Uncategorized

PYA alum begins season as NCAA title defender

WALTHAM, MASS. - Women's college volleyball kicked off its season last Thursday with reigning NCAA East Division II champs the Bentley University Falcons beginning their title defense. The team includes Penn Yan Academy alum Caitlin Wunder, who is currently a graduate student at Bentley, majoring in Information Design and Corporate Communication.
Wunder is one of the team's 13 returning players and was an integral part of Bentley's success last season. 2023 was the school's first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance, with the Falcon's going on to take the Division II title.
Standing at an imposing 6'4", Wunder had 58 blocks in 2023, ranking second on the team behind Junior Elizabeth Binn, who totaled 135 blocks in her sophomore year. Wunder also ranked second in kills with 227, coming in behind team captain Rachel Vitko (262), who is a Senior this season. During the 2023 season, Wunder had six matches with 10 or more kills, with a season-high of 14 against American International.
The Falcon's began the 2024 season on Sept. 5, playing in the Dallas Baptist Tournament, with games against Dallas Baptist on Thursday and Friday, a match against East Central Friday evening, and a match against Texas-Tyler on Saturday.
Caitlin Wunder is the daughter of George and Eileen Wunder of Penn Yan and followed her sisters, Liz and Emily, in playing college volleyball. Liz Wunder played volleyball at RIT and Emily played at Winthrop University and Siena College. Caitlin's parents were also college athletes, with both playing basketball; George at Rochester and Eileen at Towson University.
Caitlin was an fixture in PYA's volleyball efforts, appearing annually in the Sectional Tournament from 2017-2019. Caitlin was Tournament MVP in 2018, leading the Mustangs to the championship, was Finger Lakes MVP and All-Greater Rochester in 2019, and Class C All-State in her Senior year. Wunder's other honors included the 2019 Sectional Tournament First Team, a 2018 All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention and she was a two-time recipient of All-Finger Lakes East honors. Wunder tallied 956 kills in her varsity career, including 452 as a Senior and played with the Paradigm Revolt and Xtreme Volleyball Club teams in the off-season.

Read MorePYA alum begins season as NCAA title defender

Keuka College Online Nursing Program approved by NY State

KEUKA PARK —The New York State Education Department has approved Keuka College's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program to be offered online, opening the program to aspiring nurse practitioners nationwide. Classes began this semester.
With the nation's aging population rapidly increasing, the demand for senior nurse practitioners has never been greater. According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 or older is expected to grow by more than 40% by 2050, rising from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million.
"There is a dire need for (nurses) who will care for the aging population," Dr. Ann Kriebel-Gasparro, president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, told the DailyNurse in June. This need is particularly urgent in regions like the Finger Lakes, where the population is aging, and healthcare providers are scarce.
The state's approval comes on the heels of the AGPCNP program's most recent success: a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam.
"Our online AGPCNP program is tailored to meet the needs of today's nursing professionals, many of whom work outside the traditional nine-to-five schedule," said Dr. Elizabeth Russo '98, director of the College's graduate nursing programs. "This format allows them to complete coursework in a way that best fits their busy lives, without sacrificing the quality of their education."
The program is open to nurses with both bachelor's and master's degrees. While most coursework is completed online, students will also participate in a weekend on-campus immersion each semester, where they'll gain hands-on experience and engage with faculty and peers. Additionally, students will have access to a broad network of clinical professionals, allowing them to complement their academic learning with practical experience.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be fully prepared to take the national certification examination for Advanced Practice, either through the American Nurse Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
For information about Keuka College's online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, visit keuka.edu/aoe/nurse-practitioner.

