Vivienne Bellavia, 10, of Batavia, and her friend Anna Di Risio, make up a snow cone as part of a hot-day fundraiser for Golisano Children's Hospital.
The girls hoped to raise $200. By 2:30 this afternoon they had raised more than $500.
A two-vehicle accident that is blocking traffic is reported in the city at West Main Street and Lewiston Road. City fire and Mercy medics are responding. Unknown injuries.
UPDATE 3:23 p.m.: At least one of the vehicles has been removed from the roadway.
UPDATE 3:31 p.m.: The vehicle that allegedly caused the accident left the scene, heading westbound on Route 5. The 2005 Honda Odyssey (color not given) is said the be registered to an owner on Transit Road. An officer is going to try and locate the vehicle and owner.
Press release:
Beginning on July 7, Office for the Aging will be at the Genesee Country Farmers’ Market every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the months of July and August.
We will also be at the Le Roy Farmers’ Market every Saturday in July from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This will begin on July 10th.
If you live in Senior Subsidized Housing, please check with your site manager and/or look for our flyer announcing when we will be at your location.
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coupons are for income-eligible individuals 60 years of age or older. You may receive one booklet per person in a household who qualifies. Individuals may provide a note allowing another person to pick up their booklet.
2020 Income Guidelines:
Maureen Estabrooks, Office for the Aging’s coordinator for the program, noted, “New this season! If you cannot come to a distribution site and you do not have someone as your Power of Attorney, you can provide a handwritten note naming another person (a proxy) to pick up a booklet on your behalf.
"This person may also be a proxy for other seniors as well. The note must be signed by the senior and presented by the proxy to the Office for the Aging staff at the distribution site.”
Please note that Farmers Market Coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. A waiting list will be established if necessary.
If you have any questions, please call Office for the Aging at (585) 343-1611.
More info. on 37 Clinton St., Batavia.
More info. on 15 Linwood, Batavia
More info. on 0 Prole Road, Stafford. Parcel #1. Parcel #2
More info. on 0 Byron Road, Stafford.
Top photo: Macayla Burke (right) receives the first-place Holowach Scholarship from Jon Sanfratello, executive principal, GV BOCES Batavia Campus. Macayla is a Health Careers Academy student from Batavia City School District.
Submitted photo and press release:
The Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center is proud to announce the achievements of its seniors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this awards ceremony event that was scheduled to be held in June was canceled.
The 25 Genesee County award winners, their programs, home schools and scholarships received, are noted below.
Andre L. Roberts (inset photo left), 27, of Burrows Street, Rochester, is charged with: second-degree burglary; second-degree harassment -- physical contact; and criminal mischief in the fourth degree -- preventing emergency assistance; and obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree. Roberts was arrested at 9:11 p.m. on June 24 after allegedlyentering a dwelling on Willow Street in Batavia and attempting to prevent a resident from calling 9-1-1. He also allegedly resisted being detained by a police officer who arrived on scene. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Roberts is due back in city court on Aug. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, assisted by Officer Cowen Mitchell.
Darius Lamar Jones, 28, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with: second-degree harassment; third-degree criminal mischief; and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Jones was arrested after an investigation into a domestic incident that occurred at 7:15 a.m. May 11 on Summit Street in Batavia. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and jailed without bail. He is due in city court again on July 23. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay, assisted by Officer Stephen Quider.
Booker T. Ricks, 48, of North Lyon Street, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Ricks was arrested and charged following an investigation into an incident at 6:45 p.m. on June 25 in which two small children were observed climbing out of a second-story window, and onto the roof of a residence. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on July 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.
Sarah Patricia Lytle, 37, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon. On June 29 Lytle was arrested on the charges. It is alleged that at 3 p.m. on June 17 on Lewiston Road in Batavia that she attempted to buy a firearm while she was the subject of an order of protection, which prohibits her ability to do so. She was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Batavia Court and is due there on July 29. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Minuto.
Desmond R. Miller, 25, of East Bayard Street, Seneca Falls, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. Miller was arrested after an investigation into a motorcycle that was stolen at 3 p.m. on May 25 on Oak Street in Batavia. Miller was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in city court on Aug. 20. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Jason Ivison.
