LIVINGSTONCOUNTYCHAMBER.

COM
13th Edition / March 2018

LIVINGSTON COUNTY AREA

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Chamber Factor
Cover Photograph of Leg Up Stables by Larry Tetamore
2 • Thursday, March 29, 2018
Change in Chamber Board Leadership
Matt Cole, the outgoing
Chamber Board Chair and Ed
Russell, the incoming Board
Chair recently sat down with
Conrad Baker from the Gen-
esee Sun to chat about the
change in board leadership,
the accomplishments of Cole’s
tenure and the passing of the
torch to Chairman Russell.
Highlights from the past
three years would definitely be
the change in our membership
structure. We made this move
to remain on the cutting edge
from a chamber of commerce
business standpoint, but most
importantly, we made this
change so as to best serve
our members and to meet their
needs from a service stand-
point. Our previous fair-share
model was developed during
a time when that was an in-
dustry standard in terms of
assessing a membership fee
for chambers. As chambers of
commerce have evolved over
the years, and the needs of our
members continue to evolve so
must our method of delivering
and establishing fees for mem-
ber services.
We are confident that this
change in membership struc-
ture will best serve our mem-
bers in the coming years and
position the Chamber to contin-
ue to evolve with our members’
needs. There is so much more
within this change – perhaps
more than we can capture in
a highlight interview. But the
most important part to convey
through this is that at the end
of the day, as a chamber, we
are here to serve our members
and to provide the education,
networking, resources, mar-
keting and advocacy that will
help their businesses to grow
and prosper.
Chamber Factor
The Chamber’s health insur-
ance program is another high-
light. As the board looked at
the factors in making decisions
regarding our health insur-
ance program, the changing
dynamics at the beginning of
the Affordable Care Act and
its impacts on individuals and
small businesses, the board
recognized that we needed
to be positioned as a resource
for our members. As such, we
are able to continue to assist
those businesses that provide
insurance to their employees,
but furthermore, by being cer-
tified through the New York
State of Health Marketplace,
the Chamber is also able to
assist businesses that do not
offer health insurance to their
employees. We are able to
work with their employees as
individuals and still help them
access health insurance and
explore their options.
Our tourism promotion pro-
gram is another highlight. This
is a portion of the Chamber
that is oftentimes overlooked
as much of the activity in this
arena is taking place outside
of Livingston County as it is in-
tended to reach a target mar-
ket outside the county to bring
them here as tourist. A few
of the major highlights within
this area include the nation-
al press that we are securing
for not only Livingston County
as a tourism destination, but
also for our tourism partners.
As part of the Finger Lakes
Regional Tourism Council,
we are part of a PR contract
with a New York City-based
marketing firm that helps to
provide exposure, content
and articles about our tourism
partners and members in pub-
lications such as The New York
Times, Conde Naste Traveler
and National Geographic,
just to name a few. In 2017
our national PR program gar-
nered more than 77 mentions
of Livingston County tourism
businesses in national media.
Expansion of this program will
continue into 2018 with the
addition of an international
PR program to compliment the
FIT (foreign independent trav-
eler) campaign developed by
the Country Byways program.
Furthermore, our production
Continued on page 7.
 Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 3

Showing Abilities Through Employment

The Arc of Livingston-Wy-
oming operates a number of
small businesses through its
Hilltop program.
Two of the businesses are
Hilltop Bottle & Can Return re-
demption center and Finders
Keepers thrift store.
The Arc is a 501(c)(3) not-
for-profit agency that supports
individuals with disabilities,
and its Hilltop businesses are
no exception; proceeds bene-
fit work programs for individ-
uals with disabilities, Many of
the shops’ workers have dis-
abilities.
Justine Deluca
Nancy Heap
Cody Burgess, 26, lives
in Dansville with his father.
Cody has been employed at
Hilltop Bottle & Can Return
since 2014. He said that he
likes everything about his job,
from his co-workers to the cus-
tomers. Cody said he is proud
to have a job and apprecia-
tive of the opportunity to work
within the community.
Cody described his disabil-
ity as something that he puts
behind him, and what he
wants to accomplish in life is
what he puts ahead of him.
Justine Deluca of Warsaw,
Cody Burgess
Nancy Heap of Mount Mor-
ris and Stacey Strathearn of
Wyoming are three of the
many smiling faces that greet
customers at Finders Keepers.
All said that they enjoy their
co-workers and supervisors.
Stacey and Nancy have
been working at Finders Keep-
ers since the store opened in
2009. Justine has worked
there for four years. All three
jobs in community.
Hilltop Bottle & Can Return,
3 East State St., Mount Morris,
is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-
days through Fridays and 9
a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Finders Keepers, 47 Main
St., Mount Morris, is open
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays
through Fridays and 9 a.m. to
2 p.m. Saturdays.
For more information about

Advertiser Index said they are so proud to have The Arc, visit www.lwarc.org. Stacey Strathearn

AB Cole Real Estate .............. 13 Louie’s Delivery ..................... 9

Abbey of the Genesee ............ 6 Mill Creek Optical .................. 9

Big House Stables .................. 2 National Hotel ..................... 19

Camp Stella Maris ................ 16 Noyes Hospital .................... 20

Coast Professionals .............. 17 O’Brien Septic...................... 15

Cruise Planners ...................... 4 Once Again Nut Butter ......... 18

Geneseo Collision ................. 12 Randall Farnsworth Group.... 14

Glass Act ............................. 19 Sign Language..................... 11

Gullo’s Kitchen & Bath Design Smith Lumber ........................ 5

Center ................................. 16
Star Headlight & Lantern ..... 15
Linwood Turf ....................... 14
Stephen M. Kelley, Esq. ........ 17
Livingston-Wyoming ARC ....... 3
Studio Sales Pottery ............... 7
Livonia Inn .......................... 12
Wegmans ............................ 20
Lopez Construction................. 8
4 • Thursday, March 29, 2018 Chamber Factor

