Announcements

Press release:

May is Mental Health Month, and the Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming county health departments are working to raise awareness of the role mental health plays in our lives, and providing tips and resources so anyone can take steps to promote good mental health.

The Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming county health departments are encouraging residents to “Think Health.” Taking time to think about your health and taking positive health steps will lead to healthier outcomes. Learning something new every day is one way to “Think Health."

We all know about the importance about taking care of our health — eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising. Healthy habits positively influence how a person feels and how their body functions.

But good health involves not only caring for our body, but also our mind.

The fact is our mental health is vital to our overall health. Far too many Americans fail to incorporate a principal component into their health choices. Yet overall health and wellness are not possible without it.

What is mental health? If you were to ask your office mate, spouse or neighbor, they may respond that it is a “state of mind,” “being content with life” or “feeling good about yourself.” Simply put, mental health is the ability to cope with daily life and the challenges it brings.

When a person has “good” mental health, they deal better with what comes their way. By contrast, “poor” mental health — such as feeling overwhelmed by stress — can make even day-to-day life difficult.

Poor mental health can also significantly harm a person’s physical health. For instance, research shows that stress is closely linked to high-blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.  It also shows that people who feel depressed or chronically stressed may have a greater risk of physical illnesses.

The good news is there are many healthy choices and steps that individuals can adopt to promote and strengthen mental health — and overall health and well-being.

A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It can also help people recover from these conditions.

A healthy lifestyle includes building social support, eating with your mental health in mind, recognizing the signs of stress, and knowing when to reach out for help.

Just as Americans have learned there are things they can do to reduce their risk of heart disease and other illnesses, the health departments want to help people learn what they can do both to protect their mental health in tough times and also to improve their mental well being throughout their lives.

We need to care for both our body and mind. Talk to your health care provider about your mental health at your next visit. You can also learn about mental health services through your County Mental Health Department or the local Mental Health Associations (MHA).

County Mental Health phone numbers are: Genesee County Mental Health is 344-1421; Orleans County Mental Health is 589-7066; and Wyoming County Mental Health is 786-8871. In Genesee County the MHA number is 345-1418 and in Orleans County the MHA number is 589-1158.

If you are having a mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 or the Regional Action Phone (RAP) line at 800-359-5727 (Genesee County); 800-889-1903 (Orleans County); or 800-789-3300 (Wyoming County).

The Business Education Alliance will be hosting their Spring Breakfast and Annual Meeting at 7:30 a.m. on May 16. The theme of this year’s breakfast is “Agribusiness Career Paths in Our Region” and will highlight area agribusiness education programs for students in kindergarten through college.

The breakfast will feature speakers from Pavilion CSD, Cornell Cooperative Extension, WNY Tech Academy, The Ag Academy, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, and Genesee Community College.

The breakfast will be held at the Genesee County Fairgrounds in the Kennedy Building. Reserve your spot online at www.beagenesee.com <http://www.beagenesee.com>. The cost is $15/pp.

Press release:

Oakfield Family Medical Care is being recognized by the Genesee County Health Department for achieving a 100-percent influenza (flu) vaccination rate among the facility’s employees during the 2013 – 2014 flu season and is a designated FluSafe facility through the local FluSafe Campaign.

The FluSafe Campaign originated from the Minnesota Department of Health where it began in 2007, and has successfully grown while focusing on increasing influenza immunization rates in hospitals and nursing homes.

Studies have shown that vaccinating employees reduces the rate of disease in health care facilities. Unvaccinated staff can pass highly contagious flu to patients, many of whom are at high risk for complications. High-risk populations include children younger than 5, adults older than 65, pregnant women, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, as well as those who have various medical conditions. Ultimately, low rates of influenza vaccination among staff can be very concerning for patients and the public.

In New York State, a new Flu Mask Requirement was adopted by the Public Health and Planning Council in July 2013. The requirement states that all personnel in healthcare and residential facilities/agencies must where a surgical mask if not immunized, during the formally declared flu season, at all times in areas where patients or residents may be present.

The locally scaled version of the FluSafe Campaign assists physicians’ offices to achieve the goal of 100-percent influenza vaccination coverage for employees, who do not have medical exemptions, because despite the great efforts of preventing flu by mandating surgical masks be worn by healthcare personnel, vaccination remains the #1 way of preventing the flu.

Under the FluSafe Campaign, offices can receive guidance and access to tools and promotional materials through the Genesee County Health Department to help them increase their rates. For a facility to be designated as FluSafe, 70 percent, 80 percent or 90 percent plus of personnel must immunize against the flu and document vaccinations through the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS).

