Genesee Sun

Alaska’s Fiddling Poet Wows Audience with Musical Poetry

GENESEO — Anyone who walked by Wadsworth Library tonight was graced by the sounds of a fiddle floating through the open basement door.

There was no impromptu square dance going on, but rather a visit by Alaska’s “fiddling poet” Ken Waldman, who taught a writing workshop at 5:30 and regaled folks with fiddle music, poems and tales of life in Alaska at 7.

During the writing workshop, Waldman, a former college professor, had participants answer questions about themselves, their writing and reading habits, favorite and least favorite teacher, and writing goals in 15 words or less as a warm up and introduction. He then went around the table, asking people to randomly choose a word from a thesaurus. They then had to write something using at least one of the 14 words.

The next exercise involved Waldman’s trademark instrument—the fiddle. He played 11 different sounds on the fiddle and asked the participants to write down what they thought it sounded like. Afterward, the writers went around the table and shared what they heard.

In the last exercise, Waldman had each person choose three old postcards and write five words about each. Then he asked them to write something inspired by any or all of the cards.

When 7 rolled around, more people filtered into to the library’s basement for “From Geneseo to Juneau,” the poetry reading and music portion of the night.

Waldman sat in front of the audience and fiddled his way through songs that brought Alaska right to Geneseo with their sometimes sad and sometimes happy, galloping rhythms. In between songs, he stopped to read poems from his collection of six full-length books, and to tell stories about his 25 years spent in Alaska, teaching children about writing, literacy and music.

His experiences inspire many of his poems and songs. Attending the writers’ festival for fourth through seventh graders at a school in the small Eek, Alaska inspired a poem and a song called “A Week in Eek.”

Waldman said that some of the Yup'ik--or Alaskan native--children had never seen a violin before meeting him.

Waldman also read a series of poems about the problems natives face with drinking, drugs, poverty and the division between the natives and whites told from the perspective of women.

Waldman also performed a lighter poem about locking yourself in a room with a fiddle all winter in order to learn how to play, something Waldman, who learned to play the fiddle in his mid-20s, knows all about. In fact, the fiddling poet was fiddling long before he wrote his first poem in grad school at the age of 30.

A testament to the saying “It’s never too late to learn something new,” Waldman closed the night by encouraging the audience members to keep reading and writing.

To find out more about Waldman, visit http://www.kenwaldman.com.

Livingston County Marvels at Beautiful Double Rainbow

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — A double rainbow graced the skies of Livingston County Monday evening, wowing county residents and even causing drivers to pull over their vehicles.

Several people captured the rainbow with their cameras and posted their photos on Facebook for all to see and share.

The slideshow below features stunning photos of the rainbow taken by Beth Doty, Chuck Little and Josh Williams.

Fire on the Genesee Comes to Letchworth

MOUNT MORRIS — Civil War buffs rejoice—the 12th annual Fire on the Genesee reenactment takes place at Letchworth Park’s Highbanks Recreation Area May 18-20.

Sponsored by the 5th Virginia, 28th New York and Fire on the Genesee Committee, the event also features an education day for the local schools on Friday. According to the group’s website http://www.fireonthegenesee.com, 300 kids attended last year’s day. The group expects even more this year.

The reenactment is especially fitting because Letchworth State Park is home to Camp Williams from which the 130th New York, later known as 1st New York Dragoons, and 136th New York units mustered out of.

The reenactment includes open-field battles each day, people in costume and civilian activities, including a work shop on bonnet making and a dance with City Fiddle Saturday night from 7 to 11.

Theatre 101 Serves Up Some YUM!

MOUNT MORRIS — Anyone who frequents the open mic nights at Theatre 101 each first Thursday of the month has heard Beth Ely Sleboda play various musical instruments and sing songs of her own as well as classics.

Now Sleboda brings her much-anticipated show YUM! to Theatre 101 this Friday the 13th at 7:30 p.m. Sleboda brings to the stage some other class acts, and offers a tasty creme-filled doughnut with admission, a chance at a slice of her “Love Cake” and other giveaways. The event also features tasty treats from Jane’s Port-a-Pantry.

Those who plan on coming are encouraged to let Theatre 101 know by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Tickets are $10 at the door.

