Rush Henrietta: Genesee Valley Penny Saver 1-23-2026
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.
10
200,000
80,000
President Steve Harrison
General
Creative Director Kelly Nolan
Assistant Creative Director Kara Ivison
Production Supervisor Jeff Wasson
Prepress Supervisor Mike Pratt
Circulation Manager Kristy Rapone
Member
Colleen Mann
Tree Tamers
Trimming
585-226-8111
www.gvpennysaver.com
Email: mail@gvpennysaver.com
Rush-Henrietta
Brighter
A grateful customer
A couple of weeks ago I was shopping at my local Tops Market in Dansville. One of the customer service fellows named Jacob saw me exit the store and came to my car to help me without me even asking and put my groceries in the car. Now that is an act of care and concern for an 87-year-old lady. What a blessing he is not only to the grocery store but also to their customers. Bless his heart.
ank You!
I’d like to thank the Branchport ambulance team for their quick response on December 23. I can’t say enough about them. It’s wonderful to have such great people serving Branchport. Thanks again for your many kindnesses. You’re a great team. ~ Mrs. Johnson
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Question
If your sump pump is a giant hole outside near your septic lines, and your sump pump runs water to the ditch that runs by my home, would there be a possibility of this water being contaminated with septic lines running right next to the sump pump?
Town Park
Recently, our town decided to install a disc golf course on an existing lighted and fenced baseball field. Since the park has existed I have never seen nor heard of a game played there. The town is proud that most of the hundred thousand dollars to build the golf course was from a state grant. They seem to think the public doesn’t realize that grant money still comes from taxes. What must any outsider think as they pull into this park with a baseball field and disc golf course combined? And then add to the ridiculous basketball backboard menagerie. I am sure there will be crowds gathering to play disc golf in the spring. Why do they waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on parks that no one uses just to say they do something with tax money. And, oh yes, besides giving themselves raises!
Holiday lights lend extra sparkle to the gloom
It seems more neighbors are keeping holiday lights up around town this year. I don’t know why that is, but I just wanted to say Thank you. It’s so pleasant to drive home (in the dark nowadays!) and see the twinkling lights instead of just boring streetlights. So pretty.
Connecting Haudenosaunee Tradition with the Voyage of the Seneca Chief
BY LORI BRUTON
“Indigenous nations believe all living things around us, including rocks, are our relatives. You look out for your relatives.”
TRISH CORCORAN
Coming out of this Christmas season and moving into a New Year, most holiday decorations are being tucked away. Yet, one constant remains vibrant against the winter snow: the Eastern White Pine. For years, I traipsed through countless tree farms with my mom to find the one Christmas tree that called my name. It always had to be an Eastern White Pine. Years later, I discovered the profound history behind my choice and why this “Tree of Peace” resonates so deeply with the spirit of our region.
For the Haudenosaunee, who have called Western NY home for thousands of years, the Eastern White Pine is a sacred sign of peace. Its needles grow in clusters of five, symbolizing the original five nations joined in a Great Law of Peace. It is a living reminder that we are stronger together than we are apart. is symbolism of connectivity was at the heart of this fall’s bicentennial voyage of the Seneca Chief. Led by the Buffalo Maritime Center, this replica longboat commemorated Governor DeWitt Clinton’s historic 1825 journey along the Erie Canal from Buffalo to the New York Harbor. At each of the 28 ports along the way, water was added to a “Gathering of the Waters” barrel, a ceremony representing renewal and the shared lifeblood of our state.
At every port, an Eastern White Pine was planted, creating a trail of peace across New York. e final tree was planted in lower Manhattan at the journey’s end. ere, the children of Melissa Parker Leonard, founder of 7th Gen Cultural Resources and descendant of the great Seneca leader, Ely S. Parker, nourished the sapling with the water gathered from across the state. It was a powerful moment honoring the Haudenosaunee and representing a collective commitment to community and sustainability.
