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Victorian mourning customs among topics covered at HLOM in September

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. GCC professor, author, and historian Derek Maxfield will be sharing his presentation "Victorian Deathways" on the many customs surrounding mourning and death in Victorian era culture. "In light of the 200th anniversary of the great and historic Batavia Cemetery, it seems fitting to examine American attitudes towards death. This may seem morbid to some, but how a society observes death - like other milestones – tells us much about their culture and values. The Victorians, in particular, created a number of fascinating ways of observing death – from redesigning cemeteries to the language we use to talk about it. This talk will focus mainly on antebellum Victorian culture, roughly 1835 to the outbreak of the Civil War." Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343- 4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com. “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!”

Genesee County will soon be graced with two fantastic celestial events and Dan Schneiderman of the Rochester Museum of Science Center is heading our way to tell us everything we need to know! Join Dan for a FREE public talk being held at the Holland Land Office Museum on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. as he discusses the science & history of solar eclipses and how to prepare for this extraordinary astronomical opportunity. Reserve your seat by September 7 by phone or email at 585-343-4727; hollandlandoffice@gmail.comThis is a free event (Donations are always accepted for Holland Land Office Programming.) To learn more about how Genesee County is planning to celebrate these events please visit GeneSEEtheEclipse.com. “Genny the Cow” Genesee County’s eclipse mascot will also be on site for photo ops! 

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, Sept.14 at 7 p.m. This month's topic is the ship of the pilgrims, The Mayflower. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, September 21 at 7 p.m. We welcome local presenter and researcher Joseph Van Remmen, as he shares his well-researched theory of how the city of Buffalo got its name. There are a number of theories thrown around, but Mr. Van Remmen's is one you might not have heard of until now. Admission is $5/$3 for museum members. “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!”

Come to the Holland Land Office Museum on Saturday, September 23 from 1 - 4  p.m. as local author Rob Thompson will be signing copies of all of his works. Rob lives in Attica and is most known for his books on the Linden Murders, but he has also just written a new book on the Sullivan Campaign of the Revolutionary War, "Behold & Blush: The Sullivan Expedition", which was waged against the Seneca in the Genesee Valley. He will also have copies of other works including Candles in the Rain and Swinging in the Rain. Copies of each of his books will be available. Prices range from $10-$15. 

The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Java with Joe E. morning presentation series on Thursday, September 28 at 9 a.m. The museum welcomes the Town of Batavia Historian, Bernida Scoins, as she shares the life and works of Batavia native author John Gardner. Bernida will also have artifacts and items related to Gardner for display. Admission is free with coffee and donuts. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Five years on top: Tompkins Insurance honored as a 'best practices' agency

By Press Release

Press Release:

In a significant milestone, Tompkins Insurance Agencies has been designated a “Best Practices” Agency, recognizing it as part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies across the United States for the fifth consecutive year. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) has included the Batavia-based agency in its “Best Practices” group for five years running. After a full review of its financial stability and operational excellence, Tompkins Insurance was one of the 282 agencies to qualify, chosen from more than 2,600 independent agencies nationwide that were nominated. 

The Big “I” and Reagan Consulting of Atlanta, GA have collaborated since 1993 to conduct this annual study of industry-leading independent insurance agencies. The study focuses on business practices including revenue growth and profitability, financial stability, expense management, and sales and operations productivity.

“We are incredibly honored to be named a ‘Best Practices’ agency for five years in a row,” said David S. Boyce, president and CEO of Tompkins Insurance. “The five-year milestone is significant and tells us that our goal of serving communities within Western New York, Central New York and Southeastern Pennsylvania with personalized, premium and local services is working. And we will continue working to serve those clients well in the many years to come.”

This recognition joins another: Tompkins Insurance has again been ranked #79 of the Top 100 commercial insurance agencies in the U.S., by Insurance Journal.

Sister Mary Maude streaking in NYSS at Batavia on Friday

By Tim Bojarski
sister-mary-maude-photo-by-jessica-hallett.jpg
Photo of Sister Mary Maude courtesy of Jessica Hallett.

The New York Sire Stakes will make its final 2023 visit to Batavia Downs on Friday (September 1) when two $51,500 divisions of 2-year-old trotting fillies will line up to vie for the $103,000 in purse money and the statistical leader in this category will be on hand to compete. 

Sister Mary Maude (Crazy Wow-Perfect Mass) is the current points leader of this NYSS demographic and comes into this race on a five-race win streak, four of which were consecutive NYSS wins. She recently became a member of the Burke Brigade after they acquired her on July 3 and Sister Mary Maude has provided those connections with three wins already. She was scratched sick in her last engagement at Vernon Downs meaning she’s been off over two weeks. But with post one in a short field, Sister Mary Maude will look to extend her win total to six for trainer Ron Burke, who has Jordan Stratton in the bike for this week’s competition. 

