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For the last decade, Lisa Wittmeyer has come to know Sacred Heart and Ascension Parish as her home church, and she is not about to give it up easily, she says.

Although the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo had issued orders to close the parish in November, Friends of Ascension filed an appeal -- and are "packing the mass" --to stall that measure in an effort to remain open permanently. 

“We had written the first appeal, and the time expired for the bishop to answer, and we have 10 to 15 days for the next appeal … we are to file that next week.  We are still packing the mass; there’s one mass at noon on Sunday, the worst possible time, but there’s 200 in attendance; it’s been standing room only,” Wittmeyer said Thursday to The Batavian. “We’re still supporting the church, we just had a bake sale, we’re still hosting Bingo. We do have a lot of revenue, we were very fiscally responsible with our money. Right now we are kind of in a wait-and-pray; they can’t close us while we’re in appeal. We’re doing what we can to ‘Pack the Mass. We’re wearing the buttons.”

Almost immediately, the Friends of Ascension was formed after the Diocese began announcing local closures, which originally did not include Sacred Heart. Once that Southside parish was placed on the chopping block, members rallied to form the group and began to file paperwork for a nonprofit organization.

They wanted to ensure that mass and church events were continued to be supported, which has included faith formation for kids and adults, although it has mostly been kids in attendance, getting them ready for their sacraments, Wittmeyer said. 

“We’re still doing holy communion, baptisms, weddings, funerals, all of that is till going on,” she said. 

Confirmation class is part of church school for grades two through 11, and includes penance, communion and confirmation, so nothing is getting lost in the shuffle of the Diocese and appeal actions, she said. 

As a child, Wittmeyer attended St. Joseph’s School and Church. After graduating from high school, she eventually moved to her father’s home parish, St. Anthony’s. It was there that she got married and had her boys baptized, so she has already experienced the closure of a church that meant something to her and many other members. 

Wittmeyer then discovered Sacred Heart and doesn’t want to see this gem close or go back to St. Joe’s, she said. 

“As long as we are in the appeal, they cannot close us. The surprising part was, we were not on the chopping block, that’s the surprising part, it wasn’t part of the original plan … (and later) they said then why not close Ascension, and we can go to Resurrection, which is St. Joe’s. But we’re two very different churches. St. Joe’s doesn’t have a church hall. I think the difference in our churches is that we’re smaller, we’re very welcoming, we’re very homey, we are like a church family,” she said. “At St. Joe’s, the acoustics are horrible, it’s hard to hear in there. It’s not aesthetically pleasing … it’s not as personable as Ascension. There’s no hall to fellowship in. I don’t want to lose another church. There is room for two Catholic churches. We used to have four, so I think we can definitely have two.” 

The Diocese had given reasons of lack of financial means and participants as potential reasons for closure, both of which are not true at Ascension Parish, she said. The 4 p.m. Saturday mass was taken away, and it was “very popular,” leaving only the one Sunday mass, which people have steadfastly attended, even having to set up chairs in front when the pews fill up, she said. 

“We are using the church, supporting the church, hosting activities. We are still fighting the fight,” she said. “I have hosted for the past three years the lenten soup supper on Wednesdays. It’s open to the public, and it’s very popular. We donate the funds to different charities. I hope to do it again, and I’m sure we’ll be open through then.”

A cocoa and caroling event scheduled for Thursday was canceled due to the snow that blew in Wednesday night. Members hope to reschedule it. 

In the meantime, the second step in the appeal process is to send it on to the Holy See, which has 90 days to respond. Suppose Ascension receives a denial or no response. In that case, it can appeal to the Church's Supreme Court, the Apostolic Signatura, which follows its own regulations “in a different process that requires appellants to hire an advocate in Rome approved by the Signatura.” That means use of funds likely for an attorney to represent Friends of Ascension. There is no strict timeline or constraint for the response, and the Signatura may give extensions during this process. 

Ascension Parish is not alone with its appeal to the Diocese. St. Brigid’s in Bergen has also filed an appeal, which has kept its doors open to date. Church member John Cummings didn’t want to comment too much about that process, other than it could take a year, and that it “has to really be fought for.”

