Skip to main content

Annual Van Hurlburt Golf Tournament is Aug. 15, benefits Crossroads House and Masonic Charities

By Billie Owens

The 19th Annual Van Hulburt Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the comfort care home Crossroads House and Masonic Charities will take place Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Batavia Country Club.

It is hosted by Hesperus Masonic Lodge #837, Bergen.

Cost is $70 per person and includes: 18 holes of golf with cart; lunch; dinner; prizes -- men & women  / closest to the pin / longest drive / tournament winners.

Guests are welcome for a $22 fee.

The tournament is a four-person scramble. Sign in is at 11 a.m., lunch is 11:30, shotgun start is at noon.

All teams must be paid by Aug. 9th to guarantee placement in this tournament.

There will also be basket raffles, a 50/50, and Chinese auction.

For more information, contact Marty Krause at (585) 730-2809.

The tournament is sponsored by Triple-0-Mechanical Inc. Other sponsors include: Alexander Country Deli; Bergen C-Store & Dunkin Donuts; Ashley Capital; Ralph & Rosie's Deli & Pizzeria; Bonduelle USA; Jerry Hulburt & Family.

The tournament's namesake, Van Hulburt, worked for 35 years at Byron-Bergen Central School as a teacher, counselor and he coached golf for 25 years. He was a Past Master of Hesperus Lodge and a beloved member of the Masonic community.

Muckdogs sweep Williamsport behind dominating pitching, timely hitting

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Batavia Muckdogs ended a three-game losing streak with a doubleheader sweep of the Williamsport Crosscutters by identical scores of 6-3 on Wednesday night.

Despite a six-run first inning in game one and a huge clutch triple in game two, the story of the night was the dominating pitching performance of Easton Lucas. He reached his pitch limit in the fourth and did not get the decision, but Batavia Pitching Coach Chad Rhodes said he did his job.

"He did for us what we needed and plus some," Rhodes said. "He took the spirit out of them with his command and tied up some good hitters with his fastball inside."

Williamsport started the night with a six-game win streak.

"His fastball coupled with his command set the tone and made hitters have to cover the whole zone which allowed him to push and pull them with his changeup tonight," Rhodes said. "He was very crisp and in complete control."

Lucas struck out eight in 3.1 innings and walked one, gave up one hit and one run. Lucas is 1-1 on the season with 26 strikeouts in 21 innings allowing just four walks and six runs all year with a 0.86 WHIP and a 2.57 ERA.

Geremy Galindez improved to 4-0 on the mound as he threw the final two innings of the second game, striking out one, did not walk a batter and gave up three hits.

Brock Love tossed 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out three without giving up a hit. Love is a 2019 draft pick of the Marlins out of the University of Alabama.

The big hit was from shortstop Dalvy Rosario, who broke a 2-2 tie in the final inning with a triple to centerfield.

Rosario finished with two hits and run while Andrew Turner was 2-for-4 with a run to increase his average to .283 (Turner had a 2-RBI single which was later ruled a fielder's choice), Nic Ready had a RBI and scored while Jack Strunc had a RBI single and catcher Mikey Hernandez ripped a double.

Milton Smith II stole second and third, for 14 steals on the season while Rosario stole his 10th base of the season and Ready swiped his third steal.

In the first game, Batavia scored six runs in the top of the first to seal the 6-3 victory.

From there, four pitchers took over. Edgar Martinez went the first three, striking out three without allowing a walk, Josh Simpson picked up his first win of the season, going two innings and striking out two with no walks and one run, the first he has given up this season. His ERA is a minuscule 0.71. Simpson is a 6-foot-2 lefty out of Columbia and a 32nd round pick of the Marlins this year.

Joey Steele earned his third hold of the season, throwing one inning of shut out ball with two strikeouts, no walks and one hit.

Steele has a 0.00 ERA this season. The 6-foot-2 righty, a 30th round draft pick this year out of University of San Francisco has appeared in 12 games, thrown 11 innings with 18 strikeouts and one walk, not allowing a single run.

Evan Brabrand picked up his 11th save of the season, throwing the final inning, striking out one and not allowing a walk, run or hit. Brabrand, a ninth-round pick this year out of Liberty University (Lynchburg, Va.) has made the most of his 14 appearances, going 2-1 with 11 saves, a 2.03 ERA and has struck out 18 in 13.1 innings.

At the plate, Julian Infante, a 36th-round draft pick out of Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.) this season, went 3-for-4 with a RBI double, a run and increased his average to .304.

J.D. Orr is hitting a lead-leading .383 as he had a RBI single, scored a run, walked and stole his 22nd base of the season.

Brayan Hernandez (RBI), Dustin Skelton and Strunc (RBI, run) all had hits.

Batavia is at State College (Pa.) Thursday, Friday and Saturday and return to Dwyer Stadium for a 5:05 p.m. game on Sunday with Mahoning Valley.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photo: Batavia pitcher Easton Lucas struck out the first six batters of game 2 to set the tone of Batavia’s 6-3 win. The Muckdogs are 31-21 with a four-game lead in first place.

