This little black and white cutie was found wandering on Jackson Street in the city this afternoon and is now en route to the county animal shelter.

He doesn't have tags. We don't know if he's a French bulldog or a pug.

Submitted photos and press release:

The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation’s Outstanding Italian American awards and scholarship event for Spring 2017 will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 14^th at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

This honor is awarded to a man and/or woman who has given exemplary service to their community.

This year the awards are being presented to Rick Mancuso and Peppina (Peppi) Palmer. These honorees have left a special mark on their communities. Youth groups, veterans, seniors and those lonely, ill and nearing the end of their lives have experienced their love and thoughtfulness.

The Foundation is proud of these Italian American heroes for their representation of the Italian American community.

Tickets for the dinner are available from any board member, at Giambroni Appliance and the VJ Gautieri offices on Liberty Street.

About Rick Mancuso

Rick Mancuso was born in Batavia to Benjamin Jr. and Mercedes Mahoney Mancuso. He is graduate of Notre Dame High School and Niagara University.

Rick’s Nana and Nanu Mancuso immigrated to the United States from Vallelunga, Sicily, and Rick was raised living and working the “American Dream” alongside his grandfather. Upon graduation from Niagara University with a BS in Management, Rick returned to work full time at Batavia Plumbing Supply. Following the sale of that company he began at Mancuso Real Estate & Mancuso Restaurant.

In 1995, he opened T.F. Brown’s Restaurant along with continuing the Mancuso Bowling Center and he remains there as president/owner today, as well as the president/broker of Main and Ellicott Properties (Mancuso Real Estate). He has exemplified the morals and values of hard work, family first and supporting his community for all his adult years in the Batavia area.

Rick has served many community organizations over the years, including leadership roles in the Batavia Area Jaycees, Batavia Rotary Club, The Batavia Club, Children’s Home Association, Genesee County United Way, Batavia Improvement District, Batavia Area YMCA, and the Genesee County Planning Board. He has also held positions on the Advisory Board for Genesee County Stop DWI and as a Coalition Member for Drug Free Communities.

Through his strong faith, he is committed to his church and Catholic education. Rick was President of the Lady of Loretto Society for several years through St. Anthony’s Church (an Italian heritage organization), and was a long-standing member of the Board of Directors for Notre Dame High School. Rick is a member of Resurrection Parish and is often found at daily mass.

Locally and regionally, Rick has been well known as a coach of youth sports since his return to Batavia following college. Perhaps most noteworthy, for 20-plus years as a football coach at Notre Dame High School. Under his leadership as the ND Girls Varsity Softball coach, his teams­­­ also attended state playoffs for several years with Rick being honored as both the Section V Coach of the Year and the New York State Coach of the Year for Girls Softball.

Rick has been coaching the youth of Genesee County for over 36 years! He has coached a wide variety of sports including Batavia Minor & Little League Baseball, Batavia Youth Football (also serving on the board and as board president) Genesee Amateur Soccer and YMCA Youth Basketball.

Perhaps one of the most notable contributions Rick has made as a community volunteer is his continued support of the T.F. Brown’s Community Christmas Dinner. Along with the Lion’s Club, Rick and his family have hosted this event on Christmas Day for the past 25 years! His support can also be seen regularly throughout the community as Rick and T.F. Brown’s are frequent sponsors of sporting teams, and just about ANYTHING youth oriented.

Naturally, Rick Mancuso has been honored by several local organizations for his accomplishments. However, when asked, Rick shares enthusiastically that his greatest accomplishment is found in the five children he shares with his wife of 34 years, Julie:

Morgan (Doug) Sicheri, Alexandra (Don) DiLaura, Rick Jr., Patrick, Madelyn and his dearest pride and joy – grandsons Vincent and Benjamin DiLaura.

Rick is a proud Italian American who states that “I never really considered the affects of growing up in a family strongly rooted in Italian traditions. Knowing no differently, I just thought everyone went to mass on Sunday and then to Nana’s house, and holidays and specials occasions always involved too much amazing food, tons of family time and great memories. All of which I intend to continue for generations to come.”

