State Senator Patty Ritchie has been named Deputy Majority Leader for Senate and Assembly Relations.

The new leadership post gives Senator Ritchie added responsibilities and puts her in an even stronger position to advocate on behalf of her constituents in Central and Northern New York.

“In the four years I’ve served in the Senate, I’ve been able to work closely with members of both political parties, in both the Senate and Assembly, and I’m proud of the friendships and relationships I’ve established to help win passage of important legislation and new laws that benefit my constituents and help make New York a better place to live, learn and work,” Senator Ritchie said. “In this new position as a leader of the Majority Conference, I look forward to building on the past successes to work even more closely with my fellow lawmakers, and be a strong advocate for all New Yorkers, but especially the people I represent in Central and Northern New York.”

In addition to the new leadership post, Senator Ritchie recently was named as a member of two additional Senate committees, including the Finance Committee, with responsibility over state budgeting and wide oversight over a range of state agencies and issues that are in front of the Legislature.

Senator Ritchie also was recently named a member of the Transportation Committee, which oversees issues related to state and local highways, ports, airports and other infrastructure.

Senator Ritchie continues to serve as chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, where she has worked to boost family farmers, by cutting red tape and fighting for renewed investment in agriculture and to stop budget funding cuts for key farm programs.

She’s also spearheaded key initiatives like last year’s “Young Farmers” program, which encourages careers in agriculture with the aim of preserving family farming, and recently unveiled a new initiative, called “Grown in New York,” which aims to better connect consumers and farmers, increase purchases of locally produced foods and boost farmers’ bottom lines.

Senator Ritchie also serves on the following Senate Committees: Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Civil Service and Pensions; Crime Victims, Crime and Correction; Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation; Energy and Telecommunications; Higher Education; Libraries; Local Governments, and the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources.

Millie Dillmount (Alexia Abelgore) hopes to impress Mr. Tevor Graydon III (Jeremy
Herlowski) with her skill as a stenographer so that she can be hired at the Sincere Trust
Insurance Company.

Millie hopes to impress

Gaining employment at the company is step one on her secret mission to finding a wealthy man she can marry.

The scene is from the lively Broadway musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The production is being staged by Quirk’s Players of G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton this weekend.

It features dances choreographed by Mrs. Doreen Forbes.

Tickets for the musical are available at the door.

‘Millie’ continues tonight and Saturday (March 6 and 7)

Photo by Kelly LeVea

OSWEGO – The Oswego County Health Department is offering influenza immunization clinics for people age 19 and older at the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., Oswego.

Adult influenza clinics are held weekdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.

Adults may also receive flu shots the third Tuesday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse, Pulaski.

The influenza vaccination costs $37.

Pneumonia vaccine is also available at the flu clinics.

The cost of the pneumonia vaccine is $103.

Both vaccines are covered by Medicaid and Medicare Part B.

Children’s flu vaccine is available every Tuesday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Nick Sterio Clinic in Oswego, and the third Tuesday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse, Pulaski.

The cost is $37 for the inactivated vaccine (the shot) and $43 for the flu-mist (nasal vaccine).

The health department accepts cash or checks for payment.

The department does not accept credit or debit cards.

Patients with private insurance, Managed Medicaid, Managed Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare, and Medicare Part B should bring their benefit cards with them to the immunization clinic.

No one will be turned away due to inability to pay.

Please bring shot records to the immunization clinics.

The health department offers a variety of services to all residents of Oswego County, including preventive health services, certified home health care, certified hospice, and a maternal and child health program.

The following services will be offered during the week of March 9 at the Nick Sterio Public Health Clinic, 70 Bunner St., Oswego.

OSWEGO:

– Adult Flu Clinic: Monday through Friday, March 9 through 13, 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., walk-in clinic, no appointment needed.
– Immunization Clinic: Tuesday, March 10, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., walk-in clinic.
– Pregnancy Testing: Free pregnancy testing is available. Call 349-3391 to schedule an appointment.
– Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing and Treatment Services: Call 349-3547 to schedule an appointment.
– HIV Counseling and Testing Service:  Call 349-3547 to schedule an appointment.

Immunization clinics are held every Tuesday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 70 Bunner St., Oswego, and the third Tuesday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse, Pulaski.

For more information about public health services, contact the County Health Department, weekdays, phone 349-3547 or 1-800-596-3200, ext. 3547.

