The upcoming Bourbon & Whiskey Fest at Batavia Downs is seen as a natural fit for both Jeff Weisenborn's company and the venerable Genesee County destination.
"I see it as a perfect partnership," said Weisenborn, a sales representative for the Cheektowaga office of Empire Merchants North.
Empire is the regional distributor of popular brands such as Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester - three of the most popular bourbon and whiskey brands sold in Western New York.
Batavia Downs and Empire Merchants North are partnering for the Sixth Annual Bourbon & Whiskey Fest on June 8, which also ties in with the Belmont Stakes. Various Jack Daniel's, Old Forester, and Woodford Reserve will be showcased.
"We do events like this because it helps draw attention to all our brands," Weisenborn said. "Jack Daniel's is an old town classic."
Events like the Bourbon & Whiskey Fest help Weisenborn "connect" with those who buy the various Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, and Old Forester brands.
"People love to talk whiskey," Weisenborn said. "Whiskey and bourbon are extremely popular. People associate it with getting together and having a good time. And they love the history of our brands."
The Sixth Annual Batavia Downs Bourbon and Whiskey Fest is Saturday, June 8. The event runs 4:30 - 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include a $20 coupon for free play at Batavia Downs, a $5 betting voucher for the Belmont Stakes, food, a program, and a free glass. Tickets are available through BataviaConcerts.com.
James Fink writes on behalf of Batavia Downs. Sponsored Post paid for by Batavia Downs.
Please be advised that Bank Street from Alva Place to Washington Avenue will be closed on Thursday, May 30, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To minimize traffic congestion, we recommend selecting an alternate route.
We apologize for any inconvenience and thank the public for their patience and cooperation as we work to improve our community.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next presenter in our Guest Speaker Series on Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. David Whitcombe is a member of the volunteer team at the Buffalo Maritime Center who has been working for years on a reproduction of the Seneca Chief packet boat in honor of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025. The boat is an exact replica of the one used by Governor DeWitt Clinton as he rode the canal at its opening. David will touch mainly on the construction of the boat itself as well as the historical, cultural and economic significance of the project. 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.
"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!"
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. In honor of the beginning of the Korean War in 1950, our topic will be the 1950s or also known as "The Fabulous Fifties." 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.
As part of New York State's Path Through History Weekend on Saturday, June 15, the Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting a Military Timeline and Encampment featuring reenactors from many different time periods and conflicts from the history of the United States and New York. The event features an outdoor encampment in addition to indoor displays featuring equipment, weapons, and other artifacts. Visitors can interact with soldiers and sailors from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, etc., and learn more about the life of a military man throughout time, their equipment, and the conflicts that they fought in. The museum itself will also be open as well, featuring exhibits relating to the local history of Genesee County. The event and museum will be open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Museum admission is $5 for adults, $3 veterans/seniors/students, $1 for children, and $10 for a family of four.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of its Guest Speaker Series on Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. Daisy Nicosia, the Curator/Archivist of the Seneca Falls Historical Society, will be presenting "To the Men of Enterprise & Capital: The Settling of Early New York." Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
"When people do research, especially in the Central New York area, one question that they always ask is what are military land grants? How did settlers end up in Western New York state? “To Men of Enterprise and Capital” will go over the settling of early New York State, starting briefly with early colonists and indigenous tribes before expanding into the settlement of Western and Central New York." "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!"
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of our Java with Joe E morning coffee series on Thursday, June 27 at 9 a.m. Our Director, Ryan Duffy, will be presenting on the "Agrarian Opposition to the Holland Land Company," which details the conventions established in the late 1810s through the 1830s across Western New York in opposition to the policies' perception of the Holland Land Company. Admission is free with coffee and cookies. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend. Thank you to Pub Hub Coffee for sponsoring Java with Joe for 2024.
The Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the next edition of its Concert Series on Friday, June 28 at 7 p.m. Don Dwyer will be playing "The Music of the Women of the Civil War." The program includes songs either written or inspired by women in the 1850s and 1860s. Admission is $5 or $4 for museum members. If you plan to attend, please contact the museum at 585-343-4727. "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!"
An 81-year-old man whom investigators believe was injured during an attempted burglary of his residence on Tuesday morning reportedly exchanged gunfire with a deputy who responded to 7924 Lewiston Road at 3:41 a.m. to a reported burglary.
Neither the deputy nor the resident, identified as Gregory Poole, were injured in the incident.
According to the Sheriff's Office, a deputy -- not identified -- responded to the call and was approaching the home when he confronted a person outside the residence. The deputy identified himself, and the person fired a gunshot in the direction of the deputy. The deputy returned fire while continuing to identify himself, but the person continued to fire his gun.
The deputy took cover and called for backup.
Upon the arrival of a second deputy, the person was taken into custody without further incident.
The Sheriff's Office says that neither the deputy nor the subject were struck by gunfire, and neither sustained an injury as a result of the gunfire.
The type of firearm used by the subject has not been released.
Poole was reportedly injured in a struggle with the burglary suspect.
It's believed the burglary suspect fled the scene before the deputy arrived. The area was searched, but the suspect was not located.
Once Poole was released from the hospital, he was charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree and menacing a police officer. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.