Acknowledging the complex history of the canal, including thedisplacementofindigenouspeoplebeforeitsconstruction, Trish Corcoran boarded the Seneca Chief to share her cultural heritage. A member of the Tonawanda Onondowaga (Seneca) Bear Clan and an educator at the Harley School, Trish spoke of the environment with the tenderness of a family member: “Indigenous nations believe all living things around us, including rocks, are our relatives. You look out for your relatives. We are part of the environment and have a relationship with it.” She quoted Oren Lyons, who said, “What you folks call your natural resources, our people call our relatives.”
is perspective shi s how we view the world around us. Our actions today are the inheritance of generations to come. During the bicentennial celebration, the indigenous people were invited in. ey were seen, heard, and honored. Remembrance and responsibility must always flow together, much like the waters gathered in that barrel and the white pines now taking root in our soil.
For me, the white pine remains the “star” of my holiday season, but its meaning has expanded. As an evergreen, it symbolizes eternal life. To many, the pine is not only the Tree of Peace but also a “Tree of Life,” a symbol of faith and salvation. As families gather around the tree and the table, we create an atmosphere of love and unity that mimics the very roots of this ancient pine.
As we step into 2026, the white pine serves as a perfect bridge between traditions of the past and hopes for our future. Its ability to stay vibrant through the harshest winter symbolizes the eternal life and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Some even see the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in the triangular silhouette of the pine reaching toward the heavens.
Whether you see it as a cultural landmark, a historical tribute, or a spiritual beacon, the Eastern White Pine invites us all to stand a little taller. It reminds us that even a er festivities have ended, the message of peace remains evergreen. is season, may we all look at the pines in our backyards not just as resources, but as a living representation of peace and protection for us and all generations to follow.
TRISH COCORAN
SENECA CHIEF WATER GATHER AND TREE
BOYS CARRYING WHITE PINE TREE
REMODELING
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New Year. New You.
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FAST FACTS ABOUT THE SUN
UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and can cause it to prematurely age.
OLD SAILING TERMS STILL USED TODAY
By Keith Roach, M.D.
Man Experiences Symptoms of Excess Thyroid After MRI
Q.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a male who is 58 years of age. I recently had an MRI of my cervical spine, and just this month, I had a CT scan of my whole abdomen. Since then, I have had symptoms of dry eyes, weight loss and insomnia. I wondered if the contrast dye used for the MRI or CT scan can cause hyperthyroidism, as these are common symptoms for excess thyroid hormone. Do you think that I have hyperthyroidism? -- G.L.
ANSWER: You are quite right that all these symptoms are commonly seen in people with excess thyroid. The weight loss is due to the increased metabolism of people with excess thyroid hormone. Insomnia is also common for similar reasons. Palpitations, tremor, anxiety, frequent bowel movements, and heat intolerance are all classical symptoms of excess thyroid hormone.
You are also right that the iodine-containing dye from CT scans can precipitate hyperthyroidism in a person who is destined to get it.However,the risk of this occurring is low. There is no increased risk of thyroid disease with MRI dye.
You could, indeed, have hyperthyroidism, and if you saw your doctor, you would very likely be tested. (I would certainly do so if I had a patient with these symptoms.) My experience is that these symptoms are not specific to thyroid disease, and it is probably some other cause. So, I would not be surprised if your thyroid tests were normal.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently got married again after being single for six years and have had five urinary tract infections (UTIs) in 14 months. My primary care doctor, a urogynecologist, and a urologist have all agreed on estradiol cream. I was basically put on this treatment for a prolapsed bladder and to build up my vaginal walls since I am sexually active again.
After reading your recent column about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in older women, I am concerned since I underwent menopause 20 years ago (instead of under 10) and just started this treatment two months ago.
I might add that I had not had a UTI for 50 years prior, but vaginal dryness may be contributing to these UTIs. My doctor has not recommended a progestin, but I have also been introduced to taking a cranberry supplement once a day in tablet form to keep bacteria from multiplying.
Would you have recommended the same treatment knowing that I have not had a period for 20 years? -- L.E.
ANSWER: The risks from estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women are from systemic estrogen -- meaning estrogen that gets absorbed into the blood. This includes estrogen pills and patches.
Q. A.
Topical estrogen, such as vaginal creams, rings and gels, are not wellabsorbed in the body and do not significantly increase the risk of heart disease, which is the major reason that I recommended caution to women who underwent menopause more than 10 years ago.
Similarly, progestins need to be used in women with a uterus when they’re taking systemic estrogen -- but not topical estrogen. (Topical estrogen is absorbed slightly in women with atrophy of the vaginal lining, so it is always worth a consultation with an oncologist for women with estrogen-sensitive tumors, such as breast cancer.)
