Artist Shad Nowicki at Foxprowl on Saturday. Photo by Howard Owens.
Shad Nowicki, an Ellicottville resident who has gained a national reputation as a pop artist specializing in vivid portraits of movie characters, appeared at Foxprowl Toys and Collectibles on Ellicott Street, Batavia, on Saturday.
He met with fans and discussed his work for six hours.
Owner Bill Hume said Nowicki "has been commissioned directly by many celebrities to do work for them and is very well-known in the Comic-Con circuit."
John F. Innes III, age 61, of Stafford, who passed away on March 29, was honored today with a truck memorial parade on Saturday from the Genesee County Fairgrounds through Stafford.
More than 50 trucks participated in the parade.
It was organized by Bruce Scofield, owner of Scofield Transfer & Recycling Inc., where Innes worked for nine years.
"He was like family to everyone at Scofield Transfer & Recycling," Scofield said. "He was a great employee. He never called in sick the entire time he worked for me."
Scofield said more than 250 people attended a celebration of life after the parade.
Oakfield-Alabama beat Alexander in softball on Saturday, 8-0.
The winning pitcher was Savannah Durham, who went all seven innings, scattering five hits while striking out eight and walking one.
Offense:
Allie Williams, 2-4, 2 RBIs
Emma Moeller, 1-3, 2 RBIs
Chloe Lamb, 1-1, triple
Tori Davis, 1-1, RBI
Allison Harkness, 1-4, RBI
Piper Hyde, 1-3
Raine Denny, 1-4, double, 3 runs scored
Ysa Schrauger, 1-3
"I'm very proud of our team's defense today," said Coach Jeff Schlagenhauf. "We got a well-pitched game from Savannah, and we were solid defensively against a very good Alexander team. We got timely hits when we needed them."
Batavia native Celia Puccio sits next to the many cards and flowers she received for her recent 103rd birthday celebration, and behind her is a beloved picture frame with scrolling family photos that enjoys viewing at her home. Photo by Joanne Beck
Wholesome nutrition, doing chores as needed, daily exercise and family have been the staples to ensure Celia Puccio’s longevity all these years.
Just how many years? A native of Batavia, she just celebrated her 103rd birthday earlier this week.
Celia grew up on Hutchins Street with her parents, Josephine and Rocco, grandmother, and nine siblings, plus brother Tony’s hunting dogs. They grew a garden and canned vegetables, baked bread, sharing chores either before and/or after school, she said.
“I did whatever had to be done, they were always baking or cooking, and we had to pick up after them,” Celia said at her Oak Street home. “They did the canning process, and you had to clean up all the messes.”
Was it ever tough to get attention or enough to eat in that brood? “Never,” she said. “It was wonderful.”
“My brother said ‘never eat everything on your plate, give some to the dogs,’” she said.
His sisters would clean up after dinner, and Mary didn’t listen to him; she ate everything on her plate, Celia said with a smile. Celia went to Lincoln, then Jackson Elementary School, finally attending the former Batavia Jr-Sr High School on Ross Street. She didn’t graduate, because “I met him,” as a junior, she said, pointing to her framed wedding photo of her and the late Charley Puccio from decades ago.
She dropped out of school a year early and married Charley, and they first moved in with her grandmother in Oakfield before settling into their longtime home on Oak Street. Charlie set up a barbershop with his uncle, beginning at age 12 before meeting the love of his life. He incrementally built onto the original structure as money allowed, to create a larger home, barber shop and garage. Those renovations more than doubled the space, Celia said.
He died in 2002 after the couple was married for nearly 60 years. And the barbershop carries on with daughter Kathy, who stays with mom about three days a week. Just thinking about all of that commotion and dry wall dust made Celia wince a bit.
“I wouldn’t want to go back,” she said. “I was a stay-at-home mom ,and in later years I worked as an assistant cook at the high school. I enjoyed cooking for the family.”
Every Sunday meant the air was filled with simmering homemade tomato sauce — with tomato paste added in — for the weekly spaghetti supper.
Her meals have been nutritious, such as beans and greens of all kinds, with lots of garlic. And she used to take daily walks, meeting four girlfriends at the corner of Oak and Richmond. She also refused a few habits, such as smoking and drinking.
Walking is more difficult now, and Celia likes to watch cooking shows and use a bike pedal machine. She pointed to a picture frame of scrolling family photos.
“They mean more to me than TV,” she said.
Family includes four children, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two twins on the way for a September arrival. That's a new goal to make, her daughter said.
Visits with family are golden.
“I enjoy it very much,” Celia said, sharing a piece of life advice she’s learned along the way. “Just love one another.”