The Sheriff's Office states that the investigation into both the burglary and the gunfire is ongoing.
Batavia PD is investigating a burglary at Batavia Marine and Sporting Supply Store, 411 West Main St., that occurred during the early morning hours of May 27.
Patrol officers responded to a burglary alarm at 2:30 a.m. and, upon arrival, discovered evidence of forced entry into the building.
Further investigation revealed that the property was taken from the building.
The police did not release the nature of the property taken.
Detectives responded to the scene to gather additional evidence.
Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Jason Ivison by calling 585-345-6350 or submitting by clicking here.
Batavia Marine has operated by appointment only since July.
Deep Blue Pool & Spa: Dominick Camelio, partner; Rich Pfreedom, service tech; Cory Bater, service tech; and Brian Bater, partner. Photo by Howard Owens.
When you want to take a dip in a pool or grill hot dogs, rain isn't your friend.
But a bit of precipitation didn't dampen the spirits on Saturday of Dominick Comelio and Brian Bater, who were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their business, Deep Blue Pool and Spa, located at 4152 W Main Street Road, Batavia (Valu Plaza).
Bater said it's been a good business, especially in Batavia.
"I started working for Danny Dugan at Denny's Pool World in 1984," Bater said. "He was kind of my mentor. Along the way, Dominick and I started a service business called BNR Pool Service. We opened that around 1990. We did all the service work for 15 years, and then we decided to go into the retail side of it. Now, we continue to have a large service department, and we also do the retail side."
The first location was in Warsaw, and within two years, Comelio and Bater moved their location in Batavia. In 2010, they decided to expand and opened a store in Henrietta.
"We decided (a couple of years later) it was too much for us," Bater said. "We wanted to consolidate back down and focus on the Batavia region and our customer base here."
Camelio said he's enjoyed the pool business.
"It's fun, it's exciting. There's always something new to work on and make people happy," Camelio said.
Grace Campbell and Kyle Bater Photo by Howard Owens.
The Batavia Girls track team proved their dominance once again. After wrapping up an undefeated regular season in Monroe county competition (5-0) and winning three local track invitational meets (Attica Invite, Alexander Invite, Batavia Invite), Batavia scored 185 points at the class B1 sectional championships to win the title for the third consecutive year. Batavia was led by the following stellar performances...
Campbell Riley dominated on the track winning the 2000m Steeple (7:31.01), winning the 800m (2:21.81), getting 2nd in the 1500m (5:05.73) and then anchoring the winning 4x400m relay team along with teammates Jadyn Boyce, Ava Anderson, and Karizma Wescott.
Ava Wierda continued her dominance in the throws by winning both Shot (33 feet 8.25inches) and Disc (118feet)
Ava Anderson won the 400 hurdles (68.86) and placed 2nd in the 100m hurdles (17.5).
Madeline Smith won the 100 hurdles (15.74) and placed 6th in the 400m hurdles (73.58)
Karizma Wescott won the 400m (58.81), was on the winning 4x4 mentioned above as well as the winning 4x1 relay team along with teammates Ady O'Donnell, Ella Radley, and Ella Shamp. (49.59)
Ella Shamp also placed 2nd in LJ (16'6.5"), 3rd in HJ (4-10), and 5th in the 200m (27.06).
Anna Varland won the pentathlon for the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW scoring 2445 points!
Jaimin MacDonald placed 2nd in the shot (32'6")
The 4x8 relay team consisting of Jadyn Boyce, Mallory Boyce, Helaina Staley, and Maddie Bellamy placed 2nd with a time of 10:29.83.
I am extremely proud of this group of girls for their hard work and dedication throughout the spring. Many of them are juggling multiple commitments but have always found the time to put in the work that they need to in order to achieve this goal. I am especially happy for our group of seniors (Jadyn Boyce, Anna Varland, Isa Walsh, Kaelee Kelso, Sophie Moore, and Ella Radley) many of whom have been on the team since they were in 7th or 8th grade and have been instrumental in returning this team to its current state of success. As a direct result of their mental and physical toughness and their leadership, they end their career as 3-time sectional champs!!!!
The driver of a 2012 Ford Focus involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer on May 17 at Ellicott Street and Jackson Street in Batavia, has a received traffic citation following an investigation by Batavia PD.
Emma Durnham, 24, of Avon, was cited for allegedly passing a red traffic light.
Durham and a passenger, not identified by police, were seriously injured in the accident, but both have been released from the hospital and are expected to make full recoveries, according to police.
The truck driver, Michael Johnson, 48, of North Tonawanda, was not cited and was not injured in the collision.
The accident was reported at 9:30 p.m. on May 17, and Batavia PD, along with City Fire, Oakfield Fire, Town of Batavia Fire, and Mercy EMS. Due to a shortage or of ambulances at the time, volunteer crews from Byron and Darien responded to the city to assist with other calls.
The Ford Focus was reportedly southbound on Jackson Street and allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Ellicott Street and was struck by a southbound tractor-trailer (note: Jackson runs north and south, Ellicott Street (Route 63 is considered a north-south road).
The Ford Focus came to rest in the gas lane (but did not strike a pump) of the Kwik Fill at 99 Jackson St., and firefighters had to extricate both occupants.