Read MoreKeuka College Online Nursing Program approved by NY State

SPORTS ROUNDUP

FOOTBALL
Sept. 13
Penn Yan/Dundee 34, Newark/Marion 20
The Scottish Mustangs won their first official game of the season, winning at home on Penn Yan's Senior Night and beating Newark/Marion by 14. PYD scored the first touchdown of the night near the halfway mark of the first quarter with a run-in from Braden Fingar. A second TD was cancelled out by a holding call as the first quarter expired, and then again after the Mustangs ran it in six seconds into the second quarter. However, PYD finally picked up their second set of points as QB Eli Raplee connected with receiver Aven Foster in the endzone. A successful extra point put the score at 14-0, staying that way into the half.
Newark/Marion came back in the second half, scoring their first points three minutes in. The Reds got an interception at the goal line to stop a third Mustangs TD, but after N/M was held to a three-and-out, PYD blocked the punt and ran the ball in from the Reds' 22-yard line to put the score 21-7.
Raplee had a 40-yard run for the Mustangs' next score in the beginning of the fourth quarter, an impressive feat considering the young quarterback suffered an ACL tear at the very beginning of last season and is technically still in recovery. N/M rallied in the fourth thanks to a 62-yard TD off a screen pass to Levar Moore and a bad snap by PYD that gave the Reds the opportunity to score again, though a blocked extra point kept it from becoming a one-touchdown game.
With six minutes left in the game, Foster got a half-field return for the Mustangs, and a strategy of keeping the ball on the ground and running out as much of the clock as possible gave N/M little room to recover. A final rushing touchdown by Fingar sealed the deal for PYD.
"I'm impressed with the offensive line," said Penn Yan head coach Sal Sciallo after the game. "They didn't give up, they kept going...they just kept pushing."
Sciallo took over head coaching duties this year from former PY head coach Tim McBride, sharing the head coach position with Dundee HC Sheldon Gibson. Sciallo had been an assistant coach for the team before that.
"When adversity hits, our kids come together," said Gibson. "We found that it's been a theme this preseason, they've been totally selfless, looking out for each other and nobody is working to get the big stat line. Everybody's working to get the [win] and that was apparent tonight."
Eli Raplee ended the game with 114 rushing yards and two TDs, though only a single completion, albeit one that resulted in a touchdown. Braden Fingar ended with 26 carries, 185 yards, and three TDs. Brighton Grant had 74 yards on 10 carries.
For Newark/Marion, QB Michael McGavisk went 15/24 in passes, ending the game with 239 total yards and two TDs; while Levar Moore had eight rushes and nine catches for 213 total yards and one TD.

Geneva 34, Marcus Whitman/Bloomfield 14

GIRLS SOCCER

Sept. 9
Penn Yan 6, Greece Odyssey 0
PYA skunked Greece for their third-straight win. Mary D'Abbracci paced the Mustangs with a hat trick and an assist. Also for Penn Yan, Maihue Miranda Wiltberger scored two goals and an assist, and Lila Hansen scored once. Ruby Berry, Kiera Castner, and Gracie Lewis had an assist each in the game. The Mustang net was split by Marion Wheeler and Gianna Voigt, with each recording a save.

Bloomfield 6, Dundee/Bradford 2

Naples 3, Avoca-Prattsburgh 0
Naples moved up to three-straight wins with a victory over AP.

Sept. 11
Pal-Mac 2, Penn Yan 1
The Mustangs sustained their first loss of the season, dropping to 3-1. PYA's single goal came from Maihue Miranda Wiltberger off a converted PK.

Naples 2, HAC 1
Naples remained undefeated four games into the season.

Sept. 14
Naples 2, Dundee/Bradford 0
Naples swept D/B, dropping the BraveScots to 1-2, while the Green moved up to 5-0.

BOYS SOCCER

Sept. 10
Penn Yan 0, Pal-MAC 0 (Double OT)
Four periods of soccer weren't enough for either Penn Yan or Pal-Mac to grab a win, as their double overtime game concluded in a tie. PYA's Nathaniel Chaffee had 15 saves in the net to fend off the loss, while Collin Bacher, Ti'Jai Moorer, Tukker Fisher, and Austin Race held down the team's defensive efforts.

HAC 2, Dundee/Bradford 1
Dundee/Bradford fell to 2-2 with a loss to HAC. Chris Clarke scored a goal in each half to take the win.

