Batavia's Gavin White goes for two points. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The Blue Devils, ranked #4 in Class A in Boys Basketball, picked up a first round sectional win at home on Tuesday, beating #12 ranked School of the Arts 51-45.
Scoring for Batavia:
Gavin White, 25 points
Isaac Varland, 10 points
Brady Mazur, 5 points
Casey Mazur, 5 points
Batavia faces #5 ranked Pittsford-Sutherland at home at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
The limited edition design by 26 Shirts for Leah Wroten's fundraiser. Online pre-sale will be available for purchase for less than 12 more days. (An online clock is counting down the days, hours and minutes.) Photo from 26 Shirts website
Leah Wroten, a 2020 Batavia High School grad and special education teacher’s aide, has done battle with cancer through life-changing surgery, chemotherapy and related treatments since her diagnosis just a year ago.
She has gotten the good news of being in remission, however, having to take six months off and still more days for scans and check-ups has meant a hefty medical bill for the 21-year-old.
There will now be less than 12 days to snatch up an original design that reads: "Introverted but willing to defend Josh Allen" on a number of clothing items, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, hoodies, zipped hoodies and tank tops.
Every purchase means $8 to Wroten’s cause, and — in keeping with the company’s focus on sports-themed apparel — her fellow Batavia City School staff, students, friends and family are rooting for a touchdown to get her financially “back on her feet.”
For more information or to support the cause, go to 26 Shirts.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome Dr. Michael Boston of SUNY Brockport as our next Guest Speaker on Saturday, March 1st at 11 am. Dr. Boston of SUNY Brockport will be presenting on “Female Conductors of the Underground Railroad in Western and Central New York”; Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next presenter in its Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. Dr. Ann Bunch a forensic anthropologist of SUNY Brockport Criminal Justice Department, will be presenting on her new book, "The William Morgan Affair: Masonic Mystery in Upstate New York." The book takes an investigative science approach to the mystery of William Morgan's disappearance to demystify and highlight ways to resolve his fate following his last known sightings in 1826. 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.
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. This month's topic is the First Ladies of the United States. 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 welcome back No Blarney for our St. Patrick's Day tradition, as they play all your favorite Irish music tunes from throughout the years. The concert will be Friday, March 14 from 7-9 pm. Admission is $5 or $4 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com. Seating is limited so reserve your spot early.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to welcome back Civil War historian and author Chris Mackowski on Wednesday, March 26 at 7 p.m. This presentation has been rescheduled from its original date of January 21. Chris will be presenting on his book, "The Last Days of Stonewall Jackson" of the Emerging Civil War series. The presentation will cover Jackson's military career and the last fateful days during the Battle of Chancellorsville that led to his mortal wounding. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. If you plan on attending, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum on March 27, at 9 a.m., come hear HLOM Curator Tyler Angora for our FREE morning coffee program Java with Joe. Tyler will be explaining the newest exhibit at HLOM in greater detail and why this was the exhibit he chose to begin in 2025! Learn about his research and the clothing in the exhibit Admission is FREE, and Tim Horton’s of Batavia will provide coffee and donuts. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
The Genesee Community College History Club is proud to launch its commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord with a special Historical Horizons Lecture on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in room T102. The event, titled A Single Blow: The Battles of Lexington and Concord, will be presented by renowned historian and author Phil Greenwalt and is free and open to the public.
In his lecture, Greenwalt will explore the pivotal events of April 19, 1775, which marked the beginning of open conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies. Attendees will gain insight into the years of unrest that led to this historic moment and how it set the course for American independence.
Phil Greenwalt is the co-founder of Emerging Revolutionary War and is also a full-time contributor to Emerging Civil War. He is the author or co-author of five books on the American Revolution and the American Civil War. Phil graduated from George Mason University with a M.A. in American History and also has a B.A. in history from Wheeling Jesuit University. He is currently the Chief of Interpretation and Education at Catoctin Mountain Park. He has over 15 years of service in the National Park Service and has worked at De Soto National Memorial, Everglades National Park and Morristown National Historical Park before Catoctin. His first permanent ranger position was as a historian with the National Park Service at George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site. However, he started with the National Park Service as a historical interpreter intern in college at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Copies of Greenwalt's book will be available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author and have their books signed after the talk.
