At just 10 years old, Southwestern Elementary School student Cecily Colburn is already asking elected officials some pretty big questions about the future of America. The Southwestern Central School District student has taken on the role of “Gen Alpha Correspondent” for Future Caucus, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that works with young state and federal lawmakers to encourage bipartisan collaboration.

Future Caucus was founded in 2013 with a mission of activating young lawmakers to bridge the partisan divide. The organization has served more than 2,000 millennial and Gen Z lawmakers since its founding, and has established 36 State Future Caucuses and a Congressional Future Caucus.

As part of a video series commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, Cecily traveled to Washington, D.C., to interview young lawmakers about their hopes for the country’s future. The idea grew out of a trip Cecily took to Washington last summer with her mother, Rochelle Colburn, who previously served as chief operating officer of Future Caucus.

Cecily, then 9, spent several days shadowing her mother and interacting with the organization’s staff. After the visit, Garrett Wyatt, who oversees Future Caucus’ digital and social media content, approached Rochelle with an idea: What if Cecily interviewed young lawmakers for a video series celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday?

“He’d watched her interact with our staff — they put her to work that week — and he loved how fearless and funny she was,” Rochelle said.

The concept also offered Future Caucus an opportunity to approach conversations about politics and America’s future from a different perspective.

“Gen Alpha is the first generation to have grown up knowing only an era of intense political polarization,” Rochelle said. “They are also the generation that will inherit the political consequences of the decisions today’s leaders make.”

Instead of having an adult ask elected officials about the country’s future, the organization wanted lawmakers to speak directly with someone from a younger crowd.

“That’s how the idea for making Cecily Future Caucus’ ‘Gen Alpha Correspondent’ was born,” Rochelle said.

Cecily returned to Washington in November during Future Caucus’ annual Rising Star Awards, which recognizes young legislators and changemakers for bipartisan collaboration and future-focused leadership. Three state legislators agreed to sit down with Cecily: West Virginia Rep. Kayla Young, Democratic co-chair of the West Virginia Future Caucus; Georgia Rep. Steven Sainz, Republican co-chair of the Georgia Future Caucus; and Georgia Rep. Dr. Imani Barnes, a member of the Georgia Future Caucus and a recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Award. The interviews were filmed on the rooftop of a building near the U.S. Capitol where the awards ceremony was taking place.

Cecily’s work as Gen Alpha Correspondent did not end with the first video. She returned to Washington in July during Future Caucus’ annual Future Summit to continue speaking with young lawmakers.

For Rochelle, watching her daughter conduct the interviews demonstrated how a child’s perspective could change the tone of a political conversation.

“Watching Cecily interview lawmakers about the future of America offered a perspective that adults rarely bring to political conversations,” she said. “It also proved to be a relatable, non-threatening way to give lawmakers an opportunity to share their hopes for the future without the conversation feeling partisan.”

Most importantly, Rochelle said, the project offered a reminder of who will ultimately live with the decisions being made by today’s political leaders.

“Today’s policy decisions are ultimately about the generation that will inherit the country we leave behind,” she said.

Cecily’s familiarity with Washington and politics goes back much further than her new correspondent role.

She was born in 2016 while her mother was working as a congressional scheduler on Capitol Hill. Before Cecily turned 2, Rochelle said, she had taken more than 100 flights traveling between Washington and Florida with her mother. She spent some of her earliest years accompanying Rochelle on airplanes and trains and spending time in congressional offices, committee hearings and other events in Washington. Rochelle credits that unconventional upbringing with helping Cecily become comfortable talking with people from many different walks of life.

Rochelle also worked as a political consultant in Florida and as a congressional staffer for several members of Congress, including Reps. David Jolly, Curt Clawson and Virginia Foxx. She later served as chief operating officer of College to Congress, a nonprofit that helped Pell Grant-eligible college students secure congressional internships they otherwise could not afford.

When Rochelle’s work became fully remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband, Casey, relocated their family to Lakewood, where Casey grew up, to be closer to his family. They originally planned to return to Washington after the pandemic subsided but decided to remain in Chautauqua County, purchasing their Lakewood home in 2021.

Cecily is an incoming fifth-grader at Southwestern Elementary School. When she isn’t interviewing lawmakers about the future of the United States, she enjoys performing in community theater productions at the Lucille Ball Little Theatre, taking music classes at Infinity Performing Arts, sailing on Chautauqua Lake and playing basketball and softball.

