Cobleskill Library News

Come start a new chapter with us! Starting in the new year The Community Library is officially fine free for late items. Borrowers will still be responsible for fees on lost and damaged items. Items will go into lost earlier. A patron’s card will be blocked and unable to be used until those lost items are returned. Library Director Kim Zimmer said, “Like other libraries across the country eliminating fines decreases barriers and increases access to resources for our community. By going fine free we are ensuring that libraries are for everyone resulting in a strong community.” Late fine donations are still welcome. 

Reminder the Community Library card holders have access to Ancestry remotely through December 2021. At the beginning of the new year Ancestry will no longer be available off site. In Library use is a return to the company’s prepandemic policy. Visit our website for access, you will need your Library card. https://communitylibrary.mvls.info/research-2/ 

 

Tuesdays in January join your neighbors and make new friends during the Tuesday Knitters group! You can find them downstairs in the Program Room at 1pm until 3pm. This is a new time. Bring your own supplies and learn something new while you chat, listen or just get in your zone. 

 

Friday, January 7 and 21 Storytime at 11 am in the Program Room downstairs. Join us for stories and a craft. 

 

Friday., Jan. 7 Fan Favorites Book Club 12:00 pmThe January meeting of our new Fan Favorites Club will focus on books written during or about “The Gilded Age” in America, the period between 1870 and 1900 that is the focus of the new HBO series premiering in January. Participants can share recommendations of favorite authors and books associated with this period or just listen, learn, and be inspired by others’ recommendations. Register online at https://bit.ly/FanFavesJan2022 

 

Tues., Jan. 11 Short Fiction Workshop 6:00 pm Our newly reinvigorated writing group will next meet at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 11 to participate in writing exercises and offer supportive feedback on group members’ short fiction works-in-progress. Returning members will share their progress on last month’s writing prompt, but new members are very much welcome to join us. Register at https://bit.ly/SFWJanuary2022 

 

Thursday, January 13^th at 1pm Library Board of Trustees. The Board meets downstairs in the Program Room and meetings are open to the public. 

 

Thurs., Jan. 20 Poetry Reading and Workshop with Matthew Burns 6:00 pm The Community Library is pleased to welcome award-winning poet Matthew Burns for a combination poetry reading and workshop on Thursday, January 20th at 6:00 pm at the library. Mr. Burns will read from his recently published poetry collection, Imagine the Glacier, and present a mini-workshop on how to engage with and appreciate poetry. Sponsored through a grant from Poets & Writers, Inc. This event is funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. 

 

Thurs., Jan. 27 Intro to Crochet for Absolute Beginners 5:30 pmJoin The Community Library for a basic crochet class presented by talented local crochet artist Kristi Goodrich. Kristi will provide an easy-to-follow introduction to the fundamental crochet skills necessary to get first-timers started on simple, fun projects. This course will also provide the basics necessary to attend the intermediate crochet program scheduled for February. All required supplies will be provided, so please register in advance so we can have enough kits for all participants. Ages 8 and up welcome. Register online at https://bit.ly/CommunityLibraryCrochet 

 

Battle of the Books is on for Radez and Golding students. Visit the display in the Lobby to pick up your next title. 

 

Looking for something for something fun and different for the family over the Christmas break? The Library has museum passes for The Adirondack Experience at Blue Mountain Lake (50% discount off admission for four adults or two adults and two children), The Albany Institute of History & Art (family pass admission for two adults and two children), The Empire Pass provides car access to NYS Parks, The Iroquois Indian Museum (admission for two adults), and miSci (50% discount off admission for two adults and four children). One pass can be checked out for 7 days with your library card but they can’t be used for special events at these locations. Please check each location for specific COVID requirements prior to visiting. 

 

Holiday Hours: In observance of the New Year holiday the Library will be closed on January 1.  

 

The Library hours are Tuesday 10-8pm, Wednesday 10-5pm, Thursday 10-8pm, Friday 10-5pm and Saturday 10-1pm. 

 

The Library continues to require masks at all times for everyone age 2 and over regardless of vaccination status. Curbside pickup is available, give us a call to schedule your pickup. Items can be ordered through the online catalog or by calling the Library. To request items online log into your account with the barcode on the back of your library card. Your pin is the last 4 digits of your phone number. Don’t have a card, stop into the Library with your id and a piece of mail with your current address and complete a library card application. 