For more information, contact Vice President of Development, Admissions and External Affairs, Justin Johnston, at 585-345-6809 or via email at jmjohnston@genesee.edu.
Due to warm temperatures causing a quick thaw of the track, the judges made the decision to cancel the live card of racing scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24 out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all the participants.
Monday was the final day of racing for the 2025 winter meet and the Jackpot Hi-5 carryover pool of $4,251 that was scheduled to be paid out will now be moved to opening day of the summer meet on Saturday, July 26, and will also be a mandatory payout.
The Table Top Art Show is excited to announce our event on March 4, at Eli Fish Brewing in downtown Batavia. We warmly invite local media representatives to join us for an evening celebrating the incredible talents of our local artists and the vibrant art community we cherish.
This year, we received an impressive 184 entries from 92 artists, showcasing the creativity and passion of our local talent. The event will feature 15 pieces in our traditional gallery display, six honorable mentions, and a special judges' corner. The 15 selected pieces will also be featured on our tabletop version of the show, adorning the tables of 30+ restaurants and three libraries this year. To top it off, our online gallery will feature all 184 entries.
Join us for the Opening Reception on March 4 at 7 p.m. at Eli Fish Brewing in the heart of Downtown Batavia! After the Reveal the show runs for the month of March.
The Table Top Art Show highlights the collaborative spirit of our arts community, paired with the support of local businesses and restaurants. The media's presence at this event will help us celebrate our talented artists and promote the importance of supporting local arts in our community.
We would be delighted to provide interviews with participating artists, event organizers, and sponsors. Your coverage will help us spotlight the creativity and dedication that makes our local art scene thrive.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the show. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this wonderful celebration of art! For more information visit https://tabletopartshow.secure-decoration.com.
GLOW With Your Hands organizers are seeking additional volunteers to support the coordination of the third annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare on March 17. More than 650 students from Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties will learn first-hand about exciting career opportunities in the healthcare sector by meeting representatives and professionals from a variety of healthcare organizations, careers, and training programs.
Organizations such as M&T Bank and students from the Genesee Valley BOCES Health Career Academy have signed up for this year’s healthcare event, assisting as tour guides, lunch helpers, and an extra set of hands for GLOW With Your Hands committee members. Event organizers emphasized that these career exploration events are made possible thanks to the generosity of local organizations and individuals who dedicate their time to support local youth.
“It’s a tremendous testament to the success of this annual career exploration day that we have over 650 students attending, but at the same time, it takes a lot of volunteers to manage so many exuberant youths in one place,” said GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair Karyn Winters said. “We are fortunate to have volunteers already registered, but we need more to cover all our bases.”
Representatives from hospitals and health systems and professionals in nursing, mental health, social services, and emergency responders will be on hand to interact with students to discuss potential careers and pathways into their respective fields. While some careers might begin immediately after high school, the students will also be able to explore educational pathways in the healthcare sector through BOCES and degrees available at local colleges and universities.
“The day after the event ends, we start to plan the next day for the event the following year which includes making sure our volunteers had the type of experience to help us again,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair. “We are so fortunate that most of our volunteers come back year after year, but you can never have enough!”
Thanks to a $750 grant from President Mike Hodgins and the Batavia Rotary Club and a $875 donation from the Batavia First Presbyterian Church, the Little Free Pantry recently took delivery of a new commercial size refrigerator which will help them support the growing needs of Batavia neighborhoods.
The Little Free Pantry provides immediate and local aid to those with food insecurity. Their aim is to help neighbors feed neighbors and nourish the community as a whole. The mini pantry movement’s unofficial motto is “Give what you can. Take what you need.”
The Little Free Pantry is grateful to the Batavia Rotary for this most generous donation in helping the Little Free Pantry support its mission.