Jose A. Rivera, 33, of Swan Street, Batavia, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. Rivera was arrested at 3:43 p.m. on June 25 after he allegedly slashed the tires on a vehicle on Swan Street. He was processed at Batavia Police Headquarters, arraigned in Batavia City Court, then released. Rivera is due back in city court on Aug. 13. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger.
A 17-year-old female resident of Batavia was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of fireworks. The arrest was made after police responded at 9:26 p.m. June 28 to State Street for multiple complaints about fireworks. Police allegedly located the teen and found her in possession of, and using, a Roman candle. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on July 29. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Mitchell Cowen.
Matthew C. Olcott, 41, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree, a violation. Jerwan B. McFarley, 34, of Lehigh Avenue, Batavia, is charged with: criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree, a violation. Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan DeLong conducted a traffic stop of a car that Olcott and McFarley were traveling in on Cedar Street in Batavia during the afternoon of June 29. It is alleged that Olcott was in possession of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and was driving with a suspended license. It is alleged that McFarley possessed crack cocaine and marijuana. Both defendants were arrested by members of the county's Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and issued appearance tickets for City of Batavia Court.
One thing is certain: There will be no professional baseball in Batavia in 2020.
The decision is final, according to numerous news reports that say the Minor League Baseball season is canceled because Major League Baseball teams will not furnish the minors with players in 2020.
If there is an MLB season, it will likely start later this month, with only 60 games on the schedule. Teams would be limited to 60 eligible players. The 20 players beyond the standard 40-man roster would practice and workout on "taxi squads."
New York Penn League President Ben Hayes, in an exclusive interview with The Batavian a week ago, was still hopeful at that point that there would be a 2020 season for his league and the Muckdogs. We've not been able to reach him for comment today.
While it's quite possible there will never again be a professional baseball game played in Dwyer Stadium, last week Hayes was also hopeful that wouldn't be the case.
Prior to the pandemic hitting, the future of baseball in Batavia didn't look good. The MLB is trying to force the MiLB to accept a contraction, eliminating 42 minor league teams, including the entire NYPL. While there was talk of creating a "dreamers league" of low-level prospects, and Batavia could be a potential spot for such a team, there was no indication at that stage of negotiations on whether Batavia would be part of those plans.
An ESPN column suggests that the 2020 cancellation and pandemic have effectively eliminated whatever leverage the minor league teams might have had to stop the contraction. Several teams were in a precarious situation financially, not just including the 42 slated for elimination, and now the financial situation is much worse for those teams.
Last week, Hayes said he has communicated his desire to MiLB negotiators to see at least one more season of NYPL baseball, asking that the contraction be delayed until after the 2021 season, which would give cities like Batavia a farewell tour with their teams.
Yesterday evening, Trumbull Parkway resident Ray Tortorice spotted a family of skunks crossing his yard. When they saw him, the family retreated. About 20 minutes later, they came back, emerging from his neighbor's yard on East Avenue, passing through Tortorice's yard and flower bed and east to North Spruce Street, which he captured on video.
"I guess they were on some kind of night 'Recon' mission," Tortorice said.
Press release:
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors will consider final approvals for a $1.4 million mixed-use proposal by Fraser-Branche Property LLC at the agency’s July 2 board meeting.
Fraser-Branche Property LLC is proposing to remodel the majority of the 13,000-square-foot YWCA facility on North Street in the City of Batavia to enable the expansion of the Three Little Birds Pediatrics medical practice. The remainder of the facility will support the YWCA and other existing tenants.
A public hearing on the proposed incentives was held Nov. 20.
Fraser-Branche Property LLC’s proposed investment contributes to Genesee County’s growth strategy in the City of Batavia through the Batavia Pathway to Prosperity (BP2).
Launched by Genesee County, the City of Batavia, the Batavia City School District and the GCEDC, the BP2 program provides support to future brownfield redevelopment projects through the benefits generated by projects in the City of Batavia.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be conducted via conference and online at www.gcedc.com.
