Mandy Humphry cut a bright red ribbon yesterday afternoon in front of the former Bank of Le Roy building on Main Street in Le Roy to celebrate her new business, The Art of Mandy.

The business, on the second floor, offers adult classes for anybody of any age 2 and older.

"I decided to open the studio because there’s nothing like this in Le Roy and this is where I live," Humphrey said.

Humphrey has a degree in art studio and painting and she earned her master's from RIT in art instruction. She worked in public schools but decided she preferred to working independently.  

The Art of Mandy offers classes for kids and adults in drawing, painting, watercolor, photography, calligraphy and more, Humphrey said. She also hosts private events and birthday parties (bring your own beverages) and she will also go to offices and homes for parties.

Sometime in the 1940s, Leslie Krajeski's uncle purchased three oil-on-canvas portraits of people who were once prominent citizens in Genesee County -- Alfred Cary, and James and Susan Kelsey. The artist did not sign the portraits.

Alfred Cary was a brother of Trumbull Cary, Batavia's original postmaster and founder of the Bank of Genesee. He was born in Connecticut in 1777 and died in Batavia in 1855. He donated the land in Oakfield for the former Cary Seminary. James and Susan Kelsey were residents of Alexander and were associated with the Genesee Wyoming Seminary, which opened in Alexander in 1845.  

Krajeski called The Batavian after we did a piece about Noah North, a mid-19th century portrait artist from Alexander who painted portraits primarily in 1830s and 1840s in Genesee County and in Ohio. She wondered if these portraits could have been by North.

The portraits, however, do not seem to match the style of North. North was known as a folk artist. His style was flat and spare. Also, he painted primarily on wood. These portraits, on canvas, include backgrounds and shadows and details not visible in the North paintings available for comparison.

So, does anybody know who might have painted these portraits?

UPDATE 10 p.m.: Oops, Trumbull was not the first postmaster.  City Historian Larry Barnes provides this: " James Brisbane, appointed July 21, 1802, was the first.  Trumbull Cary came to Batavia in 1805 as an 18-yr-old teenager.  He was not appointed to the postmaster position until 1815.  However, there is a twist to the story.  Although Trumbull was not the official postmaster until 1815, in practice he discharged the duties of a postmaster beginning in 1805 when he worked as a clerk first for James Brisbane and later for his brother, Ebenezer Cary.  Ebenezer was the first official postmaster after James Brisbane."

For Cinco de Mayo yesterday, Cedar Street Sales and Rentals, served up $1 tacos to store visitors. The proceeds, along with any donations, are going to the local YWCA to help the 109-year-old service organization out of its financial difficulties.

Press release:

This is an open invitation to all members of the community to participate in this year’s Batavia Memorial Day parade on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28^th.

The City of Batavia is sponsoring the parade and we are looking forward to another great turnout. The parade will kick off at 9:45 a.m. from the Eastown Plaza and end at the Alva Place parking lot.

People can then go to the Veterans Memorial Service at the memorial site across the street at the Jerome Center.

Any veterans wishing to participate in the parade can just show up at 9:15. Any veterans needing a ride in the parade please contact me.

Any groups wishing to participate please let us know as all are welcome. Please keep the theme of respect to all our veteran and first responders.

Let’s show our support to our veterans and first responders.

Thank you,
Bob Bialkowski
Councilman at Large
(585) 409-3624

Press release:

The New York State Department of Health announced today that an international traveler from Europe who has been confirmed to have measles visited multiple venues in New York State potentially exposing others to measles on April 30^th, May 1^st and May 2^nd.

Anyone who visited the following locations may have been exposed:

• Old Country Buffet, 821 County Road 64, Elmira, on April 30^th between 1 and 4 p.m.;
• Ontario Travel Plaza on NYS Thruway (I-90) in Le Roy, on April 30^th between 4 and 6:30 p.m.;
• Sheraton Niagara Falls, 300 3^rd St., Niagara Falls, from 5:30 p.m. on April 30^th to 9:30 a.m. on May 2^nd;
• Niagara Falls Urgent Care, 3117 Military Road, Suite 2, Niagara Falls, on May 1^st between 3 and 6 p.m.;
• Exit 5 on Interstate 390 in Dansville, on May 2^nd between 9:30 a.m. and noon.

These times reflect the period that the infected individual was in these areas and a two-hour period after the individual left the area, as the virus remains alive in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, have had measles disease, or have a lab test confirming immunity. Individuals who are not immune to measles and were exposed are at risk for developing measles. The risk of developing measles is low for people who have been vaccinated or are immune.

All individuals who were exposed, especially those without immunity or who are not sure if they have been vaccinated, should monitor for symptoms of measles. Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis or runny nose.

