batavia

Jana Kolukanova may be synonymous with Olympic swimming and breaking records now, but when she first began in her homeland of Estonia, her athletic prowess leaned towards venues other than the pool, she says.

“I excelled at cross-country skiing and tennis, but the sports machine there told me I was a swimmer instead,” she said during an interview with The Batavian. “It took some time, but eventually I fell in love with swimming too.”

Her husband, Chris Haitz, a Genesee County native, introduced her to this area for a month during COVID in 2020, and that ended up being a whole summer visit, which in turn prompted the couple to buy a house, she said.

“It all happened organically. We had been living in Los Angeles since 2009 and never had any plans to leave, but life apparently did,” she said. “I had, of course been to this area many times over the years, and I was very open to the move. I love it here, as the people are nice and it reminds me of my home country.”

Her journey from watching the Olympics as a young girl proves that anyone's potential is within reach with the right mindset and support system.

Kolukanova’s  Olympic dream was sparked at a young age during a moment of inspiration that would alter the course of her life. 

"I remember watching the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and thinking, 'I think I can do this,'" she said. This realization, born from the excitement and love for the games, set Kolukanova on a path that took her from the swimming pools of her hometown to the global stage.

In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, she reached the semifinals in the 50 meter freestyle, breaking two Estonian records. 

After this, college recruiters bombarded her. Auburn University won the prize, and their program won three national team championships with Kolukanova’s help. Plus, she finished a 19-time All-American, All-SEC selection, SEC Academic Honor Roll member, as well as an Academic All-American. 

She kept going.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Jana finished 37th in Athens in the 100M freestyle. 

One year later, she broke her old Estonian records in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle at the FINA World Championships, where she finished eighth in the world in the 50-meter event. 

She advises aspiring Olympians to set low goals and chip away at them step by step. 

"Then, set higher goals, and you must have a big picture," she said.

This philosophy of incremental progress and an overarching vision became the cornerstone of her success. 

"Believe in yourselves," she said. "Thoughts have real power. If you think you can, you can do it." 

However, she is quick to caution that physical prowess alone is not enough: "If you're there physically but not mentally, you're not going to do it." 

She credits regular massages with helping her endure the physical demands of training and competition, allowing her to recover quickly. Additionally, she strictly followed her coaches' advice to eat within 20 minutes after training along with altitude training, practices she believes were crucial to her recovery and performance. 

She eventually caught the injury bug at the worst possible time.

"If an injury comes at the very wrong time, four years of work could be down the drain—that's what happened to me, right before the Beijing 2008 Olympics," she said.

"Injuries are always the most difficult as they affect you both physically, mentally, and emotionally," she said. "You can't control how serious an injury is or how long it will take to recover fully."

While she didn't compete, Kolukanova’s experience at the Paris Olympics reminded her of the bonds she formed throughout her career. 

"Reconnecting with friends, some of whom I hadn't seen in 20 years, was really great," she said. 

Many of these friends are now prominent figures in their respective countries, holding important positions in international sports. The camaraderie among former Olympians and the warm welcome from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and individual countries made the event unique.

She speaks highly of the opportunity to support Eneli Jefimova, a 17-year-old Estonian female swimmer who made the final 100M breaststroke in Paris. For Kolukanova, this meant more than cheering on a fellow athlete; passing the torch to the next generation.

"It was special to be there to encourage her and lend my support," she said. 

She also witnessed French swimmer and family friend, Léon Marchand, win four gold medals. Seeing Léon achieve such incredible success was a deeply emotional experience for her. "I was very happy for the entire family," she said, her voice filled with pride and joy. "I remember holding him as a baby."

After 14 years of living in Los Angeles, she looks forward to exploring Western New York with her husband, especially in the fall because "when I visited in October, it was warm and welcoming, and the colors are gorgeous."

Her commitment to the sport remains strong, and she hopes the construction of the new pool at the Batavia-based YMCA boosts swimming's popularity in the region. 

