This is a bloom from the John Kennedy Rose in my yard.

I've driven past the old Batavia Motel many, many times, and I never thought of it as a photo opportunity until today.

Competitors from throughout Western New York -- and even West Virginia -- were at Silver Shoe Farms on Pratt Road, Batavia, today for carriage driving races.

Nicole Cable said this is the third year Silver Shoe has hosted the event.

The races feature two- and four-wheel carriages, some of them antiques -- remnants of the pre-automobile era.

Cable, 29, started carriage racing when she was 9. She now teaches carriage driving at the farm.

Competitors were ages 9 and up and both men and woman. Horse sizes ranged from 32-inches tall to 16 hands.

More photos after the jump:

Pembroke Fire has been dispatched to an unknown type accident incident off the roadway in the area of 8755 South Lake Road, Corfu.

A chief is walking to the scene. He's requested a check on the availability of Mercy Flight and has requested a four-wheeler be dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 4:49 p.m.: Emergency personnel are still trying to reach the victim. Mercy Flight is being dispatched to the Pembroke Fire Hall to stand by at that location.

UPDATE 4:54 p.m.: Four-wheelers are starting down the four-wheeler path, which is apparently the only route into the scene, which is well into the woods. The victim has been located.

UPDATE 4:56 p.m.: This is not a vehicle accident. A middle-aged man collapsed while climbing over a log. Mercy Flight will land at the Pembroke Hall. 

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The Batavia Rotary Club honored its Father Day's tradition by sponsoring its annual Fly-In Breakfast at the Genesee County Airport.

Once again, hundreds of people turned out, including a number of pilots with their planes.

More photos after the jump:

Genesee Community College alumni are hard at work planning the first-ever Homecoming celebration on Oct. 1-2.

A committee of 10 is excited about welcoming alumni back to campus. It is co-chaired by Patti Michalak (Mancuso, '70) and Pam Whitcombe (Allein, '69) and is seeking additional alumni to assist with planning and volunteering during Homecoming weekend.

"We would love to get many different graduating years represented on the committee," Michalak said. "It doesn't matter if you graduated two years ago, or 20 years ago, we want you to feel welcomed back to campus and enjoy a fun-filled weekend with old friends."

All graduating classes as well as family members, friends and the community are welcome to the Batavia Campus for Homecoming. There will be a variety of entertaining activities and sporting events, culminating with an All-Class Reunion/Mixer. There will be music, food and a cash bar.

The classes of 1969 and 1970 will be especially highlighted because the Homecoming theme is "Hippie '60s." Groovy!

Friday, Oct. 1, will feature men's and women's alumni soccer games played under the lights of the new, all-weather turf field.

Saturday, Oct. 2, will begin with various alumni-centered activities and celebrations across the campus including tours, reunions and  brunch. The men's and women's Cougar Soccer teams will play at noon and 2 p.m. versus North Country Community College.

Following the soccer games, the charter inductees will be welcomed into the new Athletic Hall of Fame with a ceremony and celebration, followed by the All-Class Reunion/Mixer.

In addition to Michalak and Whitcombe, the Homecoming Committee includes: Barbara (Palmer) Shine '70; Jim Tuttle '71; John Michalak '73; Sandra (Eashak) Maisano '73; Matt Locker '88; Laurie Smith '88; Kelli (Sperino) Pease '89; and Kate (Starkweather) Edwards '04.

Further details on locations, times and additional alumni activities are available at <http://www.genesee.edu/Alumni/Homecoming >.

To join the Homecoming Committee or to volunteer for the Homecoming weekend, please contact Alumni Affairs Coordinator Jackie Christenson at 585-343-0055,  ext. 6265 or at <http://jkchristenson@genesee.edu>.

The Cardinals 2010 5th-round draft pick, Nick Longmire, provided just about all the offense the Batavia Muckdogs (1-1) needed to win their home opener 7 to 5 over the Auburn Doubledays (1-1).

Longmire hit his first professional home run as well as two doubles and a sacrifice fly to produce 6 RBIs.

More than 1,400 of your friends and neighbors were on hand for the opener.

The winning pitcher was Andrew Moss, of Piedmont, Mo., who scattered five hits over five innings and gave up only one run. Moss (1-0), in his second tour with Batavia, walked one and struck out five.

Jose Gregorio Rada, of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, picked up his first save of the season.

Batavia travels to Auburn tonight for a 6:05 p.m. game. The next home game is Saturday, June 26, at 7:05 p.m. against Scranton.