The first video installment featuring Cecily was released July 2 on YouTube and Future Caucus’ social media channels. The video, “The Gen Alpha Correspondent: Future Caucus Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday!!,” can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_0l61P7_eu4.

Five students from Falconer Central School traveled to San Antonio, Texas this summer to compete against the best young business minds in the country at the 2026 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference. Representing New York State, the students showcased their skills across three different events, while their longtime adviser earned major national honors for her decades of dedication.

In the high school division, Finley Darr, Ella Garrison, and Lilli Szal-Williams teamed up to present the Local Chapter Annual Business Report. Their presentation highlighted the chapter’s community service, financial planning, and project management efforts over the past year.

The Middle-Level division was represented by Lydia Cross and Maci-Lynn Akin. Miss Cross competed in Exploring Customer Service, tackling a real-world scenario focused on client relations and effective problem-solving. Miss Akin competed in Digital Citizenship, testing her knowledge on internet safety, technology ethics, and online literacy.

All five students put in months of preparation to earn their spot at the conference, where they joined more than 15,000 fellow competitors, gaining invaluable real-world experience and professional skills along the way.

The conference was particularly special for chapter adviser, Michelle Johnson, who received major accolades for her career-long dedication to business education. Johnson was recognized on stage as the NYS Outstanding Local Chapter Advisor alongside the state president and the 2026 NYS Who’s Who in FBLA, Clymer’s Jeffrey Perry.

Her honors didn’t end there. She was also officially inducted into the FBLA National Adviser Wall of Fame, recognizing more than 27 years of active service. Over nearly three decades, Mrs. Johnson has held leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels across all three divisions of the organization: FBLA Middle-Level, FBLA High School, and FBLA Collegiate. Her induction highlights a lifetime of mentorship that has guided generations of Falconer students toward professional success.

With strong student representation and dedicated leadership guiding the way, Falconer FBLA continues to make great strides toward professional development and excellence.

My story with St. Susan Center didn’t begin five years ago when I became actively involved with the organization.

It began 41 years ago, although I didn’t know it at the time.

I was 10 years old and a member of St. James Church, where the soup kitchen that would eventually become St. Susan Center first began. I went to church every week, usually sitting in the front pew, and I attended catechism there.

There are things about that building I can still remember as if I were standing there today.

The smell of the gym. The bingo chips. The cigarette smoke. And almost always, the smell of food coming from the kitchen.

As children, we knew there was a soup kitchen, but we didn’t really understand what that meant. At night, when we were there for catechism, the building felt completely different than it did during the day. We saw the kitchen and smelled the food, but we didn’t understand who came through those doors while we were at school or why they needed to be there.

We didn’t understand that people in our community were going without meals. We didn’t understand what it took to feed them.

And I certainly never imagined that 41 years later, I would be helping raise money for the organization that grew from that little soup kitchen.

Today, I understand it very differently.

For more than five years, I have had the privilege of being actively involved with St. Susan Center. During that time, I have learned that hunger is only one part of the challenge many people face.

Sometimes a meal is the immediate need. But long-term success requires more than meeting an immediate need. People need opportunity, structure, responsibility and a chance to become productive and engaged in their community.

I have always believed there is an important difference between simply giving someone a handout and giving someone a hand up.

That is what I appreciate about the direction St. Susan’s is taking.

Yes, someone who is hungry can receive a meal. But there is also an increasing emphasis on participation, work experience, community service and personal responsibility.

Helping someone through a difficult moment is important. Helping create a path for that person to move forward is even more important.

More Than a Meal

St. Susan Center currently serves approximately 175 to 200 meals every day.

Think about that for a moment. Prepare enough food for as many as 200 people. Serve it. Clean everything up. Then come back tomorrow and do it all over again.

That is a tremendous undertaking for an organization operating with a very small paid staff and relying heavily on volunteers.

But the work doesn’t end when the plates are cleared.

Executive Director Cherie Rowland works tirelessly to make St. Susan’s a place where people can find not only food, but also opportunity, responsibility and a connection to their community.

One of her ideas captures that philosophy perfectly. She calls it “Just Show Up.”

The concept is simple. Agencies from throughout Chautauqua County are welcome to bring individuals to St. Susan’s who need work experience, structure, volunteer experience or simply a place to become involved and begin building those skills.

Sometimes the first step doesn’t need to be complicated. Just show up.

