Skip to main content

Announcements

Public Health Column: Beware of lead in paint when tackling spring renovation projects

By Billie Owens

From the Genesee County Health Department:

Spring is here, and although many of us are anticipating the arrival of the warm weather, home renovations will soon begin. A fresh coat of paint can spruce up and room and give it new life.

Many folks are anxious to begin their renovations, but it is crucial to keep in mind the age of your home. If your home was built before 1978, you must consider that the paint in your home could contain lead, and you will have to plan any home renovation, repair, and painting activity with that in mind.

Lead is a metal that can harm children and adults when it gets into their bodies. Lead poisoning is caused by swallowing or breathing in sources of lead. The most common source of lead poisoning comes from lead dust which is created from chipping, peeling, or deteriorated lead based paint. The smallest particles of lead dust cannot be seen but they can easily enter and harm the body.

Sarah Balduf, Environmental Health director of Genesee and Orleans counties, explains why renovating older homes could turn problematic if not completed properly.

“The greatest risk with renovating older homes is that many people are unaware that their home contains lead based paint because they have completed renovations since the 1970s," she said. "Even if the lead based paint has been covered with new paint or another covering, cracked or chipped painted surfaces can expose the lead based paint, creating a lead hazard.

"If proper precautions are not taken to renovate lead based paint correctly, the health and well-being of the folks residing in the home will be compromised.”

The damaging health effects of lead poisoning are particularly concerning to young children and pregnant women. When lead gets into their bodies, it is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. Brenden Bedard, director of Community Health Services of Genesee and Orleans counties, further explains the complications associated with lead poisoning.

“Children who ingest lead are at risk for developing learning disabilities, behavioral issues, developmental delays, extreme lethargy, and chronic medical complications," he said. "Pregnant women who are exposed to lead can transfer the lead to their fetus.

"Some of the effects lead can have on their unborn child include delayed growth and development, premature delivery, low birth weight, and chronic medical complications. Adults who are exposed to high lead levels can also develop high blood pressure, headaches, digestive problems, memory and concentration problems, kidney damage, mood changes, nerve disorders, sleep disturbances, and muscle or joint pain.”

Although the negative health consequences of lead poisoning are scary, lead poisoning is 100-percent preventable! Renovating older homes require more work and safeguards to ensure the work being completed is done safely.

For larger projects, this may require hiring a lead-certified contractor. For smaller projects, you can manage the work yourself with proper precautions. Below are some tips on how to renovate right:

  • Remove all furnishings, rugs, etc. before beginning your project. The work area should be sealed with plastic and taped down to keep the lead dust in. Cover air vents and turn off heaters and air-conditioning systems during renovation and remodeling.
  • When beginning the renovation it is important to have the proper protective equipment on hand. It is best to wear a properly fitted respirator with special lead HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, as well as coveralls, goggles and gloves.
  • Consider using special paints called encapsulants that seal the lead paint to the surface so it will not chip off.
  • Use low dust practices by spraying water on surfaces before sanding or scraping. Vacuum any lead dust with a HEPA vacuum. Floors should be wet mopped with a removable mop head and then HEPA vacuumed. When finished, the mop head should be disposed or washed separately.
  • Keep all non-workers, especially children, pregnant women, and pets outside of the work area until cleanup is completed.
  • After the project site has been completely cleaned, throw away your protective gear or wash it separately.

For more information on how to renovate right, please visit this government website.

For information about Health Department services contact the Genesee County Health Department at 344-2580, ext. 5555, or visit their website here.

'Permaculture 2.0' -- topic of talk by Master Gardener at Cornell Extension, must preregister by April 17

By Billie Owens

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners this spring as we “Catch the Gardening Bug.” Our next upcoming gardening program will be “Permaculture 2.0” on April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m., presented by Master Gardener Dan Esler.

Permaculture is a system of cultivation intended to maintain a permanent horticultural landscape by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Master Gardener Dan Esler will give a quick recap on last year’s program when participants learned about Zones, Sectors, Guilds and Edges as they apply to Permaculture. He will then discuss what to consider for a successful guild design and a reasonable timeline when developing a permaculture site. 

