Reservations and a $50 deposit are required. Call for your table now for this most “Enchanted Evening” at 315-462-9333 or email Office@cli onspringscc.com. Kindly give your name, phone number and number of people in your party and you will receive a confirmation email or call for your payment information. Deposit will be deducted from your total bill.
&sip dine
Regular Dinners served until 8pm Mon.-Fri.
President Steve Harrison
General Manager
Manuel Karam
Creative Director
Kelly Nolan
Assistant Creative Director Kara Ivison
Production Supervisor
Jeff Wasson
Prepress Supervisor
Mike Pratt
Circulation Manager
Kristy Rapone
Member
Colleen Mann
Members of: PO Box 340 • 1471 Route 15 Avon, NY 14414 • Fax: 585-226-3390 Phone: 585-226-8111 www.gvpennysaver.com Email: mail@gvpennysaver.com
Canal
Serving Mon. thru Fri. 2pm-5pm
Fish Fry Served All Day Fridays! Serving Breakfast & Lunch Every Day!
650 Whitney Rd. | Fairport, NY | 585.364.0255 | greatamericandiner.com Open Daily: Mon.-Fri. 7am-8pm, Sat. & Sun. 7am-2pm
WINTER RECIPES ARE KNOCKING: HELLO ONIONS
Cooking without onions is like trying make a BLT without the tomato -- it’s possible to fill the void with something else, but you’ll probably feel like you’re missing something. Plus, now that it’s time to put on layers and nestle up to a fire, winter recipes are a’brewing, and they’re full of tasty onions. Yellow onions, in particular, that are harvested during cold weather months are perfect for roasts, soups, slow-cooked dishes and other winter favorites. Specifically, yellow onions are ideal for these applications to help build flavor profiles because of their robust, savory taste. Whether headlining a dish, such as french onion soup, or playing a more subtle, supporting role, like meatloaf with onions, this vegetable lends itself to a variety of uses, making onions about as flexible as a yoga master. Regardless of how you use the staple vegetable, onions offer a great deal of nutritional value, and they are associated with lower risks of heart disease and cancer.
Submissions will be featured on our website, then cast your vote for the winner out of our top 5!
• Entries Accepted: 1/22/2026 to 2/2/2026
• Voting: 2/3/2026 to 2/10/2026 @ Noon
• Winner Announced: 2/13/2026 editions
Contest Guidelines:
Must be 18 or older. Poems must be original. GVPS employees/families are ineligible. Submissions may be printed throughout the year.
Volunteers Needed
GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY
- Hospeace House: Four hours a month for meaningful impact? Naples Hospeace House seeks compassionate volunteers to offer presence, comfort, and care to individuals and families at end of life. No experience needed—training provided. Sometimes, being there is the greatest gi . Email info@hospeacehouse.org or call 585-374-2090
- Livingston County Habitat for Humanity: We are looking for people who would be interested in serving on our Board of Directors. We need people who are interested in assisting with construction, social media, fundraising, site development, and family selection. Email: livingstonh @ gmail.com
- Fairport Perinton Senior Connections: Drive senior citizens to medical appointments around Monroe county andCanandaigua. Email: schait@ fpsc-sofi.org
• Mt. Carmel House, LLC: Opportunities for kind, compassionate individuals willing to support and/or care for members of the community in their final stage of life’s journey. All training provided. Teens to adults welcome. Email: volunteermtch@gmail.com
• Pet Adoption Network: https://www.petadoptionnetwork.org/ volunteer: foster homes needed, caregivers for fosters residing on premises, staff open house shi s, PR/event planner. Email info@ petadoptionnetwork.org or call 585-338-9175
• e Vincent House Inc.: Vincent House is currently looking for resident care aides and fundraising volunteers. You will be given all the training you will need! Email: vhvolunteer@frontier.com
• Lifespan of Greater Rochester: We train volunteers to go into the homes of people who are 60+ and help them with budgeting, bill pay, and balancing statements. Email ddodge@lifespan-roch.org or call 585-776-4378
• Tool ri Shop: Volunteer/donation based storefront in Fairport that provides reuse of tools/hardware, flexible Volunteer times with roles from Cashier to Tool Preparation with profits benefiting Senior programs in our Community. Email toolthri shop@gmail.com to become part of our family.