 

Follow us on social media for library news, event information, volunteer opportunities, new book announcements and more! Facebook: @TheCommunityLibraryCobleskill  Instagram: commlibcobleskill   Twitter: @CommLibCOB 

 

We are aware of an issue with our phone system when trying to reach the Library the line just rings. We are working to resolve the issue. If your call does not go through please consider emailing us.  Library Contact: 518.234.7897, coblib@mvls.info or cob-director@mvls.info 

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Whittling Away - Resolution Time

    It's that time of the year again, resolution time.  A whole brand new year ahead of us and we get stuck with homework!  I suppose I could cheat and just copy over last year's since I didn't use them much but I refuse to be a shirker.  Last years were pretty much the same as the year before which were pretty much as the year before that and so on for as long as I can remember.  You know the ones, they are the same ones that most adults make--losing weight, saving money, exercising more, less television and more books--same old junk.  You list them with good intentions and start out in good faith only to see most of them fade by the end of January.  They usually die a quiet, hardly noticed, death only to be revived with the dawning of a new year.  I don't like breaking promises, even if they're promises to myself so I've been thinking of coming up with some more creative self-improvement ideas.  The old ones sure would be nice and I'll include them again but given their past track record I don't have a lot of hope for their success.  Now, to come up with ones that I can try to keep all year long.

     Let's see, I could improve my dental health by trying not to grit my teeth when I hear the phrase, "Fake Media";  when the batteries go in the remote control I won't replace them, that should lead to several more miles walked each week;  I will try to eliminate one "I wish--" from each day;  I will look through my file of daily problems until I can find at least one that I can smile or maybe even laugh about;  I will bring a smile to someone who doesn't have one at the time-- people who are family count;  a moment each day will be spent being "childish" and enjoying all that is good about that state;  I will remember that my spouse is my best friend also and do one "best friend" thing for her daily;  I will avoid disappointment and not enter any more beauty pageants;  I will enjoy the aging process and realize that no matter what I do, it isn't reversible and is much better than the alternative that would replace it.

     That should do it, now I think I'll type my resolutions up and post them where I'll see them daily and be reminded.  I'll put a copy in the refrigerator, I look in there frequently.  The steering wheel would be another good place, I spend a lot of time running around each day.  I'll tape another copy on the floor near the spot on the bed where I sit for my daily wrestling match with my socks.  I thought about taping one on the mirror in the bathroom but I realized that the older I get, the less time I spend looking in the mirror, I no longer want to see what it wants to show me.  I might tape a copy to each doorway so that when I go into a room and can't remember why I went in there, I can at least better myself while I'm trying to recall my lost mission.

     Well, I guess I'm ready for the New Year, so bring it on.  I'm sure that like all the others, it's gonna be a doozy and has to be better than the one it's replacing

     Thought for the week--Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

     Until next week, may you and yours be happy and well.

       whittle12124@yahoo.com     

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The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Happy and Healthy New Year.  Trust your Christmas celebrations were filled with family, friends and love. 

Visitors from near and far filled local homes with family and friends.  Arkansas, Cooperstown, Cherry Valley, East Durham, were some of the towns and states sending visitors to our area.  Driveways were packed with visitors’ cars and homes were resounding with conversations, seasons greetings and the clinking of glasses, even family pets joined the festivities.  Happy for all that the holidays were somewhat back to normal.  But please be careful and intelligent about following health guidelines.  We have all the holidays in 2022 to enjoy.

Mary Jane Labine was able to get out and enjoy some Christmas shopping.  She recommended some books for an avid reader and that was appreciated.

Feel better wishes to Jodi Gurley.  Had that bug, not Covid, that seems to bring on cold like symptoms.  The sad part about this bug is it lets you think you are over it, and you are for a few days, then it is right back again. 

Matt Peters of WTS Store and Ann O’Hara of Ann & Co. were treated to some holiday goodies from some grateful customers.

George Greiner, veteran of Athens, made an impromptu visit to an area friend.  He and wife Donna hand delivered their Christmas card because they had recently moved and wanted their friends to have their new address.  It was a chance to have a Christmas conversation.

