Two busloads of veterans are heading to Washington D.C. today as part of Assemblyman Steve Hawley's annual Patriot Trip. They left early this morning from the Batavia Downs parking lot.
Robert F. "Sully" Sullivan, who dedicated decades of his life to Le Roy High School football and passed away this year will be honored at the Oakan Knights first home game of the season tomorrow night. Game time is 7:15 at Hartwood Park.
Video courtesy Le Roy Central School District.
If not for the Great Depression, Joseph Boyd Oliver may never have left his home in Pennsylvania for Rochester, and then wander into Batavia looking for work and finding instead an opportunity in the small town.
The opportunity: Turn a family tradition of making blanched peanuts into a business.
To blanch a peanut, you start with raw peanuts -- which Oliver obtained in Buffalo -- boil them in water for three minutes, then dip them in cold water before removing the red skin. It's time-consuming, tedious work.
Batavians really went for the stark white peanuts, and Joseph and Edna Oliver found that they had started a real business with growth potential. So they looked for other ways to please the locals' unabated craving for snacks, adding peanut clusters to their repertoire and making their concoctions in their Montclair Avenue home.
"No, I had never made any candy before," Oliver said in a 1939 interview. "I learned it all the hard way. There were so many headaches with it, I couldn't begin to tell you what they were. We just kept going, trying until we got what we wanted."
Blanched peanuts and peanut clusters were the beginning of Oliver's Candies, now in its 90th year. Oliver's will be having a birthday celebration Saturday at the store at 211 West Main St., Batavia.
Joe and Edna moved their business to that location in 1937, renting a house from Sheriff Forest Brown. They sold candy in the parlor and lived upstairs. Eventually, they bought the house and expanded the business until it took over the entire residence.
By the 1950s, Oliver's was selling candy in all 48 states.
Harold Oskamp acquired the business in 1960. In 1977, he sold it to Dick Call, Bob Call, and Alvin Scroger, then owners of Genesee Farms.
That ownership group sold Oliver's in 1998 to John Quincey, father of Jeremy Liles, the current owner.
When his parents asked Liles, whose background was in digital publishing, to get involved in the business, how could he say no? Of course, he couldn't.
"I mean, it's candy, it's retail, it's sweet business, really, you have no better words to pick there," Liles said.
Oliver's still makes candy the way Joe Oliver insisted it be made, Liles said -- real ingredients, the original recipes, no cutting corners, and as a result, the business has continued to grow.
Online ordering has given Oliver's a global reach. Liles has been able to expand the wholesale business since opening a plant in Elba, and that northern location also gives Oliver's a second storefront in the county.
It's no wonder that a business born in the Depression has weathered all kinds of economic storms, a world war, and even a pandemic.
"We're doing just fine. It's not like you don't have the generic brands of candy out there, Walmart, Tops, whatever. People's tastes have honed down. People want specialty coffees. They want specialty desserts. People are going to different places looking for these things," Liles said. "I think that's what's helping us tremendously because we are a specialty. We provide unique flavors. We make it fresh. It's made with butter and cream. We're not adding preservatives. It's not being shipped off to some warehouse and then sitting on a shelf forever. It comes from Elba, our factory six minutes up the road, and it's on our shelf ready for the customer."
One of the secrets of the success of Oliver's is employee loyalty. From the time of Joe and Edna, employees have tended to stay with the company not just for years, but for decades.
Bill Betteridge started with the business in its early days and made candy for 52 years. Ronald Drock, one of the former master candy makers, worked for Oliver's from the 1950s into the 1990s. The current master candy maker, Doug Pastecki, has been with Oliver's for 26 years.
In the top photo are long-time employees:
Not pictured is Beth Diegelman, hand dipper/decorator who started in1980).
"I guess, for the most part, my family, the families before us, we try to take care of the people who work for us. We're all a family. We try to treat everybody as a family. We're not a big corporate-backed store. We're just a locally owned business and, like anybody else, trying to survive each day," Liles said. "We had some great years of growth and we tried to take care of our employees during those times, and in turn, our employees take care of the business during tougher times, so it really becomes a complete family. Obviously, I couldn't do any of this without them. They are the backbone of this business."
Liles said he's proud to be at the helm of Oliver's as it marks 90 years in business, both for the stability such longevity represents, and the strength of the company to adapt to changing times.