About Peppina (Peppi) Palmer

Peppina (Peppi) Palmer will be honored this year with the Paolo Busti Award for positive achievements and contributions to her community.

Born on Dec. 16, 1949, she was named Peppina in honor of her recently deceased paternal grandmother, Giuseppina Palmer. Her name was not Americanized to be Josephine. She was and always will be Peppi, someone who has demonstrated in her life, in her work and in her faith all that it means to be an outstanding Italian American.

Her parents, John Palmer and Anna Tresco Palmer, were born and raised in Batavia, first generation Italian Americans. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Tresco, like many Italian immigrants, worked for the New York Central Railroad. Her paternal grandfather founded and was the proprietor of a successful Italian restaurant located on Ellicott Street in the heart of the Southside, mainly Italian district, of Batavia.

Peppi attended St. Mary’s School through eighth grade and then attended Batavia High School.

During her high school years Peppi became interested in nursing. She decided to enroll in the BHS BOCES course in nursing assistance. Upon graduating from BHS in 1968, she secured a nursing assistance position at the Veterans Hospital.

Devotion to her family was matched only by her devotion to “her” vets. “It’s not a job,” she would say. “It is a privilege to be in the company of heroes every day.” In addition to providing nursing assistance, she enjoyed socializing with the vets. She prepared the food, hosted and served an annual spaghetti supper for them. On Sundays she could be found transporting patients back and forth to the chapel so they could attend Mass. It was a much-anticipated event at the hospital when Peppi would bring in her therapy shih tzus, "Lottie," "Jelly Bean" and "Tinkie." The patients greatly enjoyed holding and petting the sweet, tiny dogs. Even after her retirement in 2014 she spent time at the hospital visiting patients and volunteering in the physical therapy department.

In 2006, she was recognized for her service to patients. Planetree, the nonprofit patient-centered care organization, honored her with a Designation Award. The award is given annually to those persons within the healthcare system who demonstrate the highest level of patient/person centered care based on evidence and standards.

Her volunteer work did not end at the NYS Veterans Hospital. She has volunteered for almost 20 years at Crossroads House; for 10 years with the Michael Napoleon Foundation; for the Ricky Palermo Golf Tournament and with the Batavia Peace Garden. For the past seven years she has been active in Our Lady of Mercy parish in Le Roy. She is a Eucharistic Minister, participates in the Parish Outreach program and leads the efforts of the parish to provide Mercy Meals for bereaved families.

Her life will always be centered on the three Fs of Italian heritage – Faith, Family and Food.

Peppi wants it to be known, in accepting this award with deepest gratitude and humility, that none of her accomplishments, whether personal or professional, would be possible without the love and encouragement she receives from her daughters, Andrea Schoenberger Casey and Sarah Schoenberger; daughter-in-law, Colleen Schoenberger; son-in-law, Ryan Casey; grandsons Luke, Caleb and Brooks Casey; and her many friends.

Peppi will forever be indebted to her mother, Anna, who was the best role model for what it means to be an outstanding Italian American.

The East Bethany Presbyterian Church celebrated its 200th anniversary this weekend with a service of celebration at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, a catered dinner and memory hour.

On Sunday, past and present pastors led a 200th anniversary workshop service at 10:30 a.m. with a lunch and social hour. 

Two centuries of history was displayed on tables and wall, showing news articles about the church, records of members and multiple pictures. 

Norma Bower, a 75-year-member of the church, cut the cake for the 200th anniversary. 

Rev. Bob Kaiser, the interm pastor from 2008 until 2009, visited to join the weekend festivities. 

Members enjoyed a catered dinner after the Service of Celebration. 

Members of the church spoke of the wonderful memories they had at Sunday School, church events and various services. 

A video was put together filled with pictures of the church and its members, reflecting on how the church has changed. 