Show up somewhere you are needed. Take responsibility for something. Work beside someone else. Learn something new. Discover that you have something to contribute.

St. Susan’s also participates in the Youth Employment Program (YEP) through COI, giving teenagers an opportunity to gain paid summer work experience. COI pays participating teens while they work at St. Susan’s, where they learn responsibility, workplace expectations and valuable job skills while contributing to the operation of the Center.

The Center also provides work experience opportunities through DSS, with six individuals currently participating. They contribute their time and work as part of requirements connected to their benefits.

St. Susan’s also welcomes people who need to complete community service hours, providing another opportunity to fulfill a responsibility while doing meaningful work.

All of these efforts reinforce something I believe very strongly: People need purpose.

Sometimes helping someone means feeding them today. Sometimes it means giving them somewhere to be tomorrow. A responsibility. A routine. A place where their contribution matters. A chance to develop skills and prove to themselves that they are capable of more.

That is a hand up.

The People Who Make It Possible

None of this would happen without St. Susan’s volunteers.

With such a small paid staff, volunteers are essential. They prepare and serve food, clean, organize donations and handle countless other jobs that keep the Center operating.

When an organization is serving as many as 200 meals every day, every person willing to contribute matters.

And that brings me to this year and a very personal challenge.

For the first time, I am responsible for leading a large fundraiser. I want it to succeed because we need to raise money for St. Susan’s, but I also want this event to give people a better understanding of what St. Susan Center really represents.

And in a way, it brings my entire story full circle.

Taking It Outside Under the Big Tent

Years ago, when St. Susan’s held its cooking competition, the event took place inside the Center.

This year, we are bringing that spirit back, but we’re doing it a little differently. We’re taking it outside under the big tent.

I want people to picture the atmosphere of an old-fashioned Italian festival or a big community gathering.

Long tables filled with people. Friends and families talking and laughing. Volunteers moving throughout the tent. Homemade soup being served by teams proud of what they created. People tasting different soups, having fun and learning more about St. Susan’s along the way.

I want it to feel like community.

Each cooking team will prepare approximately five gallons of soup, enough to serve around 200 people. The soup will be prepared before the event and brought in ready to serve.

There is a reason we chose that amount. It represents approximately what St. Susan’s does every single day.

For our cooking teams, it will be one large pot of soup for one event. For St. Susan’s, feeding 175 to 200 people is an everyday reality.

That is something I hope our cooks and everyone attending will think about when they see those five-gallon pots of soup.

You Don’t Need to Be a Professional Chef

I don’t want anyone to decide they can’t participate simply because they don’t have access to a commercial kitchen.

For food safety, all soup must be prepared in an approved commercial kitchen. But if you don’t have one, we can help. Participating teams can arrange to use the commercial kitchen at St. Susan Center, and The Pantry’s commercial kitchen will also be available for teams that need somewhere to prepare their soup.

You don’t need to own a restaurant. You don’t need to be a professional chef.

Find a friend, spouse, coworker or family member. Pull out that soup recipe everyone tells you is amazing and put together a team.

We’ll help you figure out the kitchen. Then bring your soup and meet us under the big tent.

Honoring Those Who Show Up for Us

There is another important part of Battle of the Badges that means a great deal to me.

Throughout the event, we will be recognizing members of our local Police, Fire and EMS for everything they do for our communities.

These are the men and women who show up when people need help. They respond in the middle of the night, on holidays and during some of the most difficult moments people will ever experience.

Many serve professionally. Many serve as volunteers. And so often, they do it without expecting recognition.

During Battle of the Badges, we want to take some time to change that.

Each night, we will recognize local first responders and give our community an opportunity to thank them for their service, sacrifice and commitment.

There is something especially fitting about doing that at this event. St. Susan’s mission is about showing up when people need help. Our Police, Fire and EMS personnel spend their lives doing exactly that.

In the end, it comes back to the same thing: People showing up for people.

A Community That Showed Up When St. Susan’s Needed It

There is another part of this story that I don’t want to overlook.

Following the recent incident with St. Susan’s freezer, the outpouring of support from our community has been incredible.

When the Center suddenly found itself facing a serious problem, people, businesses and organizations stepped forward and asked: “What can we do to help?”

A very special thank you goes to Hometown Rental for allowing St. Susan’s to use their freezers when they were desperately needed. That immediate generosity helped the Center continue doing what matters most: making sure meals could continue to be served.