Alaska’s “Fiddling Poet” to Perform in Geneseo

GENESEO — Alaska’s “fiddling poet” will be in Geneseo May 15 for a performance and writing workshop.

At 7 p.m. Ken Waldman, who has toured throughout North America as Alaska’s fiddling poet since 1995, will speak and perform at the Wadsworth Library. At 5:30, Waldman will lead a writing workshop for anyone who is interested.

Registration is not required. This event was funded in part by Poets and Writers, Inc and made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

For more information, call the library at (585) 243-0440 or visit http://www.kenwaldman.com.

Gatherings at the Depot Lives Up to Name during Grand Opening

LEICESTER — Gatherings at the Depot isn’t your typical cafe.

For starters, it’s located in a historic former railroad depot. Then there’s the fact that this particular historic-railroad-depot-turned-cafe doesn’t just sell local baked goods and coffee drinks. It also sells local artisan’s wares like jewelry, photography and even local specialty foods like Nunda’s Once Again Nut Butter.

The unique shop celebrated its grand opening today and received about 50 guests during its 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. hours.

“It went great,” said owner Joni Santucci, a resident of Leicester who works in the elementary office at York Central School. “There were people here pretty much non-stop today.”

Santucci said she hopes to get more local artists to sell their pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, knitting and other goods at the shop. She hopes to create a place where people can gather to enjoy good food, drinks and art—something her late father Felix Valentino, who owned the building for over 20 years, would have wanted the depot to be used for.

“I’ve always wanted to do something in here,” said Santucci, who runs Gatherings at the Depot with her husband Vince. “I’ve also always wanted to open a café, so we decided to go for it. We wanted it to be a family affair, and we wanted to be open to the community because my dad was very active in the community. He liked to have everyone get together. I think that he’d like this.”

Gatherings at the Depot is located at 10 South Parkway and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, they’re open until 9 p.m. to serve the crowd during upcoming summer concerts in the park.

Those interested in selling at the shop may stop by or contact Joni and Vince at 585-382-9000 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To find out more information, visit www.facebook.com/ GatheringsattheDepot.

Greenway Dedication Ceremony to Honor New Bridge

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — On June 2, the new Genesee Valley Greenway Bridge over the Genesee River will be celebrated at a dedication ceremony held at the bridge, which connects the towns of Leicester and Mount Morris.

A “golden nut” on the new bridge will be “tightened,” symbolizing the joining of the network of trails to the north of the Genesee River with the network of trails to the south.

A dedication ceremony and celebration is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Photographs will be taken and recognition will be given for those who have traveled by trail to the dedication, as well as special recognition for those who have traveled by trail from the farthest distance away.

For more information, please contact Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Tips on How to Stay Healthy From Livingston County Department of Health

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — In honor of National Public Heath Week, the Livingston County Department of Health has put together tips on how to live longer and healthier lives. National Public Health Week occurs from April 2-8 and promotes healthy lifestyles.

According to the Livingston County Department of Health, these small changes could help people live healthier lives:
• Eat more fruits and vegetables, consume less sugar and fat, eat healthier snacks, watch portion size and eat together as a family.
• Eat less by avoiding oversized portions, make half of the plate fruits and vegetables, make at least half of the grains whole grains, switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk, choose foods with less sodium and drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Take part in Let's Move! activities. Let's Move!, launched by first lady Michelle Obama, is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation.
• Engage in physical activity every day. Aim for a total of 60 minutes for children, 30 minutes for adults.
• Consider following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations that children under 2 years old not watch any TV and that those older than 2 watch no more than one to two hours a day of quality programming.
• Supplement aerobic activities with muscle strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups on two or more days a week.
• Support walk and bike-to-school programs and work with local governments to make decisions about selecting school sites that can promote physical activity.
• Plan family trips to parks and other outdoor locations.
• Post information about NPHW on your Facebook page, blog or Twitter account and share how you are working to live a more active and healthier life with your friends.
• Submit a letter to the editor to your local newspaper in response to a recent article that underscores the importance of active living and healthy eating during NPHW and beyond.