Press release:
GLOW YMCA: Serving our communities in new ways
Since 1889, the GLOW YMCA has served our community to meet changing needs. Today the needs are urgent, as COVID-19 and unavailability of community services affects families, seniors and individuals regionally and globally.
Our doors may be temporarily closed, but our mission work continues.
As our staff team has been working to address youth development, healthy living and social responsibility needs in our community, the Y has anticipated a greater need for financial assistance when we are able to reopen.
Last year, the GLOW YMCA gave $227,861 in financial assistance and we will continue to support families and individuals who have been out of work and have experienced a significant loss of income so they are able to receive our services.
CARING FOR COMMUNITY
Connecting with Seniors: YMCA staff have reached out to our members, making sure they have the resources they need. We are providing moments of connection for this vulnerable population, and combating the negative affects of social isolation.
Virtual Wellness Support: We are providing online wellness content to help people of all ages and abilities stay active from the safety of their homes. Staying active will be critical to emotional and physical health during a stressful time.
Community Resource: We will continue to answer the call from partners to serve as a resource for blood drives, food drives, volunteer support, and more.
CARING FOR KIDS
Emergency Child Care: As schools and child care centers closed, we transitioned our facilities to provide emergency child care for children of essential personnel so that they can focus on keeping our communities moving forward and safe.
Summer Camp: As we transition into summer camp, our program will help bridge the education gap along with giving the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and memories. And, of course, it’s fun too.
OPENING SAFER FOR ALL
Preparing for Reopening. Our facilities team is taking full advantage of a completely empty building to increase safety for when members can return, including reconfiguring equipment so people can workout at a safe distance.
At the Y, our mission is to develop the spiritual, mental and physical wellness of all people in an atmosphere of Christian Fellowship. We look forward to opening back up safely for the public but our teams will continue to work to serve our community.
WE ARE COMMUNITY STRONG
Genesee Community College named 63 Genesee County students to the President's List for the Spring 2020 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.
In total, there were 253 students named to the President's List from all seven campus locations in Batavia, Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw.
Online, Genesee Community College's Spring 2020 President's List (PDF) honorees are listed alphabetically by their hometowns.
The College also maintains a Provost's List to recognize part-time students with a quality point index of 3.75 or better and a dean's list comprised of students who earn a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74. These other GCC honorees are announced separately; see the College's website
Below are the 69 Genesee County students named to the President's List for the Spring 2020 semester:
Macie Riggs of Alexander
Jessica Scharlau of Alexander
Naomi LaDuke of Alexander
Jessica Lennon of Alexander
Jordin Cecere of Alexander
Logan Kellogg of Basom
Donovan Nephew of Basom
Megan Gilman of Basom
Stephanie Gilman of Basom
Megan Jacques of Batavia
Jocelyn Castaneda of Batavia
Monique McKenrick of Batavia
Kate Wasik of Batavia
Stacey Johnston of Batavia
Kristen Gloskowski of Batavia
Samuel Rigerman of Batavia
Gregory Metz of Batavia
Heather Demmer of Batavia
Steven Geyer of Batavia
Abigail Swinehart of Batavia
Meredith Cutro of Batavia
Bethany Ruffino of Batavia
Brandi-Lyn Heidenreich of Batavia
Nichole Ambrosoli of Batavia
Macy Midla of Batavia
Janelle DiMartino of Batavia
Trevor Zewan of Batavia
Mackenzie Pedersen of Batavia
Shane Cockle of Batavia
Jennifer Bartz of Batavia
Brittaney Lang of Batavia
Margaret Richardson of Batavia
Tara Clattenburg of Batavia
Cortney Dawson of Batavia
Alexis Balduf of Batavia
Tylin Torcello of Batavia
Anne Koestler of Batavia
Jessica Accardi of Batavia
Bailey Faucett of Batavia
Ryan Weaver of Batavia
Bailey Gavenda of Batavia
Danielle Joyce of Bergen
Marlaina Fee of Bergen
John Gabalski of Byron
MacKenzie Rosse of Byron
Julia Starczewski of Corfu
Mackenzie Jurek of Corfu
Nicholas Brown of Corfu
Carley Staebell of Corfu
Olivia Kohorst of Corfu
Katharine Smallwood of Corfu
Ryan Curtis of Corfu
Dustin Wheeler of Darien Center
Joshua Kramer of Darien Center
Haley Alvord of Darien Center
Caroline Pelton of East Bethany
Jessica Padilla of Elba
Emily Reynolds of Elba
Nicole Roth of Le Roy
Hanna Erion of Le Roy
Marshall Schultz of Le Roy
Brenda Turner of Le Roy
Morgan Ferrara of Le Roy
Kristin Griffin of Le Roy
Emma-Kate Uberty of Le Roy
Samantha Reinhardt of Oakfield
Annette Velletta of Oakfield
Jazmyn Dobson of Oakfield
Josilynn Russo of Pavilion
Genesee Community College serves more than 5,000 students with more than 65 academic programs and certificates. Among the many options are the Marketing and Social Media concentration within the Business Administration program, Computer Repair, and the newest Micro-Credential offerings in Human Resource Management, NYS Coaching and Professional Sales. GCC also offers a variety of Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and six different healthcare programs including the new Health Studies, A.S.
