Wellsville’s monthly Community Meal brings people together
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — In what can be hard times for many, individuals in need of a hot meal or just socialization have been able to get a free meal each month thanks to the concern and generosity of a small group of their neighbors.
For nearly three years, Wellsville residents have been urged to partake of a free meal each month as part of the Community Meal Program. It is not sponsored by a religious organization or a club or social service, but is made possible by caring volunteers. Over the years the gathering has become as much as a so-
cial program as a meal program providing sustenance for the soul as well as the body. It stems from the Saturday free meal program once held at the Christian Temple.
The Bolivar-Richburg football team was forced to forfeit the final five games of the 2024 season due to low numbers. The Wolverines had a number of younger players who would have been better suited for the JV level, had B-R been able to offer one. They were set to welcome back very few varsity-level players — on an 8-man team — in 2025. And so, Bolivar-Richburg made the only decision it could under those circumstances:
It joined another program. B-R has merged with the Portville/Cuba-Rushford program for the 2025 season, and the foreseeable future, B-R athletic director Dustin Allen and Portville/C-R coach Josh Brooks confirmed on Tuesday night. The administrations at both B-R and Portville had since passed the motion before it was made official with a majority vote at a Cuba-Rushford school board meeting on Tuesday night. This, Allen maintained, was the only move that could have been made to pre-
Due to COVID-19 and other factors, that meal program ended. Those who cooked and served the meal each Saturday, however, still wanted to help others.
“There were still
serve the availability of football to students at Bolivar-Richburg. And, though difficult to make, it will allow the now-three-school cooperative to provide three full 11-man levels.
“We wanted to provide a JV, modified and varsity level where (the kids) are playing at the appropriate levels, and this offers that,” Allen said. “We have a great group coming up from our youth football team that won the youth football title this year. The future is bright. But to keep all three
hungry people out there who would benefit from a free meal,” Roxy Schmidt, one of the Community Meal organizers, said.
At first, the group arranged for local restaurants to offer free food through a voucher system. Texas Hot, Modern Diner and Pizza King participated. Then Nic Gunning, director of the David A. Howe Library, suggested a free meal could be served at the library. The committee with Schmidt, Kim Toot, Leslie Gooch, Bill Nash, Emily Stothart, Carol Stewart, Mary Ruck, Robin Kellogg, Joyce Derx, and Mike Evans liked the idea.
However, the kitchen
facilities at the library are small, so it was quickly realized that the meal would have to be cooked elsewhere and brought into the library to be served. The church kitchen was no longer available.
“We didn’t know how many people to cook for in the beginning,” Schmidt said.
Early on, between 15 and 18 people showed up for the meal. Many of them were the same people who had shown up for the meals at the former church. Today volunteers cook for and serve as many as 50 people on the third Saturday of the month for the Community Meal, Schmidt estimated.
Too many cooks haven’t spoiled the broth, either.
Quickly realizing that it would be difficult for one small group of individuals to coordinate, plan, prepare and serve a meal every month, the word spread that help was needed. Now, each month a different group prepares and serves the monthly meal. Over the months ACCORD, Ardent Solutions, the County Democratic Committee, Genesee Valley Media, Grace United Church, Mud Club, Presbyterian Church, Rotary, Sorority, The Wellsville Development Corp., York’s
photo
The Bolivar-Richburg football program, which has struggled with numbers, will emerge with Portville/Cuba-Rushford.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
Diners enjoy the Community Meal on Saturday at Wellsville’s David A. Howe Memorial Library.
USDA milk price formula change expected to benefit WNY dairy farmers
BY JIM ECKSTROM
thy said in a statement.
“As one of the top dairy-producing states, New York’s farmers can finally see the reforms they’ve been calling for become a reality.”
Dairy farmers and agriculture officials are lauding a change in federal milk pricing that they say will provide more fairness and economic stability for farmers in Western New York and across the nation.
New York ranks in the top five dairy-producing states, and its farmers depend on the FMMO system to establish minimum milk prices and ensure orderly marketing of
A key change is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to return to a previous formula that advocates say ensures an orderly marketing of milk to benefit the entire dairy supply chain — from farmer to manufacturer to consumer.