Some larger changes the department recommends are to:
• Create a local movement: start a farmers market, a food co-op, a community garden, a demonstration kitchen, a supper club or a canning circle.
• Lead or convene city, county and regional food policy councils to assess local community needs and expand programs (e.g., community gardens, farmer's markets) that bring healthy foods, especially locally grown fruits and vegetables, to schools, businesses and communities.
• Encourage local restaurants to provide nutrition information to customers on their menus and limit marketing of unhealthy food to children and youth.
• Work with schools to add more physical activity into the school day, including additional physical education classes, before- and after-school programs, recess and opening school facilities for student and family recreation in the late afternoon and evening.
• Mayors and community leaders can promote physical fitness by working to increase safe routes for kids to walk and ride to school; revitalizing parks, playgrounds and community centers; and providing fun and affordable sports and fitness programs.

There is much more you can do to help promote active living and healthy eating beyond these actions. By raising awareness of prevention within your community during National Public Health Week, you can help members of your community live healthier and longer lives.

Please call the Livingston County Department of Health for more information on Public Health Week at 243-7299.

SUNY Puts On Walking Tour Production of Macbeth

GENESEO — This Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m., SUNY Geneseo students plan to present a walking tour production of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, taking place in and around the old Poor House buildings at the end of Millennium Drive in Geneseo.

The performance, the conclusion of the INTD 288 Shakespeare Service Learning course, is free and open to the public. Audience members should wear sturdy shoes and dress for outdoor weather.

Both artists and audiences are encouraged to respond to the environment, as well as to the stories and themes of the play. Since the Poor House served the local community as a combination jail, shelter and asylum for most of the nineteenth century, the play's themes of madness and violence connect to the location more than a traditional theater setting would.

The production’s student performers are Brian Clemente, Josh Horowitz, Joshua Lang, Adam LaSalle, Emily McDevitt, Paul Nardone, Sam Plotkin, Kate Royal, Rachel Tamarin, and Kristina Tortoriello. They are also assisted by five local youths who took the Macbeth workshops offered as the service learning component of the INTD 288 course.

For more information, please contact Melanie Blood at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 245-5840.

Town Hall Meeting Spells Out Dangers of Underage Drinking

LAKEVILLE — Underage drinking in teenagers and preteens is a problem that worries many parents in Livingston County.

To help address the problem, there will be a meeting on underage drinking at the Chip Holt Nature Center on April 24 at 7 p.m. A meeting will also be held at the same time and day at the Dansville 7-12 School.

Director of the Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse Chris Taylor, Livingston County Undersheriff Jim Szczesniak, Dr. Thomas Walters and Judge Walter Purtell are scheduled to speak at the Chip Holt Nature Center meeting.

The event is open to the public and teens are welcome to join in on the discussion. For more information, call Susan Bell at 585-991-5012, or Rachel Pena at 585-748-5146.

Show Your Love for Letchworth This Saturday

MOUNT MORRIS — This Saturday is “I Love My Park Day” across New York state, and in Livingston County’s own Letchworth State Park.

The statewide event “I Love My Park Day” encourages people to help improve and enhance New York state parks and historic sites, as well as bring visibility to the entire state park system and its needs.

Volunteers from across the state participate in cleanup, improvement and beautification events at these parks and historic sites.

Those interested in volunteering at Letchworth, may register at http://www.ptny.org/ilovemypark.

Volunteers will follow this tentative schedule:

8:00 a.m. - Meet at Trailside Lodge

9:00 a.m. - Projects:

- Invasive species removal

- Genesee Valley Canal Locks Clean-up

- Rake Leaves

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch - Trailside Lodge

- Hot Dogs, Chips & Drink - provided by the Friends of Letchworth

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Tree Planting - Memorial Trees

1:30 p.m. - Friends of Letchworth Meeting

- All participants in the day’s event are welcome to attend.

According to a press release from Governor Cuomo’s office urging people to participate in the day’s events, "I Love My Park Day" comes on the heels of the enactment of the Governor’s New York Works Fund, which may provide $89 million, leveraging $143 million in total funding, to rehabilitate state parks, making it the single largest infusion in history of capital dollars for New York's parks. According to the release, projects will be funded in every region of the state in order to help enhance the visitor experience and enable state parks to thrive after years of decline.

