Announcements

The Iroquois Trail Council Boy Scouts of America will recognize six distinguished citizens at the 37th Annual Boypower Dinner scheduled for May 23 at Genesee Community College.

The keynote speaker will be Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink, chief of U.S. Navy Reserve and a Distinguished Eagle Scout.

The Boypower Distinguished Citizen’s Award recognizes positive countywide impact through community and professional service, and a long tenure of service both through business and personal involvement in community causes.

Event Chairman Roger Triftshauser, D.D.S., and Scout Executive James McMullen are pleased to announce the 2012 Honor Roll of Distinguished Citizens:

Betty Lapp (Genesee County) serves as Board Chair of the United Memorial Medical Center and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

Mitchell McLaughlin (Wyoming County), executive vice president of Five Star Bank, serves as chairman of the board of the Wyoming County United Way.

David Bellavia (Orleans County), a decorated veteran of the Iraq War, is active in efforts to support war veterans.

James Culbertson (Livingston County), Livingston County clerk, has served on numerous community boards and has chaired past Livingston County United Way campaigns.

Husband and wife team Ken Kaufman and Michelle Farina (Niagara County) have used their musical talents to raise relief funds for a variety of local and international causes. Ken is also well known as the organist for Buffalo Sabres home games.

The annual Boypower Dinner is the premier event to raise monies to support scouting programs for nearly 4,000 boys from 7-20 years of age and girls ages 14-21 in Genesee, Wyoming, Orleans, Eastern Niagara, and Livingston counties.

“We couldn’t ask for a better group of role models for our Scouts,” Triftshauser said.

The Boy Scouts of America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 20, 1.1 million volunteers and nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories.

In honor of 150 years, Indian Falls United Methodist Church is having an anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 9.

There will be fellowship and hors d'oeuvres from 5 to 6 p.m.

After that, there will be the rededication of the church.

Dinner is served at 6. Cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more. There is a program following dinner.

On Sunday June 10, worship is at 10 a.m. followed by a casual luncheon.

RSVP to 585-762-9105 by May 25.

If overnight accommodations are needed, call 585-762-8859 .

The Alexander Dollars for Scholars and the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department are together hosting the 14:00.5 Relay for education and fire prevention from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 9.

It will be held at the Alexander School track and will benefit scholarships and fire prevention activities. The school is located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

We are seeking teams to walk or run the track for as much of the duration as they desire.

There will be door prizes, raffles, a DJ, concessions, and fire truck displays throughout the day.

For additional information, contact event chair Barbara Krazmien at krazbam664@rochester.rr.com or Jim Burkhardt at 300-3044.

The Salvation Army announces its Spring 2012 Community Center Schedule. It begins Monday, May 21. The Salvation Army Community Center is located at 529 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.           

Open Gym and Game Room                                    Ages 13 and up

            Mondays & Thursdays  6 to 8 p.m.               Cost: $1 per hour

Men’s Pick Up Basketball                                          Ages: 18 and up

            Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m.                                       Cost: $1 per hour

Youth Open Gym                                                       Grades 1-8

            Thursdays 3 to 5 p.m.                                    Cost: Free

Teen Open Gym                                                        Ages 13 and up

            Saturdays 7 to 9 p.m.                                    Cost: Free                                   

For more information contact: Major Patty at 343-6284 or email at patricia.kurtz@use.salvationarmy.org

The Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District is planning the next collection of ag plastic containers for recycling in between June 11-29 (exact date to be determined). A second pickup is planned for late September / early October.

Acceptable containers:
•       1-gallon jugs to 55-gallon barrels made from #2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
•       250-gallon totes accepted but must have all metal removed and be cut into 2' x 2' strips
•       5-gallon buckets must have metal handle removed
•       All containers must have caps and booklet removed and MUST be clean, empty, and pressure rinsed or triple rinsed

Pre-registration is required. Please call us to advise of the approximate amount of containers you will have for pickup. Collection dates and locations are based on the anticipated amount to be collected. Large plastic bags in which to store your clean containers are available free through our office.

Elizabeth Bentley-Huber
Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District
29 Liberty St., Suite 3
Batavia, NY 14020
Phone: 343-2362
Fax: 345-1815

Ten local students representing Genesee Valley Educational Partnership were honored at the New York State Health Occupations Students of America Leadership Conference held last month in East Syracuse.