The Genesee County Health Department hopes participation in the campaign grows as FluSafe is a great way for physicians’ offices to emphasize patient safety, like Oakfield Family Medical Care has. If your facility is interested in participating in the FluSafe Campaign for the 2014-2015 flu season contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344–2580, ext. 5000.

HomeCare & Hospice Chief Executive Officer Carol L. Mahoney, right, and Mrs. Shirley LeSeur cut a ribbon to officially recognize the opening of the new Batavia HomeCare & Hospice office at 29 Liberty St., Suite 6, during an Open House on May 8.

Mrs. LeSeur is the widow of late Batavia attorney J.D. LeSeur, whose vision and leadership helped establish a certified hospice program in Genesee County. HomeCare & Hospice moved from 550 E. Main St. to Liberty Street last fall to better meet the needs of its operation and improve access for employees and the general public.

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is delighted to host the 11th Annual Genesee-Orleans Student Art Show, featuring works by more than 60 students from six different Genesee and Orleans county schools distributed between two GO ART! galleries.

The Genesee County Student Art Show winners are:

1st Place: Bailey Groth for "Cullen" -- 11th grade, Pembroke High School
2nd Place: Siena Pullinzi for "Minus and Counting" -- 12th grade, Batavia High School
3rd Place: Shelby Wilmet for "Giacometti Figure" -- 11th grade, Batavia High School
Honorable Mention: Amanda Castaneda for "Op Art Design" -- 9th grade, Elba Central School
Honorable Mention: Cassondra DeLelys for "Bird Posed" -- 8th grade, Elba Central School
Honorable Mention: Celia Mercovich for "Oaxacan Alebrejes" -- 9th grade, Byron-Bergen Central School
Honorable Mention: Erika Weis for "Untitled" -- 12th grade, Batavia High School
Honorable Mention: Jacob Chapman for "Caution Wet Floor" -- 12th grade, Pembroke Central School

Genesee County students with work in GO ART!  inside the Bank of Castile Main Gallery, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia , are listed below. Exhibit Dates: Now through June 6. Complimentary Reception 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and by appointment.

Luis Sanchez — Elba grade 10: “Cubist Still Life” — Color Pencil
Brianna Shade — Byron-Bergen grade 7: Word design “Scary” — Sharpie & Color Pencil
Emma Goodman — Byron-Bergen grade 7: Word design “Season” — Sharpie &  Color Pencil
Tessa Busch — Pembroke grade 12: “Untitled” — Oil Pastel on Constr. Paper
Sarah Clay — Byron-Bergen grade 11: “Tree Frog” — Acrylic Paint
Allison Zambito — Elba grade 11: “Signs” — Photography
Amanda Castaneda — Elba grade 9: “Op Art Design” — Watercolor
Meaghan Kogut — Elba grade 9: “Pointillist Landscape” — Marker
Cassondra DeLelys — Elba grade 8: “Bird Posed” — Torn Tissue/Acrylic
Ally Richardson — Byron-Bergen grade 11: “Seashells” — Acrylics
Amanda Norton — Elba grade 11: “Tranquil Waters” — Acrylic on Canvas
Dannielle Della Penta — Pembroke grade 12: “Untitled" — Colored Pencil on Bristol Board
Savannah Bartosik — Pembroke grade 11: “Sunset Beach” — Colored Pencil on Bristol Board
Abbey Hume — Batavia grade 11: “Textural Landscape” — Acrylic
Chercal Smith — Batavia grade 12: “CS” — Printmaking
Hali Gilchrist — Pembroke grade 12: “Untitled” — White Charcoal Pencil on Black Paper
Aracely Barrera — Elba grade 9: “Zentangle Design” — Sharpie marker
Cullen Fisher — Pembroke grade 10: “Enigma” — Student Processed Analog Double-negative Print
Skylar Laesser — Batavia grade 10: “Soccer Ball” — Charcoal
Justine Reed — Batavia grade 11: “Reflected Objects” — Charcoal
Luke Cullinan — Pembroke grade 12: “Still Life” — Charcoal Pencil on Paper
Tessa Busch — Pembroke grade 12: “Untitled” — Styrofoam, Wire, Spray paint, Monofilament
Celia Mercovich — Byron-Bergen grade 9: “Oaxacan Alebrejes” — Papier Mache & Acrylic paint
Alyssa Biaocco — Batavia grade 11: “Untitled” — Acrylic
Kelsey Mauer — Byron-Bergen grade 9: “Oaxacan Alebrejes” — Papier Mache & Acrylic paint
Abbie Noeth — Byron-Bergen grade 11: “Rihanna” — Acrylics
Emily DeNise — Batavia grade 12: “Nicki” — Ebony Pencil
Madison Moore — Batavia grade 9: “Avatar” — Color Pencil
Henry Stratton — Elba grade 10: “Sheldon/Value Study” — Pencil
Siena Pullinzi — Batavia grade 12: “Minus and Counting” — Printmaking/Mixed Media
Jacob Perez-Gangi — Elba grade 8: “Clint” — Tempera
Cassidy Miller — Batavia grade 9: “My Face” — Collage
Erika Weis — Batavia grade 12: “Untitled” — Color Pencil
Jessica Bovier — Pembroke grade 11: “Ciera” — Plastilina
Ava Haitz — Batavia grade 11: “Untitled” — Acrylic
Jacob Chapman — Pembroke grade 12: “Caution Wet Floor” — Paper straws
Kali Nichols — Pembroke grade 9: “Waterfall” — Dura-lar film, Acrylic Paint, Wooden Base & Dowel
Bailey Groth — Pembroke grade 11: “Cullen” — Acrylic on Canvas Panel
Sydney Duwara — Batavia grade 11: “Untitled” — Mixed Media Charcoal
Shelby Wilmet — Batavia grade 11: “Giacometti Figure” — Plasticraft, Paper Towel, Wire, Acrylic
Lindsay Lovett — Byron-Bergen grade 11: “Crazy Coil Mug” — Clay
Sadie Vincent — Byron-Bergen grade 11: “Crazy Coil Mug” — Clay
Heather Dries — Byron-Bergen grade 12: “Thrown bowl w/wax resist” — Clay
Jaimee Bechard — Byron-Bergen grade 11: “Crazy Coil Pot” — Clay
Michaela Ball — Pembroke grade 11: “Impression: Monet” — Canvas Bd., Acrylic Paint, Computer Print out

