The Evening Sun's top stories from 2018
Stewart’s Shops to hold grand opening on Friday
January 6
SHERBURNE – Stewart’s Shops is holding a grand opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new store located at 9 North Main Street in Sherburne which recently replaced the previous shop at the same location.
The ribbon cutting will take place on Friday, January 6, at 11 a.m. and the store will feature specials all day in honor of the grand opening. Also, a $1,000 donation will be presented to the Sherburne-area Little League following the ribbon cutting.
The expanded shop features all of the former Stewart’s products along with a greater selection of food items, such as freshly made pizza by the pie or slice, and made to order subs. They have also added a walk-in cooler, additional seating, expanded parking and fuel services.
Stewart’s Shops reported its busiest year to date for construction, building 16 shops in 2016. Six of the shops were brand new, and 10 were replacement shops, such as the remodeled store in Sherburne.
Hospice of Chenango County Executive Director retires,
replacement named
February 1
NORWICH – After nine years of serving as Executive Director at Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, Patricia Outhouse is reportedly retiring and passing on the torch to Kendall Drexler, LMSW.
“I close a forty year healthcare career with a lot of gratitude for the work that I have been able to do and the people that I have had the pleasure to work with,” Outhouse said. “It’s been an honor to help serve the people of Chenango County and I am confident that the organization will continue to provide the highest quality end of life care to this community.”
Drexler – a Chenango County native who graduated from Sherburne-Earlville Central Schools in 2003 – has taken on many roles in her seven years at Hospice including Volunteer Coordinator, Clinical Outreach Coordinator, and Development Coordinator. She received her BSW from Albany in 2007, and her MSW with a concentration in non-profit management and program development from Syracuse in 2010.
“Having worked at Hospice of Chenango County for the past seven years, I am very excited to assume leadership of the agency,” said Drexler. “The staff is compassionate, caring, and committed to easing the suffering of the dying in Chenango County. They are some of the most committed individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Drexler went on to say, “In a healthcare world that is ever changing, I am looking forward to seeing what additional services we might be able to provide the community in the coming years.”
Chenango Relay for Life set to relocate to Norwich’s East Park
February 20
NORWICH – As the 21st Relay for Life of Chenango County slowly approaches, the Relay committee have set their sights on bringing the event ‘back-to-basics,’ but with one major modification.
This summer, Relay for Life will take to East Park in the City of Norwich for the first time ever – instead of the old site of the Chenango County Fairgrounds.
According to Marie DeSarro of Relay for Life of Chenango County’s Public Relations, the change was made in an effort to bring more exposure to the event while staying true to its primary purpose.
“Over the last 21 years, the event has gotten so big and there has been so much going on that we just want to downsize a little bit this year and remember why we’re here: to raise money, raise awareness, and walk all night long,” said DeSarro.
“One thing people don’t necessarily realize about Relay is that anyone can come down and walk and raise awareness whether they are registered or not,” said DeSarro. “At the fairgrounds we were a little hidden, but we’re hoping in downtown Norwich there will be more a little more exposure and a little more participants.”
Schumer visits UHS CMH, unveils Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017
April 11
NORWICH – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D - NY) held a press conference in the lobby of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital (CMH) yesterday morning, April 10, where he unveiled the Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017: legislation which, according to Sen. Schumer, would protect programs of vital importance to rural hospitals like UHS CMH.
“I have always fought for our rural hospitals – rural hospitals are under particular strain,” said Sen. Schumer. “But they’re just as important as any other hospital. And the people who live here in Norwich, or in Chenango County, deserve the same healthcare as the people who live in larger suburban and city areas.”
According to Sen. Schumer, two particular programs responsible for collectively providing $1.8 million in annual funding to UHS CMH – among other rural New York hospitals – are the Medicare-Dependent Hospital (MDH) Program, and the Low-Volume Program – both of which are set to expire on September 30 of this year.
“As the only hospital in Chenango County, Chenango Memorial depends on these two programs to keep its doors open and its workers employed – in order to serve working families, seniors, and other residents,” said Senator Schumer. “These programs help countless other rural hospitals which ripple across New York, and that is why I will use my clout in Washington to support efforts to fully fund them.”
