batavia

A grackle nibbles on seeds at a backyard feeder in Batavia. 

Photo by Howard Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors will consider three projects proposing approximately $31.6 million of financial investments in Genesee County at its board meeting on Thursday, May 5, 2022.

The GCEDC Board of Directors will consider an initial resolution for La Fermière’s proposed $25 million investment. La Fermière plans to construct a 50,000 sq. ft. yogurt manufacturing facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

The proposed project adds to Batavia’s Dairy Hub of the Northeast, which supports over 900 direct jobs, over $500 million of capital investment, and over 1 million square feet of dairy processing facilities.

La Fermière has pledged to create up to 68 jobs over the first 3 years of operations in Genesee County.  Founded in France, the company has been active in US markets since 2018.

La Fermière is requesting $1.8 million in property, sales, and mortgage tax assistance.  The project is estimated to generate $54.9 million of local economic benefits over 10 years, equal to $43 dollars in economic activity for every $1 of public investment.

If the project application is accepted, a public hearing for the proposed agreement will be scheduled in the town of Batavia.

The GCEDC will also consider an initial resolution from O-AT-KA Milk Products, LLC regarding a 3,246 sq. ft. expansion of its existing facility in the town of Batavia.

The proposed $3.5 million investment will house two new 18,000-gallon tanks to increase the capabilities of cream-based liquor beverages. The expansion would create two new jobs.

O-AT-KA Milk Products, LLC has requested approximately $214,406 in property, sales, and mortgage tax. The project is estimated to generate $3.5 million of local economic benefits over 10 years, equal to $27 dollars in economic activity for every $1 of public investment.

If the project application is accepted, a public hearing for the proposed agreement will be scheduled in the town of Batavia.

The GCEDC will also consider a final resolution for Apple Tree Acres, LLC. The $3.15 million project includes construction of a stand-alone 50,000 sq. ft. facility in the Apple Tree Acres business park. Apple Tree Acres, LLC proposes to create 3 new jobs.

Apple Tree Acres, LLC is requesting approximately $490,225 in property, sales, and mortgage tax exemptions. The project is estimated to generate $2.8 million in economic activity, equal to $6 of economic activity for every $1 of public investment. A public hearing on the proposed agreement was held on Feb. 2 in the town of Bergen.

Press release:

All motorists please be aware that Walnut Street (Rt 98), Law Street, and Chestnut Street (from City Line to Traffic Circle to Jackson Street) will experience traffic delays from Monday, May 9th to Thursday, May 12th from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for resurfacing operations. Milling will take place on the 9th and 10th and paving will occur on the 11th and 12th.

While work is being performed in this area, the roadway will be reduced to a single lane for all through traffic. Local traffic will be permitted to and from their residence/property but should plan accordingly for delays.

All residents/businesses within the work area are asked not to park on the roadway during the operation.

This is weather-dependent work; if work is postponed it shall progress to the next workday.

Please contact the Bureau of Maintenance at 585-345-6400 Option 1 if there are any questions.

When it came to words and action, Catherine Roth respected each for its place in society.

Whether her efforts were for guidance of youth, beautification of a landscape, advocacy of a historical landmark or to correct the label of a piece of Batavia architecture, Roth’s head and heart were in the right place. When it came to doing any actual physical work on a project, Roth was there too, pitching in to help.

She had deep convictions and stood up for what was right, said the Rev. Roula Alkhouri of Batavia’s First Presbyterian Church.

“Catherine was a very strong and yet compassionate woman. She cared about the common good … and preserving the history and character of Batavia,” Alkhouri said Friday to The Batavian.  “Catherine always spoke her mind but was also willing to listen to other points of view. She was ahead of her time on many social issues. She took history very seriously and often taught us about the Civil War and the history of Batavia and Western New York. Catherine experienced a lot of loss in her life but stayed strong and resilient. In fact, her losses often motivated her for action and for advocacy.”

Roth died this week while residing at an assisted living facility in Albany. As one of triplet sisters, the Batavia native made her mark here in many ways, from swimming lessons and advocacy of historical treasures to board participation and planting flowers. Roth had a hand in many projects and organizations throughout Genesee County. 

She was behind the effort to secure the listing of First Presbyterian and Batavia Cemetery for the National Register of Historic Places, helped to save the former Engine House and St. James Episcopal’s adjacent rectory, served on multiple nonprofit boards, provided her eloquent insight and, perhaps most importantly, wasn’t afraid to do the hard work.