"Swimming is really popular in California," she said, expressing her desire to see similar enthusiasm in Western New York. She continues to find ways to contribute to the sport she loves, whether through mentoring young swimmers or promoting swimming in her community. 

With competition behind her, Kolukanova hopes to become an inspiration to others.

"I want my legacy to be that I was a lover of the sport, a positive light, and always an encourager of young swimmers," she said. 

Press Release:

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) invites the community to join the festivities planned for the 3rd annual BID Boxcar Derby on Saturday, August 17.

The Derby will once again be held on Ellicott Avenue in Batavia, with 24 racers competing to win the Suozzi Memorial Cup. BID Director Shannon Maute says this year’s races will be fast-paced and fun. 

“We’re ready to celebrate all of our racers as they demonstrate their talents and sportsmanship,” Maute said. “This is going to be a great day. Seeing the amazing boxcar designs, the excitement on kids’ faces at our build day, and the families taking part all show why this event is so special.” 

The races will start at 10 a.m. and will feature 2 racers competing at a time from the peak of Ellicott Avenue. In addition to hosting the cheering crowd, Centennial Park will host free face painting and games, with pizza, ice cream, coffee and hot chocolate available from vendors. WBTA also be hosting a live broadcast from the race. 

To all motorists, Ellicott Avenue will be closed from 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. from Richmond Avenue to Washington Avenue for the safety of the racers and the spectators.

The BID Boxcar Derby is made possible by sponsorship by Alex’s Place, Batavia Downs, the Police Benevolent Association, WBTA, and several other businesses plus additional support comes from BID businesses and building owners, Mark Scuderi of the Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby, the City of Batavia, the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle, and a team of volunteers. 

"It truly takes a community to bring our great race together,” Maute said. “With the generous support of our sponsors, partners and volunteers, the BID Boxcar Derby will make lasting memories for our families and racers.”

Eden Cafe & Bakeshop is hosting a SummerFest this weekend that will include several arts and crafts vendors, music, food, a bounce house, entertainment and basket raffles.

It’s set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot behind the shop at 242 Ellicott St., Batavia.

Organizers are still accepting musical artists and entertainers from the community for the open mic-style entertainment tent. There will be a PA system and engineer provided.

Confirmed vendors so far include:

• Kelly Fox (Tarot, astrology, live plants, artwork – Batavia)
• Mystic Dragon Lair (crystals and merchandise – Medina) Marcia Bohn (handcrafted books – Batavia)
• Spirit and Abundance (artisan plant-based cheeses – Rochester)
• Vagabum Crafts (functional fiber crafts – Scottsville)
• Panda Mae Crystals & Creations (crystals, jewelry, spell jars – Batavia)
• Pixel Perfect (nostalgic pixelated keychains & magnets – Batavia)
• VP Creations (3-d printed miniatures & novelties – Le Roy)
• Punkinhead Stuffies (crocheted miniatures & earrings – Rochester)
• MidnightFox (Chainmaille & copper jewelry & more – Buffalo)
• Eden Café & Bakeshop (popcorn, fresh squeezed lemonade & more – Batavia)
• High Strung Products (Recycled Silver Jewelry – West Henrietta)
• Readings by Donna & Amy (mediumship readings – Holley)
• Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (info on breast cancer screenings – Batavia)
• RESTORE Sexual Assault Services (free swag, games, resources and information – Batavia)
• Church Street Images (local photography – Alexander)
• Creations by Fireball (beaded pens, keychains, and more – Le Roy)
• CCOR – Companion Care of Rochester (info on licensed homecare services – Batavia)
• TRIO Adult Opportunity Center (free college and career access program – Batavia)
• Vanessa & Lola’s Legacy (Raffle basket, succulents and vegan dog treats – Oakfield)
• Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen (free samples, granola bars, prepared meals – Rochester)

For more information, go to CarrrotDogCafe.com or call 585-815-4487.

Press Release:

On Saturday, September 21 the 2nd Annual Ricky Palermo Foundation Comedy Night will be held inside the Park Place room featuring comedy from Nick Marra, Dan Viola, and Tim Meier. 