Together, we raised $5,000 for Pawsitive for Heros in 2024! Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Get ready for a tail-wagging good time! Ashley Bringenberg Photography is thrilled to announce the return of Pooch Playoffs, an exciting bracket-style dog portrait competition and fundraiser benefiting WNY Heroes’ Pawsitive for Heroes program.
Now in its third year, this fun-filled event gives local dog owners a chance to show off their beloved pups while making a meaningful impact. Portrait sessions are happening from now until the end of February and the competition kicks off in late March, featuring 32 dogs vying for the title of WNY’s Ulti-Mutt Cutie!
Each round, participating pups will be paired up for head-to-head online voting, with winners advancing until one dog is crowned champion. The Final Four earn special prizes, and the top dog will claim the grand prize, along with ultimate bragging rights!
“A professional portrait of your pet is something most people don’t think to do, but pets are such cherished members of our families,” says Ashley Bringenberg, owner of Ashley Bringenberg Photography. “Pooch Playoffs gives families an opportunity to capture their pup’s personality while supporting an incredible cause.”
For a $125 donation to WNY Heroes’ Pawsitive for Heroes, participants receive:
A custom dog portrait session
A personalized photo keychain
A swag bag full of goodies
Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested pet parents should visit ashleybringenberg.com/pooch to enter their pup ASAP.
Local businesses are also invited to sponsor the event and be part of this heartwarming community initiative.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to register your pup, visit ashleybringenberg.com/pooch or contact Ashley Bringenberg at hello@ashleybringenberg.com.
Both the Boys Indoor Track Team and the Girls Indoor Track Team on Thursday put in dominating performances to win sectional titles.
It was the 19th sectional title for the girls' team and the 12th for the boys.
The girls scored 209 points. In second place, Wayne Central scored 72 points. The boys scored 184 points. Livonia-Avon-Geneseo came in second with 82 points.
"This was an incredible performance by the Blue Devils as we were able to win 18 out of 33 events contested," said Coach Nicholas Burk. "We had solid contributions across the board in our throwing, distance, sprinting, hurdles, and jumping events. Our Blue Devil athletes were very committed to continuing the tradition of Batavia Track and Field and representing our school and community with the tough reputation we've earned through many years of success."
Batavia's Business Improvement District hosted its annual celebration of beer and cider as it returned on Saturday, with the sun out and lots of people in a party mood.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 at Batavia Downs has not been hit in several days and as a result, the carryover has now grown to $4,251.
With the meet coming to an end on Monday (Feb. 24), this must be paid out and track management has guaranteed that pool at $10,000 in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.
As part of that program, Trackmaster is offering free full past performance program pages that are currently available on the USTA website under the Handicapping link at the top of the page.
The Jackpot Super Hi-5 at Batavia Downs is a 20-cent minimum wager in the 14th race on Monday with an estimated post time of 7:20 p.m. Post time for the first race is at 3 p.m.
And as always, 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.
File Photo of 4 Mix Place, Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
Ed Smart has been on a long haul to renovate his property at 4 Mix Place into a combination living and work space for himself and smartDesign in Batavia.
A series of code variances for his rezoning request, landscaping issues and neighbor concerns have turned his journey into a string of meetings with the city’s Planning & Development Committee, City Council Zoning Board of Appeals and soon the Historic Preservation Commission.
He said in June 2023 that his goal was to “see this thing restored to its glory and then some.”
“It’s just a beautiful piece of property,” he had said of his rambling site at 4 Mix Place. “I’ve invested in it even without being able to use it until I know I can use it for the use I want.”
And what he wants is to convert it into a combination residence, a small apartment and his smartDESIGN Architecture firm, requiring it to be zoned residential 3 to allow for professional offices in that section of the city between Ellicott Avenue and Oak Street.
Smart has worked to repair significant damage from prior theft and water leakage, made it past City Council for rezoning and a few trips to the city’s Planning Committee, and returned again this week to address landscaping, parking and a neighbor’s concerns.