Got a nice thank you letter from Michele Ferrauilo, R/T, at Stratton VAMC for the recent Christmas Celebration gifts for the residential veterans on the 9^th Floor as follows addressed to us all:

“Thank you so much once again for thinking of our residents.  It was great to see you and your elves on December 13^th.  Thank you for dropping off the gifts and lifting the spirits of our Veterans.  Your thoughtfulness and kindness is extra special to our residents during COVID 19.  As you know the medical center is taking every precaution to protect our Veterans and with that comes no visitors.  So, every little act of kindness helps.  They truly enjoyed and appreciated the gifts that they received.  Some of them tore them open immediately and some are waiting until Christmas.  They missed seeing all of you so did the staff.  They want me to send you a great big thank you.  Thank you to your community and the Veteran Service Organizations who played a part in this event.  We were even able to provide some cheer to our Veterans on the medical units. [Short term surgical or clinical patients]  Thank you for the time you spend shopping, organization and preparing for this event.  The residents and staff wish to send you and your crew a huge thank you and hoping we can all see you soon.  Sincerely, Michele Ferrauilo, Recreation/Creative Arts Section Supervisor, Adaptive Sports Coordinator”  As you can see by the multiple titles Michele has, she is a very busy person and she does every responsibility, and I do mean every, with excellence and love.  Plus with the pandemic and loss of volunteers and cut backs in staff, Michele is doing double duty most of the time.  She assists with check ins and administering vaccines and still provides the most important care of all – love.  If you would like to send her a card:

Michele Ferrauilo, R/C Arts Supervisor, Stratton VAMC, Room 117, 113 Holland Ave, Albany, NY 12208.

You could also include love and greetings to the veterans on the 9^th Floor.

Happy Birthday to Carli Ann O’Hara and to Janet Chatfield Syska out in Oregon on January 1.  Happy Birthday to Lana Breigle on January 2.  On January 3 we wish Baylee Lorraine Osborn and Ursula Lindley Happy Birthday.  Watch out for a big celebration on January 4 we wish Diane Cammer Eklund and Debbie Carman Colliton a Happy Birthday.  Wonder what they will be up to – no good I hope. 

Send your holiday news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518-299-3219.

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Schoharie Library News

Schoharie Library News December 30, 2021             

518-295-7127            www.schoharielibrary.org                        

Schoharie Library Hours: MTF 11am-6pm, Thurs. 12pm-7pm, and Sat. 10am-5pm. Closed December 24th & 25th, Closing at 1pm on December 31st & Closed New Year’s Day

In-person programs:

Teen Thursday@YourLibrary: Thursdays, 5-7pm. Share book & reading recommendations, play games, craft your own projects, more!

Parent Time@YourLibrary: Drop in Mondays, 1-3pm. Come socialize with other parents before school pickup. Young ones are welcome to play.

Storytime with Miss Yvonne: No Storytime Dec. 24 or 31. Resumes January 7, Fridays at 10am. Stories, songs, fun activities! 

Knitcetera Club: Tuesdays, January 11 & 25, 10:30am-noon. Quilt, knit, anything goes!

Mandala Plates: Saturday, January 15, 10am & noon: With The Studio for Art & Craft. Registration required, limited space. This project is made possible with funds from the Restart NY Regrants, a regrant program ofthe New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered in Schoharie County by CREATE Council on the Arts.  

Virtual Programs:

Writing Club: Mondays at 6:30pm. https://bit.ly/SchoharieLibraryPrograms 

UFO (Unfinished Object Club): Thursdays, January 6 & 20, 10am. https://bit.ly/SchoharieLibraryPrograms

Books & Chocolate Book Chat: Wednesday, January 19, 6:30pm.

What to Read Next: Friday, January 21, 6:30pm. 

Take & Make kits: Pipecleaner angels and Webb Space Telescope bookmarks

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ONC BOCES and The Otesaga Resort Partner to Offer Fellowship

Pictured left to right: Dr. Catherine Huber, ONC BOCES District Superintendent, Ryan DeMars, ONC BOCES Director of CTE, Alternative Education and Adult Education, Jody Albano, ONC BOCES Culinary Arts Instructor, Jim Perillo, The Otesaga Resort Executive Chef, Marty Rosenthal, The Otesaga Resort Chief Operating Officer.