He has been more immersed in a project to bring solace to the congregation and world at large with a musical production inspired by his son Ryan, who came up with the idea in time for Christmas. 

The Cummings family formed a namesake band with family and friends 10 years ago, performing barbershop type and 50s-60s melodies, and this year Ryan suggested a more universally comforting number to embrace all that’s going on in the world today: “Let There be Peace on Earth.”

A video was recorded at St. Brigid’s with the Cummings family, including son Johnny on piano, community members, Byron-Bergen Central School music teacher Joe Paris conducting the group, and school students and alums.

“It’s just a conglomeration of people in general in the Byron-Bergen community,” the elder John said. “It’s just for everything in the world, life in general. Ryan just thought it would be a great song to do right now. They used the church to do it; it gave a beautiful background.”

The Cummings Family and Friends band performs annually and invites the community to attend, whether it’s at their home or at the Bergen park.

Press Release:

HomeCare & Hospice is inviting the community to help bring warmth and solace to individuals in their final stages of life by donating new lap blankets. As the colder months approach, these blankets not only provide physical warmth but also deliver emotional comfort, offering a small but meaningful way for the community to support those in need. 

“After some staff changes and our recent move to Allegany, we’ve lost touch with a few of our regular blanket donors. We’re hoping to reconnect with past contributors and welcome new volunteers to help replenish our supply,” said Cassie Kelsey, Staff & Outreach Coordinator.

Blankets can be newly handmade or purchased from retail stores, offering flexibility for those who wish to contribute. Both options are deeply appreciated, as they provide comfort and care to hospice patients who need it most. Donations of new lap blankets can be dropped off to any of the following HomeCare & Hospice locations below:

Allegany: St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany - 716-372-2106

Arcade: 563 W. Main St., Arcade - 585-653-5290

Batavia: 29 Liberty St., Suite 6, Batavia - 585-343-7596

Wellsville: 194 N. Main St., Wellsville,  585-593-7600

For questions or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Cassie Kelsey at the Allegany office at 716-372-2106 or Pat Meek in Batavia at 585-343-7596.

Press Release:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. is announcing their Annual Scholarship and Community Service Awards and calling for applications.

Scholarships are open to all Graduating Seniors (male or female) in Genesee County High Schools and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP). The students need to have maintained an 85% average and must complete the application process available through the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Website https://bataviabpw.wordpress.com/scholarship or via Facebook. The deadline is Monday, February 10.

All schools in Genesee County and GVEP have been emailed information on this program which includes eligibility requirements, guidelines, and the scholarship application. Parents and students are advised to seek out their school’s guidance counselor/department to receive the needed information.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has provided scholarships since 1961. The number and dollar amount of scholarships awarded are dependent on the club’s annual fundraisers. Local community support is greatly appreciated; watch for upcoming event announcements.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club will also offer monetary Awards for Service Groups in May 2025. Any Service Group in Genesee County may apply for this by sending a letter of request on your organization’s letterhead. Details of what should be included in the letter can be found here https://bataviabpw.wordpress.com/service-awards/ 

Deadlines for both the Scholarship Applications and the Community Service Awards letters are to be postmarked by Monday, February 10. They can be mailed to Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. PO Box 1778, Batavia, NY 14021.

For questions or more information send an email inquiry to bataviabpw@gmail.com.

Press Release:

The Holland Purchase Historical Society was awarded $40,000 by the New York State Council on the Arts.

New York State announced today a grant award for the Holland Purchase Historical Society totaling $40,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Through New York State’s continued investment in arts and culture, NYSCA has awarded $82 million this year to 509 artists and 1,497 organizations across the state.

“As the unparalleled leader of arts and culture, New York’s creativity and innovation inspires the world,” Governor Hochul said. “Our continued investment in our dynamic creative sector will further boost tourism, strengthen our local economies and continue New York’s success as a rich and vibrant place to live, work and visit.”