Video: National Night Out at St. Anthony's

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor

For the first time, the annual National Night Out, an event of the Batavia Police Department, was held at City Church's St. Anthony's.

Below: A bonus short video of firefighters hoisting a stokes basket.

A game changer for people in recovery: Town approves GCASA's social center for former Bohn's location

By Howard B. Owens

John Bennett, executive director of GCASA, has gone in a short time from the shock and disappointment he felt when people in the City of Batavia reacted with anger to a proposed social center at the former St. Nick's on Swan Street, to gratitude for the acceptance the same proposal for another property in the Town of Batavia.

Tuesday night there was a public hearing on a request for a special use permit to convert the former Bohn's Restaurant location on Clinton Street Road into a recreation center for people in recovery. There was no opposition and several people spoke in support of it. The Town of Batavia Planning Board subsequently passed all the necessary resolutions unanimously to give the project a green light.

"I'll say when I came to the town to meet with the town board originally, that I got a little choked up," Bennett said. "I got a little emotional because my reception was so different than what happened on the Southside in the city.

"(Town officials) were welcoming and they really had seemed to have an understanding of addiction and they said that this is needed in the community. I just feel blessed, actually, to be connected with this project and the town and they've welcomed us with open arms and they see the benefit of it."

The center will be the first of its kind in Batavia, a place where people who don't want to be an environment where beer, wine and liquor are part of the fabric of the party, and some people might show up with drugs. That's because the context of such an atmosphere makes it harder to resist the temptation to partake. Instead, they'll have a place to go to relax, socialize, make friends, and have a good time.

Several speakers at the public said the new center will make it easier for people in recovery to stay in recovery.

"The recovery center itself is it really a meet and greet," said Kathy Miller. "After you go in and you get treatment, you start living your life and you start getting normal, doing normal everyday things like get a job, buy a house, buy a car, have a baby -- living your life.

"You're not meeting anyone in recovery because now you're doing things and there's no place to go unless you can go into a recovery center. Then, when you're meeting other people, you don't have to say, 'hey, I'm in recovery,' because you already are there meeting people in recovery."

If you don't change the people you hang out with, Miller said, it's harder to stay in recovery.

"You need to change the people, places, and things around you," Miller said. "And sometimes that means your old friends, sometimes that's the people that are still doing the same old things they used to do. You have to find a new place. You have to find a way to live in it."

Jason Adams said a social and recreation center for people in recovery will be a game-changer for people locally. It will give them a place to engage in a variety of activities, watch sports on TV, or just hang out and talk, all without thinking about easy access to booze.

"The sky's the limit of what the program is available to do," Adams said.

The closest thing to an objection to the proposed recreation center on Clinton Street Road came from a nearby neighbor who said she supports the concept -- she understands the struggle of people in recovery because she's a cigarette smoker herself -- but was concerned that people using the center might loiter in the area or along the street, which could diminish her privacy.

A board member asked if a privacy fence would help. She said it would.

As soon as the public hearing was completed, the woman left.

During the board discussion of the project, Code Enforcement Officer Dan Lang looked up her property on a parcel map and said it was really too far from the actual Bohn's property to warrant a privacy fence.  

There is a parcel in between the Bohn's Restaurant property and the woman's property, and that property, Bennett revealed is subject of a negotiation with the town -- GCASA may swap that property with the town to settle some tax issues.

The board agreed to approve the project without the privacy fence, but left the door open to revisit the issue should circumstances make it more apparent a fence is needed.

Bennett said he totally understands the concern about people loitering and smoking cigarettes outside. He's aware of complaints about similar activity outside the GCASA property along East Main Street.

The state agency that oversees drug rehabilitation facilities has always frowned on designated smoking areas on the property of such programs or facilities but that policy is changing. GCASA has been given the approval to have a designated smoking area on the Bohn's property. He said he's working on getting approval for smoking areas on all of GCASA's properties.

"I think smoking in general in front of restaurants and other buildings the community is an eyesore and we working to remedy that," Bennett said.

Bennett said the community opposition to GCASA opening a recovery center on Swan Street caught him by surprise but admitted it may have been his own fault. He wasn't prepared for the opposition and therefore did a poor job of setting the stage and explaining the project.

At a 400 Towers community meeting where residents expressed a great deal of anger about the proposal, he could barely say anything to try and explain the project, there were so many other voices dominating the conversation.

"I guess I didn't get out ahead of this in terms of really getting out and educating people because it was such a quick grant that we got," Bennett said. "And I really guess I didn't think people would have an issue with a recovery center because people in recovery really are just like you and I.

"If you stood in a room full of  -- I bet you couldn't tell tonight who was in recovery and who wasn't, right? And the methadone clinic kind of went off without a hitch, so I just kind of thought the recovery center would, too.

"I didn't really see people being upset and angry about this. I missed that and then I should have done a couple more things to educate the public, especially down on the Southside."

Photo: Sue Gagne and John Bennett.

