CICERO — Troops in the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council sold 1,260,493 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies during the 2021 season, roughly 88% of the projected goal of 1.4 million boxes.

The program ran December 19 through March 28.

Regional goals were adjusted due to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic for a second cookie season, and as fewer girls than usual chose to participate in the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. All members had the option to safely take part in any way they felt most comfortable: online, in person following safety protocols, or by taking this season off.

“Through the assistance of generous community partners and the public, our Girl Scouts were able to do what they do best this cookie season: lead,” GSNYPENN CEO Julie Dale said. “We could not be prouder of the ways in which our girls, troops and adult volunteers embraced this ‘new normal’ so that girls could safely take part in an annual tradition that allows them a sense of normalcy during challenging times. It’s truly inspiring to see the convergence of leadership, perseverance and strength that took place this cookie season. Our girls further honed real-world leadership skills that will carry them well into the future.”

Girls learn financial literacy, practice entrepreneurship, and develop essential leadership skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics during the annual cookie program. Purchases support local Girl Scouts, who use the earnings to power experiences for themselves and their troops. Funds raised stay local and are used for community service projects, council programming, summer camp adventures and more.

Close to 7,600 boxes of cookies were sold via the first-ever collaboration between Girl Scouts of the USA and Grubhub. GSNYPENN arranged locations for its troops in select ZIP codes, including Fingerlakes Mall outside Auburn, New York Kitchen in Canandaigua, and Eastview Mall in Victor. And, cookies are being sent to participating Meals on Wheels in all GSNYPENN counties, including all four in the Times’ readership area.

In addition, the following area businesses partnered with local troops to provide a learning experience in marketing and sales, allowing girls to run their cookie businesses inside their facilities:

Seneca County — WT Brews, Bayard Bakery, CV Designs, Full Circle Chiropractic, Finger Lakes Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Elements on Van Cleef, Connie’s Diner, Cayuga Lake Creamery, Ciccino’s Pizzeria, Ovid Big M, Hampton Inn Seneca Falls, Kuneytown Sportsman Club, and Ashley Lynn Winery.

Wayne County — Nima’s Pizza, Lyons National Bank, Joey’s Northside Grocery, Fairville Fire Department, and Marshall Farms.

GENEVA — Each year during Women’s History Month, on International Women’s Day, the Zonta Club of Geneva recognizes women who have contributed to the empowerment and betterment of society.

This year, the Zonta Club of Geneva celebrates the achievements of Mary Beer and Diane Devlin, the public health directors in Ontario and Wayne counties, respectively, for their work in combating COVID-19, their dedicated service to their counties, and their efforts to encourage the health and wellness of their counties.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of Public Health in this country forever,” said Emilie Sisson, president of the Geneva Zonta Club. “Our local health departments have led the way in informing the public, coordinating vaccine distribution, and providing steady guidance in confronting the myths surrounding vaccination. The Zonta Club of Geneva has addressed health needs for many years and is proud to be able to call attention to the work of our local public health directors today.”

Beer was appointed to her current position in September 2008. She is a registered nurse with experience working in acute care, home care, primary care, long-term care, clinical information technology, managed care, and quality assurance. She has held professional leadership positions for 40-plus years.

She is a board member of the S2AY Rural Health Network, the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, the Partnership for Ontario County, and UR Homecare, and a member of the Common Ground Health Metrics Advisory, Thompson Health’s Population Health, Finger Lakes Health Advisory and Lifespan’s Advisory committees.

Additionally, Beer is a hospice volunteer for Serenity House, and is past president of the Clifton Springs Rotary Club. Originally from Henrietta, she now lives in Farmington with her husband, Jim.

Devlin’s 30-year nursing career began as a medical, surgical and cardiac nurse in local hospitals. After a few years, she accepted a community health nurse position at Wayne County Public Health. In her 25 years with the health department Devlin has served as coordinator of the Migrant Health Program and as a supervising public health nurse.

Devlin assumed her current post in December 2008.

The Zonta Club of Geneva is one of the 12,000 clubs comprising Zonta International whose mission is to empower women through service and advocacy. There are Zonta Clubs in 63 countries with more than 29,000 members.

For information about the Zonta Club of Geneva, visit www.zontaclubofgeneva.org or call Sisson at (315) 521-5853.

For more information about Zonta International, visit www.zonta.org.

NEWARK — The Eureka and Newark granges are teaming up for a garage sale April 23-24. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the Newark Grange Hall, 100 Woodlane.

Donations are welcome. The best time to drop off donations is from 10 a.m. to noon this Tuesday.

An assortment of household items, collectibles, some clothes, and toys will be for sale, along with a bake sale. Proceeds go toward upkeep of the hall and community service projects.

