Russ and Jo Ann Nephew hosted their second classic car and tractor show at their home, 323 State St., Batavia on Sunday afternoon.
About 55 people attended the event, which featured a memorial tribute to car enthusiasts Jeanne Freeman, who lived in Byron, and David Smith, who resided in Pavilion.
Numerous door prizes were awarded to attendees, who also were treated to lunch.
Photos by Howard Owens except where noted.
When Brett Young began work on his latest album, “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days,” he faced a whole new challenge as a songwriter. He had strived to be authentic in his writing, delving into subject matter that allowed him to draw from his personal experiences.
But that approach wasn’t going to work on the “Weekends” album, especially if he was trying to write about where his life is now.
Married to his long-time girlfriend, which he literally says is the love of his life, and a father of two little girls, Young knew his happy life wouldn’t make for a compelling album.
“It would have been really tempting to just write basically a lullabies record, love songs about my wife and songs about my children,” Young said in a late-April phone interview. “So the challenge was that you can’t write just about what you’re going through in your life right now. That’s going to be boring.”
Fortunately for Young, he was working with some co-writers who have been around the block and knew how to put an authentic personal touch on a lyric and honestly convey a variety of emotions over the course of an album.
“It’s hard when you’re in the happiest place in your life, and you’ve got to still write a sad song, and we did,” Young said. “We did that, but we did it through a lot of conversations. I’d get in with a songwriter or a couple of songwriters, and I’d be like, ‘Tell me about your worst heartbreak. Explain that to me.’ We started having to go down that path, and that was a new stage of songwriting for me. Don’t just do what you’re feeling right now; here’s a topic, go back to a place where you did feel this way and write it. And we did that. I think it stretched me in a really good way as a songwriter.”
This new approach to songwriting is very evident on “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days,” and Young has essentially crafted an album that touches on the long and winding road he has traveled with his wife, Taylor.
Young, though, didn’t want to tell a linear story about his history with Taylor. Instead, the songs on “Weekends” feel like snapshots from various moments of their journey, which included three breakups before they decided they truly should be together.
“For us, our story wasn’t linear anyway,” Young said. “I met Taylor, this Thanksgiving, it will be 16 years ago. So we have a long, storied history.”
The album culminates with the song “This,” which describes how the life Young and Taylor have now has made the heartaches and good times from their dating years completely worth it.
“That one really fell out quick,” Young said of “This.” “It got me talking about my family (with Taylor), and it immediately made me realize it doesn’t matter, three breakups, 20 breakups, whatever, it was all part of our journey to get here, to this.”
Like his history with Taylor, Young’s musical life has been a journey that had its share of frustrations before things fell into place for the 42-year-old singer/songwriter.
He began by playing covers of other peoples’ songs, first at restaurants and other venues around his Orange County, California, home base and later in the big city of Los Angeles, while he independently released a pair of EPs and three albums, hoping to get a record deal.
But Young’s career remained stuck in neutral until he realized his songs actually were well suited to country music, and he moved to Nashville. There, Young quickly made contacts and, within nine months, signed with Big Machine Records.
In short order, he was in a studio making his self-titled debut album with noted producer Dann Huff. The album’s advance single, “Sleep Without You,” reached No. 2 on “Billboard” magazine’s Country Airplay chart. Then another single, “In Case You Didn’t Know,” topped the Country Airplay chart and went top 20 on “Billboard’s” all genre Hot 100 chart. The hits have kept coming since, with his second album, “Ticket To L.A.,” adding “Here Tonight” and “Catch” and “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days” adding “Lady” to his list of chart-topping singles.
For a while, Young worried that he might have to leave even some of his popular ballads out of his concerts to keep his shows from getting too sleepy for audiences. But as his current shows demonstrate, he’s found that his fans aren’t worried about the pace of his concerts.
“What we’ve found out is that people aren’t thinking about that at my shows. They bought a Brett Young ticket. They know the music,” Young said. “They came to hear the music that they know. So every time we try to kind of inauthentically ramp it up for the sake of ramping it up, they’ve felt like they missed out on a song or two they wanted to hear. So it’s been less about the setlist and more about paying attention to my fan base and what they’re actually coming to the show for.”