ONC BOCES and the Otesaga Resort are excited to partner in a new program that will provide a two-year paid fellowship to select graduates of the ONC BOCES Culinary Arts program, one from the Otsego Area Occupational Center in Milford and one from the Northern Catskills Occupational Center in Grand Gorge. The Otesaga Resort’s Executive Chef, Jim Perillo, commented, “we are excited to collaborate with BOCES on enhancing the foundation of two outstanding candidates in building their Culinary futures.” Recipients of this fellowship will gain hands-on professional experience in a variety of areas, including food and beverage preparation, inventory, restaurant setup and service, reservation systems, records management, bookkeeping, mentorship, and more. “The Otesaga Fellowship is a perfect example of a community partnership designed to provide opportunities to our students and to support overall regional economic development. We are grateful to The Otesaga for this partnership and the opportunity for some of our students to stay local as they head into their career,” said Dr. Catherine Huber, ONC BOCES District Superintendent.  She thanked Gary Kuch, Director of the Clark Foundation Scholarship Program as well as the Clark Foundation “for getting this conversation started and for their unwavering support of students in our region.”

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SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Weekly Recap

The SUNY Cobleskill men’s basketball team closed out the semester on Saturday dropping a 94-75 decision to the visiting Red Dragons of SUNY Cortland in non-conference play. With the loss the Fighting Tigers close the semester with a 1-11 overall record including a 0-3 mark in North Atlantic Conference (NAC) action. Junior Justin Feldman, Chester, N.Y., Chester High School/Orange Community College, turned in a stellar effort in defeat for the Orange & Black scoring a season high of 22 points to go with five rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. 

UPCOMING HOME CONTESTS: 

Men’s Basketball vs. Thomas College 1/8, Maine Maritime 1/9 

Women’s Basketball vs. Thomas College 1/8, Maine Maritime 1/9, SUNY Delhi 1/29  

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Bassett Medical Center Delivers 1000th Baby of 2021

Bassett Medical Center (BMC) welcomed its 1000^th 2021 baby into the world last week. Jamison, a baby boy, was born in BMC’s Birthing Center to the joy of all.

 

“Our team in the Birthing Center has always been hardworking and dedicated,” shares Stacey Jordan BSN, RN, Manager Birthing Center and Inpatient Pediatrics. “But during the pandemic they’ve proven themselves in new ways that astound me. It is wonderful to reach this milestone together.”

Jessica and Cody with their newborn son, Jamison.

 

Of course no one was happier than Jamison’s parents, Jessica and Cody of Sherburne, NY—especially since they experienced some unexpected bumps along the way. After a smooth labor, he became twisted in the birth canal, requiring a cesarean section. But this was another opportunity for the Birthing Center Staff to shine. 

 

“Our nurses and doctors have been phenomenal,” says Cody, “especially when things got rough. I was worried—balling my eyes out—when we realized that Jamison was turned around. But everyone calmed us down, answered all our questions and acted quickly to do what needed to get done.”

 

In particular, Jessica and Cody expressed gratitude for Sunny Dickerson, RN, Mary Livermore, RN, IV and the C-Section staff for their roles in welcoming their first born into the world.

 

“Sunny and Mary especially made us feel at home as soon as we arrived,” says Cody. “We have a loving family who, with all the pandemic safety protocol, couldn’t be here with us. But those two made all the difference in the world.”

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Building Community Resilience Workshop at CCE

Join us for the 1st workshop in our 5 part series

Building Community Resilience

at

3:30 p.m. via zoom starting at 3:30 on January 13, 2022

Teaching Credits Available

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware and Orange Counties are excited to offer a series of five virtual free webinars that will focus on building resilience in communities and youth.  We welcome your participation in all of the workshops that offer teacher credits and access to webinar recordings.  Our first webinar will be presented January 13.

 

Growing Resilient Communities, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access by Rick Griffin.  Rick is currently the Director of Training and Curriculum

Development for Community Resilience Initiative (CRI), the nation’s

first community resilience network.

 

In nature, ecosystems harness resilience through the biodiversity of life. Similarly, in our communities and workplaces, our strength comes from not only the diversity of a population (sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, cultural background, class, neurological makeup, etc.), but also the intentional practices and opportunities of equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This session is about the power of science-based practices. They serve as a reminder that we belong to a greater whole and strong relationships are a pathway to healing.

 

This series is sponsored by Delaware and Orange County Cornell Cooperative Extensions and the Delaware County Rural Healthcare Alliance.

 

 

 

Registration is required. Go to:  http://bit.ly/BCR555

You will receive one link to join all 5 workshops. Each workshop will be recorded.   

For more information contact Jeanne Darling

607-865-6531 or jmd30@cornell.edu or visit  www.ccedelaware.org

 

 

“Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County at 607-865-6531 by September 23, 2021, to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.”