"I love doing this," Liles said. "It's exciting. It doesn't get boring. That's the cool part about it. There are always changes and obviously, in the environment around us, there are changes. Social media, for example, has really been a change. You have gotta be so careful with it. It can help you or it can tear you apart. But that's where, if we keep striving for customer service, then the reviews online will stay five stars, and that's the way we want it to be. I mean, it's all about quality products and quality service. That's why I don't want to outgrow our britches, per se. We need to keep it real."
Thanks to the generosity of a longtime Genesee County entrepreneur, All Babies Cherished Family Assistance Center has its first “nesting place for women and children.”
That’s how Sue Sherman, ABC executive director, described the five-bedroom house at 441 Ellicott St. that is two doors down from the nonprofit agency’s office. It will serve as a temporary residence for women in need of assistance during their pregnancy.
The home was purchased by Gary Good, an Alexander native who now splits his time between Batavia and Florida, and donated to ABC. He said it will be ready to welcome pregnant women, including some who have already had children, in early 2023.
“We’re calling it God’s Good Grace,” said Good, who serves in a volunteer role on the agency’s Housing Committee. “The goal is to make it easier for women who do not have a place to stay to access the services provided by All Babies Cherished.”
Sherman said that around 35 to 40 percent of the women ABC serves are homeless.
“Many of them have no family support – in fact, an alarming number of young women have been trafficked by their own families.”
A Christ-centered organization, ABC provides a wide variety of parenting classes for moms, dads and grandparents, which, in turn, generates credits to the expectant mothers to receive necessities during pregnancy and for their infants, toddlers and young children.
“We also act as an advocate for the women, helping them to complete their education at all levels and to obtain skills to enter the workforce,” Sherman said. “Additionally, we work with other agencies to set up daycare for them.”
Sherman said ABC’s mission is to give women the tools to make something of their lives “despite the fact that many of them been told they will never amount to anything.”
“The number one reason that women have abortions is because of the poverty situation,” she said. “We’re thankful that Gary has seen the need for a residence such as this and was in a position to make this happen.”
FALL VENDOR FESTIVAL SCHEDULED
The All Babies Cherished Fall Vendor Festival is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5 at the City Centre Mall. Last year’s event drew 90 vendors and raised $4,000 for the agency.
Vendor registration forms are available by contacting Sherman at 344-5660 or by going to www.allbabiescherished.com or www.facebook.com/AllBabiesCherishedPregnancyCenter/.
Photo: Gary Good and Sue Sherman in front of the house at 441 Ellicott St. Photo by Mike Pettinella.
Claudia Hoyser, who has made a couple of appearances in Genesee County, has a new video out that was partially filmed in Genesee County, in a field of crimson clover owned by CY Farms.
For record collectors, they will also recognize the Record Archive in Rochester as one of the video's settings.
Previously:
A train struck a vehicle parked parallel to train tracks, between the tracks, near Spring Road in Alexander this evening.
The vehicle was unoccupied.
An investigation is ongoing as to why the vehicle was parked at that location.
Photos by Philip Casper.
6873 Norton Road, Elba. Truly a country classic homestead on picturesque 5 acre lot! This home offers everything that most people try to recreate - large room sizes, tall ceilings, wide planked wood flooring, HOMINESS, and good country living! There is first floor bedroom and full modernized bath and upstairs, has 4 large bedrooms and newly added second full bath. Country kitchen with tons of cupboards, large dining area that is the heart and center of this home. Oversized back entrance/mudroom and laundry area(every home needs!) All bedrooms are large and offer a lot of storage/closet space and two staircases will get you where you need to go in this almost 2200 sq. ft. home! Let's not forget to mention; this home is all mechanically up to date including newer windows, metal roof and new septic installed 2019! The yard is something that most would not notice cruising by, but is absolutely beautiful with pretty views of farmland and gardens with pretty stone steps and garden pathways-all the hard work has already been done for you AND you can sit on one of 3 different porches to enjoy it all! Last but not least don't forget about the gorgeous big red barn! Make sure to tell your country loving friends about this one!! Call Lynn Bezon at Relaint Real Estate today to see this lovely home. Call (585) 344-HOME (4663). Click here to view the full listing.
