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Announcements

Wilmot Cancer Institute to host free talk on breast cancer and an open house

By Billie Owens

In October, Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia will host a free Community Health Talk and an Open House at its newly renovated building. The events, which are open to the public, are an opportunity to learn more about how to reduce your risk for cancer and about the services that are available in Batavia for those who need cancer care.

Oct. 5 — “Breast Cancer: How to Reduce Your Risk”

This free presentation will feature Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia’s radiation oncologist Kevin J. Mudd, M.D., and medical oncologist Nayana R. Kamath, M.D., of Interlakes Oncology and Hematology. It will focus on lifestyle changes that can help women reduce their risk of developing breast cancer, the most common non-skin cancer among women. The presentation will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

The presentation will be held from 6-7 p.m. at the Terry Hills Banquet Facility, 5122 Clinton Street Road, Batavia. It is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. If you have any questions about this free presentation, please call (585) 276-5788.

Oct. 29 — Open House at Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia

Meet the staff and tour the newly renovated Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia building at 262 Bank St. With Wilmot’s Kevin J. Mudd, M.D., and Nayana Kamath, M.D., of Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, the full-service cancer center provides both radiation oncology and medical oncology services, as well as hematology care. The building features a CT simulator and linear accelerator for radiation therapy and an infusion center where patients can receive chemotherapy and other intravenous treatments. The team at Wilmot Cancer Institute Batavia will be on hand to answer questions and show the state-of-the-art technology the clinic offers.

The Open House is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. To learn more, call (585) 276-5788.

Manual wheelchair users sought to help design the next generation of assistive technology

By Billie Owens

Press release:

If you are a manual wheelchair user over the age of 18 who would like to contribute to improvements in assistive technology designed for YOUR use, while getting fed and paid, we have an opportunity for you!

Eligible participants will get dinner and receive $75 cash for about two hours in one evening in October to discuss a proposed wheelchair navigation route planning system; (no, it’s NOT just GPS).

This focus group will take place at Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (WNYIL), 3108 Main St. near Hertel Avenue, in Buffalo’s University District, under the auspices of the University at Buffalo’s Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer (KT4TT).

To learn more or to participate in this group, please contact: Michelle Lockett at (716) 204-8606, ext. 203, or e-mail her at mlockett@buffalo.edu. Space is limited. Deadline for registration is Sept. 28.

WNY Independent Living, Inc., 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.

KT4TT is a partnership of the University at Buffalo's Center for Assistive Technology, and WNYIL agencies.  This Buffalo-based five-year program is sponsored by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Fall Story Times announced for Richmond library in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Press release:

These are the days/times for Fall Story Times at Richmond Memorial Library, located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia. Please come in or call to register beginning Oct. 5th.

Toddler Story Times (walkers to 3 years old)

Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Times (3 to 5 years old)
Thursdays @ 10:30 a.m.

PJ Story Time (open to children of all ages)
Thursdays @ 6:30 p.m.

Corfu Free Library's annual Book Sale at Brick House Corners Fair is Sept. 12

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Corfu Free Library’s popular Book Sale will take place starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Brick House Corners Fair on the corner of routes 5 and 77 in the Town of Pembroke.

The Book Sale is perfect for avid readers who want to stock up on books covering a wide variety of topics and authors at amazing prices. This fall’s large selection of used books features titles for all ages of readers.

The used books being sold are items that were donated by residents for someone else to read and enjoy, along with a small number of outdated or discarded materials from the library’s shelves.

In addition to the Used Book Sale, the Brick House Corners Fair, which is sponsored by the Pembroke Historical Association, also features children’s games, a bake sale, pie judging contest, entertainment, historical exhibits and much more.

The Used Book Sale at the Fair is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is held annually and is a great opportunity for readers to get some popular titles and authors at discounted prices. While residents are there, they can pick up a copy of the Library Survey so that they can share the types of library services they use and rate the library on a variety of items.

For more information about the Annual Book Sale, the survey or any of the programs at the Corfu Free Library, please call 585-599-3321.

The Corfu Free Library provides residents a variety of programs, events  and materials that are listed on the library’s Web site at www.CorfuFreeLibrary.org

Bergen primary care practice joins UMMC

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The primary care practice of Michael J. Magguilli, MD, has joined the family of physician practices managed by United Memorial Medical Center and will continue to see patients at 6966 W. Bergen Road, in Bergen.

