corfu

It's Maple Weekend this weekend and next weekend with open houses at:

• Randall's Maple Products, located at 10307 Smithley Road in Alexander;
• Sweet Dream Maple Farm, located at 1116 Reynolds Road in Corfu.

The open houses run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and next Saturday and Sunday.

Sweet Time Farms, at 5680 Webster Road, Wyoming, is also hosting an open house this weekend.

Above, Matthew Stein, at Sweet Dream Maple Farm, explains during a tour how trees are tapped.

Al Stein at Sweet Dream Maple Farm with an evaporator.

Eric Randall at Randall's Maple Products.

Otto, a German Shorthair Pointer, doesn't like the cold, but he may be out there somewhere or holed up in a nice cozy home if somebody had taken him in, but his owner, Katie Grant, is devastated that he's missing.

He was last seen in the area of Genesee Street near Ellenwood Road in Corfu.

He has an orange collar.

Katie can be reached at 585 297 0721 or 716 939 0330

She said he will seek out people and try to get inside homes to escape the cold.

"Bring my baby home," she said. "He's never been lost before."

UPDATE March 19: Reader Rick Hensel informs all that the dog is home safe and sound.

Information provided by the Western New York Maple Producers Association.

This weekend and next weekend (March 17-18 & 24-25) is Maple Weekend as the sweet tradition continues. Two of the many maple producers in the region are in Genesee County and will be participating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. They are:

• Randall's Maple Products, located at 10307 Smithley Road in Alexander;
• Sweet Dream Maple Farm, located at 1116 Reynolds Road in Corfu.

According to the Maple Producers Association, maple syrup has become a powerhouse crop for New York State farmers. In the last decade, production of syrup has tripled, while the crop value has quadrupled.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NY Maple Producers manufactured 760,000 gallons of maple syrup last year, the highest production rate ever. It's an increase of 7.5 percent from the previous year.

The 2016 crop in New York was valued at $31.3 million, with an estimated economic impact of almost $141 million. The value for the 2017 crop will be released in June.

There's plenty of room to expand production because the U.S. Forestry Service data shows that more tappable maple trees are in New York than any other state in America.

The 22nd annual Maple Weekend is family friendly and free to the public. Take a tour and learn about tree tapping and boiling, see displays and best of all -- taste some of America's greatest maple syrup.

A complete list of participating sugarhouses, site maps and more information about Maple Weekend can be found here.

How Sap Becomes Syrup

Syrup is produced as the sugar maple holds starches in storage during the winter, which change to sugars as spring approaches. These sugars are released into the tree sap.

When a tree is tapped, a clear liquid runs out. When that liquid is boiled down, approximately 44 gallons of the sap produces a gallon of maple syrup.

Techniques vary from producer to producer -- some use state-of-the-art methods while others are traditionalists.

During Maple Weekend, many maple producers also offer additional activities including horse and wagon rides, snowshoeing, guided walks in the woods and kids' corners. And across Western New York, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts will abound over the next two consecutive weekends.

Did You Know?

Also, there's more to maple syrup than its delicious taste. University of Rhode Island researchers recently found 20 compounds in maple syrup that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to help fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses. Other established health benefits of pure maple syrup include its calcium and potassium content -- a quarter cup of maple syrup has more calcium that the same amount of milk and more potassium than a banana.

New York is the second-largest maple producing state in the nation, with 2.65 million taps, producing 760,000 gallons of syrup, and accounting for 18 percent of the maple syrup in the United States in 2017.

Besides pure maple syrup, products that contain maple syrup include: maple cream, maple sugar, maple candy, maple jelly, maple mustard, maple tea, maple coffee, maple cotton candy, maple oatmeal bread, maple apple butter, maple walnut fudge, maple suckers and maple butter.