After pausing their door-to-door visits the last 30 months due to the pandemic, Jehovah’s Witnesses have resumed their trademark in-person ministry, officials say.
The church members will be active with a global campaign to offer a free interactive Bible study program.
“I am happy and excited to interact with people face to face,” Lisa Dermody of Elba said in a press release. “I think it is important to see how our neighbors did during the pandemic and be able to give them a message of hope and comfort and share with them a positive view of the future.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses had been preaching from house to house without interruption for more than 100 years through an economic depression, two world wars and global unrest, officials said, but “COVID-19 demanded a different response.”
“We believe that the early decision to shut down all in-person activities for more than two years has saved many lives,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “We’re now ready and eager to reconnect with our neighbors once again – person-to-person, face-to-face. It’s not the only way that we preach, but it has historically been the most effective way to deliver our message of comfort and hope.”
The new Bible study program is available in hundreds of languages at no cost, and it comes in the form of a book, online publication or as an embedded feature within the organization’s free mobile application, the release states.
For more information about Jehovah’s Witnesses, their history, beliefs and activities, visit jw.org.
Photo: Donna Burkett (left), of Oakfield and Lisa Dermody, of Elba, engage in a door-to-door ministry. Photo courtesy of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Press release:
Effective immediately, Clipnock Road between Sweetland Road and Torrey Road will be closed for several culverts replacements. No traffic will be allowed.
Press release:
On Sept. 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations on booster doses for COVID-19. The updated Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster is designed to give individuals protection against the original strain of COVID-19 and provides better protection against the Omicron variant, which accounts for a majority of the current cases in the United States. The new bivalent booster replaces the existing monovalent vaccine booster doses that have been offered.*
Eligibility:
Moderna COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Dose
Individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible for a booster dose if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccine series or received a monovalent booster dose.
Pfizer COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Dose
Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible for a booster dose if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccine series or received a monovalent booster dose.
*Pfizer COVID-19 Monovalent Booster Dose*
Individuals 5-11 years of age are eligible for a booster dose at least five months after completing their primary series.
“The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will offer the Bivalent Booster starting this week at our COVID-19 clinics,” stated Paul Pettit, Genesee and Orleans County Health Public Health Director. “We encourage residents to talk with their primary care provider and/or their pharmacist with questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine and the Bivalent Booster.”
Appointments are required and walk-ins will NOT be accepted. To make an appointment for your next COVID-19 vaccine, visit https://bit.ly/GOHealthCOVID-19Vaccine.
Week of September 11
Genesee County
3837 West Main Street Road
Batavia, NY
Orleans County
14016 State Route, Suite 101
Albion, NY
Thursday, September 15th
9:30-11:30AM
Bivalent Boosters ONLY
Thursday, September 16th
1:30-2:45PM
Bivalent Boosters ONLY
Starting the week of September 18
Genesee County
3837 West Main Street Road
Batavia, NY
Orleans County
14016 State Route, Suite 101
Albion, NY
Wednesdays
1:30-3:30pm
All doses
Thursdays
1:30-3:30pm
All doses
Press release:
Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel will be hosting the Annual Fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) on Friday, Sept. 16 in the track’s historic clubhouse.
The fundraiser includes a $30 clubhouse buffet package deal, a silent auction with a wide variety of items up for bid, sponsorship of races, and private donations. The clubhouse opens at 5 p.m. and the first race post time Friday is 6 p.m.
“We are looking forward to having the BCCR once again host their annual fundraising event here,” said Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel Vice-President of Operations Scott Kiedrowski. “The support we receive from our guests and employees for this very worthwhile event shows the caring nature of our community.”
The silent auction will be held in the clubhouse entryway with bidding opening at 4 p.m. and continuing until the start of the tenth race. High bidders do not need to be present when the silent auction closes. Items include donated baskets from area businesses including autographed Buffalo Sports Memorabilia and Hotel Overnights. Updates on what items are available will be posted on Batavia Downs’ social media pages as the event draws closer.
Those wishing to make a reservation for this event can call (585) 343-3750. The receptionist will help take reservations for the Clubhouse.
Press release:
Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal – by using a map and compass!!
Join us as the Rochester Orienteering Club presents Orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
This free clinic for beginners starts at 9 a.m. Perfect for beginners or those who want to practice their skills.