Dr. Magguilli is now a provider employed by United Memorial Medical Center. Patients can continue with the practice and be cared for by Dr. Magguilli at the same office with little to no disruption in service. Nurse Practitioner, Amy Ireland, FNP-C will join Dr. Magguilli in practice.

Located next door to the Gillam Grant Community Center, the facility has undergone extensive renovations and has nearly doubled in size. United Memorial has invested more than $800,000 into the practice through remodeling, technology updates and improvements to the interior décor and expansion of the clinical care area. An electronic medical record system will be implemented and additional staff have been added to the practice. During construction, patients were seen in space made available in Gillam Grant.

Today (Sept. 1) the practic begins caring for patients in the newly completed space.

Dr. Magguilli has practiced locally for 37 years and is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine in Family Medicine. He is a graduate of St. John Fisher College and he received his medical education at the University of Rochester Medical Center. His Residency and Internship were completed at Highland Hospital in Rochester.

Amy Ireland FNP-C has been a Family Nurse Practitioner for 18 years and has worked with United Memorial at its Primary Care Centers, Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centers and the Tonawanda Seneca Family Care Center. She is a native of the Byron area and graduated from Genesee Community College, SUNY Brockport and the University of Buffalo.

United Memorial Medical Center manages a number of physician specialty and primary care practices in Genesee and Orleans Counties, including Batavia Family and Pediatric Care, Tountas Family Care, Cardiology and Internal Medicine, the Pain Center, Women’s Care, Genesee Orthopedics and Surgical Associates.

For the first time in approximately 10 years, the practice will open to new patients and almost all insurances will be accepted. To make an appointment, please call (585) 494-1300.

Successful alumni, scholarship recipients and generous donors share GCC's annual Discover the Stars reception

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The annual Discover the Stars celebration which brings together Genesee Community College scholarship recipients, donors and notable alumni, is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14,  from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Stuart Steiner Theatre of GCC's Batavia campus. Members of the College Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, College administrators, staff members, current students and community guests are all welcome.

As in year's past, two notable members of GCC's alumni base, now numbering more than 24,000 strong, will be the keynote speakers of the event. This year, Renee Cain Garrett, superintendent of Forestville Central School District, and Attica native Marcie Lyons, currently a surgical nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital, will share a bit about their background and how their experiences at GCC helped launch their successful careers.

Garrett graduated from GCC's teacher education program in 1993. She went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees from SUNY Geneseo and an administrative degree from the College at Brockport. Starting her career in the Attica Central School District first as a teacher and then elementary school principal, she became the superintendent of schools in Mount Morris and then Wayne Central school districts, and in January 2015 became superintendent of the Forestville Central School District in Chautauqua County. She was inducted into GCC's Alumni Hall of Fame this past March.

As superintendent, Garrett is known as an innovator and top-level communicator and is committed to the value of lifelong learning for students, staff and stakeholders. She has been active in community organizations, including Rotary and Kiwanis, and is a member of a number of professional organizations. She lives in Forestville with her husband, Mike, and their rescue dog, Tess.

Lyons earned two degrees from GCC, Travel and Tourism, AAS in 2000 and she returned to the College to earn a Nursing AAS Degree in 2012. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges, and she recalls former instructors Roxanne Holthaus and Eleanor Nixon of Nursing, and Dr. Jane Westin of Anatomy and Physiology as some of her favorite professors during her time at the College.

Lyons has lived in various places along the east coast over the last 15 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales in 2002, which took her to Orlando, Fla., where she worked for Disney and then for Darden Restaurants for eight years in the hospitality industry. Deciding to switch careers, Lyons felt it was important to be near family while heading back to school for nursing. GCC was the leading program when deciding where to attend nursing school. After earning her AAS degree from GCC, she went on to earn her BS in Nursing from SUNY Brockport.

Crafters and vendors wanted for event to benefit Byron Ladies Auxiliary

By Billie Owens

“The Whole Shebang!” is the title of a multi-vendor craft event to be held at the Byron Fire Department Hall on Route 262 to benefit Byron Ladies Auxiliary. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12th.

Many different crafts and new items for sale, a 50/50 raffle, & delicious homemade soups, sandwiches and other food items for purchase all day.

To reserve a table, call Brenda at 585-356-3720 or e-mail her at bchapell1@hotmail.com.

Assemblyman Halwey announces free energy-efficiency workshop in Batavia

By Billie Owens

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced Tuesday that an energy-efficiency workshop will be coming to Batavia in an effort to help residents prepare their homes for winter. The workshop, presented by PathStone, is free and offers homeowners information on reducing energy costs, income-qualified grants and low-interest loans to lower energy costs during colder months.

