The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team won its second game of the season on Tuesday evening against Greece Odyssey, 6-3.
It was an outstanding effort by all players in a contentious game, said Head Coach Graham Halpin.
Rylan Bohn (#9) had four goals, and Owen Halpin (#11) had two goals and oneassist. Finn Halpin (#2) recorded two assists. There were also assists by Patrick Suozzi (#5), Will Fulton (#24), and Devin Hughes (#20).
Ben Stone (#19) made many excellent saves in goal while the defensive line worked tirelessly to contain Odyssey's attack.
Cindy Sherman: Works from the Gerald Mead Collection, will be on display at GO ART!, 201 E. Main Street in Batavia, October 4 – November 5th. A free, public reception will be held Oct 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cindy Sherman is an internationally renowned artist whose ground-breaking photographs have examined themes around representation and identity in contemporary media for over four decades. Widely seen as one of the most important and influential artists in contemporary art, she gained recognition in the art world with her series of black-and-white photographs, “Untitled Film Stills” (1977–80).
A Buffalo State College alumnus, she played a crucial role in the formation of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and CEPA Gallery during her time in Buffalo. Her work can be seen in collections at the Tate Gallery, London; the Museum of Modern Art; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others.
The work will be on loan from the Gerald Mead Collection. Dr. Gerald Mead, a noted independent curator, artist, and emeriti art educator based in Buffalo, has been collecting and exhibiting work by artists associated with WNY for over 35 years. This exhibition, Cindy Sherman: Works from the Gerald Mead Collection, consists of a brief survey of Cindy Sherman’s works dating from 1978 to 2017 from his collection. Included are works from several significant series of her career such as Untitled Film Stills, Fairy Tales, History Portraits, and Instagram.
GO ART! Gallery Hours: Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday & Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. For more information contact Mary Jo Whitman at mjwhitman@goart.org
A 17-year-old from Aberdeen, Scotland, was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in the area of 5186 Clinton Street Road, Batavia, shortly before 1:30 a.m.
Ethan R. Walker is believed to be a student at Genesee Community College.
According to the Sheriff's Office, he was apparently a passenger in a 2007 Chevy Suburban that was eastbound on Route 33. For some reason, Walker got out of the vehicle, crossed the roadway on foot and entered the westbound lane.
He was struck by a grey 2008 Toyota RAV4 driven by Garrett R. Mercurio, 18, of Batavia.
Mercurio and witnesses called 9-1-1.
Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS arrived on scene and provided Walker with medical care. Walker was transported by ground ambulance from the scene and later flown by Mercy EMS to ECMC, where he is currently in the trauma unit.
The incident is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office, including members of the Crash Management Team.
What may be the last activity on the property of Ellicott Station for awhile, the construction trailer gets loaded up and hauled away in late August. Photo by Howard Owens.
There are “several interested developers” working with Sam Savarino, president of the now-defunct Savarino Companies, after he announced closing about a month ago, City Manager Rachael Tabelski says.
In response to a request for an update, Tabelski said Tuesday that Savarino and banking institutions have been involved in talks with those developers, though she did not have or divulge anything “official.”
“As of last week, the construction leading bank confirmed there were no liens on the project, meaning (subcontractors) were paid up to that point,” she said.
When asked about the role of the state Office of Homes and Community Renewal, the agency that granted Savarino $5.7 million of low-income housing tax credits for the project, Tabelski said that “HCR is actively working with any/all developers interested in the project and has promised flexibility in their approach with AMI’s, etc.”
The city had hoped to negotiate the current AMI — area median income level — that had been set at a low to very low versus a higher workforce level, and it appears that it will fall to the next developer to take on that task.
Areas of concern for any construction project would include preserving the structural integrity so that nothing deteriorates or is damaged during the pause in work, and Tabelski said that “the City would like to see the investment winterized first and foremost and remain secured while the project is unwound.”
Savarino Companies celebrated a groundbreaking last year, and chose tenants for the 50 Ellicott St. site in May. It was to open up 55 homes between December of this year and February 2024.
Later this year, Savarino announced financial difficulties stemming from a deal gone wrong at Alfred State College, and shut down operations of his Savarino Companies, with the stipulation that Savarino Management would remain open. He did not contact city officials about the announcement or provide details about what that would mean for Ellicott Station, Tabelski said. Since then, the construction trailer was seen getting hauled off the property.