Events at Mount Morris Dam Provide Active Fun for Spring

MOUNT MORRIS — This spring, the Mount Morris Dam’s US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center has plenty of events to keep Livingston County active.

Visitors can take a free ranger-guided tour of Mount Morris Dam on Monday through Thursday at 2 p.m. and Friday through Sunday at 11a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are limited to 30 people on a first come, first serve basis.

The Mount Morris Dam is open daily until Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Mount Morris Dam Visitor Center at 585-658-4790.

For families, the Mount Morris Dam’s “DooWop at the Dam” is scheduled for May 27 from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features 50’s style family fun to kick-off the summer and commemorate the construction of the dam. Kids and adults can enjoy games, music, food and dancing. This event is free and open to the public.

The Mount Morris Dam is located at 6103 Visitor Center Rd in Mount Morris. Visit www.lrb.usace.army.mil/MMD/MMD-tour.html for more information.

Three Livingston County Men Advance in Songwriting Competition

PORTAGEVILLE — Three Livingston County men have made it to the fourth week of the Fifth Annual Original Music Competition at Letchworth Pines.

Len Squires of Avon, Bob Bunce of Groveland and Tyler Westcott of Hunt will return to The Pines next Friday to continue competing for the $1,000 grand prize.

The contest, which runs six consecutive Fridays until May 18, requires contestants to perform original songs in front of an audience. Contestants must be at least 18 to enter and must submit a CD of their songs before the competition starts. This insures their music is in fact original. Throughout the competition, audience members can contest a song’s originality. If a song is found to not be the artists own, the artist will be disqualified.

Last night, each of the nine contestants sang two songs. They were judged on originality of song, quality of song, quality of performance, and audience appeal. At the end of the night, one contestant was eliminated. Next week, the remaining contestants will perform another two original songs.

Tyler, who currently lives in Buffalo, and Bob competed in the competition last year, with Tyler winning second place. This is Len’s first year in the competition, but not his first time pitting his original songs up against others’. Len won the county Tourism Office’s jingle competition last year.

The other contestants who’ve made it to the next round are Rodger Chenelly of Farmington, Bruce Wayne of Rochester, Gina Holsopple of Oswego, Mark Grover of Portageville and Bill Fronefield of Palmyra.

Judges for the competition, which was founded by Larry Nugent, are Josh Wolcott, Helen Lyons, and Kelly Carson. Dan McClurg, the lead singer of the band Randsomville, is the competition’s Mcee.

In addition to the first place prize, second place receives $400, third place receives $200 and fourth place receives $100.

The competition runs every Friday night at 7 and is free to the public, though reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 468-2166. Letchworth Pines is located at 6985 Fillmore Road in Portageville.

Dansville Craft Store Provides Creative Oasis for Local Crafters

DANSVILLE — Though the story of how Marsha Backus came to open AJ's Mercantile & Craft Supplies may start off sad, the tale is now one filled with happiness, hope and success.

The story begins when Backus’s son Adam Joseph was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of 23. He left the Air Force and came home, where Backus, a home daycare provider for 28 years, took care of him. After two years at home, Adam Joseph passed away.

“I told my husband that I needed to get out of the house and start doing things,” said Backus. “I always wanted to open a craft store. My sister and I were always very interested in crafts, and when my brother heard through the rumor mill that we wanted to open a craft store, he basically said, ‘You need to do it.’”

But Backus’s brother wasn’t the only one who wanted her to open up a craft store.

“One of my son’s wishes was that his mom would do something that she loved to do,” said Backus. “That’s how AJ’s came about.”

Backus and her sister Mary did research and purchased the shop’s 205 Main Street location. They talked to a supplier and began their journey as shop owners on January 6, 2010, naming the shop “AJ’s” after Adam Joseph.

Opening shop in Dansville was natural for Backus, who moved there at the age of 8. She left for about 13 years while her husband was in the Air Force and moved back after he retired.

“We love our little valley,” Backus said.

And the little valley loves AJ’s. Crafters from around the area stop by the shop to browse the wide variety of scrapbooking, cross-stitch and card-making supplies, stamps, inks, yarn, buttons, kids’ crafts, craft floss, acrylic and enamel paint, felt squares, ribbon and more. Backus said they’re looking to expand their kids’ crafts, as well as getting canvasses and oil paints in stock. They also plan to get some clock parts since many people have requested them. If they don’t have something in stock, AJ’s can special order most items and have them in store within about 5-7 days.