The free workshop will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 Batavia City Center, Batavia.

“I am proud to support PathStone’s efforts to help homeowners deal with rising energy costs and provide information on improving energy efficiency,” Hawley said. “Western New York residents face some of the coldest and snowiest winters in the country and rising heating costs place a substantial financial burden on them during the winter. I encourage all of my constituents to attend these free workshops and start saving money this winter.”

Defensive Driving Course offered at Godfrey's Pond Clubhouse in Bergen

By Billie Owens

A Defensive Driving Course is being offered this Saturday, Aug. 1, at Godfrey's Pond Clubhouse, off Griswold Road in Bergen.
It runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cost is $35.
Call 585-815-1545 to register.

Benefits: Be a better driver; Insurance premium reduction for up to three years, or point reduction on your license.

Dozens from Le Roy High School's Class of '75 enjoyed 40th reunion

By Billie Owens

(Photos and story submitted by Pat Lamon.)

The Class of 1975 at Le Roy High School held its 40th reunion at the Knights of Columbus hall on Friday, July 17th. The group had not been together as a class in 20 years. There were 57 class members who attended, some brought a guest.

The committee had extended an invitation to anyone who was ever part the Class of 1975 to join them; therefore an ad was placed in the Le Roy PennySaver. As a result the attendance was larger than anticipated. The attendees spent the evening catching up and sharing memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Zimmerman, who started the ball rolling for the reunion, had copied all senior photos and they were hung on the wall for all to see.

Other committee members who added their talents to the event were: Jamie Calmes, Sue Savoy Maher, Jean Curry Penepent, Laura Stefani Platt, Judy McWilliams Guminiak, and June Englerth Wallace.

Mr. Reed, class advisor, and Mr. Crowe, teacher, joined the class and some wonderful memories were shared. Mr. Reed gave a short speech and congratulated us on becoming fine adults.

A card was read from another of our class advisors, Mrs. Hermance Sherwood. She wrote, "Congratulations on your class reunion! The Class of 1975 was one of the best at LHS." Mrs. Hermance Sherwood also shared that she had so many fond memories of all the kids from the Class of 1975.

Copies of the Red & Black (the HS newsletter of the time) were available for all to read and reminisce over. Jane Heaman Darocha surprised us all with crystal-clear, original, black and white photos taken by the year book staff in 1975 that were in her basement all these 40 years.

Jane was the editor of the O-at-kan in 1975. George Henry read aloud the Senior Class Prophecy written in 1975 as well as a letter from Jeanette Downie, our exchange student from Australia, who was happy to extend an open-invitation to the class to come visit her Down Under!

A memorial table in the front of the hall was dedicated to the memory of the five deceased classmates. Framed photos of each were placed behind five, red votive candles. They remained illuminated all evening.

The next morning several of the class members joined together one last time to decorate and ride their float in the Oatka Festival Parade. “It was a truly memorable weekend,” Laura Stefani Platt said.

“We had such a wonderful time reconnecting that our class is planning two informal gatherings: Nov. 7, 2015 and May 7, 2016. They will be potluck dinners at my home,” Platt said. “Our class will always be remembered as a class with few cliques we all were truly lifetime friends."

The class has also started a Facebook page "Le Roy Class of 1975." The Internet enabled the class to find most of their members, some folks had not seen each other since graduation. Overall, the weekend was a huge success, it was a great time with great people and good food.

The class also collected $285 that will be given to the “Strengthen the Arm of Liberty Fund.”

Field to Fork Feast at Stein Farm in Le Roy showcases local ag riches

By Billie Owens

Field to Fork Feast: A Five Course Showcase of Our Local Agricultural Riches, designed by Chef Selby Davis & Prepared by D&R Depot
When: Thursday, Sept. 3, at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Stein Farm's Field on Hebbard Road, Le Roy
Cost: $100/ticket (Limited to the first 100 paid reservations)

*Please contact Samantha Vagg ASAP for more information and to reserve your seat:  svagg@bhcg.com

Field to Fork Feast at Stein Farm in Le Roy showcases local ag riches

By Billie Owens

Field to Fork Feast: A Five Course Showcase of Our Local Agricultural Riches, designed by Chef Selby Davis & Prepared by D&R Depot
When: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Stein Farm's Field on Hebbard Road, Le Roy
Cost: $100/ticket (Limited to the first 100 paid reservations)

*Please contact Samantha Vagg ASAP for more information and to reserve your seat:  svagg@bhcg.com

Event Date and Time
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Cornell Cooperative Extension announces first evet Farmers Market Managers pro certifcate course

By Billie Owens

Press release from Cornell Cooperative Extension in Batavia:

Fayetteville, NY – The Farmers Market Federation of NY, in partnership with SUNY Cobleskill and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, is pleased to announce the first ever Farmers Market Managers Professional Certification Course to kickoff Nov. 10th to 12th on the SUNY Cobleskill Campus: FMM PRO.