Hochul says governor's office working to finalize financial package for Ellicott Station

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
.pane-node-body img {background: none !important; border: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: unset !important; padding-left: 1px !important } broadstreet.zone(69076)

Last month, the Genesee County Economic Development Center issued an open letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo asking for his help in getting final approval on a complex financial package -- involving private investment, state and local tax incentives, grants, and investment credits -- from state officials.

Following an event today about workforce development (more later), we asked Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul about the delay of the project. She says the governor's office is working to finalize a financial package for Ellicott Station.

The Ellicott Station project will transform the former Della Penna property on Ellicott Street from a crumbling and distressed property into a mixed-used development that will include housing, office space, and a restaurant/brewery.

Video: Hochul defends farm labor bill as good for farm workers and farmers

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
.pane-node-body img {background: none !important; border: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: unset !important; padding-left: 1px !important } broadstreet.zone(69076)

In an interview with The Batavian following an event at the Genesee County Fair Grounds, where Lt. Kathy Hochul participated in the announcement of a new workforce development program (more later), Hochul defended passage of the farm labor bill.

She said it was needed, even though it was opposed by farmers and farmworkers, because it will improve working conditions for farmworkers and help farmers attract more qualified job candidates.

Hochul said what's missing in complaints about the farm labor bill is that farmers participated in crafting compromise legislation.

Sponsored Post: New Listing Alert - 2 Naramore Drive - Batavia

By Lisa Ace


New Listing Alert -- 2 Naramore Drive, Batavia! Talk about a transformation! Check out this great 4 bedroom, 2 full bath home with nothing to do but enjoy your life. This home has been fully remodeled with all new hardwood flooring, 2 brand new baths, modernized kitchen with all new appliances, open and spacious kitchen/dining/living room – perfect for entertaining, featuring an extra large island with pretty quartz countertop.

The bedrooms are very spacious with plenty of closet space. There is oversized family room in the lower level for all your rec room fun. Also an awesome sunny and bright bonus room with lots of windows overlooking private back yard, which has in-ground swimming pool, plenty of privacy for all your summer fun!

This home is large bright, cheerful and ready for lots of energy! Easy to see! Call Lynn Bezon today at 344-HOME or click here for more information on this listing.

Schumer slams feds for stopping data collection on dwindling honeybees, vital to Upstate ag

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Standing amidst a swarm of advocates, at the Rochester Beekeepers Association’s beehives at Tinker Nature Park, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed how a recent under-the-radar decision on bees could sting Upstate, the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, its local agriculture efforts, and even a budding jobs niche that supplies summer farmers’ markets and local restaurants.

Schumer detailed a recent fed decision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stop collecting data on honeybees that puts the species and Upstate New York’s economy, at risk. Schumer said that the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region is a hive of productivity, but that this recent decision by the feds could derail much of what keeps Upstate competitive and robust as an agricultural hub.

Calls on USDA to 'reverse course immediately'

The senator called on the USDA to reverse course immediately, and instead, step up their work on bee populations. He revealed numbers that proved his point and hit home the critical importance of honeybees to Upstate New York and the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region’s agriculture sector.

“It sure helps, but you don’t need to be a beekeeper to understand the benefit pollinating bees have on the Upstate economy and the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region,” Schumer said. “Look around and you will see that they boost an agricultural hive of economic productivity.

"From farmers’ markets, to farm-to-table restaurants, to the farms and apple and cherry orchards that solidify the Rochester-Finger Lakes area as an agricultural hub, we have a lot to tout —and it is because of bees like these. So to find out that, in an under-the-radar move from Washington, the USDA has clipped the wings of a critical data-collection program on honeybee colonies, impacting jobs and productivity in places like Rochester, really stings.”

Schumer explained that earlier this July, USDA said it would stop collecting data for its "Honey Bee Colonies" report. The "Honey Bee Colonies" report, conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, is released on an annual basis and contains critical data, tracking active honeybee colonies, new colonies and lost colonies.

The senator called the decision to suspend data collection for the report especially concerning, considering the devastating honeybee colony losses experienced in the United States over the past few decades.

Plummeting honeybee colonies

According to a report from USDA, the number of active honeybee colonies plummeted from six million in the 1940s to roughly 2.5 million in 2017. More recently, during the winter of 2018, beekeepers suffered their worst losses on record.

Data from the University of Maryland’s Bee Informed Partnership shows that beekeepers lost 37.7 percent of their colonies during this season, 8.9 percent higher than the average for winter. Schumer argued that this historic population decline shows that USDA should ratchet up its honeybee data collection, not shut it down.

Schumer said that New York State and the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region have not been immune to the devastation of honeybee colonies.

According to the most recent "Honey Bee Colonies" report released by USDA, between January and December of 2017, New York State beekeepers lost a total of 17,700 colonies of honeybees. Meanwhile, in the first six months of 2018, New York State beekeepers lost 7,000 colonies.

Schumer said these losses, combined with the fact that according to a June 2018 New York State Department of Agriculture report, crops dependent on honeybee pollination are worth $1.2 billion annually to the state, present a critical need to understand what exactly is causing them and how they can be reversed. This data is critical to protecting the honeybee-reliant Upstate New York agricultural industry.

