Work has begun on the prep work for demolition of the former Batavia Restaurant Supply at the corner of South Lyon and West Main streets in Batavia to make way for a new Burger King. Photo by Howard Owens
Barriers have been put up on the corner, and work has begun inside the former Batavia Restaurant Supply building at West Main and South Lyon streets in preparation for the demolition of the Batavia site to make way for a future Burger King.
After several trips between the city and county planning boards in 2022 and 2023, applicant Carrols LLC, represented by Peter Sorgi, was making headway with two variances, one of which included a reduced parking lot size.
The applicant plans to move from its current spot on the north side of West Main Street to 301-305 W. Main St., where having a traffic light at the corner and more space for a bigger drive-through restaurant were mentioned as benefits for building a new location.
Meanwhile, BRS, owned by Nate Charvella and Stacey Schrader, has since moved westward to 4152 W. Main St., Suite 18A, Valu Plaza. Beverly's Flowers & Gifts, owned by Russ Fitzgibbon and adjacent to the restaurant supply company, moved to 228 W. Main St.
An official date for the new Burger King has been a moving target, with spring to fall 2024 as the potential initial construction phase. The Batavian has requested a comment from Sorgi and will provide an update if/when Sorgi responds.
Milling work occupies workers along Jefferson Avenue in Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
Work crews have been out on the streets for milling, and are expected to be wrapping up by the end of Thursday, according to a prior city announcement.
All motorists have been forewarned that they will experience traffic delays this week between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. for milling operations on any of the following:
Joe Oddo celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday. Photo by Steve Ognibene
For Joseph Oddo, a Batavia native and Army veteran, it didn’t take long to name what’s kept him going for a century.
“I always help people out. That’s why I think the Lord blessed me, because, you know, the things I did in my life to help people,” the newly turned 100-year-old said during an interview with The Batavian. “I worked with people. I kept going all the time.”
Oddo will be celebrating his 75th wedding anniversary with his wife Fran on Sept. 24 — a date he joked he had not better forget. She stayed home to care for their children while he was on the road a lot, he said, as his work ethic didn’t just get him through jobs but through life.
“So everything worked out,” he said. “I kept myself busy, kept going. I always did that. When you come from a family of 10 kids …”
As the oldest in his family, he learned early on, which originated from his dad arriving “off the boat” from Sicily with a sponsorship from a Le Roy resident, that he needed to forge ahead with whatever came his way.
That included doing his patriotic duty right out of high school graduation in 1942, he said. A military draft had just been declared, and the government wasted no time pulling young boys into service. Oddo was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served with the Signal Corps 234, a 3342 signal battalion, he said.
“I still remember, and in the battalion, various different companies. So I was a 231st company, which dealt with radio, telephone and teletype. My job was a W8, a double E day was a field telephone. That was my job, and I made sure that those are operating, and the people that had them made sure that they were getting the right information,” he said. “Because, you know, we were in Persia, they call it Iran today. See, when the Germans pushed, I mean they pushed, what’s it called, the Germans into Russia, came in with a lot of equipment, they talked about, they came along with tanks and guns and everything else.
We were just outside of Tehran into white Russia, so to speak, and that’s where we were stationed, and that’s how we kept the communications going from that point on because we could reach the troops and everybody from that point,” he said. “I served three years in World War II. I got my notice in December ’42, so in January ’43 I got inducted. I went to Fort Niagara.”
He became a leader right away when he was put in charge of troops. Then, he said, they boarded a train to New Jersey for training.
“And then all of a sudden, I had to go to Fort Monmouth for two months. And it teaches all the communications of telephone and teletype and radio and all that,” he said, referring to another time during service. “We all worked together and stuff like that. Occasionally, we had guard duty. They had a lot of German prisoners, we used to guard them at night time, that was our duty some times. We put switchboards out in the field and we had to operate switchboards because they were contacting what was on the other side of Germany.”
When he returned in January 1946, he resumed working at Doehler Jarvis even though he was “a little upset” that he couldn’t go on to school.
“When I couldn’t go to school, I had to go to the Army. I did my duty and said, ‘Why did you pick on me? I was only 18 years old, you know. But you had to serve your country. I did it,” he said. “I was told Jarvis said they wanted me; I became a steward. They made me the president of the union. I ran for president, and that was president of four plants in Chicago, Toledo, Grand Rapids and Pottstown, Pennsylvania.”
He did such a great job, in fact, that he was offered a job in Detroit for the United Auto Workers. Sell your house and move, he was told. He worked with the union for many years, negotiating contracts and such, traveling to California and “all over the place,” he said. He was so good at negotiating and so fierce that he was even dubbed “Jimmy Hoffa,” he said.
He couldn’t sell their local home and move, however, due to his wife’s mother, who had a disability and wanted her daughter close by.
Oddo never had a gap in employment, being offered various jobs throughout his life — a testament to that work ethic no doubt. He and Fran have two children, Sal Oddo and Marianne Anderson, and they still live in the Southside home they bought in 1960.