This program will create New York State’s first Market Manager Certification designation and will be recognized through the SUNY system.

The FMM PRO course curriculum will include all aspects of maintaining and growing a successful farmers market given in 22 workshops covering three main topics:
1.    Nuts and Bolts of Managing Markets

2.    Reaching Out to the Market Community

3.    Building Market Systems

Program participants who complete the full curriculum will be receive certificates signed by the three partnering agencies and will have earned the title of Certified Market Manager. As a SUNY FMM PRO Certified Market Manager, graduates of the program will:
·         Be fully knowledgeable in today’s best practices for managing farmers markets;

·         Learn tactics to expand and optimize their farmers market;

·         Be equipped to build successful relationships with farmers and shoppers;

·         Be able to use their certification to leverage funding and support for their market.

The cost of the SUNY Farmers Market Managers Professional Certification will be an affordable $200 for 12 months of access to the online curriculum.  Participants will need to complete all 22 sessions within this time frame, including submitting a quiz and assignment from each section for review in order to receive certification. In addition, they will need to earn two continuing-education credits bi-annually by attending special sessions at the Federation’s annual Farmers Market Managers Conference and/or specified manager training webinars in order to keep their Certification active.

Nov. 10th to 12th a conference to be held at SUNY Cobleskill, will be used to launch the development of the course. This will replace the Farmers Market Federation’s Annual Conference that normally takes place in late winter, with the regular conference schedule resuming in early 2017. The schedule will include an intense three days of workshops, tours of the SUNY Cobleskill Ag Facilities, and an opportunity to network with market managers from around the state.

The workshops will be recorded and used to form the full online curriculum for the FMM PRO Certification Program and will be placed on Moodle.com, an online learning platform, under the sponsorship of Cornell University. SUNY Cobleskill students will have the unique opportunity to become New York State’s next generation of farmers market managers. As space is available, the three-day conference will be free to enrolled students who use their student meal.

Attendees of the Nov. 10th to 12th conference will have a jump start on their official Farmers Market Manager Certification as they will not need to view the sessions they participated in at the conference on Moodle. In addition, for each day they participated fully in the conference, each participant will receive a $25 voucher toward the cost of the online FMM Pro Certification Course.

Interested parties can register for the conference here: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/fmmpropay/ by paying online or mailing in the registration form with a check made out to the Farmers Market Federation of NY. FMM Pro Certification registration will be made available at a later date.

All mail-in conference registrations must be received by Nov. 4th after which registrations can only be made on the website above and will be subject to a $10 per day walk-in fee.

For more information on the content of the sessions, agenda, hotel information and directions, visit: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/fmmpro or contact deggert@nyfarmersmarket.com.

FMM PRO is funded by a grant from Governor Cuomo’s Fresh Connect Program, as part of the Governor’s initiative to build bridges between Upstate NY and Downstate NY, as well as build connections between consumers and NYS agriculture.

Brandie L. Schultz
Administrative Assistant
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County
420 E. Main St.
Batavia NY 14020
Phone: (585) 343-3040, ext. 101
Fax: (585) 343-1275
http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/

Free, six-session workshop on Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes starts Sept.14, registration required

By Billie Owens

Independent Living of the Genesee Region will host a free six-session workshop on Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes on Mondays beginning Sept. 14 at the Mental Health Association at 25 Liberty St., Batavia.

The workshops will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14, 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 14 and 19.

To register, call Pat at 815-8501, ext. 402.

The program will cover these topics:

  • Decision making & problem solving skills;
  • Developing & maintaining a safe, long-term physical activity program;
  • Preventing complications
  • Dealing with anger, depression & difficult emotions;
  • Communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals;
  • Using prescribed medication appropriately;
  • Healthy eating;
  • Monitoring;
  • Skin & foot care;
  • Planning for future health care.