Upstate ag is 'honeybee-reliant'

“We need this data to keep New York as an agricultural juggernaut,” added Schumer. “What’s the real stinger here is that the bees are part of the economy. They keep local businesses and jobs buzzing. To enact a new policy that discounts bees and their impact on New York is bad environmental, economic and agricultural policy. We are here today to say: reverse the decision, and instead step things up as this insect’s population spirals.”

The dwindling bee population is of particular concern for the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region’s agricultural industry, which is a hive of economic activity.

According to USDA, $234,935,000 worth of agricultural products were sold out of Genesee County in 2017; $221,295,000 worth of agricultural products were sold out of Wayne County in 2017; $205,160,000 worth of agricultural products were sold out of Ontario County in 2017; $155,282,000 worth of agricultural products were sold out of Orleans County in 2017; and $76,643,000 worth of agricultural products were sold out of Monroe County.

Furthermore, in 2017, Wayne County was home to 25,939 acres of non-citrus fruit and nut farms with 185 total farms; Ontario County was home to 1,384 acres of non-citrus fruit and nut farms and 53 total farms; Orleans County was home to 57 total farms; Genesee County was home to 21,927 acres of vegetable production; and Monroe County was home to 1,100 acres of non-citrus fruit and nut farms and 44 total farms.

New York ranks second in the nation in apple production, and Wayne and Orleans counties are the two top apple-producing counties in the state, meaning the bee population is imperative to the sustainability of this critical agricultural sector in the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region.

Wayne County produces more apples than any other county in New York State, and nationally ranks as the fourth-highest apple-producing county in the country. More than 25,000 acres of farm land in Wayne County is devoted to apples, which accounts for over half of the total apple acreage in all of New York State.

Prospect of extinction

The prospect of the extinction of honeybees also presents a significant to challenge to New York State’s burgeoning honey industry. In 2017 alone, 3,046,315 pounds of honey were collected from New York State farms and sales totaled $8,660,000. Schumer said that should honeybee colony numbers continue plummeting, not only would these sales be jeopardized, but Rochester-Finger Lakes restaurants and farmers’ markets would be forced to pay more for or completely stripped of the freshest, locally sourced honey.

Schumer explained that these dire numbers show the absolute necessity of USDA’s "Honey Bee Colonies" report. Therefore, Schumer urged the USDA to reverse course and maintain the collection of data for the "Honey Bee Colonies" report, to accurately track honeybees in the United States and protect Rochester-Finger Lakes agriculture from getting stung.

Advocates rally: beekeepers, farm-to-table restaurateurs, growers and educators

Schumer was joined by Pat Bono (beekeeper/owner of Seaway Trail Honey, director for NY Bee Wellness, an educational 501c3, and organizer of Rochester Beekeepers), Tim Pratt (beekeeper & director of programs at Tinker Nature Center); Dan Winter (president, Empire State Honey Producers Assoc. & owner of Winter Apiaries in Wolcott, Wayne County), farm-to-table restaurateurs: Stephen Rees (owner, Relish restaurant in Rochester’s Southwedge) Dan Martello (owner, Good Luck restaurant in Downtown Rochester), Lizzie Clapp (owner, Le Petit Poutine food truck), and Evan Schutt (owner, Schutts Apple Mill in Penfield).

“The USDA 'Honey Bee Colonies' report has provided critical data for decades that beekeepers rely on to protect the health of our colonies and that farmers depend on to safeguard the viability of their next pollinator dependent crop," Bono said. "I appreciate Senator Schumer’s efforts to resume this reporting because ceasing this data collection leaves us in the dark, unable to see or anticipate trends that are vital to preserve our local honeybee hives.”

“New York Farm Bureau values the role that pollinators play in the agriculture industry and New York Farm Bureau membership represents the diversity of New York agriculture including farmers that rely on honey bees to perform pollinator services as well as the beekeepers that provide these valuable services," said Rene St. Jacques, assistant director of Public Policy for the New York Farm Bureau.

Sweet cash: pollination-dependent crops pour $1.2 billion into NYS ag economy

"Pollinators are incredibly important to the agricultural economy in New York State, which is a leading producer of specialty crops that require or benefit from pollination, including apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, pumpkins, and beans, just to name a few. These pollination dependent crops contribute $1.2 billion annually to the state’s agricultural economy.

"The honeybee provides 50 percent of crop pollination services in New York State, yet there continue to be losses of honeybee colonies year after year. These losses not only impact honeybee producers and their livelihoods but the overall agricultural economy and well as the sustainability of the New York State food system.

"For the benefit of the entire New York agriculture industry, it is imperative that honeybee colonies continue to thrive and in turn must be accurately monitored to ensure longevity of both bees and farmers."

Hochul predicts Chris Collins will soon be known as 'former congressman'

By Howard B. Owens
Video Sponsor
.pane-node-body img {background: none !important; border: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: unset !important; padding-left: 1px !important } broadstreet.zone(69076)

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul says she has no interest in running for Congress again, not even after redistricting in 2022 because she thinks she is having a more positive impact for the people of Western New York in Albany than she could have in Washington, D.C.