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy applauded reverting to the previous pricing formula after the USDA’s release Friday of its final decision on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO).
“This decision marks a long-overdue victory for dairy farmers across the nation,” Langwor-
fluid milk. Langworthy explained that, prior to the 2018 Farm Bill, Class I milk prices were determined using the higher value between Class III and Class IV milk. However, the 2018 Farm Bill replaced this approach with an averaging formula that added 74 cents to the average of Class III and Class IV prices.
GOP lawmakers: Hochul addresses affordability but calls for more spending
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski said Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State address on Tuesday recognized that New Yorkers face an “unprecedented” affordability crisis.
“What’s confusing,” the new Assembly member said in reaction to Hochul’s initiatives outlined for the coming year, “is the governor recognized that New Yorkers are struggling with high costs, while she continues to roll out policies that are guaranteed to increase government spending.”
Sempolinski, R-Canisteo, said the solutions for positive change are simple: “(R)educe the tax burden on New Yorkers, cut government spending and improve public safety by prioritizing the needs of law-abiding citizens over the needs of law-breaking criminals. All of these goals are within the power of the governor.”
State Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said that while Hochul touched on important topics like affordability and mental health, her proposals raise more questions than answers — and he insisted there are “glaring omissions” that can’t be ignored.
“It’s encouraging to see some focus on affordability, but these proposals fall flat without addressing rising costs in other areas,” Borrello saidd. “Middle-class tax cuts, inflation refund checks, and an expanded Child Tax Credit may sound promising, but they will mean little to families already burdened by skyrocketing expenses.”
ing problem in New York that Gov. Hochul is refusing to address,” he said. “The governor and majority just pass the cost onto taxpayers, who are voting with their feet and leaving in unprecedented numbers.”
Sempolinski and Borrello both said they hoped Hochul would address the gaming compact with the Seneca Nation of Indians, which expired in December 2023.
“It is long past time for the governor to negotiate a new gaming compact in good faith that protects the interests of the Seneca Nation and New York,” Sempolinski said.
the Western New York economy, the lawmakers pointed out.
“The Nation has been ready to work collaboratively but has faced unnecessary delays from the state,” Borrello said.
The senator said the state’s Climate Act mandates could cost New York taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and raise utility bills by as much as 64%.
cooperating with federal authorities to deport those accused or convicted of crimes. Most New Yorkers, he said, support such changes and ignoring them puts public safety at risk and leaves the state at odds with federal law.
“Even worse was the lack of any proposal to fix dangerous bail reform laws,” Borrello added, sounding a familiar talking point for New York Republicans.
“The governor didn’t propose repealing them or adding a dangerousness standard, which 49 other states use to keep violent offenders off the streets.”
Sempolinski noted that the state’s budget has increased $70 billion dollars since 2018, when one-party rule took hold in Albany. The state budget is $234.9 billion.
“We have a spend-
The Senecas and Seneca Gaming are one of Western New York’s largest employers, with more than 6,000 employees. Seneca Resorts and Casinos contribute $1 billion per year to
“Small businesses in New York are being crushed by costly regulations which are ultimately passed onto consumers,” he added. “Without tackling these significant cost drivers, these proposals risk being little more than temporary fixes that fail to deliver meaningful relief for New Yorkers.”
Sempolinski added, “We’re Western New Yorkers. I know that the people of the 148th District will flourish if we can just get the government off their backs.”
Borrello said Hochul didn’t address ending New York’s “reckless” sanctuary status or
An area on which he agrees with the governor is mental health, Borrello noted. Expanding criteria for involuntary commitment and strengthening Kendra’s Law are steps he’s supported through legislation since 2022.
“These changes could save lives and make communities saf-
home improvement
Space is a sought-af-
ter commodity in real estate. Buyers prioritize numerous variables when searching for a
new home, and square footage is often near the top of their lists. The real estate market has been highly competitive in recent years, and home prices have remained high as a result. That reality has prompted some current homeowners who feel they have outgrown their homes to look for ways to increase the usable space in their existing properties. Basement conversions are one way to add more space. Homeowners mulling a basement conversion project can learn the basics of the project as they try to determine if such renovations are right for them.
