My Hometown May 2024

Lori

Debbie

Mary

Ellen

April showers bring May flowers… and a familiar face to Rochester’s favorite events

by Colleen Onuffer

“Good Morning! Uncle Phil loves you!” answers Phil Salamone, when I called him for this interview.

The North Chili resident lovingly nicknamed “Uncle Phil” is easily recognized by his signature tagline and smiling face. Rochester residents see him at events all year long working security, but the number of events that fill Salamone’s schedule increases with the Rochester Red Wings baseball season and annual Lilac Festival.

After graduating from Edison Career and Technology High School (Edison Tech) and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Salamone went to work for commercial printing company, CaseHoyt. In 1989, the recently divorced Salamone was looking for economical ways to entertain his four young boys.

“I took them anywhere I could go,” explained Salamone. “Rochester has lots of free or cheap options for activities and events.” One of those family-friendly activities was attending Rochester Red Wings baseball games together.

That April, some of the ushers approached Salamone and asked

“Lots of foul balls would come out there, and I would collect them for my kids,” said Salamone. “If there was damage to any of the cars in the parking lot, I’d report it to the Red Wings, which they appreciated.”

Once Salamone started working sporting events, he never looked back.

“Then I started working at Blue Cross Arena and never applied for another job again. People would come over to me and say, ‘I like the way you work. Would you work for me?’” explained Salamone. “Next, the Lilac Festival asked if I’d work for them. ‘We’ll invent a job for you,’ they said. Since then, I’ve been working VIP parking at the Lilac Festival for over 30 years.”

While Salamone is hired for security, “Uncle Phil” says he spends his time greeting people and “making sure they’re kind and happy.”

Most people are kind and happy when they spot Salamone at one of the 250 festivals, conventions or sporting events that he works at around the region, where he’s quick to give a hug, start

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Phil received special recognition from the former Monroe County Executive for 31+ years of service to the Rochester community. Photo by Joe Territo

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“When I first got divorced at 40 years old, I stood in the corner and cried. But then I met more and more people who were getting divorced, and I gave them a hug and gave them respect. I told them it was going to be okay. I wanted to build them up. I made so many new friends that way,” said Salamone.

Getting to meet a variety of people – and receiving their love, respect and kindness – is Salamone’s favorite part of working Rochester’s events scene.

“I like my friends, but I love strangers,” said Salamone. “A stranger gets their first impression of you in the first 60 seconds. Then when they leave, they take that memory of you with them.”

He went on to share a story from working at the Puerto Rican Festival.

“I was saying hi to everyone who passed me. One guy walked past, then walked back, turned around and asked, ‘Do I know you?’ I said, ‘No, I’m just saying hi!’” said Salamone.

It’s his easy-going nature and ability to talk to anyone that led to Salamone’s nickname. “It was about 20 years ago when someone at an event asked if they could call me their Uncle Phil. I said yes and from that day on, everyone started calling me their uncle!”

But what’s a character without a catchphrase?

“My phrase ‘Uncle Phil loves you!’ started because I was lonely. I had no one in my life. I realized if I tell people I love them, they’ll

say they love me back,” explained Salamone. “It brought tears to my eyes. It means they love me, and that warms my heart.”

In July 2019, the Rochester Red Wings celebrated Salamone’s 34th season with the team by turning him and his popular phrase into a talking bobblehead that was handed out to the first 1,000 attendees.

“I was very delighted and excited for the opportunity!” exclaimed Salamone. With the photo shoot and video and audio recordings, Salamone felt like a Rochester celebrity. That evening, Salamone was joined in a suite with his sons, grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law. “I think it was one of the biggest Wednesday crowds they had that year. Everyone was chanting, ‘Uncle Phil.’”

Thinking about that night, he added, “There are so many good people in the world. You have to let the bad people go. There’s too much good.”

As I pictured the sweet Salamone handling security, I asked if he has ever dealt with difficult people or scary situations.