Each GCC student is assigned a success coach at the College's Student Success Center. The coach provides academic and career guidance from the first steps of the admissions process through to graduation or transferring credits to other institutions. The College's robust athletic program is housed in the state-of-the-art Richard C. Call Arena featuring a fieldhouse, fitness center, Human Performance Lab, press box, as well as coaches' offices and classrooms.
GCC operates seven campus locations throughout Western New York, a significant online program and student housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes and innovative technology inside and out of the classroom, SUNY GCC is known for its quality education at an affordable price.
A caller to dispatch reports "a duck and ducklings" are in the Tops Market parking lot in Batavia, near the gas pumps. Law enforcement is responding.
UPDATE 1:28 p.m.: The caller reported seeing the ducks wandering in the parking lot, then drove off and did not know the direction in which they were waddling. An animal control officer who responded to the scene scoured the area unsuccessfully. Assuming at that point the feathered family got to a safe place, the officer went back in service.
New Listing Alert: 37 Clinton St., Batavia (City). Solid and perfectly maintained home at the City's edge -- this is one you will definitely want to see! This home has so much to offer and leaves you with nothing to do but move in and add your belongings!
There are 3 bedrooms, 2 beautifully redone, full baths, a super bright and cheery downstairs, that has a very open and spacious layout with an updated kitchen and breakfast bar. Basement is fully usable, clean and dry, with epoxy floor great laundry area and workout space or small rec area. Mechanically all updated with brand new c/a unit -- roof approximately 12 years old, 200 amp electrical service and inexpensive utilities!
Outside though is one that draws everyone's attention, superbly maintained -- professionally landscaped yard with an Invisible Fence for the animals and pretty brick patio area. Detached garage and if you can call a driveway beautiful than this is it -- double wide concrete with stamped concrete pad as well -- ready to welcome you home!
Call Lynn Bezon at Reliant Real Estate today 585-344-HOME (4663) today to see this great property.
Rachael L. Rodvik, 43, of Barry Street, Sweden, is charged with: falsifying business records in the second degree; falsifying business records; petit larceny; and fourth-degree grand larceny. At 7:56 a.m. on June 23, Rodvik was arrested on a warrant out of Batavia City Court after an investigation by Batavia Police Det. Jason Ivison into a fraud incident that occurred from Dec. 1 through April 30 on Liberty Street in Batavia. She was arraigned in city court, then released on her own recognizance. She is due to return to city court on Aug. 13. Assisting Det. Ivison in the case were Batavia Police Officer Samuel Freeman, assisted by Nicole McGinnis.
Donald Michael Walls, of Willow Street, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree and trespass. At 2:04 a.m. on June 28, Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jordan Alejandro stated in an incident report: "I observed Walls in the act of stealing multiple pieces of patio furniture from Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant." After his arrest, Walls was released on appearance tickets and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on July 29. Jordan was assisted in the case by Deputy Ryan Young.
