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John Kennedy Intermediate School held its annual Mud Run on Wednesday.

City Fire supplied the water.

Photos by Howard Owens.

A college professor told Deborah Wood, when she was working on her senior thesis, something that she has carried throughout her career: "It only takes one person at a time to get the stories told and the will to do so."

As the special collections librarian, helping people tell their stories has been a big part of her job, and that's one reason the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution honored her as A Woman in American History on Monday.

For a woman to become a member of DAR, she must produce a genealogy that demonstrates an ancestor who assisted in the Revolutionary War effort.

"When I left teaching to pursue librarianship, I thought that part of my professional life was over, but in late 2021, the idea of history by the hearth was born in support of the library's mission, the local history collection, and by telling the people's stories of the journey through the Genesee Country region from a local and national perspective," Wood said. "When I was approached to collaborate with the DAR, to tell the stories of Deputy Husbands, women who provided direct support to the revolutionary patriots, and those that kept the home fires burning, I never blinked an eye."

Wood has a BA in history and a MA in history and public history from Brockport State College, and a MA in information and library science from the University at Buffalo.

At Richmond, she's organized many history lectures and discussions as well as conducted classes on genealogy.

The award recognizes women who have contributed or made a difference in their communities and who are or have been intellectual, educational, social, religious, political and significant or cultural innovators. 

Robin Ettinger, NY vice-chair of the prospective member database, said the more than one million DAR members nationwide have been through genealogy research, looking for documents that connect them to a Revolutionary War patriot. 

"Today, we have a large amount of information at our fingertips through the internet through the web," Ettinger said. "But a large percentage of the documents that we use and our members use are actually housed in churches, historical societies and local libraries."

Ettinger noted that the Richmond Memorial Library has received growing attention under Wood's guidance, and DAR members have noticed its dedication to genealogical research.

"Under her stewardship of the local history collection, she has made this library an excellent place to be in a person's family history research," Ettinger said. "Her mission of genealogy at the library helps her assist the researcher in discovering their story."

She said anybody with something to learn about genealogy would benefit from Wood's guidance.

"I recommend that if you are a new genealogist or if you just need a refresher course, you look her up when she's holding her genealogy workshops," Ettinger said. "Then, she can introduce you to all the tools available to research genealogy."

Wood said the award recognizes not merely her own efforts but all who support history in the library.

"I'm indebted to many -- our board of trustees, our present and past library directors and their support of the local history, the genealogy collection, History by the Hearth and Genealogy at the Library, where our collective memory lives, our stories are told, and our patrons discover the stories of their revolutionary ancestors in Genesee County," she said.

On Tuesday, Genesee County's Office for the Aging commemorated Older Americans Month with an open house at its community center on Bank Street in Batavia.

The agency is also approaching its 50th anniversary, which it will mark on June 1.

The open house was intended to help the entire community better understand the service available, but especially older adults who are new to the area or those who have recently turned 60 or 65, said Diana Fox, executive director.

The office offers various services to local residents age 60 and older, including support for caregivers, in-home services, meals, a nutrition program, help with services for seniors, and activities for seniors.

"You know, people sometimes say that it's kind of the best-kept secret, but I think one of the things that are so great about (the Office for the Aging) is that these are services that are available for the community that, for the most part, don't cost anything. People don't realize what we have to offer. And I'm just so proud of the staff and their commitment. The people who come here, and they work here for years and then sometimes retire from the Office for the Aging because it's such a great place to be, and we love the people who come in to see us."

Photos by Howard Owens.

Photographer Jennifer DiQuattro decided to take a nature walk in Dewitt Recreation Area on Tuesday and found herself on the Ellicott Trail.  Here are her photos from her stroll.

Registration is now open for the Boxcar Derby, sponsored by the Business Improvement District, and to be held at Centennial Park on Aug. 17.

The first opportunity to register is today at John Kennedy Intermediate School, 166 Vine St., Batavia, during the Mud Run, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 7:30 p.m.

There are 32 positions available.  The entry fee is $20 per racer.  There will be a BID Boxcar Derby booth at the Mud Run. The race is open to children ages 7 to 10.