 

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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CRH, Bassett Suspending Visitation

Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown and Cobleskill Regional Hospital have been placed on a state-wide list of facilities that currently have occupancies of 90 percent or more. A.O. Fox Hospital and Little Falls Hospital remain on the list also. Impacted facilities across the state, including Bassett Medical Center, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, A.O. Fox Hospital, and Little Falls Hospital, are limiting non-essential elective procedures in accordance with an executive order enacted by the New York State Department of Health on Dec. 3.

 

The Department of Health continues to monitor hospital occupancies and may add additional facilities to the list if occupancies reach critical levels. Patients who may be affected by these changes are being notified directly by their practitioner’s office. Urgent and emergency procedures, like trauma, cancer diagnostic, brain and heart surgeries, and other critical procedures will continue to be performed.

 

Capacities at affected hospitals are being reassessed every two weeks.

Bassett Will Suspend Visitation in its Emergency Departments Starting Wednesday, Dec. 22

With rising cases of COVID-19 in the region, Bassett Healthcare Network will suspend visitation for the safety of patients and staff in all emergency departments across its network starting Wednesday, Dec. 22 – at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, A.O. Fox Hospital – Tri-Town Campus in Sidney, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi.

 

Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Visit www.bassett.org for complete visitation guidelines.

The most important things people can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the new Omicron variant, are:

 

Get vaccinated as soon as possible, including a booster shot for those who are eligible – visit www.bassett.org/covid-19  for full eligibility criteria and a list of upcoming community clinics. The COVID-19 vaccine is free.

Wear a mask in public.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

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Kentucky man charged with burglary in Richmondville

On December 13, 2021, the New York State Police in Cobleskill arrested 24-year-old Malamine S. Signate of Highland Heights, KY for Burglary 2nd degree, a class C felony and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree, a class E felony.

State Police responded to a residence in the town of Richmondville shortly before 4:00 a.m. on Monday for a report of a burglary. Upon arriving, the responding patrol located Malamine Signate in a vehicle in the driveway of the home. Investigation at the scene determined that Signate, who was unknown to the homeowners, had entered through the front door, claimed he had run out of gas, and then left. The vehicle that he was driving was found to have been reported stolen out of the city of Watervliet.

Signate was taken into custody and transported to SP Cobleskill for processing. He was arraigned in Richmondville Town Court and remanded to Schoharie County Jail on $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond. He is due back in court on a later date.

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New Guide for Dairy Farmers helps them reduce antibiotic use in treating Mastitis

ONEONTA, N.Y. – On December 20, 2021, the Center for Agricultural Development and

Entrepreneurship (CADE), in collaboration with Cornell University’s Quality MIlk Production

Service (QMPS) - Eastern Regional Laboratory in Cobleskill, New York, and with funding from

the New York Farm Viability Institute, are pleased to announce the launch of a guide for New

York dairy farmers to assist them in implementing selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) as a

primary method for preventing mastitis in their dairy cows. The guide can be found on a new

website: www.SDCTguideny.org.

According to Phoebe Schreiner, CADE Executive Director, “the guide is a sound reference tool for dairy

farmers, herd veterinarians, dairy industry consultants, and extension agents for implementing SDCT

on dairy farms, as an alternative to the current standard practice of blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT).

Implementing SDCT will advance antimicrobial stewardship and help reduce antibiotic use, which has

a range of financial benefits to farmers and public health benefits for our communities.”

Since the 1960s, it has been a common practice on dairy farms to use BDCT--to administer

antimicrobial drugs that prevent and treat costly mammary infections to all cows as they enter a dry

off period. That practice was warranted at the time. But since then, great improvements in animal care,

milking techniques, and animal specific record keeping have reduced both infection rates during

lactation and the need for blanket treatment at dry off.

Collaborators at Cornell University, University of Minnesota, Dairy Health and other private veterinary

practices, QMPS, CADE, and other industry allies have validated SDCT protocol that allows dairy

farmers to reduce their use of dry cow antibiotic treatments by 50-80+% without negatively impacting

cow health or production, while saving money on treatments.

According to the SDCT guide, dairy farmers who transition to SDCT reduce pharmaceutical and

treatment costs, averaging a savings of $6-$20 per cow in antibiotic tube costs alone, as well as

reduced labor costs. The guide also notes that SDCT is proven safe and effective for herd health on

well managed farms when protocols are followed and cows are enrolled systematically.