Amy M. Page, 32, of North Road, Scottsville, is charged with felony DWI and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Page was stopped by Le Roy PD on March 4 after a caller, who followed a vehicle on Route 5 from Stafford, reported a vehicle almost hit two vehicles, drove in the wrong lane and went off the road numerous times. Page is accused of driving with a BAC of .18 or greater with three children in the vehicle. She was jailed on $2,500 bail and issued a full stay away order of protection for the children.

Jeffrey Ellinwood, 58, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and other traffic offenses. Ellinwood was stopped Feb. 26 in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD. He is accused of driving with BAC of .18 or greater.

Danielle Derenzo, 53, of Hartshorn Road, Corfu, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, suspended registration, and driving without insurance. Derenzo was stopped Feb. 27 in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD.

Chad Giesler, 34, of Barks Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, and other traffic offenses. Giesler was stopped March 1 in the Village of Le Roy by Le Roy PD.

Phoenix Webb, 18, of County Route 37, Central Square, is charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of marijuana, 4th. During a traffic stop in the the Village of Le Roy on March 3 a police officer smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, Webb was found in possession of more than two ounces of marijuana. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Felix Cabreralopez, 65, of Emerson Street, Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and uninspected vehicle. Cabreralopez was stopped at 8:51 p.m. Tuesday on South Lake Avenue, Bergen, by Deputy James Stack. He allegedly had his privileges revoked or suspended 10 times on 10 different dates. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Danielle Renee Tooley, 33, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with bail jumping, 3rd. Tooley is accused of missing a scheduled court appearance.

Jacqueline M. Saeli, 52, of North Lake Road, Corfu, is charged with two counts of third-degree arson and one count of second-degree criminal mischief. Saeli is accused of starting a fire at 5:33 a.m. Jan. 6 at 8455 North Lake Road, Pembroke. The fire destroyed a shed and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Investigators say the shed and motorcycle were the property of her ex-boyfriend. The incident was investigated by Deputy Ryan Young, Investigator Christopher Parker, with assistance from the Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department and the Emergency Management Office. Saeli was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Darcia Marie Golda, 46, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree grand larceny. Golda is accused of stealing more than $31,000 from her employer, Rite Aid, at 4155 W. Main St., Batavia, between October 2016 and September 2017.

David Allen Gurgir, 56, of Hulberton Road, Holley, is charged with two counts of conspiracy, 4th, and four counts of conspiracy, 5th. Gurgir is accused of working with two accomplices to purchase a truck and complete all of the associated paperwork under false pretenses.

Daniel L. Schmiegel, 32, of Basom, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd. Schmiegel is accused of possession of an assault rifle and an ammo clip. Schmiegel was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Maurice G. Leach, 41, of Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, unlawful possession of marijuana, endangering the welfare of a child, fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, using a vehicle without an interlock device, reckless driving. Leach was arrested by State Police in relation to an incident reported at 8:42 p.m. Thursday. No further details released.

Brandi Ann Watts, 37, of Indian Falls Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, inadequate stop lamp, and possession of an open container in a motor vehicle. Watts was stopped at 2:42 p.m. Sunday on Washington Avenue, Batavia, by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Timothy Jon Montesano, 30, of Gilbert Street, Le Roy, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana, muffler violation, and failure to stop for stop sign. Montesano was stopped at 10:28 p.m. Thursday on Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Matthew Ian Thomas Diers, 34, of West Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court.

David P. Grossman Sr., 34, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear in City Court. He was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Brad Lee Ohlson, 40, of Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Ohlson allegedly drove to Genesee County probation on a revoked license.

Kirk Anthony Breemes, 29, of Main Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Breemes allegedly shook a woman causing fear in violation of a court order.

Brandi Elizabeth Schmiedicker, 24, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, speed not reasonable and prudent, moving from lane unsafely. Schmiedicker was charged following an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident by Deputy Mathew Clor that was reported at 1:14 a.m. today on Genesee Street, Darien.

Corfu Volunteer Fire Department held it's annual awards and installation dinner on Saturday night.