Free Special Needs Trust Seminar is Aug. 18, rsvp deadline is Aug. 4

By Billie Owens

A free Special Needs Trust Seminar will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Mental Health Association in Genesee County, 25 Liberty St., in the City of Batavia. RSVP by Aug. 4 to: (585) 344-2611 or admin@mhagenesee.org

It is a presentation of Disability Rights New York and PAIMI -- Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness.

Have you ever wondered what a special needs trust is?

Are you disabled or do you have a loved one with a disability?

Are you considering Medicaid but worried about how it will affect your assets or your loved ones' assets?

Then THIS SEMINAR is FOR YOU!

Building Leadership Excellence -- certificate program offered at The BEST Center

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The BEST Center's Building Leadership Excellence Certificate Program is now forming a new cohort.

Building Leadership Excellence is an intensive, hands-on program designed to develop proven skills needed to manage, influence, create, inspire and LEAD organizations in today's dynamic economy. You will learn to think and act strategically, enhancing management performance and improving organizational skills in decision making, coaching, innovative problem solving and conflict resolution.
 
As a participant, you will work in an engaging and dynamic team environment. Upon completion of the course you will be able to:

  • Inspire subordinates to work to their full potential;
  • Communicate at an advanced level to better manage conflict;
  • Learn strategies to establish buy-in and ensure accountability;
  • Enhance your coaching skills;
  • Establish a lasting network of capable leader colleagues.

Each session is filled with real-life examples and practical techniques for getting results. Begin immediately applying leadership excellence at your job and in your life!

In today's fast moving, highly competitive marketplace, organizations require highly functioning, innovative leaders. To make the most of this opportunity -- ENROLL TODAY...the next cohort will kick off Thursday, Aug. 6.

Attendance is required in all of the eight half-day sessions scheduled Thursdays, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Session dates are: 8/13, 8/20, 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29 and 11/5. Graduation presentations will occur on Thursday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seating is limited.
 
For more information call 585-345-6868 or
e-mail Lauren Cummings at lmcummings@genesee.edu

Two FREE Teen Intervene Trainings offered; deadline for one is July 22

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Mental Health Association of Genesee County

Two FREE Teen Intervene Trainings are being offered soon. Six-and-a-half clock hours can be earned for initial credentialing for CPS and CPP (secion 2), CPS & CPP renewal, or CASAC renewal.

These are being offered by GCASA, Northpointe Council, Inc., and Partners for Prevention, in collaboration with the WNY Prevention Resource Center.

Dates are: (Option 1) 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 29 (RSVP by July 22) at the Dibble Family Event Center, 4110 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, or (Option 2) 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 2 at the Millennium Buffalo Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave., Buffalo (McKinley Room) (RSVP by Aug. 25).

To register, obtain and complete a registration form from Cheri Kelly, MS, CPP, Northpointe Council, Inc., 800 Main St., Niagara Falls, NY 14301. Fax: (716) 282-1238. Phone (716) 282-1228. E-mail:  ckelly@northpointecouncil.org

Teen Intervene is an evidence-based program for teenagers (12 to 19 years old) suspected of experiencing mild or moderate problems associated with alcohol or other drug use. The program can also include their parents or guardians. Teen Intervene integrates the stages of change model, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

This program can be administered in two or three sessions. It is designed for professionals, including prevention specialists, teachers, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other youth-serving professionals.

Care-A-Van Ministries continues tradition of free summertime cookouts at Austin Park on Thursdays

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Care-A-Van Ministries hosts free weekly Community Cookouts at Austin Park every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. during the Summer through Sept. 10 -- rain or shine.

The weather is great, the cookout vehicle is ready, and the grills fired up!

Each meal consists of a choice of hot dog or hamburger, potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni salad, pickles, chips, watermelon and a drink. In 2012, during the first summer of cookouts at Austin Park, 4,388 meals were served, in 2013 there were 4,936 meals served, and in 2014 the ministry served 6,426 meals.

The ministry projects to serve 7,000 meals this season as schools will be closed (no free/reduced lunches for children), individuals are still facing economic hardship, and most importantly, many just love to come out and enjoy a warm summer evening of Christian fellowship, music, and a great meal.

Each week, cookouts are highlighted with an inspirational gospel message by a different pastor from a local community church and uplifting music provided by the Care-A-Van Band.

Many organizations have come out on these Thursday nights to share information about their services, their churches, or just to fellowship with those attending the cookouts. These include: the Salvation Army; Fidelis Care; Total Freedom; Cornell Cooperative Extension; Genesee Country Church; Truth Ministries; R2R Ministries; First Baptist Church of Elba; Living Waters Apostolic Ministries; GCASA; Discovery Chapel; Eagle Fountain Fellowship; YMCA; PC Publications; Smoke Free Genesee; Mothers Supporting Children & Families; and the Genesee County Mental Health Association.