Attendees will receive a buffet dinner, free drink, and $25 in Free Play. Sponsorship packages are also available, including signage, VIP seating, vocal recognition, and additional drink tickets.

“We had so much fun last year we decided to do it again,” said Ricky Palermo, President and CEO of the Ricky Palermo Foundation. “Through this great event we were able to raise awareness and much needed funds to help our community and continue to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. We look forward to seeing people back again this year at Batavia Downs.”

 Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by going to rickypalermofoundation.org/store-1. 

Press Release:

The Batavia Cemetery Association is excited to announce that the annual Halloween Candlelight Ghostwalk will be held on Saturday, October 19!

Join us for some spooky fun on a ghost walk through the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue to meet the famous and infamous movers and shakers who not only shaped and influenced the City of Batavia, but the United States and the world.

The guided tour on candlelit paths will bring guests to hear men and women, who, for various reasons, held great power and exerted great influence in their day, were victims of tragic events, or both.

Confederate Major Philemon Tracy, one of the few Confederate officers buried in the north; surveyor and land developer of western New York Joseph Ellicott, a man of great power and great flaws; and William Morgan, who disappeared and was allegedly murdered before he could reveal the secrets of the Masons, will tell their stories.

Listen to Utopian socialist Albert Brisbane; Mary Elizabeth Wood, the first librarian at the Richmond Memorial Library and founder of the first library school in China; and Dr. Martha Morgan, compassionate doctor who spent most of her professional life working at the State Lunatic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  

Meet Civil War General John H. Martindale, and maltster and brewer Eli Fish. Shipping and railroad magnate Dean Richmond and his wife Mary will greet guests in their beautiful mausoleum on the last stop of the tour.

Tours begin at 7 p.m. and run every fifteen minutes until 8:45 p.m. Admission is $15. Reservations are required. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. For more information or reservations, go to Events at bataviacemetery.org

Press Release:

The Batavia High School Class of 1984 is thrilled to announce their 40th reunion celebration! Mark your calendars for an evening filled with memories, laughter, and fun on Saturday, August 24, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Mingle and Reconnect with Old Friends 

Alumni and guests are invited to gather for an informal get-together at the Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility 5122 Clinton Street in Batavia. This relaxed atmosphere is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with classmates, reminisce about old times, and create new memories.

Delicious Food and Drinks

Throughout the evening, enjoy a generous spread of hearty hors d'oeuvres complemented by a cash bar. Your ticket price of $30 includes food and one drink (house draft beer, house wine, or house liquor).

RSVP and Stay Connected

We encourage everyone from the Class of 1984 to attend this special event! To RSVP go to BHS Class of ’84 Reunion on Facebook where you can venmo your payment, to BHS Class of 84 Batavia NY. If you do not have a Venmo account, checks will be accepted payable to “BHS Class of 84 Batavia NY”. Please mail to: Kelly J. Bermingham, 8276 Park Road, Batavia. The deadline for registration is August 16!

To update your contact information, or ask any questions, please reach out to: 

Kelly J. Bermingham: 585-356-4722 or kbermingham@geneseeny.com

Jane Roach Johnson: 585-739-0378 or peerless@rochester.rr.com

Don't miss this chance to celebrate four decades of friendship and shared experiences with your Batavia High School classmates! 

Press Release:

Holland Land Office Museum announces that it is one of 71 institutions in the United States selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program.

CAP helps museums improve the care of their collections by providing support for a general conservation assessment of the museum’s collections and buildings. The museum will work with a team of preservation professionals to identify preventive conservation priorities. The final assessment report will help the museum prioritize its collections care efforts in the coming years.

The CAP program will allow the museum to care and preserve the collections it holds in a greater condition than ever before! We are so excited to dive into this program and get to work at preserving and storing history more than ever before – Tyler Angora, Curator at the Holland Land Office Museum.