All materials are provided, and no experience is necessary.
Orienteering is a family-friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels.
This program will be held outdoors.
Pre-registration is required with the Rochester Orienteering Club online at https://roc.us.orienteering.org/event-4912912. Orienteering is just one more way to have fun in the forest!
Press release from Batavia PD:
On 09/14/2022, The Batavia Police Department responded to a call at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehab located at 278 Bank Street. Staff received several calls from an individual making threats against the facility. The center decided to go into lockout and contacted the police. A lockout is when all exterior doors are locked and no one is allowed in or out. The activities in the business are not restricted, only the entering and exiting of people. Lockouts are specifically used when there is a potential threat outside of the building. The lockout has been lifted as there does not appear to be any imminent threat to the facility. Due to the ongoing investigation, further information will not be released at this time.
Have you ever wondered where God is in the muddle of life? Have you ever wished that God would speak specifically to you and tell you what His will is for you in the dailiness of life?
The Holy Spirit spoke through Peter nearly 2,000 years ago and his words still hold kinetic power for our lives today. As we study the book of 1 Peter, we, like Peter, will hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. That powerful voice will fill your heart and your home as you join with Peter in living a life of authentic faith during life's most challenging times.
We will discover that the book of 1 Peter addresses what we believe about God as well as the details of practical living; it is also a call to holiness and humility. Over the course of this conference, we will dig into the rich mysteries of worship, joy and God's unconditional love for each one of us.
So, invite a sister or a friend who simply wants more of Jesus! Come prepared to have your heart restored, your questions answered and your assignment refined. You will fall in love with Jesus all over again and you will be changed by the truth of the Word of God
This conference will take place on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Northgate Free Methodist Church, 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia, NY, 14020. Tickets for this two-day event are $25. Payments can be made through the website listed here: https://northgatefmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1182545 or call Northgate’s office, at (585) 343-4011 to register over the phone.
Hotel rooms are reserved at the following hotels:
Holiday Inn Express
4356 Commerce Drive
Batavia, NY 14020
585-344-0001
$119.00 per nightHampton by Hilton
4360 Commerce Drive
Batavia, NY 14020
585-815-0475
$119.00 per night
Reservations for the hotels MUST be made by September 14, 2022, to secure this rate. To make a reservation, call the hotel of your choice and ask for the rooms blocked for NORTHGATE CHURCH WOMEN'S CONFERENCE.
Press release:
GLOW With Your Hands is coming back to the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and is anticipating its largest turnout of students and vendors since its inception in 2019. Over 1,000 students from 28 school districts across the GLOW region will be arriving to the fairgrounds for the day-long, hands-on career exploration event.
Approximately 65 businesses will provide hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military. Students will have the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in their own backyard.
“The historic participation of students and businesses is the result of the hard work of our committee members, volunteers, sponsors, and local stakeholders,” said Chris Suozzi, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “Interacting with GLOW region companies opens many possibilities for students entering the workforce as employers are eagerly ready to hire our well-trained graduates to fill high-growth and high-demand positions within their operations.”
Businesses will bring hands-on simulation-type activities to portray accurate examples of what their job entails, including Platinum Sponsors National Grid, LandPro Equipment, and Genesee Construction. National Grid will have its team members on site with a line pole to demonstrate line work. LandPro Equipment will have members from its team operating John Deere equipment. Genesee Construction will welcome students to a heavy equipment display. There will also be multiple trade and contractor organizations putting on displays of bricklaying, electrician work, pipelaying, and more.
“Participating businesses put in a tremendous effort at providing the students as accurate a demonstration of the type of work their workforce performs on a day-to-day basis and to spark career inspiration and exploration in our youth,” said Jay Lazarony, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “We are counting down the days until September 27th when all of the hard work over the last several months by many groups and organizations across the GLOW region will become a reality.”
For more information about GLOW With Your Hands, please visit glowwithyourhands.com
Press release:
Back by popular demand, please join the Holland Land Office Museum for a West Side Ghost Walk on Fridays in October.
The walks led by Connie Boyd will take place on October 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 7 pm.
We will also be adding second walks beginning at 7:30 on October 7 and 21.