Congratulations to all who participated, and thank you to our volunteer judges: Carole LaValley and Kim Argenta in Genesee County. GO ART! exhibits are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. For more information, contact GO ART! at 585-343- 9313 or visit  <http://www.GOart.org>.

Press release:

Tuition Scholarship. Online, flexible study times. Great career potential. These are just the first three reasons why anyone considering a new career direction that almost guarantees job opportunity should explore the Genesee Community College's Supply Chain Management (SCM) summer scholarship program.

GCC's $500 SCM Summer 2014 Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for the Principles of Business Logistics (BLM101) course and is open to anyone interested in a future business career. (The book and college fees are not covered by the tuition scholarship.) The SCM Scholarship application deadline is May 21.

The U.S. Labor Department forecasts 26-percent growth in SCM jobs through the year 2020. Perhaps most dynamically for older students who may be juggling many other responsibilities, SCM concentration is part of the GCC's Business Administration program and is available 100 percent online -- giving students full flexibility to study on their own schedule.

SCM deals directly with procurement, manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, inventory and customer service. Supply chain managers manage the successful coordination of all these elements. Today's business savvy companies rely as much on their supply chain personnel as they do their CFO to positively impact their bottom line.

Current or returning GCC students just need to complete the SCM Scholarship worksheet and essay by going to: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/finaid/scholarships/. A single page essay reflecting on the applicant's interest in SCM should be sent to Tanya Lane-Martin, Genesee Community College Admissions, One College Rd., Batavia, NY 14020. Applicants can also scan and email their essay to tmlanemartin@genesee.edu.

New GCC students need to contact the College's Admissions Office and complete the College's admissions application by calling 1-866-CALL-GCC or by completing the online application at: http://www.genesee.edu/offices/admissions/apply/

Dennis Sullivan, GCC's lead SCM faculty member is a seasoned supply chain professional and currently serves as president, vice president or principal with three management consulting firms including Supply Chain Optimizers, LLC. He carefully covers the course curriculum in a pace that allows students to appreciate the massive growth in today's global commerce which has given rise to enormous new opportunity for supply chain managers.

"We've developed an excellent curriculum for the SCM program at GCC," Sullivan said. "It addresses all the key elements of SCM. Students will be prepared for a variety of career options when they complete this program."