The CAP program is administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Join the Open House party this week at this revamped 3-bedroom beauty at 3295 W. Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia! New floors, kitchen, bathroom - you name it, it's got a fresh new vibe. Open house dates are Thursday, August 15th, 3 - 5pm and Saturday, August 17th, 9 - 11 am. Bidding is open at bontragerauction.com until August 28th. Don’t miss your opportunity to view and bid on this move-in-ready home. Nothing to do but unpack!

After seven months of converting a gym into a colorful multi-generational nightclub vibe—tanning rooms are now selfie rooms, lockers have been replaced with a fun space to splatter, plus laser tag and glow ball areas—House of Bounce owners Pasquale and Justina Rapone debuted their new location during a grand unveiling Wednesday in downtown Batavia.

Labeling it a "Family Fun Center," Justina shared her excitement with family, friends and community members during a ribbon-cutting in front of the new site at the corner of Main and Jackson streets.

“We wanted this location to be somewhere where you can come on a Friday or a Saturday with your kids, and if you have kids that are real little, and you have some older kids, you guys can all come and have fun,” she said. “Maybe you’ve got a family that you guys always hang out with, and you want to meet up, and the adults can hang out, and the kids can play. We wanted to make it a space where everyone can kind of join together in the community. And also, we wanted it to be a place for the kids to come and have fun, and stay out of trouble. 

“So we started at the Harvester, and … we’re in the downtown area, which is huge. We're super excited. We brought a lot of new things in at our new location,” she said. “You don't have to drive to Buffalo or Rochester, you can come here for an hour before you go grab lunch.  We added laser tag, a glow golf. We added Laser Maze. We still have our splatter room. We also have all of our open play stuff, like we always have bumper cars and the selfie room, so we really have everything for everybody."

House of Bounce opened at Harvester Center more than two years ago before the couple decided to rent the downtown space in December, toiling away in preparation for a soft opening about two weeks ago and a bigger grand opening celebration this week.

And by bigger, it’s 12,000 square feet, so the footprint has grown quite a bit, Rapone said. 

That’s an impressive piece of business news, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce President Brian Cousins said, especially when it fits so well into the downtown scene.

“To see a business expand and grow in their pursuit of prosperity is very exciting.  House of Bounce, I believe, fits one of those niche needs for families in creating a memorable outing that is highly creative in product offerings,” Cousins said. “In touring their facility, they have put together a slate of activities that is attractive for a wide array of ages in a location that can also positively impact other adjacent businesses.  It was inspiring to see the creativity and thought that they put into each of the areas.”

There are two levels of entertainment for all ages, Rapone said, with an upper level for the little ones and downstairs for older kids. 

“It’s needed so much. There's so many kids around here that, you know, for years, didn't really have anywhere in the Batavia area to go, especially Genesee County itself,” she said. “So we really are excited to bring something in for all these kids to do. Come in, have fun, have a family outing right here in town without having to go to Buffalo and Rochester.”

So why the move after being so successful on the city’s east end? Due to the success, “we ran out of space for growth,” she said, “and we felt like moving into the downtown area was kind of the place to be.”

Now that they are part of the Business Improvement District, the business owners plan to participate in BID events, such as Christmas in the City, the Halloween trick-or-treats at each business, and annual cider and wine walks, she said. Other perks are “all the things that downtown has to offer, plus the traffic through here, and it’s just a great place to be seen.”

Within the set hours of the facility, people can just walk in and use it, there’s no need to make a reservation, unless it’s to book the party room, which accommodates up to 70 guests. That’s a change from the Harvester location, Rapone said.

“We were doing full facility shutdowns at the last place, and now we've just kind of outgrown that. We have too many people we're turning away on the weekend. So now it's just, if we're open, come in, no need for a reservation,” she said. “You can book right on our website. We have a booking software on there, so you'll just hit the book now button and look at all of our packages and pricing right on there, and book right online, and put your deposit in.”

Rapone was thoughtful to include “a lot of safety mats” and safety equipment, such as 6,000 square feet of turf, in the play areas for each child’s protection, and is also excited about a new swipe card system and a state-of-the-art prize hub. Other work has included a lot of painting and exclusive murals by a military veteran who she credited for doing “an amazing job” with complementary murals on the purple hued walls.