These exceptional students earned six medals, three achievement awards, two service project awards, one Barbara James Gold Community Service Award, one Presidential Gold Community Service Award, one “Outstanding New York State HOSA Officer Award" and one HOSA Chapter Poster Award.

Ten members of the HOSA chapters from the Batavia campus participated in competitive events and leadership activities.

Members from Charter #17115: Heather Hicks (Batavia High School); Feyza Osmancikli (Oakfield-Alabama Central School); and Courtney Zufall (Attica).

Charter # 17125: Mechelle Bradley (Caledonia- Mumford); Kelly Cook (Elba); Jeffery Elleman (Alexander Central School); Jessica Fuller (Byron-Bergen High School); Brianna Hofert (Elba); Jenna Pangrazio (Elba); and Keri Ramsey (Alexander Central School).

Charter #17115 earned the HOSA Chapter Poster Award, and Feyza Osmancikli earned First Place in Job Seeking Skills.

Charter # 17125: Mechelle Bradley earned Third Place in Medical Photography; Kelly Cook earned First Place in Interviewing Skills and Third Place in Personal Care; Jeffery Elleman earned First Place in Medical Photography; Jessica Fuller earned Second Place in Interviewing Skills.

Brianna Hofert earned a Barbara James Gold Community Service Award; a Presidential Gold Community Service Award -- and the most prestigious award -- New York State Outstanding HOSA Officer for 2012. Brianna is required to attend the National HOSA Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., where she will be honored for all three of these awards. (Brianna participated in the National HOSA Leadership Academy in Washington, D.C., September 2011.)

Kelly Cook was elected to serve as a New York State HOSA State Officer for the 2012-2013 School year. Kelly will serve in the role of NYS secretary and Region E vice-president. Kelly is required to attend Officer Training Camp June 25-28 in Albany.

Heather Hicks, Feyza Osmancikli; Courtney Zufall; Jenna Pangrazio, Mechelle Bradley, Kelly Cook, Jeffery Elleman, Jessica Fuller and Keri Ramsey participated as volunteers in the New York State HOSA Courtesy Corp. Keri Ramsey also volunteered her time as a patient in two competitive events, “EMT” and “First Aid and Rescue Breathing."

Susan Mills (NY State HOSA chaperone, and Attendance Officer for GVEP), Jenna Pangrazio, Kelly Cook and Jessica Fuller earned the NY State HOSA Achievement Award.

All students who have received a first-, second- or third-place honor, per the HOSA National Charter, have earned the right to attend the National HOSA Leadership Conference in Orlando.

Karen Emerson attended the event as a chaperone. Richard Queal provided transportation for the group. Don Shucknect was the male chaperone, Mary Beswick was a bus chaperone, and Sue Mills was the extraordinary overnight chaperone and HOSA supporter. Bonny Shelby is the HOSA advisor and Health Dimensions instructor for the students named above. Shelby is also a registered nurse at the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership -- Batavia campus.

Help us reach our fund-raising goal to send these students to Nationals by joining us for a pancake breakfast at Applebee's Restaurant in Batavia from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12. Tickets are $5.

Press release:

The staff of Western Regional Off-Track Betting & Batavia Downs Casino are going through final preparations for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby festivities at each OTB and EZ Bet Location in the Western New York Area.  Batavia Downs Casino will host a radio remote and enjoy a visit from their Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas.  Locations of OTB Branches and EZ Bets can be found at www.westernotb.com.

“Staff members will be in each branch to help those unfamiliar with horse betting pick their horses for a chance to hit a big payday, “said OTB Director of Branch Operations, Sean Schiano.  “Prize drawings for Derby shirts and glasses will go on at every OTB Branch.  We’ll also be drawing a winner for a trip to the Belmont Stakes.”

Batavia Downs Casino will host its own Derby Party with a live radio remote from WGR Sports Radio 550 AM.  “We’re thrilled to have a sports talk show live on site as we count down the minutes to the Derby” said Ryan Hasenauer, Director of Marketing. “With the added presence of our ambassador Thurman Thomas, the atmosphere here will surely be one of excitement.”