Bill Kauffman, Elba author and screenwriter, who had taken swimming lessons in Roth’s pool back in the day, knows well of her contributions. In the mid-1960s, when Batavia’s city fathers were making “the catastrophic decision to embrace Urban Renewal,” she stepped up her advocacy chops.

“She was the passionate and articulate leader of those who spoke up for the preservation and the history and integrity of Batavia,” Kauffman said. “She warned that Urban Renewal would be a disaster as well as an insult to our ancestors, and she was right.”

Her “prophetic voice” aside, Roth was also a “tireless volunteer” who did, quite literally, get her hands dirty, he said.

“In her 80s she was working in the old Batavia Cemetery on Harvester, helping to right toppled tombstones and cursing gopher holes--and suffering numerous bouts of poison ivy,” Kauffman said. “She planted and tended flowers at Dwyer Stadium, where she and her husband Larry were constant presences over the years. The Landmark Society, the Hospital League, the ARC; they all benefited tremendously from Catherine's hard work.”

Speaking of swimming lessons, Kauffman also shared that Roth informed his wife, Lucine “that I was the worst student she ever had,” he said. “This illustrates two of her outstanding qualities: she embodied the volunteer spirit, and she told it like it was.” Roth had no fear communicating what she felt was right, even in the face of being called out for being a pushy woman. She even contacted a reporter or two and chided them on the misuse of a particular word or piece of history. 

Roth’s long list of accomplishments includes being a founding board member of the Landmark Society in 1964, spearheading the publication of “The Architectural Heritage of Genesee County,” serving decades as Girl Scout troop leader and on City Council, Holland Land Office Museum and YMCA boards was a member of the United Memorial Medical Center Hospital League, baked and donated hundreds of pies sold at the snack shop, tirelessly lobbied to change state law that allowed elderly people to retain their driver’s licenses after her son was killed in an auto accident, and was a member of the oldest living triplets in the United States. 

She’s been called a “force of nature” and credited for being the type of person that "every community needs to thrive." For Alkhouri, Roth, who served as a trustee at First Presbyterian, made a difference and left many church members with indelible visuals.

“People have fond memories of Catherine in her 80s going up the bell tower to clean and to help with its maintenance. They also have fond memories of Catherine being in charge of all the church meals as she coordinated volunteers and helped cook meals, especially for life celebrations,” Alkhouri said. “Catherine had a great sense of humor. Even though she seemed to be serious most of the time, she often found humor in many situations in life. We shared many laughs. Catherine loved God and found great comfort in worship and in serving others.”

A recipient of many awards, Roth was more recently bestowed a granite bench in her name at Batavia Cemetery. She had once said that her service was not a well-mapped-out plan, but just something that she did. Roth had also said that she didn’t want to be bored.

Suffice it to say, she couldn’t possibly have been. Roth touched so many lives through her good works, and that kept her busy into her late 90s. She never lost her Long Island accent, Kauffman said, and surely “was one of Batavia’s greatest citizens.”

Alkhouri never expected to have grown so close to Roth, she said.

“When I first started as the pastor of Batavia First Presbyterian Church, I had no idea how I would become so connected to Catherine. She was always affirming of my ministry and always honest in where she was on the journey of faith and of life,” Alkhouri said. “I feel personally blessed to have known and loved Catherine.” 

Photo: File photo by Howard Owens from 2015.

Celebrating 110 years of serving the people of Genesee County, the YWCA held its first Women of Inspiration Awards brunch on Saturday at the Batavia Country Club.

Honored were Rev. Roula Alkhouri, pastor of Batavia First Presbyterian Church, Maureen Notaro, principal at Jackson Primary School, Marci Redband, accounting specialist at Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, and Jacquelyn L. Swinarski, a retired teacher and community volunteer.

Rev. Roula Alkhouri
In 2000, Alkhouri made history as the first Syrian-American woman ordained in the Presbyterian Church.  She has served the community as a strong advocate for building bridges between people, according to Donna Blake, who nominated her for the award. Blake said she is committed to YWCA's mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, and freedom for all.  She created Los Samaritamnos, a group that provides food, transportation and support for detainees released from the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia. 

