Batavia to Florida

Posted by Joseph Deni on June 22, 2008 - 8:28pm
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Over thirty years ago I left my birthplace, Batavia New York, at the age of nineteen. I saw the "Cell Block" go to "The Primitive Scene". Creek road trips and driving dirt roads. Partying with friends as I was a Batavia teenager. Some of the best times and friends of my life are in Batavia. The city is like no other to me. The Family I still have in the area is all growing old with time. Even Batavia itself has changed with the passing of time. What I would give to turn the clocks back and press restart. I have many children and will not give up one. Batavia seems to hold a lost love that makes me wonder how different life would be if I stayed.

 
I was born in 1958 at Genesee Memorial which time has also taken its' toll on. My childhood was wonderful, from Halloween to Sledding at State Street hill through snowdrifts and skating at John Kennedy to swimming at Austin Park. The community pool by the Senior High School and Williams Street park. Pontillo's Pizza to Carrol's Restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights.
 
I wish my children could have all that Batavia offered. I know times have changed the "Old City", but I still believe in the ora of life there. If we knew how to help Batavia and its' economic battles, creating jobs and bringing up the value of life it would be so wonderful. I believe the spirit of life is still there. Rebuilding a life and preserving what’s left of a beautiful city.
 
Life and time may change, things may grow old, but with the proper knowledge and direction the world you live in will become a better place. The Spirit of Batavia will live on and begin to grow again.
 
Batavia needs investors to build a real mall that people would travel an hour or more to see and shop. It needs to be located in the middle of the city right at the existing mall or should I say overtop of it. Big name chains, the ones everyone goes to Buffalo and Rochester to see. A large resort Hotel positioned properly that will accommodate large seminars to bring people in from other parts of the state. Maybe then we can try to solicit and bring a factory into the area. Of course all this construction itself means jobs.
 
This could be a beginning of a new era for Batavia. Not just a dream, if the right people got together and found the proper investors, it could be done. Who are the right people for this huge project, who are the people that could get this done.
 
I want to come home, but for this Batavia  needs jobs. Others will follow and Batavia would grow again.
 
I have a love for Batavia and in bringing back to life all that is good along with a new growth.

 

Posted by Lorie Longhany on June 23, 2008 - 8:37am
Great post!

I didn't grow up in Batavia, but Batavia was our shopping hub when I was a child. The Surprise Store, Carr's and The Mill Outlet were the retail establishments that I have fond memories of. I believe that when our society switched from getting our goods and services from our own little communities to going to the Rochester and Buffalo suburbs that something was lost. We are entering a new and interesting era with the end of cheap oil. Communities will again be important hubs when we can't afford to drive very far.

I had the privilege of a LeRoy childhood, that while the places you mentioned frequenting are familiar, for us growing up in LeRoy the memory makers are just in different locales. Although, “Cell Block A” and “Primitive Scene”– I do remember well. Do you remember “Devil’s Rock”?

Could it be that those of us growing up in the 60's and early 70's had a very unique experience? I think so. I think that communities like Batavia and LeRoy fostered this.
Posted by Joseph Deni on June 29, 2008 - 1:52pm
Yes I do remember the Devil's Rock. I think that was after the Cell Block "A", maybe? So many years ago not all things are clear, but I will always have unforgettable memories.

I wonder if we’ve met in passing since we come from the same era?

Thank you so much for your comments.
Posted by daniel cherry on June 29, 2008 - 4:56pm
Are you by chance related to the jeosph deni artist?I just love his work...nice post
Posted by Joseph Deni on July 2, 2008 - 9:02pm
My father is the artist. He has a web page at
http://joseph.deni1.com/
I grew up seeing him paint in his spare time. Retired now he still loves his art.