The Sheriff's Office Crash Management Team assisted with the accident investigation.
The Batavia Boys Track and Field team won its eighth sectional championship on Friday with 148.5 points in the Class B1 division, beating out Honeoye Falls/Lima, the runner-up with 131 points.
4x100m (Zailen Griffin, Parris Price, Trevor Tryon, Isaac Varland) 44.41
4x400m (Trevor Tryon, Parris Price, Isaac Varland, Cameron Garofalo (3:30.73)
4x800m (Nate Kinsey, Grant Gahagan, E'Nhazje Carter, Donavin Solis (8:53.84)
"This was a very tough and competitive meet, and Batavia Track and Field really rose to the occasion," said Coach Nick Burk. We had many personal best performances, and our athletes never gave up. We certainly represented our school positively and demonstrated resilience throughout the competition. I was also very glad that our relays performed so well, with many athletes needing to step up in order for us to win. Including Indoor and Outdoor track, this is our program's 44th Sectional championship."
Coach Matt Shay providing shooting instruction during basketball camp in 2022. FIle photo by Howard Owens.
Press Release:
Basketball enthusiasts seeking to enhance their skills and elevate their game are invited to participate in the annual Three Season Basketball Training Camp. Led by renowned coaches, the camp offers comprehensive instruction aimed at honing fundamental skills and tactical understanding.
Value & Repetition Distinguished by its commitment to excellence, Three Season Basketball Training Camp provides campers with over 30 hours of intensive basketball instruction spread across a 5-week period. This extended duration allows for a focused approach to skill development, in contrast to the brief, condensed schedules typical of other camps, which often span only 3-4 consecutive days.
Dates and Cost The camp will run from July 8 through August 9, offering participants an extensive opportunity to refine their abilities under expert guidance. Enrollment is $350, with a discounted rate of $175 available for additional siblings. Teams seeking group discounts are encouraged to contact Coach Brasky directly.
Directed by Coach Buddy Brasky Under the tutelage of Coach Buddy Brasky, the Batavia basketball program has enjoyed a remarkable record of success over the past two decades. With 13 league titles, 6 sectional championships, and multiple appearances in the state semifinals, Coach Brasky's leadership has consistently propelled his teams to excellence. Recognized as Section V Coach of the Year on seven occasions, as well as earning numerous other coaching accolades, Coach Brasky's track record speaks volumes about his coaching prowess and commitment to player development.
Assistant Director: Coach Matt Shay Coach Brasky is assisted by Coach Matt Shay, whose tenure at Pembroke High School has seen significant achievements, including multiple division titles and sectional final appearances. Coach Shay's dedication to his craft has been acknowledged through multiple Coach of the Year awards, reflecting his impact on the basketball landscape within the region.
Notable Camp Alumni The Three Season Basketball Training Camp boasts an impressive roster of alumni who have gone on to achieve success both on and off the court. Among them are standout players like Tyson Totten, Cole Harding, Cayden Pfalzer, and Jeff Redband whose accomplishments serve as a testament to the camp's ability to nurture talent and foster growth.
Session Details The camp is divided into two sessions catering to different age groups and skill levels:
Session 1 (Starts July 8): Boys entering 10th-12th grade
Session 2 (Starts July 9): Boys entering 7th-9th grade
Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12:30 pm, with an additional session on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Session 1 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Session 2.
Three Season Basketball Training Camp represents an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring basketball players to refine their skills, learn from accomplished coaches, and take their game to the next level. Join us this summer and embark on a journey of growth, excellence, and camaraderie on the court.
Ms. Zipkin with her award Photo courtesy of the Richmond Memorial Library.
Press Release:
Kathy Zipkin, the president of the Friends of the Richmond Memorial Library, was honored with the Norm Sinclair Award on Thursday, May 23 at the NIOGA Library System’s Annual Meeting at Wurlitzer’s in North Tonawanda.
“Kathy is the current president of the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library and has served on that board for many years,” shares Samantha Stryker, Community and Adult Services Librarian at RML. “She is unwavering in her support of the library and is a dynamic and dedicated leader. She routinely goes out of her way to discover the best ways the Friends can enhance the services and programs the library provides.”
In addition to countless hours spent preparing donations for the monthly book sale, Kathy has served as a Friends representative on hiring committees and regularly organizes lovely events to honor volunteers at the library. She is always willing to step up when volunteers are needed at the library for various programs or projects. She frequently takes the time to attend library programs to show her support.
Anyone who has met Vito Gautieri may find it hard to believe that the distinguished Batavia businessman once chased a union rep off a job with a piece of timber, but he swears it’s true.
That was during his first big job — a commercial page-turner in the record books for VJ Gautieri Constructors to build Elba Fire Hall and municipal offices.
“I was in the trenches with the boys pouring concrete, and he tried to get my boys to join the union,” Gautieri said during an interview with The Batavian. “I shooed him off-site with a two-by-four. He left. He was trying all the time. And then there was a masons union guy, his name was Jesse James. He came to the job and asked, ‘Can I buy you a beer when you’re done working?’ I said of course. He told me ‘I’m going to let you finish this job, I’m not going to picket or anything. You’re young and very ambitious. I think you’re going to go places.’”