• Girl Scouts: Co-leaders for troops, resource people, businesses able to give tours. Email fniteowl33@gmail.com
• Patrick Place - A Comfort Care Home Inc.: Patrick Place is seeking volunteers for resident care, fundraising, community outreach, buildings maintenance and landscaping/gardening. Email: directorpatrickplace@ gmail.com
• UR Noyes Health (Spice Box Gi Shop): Join our team of Spice Box Gi Shop volunteers! All profits from purchases go right back into the community, supporting Noyes Health, our patients and community. Email christa_barrows@urmc.rochester.edu or call 585-335-4358
• Heritage Christian Stables: Volunteer at HCS in Webster and make a difference. Support riders as they build strength and confidence through equine-assisted services. Help by side-walking, leading horses, or assisting with barn tasks, all while joining a kind, compassionate, and welcoming community. Email: stablesvolunteer@heritagechristianstables.org
Charitable Organizations and Nonprofits can submit requests at gvpennysaver.com under ‘Share With Us.’ Published online and in print of the last week of the month as space permits. See more volunteer opportunities at gvpennysaver.com.
312 W. Commercial Street • East Rochester, NY Phone: 585-288-4721 • email: eckankarrochesterny@gmail.com
Public events on Sundays at 11am: www.eckankar-ny.org/public Learn about ECKANKAR at www.eckankar.org
polltime
According to recent (2026) cost of living comparisons, the Rochester area is 10-13% more affordable than the US average. What do you think of the area’s affordability today?
- The area is reasonably
third week of January is known as Hunt for Happiness Week, encouraging people to identify how we define happiness and how we can cultivate happiness and contentment for ourselves. How do you pursue happiness?
50.0% Spending time with people I care about 41.7% Staying or being active 8.3% Devoting time to a hobby
Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. e two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
By Fifi Rodriguez
1. HISTORY: When did the Easter Rising insurrection take place in Ireland?
2. GEOGRAPHY: What is the capital of India?
3. MEDICAL TERMS: What is a common name for lateral epicondylitis?
4. MOVIES: The “Back to the Future II” characters travel forward in time to which year?
5. LITERATURE: What color is the badge of courage in Stephen Crane’s novel about the Civil War?
6. GAMES: How many points is the center red bullseye on a dartboard worth?
7. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of floating otters called?
8. AD SLOGANS: Which car company used the slogan “Drive your dreams”?
9. TELEVISION: What is husband Darrin’s profession in the “Bewitched” sitcom?
10. SCIENCE: What part of the brain controls hunger?
ANSWERS
HERE’S A TIP In a pinch, you can use toothpaste to scrub your faucet in the bathroom.
Working Out Which Plant-Based Milk Substitute Is Healthiest
Q.DEAR DR. ROACH: Everyone in my family, except for me, has converted to using almond milk instead of cow’s milk. I just saw something on the internet stating that almond milk is possibly the worst plant-based milk substitute. I trust your opinion and research. Can you please educate me on what is best? Are plant-based milks really better than cow’s milk, and which plant-based milk is best? -- D.G.
ANSWER: When trying to compare plant-based milk substitutes with each other and with animal milks in their health impact, it’s important to look at what each of them have in terms of macronutrients and micronutrients.
Cow’s milk, like other animal milks, contains macronutrients like protein, sugars and fats, as well as micronutrients like calcium. (Most cow’s milk is fortified with vitamin D.) While most North Americans consume adequate protein, many people try to increase their protein intake through cow’s milk. Similarly, although the data are mixed, most experts agree that saturated fat, which is found in cow’s milk, increases heart disease risk. (Cow’s milk can be whole, low-fat, reduced fat or skim, varying in their percentages of overall fat.) However, cow’s milk contains beneficial fats like conjugated linoleic acid and methyl-branched-chain fatty acids. Most North Americans consume much more simple sugar than what is optimal with cow’s milk.