Peace of Mind for Your Next Vacation

By Dody Paul
Chances are most everyone
enjoys going on a great vaca-
tion, and planning the trip can
be part of the fun. You select
the destination, dates, extra
excursions and who you’ll take
with you. Another important
piece to a successful vacation
is making sure you are cov-
ered for the unexpected.
Travel insurance protects
your vacation investment be-
fore and during the trip. Most
plans offer comprehensive
benefits including travel delay,
missed connection and lost/
delayed baggage coverage.
If you need to cancel before
your departure date for any
covered reason in your plan,
your vacation dollars may
be protected. No matter how
determined to go, there are
many reasons you may need
to cancel -- illness to you or a
family member, getting into an
accident on your way to the
airport, or even jury duty.
If your trip is interrupted be-
cause a family member back
home becomes ill, you may be
reimbursed.
If a problem arises such as
a stolen passport while trav-
eling, the insurance customer also assist with locating a doc-
service can assist in getting a tor or pharmacy.
replacement. Some travel insurance can
If you incur a travel delay, cover you should you lose your
travel insurance may cover job, or be unable to travel due
expenses such as meals and to business emergencies.
hotel rooms up the amount of No matter what the cost of
your plan. your vacation, it’s important
If your luggage is lost or to protect your investment and
damaged during the trip, trav- provide coverage for a host of
el insurance can help offset the unforeseen events. Next time
cost to replace belongings. Be you make plans for that bucket
aware of what you’ve packed list trip, don’t forget to add the
and be ready to provide docu- protection and peace of mind
mentation for your claim. of travel insurance.
Cruise ship or resort clinics
will provide only limited assis- Dody Paul, ACC, CTA, is a
tance while traveling and may cruise and land specialist with
not be able to assist you during Cruise Planners.
excursions or transportation
to and from your destination.
Travel insurance can provide
access to assistance services
any time after purchasing the
policy - before and during
your trip.
Travel insurance may cover
some of the major expenses
that your traditional health in-
surance plan does not while
traveling abroad; such as
emergency medical evacua-
tion, purchase of prescription
drugs and medical supplies
you may need while traveling.
Travel insurance providers can

Staff – Call (585) 243-2222

Laura Lane, President & CEO ext.229
Elissa Leuer, Director of Tourism & Marketing ext.226
Tina Sick, Member Services Coordinator ext.224
Ellen Herlihy, Tourism Marketing Associate ext. 225
Beth Doty, Marketing & Program Associate ext. 221
Melissa Savino, Administrative Assistant
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Location: 4635 Millennium Dr., Geneseo, NY 14454

Websites:
www.livingstoncountychamber.com
www.fingerlakeswest.com
 Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 5

Smith Lumber is an Experienced Source for Building Project Solutions

Smith Lumber and Hard-
ware, 5833 Big Tree Rd.,
Lakeville, has been providing
solutions for contractors and
do-it-yourselfers for decades.
Now, through an affiliation
with a regional lumber associ-
ation, Smith Lumber is offering
financing to assist customers in
completing a variety of build-
ing projects.
“It could be used for a deck,
a dock, any kind of building
material project,” said Deb-
bie Smith, who with husband,
Chuck, owns Smith Lumber.
“You could do windows,
doors, insulation, even a new
roof.”
Smith Lumber is affiliated
with the Western New York
Lumber Dealers Association
and the Northeast Retail Lum-
ber Association, which has
teamed with GreenSky, a loan
program for consumers.
The program offers several
options for financing, includ-
ing a 12-month no-interest
loan and another with low
payments. The application
process is easy, Smith said,
and customers will know within
minutes if they are approved.
Once a customer qualifies
for the loan, they will have
four to six months to purchase
the materials.
“It’s kind of like a credit
card,” Smith said, “but with-
out the astronomical amount
of interest that credit cards
charge.”
Customers may qualify for a
loan at a greater amount than
the project that is planned and
choose to use the additional
amount to complete other proj-
ects. For example, the custom-
er may be quoted a cost of
$3,000 for building materials
for a deck, but qualify for fi-
nancing of $5,000. The extra
money, Smith said, could be
used to replace windows.
“With an interest-free loan
it’s like borrowing money for
free for 12 months. You can
use it to tackle a number of
projects that you might have
been putting off,” Smith said.
Smith Lumber began offer-
ing the program at the end of
February.
“We’re quite excited about
it,” Smith said. “It could help a
lot of people.”
Smith Lumber has also ex-
panded its dock offerings,
providing more options from
price points to building ma-
terials. Smith Lumber teamed
with Tommy Docks last year
for a do-it-yourself dock system
that allows customers to create
different dock layout configu-
rations. Materials include com-
posites, cedar, treated wood
and aluminum. Other dock op-
tions are available from Thru-
Flow and Aqua-Dek, which
are light weight, panelized
decking products that offer a
durable, non-slip surface.
Chuck Smith took over Smith
Lumber from his father, Ack-
er, in 1992. Acker had pur-
chased the one-man operation
in 1954. Chuck Smith led the
store into computerization and
online shopping.
Smith Lumber offers an expe-
rienced staff, with six people
having worked for the compa-
ny 20 years or more.
“There is a wealth of infor-
mation that can be provided
by our staff,” Debbie Smith
said. “They can answer ques-
tions for any number of proj-
ects.”
In 2015, the Livingston
County Area Chamber of
Commerce named Smith Lum-
ber “Small Business of the
Year.”

Two winners will be drawn from our

store to win a $500 shopping giveaway!

