VFW auxiliary meets, announces donations

SHERIDAN — The Sheridan VFW Auxiliary met at 5:30 at the post on Sept. 11 for its annual inspection and all went well.

After the inspection, the business part of the meeting was held. The auxiliary donated to Trees For Troops, the Auxiliary Christmas card, the Cancer Grant Fund, Wreaths Across America, Health and Happiness, among other NYS Auxiliary projects.

In addition, the monthly donation to a veteran related organization is going to the Stop 22 program to prevent veteran suicide, which unfortunately, is a major concern.

There is a member who is potentially qualified to receive a life membership as a gift from the auxiliary. Annual dues are now being collected. Half of the members have paid.

The next meeting will be the Sheridan Post 6390 at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9.

CWC group talks invasive plants

On Tuesday at 10 a.m., the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy will be offering an invasive plant removal demonstration at its McCray-Peckinpaugh preserve in Westfield. Some of the plants that will be targeted include Japanese knotweed, Asian honeysuckle, multiflora rose, privet and Japanese barberry. Invasive plants can cause damage to both the surrounding ecosystem and to property.

They can also be hard to get rid of, and different plants can sometimes call for different methods of removal to be effective. Mike Catanese from ArborWild Environmental and Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Director of Conservation Twan Leenders will be on hand to show participants how to properly treat and remove these invasive plants and also answer questions about them or other invasives. Participants should meet at the NYSDEC fisherman’s parking lot at 8328 West Lake Road in Westfield. A rain date is set for Thursday at 10 a.m.

Hochul signs bill creating Asian Lunar New Year holiday

Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York state.

The legislation (A.7768/S.7573) would ensure schools are not in session on Lunar New Year.

“By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Hochul said. “It is not just a day off from school – it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.”