AJ’s also offers classes for those who’d like to learn new crafting techniques. The shop offers card-making classes on Tuesday afternoons, Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons every other week. They also offer knitting and crochet classes and encourage crafters to come in and teach a class on what they like to make.

Classes cost $10 per person. Crafters in the knitting and crochet classes should bring their own yarn and any pattern they’re working on or would like to learn. As space is limited, people are encouraged to sign up ahead of time via email or by stopping by the store.

AJ's Mercantile & Craft Supplies is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any questions about classes or available supplies can be answered by calling 585-335-9565 or by stopping by.

Dansville Coffee Shop a Cozy Retreat for Locals

DANSVILLE — MacFadden Coffee Co. offers more than just a cup of coffee—it offers a place for the community to get together, relax, and even learn a few things along the way.

Owner Jennifer Howard opened up shop March 19, but will celebrate MacFadden’s grand opening all this week with special promotions and classes. Tonight from 6 to 7:30, the MacFadden Book Club meets. The meeting is open to anyone who’d like to join. Tuesday night from 6 to 7, MacFadden Coffee Co. offers a “Coffee 101” class for folks who want to learn more about the beloved beverage. The class also takes place Saturday morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Wednesday night from 5:30 to 7, the shop offers an extreme couponing class. All classes are free and open to the public.

Howard said she plans to run the extreme couponing class and the book club after the grand opening week, as well as other classes and events in order to make MacFadden Coffee Co. a place for the community to come together and hang out.

“I think it’s something Dansville needed,” said Howard. “I think the customers really enjoy having us. In the area in general, everything is commercialized. We have a Dunkin Donuts and then gas station coffee. We didn’t have someplace where you can sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and enjoy the free Wi-Fi and read a book.”

In addition to providing a cozy place to relax, MacFadden’s keeps things local by selling coffee from Victor’s Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters, as well as pastries that are baked fresh daily in the shop.

“Our pastries change every day,” said head barista Lon Ames. “We have some favorites that we’re rotating through, but in general, we’re trying all kinds of new things.”

As they continue in business, Howard and Ames hope MacFadden Coffee Co. becomes a place for folks to come hang out and socialize regularly.

“We’re looking at the whole ‘coffee house’ philosophy of art shows and live music as it rolls out,” said Ames. “We’re looking for customer feedback for what they want to see here. We’re basically providing a service for the town and whatever they want to see.”

MacFadden Coffee Co. is located at 211 Main Street and is open Mon – Fri: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit http://macfaddencoffeeco.com or https://www.facebook.com/macfaddencoffeeco.

Livingston County Dresses Up For Prom on a Budget

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — The word “prom” can conjure up many images in peoples’ minds—fun, friends, shining lights and loud music—but for many people prom can also conjure up the image of cleaning out pockets, piggy banks and wallets in order to afford the perfect dress and accessories.

For those looking to spend a little less this prom season, many Livingston County businesses carry prom dresses, shoes, bags and jewelry at a price that won’t make you swoon.

Geneseo consignment shop Frugal Fashionista carries several styles of prom dresses, including designer, at about 33% to 50% off the original retail price. The average cost of the formal dresses at the shop range in price from about $50 to $85, with more expensive dresses totaling about $150 and less expensive cocktail dresses ringing up at around $15 to $30. The dresses come in a range of sizes and styles to fit any fashionista’s needs this prom season. The shop also carries shoes, bags and jewelry to complete any look. Frugal Fashionista is located at 61 Main Street. Customers who have store credit from consigning items may use that credit toward a prom dress.

Another Geneseo shop carrying prom fashions for less is Alley Cat Boutique, located at 6 Center Street. The dresses at Alley Cat range in style from vintage-inspired to modern, and from long ball gown lengths to short cocktail lengths. The dresses also come in a range of sizes from 0 to 16. The formal dresses costs on average $39 to $79 dollars. Alley Cat also has a variety of shoes, bags, shawls and unique jewelry in stock.