Take a walk on the west side and hear tales of murders, hangings, grave robbing, ghosts and other eerie happenings from Batavia's past. Hear stories of Joseph Ellicott, E. N. Rowell and other famous and infamous Batavians.
Also, be sure to also check out the Old Batavia Cemetery's Walk on Saturday, October 22. For more information on the Cemetery Walk please contact 585-943-5662.
Admission is $15.00 or $10.00 for museum members and reservations are required with purchase. Tours are limited to 20 people each.
The tour begins and ends at the museum and is approximately 1 1/2 to two hours in length. For tickets or more information, please call (585) 343-4727, email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com, or stop by at 131 W. Main St. Batavia.
A property dispute at 316 E. Main St., Batavia, helped Batavia PD locate Cassandra Elmore, a Batavia resident accused of letting her dog overdose on narcotics but has missed court appearances on the case.
She was wanted on an arrest warrant as well as two bench warrants for her failure to appear in court.
She was located on Sept. 10.
According to Batavia PD, when Elmore was advised of the warrants, she attempted to stop officers from arresting her by closing a door and then actively resisting attempts by officers to place her in handcuffs.
In addition to the pending charges, Elmore is now charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd
Elmore was arraigned in City Court and jailed on $5,000 bail.
She is scheduled to appear in City Court at 1:30 p.m., Thursday.
Elmore was arrested in July after showing up on emergency visits at veterinarians with her dog, Oddey, showing signs of a drug overdose. Two of the veterinarians said Oddey consumed cocaine, apparently found on the floor of Elmore's residence, which was then on River Street, and the third said an unspecified narcotic.
Elmore was arrested on three counts of injuring an animal under New York Ag and Markets Law Section 353.
At her first court appearance after her arrest, she asked for time to hire an attorney.
She failed to appear in court on Aug. 11 when a friend called the court to say she was in the hospital, a claim that was never substantiated in court.
She next failed to appear on Sept. 8 when a man claiming to be an attorney from Pennsylvania called and said Elmore had been unable to contact her public defender, a claim disputed by the public defender handling her case.
While Elmore's case is pending, Oddey remains at the Genesee County Animal Shelter, unavailable for adoption.
Elmore was also arrested on Aug. 30 following a traffic stop and charged with criminal possession of a weapon, obstruction of governmental administration, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, uninspected motor vehicle, and insufficient tail lamps.
See also: OPINION: Due process often neglects animal victims
A passerby spotted people inside Ken Barrett's Chevrolet at 229 West Main St., Batavia, on Monday at 11:50 p.m. and called 9-1-1.
When Batavia patrol officers arrived on scene, four people attempted to flee from the back of the car dealership. Two people were taken into custody immediately and two others were located near the scene a short time later.
The four suspects, all from Buffalo, are Darnell Cleveland, 26, Kanyia Coleman, 18, Craig Lynch, Jr. 21, and Nyejay Braction, 18.
Cleveland allegedly provided a false name in an attempt to prevent officers from arresting him on several outstanding warrants, including a parole warrant.
Lynch is accused of struggling with officers while being detained. There were no injuries.
Cleveland was charged with burglary 3rd and criminal impersonation 2nd. Lynch was charged with burglary 3rd, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, and resisting arrest. Braction and Coleman were charged with Burglary 3rd.
All four suspects were arraigned in City Court.
In accordance with New York's bail statute, Cleveland and Lynch were released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Cleveland was then remanded to the Genesee County Jail on his outstanding parole warrant. Braction and Coleman were released under their own recognizance.
In a statement, Batavia PD says, "The Batavia Police Department would like to thank the observant citizen, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Parole for their assistance."
Press release:
The Genesee County Health Department is seeking information about the location of a dog and its owner(s) following a dog bite incident on Saturday, September 10, at 10:30 p.m. The incident occurred on Lake Street in the Village of LeRoy.
An individual was trying to identify a stray dog from their backyard so that they could contact the dog’s owner when the dog approached the individual and bit him on his right index finger. The dog was described as an adult male, yellow Labrador with a white chest and a black collar with a tag.
It is important to locate the dog to determine whether or not it is current on its rabies shot. If the health status is not identified, post-exposure rabies shots will be offered to the victim.
If you have information about the location of the dog and its owner(s), please contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.
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