Naples 7, Bloomfield 0
The Green moved up to 2-0 with a sweep in Bloomfield.

Sept. 12
Newark 3, Penn Yan 1
Ryan Irizarry Padilla landed a hat trick to take the win for the Reds. PYA's goal was scored by Matt Tones. Penn Yan's Nathaniel Chaffee put up a good fight in the net, making 14 saves in the game. PYA was 1-2-1 with the loss.

Sept. 13
Dundee/Bradford 1, Mynderse 0
Dundee/Bradford took the win in a one-goal game in Mynderse, improving to 3-2.

Sept. 14
Naples 7, Honeoye 0
The Big Green Machines got their second seven-point sweep in a row, taking down Honeoye and remaining undefeated after three games. Oscar Austin, Connor Betrus, and Matthew Lincoln scored two goals apiece, with Austin getting two assists, and Betrus and Lincoln getting one assist each. Naples' final goal was scored by Lukas Hall.

VOLLEYBALL

Sept. 9
Mynderse 3, Penn Yan 1

Arkport-Canaseraga 3, Dundee/Bradford 0

Sept. 11
Penn Yan 3, Pal-Mac 1
The Mustangs got their first win of the season, taking Pal-Mac in three of four games. PYA took the first game 24-14, but Pal-Mac came back in the second with a close 26-24 victory. From there, Penn Yan took the next two with scores of 25-19 and 25-20. For PYA, Jenna Reynolds had three aces and 13 digs; Ilyssa Knickerbocker had two aces, eight kills, and 8 digs; and Ruth Franklin had one ace, one kill, seven digs, and 19 assists. Kristen Fong led Pal-Mac with 14 digs and eight assists.

South Seneca/Romulus 3, Dundee/Bradford 0

Sept. 12
Penn Yan 3, Hammondsport 0
Penn Yan Academy made it two in a row with a sweep against Hammondsport. The games went 25-26, 25-15, and 25-9 for PYA. For the Mustangs, Ilyssa Knickerbocker had seven aces, three kills, and four digs; Dani Miller had four aces and 10 digs; and Jenna Reynolds had an ace and eight digs.

Sept. 13
Penn Yan 3, Honeoye 1
The Mustangs brought their record up to an even 3-3 with a win in Honeoye. Penn Yan Academy won the first two games 25-13 and 25-10; Honeoye won the third 25-22; and Penn Yan came back with the fourth 25-16. For PYA, Ruth Franklin had four aces, three kills, six digs, and 20 assists; Ilyssa Knickerbocker had nine aces, four kills, one block, one assist and 12 digs; and Jenna Reynolds and two aces, a kill, and six digs. Jada Simmons led the Bulldogs with 13 kills, three digs, three blocks, and two aces.

GOLF

Sept. 9
Geneva 243, Penn Yan 245
PYA was 1-2 with a loss to the Panthers at home. Both of Penn Yan's losses so far have been by three strokes or less. Leading Geneva and topping the score sheets of both teams was Max Heieck, who shot a 41 for the day. Penn Yan's Will Thompson hit a 42, followed by Colin Johnson with a 45.

Bloomfield 213, Naples 231
Naples found their first loss of the season in their match against Bloomfield. The loss ended a three game run by the Big Green Machines to start the fall.

Sept. 11
Wayne 232, Penn Yan 258
The Eagles took the win on their home turf at the Ontario Golf Club, dropping Penn Yan to 1-3. Aidan LeStrange topped all golfers with a 40, while PYA's Will Thompson finished next with a 41. Wayne was 2-0 with the win.

GIRLS TENNIS
Sept. 11
Penn Yan 3, Geneva 2
Penn Yan Academy was 3-1 after a win over Geneva. Geneva took first and second singles, but Penn Yan's Erin Clancy beat Pailey Mendoza 6-3, 6-2 in the third match-up. The Mustangs cleaned up in doubles with Amanda Smith and Annika Reinard going 6-2, 6-0 over Sophia Graham and Vivian Hoang, and Charlotte Saner and Jordana Soyring winning 6-0, 6-1 against Autumn Valentino and Josie Hall.