Registration required by April 17.  

The class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Preregistration is required as class size is limited.

Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register. Visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information.

GCC's Child Care Center is open to community, too, not just students, staff and faculty

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

Did you know Genesee Community College offers a complete child care center for students, staff, faculty AND THE COMMUNITY?

You don't have to be a student at GCC for your child to attend the College's state-of-the-art Child Care Center! Operated by the Genesee Community College Association, the Child Care Center features extensive developmental resources for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.

The Child Care Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday -- including over the summer according to GCC's academic calendar. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are included in the tuition rates.

All of the food provided to the children is regulated through CACFP (Child Adult Care Food Program), which is a food program that adheres to all nutritional standards and values recommended for young, developing children. The Center also has safe sleeping equipment and spaces for a comforting naptime for the little ones!

The trained and dedicated staff at the Child Care Center provides age appropriate activities such as kindergarten readiness lessons, fine and gross motor activities, and socialization. In addition to the center's outdoor playground which provides great exercise and fresh air all summer long, the facilities available at the College's Batavia Campus provide creative and active programming, such as visiting the library, going to the theater to see a show, running in the gym, playing in the clock tower quad and enjoying the physical therapy obstacle course.

For convenience, the College provides designated drop-off and pick-up parking spots right up front by the Stuart Steiner Theatre entrance.

In addition, all teachers are CPR, First Aid and AED trained. All of the lead teachers hold degrees in education and all staff complete at least 30 hours of training every two years to guarantee that they stay up to date on early childhood best practices.

"We take great pride in offering our children the best care and developmentally appropriate education," Staci Williams, director of the Child Care Center said. "We strive to immerse the children into the College environment and allow them to enjoy and appreciate these beautiful facilities that surround us as much as possible.

"From letting the children ride tricycles in the gym on a snowy day, to getting them outside to the playground in the summer-our children really benefit from GCC, like so many other students and staff." 

Registration for the GCCA Child Care Center is simple, the application is available online here and can be mailed or dropped off to the Child Care Center at GCC's Batavia Campus located at One College Road in Batavia.

Child Care Center rates are based on the number of days the child attends and the age of the child. The U.S. Department of Education and SUNY awards grant funds for child care tuition subsidies for income eligible GCC students.

Please contact the Child Care Office if you would like specific pricing. GCC makes it easy to make child care tuition payments with an online payment center -- no more having to remember your checkbook!

For more information, contact Child Care Center Director Staci Williams at (585) 345-6833 or via email: slwilliams@genesee.edu

April 21st: Earth Day Celebration at DeWitt, Night Hike at county Park & Forest

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Earth Day Celebration at DeWitt April 21

Earth Day is your chance to take care of your planet and your wild neighbors! Join us at DeWitt Recreation Area in Batavia for our “Earth Day Celebration” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21st.

Help clean up the park to keep the habitat safe and healthy for wildlife! Learn to make cool stuff from recycled materials. Enjoy wild games and a naturalist-guided hike to see where animals live and discover what good things you can do for them!

Scouts can earn badge requirements and service hours! Help keep the community ecologically healthy and undeniably beautiful! Meet at Pavilion 2 for all activities. Celebration is FREE and open to the public.

Please preregister for activities by calling 585-344-1122!

Earth Day Night Hike at Genesee County Park & Forest

Celebrate the magic of spring with our Earth Day Night Hike at the Genesee County Park & Forest from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday April 21st!

Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center and explore the forest by moonlight as we search for animals, hear nature folklore and listen to the wild chorus of the night. Visit the headwaters of Black Creek and find out why April’s moon is called the Fish Moon.

Create a memory this Earth Day! Cost is $5/person, $10/family. All ages welcome. Preregistration is required, call 585-344-1122 to register!

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Shannon Morley at Shannon.Morley@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Alexander Fire Department hosts annual Spring Gun Raffle at Rec Hall on April 21

By Billie Owens

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting its annual Spring Gun Raffle from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, at their Recreation Hall, 10708 Route 98, Attica.