Through all these years, he has retained his memories and the drive to do what Joe Oddo does best.
“Keep going; it’s the key. Don’t stop,” he said. “I’m 100 years old, I’m still going. I do things, you know, work outside, clean. I do everything right now.”
Joe Oddo, 100, with his wife Fran, 93. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Joe with his daughter Marianne (Oddo) Anderson and son Sal Oddo. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Multi generations of family for a group photo with Joe. Photo by Steve Ognibene
City of Batavia Fire Captain Bob Fix being honored at Erie County Fair. Submitted Photo
During a heatwave in early July, Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation faced several related challenges: the nursing home’s HVAC system faltered, the mechanical room overheated, and the elevators broke down, creating a potentially hazardous situation for the senior residents.
When City of Batavia Fire Captain Bob Fix was called to the scene, he didn’t merely give a standard response. He exceeded expectations, Supervising Administrator Samantha Vagg says.
"Captain Fix stuck out because of how he guided younger firefighters and frequently called back after his team left to make sure our facility was okay,” Vagg said to The Batavian.
His proactive approach, including collaborating with nursing home staff and coordinating with National Grid, prevented further issues, Vagg said, which prompted her to nominate Fix for Erie County Fair’s Firefighter Honoree Award.
The award, which was presented to Fix on Aug. 18, is given to individuals who exemplify the highest standards of the fire service, showcasing a notable record of service, achievement, and selflessness.
City Fire Chief Josh Graham spoke highly of Captain Fix, emphasizing that the department’s standard is to go above and beyond. He added that the entire department takes pride in Fix’s recognition, which reflects the collective dedication that defines the firefighters’ work.
"Captain Fix is a dedicated professional and a true asset to our community,” Graham said. “We are honored to have him represent Local 896 as Sunday's Firefighter Honoree.”
Fix, a 21-year veteran of the fire department, said that no matter how bad his day might be going at work, “whoever’s calling for help is having a worse day than me.”
“If I can do a little extra, why not?” he said, remaining rather modest about the recognition. "I'm just the guy that got nominated for the award."
He deflected praise aimed at him instead to his entire team and the nursing home staff, who he said played a crucial role during the emergency. Vagg said that she would have nominated the whole department if she could have since it “is so professional every time we interact.”
Firefighting is not just a career but a calling in his family, Fix said. Being honored at the fair became a full-circle moment for him, combining his love for the community with his lifelong commitment to public service. He’s also quick to point out that the department does so many other things within the community.
"My father was a firefighter, and I've been going to the fair for as long as I can remember,” he said. "We’re there for car accidents, technical rescues, building safety inspections, and more. In October, we’ll focus on fire prevention, going into schools to teach fire safety. It’s all part of the job."
Chapin CEO Tim Onello and Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Photo by Howard Owens.
The seemingly anti-business posture of New York's government dominated a conversation on Tuesday at Chapin International in Batavia during Assemblyman Steve Hawley's visit with CEO Tim Onello and other Chapin executives.
Onello said it would help the state's business climate by lowering taxes and reducing mandates and regulations.
"There's just all the extra laws and things you have to maneuver when you're in New York," said Onello, a Buffalo native who became CEO four months ago.
The barriers to business expansion drove Chapin, said Bill Kegler, VP of operations, to open a plant in Kentucky a few years ago.
"We had to go out of state ... unfortunately, because the environment in New York is restrictive and tough, just tough to grow a business," Kegler said. "It's just not conducive to success, to the continued company success."
Hawley noted the echo of history. Chapin occupies the former Sylvania factory, which relocated to Tennessee in 1976.
"It has been a recurring theme economically speaking and business speaking for many, many decades," Hawley said. "Apparently, we didn't learn from our past mistakes."
Onello said Chapin has no specific legislative requests at the moment and with the Legislature in between sessions, Hawley didn't have much to offer in the way of possible business-related bills the Legislature might consider.
After the talk, Hawley was provided a tour of the factory.
A casualty of the pandemic, Rudely Stamp’d’s production of “Now We Stand by Each Other Always” had a great three-year run touring the eastern United States from New York to Florida between 2017 and 2020.
After a long hiatus, Rudely Stamp’d has revived “Now We Stand…” with a performance at the Main Street 56 Theater in Batavia on September 20 at 7 p.m. with other tour dates to follow.
Written and directed by Derek Maxfield, a history professor at a local community college, the three-act play “Now We Stand by Each Other Always” features a series of conversations between Union generals Ulysses S. Grant – played by Derek Maxfield - and William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War.
Much of the dialog is drawn from historic sources and seeks to capture the evolving relationship between the generals over the course of the conflict with scenes featuring conversations at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1864 and City Point, Virginia in 1865 – just weeks before Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House.
The reboot also features a new face. During the pre-pandemic run, Tracy Ford brilliantly played the part of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. The role will now be filled by Daniel Snyder, a professor at a local community college.