Celia Puccio has rarely imbibed, unless "we make her," daughter Kathy says, during special occasions as seen here with a glass of Amaretto during her 103rd birthday dinner. Submitted Photo
Dedicated Muckdogs fan Cathy Preston gets her copy of "Homestand" signed by author Will Bardenwerper at Eli Fish on Friday. Photo by Howard Owens.
Will Bardenwerper's book about baseball in Batavia and America has been getting national attention and is currently ranked #17 on Amazon's list of best-selling baseball books.
The book, "Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America," is resonating with readers and reviewers.
That may signal, Bardenwerper said, that people are looking for small-town values of community.
"I think it speaks to the fact that maybe there is a real hunger for these kinds of places where people can come together for an affordable price and have a good time and kind of put some of the division that we find in our society behind us for a few hours and just have fun," Bardenwerper told The Batavian during a book signing at Eli Fish Brewing Co. on Saturday evening.
There have been several book reviews of Homestand published, including in major publications such as the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.
The book addresses the growing divide in America between the corporatist world of Major League Baseball and the grassroots game in places like Batavia, which lost its historic minor league team when MLB broke with tradition and consolidated its minor league affiliates. That decision turned out to make baseball in Batavia better with the arrival of Robbie and Nellie Nichols, owners of the revived Batavia Muckdogs of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.
If highlighting that dichotomy has ruffled any feathers in the executive suites at the MLB, Bardenwerper hasn't heard about it.
"I don't know to what extent it is or isn't on their radar," Bardenwerper said. "If it is, I'm guessing they just kind of would like it to go away."
If you missed Bardenwerper at Eli Fish, there is another book signing Saturday (today) in Medina at Author's Note Bookstore, as part of Independent Bookstore Day. Bardenwerper will be in store from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Other authors participating are Doogie Horner from 10:30 to noon and Mylisa Larsen from noon to 1:30 p.m. Author's Note is located at 519 Main St., Medina.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Will Bardenwerper Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Will Bardenwerper and David Reilly, a columnist for The Batavian, hold each other's books. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of a newly updated Barn Quilt Trail brochure and companion website, enhancing the way locals and visitors can experience one of the largest collections of hand-painted barn quilts in New York State.
Created by Le Roy Historian Lynne Belluscio and the Le Roy Historical Society, the self-guided driving tour now features nearly 120 barn quilts throughout Le Roy and the surrounding countryside. The updated brochure and interactive website at LeRoyBarnQuilt.org offer full-color photos, quilt stories, and four scenic driving routes that guide travelers through the rural beauty and charm of Genesee County.
“Folks really like the new brochures and are amazed at all the new barn quilts that have gone up recently,” said Belluscio. “Even local people who thought they had seen them all are going back out to find the new ones. They also enjoy using the barcode to learn more about the stories behind each quilt. We hope folks will see the billboard on the Thruway, take Exit 47, and enjoy the rural byways. Now’s a great time to look for them before the leaves come out—and of course, we hope they’ll stop to have something to eat while they’re in town.”
The Barn Quilt Trail began in 2011 as a bicentennial project for the Town of Le Roy and has since grown into a beloved regional attraction. Barn quilts now adorn barns, garages, homes, and other structures, each one a piece of public art that shares a unique story rooted in family heritage, community spirit, and local pride.
These updated trail materials celebrate that storytelling tradition while making the experience more accessible and engaging for travelers seeking authentic, heritage-rich adventures. Barn quilt trails have become a hallmark of rural tourism, and in Le Roy, they represent a deep connection to agriculture, art, and history.
Printed brochures are available locally at the Genesee County Visitor Center (8276 Park Road, Batavia) and at many Le Roy locations, including:
Crocker’s Ace Hardware, Attic to Basement, Le Roy Post Office, Woodward Library, Le Roy Historical Society, Town and Village Offices, JELL-O Museum, No Finer Diner, Frost Ridge Campground, Timberline Campground, Genesee Country Campground, Tracy B’s Microbrewery, and Pully’s Farm Market.