• Basement conversion projects can be costly. Though the final cost of a
conversion project can vary widely depending on the condition and accessibility of the existing space, estimates range from around $45,000 to as much as $150,000. The home renovation experts at Angi.com note that the average price for excavation is $37,000. Of course, homeowners who are simply hoping to repurpose an existing basement likely won’t need to pay for excavation. Accessibility is another notable variable that can affect the final cost. If the current space is a crawl space, potentially costly structural changes may be necessary to ensure contractors
and eventually residents can access the area. Basements that are already easily accessible won’t require such expenditures.
• Ventilation is a must. Finished basements must be adequately ventilated so moisture can be controlled. Without sufficient ventilation, the damp conditions
common in many basements can foster the growth of mold.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America notes that inhaled mold spores can trigger allergic reactions in some people, potentially leading to runny nose, postnasal drip, red and watery eyes, and itchy eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, among
The basics of basement conversion projects
other symptoms. Waterproofing systems and adequate ventilation can prevent mold growth in a basement, and these should be integral components of the design.
• Permits are part of the process. Basement conversions are considered major
projects, and thus typically require homeowners and contractors to secure permits before any work is done. Permits may be necessary at various stages of the project. Homeowners who ignore laws regarding permits will have trouble selling their homes down the road, as it can be difficult if not impossible to secure a certificate of occupancy if renovations were made without securing the proper permits. In addition, securing necessary permits for each phase of the project
can ensure final approval of the project. If permits are not secured along the way, local officials may insist work be redone to adhere to local laws, which can make the project even more costly.
• Basement conversions take time. The time a project takes will depend on the condition of the space at the start of the project and various details unique to each conversion. However, various contractors indicate projects take about two to three months once they
begin. That timeline does not include the pre-project process of finding a contractor, soliciting design plans or preparing the rest of the home for such a significant and lengthy undertaking.
Basement conversion projects can add significant square footage to a home. Recognition of what such projects entail can help homeowners decide if this is the best way for them to increase livable space in their homes.
Corners Mennonite Church and individuals have either sponsored or prepared and served the meal or have done it all.
Most of the time the meal is served in the library gallery or on the library terrace, but the Creative Arts Center has also hosted the Community Meal. The winter months are the most well-attended meals because people enjoy the warmth and camaraderie and they can also read a book or catch up on local, national or international events.
“It has gotten to be a social event with people coming early and staying late and visiting like in a restaurant.
er,” he said. “However, it will take real political courage to push these proposals past the radical advocates and their legislative allies who are staunchly opposed to such changes.”
In the coming days, the GOP lawmakers will look closely at the governor’s proposals which will take real shape when the executive budget is released.
Bill Nash, former bass player for the Wellsville Orchestra, often plays music and sometimes we have other programs or information to give out. We also welcome other groups to provide programs,” Schmidt said. The meal consists of salad, an easy-to-chew entree, vegetables, fruit and dessert and sometimes ice cream. Coffee, tea, lemonade and water are also provided. The meal is served on paper plates and in paper bowls and with plastic utensils and cups. It costs between $100 and $200 to cook and serve the meal. Any leftovers are offered to the guests.
The initial funding for the Community
“That’s where we’ll see if these ideas are more than just talk,” Borrello said. “New Yorkers need strong leadership and real solutions.”
State Sen. Tom O’Mara, R-Big Flats, whose district includes the eastern portion of Allegany County, said despite the governor’s emphasis on addressing affordability for New Yorkers, she and the state’s Democrat leaders are continuing to prioritize long-term commitments for higher and higher state spending that will be unaffordable and unsustainable for taxpayers. While Hochul
Meal program came from what remained from the Community Kitchen coffers. The group also obtained a $1,500 grant from the Genesee Valley Association United Church of Christ. They also obtained funding from the Tom and Laura Moogan Foundation, and they have received individual gifts from $100 to $200. Donations and sponsorships are gratefully accepted and can be sent to the Community Meal Program c/o David A. Howe Library, 155 N. Main St, Wellsville, N.Y., 14895.