Folks might remember Dan from his role in “Brothers at Odds” about the Brisbane family of Batavia. Dan played the eccentric Albert Brisbane, whom he also portrays for the Batavia Cemetery’s annual ghost walk.
In addition to Maxfield as Grant and Snyder as Sherman, the play also features a supporting cast featuring Jess Maxfield as Julia Grant and a special appearance by Thomas Schobert as Gen. John A. Rawlins.
With no one hitting the Pick-5 once again on Saturday (Aug. 24) at Batavia Downs, there is a carryover that has grown to $3,558 for that bet in the first race on Wednesday (Aug. 28) and track management has announced the pool will be guaranteed at $10,000 through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.
Free full past performance programs for races one through five are now available at the USTA website (ustrotting.com) under the handicapping tab.
Also, free full card past performance programs for Wednesday and every live card of racing at Batavia can always be downloaded at the Downs’ website (bataviadownsgaming.com) under the “Live Racing” tab. Plus you can watch all the racing action as it happens for free at the Batavia Downs Live Facebook page.
Photo of My Debt Collector courtesy of Fred Brown.
The last New York Sire Stake stop of 2024 at Batavia Downs will be on Wednesday (Aug. 28) evening when five 2-year-old trotting fillies will compete in one division for $102,500 in purse money.
That division’s leading points (137) and earnings ($130,509) leader is My Debt Collector (Chapter Seven-Magic Presto) and she will be the one to beat when they line up on Wednesday.
My Debt Collector has four starts in the NYSS with two wins, one second and a third with her lifetime mark of 1:57.4 coming in her very first stake start at Tioga Downs in July. She has won from off the pace and also on the point so her versatility in this short field will make her hard to beat. Currently, she is also the seventh highest earning 2-year-old trotting filly in North America.
Leaving from post four, Jim Morrill Jr. will be in the stirrups behind her for trainer Nifty Norman.
The biggest threat to her looks to be Calculus Risk (Devious Man-K Squared Hanover) who also won her first NYSS event this year in a lifetime mark (2:00.1), however it was also her only win this year and she has been beaten by My Debt Collector twice. That said, she has not missed a single check in her five NYSS outings to date.
Trainer Perry Simser has Jordan Stratton back in the bike and they will depart from post six.
Inn Of The Stars (Chapter Seven-Mel’s Inn) has the fastest win time in this field when she trotted to victory in 1:57 at Tioga Downs in July. But it came in an Excelsior race. She made her first foray into NYSS action last week at Monticello Raceway, but fell short behind both My Debt Collector and Calculus Risk. Wednesday she will start inside both and has a very good shot to improve her standing.
Tyler Buter drove her for both Excelsior wins and will be back aboard for trainer John Butenschoen.
The New York Sire Stake will go as race six. There are also two $20,000 Excelsior events on Wednesday, carded as race seven and eight. Post time for the first race on Wednesday is 6 p.m.
Batavia PD's softball team could have used somebody to put out the fire at Dwyer Stadium on Sunday, but City Fire was a little busy fanning the flames on the way to a 23-3 victory in the annual Battle of the Badges.
In four matches, the boys in blue have managed only one victory.
Jon H. Bush, Jr., 41, of Batavia, was arrested on two warrants and also charged with assault 2nd and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. On Aug. 5, Batavia patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Park Road and observed Bush attempting to hide in the back seat. Officers were aware of warrants for Bush's arrest. He was ordered to exit the vehicle. After getting out, Bush allegedly attempted to flee on foot. He allegedly fought with officers and injured one of them before he was taken into custody. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.
Vinayek A. Graves, 20, of Kansas City, Kansas, is charged with possession of a forged instrument 2nd, identity theft 1st, and forgery 2nd. Graves was arrested on Aug. 8 following an investigation into a fraud complaint. He was arraigned and released.
Nicholas M. Ricigliano, 40, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ricigliano is accused of stealing an umbrella stand from a business on Bank Street on Aug. 21. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Branco J. Blanco, 60, of Batavia, is charged with dog running at large and owning an unlicensed dog. It is alleged that Blanco allowed two dogs to run at large on State Street on Aug. 18. The dogs allegedly bit a person who was walking in the area. Blanco was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeffrey G. Ellinwood, 65, of Batavia, was charged with criminal trespass 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. It's alleged that Ellinwood broke into a residence on Porter Avenue on Aug. 15. He was arraigned and released.
Jerry T. Saddler, Jr., 48, is charged with criminal mischief 4th, criminal obstruction of breathing, and harassment 2nd. Saddler is accused of striking another person, grabbing that person by the neck, and taking the person's phone to keep the person from calling for help. He also faces charges from an Aug. 14 of criminal obstruction of breathing involving the same victim. He was arraigned in City Court and held in the Genesee County Jail.
Michael C. Smith, 32, of Batavia, was arrested on four warrants. The warrants were issued after Smith allegedly failed to appear in court on four separate criminal cases. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.