“There’s been a couple of times where I’ve called on the radio, ‘It’s Uncle Phil… I need help!’” he said. “But even the bad people out there need love too. I tell them to come over and talk to me, and they usually break down. A lot of people don’t know who I am, but I’m here to help anyone. The little bit of love I can give them goes a long way.”

For another spring, Salamone will be working in the VIP parking lot of the Rochester Lilac Festival, this year running from May 10-19.

“I will keep doing this until I can’t do it anymore, until my body stops me,” said Salamone, referencing the 10 to 12-hour workdays ahead of him. “I’m 76 years old and I can still get up and get out of bed. There’s a reason why I’m doing this. He’s looking down on me saying, ‘Keep going, Uncle Phil!’”

Salamone is especially looking forward to the Lilac Festival’s Hugging Day. “Anyone at the event is welcome to hug Uncle Phil,” said Salamone. “My arms are open!”

Although I started the interview not personally knowing Phil Salamone, his kindness and affection is contagious. As we were hanging up, I heard, “Uncle Phil loves you!” and I couldn’t help myself but respond, “I love you too, Uncle Phil!”

A special promotional bobblehead figurine of Phil was handed out to fans at a Rochester Red Wings game. Provided Photo

Phil with Otto Harnischfeger, Executive Director of the Pirate Toy Fund. Provided Photo

Local Olympian Jenn Suhr to be inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame

The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2024 inductees on April 8. Among the esteemed honorees are NFL Hall of Famer Ron Yary, MLB All-Star Troy Tulowitzki, Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting Jenn Suhr, and Boston Marathon champion Greg Meyer. Their exceptional achievements in their respective sports have earned them a well-deserved place in the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing their remarkable contributions to athletic excellence.

Suhr has achieved numerous accolades throughout her illustrious pole vaulting career. A superb all-around athlete at Roberts Wesleyan (Class of 2004), she turned her focus to pole vaulting in 2004. A year later, in 2005, she became the U.S. National Indoor Champion, showcasing her immense talent and dedication to the sport.

Suhr’s meteoric rise continued as she won U.S. National Outdoor Championship titles in 2006, 2007, and 2008 while climbing to a No. 2 world ranking. In 2008, she set a U.S. record with an impressive vault of 16’ 1-3/4” and capped off the year with a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

By 2011, Suhr had risen to the No. 1 world ranking, solidifying her status as one of the best pole vaulters in the world. Her crowning achievement came in 2012 when she won the gold medal at the London Olympics, cementing her legacy as an Olympic champion.

Suhr’s accomplishments extend beyond the Olympic stage. She is a seventeen-time U.S. Champion, the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Champion, and the 2013 IAAF World Championships silver medalist. Remarkably, she still holds the women’s world indoor pole vault record of 16’ 6” to this day, a testament to her exceptional talent

and perseverance.

The 51st Annual Induction Banquet will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan. Provided information

Jenn Suhr. Provided photo.

July 22 - 26, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

August 5 - 9, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Craft Cannery breaks ground on $1.5 million expansion at Bergen plant

Manufacturing facility will more than double in size with this expansion and create new jobs

On April 3, Craft Cannery – the 2022 Grow NY $500,000 winner – broke ground on its $1.5 million expansion in Bergen. The private label manufacturing business that services local and regional food brands and regional grocery chains will more than double in size once the construction for this expansion is complete.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, Craft Cannery leaders and staff, as well as community and fellow manufacturing leaders, joined alongside the construction crew and general contractor from Capstone Construction – toting shovels and hard-hats – to officially kick off the construction.

“I can’t even believe it,” said Craft Cannery CEO Paul Guglielmo. “I’m so proud to lead a team that is passionate about making delicious products on a large scale, and this expansion will allow for us to grow in the way we need over the next few years, as we plan and prepare for our next expansion.”