And he was right. Since Gautieri’s modest beginnings in 1954—working out of an office over his family’s garage on Liberty Street—he has continued to gain the trust of clients in his home territory of Genesee County with projects including City View Residences in downtown Batavia and to the west and east, just completing a $10 million, 188-unit apartment complex in Baldwinsville outside of Syracuse.
Of course, the way Gautieri tells it, there were a few different twists and turns his life could have taken had it not been for someone sort of guiding his path. Back when he was in the U.S. Army, freshly graduated from engineering school at Fort Belvoir, his paperwork had him going straight to the Korean War. When his mother found out, she raised a little fuss and informed the head honchos that he couldn’t go to war because she had already lost a boy, Vito’s brother Mike, to World War II.
It was determined that Vito couldn’t be sent to a battle zone, so he was stationed in Frankfort, Germany, for two years with the 142nd Signal Company. He wound up as a driver for Col. Hewitt, who took him to various maneuvers. Gautieri was discharged in 1954 and headed home.
Gautieri was preparing to attend college while contemplating a career with the FBI, and you either had to be a lawyer, which took six years, or an accountant, which took four, he said, so “I picked that.” But fate intervened, and Uncle Dominic brought him along to a job building a house for Lou DelPlato.
Gautieri worked with two or three carpenters from the Viele Company there, and “I loved it,” he said, admitting to being instantly attracted to the contracting work. He switched gears immediately.
“And then I came home and told my mother, she had a fit,” he said. “I said I was gonna go into construction, and that’s what I did.”
Before any ink was dry on the Elba deal, there were some council members not so certain that Gautieri had the chops for the job — he was young and inexperienced. Although he was the low bidder for the job, there was the next bidder up working hard to persuade the members to reconsider giving it to this Batavia guy.
The Elba mayor at the time, Anthony Garnish, went to Gautieri’s family home, and his mother brought him up to the garage office to show her son’s professionalism and how he treated the business. Perhaps it was fortunate that Gautieri wasn’t home at the time.
“She said ‘he knows what he’s doing,’ Gautieri said. “She took the mayor up the ladder to the second floor of our garage, that’s where I had my office and did all my estimating and stuff like that. So she took him up there, and she must have been very convincing because Mayor Garnish went back to the board … and he convinced them to give me a job. And that was my first commercial construction job.”
The mayor went back to those board members and confronted some of them about their own meager beginnings, reminding them that “didn’t you start out” with little experience? He got the job for what he recalled was for six figures, which was quite a nice contract back then. He ended up also getting the fire station demo while he was at it.
His later encounters with union reps were another hurdle he eventually realized he wouldn’t win. “You had to be union,” he said, even with another relentless mason rep named Jesse James. They ended up becoming friends, and Gautieri’s company remained unionized until the late 1980s, he said.
“Now we’re an open shop company, we could go union or open shop,” he said.
VJ Gautieri Constructors was part of Urban Renewal, like it or not, because even though a hapless part of Batavia’s history that phase of knock-down America was a lucrative step for local contractors. Gautieri got jobs for Salway, a few banks, Alexander’s clothing store — “we knocked down half of the buildings in Batavia” — and built other projects along the way.
The former Montgomery Ward, site of the current Save-A-Lot and City View Residences, was originally on a 20-year lease, and got out of that in eight years, leaving the building to just sit there. So Gautieri traveled back and forth from Batavia to Pittsburgh and Chicago putting together a deal, and he and other developers purchased the building. Since then, there have been four supermarkets that ended up bailing on Gautieri as landlord, and Save-A-Lot has remained a constant for the last several years.
Gautieri’s vision to renovate the upper floor for apartments came to fruition a year ago. Ten upscale units accessible by an elevator are fully rented and have a waiting list. Other surrounding office space is also occupied by nonprofits and businesses.
He remembers one of the more difficult land acquisitions, around 1980, when a City Council with members including Florence Gioia and Benny Potrzebowski were not in favor of him purchasing the land at Washington Avenue and State Street. It was a five-year tussle that ended when Potrzebowski came back to ask Gautieri to pursue the project.
“He kneels down in front of my desk and says, Vito, I got the votes, come on,” Gautieri said. “So we went here and everything was fine, we got the plans approved. This one guy who was against the project didn’t like the way we laid out the site. I said sir, are you an architect? He says no. I said, ‘I paid $150,000 in architect’s fees, and they’ve located the building the best way for the building. He was the one who voted no, but then I got seven out of nine votes. Then we started the project after five years.”
At the time, Ronald Reagan was an incoming president and was said to be against affordable housing, so the timing was fortuitous for Gautieri to establish his HUD-subsidized senior housing Washington Towers complex. He had a bulldozer quickly move onto the property “and push some dirt around, and we took some pictures, and we started building” just in case there were government changes coming.
Beyond the financial assistance it would give to local senior citizens, the materials used were of prestressed concrete, which “made me feel happy,” he said because if there was ever a fire, it would be a rugged warrior against flames to protect those residents. In fact, there have been a couple of fires there, but they’ve been isolated to a room without spreading, he said.
“When we were getting approval of the plans from Buffalo, they wanted me to do it like 400 Towers, just plain concrete on the outside. I said ‘no way.’ So I finally convinced them that it would be better in the long run for brick, and they approved it.”
