Adirondack’s Only AmeriCorps Program Suspended Due to Federal Cuts –
Tupper Lake, NY— The Wild Center was notified late Monday, April 28, by New York State that the Federal Government had terminated all New York AmeriCorps Programs, including The Wild Center’s current AmeriCorps for School-Community Partnership Program, contracted to operate through August. The eight young women and men serving were informed of the abrupt program […]
Tupper Lake, NY— The Wild Center was notified late Monday, April 28, by New York State that the Federal Government had terminated all New York AmeriCorps Programs, including The Wild Center’s current AmeriCorps for School-Community Partnership Program, contracted to operate through August.
The eight young women and men serving were informed of the abrupt program termination on Monday evening, according to Wild Center staff. This disappointing decision comes despite the positive and growing impact AmeriCorps members have made in the Tupper Lake community.
In the past seven months, these eight members have served over 8,400 hours—from classrooms to libraries to gyms—they have been on the ground making things happen.
This year alone:
Members visited multiple classrooms at Tupper Lake Middle/High School, leading hands-on science programs like “Critter Scene Investigation” to teach wildlife tracking and spark curiosity about the natural world.
Members worked with the Town of Tupper Lake’s Rec Program to run the Li’l Ballers program, teaching basketball fundamentals and encouraging teamwork, health, and wellness among K-4 age kids.
Members helped launch two new book clubs at the Goff-Nelson Memorial Library, designing crafts, games, and activities that brought books to life and built reading skills.
Members lead more than 200 public science-based programs at The Wild Center, inspiring a connection with nature for visitors and helping to drive tourism.
“Committed Volunteers are near impossible to find. Small communities and departments like ours rely on volunteers to support all of our youth sports and programming,” said Laura LaBarge, Town of Tupper Lake recreation director. “The AmeriCorps program is essential for the success of our Town Recreation programs and events. Their services have allowed us to: increase the size of our youth XC ski program, provide safety and admissions support at BrewSki and ADK Tour de Ski, host community events like PJ movie nights, family dances, community garden projects, fundraisers, etc. Our newly developed Tupper Teens program and Harry Potter Book Club will not exist without them. Their presence in Tupper Lake has been truly transformative, and our program offerings will take a serious hit without them.”
“We are proud of the work our AmeriCorps members have accomplished and the relationships they’ve built in Tupper Lake,” said Stephanie Ratcliffe, executive director at The Wild Center. “Their work has strengthened our community, inspired young learners, and brought people together. While the program has been suspended, their impact will be felt for years to come.”
Elizabeth Littlefield, principal of L.P. Quinn school in Tupper Lake said, “In a rural community like Tupper Lake, options for out-of-school activities are often limited. This leaves many of our students with few opportunities for enrichment beyond the classroom. Recognizing this gap, we have partnered with The Wild Center and AmeriCorps since 2023. The volunteers have stepped in to provide creative, supportive, and engaging programs that have made a significant impact on local youth and families.
The volunteers have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our school community. Their efforts have increased opportunities and engagement for our students. We’ve seen improvement with students, likely due to support programs and improvements in the learning environment.
The AmeriCorps members have worked closely with students, some of whom need extra attention, encouragement, and mentorship. The loss of this programming, with its ability to build long-term capacity through service, will impact the momentum we’ve built over the past few years.”
While the program has been suspended, barring an injunction filed by New York State, The Wild Center is actively pursuing potential options to ensure this important work doesn’t disappear permanently. While Wild Center personnel remain hopeful, it is nearly impossible to find $70,000 in replacement funding of this magnitude in such a short period of time.
Arizona Diamondbacks help youth sports participation in Phoenix with RBI program
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas threw out the ceremonial first pitch wearing the latest edition of Arizona’s City Connect uniform at the Diamondbacks City Connect Nike RBI High School Showcase at El Oso Park. (Photo by Truitt Robinson/Cronkite News) PHOENIX – Concerns about baseball’s future have long haunted MLB executives. Recent improvements in viewership and […]
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas threw out the ceremonial first pitch wearing the latest edition of Arizona’s City Connect uniform at the Diamondbacks City Connect Nike RBI High School Showcase at El Oso Park. (Photo by Truitt Robinson/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – Concerns about baseball’s future have long haunted MLB executives. Recent improvements in viewership and attendance have suggested a resurgence in popularity, but ultimately the league knows the growth of the game circles back to youth signing up and taking the field from a young age.