Bernie Fix, top photo, received the Firefighter of the Year Award from Chief Brian Schollard.

The firematic officers for 2018 are: Brian Schollard, chief; Greg Lang, deputy chief; Brian McMartin, 2nd assistant chief; Dean Eck, senior captain; captains Ben Trapani, Mitch Bates, and Dan Smith; Dan Smith; fire police captian, Matt Lenard; fire police lieutenant; lieutenants, Glenn Eck, Steve Rodland, and Tyler Lang; Dean Eck, safety officer.

Executive officers are: Steve Rodland, president; Tyler Lang, VP; Paula Trapani, secretary; Jen Eck, treasurer; Allan Starkweather, sargeant at arms; Brad Lang, chaplain; and trustees, Bernie Fix, Justin Rodland, and Ed Fauth.

EMTs, Kristen Gaik, LoriAnn Santini, Karen Lang and Cathy Skeet. 

Corfu Fire District officers: Bruce Fauth, chairman; Jim Mallory, deputy chairman; Jenny McMartin-Eck, commssioner; Jim Hale, commissioner; Paula Trapani, secretary; and Michelle Sformo, treasurer. 

Paula Trapani received the Service Person of the Year Award from President Steve Rodland.

Linda Tucker was honored for 45 years of service.

Kristen Gaik put in more than 300 hours of training.

Ed Fauth was recognized for responding to the most calls.

Bruce Fauth was recognized for his effort to help the department secure a federal grant.

The impetus behind the update is the addition of a K-9 officer to the Corfu force.

Sheriff William Sheron told the Public Safety Committee yesterday that an additional K-9 officer is a good resource for the county.

Officer Anthony Bartucca joined the Corfu PD after his prior department in Lyons was disbanded when the village was dissolved. He came with two dogs; one who specializes in drugs and tracking and another who specializes in explosives. Because he was already trained and had two dogs there was no additional cost to the Village of Corfu to hire him as another part-time officer on the force.

"(The updated agreement) is more for them to respond out in our jurisdiction than for us to respond to Corfu, since we already have jurisdiction throughout the county," Sheron told the committee.

Genesee County has become well covered by K-9s in recent years. Besides Deputy Chris Erion and "Destro" with the Sheriff's Office, DEC and State Police K-9 officers are regularly in Genesee County.

That's a great capability to have locally, Sheron said.

"In today's day and age when you're dealing with narcotic detection, tracking, explosives, you know, explosives is a very unfortunate thing these days, so I think we’re not overly staffed with K-9s by any means," Sheron said.

The addition of Bartucca with "King" and "Rocco" will also help reduce response times when Erion isn't available.

"I don’t want to rely on just Monroe or Erie County to bring out a K-9," Sheron said. "If we can have one local when time is critical, that’s the best you can do."

Bruce Doug Seelau, 69, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving scene of property damage accident, moving from lane unsafely, and speed not reasonable and prudent. Deputy Ryan Young responded to a report of a single-vehicle accident at 2:34 a.m. Saturday on South Lake Road, Pembroke, and found a vehicle on its side. Seelau was identified as the driver. Neither Seelau nor a passenger were injured. 

Collin Ronald Wickings, 24, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, is charged with violation of a court order. Wickings allegedly had a third party contact two people he was ordered not to contact by court order.

David Joseph Michael Welninski, 23, of Ballard Road, Fillmore, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and failure to keep right. Welninski was charged following an investigation by Deputy Ryan DeLong into a single-vehicle accident reported at 9:23 p.m. July 15 on Lake Street Road, Le Roy.

Lee Carl Zimmerman, 47, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Zimmerman is accused of shoving another person during an incident reported at 12:25 a.m. Friday at a location on Lake Avenue, Bergen.

Triton Adamski with his parents, Denise and Dale Adamski, of Corfu.

Submitted photo and press release:

Genesee Community College is excited to announce Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) student, Triton Adamski, of Corfu, has won third place in the New York State Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges (NYSMATYC) Fall 2017-2018 competition!