Geoffrey M. Anderson, Jr., of Brockport, was arrested on Aug. 16 on two warrants, including a warrant alleging bail jumping 3rd. The warrants were issued after Anderson allegedly failed to appear in court on a trespassing charge from 2017. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Aaron Joshua Anwar, 18, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Anwar is accused of stealing merchandise from Dick's Sporting Goods on July 31 at 3:03 p.m. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Leeanne Krull, 55, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Krull is accused of violating an order of protection at 12:43 p.m. on July 31 at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. The order of protection had been issued in Centralized Arraignment Part Court just hours earlier. Krull was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Justin Timothy Gladney Sr., 35, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband 1st and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Gladney is accused of bringing crack cocaine into the Genesee County Jail at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1. He was held for arraignment.
Tricia M. Blatt, 37, of East Main Street, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies were dispatched at 1:40 a.m. Aug. 3, to Byron to investigate a complaint of a broken window, possible criminal mischief. Deputies located Blatt and determined she was allegedly too impaired to care for her child. There was no evidence of criminal mischief. Blatt was arraigned and released.
The following people were charged on Aug. 1 while attending the Kenny Chesney concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center:
Jonathon M. Morris, 19, of Rochester, was charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue following an ejection.
Avery J. Dieterle, 19, of Akron, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue following an ejection.
William A. McCray, 57, no permanent address, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly striking another person while inside the concert venue.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is excited to announce an exceptional opportunity for artists of all disciplines living and/or working in Genesee and Orleans Counties. In partnership with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), GO ART! is accepting applications for the NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program. The program is free to participants.
This intensive 3.5-day professional development program is designed to empower artists across all disciplines—including visual, literary, performing arts, and more—with the essential tools needed to achieve sustainability and success in their creative endeavors. Whether you’re an emerging artist looking to build a strong foundation or an established professional seeking new strategies and networks, this program offers a dynamic platform to enhance your creative practice.
Program Highlights:
Comprehensive Content: Participants will explore key topics such as strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, financial literacy, and art law. The curriculum includes materials from NYFA’s renowned textbook, The Profitable Artist.
Work Sample Reviews: Receive personalized feedback from professionals in your field, offering valuable insights into the jury selection process and your artistic presentation.
Peer Network: Join a community of like-minded peers across various disciplines, fostering connections that extend beyond the program.
Access to Experts: Engage with NYFA’s expert staff and local arts industry leaders, including funders, curators, publishers, and artistic directors.
Artist Action Plan: Develop a personalized blueprint for your practice or specific arts project, with opportunities to discuss and refine your plan within the peer group.
Engagement with the Creative Community: The program structure includes presentations, panels, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions tailored to the needs of participants.
Eligibility and Application:
Who Can Apply: Artists of all disciplines and career stages, including students, who are living and/or working in Genesee or Orleans Counties
Application Deadline: Monday, September 23, 11:59 p.m. Applications must be submitted via Submittable.
Program Dates:
Meet and Greet and Introductions: Thursday, November 7 from 5 - 8 p.m.
Intensive Sessions: Friday - Saturday, November 8 - 10 from 10a.m. - 4 p.m. daily
Don’t miss this unique chance to grow your artistic career with guidance from leading professionals in the field. Currently accepting applications. For more information and to apply visit https://www.nyfa.org/professional-development/entrepreneurial-intensives/ Please email questions to learning@nyfa.org with the subject line “Artist as Entrepreneur, GO ART!.”
This program is made possible through New York State Council on the Arts, State & Local Partnerships with the support of the Governor's Office and the New York State Legislature.
Photo of Sister Mary Maude courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
Sophomore trotters of both sexes were on hand to compete for their share of $233,300 in purses in the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 24) night and a new track standard was established in the first set.
In the $115,600 division for fillies and mares, Sister Mary Maude (Crazy Wow-Perfect Mass) took a new lifetime mark and shattered the track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies after tripping out to victory.
Senorita Palema (Tyler Buter) shot to the front while Sister Mary Maude (Joe Bongiorno) settled in the garden spot for the duration. Senorita Palema led the single file, short field of six to through fractions of :28, :57.1 and 1:26.1 before heading into the final turn. It was there that Bongiorno tipped Sister Mary Maude from the pocket and drew alongside Senorita Palema at the head of the stretch. From there, they battled all the way to the line where Sister Mary Maude lunged to the lead by one-quarter length and stopped the clock in 1:54.2.
The time of 1:54.2 supplants the old standard of 1:55.1 set by Love A Good Story in 2020 which was also set in New York Sire Stake competition.
Sister Mary Maude ($3.90) pushed her seasonal earnings to $275,190 on the strength of her fourth win of the year for owners Burke Racing, Bill Switala, James Martin and Weaver Bruscemi. Ron Burke trains the David Hanson-bred filly.
Later in the $117,700 colts and gelding division, Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) pulled victory from the jaws of defeat as he rallied from sixth to take the win.
Fly By (Jason Bartlett) had a brief lead before Super Duper Cooper (Jim Morrill Jr.) came three-wide to take control at the quarter in :28.1. With the field in line, Super Duper Cooper backed down the half to a tepid :59, forcing an outer-flow to form led by Mister Melby (Jordan Stratton) who was followed by Crazy Brother Jim (Joe Chindano Jr.).