I don’t generally advise systemic HRT more than 10 years postmenopause, but there still may be some times when it’s appropriate after a thorough discussion between a woman and her doctor. In your case, however, the risk of heart disease, breast cancer or blood clots is negligible from topical estrogen.
View our vehicles at cranesautomotive.com Motorcycle inspections done here!
2025 Pet of the Year
“This is Harley, our 6 month old Cavachon puppy. He loves blueberries, stealing socks, and playing with his cousin Daisy the Boston Terrier. But above all he is a huge cuddle bug & loves a warm lap!”
- Thank you to all who voted -
CONTEST SPONSORS:
pet place
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH ANIMAL TRAINERS
Trainers train owners as well. Trainers won’t just work with pets, but also with pet owners. Obedience trainers will work with pets to teach them how to behave while also teaching owners various ways to positively reinforce the animals. This is a great way for owners to get hands-on experience and learn proper obedience training techniques, which are not always as easy to learn as owners may think.
By Sam Mazotta
Hiking with Dogs
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My 1-year-old puppy, “Duke,” is superactive and loves the snow. Just walking him around the block isn’t enough to dispel his energy, so I’d like to take him on a hike each week. Do you think he’s ready for it at this age? – Billy in Claremont, New Hampshire
DEAR BILLY: At a year old, Duke is ready for short hikes. Depending on his breed, size and tolerance for cold, he may be able to handle longer periods, but you’ll need to evaluate that by taking him out for gradually longer hikes.
As with any winter hike, whether with dogs or alone, safety and awareness are paramount. Duke needs cold-weather gear, paw protection, and food and water to keep him energized and producing his own heat. Here are a few tips.
– Start small: Keep the first hikes short, less than a mile out and back. Gradually increase the distance. Turn around if Duke starts hesitating, whining or shivering.
– Be prepared: Pack separate food, water, pickup bags and first aid for your dog. Make sure Duke wears a collar with his ID tags attached.
– Communicate: Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
– Check conditions first: Check the weather, but also contact the park or message a local hiking group to find out what shape the trail is in.
– Follow park regulations: Review rules for hiking with pets on state or federal lands.
– Don’t push the limits: Turn back well before your dog (or you) starts to get cold or exhausted. Avoid potential dangers like frozen lakes or avalanche zones.
After the hike, before driving home, dry your dog’s coat and check his paws for packed snow or frostbite. Put a warm doggy sweater on him for the ride home.
Now and then, not too often but sometimes, you hear that audible click and come to the realization that you need to change doctors. Maybe it’s because once again you don’t feel like your doctor is really listening to your concerns. Maybe it’s because once again tests are ordered without you getting a clear explanation about why they’re necessary. Maybe it’s because your health concern doesn’t seem to be getting better. Maybe it’s because you see the physician assistant (PA) when you expect to see the doctor. Or maybe it’s just because you have a gut feeling you should go elsewhere.
Whatever the reason, if the time comes to make a change, it won’t be easy if you’ve been with your current doctor for a long time. Your first step, once you’ve decided to do this, is to “interview” another doctor. You’ll need to call around to see who’s taking new patients or inquire among friends for recommendations. Then check out the doctor online with reviews by other people. Look at Healthgrades (www.healthgrades.com). Or do an online search with the doctor’s name.
Be sure the doctor is in your insurance network and make an appointment. Go in with a written list of questions and make notes.
When you find a doctor you’d like to see in the future, you’ll need to have your records transferred from the old doctor.
Level: Beginner
And that’s where I part company with advice I was given. I’m told that it’s best to transfer your records to a new doctor before you go to the first appointment. You’ll need to decide for yourself. My preference was to meet the doctor first before records were transferred, and to not let the current medical practice know I was leaving until I was certain.
If you find the right doctor, the difficulty will be worth it.
There’s so much happening at your local libraries!
Rush Public Library
5977 East Henrietta Rd., Rush 585-533-1370
www.libraryweb.org/rush
M, W, F 1-8; Tu & Th 11-8; Sa 10-2; Su Closed
Henrietta Public Library
625 Calkins Rd., Rochester, NY 14623 585-359-7092 • www.hpl.org
M-Th 9-9; F 9-5; Sa 10-5
Henrietta Public Library currently provides curbside pickup and in-building services. Hours are subject to change. Please call (585) 359-7092 for hours before visiting.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP RESOLUTIONS STICK THIS YEAR
Set a reasonable time frame. Be realistic when determining how long it will take to achieve your goal. Achieving a difficult goal can take time, so don’t expect overnight success.