In addition, Adamski's impressive score was combined with the other top four GCC participants for a fifth-place team win! These performances mark GCC's highest scoring individual and best team placement since 2009.

Other members of the NYSMATYC GCC team, which earned fifth place, included Tim Jackson, Kiara Santiago, Trent Osborne and Dmitri Kapitonov. The hard work of these students will position the GCC team well for the championship competition in the spring.

NYSMATYC formed the Mathematics League for NYS Two-Year Colleges in 1980 to provide a challenge and foster interest in mathematics. The league has also generated a nearly 40-year long friendly competition between two-year colleges across the state. Today, 27 two-year colleges and more than 500 students compete in the Fall and Spring competitions.

Participants take a timed exam consisting of approximately 20 mathematical questions. The top five scores from each college are combined to form the college's team score for each exam. Then, the Fall and Spring exam scores for both individuals and teams are combined to crown the academic year's champion college and individual.

Adamski is a senior at Pembroke High School and has been an ACE program participant since he won Math Science Scholar of the Year in sixth grade. He is also a member of GCC's first Math Science Preparatory Program session.

In addition to holding the highest course average in Calculus II at GCC, Adamski has earned 64 credits through the ACE program and anticipates graduating from GCC this spring with an A.S. degree in Natural Science just before earning his high school diploma!

With his 4.0 grade-point average throughout his time in the ACE program, he is ready for his next academic challenge, which will be at Rochester Institute of Technology where he has already been accepted into its Game Design and Development Program.

"Any student willing to put in the time and effort should definitely consider taking advantage of the ACE program. You can take so many different courses which really helps to figure out what you'd like to study after (high school) graduation," Adamski says. "The program also significantly reduces the number of courses you have to take when you get to college."

Adamski and all of the top performers for the Fall and Spring competitions will be recognized at the NYSMATYC's Annual Conference in April 2018. Prizes include mathematical software generously donated by the math league sponsors and mathematical and scientific journals and magazines.

Genesee Community College offers an associate degree in Mathematics, and the ACE program gives students the opportunity to earn significant college credits while still in high school.

For more information on the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) program, contact GCC at (585) 345-6801, or via email at ACE@genesee.edu.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) announced today that he will be hosting a free Yellow Dot program on Thursday in Corfu. It will be held at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Corfu United Presbyterian Church, 63 Alleghany Road, Corfu.

It will be conducted by the Genesee County Sheriff's Department and Genesee County Sheriff William Sheron Jr. and Undersheriff Gregory Walker are expected to attend.

Yellow Dot is designed to help first responders provide life-saving medical attention during that first “golden hour” after a car crash or emergency. A Yellow Dot Kit, like those available at Thursday's event, contains two cards for your personal information and and two Yellow Dot stickers (decals), one for your car and one for your home.

FOR YOUR VEHICLE: A Yellow Dot placed in the driver's-side rear window of your vehicle will alert first responders that vital medical information is stored in the glove compartment. One card should be completed for each person who regularly occupies the vehicle. The card(s) should be updated annually yourself or bring it to your medical check-up. (If you sell your car, remove the Yellow Dot sticker.)

AT HOME: A Yellow Dot kit can be used to alert those who respond to an emergency in your home. Simply place a Yellow Dot decal on or beside your front door and place a completed card for each occupant in a clear freezer bag and place in a visible location in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.

The Sheriff's Association has distributed more than 2 million free Yellow Dot kits to New Yorkers to date. 

“Yellow Dot is truly a life-saving program,” Hawley said. “This is a free program that is especially important as road conditions become more dangerous during the winter months.

"Participating in the Yellow Dot Program is as easy as filling out a brief medical card and placing the Yellow Dot sticker on your car window. I encourage all who are available to stop by and pick up your free Yellow Dot Kit ... or contact your local sheriff’s department.”