Hochul represented WNY in Congress in 2011 and 2012 before losing a close election to Rep. Chris Collins.

She did say, however, if she ran this year, she would win.

Collins, fighting a federal criminal indictment and facing a House Ethics Committee investigation, has made no official announcement regarding his reelection plans. But he has transferred $500,000 of personal funds to his campaign. He is facing at least two primary challengers and if he runs the Democrats may send Nate McMurray up against him again, who narrowly lost to Collins in 2018.  

Regardless of who runs against Collins, Hochul said Collins will soon be known as "the former congressman" because "he will lose the election."

Hochul was in Batavia for the announcement of a new workforce development program. We will have more coverage on that later.

'Wings & Wheels' free Fun Fly and Car Show is Aug. 17-18 on Randall Road in Le Roy

By Billie Owens

The public is invited to the Batavia Radio Control Flying Club's "Wings & Wheels" Fun Fly and Car Show on the weekend of Aug. 17-18 in Le Roy.

It takes place from 10 a.m. to dusk each day at 6684 Randall Road. Children are encouraged to attend with their families.

Show off your special ride! Classic muscle and antique cars and motorcycles welcome. Flyers: Turbines welcome; pilot AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) required.

Entry is FREE. No landing fees either.

Food and beverages available.

50/50 raffles throughout the day.

Primitive camping allowed -- no hookups.

For more information, call Gary Bobzin at (585) 354-4880.

Guided kayak tour of DeWitt Pond is Saturday, must preregister

By Billie Owens

Kayaking at the pond at DeWitt Recreation Area, which was cancelled last month due to the heat wave, will be offered this Saturday.

Preregistration is required on or before Thursday Aug. 8th, call 585-344-1122.

A maximum of 20 participants will be allowed.

Seize the day with a guided kayak tour of DeWitt Pond! Explore the pond by water and discover a new world.

  • Session 1 takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Session 2 takes place from 1 to 3 p.m.

Meet at the boat launch at DeWitt Recreation Area. No experience needed, a beginner kayaking lesson is provided! Rent a kayak or bring your own. Kayak rentals with life vests are provided by Adventures in Fitness Inc. Solo kayak rentals are available for ages 12 and up, tandem kayak rentals are available for kids under 12 and must be piloted by an adult.

Guided tour fee is $20/person without rental or $25/person with kayak rental per session. Fee for children under 12 is $12 per session. Maximum 20 participants per session.

For more information visit the website here, or contact Kayla Edmunds Park.AmeriCorps@.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Mercy Flight Open House is Aug. 24, donations of products or services wanted

By Billie Owens

Press release:

On Saturday, Aug. 24th from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Mercy Flight will host its annual open house at the Mercy EMS Base.

The Mercy Flight Batavia Base, located at 8050 Call Parkway, will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. We kindly ask you to support this remarkable celebration.

The day will be filled with plenty to enjoy, including a tour of the base, food, refreshments, and activities for the family.

Mercy Flight was founded on the premise of wanting to help more patients during their time of need. Since our inception in 1981, Mercy Flight has grown from one part-time crew to 24/7 air operations in Buffalo, Batavia, and Olean, and ground ambulance operations in Springville, Genesee County, and Niagara County.

Having transported more than 26,000 patients by helicopter and conducting countless ground ambulance missions, Mercy Flight has truly been Western New York’s beacon of hope WHEN MINUTES MATTER.

At Mercy Flight, we pride ourselves on performing our lifesaving services without regard to our patients’ insurance status or their ability to pay. While third-party payers reimburse a portion of each flight’s cost, we rely heavily on the generous support of community contributors like you.

We would greatly appreciate the donation of a product or service to support this essential and well-attended community event. Would you so generously consider donating an item or certificate for our basket auction?

I would be happy to pick up any donations you offer. Please contact me at 585.250.3002 or pcherry@mercyflight.org to arrange.

Pam Cherry, Outreach Coordinator - Batavia, Mercy Flight Inc.

Volunteers successfully complete training at GC Fire Training Center

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

Thirteen students successfully completed the Apparatus Operator – Pump program on June 15 at the Genesee County Fire Training Center.  

Building on the knowledge and skills obtained through the Basic Exterior Firefighter Operations (BEFO) program (photo above), the 24-hour Apparatus Operator – Pump course (photo below) offers fire service personnel the knowledge and skills essential for pump operations, hydraulics and friction loss, pump control and accessories, fire streams, pumper practices, pumping from draft and pump evolutions and using the fire pump at the fire hydrant. 

Genesee County participants included:  

TOWN OF BATAVIA

  • William J. Allen Jr. 
  • Josh K. Boyle
  • Thomas M. Garlock 
  • Clayton A. Gorski 
  • Thomas E. Marlowe 
  • Bryan A. Moscicki

EAST PEMBROKE

  • Matthew N. Allen 
  • Samantha M. Cavalieri

One of five modules required to earn  the Fire Officer 1 certification, the Company Training & Community Risk Reduction course covers the basic responsibilities of the fire officer as they relate to community relations, company-level building inspections and community risk reduction.

