Community News

Oswego Health and Springside at Seneca Hill will provide the next Guest Chef Dinner at the Salvation Army in Oswego on Tuesday, May 7, serving from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. or until the food runs out.

Michael Backus, CEO of Oswego Health and Michael Cali, director of Springside operations will lead the food preparations and serving. The dinner will be tossed salad, baked macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, garlic knots, and assorted desserts and beverages.

Desserts and beverages will be provided by members of the Advisory Board.  The dinner will be at the Salvation Army Worship and Service Center, 73 West Second Street, in Oswego. There is ample parking, and the building is fully accessible. 

A discounted sheet of six tickets for the price of five will be available. The tickets may be purchased at any dinner and used in any combination at any of this year’s dinners.

Future Guest Chef Dinners this season will be provided by Vona’s Restaurant on June 18, the Fraternal Order of Police on September 10, the Press Box on October 15, and Canale’s Restaurant on Election Day November 5.

As an independent, nonprofit healthcare system, Oswego Health was founded in 1881 when a group of community-minded residents gathered for the specific purpose of starting a hospital. Since that initial hospital meeting 143 years ago, the organization has evolved into the Oswego Health system, which has become an economic engine of the community. In fact, in 2023 its economic impact on the area was a significant $273 million.

Over the course of its history, Oswego Health has continued to grow to meet the demands of the community. Beginning with the Manor at Seneca Hill, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, Springside at Seneca Hill, a residential community for senior citizens, and the Fulton medical center to provide urgent care services for the area. That was followed by the opening of Central Square Medical Center and the establishment of Physician Care, a multi specialty medical group including cardiology, bariatrics, audiology, ENT, general surgery, gastroenterology, urology, orthopedics, and primary care. Its most recent addition is the Lobdell Center for Mental Health and Wellness at Lakeview to transform the way primary care and mental health services are integrated.

Oswego hospital's third and fourth floors have been renovated to offer private rooms, with a hotel-like feel. The new medical/surgical floors reduce the chance of infection and promote a quicker recovery. Oswego Health has always been at the forefront of adding services needed by our community since 1881, ensuring the best health care is available locally.

Springside at Seneca Hill is the unique and upscale retirement community of Oswego Health. It is for adults, age 55 and older, and features a warm and caring environment with services and support programs designed to serve the needs and preferences of independent seniors. Housing options include one- and two-bedroom apartments in a congregate building, and one-story duplex-style homes and single unit cottages, featuring two bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, garages and other amenities. Congregate living offers the fullest possibilities of independent living by providing private apartments along with publicly shared space for daily restaurant-style dinners, as well as social, recreational, and educational activities. The duplex homes and cottages include maintenance-free services and access to the activities of the congregate building.

The Guest Chef Dinners are organized by the Advisory Board of The Salvation Army of Oswego County and offered to the community to raise funds for fresh-cooked meals and food pantry services Monday through Friday, 11:15 a.m. — 12:15 p.m., in both Fulton and Oswego, groceries from its food pantries open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, winter garments, and many other services to individuals and families in need throughout Oswego County. In March, the Corps provided 647 soup kitchen meals in Oswego and 447 in Fulton. It provided 101 Oswego households with groceries for 2,655 meals and 85 Fulton households with groceries for 2,034 meals. It also distributed over 1,500 loaves of bread and pastries. Fifty-four households bought 56 monthly Food Sense packages.

Persons wishing to know more about The Salvation Army or to offer voluntary service are invited to call 315-343-6491 or stop at the office at 73 West Second Street in Oswego, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.