Since the project is not merely a privately funded one, and involves county and state funding, the process will likely start over with a new developer, which will also likely delay the entire timeline. It’s not up to the city as to who and how it proceeds from here.
“We do not have a say as to who the developer will be to take on the project; it’s a private transaction,” Tabelski said. “This is a complex project and complex situation, and whoever takes on the project will need to be a seasoned and skilled developer who can make the project and finances work. The City remains encouraged by the interest.”
There's a $50 reward for the safe return of this very sweet cat named Princess, an 11-year-old who went missing recently from her family's Raymond Avenue area home in Batavia.
Princess was adopted from a family member about a month ago and is not very familiar with the area, and does not like dogs or unfamiliar cats. She is fixed and is not wearing a collar. She began missing last Thursday night.
If you see her or know anything about her whereabouts, please call 585-297-9080.
File photo of City Councilman-at-large Bob Bialkowski, center, in Council Chambers at City Hall. Photo by Joanne Beck
For the second time on Monday, Bob Bialkowski took the opportunity to not only acknowledge the sacrifices of others given on Sept. 11 22 years ago, but to also pray that those first responders “inspire us to live bravely and courageously and to selflessly protect others in need.”
The City Councilman-at-large gave the opening prayer for the group’s monthly conference session Monday at City Hall. It was the only acknowledgment of 9/11 during the brief meeting, though it was followed by the pledge of allegiance, a longstanding city tradition.
He and other speakers emphasized the need for such memorials as key to preserving the history of 9/11 and the bravery displayed by countless first responders, fire and police personnel, military members, and ordinary citizens who rallied on an airplane to help divert further disaster.
As a prelude to the council meeting, Bialkowski’s words seemed contradictory to a time when many questioned the presence of outsiders on American soil.
“May we look to those who opened up their homes to the stranded and displaced that day to stir us to be more hospitable,” he said. “Having seen the face of evil and darkness, may we be steadfast and faithful, pursuing you as our perpetual light.”
Flags representing the shape of the Twin Towers in NYC adorn the front lawn of the Batavia VA Medical Center, which served as the site for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Monday. Photo by Steve Ognibene
While many people went about their usual routines Monday, there were events happening across the country, including in Genesee County, to acknowledge and memorialize the date of Sept. 11 that has become so sacred to Americans.
And veteran John McCune attended one such ceremony, believing it is something to appreciate.
“There's nothing more important and special than the ceremonies that should take place across the country for each and every school child coming up so that they can remember and absolutely understand the impact that it had on our nation,” McCune said while at the Batavia VA Medical Center flagpole during a 9/11 ceremony. “How we were all, as Americans, were drawn together based on the fact that it was a need, and they followed up with that need for those heroes that lost their lives in those buildings, attempting to save those from the building fires and eventually lost their lives by the buildings toppling down on them.”
McCune was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, having served eight years. He believes that participating in such events is a “must-do” every year, “especially for our younger generation that’s up and coming so that they too will know and have the knowledge of the events that took more than 3,000 lives in New York City.”
The driveway into the VA was lined with people for the ceremony, and the front lawn was adorned with U.S. flags to represent the shape of the Twin Towers.
Lest anyone forget, from 911memorial.org: on Sept. 11, 2001, 19 terrorists associated with al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group, hijacked four commercial airplanes scheduled to fly from the East Coast to California.
In a coordinated attack that turned the planes into weapons, the terrorists intentionally flew two of the planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, a global business complex in New York City, causing the towers to collapse. They also flew a third plane into the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, in Arlington, Va.
Passengers and crew members on the fourth plane launched a counterattack, forcing the hijacker pilot—who was flying the airplane toward Washington, D.C.—to crash the plane into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, near the town of Shanksville.
The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people. This was the single largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil. The attacks caused the deaths of 441 first responders, the greatest loss of emergency responders on a single day in American history.
McCune commended state Senator George Borrello, who represents the 57th senate district, for also being at the ceremony, and for being “genuine” with his heartfelt remarks.
The Batavia VA federal facility was first on his to-do list for the day, Borrello said.
“It ties everything together — the sacrifices that had been made, literally for centuries by our military, with the attack on our nation, and the sacrifices that were made that day by people who just were going to work and not realizing that they were going to be part of what would be the war on terror,” he said.