They began the project in 1979, completed it in 1980 and filled the 130 units in about four or five months. Tenants pay 25% of their income with the government subsidizing the remainder.
“Affordable housing. I think we still need some more of that,” he said.
He tried to calculate quickly how many projects the company had completed in the city alone, surpassing more than a dozen.
“We have done at least 10 to 15 buildings in Batavia. We remodeled the county building, we had to scaffold it, and we did new roofs, windows, remodeled it,” he said. “We did not do the mall, when they gave the presentation, we took on Kings Plaza, we built and rented it.”
Not every transaction as smooth sailing, especially when it came to doing business with New York State, he said. Late or nonpayments have meant taking the state to court. By contrast, he eagerly worked with “Mr. Carr,” of C.L. Carr’s department store fame, who was as meticulous as he was dependable. There was an electrical engineer on the job with Gautieri’s men, and Carr’s brother was an architect in New York City. The contract was signed on a Sunday as a “cost-plus job,” which was low risk for the contractor, Gautieri said.
“You get better workmanship,” he said. “He was so meticulous, he wanted a second floor all moved back an inch and a half. My guy Charlie came and told me, and I said, do what he says, you do what the owner wants. He was a wonderful man, Mr. Carr. I’d give him the bill today, and he’d give me the check tomorrow. You don’t get that today. Things change, and change is good.”
Gautieri put in a bid for the Carr’s Reborn project but was not the lowest bidder and didn’t get the job. He does hope that “the Carr’s building is very successful,” he said.
Early on, the Gautieri company had its own workers, and time and experience have taught him that “when we see a company that can do a job safer and quicker, we sublet it out,” he said. For example, that job in Baldwinsville had subcontractors for carpentry, masonry, roofing, parking lots and blacktop.
Gautieri founded the first of many Gautieri companies in 1954. General construction was the organization's primary focus for the first decade. In the early 1960s, Gautieri diversified the organization and became involved with commercial real estate development while continuing the traditional contracting portion of the business.
Today the organization offers general contracting, construction management, design/build, property management and real estate brokerage services throughout the Western New York area.
The organization's day-to-day management is handled by a staff that includes his two sons, Victor and Vito Jr., and daughter Valerie. Preparing to celebrate his 93rd birthday in July, Vito participates in regular business meetings but doesn’t go to job sites anymore.
Honored recently as the longest-serving member of the Alexander Volunteer Fire Department (he joined in 1960), Gautieri is also one of the remaining founders of the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation, which honors the Italian heritage of many locals. There is a Vito J. Gautieri scholarship given out in his honor during the annual scholarship awards dinner, which is on June 4.
While he appreciates the women on the board who contribute and do good work, Gautieri would like to see more men serving on the board as well.
“I’m not happy with that, and I’m going to do something to help move that along,” he said.
Vito has been married to Marjorie (Marge) since 1979. His previous wife, Connie, died in 1977. He has two stepsons from Connie's previous marriage, Anthony Pullinzi Jr. and Michael Pullinzi. The Gautieri children are Victor (Julie) Gautieri, who has assumed the role of president at the company, Valerie (Bobby) Tidwell, Vinessa (Merle) Schreckengost and Vito Gautieri, Jr.
The Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation 40th Scholarship Awards Dinner will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 6 p.m. The Foundation is excited to be able to celebrate their heritage together. It promises to be a wonderful evening of friendship, pride and of course, delicious Italian food being hosted at Batavia Downs. Tickets are $35.00 and may be purchased from Board members and Ben’s Appliance, East Main St. Rd. Batavia. The Foundation will also have tickets available to purchase for our Spring 50/50 Raffle which helps supports our Senior Scholarships.
The Foundation is pleased to dedicate the evening to one of our Foundation’s Founders, Vito Gautieri. Together, with the first board of directors worked diligently to create the Batavia chapter of the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation. Through many fundraisers the Paolo Busti Park alongside the Holland Land Office Museum was created. A monument engraved with the founding founders can be visited.
Andrew Strollo is a student at Le Roy High School and is the son of Jeff and Jessica Strollo. He will graduate this spring Summa Cumm Laude. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Deca, Knight Media, and the Scholastic Bowl.
Andrew will be majoring in finance at the University of Rochester and will be playing football for the Yellow Jackets. Playing football at the collegiate level has been a dream since childhood.
Andrew participated in football, indoor track, outdoor track, and baseball. He has volunteered as a Pier Counselor and aided students in learning the skills of bowling and basketball. He has volunteered in the community kitchen, youth football, Little League Knights Closet, and Genesee County Fair as well.
Andrew received the Citizen Award for assisting students with Special Needs, Earth Science, Above and Beyond, Knowledgeable Knight Award, and Mock Trail.
"Growing up in an Italian household comes with faith," Andrew stated.
A bible verse he lives by is Proverbs Chapter 16 Verse 3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plan.”
Andrew believes the values he has acquired in his 17 years will continue to guide him through College and adulthood. This will be the driving force in all that he does when raising a family, to keep memories and this beautiful Italian culture present and thriving.