Tickets are $25 each, which will include chances on 25 guns and four cash prizes.

Eight (8) guns will also be included in floor/door raffles. Food, beer, pop, 50/50, and bell jar tickets available.

Only 975 tickets sold -- ticket admits one person. Tickets can be bought at the Alexander Country Deli or by calling 507-9930.

DSP Jazz Trio

By Peter Mark

The DSP Jazz Trio will be performing at TF Browns Restaurant in Batavia from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday April 19th.  The group performs at TF Browns on the third Thursday of every month.  Come see us and enjoy!

DSP Jazz Trio

By Peter Mark

The DSP Jazz Trio will be performing at TF Browns Restaurant in Batavia from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday April 19th.  The group performs at TF Browns on the third Thursday of every month.  Come see us and enjoy!

ILGR invites people to 'Lunch in the Dark' at NYS School for the Blind on April 26 to experience vision loss

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) has invited individuals from a number of local businesses and agencies to a “Lunch in the Dark” at the New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB) to experience lunch in a darkened environment in order to better understand eating and socializing with vision loss.

Taking place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 26th, at the School Gymnasium, 2A Richmond Ave., west of State Street, in Batavia, the event challenges the participants to dine using blindfolds as the only way to have a “total experience.” As a group, participants will discuss the best practices of making events with food more accessible, as well as strategies for eating with vision loss.

To encourage participation, Dibble Family Catering will offer a big spread: pasta with traditional red sauce, roast beef, honey-roasted turkey breast, chef salad, fresh rolls, coffee, tea, and dessert. The ticket price of $15 includes the meal, and some materials participants can take home.

After the meal, with the assistance of an ILGR staff person, they will have the chance to try out activities when blindfolded, such as using adapted devices.  Services of ILGR that may be useful to citizens who are visually impaired, such as the Medicaid Application Assistance Program, will be explored.

Members of the public who have not been formally invited are welcome to attend, if they preregister. For questions, or to RSVP, please call Donna Becker at 815-8501, ext. 411.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

WNYIL seeks nominations by April 13 deadline for disability award gala in May

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Once again, the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies (WNYIL) is gathering nominations of members of the disability community who have made ongoing, significant contributions, such as support, assistance and inspiration to others.

Deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Friday, April 13.

The winner will be honored with WNYIL's Independent Citizen Award at its Fifth Annual “Night for Independence" Gala on Saturday, May 12th at the Classics V Banquet & Conference Center, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst.

Ideally, the nominee should meet the five core values of this award: 

  • Exemplifying independence in the community, such as: by beginning a special project; by spearheading an awareness effort; or by gaining the support of decision-makers, for the benefit of others with disabilities or the general community;
  • Going above and beyond what would be expected to assist others, by offering personal experience or expertise, organizing individuals around an issue, enlisting partnerships, and/or revealing self-sacrificing work;
  • Remaining active in the community over an extended period, even after an initial success with an activity or major project;
  •  Rejecting others’ criticism or doubt, that potentially could have deterred the individual from striving to reach and achieve personal goals;
  •  Showing the world the value of one person’s actions by encouraging others to have a contributing, encouraging, and positive attitude about making the community a better place for all. 

If you are aware of an individual who has served those with disabilities, and who, you feel, would meet all these criteria, please contact Marykate Waringa of WNYIL’s Office of Community Engagement at (716) 836-0822, ext. 146; or email her with the candidate’s name, a paragraph about his/her qualifications and contact information, as well as YOUR name and contact information, to mwaringa@wnyil.org.

Thank you for your willingness to help acknowledge deserving members of our community! 

WNYIL is Western New York's largest cross-disability, consumer-directed, non-residential organization for persons with disabilities. At WNYIL, individuals of all ages and all types of disabilities learn to exercise their freedom of choice to take control of their own lives, in order to live more productively in, and contribute to, the community.

Register for evening Amphibian Adventure at GC Park & Forest April 14, meet 'slimy, singing neighbors'

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Welcome the arrival of spring with Amphibian Adventure on Saturday April 14th from 7 to 8:30 p.m.!