She and her husband hope that people will stop in to see it for themselves, and check out every facet, including the prize hub, and enjoy the facility as a family.

“It's like a vending machine for your prize. It's really cool,” she said. “We're excited to be able to have the whole family here having fun. Adults coming too. We’re trying to get food and drink, and when I say drink, I'm hoping for a beer and wine license so that we can kind of host some more adult night stuff, like do our adult paint night. That is our goal, to make it for everybody, for everyone.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. The facility is closed Mondays and Wednesdays. 

For more information, go to House of Bounce.  

Photos by Kara Richenberg

O’Darius A. Hamilton, Taheed M. Moffett and Carlos D. Hightower (no ages nor residential information provided by Batavia PD) are charged with multiple crimes following a traffic stop on July 15 on Ellicott Street by members of the Batavia PD NET Unit. They were all charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd and criminal possession of stolen property. Moffet and Hamilton were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Hamilton was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th and two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd.  During the traffic stop, officers allegedly found a large quantity of narcotics and a loaded handgun. The handgun had been previously reported stolen. All three were arraigned and released.

Richard C. Dumbleton and Robert J. Karker (no ages nor residential information provided by Batavia PD) are charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Dumbleton is also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia and a traffic violation. On July 21, Batavia patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Raymond Avenue. As a result of a search of the vehicle, officers reportedly found a large quantity of narcotics. Dumbleton was arraigned and released. Karker was held as a fugitive from justice on a warrant issued in Kentucky.

Lorendia S. Templeton, 29, of Farmington, was charged on July 8 with attempted assault 1st, menacing 2nd, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Templeton is accused of hitting another person with a baseball bat during a fight on Elm Street, Batavia, on July 7. He was arraigned and released.

Krystle D. Sanders, Dajuandrick C. Gardner, and Ashley M. Davis are charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The three suspects are accused of watching and encouraging two juveniles to fight on State Street, Batavia, on June 6.  They were arrested on July 4 and issued appearance tickets.

Samuel J. Hernandez, 22, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hernandez is accused of stealing the tip jar from Blondie's Sip-N-Dip on July 14. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Penny S. Hofert, 58, of Batavia, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd. Hofert was arrested on July 15 following an investigation into drug sales in the city of Batavia. She was arraigned and released.

David J. Vega, 59, of Rochester, was arrested on July 15 on two warrants. The first warrant stems from a traffic stop, where Vega was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket but allegedly failed to appear in court. The other warrant was issued after Vega allegedly failed to appear in court on a robbery charge from 2019. He was arraigned and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Michael J. Miller, 46, of Batavia, was arrested on July 18 on two warrants. Miller is accused of failure to register a change of address as a sex offender on two separate occasions. He was arraigned and jailed.

Cindy I. Bush, 62, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Bush was allegedly found in possession of cocaine and fentanyl on Oct. 26 in the city of Batavia. She was arrested on July 16 and issued an appearance ticket. 

Laquita O. Jackson-Thomas, 41, of Rochester, was arrested on July 14 on a warrant for allegedly failing to appear in court on a traffic ticket. She was arraigned and released.

Jon H Bush, 64, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Bush is accused of possessing cocaine on Oct. 26 in the city of Batavia. He was arrested on July 11 and issued an appearance ticket.

Michael C. Smith, 32, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing a wagon from T.F. Brown's on July 16. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Dontre R. Woods, 34, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on July 16. Woods is accused of failure to appear on a traffic ticket. He was arraigned and released.