His plans had included 12 parking spots; however, neighbor Jessica Lankford had sent a letter of “serious concerns” about parking along their shared fence — the potential for less privacy of her backyard pool — which prompted discussion about alternatives.
“I could probably supply 10 spaces and not provide the other two. I'm just trying to plan to accommodate people when I have a full house, which, again, doesn't happen that often,” Smart said. “I’ve had a very cooperative relationship with the Lankfords. We collaborated on the vinyl fence that was installed there. So again, there's been a good communication, good cooperation. I was not aware that she had sent this letter, happy to talk to her about it. Usually, the fears from neighbors when you're talking about automobile traffic in a parking area like this has to come with light shining into their yard. Again, that vinyl fence is six feet high, and it's solid. There's no spaces in between it.”
Code Enforcement Officer Doug Randall reminded him of the requirement for parking areas within 20 feet of neighbors: there needs to be solid screen fencing or plantings that obstruct the view. Smart said there is to be a wood stockade fence along the upper east side, placed on his property, “or we would cooperate with them.”
Randall wanted to confirm that Smart has coordinated the plan with his neighbors. “If you’re going to put a fence on their property for maintenance,” Randall said.
Other considerations are the height of the fence — no more than 6 feet tall, and solid enough to shield nearby homes from headlight spray — and parking parallel versus perpendicular to the road, or using a row of bushes as space for parking, neither of those last two options which would work, Smart said.
“That would be a substantial change to the landscape of the yard of this historic residence. One of the special features of this is that it's an extremely large lot in the middle of the city and highly landscaped. There's sandstone pavers that come along the back,” he said. “And also, that would impact the way you would approach the parking so, so they actually come across the entire back of the house. To have parking on the west side, in my opinion, would be a real detriment to the to the presidential character of that piece of property.”
While seemingly monotonous and detailed, these are the crux of site plans, especially in the city when accommodating neighbors’ requests and concerns. The shared fence is about 24 feet from the edge of the parking space, which seems to fit what’s required in the special use permit, committee members agreed.
The committee approved a motion for the plan, minus two parking spots for a total of 10, with the agreement that Smart has to go to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval of all exterior changes.
That was another positive step forward. Smart said he wouldn’t be able to do any construction until the approval process is complete.
“I really want to be in it by the end of the year and make that work,” he said.
Dr. Cassandra Williams speaking at 400 Towers on Thursday as part of a Black History Month dinner. Photo by Howard Owens.
Equal treatment in medicine has been a long struggle for Black Americans, Dr. Cassandra Williams told more than two dozen 400 Towers residents on Thursday following a Black History Celebration Dinner.
Williams is the medical director for Terrace View Long Term Care in Buffalo.
"I grew up on the east side of Buffalo," Williams said. "For the people that are not from Buffalo, it’s a predominantly black neighborhood. My dad had a high school education. My mom had an associate's degree. From as early as the fifth grade, I wanted to be a doctor. That's all I knew. There were none in my community, of course, but I wanted to do that. There was so much sickness, from my brother having lymphoma and taking chemotherapy at nine to my father being a brittle type-one diabetic and my grandmother having schizophrenia. I saw doctors as one of the ones that made people better."
(Her brother was cured, she said, which brought a round of applause. He currently lives in Fairport.)
Black History Month, Williams told the residents, has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1976, when President Gerald Ford recognized it nationally as a time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans.
It grew out of Negro History Week, which was started by historian Carter G. Woodson and others in 1926. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and escaped slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Then, Williams ran through important dates in medicine for African Americans.
Dr. James Durham was born into slavery in 1762. He bought his freedom and began his own medical practice, becoming the first Black doctor in the United States. He is best known for saving more Yellow Fever patients than any other physician.
In 1847, Dr. James McCune Smith graduated from the University of Glasgow, becoming the first African American to earn a medical degree.
In 1862, in Augusta, Ga., the Jackson Street Hospital was the first hospital for African Americans. It had 50 beds.
In 1864, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American female to earn a medical degree.