Marcus Whitman 5, Waterloo 0
The Wildcats skunked the Tigers, taking all five match points and improving to 1-1. Hailey Higgins and Shaylyn Christler took singles for MW. In doubles, Elizabeth Cline and Lili Romero won first doubles, followed by Ava Gage and Myah Chapin taking second doubles.

Sept. 13
Wayne 3, Penn Yan 2

Read MoreSPORTS ROUNDUP

POLICE REPORTS

Includes reports from Yates County Sheriff's Office, Penn Yan Police Department, and New York State Police. These reports do not indicate guilt, only that someone has been charged with an offence. The term "arrested" does not always mean someone was held in jail.

STREET FIGHT IN DUNDEE - At 6 p.m. Sept 8, Yates County Sheriff Deputies responded to Washington St. in Dundee for the report of an ongoing physical altercation occurring in the roadway. ERIK B. HOYT, 26, of Dundee, allegedly subjected two village residents to unwanted physical contact by shoving one and spitting in the face of another while holding a child in his arms. Hoyt was arrested for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, 2nd degree Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct. He was taken to the Yates County Jail to await arraignment.

JESSE B. GARLICK, 41, of Cohocton, was arrested Sept. 4 by New York State Troopers on a warrant from Jerusalem Town Court charging him with 2nd degree Criminal Contempt, stemming from an incident that occurred in Oct. 2023. He was transferred to the custody to Yates County Sheriff's Deputies and held in the Yates County Jail to await arraignment.

MEGAN E. TURKER, 37, of Branchport, was arrested Sept. 2 by Yates County Deputies who observed her at a business in Penn Yan knowing she was wanted on warrant out of Jerusalem Town Court for 2nd degree Aggravated Harassment and 2nd degree Harassment. Turker was taken to the Yates County Jail to await arraignment.

JOSIAS XOLOMINQUIZ, 38, of Penn Yan, was arrested Sept. 2 by Penn Yan Police after he was seen driving through a red light. Failing field sobriety tests, he was taken to the Yates County Jail for a chemical breath test which revealed his blood alcohol level to be .27%. Xolominquiz was charged with Aggravated DWI with a .18% BAC or Greater, Common Law DWI, Passing a Red Light, and insufficient Turn Signal, and was released with appearance tickets for Penn Yan Village Court.

RICHARD E. INGRAHM JR., 48, of Prattsburgh, was arrested Sept. 1 by Penn Yan Police following a complaint from Yates County DSS that a juvenile under the age of 18 received a tattoo from him Aug. 3 at his tattoo shop where he failed to check the age or ID of the juvenile. Ingrahm admitted to police that he completed the tattoo on the juvenile, and turned himself in to police. He was issued an appearance ticket for 2nd degree Unlawfully Dealing with a Child and will answer in village court later.

MATTHEW A. KRAUTWURST, 31, of Rochester, was arrested Aug. 31 by Yates County Sheriff Deputies after a stop on North Vine Valley Road in Middlesex for speeding. Failing field sobriety tests, he was taken to the Yates County Jail for a chemical test. Krautwurst was charged with Common Law DWI, DWI with a .08% BAC or Greater, and Speeding in a 55 mph Zone. He was released with appearance tickets for Middlesex Town Court later.

JADE S. SMITH, 26, of Bluff Point, was arrested at 12:17 a.m. Aug. 30 by Yates County Deputies after she was seen driving at a high rate of speed on Rte. 14A and led Deputies on a pursuit reaching speeds over double the posted speed limit. She continued to flee and was eventually stopped on Ferguson Corners Road where she was taken into custody. Smith was charged with 3rd degree Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, 3rd degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Reckless Driving, four counts of Speeding, Failure to Comply with a Lawful Order, Failure to Keep Right, Movign from Lane Unsafely, and No Turn Signal. She was processed at the Yates County Public Safety Building and released with appearance tickets for Benton Town Court.