City appoints Dee DuFour as City Clerk/Director of Finance
May 4
NORWICH – The City of Norwich Common Council appointed Dee DuFour to a new role as City Clerk/Director of Finance at a special meeting on Tuesday, May 2, an appointment that Mayor Christine Carnrike calls ‘long overdue.’
“Dee DuFour has stepped up without hesitation to take on the responsibilities of the position when it was vacated in 2015 and 2016,” said Mayor Carnrike. “She possesses the knowledge and insight with more than two decades of first-hand experience in the Finance Office at City Hall.”
DuFour has served the city for 28 years – all in the Finance Department.
The appointment is reportedly part of a larger strategic plan to reorganize the city’s Finance/Clerk office.
Change in prescription coverage to affect local populace, pharmacies
June 27
CHENANGO COUNTY – A number of employees at various school districts in Chenango County will be negatively affected by a mandatory change in prescription medication coverage effective July 1, says Heather Bartle of Bartle’s Pharmacy, Inc. in Oxford.
Beginning on July 1, Bartle says employees at school districts that provide prescription coverage through NY44 Health Trust and their dependants will no longer be permitted to fill long-term medications at local pharmacies––instead, they will be required to have them mail-ordered.
Another local pharmacist, who chose to remain nameless, said they were familiar with the plight, and called the upcoming change in policy a “no-win situation.
“The school districts think they’re doing what’s in the best interest of their taxpayers,” said the pharmacist.
Perry Dewey, DCMO BOCES Superintendent, agreed that the change is “a great inconvenience,” but asserts that the school districts – including DCMO BOCES – are not decision makers in this process.
Chenango County Rocks: How painted rocks are brightening the community
July 25
CHENANGO COUNTY – In April 2017, a Facebook group dubbed “Chenango County ROCKS!!!” was founded by Norwich resident Jessie Siracuse Pepe in an effort to help brighten someone’s day using nothing more than randomly placed painted rocks.
Three months and over 4,600 members later, the group now fosters a digital community for locals of all ages to share the rocks they have created and encountered throughout Chenango County.
The premise is simple: Decorate a rock however you’d like and leave it somewhere for a stranger to find in the hopes that finding the rock will bring that stranger joy.
Dozens of members opt to post in the group daily, updating one another on the rocks they have created, found, and “relocated,” but Pepe says the only real rule for the group is to offer gestures of kindness without expecting anything in return.
Leadership Chenango: Dietrich receives Harry Tecklenburg Leadership Award
October 9
NORWICH – The Leadership Chenango Class of 2018 was introduced last Thursday evening at the Leadership Chenango Kick-off dinner, where Chairman of NBT Bancorp Martin Dietrich was presented the 2017 Harry Tecklenburg Leadership Award.
The Tecklenburg Award is given biennially to an individual who demonstrates strong leadership traits in the community––the same way the late Harry Tecklenburg, general manager of Procter and Gamble, is remembered as having.
Dietrich is in his seventh year of service on the Regional Economic Development Council of the Southern Tier and is a former member of the Commerce Chenango and United Health Services boards of directors.
The Leadership Chenango program was created by The Chenango Foundation in 1988 and initiated by business representatives, community leaders, and government representatives as a means of developing future leaders in the area.
Genute wins Norwich City Court Judge
November 8
NORWICH – The preliminary results issued by the Chenango County Board of Elections have indicated that Chenango County Assistant District Attorney Mike Genute has won the Norwich City Court Judge election after receiving roughly 48 percent of votes in the City of Norwich on Tuesday.
Genute received 763 votes of the 1,602 who cast their ballots in the city Tuesday, clinching the full-time judge seat over opponents Steve Natoli (I), who received 553 votes, and Maureen Byrne (D), who received 285 votes.
“I am honored and humbled by the voters’ choosing me for such a significant role in this community,” said Genute Tuesday evening after the victory. “I will be diligent and hardworking as the next city court judge to ensure that the law is applied fairly for everyone.”