Batavia Downs in owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation. Municipalities that own Batavia Downs Casino include: City of Buffalo, Cattaraugus County, Cayuga County, Chautauqua County, Erie County, Genesee County, Livingston County, Monroe County, Niagara County, Orleans County, Oswego County, City of Rochester, Schuyler County, Seneca County, Steuben County, Wayne County, and Wyoming County. The track is also home to Batavia Downs Casino, featuring over 600 video slot machines. Batavia Downs Casino is located less than one mile from Thruway Exit 48 and is open daily from 8AM-4AM.

Press release:

Two distinguished speakers will discuss their careers in the legal field during the second annual Law Day program at Genesee Community College.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Robert C. Noonan and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York William Hochul Jr. will visit the Batavia campus on Wednesday, May 2 during the week of festivities to welcome new President James Sunser, EdD.

The Law Day program begins at 9 a.m. and is intended to help high school seniors enrolled in the Legal Careers Academy of the Accelerated College Enrollment program (ACE) and Criminal Justice students gain a better understanding of the importance of the judicial system, with the speakers addressing the theme "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom."

Noonan, acting State Supreme Court justice since 2001, is also an elected Genesee County Superior Court judge and surrogate since 1997.

His law career has spanned almost four decades, including presiding as a judge at various court levels and serving as district attorney and assistant DA in Genesee County and special district attorney in dozens of criminal and civil cases in Genesee, Orleans, Livingston and Monroe counties.

A Batavia native, Justice Noonan was admitted to the New York State Bar Association in 1976, after earning his J.D. from Fordham Law School. He has served on various bar association advisory councils and panels and is certified to hear capital murder cases in New York. Judge Noonan has also handled more than 100 appeals before the state's Appellate Division courts and argued several cases before the New York Court of Appeals, the highest court in the state.

He is also a highly sought-after speaker, presenting lectures on the Supreme Court, trial practices, and various state laws and procedures. The jurist has also been an active member of several community organizations, including the Batavia Rotary Club, the St. Jerome Hospital Board and Camp Stella Maris.

Justice Noonan will discuss criminal court proceedings, with an explanation of how the courts strive to protect American rights and ensure justice for all. He will also take part in a question-and-answer session immediately following his lecture.

Hochul, as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York State, is responsible for overseeing the prosecution of any federal criminal case in the 17 counties that comprise the district.

He earned his law degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and joined the local U.S. Attorney's Office in 1991. Since then, he has prosecuted a large number of notorious cases involving whitecollar crime, gang violence, and international organized crime.

Hochul became chief of the office's Anti-Terrorism Unit after September 11, 2001, and chief of the National Security Division five years later. During that time, he was the lead prosecutor in several high-profile international terrorism cases, including the notorious Lackawanna Six from the Buffalo-area.

He has also served as an adjunct professor at U.B. Law School, Niagara University and Hilbert College, where he taught courses on terrorism and trial techniques, and frequently lectures across the U.S. and abroad on prosecuting cases involving terrorism and organized crime. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2003 Attorneys General Award for Exceptional Service -- the highest award bestowed by the U.S. Justice Department.

Hochul's lecture will focus on the appellate process, with a Q-and-A to follow.

The Law Day program is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Debbie Dunlevy, project director of the College Tech Prep program at GCC at 343-0055, ext. 6316, or via email: DKDunlevy@genesee.edu.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is seeking artists and crafters, food vendors, and nonprofit organizations to participate in the 34th annual Picnic in the Park celebration from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.

The event takes place in Centennial Park, Richmond and Ellicott avenues, in the City of Batavia.

Application forms can be downloaded from the GO ART! Web site at <http://www.GOart.org>, by email at info@GOart.org, or by stopping by GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Artists and crafters are invited to exhibit and sell their work – which must be made by the artist/crafter – in the Arts and Crafts Show. The non-refundable entry fee per space is $35 for non-members and $30 for members if paid by June 1. After June 1st, the fee is $40 for non-members and $35 for members. If you refer a friend, and they participate as an artist or crafter in this year's show, you will be entered in a drawing to win a refund on your booth fee!

The non-refundable entry fee per booth for food vendors is $125 if paid by June 1. After June 1, the fee is $150. As is tradition, nonprofit organizations in Genesee and Orleans counties may participate free of charge. All vendors must supply their own tables, chairs, signs, canopy, and extensions cords. The deadline to submit applications is no later than June 29.