Positions remained unchanged as they made their way to three-quarters and at this point, Keep Asking (Tyler Buter), who was still sitting sixth, pulled off the pylons and went three-deep and was flying around the last turn. At the top of the stretch, Keep Asking was fourth as the favorite Fly By made a break from second, leaving Super Duper Cooper the one to catch. Keep Asking continued to gain on Super Duper Cooper, who was starting to give way. Morrill and Buter were both urging their mounts but in the shadow of the wire, Keep Asking got up and won by one-quarter length in 1:57.1.
It was the second NYSS win this year for Keep Asking ($16.20) who is owned by Bill Donovan, Joe Sbrocco, Jim Winske and George Ducharme, who also trains the filly. Donovan, Sbrocco and Winske also bred the winner.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Aug. 28) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $3,558 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and that pool will be guaranteed at $10,000 through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program.
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.
Photo of Desperate Man courtesy of Wendy J. Lowery.
A patient drive by driver Matt Kakaley paid big dividends for Desperate Man, who won the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 24) night.
Typhoon Banner N (Joe Bongiorno) and Coaches Corner (Jason Bartlett) traded leads to the :26.4 quarter while Desperate Man traveled a close fourth. After Coaches Corner finally settled on the lead, Buzzsaw Russ (John De Long) pulled first-over early at three-eighths and Desperate Man followed closely behind his cover.
They were in two rows heading up the backstretch with Buzzsaw Russ drawing alongside Coaches Corner and just as he was ready to cross over at three-quarters, he made a break, causing Kakaley to grab up Desperate Man as they made their way into the turn. Coaches Corner was clear by two lengths with Typhoon Banner right behind and Desperate Man now back in gear in the breeze. At the top of the stretch, Desperate Man was in full flight and making up ground with every stride and in deep stretch, Desperate Man bolted home on top by 1-¼ lengths in 1:51.3.
It was the third straight win and 25th career victory for Desperate Man ($3.70) who increased his lifetime bank to $1,320,279 for owner Kathy Cecchin. Travis Alexander trains the 6-year-old gelded son of Shadow Play-Dreamlands Latte.
Back row (from left): Jason Smith, Presenter & BCSD Superintendent of Schools; Richard Beatty, Committee Member Front row (from left): Claudia Nusstein, Presenter & Genesee County Park Conservation Education Program Coordinator; Cathy Uhly, Committee Member; and Christina Mortellaro Frank, Committee Member Submitted photo.
Press Release:
The Books Sandwiched In committee is pleased to announce the Fall 2024 Series of Books Sandwiched In! Sessions will take place on Wednesdays in September from 12:10 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Gallery Room.
Books Sandwiched In is a book review program, in which guest speakers are invited to present reviews of books, usually non-fiction titles. This fall’s theme encourages attendees to explore “America’s National Parks,” in keeping with the theme of the 2024 Richmond Reads title, The Last Ranger by Peter Heller.
“Attendees are not required or expected to read the books in advance,” shares program coordinator Samantha Stryker. “Rather, think of it as a way to learn a little something and figure out which books you may want to read.”
Each session will feature cookies, coffee, tea, and a chance to win a gift certificate to a local lunch spot. On your lunch break? Feel free to bring your lunch!
Fall 2024 Books & Speakers:
Wednesday, September 4 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore the Everglades: Genesee County Park Conservation Education Program Coordinator, Claudia Nusstein, reviews "Gator Country: Deception, Danger and Alligators in the Everglades" by Rebecca Renner
Wednesday, September 11 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore Yellowstone: Retired Teacher & NIOGA Board Trustee, Jeff Laub, reviews "Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America" by Megan Kate Nelson
Wednesday, September 18 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore the Grand Canyon: Retired School Counselor and avid outdoorsperson, Janice Spiotta, reviews A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko
Wednesday, September 25 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore Yosemite: BCSD Superintendent of Schools Jason Smith reviews Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship that Saved Yosemite" by Dean King
Books Sandwiched In is sponsored by the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library. All are welcome and this program is free to attend!
Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia. For more information about the library and other programs, visit batavialibrary.org.
Driver Dave McNeight III started Friday (Aug. 23) night in fifth place for dash wins at Batavia Downs. But when the dust had settled after the 13th race, “Triple Sticks” found himself tied for second place after he won five races on the card.
McNeight won with My Mind Is Madeup (1:54.4, $3.70), Hellrider (1:59.4, $9.70), Black Is Back (1:55, $9.30), Doyoukissfirstdate (1:58.2, $3.00) and Tullow N (1:55.4, $3.60).
Jim Morrill Jr. currently sits in first place with 25 wins, but had the night off. McNeight III started Friday with 14 wins, but moved up to 19 after his big outing. That ties him with Kevin Cummings, who also has 19 wins after his driving double on Friday.