Looking to prevent that from happening is Sadbirdstillsing (Chapter Seven-Fade Into You) who did compete in the NYSS at Vernon and won in 1:56.3 to take a new lifetime mark. That was her first win of the year but it came on the heels of three very close second-place finishes, the last two being only by a head. With that maiden tag finally behind her, Sadbirdstillsing will try to start a streak of her own with Tyler Buter at the lines for trainer Tony Alagna.

The other group of girls finds Erin (E L Titan-Blurred) the track handicapper’s early choice although she’s winless to this point. She has five-lifetime starts, all in NYSS action, and has hit the board three times. Erin has good gate speed and with post one, should be able to control this race from the start. Jim Morrill Jr. will drive for trainer Dan Daley. 

Crowbar Girl (Chapter Seven-Miss Trixton) has seven-lifetime starts and has tasted victory in her first and most recent outings. However in between she’s been unpredictable, to say the least. That said, she has the fastest lifetime mark of the group (1:57.1) as well as the highest earnings this year ($34,281) so she is definitely a player. Jordan Stratton will drive Crowbar Girl from post four for Ron Burke. 

There are also two $20,000 NYSS Excelsior divisions on the program and those splits will be contested in races eight and nine. The NYSS main events are carded as races six and seven. 

Free full card 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.

Morrill wins six including feature at Batavia

By Tim Bojarski
miss-rockadali-1.jpg
Photo of Miss Rockadali courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Jim Morrill Jr. had the hot hand in the bike on Wednesday as he won six times during the 13 race card. His biggest tally came with Miss Rockadali, who led at every station en route to victory in the $15,000 fillies and mares Open I Handicap at Batavia Downs on Wednesday evening (August 30).

Morrill left with Miss Rockadali and out-dueled Imprincessgemma A (Kevin Cummings) for the lead in the scratch-shortened field of six, establishing that position at the :27.3 quarter. After settling on the cones, Miss Rockadali slowed the second quarter down to:30.1 forcing Diamondtequilashot (Joe Chindano Jr.) and Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) into the outer flow, eventually going two and three wide moving towards three-quarters. Summer Slash eventually drew alongside Miss Rockadali in the turn and looked like she meant business. But her bid fell apart in the stretch where Miss Rockadali kept her lead to the wire while holding off Imprincessgemma A and a fast closing Bet I’m Lucky (Jim McNeight Jr.) to win in 1:55.1. 

It was the seventh win of the year and 37th lifetime for Miss Rockadali ($3.20) whose lifetime earnings now total $305,655 for owners Team Italia Racing and Lisette Mota. It was one of three wins for trainer Russell Bratt on Wednesday. 

Besides the already mentioned Miss Rockadali, Morrill also won with Charmbo Orbit (1:57.4, $10.00), A Black Diamond (1:56.2, $3.10), Triumphant’s Chip (2:00.2, $3.80), BJ Anthony (2:00.3, $15.40) and Skyway Venus (1:56.3, $5.60) to complete his six pack. 

In the secondary featured $11,000 mid-level condition for distaff pacers, Center Attraction (Jim McNeight Jr.) pulled first-over at the half and started cutting into the lead of the front running Carbon Cider (Joe Chindano Jr.) up the backstretch. Center Attraction drew even with Carbon Cider at three-quarters, matched strides with her around the last turn, and then paced clear in deep stretch by 1-¼ lengths to win in 1:56. 

Center Attraction ($3.20) is owned by her trainer Robert Anderson, in partnership with Pamela Schieber.    

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday (September 1) at 6 p.m. there will be a $9,506 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta in the 12th race. 

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.

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Photo of Center Attraction courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Sponsored Post: Did you know Reliant works with some of the areas top Investors/Entrepreneurs

By Lisa Ace
Reliant Real Estate

194 Washington Avenue Batavia-City
Looking for a professional business setting? Look no further-this is a great space and offers so much exposure in an area that is revamping and expanding! This space offers a large reception/office, waiting area, 4 private offices and 2 baths. There is also an enclosed foyer and one office has its own entrance door for possibility of sublet. Great opportunity and landlord open to discussion

County announces attendance safety measures for Wings Over Batavia

By Press Release
wings over batavia parking
The Wings Over Batavia parking plan.

Press release:

Genesee County officials are committed to ensuring a safe environment for the Wings Over Batavia Air Show at the Genesee County Airport, scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3. Wings Over Batavia, the independently owned and operated agency responsible for this event, is working closely with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Genesee County Emergency Management to ensure public safety remains at the forefront of preparations.

Comprehensive Safety Measures
Genesee County is committed to overseeing comprehensive safety measures. The Genesee County Sheriff's Office, New York State Troopers, and City of Batavia Police are coordinating efforts to help ensure public safety. Various emergency services providers will be present at the event to uphold public safety standards.