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8515 E Lake Road Stafford. Super opportunity to ownwaterfront property in Genesee County! This lovingly kept and well maintained ranch sits directly on waterfront edge of super peaceful Horseshoe Lake. Updated throughout the years this home is move in ready and will surprise you with how much space you have! Starting at road front this home has extra parking space across private road for all your guests as well as ample parking at house. As you walk in back door you are immediately in large enclosed porch in case you want a change of scenery and a perfect place for your extras and coats and shoes! Walk into pretty kitchen with plenty of cupboard space and work island and with easy viewing out through dining area to the lake-the scenery makes all cooking better! There is also an open office room or sitting room/hobby area off of kitchen! The formal dining area of course looks over "front" yard and lake and leads to large deck for outside entertaining as well as private dock for your water toys(Lake rules and regulations apply) The home has three good-sized bedrooms with plenty of closet space and then best of all there is large and brite family room with cathedral ceiling, wet bar and cozy gas fireplace! Furnace and hot water tank are 7/8 years old approximately, there is PUBLIC water and a BRAND NEW septic system install in 2021. Conveniently located to dining shopping college and thruway!! This year round waterfront property checks all the boxes! Any accepted offer is subject to approval by Horseshoe Lake Corporation.
Genesee County will receive $61,096 as its share of a record distribution of profits for the first quarter by the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation.
The distribution to all 17 municipalities that control the OTB for the first three months of 2025 is $2,864,269, breaking the previous record, set in 2023 of $2,269,956.
The distribution for the first quarter of 2024 was $2,003,522.
"We've been very creative in our marketing," said Byron Brown, president and CEO of WROTB. "We have been marketing to individuals who are large players in our advertising campaign. We've been able to reduce the cost of advertising while increasing the number of television spots that we receive and the quality of service that people receive when people come here -- the friendliness of the staff, and the quality of the restaurants, is keeping people coming back."
The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is taking on the IRS in tax court over an employee retention tax credit that is worth about $5 million to the corporation.
The Internal Revenue Service's position is that the OTB is a government agency and, therefore, not eligible for the pandemic-era tax credit.
"We are not supported by the government. We don't report to the government," said John Owens, OTB's acting legal counsel. "We've made the argument that there have been other matters in which we've been held not to be an agency, that we're not and that we should be entitled to (the tax credit)."
The board approved a resolution to hire Lippes Mathias LLP, a Buffalo law firm, and the only firm to bid on the project, to represent WROTB in tax court. The agreement authorizes an hourly payment up to $200,000 to handle the case and a $250,000 contingency fee if the firm wins the case.
The credit is available to eligible employers that paid qualified wages to some or all employees after March 12, 2020, and before Jan. 1, 2022.
One of the arguments that Batavia Downs is a business is that the corporation received a PPP loan during the pandemic, which was a program not available to government agencies.
"We were determined to be eligible for that, and that was fully vetted," Owens said. "We had opinions of counsel, and everyone said, yes, we were eligible for the PPP."
New sign greeting guests as they enter Batavia Downs notifying of the ID requirement to enter the gaming floor. Photo by Howard Owens.
About three weeks ago, a minor -- a person under 18 years of age -- was found on the gaming floor at Batavia Downs, a violation of state law.
Officials at Batavia Downs self-reported the violation. The result was a $10,000 fine.
Since that violation, all guests at Batavia Downs are being asked to present an ID to prove they're over 18 to enter the gaming floor.
"I think this was actually the third (violation)," said Byron Brown, president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. "The first one was $1,000, I believe. The second one was $5,000, and the third one was $10,000. We took immediate action after each of these to make changes. But after the third one, we went to the ID and the all-visitor policy."
The new ID policy was approved by the New York State Gaming Commission.
Staff at the state's Gaming Association informed WROTB executives that there is a push to implement an ID requirement for casinos statewide. The association's position is that requiring ID should be voluntary.
"We have already implemented it," Brown told the board during Thursday's meeting. "It's going smoothly, and whichever way it goes with the state, we are ahead of the curve, and we are IDing all customers that come into the property, and hopefully that will put us in a position where we no longer incur any fines from minors being able to find their way onto the gaming floor."
ID is being required of all customers to ensure that no youth is able to "present" as older than 18, Brown said. There was initially some push back from regular customers but that has faded, Brown said, as IDing becomes the new normal.
"We don't want to give away our money that's being earned by being fined again," Brown said. "Our security does a good job. Sean and his team do a good job. So things are going very smoothly with that at this point."
The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is close to hiring a new chief financial officer, President and CEO Byron Brown said after Thursday's board meeting.
The search is necessary in order to replace CFO Jackie Leach, who is retiring.
Brown said the board authorized the use of a search firm that specializes in working with CFO candidates who have gaming experience.
"So we've got additional resumes, including an internal candidate, and we hope to be able to make a selection in the very near future," Brown said.
The board is also looking to hire a new general counsel to replace Henry Wojtaszek, who served both as CEO and general counsel.
"We had a number of highly qualified resumes for general counsel," Brown said. "We did not have to utilize a search firm for the General Counsel. We are very close to selecting someone for general counsel."
Board President Dennis Bassett commended the board, particularly those members who have participated in search committees.