TWO-CAR CRASH - At 10:10 a.m. Aug. 28, Yates County Sheriff's Deputies and first responders were called to 10 S. Main Street in Rushville for a two-car crash with possible entrapment. It was determined EARL F. GORTON, 97, Rushville was attempting to make a U-turn from a parking spot and was struck by ROBERT F. YERKES, 69, of Penn Yan, who was uninjured. Gorton was treated on scene by EMS for minor cuts, and was issued a ticket for moving from lane unsafely.

SHAE E. O'DONNEL, 31, of Rochester, and CHRISTOPHER J. BERARDI, 28, of Fairport, were cited by PYPD for Open Container by Penn Yan Police after they were seen in possession of alcohol on a public street. They were issued appearance tickets for village court and released.

BETTY L. WOODSIDE, 70, of Penn Yan, was arrested by PYPD following a complaint of stolen medication at a residential apartment complex. Aug. 21, she allegedly entered another person's apartment and stole 18 pills of hydrocodone. The resident witnessed her taking the pills and reported she had also dropped two pills on the kitchen floor while stealing them. Woodside was charged with Petit Larceny, processed at PYPD and released with an appearance ticket for village court later.

MICHAEL A. HULLINGS JR. (no age given) of Penn Yan, was arrested by Penn Yan Police on a warrant issued out of Yates County Supreme Court for Violation of Probation. He was taken into custody without incident and taken to the county jail to await his appearance in Supreme Court.

DOUGLAS G. THAYER, 73, of Hammondsport, was ticketed by Penn Yan Police for driving with a license that was suspended for Failure to Pay NYS Taxes. He was released with an appearance ticket for village court later.

PAVING IN PENN YAN
The Village of Penn Yan DPW will be paving the following streets, tentatively scheduled for the end of September into early October.
- Rosewood Dr.- Court St.- Violet Ave.- Davis St.- Highland Dr.- Youngs St.- Howard St.- Grace St.- Florence Ave.- Wagener Court
Traffic may be interrupted and/or closed to one lane during construction and traffic control devices will be placed as needed. More details will be provided once we have them. If you have questions, please contact the DPW office at 315-279-6535.

Read MorePOLICE REPORTS

Penn Yan Airport receives $1,582,277 for taxiway expansion

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recently announced $59,115,204 in federal funding to modernize facilities and strengthen airfield safety at 26 airports across N.Y. State, including Penn Yan Airport.
This federal funding was granted through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program to help fund projects that address safety, capacity, and security at New York's airports. The projects include constructing and expanding terminals, rehabilitating taxiways, and modernizing airport signage.
"From big cities like Buffalo and Syracuse to our rural communities in the North Country, Upstate N.Y.'s regional airports are gateways for commerce, tourism and travel for residents. It is essential that they have the resources they need to deliver a safe and comfortable experience to all travelers, which is why I am proud to delivering a whopping $59+ million for airports across the Empire State to help our airports of all sizes reach new heights," said Schumer. "This $59+ million federal investment in new terminals, taxiways, safety, and other critical infrastructure upgrades will help airports soar. I fought hard to bolster the Airport Improvement Program in the FAA reauthorization this past year because I know this program is the main federal lifeline for these airports and today's investment will help our local economies take off!" Gillibrand added, "New York's airports welcome millions of travelers each year, and it is vital that they have up-to-date infrastructure needed for passengers to travel safely. This nearly $60 million in federal funding will bring much-needed safety and infrastructure improvements to airports across New York State. I am excited to announce this funding and will continue fighting to bring vital modernization efforts and improvements to airports across N.Y. State."
Among the local and regional airports to benefit are:

Penn Yan Airport  

Taxiway Expansion - $1,582,277

Frederick Douglass Rochester International Airport 

Terminal Reconstruction - $2,930,917
New Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicle - $1,070,997