Almond milk has much less protein than cow’s milk (1 gram versus 8 grams), and the quality of the protein based on the amount of essential amino acids is less. Soy milk is much higher in protein than almond milk -- almost as much as cow’s milk, about 7 grams. Coconut milk has almost none. However, almond and soy milk have no saturated fat (or almost none) and more monounsaturated fats. Coconut milk has about the same amount of saturated fat as cow’s milk. Almond, soy and coconut milks are typically fortified with calcium to match what is found in cow’s milk, but the calcium in plant milks is not absorbed as well.
Almond milk can be bought unsweetened or sweetened with typically 7-8 grams of sugar per cup, compared to 12 grams per cup in cow’s milk. Cow’s milk has multiple other micronutrients naturally, while plant-based milk is fortified with vitamin A and D.
So, is your family right that almond milk is the worst? No, I don’t think so. In my opinion, the nonexistent protein and high saturated fat content of coconut milk makes it the least acceptable from a health perspective. Soy and almond milk seem like the better alternatives, but neither of them is really comparable to cow’s milk in terms of other micronutrients.
The choice of almond versus soy milk is not clear from a health perspective, so your taste preference should be your guide. In all cases of plant-based milks, I recommend unsweetened and unflavored products.
Determining the nutritional value of certain foods can be a tricky business. Many foods can be enjoyed in moderation, and labeling them as “good” or “bad” might lead to negative connotations. In addition, food labels change from time to time as nutritionists and doctors learn more about nutrition and revise their opinions on certain items.
One food type that has remained off the bad foods radar for quite some time is protein. Protein sources are largely touted as the be-all and endall in nutrition. But even seemingly infallible protein should be eaten in moderation, and even then only if the right sources of protein are selected. Protein is an essential building block of good nutrition that is found throughout the body and makes up the enzymes that power many chemical reactions. Protein helps fuel the hemoglobin in the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body.
The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults get a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight per day (or 8 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight. Physicians in the United States recommend a daily protein allowance of 46 grams for women over the age of 19 and 56 grams for men. Too often, however, people are overloading on protein because they think it’s a better option than carbohydrates and other food sources. But not all protein is the same.
Protein that comes from animal sources offer all of the amino acids a body needs. Unfortunately, some animal sources are less healthy than others. That’s because animal-based protein sources also contain saturated fat. Consuming too much saturated fat may contribute to elevated levels of LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol in the blood. LDL may lead to the formation of plaque in arteries that limits blood flow and may be a risk factor for heart disease. Fatty red meats and whole-milk products tend to contain more saturated fat than other protein sources.
The key when consuming protein is to find the right balance in protein sources. Fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds may offer many of the required essential amino acids. The rest can be obtained by choosing smarter animal-based protein sources. Salmon and other fatty fish are good sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids (heart-healthy fats) and are generally low in sodium. Lentils offer 18 grams of protein and ample fiber. Plus, these legumes have virtually no saturated fat.
GiveTake&
GUIDELINES: Submissions published as space allows. We reserve the right to decline/edit/omit info. We assume no responsibility for submissions. Submissions must include phone # or email. Noncommercial use only. 20 word limit. Please call to remove listing once item is taken/received.
FREE STUFF OFFERED FREE STUFF WANTED
• 2 AQUARIUMS (20 and 26 gallons approx.) Palmyra. Text or call 315-584-2658.