Led by Alkhouri, Batavia Presbyterian has built supportive relationships with Crossroads House, Jackson School, Justice for Children, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Little Free Pantry.

During the pandemic, she encouraged her congregation through regular online video messages and services, and members of the congregation encouraged others by delivering cards to nursing home residents. 

In her acceptance speech, Alkhouri admitted she was "down in the dumps" because both her father and mother had recently passed away and her brother was diagnosed with cancer.

"I was at a low point," she said. "All I wanted to say was, 'No, I'm not inspired at this moment.' But then I remembered the power of community. And that's the word that I want to leave you with today -- that community is so important for all of us."

Maureen Notaro
Nominated by co-worker Brian Sutton, Notaro was honored as a role model for students and staff of all ages. 

"I have worked with her for five years and I have witnessed students flock to her, admire her, and strive to make her proud by listening to her sound advice and guidance," Sutton said. 

Notaro credited her mother, a single mom, with instilling in her and her sisters a sense of empowerment. 

"She taught me and my sisters that the world could be ours if we were determined and persistent and never gave up on our dreams," Notaro said. "She taught us that everyone has a story and never to dismiss what someone has to say, and that everyone deserves the right to be respected and treated respectfully. She taught us never to judge anyone and to have an open mind. She taught us that all people are equal and that what matters is how a person treats others. I realized that my mother surrounded us with strong supportive women and led by example."

Marci Redband
Redband was nominated by her husband Tom Redband.

"When I read the nomination criteria for the Women of Inspiration, which includes how the nominee inspires others, how she serves as a role model for women and girls, how the nominee contributes to her community, and how the nominee promotes the mission and vision of the YWCA -- it was a no brainer when I read this," Tom said. I immediately thought of Marci Redband."

He praised Marci, who has coached high school sports -- including alongside her husband until a season ago at Elba in basketball -- since college graduation, as one of the best female role models he has ever met.

He said she contributes to her community as a coach, including that Elba girls basketball team, which won five straight sectional titles under the combined leadership of the Redbands.

"Marci's passion and drive were to encourage and lead these young women to not sell out themselves to society's expectations of what women are supposed to do and act like, and instead push themselves to become their best selves," Tom said.

Marci said that 10 years ago, she was struggling, struggling to get through college, and a counselor encouraged her to reach out more. Marci responded by pointing how involved she was in her church. The counselor told Marci she needed to get out of her comfort zone.

The next day, she got a call to become an assistant softball coach at Elba. 

She said sometimes God places something right in front of you and you've got to do it.

"The biggest lesson that I took from (being a coach) was that consistency, and showing up and being a calm face for some of these young women, is the best thing that you can do for them," Marci said. "It was a life-changing moment for me. And it was how I met my husband."

Jacquelyn L. Swinarski
Swinarski was described as the "energizer bunny" of Robert Morris when she taught kindergarten there for 30 years. She was a role model for other teachers. 

She organized the annual 4th-grade Architectural Drawing Contest for the Landmark Society. She was active in the Batavia Teachers' Association. She's volunteered at Crossroads House and organizes the Mega Garage Sale. She volunteers in the community more than 50 hours a week. And, she's been involved in fundraising at St. Joseph's School.

Swinarski encouraged people to treat other people better and to volunteer.

"When you volunteer, you give yourself to others," she said. "When someone does something to you, it's wonderful for a moment but then it's gone. When you do something for someone else, you always find people that are gracious, and loving, and you make more friends."

Millie Tomidy-Pepper, executive director of the YWCA presented Synia Morrison, a senior at Batavia High School, with the first ever Frances G. Francis Scholarship. Francis was founder of the YWCA in Genesee County,

The winning piece in this year's NY-27 Congressional Art Competition was executed with exemplary technical skill and creative energy, said Mary Jo Whitman, education/SCR director for GO Art!, and competition judge.

The winning painting was a self-portrait by Sarah Durkin, a senior at Iroquois High School. Whitman praised it its technical execution in part because of the difficulty of the medium, oil pastel.

"It's not just traditional portraiture but putting it in the setting and the way she executed the interior of the car,  the complementary colors between the blues and the reds, the sunset in the car," she said. "It was just very well executed and had a kind of very postmodern feel to it."

Heller was unable to attend today's event because she was at a university accepting a scholarship.

Second place went to Kaylee Ziobro of Eden HS, and third to Kendall Heller, also of Iroquois.