Symptoms usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure. Individuals should contact their health care provider if they develop measles symptoms.

To prevent the spread of illness, the Department is advising individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help to prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of the rash. People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.

The single best way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated. Individuals should receive two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected. If a person is unsure if they are immune they should contact their healthcare provider.

Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine should be given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose should be given at 4 to 6 years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life. In New York State, measles immunization is required of children enrolled in schools, daycare, and prekindergarten. Since August 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.

Health care providers should report all suspected cases of measles to their local health department. More information about measles can be found at https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2170.pdf

Somehow Barney, who never goes out of the house, got out of his house on Fargo Road, between Clapsaddle Road and Sweetland Road, in Stafford.

Barney weighs 13 pounds, is an American shorthair and is declawed.  

"He's very friendly and deeply missed," said Adam Reich.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Barney decided it was time to come home. He's safe.

A car versus motorcycle accident with possible serious injuries is reported at 519 Genesee St. in Darien, at the intersection of South Lake Road. Darien Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. Mercy Flight #7 out of Batavia is put on ground standby.

Corfu Fire Police are requested to the scene in case needed to set up a landing zone. Law enforcement is on scene; vehicles are off the side of the road, not blocking traffic.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Mercy Flight response is canceled, along with Corfu Fire Police, per command.

UPDATE 12:23 p.m.: A tow is called for the motorcycle, but not the car.

UPDATE 12:27 p.m.: Mercy medics are put back in service.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The motorcyclist was transported by Darien ambulance to ECMC with a compound fracture of an arm and other non-life-threatening injuries. The female driver of a Dodge Dakota pickup truck was also transported there for evaluation. Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Saile said the truck was eastbound westbound on Genesee Street when it slowed to make a left turn onto South Lake Road. The motorcyclist was behind the truck. The truck driver said she used her turn signal. The motorcyclist says she did not. The truck driver slowed and attempted the left-hand turn and collided with the motorcycle, which attempted to pass on the left. The motorcyclist was ejected and may have struck his arm on a Direct TV satellite pole in the yard adjacent to where the accident occurred. The motorcycle ended up in a ditch.

The commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Alexander is on a mission to get the Alexander School District to reconsider implementing a tax exemption for Cold War veterans.

Eric Radder spoke at Wednesday's school board meeting.

"I notice we’ve got all four service flags up here, so obviously Alexander supports its veterans," Radder said. "I’m here to discuss and implement it and bring it back as a point of discussion."

Several tax jurisdictions in the county have adopted the exemption, including the Town of Alexander and the Village of Alexander. 

Qualified veterans who apply can get an exemption on a small portion of the assessed value of their property. The typical exemption is 10 percent off the accessed value with a maximum of $6,000 exempt from the jurisdiction's property tax. In Alexander, both the town and village adopted the higher tier exemption, which is 15 percent off the accessed value with a maximum exemption of $12,000.

More than two years ago, the school district held two public forums on the proposed exemption. The first forum, said Board President Reed Pettys, was lightly attended because of a snowstorm. The next forum had 30 to 40 people attend, Pettys said, and the public was evenly divided between support and opposition.

While the perception is that the Alexander School Board voted against the exemption, Pettys said since the community was divided on the topic, the board just never took the issue up again.

Pettys agreed Wednesday night to go with another board member to the VFW's board meeting Thursday to publicly discuss the proposal again.

He said a lot has changed since the board last considered the idea -- there are two or three new board members, including one -- John Slenker  -- who is a veteran and more jurisdictions, including other school districts, have passed it.

"I think we’ll discuss it at the next meeting and see if we can get a public forum," Pettys said.

The exemption, Radder said, would help keep veterans in the community.

"You could retain the veterans who bring a set of values that they learned in their military training experience and then in return benefit the community at large," Radder said.

Sunday's Genesee Symphony Orchestra concert in the auditorium at Elba Central School will feature soloist Mimi Hwang on cello performing Elgar's "Concerto for Cello & Orchestra in E-minor."

Hwang, a resident of Brighton, winner of both the Banff and the Evian International String Quartet Competitions. She has performed with such quartets as Tokyo, Colorado, and Ciompi at Duke University in North Carolina, and was a participant of both Beijing and Los Angeles philharmonics. She also played at the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra.

The orchestra, under the direction of S. Shade Zajac, will also perform Wagner's "Siegfried's Death & Funeral March," Howard Hanson's "Symphony No. 2 'Romantic,' " and Holst's "St. Paul's Suite for String Orchestra."

The concert, "Romantic Masterpieces," begins at 4 p.m.