Volunteers are also welcome. “Without people to help serve and clean up, it would be
proposes tax relief for many New Yorkers, at the same time she’s looking to put in place massive increases in long-term spending, he said.
“The governor can’t promise permanent, long-term tax relief at the same time she’s looking to continue spending taxpayer dollars and imposing mandates like there’s no tomorrow — and the governor knows it,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways.”
hard to do this. We have to thank Jim Knapp and the library and the people at Grace United Church who really make this happen each month,” Schmidt said.
Like was done at the old Community Kitchen, local clubs and organizations are invited to donate a meal or to cook a meal. Schmidt said the Community Meal Committee will provide guidelines as to what to prepare. Anyone wishing to help may contact the library or a member of the committee.
Meals are spoken for six months in advance.
The most recent Community Meal took place Saturday. The next meal is set for noon Feb. 15 at the library and will be hosted by the Sorority.
Jones Memorial providers receive patient-centered care recognition
WELLSVILLE —
The Jones Memorial Alfred Primary Care office as well as the Family Medicine with OB Practice in the Wellsville Medical Village have been awarded Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The new PCMH providers are Dr. LuAnn Kaye in Wellsville, Dr. Ryan Nightingale and nursde practitioner Molly Dempsey in
Alfred. With this new recognition, all Jondes Memorial Hospital primary care practices, with the exception of specialty care and OB, are certified Patient-Centered Medical Home sites. The NCQA’s PCMH standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.
“Receiving this recognition shows our commitment to deliver high quality cost effective care,” said Julie Seaman, medical practices director for JMH. “By putting patients at the center of their care and using a team based approach we can provide the community resources and tools needed to support access and communication. This team based approach allows
access across the
system.”
Wellsville Community Meal
Photo by Kathryn Ross
Members of ACCORD and others from clubs, churches and community organizations and volunteers serve friends and neighbors at Wellsville’s monthly, free Community Meal.
levels, this was our only option.”
B-R’s DECISION received the full support of its players, coaches and community, Allen noted, “because they just don’t want to see football go away.” Its status within the merger will be evaluated on a yearly basis.
“Every year, our administration, ADs and coaches, we’ll get together and see which direction we want to go,” he said.
But for as difficult as it might have been to relinquish their identity, school colors and tradition — and to unite with their biggest rival, Cuba-Rushford — B-R officials could proceed knowing they essentially didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“Yes, we wanted
to hold into the Bolivar-Richburg football tradition as long as we could,” Allen said, “but it got to the point where gotta we make a decision, on whether we’re gonna have football or not, and this was a no-brainer when it was presented to us.
“We just had to do it to keep football, knowing that we’ve got kids here that still love football, coaches that love football, a community that loves football. But we had to do something so that the kids had a place to play.”
IN THE 2023 offseason, Portville welcomed a program in a situation similar to B-R’s: the Rebels, whose numbers were also dwindling. That co-op has fared well, with Portville/C-R advancing to
That change, compounded by disruptions from COVID-19, cost dairy farmers in the U.S. more than $1 billion in Class I skim milk revenue, said Langworthy, R-23rd District. He added that returning to the “higher of” formula will reverse the underperformance of the current “average-of” formula since its inclusion in the 2018 Farm Bill.
the sectional semifinals in 2023 and the Section 6 Class C championship game last fall.
Two years later, the Panthers, alongside C-R, are happy to do so again, this time to form what could be a powerful triumvirate.
“I think we’ve set a model from the last couple years (on how) to make this work,” said Brooks, who noted that the move is also reflective of “today’s world,” where more and more programs are merging out of necessity. “We’re excited to add a district like B-R, which has a new administration over there; it seems like things are on the rise. And obviously, they have a beautiful (turf) facility that we can use and we’ll add more coaches
David Fisher, president of the New York Farm Bureau, said his organization is pleased with many of the final provisions in the FMMO, and he thanked Langworthy for his efforts.
through Bolivar-Richburg and their youth had a good season.”