Emergency Services and Special Effects
Planned explosions, pyrotechnic displays, and fireworks will be handled exclusively by the event organizers. Attendees and residents are informed not to dial 911 for these planned activities, as emergency services will be on site.

Traffic Control
Leading up to and during the event on Sept. 2 and Sept. 3, State Street Road will be closed from West Saile Drive north to Batavia Elba Townline Road, and West Saile Drive will be closed from the Milton Cat building to the storage barns on the east side of the airport. Motorists are asked to pay attention to signs and flaggers, exercise extreme caution and be alert to changing conditions. Pedestrians must follow marked paths and signage.

Information and Guidelines
For further details about the show and other pertinent information, please visit:

https://wingsoverbatavia.com/

Elba farmer makes Batavia's first legal weed purchase at Empire Hemp

By Howard B. Owens
empire hemp first legal weed purchase
Historic moment: Matthew Starowitz, an Elba farmer, makes the first legal marijuana purchase in Batavia at a new dispensary inside Empire Hemp.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Matthew Starowitz arrived at Empire Hemp early this afternoon, well before the 1 p.m. opening time for legal cannabis sales, with the goal of being the first customer to make a legal weed purchase in Batavia.

Goal accomplished.

"That's the way I was raised," Starowitz said. "You support local people, and so you're there; you're the first one."

It's been a struggle to bring legal cannabis sales to Batavia as state regulators figure out the ins and outs of licensing and legal distribution. Empire Hemp has had products ready to sell for some time.  With the "pop-up" store, called the Cannabis Growers Showcase, opening on Tuesday, they've been allowed to open to cannabis buyers on a limited basis.

The adult-use dispensary for licensed cultivators of high-quality cannabis products will run from 1 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday through Saturday through Dec. 30. 

It provides local shoppers with the opportunity to purchase certified cannabis products, but the showcase opens the door for Empire Hemp to sell its THC products as well. Typically, the state doesn’t allow one company to be a grower, a processor and a retailer, VanDusen said, and this will allow his company to sell Empire Hemp products through Dank as the retailer set up within Empire Hemp shop. 

Starowitz said he was happy the long process of marijuana legalization has gotten to the point that there is now a locally owned and operated retail location in Batavia.

"I've smoked it since I was like 12 years old," Starowitz said. "I'm 35 years old now. I have always loved it. It's just always been that way. So now that it's legal 100 percent, I'm going to support it locally."

He purchased several different products as a kind of sampler.

"I feel like I just want to sample everything that they have here, at least as far as sativa and sativa hybrids, because then I'll figure out what I like, you know," Starowitz said. "I think that this is better than the stuff I'll ever get from the Res because a lot of their stuff is unregulated. It's not lab-tested. At least this here is legit and lab-tested."

Why sativa?
"Because with indica, I feel like I get too lazy, and I really don't want to do too much," Starowitz said. "Whereas with sativa, I'm always active and going around and doing things. "I'm a vegetable farmer, so sativa is for me as the way to go. This way, I don't get lazy."

Previously: Making history: first-time legal cannabis sales begin Tuesday at Empire Hemp in Batavia

empire hemp first legal weed purchase
Empire Hemp's Chris VanDusen opens the door to his shop at 1 p.m. for the first time with a legal pot dispensary.
Photo by Howard Owens.
empire hemp first legal weed purchase
The first potential customers for the new legal marijuana dispensary in Batavia enter the store."
Photo by Howard Owens.
empire hemp first legal weed purchase
Photo by Howard Owens.
empire hemp first legal weed purchase
Photo by Howard Owens.

Former parochial school principal suspected of violating terms of plea agreement

By Howard B. Owens
Jason Clark

A former parochial school principal in Batavia who admitted to a course of sexual conduct with a child less than 11 years old is facing the possibility of having his interim probation revoked.

A hearing will be held in October to help Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini determine if he's violated the terms of his probation by telling probation officers that, contrary to his guilty plea, he has never been sexually attracted to children.

When Jason Clark, who was principal at St. Paul Lutheran School, entered his plea, District Attorney Kevin Finnell said Clark made a factual admission, by definition of his guilty plea, that he had sexual contact with a child to satisfy his sexual desires.

Clark's statement to a probation officer during his pre-sentence investigation interview, according to Finnell, is that Clark isn't and never was sexually attracted to children, and that statement, Finnell asserts, is inconsistent with his sworn admission in court. 

That constitutes a violation of the warnings Clark was given by Cianfrini at the time of his guilty plea.

In June, Clark entered a guilty plea to sexual conduct against a child in the second degree, Class D felony.  Under the terms of the plea, Clark agreed to surrender his teaching license and was placed on interim supervision by the Probation Department for one year.

If he successfully completes interim probation, Clark can change his plea to endangering the welfare of a child, which is a misdemeanor. 

As part of his plea, Clark made a factual admission that he touched the chest of a female child two or more times over a period of time not less than three months in duration.