Additionally, this course provides potential fire officers with the basic knowledge of how to determine company-level training needs, teaching from a lesson plan, documentation of training activities, and different methods to conduct company-level training. 

Twenty-two students recently completed the 12-hour Company Training & Community Risk Reduction module offered at the Genesee County Fire Training Center on June 19 (photo below).

Genesee County participants included:  

ALEXANDER

  • Anthony R. Johnston 
  • Sean McPhee

TOWN OF BATAVIA

  • Josh K. Boyle
  • Thomas M. Garlock
  • Clayton A. Gorski
  • Conor P. Wilkes

BETHANY

  • Peggy Johnson 
  • Gregory Johnson
  • Richard Klunder III
  • Christopher M. Page
  • Corrie A. Rombaut
  • Kyle L. Rombaut

BYRON

  • Victor  L. Flanagan

CORFU

  • Dean T. Eck
  • Tyler G. Lang
  • Lori Ann Santini
  • Daniel P. Smith

ELBA

  • Bradley R. Chaddock
  • Michael J. Pfendler
  • Michael Schad Jr.

LE ROY

  • Thomas E. Feeley

One of five modules required to earn  the Fire Officer 1 certification, the Leadership & Supervisory Module was offered at the Genesee County Fire Training Center earlier this year. 

This module, consisting of 15 hours of instruction, provided current and potential fire officers with a fundamental knowledge of the duties, responsibilities and leadership required to be successful as a fire officer.

Students were presented the basic responsibilities of the fire officer as they relate to human resource management as well as common administrative functions.

Twenty-eight students completed the 12-hour Company Training & Community Risk program representing nine county fire companies.  

Genesee County participants included:  

ALABAMA

  • David J. Kinney 

ALEXANDER 

  • Anthony R. Johnston 
  • Sean McPhee

TOWN OF BATAVIA

  • Josh K. Boyle
  • Thomas M. Garlock 
  • Clayton A. Gorski
  • Scott T. Maloy
  • Conor P. Wilkes 

BETHANY

  • Gregory W. Johnson 
  • Richard, Klunder III
  • Timothy J. McCabe
  • Christopher M. Page
  • Kyle L. Rombaut

BYRON

  • Victor L. Flanagan

CORFU

  • Dean T. Eck
  • Gregory S. Lang 
  • Tyler G. Lang
  • Lori Ann Santini
  • Daniel P. Smith 

DARIEN

  • Aaron Elliott

ELBA

  • Jennifer A. Cardinalli 
  • Nicholas J. Esten
  • Timothy Hoffarth 
  • Christopher P. Lane 
  • Michael J. Pfendler 
  • Michael Schad Jr. 
  • George M. Underhill 

LE ROY

  • Thomas E. Feeley

UMMC League is celebrating its 50th anniversary

By Billie Owens

Submitted photo and press release:

The United Memorial Medical Center League is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The organization was founded by local volunteers in 1969 who wanted to give back to the community by raising money and collecting resources to support United Memorial Medical Center. Through these efforts, they have made our community a healthier and better place to live.

Recent UMMC League initiatives include the purchase of water bottles, through the continued dues support of League members, for patients at the Lipson Cancer Center at UMMC.

In the above photo with the water bottles are, from left: Laura Phillips, Patient Access specialist at Lipson Cancer Center; Elaine Dorris, volunteer at Lipson Cancer Center; Mary Smith, UMMC League co-president; and Pam Whitcombe, UMMC League Board member.

Another initiative is the Women’s Health Fund, which the League established 15 years ago to provide nursing education books to the Maternity Department at UMMC. These books are distributed to all new moms.

In the photo below are supporters of the Women's Health Fund, from left: Mary Smith, UMMC League co-president; Pam Whitcombe, UMMC League Board member; Olivia Barren, Nurse Manager on Maternity; and Barb Hale, UMMC League Board member.

Arc of Genesee Orleans' 15th annual Family & Friends 5K and Fun Walk is Sept. 21 in Elba

By Billie Owens

Arc of Genesee Orleans will hold its 15th annual Family & Friends 5K and Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Elba.

There will be food, music, kids' activities and face painting at a post-party afterward. It all begins and ends at the Day Habilitation Center, 4603 Barrville Road.

Registration / check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. The 5K run starts at 10 o'clock, with the Fun Walk immediately following.

Register by Sept. 16 for best pricing. After that, rates increase to $25 (5K) and $20 (Fun Walk) up to and including race day.

Sponsorships are available.

Funds raised benefit education through the Arc of Genesee Orleans Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship Fund and programs and services for people served by Arc.

Register online here.

For more information, call Sandy at 585-343-4203, ext. 223.

Shake on the Lake performs 'As You Like It' Thursday evening in Centennial Park

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:

The sounds of laughter, music, and Shakespeare echo inside an old general store building on Main Street in Perry. When the door is opened, the company members of Shake on the Lake – the oldest-running professional Shakespeare Company in Wyoming County – are revealed.