• Twin-size MATTRESS, box spring and frame. Good condition. Palmyra. Text or call 315-584-2658
• Box full of assorted FLOWER VASES. Phelps. tractorman5957@gmail.com
• BABY CRIB - with mattress - both in very good shape. Macedon. 315-986-4846
• Music CDs, many blank CD-ROM DISKS, and blank DVDs. 585-748-5421. Scottsville. dcady@rochester.rr.com
• 2 old style steel window weights, 2 lb and or 10 lb with rope holes. Need delivered. Rochester Eastside. 585-482-5832
• WEBER GRILL, gas or charcoal. Call or text 315-576-1278
• Railroad museum needs ALUMINUM WHEELCHAIR RAMPS and PLATFORM for handicap access to building. 501(c)3 tax deductible. 585-478-4269
• Moving/shipping supplies: small & medium boxes, paper, bubble wrap. thomasarachel93@gmail.com
• YARN needed. I will pick up. Webster/Penfield area. Phone: 217-3397
• Large amount of COSTUME JEWELRY (men’s and women’s). Any condition. 585-766-8842
• NYS nickel-deposit CANS & BOTTLES to support the Victor Marching Blue Devils. mmohearn@gmail.com
• Portable, digital (electric) weighted 81 keys PIANO. 585-557-4605
• Atari 2600 GAMING SYSTEM with all the games. MEN’S SHAVER, any COSTUME JEWELRY in any condition. 585-415-8513
• RECORD PLAYER in working condition. tcatherine@protonmail.com
• ISO AIRBRUSH for painting fishing lures. jess.alinaitwe@gmail.com
• MODEL KITS, Built or Un-built. Automotive, aviation, military, monster, ships, etc. Parts and pieces ok. 585-314-6989
• COMIC BOOKS, any & all. Any condition. Will pick up or meet. Call or text 585-260-0437
• SMALL CAMPER for repurpose projects to raise funds for two college students. No mold or leaks please. 585-465-0879
• BROKEN Non-working wrist or pocket watches and parts. Digital or mechanical. Any condition. 585-766-8842
home services
GENERAL CONTRACTING
WHEN RENOVATING
Hidden issues: Contractors may uncover all sorts of issues that need to be addressed before a project can progress. Examples include the presence of asbestos (common in older homes), plumbing problems, incorrectly wired electrical systems, and leaks or moisture issues. These problems also can impact the cost of the project, so set aside some money in the budget for unforeseen expenses. Chances are you are going to need some extra money to handle a few surprises during the project.
Landscape Design and Installation
County Road 10, Canandaigua
We have a complete landscape design and installation service available. In addition to plantings, we install walks, walls and patios, and perform Spring and Fall cleanup and mulching. If you are looking for someone to plant just one tree or do a whole landscape renovation, call us for a free quote.
• Call for Free Estimates
585-396-1460 or 585-202-2832
james@svgplants.com
Bulk Mulch Delivered & Installed
available for $25 for entry to other participating locations for the event.
Enjoy samples by: Croghan Bologna, Lowville Cheese, Baked By Michelle from Clifton Springs’ Bread & Baked Goods.
PROBLEMS THAT CAN LEAD TO LAWN DAMAGE
Lack of sunlight: All plants need the proper ratio of sunlight to grow. Too much sunlight and plant blades can scorch. Too little sunlight and grass may turn brown and die. Although there are shade-tolerant varieties of grass, homeowners also can explore alternative landscapes. Work in a garden bed or create a design that utilizes gravel or mulch. Avoid aggressively pruning back trees to give the lawn more sunlight in that area, as this may just damage the trees.
MASONRY & BASEMENT
home services
ROOFING, SIDING, GUTTERS
OTHER
PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM BURGLARS
According to the FBI, nearly 400,000 burglaries occur in the U.S. during November and December each year. And the reason for that should be as obvious as the beards on “Duck Dynasty’s” male stars’ faces: Those are the months when so many of us are either away from home -whether on vacation or getting together with loved ones -- or busy accumulating piles of shiny new gifts.
Newark High School Senior, Matteo Botelho, Performs with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE NEWARK CSD NEWS
MATTEO
“Matteo was very eager to learn the flute from the start and was a hard worker and very talented. I’m not at all surprised at his success.”
CINDY BRIGGS
A er an interesting demonstration of various musical instruments when he was a first grader in the Gananda Central School District, Matteo Botelho decided he would someday play the flute. ree years later, a student at Kelley Intermediate School, Botelho got his chance and began learning how to play the instrument from the school’s Instrumental music teacher Cindy Briggs. He loved it so much that he played flute in the fourth and fi h grade bands at Kelley School and continued in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade bands at Newark Middle School under the direction of Rebekah Valerio.