• Weber Grills
• Fire Pits
• Lawn & Garden
Supplies
• Outdoor Lighting
• Bird Feeders
& Supplies Gift
• Furniture Certificates 5833 Big Tree Rd., Lakeville • 585-346-5705
Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-5:30pm, Sat. 8am-3pm, Sun. 10am-1pm
• Fountains Available
smithlumber.doitbest.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT FINANCING TO FIT YOUR NEEDS
6 • Thursday, March 29, 2018
Abbey Returns to its Farming Roots
By Ben Beagle
The Abbey of the Genesee
is widely known for its bakery
which produces the popular
Monks’ Bread.
But a pair of new initiatives
at the Abbey harkens back to
the centuries-old traditions of
the Trappist monks who used
farming to maintain their mon-
astery’s self-sufficiency.
This summer, the Abbey is
starting two community-sup-
ported agriculture, or CSA,
programs. One program will
offer produce, the other will
feature pork.
“A number of the Abbey’s
lay employees are interested
in where food comes from. We
have a lot of hobbyist farmers
who wanted to try this,” said
Adam Barrett, operations man-
ager for the Abbey.
In a CSA, consumers are
closely connected to the pro-
ducer of their food. The con-
sumer purchases a “share”
and regularly receives the
available foods.
Both of the Abbey’s CSA
models will be undertaken us-
ing organic practices, though
the operations will not official-
ly be certified as organic, Bar-
rett said.
“It’s expensive to be exclu-
sively eating organic, so we’re
trying to do it affordably with-
out upcharging customers,”
Barrett said. “There’s no extra
cost for us to do it this way,
so we didn’t feel the need to
charge a premium. We will
service the community non-or-
ganically certified, but organ-
ically raised, produce and
pork.”
About 30 different variet-
ies of produce will be grown
Chamber Factor
in raised beds. The produce
will include spinach, butternut
squash, tomatoes, cucumbers
and four different kinds of let-
tuce.
Barrett said enough pro-
duce is expected for 20 CSA
shares. Excess produce will
be shared with the monks and
those at the Abbey on retreat,
he said.
The first baskets are expect-
ed in mid-June and will contin-
ue weekly for about 20 weeks
to late October or early No-
vember.
The produce will change
seasonally, Barrett said, and
participants will also receive
artisan bread such as sour-
dough or ciabatta. The breads,
a new bakery offering, will
also be available for separate
purchase at the Abbey store.
The other CSA will be a
pork share. There are 10 pigs
playfully darting around a se-
ries of pens erected outside the
Abbey’s barn. The pigs, which
arrived in mid-March, have
been eating non-GMO feed,
leftover Monk’s Bread and
rooting about and upturning
pasture land that had fallen
into disuse.
Barrett acknowledged that
the pigs are amusing to watch
–the smallest one has an ag-
gressive personality with its
peers and others appear cu-
rious about visitors – but it is
important not to get attached
knowing the animals’ fate.
The pigs are expected to be
more than 200 pounds, likely
close to 240 pounds, and be
ready for butchering in Oc-
tober. There are enough pigs
for 10 full shares or 20 half
shares, with more pigs avail-
able if demand is there.
The pigs will rotate through
several plots of land as the
Abbey’s farm seeks to take ad-
vantage of the rooting behav-
ior – they’re “nature’s natural
rototiller,” Barrett said – to re-
turn scrubland to viable farm-
land.
Ultimately, Barrett said, the
Abbey would like to grow the
farm and its CSA options. It
has goats and chickens and
would like to add cows in the
future.
“We’ll start small and
see where we go,” he said.
“We’ve got plenty of room to
expand.”
For information on joining
the Abbey of the Genesee
CSA, email farm@geneseeab-
bey.org.

Artist Continues Region’s Pottery Tradition
Studio Sales Pottery and the
Schoolhouse Gallery, 5557
East Avon Rd., in Avon, is the
primary outlet for artist Mi-
chael J. Carroll’s own pottery.
It is also the venue for sev-
eral other New York State pot-
ters and artists and hosts the
annual Western New York Pot-
tery Festival, which will be in
its seventh year this year.
This year’s festival, a juried
show featuring about 20 art-
ists, is scheduled June 16 and
17. Artists come from as far
away as North Carolina and
as close as Conesus and oth-
er Western New York commu-
nities. Each brings their own
unique and individual style of
pottery to the festival, Carroll
said.
Western New York is rich in
potters and pottery tradition,
Carroll said.
Less than a mile away there
was a redware pottery serving
the community in 1790.
Carroll has been making
pottery professionally since
1979, when he graduated
from Nazareth College in
Rochester with a degree in stu-
dio arts.
Carroll’s pottery has been
exhibited throughout the great-
er Rochester area and across
the country.
“My pottery has made its
way to every continent except
Antarctica,” he said.
Carroll works with stone-
ware and porcelain clays as
it allows him to make useful,
durable nontoxic pottery.
He fires the pieces in electric
kilns and a wood-fired kiln that
he built in 1999. The wood-
fired kiln is a “noborigama,”
a Japanese term for a kiln with
more than one chamber.
Carroll has taught for more
Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 7
than 30 years at his studio in from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues- Saturdays. For more informa-
Avon. He previously taught in days, Wednesday and Fri- tion, go to http://studiosale-
Rochester and was the ceram- days, noon to 5 p.m. Thurs- spottery.com or call (585)
ics instructor at Roberts Wes- days and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 226-3030.
leyan College for more than
10 years. He continues to offer
Change ada have led to increased
classes to ages 15 and older
Continued from page 2. visitation to Livingston County
at his studio and has also par-
and heightened awareness of
ticipated in educational pro-
and distribution of more tourism assets.
gramming through the state
than 90,000 visitor guides Additional highlights from
Council on the Arts’ decentral-
throughout the Northeast US, this interview can be found at
ization grant program.
Eastern seaboard, and Can- www.geneseesun.com.
Studio Sales Pottery is open
8 • Thursday, March 29, 2018
Lopez Construction Covers All Roof Phases
A rooftop deck for entertain-
ing, a green garden roof, or
a residential roof replacement
are only a sample of roofing
projects that can be completed
by Lopez Construction.
The Livonia company, start-
ed more than 30 years ago by
Kevin Lopez, serves all phases
of roofing from shingle work
to rubber membranes and has
designed many projects for
clients.
The company can also install
HVAC curbing, which supports
heavy rooftop air conditioning
units, and skylights and me-
chanical penetrations for all
Chamber Factor
flat roof systems.
Kevin Lopez is a GAF-certi-
fied contractor. All of the com-
pany’s employees are trained
through GAF, North America’s
largest manufacturer of com-
mercial and residential roofing
products. GAF’s warranty cov-
ers materials and labor.
Through GAF, there is a spe-
cial for veterans who are eli-
gible for a $250 rebate when
purchasing a new roof system.
Lopez Construction com-
monly works with management
companies installing shingle
roofs on apartment buildings
and rubber membranes on
commercial buildings.
Rubber roofing systems are
not only for commercial proj-
ects, Lopez said, and can also with some commercial roofing Lopez Construction also vol-
be used on low-slope residen- jobs taking the company to unteers its services with Habi-
tial roofs. Syracuse and Buffalo. Among tat for Humanity. GAF supplies
Kevin Lopez started his busi- the many local roofing jobs the shingles and Lopez sup-
ness with just himself and a completed are the Livonia plies the labor.
helper, an old truck, one lad- Public Library expansion, Vi- “We enjoy working with the
der and a lot of hope. Today, tale Park substation, Livonia guys that volunteer to build
the company averages seven Phitness, Frattelis, Embers, the the homes,” Lopez said, “and
to nine employees a year, and Geneseo Interfaith Center and have built some great relation-
serves customers in Livingston the Athletica building in Gen- ships.”
and surrounding counties – eseo.