Bower shares her memories of the church over the last 75 years. 

Richard Oderkirk is still growing sunflowers this year, and vegetables and other flowers, but that big old barn that was once the backdrop for a scenic view along Route 33 in Stafford won't be there anymore to provide a touch of history to the six-generation family farm.

The barn was heavily damaged in a storm a couple of winters ago and this morning Stafford fire, with help from Bethany and South Byron, managed a controlled burn on what was left of the structure.

Oderkirk, along with his daughter, who currently lives in the old farmhouse on the property, was there to watch what was left of the century-old barn go up in flames.

Like a lot of old barns that have been lost over the years, this one long ago needed a new roof and it didn't get it, and that's the main reason it fell apart, Oderkirk said. The other barns on the property have been re-roofed.

The roof on this barn was added in 1922, Oderkirk said, because his grandmother for some reason wanted a gable roof on it. Oderkirk said he didn't know why she decided to make the change, but the barn was also enlarged at the time.

"My dad had mentioned the roofers kept the nails in the house so they were warm, so they worked all winter, or part of winter, putting the cedar shingles on," Oderkirk said.

The timber in the beams was still green when they were nailed into place, Oderkirk said, and when the hardwood dried around those nails the wood became hard as rock, he said.

"I can't even pull those nails out now," he said.

Previously: Sunflower farm adds beauty, but grower wants to sell produce

A head-on collision with entrapment is reported in Corfu on Alleghany Road in front of the Dollar General store.

Three ambulances requested.

Corfu fire, Mercy EMS dispatched.

Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 10 p.m.: Four injuries. An officer on scene says, "it doesn't look like anybody is super serious." Darien ambulance responding.

UPDATE 10:01 p.m.: Pembroke fire requested to shut down traffic at Route 5 and Route 77.

UPDATE 10:18 p.m.: Mercy Flight #5 out of Batavia has been dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 10:31 p.m.: Patient extricated.

UPDATE 10:58 p.m.: Route 77 reopened.

UPDATE: added a reader-submitted photo.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at Ellicott Street and Jackson Street, Batavia.

City fire and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE: No injuries. Both City fire and Mercy EMS are back in service.

Genesee Cancer Assistance held its annual Festival of Hope today at Batavia Downs, which included a crossing-training competition as well as basket raffles, music, a live broadcast by WBTA, and other events.

Volunteers from Volunteers for Animals were at the Animal Shelter today collecting donated scrap metal as a fundraiser for the shelter and the support provided by Volunteers for Animals.

A couple dozen young anglers turned out this morning for the 26th annual Youth Fishing Derby at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Among the young fishermen were Henry and Darel Matthies, of Newstead, with father Ken.

Harry Gugino, of Buffalo.

Members of the Batavia City Firefighters, IAFF Local 896, were on Ellicott Street and Main Street in Batavia today for their annual Fill the Boot campaign to benefit MDA.

UPDATE: The firefighters raised $10,651.52.

Photos by Frank Capuano.

Dan Clor, a military veteran, and frontman for Los Angeles-based Weapon-X, took the stage this afternoon with D-ZL, the band he started his career with in 1997 when it played its first show at the Eagle Hotel in Le Roy. 

Clor and Weapon-X have been holding an annual music festival in Southern California for five years and this year, Clor brought it home, to Le Roy, and The Ridge Campground.

The American Warrior Concert, with more than 60 musical acts taking the stage, opened today and continues tomorrow (for tickets, click here).

The music starts at noon tomorrow, on two stages, with Weapon-X scheduled to play at 8:15 p.m.

The Red Osier Landmark Restaurant in Stafford is sponsoring the weekend of music.

Proceeds benefit the Warrior House, which supports wounded veterans.

The third- and fourth-grade students at St. Joe's got to make butter today.

Then they got to eat the butter they made on graham crackers.

Anne Marie Starowitz, representing the Holland Land Office Museum, visited the classroom today, bringing an 1800-era butter churn as well as other artifacts from the museum and talked with the students about what life was like in early Genesee County. 