We also want to give special recognition to Jamestown Ice, which has always been one of the best supporters of St. Susan Center. Their continued generosity and willingness to step up for St. Susan’s never go unnoticed.

We are also incredibly grateful for the continued support of The Chautauqua Center, Jamestown Engine Plant, Falconer Printing, Wegmans, Target, Panera Bread, Tops Friendly Markets and Walmart.

These businesses and organizations support St. Susan’s throughout the year, and their contributions make a real difference.

When you are preparing and serving 175 to 200 meals every day, partnerships like these aren’t simply appreciated. They are essential. We truly could not do this without them.

The response following the freezer incident reminded me once again of what can happen when people decide to step forward when they are needed.

Businesses showed up. Organizations showed up. Volunteers showed up. People showed up.

To everyone who has donated, volunteered, provided food, equipment, freezer space, financial support or simply asked how they could help: Thank you.

And for Me, It Comes Back to St. James

As I’ve planned this fundraiser, I keep thinking about that little girl sitting in the front pew at St. James Church.

I still remember that gym. I remember the bingo chips. I remember the cigarette smoke. And I remember the smell of food coming from that kitchen.

At 10 years old, I didn’t understand what was happening there. At 51, I understand why it matters.

Today, St. Susan’s represents compassion, but it also represents something equally important: Responsibility. Opportunity. Work. Purpose. Dignity.

It means providing a meal when someone needs one while also recognizing that the meal can be a starting point, not the finish line.

It means giving a teenager an opportunity to experience their first job. It means giving someone receiving assistance a way to contribute. It means providing a place for someone to fulfill community service. It means volunteers giving their time because this work simply could not happen without them. It means businesses and organizations stepping forward when St. Susan’s needs them. It means recognizing the Police, Fire and EMS personnel who continually show up when our communities need them.

And it means giving people a hand up.

So, 41 years after my St. Susan’s story unknowingly began, I’m asking Chautauqua County to help me write the next chapter.

Come cook. Come volunteer. Come sit with us under the big tent. Come taste some soup. Come help us recognize our Police, Fire and EMS. Come see what St. Susan’s is really about.

And if you aren’t sure what you have to offer, start with the simplest thing you can do. Just show up.

Because sometimes showing up is the first step toward something better.

Be Part of It

To purchase tickets, sign up to cook or learn more about Battle of the Badges, visit the St. Susan Center Facebook page or visit us online. St. Susan Center: https://stsusancenter.org. Battle of the Badges: https://stsusancenter.org/battle-of-badges/

Come taste the soup. Come support St. Susan’s. Come help us honor those who serve. Just show up.

Congressman Nick Langworthy today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to purchase $20 million worth of Concord grape juice, providing critical support to growers across the Lake Erie Grape Belt following months of advocacy urging USDA to intervene in a rapidly deteriorating market.

The USDA purchase comes after Congressman Langworthy pressed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to use the department’s authority under Section 32 to conduct a bonus purchase of surplus Concord grape juice to help stabilize the market and protect growers. This is the third federal buyback purchase Congressman Langworthy has facilitated with amounts totaling $85 million.

The Concord grape industry has faced significant challenges following Refresco’s decision earlier this year to cancel grower contracts across Western New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Approximately 126 growers representing roughly 2,600 acres of primarily Concord grapes were impacted, leaving many farmers without a buyer for their crop after making substantial investments to prepare for the 2026 growing season.

“Keeping our Concord grape industry strong and thriving is a top priority, and I am extremely pleased to see USDA take this important step to support our growers,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “When Refresco walked away from its contracts, it put hardworking family farmers across the Lake Erie Grape Belt in an incredibly difficult position. I immediately pressed USDA to act, and this $20 million purchase will help provide much-needed stability and relief to growers while reducing excess inventory and strengthening the market. I will continue fighting to make sure our grape growers have the support they need to keep their farms productive and pass them on to the next generation.”

The Concord grape market was already under significant pressure due to declining juice grape consumption, elevated carryover inventories and a large 2025 harvest. Congressman Langworthy’s June letter to USDA warned that without timely intervention, growers could be forced to mothball or abandon vineyards, creating lasting economic consequences for farmers, processors, suppliers and communities throughout the region.