Tickets are available through geneseesymphony.com, GO ART!, Roxy's Music Store, The YNGodess Shop, and Smokin' Eagle BBQ  & Brew in Le Roy.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in the area of 10778 Alexander Road, Attica.

There is no entrapment.

The location is in front of Mooche's Auto Glass.

Alexander fire and ambulance responding along with Mercy EMS.

Traffic on Route 98 is being shut down in both directions.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.: Correction: No Mercy ambulances available. Bethany's ambulance was dispatched. A chief on scene says Bethany can stand by in its hall.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 4:10 p.m. by The National Weather Service office in Buffalo.

It is in effect until 4:45 p.m.

At 4:09 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located over Batavia moving northeast at 75 mph. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are a hazard. Up to three-quarters of an inch of hail are possible.

The weather service says: Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

This area of impact includes the following highways: Interstate 390 between exits 11 and 12; and Interstate 90 between exits 48 and 46.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Also, a high wind warning is in effect until 10 p.m.

A "motorcycle versus mailbox accident with injury" is reported at 1018 Lewiston Road, Basom. The operator is conscious, alert and sitting down. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. The location is between Casey and Crosby roads.

A reduction in state aid for the Alexander Central School District is contributing to the district's need to raise property taxes by 38 cents per thousand of assessed value for 2018-19 even though overall spending will be reduced from this academic year.

Voters in the district will be asked to approve the proposed budget May 15.

The district is asking to spend $17,704,810 next fiscal year, a reduction in operational spending of $293,367.

State financial aid, which makes up more than half the district's budget, is being reduced by $193,685. Building aid is being reduced as well by $565,851.

The proposed tax levy, the total amount collected through property taxes, is $6,159,675, compared to $6,050,850 this year, an increase of $108,825.

That levy would put the property tax rate at $21.51, or 38 cents more than this year, per thousand of accessed value.

Catherine Huber, Ed.D., superintendent of schools, said the budget is responsible and meets the needs of students.

"We always, of course, focus on developing fiscally responsible budgets," Huber said. "To talk a little bit about a fiscally responsible budget and the things we were able to do with our last budget. With that budget, we were able to maintain staff and programs.

"With that budget we were able to build capacity in our school district by bringing on a school social worker, by bringing on an ESL teacher to build the capacity for when students come to us with varied needs their needs can be met."

With the proposed budget, the district will also be able to build capacity.

"If anybody was at our last board meeting, you heard about the expansion of our agriculture program," Huber said. "It's an exciting expansion for Alexander. We also are proposing the addition of an instrumental music teacher. Did you know that we have 300 students in grades four through 12 -- out of 800 students in the school system -- (who) participate in music?

"We just had a sampling tonight of what the quality of our programming is, so to expand that program is something we can sustain over time and something we're really proud of."

A key proposal in the budget is the addition of a school resource officer. An SRO is a member of law enforcement -- in this case, a deputy from the Sheriff's Office -- who is posted at a school full time throughout the school year.

Sheriff William Sheron attended Wednesday's public hearing and encouraged voters to approve the proposal.

He said in this day and age, an SRO isn't a "nice to have." It is a "must have."

"The officer protects the individuals here, the students, the faculty, the visitors that come in here," Sheron said. "He will interact with all the children. He will also be a mentor with the children in the school."

The SRO program has worked out very well at BOCES and Byron-Bergen Central School, Sheron said.

"The SRO is a resource for children go to when they don’t feel comfortable going to a teacher or an aide," Sheron said. "You create those relationships and those children will come to you. They’ll have faith in you. They’ll have confidence in you and they’ll share things with that officer that they wouldn’t share with anybody else."

Some budget highlights:

• Regular classroom spending increases from $4,829,106 to $4,977,365;
• Special education and vocational education spending is up from $2,868,973 to 2,920,888;
• Athletics increases from $436,585 to $532,316;
• Transportation increases from $776,134 to $818,087;
• Maintenance for building and grounds decreases from $321,575 to $278,058;
• Central administration spending will increase from $167,612 to $190,048;
• School administration will increase from $585,069 to $609,329.

Tim Batzel, the district's finance director, said at Wednesday's hearing that in June the district will make its final payment on a $17.9 million bond that was financed in 1998 primarily for addition of the Middle School. As a result, next year's budget reflects a 66-percent ($530,000) drop in bond payments and a 21-percent drop in interest payments ($23,303).

Lighting upgrades continue to reduce the cost of utilities, Batzel said, and for the second year in a row, the district is benefiting from a 9- to 10-percent reduction in workers' compensation insurance.