According to Schreiner, “CADE is committed to sustainable farm practices that benefit business

bottom lines, people, and planet. Our goal is to make SDCT the ‘new norm’ in New York State, with

1

half the State’s dairy cows enrolled in the practice by 2024. Our collaborators, NYFVI, Cornell

University, Dairy Health, and QMPS share this commitment.”

According to Kenneth Jaffe, MD–CADE Board member, farmer, and medical doctor, “though dry cow

therapy represents a fraction of the antibiotics used in livestock, a transition to SDCT among dairy

farmers in New York and across the U.S. will make a meaningful impact in total antimicrobial use.

Whether medicines are used to treat people or animals, using them conservatively and treating only

those that need it can help prevent antimicrobial resistance and keep antibiotics effective. Now, thanks

to a better understanding of cow health, including the factors that drive mastitis risk at dry-off, cows

can also be treated selectively.”

The public health consensus is that the overuse of antibiotics to treat people or animals leads harmful

bacteria to become "resistant" to the antibiotics. This makes antibiotics less effective in treating

infections in humans and animals alike. According to the Center for Disease Control, antibiotic

resistant infection is now a major and increasing risk to human health such that 35,000 people die

every year in the U.S. because of antibiotic resistant infection.

Consumers and buyers are increasingly aware of the risks of antibiotic resistance, and are already

showing interest in buying dairy and meat products from farms that advance antibiotic stewardship. In

2020, for example, four school districts in Tompkins County, New York prioritized bids from food

suppliers that sourced their beef from farms that had adopted selective instead of blanket dry cow

treatment. More, demand is growing for labels to be used on foods of animal origin (see this article,

“Antimicrobial‐resistant bacterial infections from foods of animal origin: understanding and effectively

communicating to consumers”).

In the words of Mike Zurakowski, Senior Extension Associate with QMPS who helped develop the

guide, “now, thanks to a better understanding of cow health, including the factors that drive mastitis

risk at dry-off, cows can also be treated selectively. Many, but not all, farms are at the right stage with

their mastitis management practices to adopt this approach. Since it’s a matter of herd health, it is

essential that dairy farmers consult their veterinarians before making changes.”

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HELIOS CARE Honored by The John A. Hartford Foundation as a Silver Winner of the Tipping Point Challenge

Oneonta, NY— Helios Care was selected as a Silver Winner in The John A. Hartford

Foundation Tipping Point Challenge, a national competition focused on the submission of

innovative initiatives that have made-or will make-positive, breakthrough change in the care of

the serious illness. The Challenge is sponsored by the Center to Advance Palliative Care

(CAPC) and The John A. Hartford Foundation. Helios Care was recognized as one of the top

eight of the national applications.

Helios Care was recognized for its Palliative Care program, Choices. The Choices

program is designed to help individuals with a serious illness manage their symptoms,

increasing their comfort, and improving the quality of life for them and their caregivers. The

program includes nursing and social work care, telehealth and 24/7 telephone support provided

in the safety of the home. The Choices program is funded by The Mother Cabrini Health

Foundation and is provided free of charge to patients who qualify.

“We are proud to receive this honor from The John A. Hartford Foundation,” said Dan

Ayres, President and CEO of Helios Care. “This national recognition reinforces our commitment

to implementing an innovative population health approach which significantly improves the lives

of our local community members. We are also truly grateful to The Mother Cabrini Health

Foundation (MCFH) for awarding us funding in 2020 to provide the Choices palliative care

program benefitting our residents.”

“Access to healthcare in our rural region is a significant challenge, one the innovative

Choices program was designed to address,” said Gail Ciccarello, ACHPN, Palliative Care Nurse

Practitioner. “Care provided in the home not only significantly improves outcomes for the

patients and decreases caregiver burden, but it is also the most efficient way to reduce

emergency room visits and hospital admissions.”

Continued on page 2

The John A. Hartford Foundation Tipping Point Challenge is a national competition

designed to catalyze the spread of skills, ideas, and solutions that will improve health care

delivery for all people living with serious illness. The goal of this round was to catalyze

innovation that will make positive, breakthrough change in the care of serious illness. The 10-

month national Challenge is sponsored by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) and

The John A. Hartford Foundation and was open to all health care organizations, settings,

disciplines, and specialties across the US.

“We congratulate each of the Tipping Point Challenge winners for their innovative and

groundbreaking approaches to ensuring that older adults and others living with serious illness

have access to the highest quality health care,” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of

The John A. Hartford Foundation. “Because of their work, patients and families will experience

improved interactions with better-trained health care providers, resulting in better quality of life.”