She then filed two canning jars with heavy cream and had the students pass them around the room, with each student giving the canning jars 10 hard shakes before passing it to the next student. 

Before long, they had butter.

Next week the students will tour the historic Batavia Cemetery.

One of the most memorable days of sixth grade at Batavia Middle School is the day students recreate the Silk Road, says Social Studies teacher Stephanie D’Alba.

Many of the children dress in costumes of the nations along the world's first stable trading route that connected China with Rome and started the process of global trade.

The Silk Road recreation gives students a chance to learn about history, geography, climate, culture, civilization and, of course, trade. The Silk Road put the world on the path of global trade.  

"Today kids just get on the Internet and they think it’s so easy," D'Alba said. "This shows them the very first way that things traveled from one side of the world to the other."

The name for the trade route comes from China's chief export, silk, which wasn't available in Europe before Genghis Khan established law and order and safe passage for travelers and traders along the routes the comprised the Silk Road. China managed to keep the production method secret for centuries and Rome, with only gold to trade, found its reserves becoming depleted. The Silk Road also introduced Europe to new foods and spices (though, contrary to myth, Marco Polo did not bring back pasta to Italy).

The BMS "Silk Road" covers two floors in the school, with selected classrooms acting as countries along the trade route and the hallways marked with posters and pictures simulating deserts, seas, water stops, and areas that might be filled with bandits.

"It kind of shows you how to make a bargain and see what other people have to trade in their land and see their creativity," said Aidan Anders.

"It's pretty fun," said Cody Harloff. "It's fun trading to get other stuff and we get to see how the conditions were."

This morning, the senior class at Le Roy High School was given a chance to see what happens at a multiple-injury crash scene, that includes a fatality, caused by a drunk driver as part of the annual DWI drive staged by the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department.

Assisting were Stafford fire, Mercy EMS, Mercy Flight, Sheriff's Office and Le Roy PD.

(Our coverage was truncated by the fire alarm on West Main Street in Batavia this morning).

The Holland Land Office is proud to present the Rochester area historian Rose O'Keefe. At noon on Saturday, June 24, she will be speaking on the life and times of Frederick Douglass and his family while living in Rochester.

This is a free event and the public is invited.

O'Keefe is a well-known authority on many of Rochester's more famous citizen and is responsible for many of the tours of Mt. Hope Cemetery in the city.

Frederick Douglass — famed author, orator and former slave — spent 25 years with his family in Rochester, beginning in 1848. Despite living through one of our nation’s most bitter and terrifying times, Frederick and his wife, Anna, raised five children in a loving home with flower, fruit and vegetable gardens.

While Frederick traveled widely, fighting for the freedom and rights of his brethren, Anna cared for their home and their family and extended circle. Their house was open to fugitives on the Underground Railroad, visiting abolitionists and houseguests who stayed for weeks, months and years at a time.

Local author O’Keefe weaves together the story of the Douglass’ experience in Rochester and the indelible mark they left on the Flower City.

Those interested can RSVP if they wish by calling the museum at 585-343-4727, emailing at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com, or by coming to the museum at 131 W. Main St., Batavia.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them."

-- Frederick Douglass

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) addresses the Oakfield-Alabama High School Social Studies class.

Submitted photo and press release:

Yesterday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) visited a Social Studies class at Oakfield-Alabama High School to discuss his duties as an elected official and explain his views on current and local issues.

This experience gave students an opportunity to learn valuable information about politics from a valued member of the State Assembly. Hawley enjoyed his time with the students and hopes that many of them will be inspired to take part in politics in the future.

Press release:

The Section V Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for longtime Batavia High School Baseball Coach Pep Johnson will take place before the Rochester Red Wings game at Frontier Field on Sunday, June 25. The game itself starts at 1:35 p.m. and a special induction ceremony will take place beforehand.

Here's the schedule for the day, provided by organizer Pat Mee.