Mount Morris thrift shop Finders Keepers also has prom and formal dresses. The shop gets dress donations year round in a range of sizes, colors and styles. The dresses are usually around $3.99 to $4.99 in price. Finders Keepers also carries shoes, bags and jewelry at affordable prices. Finders Keepers is located at 86 Main Street. All proceeds from the shop benefit The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming.

Another area thrift shop also carries prom dresses. The Dansville Salvation Army, located at 6 Chestnut Street, has formal dresses in retro and modern styles for sale. Since the dresses are donated, they come in year round and in a range of sizes. The Salvation Army also has a wide variety of shoes, as well as some formal bags and jewelry. The dresses range in price from about $14.99 for newer dresses to about $6.99 for older or semi-formal dresses. The store is open until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays for “Family Day,” which features clothing, shoes and books without a certain color tag for 50% off.

For those looking for an even bigger discount, the Nunda Cleaners holds the Prom Dress Project every year out of its 25 South West Street location. The dresses come in by donation and are in turn given to ladies in need of a dress for free. Nunda Cleaners has about 100 prom, pageant and formal dresses in stock in a variety of colors, lengths and styles. The dress sizes range from 0 to 30. There are no qualifications needed to get the dresses and donations are always welcome. Nunda Cleaners also offers dress alterations for a charge.

Boys looking for a sharp suit and tie to wear to this year’s prom can find them for a great price at thrift stores like Finders Keepers and Salvation Army. These thrift stores also carry men’s dress shoes in a variety of sizes.

Prom doesn’t have to be a budget-buster this year. Livingston County is full of affordable and stylish prom fashions to fit every size, style and need.

Foster Grandparents Recognized For Years of Service

GENESEO — This Tuesday, volunteers from three counties were honored for their community service.

The Volunteer Recognition event was held at the Valley Oak Event Center in Geneseo and celebrated the work of seniors who volunteer their time as tutors and mentors for children in local schools, day care centers and youth centers with the Foster Grandparent Program. Each “grandma” or “grandpa” commits to at least 15 hours per week helping children.

This year’s event included a special tribute to volunteers who have recently turned 90 or older, and also to volunteers who have served for over 10 years.

Mary Fenti, volunteer at Dansville Primary School, works with Pre-K children. She remembers former Foster Grandparent Program volunteers who were her inspiration for their long service and long lives.

“It has been my privilege and pleasure to spend 18 years in the Dansville Primary School and I hope to be there well into my 90’s,” Fenti said.

Carolyn “Ruth” Weden has been a Foster Grandparent volunteer for a total of 22 years. She volunteered for 15 years, left and re-joined again at age 83. Weden currently volunteers with 2nd graders at St. Agnes School in Avon. She loves her job with the children, as well as the challenges every day.
“The children are great – each child is different,” Weden said. “Successes make me feel good”

She attributes her staying active to having something to look forward to to the Foster Grandparent Program.

Elva Keough joined the program at 79 years old and has been a dedicated volunteer for 15 years. She currently helps out at Dansville Primary School.

“I just love all the children,” Keough said. “They are so precious, especially the little ones with special handicaps or challenges to overcome.”

Elva has helped provide support to children with special needs in the nurse’s office and with one-on-one reading help.

“Grandparents” recognized for their years of service were Virginia Crane, from Bath for 17 years at Dana Lyon Elementary School, Onnolee Moses, from Silver Springs for 12 years at Warsaw Elementary School, and Kay Schosgar, who is currently the “Sunshine Lady” and has been in the program for 13 years. Schosgar works with teens at Cooper’s Education Center in Corning.

The local Foster Grandparent Program has been sponsored through the Livingston County Office for the Aging since 1982, and since 1994 has been under Livingston County sponsorship. As part of Senior Corps under the federal Corporation for National and Community Service agency, Foster Grandparents volunteer in public and parochial schools, non-profit day care centers and youth centers as tutors and mentors. These seniors help students work on reading skills, encourage the children to stay on task, and serve as positive role models, among many other things.

The program is available to men and women, age 55 or older, and offers some transportation reimbursement, monthly trainings, and a stipend of approximately $175-$400 per month to income-eligible volunteers. This tax-free income does not affect Social Security, Section 8 housing subsidies, food stamp eligibility, H.E.A.P and some other benefits. For more information, please call the Livingston County Office for the Aging at 585-243-7520.