Today Craft Cannery stands as a 5,000 square-foot facility. When the construction is complete, which is expected to be this fall, it will add another nearly 7,000 square-feet, more than doubling the size of the current building. The expansion will allow a fulltime food service packaging line for bulk-food service in gallon jugs and buckets, mostly for restaurants, and a new glass bottling line. Once the expanded plant is running, both areas of the business (food service packaging line and glass bottling line) will run simultaneously. A second floor is being added, which will house conference rooms, office spaces, a formal lobby and waiting area, a break room with kitchenette, and three additional bathrooms

will be installed.

“As it relates to contract manufacturing, which is the core of our business, we are the contract manufacturer for well-known and respected local food brands” said Craft Cannery Co-Owner Tom Riggio. “We have been growing since day one, and there is more business that we have had to turn away due to space and production constraints. This expansion will allow us to support everyone from your favorite local restaurant to regional grocery chains across the northeast.”

Guglielmo and his business partner, advisor and mentor, Riggio, purchased the manufacturing facility in 2020. At that time, there were three full time employees. Today there are 15 employees (14 full time and one part time), and an additional six full time employees will be hired this fall once the new building is finished. New positions will include an Operations Manager, Warehouse Assistant, Cook and Production Line employees. Guglielmo and Riggio purchased the building and land that they were previously renting last year.

“With their flexible and hands-on approach, we’ve seen Craft Cannery become a go-to provider for contract manufacturing,” said Chris Suozzi, Vice President of Business and Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center. “The GCEDC was thrilled to support the expansion of Craft Cannery in our Appletree Acres business park. This project is yet another example of the continued growth of the food and beverage sector in Genesee County.”

In 2022, Craft Cannery won the $500,000 prize in the annual Grow NY Competition, a global food and agriculture business competition, one of the biggest of its type in the world. A significant portion of this Grow NY prize is going towards this construction project.

“Craft Cannery’s growth is a testament to their drive and ability and brings the power of the Grow-NY program to life,” said Jenn Smith, Director of Food and Agriculture Programs at Cornell’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement and Director of the Grow NY program. “As an individual company they are making a positive contribution to the economy Upstate; as

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Craft Cannery broke ground on their $1.5 million expansion with a ceremony on April 3.

continued from p[age 9

a leader in contract manufacturing in New York, they are helping local food companies scale up and meet consumer demand. We look forward to the ripple effect of their continued success.”

Craft Cannery is one of a few USDA manufacturing canneries in New York State. It is also registered through the Food and Drug Administration/United States Department of Agriculture, and New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, and is third-party audited by the Global Food Safety Initiative Safe Quality Food Standard.

“The Town of Bergen is very pleased with Craft Cannery’s plans to expand its facilities at 7100 Appletree Acres,” said Bergen Town Supervisor Ernie Haywood. “To be the home base of this innovative and growing business is beneficial to the town, its taxpayers, and residents. Congratulations to Paul Guglielmo and Tom Riggio on Craft Cannery’s success as evidenced by this 7,000 square foot addition. We look forward to watching this business prosper and be an even more productive partner in our community.”

To read more about Craft Cannery, go to https:// www.craftcannery.com.

Provided information and photos

Mayhem benefit basketball game and the 2024 version was another in a long line of successful activities. The benefit was for the Willie Bee Foundation, a non-profit formed to help families dealing with significant childhood illnesses. The foundation is in memory of Will Beeman, the two-year-old son of Churchville teacher Christine Beeman.

The Churchville-Chili LEO Club was joined for the game by the Unified Basketball team, the boys Varsity and JV programs, along with district faculty and staff. The activ ity was a fun event for all and their joint efforts raised total of $1,090.

The LEO Club is completing its 26th year of community service activities and is sponsored by the Churchville Lions Club.

Provided information and photo

Proceeds benefitted the Willie Bee Foundation.

Craft Cannery CEO Paul Guglielmo and Co-Owner Tom Riggio.

My Hometown History

The Churchville

by Ron Johnston

Back in the 1950s, when Arnie Barton delivered milk to Ray and Norma Adams’ home at 211 Riga-Mumford Road, Sarah Adams would scoot in the opposite direction.