More pictures (including fan pictures)  after the jump:

Local youth soccer players were at the new soccer fields on Bank Street Road today for a tournament.

More pictures after the jump:

There was no shortage of fun at Saturday's carnival in Stafford. The Stafford Fire Department will open the fair again on Sunday, culminating with the drawing in its annual Corvette raffle.

More pictures after the jump:

A car accident in Bethany is requiring the aid of Mercy Flight. A 21-year-old male has been ejected from a vehicle and rescue efforts are underway.

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance (BEA) is holding the first of what they hope will be an annual summer camp this year. It's called the "MST Explorer Camp," and will engage middle-schoolers in hands-on activities related to careers in math, science and technology.

This is a first for BEA, which hosts a "MASH (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp" and a "Culinary Camp" every summer (see last month's announcement for more details on these and for pictures).

BEA Coordinator Melinda Chamberlin started planning the MST camp in the spring, along with Debbie Dunlevy, who works with GCC's Tech Prep Program, and Bob Hollwedel, a technology instructor at Alexander Middle School.

Clay Maderer, a technology teacher at Batavia Middle School and a member of the MST camp's development team, said that the idea arose, in part, from the success and popularity of GCC'S Tech Wars.

"We wanted to see that type of activity carry over into the summer," Maderer said.

Current job market trends, both in the Western New York area and in the nation as a whole, were also a factor.

"We hope this brings home to students the relevance of these subjects in the real world," Chamberlin said. "We also hope it shows them that math, science and technology can be cool and interesting."

All of BEA's camps are geared toward middle-schoolers. According to Chamberlin, those students are at a stage of development at which they can start to become passionate about certain subjects and find out what they like.

"They're at an age where you can really start to influence their career interests," she said. "That doesn't mean forcing them into anything, it just means that we can, and should, help them to become more well-informed about career choices (before they spend a lot of money on college)."

Although the MST has not been done before, the MASH and Culinary camps have both gotten great responses from students.

"They love it," Chamberlin said. "Some of them will even go from one camp to another."

The MST camp will include presentations given by professionals in a variety of different fields, exposing the kids to specific math, science and technology-related careers. For instance, representatives from Time Warner Cable will do a session on how the company delivers information to the world.

Additionally, a middle-school-age race car driver (along with others) will be there to help teach them about aerodynamics.

But these "instructors" are not just going to be feeding kids information, like in a stereotypical classroom setting. All of the planned activities are hands-on, so the students will be able to learn by direct, personal engagement.

Charles "Chip" Malone of Cornell Cooperative Extension will be in charge of an energy exhibit where the kids will try to activate various appliances -- including cell phones, lights and kitchen appliances -- by peddling stationary bicycles (thus generating an air current)...

"...which is really cool," Malone said. "They'll have a lot of fun with that."

The idea, according to Hollwedel, is to help them gain an "appreciation of how much energy the things they own use."

The kids will also work at designing their own bridges, modifying/adapting CO2 cars to run more efficiently and racing them to find out whose is the best.

MST is a one-day camp. There will be two sessions -- one on July 20 for boys, and another on July 21 for girls. Both sessions will be at Batavia Middle School, at 96 Ross St. in Batavia, and last from 7:45 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The decision to devote one day to each gender group was based on the observations of middle-school teachers and made for the benefit of the kids.

"Girls tend to be resistant in technology class," Hollwedel said, "because boys are stereotypically more inclined toward technology, tools, etc. So with guys around, the girls can become intimidated and afraid to try things on their own."

"If the camp were co-ed, the girls would be more likely to just go along with what the guys say," said Samantha Lippman, a science teacher at Alexander Middle School and a member of the MST development team. "This way they can work independently, pitch in and come up with their own ideas. And with all the hands-on activities, they'll be able to see that they can do it."

"What we want to do for both boys and girls," Chamberlin said, "is give them an opportunity to excel and to work without having to worry about intimidation or pressure."

The MST Camp is open to all students in Genesee County who will be entering grades 7, 8 and 9 in the fall. There is room for 11 more students, and registrations will be accepted until July 2.

There is a $25 admission fee to cover operating expenses and lunch for the students.

For details, call Chamberlin at 343-7440, ext. 25, or e-mail mchamberlin@mail.geneseeny.com.

As the Batavian Muckdogs head into their 2010 home opener at Dwyer Stadium, the team will feature a roster stacked with experience.

The majority of players on the 30-man roster has prior minor league experience, with a few familiar names to Muckdog fans.

Topping the list of familiar names are Alan Ahmady and Jon Edwards.