Now a senior at Newark High School, Botelho plays flute in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Fusion under the direction of Robert Humphrey, the school’s instrumental music teacher. His prowess enabled him to participate in New York State School Music Association’s (NYSSMA) Area
All State Music festivals as a junior and senior and the Wayne County Music Educators Association’s (WCMEA) All-County Band last year.
Last April, Botelho successfully auditioned to become one of two open flutist chairs in the upcoming 2025-26 Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO) season. Since late August, Botelho has spent three hours each Sunday a ernoon rehearsing with the RPYO.
A program of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Education Department, the RPYO, in association with the Eastman Community Music School (ECMS), motivates its student musicians to achieve excellence in performance and develop a life-long love of music. Since 1970, the RPYO has offered our community’s most advanced young musicians’ orchestral experiences of the highest order. More than 2,200 of the Rochester area’s most talented musicians have experienced the challenges and rewards of learning symphonic masterworks while playing in the RPYO. More than 200 of them have performed in professional music ensembles, including other major symphony orchestras. Five RPYO alumni currently perform with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Hundreds have become dedicated music educators, more than 30 in Rochester area schools, as well as composers, conductors, and arts administrators.
BOTELHO
Its first performance this season was a one-hour concert at the Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp September 28th. e RPYO’s 90-minute fall concert, co-conducted by RPO’s Principal Pops Conductor, Jeff Tyzik, and RPO 3rd Trumpet, Herb Smith, was held at the Hochstein School November 23rd. e RPYO will perform in a 90-minute Side-by-Side Concert with the RPO at 3 p.m. March 1st in Kodak Hall at the Eastman eater. And the RPYO’s final, 90-minute concert performance will be June 1 in the same location at 7:30 p.m.
Botelho,whoplansonpursuinganinstrumentalperformance track in college, beginning next fall, said he really likes the experience of performing with the RPYO. “Playing in the RPYO is a true honor,” he said. “It is a privilege to play with such a talented group under the guidance of the RPO conductors. Sharing the stage with them and with the RPO in Kodak Hall is an experience I will never forget.”
“Not o en enough do we have the chance to see the hard work great kids are doing be acknowledge and rewarded,” Humphrey said. “Matteo is a very fine young musician who deserves every accolade he receives. He is a model student, mature beyond his years, and serves as a role model and inspiration to his peers. I am so happy he earned this coveted spot and look forward to his successes!”
Briggs, who is also the PreK-12 Music Department Leader, is thrilled about Botelho performing with the RPYO, but not surprised, saying, “Matteo was very eager to learn the flute from the start and was a hard worker and very talented. I’m not at all surprised at his success. I don’t believe we’ve had a Newark student perform in the RPYO since Kelsey Williams was at NHS about 12 years ago. is is a big deal!”
“I know the high standard the RPYO upholds,” Valerio said. “Matteo’s acceptance is a tremendous acknowledgement of his musicianship, passion and work ethic. It’s no surprise that Matteo is there, though. Even from a young age he was an eager learner, expressive musician and natural leader.”
In addition to playing the flute and related instruments, Botelho began playing Bari saxophone last year and plays guitar. When he spent a year in Brazil with his family as a sophomore, he took private flute lessons and now receives them from Laura Lentz in Brighton. Botelho is also a vocal musician at NHS and is a member of Chamber Choir and Vocal Jazz and is performing in the upcoming Newark Drama Club’s performance of Legally Blonde in March.
Raised bumps or welts: Fleas can irritate the skin, causing raised welts on pets and people. People are often affected near the ankles when fleas jump from the carpet onto human skin. This is
Ho Hum, reading makes me so-o-o tired.
SIGNS YOUR PET HAS FLEAS
Send us a photo! and a brief write-up of your pet and we’ll feature it!
Submit at: gvpennysaver.com under Share With Us or mail to: P.O. Box 340, Avon, NY 14414. Pets will be published at discretion of GVPS.
COMMON CONDITIONS THAT CAN AFFECT DOGS
Fleas: Fleas are parasitic blood-suckers that reside on the coats of pets. Scratching, hot spots, hair loss, and tapeworms (which are carried by fleas) can be symptomatic of flea infestation. Some people may notice actual fleas on their dogs, while others may identify the flea dirt against a dog’s skin. Flea prevention medicines and medicated shampoos can help keep fleas at bay.