This is their eighth summer season. Shake on the Lake began its 2019 tour in July, traveling to eight counties in Western New York and the Finger Lakes.

Artists from throughout the country are staging Shakespeare’s most musical show, the pastoral comedy, "As You Like It." The resident company rehearses the show on site in Perry, specializing in “fast, fun, and physical” performances, which bring the arts to public spaces in rural communities.

The play will be performed in Batavia starting at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 8, in the city's Centennial Park.

No tickets required (show is free). Show is 90 minutes without an intermission. Bringing lawn chairs and blankets is recommended. All ages welcome.

Theater artist Josh Rice, who grew up in Perry and graduated from Perry Central School, cofounded Shake on the Lake. Eight seasons later, he returns every summer to produce Shakespeare with a company of professional actors from around the nation.

“We started Shake on the Lake with the intention to create a company based around play and trying to inject that spirit of play into our process, as well as our product," Rice said. "From day one, we focus on play-driven play-making where everyone – from company interns to our senior theater artists – can make a creative impact on the play.

"Giving artists ownership in the creation of a work, as well as the company itself, makes for a much-more rewarding and productive process.”

This summer the Artistic Team chose to tackle Shakespeare’s "As You Like It." The company went from script to show in two and a half weeks, during which time they also present young artist educational programming, community workshops, and outreach to Groveland Correctional Facility through their Voices UnCaged program, which recently received national recognition at the Arts in Corrections national conference in California. Actors live in the community for the summer, many of whom return year after year to work and eventually become seasonal residents.

One of those artists is Chad Bradford, who is associate artistic director for Shake on the Lake and is a founding company member. This summer’s tour is the fifth Shake on the Lake show Bradford has directed as he returns to Western New York after performing with Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.

“When I think about presenting Shakespeare in 90 minutes or less like we do at Shake on the Lake, it means we have to listen to each other and use collaboration to create our fun, fast, and physical shows,” Bradford said. “Our spectacle is original music, improvisation, and in having our actors having fun devising and performing.”

Shake on the Lake first began performing at its home stage, Silver Lake, where it continues to have a four-show residency during the first weekend in August. The company has transformed from a single venue to a region-wide tour with 18 shows.

“In the Elizabethan era, companies of performers would travel to the outskirts of the rural British countryside, set up shop, and perform these same Shakespearean plays,” Rice said. “Shake on the Lake echoes this history, and we thrive in communities that have similar rural sensibilities to those 400 years ago. Shakespeare has been performed everywhere, for everyone, and we’re proving that all communities deserve great theater --especially these rural ones.”

“We regularly have audiences in triple-figures," said Managing Director Pilar McKay. “To me, this shows that we are fulfilling our mission to create art that people want to be part of. Shake on the Lake is special because we live, work, and believe in our rural communities.”

Catch Shake on the Lake on tour this year in Wyoming County (Silver Lake – Perry/Castile, Letchworth St. Park, Arcade, and Attica), Genesee (Batavia), Orleans (Point Breeze and Lyndonville), Livingston (Geneseo and Linwood Gardens), Erie (Springville), Monroe (Brockport), Ontario (Cumming Nature Center), and Allegany (Angelica and Wellsville).

For more information about Shake on the Lake, click here.

Background:

Shake on the Lake is a live theater festival located in Silver Lake. Founded in 2012, as the only professional theater company in five adjacent counties in Western New York, the mission of the festival is to “entertain, engage, and enrich those in the community by creating theater productions in a natural outdoor setting.”

Show Synopsis:

"As You Like It" follows the story of Rosalind, who faces an uncertain future after the exile of her royal father by her uncle, the newly installed Duke Frederick. Buoyed by her loving cousin, Celia, and the rascally clown, Touchstone, Rosalind makes the best of her lot, and by chance, entrances the eyes of a brave young man, Orlando. After Orlando’s successful wrestling match against the Duke’s champion, both Orlando and Rosalind must secretly flee to uncertain lands to escape the eyre of the new duke as well as Orlando’s jealous brother, Oliver. They run separately to the Forest of Arden, fearing they will never see one another again, not knowing the magic and romance that awaits them in the forest.

Alternative Synopsis:

“All the world’s a stage,” and Shake on the Lake is poised to bring the “players with exits and entrances,” playing “many parts,” as they bring Shakespeare’s most musical comedy, "As You Like It," on tour across Western New York this summer. Join Rosalind, one of Shakespeare’s most savvy and strong heroines as she flees to the Forest of Arden with her comedic sidekicks to find her exiled father, Duke Senior. But what fate awaits her in the woods? Come find out as Shake on the Lake puts its fast, fun, and physical-style on display in this comedy about love, longing, and the beauty of the natural world, incorporating classic Shakespearean tropes like cross-dressing, mistaken identity, live music and songs, and...wrestling. All of Western New York is our stage in this 90-minute musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s "As You Like It," on tour now through Aug. 11.

