This year’s event is brought to you by L&L Transmission and The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District.

Along with the many in store specials and activities inside our downtown businesses, there will also be: a live ice sculpture, life-size snow globe, horse and buggy rides ($1 tickets available at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle), train rides, carolers, vendors and more!

If your group or organization is still interested in participating in the parade, please contact Beth Kemp at director@downtownbataviany.com or at 585-993-7747.

Thank you to the following sponsors for making this event so successful: L&L Transmission, Toyota of Batavia, Batavia Downs Gaming & Casino, Western NY Concrete, Dolce Panepinto, Bourbon & Burger Co., T.F. Brown's, Tompkins Bank of Castile, Turnbull Heating & Cooling, Smart Design, Rochester Regional Health UMMC, Lamb Farms, Main St. Pizza, T-Shirts Etc., Eli Fish Brewing Co., WBTA and the Batavia Daily News.

Submitted photo and press release:

The H.E. Turner & Co., Bohm-Calarco-Smith and Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes are proud to present their 24^th annual Service of Prayer & Remembrance at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11. All are invited.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for the service at Northgate Free Methodist Church, 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia.

A candle in memory of your loved ones will be lit prior to the start of the service and remain that way throughout.

The ecumenical service is a combination of music, congregation unison reading, prayer, Scripture reading, a message of hope, reading of the names of your loved ones and tolling of the bell in remembrance.

“We hear from families how the service helps them through their grief, especially during this time of year," said Joshua Smith, of H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home. "For some of these families it will be their first year participating in the service, which means it is their first Christmas without their loved one, and for others, they come back year after year.” 

Immediately following the service, a time of fellowship and refreshments will be offered at the church.

To register the name or names for your candle please call the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home at (585) 343-8868 or register online at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com by Dec. 9.

Photo: Joshua J. Smith, of the H.E. Turner & Co., Bohm-Calarco-Smith and Burdett & Sanford Funeral Homes, is seated with Pastor Marsha Rivers, pastor of Congregational Care & Discipleship at Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia.

A world-renowned photographer who specializes in tintype artistry and who is a Civil War historian will be the special guest at Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School tomorrow (Dec. 3).

Rob J. Gibson will give a presentation to teacher Eric Johnson's Photography classes in the school's Visual Arts Department as well as to Johnson's Social Studies classes.

In the evening from 6:30 to 9 in the school library, Gibson will speak and give a demonstration at a special, free community event entitled "Recreating the Past: The Vintage Photography of Rob Gibson."

Gibson describes himself as an Ansel Adams meets Easy Rider kind of guy -- a Renaissance man who is on a crusade to save at least some of forgotten America.

This passion for historical investigation fuels him to seek out vintage roadside attractions, abandoned buildings, industrial sites and significant historic locales. He travels wherever necessary to create art that tells the story of the nation's past, one photographic plate at a time.

He rides U.S. backroads on his 1950 panhead Harley-Davidson motorcycle replete with a working 1938 package truck sidecar that has been converted to a darkroom -- in fact, "The World's Fastest Darkroom."

His cameras capture forgotten icons as well as those who keep these relics alive, forming a mosaic of Americana that is distinctive and ingenuous.

The result is awe-inspiring tintype images captured with his primitive cameras and developed into photographs on site, as was done in the demanding 19th century process of tintype photography.

Hollywood movies have made use of his skills and he has made contributions to "Gettysburg," "Cold Mountain," "National Treasure," and the just-released "Harriet."

Gibson's artwork has also been featured on television, in magazines, Internet blogs and articles and it hangs on the walls of clients worldwide. Thousands of people, including the White House Press Corps and visitors to the Smithsonian Institution, have seen his demonstrations.

While on the road, Gibson gets sidetracked, beckoned by unexpected sights. It is during these extraneous excursions that his McGiver-like resourcefulness becomes particularly useful to keep his bike running and his equipment functioning.

Long ago Gibson, who grew up in Lockport, says he learned that the journey is just as important as the destination.

He's come a long way from the machinist job he left at General Motors to open an 1860s-style photography studio in Gettysburg, Pa.

How did he cross paths with a teacher in Pembroke?

"I met Rob at the Newfane Bike Night this past August, a charity event that raises money for a local not-for-profit organization," Johnson wrote The Batavian in an email. "I saw his Harley sidecar darkroom, and as a photography teacher and artist myself, I struck up a conversation with Rob."

The "art teacher/biker" says the encounter was quite unexpected, a quirky coincidence.

Fortunately for people in Genesee County, it has turned into what promises to be an interesting opportunity to learn about a unique talent tomorrow evening.

Pembroke Jr./Sr. High School is located at 58 Alleghany Road (routes 5 and 77) in Corfu.