Luis J. Santiago, 32, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt. He was arrested at 10:30 a.m. June 23 after a domestic incident at an aprtment on Edwards Street in Batavia. It is alleged that he contacted a person protected by an order of protection. After he was processed at Batavia police headquarters, he was released with an appearance ticket to be in Batavia City Court on July 28. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Kevin DeFelice, assisted by Officer John Gombos.
Nicole Patricia Lucca, 27, of Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with: driving while intoxicated -- with a BAC of .08 percent or more; DWI -- first offense; and moving from lane unsafely. After a motor-vehicle accident at 4:18 a.m. May 17 on Knowlesville Road in Alabama, Lucca was arrested on the charges. She is due in Town of Alabama Court on Aug. 26. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Dimmig, assisted by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush.
Small children have reportedly been left unattended inside a green van parked in the fire lane in front of Walmart, according to a caller to dispatch. Law enforcement is responding to the child endangerment complaint.
Press release:
Financial-services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 1 among investment firms for customer experience in The U.S. Customer Experience Index, 2020. This is the fifth consecutive year the firm has received the highest spot on the CX Index among investment firms from Forrester Research, an independent research firm.
Forrester's Customer Experience Index (CX Index (TM)) methodology measures how well a brand's customer experience creates and sustains the loyalty of its customers.
In addition to the No. 1 ranking overall, Edward Jones finished highest in the categories of Customer Service and Clear Communications among investment firms. And the likelihood of recommending their investment firm was highest among Edward Jones clients.
"We strive to build deep personal relationships with every one of our clients," said Ken Cella, Edward Jones principal for the Client Strategies Group. "It begins with understanding what is most important to our clients, then how, when and where they want to be served, which helps us deliver an ideal experience for each client.
"But more than that, our relationships are based on truly listening to our clients so that we can understand their goals and motivations and ultimately build personalized solutions that holistically support their life's goals."
The ranking was based on responses from 15,765 U.S. individuals measuring 21 brands in the investment firm industry. The proprietary survey results are based on consumers' opinions of the experiences with the brands in the survey.
"The consistent high performers in the CX Index know their customers, allowing them to consistently meet their customers' needs and make them happy," according to the Forrester report.
"Edward Jones innovates in ways that are most important to our clients and can make a meaningful impact on their lives," Cella said. "When clients choose to partner with an Edward Jones financial advisor, it's based on the foundation of a trusted relationship. Client insights tell us that a human-centered relationship supported by a personalized digital and mobile connection is key.
"We partner with clients to help ensure they remain on track to achieve the financial outcomes they hope for over the course of their lives. Through this process our objective is to help our clients feel understood, informed, in control and secure. It is part of our client experience and through knowledge and empathy something we work to improve every day."
Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., provides financial services in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada.
Every aspect of the firm's business, from the investments its financial advisors offer to the location of its branch offices, caters to individual investors. The firm's 18,000-plus financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients and care for $1.3 trillion in assets under management.
Visit our website at edwardjones.com and recruiting website at careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.
Batavia native Tony DiMartino scored his first career hole-in-one Sunday at his home course, Oswego Country Club. The ace came on the 167-yard 4th hole. DiMartino used a 6 iron.
The shot was witnessed by Dan Burns, Rod Allen and Doug Cecere.
Photo and info submitted by Doug Cecere.
"Hot town, summer in the city, back of my neck gettin' dirty and gritty" -- The Lovin' Spoonful, #1 on Billboard Hot 100, August, 1966
For every teen there are two coming-of-age situations (well really three, but I can't write about one of them here). The first is learning to drive and getting a driver's license. Over the years safety concerns have changed that one somewhat, but it's still a big deal for most.
The second one involves finding and working at a summer job.
You can ask almost any older person and their summer jobs during high school and college are rife with memories -- good, bad, funny, and often becoming more nostalgic as the years pass by. Drug store, hot dog stand, lifeguard, or mowing lawns -- we all had to start somewhere.
Those jobs were our first foray into the working world, a chance to be independent and have some money of our own. But due to our being so young and inexperienced, they also resulted in some hilarious screw-ups and lessons learned the hard way.