So for him, it just seemed like the ideal opportunity to remind everyone of that sacrifice, he said, while at the VA, where veterans who served their country reside and receive services and treatment.
Those veterans, and Sept. 11, truly changed this nation, Borrello said.
“My fear is that our children are understanding that and understanding that the threat is still there, but the diligence is still required. And I have a lot of concerns about how the narrative has been twisted against our law enforcement,first responders and military, that they are no longer the heroes, the ones that are on the watch, guarding us, but they have somehow been, it has been twisted to them being the enemy,” he said. “And that’s what I spoke about today, because I look at someone who might be 25 - 30 years old who may have no memory of 9/11, but is now being told that somehow the police are racist, and this and that, and all these other negative things that are said about law enforcement, when the fact is, that it didn’t matter: race, creed, color, we were united, that the politics stopped at the water’s edge, that we all bleed the same color.
And that is what makes America great, is that diversity and the unity in that diversity.”
As a representative of the City of Batavia, Councilman-at-Large Bob Bialkowski praised the VA Medical Center, staffed by a “superb group of dedicated professionals and caring volunteers.”
The U.S. Army Aviation Reserves veteran turned to that fateful day, when a “vile act of terror was a stain on the heart to all of us.”
“Our country is hated by half of the world because we are free people. Freedom is the enemy of evil. And the evil people of the world will always be plotting against us to enslave us to their will. We are Americans, and history shows that we're the greatest protectors of freedom in the world,” Bialkowski said. “Today, let us remember all those brave and heroic Americans who lost their lives on 9/11, 2001. Service members, police, firefighters, medical and ordinary citizens. All Americans, first and foremost.
“In closing, the entrance to the main entrance going up the stairs, there's a garden, and there's figurines representing each member of each armed force. They’re all standing there saluting. They're looking down at the grass, and I'll picture 3,000 people on the lawn, where each flag is, picture a person standing there,” he said. “So on the way out, please remember this. We will never forget, and must always remain vigilant and fight evil. We are all Americans.”
NYS Senator George Borrello Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
State Senator George Borrello addresses spectators and veterans during the 9/11 ceremony Monday at the VA Medical Center in Batavia. Photo by Steve Ognibene
City Councilman-at-large Bob Bialkowski reminds folks to "remain vigilant and fight evil" during 9/11 ceremony Monday. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
NYS Senator George Borrello speaks to U.S. Army veteran John McCune at 9/11 remembrance ceremony Monday at the VA Medical Center in Batavia. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Flags representing the shape of the Twin Towers have been placed on the grounds of the VA Medical Center in Batavia. Photo by Steve Ognibene
A loaded 15-race card has been drawn for Wednesday night at Batavia Downs and it features the $440,000 New York Sire Stake Excelsior finals. A total of 64 state-bred Standardbreds will start in eight $55,000 Excelsior divisions and combined with seven overnight events valued at $71,500, the total purses up for grabs that night total $511,500.
All of the 3-year-old events are full of very talented horses, many of which have competed on the New York Sire Stake circuit at some point over the summer. Most from this group have already raced at Batavia this year, but none put on a more memorable performance than the pacing filly Rec Time (Huntsville-Ms Malicious).
When trainer Deborah Daguet sent Rec Time behind the gate in a $57,000 NYSS leg at Batavia on August 16, she was overlooked by the betting public at 9-1. But she turned some heads when she moved from third in the stretch to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3 and set a new Batavia track record for 3-year-old pacing fillies. It was her first NYSS start of the year after having won four Excelsior races with two seconds in six starts. She has not raced since that start, but Rec Time has been freshened up and qualified back in preparation for this event, going 1:55.2 at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs.
Looking to set records of her own is Mark Ford’s High Fashion Star (Huntsville-High Fashion Model) who is the highest money earner in the field with $102,964 deposited on the strength of her five wins and four seconds this year. Beside the Excelsior series, High Fashion Star has also competed in the Lynch Memorial at Pocono and Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs. She too just qualified at The Meadowlands in a very impressive 1:53.4 going gate to wire.
The “Glamour Division” of second year male pacers is another evenly seeded field.