Care-A-Van encourages any organization or church that is interested in setting up a table or activity to contact Paul Ohlson at 343-0328 as we welcome those interested in serving their community through the fellowship and love of Jesus Christ. Donations for the ministry can be mailed to:  P.O. Box 1611, Batavia NY 14021.

The Dos and Don'ts of disposing of 'sharps'

By Billie Owens

Press release from Genesee – Orleans Public Health Education Team of Kristine Voos, CHES, Nola Goodrich-Kresse, MCHES:

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming County Health departments are encouraging county residents to “Think Health.” Taking time to think about your health and taking positive health steps will lead to healthier outcomes. Learning something new every day is one way to think health.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are about 9 million Americans who use needles or other sharps to manage their medical conditions.  “Sharps” are a medical term for devices with sharp points or edges that can puncture or cut skin. For example, people with diabetes use needles to inject insulin and use lancets to test their blood glucose. In addition, injection drug users use needles. Heroin and other inject-able street drugs are dangerous and may be injected.

The popularity of injecting illicit drugs has increased dramatically in recent years. Recent intelligence has been received that heroin, cocaine and other illicit drugs are also being sold with deadly additives.

Safe disposal of sharps is critically important to optimize health, safety, and protection of the environment. The best way to ensure that people are protected from potential injury and spread of infections due to needle sticks is to dispose of them properly. The most common infections are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Safe sharps disposal is important whether you are at home, at work, at school, traveling, or in other public places such as hotels, parks, and restaurants. If you see sharps on the ground do not pick them up. Contact your local law enforcement agency for further instructions. 

The following are DOs and DON’Ts of proper sharps disposal:

DO:

  • Immediately place used needles/other sharps in a FDA-cleared sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts or punctures from loose sharps.  If one isn’t available, use a heavy-duty plastic household container, such as a laundry detergent container, as an alternative. All sharps containers need to be of a heavy-duty plastic, able to close with a tight-fitting/puncture proof lid, upright and stable during use, leak-resistant and properly labeled;
  • Be prepared – Carry a portable sharps disposal container for travel;
  • Ask your health care provider, local hospital, pharmacist or veterinarian where you can obtain low-cost FDA-cleared sharps disposal containers;
  • Keep all needles and other sharps, as well as disposal containers out of reach of children and pets;
  • Dispose of all contents of disposal containers at drop-off locations in your county.

DON’T:

  • Do not throw needles and other sharps into the trash;
  • Do not flush needles and other sharps down the toilet;
  • Do not put needles and other sharps in your recycling bin – they are not recyclable;
  • Do not try to remove, bend, break or recap needles used by another person.  This can lead to accidental needle sticks, which may cause serious infections;
  • Do not attempt to remove the needle without a needle clipper device because the needles could fall, fly off, or get lost and injure someone. Needle clippers make syringes unusable by clipping off the needle. These clippers may be used for needle disposal of small syringes (such as those used for insulin), but not clipping lancets. After the needle clipper clips off the needle from the syringe, the needle is automatically and safely retained within the clipper.

In New York State (NYS) there is a Safe Sharps Collection Program. All hospitals and nursing homes in NYS are mandated by law to accept home-generated sharps as free community service through their sharps collection programs. In addition, pharmacies, health clinics, community-based organizations/ mobile van programs, public transportation facilities, housing projects, police stations, waste transfer stations and other venues have become settings for safe sharps disposal. Below are drop-off locations in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. *Before visiting, contact the site you are interested in to confirm service and drop-off details.

Genesee:

  1. Batavia Health Care Center, 585-343-1300
  2. Genesee County Nursing Home, 585-344-0584, ext. 2146
  3. United Memorial Medical Center, 585-344-5370
  4. NYS Veterans Home, 585-345-2076
  5. Le Roy Village Green, 585-768-2561

Orleans:

  1. Orleans Community Health, 585-798-2000
  2. The Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center, 585-589-5637

Wyoming:

  1. Wyoming County Community Hospital, 585-786-8940 x4528
  2. East Side Nursing Home, 585-786-8151

For more information on proper sharps disposal and a print-friendly guide visit: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ucm263274.htm

NYS Safe Sharps Collection Program:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/ConsumerProducts/ucm263274.htm

For more information about Health Department services, use the contact information below.

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