Heller's painting will hang in the hallway that leads from the congressional office to the Capitol Building for a year, said Rep. Chris Jacobs, who was on hand to meet the young artists who entered the competition and present the awards. 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story reversed the names of the first and third place winners.  It's corrected now. The Batavian regrets the error.

A new business on Harvester Avenue is taking an old concept of “brick-and-mortar” and feeding it with some bright thinking, owner Macy Paradise says.

Paradise, a 2003 Batavia HIgh School grad and owner of Paradise Fit in Elba, has branched out to include an all-inclusive facility for kids, adults, seniors and developmentally disabled folks. His logo is a brain inside of a lightbulb to represent a bright idea.

“The goal of this space is to have a more skill-building style,” Paradise said during the grand opening of The Brick Community Enrichment Center on Friday at The Harvester Center, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia. “The Brick concept comes from an original idea that Joe Mancuso had in 1959, offering kind of a brick and mortar flex-use space for entrepreneurs. We wanted to rebrand that here, this being a flexible space, using it for all sorts of reasons. So we are trying to rebuild the community brick by brick.”

Paradise spoke while taking a short break from his DJ gig at the event. A versatile host of all things music for special events, celebrity debuts and even dance parties for, in this case on Friday, kids aged three to 12. The site’s overall concept was to host group fitness classes for all ages, and that grew into allowing space for skill-building classes, private events and to offer a more affordable rental option for bridal and wedding showers, birthday parties and the like. 

Paradise, 37, is a Batavia native who returned after a stints in each of Los Angeles, Calif. and Colorado. While living out west, he frequently returned to host events at the former City Slickers and Billy Goats, plus TF Browns. He also ventured into Erie County to host various entertainment gigs, such as international Electronic Dance Music producer and DJs Barely Alive and Virtual Riot, in Buffalo.  

The Brick Community Enrichment Center offers fitness classes from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in May, and Paradise is planning other sessions for young and older alike, and also for people with developmental disabilities. It complements his main business, Paradise Fit, which offers personalized training, coaching, nutrition programs and meals, and an app for support. A personal trainer who also owns and operates the Elba-based fitness facility, Paradise initially started with personal training in Elba, doing one-on-one training sessions with clients. He proudly calls Elba home, having purchased one there in 2019, two years after moving back to Western New York. 

Meanwhile, he began to look for a space to do group fitness classes and was also hired as the Harvester Center's marketing director. 

“I found this space … and decided to open it up,” he said. “It’s another thing to do in Batavia.”

For more information or to get in touch with Paradise, call (585) 356-7737, email paradisemacy@gmail.com or visit www.brickcommunitycenter.com or check out @TheBrick on Facebook.

Top photo: Owner Macy Paradise cuts the symbolic ribbon to his new place, The Brick Community Enrichment Center, during a grand opening dance party Friday at The Harvester Center, 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia. Macy Paradise and partner Nici Johnson show off the logo for The Brick Community Enrichment Center. Photos submitted by Steven Falitico/Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Press release:

The Genesee County Funding Corporation (GCFC), an affiliate of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), approved tax-exempt bonds to support projects by Rochester Regional Health (RRH) expanding healthcare services in Genesee County and throughout New York State at its April 28th board meeting.

The tax-exempt bonds approved by the GCFC support the construction of a 105,393 square-foot healthcare facility on Oak Orchard Road in the Town of Batavia and 56,147 square feet of related ground floor parking.

In Batavia, Rochester Regional Health will offer outpatient cardiac care, women’s health services, primary care, urgent care, outpatient surgical services, gastroenterology, outpatient radiology and other outpatient services.

The Batavia project is projected to create approximately 70 full-time equivalent jobs with an average salary of $110,000, and over 200 construction jobs.

In addition to new bonding, the project also includes improvements of machinery, equipment and other tangible personal property, the refunding or refinancing of all or a portion of the outstanding principal amounts of existing bonds, and the construction of a 96,189 square-foot healthcare facility in the town of Potsdam in St. Lawrence County.

The projects will generate over $172.6 million of economic benefits to Genesee County and other communities over 10 years, including $161.4 million of payroll for temporary and ongoing jobs, and $11.2 million of tax revenues.

A two-car accident with unknown injuries is reported at Lewiston Road and Galloway Road, Batavia.

