Read more about the article What to Do When the Bill Comes Due

What to Do When the Bill Comes Due

You have options when it comes to large hospital bills you can’t payBy Deborah Jeanne SergeantThe average hospital stay costs $2,883 per day, in addition to expenses for lab work and specialists.A lengthy hospital stay can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although insurance can certainly help defray the out-of-pocket expense, it doesn’t guarantee affordable care.“Gone are the days of a $20 co-pay,” said Marissa Vartak, family nurse practitioner, board certified in family medicine and owner of On Care Family Health in Cicero. “Ninety percent of my patients have $6,000 deductibles.”These high deductible plans often cover up to 80% of the amount left after the $6,000 deductible has been met.A person with this type of insurance plan would pay $10,800 for a $60,000 hospital bill (a three-week stay, plus lab work and tests) after paying the $6,000 deductible, making their total out-of-pocket cost $16,800.Many people would find this sum out of reach, especially if they have missed work because of their hospitalization or if they live on a fixed income.Although most hospitals will set up a payment plan, unfortunately, many turn to suing patients to collect overdue bills. According to a sample of more than 500 hospitals across the (more…)

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Read more about the article Ontario Orchards

Ontario Orchards

One of the largest and most complete farm markets in Central New York celebrates 60 years in operationsBy Tom and Jerry Caraccioli The Ouellette family, front to back: Dennis, Laurie, June and Kathy. Photo courtesy of Ontario Orchards.In 1964, if you went to Ontario Orchards to buy fresh fruit and produce, a bushel of apples (approximately 42 pounds or 100 apples) cost about $3. Corn was going for about a dollar a dozen. And strawberries were a dollar a quart.For more than seven decades Dennis Ouellette has been an agriculturist.This fall, the Ouellette family, led by Dennis and his wife, June, along with daughters, Kathy and Laurie, and grandchildren, celebrate the 60th anniversary of owning and operating Ontario Orchards.From the very beginning they made a point of selling their own fruit, vegetables and Christmas trees, as well as help the local economy by selling goods grown by local farmers.Today, Ontario Orchards has become one of the most diverse, complete, family-owned farm markets in Central New York and New York state. Early startOntario Orchards is presenting its 24th Annual Fall Jamboree in September. Pictured are Kathy Ouellette-Pfeifer, Laurie Oleyourryk and Dennis Ouellette during last year’s preparation.It all started for Ouellette as a 6-year-old (more…)

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Read more about the article Over $21 Million Awarded to Community’s Organizations
Chena Tucker is Shineman Foundation’s director.

Over $21 Million Awarded to Community’s Organizations

Foundation created by SUNY professor and his wife has recently surpassed $20 million in donationsBy Stefan Yablonski The Richard S. Shineman Foundation has been helping to improve the quality of life in Oswego County and Central New York since its inception 2011. It has awarded more than $21 million in grants during this period.Oswego County Business Magazine recently sat down with Chena Tucker, director of the foundation, to delve into the foundation’s mission and its impactful work in the community.Established by Richard and Barbara Shineman, the foundation aims to be a “catalyst for change” — a vision deeply shared by its leadership team.“We have provided more than 750 gifts to more than 189 recipients through various types of grants, including strategic grants, mini-grants and community enrichment grants,” Tucker said.This significant financial commitment highlights the foundation’s dedication to fostering positive change across Oswego County, she added. The leadershipTucker oversees the foundation’s overall direction and management.Kelly Green, the grant program and event coordinator, manages the grant-awarding process and outreach events.The foundation is governed by a nine-member board, which makes all final decisions on grant awards.Tucker explained the foundation’s spending practices, including a mandated 5% payout rule that ensures a portion of the endowment is (more…)

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Read more about the article CNY Nonprofits Hold Over $15 Billion in Assets