“We encourage our racers to show their talents, personalities, and dedication,” Maute said. “My Cut Barbershop and our BID leaders do that daily in their businesses and our community, and we applaud them for sponsoring one of our great racers this year.” 

“We encourage our racers to show their talents, personalities, and dedication,” said BID Director Shannon Maute. “My Cut Barbershop and our BID leaders do that daily in their businesses and our community, and we applaud them for sponsoring one of our great racers this year.”

Additional forms will be available by request to Maute at director@downtownbataviany.com. 

“We’re excited to host another great day of fun, family-friendly activities as we celebrate the skills and sportsmanship of our racers,” Maute said.

My Cut Barbershop hosted a kick-off event recently.
 

Press Release:

The Batavia City School District (BCSD) is proud to acknowledge the Batavia High School Production Club’s recent success at the Rochester Broadway Theater League’s (RBTL) Stars of Tomorrow Competition held on Friday, May 10.

BHS was recognized for its March 2024 production of Footloose. 

45 schools in the Rochester area participated in this year’s competition, and Batavia High School’s production of Footloose received the following recognition from the RBTL:

• Excellence in Acting Ensemble
• Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
• Excellence in Dance Ensemble
• Excellence in Student Orchestra

Additionally, all of BHS’s eligible leads were recognized for Excellence in a Leading Role:

• Lilyana Burke
• Melania deSa e Frias 
• Ephraim Hanna
• Gavynn Trippany
• Peyton Woeller
• Kate Woodward

BHS Production Club Director Caryn Wood individually submitted honorees for “Future Star” and “Director’s Special Recognition.”

“Future Stars” are middle or elementary school students who are recognized by their directors for Outstanding Individual Performances in their high school musical.

Adam Jursted was honored by Batavia. “Adam is a 6th grader and already in his second show with BHS Production Club. He is developing into a wonderful performer, but he is also just a fantastic young man. His smile and one-liner comebacks are notorious to everyone in our club. He is wonderful to work with, and he lights up the stage every time he steps onto it. We are so grateful that Adam joined our cast once again this year,” said Caryn Wood.

“Director’s Special Recognition” is for those going above and beyond in the production of their show.

Ayden Carlson and Emerson Fitch were honored by Batavia. “Ayden Carlson has been an MVP member of BHS Drama and Production Clubs since their freshman year. They have shown amazing growth as a performer but are also a phenomenal friend and support to their peers. Ayden brings fantastic character to every role they have played. They are kind, honest, and work extremely hard to help make all scenes they appear in better for everyone in them. Ayden is one of our very talented senior performers; we will miss them so much next year,” said Caryn Wood.

"As a new member of the BHS Production Club, Emerson Fitch has brought amazing energy to our group. She is always willing to pitch in and help, and she is a very strong performer. She brings brightness and enthusiasm to every scene she appears in and is a wonderful role model to her peers. Emerson always goes the extra mile to support her fellow cast members. We want to thank Emerson for being such a wonderful and positive member of this cast,” said Caryn Wood.

Superintendent Jason Smith had this to say about the club’s recent recognition: “I couldn’t be more proud of our BHS Production Club’s achievements at this year’s Stars of Tomorrow competition. The club’s production of Footloose was incredibly fun and dynamic, and I’m not surprised RBTL recognized this talented group of students. Special thanks to Caryn Wood for her longtime dedication and commitment to this wonderful program at BHS.”

“The BHS Production Club and cast of our musical Footloose were excited to participate in the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow Program this year,” said Caryn Wood. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to perform on a professional stage and receive well-deserved love and support from other performance students across the region. Our cast, crew, and musicians all deserve continual kudos and congratulations for their energetic, brave, and outstanding production of Footloose earlier this year. It was a wonderful night full of performances and displays of shared community. Every participating school district should be extraordinarily proud of the amazing student performers and their awesome compassionate support of one another.”

At the annual Stars of Tomorrow Recognition Ceremony, participating schools have the opportunity to perform a selection from their musical on stage at the Auditorium Theatre.  Recognition is given to schools with the highest scores in each of the adjudicated categories, and students are given a chance to shine. Additionally, select students recognized for leading roles at the Stars of Tomorrow Ceremony are eligible to compete in Stars of Tomorrow NYC Bound for the chance to represent Rochester, at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards.”