With top notch faculty, high-end technology and a summer scholarship, now is the time to explore GCC's online SCM concentration. For further information about this program go to: http://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/business/ or contact Judith Littlejohn at 585-343-0055, ext. 6158 or e-mail: JMLittlejohn@genesee.edu.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center announced that it has received AABB accreditation for Transfusion Activities (Blood Bank Services). The accreditation is valid for two years. Formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks, the AABB is an international not-for-profit accrediting association.

This accreditation, the highest any blood bank or transfusion service can achieve, is not usually pursued by smaller, rural hospitals. To meet the rigorous requirements of the AABB, United Memorial reworked all policies and procedures related to Transfusion Activities and worked closely with nursing units and the medical staff.

Accreditation follows an intensive on-site assessment by specially trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by AABB. By successfully meeting the requirements, United Memorial joins other facilities located throughout the United States and around the world that also have earned AABB Accreditation.

“The AABB’s Accreditation procedures are voluntary,” Mark C. Schoell, CEO of United Memorial explained. “United Memorial sought AABB Accreditation because this program assists hospitals in achieving excellence by promoting a level of professional and technical expertise that contributes to quality performance and patient safety.”

AABB’s Accreditation Program contributes to the quality and safety of collecting, processing, testing, distributing and administering blood and cellular therapy products. The Accreditation Program assesses the quality and operational systems in place within a facility. The basis for assessment is compliance with AABB standards, Code of Federal Regulations and other federal guidance documents.

The AABB Accreditation program has been recognized by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua). In June 1995, AABB was granted “deemed status” as an accrediting organization under the clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ’88) program.  This granting of “deemed status” indicates that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid program (CMS) has found the AABB accreditation process to provide reasonable assurance that the facilities accredited by it meet or exceed the conditions required by federal law and regulations.

The Batavia Muckdogs offer a reading program, designed to promote reading with the youth of the local communities. Along with the help of Smoke Free NOW, 2014 will mark the second year of the “HIT THE BOOKS with the Batavia Muckdogs” reading program.

As part of this program, the Muckdogs have provided various schools and libraries across the area with customized bookmarks. On the back of these bookmarks, children can have a parent, guardian, teacher, or librarian initial each time they complete a book.

When a child completes 10 books, they can redeem the bookmark at the Dwyer Stadium box office for a FREE TICKET to any Sunday-Thursday (excluding July 3rd) Batavia Muckdogs’ game! If a child reads 20 books, they will be entered into a drawing to win autographed memorabilia, opportunities to throw out a first pitch at a Muckdogs game and other great prizes.

In addition to the many participating schools, bookmarks will be made available to children at the following libraries:

• Richmond Library (Batavia)
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library (Medina)
• Byron-Bergen Public Library
• Stevens Memorial Community Library (Attica)
• Haxton Memorial Library (Oakfield)
• Hoag Library (Albion)
• Pavilion Public Library
• Corfu Free Library
• Warsaw Public Library
• Woodward Memorial Library (Le Roy)
• Wyoming Free Library

Any questions about the reading program, bookmarks, or redeeming of tickets can be answered by Mike Ewing, at 585-343-5454, ext. 1005. The Muckdogs home opener is set for Saturday, June 14th vs. Auburn at 7:05 p.m.. Tickets are on sale now. They can be purchased at Dwyer Stadium or by calling (585)343-5454.

Press release:

The Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School “Marching Knights” became stars of their own Disney show on April 25 when they entertained guests at EPCOT Park at the Walt Disney World Resort. They traveled over 1,000 miles from Le Roy to take part in the Disney Performing Arts Program.

The student performers, under the direction of Bradley Meholick and Tim Denmark, put on a musically delightful show as they marched through the Canadian Pavilion in World Showcase toward Future World taking them past Space Ship Earth.

Their performance included The Foundations' “Build Me Up Buttercup” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” By being part of this special show production, the students got an inside look at what it is like to be a professional in the entertainment industry.

This was the marching band’s second visit to the resort since their 1997 march at EPCOT Park.

Vocal, instrumental and dance ensembles from around the world apply to perform each year as a part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland Resort in California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests. Millions of performers have graced the stages of the Disney Parks in the more than 25-year history of the program.

For more information, visit www.DisneyPerformingArts.com or call 1-800-603-0552.

Pictured from left, top row: Samantha Balbi, Tia Stone, Lauren Halle, Ava Reinhart, Kaetlyn Andrews. Middle row: Jessica Sosnowski, Panorea Tsoukalos, Evelyn Chadbourn, Taylor Lundfelt. Bottom row: Melania Frias, Londyn Hume, Ariana Frias.

