Visually Impaired group to meet Wednesday

PLATTSBURGH -- The monthly meeting of the Adirondack Visually Impaired (AVI) Community will be Wednesday, July 9, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the United Way Building, 45 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh. Meetings are open to anyone age 18 and older who has a visual impairment or who are parents of visually impaired children. Participants are invited to bring a lunch and a family member or friend. Those who can't attend due to work, school schedules or for personal reasons may contact Sherri Gonyea at 562-8011 for information about how to enroll online and participate through e-mail.

Blood drives

to take place throughout region

PLATTSBURGH -- The North Country Regional Blood Donor Center is conducting several community blood drives in July. They are: Thursday, July 10, at Mooers Fire Department, 5:30 to 8 p.m.; Thursday, July 10, Clinton County Government Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Monday, July 14, CVPH Medical Center, auditoriums A and B, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, July 15, Essex County Public Safety Building, 3 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, July 16, Altona Fire Department, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, July 18, Alice Hyde Medical Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday, July 21, Keene Valley Neighborhood House, 3 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, July 23, Massena Memorial Hospital, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, July 24, Wilmington Fire Department, 4 to 8 p.m.; Monday, July 28, Willsboro Fire Department, 4 to 7 p.m.; Thursday, July 31, Canton Potsdam Hospital, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on these drives or to donate at the center, call 562-7406.

New group addresses anxiety management

PLATTSBURGH -- The new Anxiety Management, Self-Esteem, Education and Support Group meets at National Alliance on Mental Illness: Champlain Valley (NAMI:CV) at the office at 14 Healey Ave., Suite D, in Plattsburgh from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Mondays. Some topics on the program are: taking back control of your life and coping with anxiety and panic attacks. Also, NAMI offers free, one-on-one appointments to offer guidance to anyone dealing with issues connected with Family Court, the Department of Social Services or Committee on Special Education. For more information, call 561-2685.

AMC CEO earns Fellow status

SARANAC LAKE -- Chandler Ralph, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of Adirondack Medical Center, recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation's leading professional society for healthcare leaders. Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. "Continuing education and professional development is encouraged among all of our staff and physicians, and Chandler is no exception," said Emily Selleck, chairperson of the AMC Board of Trustees. "In order for AMC to grow and exceed the community's expectations, it is necessary to acquire new knowledge and apply the best practices to our delivery of care."

Tri-Lakes Relay

for Life effort begins

LAKE PLACID -- The 5th-annual Tri-Lakes Relay for Life will be held at the Olympic Oval in Lake Placid Saturday, Sept. 20, beginning at 9 a.m. with a survivors walk around the oval. The Relay for Life is an all-day event where teams walk or run the Olympic Oval track continuously, having raised sponsorship money prior to the event. While members of the teams circle the oval, the rest of their team may do yard sales, bake sales, raffles, etc., at their set-up on the oval. Some teams will do fundraisers prior to the event. During the evening hours, the track will be lined with luminary candles that can be purchased at $5 each in honor or memory of a cancer patient. A special raffle is also being planned with tickets going on sale this month. To participate in the Survivors Walk, contact Willie Sheridan at 327-3562 or via e-mail at willie_sheridan@yahoo.com. To register a team or make a donation to a team, go to http://events.cancer.org/RFLtrilakesNY. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Vision-rehab specialist joins staff at Visually Impaired

LAKE PLACID -- Eileen Brennan has joined the staff of North Country Association for the Visually Impaired. A librarian for 25 years at a school for blind children, Brennan holds a master's degree in orientation and mobility from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and has had further training as a rehabilitation teacher at the Lighthouse for the Blind in New York City. She is certified by the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) as an orientation and mobility specialist and vision rehabilitation specialist. She will serve clients in Essex and Clinton counties. Contact her at 523-1950.

Minehan, Nagle honored at AMC Crystal Gala