By Sam Mazotta
Frosty temps result in cold paws
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My cat “Fiero” is a robust outdoor cat who loves being outside all day and comes in at night. Recently, he came in limping a bit. I couldn’t see any damage to his paws, but the pads felt really cold and he didn’t like me touching them. Can cats’ paws freeze in the cold? -- Fred S., Madison, Wisconsin
DEAR FRED: Yes, cats absolutely can be injured in cold weather. While they are more inclined to find a warm and cozy spot, away from ice and snow, cats are still at risk of frostbitten paw pads, cuts from jagged ice or salt, hypothermia and possible poisoning from licking ice melt off of their paws.
I suspect that Fiero’s paw pads are frostbitten, and he may have gotten slightly hypothermic as well, especially if it was bitterly cold outside. Contact the veterinarian for guidance so that he recovers quickly from the injury.
While Fiero is happiest outside, you can create a space for him inside to watch birds and wildlife outdoors. Set up a window shelf that he can relax on while looking out of the window. Another option is to stream a “cat TV” channel. These increasingly popular live streams -- found mostly on YouTube -- are designed to draw cats’ attention to twittering birds and curious squirrels on the screen.
Additionally, give him an outlet for his excess energy. Place scratch pads throughout the house so he can sharpen his claws without destroying the furniture. Try different cat toys to get him to chase and play.
For less-bitter-cold days outside, set up a covered shelter in a sunny spot next to your house for Fiero to rest in. This can reduce the risk of a cold injury.
With all the negativity in the world right now, I am so grateful for the little things around us: the individuals who help each other, check on an older neighbor who lives alone, shovel or plow someone’s driveway when the snow piles up, hold a door open for the next person, say please or thank you to the retail or grocery worker trying to make ends meet, simply smile at another human being out somewhere, anywhere, because goodness knows, we need a little more kindness, human-ness today more than ever, and those little things can brighten someone’s day and make the world just a little more manageable.
Volunteers and donations
Thank you, wealthy neighbors who use their extra funds for good instead of hoarding it and snubbing the lesser fortunate in the community. I won’t name names, but thank you. We see you. We have hope for the future as our belts tighten and we wonder how we will make ends meet; it is refreshing to see you giving of your time when you could have just written a check (or done nothing at all and let someone else help out). The nonprofits do great work, and when all come together, rich, poor, and in between, that’s when our community is strongest. Thank you. I wish more people would give of their time and money to help their communities. We are only as strong as our weakest link.
SPONSORED BY
Handshake in church
The handshake at mass to wish someone peace was never a good idea. I like turning to face others and personally say peace with a friendly smile. Nothing sad, frustrating, rude or impersonal about this form of greeting.
Construction safety
Today I witnessed something in [local town] that genuinely shook me. A driver ignored a flagger who was clearly holding a stop sign and drove straight into an active work lane. The flagger managed to pull the car to the shoulder so a construction vehicle could pass, but even then, the driver refused to follow directions and continued through the work zone. In that moment, one person’s impatience put so many lives at risk — the driver’s own life, the flagger’s life, the entire crew working only a few feet away, and every other driver on that stretch of road. Watching it unfold made it painfully clear how fragile their safety is.
These workers stand in harm’s way every day so our roads can stay open and safe. They are parents, friends, neighbors — real people who expect to return home at the end of their shift.
Please: slow down, obey flaggers, and stay alert in work zones. Your choices behind the wheel could be the reason someone gets home safely… or the reason they don’t.
Vent
Write a short letter to a friend expressing how grateful you are to have them in your life!
What would we be without our friends? Can you imagine life without a shoulder to cry on as you reel from a bad breakup? Or a companion to hog all the junk food with as youwatchthescariest movies while hiding under covers. Friends are the family we choose, and it’s time wepaythisunderrated relationship admirationandhonor with a month-long celebration.
How to celebrate friendship month? Have a friendship movie marathon! It’s time to turn on your favorite movies and enjoy the final stretch of hot cocoa and weighted blankets with your besties. As youstartthisbeautiful month of February andcelebratethespirit of friendship, end your nights with your favorite movies of the same.