Town of Batavia Fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.:Injuries appear to be non-serious. A second ambulance requested to the scene, non-emergency.

There will be no taxpayer-funded trial on criminal mischief charges for a man already serving a life sentence on a jury-trial conviction for attempted murder and arson.

Judge Michael Mohun dismissed the charges against Plush Dozier this morning at the formal request of District Attorney Kevin Finnell.

Finnell cited the inability of Dozier to pay restitution, the cost of a trial, and the fact that, given how sentencing works in New York, if convicted, Dozier would be given credit for time served, since it would run concurrent to the term he's serving now. That means he would get no additional prison time (which could be a factor if he became eligible for parole).

"It's in the public interest not to hold a trial," Finnell said.

The decision apparently came at Mohun's suggestion during a conference on the case, Defense Attorney Fred Rarick suggested during the case and reiterated to a reporter as he was leaving the courtroom.  He said it was the right thing to do and saved the taxpayers the expense of transporting Dozier daily during a trial from Sullivan County.

Mohun, a county court judge in Wyoming County, has been assisting Genesee County since January while also mentoring new County Court Judge Melissa Cianfrini because of a backlog of cases. He inherited more than 80 cases that were more than years old -- going back to Cianfrini's time in the District Attorney's Office.  Much of the delay in the cases can be attributed to COVID-related shutdowns and slowdowns.

He said after court that the last of the cases will be cleared from his calendar on Monday and his duties in helping to catch up Genesee County will be completed. 

Dozier was convicted of attempted murder and arson in October. Dozier intentionally set fire on June 15, 2018, to the house at 35 Maple St., Batavia, in an attempt to kill a person inside the residence.

He appeared in court this morning, accompanied by three state prison guards, including a sergeant. Dozier was dressed in a green state prison jumpsuit, wearing on his head a white knit cap with a band of copper and black stripes knitted in and around it.  Four people, friends and family, sat in court in support of Dozier.  After the hearing, they thanked Mohun for his kindness in handling the case.

It was alleged that on Aug. 4, 2018, Dozier kicked out a plate of glass in a holding cell at the Genesee County Jail, which caused more than $5,000 in damage. He's also accused of causing more than $250 of damage to a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle on Aug. 20, 2018.  That lead to charges of criminal mischief 3rd and criminal mischief 4th. 

Finnell said he consulted with Sheriff William Sheron on the dismissal and Sheron agreed with the decision.

Sheron said this afternoon, "Dozier is serving a life sentence, therefore in the interest of justice, we agree with the dismissal of the charges."

After about a year as Batavia's assistant city manager, Jill Wiedrick has resigned her post for a job in Monroe County, City Manager Rachael J. Tabelski says. 

Wiedrick was hired in June 2021 as a lifelong resident of Western New York and 15 years of experience in local government. She had been the senior county planner for Genesee County and was manager of zoning for the City of Rochester when she was hired for the assistant manager position.

"I would like to congratulate Jill Wiedrick, Assistant City Manager, for her time with the City of Batavia.  She is moving to a new job with the Village of Fairport.  It was a pleasure to work with Jill, and I wish her all the best in her career pursuit," Tabelski said in an emailed response to The Batavian. "Her last day with the City of Batavia is Friday May 13, 2022.  The City will actively advertise the position of Assistant City Manager in the near future to fill the position."

File photo of Jill Wiedrick 

Two local girls and a coach, all from Batavia, will be attending their first-ever competition in Florida with Dynamic Elite Athletics, Batavia resident Robin Cook says.

They will be attending the Summit cheer and dance Championship at Walt Disney World Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex beginning Thursday through May 1.  

Kayla Gangarossa, a Batavia High School graduate, is the coach of the Level 2 ICE team, and her daughter, Payton Spikes, will be going with Level One Junior D1amonds, Cook said in an email to The Batavian. 

Payton is a fifth-grader at Batavia Middle School. Her mom Kayla was a coach for Batavia Bulldawgs cheerleading, and Payton and her Batavia school peer Hailey Armison were Bulldawgs cheerleaders. Both Payton and Hailey will be participating in the Florida event. Dynamic Elite Athletics is a cheer and tumbling center based in Rochester. 

"This will be our first-ever D2 Summit, as well as our first-ever world finals for our open level 6 team Legacy,” Gangarossa said. “We will be kicking off our decade of purple and teal and celebrating 10 years of Dynamic Elite Athletics the week after we return from the summit."