Elmira Corning Regional Airport  

Runway Rehabilitation and Lighting - $949,577

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport  

New Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicle - $2,090,070
Taxiway Rehabilitation and Construction - $401,692
Runway Signage and Lighting - $187,537

Syracuse Hancock International Airport  

Taxiway Rehabilitation and Signage - $9,575,869

Buffalo Niagara International Airport  

Runway Rehabilitation and Signage Reconstruction - $15,913,680

Read MorePenn Yan Airport receives $1,582,277 for taxiway expansion

Main Deck cuts the ribbon for Scuttlebutts

PENN YAN - A ribbon cutting was held Aug. 16 at Main Deck Restaurant in Penn Yan to warmly welcome the opening of Scuttlebutts, a quick service window adjacent to Red Jacket Park and the waterfront, offering a special menu catering to those on the go.
The menu currently offers a delicious lineup of hot dogs, burgers, fries, ice cream, and shaved ice.
"As we transition into fall, we're also introducing a cozy selection of soups and sandwiches to keep you warm and satisfied. Perfect if you are at the park, out on your boat or looking for a quick bite for lunch," commented Simon Dewar, General Manager of the lakefront restaurant. "Come by and experience our new offerings that blend convenience with comfort, perfect for the changing seasons!"
Scuttlebutts is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on Main Deck's complete offerings, hours, menus, and events, visit their website at www.maindeckpy.com.

Read MoreMain Deck cuts the ribbon for Scuttlebutts

Blessing Rees, MD, MPH Joins Finger Lakes Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologist Blessing Rees, MD, MPH has recently joined UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health. Dr. Rees will be practicing at Finger Lakes Gastroenterology, joining the team of Dr. Angel Diaz, Dr. Henry LeGuyader, Dr. Anjanet Perez-Colon, Dr. Christopher Walker, Sarah DiSanto, FNP-C, Staci Hooker, FNP-C, Melissa Sherman, FNP-C, and Brandee Burley PA-C. She is an active medical staff member at Geneva General and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospitals.
Dr. Rees is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She completed her fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology as well as her residency in Internal Medicine at McGaw Medical Center/Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
She attended medical school at University of North Carolina, School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, N.C. She also holds a Master of Public Health in Global Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Rees's professional and society memberships include: Associate Member, American Gastroenterology Association Associate Member, American College of Gastroenterology.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rees at Finger Lakes Gastroenterology, 1150 Rte. 5 & 20 in Geneva, please call 315-787-5310. For more information visit www.flhealth.org.

Read MoreBlessing Rees, MD, MPH Joins Finger Lakes Gastroenterology

Join the 'Walk to End Alzheimer's' Sept. 21

FINGER LAKES – The Alzheimer's Association is inviting Finger Lakes residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer's by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Watkins Glen International. Registration opens at 4 p.m., with opening ceremonies at 5:15 p.m. and the Walk at 5:30 p.m.
"This is a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer's. There are now treatments that change the course of the disease," says Julie DeMersman, director of development for the Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. "We hope that everyone in the community can join us to help the Alzheimer's Association raise awareness and funds for families facing the disease today, take more steps toward treatments and finally end this disease."
The Walk is personal for Kamala Keeley, the Walk's co-chair. "Although this walk is so important in terms of helping members of our community impacted by Alzheimer's, it became much more personal to me after having lost my Uncle Jay to a dementia-related illness earlier this year," she says. "We're walking in his honor and to support all of those impacted by this viciously degenerative disease. "
On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer's with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony – a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of various colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease.
Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In New York State, there are more than 426,5000 people living with the disease and 543,000 caregivers.
The funds raised through the Walk to End Alzheimer's ensure the programs and services provided by the Alzheimer's Association are free to all who need them, in addition to funding the research and advocacy efforts which have resulted in new treatments for people living in the early stage.
To register and receive the latest updates on this year's Walk to End Alzheimer's in Watkins Glen, visit act.alz.org/WatkinsGlen.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer's Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk; now the Alzheimer's Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer's. Together, we can end Alzheimer's.