The stadium gates will be open at 11:15 a.m. for admittance of the inductees, their guests, friends and supporters. There will be a table set up at the stadium entrance where these attendees can pick up their reserved tickets.

The program will begin in The Nest, which is beyond right field at 11:45 a.m. All of the inductees or their representatives will by introduced, and each will have a short time to speak if they would like to. Honorees will get a plaque permanently placed on a wall at Frontier Field, and a plaque will be given to each honoree to keep.

 At 12:45 p.m., the group will proceed to the baseball field. The on-field ceremony will take place at 1:10. Dan Mason will read each inductee’s bio, and will present them with their plaque, once again, on the field. Each inductee will be throwing out a ceremonial first pitch.

After the ceremony, the honorees and their guests will return to The Nest for lunch. Members of this group are free to proceed to their seat and the Wings game at any time. Hopefully attendees will enjoy a Red Wing win!

Honorees and their invited guests will be the guests of the Section V Baseball Hall of Fame Committee for the afternoon. The cost for others who would like to attend the induction ceremony at The Nest will be $30 per person. Children under 4 are free and ages 5-12 are $18. This will include hot dogs, hamburgers, salad, soda, and a game ticket.

Please contact Pat Mee to make your reservations for the afternoon.

You can contact Pat by phoning (585) 704-3214, emailing to:  omee@rochester.rr.com, or mailing to: Pat Mee, 295 Peck Road, Hilton, NY 14468

The committee would appreciate reservations by Saturday, June 10^st. Checks should be made payable to Section V Baseball Hall of Fame and sent to the above address.

The committee is looking forward to honoring Pep Johnson for his extraordinary contributions to baseball. It will surely be a great afternoon!

Sincerely,

Ory Mee

The Section V Baseball of Hall of Fame Committee

Questions? Email: omee@rochester.rr.com

Press release:

Mothertime Marketplace, a semi-annual consignment event in the Western New York area for the past 12 years, is bringing their brand-new venture, S.H.E. Boutique, to Batavia next week.

For the first time ever, Mothertime Marketplace is holding a pop-up consignment sale for all the ladies in this area. S.H.E. Boutique will be held at the Dibble Family Center from 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 5, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6.

A cash bar will be available on June 5 only (Monday night, 5-9 p.m.) for those 21 years or older.

The Dibble Family Center is located at 2120 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

Organizers highly encourage you to make this a fun ladies-only event with your girlfriends!

A 50-percent off sale will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The sale will feature like new, brand-name women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry, accessories, athletic wear and sports gear.

Shoppers can expect to find stylish items priced 50 to 75 percent below retail prices. The best part is that everything is organized by category and size, just like a high-end boutique shop.

Consignors at the sale can earn up to 60 percent of their sales. Other options to sell are available including a buy-out option on June 5.

Jennifer Ford Berry, one of the coordinators and also a professional organizer, says “this is the perfect reason for women to go through their closets and clear out anything they no longer love or feel good in.”

S.H.E. Boutique is also the perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe for much less then you would pay at the mall.

Admission is free for women. There will be promotional items and coupons from local businesses.

All unsold items, not picked up by consignors will be donated to My Sister’s Closet in Batavia.

For more information or to register to be a consignor please visit online at www.mothertimemarketplace.com or call 585-219-4266.

Very limited consignment spots available. So if you know you have great stuff to sell, grab your spot today. This is a great excuse to clean out your closet! Like-new, wrinkle-free, in-style items only! Items should be no more then 5 years old unless true vintage. All items will go through a check-in process on June 5th.

PLEASE NOTE: All bathrooms and dressing rooms in the building will be for LADIES ONLY.

A car vs. pedestrian accident occured at Main Street and Jackson Street downtown. Minor injuries. City fire and Mercy medics are on scene.

UPDATE 3:28 p.m.: This was a bicycle vs. car accident, not a pedestrian, and the bicyclist declined medical attention.