Chamber Organizing
2018 Trip to China
The Livingston County Area
Chamber of Commerce &
Tourism is offering a unique
opportunity to experience the
Chinese culture, history and
business.
Through a partnership with
Citslinc, International, the
Chamber is offering a cost
effective trip to China on
September 30 – October 9,
2018. The trip includes stops
in Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou
and Hangzhou with opportu-
nities to visit historic sites like
the Great Wall of China and
Tian An Men Square. There
is also an opportunity to visit
with a local Chinese business.
The meeting is optional and
requires filling out an inquiry
form indicating what type of
business or industry you are
interested in learning more
about.
“We’re excited to organize
a travel cohort from Livingston
County for this China Tour,”
said Laura Lane, chamber of
commerce president. “This
is an excellent opportunity to
be introduced to China. It’s
extremely affordable and in-
cludes visits to major cities,
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various economic zones and
major historical sites.”
This fully escorted trip is
meant to be an introduction
to the people, history, culture,
commerce and daily life of this
exciting country. The itinerary
is packed with sights and ac-
tivities that will give you a full
and rewarding experience.
There will also be an oppor-
tunity for Chamber members
to make business contacts in
China. The trip departs on
September 30, 2018, return-
ing October 9, 2018. The trip
includes:
• Roundtrip International air-
fare from Newark Airport
• Motor coach transportation
to Newark and pre-trip ac-
commodations
• 4 and 5 Star Hotel Accom-
modations
• Three meals per day
• All tour fees
• Deluxe in-country transpor-
tation and local airfare
• Experienced English-speak-
ing tour guides
• All taxes and airport fees
Prices are based on two per-
Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 9
son shared accommodation,
single occupancy is available
for an additional charge of
$500. This trip is also avail-
able to non-Chamber mem-
bers for an addition charge of
$200 per person.
The cost is $2,399 for Cham-
ber Members and $2,599 for
the general public.
Some of the highlights in-
clude visiting the Forbidden
City, Temple of Heaven, Sum-
mer Palace, Ming Tombs, and
The Bund.
The Chamber is hosting an
informational meeting on May
1, 2018 at the Chamber of-
fice (4635 Millennium Drive
in Geneseo) from 5:30 p.m. to
7:00 p.m. Please register to
attend the informational meet-
ing by calling the Chamber at
(585) 243-2222 or sign up
online at www.livingstoncoun-
tychamber.com
See flyer on next page.
Mill Creek Optical
Our Selection Is The In The Area!
205 Main St, Dansville, NY
10% discount to
law enforcement and prison guards
on Oakley sunglasses.
millcreekoptical.com | 585-335-9490
10 • Thursday, March 29, 2018 Chamber Factor
 Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 11

Geneseo’s Leg Up Stables Named Farm of the Year

The annual “Farm of the
Year” Award presented by the
Livingston County Area Cham-
ber of Commerce has, in re-
cent years, been presented
to dairy farms large or small,
farms that specialize in crops
or farms which have been in
families for generations.
So it was a bit of a surprise
to Kimberly Sanford when Lau-
ra Lane, the Chamber’s exec-
utive director, visited Leg Up
Stables in Geneseo on Feb. 2
with bouquets of balloons and
flowers and the announcement
that Sanford’s farm was the
2018 honoree. LARRY TETAMORE PHOTOGRAPH
“But I have no cows,” San-
ford said with a laugh. Esteemed company place March 23 during the The dinner at the Genesee County, one of the top-per-
But what she did offer, said Leg Up Stables, a 300-acre annual Farmer Neighbor Eve- River Restaurant and Recep- forming agricultural communi-
Lane, was “a fantastic oppor- farm off Avon Road just out- ning, a dinner presented by tion Center, 134 North Main ties in New York State.
tunity to highlight a different side the village of Geneseo, is the Chamber, the Livingston St., Mount Morris, is an annu- The dinner brings together
segment of our agricultural the first horse farm to receive County Farm Bureau and Cor- al celebration that recognizes farmers and community mem-
community.” the Farm of the Year Award. nell Cooperative Extension of agriculture’s position as the
A formal presentation took Livingston County. leading industry in Livingston Continued on next page...
12 • Thursday, March 29, 2018 Chamber Factor

2018 LCEA Scholarships Available

The Livingston County Ed-
ucation Alliance, the 501c3
non-profit arm of the Living-
ston County Chamber of Com-
merce is once again offering
four $1,000 scholarships to
graduating seniors who re-
side in Livingston County. Two
of the scholarships funded by
the Chamber’s Agriculture
Workgroup and LCEA will be
awarded to vocational stu-
dents chosen primarily on the
basis of a project or demon-
stration. Vocational students
should contact the Genesee
Valley BOCES C.G. May
Center office at 658-7900 for
application and details. Two
scholarships, funded by LCEA
will be awarded to students
based on a writing sample,
which can be either an essay
or a paper written for school
within the past 12 months
(there is no requirement as to
the topic of this writing sam-
ple); or an essay on why you
feel you deserve to receive this
scholarship. Please be sure to
include your plans and goals
for the future as well as how
this scholarship will help you
to achieve your goals.
If sent by US mail, applica-
tion, writing sample and sup-
porting documentation must
be postmarked on or before
Friday, May 4, 2018 and sent
to: Scholarship Chair, LCEA,
4635 Millennium Drive, Gen-
eseo, NY 14454
If sent by email, application,
writing sample and supporting
documentation must be in PDF
file format and received by 4
pm, Friday, May 4, 2018 and
sent to: livingstoncountyschol-
arships@gmail.com