Cianfrini ordered a hearing, which will likely include testimony from the probation officer, for 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 17. 

Clark was named principal at St. Paul in June 2019 and served in that position until sometime in 2022. He was arrested in January.

Making history: first-time legal cannabis sales begin Tuesday at Empire Hemp in Batavia

By Joanne Beck
Chris Vandusen, CEO of Empire Hemp, behind the
Chris VanDusen, CEO of Empire Hemp, behind the cannabis sales counter at his company's retail shop on East Main Street. On Tuesday at 1 p.m., the empty shelves in the cannabis room will be filled with legal weed products from various vendors selling marijuana legally in Batavia for the first time.
Photo by Howard Owens.

A line down the sidewalk.

That’s all anybody could hope for, and Empire Hemp founder Chris VanDusen and his eight suppliers — cannabis cultivators and processors bringing in product for the 204 E. Main St., Batavia Empire Hemp store beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday — will happily and hopefully be watching the street side form with customers.

“For us, it's a huge thing for us. People always ask -- they want our THC products, and we haven't been able to sell to them because we're not allowed to. So to be able to have this opportunity is really great,” VanDusen said during a busy Monday of preparing for opening day of the Cannabis Growers Showcase. “So we have a range of products, flower products, prerolls, you know, a lot of whole flower from … all the other vendors are cultivators. So it's all their stuff. We're hoping that we have a line down the sidewalk is what we're really hoping for. We're just just hoping for a really big turnout. We just found out last week we got approved to do it, so you know we've been scrambling to get everything out there.”

Greenside Cannabis, in partnership with Dank, Buffalo’s first licensed adult-use dispensary, and Empire Hemp Co., is hosting the WNY Cannabis Growers Showcase, a pop-up adult-use dispensary for licensed cultivators of high-quality cannabis products, which will run from 1 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday through Saturday through Dec. 30. 

Not only will it provide local shoppers with opportunity to purchase certified cannabis products, but the showcase opens the door for Empire Hemp to sell its THC products as well. Typically, the industry doesn’t allow for one company to be grower, processor and retailer, VanDusen said, and this will allow his company to sell his products through Dank as the retailer set up within Empire Hemp. 

He’s got three flavors of THC gummies and three flavors of vape cartridges, plus more being developed in the lab to be launched soon, he said. Other participating cultivators and processors include Greenside Cannabis, Tarot Tokes, Flwr City, and House of Sacci, vendors “all the way from Jamestown to Niagara Falls to Rochester and everywhere in between,” he said, with a range of flower, edibles and vape products.

All participants are licensed by the state Office of Cannabis Management and are therefore authorized to sell directly to consumers. Would he have liked a larger window of more hours and days? Yes, of course, VanDusen said, but the OCM worked this out and adjusted the schedule to make it six hours a day for five days a week, “and we said, ‘no problem, that works,’” he said.

“But to be able to sell, so what it's gonna be is, we're partnered with Dank as the dispensary (from Buffalo), and they have set up their cash registers within our store. So they’re like a dispensary within our CBD store,” he said. “I think what it's going to be is, right now, they're looking at is like after January 1, there won't be any more, but if they don't get enough dispensaries opened by that time, I think they will extend it because it's the only way small brands can survive.”

Dank has been operating at 501 Main St., Buffalo, for six weeks and has been doing “excellent, way better than we thought we’d do,” owner Aaron Vancamp said. Not that he didn’t see the big influx at the start, but then expected traffic to ease up a bit after that, Vancamp said, and that’s not what’s happened.

“But it's actually increased and been increasing a little after that. So it's been really good,” he said. “We've become more efficient, though. So like, we're getting the customers, we still have the line. But then it's just like the rest, learning the payment processing and things like that to just get the customers out quicker.”

So they’ll be bringing those lessons to Batavia for some brisk sales in what VanDusen said will be a two-part process of checking IDs at one station and then cashing people out at the second one. Overall, Vancamp believes this showcase might just be a lifesaver for those in the cannabis business.

“It could be something that possibly saves the industry. It’s in dire straits, with the amount of stores that are open and the fresh crop coming in, people really need outlets to take care of that fresh crop if we could get a lot of these open and places like Batavia, where there’s like a good solid population, and Batavia’s been very welcoming of us, it wasn’t really tough, they were very glad to have us, and double the amount of revenue that we’re going to generate for them,” he said. “So basically, we think this could be something that saves you on the street for the time being until they can get more stores open and get things organized on the retail side.”

What are the benefits of these pop-ups? Convenience, established hours and locations for point-of-sale, and a coded product that a consumer can check to get the breakdown of how many milligrams it contains of THC or CBD, he said. 