CNY Nonprofits Hold Over $15 Billion in Assets

Compiled by writer Stephan YablonskiThere are 13,402 private foundations in New York state, according to Cause IQ, a Seattle company that tracks nonprofit organizations nationwide. Combined, these New York private foundations employ 5,317 people, earn more than $20 billion in revenue each year, and have assets of $200 billion.In Syracuse alone, the Cause IQ states that there are nearly 200 nonprofit organizations. They hold assets estimated at $15 billion.A glimpse at some CNY foundations: Allyn Family Foundation Inc11 Fennell St., Skaneateles315-685-5059www.allynfoundation.orgThe foundation is committed to a collaborative partnership with organizations and the community to build a responsible and vibrant Central New YorkGiving primarily to improve the quality of life in Central New York. Emphasis placed upon health, human services, education and youth and families.Assets have increased to more than $132 million.With the increase in the foundation’s assets, the foundation changed its name from the Allyn Foundation to the Allyn Family Foundation. (more…) (more…)

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Read more about the article Local Foundation Benefits Youth in Oswego
Members of the board of directors at Garrett Dunsmoor Memorial Foundation, taken at a basketball tournament in June. From left, are: MacKenzie Dunsmoor (secretary), Brooke Tracz (vice president), Brian Warner, Alyssa Auer Mitchell, Teresa Gentile (treasurer), Judy Queale-Dunsmoor, president, and John Dunsmoor.

Local Foundation Benefits Youth in Oswego

Garrett Dunsmoor Memorial Foundation has awarded more than 50 grants to nonprofit organizations benefiting youth in communities in and around OswegoBy Stefan YablonskiThere are scores of foundations in Central New York.Some have been created for very poignant reasons. All strive to help others.“The Garrett Dunsmoor Memorial Foundation was established in 2019 after the sudden passing of our son, Garrett, in July 2018,” said Judith Queale-Dunsmoor, president of the foundation.Garrett graduated from Oswego High School in 2014 and graduated cum laude from St. Lawrence University in May 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric, communications and business.While there, he earned a place on the Liberty League All-Academic Team while playing two years of varsity football and four years of varsity lacrosse.“He was bright, hardworking, humble and caring with a smile that would light up every room. He was passionate about athletics, academics and social issues and had an incredible gift of connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds,” his mother said. “He especially loved working with kids and coaching youth sports and was very proud of his hometown. We have created the Garrett Dunsmoor Memorial Foundation to continue Garrett’s legacy of love, knowing that he would be happy and proud (more…)

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Read more about the article Catholic Charities Helps Families Challenged by Poverty

Catholic Charities Helps Families Challenged by Poverty

Nonprofit focusing on food insecurity, homelessnessBy Stefan Yablonski With a budget of $5,541,924, Catholic Charities of Oswego County serves nearly 3,000 people annually.Originally founded in the 1930s as an adoption agency, Catholic Charities has evolved into a human service agency providing many valuable programs and services to children, families and individuals. It has a great variety of people come through its doors annually to either receive help — or to provide that help.The most prevalent needs in this calendar year have been housing and food insecurities.“Catholic Charities of Oswego County assists a multitude of families and individuals throughout Oswego County who are challenged by poverty,” said Mary-Margaret Pekow, CCOC executive director. “The two areas in which we have the most impact are through our food pantry and our thrift store.”From January 2024 through July 2024, 931 households (2,702 individuals) have been served in the food pantry, she said.“We have added 931 new pantry members during that time frame as well,” she added.In 2023, the food pantry served an average of 248 individuals each week.The pantry also assembles 50-60 homeless food bags each month; that means 600-720 bags of food going to the homeless annually. (more…) (more…)

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Read more about the article New Line of Credit Established for Nonprofits in CNY

New Line of Credit Established for Nonprofits in CNY

CNY Community Foundation teams up with NBT Bank to provide low-interest bridge loans to nonprofits in need of cash The Central New York Community Foundation’s local impact investing program has closed on a $750,000 deal to secure a low interest line of credit for Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Inc. (VLPCNY).The funding will help the organization continue its legal aid services until funding from state grant contracts are fulfilled.This will be the first project receiving funding from a new certificate of deposit (CD) funding program the Community Foundation has established in partnership with NBT Bank.VLPCNY is a nonprofit legal aid organization that engages the legal community in volunteer service to low-income community members throughout Central New York. Its volunteer panel consists of over 500 lawyers who serve more than 3,500 clients a year with civil law needs.The new agreement will allow the organization to continue funding legal aid and anti-poverty programming while awaiting reimbursement from state agencies such as the Department of State and the Department of Health for multiple executed contracts.“VLPCNY, like so many nonprofit organizations, receives most of its funding from New York state to provide critical services that that State has identified as essential to life,” said Sal (more…)