One of Cummings wins two came in one of the two $10,000 divisions of mid-level conditioned trotters with Burrow, who scored his second gate-to-wire victory in only three Batavia outings.
Burrow took the lead from Credarina (Dave McNeight III) as they passed the quarter in :28.4 before hitting the brakes to the half in only 1:00.1. While he maintained his 1-¼ length lead, Burrow got to three-quarters in 1:29 before turning for home and bolting to a 2-½ length win in 1:58.3.
Burrow ($2.20) is owned by Redracer, Redline Racing Stables and Rachel Leonard. Matt Rosiek trains the winner.
The other split went to Hellrider (1:59.4, $9.70) who was driven by McNeight III and trained by Alana Caprio for Caprio Stable and Maryanne Arena.
Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 24) at 6 p.m. and there will be a $912 carryover in the Pick-5 in the first race and a $1,498 carryover in the Super Hi-5 in race 15.
Also on Saturday, the Downs will host its biggest card of the meet that includes two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters of both genders that total $233,300 and the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial pace with some of the best older Open male pacers in North America. The card has a total purse value of over a half million dollars and has the capacity to produce a new all time track record.
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.
Jackson Primary School Principal Maureen Notaro and art teacher and muralist Linda Fix. Submitted Photo
Kids at Jackson Primary School will return to a surprise landscape inside the hallway this fall.
Based on the “KEY” principles of kindness, empathy and you, artist Linda Fix painted a large swath of artistic scenery this past month.
Principal Maureen Notaro had already instilled the concept of community helpers at the school, such as police officers, firefighters and doctors, which reminded Fix of the familiar phrase “it takes a village.”
She wanted to add the American flag to her design and talked to Notaro about what she wanted to incorporate.
“She really wanted children in it. She loved the flags, one of the American flags in it, so I went and designed it. And my designs are an interesting process because they never end up quite the way they begin, and that's what I love about art and creativity,” Fix said to The Batavian. “It never ends really the way you had it in your mind. But you get a piece of it, you know, you can recognize it. But along the way, so many things change.
"As I'm painting, children walk by, and they say things they love, and I catch their favorite colors, and I ask them, what would you like to see in the picture and the painting? And they tell me flowers over here. And they'll point to an area, so I'll paint their favorite color, rather, in a flower," she said. "So it became a journey for me.”
Fix applied for and was awarded a $5,000 grant from GO Art! for the project. It’s the second of its kind for a mural in a city school. The first one was at John Kennedy Intermediate last year.
Fix credits former school employee Julia Rogers and GO Art! staffer Mary Jo Whitman for helping to coordinate the efforts, and wanted to give a shout-out to Sherwin-Williams of Batavia for a generous sampling of paint in just the right blue shades she needed.
After getting a sense of what Notaro wanted to see on the Jackson school walls, Fix then got to work. She chalked an outline of her design, which she began in late June of this year. There was a lapse for some vacation between then and when she really began the serious work in mid-July.
“I worked on it every day until (Thursday), for three or four hours a day, on the entire wall,” she said. “Maureen is a very ambitious principal; she's a very forward principal, and I love that about her. She said, hey, can we add a rainbow at the end of it with the sun and do it in metallic, she loved my metallic paint, so I put that there, and then in the front foyer, I also did another rainbow, because then they can hang the children's different artwork and things like that around it.
“So it kind of added a little bit to the timeframe for me,” she said. “But, you know, it was okay. I was fine with it. I have enjoyed painting it so much, and so has the community.”
Last year she then made contact with folks that arranged for a traveling mural of the artwork. That involved a professional photographer and transferring the art onto a huge 8-foot-by-8-foot piece of canvas that is displayed on an easel and transported around the district.
A traveling mural will be part of this year’s grant, and it will be forthcoming by the end of the year," she said.
Although kindness is widely taught in schools now, she said, it seems as though empathy is not as well known, which is why she favors that second word in the acronym of KEY.
“Because empathy isn’t something we teach,” she said. “How do we teach children to really understand that?”
The traveling mural is to help educate kids on that empathy component, she said. Last year there were also children’s workshops along with the traveling mural, and those details have to be worked out for this year, Fix said. She thinks the traveling part of the project will probably be out and about in October or November.
Asked about her favorite part of this year’s mural, Fix thought to the day her grandson Waylon accompanied her to school. He thoughtfully watched and observed her splash on colors and a continuing story before offering his own suggestion. There were children, a wise owl, school buses, white clouds, a blue sky, rolling hills, and math equations, but something was missing, he told her.
“He said you need a park in here. And he picked where it should go, and it was his idea,” she said of her 9-year-old artist-in-training. “And I would never have thought of a park. It has evergreen trees, and children are sitting on a rock.”
When Fix was taking art lessons, she told her teacher she wanted to paint billboards someday, and the male teacher scoffed, “Miranda, you can’t do that,” referring to her artist pseudonym, Miranda Fix.