Christine A. Draper, 53, of Bethany, is charged with harassment 2nd. Draper is accused of punching another person in the face during a disturbance at Batavia Downs on July 13. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Ryan A. Decillis, 32, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Ryan A Decillis is accused of shoving another person during an argument on July 8 at a location on Ross Street, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Samuel J. Hernandez, 22, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hernandez is accused of stealing the tip jar from Blondie's Sip-N-Dip on July 14. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Courtney B. Kacur, 21, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Kacur was charged after reportedly being found asleep at the wheel in a business parking lot on East Main Street, Batavia, on July 4. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jonathan E. Garcia, 32, of Batavia, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender. Garcia was arrested on July 9. He is accused of failure to register e-mail and social media accounts. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Carl E. Canterbury, 53, and Brant G. Matthews, 29, both of Batavia, are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. Officers with the Batavia Police NET unit conducted a traffic stop on Ellicott Avenue on July 4. During the investigation, officers searched the vehicle and allegedly located over four grams of crack cocaine. Canterbury was additionally charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd. Both were arraigned and released.

Kevin L. Henley, 32, of Cheektowaga, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd. Henley is accused of entering a residence in Batavia on July 10 without the owners' permission. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Thomas J. Mitchell, 34, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Mitchell was arrested on July 10. He is accused of stealing a set of car tires and using them on his own vehicle. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Christopher M. Phillips, 27, of Batavia, is charged with menacing 2nd and criminal possession of a weapon 4th. Phillips is accused of threatening another person on July 8 with a knife during a fight on Bank Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Carlina T. Newton, 29, of Buffalo, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and harassment 2nd. On July 7, Batavia patrol officers responded to a report of a person wandering in traffic on West Main Street. Newton was taken into custody and taken to the hospital. While being detained, Newton was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine. Newton is also accused of biting a police officer. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jennifer L. Tucker, 48, of Batavia, was arrested on July 8 on a warrant. The warrant stems from a March traffic stop, during which Tucker was issued a misdemeanor traffic ticket. The warrant was issued when she allegedly failed to appear in court. Tucker was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. 

Lamar I. Randall, 38, of Batavia, was arrested on July 7 on a warrant. The warrant stems from a traffic stop in December 2023, during which Randall was issued misdemeanor traffic tickets. The warrant was issued when he allegedly failed to appear in court. Randall was arraigned and released. 

Daniel J Bakowski, 43, of West Valley, was on a warrant on July 23, charging him with criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th. On Dec. 2, Bakowski was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. He was arraigned and released.

Kamau S. Freeman, 30, of Buffalo, is charged with robbery 3rd, criminal contempt 1st, criminal mischief 3rd, and grand larceny 4th. Freeman was arrested on July 14 in connection with an incident where he allegedly forcibly stole property and damaged it and, in the process, violated a court order. He was arraigned and released.

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes will once again present Summer Serenade, featuring the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.  

The Serenade will take place on Saturday, September 7, at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and a concert by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. A cash bar will be available.   

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and the United Way Backpack Program in Genesee County. 

The United Way Backpack Program provides easy-to-make meals for school-aged children in need throughout Genesee County. Currently, the program is supplying over 1,300 monthly meals to children throughout four school districts.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic, regional orchestra that presents an ambitious portfolio of concerts for the enrichment of our community through high-quality performance, educational opportunities, guest artists, and partnerships.   

Tickets for the Serenade are $50 and can be purchased through any Genesee Symphony Orchestra Board Member, Lawley Insurance in Batavia, or online at unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade.

Football stars, movie stars, and men and women successful in the business world came together at Terry Hills on Monday for a good cause -- making life better for children in Western New York.

It was the annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Classic.

The event raises money for Kelly For Kids, the charity founded by the former Bills' great to provide assistance to disadvantaged and disabled youth in the region.

Press Release:

To all traffic utilizing the following roadways:

• Brown Road – Wilkinson Road to Pembroke Townline
• Downey Road – Galloway Road to Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road
• Wortendyke Road – Route 33/Pearl Street Road to Alexander Townline

On August 14 from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., resurfacing operations will occur on the listed roads.

Traffic should expect delays and short-term closures during these operations. All through traffic should seek alternative routes.

Residents on the listed roads will be permitted access to their properties but may experience delays.

If you have any questions concerning this work, please contact the Town of Batavia Highway Department at (585) 343-1729, Extension 218.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs had an amazing season on the field, finishing first place overall in the West Division, and another amazing year off the field.