Congressman Langworthy concluded, “The Lake Erie Grape Belt is an important part of our agricultural heritage and a major economic driver for communities across Western New York. Our family farms have weathered difficult markets before, and we are going to do everything we can to make sure this industry has a future here. I appreciate Secretary Rollins and USDA for listening to our concerns and taking action to help our growers.”

Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund and other members of the community joined Chad Ecklof, the Ecklof family, and employees of Ecklof Bakery today to celebrate the longtime Jamestown business’s 70th anniversary. During the visit, Borrello and Molitor presented a proclamation recognizing seven decades of success, service and dedication to the Jamestown and greater Chautauqua County community.

Founded in 1956 by Dick Ecklof, Ecklof Bakery has grown into a Jamestown institution while remaining a family-owned and operated business. Today, the bakery is owned by Chad Ecklof, a fourth-generation baker and U.S. Navy veteran who took ownership from his father, Rick, in 2019.

For generations, Ecklof Bakery has been known throughout the area for its traditional scratch baking, Swedish heritage and signature pink-striped cookies. While the business has evolved through the years, the Ecklof family has continued many of the recipes and traditions that have made the bakery a familiar part of life for generations of Jamestown and Chautauqua County residents.

“As a small business owner myself, I understand the dedication, perseverance and sacrifice it takes to build and sustain a successful business,” Senator George Borrello said. “To carry that success forward for 70 years and across generations is truly remarkable. Ecklof Bakery is more than a local business, it is part of Jamestown’s history and a wonderful example of the entrepreneurial spirit and strong family values that have helped shape Chautauqua County.”

The bakery moved to its current location at 832 Foote Avenue in 2004, providing additional space for its operations while continuing the traditions established by the Ecklof family decades earlier.

Local businesses such as Ecklof Bakery play an important role in the strength and character of Chautauqua County. Beyond providing goods and services, locally owned businesses create jobs, support other community organizations and help preserve the unique traditions and relationships that make communities like Jamestown special.

Borrello and Molitor thanked Chad Ecklof for taking the time to visit with them and share the history of the bakery and congratulated Chad, the entire Ecklof family and their employees, past and present, on 70 years of serving the Jamestown community.

They wished Ecklof Bakery continued success and many more generations of carrying on a tradition that has become part of the fabric of Jamestown and Chautauqua County.

The Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) of Chautauqua County celebrated another milestone of collective giving at its 2026 Annual Meeting, bringing members together to reflect on the Circle’s continued growth and vote on this year’s grant recipients. The event highlighted the power of women-led philanthropy and the impact that can be achieved when community members come together with a shared commitment to building a better future for women and girls in Chautauqua County.

The centerpiece of the Annual Meeting was the announcement of the 2026 grant recipients, selected through the WGC’s Childcare Innovation Challenge. Following a full membership vote, the Circle approved funding for both finalists, awarding a total of $75,000 to programs addressing childcare access, availability, and support for families throughout the region.

The Childcare Innovation Challenge was designed to explore innovative solutions to childcare challenges, including non-traditional childcare needs, school breaks, and enrichment opportunities. Facilitated in partnership with AllyCo and led by Katie Castro, the Challenge guided participants through a collaborative process focused on identifying community needs, developing innovative solutions, and strengthening proposals. The process engaged more than 40 representatives from 28 local organizations, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise to address childcare challenges across Chautauqua County.

“The Childcare Innovation Challenge demonstrated what is possible when community members come together with a shared commitment to solving complex challenges,” said Jane Cleaver Becker, founding member of the Women’s Giving Circle.

The 2026 grant recipients include:

Capable & Connected Caregiving — Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System. Funding Award: $40,000. In partnership with Ahira Hall Memorial Library, Darwin R. Barker Library, and Dunkirk Public Library, this pilot program will support informal caregivers by providing training, resources, and enrichment opportunities through local libraries. The program aims to equip caregivers with tools to better support children while creating accessible learning opportunities for families throughout the community.

Happy Haven Respite — Healing Word Ministries Church of God. Funding Award: $35,000. Happy Haven Respite provides free, reliable childcare for families facing barriers to traditional childcare options, including parents in recovery, single parents, and grandparents serving as caregivers. The program offers care during critical gaps, such as school breaks, while connecting families with additional community resources and support services.

The Annual Meeting also celebrated the continued impact of the WGC’s inaugural grant recipients, who shared updates on how 2025 grant funding strengthened and expanded their programs. Their stories served as a reminder of the meaningful difference members can make through collective giving.