Now, having just completed another project doing something that she loves in the hallway for hundreds of children to see, she may have accomplished that billboard after all. What is a billboard if not an artful display of thoughts?
Come Sept. 5, many youngsters will be treated to that once they enter Jackson.
“That'll be a surprise when the children come back in. We have a lot of hidden things, a lot of hidden gems,” she said. “We represented everyone. We tried to represent the janitors in the school, we tried to represent numbers, and the big clock you see has all the community helpers, symbols of community helpers in the clock. So, yeah, there's a lot of just little thoughts.”
The Batavia Social Security Office will be temporarily closed to walk-in visitors on Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23, due to renovations. The office will return to normal services on Monday, August 26. You may continue to reach staff of the Batavia SSA office by calling 1-866-931-7103.
People needing to conduct their Social Security business in person while the Batavia office is temporarily closed may visit one of the following SSA offices:
Greece – 2nd Floor, 4050 W Ridge Rd, Rochester
Rochester – 2nd Floor, 200 E. Main Street, Rochester
SSA office hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Save a trip! Most Social Security services do not require the public to take time to visit an office. Many Social Security services are conveniently available online at www.ssa.gov or by dialing toll-free, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call SSA’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
People may create their my Social Security account, a personalized online service, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. If they already receive Social Security benefits, they can start or change direct deposit online, request a replacement SSA-1099, and if they need proof of their benefits, they can print or download a current Benefit Verification Letter from their account. People not yet receiving benefits can use their online account to get a personalized Social Security Statement, which provides their earnings information as well as estimates of their future benefits. The portal also includes a retirement calculator and links to information about other online services.
Need a Social Security Number card?
Please note for many situations people only need their number and not the card. If they need a card, they should start the process online.
People can visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber to submit a request for a replacement card, start an application for an updated card, or to request a Social Security number for the first time. Some people may not need to visit an office and, if they do need to visit an office to complete the application, they will save a lot of time by starting online.
Want to apply for benefits?
People can apply online for most benefits. In many cases, there are no forms to sign. The agency will review the application and reach out with questions or for more information. Visit www.ssa.gov/onlineservices to apply for retirement, disability, or Medicare.
Need proof of benefits, want to check the status of an application or appeal, or curious what else people can do online?
Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount or www.ssa.gov/onlineservices today.
Photo of Sister Mary Maude courtesy of Jessica Hallett.
It will be a New York Sire Stake double-header at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Aug. 24) night when both colt and gelding and filly divisions of 3-year-old trotters take the track to compete for a total purse of $233,300.
The fillies go first for a purse of $115,600 and Sister Mary Maude (Credit Winner-Perfect Mass) leads the way.
Sister Mary Maude is the current leader for points (200, tied with R Melina) and earnings ($206,600) in her class, numbers that were driven by two NYSS victories and nine board hits from her nine starts this year. One of those wins provided a new lifetime mark when she trotted in 1:56.3 at Monticello Raceway in July. Four of Sister Mary Maude’s second place finishes this year came to R Melina, who is currently the second richest ($340,109) and second fastest (1:51.1) 3-year-old trotting filly in North America and she is not in this race.
Trainer Ron Burke has Joe Bongiorno in the bike, starting from post one.
Sadbirdstillsing (Chapter Seven-Fade Into You) has only one win this year, but it was in a NYSS race at Yonkers. However she has been very busy in other stakes action including the Empire Breeders Classic where she finished third, and the Hambletonian Oaks eliminations where she finished fourth. Her last start was a third in the NYSS at Saratoga and she looks ready to be a contender here.
Regular reinsman Jason Bartlett will be aboard from post two for trainer Tony Alagna.
Senorita Palema (Chapter Seven-Tosca) was the NYSS 2-year-old champion last year but has yet to win a race in 2024. That being said, she has also been racing very well against Grand Circuit fillies in the Del Miller, Hambletonian Oaks and Continentalvictory.
Senorita Palema has post five with Tyler Buter aboard for trainer Ake Svanstedt.
The colts and geldings will vie for a purse of $117,700 with Fly By (Chapter Seven-Fly Angel Fly) listed as the early choice.
Fly By has two NYSS wins this year, the fastest mark in this race this year (1:53.3 at Tioga) and the highest overall earnings ($149,732) in this field. He has also seen action in several Grand Circuit events including the MGM Trot, Zweig and Muscle Hill, where he garnered checks in all three.
Alagna and Bartlett team up again with Fly By who has drawn post five.
Keep Asking (Chapter Seven-Sensibility) won six times in 2023 including the $150,000 final of the Massachusetts Sire Stakes. This year he has only one win, but also has a pair of seconds and a third and all came in NYSS races, placing him second for points (108) in this division. Keep Asking is in a good spot here and may be able to start stacking more wins to add to this year’s total.
Tyler Buter will drive from post six for trainer George Ducharme.
Super Duper Cooper (E L Titan-Pink Power) has one NYSS win as well, but also hasn’t missed a check and that puts him second for earnings ($84,508) in this division. He took a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1 at Mohegan Sun Pocono earlier this year and he looks like he’ll be a factor here.