“That’s especially helpful in dealing with the vapes or the edibles because you can actually break down your dosage and figure out what exactly you need,” Vancamp said. “In the other market, you don’t know what you’re getting. Sometimes it could be better. Sometimes it could be worse. Sometimes it could be something horrible. They’re dealing with old products or something like that. And you’re just better off with a more safe route here.”

How can customers trust the product? It’s all been lab tested, and each product has a certificate of analysis (COA) to prove that every one of them has been tested and is safe to consume, VanDusen said.

empire hemp cannabis
Cannabis products from Empire Hemp.

Police respond to Oak Street after receiving calls reporting gunshots in the area

By Howard B. Owens
shots fired
Investigators marked possible evidence locations on Oak Street, Batavia, following a report of gunshots in the area on Monday night.
Photo by Howard Owens

Police are investigating what appears to be a case of gunshots fired on Oak Street at around 10:50 p.m. on Monday night.

Witnesses said they heard five or six shots but that whoever was involved fled the scene quickly.

At about 10:50 p.m., dispatchers asked a patrol officer to switch to LE Secure (the encrypted channel for police communications), and another officer responded that he had heard gunshots while he was still inside the police station. 

The dispatcher said the 9-1-1 Center had received multiple calls.

A short time later, an officer reported that he had a person in custody, but a police source said that information was incorrect.

There is currently no official source of information available, and a police source said it is too early in the investigation to release much information.

A source said there are no reported injuries at this time.

There are City PD and Sheriff's patrols on scene on Oak Street, between La Cross Avenue/Charles Street and Allen Street.  There are also patrols strategically placed elsewhere in the city, but we've been unable to confirm that a suspect or suspects are still at large.

shots fired
Photo by Howard Owens

House on Prune Street heavily damage from fire that started in garage

By Howard B. Owens
10 prune street fire

There were no injuries, not to the residents, firefighters, nor to the family pets in a fire at 10 Prune St., Batavia, this evening, but there was significant damage to the residence, said City Fire Chief Josh Graham.

The garage, where the fire started, is a total loss.

"There is significant damage to the second story," Graham said. "It's pretty well a total loss, and there is a lot of water and smoke damage on the first floor."

Graham said City Fire received a call at about 6:22 p.m. of smoke coming from the garage.

"Crews saw smoke as soon as they pulled out of the fire station (on Evans Street)," Graham said. "When they got on scene, the garage was fully involved with an extension into the house. They declared a second alarm, and the Town of Batavia responded, Elba responded."

The residents were out of the house, and a dog and cat also escaped safely, Graham said.

The streets are narrow, and houses are close together in the Prune Street neighborhood. The Tully's parking lot was right behind the house. That made it tight quarters to maneuver trucks and fight the fire.

Unloading hoses quickly and getting them into place quickly was difficult.

"One thing I will say is there's a house down here with a 16-year-old that came out and saw us struggling to pull a hose down, and he grabbed ahold of that hose and helped pull the hose down," Graham said. "Moving all that hose, getting everything in place with everything else around in the house was the hardest part."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A neighboring house sustained some heat damage.

Property tax records indicate the house is owned by James and Peggy Benedict. It was built in 1900 and remodeled in 1970. 

(Initial Report)

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

10 prune street fire
10 prune street fire
10 prune street fire
10 prune street fire
10 prune street fire

Photos below by Frank Capuano.

10 prune street fire
10 prune street fire
10 prune street fire

Famous residents of Batavia historic cemetery visit 'Tea and Spirits'

By Press Release
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Photo of (from left to right) Charley Boyd as Dean Richmond, Lucine Kauffman as Mary Richmond, and Ryan Duffy as Eli Fish standing with a portrait of Dean Richmond.
Photo courtesy of Don Burkel.

Press Release: 

"Tea and Spirits" at the Holland Land Office Museum(HLOM) was visited by Dean Richmond, Mary Richmond, and Eli Fish, famous residents of the Historic Batavia Cemetery. They entertained the crowd at a 200th-anniversary tea party on Sunday, August 20. Tales of their lives, accomplishments, and local, state, and national influence were told and enjoyed by all in attendance. 

One more "Tea and Spirits" with sweet treats and savory bites is scheduled for September 17 at 2 p.m. Famous Civil War General John Martindale, Fouierist and social reformer Albert Brisbane, and poet Reverend John Yates will be in attendance. Reservations are required, tickets may be obtained by calling the museum at 343-4727. Tickets are $20 for HLOM members and $25 for non-members. Hurry, space is limited!

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Photo of Lucine Kauffman as Mary Richmond(left) and Charley Boyd as Dean Richmond(right). Photo courtesy of Don Burkel.
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Photo of the crowd enjoying the presentation at “Tea and Spirits”. 
Photo courtesy of Don Burkel.
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Photo of (from left to right) Lucine Kauffman as Mary Richmond, Charley Boyd as Dean Richmond, and Ryan Duffy as Eli Fish. 
Photo courtesy of Don Burkel.