Farm of the Year
Continued from previous page.
bers as a means to foster a bet-
ter understanding of the role
played locally by agriculture.
Nearly 400 people regularly
attend the event.
The Farm of the Year recipi-
ent is chosen based on its level
of community activity, having
a proactive stance toward
agriculture, land stewardship,
good business practices and
integrity and being an advo-
cate for agribusiness in Living-
ston County.
“You may think you’re flying
under the radar, but go around
the county and you’re embed-
ded in everything,” Lane said.
A bit of everything
Leg Up Stables is home to
SUNY Geneseo’s equestrian
team. It supports area pony
clubs, Rotary Clubs, and hosts
horse shows, jumper shows,
rallies, clinics and other events.
Sanford and her husband Jer-
ry sell, train and raise horses
and provide riding lessons for
children through adults.
“We want to make sure you
get credit for it all,” Lane said.
“In the horse business,” San-
ford said, “you put your hand
in a little bit of everything.”
There are 86 horses at Leg
Up Stables. Some are owned
by the Sanfords. Others be-
long to the equestrian team
members or are boarders. The
younger offspring of the hors-
es also stay at the stables.
“But I count them all as mine
as I have to take care of them,”
said Kimberly Sanford, a state
licensed veterinary technician,
medical laboratory technician
and research technician.
Jerry Sanford helps maintain
the farm, including hay, which
he grows and cuts for the sta-
bles’ horses.
A family farm
Sanford likened Leg Up
Stables to a family farm. The
equestrian team members –
typically 40 to 50 each year
from beginner to advanced
riders – ride in two lessons per
week; “hack,” or exercise the
horse with taking a lesson two
more times per week; and per-
form weekly barn chores and
horsemanship tasks.
“It’s not just like an athlete
learning to play soccer,” San-
ford said. “They’re also learn-
ing the husbandry, learning
how to be horsemen.”
The Sanfords also provide
Geneseo Collision
Service, Inc.
4565 Morgan View Rd., P.O. Box 154
Geneseo, NY 14454-0154
Autobody Repair Specialists
24-Hour Towing
(585) 243-0400
(585) 259-8545 (nights)
SINCE 1960
a kind of “home-away-from-
home-parents,” Sanford said,
helping with a variety of non-
horse related concerns from
automobiles to relationships.
“The girls are all bright
young women and they share
our passion for horses,” San-
ford said.
Sanford has been SUNY
Geneseo’s equestrian coach
since it was added as an in-
tercollegiate sport in 1996. It
began with 12 members and
rented space at the facility –
an old training farm with lots
of barns and a small indoor
arena.
As the team became more
successful and its membership
grew the college rented more
and more space.
When the team became a
varsity sport, the Sanford’s
bought Leg Up Stables. They
have been the owners for the normal part of what we’re do-
past 16 years or so and add- ing.”
ed a larger arena that hosts Sanford has been work-
numerous shows and events ing with horses for nearly 40
each year. years. She went to SUNY Del-
“I love watching the horses hi where she earned an asso-
evolve and grow, but I also ciate’s degree and started a
love seeing the students evolve
career as a veterinary techni-
and grow,” said Sanford, who cian.
has written many recommen-
She worked in Perry and
dations for team members ap- Livonia and taught on the
plying for veterinarian school.
side. She is a member of the
The farm’s name, Leg Up
Genesee Valley Pony club, the
Stables, reflects that interest.
Genesee Valley Hunt and the
“When it came time to
Genesee Valley Riding and
name the farm all the ‘hills’
and ‘dales’ had been tak- Drive Club.
en. There’s not a lot of oaks Sanford traces her passion
around here and the land is for horses back to a childhood.
kind of flat,” she said with one “It’s my DNA,” she said of
of her frequent laughs. “I like her love of horses. “The first
the idea that it’s about giving a thing I remember is chasing
person a leg up. It’s a physical horses down the street. We’d
thing for getting on the horse, play horses; we wanted to be
but now it seems like such a horses.”
“A quaint restaurant and tavern with
occasional music, serving well the community.”
You will be pleased with Chef Phil’s extensive and
varied menu, appetizer choices and delicious soups.
Fish & Fish Frys ~ Create Your Own Salad
Smaller Portions Available ~ Prime Rib Saturday
Baby Back Ribs ~ Lunch & Dinner Specials
Pasta ~ Chicken ~ Scallops ~Veal
Shrimp ~ Steak & More
Comfort Food Dinners $10
Fantastic Chicken in French Style
2 Comfortable Dining Rooms decorated with Local Art
Live Music Jam Sessions on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays @7pm
Friendly Bar, Cold Beer, Wine & Tasty Cocktails
Livonia Inn
17 Commercial St., Livonia
346-3670
www.livoniainn.com