Ahmady was a 2009 NY-Penn League All-Star for the Muckdogs, hitting .292 with a .409 on-base percentage with 32 RBI and 42 runs scored.

Ahmady suffered an off-season set back when he tested positive for amphetamines. Ahmady told his hometown paper that when he was asked to start doing some catching, he felt he needed to get back on medication for attention-deficit disorder.

Right fielder Edwards was part of the 2008 championship team, hitting .304 with 6 HR and 16 RBI. In 2009, Edwards split time between Batavia and Quad Cities. While he smacked 13 HRs (11 in Quad Cities), he hit a disappointing .205. Edwards was a 14th-round pick in 2006. This is his third trip through Batavia.

Among the fresh new faces is Nick Longmire, a native of San Diego, who was selected in the 5th round this June by the Cardinals. As the highest draft pick on the squad, Longmire is expected to patrol center field.

Other players from last year's Muckdogs roster include pitcher LaCurtis Mayes and catcher, Luis De La Cruz, who was also part of the 2008 championship team.

Manager Dann Bilardello is in his first season with the Muckdogs. A first-round pick of the Dodgers in 1979, Biladello spent MLB time with the Reds, Expos, Pirates and Padres.

Game time tonight is 7:05. The first 1,000 fans will receive schedule magnets.

Polka is one of those musical styles that just unavoidably brings a smile to your face. It was an appropriate choice to kick off a fun concert season in Jackson Square on Friday evening. And the Bedrock Boys didn't disppoint.

For more on upcoming shows, check the Jackson Square ad on the right side of the page. The series includes blues, rock, country and jazz and continues through August.

More pictures after the jump:

Every year, the Le Roy Fire Department walks with its antique, used-to-be-horse-drawn pumper and fire hose to Stafford for the Stafford Fire Department's annual parade. First Assistant Chief Tom "Woody" Woods said it's a tradition that has been ongoing for at least 25 years. Department members, along with Pavilion firefighters, walk the two buggies all the way from Le Roy to Stafford, starting at noon, stopping for a picnic along the way.

More parade pictures after the jump:

If you're in the market for a smart bandana for Bowser or a nifty cap napper for Fifi, the Genesee County ARC has some doggone good pet products that you can buy to support a great cause.

The pet line began a year ago in May. It helps ARC employ people with different types of disabilities, giving them a sense of pride and accomplishment. ARC also makes boxes for jewelry, filters and for Yancy's Fancy cheese.

Paul Saskowski, ARC's marketing manager, came up with the idea for pet products when he noticed that even during a recession, people spend money on their pets. Pets are treated like members of the family and they have their own special needs.

He did extensive research on the types of materials used in making pet products, such as the dog beds, and the prices stores charged. He wanted high-quality products that were durable and competitively priced.

These include: beds, cat nappers, dog bandanas, dog jackets and soon they hope to bring back their toothsome "Bark Bones."

The popular pet beds range from $25 to $75. They are very tough and will take even the most destructive pet awhile to tear it apart.

"We are nearing our 100th bed sold,” said Saskowski.

A heavy, water-resistant canvas is used for the bottom of the pet beds. The bed can easily be wiped down if it gets wet. There are four colors to choose from -- brown, khaki, black and tan. The top is made from a soft fleece and there are six colors/patterns to choose from: camel, rifle green, dog bones, white paws, red paws, and "bow-wow."

The stuffing is made from a cotton blend. To help with recycling and cut down on the amount of unused material, excess padding from ARC's manufacturing of jewelry boxes is included in the stuffing. This also helps make the beds softer. The beds are machine washable. Just throw the bed in the washing machine and follow the care instructions.

They come in small, medium and large. There is also the option of fiberfill or a pillow-top orthopedic, depending on how soft you want the bedding.

"All orders are custom made," he said, this way, customers can choose their own color/pattern and add the pet's name.

One person sews the pet products and she can make two to three beds per day. Once the order is ready, either the customer will pick up the product or Saskowski will drop it off. On rare occasions, an order comes from out of state and the product is packaged and mailed. Most of the orders come from within the area; the farthest one shipped went to Florida.

The cat nappers are $10, made from cozy fleece and have a touch of irresistable catnip sewed into them. They come in a variety of colors. The dog bandanas cost $2 to $4 are also made from fleece with many prints to choose from, including seasonal holiday ones.

The dog jackets also come in a variety of colors and sizes range from x-small, small and medium. Prices are $10-15. Each item can be personalized with your pet's name for only $5 more.