Brett Young performs at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on Saturday.
It's been a couple of weeks since I've drawn your attention to this, but The Batavian continues to publish more local news than any other source, and we more frequently beat the competition than we get beat on local stories.
By local, we mean Genesee County, which is all we cover.
We cover more events. We publish more local photos. Our calendar has more local events -- more events publicized in one place than you can even find on social media (send your calendar items to be included to news@thebatavian.com). This week, for the first time, we published a listing of local music at local venues, which makes us the only local publication to offer such a calendar. We publish more press releases, which also helps you stay better informed about what's going on in the local community (send press releases to news@thebatavian.com). I didn't include much sports in the list below, including the Muckdogs, because we don't have a sports staff, but we have beat the competition on sports stories, and we seem to have more coverage of the Muckdogs these days.
All of this adds up to The Batavian being a complete and comprehensive local news outlet like none other around here.
A report by Northwestern University says that local newspapers are dying at a rate of two per week. The future of local news is digital, which is why you should support online local news.
We work hard to bring you the news, sometimes too hard (I put in more than 100 hours this past week), which is why we started Early Access Pass. Local news isn't going to survive without reader support. It simply isn't sustainable without readers helping pay for it.
Please join Early Access Pass today.
Here's a list of stories from the past week that The Batavian beat the competition on, and often the coverage is still only available on The Batavian.
Many of these stories were available only to members of Early Access Pass during the first four hours of publication. Click here to join Early Access Pass.
Click here for more information.
The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual tractor pull on Friday and Saturday.
Photos by Nick Serrata.
Muckdog's manager Joey Martinez promised at the start of the season that the 2023 edition of the hometown team would feature strong pitching.
Ryan Kinney is the latest Batavia starter to prove him right.
Kinney took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against top division rival Elmira at Dwyer Stadium on Saturday night to help the red-hot, division-leading Muckdogs notch its fourth-straight win, 4-2.
The right-hander from Winter Haven, Fla, is now 3-0 on the year with a 0.42 ERA after going 8 1/2, giving up two hits and two runs. He struck out nine Pioneers.
Rijnaldo Euson came on to get the final out for this third save.
The Muckdogs are now 19-8 after winning 10 of their past 12 games and are three games up on Elmira (15-10) in the Western Divison of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.
The win was also Batavia's 15th straight win at home.
Adam Agresti raised his season average to .409 by going 3-4 with two RBIs and two doubles.
Giuseppe Arcuri went 2-3 with a run scored. Trey Bacon was 1-3 with two RBIs.
Attendance was 1,599.
Batavia is home again on Tuesday against Geneva. Game time is 6:35 p.m.
Photos by Nick Serrata
A porch fire is reported at 7959 North Road, Le Roy.
That's between Conlon Road and Lake Street.
Le Roy Fire, along with Bergen and City of Batavia, dispatched.
Eli Fish Brewing is hosting its second annual carnival in Jackson Square today (Saturday).
The carnival runs until 10 p.m.
Photos by Howard Owens.
The Friday evening concert series in Jackson Square, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, kicked off the 2023 season with the Skycats.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Country music recording artist Craig Morgan, with hits such as "That's What I Love About Sunday," "Almost Home," "Redneck Yacht Club," "Little Bit of Life," and "International Harvester," brought his tour into Batavia on Friday with a stop at Batavia Downs.
Opening for Morgan was Drake White as part of the summer's Rockin' the Downs concert series.
This Friday, the show will get a little more rockus with Skid Row taking the stage.
Photos by Nick Serrata.
A gas pipe is reportedly broken in the woods across the street from 2319 Richley Road in Darien.
The location is between Ridge Road and Simons Road.
Darien Fire dispatched.
Le Roy's 12-U Little League team is the district champ and next plays in the sectional championship, which will determine the teams to play in the state tournament.
On Friday, Le Roy defeated Allegany 8-0 with two pitchers combining to throw a shutout.
Matthew McCulley went five innings striking out 12 batters, and Michael Warner came in in the 6th to shut the door and claim the title. The two pitchers gave up only three hits on the night.