Hear the frog chorus in full surround-sound effect and get to know your small, slimy, singing neighbors at the Genesee County Park & Forest.

Meet us at the Interpretive Nature Center and learn how to identify your pest-eating pals up close and personal. Then venture into the wetlands and woodlands to search for, find and listen to your amphibian neighbors in their natural habitat!

Don't miss this magical season of renewal for your tiny, big-eyed friends!

Cost is $5/person, $10/family. Perfect for ages 4 and up.

Call 344-1122 to register today.

For more information visit the website here, or contact Shannon Morley at Shannon.Morley@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

WNY Rebels AAU seventh-grade basketball team to host pizza buffet fundraiser April 15

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
The WNY Rebels AAU seventh-grade basketball team will be hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, April 15th from 12-3 p.m. at Batavia’s Original pizzeria on East Main Street.
 
There will also be a basket raffle at $5 a sheet!
 
Lunch buffet tickets are $12 each, include all-you-can eat pizza, wings and soda.
 
Tickets will be availabe at the door that day.
 
All funds raised are for expenses for the team's Battle at the Beach tournament in Ocean City, Md., on June 30th!

Free, grassroots strategy meeting on Second Amendment rights' infringement is April 15 at Days Inn, Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release from Brian Graz:

Greetings Gun-owners and Supporters of the Constitution & Liberty.
 
Sunday April 15 there is being held a Town Hall Meeting (2 to 4 p.m. at Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia) concerning the current aggressive anti-gun movement (which truly has become very concerning). This is a strategy meeting to try and create a better way to guard against and overcome the 2nd Amendment infringements, that NY State and the Federal Government continue to push on us.
 
The meeting will be chaired and run by Jim Ostrowski. Jim is a premiere local 2nd Amendment attorney and author of several books, from Buffalo, who has argued lawsuits against the State of NY and Governor Cuomo and has an active case going right now which he is seeking to get before the Supreme Court.
 
Also of note, Jim has been a featured guest on several conservative think tank discussions; the Mises Institute {https://mises.org/profile/james-ostrowski}, Lew Rockwell {https://www.lewrockwell.com/?s=ostrowski}, and Ron Paul's Liberty Report {http://www.ronpaullibertyreport.com/apps/search?q=ostrowski}... just to name 3.
 
Of course this is a non-partisan, gathering open to all concerned people. All are invited and encouraged to come. There is No Fee to attend. 

Please mark your calendar and try and be at this critical meeting. Time is running out and we can not afford to procrastinate any longer. Hopefully this meeting will be the grassroots of a new WNY (and beyond) awareness and action group of proactive citizens. 

Thanks for your time and I hope to see you there. 
Brian Graz
 
What: Second Amendment Town Hall meeting on strategy
Who: All supporters of the right to bear arms
Where: Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia
When: 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 15

Pittsford artist who paints 'en plein air' waterscapes and landscapes gives demo at GO ART!

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

There will be a demo at GO ART! from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, featuring the painter Barbara Jablonski, a resident of Pittsford.

It is sponsored by the Batavia Society of Artists.

"Composition and Painting the Landscape" is the focus of this demo. Jablonski loves drawing and painting waterscapes, especially plein air compositions. However, composition, designing and painting the waterscape using a photograph parallels many of the techniques that are used when painting nature en plein air (in open air).

In this presentation, she will share many of the compositional techniques to make WATERSCAPE PAINTINGS (where created in a studio from a photograph or plein air on site) that are believable, reflective of surroundings and subjects well as colorful.

Jablonski paints en plein air, that is, on site, winter, spring, summer and fall. Anywhere she travels she will paint -- NYS, the seashore, boats, the mountains, our national parks and Europe. She captures color and light while painting contemporary life in her landscapes. She loves architecture, nautical scenes, and winter scenes throughout this beautiful land.

"I pack my car or trailer and take to the road to capture the beauty of the land. 'Plein air painting' is a personal development experience,” Jablonski says. "I will always be a ‘student of the art.' ”

The demo is free to BSA members; nonmembers pay $5.