He added: It’s a great thing for kids to be able to learn how to work with other kids their age. It’s a life skill that everyone has to get used to when they become an adult, so the earlier kids pick up on these skills, I think we’re only setting them up for success in the future.”
THE PORTVILLE/CR/B-R co-op is the latest in a long line of mergers and numbers-related changes to affect the Big 30 over the last decade. That stretch began with the union of Franklinville and Ellicottville, a joint local power ever since, and has also included mergers at Ridgway and Johnsonburg, Portville
and C-R, St. Marys and Elk County Catholic, and programs such Allegany-Limestone, B-R and Wellsville to join the 8-man ranks.
This is the first instance, however, in which three existing programs have come together to form one (Portville/C-R had also drawn players from Hinsdale, but the Bobcats program had ended in 2008, and that partnership has all but fizzled out).
At Portville/BR/C-R, the hope might ultimately be to follow the lead of Clymer/ Sherman/Panama and, with players coming from three schools, become an annual sectional title contender.
For now, however, it’s happy to simply bolster an al-
ready-strong program and do what’s best for their kids.
“Me being the head coach at Portville, we want the best for Portville,” Brooks said, “but we also want what’s best for Cuba-Rushford and Bolivar-Richburg. And we think that having a program at all three levels — that’s what’s best for the kids, that they get to play against kids of the same age and skill level.
“And if there’s students capable of playing at the varsity level at a younger age, we want to make sure that they’re certainly ready, and having a program like this with enough numbers to do that benefits everyone involved.”
Langworthy called for milk price reform in his legislation, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2023, and he got it included in the base text of last year’s Farm Bill, which advanced out of the House Agriculture Committee. The new Farm Bill stalled in negotiations on Capitol Hill and the existing bill had to be extended in December.
was created in 2024 by the Hochul administration to provide support to New York’s dairy farmers and improve dairy supply chain efficiency. Awarded projects ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 will help offset costs of technology and infrastructure improving storage solutions and avoiding the need for raw milk dumping.
and directions to submit applications can be found at ffgrowthfund. org/dairymodernization.
A new frequently asked questions (FAQ) document is also available: ffgrowthfund. org/_files/ugd/bf84f0_ 5914119d38e0487692750 351ef125b25.pdf
The new reform was brought up during a Farm Bill listening session hosted by Langworthy and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., in Chautauqua County on Sept. 6, 2023.
“Many of the changes have been much-needed for our farmers in New York, such as updating milk composition factors and increasing county-specific Class I differentials,” Fisher said. Of the four classes of milk, Class I covers milk used for fluid, or beverage, milk products, while Class II refers to milk going into “soft” manufactured products such as sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream and yogurt.
Class III includes milk used for making hard cheeses while Class IV milk is used to make butter and dry products such as non-fat dry milk.
Greg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, said Friday the final FMMO modernization plan “will provide a firmer footing and fairer milk pricing, which will help the dairy industry thrive for years to come.”
He thanked Langworthy for his “strong, effective advocacy for enacting this change for dairy farmers.”
NY
HAS DAIRY FARM GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets reminds dairy farmers and cooperatives to apply for the Dairy Modernization Grant Program.
More than $21 million is available to help dairy farmers and agricultural marketing cooperatives expand on-farm milk storage capacity and support projects that will improve the transportation and storage of milk.
Applications are being accepted through 3 p.m. Feb. 14.
The grant program
The grant program is administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund — examples of eligible projects include the purchase/installation of milk storage tanks, including bulk tanks and milk silos; milk tankers for transport; milk pipelines; upgraded glycol chillers; and farm milk loading systems. Details regarding project eligibility
New York state has roughly 3,000 dairy farms that produce more than 15 billion pounds of milk annually. Hochul’s office noted that the dairy industry is the state’s largest agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the state’s economy by generating nearly half of the state’s total agricultural receipts and providing some of the highest economic multipliers.
➡Milk Price continued from PAGE 2
Rep. Nick Langworthy
CORE The Learning Center
hat and mitten drive benefits the community
BELMONT — CORE The Learning Center, a non-profit organization in Belmont, held their fourth Hat and Mitten Drive this year. As the snow fell, temperatures dropped and the holiday spirit filled the air, community partners rallied together in an amazing show of support.
