Welcome to 62 Pearl Street in Batavia, this home features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, including a finished 3rd-floor attic. Inside, you'll find all original hardwood floors, moldings, and trim. The full bath includes a clawfoot tub and shower. Laundry is currently in the basement, but 1st-floor hookups are available for added convenience. Additional amenities include a detached 2-car garage with an automatic opener and a full basement with a root cellar, concrete floor, and high ceilings, perfect for added storage. The home is situated across from a 25-acre city park with access to the Ellicott Trail.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will be holding their Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Quarterly Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17, from 3:30 - 5 p.m. at the Orleans County Health Department (14016 State Route 31, Suite 101, Albion). Refreshments will be provided.
The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, Early Intervention providers, childcare providers, parents of children with disabilities, and other community members. The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program.
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers in our local communities.
For zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, Director of Children with Special Needs, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5572 or 585-589-2777.
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is partnering with the Batavia Muckdogs baseball team to promote United Way’s 2024 Community Impact Service Day: Community Baby Shower.
The baby shower drive will take place at Dwyer Stadium throughout the Muckdogs season from June until August. Attendees can drop off needed baby items in the United Way bin at Dwyer Stadium.
Items needed include, but are not limited to:
Diapers (preemie to size 7)
Baby sleep sacks
Baby wipes
Baby Board Books
Digital Thermometers
In addition to the items listed above, all donations of new baby items are gratefully accepted.
To learn about additional ways you can help support the baby shower, visit www.unitedwayrocflx.org/community-baby-shower. Contact events@unitedwayrocflx.org with any questions.
Photo of (from left to right) Kyla, Ian & Alexis Sanfratello. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Genesee County STOP-DWI and the Genesee County Youth Bureau are partnering with the Batavia Muckdogs to host the annual STOP-DWI Night at the Ballpark on Thursday, July 18 at Dwyer Stadium.
The Genesee County Youth Bureau has a limited supply of complimentary tickets available for youth and their families. Get your tickets before they run out by calling 585-344-3960.
This year’s STOP-DWI event is dedicated to the families of Genesee County law enforcement officers. Our officers put their lives on the line every day to serve & protect, while often missing holidays, celebrations, and other milestones with their children, spouses, parents, partners, siblings, and other family members.
Genesee County STOP-DWI will be recognizing this sacrifice with a special tribute to the Sanfratello family. Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello made the ultimate sacrifice when his life was lost in the line of duty on March 10. Throughout his 32 years of service, Sgt. Sanfratello spent countless hours away from his family dedicated to STOP-DWI work details.
Help us cheer on Sgt. Sanfratello’s family as they throw out this year’s first pitch. Join us for this family-focused evening with the Batavia Muckdogs. Gates open at 5:35 p.m. and the game starts at 6:35 p.m.
A special thank you to all event sponsors and contributors helping make this event possible including Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, Chapin Manufacturing, UConnect Care, Gerace Realty, Graham Corporation, Kiwanis of Batavia, LeRoy Moose Family Center, Lions Club of Batavia, Marchese Computers, Polish Falcons Nest #493, and the WNY Association of Chiefs of Police.
Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for their monthly Garden Talk programs. After a break in July, we start back up on August 8 with “What are Weeds Good For?” Gardeners try to remove or eliminate weeds, to allow their own choices in the garden to thrive. Surprisingly, weeds serve many useful functions, including being used for food, herbal remedies, removing toxins, preventing erosion, and even indicating soil types. Join Master Gardener Kate to learn some of the fascinating aspects of the weeds we find in our landscapes.
September 5 brings “Flower Arranging 101: The Basics of Bouquet Making.” Floral design is a rewarding and fun way to be creative with flowers from your garden. Join Master Gardener Brandie as she goes over the basics of creating a fresh garden bouquet. She will cover some design basics as well as several tips and tricks that will have you making flower arrangements like a pro! (Demonstration only.)
October 3 “Pick your Poison (Part 2).” Poisonous plants have been utilized throughout history with murderous intent. They are also a favorite tool of murder mystery writers. Join Master Gardener Connie as she explores three plant derived poisons - Strychnine, Ricin and Digitalis, and their impact in history and literature. (This is a follow up from the October 2023 Garden Talk.)