Picnic in the Park is a free daylong event featuring activities for families and children, folk art events, entertainment and refreshment stands. Picnic in the Park is funded, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts Folk Arts Program.

For additional information, call the GO ART! office at 343-9313 or email info@GOart.org.

This is a press release from the Richmond Memorial Library:

The Richmond Memorial Library vote takes place on Tuesday, May 1 from
9 a.m. until 9 p.m. in the Gallery Room of the Richmond Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia.

Any registered voter residing in the Batavia City School District is eligible to vote.

Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR) is seeking interested participants for Chronic Disease Self Management Program.

Sessions will start on May 22 and run Tuesdays, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

They will take part in an instructive six-week series in Genesee County for individuals with chronic pain. Participants must be able to identify at least one chronic condition in relation to a disability that impacts their daily lives and emotions.

The facilitators will assist participants to understand how to manage symptoms, implement a self-management toolbox and construct an action plan.

If you have a desire to participate, please contact Susan at 815-8501, ext. 411.

Independent Living of Genesee Region (ILGR), part of the WNY Independent Living Inc., Family of Agencies, has primary offices at 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia.

The agency provides individuals of the Genesee Region (Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties) with four Core Services; Information & Referral, Peer Counseling, Independent Living Skills Training and Individual and Community Advocacy.

For more information about ILGR or to begin receiving services, please call 815-8501, ext. 400 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Press release:

A variety of digital artwork created by Genesee Community College students will be featured beginning Thursday at GCC's Rosalie "Roz" Steiner Art Gallery. There will be an Artists' Reception at 1 p.m. which is open to the community and refreshments will be served.

The exhibit will run through June 28 and features a number of pieces created through the use of digital technology.

"Digital technology is changing the way we create, consume and analyze visual information," says gallery Director and GCC instructor Shirley Verrico. "The Digital Arts program prepares GCC students to actively engage in the digital medium and prepares them for the 21st Century workplace."

The exhibit will include drawing, computer graphics, typography, video, Web design and more. Assignments require students to effectively combine art, design and technology to communicate ideas and sell products in today's fast-paced world.

Genesee's Digital Art program emphasizes the role of computer technology in creative expression. The pieces demonstrate skills in animation, digital video, graphic design and web design, as well as more traditional techniques like photography and drawing.

Further "real world" experience is gained by the students through internships with local businesses and the student design group AppleCore. Program graduates can secure entry-level positions in agencies specializing in graphic design, multimedia, web development, and digital illustration.

The art gallery is located on the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College, 1 College Road.

For more information, please visit the Roz Steiner Gallery Web page at http://www.genesee.edu/gallery.

The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation’s Kentucky Derby Party is being held on from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Terry Hills Restaurant and Banquet Facility in Batavia. 

This is a major fundraiser for the foundation, which supports research for curing childhood cancer and provides assistance to victms' families.

There will be a basket raffle, silent auction, live music, great food and beverages and lots more. Come and cheer for your favorite horse or jockey, wear your best hat and sip a Mint Julep and support the foundation's effort in raising money for their missions.

Tickets are $50 per person and include: entry to the event, hors d'oeuvres, carving station, desserts, beer/wine/soda, a randomly selected Kentucky Derby gaming ticket and access to the auctions.

For more information, contact Laurie at 409-3275 or Ann Marie at 721-0151.

Tickets can be purchased through any member of the board of directors or by calling 409-3276.

Terry Hills is located at 5122 Clinton St. Road.

The YWCA of Genesee County, Inc. will hold its first Wheels and Heels event from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 14 at the Genesee County Airport. This is a fundraiser to assist the YWCA in developing new programs that serve the innocent, forgotten victims of domestic violence -- the children.

The YWCA is still seeking food, beverage, and service vendors to provide samples and sell products; any individual or business that would like to display a unique or luxury vehicle on the airport grounds is also encouraged to register.

Additionally, clothing stores or individuals with special attire may lend or donate an outfit which will be casually modeled throughout the evening.

These new programs will serve as an opportunity for the YWCA to uphold its mission through service to the youngest members of our community. To participate in Wheels and Heels, please contact Anita Strollo at the YWCA at 343-5808.