Julia Clark Submitted photo
Julia Clark
Julia Clark is a graduating Senior at Batavia Senior High School and is the daughter of Paul and Patricia Clark. She plans to attend Mercyhurst University, with a double major in Business and Intelligence studies. Julia will also be playing softball for Mercyhurst.
A member of the National Honor Society, student government, National Art Honor Society, Key Club, Lend Crew, Genesee Youth Lead, and a hostess in the Mr. Batavia Challenge.
Julia has been awarded the Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas Award from the University of Rochester. She has also received Scholastic Scholarship Awards for all four years of High School, Athletic Awards in softball, basketball, flag football, travel baseball, and the Chic-fil-a Player of the Week for Flag football.
Community service is a big part of Julia’s life. She serves at the Soup Kitchen at Ascension Parish, Youth softball camp, the concession stand for football, and Genesee Youth Lead.
Julia states, "Growing up Italian American, one often acquires a rich tapestry of values that are deeply woven into the cultural fabric!"
She believes the family serves as the cornerstone of life. She expresses that the Italian American work ethics are often coupled with a zest for life embodies the Italian concept of “La Dolce Vita.”
In 1955, a new Catholic church opened on Liberty Street and Central Avenue in Batavia. One local woman remembers her Italian grandmother as a young girl of 5 and how excited she was about the new church—but also how very upset she grew as her granddaughters talked during the Mass.
Today, the woman can recall how she was removed from the pew and taken to a room for noisy children. Later on, this young girl grew up, joined St. Anthony’s Parish, had her children baptized and confirmed at the church, and continued attending weekly Mass on Liberty Street.
One Saturday in 2011, as she was sitting in her favorite pew, she looked around at the beautiful architecture of St. Anthony’s Church, imagining all of the milestones in this church. The church was decorated for Christmas, and the altar was surrounded by poinsettias with the added touch of little white lights. It is hard to believe that this church, like many other churches of various denominations, was facing the same fate of having to close its doors.
Sacred Heart and St. Anthony’s Church were consolidated in 2007 to form Ascension Parish, but the two churches were also referred to by their respective names. The merger combined the church bodies, finances, and administration under one roof, a linkage that united the churches with a shared priest. Masses were held at both churches, which were then called Ascension Parish east and west.
On Dec. 31, 2012, the doors of this 104-year-old Catholic Church were closed. Ascension Parish/St. Anthony’s Parish would no longer exist. Liberty Street and Central Avenue corner and side streets are no longer filled with cars for Saturday and Sunday worship.
Many people will look back and remember the day the first Mass was held in the new church, the day they entered St. Anthony’s School in their brown uniform, or when their family celebrated a marriage in the church and their wedding reception in the Community Center/school. Many beautiful memories are connected with all three areas.
St. Anthony’s story began in 1908 when 150 families of Italian descent lived in Batavia, most of them on Ellicott, Thorp, and Hutchins streets. This was the result of a significant influx of immigrants to this area, and it became necessary to build a place of worship. Bishop Colton of Buffalo appointed Rev. Hyacinth Ciabbatoni to go to Batavia and organize a chapel church for the Italians.
The first Mass was celebrated in Teresi’s Hall on Ellicott Street in 1908. Shortly after that, Rev. Ciabbatoni bought the Sheer Property on Ellicott Street and Liberty Street. He had the house on the property rebuilt to serve as a church. The lot was purchased for $5,800. There was a 50/50 chance the new church’s name could be called St. Michael’s. The two names were put into a hat, and St. Anthony’s name was chosen; hence, St. Anthony’s Church was born.
The average monthly collection was around $58. A year later, Rev. Joseph Laguzzi was transferred to Batavia. He bought additional property on Central Avenue to enlarge the church. Services were held on the first floor, and a school was set up above, organized by Two Sisters of Mercy. Now that a new church was established, a new school was recommended.
In 1911, a small four-classroom school was built, but by 1913 it was closed. In 1916, St. Anthony’s had a new pastor, Rev. VictorFassetta. He opened the school and had plans for a new church. The original small church caught fire in 1917. Rev. Victor Fasetta served as pastor until he died in 1918. He was replaced by Father William Kirby, St. Anthony’s fourth pastor. Father Kirby had two missions: one was for a new school, and the other for a new church.
In 1920, Father Kirby had a temporary building erected on the corner of Central and Liberty, and the building previously owned by the church was taken down. The parishioners were so excited about the church that they gathered enough money for a bell for the steeple, and had to store it until the new church was built. Father Kirby started a drive for funds to replace the makeshift quarters occupied by the church and school.
In 1929, a drive for a new school was established. At the cost of $100,000, the school would also be a community center for athletic and social events. Frank Homelius prepared the plans, and Andrew Schneckenburger was the building contractor.
Father Kirby’s second objective was a new church. From 1919 to 1920 he had a temporary building erected on the corner of Central and Liberty as the building that was then in use was torn down. He had the foundation built on the site of the former building. The new structure was generous in size but not very attractive from the street. This basement was furnished as a church and served as one until December 1954.
In 1953, Father Kirby again asked for funds to build a new church and set the goal of $100,000. Before the month was over, he had $112,000. Plans were drawn, and Carl Espersen of Batavia was given the contract to build them. Leo R. Smith laid the cornerstone in April 1954.