Le Roy scored three runs in the first, two in the second, and three in the fourth, and gathered 15 hits in the game.
Catcher Eddie Lathan threw out two Allegany baserunners on attempted steals.
Hits were recorded by Sammy Bogue (3), Drew Beachel (3), Dalton Luke (2), Eddie Lathan (2), Carter McClurg, Ethan Rose, Matthew McCulley, Michael Warner, and Ryker Vangalio. Runs scored were Sammy Bogue (3), Drew Beachel, Dalton Luke, Carter McClurg, Michael Warner, and Ryan Crissy.
Team members include Sammy Bogue #24, Drew Beachel #13, Matthew McCulley #42, Michael Warner #5, Ryker Vangalio #2, Eddie Lathan #6, Blake Biracree #0, Ethan Rose #28, Dalton Luke #11, Carter McClurg #99, Ryan Crissy #8, and Carson Wetsell #23 (missing from photo)
Le Roy went 6-0 on district play, giving up only seven runs while scoring 56 runs.
Submitted photos and information.
The temporary shutoff of water to Batavia's spray park in Austin Park Friday, with temperatures approaching 90, is over, and a steady stream of kids was hitting the park throughout Saturday morning and into the afternoon.
Mikayla Brown and James Malone went to the park on Saturday to cool off with no idea the park had just been through a temporary water shutoff.
Malone said the spray park is important on hot days.
"When it gets to be 90 degrees some days, with the humidity, yeah, yeah, it would be kind of sad (without water)," he said.
When told the water was temporarily shut off because of a water shortage, both Malone and Brown said they could understand why it would be shut off.
Le Roy's spray park had also been turned off, and there has been no word on whether it was up and running again for the weekend.
Previously: Water shortage means no spray parks in 90-degree heat
After selling barbecue in front of his house to help locals endure the 2020 pandemic, Nick Rada decided it was time to translate his training and skills with smoked meat and open an authentic Southern BBQ restaurant in Corfu.
It's where his lifelong passion has led him.
“I’ve always had a passion for it. I always would hang out back by my grandfather’s pond. [I would] cook over live fire,” Rada said.
After years of cooking with fire, Rada found himself in Greenville, S.C., and he said a man nicknamed “Mr. T” showed him old-school southern barbecue. It was there that Rada’s passion for barbecue was solidified. Now, after barbecuing first as a hobbyist, then for those during the pandemic, Rada has opened his own restaurant.
The restaurant offers catering, limited dine-in services and takeout.
Diners can enjoy Southern classics like smoked barbecue chicken, pulled pork, chopped beef and more. Rada also takes great pride in not just perfecting his main dishes but his sides as well. Macaroni and cheese, collard greens and tangy cole slaw are fan favorites.
“It’s about as authentic and true you will get to real barbecue compared to anywhere down south. Even though I’m up in New York State, come on in, and you’ll have good barbecue. I take pride in it.”
He makes his own sauce, mixing his own sauce that he developed with a store-bought sauce. The baked beans and potato salad are made from scratch.
He said during the summer, most of his business is catering, and his weekends are frequently booked.
Burnin’ Barrel BBQ is located at 10 E. Main St in Corfu. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
Photos by Howard Owens.
The season has been played, the championships contested, and in Batavia Youth Baseball, after finals were played, two teams stand atop the rest.
In the 12U Division, The Guardians edged out the Dodgers 2-1.
In the 10U Division, The Royals Barbershop Mets defeated the Angels 10-8.
Submitted photos and information.
Le Roy Central School District families ended their week with some good news for student athletes Friday through a letter sent home by the Athletic Department, Superintendent Merritt Holly says.
The district has formed a new partnership with Genesee Valley BOCES to offer a certified strength and conditioning staff “that will be creating a strength and conditioning program for all our students in grades 7-12,” the letter from Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mathew Davis stated.
It continued:
The program is specifically designed to build athletes into the strongest and fastest version of themselves. This targeted performance program concentrates on a scientifically specialized type of training that will increase an athlete's strength, speed, explosiveness, quickness, acceleration, and vertical jump. Training will be provided for both off-season and in-season sessions along with being implemented into sport specific practice times throughout the year.