Trainer John Butenschoen has Jim Morrill Jr. up to drive and they drew post seven.
There are also four $20,000 Excelsior trots on the card.
Another feature on the card is the $100,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace with some of the best older Open male pacers in North America. Saturday’s card has a total purse valued at over a half million dollars and has the capacity to produce a new all time track record.
The New York Sire Stake events are carded as races eight and 11. The Excelsiors will go as races four, six, seven and 12. The Kane is race 10. Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
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.
From left top row, Aidan Harding, Caden LoTempio-Urf, Charles Cross, Kyle Sage, Robert Burns; bottom row, Rian de Wit, Grayson Harding, Brett Riggi, Tucker Connolly and Cole Harding. Submitted Photo
Press Release:
The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association and workforce development partners from the GLOW Region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans & Wyoming counties) Thursday celebrated graduates from the 4th Annual Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
Ten participants received six weeks of free classroom instruction at the Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia, paired with paid on-the-job experience at a local advanced manufacturing company. The ‘Boot Camp’ style program is an earn-while-you-learn model that has placed nearly three dozen participants into full-time employment and several in registered apprenticeship programs.
“The GLOW Region is leading the way in workforce development programs that link academic to industry through innovative programs like the Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Boot Camp,” said Bob Coyne, RTMA Executive Director.“The RTMA is proud to partner with Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, Genesee Community College, Genesee County Economic Development Center and others to create programs that workers of all ages, skill levels and abilities for a variety of high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing.”
The Genesee Valley Pre-Apprenticeship Program was created in 2021 to assist companies in the region with recruitment and training for high-demand mechatronics trades. Participants receive 96 hours of state-of-the-art classroom training and more than 100 hours of paid on-the-job experience at companies in Genesee, Livingston and Monroe counties. The program has been replicated in Monroe County this year as five participants completed the program earlier this month.
Classroom instruction was provided at no cost due to a SUNY Pre-Apprenticeship Grant secured by Genesee Community College and its BEST Center. The Genesee County Economic Development Center, Workforce Development Institute and GLOW Works also support the annual training program.
The Holland Land Office Museum is extending its hours every first Wednesday of the month until 8 p.m.! Come on in on Wednesday, September 4 from 5 - 8 p.m. and you will get personal tours from staff and volunteers, meaning you will get a more in-depth history of Batavia and Genesee County! You also may be able to go upstairs, if you are able and want to! General museum admission applies.
Join the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night at the Museum on Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. In honor of Constitution Week, we are collaborating with the Anna Ingaslbe Lovell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to put together trivia on the US Constitution to win prizes and enjoy refreshments. 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.
On Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m., come hear from our Executive Director, Ryan Duffy as he presents, & The Holland Land Company & the Development of WNY! The history of the land of Western New York is cobbled together through many purchases and development groups, the Holland Land Company being the most profound. Its desire to sell the land west of the Genesee River created the foundations of the area to this day. Admission is $5 for non-members and $3 for members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.
On Wednesday, September 18, at 7 p.m., come for a presentation by Patrick F Ryan, the Cultural Curator at The Richardson Olmsted Campus and the Lipsey Architecture Center Buffalo! “The Richardson Olmsted Campus: Past, Present, & Future,” This lecture covers the complicated history of the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, now the Richardson Olmsted Campus. Learn how three of the 19th century's finest minds, Thomas Story Kirkbride, Frederick Law Olmsted, and Henry Hobson Richardson came together to create one of the nation's most famous architectural treasures. The program will examine mental health treatment, architecture, landscape design, and current-day rehabilitation efforts. 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.
"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!"
On Friday, September 20 at 7 p.m. at the Holland Land Office Museum, come listen to the Batavia famous Strummerz band, playing all the hits from the 1950s, 60s, and & 70s! Please get in contact with the museum if you are planning on attending! Either email us at hollandlandofficemuseum@gmail.com or call us at (585) 343 – 4727. Admission is $5 for non-members and $4 for members.
"This project is made possible with funds from the statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO ART!"
Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for our Java with Joe E. morning presentation series on Thursday, September 26 at 9 a.m. Bergen Town Historian, Tom Tiefel, will be presenting, “Lt. Thomas J. Dean, Letters Home: The ‘Soldier Boy’ of North Bergen.” “From farmer to fighter of the 8th NY Heavy Artillery. The Civil War in his own words and his life beyond the Crater. Accounts, artifacts and the life of Thomas J. Dean.” Admission is free with coffee and cookies. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you plan to attend. Thank you to Pub Hub Coffee for sponsoring Java with Joe E. for 2024.
Bring the kids by the Holland Land Office Museum for our new History Story time for Fall 2024. On Saturday, September 28 at 11 a.m. Anne Marie Starowitz will return to her favorite place to oversee a children’s Story Hour. On a Saturday morning every month, she will engage kids in learning about local history and creating a seasonal art project. Admission is $5 or $3 or museum members. If you would like to sign up please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com.