Share the driving. Know your driving limits and share driving duties with someone else who can take over if or when fatigue sets in.
Guidelines for Hometown 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.
polltime
The 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?
- Spending time with people I care about
- Staying or being active
- Helping others
- Devoting time to a hobby
- Doing meaningful work
Poll ends 01-27-2026
Poll ended 01-20-2026
Since 1994, Martin Luther King Jr has been designated a national day of service, a “day on, not a day off” to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. How do you help your community?
6.7% I volunteer with and/or donate to a local nonprofit
26.7% I check in and help my neighbors
6.7% I’m looking for ways to get involved
60.0% None of the above
Vote and make your voice heard when you visit WWW.GVPENNYSAVER.COM!
poem of the week
Submitted by a local reader. Share your thoughts at gvpennysaver.com/hometown
Winter
By Joanie Hastings
I loved to play in the snow as a child
Build snowmen ,snow forts and sled down Tiger Hill
I’d lay on my back to create a snow angel
And getting a snow day off from school was a thrill!
I’d go ice skating on the frozen Flint Creek
And on the pond behind my grandma’s house
All you’d hear was the sound of my blades on the ice e world around me was quiet as a mouse’
Now I am grown up and if the weather is bad
I can choose to stay inside if I do not need to go to a store
I look out the window and recall the fun times at I had in the snow as a child once more!
STRANGE BUT TRUE By Lucie
Winborne
* Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin brought a chalice, bread and wine to the moon to take communion.
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FREE STUFF OFFERED FREE STUFF WANTED
• Various MAGAZINES – cars, news, people, etc. and old CALENDARS. Penfield. 585-261-1699
• 20-gallon AQUARIUM with all necessary accessories except, of course, the water and the fish! Rochester. dorismuczy@hotmail.com
• Epson Stylus Pro 7700 color & BW PLOTTER with stand. Must pick up. Canandaigua. rdkrapf@id-architects.com
• Six boxes of TRANSPARENCY FILM for overhead projectors, 8-1/2” x 11”, clear. Fairport. 585-880-1234
• DISNEY’S VHSes - about 10 to give to anyone who wants them. Newark. eknarr58@myyahoo.com
• CPAP machine, ResMed Escape S8, includes HumidAire 3i humidifier and carrying case. Perinton. 585-705-4351
• Hip length women’s size 8 dressy FUR JACKET. Exercise tapes - VCR and CD. Canandaigua. jdmiller5490@aol.com
• Octane Fitness STANDING ELLIPTICAL. Needs dismantling. kbradstreet@rochester.rr.com or 315-525-6587
• Twin size wood HEADBOARD AND FRAME. Avon. 585-919-9666
• Non-profits adding to their prop inventory - Royal 1930s TYPEWRITER, a few COSTUMES and ACCESSORIES. Bloomfield. 585-455-6807
• Medline FOLDABLE ROLLING WALKER for seniors with hand brakes and seat with storage. Maroon color. Used/like new. Rush/Henrietta. Text 585-739-7431
• ResMed CPAP MACHINE. Caledonia. 585-944-1645
• Two boxes CANDY MOLDS, can also be used with plaster and then painting items. Avon/Geneseo. Text 585-314-0226
• CONN ELECTRIC ORGAN needs a new home! Works great! Call or text 336-247-3245 Naples
• 40 JOHN DEERE TWO-CYLINDER MAGAZINES. Pick up Farmington. 315-986-3764 leave message
• Cut up FIREWOOD. Pick up Ontario. 585-943-1714
• Assorted PICTURE FRAMES. Take all or some. AEROBIC STEP DECK, adjustable. Small EXERCISE TRAMPOLINE and BALANCE BOARD. Leicester. 585-519-9963
• 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
• 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
• WHITE STYROFOAM COOLERS wanted in Bristol/Honeoye area. Text 607-226-6441
• 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
• Monarch wood burning ADD-A-FURNACE in working condition. I can pick up. 585-613-8410
• Old HUNTER FAN PARTS. Especially brackets for fans that are 40 years old or more. 585-350-9727
• Complete SINGLE BED with MATTRESS. 585-734-3871
• 18” RIMS. Size 215/55r18. 315-548-3872
• MAGAZINES - Men and women’s. CRAFT SUPPLIES for journaling, painting, and card making. griffewsclan@yahoo.com
HOW SMALL BUSINESSES CAN MAKE THE MOST OF LOCAL MARKETS
Don’t overdo it. A cluttered stall at a festival or marketplace may make it difficult for consumers to browse or find what they’re looking for. NFIB® advises business owners to fill the space without it making it appear cluttered. Keep extra inventory on hand to restock displays as sales are made throughout the day.