Photos: Ghost Riders celebrate 30th year at Batavia Country Club

By Howard B. Owens
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Kay McDonald.
Photo by Howard Owens.

More than 300 people turned out Sunday afternoon at Batavia Country Club for a free concert by the Ghost Riders, celebrating the group's 30 years of providing Genesee County with a hardcore country soundtrack.

Previously: For the love of the music: Ghost Riders still kickin' 30 years into their career

Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Bill McDonald.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Charlie Hetrick sitting in on bass (in place of Bill Pitcher).  Hetrick was one of several local musicians and former members who sat in for some songs during the concert.
Keith Worthington, foreground, on lead guitar.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Photo by Howard Owens.
Ghost Riders 30th anniversary
Gene "Sandy" Watson
Photo by Howard Owens.

Fire hydrant flushing on city's south side starts Tuesday

By Press Release

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Tuesday, August 29, and Wednesday, August 30 from approximately 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the general area of South of E. Main St. and West of Jackson St.  

Homes and businesses nearby will be affected.  These tests may result in a temporary discoloration of water in that area.  As in the past, please do not attempt to wash any clothing if your water appears discolored.  If you do experience a discoloration of your water, run cold water for about 5 minutes or until clear.

This annual testing is essential to maintain the communities' class III Insurance Services Office (ISO) public protection classification and to assure that fire hydrants are operating efficiently for fire protection purposes. 

Along with maintaining the fire rating, the test monitors the health of the city's water system, identifies weak areas in the system, and removes material that settles in the water lines. Checking each hydrant improves fire department personnel's knowledge of the hydrant locations.

If you have any questions or should notice a hydrant in need of repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

WNY native has made a career of paying tribute to the King, brings Elvis act to Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens
Rick Alviti as Elvis
Photo courtesy Rick Alviti 

When you look like Elvis -- to the point that people have a tendency to stop you in the street unless you wear a bit of a disguise -- and can sing like the King, there's a natural path to take in life, especially if you're already living in the entertainment capital of the world.

That's the situation former singing bartender and Niagara Falls native Rick Alviti found himself in more than 20 years ago when his career as an Elvis impersonator started in Hollywood.

That life path brings him and his show, "That's the Way It Was," to Batavia Downs at 7 p.m. Sept. 9.

"I like the people I meet," said Alviti when asked what he enjoys about his career. "I meet the nicest people. They're always so kind to me.  When I'm out in stores or restaurants, people come up to me because I have this Elvis resemblance, and sometimes I wear a hat when I'm out, but when they come up to me, I always give them a card and invite them to a show. That's what I do for a living. 

"Meeting people, especially the people who love Elvis, is the best part. They're excited to meet because they love Elvis.  I'm fortunate to have that connection, and to me, that's a good thing."

After attending North Tonawanda High School, Alviti moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career.  He landed a job at Dimples, a bar across from the NBC Studio that was a favorite entertainment industry hangout.  His gimmick was signing while he poured drinks, and already a huge Elvis Presley fan, he sang a lot of Elvis songs.  But Alviti had a beard, so nobody yet noticed his resemblance to Tupolo's most famous son.

He landed an acting job and had to cut his hair and shave his beard.  That's when, he said, everyone started calling him "Elvis."

He decided to get an agent and began getting serious about studying Elvis Presley's moves, watching his movies, and learning his songs. He got some gigs in Las Vegas and then the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sponsored him on a national tour.

After his parents moved to Myrtle Beach, he visited them knowing, too, that J.D. Sumner and the Stamps (Sumner was long associated with Presley), had a long-term residency at a theater in Myrtle Beach. That led to meeting the theater owner, and after Sumner's death, Alviti got an offer to set up an Elvis tribute show at the theater. 

That was a residency with a 12-piece band that lasted for years.

Doing two shows a day really helped him refine his Elvis impersonation, he said.

His career has led to shows all over the U.S. and several in Las Vegas, including at the Winn, the Mirage, and the Gold Coast. 

That's where he met the Jordinairs (once backup singers to Elvis), he said. They became friends, and he performed with them.  He's also performed with the Stamps.

He also played a birthday party for a playmate at Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion, where he met  Hefner, whom he said was a nice guy. He was provided one of the mansion's many bathrooms (he guessed 27) as a changing room but kept getting interrupted by people wanting to use it for "one of two things," as he put it.

As for acting, being Elvis has opened doors there, too.  He played in a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and was cast as Elvis in episodes of “ER” and “One Tree Hill.” He also played Elvis is a Rusty Wallace commercial for Miller Lite.

Alviti now splits time between Buffalo and South Carolina.  When he's in the northeast, he tours with a five-piece band of guys mostly based in and around New York City.  In South Carolina, he has another band, though when he's in the Nashville area, his band is led by the son of DJ Fontana (Presley's former drummer).