“He had such a booming voice that I would run and hide,” Sarah remembered. “As a little girl, I was scared of him. But as I grew up, I came to enjoy talking sports with him.”

Baseball was Barton’s game, and his “booming voice” served him well on the Churchville Stars semipro diamond in Churchville Park. When the 6-foot-2 pitcher/outfielder spoke, his teammates and people in general tended to listen to what he had to say.

There is 1949 Churchville Stars team photograph of Bob Frew in a white t-shirt and not in uniform, holding a lit cigarette in his right hand.

Don’t worry about it. It’s OK. Frew can do whatever he wants to do.

You see, as a World War II vet, he survived the 65-mile Bataan Death March in the Philippines in the spring of 1942.

“Never talked about it (after the war),” said Tom Frew of his uncle.

So, that being said...if Bob Frew needed a relight, he would’ve gotten one. Instantly.

After work in the early 60s, Gerry Betteridge would often play 2-on-2 basketball at a driveway hoop with son, Chris, Bob Weiland, and yours truly.

Mr. Betteridge, as Bob and I addressed him, was very strong and very good.

Little did we know that he was a three-sport standout at Churchville High back in the mid-40s.

“My dad (Dick Frew) calls Gerry Betteridge the greatest athlete to come out of old Churchville High,” said Tom Frew, a 1970 C-C grad.

Oh, yeah, Betteridge was a pitcher/outfielder for the Churchville Stars for many years...and he was one of their best players.

“Gerry was the center fielder, and he was a power hitter,” recalled Jerry Spotts, a 1951 Churchville High grad.

After the war, baseball was, without question, the National Pastime in the United States of America. In Churchville, it was especially popular on the Sabbath. That’s when the Stars played, usually during the early afternoon at Churchville Park, not far from the golf course.

“My dad said on Sunday afternoons they drew good crowds,” Frew said.

In 1958, the Churchville Stars’ opponents were Perry, Sonyea, Nunda, Avon, Scottsville, Mt. Morris, LeRoy, Rush, and Caledonia.

Said Margie (Barton) Hunt, “We watched my dad (Arnie Barton) play after church every Sunday for years. Great times!”

Hunt was usually accompanied by mother, Marnie Barton; sister, Barb (Barton) Neale; and little brother, Neil Barton. Chris Betteridge and mother, Bernie Betteridge, were also spectators.

Some of the score card/program sponsors were: Byron’s Petherbridge Motors, Inc., The Johnson House (Churchville’s official “wet spot”), H.F. Snyder & Son, O.K. Farms, Dave and George’s Whirl Top Stand, Dilcher Service, Dr. V.P. Laglia, Pershing’s City Service, Cash and

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Carry Meadowbrook Farms, Your Delco Dealer

The 1947 Churchville Stars: (l-r) back row – Gerry Betteridge, Homer Barton, Gordon Hill, Bob Frew; front row – Bob “Red” Bruton, Stub Miller, Norm MacDonald, Stan Brew, Sam Hessney, Izzo Marino, unknown, Arnie Barton, Charlie Lazaration, and Rich Houck. Provided photo.

The 1949 Churchville Stars: (l-r) back row – Bob Frew, Houck, DeLaura, Marino, Ronnie Brew, Dick Weidort, Ron Johnson; front row – DeLaura, Bruton, Dick Betteridge, Claude Harris, Stan Griffin, MacDonald, Barton, Ken Forbes, and Stan Brew. Provided photo.

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F.R. Ehrmentraut, Dimock and Peck Oldsmobile, Williams Television & Radio Service, Fairway Restaurant, H.R. Way Auctioneer and Appraiser, George Skelton Plumbing Heating, The Oasis Restaurant, Don Howard Farm Machinery, Spencerport Super Market, Ray Brown Hardware Plumbing Heating, Nunes’ Nook, Rogers Poultry Farm, Western Auto Associate Store, The Churchville Greenhouses, Alexander Bros. IGA Super Market, Elmcrest Sanitarium, The Little Restaurant, Leo P. Kruze General Insurance, and Tobin Packing Company (Rochester).