GO ART! is located in the historic Seymour Place building in Downtown Batavia, 201 E. Main St.

Two churches present 'An Old-Time Radio Dinner Theater' on April 14

By Billie Owens
Press release:
 
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Le Roy, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Stafford, present “An Old-Time Radio Dinner Theater” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 14.
 
It will take place in St. Paul’s Social Hall, located at 6188 Main St. in Stafford. Dinner is catered by the D&R Depot and features homemade pies for dessert.
 
Entertainment will include two old-time radio shows with an introduction and brief history behind these popular productions of the 1920-1950s.
 
Tickets are $35 each and are pre-sale only. Call St. Mark’s at 585-768-7200 for tickets or see members of either church.

GC 4-H members compete in regional public speaking contests

By Billie Owens

Genesee 4H District public speaking presenters from left: Caris Carlson, Amelia Brewer, Colton Tarbell, Melissa Keller, Clare Mathes, Madison Harrington, Eva Rhoads, Corrine Rhoads.

Submitted photos and press release:

Congratulations to the Genesee County 4-H members who participated in the 2018 Finger Lakes District 4-H Public Presentations and Horse Communications Contests on Saturday, March 24. 4-H members from across the region came together to compete at the district level and gave presentations in front of a panel of volunteer judges.

The 4-H Public Presentations Program gives youth an opportunity to improve their public speaking skills in a fun, competitive format. The 4-H Horse Communications Program is a public speaking contest in which youth give a presentation on an equine related topic.

Members qualified to compete in the regional contests by giving an outstanding presentation at the Genesee County 4-H Public Presentations Contest in February.

Representing Genesee County at the Finger Lakes District 4-H Public Presentations Contest were Amelia Brewer, Caris Carlson, Madison Harrington, Melissa Keller, Clare Mathes, Corrine Rhoads, Eva Rhoads and Colton Tarbell.

Representing Genesee County at the Regional Horse Communications Contest were Alexandria and Tarbell Alianna Baris.

For more information about the Genesee County 4-H Program, contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or 585-343-3040, ext. 101. Program and enrollment information can also be found on our website at genesee.cce.cornell.edu/genesee4h.

Below are Region 2 Horse Communications contestants Alexandria Tarbell, left, and Alianna Baris.

Spring Open House at GCC is Saturday morning April 14

By Billie Owens

Press release:

What: Spring Open House at Genesee Community College

When: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 14

Where: Genesee Community College -- One College Road, Batavia

Who: Everyone looking for an affordable higher education

Registration is open now for both summer and fall 2018. Have you seen all of the great courses being offered at GCC? Don't miss your chance to get started on your college degree!

The admissions team and student success coaches at Genesee Community College are here to help you pursue your degree or certificate program. Apply today and get registered right away!

Representatives from GCC's student services offices will be on hand to answer questions about admissions, career and transfer services, student activities, athletics and you can attend a financial aid session. Tours of the campus will be available, including the new Student Success Center, Richard C. Call Arena and College Village -- GCC's apartment-style residential housing.

Register today at www.genesee.edu/openhouse or call 1-866-CALL-GCC.

Can't make it to Open House? Join us on a Friday Visit Day. Learn about GCC's application and admissions processes, financial aid opportunities, take a campus tour, and sit in on a college class. Friday Visit Days begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon on the following dates:

  • April 20
  • May 4

You can also visit www.genesee.edu/VT for a virtual campus tour.

GCC offers a comprehensive selection of over 70 degree and certificate programs. Dedicated to student success and accessibility, GCC offers a totally FREE application process, FREE career counseling, FREE tutoring and FREE parking.

With more than 100 courses available online every semester and 15 degrees that can be earned completely online, GCC is more convenient than ever. GCC's Campus Centers located in Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw provide additional options to attend class close to home.