Gibson is available for commissioned custom work and can be reached at: tintypeartist@gmail.com

Top photo of Rob Gibson and his 1950 panhead Harley-Davidson with the sidecar that's "The World's Fastest Darkroom," courtesy of Eric Johnson.

Bottom photos made by Rob Gibson on the movie set of "Harriet," courtesy of Eric Johnson, showing actress Cynthia Erivo as the iconic slave-turned-abolishionist Harriet Tubman.

Jason Smith shared with us this picture of a dove in the morning snow.

If you have a snow picture you would like to share, send it to howard@thebatavian.com.

Press release from AAA:

Today’s national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.59, no change since last week. One year ago, the price was $2.47. The New York State average is $2.68 – no change from last week.

 A year ago, the NYS average was $2.78. AAA Western and Central New York (AAA WCNY) reports the following averages:

• Batavia -- $2.66 (no change since last week)
• Buffalo -- $2.62 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Ithaca -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rochester -- $2.66 (down 1 cent since last week)
• Rome -- $2.62 (no change since last week)
• Syracuse -- $2.59 (up 1 cent since last week)
• Watertown -- $2.66 (no change since last week)

Modest oil prices have helped to keep pump prices down through the busy holiday travel period. This year, more than 55 million people traveled 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving, according to AAA’s estimates. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline held steady through the holiday weekend.

Now, the focus will be on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partners who will likely decide to extend their production reduction agreement through the middle of 2020 at OPEC’s upcoming meeting in Vienna on Dec. 5 and 6.

Price gains have been limited by continued market fear that the trade war between China and the United States – the world’s two largest crude consumers – will reduce crude demand moving into next year. Also, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that total domestic crude inventories are up and are higher than last year’s level at this time.

Except from Gas Buddy's press release:

"The nation's average gasoline price on Thanksgiving was slightly higher than expected at $2.58 per gallon, with a close to even split with roughly half the nation's states seeing average prices decline in the last week while the other saw upward moves on continued speculation on a possible U.S./China trade deal," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.

"Moving into December, aside from a possible trade deal that has been elusive for nearly 16 months, gas prices typically trend lower during the month as refiners continue to increase throughput after maintenance season and as overall weather curbs gasoline demand, easing prices. While prices are now notably higher than a year ago, I'd place much of the 'blame' on a strong U.S. economy and continued optimism that some sort of U.S. and China trade tie-up will be wrapped up."

Press release:

"Learn a new skill or hobby." It's on the top five list of most common New Year's Resolutions, and there is a wide assortment of options available at Genesee Community College this coming semester. It's a great way to start the new decade.

Learn karate, how to write a screen play, sign language, or how about public speaking or digital photography? Courses in these topics and many more will be offered at GCC this semester starting Monday, Jan. 13. 

GCC's Beginning Karate (PED132) is being taught by the world's highest ranking black belt! Instructor Cynthia Jones (Hanshi*) recently received a 10th Degree Black Belt (Ju-Dani) from the Isshinryu World Karate Association making her the highest-ranking black belt in the world. Who better to teach Beginning Karate right here in Batavia?

Registration for this course is now open! Anyone can enroll for this eight-week course, no prerequisite courses are required and it does not have to be taken as part of a degree program. Beginning Karate runs on Monday, Jan. 13 through March 6 and meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3:40 till 5 p.m. at GCC's Batavia Campus.

Beginning Karate focuses on achieving the physical and mental conditioning and training required to execute a variety of basic martial arts techniques and forms (or kata) and engages in effective sparring and self-defense. In just eight weeks, the course will also cover:

• A brief overview of the historical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of the martial arts;
• The benefits of daily fitness activity specific to karate.

Any budding screen or stage writer will appreciate the small class size learning environment with instructor Shawn Adamson in his Writing for the Stage and Screen (CIN214). The 15-week course teaches the proper screenplay format and introduces the technique of storytelling though dialogue, action and characterization in a continuous workshop process. The class meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:50 - 4:10 p.m., starting Jan. 13.

American Sign Language 1 (ASL101) is offered five different times and at three different campus locations; Intro to Digital Photography (PHO118) is offered three different times and at two locations; and Public Speaking (SPE108) is offered 14 different times, at five campus locations and online. 

"Education really is the gift that keeps on giving," said Donna Rae Sutherland, director of Marketing Communications. "No matter your age or interests -- learning something new in 2020 is a rock solid way to kick off the new decade." 

Anyone interested in this course who is not a current GCC student, is encouraged to contact the College's Admissions team at (585) 345-6800 or via email at admissions@genesee.edu, or apply online to get started.

* A bestowed title in karate: Hanshi（範士) : eighth dan for more than two years, older than 60.

An Albion resident's first 800 series and a Batavian's eighth 300 game share the headlines this week in league bowling action across the Genesee Region.

