Greece News March/April 2023

Make reservations for HAA Casino Night 2023

Reservations for the Hilton Alumni Associ ation’s Casino Night 2023 are available now. The event will be held on Saturday, April 15, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Hilton Exempts Club, 137 South Avenue, Hilton. Reservations are $50 for a single entry and $90 for a double entry.

The cost of your reserved spot will be a donation to the fledgling Hilton Alumni Association. All net proceeds from this event will be added to the Association’s Grants and Scholarships Fund. Visit the HAA website at https://www.hiltonalumniassociation.org or scan the QR code to reserve a spot.

The evening will include Las Vegas style games, live Las Vegas casino-style music, prizes, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, coffee, and a cash bar. Table hosts from Las Vegas Events will teach attendees how to play the games, if needed, while making the evening fun.

Best of all, it’s all perfectly legal, and attendees will be helping the Hilton Alumni Association to support students and educators of Hilton Central Schools. Provided information

From the office of The Supervisor, Bill Reilich

As our winter season comes to an end, I would like to remind you that our Winter Parking Ordinance is in effect through April 15, Midnight – 8:00am. Until this time, please do not park on any Town roads or the grass on right-of-ways.

Last month, I was honored to host a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the Grand Opening of Lion and Lamb Fitness. The new fitness center, located at 370 Elm Ridge Center Drive, in the Town of Greece, is owned by Jen Burke. Jen Burke has worked at several fitness facilities over the years where she has gained both knowledge and certifications. In 2022, after having taught virtual fitness classes for several months, Jen decided to open her own fitness center. Jen chose to open her business in the Town of Greece because of both the population and loyalty of local community members. Also, the space in Elm Ridge Plaza felt like home as soon as she walked in. The pledge of Lion and Lamb Fitness is to be a valuable business in the community. Jen’s goal is to care for members both inside the studio as well as supporting community initiatives outside the studio through donationbased classes, fundraisers, and a variety of drives for community needs.

I am pleased to announce that our annual scholarship oppor-

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Stepping Up to the World Championships of Irish Dance

by Barbara Burke

Hilton High School Junior, Jude Hare, will be participating in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Montréal, Québec, Canada. The competition will be held Sunday April 2 through Sunday April 9, 2023, with over 6,000 participants from all around the world. Worldwide, only 1% of Irish dancers have the honor of competing in the World Championships. The event is organized by The Irish Dancing Commission with the goal of promoting Irish dance and use of the Irish language.

Jude is 17 years old and has been dancing for the past ten years. He started dancing in honor, and in memory of Noel Parcells, a 10 year old girl from Hilton whose life ended tragically in September of 2011. Jude’s mother Michelle Hare said, “During the summer months after her parents divorced, Noel and her mother stayed in our home, with our family. Noel loved everything St. Patrick’s Day and all things green, actually she loved all the holidays. We feel it is a fitting tribute to her memory.”

Jude struggled in the beginning with his dancing. “Jude is autistic,” Michelle said, “In his autism he is very contrary. He struggles with the social aspects of being around people. When he first started dancing he kept his head down, and sometimes even walked off stage. Eventually that stopped happening. The audiences cheered him on so big that over time, it built his level of confidence, which helped him with all endeavors in life. He learned to be confident, and that he has the ability to accomplish what he sets his mind to.”

Beginning Irish Dance studies at seven years old is considered a late start. In the beginning of his dance studies, Jude was in

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Jude at Rochester Academy of Irish Dance.

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classes where he received recognition and participation trophies. He told his mother that he wanted to learn with all the other dancers. Although transitions are quite difficult, he now successfully performs solo, and within groups of dancers of all ages. He has developed the ability to adapt on demand.

During his Irish Dance studies, Jude excelled at the six accomplishment levels of the dance form, moving through them quite quickly. Levels include: beginner, advanced beginner, novice, prizewinner, preliminary championship and open championship. With each level comes additional dance privileges.

The costumes that dancers wear are part of a progression in higher levels. Jude now proudly wears a costume that he designed himself. Michelle said, “Jude’s outfit is three years old and he still loves it. It it a custom design that came from Jude’s imagination. The boys are much more fortunate than the girls that dance in that most girls change dance dresses each year. Dresses range in price from $300 to $3,000.”