Press release:

Images in Dance students achieved excellent ratings at the Star System National Talent Competition last month in Rochester. They competed against dancers from throughout Western New York and Canada.

Among the 17 top performances included a routine by Batavia High School Senior Taylor Sanders, who achieved Platinum and was named First Overall dancer of her division. Taylor, the daughter of Gerry and Lynn Sanders, of Batavia, will be attending Niagara University in the fall and intends to continue with her dance opportunities while studying Pre-Medicine. Another top performer, Amanda Boss, the daughter of Dan and Sue Boss, of Pembroke, will be attending Genesee Community College in the fall. She intends to continue her dance career while studying Health Studies at GCC.

Highlights of the Rochester event included:

Amanda Boss -- Elite High Gold and 4th Overall

Ariana Frias -- Elite High Gold and 10th Overall

Melania Frias -- Platinum and 3rd Overall

Tia Stone -- Elite High Gold and 8th Overall

Samantha Balbi -- High Gold

Panorea Tsoukalos -- Elite High Gold and 1st Place

Lauren Halle and Ava Reinhart -- Duet Elite High Gold

Taylor Sanders and Amanda Boss -- Duet Platinum and Platinum and 1st Overall

Road Trip & We've Got The Beat (Twinkle Team) -- 2 Elite High Golds

Up, Vacation & Jai Ho (Juniors) -- 3 Elite High Golds

Wrecking Ball (Teens/Akron) -- High Gold and 3^rd Overall

Breath of Life (Teens/Perry) -- High Gold

Images in Dance owner Robin Cotler will coordinate two additional competition opportunities for her students this spring. All dance routines will be performed at the Images in Dance recitals. Recital dates are posted in our newsletter at imagesindance.com

The premiere of "Mother's Day Madness Shopping Spree & Flower Fundraiser" will be held at the Harvester 56 Theater from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.

There will be multiple crafters and vendors, basket raffles, 50/50 and lunch items will also be available for purchase.

It is sponsored by the Batavia Players, who intend to make this an annual event.

For more information, contact Kellie Wade at 314-3301 or at <kelliew9@yahoo.com>

The Town of Bethany Republican Committee seeks candidates for their endorsement meeting on at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, in the Bethany Town Hall. Candidates are sought for town supervisor and town board member.

Interested candidates please contact Chairman Gregg Torrey by Friday, May 9.

<gregg.torrey@gmail.com> or call 585-507-8139

The annual cheese tent sale at Yancey’s Fancy, Inc., is being postponed until autumn due to construction delays and safety concerns. Instead of its original date of May 10th, it will take place to Sept. 13th. The hours will remain the same (8 a.m. till sold out) and it will be held at Yancey’s Fancy headquarters on Main Road, Corfu.

Please e-mail <customerservice@yanceysfancy.com> or call 585-599-4448 with further questions or concerns.

The First Presbyterian Church of Elba, located at 23 N. Main St. in Elba, is holding a free mobile food pantry from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21.

Fresh produce, baked goods, packaged food will be provided by FoodLink of Rochester. The exact food items available are not known, but fresh produce will be available. There is no income verification required and no ID is necessary, but you must be 18 years old to pick up food from the pantry.

Please provide your own bags/cart/vehicle to transport items to your home.

Enjoy a spaghetti dinner at the Generation Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 9, in recognition of Genesee County Foster Parents Month.

The event is sponsored by the Holland Land Office Museum. Cost is $9 at the door or $8 pre-sale. Mark Graczyk, "Hidden History" columnist and managing editor for the Batavia Daily News, with be the featured speaker. There will be live music by Chordially Yours.

The Generation Center is located at 15 Center St., behind the Masonic Temple building in Downtown Batavia.

The City of Batavia Community Garden is hosting an Open House on from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at 10 MacArthur Drive (behind the Batavia Youth Center).

This a great opportunity for City of Batavia residents to view how a vacant wading pool has been made into the new “City of Batavia Community Garden.” Meet with the garden’s staff and learn more about the efficient “Square Foot Gardening Method.”

There will be refreshments and gardening demonstrations.

For questions or more information contact the Youth Bureau at 345-6420.

Press release:

ROCHESTER, NY — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, along with lead sponsor, University of Phoenix, will host “Hiring Our Heroes – Rochester,” a hiring fair for veterans and military spouses. More than 55 employers are expected to participate with jobs available for veterans and military spouses of all ranks and levels of experience. Companies range from America's biggest employers to dozens of small companies from the region. The event will also include a free Hiring Our Heroes employment workshop focusing on resume writing, interview skills, and job search techniques for military members – past and present – as well as their spouses.