On Monday, 31-year-old right-hander Brandon Gurnsey posted games of 276-279-257 for an 812 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

It is the first USBC-certified 800 series for Gurnsey, who eclipsed his previous high series of 789. A league bowler for the past nine years, the big effort on lanes 7-8 improved his average to 220.

Gurnsey, a bus mechanic for the Spencerport School District, registered 29 strikes for his Brooklyn Bombers team -- 10 in game one (with the front seven strikes), 11 in game two (with the front nine strikes before leaving a 4-pin) and eight in game three.

He said he wasn't sure if he still had a chance for the 800 late in the third game.

"I asked a teammate if I could still get it (800) since I'm not the greatest at keeping score while I'm bowling," Gurnsey said. "He said I needed a double in the 10th, which put a little more pressure on me."

Gurnsey struck on the first ball in the 10th and then finished with an eight count and spare.

"I was kind of upsest because I thought I missed it," he said.

His frustration quickly turned to joy when he learned that he, indeed, did hit 812, having received some incorrect information from his buddy.

While Gurnsey recorded an 800 series without the benefit of a 300 game (his high game is 290), Batavian Rob Stefani posted his eighth USBC-certified perfect game but just missed out on his first 800.

Bowling on lanes 5-6 in the G&W Vending League on Tuesday night at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, the 35-year-old righty opened with 12 straight strikes for the 300.

"I caught a break in the eighth frame with a Brooklyn strike, and then after the 11th strike, I saw (fellow bowler) Chris Bardol videotaping me, so that made it a little more nerve-wracking," Stefani said. "I never had one on video before."

He came through despite the distraction and went on to roll 227 and 259 for a 786 series -- six pins less than his all-time high of 792. He entered the night with a 219 average.

"Once I shot the 300, I started thinking about an 800," said Stefani, an employee of the Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. "But the second game hurt me."

Although he fell short of the 800, Stefani said he had a great week -- both indoors and outdoors.

"I bagged a 10-point buck on Wednesday while hunting in Alexander and thought, 'Now all I need to do is shoot a 300,' " he said.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of this page.

Press release:

Le Roy’s Winterfest features shopping fun and special events down Main Street and through the town from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. 

There are many family-friendly activities to enjoy:

• Hope Family Center’s games and crafts for all ages from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
• “Meet and Greet the Snow Queen” at 11 a.m. at Woodward Memorial Library with a hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating and crafts until 3 p.m.;
• Visit with Santa at the Moose Lodge at 1 p.m.;
• There is music at St. Mark’s Church at 2 p.m. with a nativity display inside the church all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Penuel Christian Fellowship will have Christmas caroling throughout the day;
• The Living Waters Church will show a popular animated Christmas movie at 3 p.m.;
• Cookie Decorating at the First Presbyterian Church takes place from 4:30-5:45 p.m.;
• The Christmas Tree Lighting at the corner of Main and Lake streets is at 6 p.m.;
• An Old-Time Radio Christmas Show will be at 7 p.m. at the Photography Co-Op.

For shoppers, this is a day to find special gifts and seasonal sales and discover new stores in Le Roy.

• The Divine Tree is offering tastings of various products and will have the Flute Quartet entertain at 1 p.m.;
• Mama Chavez’s Taqueria will have Mexican Bingo games at the top of every hour;
• The ART of Mandy will showcase the entries in the Greeting Card Contest;
• The Holistic Hub will serve an Anniversary Tea Time from 4:15-5:55 p.m.;
• In-store scavenger hunts will take place at Save-A-Lot and at the Hobby Horse.;
• Batavia Legal Printing has a drawing and refreshments;
• The Village of Le Roy Hardware Store is featuring its annual large giraffe drawing, with entries from any Melissa & Doug toy purchase.

Many craft and commercial vendors will be located at the Moose Lodge, the First Presbyterian Church, Ladies First Fitness, April’s Finds, Le Roy Hardware, and the Photography Co-Op.

The Le Roy United Methodist Church and the Le Roy Garden Club will have basket raffles at the First Presbyterian Church.

Explore new stores, including Le Roy Little Ones, Elmore Custom Leatherworks, Tracy B’s, Mama Chavez’s Taqueria, The ART of Mandy, and the Photography Co-Op.

There’s something for everyone in Le Roy on Dec. 7!

As predicted, travel conditions today are treacherous. There have been multiple minor accidents reported around the county this morning.

Batavia PD is advising local residents to avoid travel:

Wowzers! This icy stuff is really making city streets and sidewalks slippery! We encourage everyone to avoid unnecessary travel as there’s numerous accidents throughout the area. So here’s a short list of things you could do rather than go outside...
1. Put up your tree (it’s December now, so it’s allowed).
2. Watch all the NEW Hallmark movies (all new until 8 p.m.!).
3. Nap with the cat or dog on the couch.
4. Play board games with the kids.
5. Make a list of gifts you need to get from your local city businesses.