Father Kirby had promised parish members they would celebrate Christmas Mass the following year. On Dec. 20, 1955, Father Kirby served Mass from the new altar. The new church could seat 700 worshippers. The church’s décor combined modern and traditional architecture with a simple classical front and bell tower. The main body had wainscoting. Carrara marble was used in the interior of the sanctuary. There was a hand-carved crucifix with a decorative window depicting St. Anthony of Padua. The altar was also made out of Carrara marble. On the two sides of the altar were niches for the statues of the various patron saints.
Father William Kirby served 47 years in Batavia. In November 1964, he rose to the title of Monsignor and became one of the community’s most honored and beloved men. When Monsignor Kirby became ill, Father Paschal Aquavia was named administrator. In 1964, a new rectory and offices were built.
St. Anthony’s, like all Catholic churches, had many societies within the church: The Holy Name Society, Altar and Rosary Society, St. Nicholas di Bari Society, St. Michael the Archangel Society, Our Lady of Loretto Society, St. Joseph’s Table Committee and Msgr. Kirby’s Knights of Columbus.
From 1966 to 1983, significant projects were undertaken to revamp the heating system and the parking facilities. After many discussions, the Ascension Parish Council recommended to Bishop Richard Malone of the Diocese of Buffalo that St. Anthony’s no longer be utilized. The decision took effect in January 2013. The council cited financial difficulties in the decision. Kevin Keenan, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Buffalo, said that several factors contributed to economic problems for local Catholic churches, such as fewer priests, fewer baptisms, and a declining population. Keenan said the decision would benefit the parish’s mission.
“What they do is, they put parishes in a position where they can put more of their resources into ministry and not so much into the maintenance of buildings that may be underutilized,” Keenan said.
If Bishop Malone approved the recommendation, all Ascension activities would be moved to Sacred Heart. On Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, the recommendation was accepted at Mass in St. Anthony’s Church.
After a Mass by the Bishop of Buffalo on Jan. 13, and with much sadness, St. Anthony’s Church doors were closed for good. All that is left are the memories the faithful parishioners carry in their hearts about their church, St. Anthony’s.
The Reverend Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims is ready to welcome the community on Memorial Day. St. James Church will be hosting Hot Dogs on the Lawn during the Memorial Day parade this coming Monday.
Stop by the front lawn of the church at 405 East Main Street, Batavia, and enjoy a hot dog, a bottle of water, and a bag of chips while you enjoy the parade.
This is offered free of charge courtesy of The Reverend Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims, St. James Episcopal Church, and H.E. Turner & Co., Inc.
It's time for spring cleaning, and for Genesee County's community organizations, that's where volunteers on the Day of Caring prove invaluable.
They paint, pull weeds, clean and scrub, trim and rake, pick up debris -- just about anything that will help or beautify a community organization's property.
On Thursday, hundreds of volunteers started the morning at Dwyer Stadium before dispersing to nearly 40 locations throughout the county, including Crossroads House, the Community Garden, GO ART!, Gillam Grant Community Center, the International Peace Garden, Machpelah Cemetery, Purple Pony, and many other locations.
These photos are from the Batavia Girls Fastpitch Softball field at Lion's Park, the Pathway of Life Garden at Grandview Cemetery, and the Historic Batavia Cemetery.
Batavia High School recognized six of its student-athlete seniors Wednesday who will continue both their academic and athletic careers at colleges and universities.
Cole Grazioplene is heading to Brockport State College, where he will play D-III baseball. His parents are Andrea and Jeffery Grazioplene.
Owen Halpin will attend St. John Fisher University and play D-III soccer. He is also receiving a presidential scholarship. His parents are Graham and Jill Halpin.
Giana Mruczek will attend Keuka College where she will play D-III softball. She is also receiving a partial academic scholarship. Her parents are Brian and Erika Mruczek.
Casper Steward, a NYS champion in wrestling, is heading to West Point where he will wrestle in D-I. He is receiving a full athletic scholarship. His parents are Rick and Katie Stewart.
Anna Varland will attend Robers Wesleyan University, where she will play D-II soccer. She is receiving athletic and academic scholarships. Her parents are Nate and Julie Varland.
Noah Whitcombe is signing with Niagara University where he will play hockey. He is receiving an academic scholarship. His parents are Jeff and Shannon Whitcombe.
Now that the Batavia City Schools budget has been approved, district leaders will focus on certain portions of the financial plan, including how to proceed with changes in the Community Schools program, which will mean hiring a part-time coordinator, Superintendent Jason Smith says.
Once the change officially takes place on July 1, former full-time coordinator Julia Rogers will be reverting back to a former title as assistant principal at the district and a new coordinator will be hired, he said. The program, built upon a five-year $2.5 million grant, is designed to unite the Batavia community and its schools through “shared resources, working partnerships and open, collaborative communication.”
Part of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education program, also considered a “full-service” community schools program, includes a yearly evaluation review and related report, which is performed and posted by Brockport Research Institute.
All of the measurable data and protocols for the program is collected by Molly Corey, executive director of curriculum and instruction for the district.
There are 10 pillars of expectations for the program, each involving various goals, from accessibility of mental and behavioral health resources to equitable diversity ratios among the student and employee populations.