“The Stars were formed by the Churchville Enterprisers, which was the forerunner of the Churchville Chamber of Commerce,” remembered Spotts.

“The Johnsons – Hunk, Gordon and Stan – were also very much involved.” *

The 1958 Stars team was managed by John MacMillan. The roster included Roy Hershey, Paul Doherty, John McKenzie, Al Belcher, Marvin Darch, Chuck MacMillan, Hal Martin, Hank Boyst, McKinley Jackson, Skip Howarth, Dale Pederson, Dave Pederson, Tim Ackerman, Al Lowden (pitcher), Rich Houck, Bill McMillan, Charlie Maiers, Gerry Betteridge (P/OF), and Arnie Barton (P/OF).

Barton and Betteridge were neighbors, with the Donahue house in between them, on Churchville-Riga Road (about two miles south of Churchville). Across the road from their homes was the Riga Center Cemetery. *

After Stars games, Arnie Barton would accumulate the broken bats and give them to the Riga Center kids – Neil Barton, John Donahue, Chris Betteridge, Bob Weiland, Roger Pimm, Freddie Church, Geoff Grinnell, Jay Grinnell, and myself.

We would just tape the bats and re-use them in sandlot games in the Riga neighborhood.

* * * *

Arnie Barton was also a vet, who served in the navy. After the war, he was pictured with the ‘47 and ‘49 Churchville Stars teams. Also on the 47 squad were Gerry Betteridge, Homer Barton, Gordon Hill, Bob Frew, Bob “Red” Bruton (third base), Stub Miller, Norm MacDonald, Stan Brew, Sam Hessney, Izzo Marino, Charlie Lazaration, and Rich Houck.

“Sam Hessney was a CHS (Churchville High School) coach and maybe the best I ever had at any time,” said Spotts, who occasionally filled in as a Stars infielder in the 50s.

Added Tom Frew, “Sam was the Assistant Athletic Director for the Rochester City School District, and grew up in Churchville.”

The ‘49 Stars roster featured Bob Frew, Houck, Marino, Ron-

nie Brew, Dick Weidort, Ron Johnson, Bruton, Dick Betteridge, Claude Harris (OF), Stan Griffin, Norm MacDonald, Ken Forbes, Stan Brew, and Barton.

After his playing days, Barton umpired in the 60s, and showed me how to correctly throw a curveball for a strike.

EPILOGUE:

While the Churchville Stars disbanded many years ago, they have not been forgotten.

•Bob Frew worked in sales for Agway and resided in Attica. He passed away a hero in 1981. Thank you always for your service.

•Dick Betteridge, Gerry’s brother, was a standout golfer.

•Gerry Betteridge was a Hall of Fame bowler. He passed away at age 79 in 2007 in South Carolina. His son, Chris, also passed away at age 60 in 2011. Bernie is doing well in South Carolina.

•Gordon Hill was Roger Hill’s father. Roger, who passed away at age 68 in 2015 in North Carolina, was a standout athlete at CCSHS in the mid-1960s. Roger was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame last December.

•Norm MacDonald was a longtime Town Supervisor for Riga and my Sunday School teacher in Churchville.

•Arnie Barton and wife, Marnie, have also passed away. Their son, Neil, would become the Athletic Director at CCSHS and daughters, Margie and Barb, both reside in Texas.

•Sarah (Adams) Moffitt was one of the greatest female athletes in Saints history. Unfortunately, C-C didn’t field any varsity girls sports during her time at the school.

•Tom Frew and Jerry Spotts are both doing well and living in LeRoy.

•Ronnie Brew was Stan Brew’s brother, and resided on North Main in Churchville.

•Stan Brew farmed on Bangs Road.