In 1868, Howard University was established to educate African American doctors.
Howard University was needed, Williams said, because segregation prevented Black students from attending all-white schools.
Also, in response to racism, in 1895, the National Medical Association was founded since African Americans were barred from other established medical groups like the American Medical Association.
In 1936, Dr. William Augustus Hinton's book on syphilis treatment was the first medical textbook written by an African American.
In 1968, Prentice Harrison was the first African American to be formally educated as a physician assistant.
In 1973, Patricia Bass was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology. She later founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.
In 1981, Alexa Canada became the first African American woman neurosurgeon.
"Now, if you think about that, in 1981, she's the first African American woman neurosurgeon. That's not that long ago," Williams said. "That's like, that's after I was born. So that's recent."
The legacy of racism lingers. As of 2019, only 5% of the doctors in the U.S. are Black, while 13.6% of the population is Black.
She also discussed the disparities in health outcomes for African Americans compared to white Americans.
"There remains significant racial disparities, disparities in life expectancy, maternal deaths, and infant mortality amongst African Americans," Williams said. "Again, why? Why is that? What accounts for the Black-White health disparities? Is it family formation, culture, education, neighborhood disadvantage, employment insurance? None of these fully account for the difference when making all things equal, such as location, education, income level, city or rural, African Americans continue to have worse outcomes with most medical conditions."
One potential cause may be distrust of healthcare providers in African American communities because of past practices of the white establishment. That came up most recently during the pandemic, and there was a high rate of vaccine resistance in Black communities to vaccines.
"Granted, not just African Americans but people from all races were hesitant to take the vaccine for their own reasons, but the reason for a lot of African Americans was because of a history of unethical and racially targeted experiments," Williams said. "A few examples include gruesome experiments on enslaved people, such as doing surgery without anesthesia to see what would happen. Forced sterilization of black women ... and the very infamous Tuskegee experiment, where people who had syphilis, which could lead to anything from sores to brain damage, were not treated."
White doctors wanted to see what would happen to untreated Black patients, so while the patients thought they were receiving penicillin shots, they were actually getting injected with a saline solution.
"Penicillin is one of the cheapest, the oldest antibiotics you can get your hands on," she said.
"They were coming and coming weekly and getting shots, just like everybody else, but they were getting saline, right? They were getting nothing, but they wanted to see, but they were doing tests on them to see sores, the brain damage, to see what would happen."
That's part of the reason Blacks in America continue to distrust the medical establishment.
"Studies have found African Americans are consistently under-treated for pain, and often when they are evaluated by medical professionals, there are assumptions, such as, they are not married, uneducated or come from a poor environment," Williams said. "This is not in history. This is today. This is current data."
As a Black woman doctor, Williams has encountered prejudice throughout her career.
"In this day and age, there have been some subtle and some not-so-subtle racial and sexist roadblocks and remarks that I've had to deal with and persevere through," Williams said. "I've probably been asked if I was a CNA, the housekeeper, the nurse, the dietitian, more than others. Even though I wear my white coat all the time -- and that's the reason I wear it all the time, because the people I work with and work around look just like me. When I walk into the room, they don't know who I am so I introduce myself. I wear my white coat. I wear my stethoscope. Some people still say. "I didn't see the doctor today. "The doctor never came and saw me. They're like, 'Doctor? I'm sure she was in here.' They're like, "Oh, that was the doctor?' 'Yeah, that was her. That was the doctor.'"
Even so, Williams loves what she does.
"At this stage of my life, I love my career choice. I love the challenge. I'm grateful to be in the profession I'm in. I thank God, who is the head of my life, for guiding my steps through this journey."
Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Nathan Varland, director of 400 Towers, resident Augustine Flemings, who acted as host of the event, Dr. Cassandra Williams, and Jeremai Williams, pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and at First Baptist Church in Batavia. Cassandra and Jeremai met in college and Cassandra said she told him when they were first dating, she was going to be a doctor and he better be ready for the ride. It's been a lot of sacrifices, she said, but they've endured. Photo by Howard Owens.