Since reaching the World Series in 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks have captured fans’ attention. Once in the basement of the daunting National League West, the team has emerged as a legitimate contender. Now, it is working to build the next generation of great Arizona ballplayers.
The Diamondbacks’ RBI program serves to support young baseball players who may not have the means to play based on a number of obstacles, including the cost to play. The program supports players from ages 5 to 18 and is committed to increasing youth interest in softball and baseball in Arizona.
James Kuzniak, the coach at Yuma’s Gila Ridge High School, has worked with the Diamondbacks for the past nine years, running youth camps and tossing batting practice at Chase Field. In 2024, he joined the RBI program as an assistant coach to help some of Arizona’s overlooked young players reach the next level.
“It gives them a taste of pro ball before they get into pro ball,” Kuzniak said before the Diamondbacks City Connect Nike RBI High School Showcase at El Oso Park. “From the gear to the travel to the hotels, meal money, (the Diamondbacks) take care of everything from the top down.”
The Diamondbacks’ RBI program, which launched in 2020 under the MLB Jr. RBI recreational program, stands for “Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities.” The RBI team has since traveled and competed against other MLB RBI teams around the country. The Diamondbacks won regional finals to advance to the MLB RBI World Series in Florida in 2023 and 2024, as the number of players in the program and the overall talent continued to rise.
Arizona ranked second to last in the nation (42.6%) in the percentage of children ages 6 to 17 who played a team sport or took lessons in 2020 and 2021, according to a 2023 study by Project Play. The national average was 51%. Beyond baseball and softball, youth participation in sports around the country has plateaued. Kuzniak is part of the mission to rebuild those connections to sports and the community it can provide to those in need.
“It really gives hope,” Kuzniak said about the potential impact of the RBI program. “Even me doing it in my local community. I have young kids talking to me like, ‘Hey man, I hope one day I could play on the RBI team .’ … To see 10-, 11-year-olds, kind of giving them that goal of ‘Hey, one day I want to play and make the RBI team,’ it’s really cool.
The Diamondbacks’ RBI program sets out to connect communities in Arizona through the game of baseball and encourage more young athletes to participate. (Photo by Truitt Robinson/Cronkite News)
“It kind of gives them something to look forward to. … It doesn’t have to be competitive. It’s not about winning or losing. There’s a lot of failure in this game, from the big leagues on down.”
The RBI program could contribute to the game’s recent resurgence. Thanks in part to rule changes, ESPN’s MLB viewership has increased 22% from last year, and FOX’s viewership has improved 10%, the league reports.
MLB attendance is also up. The Diamondbacks, for example, are averaging 31,461 fans at Chase Field in 2025 versus 28,912 in 2024.
Still, even big leaguers like Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas understand the everyday struggle that baseball presents. Thomas, in his fourth season with the team, once found himself in the same shoes as the kids in Phoenix. Growing up in Chicago, Thomas is an alumnus of the White Sox RBI team. Now serving as a mentor for the generation to follow, he is one of many Diamondbacks players supporting the program.
“Being able to have that experience, the White Sox, they supported all the things that we did,’’ Thomas said. “And now, being a part of an organization where they do the same thing is really cool. Being a player instead of a kid is different. Things come around full circle. Just to be able to talk to these guys and give them whatever advice I can give them is really cool.”
As the Diamondbacks’ RBI team gets its season started, aiming to reach a third-consecutive MLB RBI World Series in Florida, the growth of the program provides reason for optimism for the future of baseball in Arizona. Project Play’s survey conducted in late 2024 shows that the national average spending amount by parents for their child to play their primary sport has eclipsed $1,000, a trend that has increased by 46% since 2019. The MLB RBI programs around the country help to eliminate those obstacles while rebuilding communities in the inner cities and keeping kids active.
“(The Diamondbacks’ RBI program) has built up really quickly because the Diamondbacks have put a lot of money into it,” Kuzniak said. “They’ve really invested in it … It’s not just about the baseball. You treat (the players) like people, and you take care of them like people, and they’re going to do good things for you, once they see that they’re part of the family.”