Members also heard from WGC member Sheila Schroeder, author of It’s Time to Talk: A Woman’s Guide to Navigating Money Conversations, who shared insights on navigating important financial conversations. The WGC looks forward to continuing the conversation with Sheila through a virtual member event this fall.

Since launching in June 2024, the Women’s Giving Circle has continued to grow as a member-led philanthropic initiative. The Circle now includes 148 members and continues to grow, with members pooling their resources and experiences to create greater collective impact in Chautauqua County. Membership contributions directly support the Circle’s annual grantmaking efforts, ensuring that 100% of membership dollars are invested back into the community through mission-driven grantmaking.

The Women’s Giving Circle is an independent, member-led initiative hosted by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, which provides administrative and back-office support. The continued success of the Circle is made possible through the dedication of its members, Leadership Team, Grants Committee, Membership Committee, and Programming & Events Committee.

Looking ahead, the Women’s Giving Circle remains committed to creating opportunities for members to connect, learn, and engage with important community issues through educational programming, networking events, and continued investment in local solutions.

For more information about the Women’s Giving Circle of Chautauqua County, visit crcfonline.org/circle or contact Lindsey Goold at lgoold@crcfonline.org.

The Chautauqua County Health Department (CCHD) is alerting residents that measles activity is occurring in parts of Western New York and neighboring states, including Ohio and Pennsylvania. The CCHD is encouraging everyone to take steps to protect themselves and their families.

Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, meaning people can be exposed without having direct contact with an infected individual.

The Best Protection: Get Vaccinated

The most important step residents can take is to make sure they are up to date on measles vaccination. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing approximately 97% protection against measles.

Residents should check vaccination records to determine whether they have received the MMR vaccine series; contact their health care provider if they are unsure of their vaccination or immunity status; get vaccinated if they are not adequately protected; make sure children receive routine MMR vaccinations, with the first dose at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years; and talk with a health care provider about vaccination before traveling to areas where measles activity has been reported.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it is also preventable through vaccination,” said Lacey Wilson, Chautauqua County Public Health Director. “Our goal is to make sure residents have the information and resources they need to protect themselves and their families. We are working closely with our health care and community partners to stay prepared, and we encourage anyone who is unsure of their vaccination status to review their records and talk with their health care provider about getting protected.”

Upcoming Mobile Health Clinics: Free MMR Vaccination Available

The CCHD offers free immunization clinics Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its Mayville office, as well as Mobile Health Clinics throughout the county. Here is a list of upcoming mobile health clinics:

Friday, September 4th, 9:00am-1:00pm at Trinity Church, 1230 Wigren Road, Frewsburg, NY 14738. Wednesday, September 9th, 9:30am-12:00pm at Abbe Reformed Church, 595 Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer, NY 14724. Friday, September 11th, 9:00am-1:00pm at Troyer Greenhouse, 1669 Weeks Road, Panama, NY 14767. Wednesday, September 16th, 11:00am-2:00pm at Fredonia Presbyterian Church, 219 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY 14036. Thursday, September 24th, 11:00am-2:00pm at West Portland Baptist Church, 7081 US Route 20, Westfield, NY 14787. Tuesday, September 29th, 9:00am-1:00pm at Baptist Church of Ellington, 530 Route 62, Conewango Valley, NY 14726. Wednesday, September 30th, 10:00am-3:30pm at Salvation Army Food Distribution Center, 83 S Main, Jamestown, NY 14701. Monday, October 5th, 9:00am-1:00pm at Cherry Creek Country Church, 6813 North Main Street, Cherry Creek, NY 14723.

Visit HealthyCHQ.com to find more clinic dates or call (716) 753-4491 to schedule an appointment.

Know the Symptoms

Symptoms of measles may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a rash that typically begins on the face or hairline and spreads downward.

If you believe you have been exposed to measles or develop symptoms, call your health care provider before going to a medical office, urgent care or emergency department. Calling ahead allows medical staff to take precautions to protect other patients and staff from potential exposure.

What to Do If You Think You Were Exposed

Measles symptoms typically develop 7–14 days after exposure but can occur up to 21 days after exposure. If you believe you may have been exposed: contact your health care provider or the CCHD for guidance; check your vaccination records to determine whether you are protected; monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure; and if symptoms develop, call your health care provider before arriving at a medical facility and let them know you may have been exposed to measles.