The donations exceeded last year’s drive.
CORE The Learning Center was able to help many children and adults in our community this winter with warm hats, mittens and scarves thanks to the generosity of many partner organizations and community members that donated to their hat and mitten drive this year.
The donations were collected and sorted by staff and have been distributed to those in the community who will benefit from the warmth and comfort they will provide. They were distributed to Genesee Valley School, Belfast School, Friendship Central School, Scio and Wellsville Central Schools. Some of the other donations were distributed to local businesses such as Elmira Psych Center in Wellsville for the homeless population, WIC, The Veterans Center/Clinic, ACCORD, Friendship Coalition of Churches, Gills Hills, Hillside Children Center, 1st Step, Salvation Army, Trapping Brook and Operation Warm Hearts.
Organizers thank all the members of the community that reached out and donated this year and made this possible. A special thank you is offered to the largest donors, Saputo Dairies in Friendship, Northern Lights Candles in Wellsville and LC Whitford’s from Wellsville.
Allegany County waives fees for corrections officer exams
BELMONT — Allegany County is temporarily waiving all examination fees for corrections officer exams administered through 2025.
Civil Service applications for CO positions, which include starting pay of more than $24 per hour, must be received by the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office by 4 p.m. Jan. 31 or be postmarked with that date.
Undersheriff Walter Mackney said the eligible list resulting from examinations will be used to fill vacancies and all future vacancies as they occur in the Sheriff’s Office.
Candidates must have been legal residents of Allegany County and adjoining counties — Wyoming, Livingston, Steuben,
health & Wellness
Cattaraugus, McKean and Potter — for at least one month immediately preceding the date of the written examination. Preference may be given to residents of Allegany County.
For information/ application forms, contact the Allegany County Civil Service Department, 7 Court St.; call (585) 268-9212; or visit alleganyco.gov.
Minimum qualifications for a CO are graduation from high
school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and a valid driver’s license. Completion of the New York State Commission of Corrections training prior to completion of the probationary period is required.
Mackney noted that shifts may involve days, nights, and/or weekends while the duty involves responsibility on an assigned shift for the enforcement of rules and regulations governing the custody, security, conduct, discipline, safety and general well being of inmates in the county correctional facility, in a direct supervision environment.
Mackney explained that an online examination questionnaire asks questions about one’s education, training, and work experience. Any-
one meeting the minimum qualifications will receive a rating based upon an evaluation of training and experience against the duties of the position being tested. After filing the Civil Service application, approved candidates will be sent notices containing directions to a website address needed to complete a Training and Experience Questionnaire. Candidates must complete the online training and experience questionnaire between Feb. 1 and midnight Feb. 28.
Scores will be based on training and experience gained before the application filing deadline of Jan. 31. Candidates cannot claim credit for training or experience to be gained after the application filing deadline.
Take care of your vision to invest in your overall health
(BPT) — A new year is a great opportunity to develop better habits and improve your health and wellness. Perhaps that involves revamping your workout routine or investing in a skincare regimen. As you start to think about the new year, make sure to include a comprehensive eye exam at the top of your list.
A normal part of aging
Just like the rest of your body, your eyes change as you age, and you may find it harder to see. You’re not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two billion people around the world suffer from visual impairment, a number expected to double by 2030.1
While these numbers may be concerning, take heart. Many vision conditions are treatable. A step you can take today to assess and preserve your vision - as well as
your health - is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
Your eyes are windows into your overall health and wellness
An eye care professional can do much more than assess your vision. Your eyes can actually reveal many details about your overall health and wellness.
A comprehensive eye exam can help detect over 270 different medical conditions, from diabetes to heart disease.2
Despite its importance, many adults over 40 around the globe tend to prioritize staying active, maintaining a healthy diet or skincare over regular eye exams in their journey to aging well.
“Not only can an eye exam assess the health of your eye,” said Dr. Christi Closson, Associate Director of Professional Education, Vision, Johnson & Johnson, “it can do so much more, such as providing insight
into your overall health and well-being as you age.2 It is critical for everyone to stay on top of their vision and eye health, and make time for an annual comprehensive eye exam.”