As dancers advance in competition and are given solo roles, they are permitted to wear a costume of their own design and colors.

Years ago, the traditional dress for competition was your “Sunday Best” clothes. Over time, ornately embroidered dresses became popular. Today, even more ornamentation is used on girls’

A group of the Rochester Academy of Irish Dance students performed at the Greece Community St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at The Center at Greece Town Hall. Jude is pictured above with Betty Bentley, and her husband, Bob Crosby who enjoyed the Irish Dance performance.

Alex Fahoury, MD Brockport Vine Medical

continued from page 6 integrated into Irish dance culture. Many feature traditional elements of classic peasant wear adorned with Celtic designs. Some costumes feature lace or embroidery patterned after designs in the Irish Book of Kells.

Most men wear a shirt, vest or jacket, tie and black trousers. As the men progress through the levels of achievement, they are also given the choice to design their costumes.

The history of Ireland is also the history of Irish Dance. The roots of the dancing comes from the Celts and the druids, early inhabitants of Ireland. Traditional Irish dance is performed solo, or in groups of up to twenty or more trained dancers. In Ireland, Irish dance is part of social dancing, formal performances and competitions. Known for intricate foot work and a stiff upper body, Irish dancers do not move their arms or hands so that footwork is prominent. Musical instruments like the Irish Bodhran (drum), fiddle, concertina, accordion, Uiliean pipes, Celtic harp, tin whistles and banjo form the background of Irish dance music

Jude excels in many of the arts. In middle school he taught himself how to play a piano. His mother said, “I had an old keyboard in the closet. I heard music coming from his room. It was Jude playing and composing songs on the spot. He has never had a music lesson. He can play any instrument he picks up. When we go to Pittsburgh there is a piano at the place where the dance competitions are held. Jude plays the piano all day long. He just zones out and plays songs that come out of his head, he draws a crowd around him to listen. Each year at the competition when people recognize him, they ask him to play the piano for them. He just shines when he performs.”

Jude attends dance classes seven hours a week, plus when he is preparing for a performance, additional weekly private one hour lessons are scheduled. He studies at the Rochester Academy of Irish Dance, 1598 Penfield Road in Rochester. Jude performs 100 hours a year dancing at community events, libraries, nursing homes, and public and private performances. It is volunteer, and all throughout the year.

For more information on the World Irish Dance Championships 2023 visit www.ornc2023.com

Friends of the Greece Public Library sponsored SPRING BOOK SALE

Saturday, April 29th • 9AM-3PM

Buckman’s Plaza Lower Level • 2590 West Ridge Road

Children’s Books • Non-Fiction • Mystery • Adventure • Romance Large Selection - Please Bring Your Own Bag • Masking Optional

Photos by Karen Fien

Cover photo, l-r: Cassie Lang, Greece, Grace McGinnity, Brockport, Jude Hare, Hilton and Annabelle McGinnity, Brockport

Western Monroe County preparing for tourism event of a lifetime

by Tami Raco

On April 8, 2024, a rare total eclipse of the sun will be on a path of totality over western Monroe County. During the eclipse, temperatures drop significantly, animals act as if it were nightfall, planets and stars become visible, a diamond ring effect occurs, and a 360-degree sunset appears. During the moments of totality, which will occur directly over Brockport and Clarkson, the sun will be completely blocked by the moon. Many observers report exquisitely odd and wondrous sensations of solar emissions.

The last total solar eclipse of this kind that occurred in New York State was in 1925. The next solar eclipse in New York will be in 2079. This is a once in a lifetime event for New Yorkers, and especially for those of us living right here on the line of totality.

Meetings have already begun to prepare for this once-in-ageneration tourism event. A meeting held in February at the Clarkson Town Hall included county and town officials; local police authorities; the RMSC President, astronomer Hilary Olson; Director of Public Relations of Visit Rochester, Rachel Laber Pulvino; and SUNY Brockport’s Events Manager, Stuart Soloway. It is anticipated that the area could possibly have half a million tourists coming in to view the eclipse at the line of totality.

During the Great North American Eclipse in 2017, the cities that had the highest visibility and totality saw between 400,000 and a million visitors and had an economic impact of millions of dollars.