People who are unsure whether they received the MMR vaccine should contact their health care provider or the CCHD for guidance.

What the Chautauqua County Health Department is Doing

CCHD is taking proactive steps to prepare for the possibility of measles cases in our community, including working with local hospitals, health care providers and community partners to ensure they are aware of regional measles activity and prepared to identify and respond to potential cases; supporting service areas throughout Chautauqua County to help ensure access to MMR vaccine; working closely with neighboring county health departments and New York State health officials to monitor regional activity and coordinate public health response; providing free MMR vaccination to eligible Chautauqua County residents; and monitoring regional measles activity and providing information to residents as circumstances change.

Learn More and Stay Informed

Residents are encouraged to get information from trusted health care and public health sources. General measles information is available from the Chautauqua County Health Department at HealthyCHQ.com, the New York State Department of Health at health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/measles.

For questions about measles or vaccination, contact your health care provider or the Chautauqua County Health Department at (716) 753-4491.

About Chautauqua County Health Department: The Chautauqua County Health Department is the leading Public Health organization in Chautauqua County dedicated to the support of the community’s health. The Health Department takes innovative approaches to provide technical assistance to partner organizations, and offers various programs and services in order to help prevent disease, protect the public’s health and promote our community’s overall health and wellness. For more information visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.

As students gear up for back to school this fall, building healthy habits can help set the stage for a successful year. One of the best ways to support learning is by starting the day with a healthy breakfast to provide students with the energy they need to focus, learn, and grow. Fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and proteins all play a role in helping students perform at their best, both in and out of the classroom. Many of these foods are grown or produced right here in Chautauqua County, connecting students and families directly to local agriculture!

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County works to promote local agriculture, support farmers, and encourage healthy food choices. CCE is currently revitalizing the Chautauqua Grown program on our website to make it easier for you to find local farms and farmers markets throughout the county. Chautauqua Grown serves as a directory to help you find nutritious local food near you. If you or someone you know would like to be featured on the updated Chautauqua Grown site, please be sure to fill out the survey on our website, or reach out to our Marketing Coordinator at ssr236@cornell.edu, so we can get connected. Supporting local agriculture not only strengthens our community’s economy but also helps families access fresh, nutritious foods!

As the school year begins, consider making local foods a part of your family’s routine. A healthy breakfast, a balanced lunch, and a connection to local agriculture can help students start the year ready to learn and succeed.

In cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and the Chautauqua County Parks Department, the Chautauqua County Partnership of Economic Growth (CCPEG) is pleased to report that Phase V of the “Chautauqua County Overland Trails Revitalization Project” is complete. Phase V focused on updating the Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail in Boutwell Hill State Forest, just outside of Cherry Creek.

The work was completed by Trail Construction Associates (TCA) without any issues, thanks to relatively dry weather during the months of July and August.

“This marks the fifth year that TCA has been working on the Overland Trails and its familiarity with the scope of work is evident in the finished product,” explained Jacob Bodway, CCPEG Trail Consultant. “Updating this section of the Eastside Overland Trail was a monumental undertaking, with numerous stretches of incredibly wet soil that wouldn’t dry until late summer. However, TCA managed to build four key reroutes that not only added sustainability and necessary drainage to the trail, but which also relocated the trail along beautiful sections of the State Forest.”

Bodway added that TCA also remediated other stretches of trail, which will assist with drainage and accessibility.

“This phase of the Overland Trail Project will be especially beneficial to the Boutwell Hill Ski Club, as the updated sections of trail will remain far drier during the winter months,” Bodway said. “I’m excited to ski the updated trail this winter!”

Phase V was funded through the generous support of local and regional foundations, including: Chautauqua Region Community Foundation; Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; Jessie Smith Darrah Fund; Lenna Foundation; Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation; and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation.

Phase VI of the Overland Trails project will focus on both the Canadaway Creek Wildlife Management Area (Town of Arkwright) and Mount Pleasant State Forest (Town of Chautauqua) in 2027. Phase VI will be the final phase of the Overland Project, which initially began in 2021.

About CCPEG: The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) serves as the main convener of economic development partners and resources to advance key projects that achieve economic prosperity in Chautauqua County. It also serves as the catalyst and broker of resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts and is the central coordinating entity for improving the quality of life in our communities, thereby attracting people and businesses to Chautauqua County to live, work, recreate, and invest. It is an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). For more information visit CHQPartnership.org.