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Read more about the article The State of Tourism in Oswego County
Legislator Mary Ellen “Mel” Chesbro

The State of Tourism in Oswego County

By Mary Ellen “Mel” ChesbroOswego County’s tourism encompasses destinations for all four seasons. Whether it is salmon fishing in the spring, baseball tournaments and ATVs in the summer, hunting in the fall or snowmobiling in the winter and multiple historical museums open all year which entices thousands of tourists to choose Oswego County over and over again.While the Oswego County Legislature’s main mission is to be the financial stewards and policy makers for our residents, it is also very cognizant of the importance of the county’s quality of life. Tourism directly impacts both goals because it is an economical and environmental powerhouse for our county. Not only does it provide activities to draw tourists to visit here but it provides important amenities for Oswego County residents to enjoy. Tourism also provides opportunities for businesses to open and grow as it brings awareness to the importance of protecting our environment.Every year the legislature approves funding and assistance to tourism entities such as Legends Field, Dr. Mary Walker, Camp Hollis, Camp Zerbe and snowmobile clubs to name just a few. The legislature also works closely with Operation Oswego County/IDA to bring in new businesses to address the tourism trade.Oswego County is home (more…)

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Read more about the article Battle Island: More Than Just a Golf Course

Battle Island: More Than Just a Golf Course

Rich history envelopes state park prior to America’s independenceBy Tom and Jerry CaraccioliThe Battle Island State Park and Golf Course features 18 holes and 5,973 yards of manicured fairways and greens. Many players and visitors are not aware of the significance of the site.During the 2023 golf season in Central New York nearly 20,000 rounds of golf were played on a course along the Oswego River that got its name from a pre-Revolutionary War skirmish.To this day, many of those golfers — and other visitors — probably are not even aware of the name’s significance.While most visitors to Battle Island State Park and Golf Course are more concerned with birdies and pars on a course featuring 18 holes and 5,973 yards of manicured fairways and greens, this area played a vital role in the history and birth of America. The repercussions of what occurred on this land would be remembered in the burgeoning years and decades after our nation’s birth, as well as today.Two decades before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the rivers and lakes of Upstate New York, as well as west through the Ohio River Valley region, served as important waterways for commerce — especially fur (more…)

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Read more about the article Landmark Business Still Serving Treats Around ‘The Loop’
During the course of the summer “ice cream” season, Bev’s in Oswego caters to approximately 100,000 visitors and patrons.

Landmark Business Still Serving Treats Around ‘The Loop’

Under its third ownership since its 1947 start, ice cream stand in Oswego caters to about 100,000 patrons per seasonBy Tom and Jerry CaraccioliWorld famous Lake Ontario sunsets are a main attraction at Bev’s and “The Loop.”Historically, “the loop” was the turn-around spot for the local trolley heading in and out of the town of Oswego in the early- to mid-20th century.Today if you ask an Oswegonian what “the loop” is, you’re sure to get a quick and resounding answer — “Rudy’s and Bev’s.”While an order of a fish with chips and a Coke from Rudy’s is often an entrée for many who take a ride along the picturesque shoreline of Lake Ontario in southwest Oswego on any given summer evening, no trip around the loop is really complete without satisfying one’s sweet tooth with an ice cream from Bev’s.Formally known as “Bev’s Dairy Treats,” the 1,200 square foot ice cream “emporium” has been serving up summer treats to locals, SUNY Oswego college students and visitors for nearly eight decades.The original founder and owner was the family of Beverly (Mulcahey) Fragale, who died in 2020 at 88. Bev Mulcahey was 15 years old when her parents opened Bev’s Dairy Treats (more…)

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