Meetings will continue throughout the next year so that businesses, lodging, roadways and residents are prepared. For more information on the eclipse, visit http://www.rochestereclipse2024.org.

Provided photos

Celebrating 40 years in business, and as a

to our community we are offering 40¢ sq. ft. off all of our flooring for the entire month of April!

In addition, we are giving 40 yards of Karastan carpet to one lucky winner with the ugliest carpet in Rochester!

Send in a picture and short story as to why you deserve the carpet. A winner will be announced on April 29th as we celebrate in store with even more prizes!

Hurry to our facebook page: christiecarpets&blinds to enter the contest and find more details on our 40 year sale running the entire month of April. We cannot wait to see what you have to share!

Show your ugly floor the door with Christie Carpets!

With the help of her mother, Lori Kent, she set up a drop box where people could make donations. Lori Kent works at Mr. Beenz Diner, 1941 Buffalo Road in Gates. Mr. Beenz owner, Jimmy Porteus, offered to let Kylie set up a drop box at his restaurant. Kylie designed the box and included a sign stating her request for donations of socks and other winter clothing such as hats and gloves, and explaining her motivation to have a sock drive. She placed the drop box in the entry way at Mr. Beenz Diner.

The community responded in a very generous way with donations of over 350 items including, not only socks, but also hats, gloves, coats and blankets. All donated items will be distributed to the homeless through Gary Harding and his Outreach program that drives the streets of Rochester looking for homeless, and providing them with essentials and warm clothing. Children’s items collected by Kylie will be donated to local Women and Children Shelters.

Kylie said, “I want to thank everyone that donated for their generosity, it was unreal, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Lori Kent said of her daughter, “Kylie always does selfless, really great things. I am so proud of her, she did this all on her own.” Provided Photo

Building inspector

Full-time (35 hours/week)

town of parma

starting pay range: $64,000 - $72,000

starting date: April 2023

The Town of Parma is accepting applications for a full-time Building Inspector. Applicants must possess a current NYS Basic Code Enforcement Training certificate. Duties include planning, directing and supervising the activities of the Building Department, enforcing State and municipal building codes and attending monthly board meetings. Monroe County employment applications may be submitted in person or by mail to the Parma Town Clerk’s Office at 1300 Hilton Parma Corners Road, P.O. Box 728, Hilton, NY 14468 as soon as possible. For questions please call 392-9462. The Town of Parma is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Kylie in the entry way of Mr. Beenz Diner in Gates with the “Sock Box” she designed.

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tunity for young residents is now available. The Jerry J. Helfer Youth Engagement Scholarship provides the Greece community with the opportunity to recognize a student that regularly upholds exemplary moral values, devotes time and energy into helping serve the Greece community, and consistently displays outstanding leadership skills. Scholarship applications can be found on the Town of Greece website: https://greeceny.gov/ departments/parksandrecreation/jerry-j-helfer-youth-engagement- scholarship. The scholarship deadline is Friday, May 26, 2023.

As always, I enjoy hearing feedback from residents about programming and other Town-related matters. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit our website. Keep on the look-out for additional details regarding Town sponsored events and news on my Facebook page: Bill Reilich Greece Town Supervisor.

Spring Clean Your Diet

by Tami Raco, Health Coach and Trainer

Springtime gets many of us motivated to clean out our cars, closets, and garages. It is also a great opportunity to apply that same fervor to cleaning up the way we eat!

Here are some easy tips to help you do just that:

•Limit the foods that cause inflammation. Steer clear of margarine, canola oil, vegetable oils and vegetable shortening. These types of inexpensive and highly processed oils and fats cause inflammation, impact lipids and the metabolism negatively. Instead use extra virgin olive oil (low heat), coconut oil (medium heat), avocado oil or ghee (for high heat) and grass-fed butter.

The types of fat you eat are very important.

•Load up on fresh veggies and low sugar fruits. The more colorful the plant-based foods the more nutritious. Make yourself colorful salads with baby spinach, fresh berries, ripe cherry tomatoes and drizzle with a delicious vinaigrette dressing. Or blend yourself a delicious protein smoothie with good quality whey or collagen protein powder. Add in a handful of berries, with a half of an organic fresh avocado, ice and water for a creamy powerhouse of a shake.

