-Chili and Gates Chili high schools volunteered their assistance, as did other community members, to make this event a success. Pontillo’s Pizza and Good Guys Pizza
We have expanded and built an all new service building to better serve the automotive needs of our community and fellow car enthusiasts. Bring us your modern or vintage vehicle for regular maintenance, conventional service or specialized custom requests.
LAKES CLASSIC CARS is Upstate New York’s premiere pre-owned, specialty, and classic car dealer. Call us and schedule your next service visit.
The Lions Club of Chili recently welcomed new member Jennifer Jopson (center). She is pictured with her sponsor, Lion Mike Donner (left), Membership Chair, and President Joe Korn (right). The club is excited to have Jennifer join them in their upcoming service projects and group activities.
Chili may reach out to Donner at 585-704-7265. Provided information and photo.
donated pizza to the volunteers.
Members of the Lions Club of Chili volunteered at Lifetime Assistance on Beaman Road in Chili during the United Way of Greater Rochester’s Day of Caring on May 15. Lions Bonnie Cohoon, Jenn Lowden, and Cristina Candelaria cleaned windows and dusted off cobwebs while Dorinda Foos, Debbie Mancini, and Joe Korn organized the supply shed, and Bob Cohoon and Ken Schnabel cleaned out the basement.