“Zumba for Families” Gets Everyone Moving

GENESEO — Finding a fun way to exercise together as a family can be tough.

Families who’d like to be more active can come to a 6-week ZumbAtomic session for families at the Goodwill Community Center April 3 from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or from 5:35 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. The class is taught be a certified Zumba instructor and is for kids as young as 4 along with their adult caregivers.

The entire session costs $30 per family. Payment is due at the first class. Class size is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To register or find out more, call Heidi Wisely at (585)478-5321 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Child Safety Fair This Weekend

AVON — This Saturday, the 10th annual child safety fair will be held at the Avon Primary School gym from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The event’s topics include K-9 units, wheeled/traffic safety, boat and water safety, operation safe child I.D. kits and more. Prizes will be given out to the winners of the “Wheeled Sport Safety” contest. Door prizes will also be given out.

All families are welcome at the event. The fair is located at 191 Clinton Street, Avon. The event is made possible by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Livingston County Health Department, Noyes Health, and funding by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in collaboration with the Livingston County Traffic Safety Board.

Taste of Livingston County Features Area’s Healthy, Delicious Food

MOUNT MORRIS — Those looking to enjoy fabulous food and great entertainment for a good cause can do so at the 14th Annual Taste of Livingston County.

The event, which benefits Livingston County Coalition of Churches and Genesee Valley Health Partnership, will be held on Tuesday, April 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Genesee River Restaurant, located at 134 North Main St. in Mt. Morris. Restaurants from around the County donate their time, talent, and food to create tasty and healthy dishes for guests to sample.

The event features culinary delights from 20 local restaurants, including Applebee's of Geneseo; Beachcomber; Brian’s USA Diner; Caledonia Village Inn; Cozy Kitchen; Fett Svin BBQ; Genesee River Restaurant; GioVanna’s Pizza & Pasta; Leisure’s Restaurant;Livonia Inn; My Place for All O-Cake-Tions; North Shore Grill; Omega Grill; Papa Jay’s; Partyman Catering; Q's Restaurant & Party House;Questa Lasagna; Village Tavern; Wegmans; and Yard of Ale.

Held during Public Health Week 2012, the Taste of Livingston County is presented by the following Gold Sponsors: Livingston County Department of Health, Genesee Valley Health Partnership, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and Monroe Plan for Medical Care. Bronze Sponsors are Five Star Bank of Mt. Morris, Genesee Region Public Health Association, and Noyes Health.

The goal of Taste of Livingston County is to encourage the community to choose heart-healthy meals when dining out. According to the Genesee Valley Health Partnership, eating a heart-healthy diet can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, control or prevent diabetes, and improve overall health.

Each year, the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to a local non-profit organization. This year, proceeds will be donated to Genesee Valley Health Partnership (GVHP) and the Livingston County Coalition of Churches (LCCC). GVHP plans to use the proceeds to continue its mission of improving the health and well-being of Livingston County residents. LCCC, a 501(c)3, Livingston County-wide ecumenical church organization committed to the service of others, plans to use the proceeds for their Nursing Home Visitation Program at the Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation to help residents restore a sense of connection to the larger community.

Taste of Livingston County also features the Geneseo String Band. Centerpieces made with recyclable bags from the Livingston County Tourism Office, an office of the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, will be arranged by Dogwood Floral, Genesee Valley Florist, and Robbin's Nest. The centerpieces will be given away in random drawings. Items for the centerpieces have been donated by Barilla; Kraft; Nunda Mustard; Once Again Nut Butter; and Seneca Foods. Gift certificates have been donated by Avon Curves, Dansville Dance Centre, Geneseo Curves, Livonia Fitness Center, New York Fitness, RTowne Fitness, and Sweet Briar.

David’s Boston’s Best Coffee Roasters and Genesee Valley Coffee Roasters are donating coffee and tea for the event. C & R Food Service is donating paper products. Printing of event tickets was donated by Hilltop Industries in Mt. Morris.

Taste of Livingston County tickets are $20 and be purchased by calling (585) 243-7299. More information can be found at www.gvhp.org.