Muckdogs fall to red-hot Williamsport, 9-3

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs ran into the hottest team in the New York-Penn League on Monday, falling to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 9-3.

Batavia (29-21) could not overcome a four-run first inning as Williamsport won their  sixth straight and Batavia has dropped three. With the loss and a West Virginia win, Batavia now has a three-game lead for first place in the Pinckney Division and trails Lowell by 1.5 games for the best overall record in the NYPL.

Leadoff hitter J.D. Orr, who is always good for at least one hit a game, went 4-for-5 to increase his NYPL leading average to .385 while scoring a run and stealing his 21st base. Orr is a 10th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins out of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and has played left and center for the Muckdogs.

Troy Johnston (17th-round pick this year out of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.) had two hits and a run while Albert Guiamaro is back in the lineup and belted a RBI double. Kobie Taylor, a 15th-round pick out of Texas in 2016 by Miami, came off the bench and since for the second game in a row.

Julian Infante (RBI, run), Harrison Dinicola (RBI) and Jack Stunc (RBI) also had hits.

Julio Frias dropped to 3-2 on the season, but went five innings and struck out six as his ERA is 2.79.

Edison Suriel was another bright spot, throwing a perfect ninth and striking out the side.

Batavia is at Williamsport for two more games before heading to West Virginia for three games and returning home on Sunday.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Batavia Area Jaycees to hold Labor Day 5K Sept. 2 at MacArthur Park

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 32nd Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on Monday, Sept. 2nd at MacArthur Park in Batavia.

Participants should check in from 8 to 8:50 a.m. Race time is 9 o'clock.

The registration fee for runners/walkers is $25 if preregistered until Aug. 18th and $30 afterward, including the day of the event. The fee for runners/walkers 17 and younger is $20 preregistered until Aug. 18th and $25 afterward.

Awards will be presented to the top three finishers and first place in age group. 

You can register at runsignup.com or go to Batavia Area Jaycees Facebook page. Registration forms are available at runsignup.com and the day of race.

The Batavia Area Jaycees have been a part of the community and helping out for more than 65 years. Our goal is to provide young people with the opportunity to develop personal, professional and leadership skills through community involvement and specific trainings tailored to enhance their abilities for future endeavors.

Batavia Area Jaycees

PO Box 285

Batavia, NY 14021

www.bajny.com

Tonight is National Night Out -- a citywide celebration at St. Anthony's

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City of Batavia Police Department is proud to announce, in partnership with City Church, National Night Out 2019.

The event is tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the St. Anthony's facility at 114 Liberty St..

Liberty Street and Central Avenue in the area of St. Anthony's will be closed starting at 4 p.m.

There will be many displays by first responders, including: the Wyoming County Sheriff's Posse Mounted Patrol; City of Batavia Fire Department; the NY State Park Police, who will demo high-angle rope rescue; and the NY State Police, who will demo the Seat Belt Enforcer.

Car seat installation and safety checks will be provided by the city fire department. There will be a K-9 demonstration and much more.

There will also be face painting, balloon animals, a dunk tank and a live band.

The event is free and City Church will be cooking for those who attend.

Raffles and giveaways will take place throughout the evening.

National Night Out will also serve as a fundraiser to bring back the Police K-9 Program to the City of Batavia Police Department and any donations will go directly for that purpose.

Please come join us for a night of fun and get to know your first responders.

Thanks to the following sponsors for their generous donations to make this event happen:

  • Ken Barrett Chevrolet
  • Chapin International
  • Batavia P.B.A.
  • Graham Corp.
  • Sheriff's Association
  • Target
  • Brian Kemp, T-Shirts Etc.
  • Batavia Family Dental
  • Blondie's Sip-n-Dip
  • Human Energies
  • CSEA
  • Carquest Auto Supply
  • WNY Chiefs of Police
  • Hillside Children's Center
  • Bill's Auto
  • Batavia's Original
  • Salmon Orthodontics
  • City Church
  • Southside Deli
  • The Radley Family
  • O'Lacy's Irish Pub
  • The Benedict Family
  • Red Osier Landmark Restaurant
  • Tompkins Bank of Castile
  • T.Y. Lin International
  • Kiwanis Club of Batavia
  • Artic Refrigeration
  • Dunkin' Donuts
  • GCASA
  • Extended Sound, DJ & Event Rentals
  • Toyota of Batavia
  • Northside Deli
  • Batavia Tailor & Cleaners
  • Bohm-Calarco-Smith Funeral Home
  • 7-11

Top Items on Batavia's List

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1ST CITY OF BATAVIA 4-5 bedroom Duplex apartment with 1 Bedroom, Living room, laundry room, dining room, bathroom, and small kitchen on first floor. 4 bedrooms 2nd floor. Newly painted. Some new carpet. Basement storage. 1/2 garage use for storage/ not parking. Large yard. $1,100/month includes trash pickup, Refrigerator, Gas Stove. You pay gas, electric, water. No dogs. Good references required with background check. Pathstone approved. Near ARC. Mike 585-993-4002
Tags: Rentals

Authentically Local