Nine County Organizations Receiving Nearly $150,000 From The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation
Nine Chautauqua County organizations are receiving nearly $150,000 in legacy funds from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the Legacy Funds in 2016 as endowments at the Community Foundation to provide annual support to areas that were important to Mr. Wilson […]
Nine Chautauqua County organizations are receiving nearly $150,000 in legacy funds from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the Legacy Funds in 2016 as endowments at the Community Foundation to provide annual support to areas that were important to Mr. Wilson during his lifetime: Caregivers, Community Assets, Design and Access, and Youth Sports. Endowment funds are designed to grow over time and provide funding for charitable causes according to a client’s wishes, forever.
The Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation complement the work of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and were created to provide immediate impact and long-term benefit in Western New York.
Funds awarded locally from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Caregivers include:
Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care – $12,000 for Short Term Stays at The Star Hospice House
Community Connections at Findley Lake – $22,000 for Community Connections at Findley Lake Caregiver Support Program
Family Service of the Chautauqua Region, Inc. – $25,000 for Supporting Caregivers and Elderly
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Design and Access have been awarded to:
Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation – $35,000 for Chautauqua County Overland Trails Revitalization Project, Phase V
City of Jamestown – $20,000 for Bergman Park Disc Golf
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports funds have been awarded to:
Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County – $16,000 for Empower Her Athletic Club
Chautauqua Striders Inc. – $9,000 for 2025 Youth Track & Field Development Program
City of Dunkirk Youth and Recreation Department – $10,000 for Dunkirk Sports Sampling
Dear Abby | Jeanne Phillips Dear Abby: My son is a loving husband, father and son. He coaches his 12-year-old son, my grandson, in various sports and sometimes is just a spectator. I’m worried because he often berates his son’s playing ability. He has yelled at him during and after games, whether he is coaching or […]
Dear Abby: My son is a loving husband, father and son. He coaches his 12-year-old son, my grandson, in various sports and sometimes is just a spectator. I’m worried because he often berates his son’s playing ability. He has yelled at him during and after games, whether he is coaching or not. He yelled and screamed at him in front of everyone and later at home.
I have told my son, to no avail, that it’s OK to give constructive criticism but without the yelling. I also have told him how it crushes my grandson each time he does this. My daughter-in-law is also at a loss for how to change his behavior. My husband coached my son in sports when he was young and he was hard on him, too. I love my family dearly, but I don’t know what to do in this situation. Abby, what do you think we should do?
— ‘Heartaching’ Grandma in New Jersey
Dear Grandma: Your son may be a loving husband, but he could use some coaching as a father. Someone should point out to him that when a parent bullies a child about his poor athletic performance, it rarely produces a positive result. It makes him lose interest in the sport and damages the youth’s self-esteem, and the effects can sometimes last a lifetime.
After your grandson has had enough of the verbal abuse, don’t be shocked if he drops out of the sport. Your son should have learned from the terrible example his own father set that this kind of “coaching” usually doesn’t produce the desired result. He should take out his aggression elsewhere.
Dear Abby: Two years ago, my mom invited all of my family on an international trip during the month of October. One year ago, my sister called me asking if I could “cover some things” for her. When I agreed and asked why, she said she and our parents were going on the international trip four months early. I was shocked.
No one had said the departure date was being moved up. When I asked my other sister about it, she was also still under the impression we were going in October. When I brought it up to my mom, she got very defensive and said we were all invited to come. No, we were not! The plans changed, and only one sister and her family were included.
They are on the trip now, and I don’t want any part of it. They are posting pictures to our family group chat, and I have decided not to look at them. I’m not sure how to move forward from here. I’m sad and frustrated over this, while they are pretending everything is fine.
— Left Behind in Colorado
Dear Left: When your mother and sister return from that trip there needs to be a frank “family discussion” about what went wrong and why neither felt it was necessary to inform you that you and your other sister were excluded and why. Pretending something that happened never happened never works out, and if it isn’t repaired, the fallout can be long-lasting.