HOCUS-FOCUS BY HENRY BOLTINOFF
Level: Moderate
Repeatthequestion?
Chief is king of the mountain SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS:
New Year’s Eve Christmas Tree
hometown events
There’s so much happening at your local libraries!
244 Main St., Geneva • 315-789-5303 genevapubliclibrary.net
M-F 8:30-7; Sa 9-2
Macedon Public Library
30 Main St., Macedon • 680-346-1500 macedonpubliclibrary.org
M-Th 10-8; F 10-5; Sa 10-2
Newark Public Library
121 High St., Newark • 315-331-0552 newarklibrary.org
M-Th 9:30-7; F 9:30-6; Sa 9:30-1
Palmyra Community Library
402 East Main St., Palmyra 315-597-5276
palmyracommunitylibrary.org
M-Th 10-8; F 10-5; Sa 10-2
Phelps Library
8 Banta Street, Suite 200, Phelps 315-548-3120 phelpslibrary.org
M-Th 9-7; F 9-5; Sa 9-1; Sun Closed
NOW
HERE’S A TIP
How to pack a suitcase: Roll pants and tops, adding to suitcase first, toward the handle side. Then add heavy items (shoes, boots) toward the wheel end. Make sure you choose the right size case for the trip; too much room will cause items to shift around.
MACEDONPUBLICLIBRARY:
Jan.31:
(10:00am-noon)MountainTwilight Painting
Feb2: (Noon-1:00pm)MacedonSenior Meeting (1:00pm-2:00pm)Eastman CommunityMusicSchoolNew HorizonsClarinetChoir (2:00pm-4:00pm)Euchre (5:00pm-7:45pm)GEDInstructional Help
* OMG, the popular acronym for “Oh my God,” was first used in writing in a letter to Winston Churchill in 1917, by John Arbuthnot Fisher, a retired Admiral of the British Navy, who said, “I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis, O.M.G. (Oh! My God!).”
DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP RESOLUTIONS STICK THIS YEAR
Set up an accountability system. Institute a rewards system for your success. You might even use a monetary system as a double-bonus. When you stick to a resolution over a predetermined period, put a dollar in a jar. If you fall off course, take a dollar away. Find theincentivethatworksforyou.
Phelps ozen Fest
February 6-7, 2026 FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Community Ice Skating Music & Novelty Games Igloo Experience – New this year! Phelps Express Train Rides Sweetheart Sip N Stroll Vendors & More
PhelpsIgloo perience
Available both days! Book today! Spaces are limited! Choose between Family Friendly & Date Night Experiences! S etheart SipN Str l Limited Tickets! February 7, 2026 • 3-6pm
Pre-sale tickets $25 21+ Event
Visit our Facebook page for complete list of events: Phelps Frozen Fest
Guidelines for Hometown Events events
To Post Your Event:
Log in and submit your event online at www.gvpennysaver.com/calendar or in person at: 1471 Route 15, Avon, NY 14414
Submit your event by the Monday 2 weeks prior to publication date.
Events must occur on a specific date and time. Event submissions may not include businesses or schools seeking registration for classes or programs, or organizations seeking crafters, vendors, or item donations.
Genesee Valley Penny Saver reserves the right to approve/reject events for publication. Events are published as space allows.
STRANGE BUT TRUE
By Lucie Winborne
* The human brain would be able to perform 38 quadrillion (38 thousand trillion) operations per second if it were a computer.
* Pope Francis was once a nightclub bouncer in his native Argentina.
* “Psycho” was the first movie to show a toilet flushing.
* As part of standard convention, pilots and co-pilots do not eat the same food before a flight in case of food poisoning (or worse). If one of the pilots is incapacitated (in other words, unable to leave the bathroom), the other pilot can take over.
FEATURE YOUR CHILD IN OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS SECTION!
SENIOR NEWS LINE
By Matilda Charles
Reading and writing for relaxation
If ever there was a time to turn off the television -- especially during the evening news hour -- this is it. Between the stress and anxiety of current events that we can do nothing about and the shocking mistakes we see being made (not to mention the resulting disrupted sleep and rising blood pressure), we can easily just press the off button on the remote.