Tickets Available for 20 Taste of Livingston
The historic 20th edition of
The Taste of Livingston County
comes to Camp Stella Maris
on Tuesday, May 22, featur-
ing a delicious variety of local
food and drink – and tickets
are on sale now at tolc2018.
eventbrite.com.
For the second year, the
event is co-organized by the
Livingston County Chamber
of Commerce and The Arc
of Livingston-Wyoming. The
Chamber is Livingston Coun-
ty’s leader in promoting visi-
bility, positive perception, and
growth for area businesses.
The Arc is the area’s largest
not-for-profit assisting individ-
uals with intellectual and oth-
er developmental disabilities.
Tickets are $25.00 each, with
Chamber Publications
Put Business Info in the
hands of locals, visitors
and tourists
The Livingston County Cham-
ber of Commerce produces
a number of publications de-
signed to get business and
attraction information in the
hands of customers – whether
they be locals, visitors or tour-
ists.
The 2018 Tourism
Guide is fresh off the presses,
with 90,000 ready to be dis-
tributed throughout the state,
northeast, Canada and be-
yond.
The 2018 Business Di-
rectory – This year’s publica-
Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 13
th
all proceeds split evenly be-
tween our two organizations.
“The Chamber and The Arc
are both advocacy organiza-
tions,” says Arc Executive Di-
rector Martin Miskell. “Their
focus is business, and ours is
people with disabilities. But
we both stress inclusion to
build our local community. At
our core, both groups bring
people together -- and nothing
brings people together quite
like great food.”
Originally a project of the
Livingston County Health De-
partment, and later run by
Genesee Valley Health Part-
nership, The Taste of Living-
ston County made its name Arc were given ownership of to promote signature dishes,” at Camp Stella Maris, 4395
as a heart-healthy food tasting the event in 2017. explains Livingston County East Lake Road in Livonia.
event. The Chamber and The The new organizers intro- Chamber of Commerce Pres- Tickets are limited, so attend-
duced a fresh venue in the ident and CEO Laura Lane. ees are strongly encouraged
form of Camp Stella Maris, “The goal is to promote and to purchase theirs in advance
and relaxed the nutritional highlight signature dishes of via the online ordering sys-
guidelines in favor of a more our local restaurants, caterers, tem. For questions, or details
general food tasting event that bakeries, wineries, cideries, about becoming a vendor or
aligns with the shared values
and aspirations of the organi-
and breweries to encourage
repeat dining opportunities
sponsor for the Taste of Living-
ston County, contact Suzanne
zations. The inaugural event throughout Livingston County.” Johnsen at (585)658-2828
was a sold-out success.
“We call it a signature event
The Taste of Livingston Coun-
ty is 5:30pm Tuesday, May 22
ext. 133.
See ad on page 9.
4492 South Livonia Rd.
SOLD
$546,000
tion will be a full glossy piece
and with 25,000+ copies Time to buy your dream home.
produced it will be delivered
to EVERY household and busi-
Call the great team of real estate professionals at
ness throughout the county. In • Years of Experience •
addition to business informa- Multi-Million Dollars in Sales
tion listings by category, this
year’s piece will also feature Check Out Our Website for All Our Listed Properties @
a section with business contact
information arranged by com- www.abcolerealestate.com
munity. Geneseo • 138 Court St., Court St. Complex • 243-2643 • abcole@rochester.rr.com
Country By-Ways bro-
chure highlights the major WE have buyers ready to buy! Sellers ready to sell!
attractions, businesses, com-
munities and assets along the Call today for all your real estate needs 243-2643.
Routes 5&20 corridor.
14 • Thursday, March 29, 2018
Chamber Members in the News 2018
Noyes Health
UR Medicine | Noyes
Health is celebrating re-certi-
fication by the Joint Commis-
sion! Noyes again earned
the Gold Seal of Approval®
for Hospital Accreditation, a
symbol of quality that reflects
an organization’s commitment
to providing safe and effective
patient care.
In February, Excellus BlueC-
ross BlueShield recognized UR
Medicine Noyes Health with a
“Blue Distinction Center+” for
maternity care designation for
the third consecutive year. The
designation is part of the Blue
Distinction Specialty Care pro-
gram. Blue Distinction Centers
are nationally designated hos-
pitals that demonstrate exper-
tise in delivering improved pa-
tient safety and better health
outcomes, based on objective
measures that were developed
with input from the medical
community.
CAS @ SUNY Geneseo
Congrats to our culinary
team for bringing home anoth-
er Silver Medal from a recent
Culinary Competition! The
team did amazing, and faced
some serious competitors.
Eleven different colleges and
universities from three different
states competed, including a
Chamber Factor
mix of private and public in- Emergency Management Ac- ter the five-year period. “We in a statement.
stitutions. Teams were given creditation Program. The pro- have worked hard to develop
identical baskets containing gram, first proposed in 2017, a strong emergency manage- The Cake Place
the same ingredients, and is the first of its kind state-level ment program here in Living- Congratulations to The Cake
were given one hour to write program for local emergency ston County, and this accred- Place on winning both the
a four-course meal using all of management agencies in the itation validates our effort,” Grand Prize and Showpiece
the ingredients in the basket, nation. The accreditation is Kevin Niedermaier, director of in the 32nd Chocolate Ball
and a total of three hours to valid for five years, with an op- the Livingston County Office of Cake Competition, sponsored
complete all of their dishes. portunity to be reaccredited af- Emergency Management, said by Epilepsy-Pralid, Inc.
According to Cahill, the com-
petitions are a great way for
colleges to see how they stack
up to other institutions, but the
real benefit is in improving
and refining their own skills.
“Being a chef is so much more
than making food - it involves
managing and developing
teams, managing costs and
developing new initiatives
around sustainability and nu-
trition. Competitions keep us
on our toes and help to keep
our culinary skills sharp.”
Howard Hannah
Real Estate Services
Congratulations to Aimee
Campbell on the announce-
ment of her receiving the
2017 Bronze Sales Award
earlier this month.
Milne Library,
SUNY Geneseo
The Association of College
& Research Libraries (ACRL)
named Milne Library at SUNY
Geneseo the best in the coun-
try with its 2018 Excellence in
Academic Libraries Award in
the college category. Milne
Library was recognized for its
programming and outreach
efforts that deliver outstanding
services and resources to ad-
vance Geneseo’s mission.
Livingston County Office of
Emergency Management
The Livingston County Office
of Emergency Management
has been awarded accredita-
tion as part of the state’s Local