FULTON, NY – The staff of Oswego County Opportunities’ Nutrition Services is asking Oswego County residents to join them in their annual March for Meals campaign by being a part of the many events that they will be hosting during the month of March.

OCO Meals on Wheels driver Shannon Ladd loads the van with meals before she leaves to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Oswego County. OCO recently kicked off their March for Meals campaign to raise awareness of senior hunger in Oswego County and raise funds for the program.

OCO’s annual March for Meals campaign helps to raise the awareness of senior hunger in Oswego County and serves as a fundraiser to help support the agency’s meal service programs.

To celebrate their March for Meals Campaign, OCO Nutrition Services has planned the following community events:

March 16, all day fundraiser at Canale’s Restaurant, 156 W. Utica St. in Oswego and its Liverpool location at 7421 Oswego Road.

Stop in for lunch or dinner, present an OCO March for Meals coupon and 20% of your bill will be donated to OCO’s Nutrition Services to support the Meals on Wheels program.

Coupons are available at OCO’s main office 231 Oneida St. in Fulton, the OCO Oswego office in the Midtown Plaza, and at the OCO Community Service Center 5871 Scenic Ave., Mexico, and all six Dining and Activity Centers.

For other locations contact OCO Nutrition Services at (315) 598-4712.

March 16 through March 20, Community Champions Week.

To raise awareness and to encourage action at the local level, OCO invites elected officials, business leaders, and community members to participate.

Everyone is invited to show their support by delivering meals to homebound Meals On Wheels participants or helping to serve meals at one of OCO’s six Dining and Activity Centers.

Meals on Wheels Collection Vans.

Look for donation boxes shaped as delivery vans at senior centers and in local places of business throughout the month of March.

All donations will be used to support OCO Nutrition Services’ meals programs.

Like them on Facebook.

Visit the OCO Senior Centers page on Facebook to find the latest information on OCO’s Meals on Wheels program and its Dining and Activity Centers.

Click on the like button and help spread the word about OCO’s Nutrition Services.

“The food and human contact we provide to seniors in this community is needed more than ever,” said Bridget Dolbear. “A recent survey of our Meals On Wheels participants here in Oswego County revealed some eye opening statistics:”

– 99% of participants said that the Meals On Wheels program has allowed them to continue living independently in their own home.

– 53% stated that their Meals on Wheels driver is the only visitor they have.

– 36% do not have the means to purchase the food they need to survive.

According to the Meals On Wheels Association of America, the number of seniors facing the threat of isolation and hunger is devastatingly high.

Nearly one is six seniors may not know when they will have their next meal or where it will come from.

Whether it is lack of mobility that keeps from driving to the grocery store or standing over a stove to prepare a meal or if they lack the funds to keep up with the increasing cost of food, the issue has become a national epidemic.

OCO Nutrition Services delivers a nutritious meal, a safety check and a smile that serves as a lifeline to homebound and socially isolated seniors.

“For many the Meals on Wheels drivers are the only person that the homebound participants see for days at a time. Our participants have said that it makes them feel better to have someone check on them and they enjoy the conversations as much as the meals,” said Nutrition Services Director Amy Roland. “This combination of services goes well beyond fighting the battle against hunger; it provides the support and peace of mind that enable them to remain safely and securely in their own homes as they continue to age.”

“We need community members to come out and support our March For Meals events so that we may continue to be a lifeline to the seniors we serve both with our Meals On Wheels program and our Dining and Activity Centers.  Our clients are counting on us.  We can’t let them down, added Dolbear.”

The OCO’s Meals on Wheels program delivers around 1,100 meals each day to homebound seniors.

There are no un-served areas in the county.

While the program does have eight paid employee routes, according to Roland it is the volunteers that are the driving force behind the Meals on Wheels program.

“We have 16 volunteer routes for our home delivered meals.  Our program relies heavily on the assistance we receive from our volunteers.  We couldn’t do it without them,” said Roland. “If anyone is interested in delivering meals or helping out at one of our Dining and Activity Centers please call us at (315) 598-4712, we would love to hear from you.”

In addition to the Meals on Wheels program OCO Nutrition Services has six senior Dining and Activity Centers located in Constantia, Fulton, Hannibal, Mexico, Parish, and Phoenix.

The centers feed approximately 100 senior citizens daily and offer fun activities and friendly conversations.

OCO Nutrition Services programs are partially supported through grants from its partners: Oswego County Office for the Aging, New York State Office for the Aging and The United Way of Greater Oswego, Inc.