Contact GCC's Admissions Office at 585-345-6800 or email Admissions@genesee.edu today to get started. For online, door-to-door driving directions go to: http://www.genesee.edu/about/visit/maps/

'Life, Lines & Light' opens at ILGR in Batavia April 3, opening reception is April 13

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The fourth ARTiculations Ability Exhibition® -- a forum for artists with disabilities in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties to display their work publicly -- will open at Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) in Batavia on Tuesday, April 3.

Titled "Life, Lines & Light," it features the work of Beth Allen, DMV, a veterinarian and mental health activist, whose photographs of animals, plants and beautiful landscapes, mostly in Genesee County, depict inspirations from her own life journey.

A product of a partnership between ILGR and the University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), the Exhibit will be on display through June 22th.

The Opening Reception, is Friday, April 13th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at ILGR’s office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, in Batavia. Allen will be handing out a few of the photo postcards she has created for sharing as Door Prizes at the Reception.

An amateur photographer who picked up the hobby from her mother, Allen found the "mindfulness" she employs when taking pictures to be soothing for her mental health issues, and useful in the support groups she facilitates, so she has dubbed the process "Mindful Moments."

Other artists with disabilities residing in the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties are encouraged to submit their work to this juried competition, as there will be additional ARTiculations® planned quarterly exhibits in the future.

For more than a year, ILGR has been “art partnering” for people with disabilities with the UHAA, a group of artists in North Buffalo with a commitment to community that places art in businesses and nonprofits through an established ARTpartnering program.

The organizers are pleased to note that the ARTiculations Ability Exhibitions® have “mapped” into UHAA’s system by placing a plaque with a Quick Response (QR) code scatter bar graph that can bring up information about it when scanned by your smart phone.

For questions on the event, please call Bridget Mosman at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Troop 6 holds annual Pasta Dinner April 14th at First United Methodist Church, Batavia

By Steve Ognibene

Rev. Ruth Rosa Warner along with Boy Scouts from Troop 6006 are holding a Pasta Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th, at the First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia.  Dinner includes pasta, meatballs, salad, bread, dessert, beverages.

Pre-sale tickets are two for $10 or $5 each if purchased by April 6th. Ticket locations are at Marchese Computer Products, 220 Ellicott St., Batavia, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; and Licata Chiropractic and Wellness Center during regular business hours.

Tickets can be purchased at the door: Adults $7 and children under 10, $5. A free delivery service will be offered to senior living homes in Batavia if ordered by April 6th.

Any questions please call Steve Ognibene 585-409-8358 or email sognibene@gmail.com

Iroquois Wildlife Refuge hosts Spring Into Nature April 28, meet 'Puddles' -- blue goose mascot

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Alabama is hosting its 34th annual Spring into Nature celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.

This year we welcome back spring with the theme "Your Backyard Refuge." Join us for a variety of nature-related exhibits, crafts, fishing demos, and games for the kids.

Bird feeder/nesting platform construction, viewing of live birds of prey, archery games, and face painting are among the returning favorites. Don’t forget to meet "Puddles," the blue goose mascot of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Food will be available for purchase and all activities are free.

Please contact Refuge staff at 585.948.5445, ext. 7037, or visit our website here for further information.

Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester, and is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact the Refuge at (585) 948-5445 or at the Federal Relay No. 1-800-877-8339.

'Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer's disease' -- free class April 4 at Haxton library in Oakfield

By Billie Owens

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. It is a progressive and fatal brain disease that is the most common form of dementia.

“The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease” is a free class presented by the Alzheimer’s Association Western New York Chapter for anyone who would like to know more about the disease and related dementias. In Genesee County, the program will be offered in April in Oakfield.

  • April 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Haxton Memorial Library, 3 N. Pearl St., Oakfield

Attendees will learn:  

  • Symptoms and effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia;
  • How Alzheimer’s affects the brain;
  • Causes and risk factors;
  • How to find out if it’s Alzheimer’s disease;
  • The benefits of early detection;
  • Treatment;
  • Resources in your community, including the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter.  

There is no cost to attend this public presentation, but registration is encouraged by calling 1.800.272.3900.

Subscribe to Announcements

Authentically Local