E. coli Anyone?
I got my first job at 16 the way a lot of kids do because my dad knew someone. Dad was a paper goods salesman and one of his best customers was John Castronova who owned The Red Top restaurant.
One memorable order that sticks out in my mind is when two guys, who obviously had just come from spending quite a while at a bar, ordered “Cannibal Sandwiches.”I had never heard of this but the grill man had.
They wanted hamburgers put on the grill for about 30 seconds and then put on a roll with onions. So, they were essentially eating raw beef. It was as gross as you would imagine and I don't think the FDA would approve.
I only worked about 16 hours a week, but eight of those were on Saturday night from 6 p.m. until 2 o'clock Sunday morning.
I lived at the other end of town so when we got out one of the older guys would give me a ride to East Main and I would walk the rest of the way to our house on North Spruce. I would then spend about 30 minutes in the hot shower at 3 a.m. to get the grease off myself.
I was all too happy to be done with that job at the end of the summer and return to Notre Dame for my senior year of high school.
Factory Foul-ups
Between my senior year and freshman year of college I had a tough time finding a job. I had a couple friends who worked at the Melton Shirt Factory on Liberty Street and they were able to get me some hours filling in when extra help was needed.
The owner/manager's name was Abe and he had a thick New York City accent. He was not exactly a patient guy and he would yell at the top of his lungs, “Dave, where's the shoits (shirts)?”
At the end of a day in that blast furnace I would, unlike the previous summer at the hot dog stand, stand for 30 minutes in a cool shower.
Apparently I didn't learn my lesson about factories though.
The following summer between freshman and sophomore year my friend Jim and I got a job at a company in the Industrial Center on Harvester Avenue. It was called Ritz-Craft and they built mobile homes.
That should have been an omen for me as I only lasted a few weeks as a “carpenter.” I wasn't what you'd call a skilled craftsman and constantly made mistakes until finally the foreman had to let me go. Being “all thumbs” was a mild way to describe me.
But, out of the frying pan into the fire I went next. I still needed money so I moved down the way a little into another company that made equipment for pool tables. It was in the former Massey-Harris plant, which once made tractors and other farm equipment.
My job was to run a machine which ground up miscast billiard balls and other table parts so the plastic could be reused. This machine sounded like if a Boeing 747 jet was taking off and someone was throwing rocks into the engines.
I recall that we would start at 8 a.m. and we would get a 15-minute break at 10. I would start and think to myself, “It's got to be almost break time.” I'd look at my watch and it would be 8:15. Those were very long days and a kid was never happier to get back to school like I was that year.
Fortunately, that experience was the last of my factory follies.
Things Go Better With Coke
The summer between my sophomore and junior years, Jim and I were able to get hired by the Coca-Cola Company on East Main Street in Batavia. Even though the first year didn't go so well for me, I was able to come back for three more summers after that.
I'm not sure why I got hired the first summer because a major part of the job was driving and I didn't have a license. The bosses would get really annoyed when they'd ask me to go make a delivery and I couldn't. Plus, all the vehicles were standard shift.
One time a boss asked me to move a truck away from a doorway and, rather than tell him one more time that I couldn't, I decided to try. As you could imagine that didn't go well.
After coming close to ramming two other trucks and the side of the building I was banished to stacking crates. I have no idea why they kept me on. My charming personality perhaps?
To make matters worse, I had a health problem that summer requiring a week's stay in St. Jerome's Hospital. (That's a whole other story -- one night I was served fruit for dinner and one of the nurses was so old that I wanted to get out of bed to help her help me).
Subsequently, I had to withdraw from my fall semester at St. John Fisher College and have surgery at Strong Memorial in Rochester.
So, the next year I made up my mind that I had to get my driver's license and learn to drive a stick shift, so I had at least a prayer of a chance to be rehired at Coke. Which I did, but the driving a standard shift part turned out humorously.
I learned from my almost 70-year-old gramma in her little Plymouth Valiant at the Batavia Downs parking lot. Hey, whatever it takes...