Presbyopia and cataracts: Common age-related vision conditions
If you’re over 40, it’s critical that you’re aware of common vision conditions and their symptoms.
Presbyopia - another name for age-related farsightedness - describes a person’s decreased ability to see nearby objects, especially in low light.4 For example, you may notice that it’s become more difficult to read texts on your phone, so you hold it at arm’s length.
“As you age, the lens inside your eye becomes more rigid, making it difficult for your eyes to focus on text or objects that are up close,” said Dr. Closson. “However,
presbyopia happens to everyone and is easily treatable. In fact, there are multifocal contact lenses designed to help with this vision impairment without invasive interventions.”
Another condition to be aware of as you age (especially if you’re over 60) is cataracts. A physical sign of cataracts is clouding in the eye that makes it hard to see. However, you may also notice that lamps, sunlight and headlights seem too bright or that colors look faded.5 If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness.
Modern technological advancement has made cataract treatment a minimally invasive out-patient procedure that typically takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on the severity of the condition. Cataract treatment* can also improve other eye conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.6
it’s time to get serious about your eye health. To find an eye doctor near you and schedule a comprehensive eye exam, visit ClearVisionForYou.com/Find-ADoctor.
References
hensive Eye Exam. Available at: https://www. aoa.org/healthy-eyes/ caring-for-your-eyes/fullpicture-of-eye-health?sso=y.
3. Mayo Clinic at: https:// www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328
4. National Eye Institute. Cataracts. Available at: https://www.nei. nih.gov/learn-abouteye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/ cataracts.
See clearly now and beyond
If you want to live your best while feeling your best at every age,
1. World Health Organization. Increasing eye care interventions to address vision impairment. Available at: https://www.who.int/ publications/m/item/ increasing-eye-care-interventions-to-address-vision-impairment#:~:text=Globally%2C%20 at%20least%202.2%20 billion,%2Dincome%20 countries%20(LMICs).
2. American Optometric Association. See the Full Picture of Your Health with an Annual Compre-
5. American Refractive Surgery Council. Cataract Surgery. Available at: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/ cataract-surgery/#:~:text=Vision%2DCorrecting%20IOLs?-,Cataract%20surgery%20 removes%20the%20 clouded%20natural%20 lens%20and%20replaces%20it,nearsightedness%2C%20farsightedness%2C%20and%20 astigmatism.
* RISKS There are risks to routine cataract surgery. This is irrelevant to the lens you choose. The problems could be minor, temporary, or affect your vision permanently. Complications are rare. These may include worsening of your vision, bleeding, or infection. Pre-existing diseases or conditions may place you at higher risk of experiencing complications (e.g., more difficult recovery) after routine cataract surgery. Examples of pre-existing diseases or conditions are diabetes, heart disease and previous trauma to your eye. With some IOLs, you may experience some loss in the sharpness of your vision, even with glasses. With these IOLs, you may have more difficulty driving at night or in poor visibility conditions. This can affect your ability to detect road hazards as quickly at night or in fog. You may also experience halos (rings around light), glare (reflected light, making it difficult to see) and starbursts (rays around light). A small number of patients may want to have their IOL removed. This can be due to lens-related optical/visual symptoms. You should discuss all risks and benefits with your eye doctor before surgery.
How to allocate funds when planning a wedding
Whether it’s a lavish, black-tie affair or a laid back gathering in the backyard, a couple’s wedding day is a momentous, and often costly, occasion. According to the online wedding planning resource Zola, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $33,000. That’s a significant sum for couples to spend, and it’s understandable if couples aren’t sure how to allocate funds for their big day. It’s important that couples recognize what’s most important to them when planning their weddings. Recognition of those priorities can help couples determine how to allocate their funds. Equally helpful can be how past couples have spent on their
weddings. Utilizing data from its The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study, the wedding experts at The Knot (theknot. com) have calculated general percentages of a wedding budget couples can devote to various components.