After the hearing, during what the board calls "the roundtable," Board Member John Slenker made a statement with an apparent reference to recent school board meetings where multiple parents used public comments to voice complaints and concerns about child safety issues and whether the Code of Conduct is fairly applied. The story was reported by The Batavian.

"I would just like to remind parents that the school board is a very important function," Slenker said. "It is also voluntary. We’re not paid. The people who sit up here take the safety and education of your children very seriously. We have 15 current, future and former children among us. The other part I would like to say, it’s been an absolute honor serving with Reed Pettys and working with Catie. They are some of the best people I have ever met."

Pettys, currently board president, is stepping down following the completion of his term in June.

• Besides the budget, there are four other ballot measures for voters to consider May 15:
• Proposition #2: Authorize the purchase of two school buses at a cost of $305,470.
• Proposition #3: Purchase a new marquee sign for the front of the school at a cost of $29,595.
• Proposition #4 and Proposition #5: Establish capital reserve funds.

There is also one open seat on the school board up for election and only one declared candidate. The candidate is Sara Fernaays. The Batavian attempted to interview Fernaays after Wednesday's meeting. We wanted to ask her thoughts on the budget, the SRO, and other issues and Fernaays declined. She said she feared granting an interview would cause trouble with the school district.

The school district has a policy that prohibits school board members from speaking individually with reporters.

The Genesee County Women's Republican Club will host the 2018 Spring Breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Ascension Parish Hall in Batavia.

Enjoy a full breakfast buffet catered by the Dibble Family Center.

Cost is $20 per member and $25 per nonmember; you can sign up for membership at the event.

The parish hall is located at 15 Sumner St.

This year's "Caring for America Charity" is the Alzheimer's Association.

For more information, contact Melissa M. Haacke at 314-4501.

RSVP by May 7 to:

Michele Smith

20 Canterbury Lane

Bergen NY 14416

or via email at:

Msmith1548@frontiernet.net

Reader James P. Bradman sent us a photo of this female dog found running around West Main Street in Batavia near Settler's restaurant. "Apparently there was another small white dog with her that we were unable to find," he says.

An animal control officer has taken this one with the jaunty pistachio-colored bandana kerchief to the shelter. The shelter's phone number is 343-6410.

Press release:

Twenty-seven-year-old Marquele Tomlin, of Batavia, has been playing the Lottery since he turned 18. The auto shop bodywork expert said he never won more than $50, but kept playing because he thought, “Maybe someday I’d have a day like this.” Tomlin and his girlfriend of eight years, Amber Blackshear, recently claimed a $1,000,000 top prize on the $1,000,000 Double Sided Dollars scratch-off game. Tomlin purchased the couple’s ticket during a quick stop at their local Rite Aid to wire some money to his mother.

“I had a $20 winner that I exchanged for 10 $1 tickets and two $5 tickets,” he said. “I bought the tickets home and we scratched them just standing around the kitchen Island. She ended up with the big one.”

“We brought it back to the store to be sure and even the machine said ‘Big Winner,’” Blackshear said. “I got all excited; maybe too excited because Marquele told me I had to calm down.”

Blackshear, 23, said she believes fate had a hand in the couple’s windfall. “After eight years together, we broke up for awhile. The day we won was our first day back together as a couple.”

The couple opted to receive their prize as a one-time lump sum payment in the amount of $400,000 each. They will each receive a net check totaling $268,720 after required withholdings.

The two plan to use their respective shares of the prize to invest in a house for their growing family, which includes two toddlers. “I’d like one with a pool,” said Blackshear.

When asked what it felt like to be a Lottery Millionaire Tomlin said simply, “Ahhhhhhhhh. We did it!”

Blackshear said the win is a dream come true. “Now we can do anything as individuals or as a family,” she said. “It’s a feeling you can’t explain.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Rite Aid at 601 E. Main St. in Batavia.

The New York Lottery contributed $13,874,189 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Genesee County during fiscal year 2016-2017.

There are more than 1,000 pieces of student artwork, from middle and high school students, on display in the foyer of the Alexander Central School Auditorium and Wednesday's school board meeting, Trustee Rich Guarino drew attention to it and to the jazz ensemble that performed prior to the meeting.

He said he's heard over the years how students who perform music and participate in fine arts do better academically and he said that may just be anecdotal but he tends to believe it.

"I see the kids who are in the music program or the visual fine arts program and those are often the kids I see in other activities that the school has and it’s great to see," Guarino said.

Actually, there is some evidence that students who play music tend to do better academically. That seems to apply across artistic disciplines.

According to Guarino, more than half the students in the elementary grades are learning to play a musical instrument.  

"That's a huge percentage and it's great," Guarino said.