The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.

Read MoreJoin the 'Walk to End Alzheimer's' Sept. 21

What bears do in September

SEPTEMBER AT A GLANCE:

Bears enter hyperphagia in September and may look for food up to 20 hours a day.
Berries, nuts, and acorns are important fall bear foods.
Bears can gain two to three pounds a day.
Even bears that don't hibernate eat as if they're going to.
Moms-to-be look for a good birthing den and nursery.

===============================
Eating Goes into Hyperdrive
In the cooler days of September, most bears are very focused on finding as much food and gaining as much weight as possible. When the eating is good, a bear can put on two to three pounds a day. By hibernation time many bears will have added about 4 inches of fat and gained between 20% and 50% of their summer body weight.

Biological Clocks Are Ticking
The quest for calories keeps bears active and foraging up to 20 hours a day. This annual feeding frenzy called hyperphagia is driven by bears' ticking biological clocks counting down to hibernation, when most bears in colder climates retire for the winter and live off the fat they're working so hard now to accumulate. Bears also need much more water now, up to two to three gallons a day, in order to process all those calories and eliminate nitrogenous waste.

Even Bears that Don't Hibernate Chow Down
Bears are biologically driven to gain weight in the fall even if they live in warmer climates where many bears don't really hibernate, just take it easier and nap a lot. Bears that rely on dependable year-round human food sources often don't hibernate either. But they still eat as if they're going to.

Fruits & Nuts
In the cool Northeast and upper Midwest, berries and other soft mast crops are at their peak in September and will remain an important bear food into late fall if they're available. In September, blackberries, black cherries, serviceberries, dogwood berries, wild plums, highbush cranberries, nannyberries, black gum fruit and mountain ash are all favored bear foods. Bear scat with mountain ash berries is easy to see because the berries are bright orange. Apples, both wild and domestic, peak in many parts of the country in late summer and early fall and are another favorite bear food.
September also brings a bonanza of nuts (hard mast), including acorns, beechnuts, chestnuts and chinquapins, black walnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts, pecans and pine nuts. There are more than 60 species of oak trees in North America, and every one of them produces edible acorns. Hazelnuts are also a highly prized September mast crop for bears…. but bears are hard pressed to beat the red squirrels to the bounty.
Fun Fact: Oak trees produce more nuts than all other nut trees combined, both wild and cultivated. No wonder bears hang out in oak forests and on slopes covered with Gambel oak in the fall.

Nesting Bears
Bears begin climbing into beech trees in early September and make themselves comfortable so they can sit and eat. They also "nest" in bur oak trees and eat acorns all day. Bears hate to leave any food behind and will sometimes break branches in their quest for both calories and the perfect perch. These "bear nests" are easy to spot from the ground.

About-to-Be Moms Binge Eat and Den-Hunt
"Almost pregnant" female bears that mated in early summer can gain up to 50% of their weight if the eating is good; the more weight they gain, the better the chances their cubs will thrive. These soon-to-be moms industriously search for the perfect birthing den that will also provide a safe sanctuary in spring and early summer when newborn cubs stick close to home. That's why they often choose den sites near large "sanctuary trees" that give cubs a place to rest in the shade when mom is out foraging and scoot up if there is danger. In some areas mothers-to-be pick sites near a body of water or a wetland where early spring foods like skunk cabbage grow.

Curious Cubs
Cubs are now independent enough to wander a distance from mom to nose around, play, feed or just check things out, but they stay close enough so they can quickly retreat if they sense danger or feel threatened.

Are You Heading into the Woods?
Remember that bears are moving about many hours a day, so pay attention to your surroundings, and be a good loser if a bear beats you to your berry patch.
Thank you, Drew Wharton and NPS, for the Yosemite photo of brown-colored black bears eating acorns. And thank you, Karen Davis and Great Smoky Mountain Association, for the photo showing how a bear's gymnastic skills and great balance comes in handy at the tree-top diner.

Read MoreWhat bears do in September