The Rural Outreach Center (ROC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting rural poverty, will host its fourth annual “ROCtober” event from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Elm Street Bakery, 72 Elm St., East Aurora.

The event will feature food by Elm Street Bakery, wine provided by Reed’s Wines and Liquors, beer, music by Doug Yeomans, and a custom-made cherry coffee table handcrafted by local artisan Jim Conell-Cordes and valued at $2,800. Raffle tickets for the coffee table are available for $10 each or three for $25. The drawing will take place the night of the event.

Those who live with diabetes know it is a challenging condition and must be monitored closely. This includes blood work, medications, making daily choices about the foods that are eaten, exercise routine, fluid intake and planning ahead to maintain good health.

The public is invited to come and join other individuals who want to learn more about diabetes by participating in five sessions to be held at the Rural Outreach Center (ROC), 730 Olean Road, East Aurora, beginning Oct. 10. Other dates include Oct. 17, 24, 30 and Nov. 14, all from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

Don Birdd will be teaching the sessions. Birdd is a retired Buffalo State College science professor who has lived with diabetes for over 20 years. He will be providing current research materials on ways to achieve and maintain good health.

Even with the calendar nearly ready to turn to October, there’s no slowdown in the amount of quality tours being offered by Explore Buffalo!

TURN OF THE CENTURY TREASURES
9:30 a.m. Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27
Meet: Western New York Book Arts Center, 468 Washington St., Buffalo, corner of Washington and Mohawk streets. Two-hour parking is available on surrounding streets, and the Mohawk Parking Ramp is on the opposite corner. The Lafayette Square Station of the Metro Rail is around the corner on Main Street.
Cost: General $15, Student $5, Explorer Pass Free