UConnectCare has promoted Kathy Hodgins of Medina, a 23-year-employee of the nonprofit substance use prevention, treatment and recovery agency, to chief executive officer.
Hodgins succeeds John Bennett, who resigned to become director of network development with Forward Leading IPA’s WeLinkCare social care network. Her first day in her new role was Feb. 8.
Hodgins has held several key positions with UConnectCare since starting as a chemical dependency counselor in 2002, most recently serving as chief clinical officer for the past five years. She also was the agency’s director of Treatment Services in Orleans County from 2012-18, assistant director of Treatment from 2009-12 and assistant director of Forensics and Satellite Services from 2006-09.
As chief executive officer, she will oversee a staff of that has expanded to about 150 employees and an annual budget that has grown to about $13 million.
“I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to contribute my expertise in collaboration, implementation of policy and procedures, and dedicated leadership to our organization,” Hodgins said. “My experience in all aspects of the agency has prepared me well to manage complex issues, ensuring that UConnectCare continues to operate smoothly and effectively in delivering outstanding patient care.”
Hodgins said she aspired to become the agency’s CEO someday and credited the mentorship of Bennett and David Markham, the previous executive director.
“I have been able to accomplish much in Orleans County when I was a director because John gave me the autonomy and he knew that I had the best interests of the agency at heart,” she said. “And I completed my master’s degree under Dave Markham, and I did my internship at his marriage and family practice. I have been privileged to work with such patient-focused individuals.”
Hodgins received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Buffalo after earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from Brockport State College and an associate’s degree in human services from Genesee Community College.
A licensed social worker and credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, Hodgins also is an adjunct instructor at Genesee Community College, where she implements lesson plans on the use, misuse and abuse of drugs and alcohol, and supports the Royal Employer Assistance Program as a counselor.
Her civic involvement includes Leadership Genesee, Leadership Orleans, Genesee Community College Human Services Advisory Board, Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here and WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium.
Hodgins said her leadership style is one that allows directors the freedom to try new things and work across departments and other community agencies for the common good.
“I embrace collaboration, and I like change; I’m a change agent,” she said. “I’m proud of the way the agency has grown to be able to provide what we call a ‘continuum of care.’ People can come into UConnectCare and start with detoxification, they can go to inpatient, they can go to residential, outpatient. For such a small town, we provide a wide range of services.”
She said she is looking forward to the expected opening of a residence for women and children in Albion this spring and the integration of the main building’s waiting area on East Main Street in Batavia.
“We have a DOH (Department of Health) grant that we will use to combine the two waiting rooms (treatment and methadone) into one,” she said. “That definitely will help reduce the stigma.”
Hodgins called The Recovery Station (on Clinton Street Road) “a hidden gem” – a place where those in recovery can not only receive valuable services but also enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free social setting.
“Our goal is to utilize that site more and more,” she said, noting that she wished it could have been located in the city for easier access.
Hodgins and her husband of 42 years, Michael, have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Michael is currently on the list to receive a second heart transplant. The couple is awaiting word from the Cleveland Clinic.
“The same week that I found out I was hired as CEO, my husband was notified that he is on the list for the transplant,” she said. “That was cause for a dinner celebration at Bent’s Opera House (in Medina).”
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), serving Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties, is excited to announce the recent awarding of a $371,176 grant by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation and the Rochester Area Community Foundation. This essential funding will establish The Independent Living Youth Project (ILYP), a two-year pilot program aimed at providing enhanced services for disabled youth and their caregivers.
The grant will fund two Independent Living Youth Specialists who will offer direct services and support to children and youth under 25 years old with disabilities, as well as their families and caregivers, helping them navigate this complex system.
Connecting to Our Existing Aims
As a peer-directed, regional advocacy, service, and program provider for people of all ages with mental, physical, intellectual, sensory, or developmental disabilities, ILGR is dedicated to ensuring that these individuals can live their lives as they choose, free from institutional care and restrictive environments.