For more information, call (315) 946-4379.

NEWARK — Ryan Kreuser, son of Marc and Holly Kreuser, has been a part of Newark Rotary since he was about 10 years old. Over the years, Kreuser has helped with the Newark Rotary’s annual pancake breakfast and other functions. He later joined Newark Interact and after high school, completed a one-year exchange to the Netherlands through Rotary Youth Exchange.

Now, as a graduate student at Nazareth College, Ryan is a member of District 7120 Rotaract. Looking to give back to Rotary, he looked for an opportunity and “ran” with it.

On the weekend of March 5-7, Kreuser competed in a 4x4x48 run challenge to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation. Running four miles every four hours for 48 hours was a test of strength, endurance and athleticism, and reflected Kreuser’s commitment.

Newark Rotarians, district Rotarians, Rotaract members and many friends donated more than $1,200 to the Rotary Foundation in support of Kreuser.

CANANDAIGUA — The Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua is a service organization that has been helping the community for 77 years.

During the winter, the club and its members continued to find ways to help support local children, as well as being active in the community.

“The members of Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua are a special group of people,” Canandaigua Kiwanis president Lou Loy said. “We’re thrilled that, despite the pandemic, we are able to continue to help those organizations who need us now more than ever.”

Some highlights of the past few months:

• Continuing to sponsor events to raise funds toward the organization’s pledge of $25,000 to Dream Big Inclusion in Motion playground project. In addition, The Canandaigua Kiwanis Foundation Inc. received an award of $25,000 from ESL Community Impact and a $5,000 award from Rochester Area Community Foundation to support the playground. The club also appeared on a local Rochester television station story, highlighting the inclusive playground project tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2021 at Outhouse Park in Canandaigua.

• Supporting past Finger Lakes Division Lt. Gov. Martin Toombs’ Kiwanis Career Exploration Project, a program that offers career mentorship to students.

• From January through March, Kiwanis made a number of donations to non-profit groups, including Kiwanis Club of Mendon, Hillside Family of Agencies, and Ronald McDonald House.

• Holding a virtual Kids Carnival. The interactive website offered a variety of fun, kid-friendly challenges, and families were invited to upload pictures of videos of the completed activities, and be entered to win fun prizes. The site had over 60 submissions, with traffic coming from around the Finger Lakes and Rochester/Buffalo areas, as well as 13 states and two countries.

• Packing more than 700 “Spring Time” bags that were delivered to the Canandaigua Primary School March 15. Every child at the primary school received a bag filled with goodies for them to enjoy over their spring break.

• Planning two upcoming events to support the club’s fundraising efforts: a chicken barbecue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at RF Collision on Route 332, and the Sippin’ With Kiwanis virtual craft beverage tasting from 2-4 p.m. April 18. For tickets to those, visit CanandaiguaKiwanis.org.

New members are welcome to learn more about Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua and be a guest at an upcoming meeting, held in person at the American Legion, 454 N. Main St., and virtually via Zoom. If you interested, email drpamaud@yahoo.com.

Upcoming meetings are at noon Tuesday and at 6 p.m. April 27.

WATERLOO — Waterloo in Bloom will hold its spring meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church at 42 E. Main St.

Those interested in participating are asked to enter through the back parking lot doors.

New volunteers are encouraged to attend. Face coverings are required.

Flowers are donated by local businesses; therefore, there is no cost for volunteers, only time.

For more information, please call (315) 539-2487.

PENN YAN — The Yates County sheriff’s office will take part in the nationwide pharmaceutical collection event April 24.

Deputies will be at the county courthouse on Liberty Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will accept expired, unused, and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Pet medicine will be accepted too.

The drive-up service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Sheriff Ron Spike said there are kiosks where people can drop off medicine. One is available 24/7 at the public safety building on Main Street in Penn Yan. The other two, at the Starkey Town Hall in Dundee and the Rushville village offices, are available during normal business hours.

NEWARK — This Wayne County village’s 15th annual Community Pride Day cleanup is set for May 22.

This year’s theme is once again “Color our Community with Pride.” Volunteers are needed to help beautify Newark by planting flowers, pulling weeds and cleaning up litter.

Volunteers will assemble in the parking lot on the south side of T. Spencer Knight Park, east of Pontillo’s (in the municipal parking lot on Route 31), where they will receive their assignments.

The village cleanup and flower planting will take place between 10 a.m. and noon. Work crews will clean canal banks, parks, canal trails, the area around old locks 58 and 59, parking lots, village streets, and wherever debris removal is necessary. Volunteers also will plant flowers around the village in designated areas.