Since Hiring Our Heroes began in March 2011, more than 1,500 companies have hired 21,600 veterans and military spouses as a result of more than 700 hiring fairs. In March 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Capital One launched Hiring 500,000 Heroes, a national campaign to engage the business community in committing to hire half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. Thus far, more than 1,400 businesses of all sizes have pledged to hire 411,000 heroes toward this goal. To date, 255,000 hires have been confirmed toward this goal.

WHAT:    Hiring Our Heroes – Rochester
WHEN:   Thursday, May 8  -- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Workshop begins at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE:    National Guard Armory
76 Patriot Way
Rochester, NY 14624

RSVP:    
Interested job seekers should register for free at hiringourheroes.org. Walk-in job seekers are allowed (veterans must provide proof of service).

This hiring event is also being held in partnership with the New York National Guard, Rochester Business Alliance/RBA Staffing, NYS Department of Labor, Veterans Outreach Center, Inc., NY Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), U S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Goodwill Industries International, The American Legion, and other local partners.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

HiringOurHeroes.org            @hiringourheroes           FreeEnterprise.com

Press release:

Batavia High School Class of 2015 will be hosting the Dodge Test Drive Fundraiser and a Clor's Chicken Barbecue, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Batavia High School.

This fundraiser is open to all community members, age 18 and over, and is extremely easy to participate in. For every community member who comes to Batavia High School on May 10, and test drives a new Dodge and fills out a brief survey, the BHS Class of 2015 will receive a donation from Dodge toward the class senior trip and prom. Participation is free and takes less than 10 minutes.

The test drive will also coincide with the class chicken barbecue, which will be sold during the event.

Please come out to support the Class of 2015 and their exciting plan for their senior year by participating in the Dodge Test Drive and purchasing some delicious Clor's barbecue. 




Batavia High School


260 State St., Batavia

(585) 343-2480

Press release:

From the Village of Le Roy to Florida's Treasure Coast, John Scanlan may now live far from his childhood home, but the lessons he learned in Western New York and at Genesee Community College are still with him. A police officer in Palm Beach, Fla., Scanlan is also a writer. His second crime novel, "Victims of Circumstance," has just been published by Sunbury Press, Inc. His first book, "Of Guilt and Innocence," was Sunbury's best seller for February and March 2013.

Scanlan grew up in Le Roy, where his parents Mary and John Jr., and siblings, Beth, Tim and Tom still live. He now lives in Stuart, Fla., with his wife, Jessica, and children Alexandra (5), Taylor (4), and Ben (9 months).

After graduating from Le Roy High School in 1999, Scanlan came to Genesee Community College where he majored in Computer Science and played on the Cougar baseball team. He graduated in 2001 and continued his studies at the College at Brockport.

"Two great spring training trips to Myrtle Beach, SC., and Cocoa Beach, Fla., as well as the everyday camaraderie with my teammates really enhanced my time at GCC," he recalls. "Though I changed my major to Criminal Justice after leaving GCC, the things I learned while earning an associate degree in Computer Science have really helped me in my job as a police officer.

"Having more than just a working knowledge of computers certainly gives me an advantage in law enforcement, not to mention helps with my other job as a writer."

From 2001-2004, Scanlan worked for the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Border Patrol. In 2005 he joined the police department in the Town of Palm Beach where he serves on the Crisis Intervention Team and regularly encounters material that inspires his writing.

His first book, "Of Guilt and Innocence," tells the story of a 5-year-old girl's kidnapping from an affluent community in Boca Raton, Fla. Reviewers on Amazon call it an "amazing book" with a "really exciting conclusion." "I could not put it down." There are similar reviews for his second novel, "Victims of Circumstance," which chronicles how new evidence sets a convicted killer free and how that impacts the victim's husband.

Scanlan believes his ability to write about the emotions involved in a criminal investigation sets his writing apart.

"I know what investigators go through when they deal with difficult situations. And as a father...I know how that then affects your perspective on things," he said in an interview on the blog Author Quiz.

Scanlan says his writing began as a "secret hobby" that he pursued further when he found himself with some quiet hours at home. Depending on his schedule, he writes between one and three hours a day, but sometimes doesn't write at all.

"I never push it and that keeps it fun and me looking forward to it," he said on another blog.

Copies of both of Scanlan's books will soon be available at GCC's Alfred O'Connell Library.