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C-GCC Alumna Nefateria Squire-Dancey Publishes First Book

Columbia-Greene Community College alumna Nefateria Squire-Dancey of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., recently published her first book, Te’nasede (tenacity). Designated a “self-help” book, Te’nasede captures the author’s thoughts about “fostering self-care, unlearning, healing, uplifting, and inspiring the many lives of ‘strong’ individuals who tend to suffer in silence daily with multiple hidden hurts.”

Squire-Dancey graduated from Columbia-Greene in May 2017 with an Associate in Arts in Individual Studies. As a first-time author, she has been seeking to use her experiences to encourage her readers to find purpose and fulfillment where they might have otherwise felt lost. She has remained persistent in becoming a better version of herself each and every day and hopes to instill the same drive in others.  

Of her former student, Associate Professor of Communication Studies Maya Greene said, “Nefateria is remembered for her thoughtful and kind presence in class. Her demeanor was always calm and peaceful, and it is not surprising that she wrote a book on self-care.” 

Recently, the author donated multiple copies of her book to the C-GCC Library. To learn more about Te’nasede’s availability, e-mail reference@sunycgcc.edu or call 518.828.4181, Extension 3286.

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Maple Syrup Production is Back at SUNY Cobleskill

As SUNY Cobleskill welcomes students to enroll for the Spring 2022 semester, a familiar option returns to the course offerings after a short absence: Maple Syrup Production will once again be offered through the College’s Plant Science department in the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

 

The electives course will expose students to multiple facets of maple and other tree sugar industries and expand upon the student’s interests and prior knowledge. Topics include the science of sap flow, sap collection methods and systems, sap processing, syrup qualities and characteristics, economics of syrup production, value-added products, and marketing of maple products.

 

Offered as an elective in the Plant Science department, the maple course is consistent with the department’s mission to train students to be the managers and decision-makers for feeding future generations and sustaining the plants on which we depend. 

 

“We are delighted to once again offer a maple syrup component to our diverse student body. Maple is an important agriculture commodity in New York and throughout the Northeast, and our students will benefit from the exposure to its science and processes through this course,” said Dr. Timothy Moore, dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources at SUNY Cobleskill.  

 

Adjunct Professor Keith Schiebel will be teaching the ten-week course, which takes place during the heart of the maple production season. “The opportunities to explore the growing maple industry with the next generation of agriculturalists and maple enthusiasts are endless. It is an exciting time to be engaged in this expanding and significant agriculture industry,” said Schiebel. 

 

For more information, please get in touch with SUNY Cobleskill Admissions at admissions@cobleskill.edu or 518-255-5525.

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W.Whitman Books Aims to be the Cultural Mecca of Middleburgh.

David Guevara, owner of W. Whitman Books, inside his store. Photo Credit: Lomie Blum.

By Lomie Blum.

Middleburgh resident Doug Guevara opened W. Whitman Books, located in Middleburgh, four years ago with his late husband, David Chancey. The bookstore, which sells used books and antiques, has positioned itself as a cultural center, presenting concerts, art exhibits, and an accepting space for all.

Mr. Guevara, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York always had a love for literature even as a child. “I was collecting books at 12 years old. I was subscribing to the Book of the Month Club without my parents knowing it. They would always have promotions like ‘subscribe and get five books for free’ and I would always sign up and save up my allowance,” Guevara stated.

“I was a quiet and shy kid when I was growing up. I was never really into sports and always a  bit isolated. Books allowed me to escape to other worlds” he added.

Guevara attended St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens majoring in English Literature and subsequently attended City University of New York Law School where he graduated in 1990. 

“I always wanted to be an English teacher. As I went through [school], I encountered teachers  who had a strong influence on my life. I remember one teacher saying to me, ‘you have a strong moral center and you would be a great lawyer,’ and it set me on a different career path.”  

“Upon graduating law school, I was selected as a Legal Fellow with the Natural Resources Defense Council, in New York City, which exposed me to the practice of environmental law in various areas, such as clean water and clean air regulation. Once the fellowship ended, jobs in environmental law were scarce, so I began a career in legal publishing which eventually led to  legal conferencing,” Guevara said. 

“Prior to retiring in 2017, I held the position of  Senior Director of Continuing Legal Education at the New York State Bar Association in Albany, managing and coordinating their programs for the entire state,” he added.

