Announcements

Press release:

Now is a great time to become a 4-H volunteer or start a local 4-H Club with the Genesee County 4-H Program.

The 4-H Program is a youth development program for youth ages 5-18. 4-H connects youth to hands-on learning opportunities that help them grow into competent, caring, contributing members of society.

The Genesee County 4-H Program would not be possible without the time and talents of its volunteers.

Volunteers are essential to the program and allow you to share your knowledge and hobbies with interested youth.  4-H volunteer opportunities range from coordinating monthly club meetings to leading a one-time gardening project. Whatever you have to offer, 4-H has a place for you! 

Genesee County 4-H Volunteer opportunities include:

• Lead a 4-H project in an area that excites you, such as cooking, woodworking, sewing, or animal science;
• Coordinate a 4-H Club by planning monthly meetings and projects with club families;
• Judge 4-H public speaking presentations;
• Lead a 4-H livestock event or contest;
• Coordinate a 4-H activity at the county fair;
• Help with fundraising;
• Become a certified Shooting Sports Instructor.

For more information about joining the Genesee County 4-H Program, please contact the 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131. Enrollment forms are also available on our website.

The East Bethany Presbyterian Church has made the difficult decision to postpone the annual Holiday Happenings Vendor and Craft Show scheduled for November.

Please mark your calendars for next year -- Saturday, Nov. 6th, 2021 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.!

We pray for everyone’s good health and safety. Thank you for your continued support! 

Thank you,

Sharon Smith

First Presbyterian Church in Batavia is offering free Vacation Bible School for 4-year-old children through fifth grade from Aug. 10 to 14.

Hey kids, get ready to join the Knights of North Castle on a quest for the King's armor! The materials used are from Cokesbury's Vacation Bible School (cokesburykids.com).

This is a virtual experience with the first day opening worship in person, and to pick up storybooks and craft bags in the church parking lot at 300 E. Main St. That will be from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.

Then at 9 a.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 11-13, there will be songs and story time online.

On the last day, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, there will be a closing celebration in the church parking lot.

For in-person events, coronavirus courtesy will be practiced.

Please register online here.

Church contact is Wendy Daniszewski, (585) 343-0505. Email:   wendydaniszewski@yahoo.com

Press release:

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced he is extending the open enrollment for health insurance for another month. The deadline for anyone who wants, or needs to apply for health insurance, the extension is now to July 15^th.

Anyone who has questions, lost income, lost health insurance or needs help navigating the NYS of Health website can give Lake Plains Community Care Network a call at (585) 345-6110 and talk to a Navigator.

Applications are completed telephonically. Assistance with locating other resources are also available.

Charlotte Crawford RN, MSN, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Lake Plains Community Care Network

575 E. Main St., Batavia

Press release:

The Town of Pavilion Republican Committee would like to remind the residents of Pavilion that the Republican Primary is Tuesday, June 23^rd and that the polls will be open at the Town Building located at 1 Woodrow Drive, Pavilion.

The Pavilion Republican Committee has endorsed James Cleveland for Pavilion Highway Superintendent.

He has nearly 20 years of highway experience, has built a great working relationship with community organizations such as the library and school, and with neighboring town highway departments.

Look for James Cleveland on the June 23^rd Primary Ballot.

Press release:

U.S. Postal Service is looking to hire temporary clerk assistants in Post Offices around Western NY (Buffalo, Rochester, Jamestown, Elmira and surrounding areas).

The deadline to apply is April 11.

Pay is $17.95 per hour. THE ONLY WAY TO APPLY IS TO GO TO www.usps.com/careers.

From the website, click on “Search Jobs” select “New York,” click “Start,” and then click on the link for the appropriate job.

A general overview of USPS employment requirements, specific job requirements, and hourly pay is available at the website.

Applicants must be 18 years of age, or 16 years of age with a high school diploma. All applicants must be able to pass drug screening and a criminal background investigation. Some positions require an exam.

Any position that has a driving requirement will also require a valid driver’s license and a clean DMV two-year driving history. Citizenship or permanent resident status is required.

Additionally, if an applicant has been outside of the U.S. for more than six months out of the last five years, the Postal Service is not able to process a clearance for them. This applies to both U.S. Citizens and non-U.S. Citizens.

Job openings will be regularly updated; additional positions are available. Interested applicants should log on to http://usps.com/careers frequently to check for new postings.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Press release:

Isolation due to the COVID-19 can be especially difficult for those struggling with gambling problems. Extra time, stress and anxiety, access to gambling on the internet, and an increase in online gambling options are a recipe for trouble.

People struggling with gambling problems, or in recovery from problem gambling, may find this isolation to be especially difficult.

If you have noticed extra stress, anxiety, anger, uncontrollable urges to gamble or an increase in gambling activities there are options for help. If your loved one is struggling to control their gambling, help is available for you, too.

Contact the Western Problem Gambling Resource Center at (716) 833-4274.

Elba Volunteer Fire Department has canceled Bingo until further notice.

The Great Batavia Train Show scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at the Richard C. Call Arena at Genesee Community College has been canceled due to coronavirus restrictions intended to reduce crowds and the spread of the virus.

The fall show is scheduled at the venue on Sunday, Nov. 15.

For information about table availability for the fall show, contact the Genesee Society of Model Engineers:   bataviatrainshow@gsme.org

Visit their website here.

Press release:

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (#PGAM). The Western Problem Gambling Resource Center (nonprofit) has training and awareness opportunities for the WNY region!

Please contact us at westernpgrc@nyproblemgambling.org to schedule our staff to come to your organization, FREE of charge, to increase awareness of problem gambling and find out about ways to help those struggling and their families. Here to help.