Storm The Court (Huntsville-Soft Wind Hanover) has bounced between the NYSS and Excelsior races all summer for trained Mark Silva, winning once at the top level and three times in the latter. He went gate to wire in his outing at Batavia on August 8 in an impressive 3-1/4 length, 1:54.1 victory and has since paced in 1:51.4 at Tioga, getting beat only a head after cutting the mile again. He is one to watch.
That Dog Will Hunt (Huntsville-Mikayla Rose) was the one who beat Storm The Court in 1:51.4 at Tioga after benefiting from a perfect trip. However he made a uncharacteristic break at Yonkers in his last start in an overnight race and was placed as a result. It would appear the break was an anomaly and that trainer Jennifer Bongiorno will have That Dog Will Hunt ready to be a major contender here.
Stephen Crevani’s Bullville Stephano (Artiscape-Bullvillestephanie) already has a lifetime mark of 1:49 at Pocono earlier this year and just got beat a neck in 1:50.3 in an overnight there two weeks ago. He has two Excelsior wins this year including a 1:54.4 walk in the park at Batavia on August 8. There is no question that Bullville Stephano has the speed and versatility to win this race.
The 3-year-old trotting fillies are led by Woolco (Chapter Seven-Upside Hanover) who spent the better part of the summer competing in the NYSS where she won once and finished second as well and actually finished eighth in the points standings to qualify for the $225,000 NYSS finals that were held at Yonkers on Saturday (Sept. 9). However trainer Bob Krivelin opted to enter the Excelsior final instead as her three wins there saw her finish fifth in those standings.
Ron Burke had Destiny’s Darling (Chapter Seven-Moonlight Cocktail) racing in NYSS events her last three starts where she finished second and third to that top division’s leader, Royal Filly. However the bulk of her starts were in the Excelsior series over the summer and that’s where she qualified for the final. She does appear to have a class advantage as a result of her recent outings.
Serendipity (Chapter Seven-Vida De Vie) is a George Ducharme trainee who is an eight-time winner this year that includes her last start at Batavia. Serendipity hasn’t missed the board since June, hasn’t missed a check all year and should be considered a serious contender.
Looking at the second year trotting males, David Dewhurst’s City Of Hope (Met’s Hall-Doin The City) is possibly the hardest working 3-year-old in to go as he already has 23 starts this year with a very impressive 11 wins as a result. After sweeping a three race series at Saratoga, City Of Hope went on to win three Excelsior legs and bankroll $110,294 so far this year. He has been known to make an occasional break, but when he’s on his game, he is dangerous.
Looking at his rivals, trainer Ron Burke has Kennebago (E L Titan-First Class Act) coming into this final off two consecutive wins, both of which were on the front end. And Seven Over (Chapter Seven-Overpowering Lindy) is a four-time winner this year for trainer Per Engblom, the last of which was at Batavia. His 1:54 mark at Vernon is the fastest of this bunch and he did compete in the NYSS earlier this year.
Whereas the 2-year-old pacing division for both genders seems to be very evenly matched races that should provide excellent betting opportunities, the first-year trotters appear to have several horses who stand out in both races.
The 2-year-old filly trotters will have to contend with a strong entry from the Batavia-based stable of trainer Steve Pratt and the pair just happened to finish first and second for points and earnings in this division of the Excelsior series this year. Barn CJ (Crazy Wow-Fractured Dream) has won six of seven Excelsior starts with one second and earnings of $65,000. Barn Dreamer (Devious Man-HB All Our Dreams) has won four of six Excelsior starts with two seconds and earnings of $50,000. And both trotters won their last outing and that was at Batavia Downs.
The main competition and biggest challenge for the Pratt entry is Marcus Melander’s Dozen (Chapter Seven-Sequin) who comes into this final on a four race win streak, all in Excelsior action that earned the filly $44,638. Her last win was at Vernon Downs where she took a lifetime mark of 1:55.4 and the one start she did not win was a third place finish in a NYSS start at Saratoga. It’s also interesting to note that every time Dozen faced both Barn CJ and Barn Dreamer, she won.
The 2-year-old male trotters should put on quite a show with four horses peeking at the right time.
John Stark Jr.’s Tobern (Crazy Wow-Bertaux) won five in a row over the summer, including one NYSS start and an 18-length romp at Batavia on August 4. He’s the top money earner in this field with $98,650 and has been the picture of consistency all year, never missing the board in seven outings.