•Marvin Beatty was a Stars skipper for a few years, and son, Gary, a batboy.

•Joe Fosmire was a catcher; Chick Schmidt or Corky MacMullen played first; Vern Button, third; and John Freeman, from Caledonia, pitched.

•Dr. Eli Vail was a contributor and never missed a Churchville Stars game until passing in late 1954.

Note: Ron Johnston, a 1966 Churchville-Chili Senior High graduate, is the author of One-Game Wonder: A Hoops Memory and Compilation.

Monroe County golf courses open for the season

Monroe County’s three public golf courses, Durand Eastman, Genesee Valley and Churchville, opened for the season on April 22.

“Monroe County’s three affordable and accessible public golf courses add to the tremendous quality of life residents here enjoy throughout warmer months,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “This year we’re looking forward to showing off the new improvements we’ve made to all three courses. We’ve got even more plans in the works. I encourage everyone, no matter your skill level to take advantage of the warm weather ahead and hit the links.”

In the past year, county golf courses saw more than $2 million in improvements, including:

•Completion of golf cart paths at Genesee Valley and Churchville

•New tee boxes at Durand Eastman

•Drainage-related regrading in portions of Durand Eastman.

Season permits for discounted green fees throughout the season are available free of charge to seniors over 62, active military, veterans, youth under 17, and golfers with a physician-certified disability. Qualifying residents can apply for a free season permit at any pro shop at each of the three county courses.

Tee times may be booked online at www.monroecountyparksgolf.com.

Due to wet course conditions, driving ranges at Genesee Valley and Churchville are closed. Additionally, carts are restricted to cart paths only at Genesee Valley and Churchville, and carts are prohibited at Durand Eastman until conditions improve.

Provided information

My Hometown Volunteers

Pick Up The Parks Day in Riga

On Saturday, April 20, the Riga Recreation Department, in conjunction with Monroe County Parks, held its 12th annual Earth Day celebration by cleaning up Churchville Park from winter debris and last year’s trash. There was also a pharmaceutical waste collection.

Fifty community residents turned out to donate their time for this event and help plant over 250 seedlings!

Thanks go out to the following individuals and organizations that came together to support this effort: the Village of Churchville, the Town of Riga, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County Parks Department, The Harvey C. Noone Post #945 Auxiliary, Boy Scouts, Waste Management, the Churchville Lions & LEO clubs, and Churchville-Chili students for Community Service; additionally, Doug Eisele and “Zack” from the Churchville Parks Department

When the event was finished, the Churchville Lions Club and the Riga Recreation Department provided pizza and snacks for all participants.

David Thomas Riga Recreation Supervisor

Riga Recreation Supervisor Dave Thomas instructs a group of volunteers preparing to clean up Churchville Park.

Churchville Scout Troop 133 readies their protective gloves.

This trash receptacle was pulled out along the bank of Black Creek.

The cleanup teams from the LEO Club and Troop 133 take a break for refreshments.

Photos by Doug Eisele

The Lions Club of Chili and other Chili residents teamed up with the Monroe County Parks Department for Pick Up the Parks Day on April 20 at Black Creek Park. Everyone picked a trail and bagged any trash in the surrounding areas. It was sunny, rainy, and windy, but club members persevered and got the job done. Provided information and photo.

North Chili Farmers Market and Plant Sale on May 18

The North Chili Farmers Market will have Preliminary Farmers Market Flowers will be available from local vendors. This Plant Sale is a preview to the annual North Chili Farmers Market which will be open on Saturdays, June 15 through October 26, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Established in 1976, the Farmers Market is in its 49th season and continues to be a benefit to the local community, offering fresh produce and other products from local farms and vendors.

The North Chili Farmers Market is located at the United Methodist Church of North Chili, 2200 Westside Drive (corner of Westside Drive and Buffalo Road). Provided information and photo

GCC ranked fourth best community college in NYS

EDsmart, a prominent education research organization, recently unveiled its annual assessment of New York State’s top community colleges for 2024, spotlighting institutions that excel across various criteria including economic value, affordability, student satisfaction and academic achievement.