The Summit Championship, founded by Varsity All-Star in 2013, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2022 and will showcase more than 1,500 teams and 24,000 competitors from around the globe. The Summit Championship is promoted as a way to provide a unique experience for athletes to compete against the best of the best across all levels of competition. 

Top photos of Payton Spikes and Hailey Armison; the girls' cheersport team and Coach Kayla Gangarossa and Payton, her daughter. Photos submitted by Robin Cook.

Flower City Union, a professional soccer team in Rochester playing its inaugural season, is coming to Batavia on May at 7:30 p.m. for a game against California United Strikers.

The teams are part of the National Independent Soccer Association, a third division professional soccer league.  The team is partly fan-owned.

"This is very cool to have this game in Batavia," said Michael Bromley, athletic director for Batavia City Schools.

The game will be played at Van Detta Stadium.

The price of the game is $10. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.flowercityunion.com.

Garlyn Maurice Gause, 42, of Brookhaven Terrace, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd, tampering with physical evidence, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and insufficient turn signal. Gause was stopped for an alleged traffic violation at 10:20 p.m., April 24, on Swan Street, Batavia, but Deputy Nicholas Charmoun.  Deputy James Stack and K-9 "Rayzor" responded to the stop. Rayzor reportedly alerted on the vehicle. Upon a search of the vehicle, the deputies allegedly located narcotics in the vehicle.  Gause is accused of possession of narcotics with the intent to sell the drugs. Gause is accused of attempting to conceal evidence after he was in custody. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held without bail. 

Lourdes M. Castaneda, 33, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Castaneda was stopped by State Police on Transit Road, Lancaster, and troopers reportedly determined that she exhibit signs of impairment.  Castaneda is accused of failing a field sobriety test.  She was processed at SP Clarence where she allegedly registered at .13 BAC on a breath test. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Press release:

Northgate Church is hosting a Rummage Sale at its South Campus, 350 Bank Street, Batavia, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, May 6, and 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, May 7. All proceeds will be donated to Northgate's "Connected Community" in Gahanda, Rwanda, Africa, and its school serving 1,200 children. Last year, this event raised $3,000 toward the needs of the Gahanda school.

"A core value of Northgate is for people to reach out and fulfill a purpose in the community, alongside other people – people within a church family, in small groups, and in the world around us," said Allison Lang, director of communication for the Northgate congregation. "The volunteers organizing and facilitating this sale are responding to that call."

This year, donations are being collected, sorted, and priced with the goal of helping the people of Gahanda, Rwanda, create and maintain a self-sustaining farm and co-op, which will provide their local families with food and a source of income. The Genesee and Orleans communities are invited to participate in the Rummage Sale to benefit our global neighbors. For more information, please contact the Northgate office at (585) 343-4011 or email office@northgatefmc.com.

Submitted photos.

Press release:

The Holland Land Museum is proud to announce the return of its History Heroes Summer Program. The museum will be rocking this summer with this year's theme, History Rockin’ Around the Clock in the 1950s. The program runs five days from Tuesday, July 26th through Saturday, July 30th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you have a child between the ages of 7 and 12, sign them up for rocking time living in the 50s. The cost is $25 per day per child, with discounts for siblings and museum members.

The children get a glimpse into what it was like to live in the 50s and their local history through numerous artifacts from the museum, such as a Sylvania black and white TV, various early telephones, a phonograph, record albums, 45s, and a phonograph needle. Also on display will be typewriters, early cameras, movie cameras, a transistor radio, ball-bearing roller skates, and a skate key. The children will compare what we had back then to what we have today; they will check out the clothing, learn about the history of the 50s and experience an old-fashioned ice cream soda and a cherry coke. They will play many games against each other to give them a sample of what baby boomers experienced. No cell phones are allowed. Instead, we will bring out the hula hoops, chalk for hopscotch, rope for jump roping, a can for kicking, marbles, and much more.

If you are interested in signing your child up for the Holland Land Office Museum History Heroes Summer Program you can contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com. Further information and forms can be found on the museum’s website, www.hollandlandoffice.com, or the museum’s Facebook page.

Photo by Howard Owens. File photo of the History Heroes visit to the Historic Batavia Cemetery, including a visit to the grave site of Joseph Ellicott, in 2016.