The strength and conditioning staff will also be partnering with our long-time Certified Athletic Trainer, Amanda Sheflin. This newly established partnership will certainly bring a competitive advantage to our student athletes’ ability to gain strength, recover faster, minimize sport related injuries and improve overall health and wellness.
This summer programming will start on Monday, July 10th and run through Friday, August 25th. All training sessions will take place at the Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School fitness center. Our coaching staff encourages all Modified, JV, and Varsity athletes to take advantage of this excellent FREE opportunity to enhance their overall strength, fitness, and performance this summer!
The schedule will run from to 8 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with Fridays being open.
Davis was not available for further comment Friday.
Anyone with questions may contact the Athletic Office at 585-768-8131.
Press Release:
The Holland Land Office Museum's History Heroes Summer Program is back for 2023 from Tuesday, July 25 through Saturday, July 29. The program is for children ages 7-12.
This year's theme is "I Survived the Civil War" and features lessons about various groups and their lives during the Civil War. This includes not only soldiers but also women and children and even President Abraham Lincoln. Each day runs from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. and includes crafts, games, music, presenters, historic food, and more.
The price is $40 per day or $30 for museum members. Please contact the museum to sign up or for more information. Registration forms and information can also be found at the museum website, www.hollandlandoffice.com.
Press Release:
On Monday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., resurfacing operations will occur on the following listed roads:
- Dorman Road – Creek Road to Alexander Townline Road
- East Road – Creek Road to Putnam Road
- Shepard Road – Putnam Road to Batavia/Bethany Townline Road
- State Street Road – City line to Saile Drive
Traffic should expect delays and short-term closures while resurfacing operations occur. All through traffic should seek alternative routes.
Residents on the listed roads will be permitted access to their property but may experience delays. Work is weather dependent. If postponed for weather, work will resume the next work day.
If there are any questions concerning this work, please, contact The Town of Batavia Highway Department at (585) 343-1729, Extension 218. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.
Press Release:
Genesee Community College is pleased to announce The BEST Center will be offering new technical programs this fall. With the changing needs of the workforce and the increased need for individuals trained in technical skills, the BEST Center will offer a variety of programs including Introduction to Electric, Refrigeration, HVAC, Heating, Plumbing, Computer Numerical Control, and Cybersecurity courses.
Introduction to Electric will be one of the first courses to be offered. It is scheduled for Saturdays from September 16-November 18, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. "The course times and hours were selected to allow working professionals to take the class outside of their regular working hours," said Jennifer Wakefield, executive director of Workforce Development. "These new technical programs will benefit many employees and companies in the GLOW region. Reports are generated monthly demonstrating the unfilled positions in our region due to the lack of skilled employees. We hope to close this gap with these new offerings."
In addition, through the SUNY HealthCARES Grant, training for GCC Health Care Studies students and BEST Center clients will be offered in a virtual reality format. Students will be able to use ocular headsets loaded with industry-recognized curriculum to explore healthcare career options, practice techniques, learn new skills and prepare for industry-recognized certifications. In addition, students will be connected with local healthcare organizations for career pathway preparation.
New programming requires new staff to provide service to our companies and students. Kathy Wood is the Regional Coordinator for the SUNY HealthCARES Grant. A resident of Le Roy, Kathy has over 20 years of combined experience in program coordination and healthcare workforce development. Christa Palmer, also new to the team, is the Coordinator of Technical Programs for the BEST Center. Christa is a resident of Batavia and joins GCC with over 25 years of experience in education.
"Technology gives our companies important business tools, which leads to gains in productivity and profitability. These new courses for high-demand careers will provide the training needed for our companies to be successful," said Dr. Craig Lamb, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at GCC.
The BEST Center at GCC is the recognized regional leader in developing the skilled workforce that powers local economic growth. The Center serves individual employees, as well as businesses large and small, with seminars, workshops, and trainings designed to improve the performance of people and processes.
For more information contact Vice President, Development and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
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