It took some slick persuading and a nervous demonstration that I could drive a stick, but I got my job back and I rode that horse (trucks actually) for the next three summers until I got a teaching job.
Working summers at Coca-Cola could be long hours and I think I originally we were paid $1.25 per hour, but it certainly topped factory work.
The hardest part was loading the heavy glass bottle cases of soda (or pop as it was called in Batavia) onto the delivery trucks at the end of the day.
But, during the day, we might be called upon to drive to Le Roy or Medina or Warsaw to deliver or pick something up, which meant a nice easy ride out in the country.
Crazy Carnivals
Another part of the job might be working a Friday or Saturday night at one of the many volunteer firemen's carnivals in the area. This would entail setting up the Coca-Cola equipment and then mostly just sitting around and taking it down at the end of the night.
A side bonus of entertainment at these carnivals was watching the antics that sometimes occurred at or near the beer tents. We could look on with amusement safely from a distance as security or sheriff's deputies tried to contain some of the overexuberant locals who had overextended their quota of Jenny Cream Ales.
There were some characters at that job, too.
The assistant manager was nicknamed “Clipboard.” He was a stickler for scheduling and neatness. When he would get in a bad mood he would spend the whole day rearranging the entire warehouse with the forklift (we called it a towmotor). The foreman was an ex-military man we called “Sarge.” You've seen movies where the drill sergeant could blister the paint on the wall with his cursing? That was him.
He told us that if he ever saw us drinking Pepsi or buying it in the store we 'd have to answer to him. So, we loved our Coke -- in front of him at least.
Actually, we had a Coke machine in the warehouse that would vend a 6-ounce bottle for 5 cents. And it was hot in there, so for a nickel at a time you could quench your thirst with an ice-cold Coke, right?
Well, you've probably heard the old wives' tale that Coke could take rust off a car bumper. Probably not, but if you drink about 10 of those a day for a while you might be more inclined to believe it.
Eventually, it got to the point where even looking at a bottle of Coke would make me nauseous. Thankfully, we also sold ginger ale and that was a lot easier on the stomach.
Over the course of four summers a lot of things happened while working for Coca-Cola that could be stories on their own. But, probably the craziest incident took place in 1969 about a month before I finished my tenure there.
Bee Unprepared
It was a Saturday morning and I had been assigned to take a truckload of tanks of Coke and dispensing equipment to a company picnic at Hamlin Beach State Park. I was to set everything up and then stay there for the day and then bring it back to Batavia afterward.
I had just passed through the Village of Brockport headed north on Route 19 when I saw a yellowish-brown “cloud” that seemed to be floating over the road.
“What is that?” I thought, “a bunch of falling leaves?” Well, there was no avoiding whatever it was and almost instantly I drove into it.
To my immediate shock I realized that I had driven smack into a swarm of bees! As the blues lyric goes, “If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all,” and the truck and I had showed up at exactly the wrong time.
Hundreds of bees were suddenly covering the windshield and, since the windows were open, in the cab flying around my head. I wasn't afraid of bees but this was unbelievable.
The next thing I knew I was heading straight for a utility pole. There was no way to swerve at that point, so the best I could do was to hit the brakes and hold on. As the truck slammed into the pole I saw an electric transformer flying over the top and I knew this was no little fender bender.
As soon as the truck stopped completely, bees were buzzing all around me and I jumped out the door and ran across the road as fast as I could. In retrospect it was good that power lines hadn't fallen on the truck because that never crossed my mind.
I noticed that other cars had stopped and people were getting out and tentatively advancing toward me, probably worried about live wires that I hadn't considered.
I took stock of myself and was pretty sure I wasn't injured, but I never noticed until later that I hadn't been stung even once! I guess I did have a little luck after all.
As they say, all hell broke loose then. Sirens, sheriffs, state troopers, fire trucks, an ambulance, and eventually utility trucks, responded. The trooper asked me what happened. Why did I lose control? Had I been drinking? Drugs?
So, in response I took him over to the truck. All over the hood, on the windshield, and in the cab were dead bees. Where did the swarm go though? The queen must have moved on and the others followed her I guess.