Executive Director of NYSCA Erika Mallin said, “On behalf of the Council and staff, I am so proud that we are supporting the critical work of so many nonprofit organizations all across the state, including work of the Holland Land Office Museum. New York State’s art and culture nonprofits make us a global leader, strengthening our connections to each other and the larger world. I thank you for your dedication and service and look forward to all your work in the coming year.”

Batavia City Centre is taking on a new shape and look, albeit gradually, but it’s an improvement from where it was a few years ago, City Manager Rachael Tabelski says.

With three new entrances and one entrance-turned-exit only that replaced those old, leaking, moldy silos; removal of the concourse stage and stained ceiling tiles; a grant in progress to extend the City Hall floor style into the concourse; and vacant properties being sold for future businesses, Tabelski and her colleagues are excited about every incremental change.

As if they belonged there
The bulk of funding for the entrances was $1 million, which came from a Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant, matched with city money of $800,000 for the roof project. Any additional expenses will come from a National Grid grant and city facility reserves, Tabelski said. 

Most of the construction has been completed, and the mechanics of handicap buttons to open the doors have to be installed, plus a few other final details, Assistant Manager Erik Fix said. 

"So they're 90% of the way through. They'll finish it today and tomorrow, and the goal is for tomorrow to have these clean and open and ready to go for Saturday, for Christmas in the City," Fix said. "There's still punch list stuff and some things like that that's got to be done."

Each entrance is equipped with a heating/cooling system and spruced up with a cleaner appearance, with smooth bluish stone floors for a definitely more contemporary look. Any type of mold that had formed due to the longtime leaking was removed along with the demolition of the silos themselves, Fix said. 

As for buckets? Not a one, Public Works Director Tom Phelps and Fix said. There haven’t been any within the Centre for quite a while, and the only ones lingering were at the former entrances.

"Of the only buckets that were here were at the entrances, by the silos. And obviously, you can see there's no need for that. It's nice and dry and clean, and in a day or two it'll be warm and, fingers crossed, right? So each unit, each entrance, has its own heating and air unit, a split unit, that'll do both for us," Fix said. "What we feel like is it looks like it was supposed to be here. It's nothing fancy. It's nothing crazy. It's just simple; the light is, you can see it, especially as we walk to some of the other entrances, how much brighter it is than having the silo."

City Centre gets artsy
At the entrance near Le Beau Salon, there’s a plan to paint both exterior walls, including an art display bolted to one side with a GO ART! grant. Batavia artist Brian Kemp said he would be happy to be involved in the project. Other murals are planned for inside the concourse, such as one particularly empty white wall next to the vacated Classic Optical shop.

Walking down the hall toward Everybody Eats, Tabelski noted that a new wellness business is preparing to open up — Renee Marie Aesthetics and Wellness has a place at Suite 47b that is to be opening this month. 

An expansive empty wall with small spotlights — still set up from the city’s centennial anniversary — is to serve as a rotating art gallery in the near future, she said. Another creative endeavor is to better define the city with a mascot all its own, just as other cities such as Buffalo have, she and Batavia Development Corp. Director Tammy Hathaway said.

Hathaway has applied for assistance with a program called Catch a Fire that donates professional services for illustration and design type tasks, and she and Tabelski want to tap into that artistic pool for a Knickerbocker man using the city’s iconic knicker pants.

“And why can't we have him eating at a restaurant or having coffee or, you know, just having him around everywhere in the city,” Tabelski said. “So that's kind of an emerging project we're working on, mainly Tammy and the artist.”

Hathaway added that Kemp took the Knickerbocker man out of the city seal and “zhuzhed him up a bit for the GLOW Corporate Cup T-shirt. So we want to use that more modernized version and give him a frame to life. So we're gonna try. We'll see what catches a fire.”

Artists David Burke and Bill Schutt contributed to a steel beam tree and a painted coy pond toward the Main Street end of the Centre, which has added another creative flair to the concourse, and a former entryway has been removed in lieu of adaptable space that may be sold for business use.