The Bark Bones are an all-natural, oven-baked dog treat. Currently, the ARC kitchen is undergoing renovations and as soon as they are completed, production of the treats will start once again. These have been a big hit. Dogs find them quite tasty.

Currently the pet product line gets all of its business through fliers in various animal hospitals and shelters, at fairs and local markets, and by word-of-mouth.

"We have fliers in the State Street Animal Hospital and in Mount Morris."

ARC anticipates getting a website to sell the pet line soon, making the products easier to order for a greater number of customers. Several organizations are said to be waiting for the website to launch and plan to post a link to it.

All money made from the pet line stays with the Genesee County ARC.

Its mission statement is "...to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and the community. We embrace the individuals and nurture their social, spiritual, physical and emotional growth."

To order products or find out more, contact Paul Saskowski at (585) 343-1123, ext. 258 or via e-mail at <www.pasaskowski@rochester.rr.com>.

This weekend, horses and riders from throughout Western New York again converged on Batavia Downs for a horse show and riding competition.

The show continues today and tomorrow.

More photos after the jump:

A fire is reported in the basement of a house at 3181 Dodgeson Road, Alexander.

Alexander Fire is responding, along with a tanker and ladder truck from the Town of Batavia, a tanker from East Pembroke and a unit from Darien.

Bethany Fire is called to stand in at Alexander Fire Hall.

Residents are out of the house. The location is between Beaver and Seward roads.

UPDATE: A chief reports, "I don't think we have much of a fire if we can get here and get it knocked down."

UPDATE 3:39 a.m.: An interior firefighter reports, "heavy smoke in the basement." A chief is requesting a second line to the back of the house.  An interior firefighter reports heavy smoke, but no source.

UPDATE 3:48 a.m.: Fire contained. It appears to have been an electrical source in the basement.

UPDATE 3:54 a.m.: Red Cross requested to the scene. Fire is out.

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City Fire is being asked to investigate the smell of smoke in the area of Jackson and Maple streets, Batavia.

UPDATE 11:33 p.m.: Appears to be unfounded.

Theodore R. Cooper, 27, of  59 Spencer Ave., Oswego, was arrested at his home on a warrant issued by Batavia City Court following an investigation by Batavia City Police into a fraud complaint.

It is alleged that on Dec. 30, 2009 and on Feb. 3, 2010 Cooper went to the home of an elderly Batavia resident and claimed he was a roofing contractor and claimed she had a problem with her roof.

On both occasions Cooper was alleged to have been at the residence for about 15 minutes and charged the woman a total of $5,500. Inspection of the roof reveals that no repairs were done by Cooper. The roof had been put on new in 2008 by a local established roofing company and appeared in good condition.

Cooper was charged with one count of grand larceny, 3rd. He was arraigned by Judge Robert Balbick and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. No bail was set. He will appear in City Court again on Monday. The investigation was conducted by Detective Charles Dudek.

Local law enforcement officers and community volunteers will be recognized tonight, following a dinner at Bohn's Restaurant, by the DWI Victim Impact Panel.

The honorees have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to reduce drunk driving.

This year, the following people are being recognized with the Exceptional Service Award:

• Village of Holley Police Officer Karol Hughes, for 14 DWI arrests in the Village of Holley.
• Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin McCarthy, 100-percent conviction rate for 30 DWI arrests.
• New York State Trooper David Wesolowski for 31 DWI arrests.

The Above and Beyond Award goes to:

• New York State Trooper Matt Luft for his life-saving actions in the town of Murray. Trooper Luft responded to a call involving a rollover vehicle that came to rest in a swamp. The driver was partially submerged under water and intoxicated. Trooper Luft cut the seatbelt and pulled him to safety.

The Honor and Appreciation Award goes to:

• Darien Town Justice Gary Graber for his relentless fight to increase accountability of those arrested for underage drinking. He has worked tirelessly to encourage support of tougher legislation that addresses underage drinking and marijuana use.

The Kathy Seymour Volunteer Service Award goes to:

• Korey Kustes who has endured years of physical and emotional trauma resulting from injuries he sustained in a drunk-driving crash. Kustes has allowed his persoanl setback to be made public so that others may learn from his experiences.

The DWI Victim Impact Panel (VIP) educates offenders on the consequences of drunk driving. Panel members are volunteers who directly address the audience revealing how their lives have been forever changed by the actions of a drunk driver. The audience is typically comprised of people convicted of DWI offenses in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

For more information about the VIP, to volunteer or attend, contact Laura Ricci at 815-1883.