We end the year with Master Gardener Brenda on November 7 as she takes a look back at some fantastic gardens spotted on the annual Buffalo Garden Walk. Take an armchair tour of some of the spectacular, colorful gardens that make the Buffalo Garden Walk so popular. If you’ve never been, here’s a chance to get a glimpse of the show. Garden tours are a great way to get ideas for your own garden. It’s never too early to start planning for spring!
Garden Talk programs start at Noon and can be 30 to 60 minutes long, depending on the topic. This free series is open to all, but registration is required. You can attend in person at the CCE office (420 East Main Street, Batavia) or via Zoom.
To register for a Zoom link, visit our Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County website at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events. A Zoom link will be sent to your email with your personal link to the event. To attend in person please contact Laura at 585-343-3040 x101 or leg224@cornell.edu. Garden Talk programs are usually recorded and posted to our CCE Genesee YouTube page.
Rachel Blecha, owner of Resurgence Dance in Le Roy. Photo by Howard Owens
There’s no question that Rachel Blecha knows dance since she practically grew up on her toes, dancing at her mom Jody’s studio in Attica before joining the locally esteemed David DeMarie Dance Studio at age 6, later renting space for her own place in Alden before meeting up with Fusion Dance in Le Roy.
Fusion’s owner, Kristin Alquist, and Blecha joined forces and taught together at yet another well-known studio, Images in Dance, in Batavia, before Blecha, 41, decided it was time for a resurgence of her own.
“It has been the only life I’ve known since I was 2. It’s my heart, It’s always been my outlet,” Blecha said to The Batavian. “I had a stroke at 30; it’s what got me through. It’s always been an outlet; I’ve had eight years trying to figure it out …With monthly chemo and infusions. I’m now stabilized, and I am now the best I’ve ever felt, dancing and teaching, and my kids are teaching.”
Enter Resurgence Dance, located at the former Fusion Dance Studio at 110 W. Main St. in Le Roy. Blecha wanted to focus more on training lessons and less on the choreography, she said. So if a student was taking a jazz class, “we do strength training, we do all the stretching techniques,” Blecha said. “They really need to learn more about their bodies, so it prevents injuries and things like that.”
“So we focus more on the training side, and we do fewer routines,” she said. “So in the long run, it saves parents a lot of money because they’re not buying 15 costumes for 15 different dances. We just focus and do what they’re best at and then maybe two and three routines.”
She also offers a pre-professional program, which includes auditions for competitive programs.
“Pre-professional is geared for the dancer who wants to continue on in the professional world. My older daughter teaches and does choreography and plans to continue in college,” she said of her daughter Macey.
“It’s a difficult world to get into. Dance has spun completely, professionally you may go into dance team … there are thousands and thousands and thousands going for 20 spots. When we go to nationals, there are 200 of the best dancers throughout the country, competing to get in the top 20 overall.”
Auditions are a must for any dancer to be considered for the competition program and nationals. It’s a huge deal to go to nationals, which her troupe of seven students recently did — traveling to Orlando, Fla., for two weeks. The whole purpose was not just about winning as it was to learn choreography and how to compete properly, take a class and teach proper technique, she said.
“A lot of that is what I’ve learned over the years, “ she said.
Her younger daughter Preslee also dances and teaches little ones, ages 2 to 4, and Macey’s goal is to work professionally in the field and then eventually return to join her mom at Resurgence, Blecha said.
Alquist has remained to teach one night a week, and staff also includes Miranda Spyropoulos and Rachel Bieron.
Blecha created the Resurgence Dance program two years ago with what she considers to be a unique approach into the dance industry — focusing on intense dance training. She now attends various conventions and competitions nationally with her daughters and students.
It’s not the same studio that it once was — Blecha completely flipped it in 10 days, giving it a New York City vibe, she said. Her landlord, Guy Pellegrino, “has been amazing” in helping out the renovation process with a new floor and all-new electricity, which is “really nice,” she said.