While our Independent Living Specialists serve all ages, we recognize that disabled children and youth, along with their caregivers, often require specialized services and support. Their families report higher out-of-pocket medical expenses, spend more time coordinating their child's healthcare, and sometimes reduce or stop working due to their child's health.
Many families seek assistance with applying for public benefits and need direct support to navigate the process. Additionally, parents face challenges in developing the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for their child's school support.
Adolescents with disabilities often struggle to transition to adult services, self-advocate, find employment, and live independently.
Youths with disabilities and their families deserve a comprehensive, community-based, family-centered, and coordinated system of care.
"We're thrilled to launch this pilot project, which will enable us to provide focused assistance to youth under 25 years old and their families," said Rae Frank, Director of Independent Living of the Genesee Region. "Navigating a complex system can be challenging for this population, and additional support will assist them to succeed."
“The Greater Rochester Health Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the Independent Youth Living Project, a program that empowers youth with disabilities and their families,” stated Rachel Betts, Responsive Grant Program Officer at the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, “The challenges these families face are significant, but with specialized advocacy, direct support, and a focus on independence, Western NY Independent Living can make a meaningful impact. By providing resources like educational advocacy, assistance with benefits, and youth leadership opportunities, this initiative will equip these young individuals with the skills and services they need to thrive in their communities. The Independent Living Center’s commitment to improving the quality of life for these youth is both inspiring and necessary, and we are excited to fund this program that will bring about real, lasting change for so many families in our community.”
For more information or support contact 585-815-8501.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23, the Legends and Stars Sports Collectors Expo will have several former Buffalo Football, Hockey and Basketball Players, Hall of Fame Hockey Athletes and Buffalo born actor, Chad Michael Murray, present inside of the Park Place Events Center at Batavia Downs located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.
The Memorabilia Show with vendors will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 22 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 23. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Admission for all others is $10. Paid admission receives $10 in Free Play on the Gaming Floor. Full details including autograph prices available on Legendsandstars.net.
Certified Guaranty Company and James Spence Authentication will be at the show offering authentication and grading services. Autographed cards may be submitted for CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph certification, and autographed memorabilia may be submitted for JSA-only services. CGC will also be accepting submissions of unsigned TCGs, sports cards, and non-sports cards for grading.
Athletes, Career Highlights/Teams Played for and Autograph Times are as follows:
Saturday, February 22:
Bryan Trottier - NHL HOF 1997, 6X Stanley Cup Champion - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chris Chelios - NHL HOF 2013, 3X Stanley Cup Champion - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Doug Gilmour - NHL HOF 2011, Stanley Cup Champion, Former Sabre - 12 to 1 p.m.
Frank Reich - Former Buffalo QB, led “the Comeback” - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Kyle Williams - Former Buffalo DT, 6X Pro Bowler - 1 to 2 p.m.
London Fletcher - Super Bowl Champion, 4X Pro Bowl, Former Buffalo LB - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Steve Christie - Former Buffalo Kicker, All -Pro - 2 to 3 p.m.
Drew Pearson - NFL HOF 2021 Super Bowl Champion, Former Cowboy - 2 to 3 p.m.
Billy Smith - NHL HOF 1993, 4X Stanley Cup Champion - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Chad Michael Murray* - Actor on One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls & Various Films - 12 to 3 p.m.
*Mr. Murray will be in the Autograph Area for the entire 3 hour window for autographs and table selfies
Sunday, February 23:
Ernie DiGregorio - 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year, Former Buffalo Brave - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Brad Park - NHL HOF 1988, 7X All-Star, NHL’s 100 Greatest Players - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gilbert Perreault - NHL HOF 1990, 8X All-Star, Former Buffalo Sabre - 12 to 1 p.m.
Adam Oates - NHL HOF 2012, 5X All-Star, NHL’s 100 Greatest Players - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Thurman Thomas - NFL HOF 2007, 1991 NFL MVP, 5x Pro Bowl, Former Buffalo RB - 1 to 2 p.m.