Nominate a
Distinguished Leader
We are currently accepting
nominations for the 2018 Dis-
tinguished Leader.
Here is your chance to nom-
inate an outstanding commu-
nity leader for this prestigious
award. Name the person
you’d like to be considered,
and write a 50-word essay,
including the selection criteria
below, as to why this person
should receive the honor.
Send the application to:
Livingston County Area
Chamber of Commerce,
4635 Millennium Drive,
Geneseo 14454.
Or email to:
laura@livingstoncountychamber.com
Postmarked or emailed by
Friday, May 4th
Chamber Mission
Our vision is to create a
vibrant and sustainable busi-
ness environment in Livingston
County by fulfilling our mission
of fostering business develop-
ment and providing opportuni-
ties for our members to pros-
per.
Broad Definition of Award
“Leadership, the ability to
motivate and direct people to
achieve goals, solve problems
and answer needs through per-
The Chamber Welcomes New
Administrative Assistant
The Chamber is pleased to
be expanding our staff and
welcoming Melissa Savino
on board as our part-time
Administrative Assistant.
Melissa will likely be the
first voice you’ll hear when
calling the office and is here
to help make your Chamber
experience is seamless! Me-
lissa brings years of experi-
ence to the role, most recent-
ly serving as the Secretary
to the County Administrator
and is also a small business
owner herself, operating The
Cake Place in Avon. Melissa
will be at the Chamber Tues-
day, Wednesday, Thursday,
and half day on Fridays.
Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 15
sonal actions and example”
Selection Criteria for the
Distinguished Leadership
Award
Nominees need not be a
Livingston County resident;
however the nominee’s accom-
plishments should be weighed
as to how these accomplish-
ments benefit businesses and
the community of Livingston
County. It is preferred that the
nominee be a Livingston Coun-
ty Area Chamber of Com-
merce member in good stand-
ing. Nominee’s qualifications
should be judged as to how
the individual works to achieve
the mission of the Chamber.
Past Distinguished
Leaders Include:
Amy Pollard, Matt Gaynor,
Bill Nevin, Nick Mazza, Ter-
ry Lowell, Joe Bucci, Joan El-
lison, Art Hatton, Bill Bacon,
Jim Wissler, Carol Carey, Carl
Lutz, Pat Rountree, Fran Chris-
tiano, Tim McMahon, Walt
Issac, Chris Dahl, Dean John-
ston, Ray Sciarrino, George
Traver, Bud VanArsdale, Phil
Saunders, Chris Peterson and
Kaaren Smith.
Septic & Portable Toilets
Trailers Available
• Weddings • Campsites
• Big or Small Events • Weekend Outings
• Construction • Ball Fields
• Golf Courses • Farm
Vacuum Pumping
of Septics
•
Repair/Installation
Proud to be a Certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise
16 • Thursday, March 29, 2018 Chamber Factor

LIVINGSTON COUNTY AREA

Hopp’d and Brew’d Sauce Co.

FASTSIGNS of Rochester-Henrietta (Kosmider, Inc.)

Aflac

Dinky Doo Petting Zoo & Pony Rides Too LLC

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Honeoye Falls

Sugar Creek Glen Campground

Dansville Water Systems, LLC

All Seasons Wine & Spirits

Vonglis Enterprises, LLC

Mount Morris Central School

Mikala’s Quilting

Sabin Metal Corporation

Battle Street Brewery

Gullo’s
Gwendolyn Cole Kitchen & Bath
Barclay Damon LLP Design Center
Novem Group / Robert C. Hayes, Financial Advisor

Wingate Barn
SERVICES INCLUDE:
CABINETS • COUNTERTOPS • DOORS • HARDWARE
Sweet Pea Cleaning Services FIXTURES • FLOORING • PLUMBING • SKYLIGHTS • WINDOWS
Nanette Teifke 20-20 KITCHENTM (3D CAD SOFTWARE)
Holly D’Angelo

Lawrence D’Angelo

Ayers-Christiano Properties, Inc.

DESIGN AND INSTALL CUSTOM KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS
Little Lakes Community Association, Inc Don & Tammy Gullo
Electronic Merchant Systems 3225 GENESEE STREET • PIFFARD, NEW YORK
PHONE • 585-243-4260 FAX • 585-243-4263
K’s Canine Training Services
www.gulloskitchenandbath.com
Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 17
18 • Thursday, March 29, 2018
Master LinkedIn with These 5 Quick Steps
Too many people think Linke-
dIn is solely for finding a job.
Since small business owners
have jobs, they often overlook
the site’s potential. LinkedIn
has 380 million users (as of
7/30/2015), with two new
users joining per second, on
average. Over 110 million us-
ers are based in the U.S. If you
want to improve your personal
brand and your company’s vis-
ibility, this site is a great place
to start. Here’s what you need:
Add a Recognizable, and
Professional, Headshot
Select a high-quality image
that looks like you look now,
not twenty years ago and not
Photoshopped to the point
someone sitting next to you and
viewing your profile wouldn’t
recognize you. Please leave
out pictures of pets and kids,
unless it has something to do
with your business. Also avoid
the awkward crops where you
still see someone else’s shoul-
der pressed up against yours.
Profiles with a photo are
11x more likely to be viewed
in search results on the site
than those profiles with the
“egg.”
Work Your Professional
Headline
The professional headline
or tagline is the line or two of
text that appears under your
name. Many people add their
most recent title here. This is a
waste of space. Viewers will
see your company and title
anyway, no need to use this
space for it. If you want to in-
clude your business, fine, but
don’t stop there. Try something
like:
Chamber Factor
Sales at Green Ford, help-
ing people afford their dream
car
Use this valuable real estate
to set yourself apart and tell
how you help. This is much
more appealing to others.
Jazz Up Your Summary
This should not be a repeat
of your job duties. There’s a
space for that. Think of this
space as a verbal commer-
cial for yourself. Again, speak
to your audience and their
needs. This is not a spot to list
all of your awards or publica- Build Your Connections the things people are posting. Christina R. Green teaches
tions. There’s a place for that Congratulate connections on small businesses, chambers
Unlike other social media
too. profiles where people share new jobs, like the articles they and associations how to con-
post, share their content. This nect through content. Her ar-
Your summary should be a lot of personal information
will help you stand out in their ticles have appeared in the
enjoyable to read, spaced out about their lives, LinkedIn is
minds and it only takes min- Midwest Society of Associa-
nicely so the words are not too largely professional. For that
utes a day. tion Executives’ Magazine,
dense, and less than 2000 reason, I’m a strong proponent
If you have additional time, NTEN.org, AssociationTech,
characters. Answer the sim- of connecting with a lot of peo-
contribute content of your and Socialfish. She is a reg-
ple question of how you help ple. If you go to a luncheon
own, and publish on Linke- ular blogger at Frankjkenny.
(complete with subtle use of and meet someone, don’t be
dIn. Building your reputation com and Event Manager Blog.
keywords). nervous about sending them
as an expert in your industry She’s a bookish writer on a
a connection invitation when
you return to your business. will yield much more than im- quest to bring great storytelling
Endorse Others as proved personal branding, it to organizations everywhere.
Monitor your stream once
You Would Like to Be a day or so and interact with will mean more customers for
your business.
Endorsed
LinkedIn allows you to en-
dorse others by going to their
profile and using a couple of
quick clicks. There is an unspo-
ken reciprocal agreement on
social media that when you do
something nice for someone
(i.e., endorsements of skills),
they will do it back to you.
Since LinkedIn notifies peo-
ple through email of endorse-
ments, they’re bound to see
and appreciate your efforts.
Why should you care about
endorsements?
You are 13x more likely to
see an increase in your profile
views when you’ve been en-
dorsed by a number of people.