She’s thankful not only for her good health but also for the support of husband Michael and her father Tim Lutey, the ones that assisted with the physical labor in the studio and day-to-day needs.
“My dad was in this with mom for years, and my husband is learning the ropes, the things that have to get moved, mats, props, things that have to get cleaned,” she said. “It definitely would not have happened if not for their support. I didn’t think my husband thought his world would be surrounded by two girls and dance.
Her classes are for dancers aged 2 to adults, and schedules run through August.
“Dance is truly an art form that we like to share with others,“ she said. “It’s a release, an outlet for a lot of kids and adults, probably the best training you can get yourself in. Overall, this program is a vision I had several years ago. With Kristin approaching me, I thought, this is the right time. My focus is different: to show kids, get them prepared for the dance world, or for them to just have fun.”
She plans to have a couple of open houses in August. Details will be on her website at resurgencedance.com
There will be an audition for any dancer interested in competitive dancing on Monday. Times will be from 6 to 7 p.m. for ages 5 to 10 and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for ages 11 and older.
Addison Alquist Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Kristin Alquist, left, former owner of Fusion Dance Studio, has now joined the teaching staff of Rachel Blecha's Resurgence Dance at the Fusion location of 110 W. Main St., Le Roy. Photo by Howard Owens
Eden Cafe & Bakeshop will be turning the corner, so to speak, to host Summer Fest in the rear parking lot from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 18 on the southside in Batavia. File Photo by Howard Owens
Judy Hysek hopes that a first-time Summer Fest on the southside will offer folks of all ages a variety of taste, shopping and entertainment treats at and behind her Eden Cafe & Bakeshop at 242 Ellicott St., Batavia.
“We just want it to be a free activity for people to come and window shop, add some cool things to their collection, and support a local artist. Try some food they might not normally try, and just have some fun free activities,” the shop owner said Wednesday. “I can accommodate 30 to 40 vendors, and we are still looking for kids' entertainment and sponsorships for bounce houses, face painting, a clown … something to spread some smiles.”
She had a mini psychic fair to celebrate the cafe's birthday last April and now wants to expand that event to include any type of health and wellness, arts and crafts vendor, and motivational speakers who can offer tips and tricks and advice about one’s well–being and pursuing a fit lifestyle. Musicians are also welcome to perform during the event—it’s set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 18.
“It’s more expanded for mostly anybody who’s a crafter or has a skill they want to share,” she said.
Hysek received permission from the city to close off a portion of Central Avenue so that the venue has room to breathe in the parking lot behind Eden Cafe alongside Liberty Street. There is no deadline to register, per se, but it’s on a first-come, first-served basis, she said.
True to her own restaurant’s foundational spirit, all food must be vegan, but any restaurant or food service establishment may participate, she said, and it doesn’t have to be strictly a vegan place.
Eden will serve a condensed menu that includes specials such as its pizza logs: vegan cheese and pepperoni with marinara sauce rolled tightly in wonton wrappers and fried crisp. Beer and wine will also be available in the cafe and parking lot.
Hysek doesn’t want to sound corny or anything, but she thinks it would be kind of fun to have some type of costumed parade, a la the likes of Christmas in the City, which charmed kids up and down Main Street. Do you think you can help out with this mission or have some time to volunteer? She wants to hear from you.
The lineup so far includes Kelly Fox, Tarot & Astrology; Mystic Dragon Lair with crystals and merchandise; Marcia Bohn and handcrafted books; Spirit and Abundance; Vagabum Crafts; Pixel Perfect; Midnight Fox; vegan ice cream; Punkinhead Stuffies; and Panda Mae Crystals & Creations. There will also be a basket raffle and 50/50 drawing.
For more information or for vendors, musicians and anyone interested in providing a sponsorship for something such as a bounce house, a clown or similar performer, or a dunk tank, go to carrotdogcafe.com.
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Guest Speaker Series, presented by David Reilly. Since 2018 Dave Reilly has been writing stories for The Batavian about growing up in Batavia in the 1950s and ‘60s.