Centre vacancies filling up
Tabelski then pointed straight ahead to the block of formerly bustling mall sites of The Hiding Place, The Short Stop, Palace of Sweets and Gentleman Jim’s. Known on a map as properties 17 through 20, those are being purchased by Tyler Crawford, who also recently bought 11 and 11A. He already has interest from vendors, Tabelski said. 

Tabelski and Hathaway took The Batavian on a back alley tour of those properties, exposing an immense depth of space, a built-in loft, bathrooms, storage rooms — temporarily on loan to Batavia Players — and hallways with mini levels that connected all four properties. 

“There’s a pipe that says, duck. I didn't put it there,” Hathaway and Tabelski said in tandem of the loft at the top of a narrow row of steps. “So we found it super interesting with the mall that they built below the sub floor for this and then put, like a loft up here. It was just interesting,” Tabelski said.

A couple of left turns brings visitors to the former Short Stop, with a set of coolers and a sign still on the wall with treats of candy bars and chips for $1 and dips, 50 cents extra, at the candy store within the snack shop.

So for those that decry the Centre as being an empty shell, it appears to be filling up with property owners and prospective businesses. The former dance studio site has also been purchased, but Tabelski said she couldn’t talk details yet due to confidentiality.

As for the continuing line of proprietors looking to move into Batavia City Centre, the former Islands Hawaiian Grill has been purchased by a restaurateur for the bar lounge Euphoria. 

Goodbye to stage concerts, shopping at Penney's
The concourse stage and concrete furniture have been removed outside of the former Penney’s store, and the stage footprint will be filled in and smoothed out, Phelps said. The space will be easier to navigate and use for regular and special event use, Tabelski said. Work was done by city DPW staff, she said, and $800 was spent on a muffler adapter for the excavator to remove the structures.

“We're going to refill it with cement and bring it just below the tile level, so we can either replace it with tile or, in the future, skim coat it and then go over everything with a different surface, but this will make it more usable space,” Phelps said. “So we can rent it to trade shows. We can rent it to vendor shows. So instead of having to have people at weddings, instead of people dancing around the outside of the stage and all the seats, you'll be able to actually have, like a regular trade show, where you could walk up and down aisles. So just one level, there won't be any steps. And then if somebody wanted to bring in the stage, they can bring in a portable stage from somewhere.”

As for the Penney’s property, the lending bank is planning a mortgage foreclosure auction, she said. Not that there hasn’t been interest in the Penney’s site — there have been some 20 to 25 developers locally and from Rochester and Buffalo express interest — but no solid takers as they’re all waiting to see how the Centre turns out, and see the improvements, Tabelski said. 

“And just trying to think through how, because if you made it into apartments, you'd need to cut into it so you had exterior windows on both sides, so you'd almost cut a courtyard into it, and then you'd have to be able to have apartments, because right now the interior apartments wouldn't have windows, and you can't do that,” she said. “We had a couple of people who actually would have purchased it probably a year and a half, two years ago, but the listing price was very high, and the owner would not entertain it, so there's market, timing, things and stuff like that. So we'll see who gets it, and the lender may take it back, we don't know. We have some local people interested in looking at the auction, but the lender could take it back.”

Meanwhile, city officials have scheduled an open house to gather public input about what to do with the east-end parking lot adjacent to that property and the creekside property along the Tonawanda Creek behind the ice arena. That will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall. 

Working from the ground up
The surrounding tile floor is, she admits, ugly, and hopefully, a grant will allow for the more modern City Hall floor to be extended into the concourse. Ceiling tiles have been removed, the ceiling will be painted and other updates will be ticked off a step at a time, Tabelski said.

“We have a grant into Empire State Development for $500,000 to do flooring, to paint the ceiling black and encase all the pipes to make it a nice industrial look ceiling, and to start renovations on the bathroom. We also are looking at a zoning code update, which requires the interior parcels to use specific design standards and colors,” she said. “So we need to work with them on that, because right now you can see people paint whatever they'd like, and it's not cohesive. So it's something we want to work on.” 