DEC has Tree
Seedlings
Available
More than 50 species of trees
and shrubs from the state Depart-
ment of Environmental Conserva-
tion’s Saratoga Tree Nursery are
available for sale to public and
private landowners and schools.
Spruces, pines, shrub willows,
dogwoods, high bush cranberry,
winged sumac, white cedar, and
wetland rose are among the 50
species available. The sale pro-
vides low-cost, native tree and
shrub seedlings from New York
seed sources to encourage land-
owners to enhance the state’s envi-
ronment for future generations.
Mixed species packets that in-
clude flowering species that attract
pollinators are also available.
New seedling introductions pro-
gram are eastern redbud, quaking
aspen, winterberry holly, swamp
white oak and black hills spruce
transplants.
Small reforestation projects are
popular with private landowners
interested in environmental im-
provement. Although the public
commonly thinks of flowers when
talking about pollinators, before
becoming butterflies and moths,
caterpillars must first feed on
plants, and without enough of the
right plants, these insects won’t
make it to adulthood. Most of the
state nursery’s seedlings are na-
tive, which are preferred by native
caterpillars.
When choosing which species
to plant, keep in mind that they are
not all equal: oaks support nearly
400 species of caterpillars in New
York, while the invasive tree of
heaven (Ailanthus) doesn’t support
any. By planting trees that host na-
tive caterpillars, people can help
provide the food sources vital to
butterflies, moths and birds.
Trees and shrubs provide im-
portant food sources for bees,
butterflies, and other pollinating
insects, which have declined over
recent years.
Order seedlings through mid-
May by calling (518) 587-1120,
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mon-
day to Friday. This is the recom-
mended way to order since oper-
ators have the latest availability
information.
For more information, visit the
Spring Seedling Sale web page
http://www.dec.ny.gov/ani-
mals/9395.html.
Chamber Factor Thursday, March 29, 2018 • 19
Campus-grown Garlic Makes its
Way to Geneseo Students’ Plates
Organic garlic harvested from the SUNY
Geneseo e-Garden is making its way to the
plates of students, faculty and staff at the college.
Food Studio North and Max Market, two of
the newest on-campus restaurants, are using
the 120 pounds of garlic harvested from the
e-Garden throughout the beginning of the spring
semester.
The e-Garden is an off-grid education and
research facility on campus that allows students
to become deeply involved in sustainable con-
cepts, including sustainable energy, composting
and organic agriculture.
Planting and harvesting garlic in the e-Garden
has been an educational process for students.
“Food can be a powerful tool,” said Executive
Chef Ilana Cahill. “The e-Garden is an excellent
opportunity to be involved in food and see what
goes into producing it. It helps students develop
a relationship with food.”
Dan DeZarn, director of sustainability,
agreed.
“Our goal is for students to have a greater un- MICHAEL WARD/SUNY GENESEO
derstanding of where food comes from and the Campus Auxiliary Services Executive Chef Ilana Cahill and Assistant Executive Chef
thoughtfulness and planning that goes into food, Wilson Castillo examine garlic and kale grown in the SUNY Geneseo e-Garden. The CAS
especially organic, sustainable foods. Through culinary team will use the crops for campus food preparation.
students’ experiences with the garlic, they gain
an understanding of the food lifecycle,” he said. Campus Auxiliary Services has been involved to-table dinners that take place in the e-Garden
“Compost from the restaurants feeds the plants in the research facility since its inception and are also in development.
that in turn feed them. Ultimately, they begin continues to support the e-Garden as it grows
“It’s a luxury that the campus has the e-Gar-
to see organic waste not as waste but as a re- and evolves.
source.” Plans are underway to increase the quantity den as well as a director of sustainability,” said
The relationship between the campus restau- and variety of items that are grown in the garden Cahill. “Talk about farm to table — it’s right
rants and cafés and the e-Garden is not new. that can enhance campus menus. Special farm- here.”
Casual Dining in a Restored Stagecoach Stop & Tavern
Your Local Glass Repair & Located on Rt.20A in Cuylerville between Leicester & Geneseo
Friday Beerbattered Haddock Fish Fry
Replacement for 18 Years Fresh Haddock served with soup, salad, coleslaw
and potato or rice
Auto • Residential Saturday & Sunday Dinner for Two
Direct billing to insurance companies Choice of Either:
Mobile service to your home or work Prime Rib, Chicken, Fish or Seafood
Includes 2 dinner entrees, sides, soup and mixed
Free estimates green salad, a 2 House made desserts
$58.00
Multi Glass Replacement &
Phone 585-382-3130
Repair Service Professionals
Serving Dinner: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5-9pm
Rt. 15 • Rochester Rd., Lakeville Sunday from 3-8pm
346-4440 thenationalhotel.net
20 • Thursday, March 29, 2018 Chamber Factor