In reviewing the first report, issued in October 2023, The Batavian asked several questions of Smith.
Batavia City School District Superintendent Jason Smith
Q: Given that it is a grant, how was that extra funding from the (coordinator) job reduction used? A: Per the grant requirements, the District was required to match a portion of the Coordinator of Community School salary. As a result, general fund expenditures have been reduced, allowing us to prioritize other programming while being mindful of expenditures.
Q: One of the program objectives (10) seems to lean heavily on "community schools director and coordinators" that were hired in year one, and The Batavian was only aware of the one coordinator. Were or are there other such positions? A: We have hired one Coordinator of Community Schools, given the size of our District. As a note, we have a full-time aide assigned to the Community Schools team, who will remain in place with the hiring of the new part-time coordinator.
Q: The next question cites a particular section: Train community schools directors and coordinators in trauma-informed care, restorative justice practices, and Multi-tiered Systems of Support. No evidence has been provided that these trainings have taken place. As of the writing of this report, only a System of Care training with eight participants was reported. It is unclear if there was additional training provided during Year 1 or not.
Was this type of training done for this program? Or will it be incorporated at some point? A: The training requirements were met.
MTSS is essentially a system designed to provide academic support for students based on their needs. Several staff trainings have been provided, and future trainings are planned.
Trainings we have already provided include:
Summer professional development offerings for restorative practices and MTSS (several sessions)
Several sessions have taken place during the school year/school day
Faculty meetings (per school)
Social workers and counselors were part of a series from the University of Rochester
Additional resources are available for self-paced training
We have approximately 20 staff members trained in Trauma Illness and Grief practices.
Q: Another question based on a specific section of the protocol, based on the Year 2 target: By year two, BCSD expects to maintain a staff reflective of the student population, trained in a variety of evidence-based practices, and engaged in professional learning communities.
Staff training and engagement with professional learning communities may very well happen by the end of Year 2. The concerning finding from the BEDS data, Brockport Research Institute states, is related to the goal of having a staff reflective of the student population. Currently 97% of BCSD staff are White, and 100% of the teachers are White. As only 70% of the student body is White, it is unclear how BCSD can meet its goal of a staff reflective of the student population by the end of Year 2 (December 31, 2024).
Based on the above percentages, the recommendation was to work with Human Resources, which prompts The Batavian to ask if you can also work with the teachers union to move toward hiring more teachers of color or otherwise affect the staffing ratio. Is this feasible? Does the district have a plan for this? A: Our teachers' union is not directly involved in the hiring of staff.
Additionally, the District believes it is important that our workforce reflects our student body and remains committed to diversity in hiring practices, while at the same, hiring highly skilled, qualified, and dedicated teachers and staff. We’re proud of our recent hires who helped us reach this goal, and we’re continuously exploring ways to attract, hire, and retain a diverse staff.
Q: The researchers also said it was "unclear what percentage of students accessed any of the supports under this pillar (mental and behavioral health) or which of the supports were available during Year 1." Why is that? Do you feel that setting up this program has been working so far? Do you see room for improvement, and if so, can you be candid about some examples? A: We are thrilled to see numerous students across BCSD access our support services. We have dedicated staff to address these needs,as well as partnerships with several community agencies that work with our students (mental health and behavioral health) The students who need these services the most are accessing them—and we’re proud to have programs and staff available to help.
Q: This program is about far more than just one coordinator, but it seems, given some of this data, that reducing a full-time position to part-time doesn't seem a likely remedy to accomplish the findings and recommendations made by the BRI, so has the district revised or is revising its strategies moving forward? Q: We have systems in place to address student learning needs, as previously described regarding Multi-Tiered System Support.
The best approach is to increase the resources closest to the students. Each school has a social worker and counseling team that integrates needed resources into their school by working closely with the principal. We have seen tremendous success with this model for our District. Having these resources embedded in each building where they get to know students, their families, and their needs has expanded our capacity to reach those who really need our support directly.
Q: Are you working toward the issues of racial disparity for discipline and absenteeism? According to the report, blacks are in a higher percentage than whites for both. Is there a plan to discover why more blacks are missing school and why more of them are being disciplined? A: We are currently providing support through My Brothers Keeper, a grant and program designed to address these issues.
Each school has an attendance team that strives to improve attendance for all students. The DEI committee completed a book study, “Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain,” by Zaretta Hammonds. We are in the process of integrating practical strategies outlined in the book into our attendance process.
Q: It was also discovered that less than half of the parents who completed the program’s needs assessment agreed that students were treated fairly, no matter their race or cultural background. What do you think that's about? A: Our District's goal and top priority is to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all students, and our leadership team and Board of Education are 100 percent committed to this goal.
We appreciate the input from our parents who participated in the survey -- it provides a helpful perspective. With that being said, we are closely analyzing the results of the survey to help inform our practices, and we will certainly make adjustments as needed.
Q: Can you elaborate at all about those “critical elements” that the current coordinator will be focusing on, and confirm if there are other coordinators and a director to be handling other components of the program? A: The new Coordinator will partner with building and district leadership to target focus areas. A particular focus will be to leverage the work of our social workers to support Community School goals.