This ranking, informed by a composite score derived from essential metrics such as post-attendance salary, net price, retention and four-year graduation rates, offers a comprehensive overview of each college’s performance.

Among these institutions, Genesee Community College secured an impressive fourth position in the rankings. With a composite score of 96.6 out of 100 reflecting excellence across economic, affordability, satisfaction, and academic domains, Genesee Community College stands as a leader in educational quality and student success.

This recognition underscores the dedication of Genesee Com-

munity College’s faculty and staff in delivering outstanding learning experiences. By prioritizing academic excellence and cultivating a supportive educational environment, the college has earned its place among New York State’s top community colleges.

For more information and college rankings, please visit https:// www.edsmart.org/best-colleges-universities/top-community-innew-york/. Provided information

Photo courtesy of Genesee Community College.

Roberts Wesleyan University School of Nursing appoints new dean

Roberts Wesleyan University announced Annemarie Dowling-Castronovo, Ph.D., R.N., GNP-BC, ACHPN, CNE, FNAP as the new dean for the School of Nursing, effective April 2. DowlingCastronovo joins Roberts Wesleyan from Monmouth University in New Jersey, where she recently served as chair of the nursing department, chief academic nursing officer and professor of nursing at the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies.

As academic dean for Roberts Wesleyan’s School of Nursing, Dowling-Castronovo will lead a team of expert faculty committed to ongoing excellence in nursing by advancing care through teaching curricular implementation, practice, scholarship and service in a supportive Christian academic environment. In addition to her administrative duties as a member of the academic cabinet and working collaboratively to facilitate relationships with other campus offices to support the strategic mission of the university, Dowling-Castronovo will serve in an academic capacity as a professor of nursing.

In both roles, she will further academic growth and educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a pathway to careers in nursing. The school has 270 students enrolled across a variety of programs: a prelicensure baccalaureate

The Riedman Foundation held the 21st Powder Mills Park Trout Derby on April 1, 2024. Youth angler, Grady Galliford, age 13, is from Churchville. He landed this impressive brown trout, weighing in at 3.50 lbs. and 19 inches, to take first place for the largest catch for youth age 9 to 15. Provided information and photo.

program, an online RN to BS degree completion program, and several online graduate programs that include Nurs ing Leadership & Administra tion, Nursing Education and Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner.

“Following an exten sive national search, we’re very pleased to welcome Dr. Annemarie Dowling-Cas tronovo as the next dean for the School of Nursing,” said Susanne Mohnkern, interim dean and graduate program director for the School of Nursing at Roberts Wesleyan University. “Dr. Dowling-Castronovo possesses the leadership qualities that will not only promote the mission of the School of Nursing and the university but will also enhance educational experiences for students in our program to pursue rewarding careers in essential health care roles.”

Dowling-Castronovo brings to her new role more than two decades of experience as a practitioner and a leader in academic settings. Board-certified in palliative and gerontological care, her background in health care includes a variety of nursing and clinical positions at hospitals and clinics in the New York City area, including Brooklyn Hospital Center, NYU Downtown Family Care Clinic, Staten Island University Hospital and Northwell Health. Prior to her tenure at Monmouth University, Dowling-Castronovo held respective academic appointments and professorial roles as a certified nurse educator at several schools along the East Coast, including New York University, College of Staten Island (City University of New York) and Wagner College.

Extensive research and grants regarding best practices in clinical care for older adults and the aging population garnered DowlingCastronovo publication in many reputable nursing journals, including the “American Journal of Nursing” and “Journal of Aging Life Care.” Among the many honors and awards achieved throughout her career, such as Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing from the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, she was recently inducted into the National Academies of Practice as a distinguished fellow in the Nursing Academy for excellence in evidence-based gerontological care through practice, teaching and scholarship across various interprofessional settings and education levels. Dowling-Castronovo is a founding member of the National Consortium of Academic Nurse Educators and is an active member of the International Learning Collaborative, where she leads a special interest group focused on educational practices for teaching fundamental care. She will be collaboratively leading a workshop in Oxford, UK, this June.