In all seriousness, it’s pretty nasty out. Let’s give our friends over at the DPW the room they need to make the streets safe.

Have a safe day everyone!

Freezing rain and rain are expected to continue through 3 p.m.

Accuweather is reporting that more snow is on the way tonight with possible snowfall continuing until tomorrow afternoon.

Graphic: Courtesy Accuweather.

A vehicle reportedly rolled over several times on eastbound Interstate 90, landing at mile marker 395. East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:44 a.m.: The occupant is out of the vehicle; up and walking.

For Small Business Saturday, Iris Bodine, 8, went shopping with her aunt Margie Everett at Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle.

We didn't get a chance to visit local businesses until the afternoon, but several business owners said their shops were full in the morning and that it seems like more people seemed to be out shopping local on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving than previous years.

Dave Howe, Charles Men's Shop, said at least a half-dozen people mentioned the annual Shop Local promotion is what motivated them to visit local businesses today.  

Stephen Valle and Carrie Lawrence, Valle Jewelers. 

Chris Crocker and Leslie Moma, The Yngodess Shop.

Don Brown and Dave Howe, Charles Men's Shop.

Police officers from throughout the county -- Sheriff's Office, Batavia PD, Le Roy PD, Corfu PD, State Police, DEC, and Probation -- rolled their cruisers up in front of retail stores in Batavia Towne Center today to collect toys and clothing donations for needy families in our community.

By early afternoon, every cruiser along with the van used by the Emergency Response Team was stuffed with gifts and more than $600 in cash and gift cards had been collected. The donations were then taken to City Church/St. Anthony's to be sorted and distributed to all of the school districts in the county.

A photo from late this afternoon of the Old Courthouse in Batavia decorated with wreaths hanging from the windows.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Genesee County starting at 4 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m. Sunday with snow and ice expected.

Travel conditions could be treacherous, the National Weather Service advises. 

From one to three inches of snow accumulation and two-tenths of ice accumulation are predicted.

The NWS advises travelers to plan accordingly.

Graphic: Courtesy Accuweather.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! You have the right to a safe workplace. Federal laws state that your employer must provide a work area with no known health or safety hazards. You also have the right to: 

• Be protected from toxic chemicals;
• Request an OSHA inspection, and talk with the inspector;
• Be trained in a language you understand;
• Work on machines that meet safety regulations;
• See copies of the workplace injury and illness log;
• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace;
• Be provided required safety gear, including but not limited to: Hardhat, gloves and harness;
• Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records If you or someone you know has been injured or fallen ill due to unsafe work conditions. 

Call Dolce Panepinto at 716-852-1888 immediately. We understand how life-altering a work injury can be, and we are here to help.

When Oakfield resident Erik Olsen founded the East Shelby Community Bible Church, barely a mile north of the Genesee County line, he couldn’t have imagined how it would grow or how popular their Old Tyme Day in July and Old Fashioned Christmas events would become.

(Correction) Old Fashioned Christmas Day is next Sunday (Dec. 8) at the church (5278 E. Shelby Road, Medina), beginning at noon and featuring a variety of old-fashioned holiday traditions. 

Ange Pillo, also of Oakfield, started the church’s Band of Renown, which will present a Christmas concert beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the historic miniature village of West Jackson Corners. The village, across from the church, takes it name from what East Shelby was called in the 1800s.

The annual event includes activities such as swag making, Dickens-style yuletide caroling, horse and buggy rides and enjoying hot chocolate and other Christmas treats. They have also been known to cook a goose over an open fire.

The church also welcomes guests to come in and see their giant Christmas tree in the sanctuary.

As always, the afternoon will conclude with a visit from Santa Claus.

New this year is a large parking lot to accommodate all of the guests, typically hundreds of people. This will allow visitors to park closer to all of the festivities. 

Submitted photos.Top: Lorna Klotzbach, of Pembroke, drives her team of horses, giving buggy rides at East Shelby Community Bible Church’s Old Fashioned Christmas. This year’s celebration is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.

Below: Pastor Erik Olsen from Oakfield leads a group of carolers in singing Christmas carols during last year’s Old Fashioned Christmas at East Shelby Community Bible Church.

The third annual "Red Osier Landmark Restaurant Community Days --Winter Wonderland of Lights" will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on the next two consecutive Mondays -- Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. 

The public is invited to the restaurant grounds at 6492 Main Road in Stafford to stroll through the "Winter Wonderland of Lights" featuring more than 2.5 million lights.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there and families are welcome to take free photos with them.

There will also be free horse and carriage rides and a free Petting Zoo.

The Stafford Volunteer Fire Department will be there with fire trucks and they'll help with traffic control.

The bar will be open for adult beverages and gift certificates are available to purchase.

The lunch trailer will be open for food to purchase, too. (The main restaurant, as always, is closed on Mondays.)

(Submitted photo of Quinn and James with Santa.)