Alexandria Aces Open 2025 Season with Thrilling Extra-Innings Victory and Community Celebration
Alexandria Aces pitcher Cole Gebben from Western Michigan U. fires strikes into the Thunderbolts lineup at the season opener 2025. (Photo: Scott MacConomy) Alexandria, VA – June 6, 2025 — The crack of the bat, the cheer of the crowd, and the spirit of community were all in full swing as the Alexandria Aces kicked […]
Alexandria Aces pitcher Cole Gebben from Western Michigan U. fires strikes into the Thunderbolts lineup at the season opener 2025. (Photo: Scott MacConomy)
Alexandria, VA – June 6, 2025 — The crack of the bat, the cheer of the crowd, and the spirit of community were all in full swing as the Alexandria Aces kicked off their 20th season in the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League with a nail-biting extra-innings win over the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts on June 4 at Frank Mann Field.
The Aces, a premier collegiate summer baseball team known for sending players to the MLB, are not just about what happens on the diamond. This season, they’ve doubled down on their mission to grow youth baseball and celebrate the Alexandria community that supports them.
“With 19 more home games ahead, we’re excited to offer a summer full of competitive baseball and meaningful community engagement,” said Frank Fannon, President of the Alexandria Aces. “At the heart of the Alexandria Aces is a deep connection to our community. We shine a spotlight on a different organization each home game to recognize the incredible work happening right here in Alexandria.”
Spotlighting Community Heroes
Each home game will feature and celebrate a local organization making a difference—from youth leagues and civic groups to nonprofits and service organizations. Children wearing Little League jerseys will receive free admission at select games, including Alexandria Little League Night on Friday, June 6, when the Aces take on the D.C. Grays.
Upcoming Home Games & Community Partners
All home games begin at 6:30 PM at Frank Mann Field (3700 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VA). Parking is free, and tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
Featured Home Dates:
June 6 – Alexandria Little League Night (Free for kids in jerseys)
June 11 – Rotary Club of Alexandria
June 12 – Girls and Women in Baseball
June 14 – Del Ray Citizens & Business Associations
June 16 – Hume Spring Civic Association (Full schedule at alexandriaaces.org)
The season will also include themed nights such as Host Families Appreciation, Scouting America, and partnerships with organizations like Carpenter’s Shelter, Alexandria Police Foundation, and more.
For tickets, updates, and weather alerts, fans can visit alexandriaaces.org or follow the Aces on social media: Instagram: @alexandriaaces Twitter/X: @Alexandria_Aces Facebook: Alexandria Aces Baseball
Above: ABSA’s annual hitting contest is scheduled for tomorrow night, though the forecast isn’t promising the sunny skies advertised (images cropped from Facebook posts) Algonquin Baseball and Softball is encouraging young players to “hit some dingers” tomorrow and the public to come cheer them on. The Northborough-Southborough youth sports association is holding its annual Home Run […]
Above: ABSA’s annual hitting contest is scheduled for tomorrow night, though the forecast isn’t promising the sunny skies advertised (images cropped from Facebook posts)
Algonquin Baseball and Softball is encouraging young players to “hit some dingers” tomorrow and the public to come cheer them on. The Northborough-Southborough youth sports association is holding its annual Home Run Derby this Saturday, June 7th.
The event will be held at the Mooney Field Complex (by Finn School, 60 Richards Road).
The fun is scheduled for the evening, with the youngest players up to bat first at 5:00 pm.
Organizers promise “fun to be had by all” in an event that includes:
fantastic softball and baseball action, delicious pizza, music, and a fully stocked snack bar to keep everyone fueled and cheering.
The hitting competition is open to players on ABSA baseball or softball teams, including minors, majors, and seniors. The signup page is here.
As of this morning, there was no indication yet that the forecast rain could change those plans.
Unfortunately, there is also a slight chance of thunder in the forecast, so I’d keep an eye on that. Presumably, registered families will get a message if there are schedule changes announced. For those just interested in cheering from the stands, you can check ABSA’s Facebook page here for potential updates.
Nine Chautauqua County organizations are receiving nearly $150,000 in legacy funds from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
Instagram: @alexandriaaces
Twitter/X: 
Facebook: Alexandria Aces Baseball
The fun is scheduled for the evening, with the youngest players up to bat first at 5:00 pm.
Anthony Edwards’ struggling in WCF? Marcus & Markieff Morris DEBATE 
| First Take