Dowling-Castronovo obtained her Associate in Applied Science and Bachelor of Science from the College of Staten Island, a master’s degree from New York University’s Division of Nursing and her Ph.D. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She will relocate from Staten Island to the Greater Rochester area this spring as she assumes the role of dean.

For information about Roberts Wesleyan University, visit roberts.edu.

Provided information and photo

Annemarie Dowling-Castronovo

CCCSD appoints new directors for Transportation and Nutritional Services

At its April 9 meeting, the Churchville-Chili Board of Education appointed Todd Shero as Director of Transportation and Robert Flynn as Director of Nutritional Services for the Churchville-Chili Central School District.

Mr. Shero will begin in his role as Director of Transportation on May 13. Mr. Shero is currently a head bus driver for the RushHenrietta School District. Prior to his work in Rush-Henrietta, Mr. Shero worked as a head bus driver for the Wheatland-Chili School District. He has his CDL B driver license and has been working as a head bus driver for the past eleven years.

“I look forward to serving the Churchville-Chili School District,” said Mr. Shero. “The safety and well-being of our students will always be my number one priority.”

Mr. Flynn will begin in his role as Director of Nutritional Services

Churchville Clerk-Treasurer honored by state association

Stacy L. Stanton, Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of Churchville, has been recognized as a Credentialed Municipal Finance Officer (“CMFO”) by the New York State Society of Municipal Finance Officers (“NYSMFO”) for achieving its high educational, experience, and participatory requirements.

Ms. Stanton has been employed by the Village of Churchville in her current office for four years and is a member in good standing of the NYSMFO. She has received a plaque and pin denoting this accomplishment.

The Credentialed Municipal Finance Officer Program, launched in 2006, aids municipal finance officers in improving job performance and recognizes the professionalism of the municipalities’ finance office. Stringent education and experience requirements must be met before this prestigious designation of Credentialed Municipal Finance Officer is awarded. Qualifications of applicants are reviewed and approved by the NYSMFO CMFO Committee.

Provided information

Westside Pet Food Pantry has new drop off location in Spencerport

3CS Crafting for a Cause collects donations for the Westside Pet Food Pantry. Their newest drop off/pick up location is Lamont Awards & Apparel, 4 Slayton Avenue, Spencerport. Donations are accepted during Lamont’s regular business hours which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Items that are needed include dog food (dry or canned), dog treats, cat food (dry or canned), cat treats, and cat litter.

Their mission is to provide pet food assistance to those in need who live within our community, to make sure their loving pets can stay in their homes and remain part of their families. If you or anyone you know is in need, contact Dave Maynard at 585-353-8177.

on June 3, replacing the current director, Roberta D’Agostino, who retires at the end of the school year. Mr. Flynn currently serves as food service director for Genesee Valley BOCES, where he oversees the food service operations for the Cal-Mum and Mt. Morris school districts. Prior to his work at BOCES, Mr. Flynn has experience working as head chef and manager for a family restaurant, and managing operations of the food and beverage department at a hotel. Mr. Flynn has an AAS in Food Service Administration from SUNY Morrisville.

“I look forward to working in Churchville-Chili,” said Mr. Flynn. “I have a passion for what I do and I believe that when students receive balanced and healthy meals, it contributes to their overall well-being and academic success.”

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3CS Crafting for a Cause is grateful to Lamont Awards & Apparel and Cadette Troop 60491 for helping make this collection effort possible.

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The Lions Club of Chili received a new patch for their banner from District Governor Melanie Adams for Club Excellence from 2022-2023. Former President Mike Donner received a pin for his vest reflecting such honor from current President Karen McKloskey. Provided information and photo.