Dolbear added that updates on OCO’s March for Meals campaign as well as photos from the events and activities at OCO’s Dining and Activity Centers would be on their Facebook page, OCO Senior Centers.

“I encourage community members to like us on Facebook. Our goal is to have 300 likes by the end of March!” she said.

For more information on the March for Meals campaign and to learn how you can help put an end to senior hunger, contact Dolbear at OCO Senior Nutrition Services, 315-598-4712, ext. 1813 or via e-mail at bdolbear@oco.org

A private, non-profit agency, OCO’s many programs touch the lives of more than 30,000 Oswego County residents each year.

One of Oswego County’s largest employers, OCO employs more than 650 people and boasts a volunteer force of 1,200.

OCO strives to improve the quality of life in Oswego County by helping people, supporting communities and changing lives.

For more information, visit the OCO website at www.oco.org

OSWEGO — The Oswego County Historical Society will host the 28th Annual “Not So Silent Auction” on April 10 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center at 26 E. First St.

Tickets are $20 and will be available for purchase at the door the day of the event.

The Oswego County Historical Society will host the 28th Annual “Not So Silent Auction” on April 10. Tickets are $20 and will be available for purchase at the door the day of the event or in advance by contacting the Richardson-Bates House Museum at 343-1342. From left are 2015 Silent Auction committee co-chairs Jennifer Mays, Peg McKinstry and Lyn Patterson as they review auction items.

The silent auction committee members have been diligently seeking support for this year’s event.

All proceeds this year will go toward a 2015 Capital Campaign to complete restoration work for the society’s historic Richardson-Bates House Museum.

“This is the historical society’s primary fund-raiser,” said Lyn Patterson, co-chair for the auction. “It has always been a very important event. This year’s success is vital in order to restore this iconic landmark.”

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and part of the Washington Square Historic District, the Richardson-Bates House is a rare example of a 19th century Tuscan Villa.

“Many repairs to the ornate exterior are needed to preserve the historic integrity of the house” added Patterson. “In addition, full paint of the exterior is needed. It has not been fully painted since 1996.”

Efforts are being made by the historical society board of trustees to raise the needed funds to complete the restoration project.

A new addition to the silent and live auction portions this year will be an antique appraisal opportunity.

Every ticket will include one free antique appraisal by Gerald Petro of Iroquois Auctions.

Additional appraisals after the first free one will be $5 each.

A traditional Chinese auction will be featured again with chances to win on a dozen themed-filled gift baskets.

“The evening features a number of valuable items received from generous donors,” added co-chair Peg McKinstry.”Each year brings a unique variety of things to bid on. Please mark your calendar and bring a friend.”

The Oswego County Historical Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the the county’s rich historic past.

It operates the Richardson-Bates House Museum located 135 E. Third St. in Oswego.

The museum is open from April to December on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 – 5 p.m and other days by appointment.

Anyone wishing to sponsor or make a donation of quality items in support of the auction, or would like to purchase tickets in advance, may call the museum at 343-1342.

OSWEGO, NY – Riley Elementary School kindergarten students in Connie Jackson’s classroom celebrated International Polar Bear Day recently, through an interactive lesson and video offered through the Alaska Zoo.

Riley Elementary Kindergarten students watch an interactive lesson entitled “Perfectly Polar Bears,” a program provided by the Alaska Zoo to celebrate International Polar Bear Day.

The program, entitled “Perfectly Polar Bears,”allowed students to meet the Alaska Zoo’s resident polar bears and discover the amazing Arctic icons through an up-close encounter at the polar bear habitat.

This unique experience unveiled how the polar bears thrive in the Arctic environment and what adaptations make them the ultimate survivor.

According to Jackson, the program began with a short video familiarizing the students with the location and mission of the Alaska Zoo.

Then it included introductions of the staff and animals; enrichment and discussion; photos/videos, and questions/answers.

International Polar Bear Day is celebrated every February 27 to raise awareness about the conservation status of the polar bear.

NEW YORK – This year, as we “Spring Ahead” for Daylight Saving Time, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York urges all New Yorkers to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure that they are functioning properly.

FASNY recommends cleaning all alarms to remove any debris that might impede their function and to change batteries.

As many new smoke and carbon monoxide alarms now include batteries that have a 10-year life span, owners of these devices are asked to test their alarms to ensure they are working properly.