He combined 20 of these stories into a book called “Small Town Talk: Growing up in Batavia in the 1950s & 1960s”. On Friday, July 19 Dave will be doing a book talk at the HLOM from 2 - 3 p.m.
He will have books available at that time for $20 and will be happy to sign a copy for you. The following day will be the 60th reunion of Dave’s Notre Dame Class of 1964 so he especially invites any of his classmates who are in town and still “above the grass” to attend. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you would like to attend please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
“This project is made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!”
“We’ve Only Just Begun” Sr. Luncheon is Tuesday, July 16 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the So. Alabama Firehall on Route 63 (2230 Judge Rd, Oakfield).
This month is our Annual Picnic, followed by our Annual BINGO DAY! Reservations are required, respond by July 15 and it is $10 per person. The Alabama Hotel will cater the picnic.
We are open to the public! Enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with Old and New friends. Contact LaNora Thompson with any questions at 630-888-8966.
Local organizations are increasingly relying on social media to announce their events and other important announcements without putting out a press release.
Merritt Holly, Le Roy superintendent. Photo by Howard Owens.
As part of the Le Roy School Central School District's strategic plan, cultural awareness and what it means to be a good citizen will be a greater focus in the coming year.
Superintendent Merritt Holly briefed the Board of Education on the process to define those terms and goals before the district's retreat on Aug. 6.
"I guarantee I'm gonna get seven, I hope I do get seven different definitions from you of what it means to you and how it applies to both of our buildings," Holley said. " I'm going to have you look at it as a district-wide setup of what cultural awareness means to you. ... The other part I'm going to have you define is what it means to be a successful citizen?"
He's asking other district administrators to provide their definitions as well.
The results will be shared with the instructional team and they will start take a look, he said, at getting some idea of a definition.
Other stakeholders, he said, will also be asked for input.
"We're trying to alleviate the craziness of the Aug. 6 retreat and really get some things (in place) ahead of time so we can have good dialogue and conversation," Holly said.
Once the initiative is in place, Holly told the board, he will report back during the year on the progress the district is making in these areas.
The questions will be sent to board members in a Google doc, along with other topics of conversation related to the district's mission statement and vision statement.
"We should get in the routine here now and understand what our mission statement and what our vision statement is, what are the goals inside of those mission and vision statements," Holly said. "Then most importantly, what you're going to hear ad nauseam throughout this year, and it's a point of emphasis for us, is our graduation outcomes."
That includes ensuring students are ready for college or careers after receiving a diploma.
"Things like accountability, responsibility, effective communicators, community minded critical thinkers, able to persevere, able to embrace diversity," Holly said. "So those are the things you're going to hear from us throughout the year."
David Russell, principal, Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School Photo by Howard Owens.
The key takeaway from Le Roy High School Regents Exams results is that the pass rate is pretty consistent, Principal David Russell reported to the Board of Education on Tuesday.
Recent pass rate:
23-24, 88%
22-23, 82%
21-23, 88%
20-21, 79%
19-20, no test due to pandemic
18-19, 93%
Naturally, Russell said he would like to see better results.
"As a building principal, you're always going to want to strive for 100 over 100," Russell said. "I think if any principal would come in here and say otherwise, you've questioned their motivation, right? I think what I would say is, looking at this, I think it's encouraging to see passing grades staying consistent. I think one thing that we can focus on with this data is working with our department chairs next year to say, 'All right, what can we do? We have some students who scored 63 and 64. How can we support those students getting to passing?"
Russell, of course, would also like to improve the percentage of students achieving mastery grades.
"I would say that the overall goal would be to try and focus on mastery, right?" Russell said. "We can keep pushing our students to get better, and not just being complacent, looking at passing. There's always going to be room that we're striving for the highest bar that we can attain."
23-24, 26%
22-23, 28%
21-23, 32%
20-21, 31%
19-20, no test due to pandemic
18-19, 39%
Not all districts in the county have posted the Regent results yet so Russell said he can't yet offer comparables with other districts.
Jackie Whiting, who has served on the Le Roy Central School District Board of Education since 2011, was elected to another term as president of the board at the board's reorganization meeting on Tuesday.