The Muckdogs kicked off the season walking in the annual Batavia Memorial Day Parade during training camp. Players & coaches visited local schools as well. 

Then the day before the season started the Muckdogs hosted a special meet & greet at Eli Fish Brewing, where season ticket holders met the Muckdogs.

As the season kicked off the Muckdogs hosted over 500 youth baseball & softball buddies during the year playing catch pre-game before games at Dwyer Stadium.

The Muckdogs hosted the Challenger Division Baseball for an incredible day as player & coach buddies, assisting players with physical and intellectual challenges throughout the day. Dwyer Stadium along with Muckdogs staff and players hosted baseball training camps as well, throughout the season. 

The Batavia Muckdogs teamed up with over 21 non-profits or charity organizations helping spread awareness and raise funds for their causes. On Friday, July 21, the Muckdogs hosted Strike-Out Cancer Night in partnership with Wilmot Cancer Institute. 

On July 6 the Muckdogs hosted Military Appreciation Night with all veterans receiving free entry. 

Thursday, July 18 the Muckdogs and Stop DWI teamed up to educate over 500 youth fans on driver safety. 

Then the Muckdogs closed out the regular season on July 28 collecting donations for the Genesee County Animal Shelter. 

Throughout the year the Muckdogs shared some great community programs with their Katie’s Star Memorial Fund Night (assisting in organ donor recovery), Live Like Levi (St. Joseph’s Schools), and First Responder Recognition (Honoring Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello).

Dwyer Stadium had some amazing visitors this season as well too. Buffalo Bills current rookie Guard Keaton Bills threw out a first pitch. Savannah Banana’s dancing first baseman Maceo Harris entertained fans at a game in June. In honor of the 2024 Olympics Jana Kolukanova 2x Olympian in swimming (sprint freestyle) representing Estonia came for a special appearance & first pitch as well. The Muckdogs also honored their baseball past hosting Batavia Clippers night with original 1939 Batavia Clipper Samuel “Sam” Dretto son throwing out the first pitch.

Dwyer Stadium will host several events before closing for the summer. Saturday August 10 Casella will have a company picnic & kickball game. Sunday August 25 the annual Battle of the Badges – Charity Softball Game (City of Batavia Police vs City of Batavia Fire). Then on Saturday October 19 Muckdogs Trick or Treat makes it’s return for the 4th straight year, a free event for the children of our community. 

The Batavia Muckdogs would like to thank their great community for all the support and are honored to keep the Batavia Muckdogs strong in our community. 2025 season tickets are on sale now starting as low as $99. If you are looking for tickets or to sponsor one of the upcoming events email General Manager (Marc Witt) mwitt.canusa@gmail.com.

The Pok-A-Dot is such an iconic location local filmmaker Andy Rich decided to shoot a scene on Saturday morning for a film he and a team of other local filmmakers are putting together for a film festival.

The festival, the 48-Hour Film Project, gives filmmakers just 48 hours to write a script, film it, edit it, and submit it to the contest.

The project can't begin before the Friday night of contest weekend because the team leader must receive two genres the filmmakers must choose from, the two characters that must be included, their professions, a prop and one line of dialogue that must be in the script.

This is the sixth year Rich's team has entered the contest.  They've previously made the Top 10 and been nominated for awards.

The Buffalo-area winners will be screened at an international film festival, Filmapolooza, at a location to be announced in 2025. Selected films from that festival will be screened in a special exhibit at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

"Every year, the film gets a little better," Rich said.

Rich likes filming in Genesee County.

"The thing about Genesee County is Genesee County has that feeling of comfort," Rich said.

He was grateful to Tim and Phyllis Beers for allowing the team to film a scene at the Pok-A-Dot.

"It feels like a place that everyone has been to wherever they are in America," Rich said. "It feels like places in small towns all over America."

You can view the 2019 entry here.

Previously: Le Roy actor offers opportunity, tools of the trade in free workshop

Photos by Howard Owens