“This is a device that if working properly can be the difference between life and death,” said FASNY President Robert McConville. “Too often firefighters are called to a devastating fire scene that could have been avoided if the home had working smoke alarms.  Simply put, this is the most important appliance in your home. It will not only help save your life, but the lives of firefighters tasked with protecting the public.”

FASNY is supporting state legislation which would require that all smoke alarms sold in New York State come equipped with batteries that have a 10-year life span.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, two-thirds of all fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms.

Though many homeowners and businesses do in fact have smoke alarms, these units are often not functioning due to a lack of proper maintenance caused by human error.

FASNY smoke & CO alarm tips:

Test alarms at least once a month by using the test button.
Check the batteries every six months, and change the batteries every year (if applicable). If a battery is starting to lose its power, the unit will usually chirp to warn you. DO NOT disable the unit.
Vacuum or blow out any dust that might accumulate in the unit.
NEVER borrow a battery from an alarm to use somewhere else.
NEVER paint a smoke or CO alarm.
Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement, and in, or near each sleeping area.
Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window because drafts could interfere with their operation.
Smoke alarms should be completely replaced every ten years.
Families should also develop and practice a home fire escape plan.

For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit www.fasny.com and www.nfpa.org

About FASNY

Founded in 1872, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the more than 92,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State.

FULTON, NY – Once again, Holy Trinity Parish located at 309 Buffalo St. will be hosting the United Way’s annual ‘Stone Soup Too’ luncheon.

The United Way of Greater Oswego County is doing their part in effort to Stop Hunger in Oswego County by raising awareness of the food shortage and encouraging the community to help fill the shelves of local food pantries.

Committee members for the United Way of Greater Oswego County’s seventh annual ‘Stone Soup Too’ Luncheon in Fulton meet to finalize details for the event. Seated from left are: Steve Chirello of Chirello Advertising, Karen Hubel of Blue Moon Grill, and community volunteer Janet Rebeor. Standing from left are: Helen Hoefer of Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Sue Witmer from Cayuga Community College Fulton Campus, Stephanie Budd, of Oswego County Opportunities and United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath. Absent are committee members Lori Lyons and Michele Sherman of Wal-Mart, Jo-Lyn Phillips of OCO and Tim Archer of Catholic Charities of Oswego County.

The United Way invites community members to come together to break bread, warm their hearts, gather with friends, and enjoy a delicious lunch of ‘Stone Soup’ while helping support others in need.

“Thanks to the efforts we receive from our volunteers and committee members, and the support we receive from the community who return year after year to enjoy great food and fellowship, our Stone Soup Too luncheons have had a positive impact on food pantries in Oswego County.” said Ali McGrath, resource development director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County.

To date, a number of caring local businesses have come forward to donate the food and beverages necessary for the Stone Soup Luncheon.

Soups will be provided by: Mimi’s Drive-In, Blue Moon Grill, The Foursome Dinner, and Tavern on the Lock.  Dunkin’ Donuts is donating ‘Boxes of Joe’; C’s Farms & Davis Bros. will be providing the salad fixings; Red Baron will provide rolls; Kathy’s Cakes and Joe’s Corner Market are donating cookies; Hudson’s Dairy providing water, and cake will be provided by Springside at Seneca Hill.

Again this year, Struppler’s Shurfine Market has donated canned soups to be displayed as centerpieces, and later donated with the rest of the nonperishable food items.

In addition to the luncheon, those in attendance will have the opportunity to win a number of door prizes, including: gifts from Blue Moon Grill and Price Chopper.

The United Way’s ‘Stone Soup Too’ Luncheon is open to the public and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 26.

The United Way is accepting donations of $5 per person.

Attendees are also encouraged to please bring a donation of non-perishable food items.

All proceeds and food donations from the luncheon will be used to support area food pantries including Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Salvation Army of Oswego County, and the Hannibal Resource Center Food Pantry.

“Like several other years, but maybe even more so now, our food pantries are really feeling a strain and it is becoming especially challenging for them as they try to meet the demand for food subsidy throughout Oswego County,” McGrath said. “The food collected, and the money raised at our ‘Stone Soup Too’ Luncheon will be greatly appreciated.”

Those unable to attend the luncheon but would like to donate food items may contact Tim Archer, director of Catholic Charities of Oswego County’s Emergency Services program, at 315-598-3980 for information on where to drop off non-perishable food donations throughout Oswego County.

For more information, call your United Way office at 315-593-1900.