• Venue: 37 percent
• Catering: 28 percent
• Band: 12 percent
Wedding rings: 9 percent
Photography: 8 percent
Flowers: 8 percent
• Alcohol: 8 percent
• Rehearsal dinner: 8 percent
• Videography: 7 percent
• Couples’ attire: 7 percent
• Rentals: 6 percent
• DJ: 5 percent
• Wedding party attire: 4 percent
• Guest entertainment: 3 percent
• Transportation: 3 percent
• Ceremony music: 3 percent
• Cake and desserts: 2 percent
• Stationery: 2 percent
• Officiant: 1 percent
• Favors and gifts: 1 percent
• Additional jewelry: 1 percent
Couples with a keen eye might notice these
percentages add up to significantly more than 100 percent. That’s because the budgetary breakdown reflects personal preferences, individual couples’ budgets and what couples can expect to spend on certain components. For example, The Knot data indicates a couple that prefers a band for their reception instead of a DJ may need to allocate roughly twice as much of their budget to accommodate that preference. In addition, couples who do not intend to pay for wedding party members’ attire can find other ways to allocate those funds, which The Knot data indicates typically accounts for roughly 4 percent of a wedding budget.
Consider wedding flowers carefully
Although many decorative elements help to create ambiance for a wedding celebration, perhaps none is more awe-inspiring than beautiful floral arrangements. Flowers offer visual appeal, captivating aromas and texture that can make a space more welcoming. Engaged couples typically go to great lengths when planning their weddings, but flowers may not be as micromanaged as other elements. Some are content to let florists design their arrangements, but the average cost of
wedding flowers in 2023 was $2,800, according to The Knot Real Weddings Study. That price tag merits some input on the part of couples. Floral experts say couples should budget for floral arrangements coming in at 10 percent of the overall wedding budget, which is the industry standard. Therefore, for a $60,000 wedding a couple should assume their florals will cost $6,000. It’s important to note that the cost of wedding flowers has been steadily increasing over the last few years due to inflation and climate change,
says The Knot. So couples may need to be even more involved in floral decisions to maximize their dollars spent. Here are some variables to consider when selecting wedding flowers.
Greenery: Adding greenery to fill in spaces in floral arrangements can save some money. Centerpieces and bouquets that are floral-heavy will certainly cost more.
• Symbolism: Consider the meaning behind flowers to make
choices even more personal. You also may want to select flowers that will complement the theme of the wedding. For example, traditional spring blooms like tulips and daffodils will coordinate with spring weddings.
• Flower varieties: Hardier varieties of flowers, such as daisies, mums, carnations, and protea, are less likely to wilt quickly in bouquets or centerpieces than some other blooms, even when they are
Another variable to consider is family. According to The Knot data, couples allocated an average of 8 percent of their budgets to their rehearsal dinner. However, couples’ parents may offer to pay for that meal, which can leave more room in the budget for other expenses. In addition, The Knot reported that the percentage of couples asking a friend or family member to serve as their wedding officiant rose from 37 percent in 2015 to 51 percent in 2020. Wedding officiants do not often eat up a significant portion of a couple’s wedding budget (1 percent), but this is another expense that modern couples may not need to account for.
cut. Such blooms can hold up in any weather and last the entire day so that arrangements will be picture-perfect no matter the hour.
• Venue: Couples may find that some venues already have faux flowers or other decor. That may mean couples do not need to have as many flowers or any elaborate arrangements.
a size that will not discourage conversation or block guests’ view, nor take up too much real estate on the table.
• Allergies: Although they are cut, flowers in arrangements can trigger allergic responses in some people. Others may be bothered by overly aromatic flowers. Work with the florist to find blooms that will be best.
Size: A particularly large floral centerpiece can overwhelm a table, and a bouquet that is overly cumbersome may detract from the bride or her bridesmaids. Choose the correct scale for comfort in bouquets. For table arrangements, select
• Color scheme: Although white flowers always coordinate, many couples like some color in their arrangements. Be sure the flowers pick up the hues used in bridesmaid dresses or even the season of the year.
Weddings can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Couples who determine how best to allocate their wedding budgets may find it far simpler to plan their big day.