By Fifi Rodriguez
1. LITERATURE: Who was the first Canadian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature?
2. MYTHOLOGY: What is the home of the Greek gods?
3. LANGUAGE: Which language is the second most spoken in Canada?
4. HISTORY: Which explorer sailed around Africa to discover a trade route between Europe and India?
5. MOVIES: What is the name of Elle Woods’ Chihuahua in “Legally Blonde”?
6. GAMES: In what year was the original Pac-Man video game released?
7. TELEVISION: What is the name of the town where “Hart of Dixie” is set?
8. FOOD & DRINK: Which popular fruit has seeds on the outside?
9. MEDICAL TERMS: What is the common name for alopecia?
10. GEOGRAPHY: In which country are the Cliffs of Moher located?
ANSWERS
2026 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. Short story author Alice Munro, 2013. 2. Mount Olympus. 3. French. 4. Vasco da Gama. 5. Bruiser. 6. 1980. 7. Bluebell, Alabama.
Strawberries. 9. Hair loss.
Ireland.
HOCUS-FOCUS BY HENRY BOLTINOFF
now hiring!
Rochester Scale Works, Inc. has an opening for an Industrial Scale Service Technician is is a full-time, 40 hour position with overtime. Experience is preferred but will train the right candidate. Full benefit package to include medical, 401k and profit sharing, paid holidays and vacation, yearly bonus and life insurance.
Job Summary: Testing, repair and calibration of industrial weighing systems
Job Requirements: High school diploma or equivalency, must have a clean driver’s license and transportation, electronic and mechanical ability, good attitude, on time, dependable, have own basic hand tools. All specialty tools are supplied.
Please send resume by email to the attention: George Eiff George@rochesterscale.com
Veterinary Technician
University of Rochester is seeking to hire a NYS licensed veterinary technician to work with research animals in the Division of Comparative Medicine. No research experience required. Competitive pay, excellent benefits and family friendly workplace schedule.
Submit resume and letter of interest to: Recruitment Manager 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 674, Rochester, NY 14642 or AnimalResource@urmc.rochester.edu University of Rochester is an EOE.
DRIVERS
obtain
Call(585)359-5380or visitrhnet.org/drive Experience the RH Advantage!
now hiring!
Honeoye Falls-Lima
Central School District
$16.50/hr.
GET A HANDLE ON WORK-RELATED STRESS
Take more time off. According to the “State of American Vacation 2016” report from Project: Time Off, American workers failed to use 658 million vacation days in 2015. Vacation is not just a time to get away, but a valuable, effective way for workers to recharge. The APA notes that avoiding the negative effects of chronic stress and burnout requires workers to take time away to replenish and return to their pre-stress level of functioning. Taking time off to disconnect from work and avoid thinking about work can be just what workers need to overcome their work-related stress. And plenty of workers have the time to take off; they just need to take it.
local classifieds
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GUNKNIFE&AMMO SHOW:SundayOnly!February 1st(8am-3pm) Alexander Fireman’sRec.Hall,10708 AlexanderRd.(Rt.98)Alexander NY.100tablestoview.BuySell &Trade.$6admission. NFGShows.com
Webuyhousesforcashasis! No repairsorfuss.Anycondition.Easy 3-stepprocess:Call,getcashoffer,get paid.Getyourfaircashoffertoday. LizBuysHouses:844-877-5833
Portableoxygenconcentrator may becoveredbyMedicare!Reclaimindependence&mobilityw/thecompactdesign&long-lastingbattery. InogenOnefreeinfokit! 877-305-1535