Press release:

When the Student Activities Office at Genesee Community College organized its first blood drive in 1987, just three students donated. Twenty-five years later, those three-times-a-year drives have collected more than 3,500 units of blood, and Red Cross District Director Debra Miller says those donations have saved more than 10,000 lives!

Miller says each unit of donated blood can be used to save three patient lives through the use of whole blood, platelets and plasma.

"Because of the humanitarian efforts of GCC's student and faculty, 10,503 lives have been saved," she said.

Miller was on the GCC Batavia campus earlier this month to present an award to Student Activities Director Cliff Scutella and the department's technical specialist, Joanna Barefoot. The cup-shaped trophy recognizes the school for more than two decades of blood drives and the lives saved by those donations.

Additionally, the Red Cross reciprocates with a scholarship program created in 2006 to recognize students at SUNY schools who show collections growth over the prior year. GCC students have been awarded Red Cross scholarships averaging $500 for three of the last four years.

Press release:

Genesee Community College's annual Trek the Trail Walkathon to benefit the student scholarship fund happens this Saturday, April 21, rain or shine. It begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Batavia campus Nature Trail and lasts until 12:30 p.m.

Walkers of all ages can solicit pledges from friends and family and enjoy a pleasant walk around the campus nature trail, with various stops for breaks, snacks and fun! Bring little ones in strollers and friendly dogs on leashes.

For a $15 donation, participants get a T-shirt, Trek Treats, prizes and lunch, with plenty of photo opportunities at various sites along the trail and on campus. Health screenings and children's games will also be offered at various stops.

Register the day of the trek or online and secure pledges from family and friends: http://www.gccfoundation.kintera.org/trek

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) is promoting the Adelphi Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program as a part of their annual Mother’s Day campaign. Hawley noted that the hotline provides the unique opportunity for women battling the disease to speak with fellow survivors about their experiences and draw strength from one another.

“Each year, 200,000 women in this country are diagnosed with breast cancer, and the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline gives them the chance to connect and draw from each other’s tremendous strength,” Hawley said. “The hotline provides a critical link to not only health services, but the emotional support that is so important for the brave women dealing with this horrific disease.

"As Mother’s Day approaches, I encourage everyone to share information on the Breast Cancer Hotline with their friends and family so that no woman has to face this battle alone.”

The hotline, established in 1980, is a project of the Adelphi University School of Social Work on Long Island. All services are free. Callers can receive information on an accredited mammography facility nearby, as well as updated information and emotional support from the hotline’s specially trained volunteers, most of whom are women who have had breast cancer.

The hotline can be reached at 1-800-877-8077.

For more information, please visit www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer <http://www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer>, or www.facebook.com/adelphibreastcancerhotline <http://www.facebook.com/adelphibreastcancerhotline

In the back of the closet, far back, everyone has that one unique tie or funky handbag that has been waiting for just the right occasion. This is it! The Justice for Children GLOW Foundation will hold its second annual Ugly Tie and Purse Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 20 at Terry Hills Banquet Facility, Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Tickets are $25 per person and include a served lunch and dessert.

Wear your special tie or carry that one-of-a kind purse to the second annual Ugly Tie and Purse Luncheon! Our panel of guest judges will decide who deserves top honors and you could win a fabulous prize! What’s most important is that you will be supporting critical programs for children who are victims of abuse.

Reservations may be made by calling 344-8576 or emailing jcGLOWfoundation@yahoo.com.

To support the mission of the Child Advocacy Center located in Batavia, community members formed a 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit corporation, the Justice for Children GLOW Foundation, Inc. The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is managed by a division county government, and is funded solely through grants received from the Crime Victims Board and philanthropic donations.

The CAC exists to reduce the potential trauma a child victim experiences by bringing together members of the legal, medical, social services, mental health and victim advocate professions in a non-intimidating home-like environment and reducing the number of times a child-victim is interviewed.

In the past, interview locations have included: police stations, hospital emergency rooms, social services, district attorney’s office or even the location of the abuse, if it occurred in the home. Each is a location that would prove overwhelming and threatening to a child suffering from abuse.

The use of the CAC with its multi-disciplinary approach helps to enhance criminal prosecution and can strengthen family court dispositions that are in the best interest of the child.

Services provided by the CAC include a child friendly atmosphere, medical evaluations, educational presentations, professional training, forensic interviews, counseling, information and referrals. There are no charges for services provided by the CAC.