Tribute bands are a big deal now, but until Elvis impersonators, as they were called then, came along in the 1980s, musicians either played in cover bands or bands that played their own songs.

Impersonating some other act to the point of trying to sound exactly like that act and putting on their costumes was an industry waiting to be born.

"When I started out, there were maybe nine guys who did an Elvis tribute," Alviti said. "You had to look the part and sing the part and entertain the audience. Now there's probably 9,000 guys doing it."

He said it's probably for Elvis impersonators to get a start now, and a lot of guys doing it for "$200 and just to have fun. They just want to be Elvis for a bit.  What I do is a professional production." 

When he first started out, the Elvis Presley Estate was also much more concerned about Elvis impersonators, and he was contacted by representatives of Graceland.  He said he told them that he wasn't trying to convince people he was Elvis. He was performing as Rick Alviti.

"You're allowed to do a tribute to anybody. That's in law," Alviti said. 

When he was contacted, he said he told them, "I'm not saying I'm Elvis. I'm Rick Alviti. I happen to resemble him, but I'm not pretending to be Elvis."

He makes a point of calling his show "That's the Way It Was" without claiming to be Elvis Presley so he doesn't violate the estate's intellectual property rights. People who go to the show know they're seeing an Elvis tribute and not a substitute Elvis.

"Now. I think they've embraced tributes because it's helping keep the image alive," Alviti said.

He said his show is different from most Elvis tributes because it's interactive. He gets the audience involved.  He performs many of the songs it expects to hear, such as "Suspicious Minds" and "A Little Less Conversation," and his set can change on the fly.

"I try to gauge the audience," Alviti said. "If I'm doing too many ballads, I'll add in some faster things, stuff that gets everybody going.  I think I have a good sense of what the audience wants to hear."

While this show will be the "jumpsuit Elvis," he does do the "leather Elvis" at some of his appearances when the show includes an intermission.

"Elvis is great because there's four eras," Alviti said.  "There's the early Elvis, the movie-era Elvis, the leather-wearing comeback-era Elvis, and the Vegas years."

This will be Alviti's first appearance in Batavia.

"I invite everybody to come out and enjoy themselves," Alviti said. "We will have a wonderful time. That's what it's all about, making people happy and making sure everybody enjoys the music of Elvis."

Rick Alviti as Elvis
Photo courtesy Rick Alviti 
Rick Alviti as Elvis
Photo courtesy Rick Alviti 

Covered Bridge wins Kane Invitational at Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski
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Photo of Covered Bridge courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

A large trackside crowd was treated to a robust card of racing at Batavia Downs on Saturday night (August 26) that was headlined by the track’s signature event, the $75,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace. A full field of eight top Open pacers went postward with Covered Bridge taking the winner’s share of the purse after a dominating finish. 

Covered Bridge (Jordan Stratton) got away fifth as This Is The Plan (Joe Bongiorno) dashed off the gate and crossed over to the lead before the :27.2 quarter. Bongiorno then proceeded to back down the half to :56.3, forcing a first-over move by Idealsomemagic A (Tyler Buter) and Covered Bridge. With the field now in two rows, the top four positions remained unchanged to three-quarters and into the far turn where Idealsomemagic A took the lead from This Is The Plan and Covered Bridge tipped three-deep around Idealsomemagic A. At the top of the stretch, Covered Bridge drew even with Idealsomemagic A before bolting to the line on top by 1-¾ lengths under a line drive by Stratton in 1:52. 

On the strength of his third straight win, Covered Bridge ($3.60) became the sports newest millionaire, with earnings now totalling $1,032,175 for owner Mark Ford. Jeff Gillis was the winning trainer. 

The New York Sire Stakes were also on hand Saturday with three divisions featuring both genders of 3-year-old trotters. 

The colts and geldings lined up first with one field of seven vying for $119,800 where Chapercraz (Crazy Wow-Chapress) was much the best.

Chapercraz (Joe Bongiorno) sat in third, tracking fast first half fractions of :27.4 and :55.4 set by Wild Bill Kelso (Jim Morrill Jr.). Wild Bill Kelso took a three length lead into the second circuit but Bongiorno moved quickly from third with Chapercraz and by three-quarters they were on top. Chaprcraz crossed over in the last turn while Bongiorno bounced relentlessly in the bike into deep stretch where Chapercraz hit the light on top by 3-¾ lengths in 1:54. 

The winning time established a new lifetime mark for Chapercraz and was only one-fifth of a second shy of the Batavia Downs track record for 3-year-old trotting geldings. 

With the win, Chapercraz ($10.00) boosted his 2023 earnings to $336,632 for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura. Ron Burke trains the Chapercraz who was bred by Purple Haze Stable. 

The fillies went in two short fields and the first, valued at $57,000, was won by Usosweet Blue Chip (Devious Man-Twin B Kisses) who led from gate to wire. 