•Choose whole grain with fiber over refined grains. Use the rule of thumb that if it doesn’t have at least five grams of fiber in a serving, it’s not worth it. Consuming 25 grams of dietary fiber a day can lower you risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and certain types of cancer.

Remember small changes add up to big results!

www.thewellnessministry.com

Greece Chamber Offers Trip to Canadian Rockies

The Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce and Collette has lined up an exciting trip for fall of 2023 to the Canadian Rockies, departing October 5, 2023. Special package pricing is available for those who reserve by April 5, 2023. In addition, Chamber members receive a discount as well when booking by the dead line.

“Collette is one of the Chamber’s larger business members with over 100 years of experience as an international tour operator. We are proud to partner with them in bring ing exciting and unique trips of high quality and value to our members and to the general public in our region and beyond,” said Greece Regional Chamber President and CEO Sarah E. Lentini.

While membership is not required to participate in the travel program, Greece Regional Chamber Associate and Business members are eligible for travel discounts on many destinations.

The public can find additional trips and more information on the Chamber’s travel program by visiting www.GreeceChamber. org, emailing Info@GreeceChamber.org, or calling 585.227.7272 or 585.944.5800.

Provided Information and Photo

Get out & grow!

What have bugs been doing all winter?

by Kristina Gabalski

by Kristina Gabalski

You don’t see them, but bugs are not far away during the winter months. In fact, most insects show remarkable resiliency during the cold, snow and ice of winter. Insects have several ways of cop ing and surviving until they can re-emerge when spring is here.

According to Purdue University, insects and spiders do not maintain constant internal temperatures like humans, which gives them challenges for surviving the cold. Insects migrate to warmer places, sneak into houses and buildings, hide under tree bark or in the ground or deep water, or use compounds in their blood as an “anti-freeze” to keep them from freezing to death during winter.

Monarch butterflies travel as far as 3,000 miles in one direc tion to reach warmer climes in Mexico before they fly back to the U.S. in the spring. Purdue says that black cutworms, which attack soybeans, gardens and golf courses, also migrate as mature moths. In the spring, it takes them only two days to travel from Texas back to Minnesota.

It is more common, though, for moths and butterflies to stay where it is cold and tough out the winter in various life stages. Luna moths survive in pupa form, building their cocoons in the shelter of leaf litter, and emerging in the spring. Imperial moths burrow underground as caterpillars and spend the cold months as pupae, returning above ground in the spring. Mourning cloak butterflies have an internal compound that acts as antifreeze. They survive the winter in adult form under rocks or in tree bark crevices.

Wooly bear caterpillars, which we often see in the late fall, become Isabell tiger moths. They can actually freeze and thaw

up their flight muscles in the cold.

In winter, the eggs, nymphs and larva of mosquitoes, dragonflies and mayflies are found in ponds and lakes where they wait out the frigid season in the water, which maintains a fairly stable temperature down the water column. Many are able to tolerate very frigid conditions and will not freeze until temperatures drop well below 0° F.

Ticks do go dormant in winter and rest in leaf litter and other debris. However, Purdue points out that ticks easily become active if temperatures rise above freezing. If you enjoy a walk in the woods on a mild winter day, check for ticks when you return home.

Insects such as spiders, cluster flies, ladybugs and stink bugs seek out warmth on the sunny side of houses as temps fall in autumn. This allows them to find small cracks, allowing them inside. Sealing up vulnerable spots on your home exterior can help keep these bugs out. Once inside, Purdue explains that many of these insects do enter a period of suspended development called diapause where they wait for warming temperatures to re-start normal activity.

The New York State DEC says that many insect pests and diseases are able to survive winter. Emerald ash borer spends the winter in the sapwood of ash trees where the outer bark acts as insulation. The larvae supercool themselves – their body fluids able to go below their normal freezing point without freezing. Spongy moths survive the winter as eggs covered with a fuzzy silk. They, too, have anti-freeze proteins that prevent internal liquids from freezing. Fungi that cause diseases like oak wilt also go dormant during the winter and resume growth when temperatures warm in the spring.

Mantis adults die before winter, but their eggs survive and hatch in the spring. Photo by Kristina Gabalski.