Dan Daley’s Fringed (Crazy Wow-Jinx Muscles) suffered through breaks and terrible draws all summer and although he seems to have gotten over his bad manners, his poor posts have continued. However, despite starting from the six and eight hole in his last two outings, he won both times convincingly and beat Tobern in both of those races.
Then there is the entry (coupled by ownership) of Woweress (Crazy Wow-Chaperess) and Barn Credit (Credit Winner-Nothing But Nice) who are both more than capable of winning. Woweress is trained by George Ducharme and in six starts has two wins including one 7-3/4 length jog in 1:58.2 at Batavia. Barn Credit is another Pratt trotter who, although somewhat camera shy with only one win, has hit the board five out of six times this year.
Post Time for the first race on Wednesday is at 6 p.m.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Join us on Friday, September 29, and Thursday, October 19 at 7 p.m. as Connie Boyd shares the spooky, sinister, and weird documented stories from the West Side of Batavia's past. Come and listen to tales of murder, ghosts, body-snatching hangings, and abandoned cemeteries.
This presentation is the same as our Ghost Walk, perfect for those who don't want to or aren't able to go on our guided Ghost Walks. Tickets are $5/$3 for museum members. If you would like to attend please contact the museum at 585-343-4727.
“This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!”
Please join the Holland Land Office Museum for a West Side Ghost Walk on Fridays in October. The walks led by Connie Boyd will take place on October 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 7 p.m. We will also be adding second walks beginning at 7:30 on October 6, 13, and 20.
Take a walk on the west side and hear tales of murders, hangings, grave robbing, ghosts, and other eerie happenings from Batavia's past. Hear stories of Joseph Ellicott, E. N. Rowell, and other famous and infamous Batavians.
Admission is $15.00 or $10.00 for museum members and reservations are required with purchase. Tours are limited to 20 people each. The tour begins and ends at the museum and is approximately 1 1/2 to two hours in length.
For tickets or more information, please call (585) 343-4727, email at hollandlandoffice@gmail.com, or stop by at 131 W. Main St. Batavia.
Elmira College recently announced this year's recipients of its annual Key Award. This year's award was given to 783 students in 16 states. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school.
This year's recipients included:
Bethany Gracie of Bergen
Brennan Royce of Pavilion
Isabella Walsh of Batavia
Loretta Sorochty of Batavia
Kaidance Kimble of Byron
Riannon Newbould of Oakfield
Austin Pangrazio of Oakfield
Ava Chatt of Oakfield
Corina Dunn of Le Roy
Ella Radley of Batavia
"This award is given to students with the potential to excel academically, serve as leaders, and go on to enjoy success in life," said Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "We hope they will choose to make Elmira College their place."
Photo of Gunslinger Hill courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
A $15,000 Open I Handicap for each gait topped the bill at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 9) and both winners took new seasonal marks as a result of their efforts.
In the feature pace, Gunslinger Hill (Drew Monti) made it two in a row after taking advantage of a perfect trip.
Gunslinger Hill took an early lead, but soon found himself in the pocket behind Avon Seelster (Kyle Cummings) who would then battle the parked-out Nox Vegas Bluechip (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the half in :55.3. As the race progressed up the backstretch, Nox Vegas Bluechip began to lose touch with Avon Seelster, forcing Villiam (Joe Chindano Jr.) three-wide and The Longest Yard (Kevin Cummings) four-wide as they headed into turn four. Coming out of that bend, the outside horses started to fade, but Gunslinger Hill took to the passing lane and paced past Avon Seelster before holding off The Longest Yard by a length to win in 1:52.4.
It was the eighth win of the year for Gunslinger Hill ($14.60) and pushed his earnings to $68,580 for owner Ron Viele. Jeniffer Giuliani trains the winner.
The top trot went to Mugshots Bro (Jim Morrill Jr.) who led at every station enroute to his victory.
Morrill pushed Mugshots Bro off the gate and got the top as they passed the quarter in :27.4. Once settled on the point, Mugshots Bro slowed the half to :57.1 before hitting the gas and opening up a two length advantage over Special Prosecutor (Drew Monti), Lougazi (Ray FIsher Jr.) and Johnny Boy (Kevin Cummings) who were fanned three across the track from three-quarters to the top of the stretch. As they headed down the lane it became a two-horse race between Mugshots Bro and Lougazi, who was flying. Morrill and Fisher both rocked and knocked to the wire where Mugshots Bro hung on by a head in 1:57.1.
