“All of our staff were really confident in the vaccine in the beginning so most of us were already vaccinated,” Kristin Cronk said on Thursday. “We had a very high vaccination rate to start with so fortunately for us it has not affected our staffing.”

All of the building’s 65 residents and all but two of the 50 employees have received the vaccine, she said, “and we’re working on the last two right now.”

“Vaccination-wise we’re doing really well. We’ve never had a COVID case to date in this building,” she added.

Cronk said The Manor House is experiencing the same staffing issues that similar agencies are experiencing, but noted they are not related to the vaccine mandate.

When asked about applying for financial relief from New York State, she said she is looking into that.

“Relief is something that many of the buildings are advocating for, especially because a lot of the employees, us included, had to cover the cost for their testing – when we did have to do testing for so long,” she said. “That’s something that is very important to us but we haven’t gotten very far on that yet.”

Human Resources Director Renee Arieno commended The Manor House team “for keeping our residents safe.”

“We’re really fortunate that we’re not experiencing the hardships that others are with the vaccine mandate,” she said.

A private-pay facility, The Manor House offers 89 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, which are rented on a monthly basis. Employees include licensed practical nurses, aides, receptionists, cooks, housekeepers, servers and security.

Currently, 12 apartments are available, Cronk said.

The staff at The Manor House would like for you to send their seniors holiday cards, who especially need them because of COVID-19 restrictions and not being able to see their families for the holidays.

We want to show them how much the community cares and is thinking of them!

We are also looking for cards for three very special ladies who turn 100, 101 and 102 in January! 

There are boxes for cards and pictures at the front doors of The Manor House at 427 E. Main St. in the city or mail to the attention of Kristin Cronk at that address.

Happy holidays and stay healthy!

The Eagle Scout (left inset photo) "did a cool thing today," Winters wrote The Batavian in an email.

And that was to continue his troop's flag-raising tradition at The Manor House in Batavia on Veterans Day.

That would be Boy Scout Troop 6650, based in Alexander.

"Our Boy Scout Troop has been holding a ceremony at The Manor House* for their veteran residents for the last 14 years," says Hunter's mother, Season Meyers. "The ceremony was cancelled this year due to COVID.

"However, I found out they had a brand-new flag pole installed with the express intention of our troop raising the first flag on it to dedicate it to their veterans.

After discussing it with Hunter we decided we were NOT going to let The Manor House nor their veterans down. 

So, "with the help of his grandfather, Hunter raised the first flag on the new flagpole and it was officially dedicated to the veterans," Season said. "All the residents were so grateful and we were beyond thrilled to participate.”

Hunter's grandfather is Peter Michael Meyers, who lives in Attica, as does Hunter's family.

Hunter is the youngest to rise to the rank of Eagle Scout in many years, according to his mom.

He is 15, but earned his Eagle badge at 14, one of only three to earn the achievement that young in Genesee County history.

*Editor's Note: Before the assisted-living facility at 427 E. Main St. became The Manor House, it was known as Victorian Manor.

Photos courtesy of Amber Winters.

Next two photos, Hunter Meyers, left, and his grandfather Peter Michael Meyers, preparing to raise the American flag today, then hoisting it.

Third photo below, Hunter Meyers and an unnamed resident at The Manor House unmask briefly to smile broadly after today's flag-raising ceremony.

Bottom, Hunter Meyers in front of the new flagpole at The Manor House and its new U.S. flag.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease makes planning for the future a very important task for families. Concerns about care planning and programs that can help offset costs mean that families need accurate information about legal and financial matters specific to the disease.

"Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease" is an opportunity to learn about important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put plans in place and how to access legal and financial resources in the community.

The Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter is offering the program at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13, at the The Manor House at 427 E. Main St. in Batavia, which is also providing an American Sign Language interpreter and a light meal.

Topics to be discussed during the 90-minute program include:

• Making legal plans that fit individual and family needs;
• Legal documents and what they mean;
• How to find legal and financial assistance;
• Practical strategies for making a long-term plan of care;
• Government programs that can help pay for care.

The program is free and open to the public, but seating reservations are requested by calling 1-800-272-3900.

Braelynn Cook, 4, received a free scarf from Leanne Mullen, owner of Tahoe Pines Custom Sewing and Design, yesterday during the St. Nick’s Christmas Bazaar at the Manor House.

This was the first year the Manor House hosted the bazaar and Braelynn was there with her mother, another vendor, and Mullen thought she deserved a scarf​ for being a good girl during the event.

The bazaar was open to the community as well as Manor House residents to help with Christmas shopping.

The secret to a long life, according to Margaret Gallagher, who celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday at The Manor House, is faith, family and friends.

Gallagher was born Nov. 14, 1917, in Batavia. She attended Lincoln Street School, St. Joseph's, and Batavia High School.

Her parents were Frank and Mary Anne Canty-Gallagher. She grew up with three sisters and a brother. Her sister Rita is 102.

She's been a member of the St. Joseph Ladies Society since 1952.

During her working life, she was a secretary at the vocational school on West Main Street, the state Health Department, the VA, and Darch Noonan Law Office. She also worked for Robert C. Noonan for 20 years.  

Noonan, accompanied by his wife, Marcia, read a proclamation from Assemblyman Steve Hawley commemorating Gallagher's 100th birthday.

Photo: Joyce Myers, Gallagher's longtime caretaker, and her granddaughter Avery Kelly, help Gallagher blow out the candles on her birthday cake.

There will be workshops, vendors and mini clinics offering vision tests, blood pressure checks and hearing tests, and more. UMMC is sponsoring the event.

To register or for more information call 344-2345.

The Manor House is located at 427 E. Main St.

The Manor House held a party yesterday celebrating all the birthdays for the year of residents who turn 90 years old or older.

Bottom photo, Angie Ilasi cuts the cake. Ilasi turns 100 this year.

Tonight, the St. James Bell Choir and the St. James Choir performed a Christmas recital for the residents of Manor House.

The Manor House hosted a summer picnic for residents today. CEO Gordon Davis said there was a big turnout of friends and family joining the residents for lunch and live music.

Music was performed by Just for Fun, a group from Riga.