More information on the Rochester Broadway Theater League’s Stars of Tomorrow, including participating schools and productions, can be found here.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department would like to announce that Firefighter Craig Huntoon will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant effective June 12.

Firefighter Huntoon has served the residents of the City of Batavia since 2019. Prior to that, he was an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter in the Marine Corps. 

He has continually displayed a great deal of fire service knowledge and leadership ability. He has been and will continue to be an asset in his new role as Lieutenant for the 4th Platoon.

UPDATE: Xavier Ricks has been located and is safe.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating a runaway 15-year-old boy. 

Xavier Ricks was last seen on April 26 in Batavia. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and brown shoes. 

Xavier is about 5'11", 130 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. 

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350 or the NYS Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3543. Tips can also be submitted by clicking the "submit a tip" button at the bottom of this post on bataviapolice.org.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is once again partnering with Sunnking Sustainable Solutions to offer free electronic device collection and recycling for the community. 

Collection day will be Saturday, June 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the parking lot at 5130 E Main Street Rd. in Batavia. Pre-registration is requested of all attendees at the website https://form.jotform.com/Sunnking/eo-batavia---june-2024.

“Recycling is a small but impactful way we can help keep our communities clean and I’m grateful to the good people at Sunnking Sustainable Solutions for partnering with me for another year of work,” Hawley said. “Anything from cell phones to computers to TVs can be recycled, so please, register today and help keep our communities clean!”

Press Release:

A partner of the Veterans Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) in Buffalo and Batavia, Western New York Independent Living, Inc. (WNYIL) received the sole contract for Veteran Directed Care (VDC) with the VA.  

While the Veteran Directed Care model is new to WNY, it has demonstrated success in self-directed care by Veterans across the nation. VA Medical Centers partner with non-profit Independent Living Centers to empower Veterans to employ their own aides (often already being provided by family members).

WNY Independent Living CEO, Douglas Usiak shares, “As an aging service-connected disabled Veteran myself, I am excited to know that my brother and sister Veterans will have the comfort to direct their own homecare needs and remain in their home of choice as long as possible. A secondary satisfaction to being involved in the launch of this program is the opportunity to work with the VAMC in the capacity of a partner, and not just one of their consumers of services. This partnership gives me the opportunity to advance my lifelong passion of promoting the Independent Living philosophy that believes that we all have a right to live in our homes, work in our communities, and engage in society as a person with a disability.”

A focus of this program is to reach the underserved rural parts of WNY where Veterans face provider shortages, geographic and distance barriers, limited broadband coverage which impairs their ability to participate in telehealth, and social determinants of health relative to rural living experiences (i.e., access to transportation, employment).  

To ensure a trust-built rapport with Veterans, WNY Independent Living has employed another Army Veteran, Thomas Patterson, to serve in the Person-Centered Counsellor role and interface directly with the Veterans in assessing their needs in their homes and communities. Veterans and Tom work together to build a Spending Plan to identify costs for their Personal Assistants and obtain any additional goods and services the Veteran requires to improve quality of life in their home and community.

The power of this Veteran Directed Care program can be recognized in the experiences of the individual Veterans who are participating in VDC. For example, a 94-year-old Veteran who functions independently in his own home and wants to remain there with some additional oversight for specific household tasks and community access – like going to the library for a new mystery novel, has employed his daughter-in-law for these functions.   Another Veteran depends on his granddaughter for activities of daily living and then she needs to go to her job in the community to support herself. Being able to be paid to continue the care she already provides to her “Poppy” will improve the quality of life for both. One thing is certain: their stories are being heard.

Crucial to WNY Independent Living’s successful launch as a VDC program, VDC Director Julie Andrews Krieger expresses gratitude for the mentorship of the other providers in the VDC community, including the Independent Living Center of Hudson Valley and VA Medical Center in Albany.

WNY Independent Living will support Veterans across the wider WNY region in Niagara, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties. We are proud to serve the Veterans in our community. To qualify for this program, a Veteran must request Veteran Directed Care from their VA physician and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) at the local VA Medical Center or VA Clinic and an assessment is completed and referral made to the VDC program.

The Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Four juveniles from Buffalo are charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree after they made an attempt to flee from a deputy in a Kia Forte at 12:37 a.m. on May 7.

The youths, who are not identified in the police report, were released to the custody of their parents or guardians.

Information on the incident was released on Monday.  It began early Tuesday morning at the Batavia Thruway entrance when Deputy Jeremiah Gechell attempted a traffic stop.

The Kia attempted to flee at a high rate of speed, according to the report. During the pursuit, deputies learned the Kia had been reported stolen in the town of Eden.

The black Kia continued east on the Thruway at a high rate of speed, attempted to exit in Le Roy, and then headed east on I-490.

Deputy Ryan Mullen deployed spike strips on the exit ramp, and three of the Kia's four tires hit the strip.

The driver and a passenger attempted to flee on foot east on the 490.

Following a foot pursuit, Gechell and Sgt. Mathew Clor apprehended a male and female from the vehicle. A female passenger ran into the woods near the Thruway and was ordered out and placed into custody. Le Roy Police Officer Selah Martek located another male passenger attempting to hide in a ditch near the Kia, and that subject was placed into custody.

The charge against them is a Class D felony. 

Press release:

The City of Batavia Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants on Monday and Tuesday from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the general area of South of West Main Street and West of Jackson Street.  

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 community 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 needing repair, please contact the fire department at 585-345-6375.

A residence at 4 Central Avenue, Batavia, is reportedly filling with smoke, no flames showing.

One person has exited the structure; another is refusing to leave.

City Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 9:42 p.m.: Engine 12 and Ladder 15 on the scene, two-story wood-frame structure, nothing showing at this time.

UPDATE 9:44 p.m.: It appears to be a grease fire on the stove. The fire is out. Ventilating. 

UPDATE 9:47 p.m.: The scene commander asks dispatchers to note that a resident is refusing to leave the structure.

As Chapin International prepares to celebrate its 140th year in business, it will do so with a new president and CEO in place, a Western New York native whose manufacturing career has taken him across the United States.

Chapin was founded in Oakfield and remains based in Batavia, with its headquarters on Ellicott Street. The company's growth has led to the opening or acquisition of plants in other states and parts of the world.

With all of that, and the challenging business climate in New York, Chapin remains committed to Batavia, said the new CEO, Tim Onello.

"I think that is where our priority is," Onello told The Batavian in an exclusive joint interview On Thursday with Jim Campbell, who is retiring as president and CEO. "I know the company is 100 percent committed to this area and to ensuring we're a good employer in the region. So, yes, our number one commitment is to stay here in Batavia."

Onello said he is looking forward to continuing the growth Chapin has enjoyed under Campbell's leadership. Campbell was Dave Ward's successor. After Ward, Campbell was the second non-family member to run Chapin. With 20 years in the CEO seat, Campell was the longest-serving person in that position.

Though Onello has been an executive with lawn and garden manufacturing companies throughout much of his business career, Chapin's line of sprayers and related products is a slightly new field to him. 

"I think what attracted me to the company was, first, all of the product range," Onello said. "Even though it's a little bit outside of my background, my background is hand tools and power tools, a lot of them are sold in the same channels as Chapin."

That mix of products at Chapin and its track record of growth is an opportunity and challenge, Onello suggested. 

"Where's that next growth coming from? So, I think part of where we'll dig in with the team is just to find out how can we grow the business and take it to the next level," Onello said. "Jim and team have done such a great job at growing this business over the past 20 years, and I think Jim took it four times where it used to be. It's my job, with all the marketing and product experience, to really look at adjacent areas for this company to manufacture new products and take it to that next level."

Onello was VP and general manager of ITW, a Fortune 200 company. While employed by ITW, he was based in San Luis Obispo, Calif.  Prior to joining ITW, he spent nearly 12 years with JPW Industries in Nashville, rising to the position of VP and general manager.

He has MBAs from Thunderbird School of Global Management and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and a bachelor of science in marketing and psychology from Northern Michigan University.

Chapin was founded in 1884 in the back of a hardware store in Oakfield, where R.E. Chapin made oil storage containers for oil lamps.  In the early 1900s, the company moved to Batavia and started manufacturing garden sprayers. 