But what shall we do with our free time, once we have silenced the noise? We can read ...
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“Homework for Grown-Ups: Everything You Learned at School and Promptly Forgot,” by Elizabeth Foley and Beth Coates, is a trip down memory lane of all the facts and tidbits you used to know. The topics are covered in bite-size sections and include English language and literature, math, home economics, history, science and much more. Still wonder if you should use “that” or “which” in a sentence? Or you don’t remember the answer when your grandchild asks, “What’s the difference between a parallelogram and a rhombus?” Or if you need a refresher about rock, paper, scissors, the book will remind you. At the end of each section is a quiz with answers in the back of the book. If you read a few pages every day, you’ll find it addicting!
And we can write ...
When is the last time you wrote someone a letter? Not an email, not a text message, not a letter typed on the computer and printed out, but a handwritten letter on nice stationery with a matching envelope. And yes, they still make such things, sold in sets. While you’re shopping for stationery, consider buying a journal. If you make a habit of writing, without a daily dose of bad news, you’ll likely find yourself much more relaxed -- and happy!
Use residual heat to your advantage. Open the bathroom door after taking a steamy shower and let that warm, moist air make its way to other rooms in the house. After cooking or baking is done, turn off the oven but leave the door open to warm the kitchen and dining area without adjusting the home thermostat. Keep draperies and blinds on south- and west-facing windows wide open during the day to maximize sunlight and warmth.
Cognitive decline is a condition that is often associated with aging, but even middle-aged people can experience memory loss or cognition issues.
The Alzheimer’s Association says that more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. By 2050, that number could rise to as high as 16 million people. More than 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, says the Canadian Alzheimer’s Association.
Although there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, living a long, vibrant life may be possible by encouraging some healthy habits for the brain. It is never too late or too early to begin health and lifestyle changes.
Exercise: Becoming more active can improve brain volume, reduce risk for dementia and improve thinking and memory skills. The journal Neurology found that older people who vigorously exercise performed better on cognitive tests than others of the same age, placing them at the equivalent of 10 years younger. Increased blood flow that occurs with physical activity may help generate new neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with learning and memory.
The Harvard Medical School says aerobic exercise may help improve brain tissue by improving blood flow and reducing the chances of injury to the brain from cholesterol buildup in blood vessels.
Quit smoking: The Alzheimer’s Association indicates that evidence shows smoking increases the risk of cognitive decline. Smoking can impair blood flow to the brain and cause small strokes that may damage blood vessels.
Eat healthy foods: Foods that are good for the heart and blood vessels also are good for the brain. These include fresh fruits and vegetables,
whole grains, fish-based proteins, unsaturated fats, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Neurologists state that, while research on diet and cognitive function is limited, diets, such as Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to a lower risk of cognitive issues.
Consume caffeine: Caffeine may help boost memory performance and brain health. A Journal of Nutrition study found people ages 70 and older who consumed more caffeine scored better on tests of mental function than those who consumed less caffeine. Caffeine may help improve attention span, cognitive function and feelings of well-being. Information from Psychology Today also indicates caffeine may help in the storage of dopamine, which can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. In addition, compounds in cocoa and coffee beans may improve vascular health and help repair cellular damage due to high antioxidant levels.
Work the brain: Engaging in mentally stimulating activities can create new brain connections and more backup circuits, states Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Working the brain through puzzles, reading and participating in social situations can stimulate the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule essential for repairing brain cells and creating connections between them.
A good way to combine these lifestyle factors is to take an exercise class with friends, mixing the social, stimulation and exercise recommendations together.
Cognitive decline can come with aging, but through healthy habits, people can reduce their risk of memory loss and dementia.
And there is quite a different sort of conversation around a fire than there is in the shadow of a beech tree.... [F]our dry logs have in them all the circumstance necessary to a conversation of four or five hours, with chestnuts on the plate and a jug of wine between the legs. Yes, let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. ~ Pietro Aretino, translated from Italian
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