It's been nearly 10 months since the board agreed to buy out Wojtaszek's contract, along with Leach's and that of VP of Operations William White.
"We will have brought on board a total of seven senior-level executives into this organization when we're finished with the chief financial officer and legal counsel, and there has been tremendous activity to make sure that we get a good cross section of those members that have agreed to serve on committees," Bassett said. "I think the process has gone very well, and I would like to thank each and every board member who has taken the time to participate in the selection process."
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. and the union representing OTB branch employees have reached a new two-year bargaining agreement that will give the branch employees two 3% annual raises.
The OTB board approved the proposed contract on Thursday. The Public Service Employees Union local must also approve the agreement.
As part of the agreement, WROTB executives agreed not to close any branches during the first year of the agreement.
"That was a big concern with the branch employees. When we met with them, they were concerned about the future of the branches," said Steve Casey, chief of staff to the CEO.
Under the terms of the agreement, the union and OTB management will form a committee to investigate ways to cut costs, as some branches are losing money.
The goal of the committee would be to "make sure we can achieve long-term stability," Casey said.
Casey said negotiations for the new contract took about six months.
The PSEU also represents employees at Batavia Downs, and there are separate negotiations for a new bargaining agreement with them. In all, about 52 percent of the corporation's employees belong to the union.
"We had good discussions with the union and their labor representative, Antonella Rotilio," said Byron Brown, president and CEO of WROTB.
Rob Holland performing in his aircraft, via his social media site with the announcement that Holland died in a crash Thursday at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
Aerobatic pilot Rob Holland, who performed in the return of Wings Over Batavia Air Show in 2023 and 2024, and became an integral member of the local team effort to secure a host site in Batavia for the 2026 World Aerobatic Championships, died in a crash Thursday at Langley Air Force Base.
An announcement posted on Holland’s social media site on Thursday afternoon stated that the cause of the crash was unknown at the time and was under investigation.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today, 24 April 2025, in an accident at Langley AFB, VA.,” the post stated. “Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history. Even with an absolutely impressive list of accomplishments, both in classical competition aerobatics and within the air show world, Rob was the most humble person with a singular goal to simply be better than he was yesterday.”
Holland was a premier air show performer and freestyle aerobatic competition pilot with nearly 20 years of experience. He flew his MXS-RH, an all-carbon fiber, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft, for a show that thrilled fans with his breathtaking performances, local organizers had said. He was in the line-up for this year's Wings air show.
Genesee County Public Works Commissioner Tim Hens, who helped to resurrect the air show and worked to continue its momentum ever since, was taken aback to hear the news. Being on the front line meant for him and many others a familiarity with the performers beyond a spectator’s view.
“I was in shock to hear about Rob’s accident. He was the best of the best and an amazing human,” Hens said Thursday night. “My heart goes out to his family and his air show family.”
Holland, of New Hampshire, was a 2012 recipient of the Art Scholl Award for Showmanship and had more than 14,000 hours of flight time. The MXS-RH contained modifications suggested by him based on his aerobatic experiences.
One of his moves is to let out a plume of white smoke from his aircraft and seemingly stall in mid-air before continuing with deep dives and loops in his signature shiny red and black MXS-RH.
When air show leader Pete Zeliff and his team presented a plan to host the World Aerobatic Championships in rural Batavia, that team included Rob Holland, a past world participant. Holland had won the national competition 13 times, but never the world.
Holland was “one of the ones that came to us and asked what we thought about putting in an application to hold it in Batavia,” Zeliff had previously said.
Due to that prompting, the competition is scheduled to be held this summer at the airport in Batavia.
There were hundreds of mourners and well-wishers on Holland's social media site, expressing condolences, yes, but also sweet memories and messages.
“This is going to hurt me a lot. You are my inspiration to the aviation world. You got me where I didn’t think I would be,” posted one person. “I know deep down I gotta push through to make you happy. You brought me into this aviation world, and I will continue it just for you, Rob Holland.”
Another wrote that “he had a way of showing up just when you needed him. If Rob knew you were at an air show, he’d find you just to say hello. If you had a mechanical or logistical issue, he was the first to roll up his sleeves and help. He led not with ego, but with heart — setting an example of how great talent can be paired with even greater character,” the post stated. “In a world where grace and humility can feel rare, Rob embodied both. He made our lives richer by simply being in them. His legacy is not only written in the skies he painted with his aircraft, but in the countless lives he touched with kindness and compassion.
“Godspeed, Rob,” the poster signed off. “You were one of a kind, and we’re all better for having known you.”
Zeliff was not available for comment Thursday evening.
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