Today, the company has six major product lines with more than 650 different items for sale to retail and business customers.

Campbell is proud of the company's accomplishments during his tenure. 

"If you're not growing, you shrink," he said, which is why the company works through five-year strategic growth plans. The most recent plan expires as he exits. 

"This will be the first year that we didn't quite meet the strat plan," Campbell said. "That's because in the strat plan was another acquisition for about $40 million. We didn't do another acquisition. That's the only part of the five-year plan we didn't meet. All the organic growth we did meet, and (the company) is still growing. We should be able to make another $50 million to $60 million in three or four years."

That's gross revenue.

Chapin isn't a publicly traded company, so it generally does not disclose revenue and profits, but publicly traded companies, such as another big manufacturer in Batavia, Graham Corp., are required to release financial reports, and so Campbell offered this comparison: "We do more dollars than Graham." 

Graham's reported revenue for 2023 was $147.1 million.

Campbell's role in helping the board of directors select a new CEO focused primarily on ensuring the board understood the complexities of the job. He put together a job description that filled a three-ring binder with 150 pages.

He said job candidates also agreed to a psychological profile, which is common in the business world these days, especially for executive positions. 

Onello was attracted to the job not only because of the product line but also because it offered him a chance to move back home to raise his three teenage daughters close to family in Western New York.

"I grew up in Cheektowaga and went to schools in West Seneca," Onello said. "I have a ton of family in Buffalo and was bringing my family back here three times a year to visit the area, so when the opportunity came up to return to Western New York, to be able to jump into an adjacent industry, to be back with family and friends, it was just ideal."

Onello said he was impressed with Chapin's culture and praised Campbell's ability to maintain a loyal workforce.

"One of the biggest things, it's always about the people, right?" Onello said. "I think Jim's built an incredible culture here where you have long, tenured, loyal workers who really care about the brand and care about the company. There's a lot of pride in the company. Many employees have 30 years or 40 years of tenure, and that just doesn't happen in so many other areas. That loyalty to the brand, to the company, is really exciting."

Campbell's plans in retirement — he's rooted in Western New York with a residence just inside of Erie County from Pembroke — and a plot of land in Pembroke with an orchard and elderberries and a big barn, don’t include moving elsewhere.

He said he plans to spend more time with his wife Caite.  They also have a cottage in Canada.

"We're a real outdoor, hunting and fishing kind of family," Campbell said.

He also enjoys blacksmithing, primarily making knives.

As for Onello, he doesn't have time for many hobbies.  His daughters are 13 and 15.

"When I'm not working, I'm usually chasing them around, taking them to their events and sports," Onello said. "Of course, naturally, I look forward to being able to go to  a few Bills and Sabres games now that I'm back in the region."

Press Release:

As temperatures rise and more and more people are outside taking advantage of good weather there will be increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic as well. With that comes the potential for motor vehicle collisions with pedestrians. 

Below are key points from New York State’s Vehicle and Traffic law on pedestrian safety. For more information visit www.safeny.ny.gov. (courtesy of the NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee) 

When there are traffic-control signals:

• A pedestrian has the right of way whenever a traffic signal shows a steady “Walk” or a walking person. 
• A pedestrian must not cross if the phrase “Don’t Walk” or the upraised hand is flashing, even when crossing signals display a countdown showing remaining time left to cross. 
• A pedestrian must not cross if the phrase “Don’t Walk” or the upraised hand is steady.
• If a person has already started crossing on a “Walk” and the signal changes, then he or she can continue to a sidewalk or safety island. 

When there are crosswalks*:

• Pedestrians have the right of way if there is an intersection or any marked crosswalk on the road and no traffic signals.
• Drivers must yield, slowing or stopping, to allow pedestrians to cross. 

When there are no crosswalks*:

• Drivers have the right of way if there are no intersections or no marked crosswalks on the road. 
• Pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles.

*Definition of crosswalk from NYS V&T Section 110: (a) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway between the curbs, or the absence of curbs, between the edges of the traverse roadway. 

The City contains several mid-block crossings, similar to those found along the Ellicott Trail. These crossings are clearly marked and traffic must yield to pedestrians in these crosswalks.