If still necessary, social distancing will be in place.

Residents, schools and village businesses are invited to join the village-wide floral planting effort.

In support of the effort to help beautify the community, the following retail businesses are offering discounts for Newark residents:

• HEP Sales/North Main Lumber/Builder’s Bargain Outlet — 10% off any exterior product purchased from HEP Builder’s Bargain Outlet from May 15 to June 15.

• Plassche Lumber — 20% off all house paint and painting accessories from May 17-31.

• Q’s Landscape Enterprise Inc. — A free six-pack of 2.6-ounce synthetic 50-to-1 mixture with purchase of any Stihl gas-powered equipment from May 17 to June 2.

• Secor Home and Hardware Center — Paint, lawn and garden, and plant specials.

A prize of $200 will be awarded to the most colorful Newark business exterior, and another $200 will be awarded to the most colorful Newark resident’s front yard.

To enter your business or home, call Robbin Bremer at (315) 226-8105. Registration must be received by 1 p.m. May 19. Judging will take place May 24.

Community Pride Day is sponsored by Walmart, Secor Home and Hardware Center, HEP Sales/North Main Lumber/Builder’s Bargain Outlet, Plassche Lumber, Q’s Landscape Enterprise Inc., Newark Rotary, the Newark Garden Club, the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce, and the village.

Contact Bremer with questions or to volunteer.

CANANDAIGUA — With Gov. Cuomo’s Feb. 17 announcement that residential summer camps in New York can plan to reopen in June, 4-H Camp Bristol Hills is preparing to welcome back campers back this summer.

Now in its 96th season, 4-H Camp Bristol Hills continues to offer a variety of quality summer programs for children ages 5-16. The camp is 10 miles south of the city of Canandaigua in the town, in the beautiful Bristol Hills region of the Finger Lakes. It is owned and operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, licensed by the New York State Department of Health, and accredited by the American Camp Association.

4-H Camp Bristol Hills features outdoor recreation and environmental education activities that include ropes courses, cooking, crafts, STEM, fishing, hiking, archery and riflery, and sports. The camp experience is rounded out with general camp fun of cabin living, picnic meals, and visits to the camp store.

This year the camp is offering a variety of program options for interested youth, including:

• Day Camps for children entering grades K-2.

• Progression Camp (a day program) for children entering grades 3-12.

• Resident Camp for children entering grades 3-12.

• Young Women’s Adventure Camp for girls entering grades 6-9.

• Master Camp in Animation for campers in grades 6-12.

• Adventure Camp (ropes course) for campers in grades 6-12.

• Leader-in-training sessions for 15-year-olds.

• Counselor-in-training sessions for 16-year-olds.

4-H Camp Bristol Hills will hold open houses April 17, May 8 and June 13. The open house will give interested youth and parents with an opportunity to meet staff, tour the camp, and have their questions answered.

Tours will be offered by appointment only.

For a brochure, to register for the open house, or to get more information, contact camp registrar Ellen Rosenbarker at emm64@cornell.edu or (585) 394-3977, ext. 435.

Find additional information at www.4-HCampBristolHills.org.

OVID — The Friends of the Three Bears have received a $4,400 Pomeroy Fund for NYS History award to improve technology and climate control at the newly designated Seneca County Tourism Office and the Papa Bear Cultural Center.

The Pomeroy Fund for NYS History, a partnership between the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and Museum Association of New York (MANY), awarded an additional $50,000 to 14 history-related organizations to assist with urgent capital needs projects. In this highly competitive fourth round of urgent funding, 167 museums and historical societies submitted applications to support projects.

“This was an overwhelming response from history organizations, which underscores the incredible need that remains across New York State,” said Deryn Pomeroy, Director for Strategic Initiatives at the Pomeroy Foundation. “Capital improvements are essential to help these important organizations reopen and stay open.”

“This round helped us see the vast challenges New York’s museums face in the wake of deferred maintenance, limited municipal investment in cultural properties, and the deep financial setbacks incurred through pandemic related revenue reductions,” said Erika Sanger, MANY Executive Director.

According to Friends of the Three Bears Board of Directors President, Phyllis Motill, “Public awareness of some of our historical treasures is a challenge in our small communities. We at the Three Bears, are working with limited resources to elevate the importance of these three historical buildings. Their architectural duplicated design gives them a quality that is unusual, thus Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. We have been working for 20 years to reach our goal of a Tourism Site and a CulturalCenter and we are very close to that achievement. It is through the cooperation of Seneca County Board of Supervisors, grants, donations by loyal members, and in-kind givers that we have successfully turned an ignored complex into a lovely site that is attracting tourists, history buffs, researchers, visitors, and the general public.”