Mugshots Bro ($6.50) got his fifth win of the year for owners Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr. and trainer Rose Russo.
Kevin Cummings had a driving hat trick while Jim Morrill Jr. and Joe Chindano Jr. both had two wins on the card. Trainers Ryan Swift and Jeniffer Giuliani also had two wins apiece during the night.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Sept. 13) at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a $1,182 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the race 15. Wednesday will also feature eight divisions of the $440,000 New York Sire Stake Excelsior finals that kick off in race two.
Free full past performance programs for every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab and all the racing action can be viewed as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of Mugshots Bro courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Notre Dame will host our 2nd annual 5K Run on September 30. This will coincide with our ND’s Homecoming Football game vs. Geneseo/MM at 1 p.m. Alumni are welcome!
There will be a kid’s fun run starting at 10 a.m., with the 5K Run/Walk following at 11 a.m. Food and ice cream trucks will be available after the run.
The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) recognized SUNY Cortland's Gaige Armbrewster of Batavia on its statewide 2022-23 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. Earning a place on the list required a minimum a 3.3 cumulative grade point average through the spring semester.
UR Medicine Imaging care is now available at UR Medicine’s Batavia Medical Campus, and a community open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12. The event will be held at 7995 Call Parkway.
Services include CT scans and walk-in X-rays, and ultrasound imaging will be available beginning this winter. The practice is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
The new UR Medicine Medical Campus, which opened in May 2022, is also home to adult and pediatric allergy and immunology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology and audiology, oncology, urology clinics, and a primary care practice. Adding imaging services along with the specialty clinics brings comprehensive care into one convenient location for residents of Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties.
Submitted photo of John Kinsella proudly displays a check for $50,000 he received from the Batavia Rotary Club in the 2023 fundraiser. Pictured with him are, from left, then club President John McGowan, Laurie Mastin, and Lisa Ormsbee, event chairs, and Mike Hodgins, chairman of the club's Scholarship Committee that awards $18,000 in college scholarships annually to area students.
Press Release:
The major fundraiser for the Batavia Rotary Club is underway, and once again a Corvette or $50,000 is the prize.
The first winner was announced on September 5 since an early bird component has been added. Early bird prizes are $500 each and will be drawn the first Tuesday of the month now through January. Early bird winners' tickets will be placed back into the drawing for the grand prize.
"This is the major fundraiser that allows our club to make so many contributions to the community, such as $18,000 in college scholarships to area students each year," said President Susie Ott.
Rotary is also contributing $250,000 toward the Healthy Living Campus under construction on Main Street, a joint project for the YMCA and United Memorial Medical Center.
Most recently, Rotary offered a $150,000 matching pledge for the renovation of the local hospital's Intensive Care Unit, Ott said. Rotary's motto is Service Above Self, she explained. Rotarians actively engage in projects to improve the local community. All proceeds from this fundraiser go toward community service projects.
"Fundraisers like this Corvette event are critical for helping us help others," said Lisa Ormsbee, who co-chairs the event with Laurie Mastin.
The winner may choose between a 2024 Corvette made available through Joe Basil Chevrolet or $50,000. In addition to the grand prize, there are 10 additional prizes of $500 each, Mastin explained. The early bird winners will be drawn monthly, then five $500 winners will be selected the night of the grand prize drawing on Jan. 19, and will be live on Facebook.
"Your odds of being an early bird winner are great because fewer tickets will have been sold early on," she observed. "So we encourage folks to go online and buy early."
Persons interested in purchasing tickets may go to www.bataviarotaryraffle.com or contact any Rotarian. Only 4,500 tickets are sold. For more information, go to www.bataviarotary.com
Brick Builder Club - GO ART! is running a free 4-week Brick Builders Club. The Club will take place starting Saturday, September 9, and run through September 30. This Club meets at GO ART! from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Building bricks are provided by GO ART! Brick Builders is open to ages 5 - 100+.
Each week there will be a planned activity but it is fine if club members would like to free build. Because Club members will have to leave their creations at GO ART! each week's creations will be photographed and put up on our website (with parental permission).