Then came the part where I had to go into the truck and call in on the radio (after the utility workers determined it was safe of course) and tell what had happened. You can imagine how that conversation went. “YOU WHAT!!?”
After a while the manager came with a different truck and a couple guys who were not having an easy time keeping from laughing. We transferred all the stuff (which had not been damaged) to the other truck and I continued on my way to Hamlin Beach with the guys' voices ringing in my ears, “Watch out for bees, Dave.”
The damaged truck was towed away and I got a respite (except for explaining to the customers why I was late) until Monday morning.
It was a good thing I only had a few weeks left to work because I was chided and teased about my bee encounter every single day until I left. “Hey Dave. Don't you need some calamine lotion? I think you have hives.” And so on. All day. Every day.
Rent-A-Cop Caper
One last job to mention was a part-time one during my senior year at St. John Fisher.
Two nights a week from 4 to midnight, clad in my uniform complete with police-style hat (left photo, with toy guns), I would ”guard” a parking lot, the student union or a science building.
One night I was on duty checking parking in a lot by the student dormitories.
Suddenly my car was surrounded by about 20 guys. They informed me that as part of a fraternity initiation they were going to “kidnap” me, tie me up, and leave me in a dorm basement. They stated that after a few hours they would call someone to come set me free.
Some quick thinking was obviously called for by me. I said something like, “Guys, no please. I'm a college student just like you at Fisher. I still have a paper to write after I get off work at midnight" (probably not true). My brain was racing. I needed to get out of this.
But how? Of course the same way you get out of a lot of things -- throw someone else under the proverbial bus.
“Hey guys,”I said, “if you go to the Pinkerton office around the corner, my boss is in there alone. He's always on my case and he's the one who put in all the horrible parking rules that you hate (doubtful). It would be so much funnier if you did this to a boss, especially that guy."
“Yeah!” one of them agreed. “We know the guy you mean. We can't stand him! Right guys? Oh, this will be sweet. C'mon, let's go get him!"
And off they went hooting and hollering.
As soon as they were out of sight, I wasn't taking any chances. I sped out of there to a desolate lot on the far side of the campus and stayed there until quitting time and then went home.
I never did find out if the frat guys carried out their plan because what was I gonna do? Ask the boss the next time I came to work? I had escaped and that was really all that mattered.
So, over the years I had a variety of summer jobs which resulted in some experiences that stick in my mind to this day.
Then, I went on to a long elementary school teaching career, which afforded me July and August off. And guess what? Yup. More summer jobs.
Like a lot of teachers, I painted houses in the summer. No more factory jobs. But, I did encounter my share of bees.
Images and photos courtesy of Dave Reilly.
WORCESTER, Mass. -- James Zickl, of Batavia, a member of the Class of 2021 majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled FTS Pandemic.
At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. Nearly 90 percent of students typically complete a project in collaboration with partners in communities across the country and around the world, through the university's 50-plus project centers.
Students usually travel to the project center for seven-week terms; this spring, however, due to the global coronavirus pandemic, they worked remotely, using video conferencing and other technology to complete their projects.
A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people's lives -- and make a difference before they graduate.
"The WPI project-based curriculum's focus on global studies brings students out of their comfort zones to apply their knowledge to solve real problems for people in communities around the globe," said Professor Kent Rissmiller, interim dean of the WPI Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division.
"Students have the opportunity to learn about a different culture, from the way people live and work to the values they hold to the foods they eat -- all valuable perspectives for surviving and thriving in today's global marketplace.
"They also learn the meaning and magic of teamwork; make a real and meaningful difference; and gain a competitive edge for any resume, or graduate or professional school application."
A sheriff's deputy to dispatcher a couple of minutes ago: "Can you start me an animal job? Location will be Marshall's. Attempting to relocate a mother duck and ducklings who were hatched in a flowerpot outside." Dispatcher: "Copy that. Mother duck and ducklings."
UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: About 25 minutes ago a law enforcement officer successfully gathered the badling of ducks, or the brood of ducks if you like, and relocated them to a retention pond behind the store safe and sound.
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