January 6
SHERBURNE – Stewart’s Shops is holding a grand opening event and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new store located at 9 North Main Street in Sherburne which recently replaced the previous shop at the same location.
The ribbon cutting will take place on Friday, January 6, at 11 a.m. and the store will feature specials all day in honor of the grand opening. Also, a $1,000 donation will be presented to the Sherburne-area Little League following the ribbon cutting.
The expanded shop features all of the former Stewart’s products along with a greater selection of food items, such as freshly made pizza by the pie or slice, and made to order subs. They have also added a walk-in cooler, additional seating, expanded parking and fuel services.
Stewart’s Shops reported its busiest year to date for construction, building 16 shops in 2016. Six of the shops were brand new, and 10 were replacement shops, such as the remodeled store in Sherburne.
Hospice of Chenango County Executive Director retires,
replacement named
February 1
NORWICH – After nine years of serving as Executive Director at Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, Patricia Outhouse is reportedly retiring and passing on the torch to Kendall Drexler, LMSW.
“I close a forty year healthcare career with a lot of gratitude for the work that I have been able to do and the people that I have had the pleasure to work with,” Outhouse said. “It’s been an honor to help serve the people of Chenango County and I am confident that the organization will continue to provide the highest quality end of life care to this community.”
Drexler – a Chenango County native who graduated from Sherburne-Earlville Central Schools in 2003 – has taken on many roles in her seven years at Hospice including Volunteer Coordinator, Clinical Outreach Coordinator, and Development Coordinator. She received her BSW from Albany in 2007, and her MSW with a concentration in non-profit management and program development from Syracuse in 2010.
“Having worked at Hospice of Chenango County for the past seven years, I am very excited to assume leadership of the agency,” said Drexler. “The staff is compassionate, caring, and committed to easing the suffering of the dying in Chenango County. They are some of the most committed individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
Drexler went on to say, “In a healthcare world that is ever changing, I am looking forward to seeing what additional services we might be able to provide the community in the coming years.”
Chenango Relay for Life set to relocate to Norwich’s East Park
February 20
NORWICH – As the 21st Relay for Life of Chenango County slowly approaches, the Relay committee have set their sights on bringing the event ‘back-to-basics,’ but with one major modification.
This summer, Relay for Life will take to East Park in the City of Norwich for the first time ever – instead of the old site of the Chenango County Fairgrounds.
According to Marie DeSarro of Relay for Life of Chenango County’s Public Relations, the change was made in an effort to bring more exposure to the event while staying true to its primary purpose.
“Over the last 21 years, the event has gotten so big and there has been so much going on that we just want to downsize a little bit this year and remember why we’re here: to raise money, raise awareness, and walk all night long,” said DeSarro.
“One thing people don’t necessarily realize about Relay is that anyone can come down and walk and raise awareness whether they are registered or not,” said DeSarro. “At the fairgrounds we were a little hidden, but we’re hoping in downtown Norwich there will be more a little more exposure and a little more participants.”
Schumer visits UHS CMH, unveils Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017
April 11
NORWICH – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D - NY) held a press conference in the lobby of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital (CMH) yesterday morning, April 10, where he unveiled the Rural Hospital Access Act of 2017: legislation which, according to Sen. Schumer, would protect programs of vital importance to rural hospitals like UHS CMH.
“I have always fought for our rural hospitals – rural hospitals are under particular strain,” said Sen. Schumer. “But they’re just as important as any other hospital. And the people who live here in Norwich, or in Chenango County, deserve the same healthcare as the people who live in larger suburban and city areas.”
According to Sen. Schumer, two particular programs responsible for collectively providing $1.8 million in annual funding to UHS CMH – among other rural New York hospitals – are the Medicare-Dependent Hospital (MDH) Program, and the Low-Volume Program – both of which are set to expire on September 30 of this year.
“As the only hospital in Chenango County, Chenango Memorial depends on these two programs to keep its doors open and its workers employed – in order to serve working families, seniors, and other residents,” said Senator Schumer. “These programs help countless other rural hospitals which ripple across New York, and that is why I will use my clout in Washington to support efforts to fully fund them.”