Pillow Making Sewing Class - GO ART! is offering a Pillow Making Sewing Class with local quilter and sewing extraordinaire Peg Berhorn. The class will be held on Friday, September 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at GO ART!, 201 East Main St., Batavia. Open to participants age 12 and older, those who sign up should expect to attend both classes to complete the project.
The cost is $20/person for non-GO ART! members and $18/per person for members, total, and all materials and tools will be provided. Contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313, email jfisher@goart.org, or sign up online at goart.org. Registration is requested by September 14. Participants will learn some of the basics of sewing if they do not already know how to sew and also complete a pillow to bring home!
Poetry and Prose Club - Starting Thursday, September 28 from 6-7 p.m. at GO ART! come and learn some of the basics of creative writing and participate in some fun creative writing activities (blackout poetry, object poetry, short stories and more) to get your creativity flowing or you can just come and network with other creative writers. There is no cost to participate in this program. Please bring a notebook with you (or a computer) to keep your work on.
Free Teen Animation Workshop - GO ART! is offering a 4-week Teen Animation Workshop for children 12-16 at the Hoag Library (134 S Main St, Albion, NY). This workshop will run on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. September 30, October 7, 21, and 28.
This workshop is FREE but registration is required. To register your teen please contact GO ART! at 585-343-9313 or email jfisher@goart.org. Registration is requested by September 27. This workshop will be instructed by Jess Moffet, a recent graduate of RIT.
Batavia takes the lead with 3.8 seconds left in the second quarter, making 20-14 at halftime Photo by Steve Ognibene
In the closing seconds of the first half, the Batavia Blue Devils scored a go-ahead TD over Wayne Central to regain a lead the team wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way, leading to a 33-14 win.
It was the team's home opener and made the Blue Devils 2-0 under new head coach Alex Veltz.
Bronx Buchholz was 7-11 passing for 59 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also gained 130 yards on the ground on 15 carries, scoring twice.
Cole Graz snagged our receptions for 18 yards and a TD. He also had an inception on defense.
Carter Mullen had one reception for an 8-yard TD.
Mekhi Fortes, 14 carries, 85 yards, 5.5.
Zailen Griffin, nine rushes for 82 yards and a TD.
The Blue Devils take on Honeoye Falls-Lima this Friday in HFL. Game time is 7 p.m.
Cole Grazioplene scores the first touchdown for Batavia in the first quarter. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The targeted site for remediation by ex-Eaton Corporation at 34-40 Clinton St., Batavia, shown in green. Image submitted.
Public comments about a remediation project on the city’s east side will be taken up to Sept. 21, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials say.
The project, first outlined in an April 21, 2023 article on The Batavian, is part of the Clean Water Act for Basket Place LLC, located at 34-40 Clinton St., Batavia.
Action on the privately owned Basket Place parcel was to begin in May to address contamination, with a site-specific health and safety plan and a Community Air Monitoring Plan to be implemented during remediation activities.
These plans were to establish procedures to protect on-site workers and residents and include required air monitoring as well as dust and odor suppression measures.
The applicant’s project description is "to remediate the soil and groundwater at the Ex-Eaton Site located in Batavia, NY. The remediation will be done by soil mixing using a zero-valent iron-based reducing agent to clean up current volatile organic compounds. Soil mixing will be done using large-diameter mixing augers and a small backhoe. No excavation is proposed. The project will impact 0.099 acres of Federal Wetlands which will be restored after remediation and proper erosion control measures will be implemented."
According to the state DEC, the State Environmental Quality Review determination found that the project is an "Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed."
The state Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination was that:
"A cultural resources survey has been completed and cultural resources were identified. Based on information provided in the survey report, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has determined that the proposed activity will have no adverse impact on registered or eligible archaeological sites or historic structures. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required."
From Coastal Management:
"This project is not located in a Coastal Management area and is not subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act."
Opportunity for Public Comment:
Comments on this project must be submitted in writing to the Contact Person no later than Sept. 21, 2023.
Contact: Courtney M Scoles, NYSDEC Region 8 Headquarters, 6274 E Avon-Lima Rd, Avon, NY, 14414, or call (585) 226-2466 or email DEP.R8@dec.ny.gov