Usosweet Blue Chip (Marcus Miller) out-trotted Midwind Success (Jordan Stratton) for the lead and set up shop on the point just past the five-eighths. From there she rattled off three identical:29.2 quarters while Midwind Success and Five Fish Species (Mark Macdonald) attempted to keep up. Those efforts fell short and Usosweet Blue Chip turned for home and pulled away by 3-½ lengths to win as Miller sat chilly in 1:56.4. 

Usosweet Blue Chip ($5.00) is owned by the Erv Miller Stable and Douglas Overheiser and is trained by Erv Miller. Blue Chip Bloodstock bred Usosweet Blue Chip. 

The second set of trotting fillies were in pursuit of $58,100 and Royal Filly (Chapter Seven-Swinging Royalty) was absolutely peerless on this night. 

Jean’s Action (Kevin Cummings) advanced to the front by the eighth pole and led for a handful of pylons before Royal Filly (Tyler Buter) made a power move to the point and this lead was for good. Royal Filly stepped off quarters of :29.2, :58.3 and 1:27.1 while extending her lead from two to six to seven lengths at each station. With no one even remotely near her in the last turn, Royal Filly turned for home and completed her tour of the facility on top by 10-½ lengths in 1:56.2. 

Royal Filly ($2.20) is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, trained by Tony Alagna and was bred by Jonas Schlabach.

There were also four $20,000 NYSS Excelsior races on the card. The first was won by Kennebago (E L Titan-First Class Act) in 1:58.1 for driver Joe Bongiorno, trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi. The second went to Serendipity (Chapter Seven-Vida De Vie) in 1:58.1 for driver Marcus Miller, trainer George Ducharme and owners William Donovan, Jim Winske, Stephen Michaels and Joe Sbrocco. The third was won by Metro Matty (Met’s Hall-Order By Matilda) in 1:59.2 for driver Jason Bartlett, trainer John Butenschoen and owner Bay Pond Racing Stable. And the fourth was won by Seven Over (Chapter Seven-Overpowering Lindy) for driver Jason Bartlett, trainer Per Engblom and owners VIP Internet Stable, Rich Preziotti, Heritage Standardbreds and Timothy Drag.

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (August 30) at 6 p.m. there will be a $8,813 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race. 

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.

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Photo of Chapercraz courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
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Photo of Royal Filly courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

Morrill sweeps features at Batavia Downs

By Tim Bojarski
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Photo of Mugshots Bro courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

The trotters were on full display under the Friday night (August 25) lights at Batavia Downs but the spotlight fell directly on driver Jim Morrill Jr., who choreographed the journeys of the winners of the top two events. 

In the $15,000 Open I Handicap trot, Morrill put Makadushin N Cheez on the point and then sat chilly for the next eight furlongs. Makadushin N Cheez put up easy fractions of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:26.4 before taking his 3-½ length lead into the last turn. Morrill stayed reclined behind Makadushin N Cheez as Lougazi (Ray Fisher Jr.) tried to employ his patented late rally in the stretch. But there would be no change in the order this week as Makadushin N Cheez just cruised across the line in 1:56. 

It was the 23rd lifetime win in only the 67th lifetime start for the high percentage Makadushin N Cheez ($5.30) who is owned by Joe D’ Agostino, Molly D’Agostino, Phillip Kadushin and David Dewhurst, who also trains the winner. 

In the undercard $13,000 Open II trot, Morrill took no prisoners with Mugshots Bro, who grabbed an early lead and maintained a 1-½ length lead to three-quarters. CR Blazin Beauty (Dave McNeight III) and Good Boy (Ray Fisher Jr.) tried their best to catch the leader around the last turn, but when Mugshots Bro hit the top of the stretch, he bolted home to a 3-¾ length victory in a seasonal best 1:57.1. 

Mugshots Bro ($3.90) is owned by Herman Niedhammer and Herman Niedhammer Jr. and is trained by Rose Russo. 

Morrill ended the night with a total of three wins on the strength of his natural hat trick in races eight, nine and ten, but Dave McNeight III led all reinsmen with a grand slam. Also, trainers Rose Russo and Lee Dahn both scored doubles. 

The biggest win mutuel of the year so far occurred in race four when Coco Hall (Jim McNeight Jr.) out-trotted the heavily favored Crews Hilltopper (Jim Morrill Jr.) to the line by a head in 1:59.3 and paid $129.00 to win. 

When live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (August 26) at 6 p.m. there will be a $7,322 carryover in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta in the 15th race. 

Also on Saturday, Batavia Downs will host its richest card of racing this summer when a total of $467,400 in purses will be up for grabs. The card features both colt and filly divisions of New York Sire Stake and Excelsior 3-year-old trotters with total purses of $294,900 and the $75,000 Kane Memorial Invitational Pace, which is Batavia Downs signature race. 

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.

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Photo of Makadushin N Cheez courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.

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