City appoints Dee DuFour as City Clerk/Director of Finance
May 4
NORWICH – The City of Norwich Common Council appointed Dee DuFour to a new role as City Clerk/Director of Finance at a special meeting on Tuesday, May 2, an appointment that Mayor Christine Carnrike calls ‘long overdue.’
“Dee DuFour has stepped up without hesitation to take on the responsibilities of the position when it was vacated in 2015 and 2016,” said Mayor Carnrike. “She possesses the knowledge and insight with more than two decades of first-hand experience in the Finance Office at City Hall.”
DuFour has served the city for 28 years – all in the Finance Department.
The appointment is reportedly part of a larger strategic plan to reorganize the city’s Finance/Clerk office.
Change in prescription coverage to affect local populace, pharmacies
June 27
CHENANGO COUNTY – A number of employees at various school districts in Chenango County will be negatively affected by a mandatory change in prescription medication coverage effective July 1, says Heather Bartle of Bartle’s Pharmacy, Inc. in Oxford.
Beginning on July 1, Bartle says employees at school districts that provide prescription coverage through NY44 Health Trust and their dependants will no longer be permitted to fill long-term medications at local pharmacies––instead, they will be required to have them mail-ordered.
Another local pharmacist, who chose to remain nameless, said they were familiar with the plight, and called the upcoming change in policy a “no-win situation.
“The school districts think they’re doing what’s in the best interest of their taxpayers,” said the pharmacist.
Perry Dewey, DCMO BOCES Superintendent, agreed that the change is “a great inconvenience,” but asserts that the school districts – including DCMO BOCES – are not decision makers in this process.
Chenango County Rocks: How painted rocks are brightening the community
July 25
CHENANGO COUNTY – In April 2017, a Facebook group dubbed “Chenango County ROCKS!!!” was founded by Norwich resident Jessie Siracuse Pepe in an effort to help brighten someone’s day using nothing more than randomly placed painted rocks.
Three months and over 4,600 members later, the group now fosters a digital community for locals of all ages to share the rocks they have created and encountered throughout Chenango County.
The premise is simple: Decorate a rock however you’d like and leave it somewhere for a stranger to find in the hopes that finding the rock will bring that stranger joy.
Dozens of members opt to post in the group daily, updating one another on the rocks they have created, found, and “relocated,” but Pepe says the only real rule for the group is to offer gestures of kindness without expecting anything in return.
Leadership Chenango: Dietrich receives Harry Tecklenburg Leadership Award
October 9
NORWICH – The Leadership Chenango Class of 2018 was introduced last Thursday evening at the Leadership Chenango Kick-off dinner, where Chairman of NBT Bancorp Martin Dietrich was presented the 2017 Harry Tecklenburg Leadership Award.
The Tecklenburg Award is given biennially to an individual who demonstrates strong leadership traits in the community––the same way the late Harry Tecklenburg, general manager of Procter and Gamble, is remembered as having.
Dietrich is in his seventh year of service on the Regional Economic Development Council of the Southern Tier and is a former member of the Commerce Chenango and United Health Services boards of directors.
The Leadership Chenango program was created by The Chenango Foundation in 1988 and initiated by business representatives, community leaders, and government representatives as a means of developing future leaders in the area.
Genute wins Norwich City Court Judge
November 8
NORWICH – The preliminary results issued by the Chenango County Board of Elections have indicated that Chenango County Assistant District Attorney Mike Genute has won the Norwich City Court Judge election after receiving roughly 48 percent of votes in the City of Norwich on Tuesday.
Genute received 763 votes of the 1,602 who cast their ballots in the city Tuesday, clinching the full-time judge seat over opponents Steve Natoli (I), who received 553 votes, and Maureen Byrne (D), who received 285 votes.
“I am honored and humbled by the voters’ choosing me for such a significant role in this community,” said Genute Tuesday evening after the victory. “I will be diligent and hardworking as the next city court judge to ensure that the law is applied fairly for everyone.”
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