Guevara and his husband moved to Schoharie county 13 years ago to raise their two infant sons. 

 “We wanted our two young boys to be raised outside of New York City.  The city was recovering in the aftermath of 9/11 so we decided to move Upstate. We lived in Jefferson for a while then moved to Middleburgh to take advantage of the school system,” We found the people of Middleburgh to be warm and welcoming. Guevara explained. 

“I always swore that I would never leave Brooklyn, but raising children changed all that.  I worked a half a block from the World Trade Center when it went down and that experience stuck in my mind,” he added. 

W. Whitman Books was part of Guevara and his husband, David Chancey’s retirement plan. Mr. Chancey passed away from ALS a year and a half after the store opened. 

The name of the bookstore originated from a love for American poet Walt Whitman.

 “He is a poet that I always admired. Whitman broke the mold of the traditional poetic structure of the time.  He used free verse and had a true sense of the universality of the American Experience. while breaking through gender barriers,” Guevara stated. 

Guevara is very passionate about poetry in general and has gained a huge Facebook following on W. Whitman Books’ page from posting a poem per day. “For the last three and a half years, I've been posting a poem every morning on the page, providing some background and a photograph of the poet. The posts have gradually picked up a steady following, not only from the surrounding region but nationally and internationally.  We currently stand at over 2,100 followers, Guevara said. 

“A number of customers have come into the store to tell me how the poems have helped changed their lives, especially during the COVID 19 pandemic” he added.

At the moment, Guevara is working on developing a multi-faceted website for the store where books can be ordered online and customers can participate in blogs and discussion groups. 

W. Whitman Books is more than just a bookstore, it’s also a place where music concerts and art exhibits are presented. The store’s Fall Acoustic Music Series presenting four singer/songwriters ended on December 5. 

“Our aim was always to be not just a bookstore, but a cultural center for Middleburgh, and the surrounding areas, where people can not only buy a book, but possibly enter into dialogues about literature and poetry. We’re planning a poetry workshop for next Spring and monthly acoustic concerts will resume next May which will hopefully be live-streamed to capture a wider audience. So that's the next phase here, having more interactive events  

W. Whitman Books is located at 304 Main St, Middleburgh, NY 12122.  Information regarding store hours and scheduled events can be accessed at the store’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bestreads304 or by calling 518-827-3377.

W. Whitman Books. Photo Credit: Lomie Blum.

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Use Mental Energy Wisely to Create a Whole New World

  

illustration: BrahmaKumaris

             

During our various activities this holiday season, where will our thoughts be going? Will I notice them and have enough inner strength to focus and direct them where I want them to go?  We are so unaware of the incredible amount of energy that is contained within every thought.  When we become aware of this then we can pay attention to conserve and utilize this energy in a beneficial manner. While you wait at the traffic lights what is going through your mind? While you are cooking food what type of thoughts are you having?  Have you ever asked yourself, “Wait, what am I thinking?”  The fact is that at a time when world resources are at their lowest and population at the highest, when there is a cry to conserve energy, we are throwing away enormous quantities of thought energy by the second through the fast speed of having too many thoughts..

What happens when we use up a lot of physical energy?  In exactly the same way by expending large quantities of mental energy the mind gets tired. giving rise to frustration, tension etc., and every task becomes difficult.  Even if you eat well and nourish the body with care, you may still feel tired and worn out if you do not use your mental energy wisely.

Why don’t we use this power of the mind, the power of thoughts to benefit ourselves and others? Quite simply, we have forgotten we have this power in the first place and secondly we no longer have the knowledge and ability to harness and make use of it.  We have forgotten we are souls, eternal immortal points of spiritual light, and have developed the false concept of ourselves as being merely bodies of physical matter.  In so doing we limit ourselves to all that is physical and life does not exist only on this level. Can the body think, or make decisions? What part of my body has the ability to judge and to feel?  It is the soul that performs these tasks. I now take steps to develop the soul and feed it with spiritual knowledge by having  necessary and positive thoughts filled with blessings; by thinking and speaking slowly, softly and less, my character and personality become rich, full of  beauty filled with spiritual energy to give help to others.  I will then be in full control of that wonderful ability we all have - the power of thought. What a wonderful gift!

Contact: Yvonne Chirya Risely   bkchirya@gmail.com  chirya.risely@peacevillageretreat.org 

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