At the start of the meeting, all school board members, Superintendent Merritt Holley, and Clerk Lori Wrobel took their oaths of office.
The 2024-25 board and their terms of office:
Jacalyn Whiting, president, 2011-2026
Denise Duthe, vice president, 2023-2026
Christine Dowell, trustee, 2019-2024
Peter Loftus, trustee, 2016-2025
Rachael Greene, trustee, 2022-2025
Jason Karcher, trustee, 2022-2024
William MacKenzie, trustee, 2018-2024
Le Roy Board of Education: William MacKenzie, Jason Karcher, Jackie Whiting, Denise Duthe, Christine Dowell, Rachael Greene,and Pete Loftus Photo by Howard Owens.
A tornado warning has been issued for Batavia, Byron, Oakfield, Stafford, Bergen, Corfu, Elba, and Alexander.
The warning is in effect until 2 p.m. Wednesday.
A tornado was reported on Wednesday near Attica and moving northeast at 30 mph.
Weather sports reported the tornado.
UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: A tornado reportedly touched down at Route 77 and Route 5 in Pembroke. So far, no damage has been reported. If you have photos or video, please send to howard@thebatavian.com or text 585-260-6970.
The Batavia Concert Band will be at GCC at 7 p.m. on Wednesday due to current and forecasted weather conditions. Please join us in the dry and warm indoors at the Stuart Steiner Theatre at GCC to hear some fantastic music led by Perry CSD Music Teacher and Concert Band guest conductor Dillon Hirsch.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for all of Western New York, including Genesee County.
The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Wednesday
UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: There is a warning in place now until 1:45 p.m. for Darien and Pembroke. At 1:11 p.m., a tornado was reported in Billington Heights and over East Aurora, moving northeast at 40 mph. The weather service warns, "Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely."
Something for everyone is promised for those who gather at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street in the Village of Elba. The event, Music in the Park, will take place on Saturday, July 13, and serves as a scholarship fundraiser.
The event will take place from 3-7 p.m. where there will be a bounce house and face painting for the little ones, as well as a Chinese Auction, 50-50 raffles, food trucks, and live music for all to enjoy. The music will be provided by several of the local favorite bands including GumShoe, Savage Cabbage, and The Royal Halls.
The event is sponsored by the Jared Lee Diehl Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. which has been established to benefit local high school students with a scholarship award, to promote an interest in music and to encourage respect and compassion for one another.
Jared Lee Diehl tragically passed away before his 34th birthday in 2023. He will always be remembered for his contagious smile and positive, welcoming personality.
Effective July 9, the official internet domain for Genesee County will change from co.genesee.ny.us to geneseeny.gov. This transition aligns with State legislation requiring counties to utilize .gov domains for their official network presence prior to August 1.
This change reflects the County’s dedication to safeguarding public data. A .gov domain ensures that the public can easily identify official Genesee County government information.
While the County has officially moved to geneseeny.gov, there are areas where co.genesee.ny.us will still exist. These web locations will be eliminated over time but remain in place to ensure a smooth browsing experience for County website users.
In addition, Genesee County email addresses have also been updated to @geneseeny.gov. Emails sent to @co.genesee.ny.us addresses will be automatically redirected to the new @geneseeny.gov inboxes.
City of Batavia, NY Position: Full-time Building Maintenance Worker. Salary: $20.60 - $24.45/hour. The City of Batavia is accepting applications for one full-time Building Maintenance Worker. The work involves a variety of mechanical and other building maintenance tasks. Applicant must have a minimum of two years of full-time paid experience in general building construction or maintenance work, or an equivalent combination of training and experience indicating ability to perform the duties of the job. Civil Service applications may be obtained at City Hall in the Human Resource Department. Please send completed applications to Teri Dean, Employee Payroll/Insurance Clerk, One Batavia City Centre, Batavia, NY, or via email to tdean@batavianewyork.com by September 20, 2024. Background check, psychological assessment, and physical/drug testing required. Candidate must become a resident of the County of Genesee or any adjacent town to the County of Genesee within 6 months of the date of conclusion of the probationary period for the City of Batavia. EEO