Jeffrey Wierzbicki - Western Team Leader 716-572-5017.

For additional resources, visit the New York Council on Problem Gambling here.

Press release from the trustees of St. Paul Lutheran School:

St. Paul Lutheran School in Batavia would like to thank all the corporate sponsors for their donations to our annual auction.

With your donations our auction was a huge success!

Thank you to:

• Baldwin's Country Store
• Batavia Garage Door
• Batavia's Original Pizzeria
• Cinquino's Pizzeria
• Frank Morse Lawncare
• Home Depot
• Pizza 151
• Pudgie's Lawn & Garden
• Settler's Restaurant
• Sport of Kings Family Restaurant
• State Street Animal Hospital
• Tiffany Gill Photography
• Town & Country Restaurant
• Toyota of Batavia
• Valle's Jewelers
• Willow Group Inc.
• Promised Land CSA
• Center Street Smokehouse
• Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle
• Southside Deli
• Phillips Oil

We would also like to thank Ben Paratore, Mark Snyder (auctioneer extraordinaire,) folks of St. Paul Church Leadership Team, St. Paul Lutheran School staff, and all of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and School families.

Billie and Howard Owens of The Batavian, and Brian Quinn and Mark Gutman of The Batavia Daily News also helped to make our auction a success, THANK YOU!

Our school is blessed to have all of your loyal support!

St. Paul Lutheran School is accepting registrations for the 2020-2021 school year. St. Paul offers Christ centered education with small class sizes, individual attention for your child, and a child friendly environment with a committed and dedicated staff. We offer 3- and 4-year-old preschool through fifth grade.

We are located at 31 Washington Ave. in the City of Batavia. You can also contact us at (585)-343-0488 or at stpaulbataviaprincipal@gmail.com.

Press release:

Registration is now open for the 2020 Genesee County Incubation and Embryology Program.

The program is open to classrooms and school groups throughout Genesee County.

Students and teachers that participate in this hands-on program will learn all about the process of hatching a chick.

To register or receive more information, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 101.

More information about the program is also available here.

(Top, artist Laura Kemler's work "Kids at Theater.")

Press release and submitted images from Batavia Society of Artists.

The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Laura Kemler on Tuesday, March 10th from 7 to 9 p.m. at GO ART!/Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. She will be doing a demonstration on gouache -- an opaque watercolor.

Nonmembers welcome for a $5 fee.

For more information, call Teresa Tamfer at (585) 506-2465.

Genagon (inset photo left) grew up in Elba under the training of Bernice Yunker, along with talented teachers in school. As she grew in the visual arts, she attended Genesee Community College on a full art scholarship as well as the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

She has designed and illustrated for Liz Claiborne, the University of Pittsburgh, the Wyoming County Tourism Association and many others. Genagon has also taught art for Hillside, Forrestel Farm & Riding Camp, Bergen School of the Arts, as a guest teacher at a private school in Bradford, England and at many workshops throughout her 28-year professional career in art.

Genagon has also had the opportunity to illustrate a children's book titled "My Grandma's Kitchen Window" available on Amazon. Currently, she owns "Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods" in Albion, where she hand dyes fabric and creates coiled rope baskets and other handmade gift items.

She continues to illustrate and get her hands into all facets of the visual arts. Laura and her husband, Kevin, along with her five children reside in Albion.

Laura Loxley Vintage Inspired Goods

45 N. Main St., Albion NY 14411

www.lauraloxley.com

www.etsy.com/shop/LauraLoxley

lauraloxleyvintage@gmail.com

(Below Kemler's "Gossip Girls")

Press release:

Genesee County 4-H youth are invited to register for "Bovine, Sheep and Swine -- How Divine!” -- Animal Crackers 2020, which will be held on Saturday, May 2, on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca.

Mark your calendars for one of the most exciting animal science programs of the year!

It is offered by the Cornell University Department of Animal Science and will highlight dairy, beef, swine and sheep topics for 4-H youth 9-12 years old, or those with beginner to intermediate knowledge of those species. Interesting, educational, hands-on activities are planned to make Animal Crackers a memorable learning event.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about dairy or livestock care, biology, and management while having fun participating in a variety of interactive activities with 4-H members from across New York State.

There is a $15 fee per youth to attend the program. Adult chaperones are free and each group must have at least one chaperone. Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch.  

Additional information is available on the Animal Crackers website.

Registration for the event must be done through your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office and must be completed no later than April 24.

Youth must be enrolled in 4-H in order to participate. New 4-H members are always welcome to join the Genesee County 4-H Program. To register or receive more information, please contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at genesee4h@cornell.edu or (585) 343-3040, ext. 131.

As a result of last year’s plastic bag ban, Wegmans announced that they would eliminate the use of plastic carry-out grocery bags on Monday (Jan. 27th.) The ban goes into effect statewide on March 1. Paper bags will still be available for a fee.

While reusable shopping bags are already widely used, many residents do not have or do not wish to purchase reusable bags for one reason or another. As such, my office has a limited supply of reusable bags available free of charge.

If you are interested in a free reusable bag please stop by my office at 8203 Main St., Suite 4, Williamsville, or contact my office by phone at (716) 631-8695 or (585) 454-0322 (Monday-Friday, 9-5) and we would be happy to get you a bag. Supplies are limited and bags will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Submitted photo and press release:

AUCTION! St. Paul Lutheran School will host its annual Live Auction and Basket Raffle at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1.

Doors will open at 3:30. Auction will feature new items, gift certificates, baked goods, handcrafted items, themed baskets, and much more! Refreshments will also be available.

For more information or to donate an item, contact (585) 343-0488. St. Paul Lutheran School is located at 31 Washington Ave. in the City of Batavia.