Taking it to the street
Outside, to the north of City Centre, is a $15.5 million police station in progress. It will be in the parking lot of Alva Place and Bank Street and is both on schedule for summer or early fall of 2025 completion and on budget, Tabelski said. The project manager was not available to give permission for a full tour of the building’s interior, but a walk around showed trusses and the roof being put in place for the next phase of moving inside to continue work with some heat to keep warm.

The west end’s large garages will be closed off and heated to house the emergency AMRAP, a transport vehicle for the emergency response team, and evidence storage, except for one bay called the bike barn for property that doesn’t need to be heated, Police Chief Shawn Heubusch said. 

The parking lot will have about 35 spaces, with a need for at least 25 for the department fleet, plus 10 to 15 more for employees coming and going, he said. The building is a “21,000 square-foot facility with all the modern amenities that you need, as well as secure parking,” Heubusch said. It has a front public entrance and a side entrance for juveniles; two handicap accessible ramps; and a front end, climate-controlled, 24-hour accessible vestibule for the public.

“It’s very exciting to watch this process take place after so many years of kind of being anxious and waiting and seeing different drawings and all these things that were pie-in-the-sky ideas,” Heubusch said. “So this is great. I mean, this is a huge boost for the community, a huge boost for the department and the men and women that work there who deserve a place to work that’s healthy and accommodating for the police.”

A group of about a dozen business owners that complained about a lack of handicap accessible parking have not lodged complaints since the city offered a compromise earlier this year, Tabelski said, and reconfigured its plan to better accommodate the patients of those businesses. 

"Complaints subsided when we opened the row of parking," she said. "With more parking to come at the completion of the project."

The Service of Remembrance, sponsored annually by H.E. Turner Funeral Homes, was held Wednesday evening at Northgate Free Methodist Church.

The service is an opportunity for area residents who mourn the loss of a loved one to experience solace and comfort.

There was plenty of holiday cheer at the Recovery Station on Wednesday evening with hot cocoa, cookies, free books, and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Visitors could pose with the jolly couple, and were provided a color print in a unique frame. 

Librarian Laura Keyes, who also does presentations and portrayals of historical women as part of Historic Voices, can recall as early as third grade repeatedly settling down in front of the television with family to watch the holiday classic, “White Christmas,” which was her grandmother's favorite movie. 

As Keyes and her two sisters got older and everyone was going their separate ways, there was even a fight over who would get the prized VHS copy of the movie. They ended up buying multiples so that each family member could watch the movie for times when they couldn’t all gather together, she said. It was that special.

“From a very young age, I was always watched as the family gathered at my grandmother’s house. And again, from a young age, my family started to watch it at our house … Looking back on my childhood, I didn’t remember much about the plot. And then, of course, as I grew up and I really paid attention to the movie, I was reminded there’s not much of a plot in the movie. 

"It’s a wonderful movie, and it has beautiful songs, but just to be honest, there’s not much of a plot in it,” Keyes said during a phone interview from Illinois. “At this point, the movie has the added layer of family togetherness and nostalgia that my family has created around the movie, including my parents and my siblings, so there’s that layer of enjoyment to the movie as well.”

Keyes will be presenting one of her latest research projects, "Virtual Illustrated Lecture: A Look Behind White Christmas," to be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia. 

The program is about an hour long, and Keyes will talk about the 1954 movie, which was a hit even before it debuted and has remained a holiday classic even today.

Her illustrated lecture will show you how the film was created and who were the creative geniuses behind it, all with behind-the-scenes images and historical information. She goes beyond the famous faces of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney to also discuss people such as supporting actress Mary Wickes and costume designer Edith Head, both of whom “definitely added to this.”

A common vein that flows through all of her work is the back story of a subject, and "White Christmas" is no exception. That has allowed her to reignite a love of history she wasn’t so familiar with during her high school years when “it wasn’t taught in a way I enjoyed.” 

Diving into that back story — the underbelly of a person, place, situation — opens up the interesting details and emotions that Keyes not only enjoys learning about but also sharing with others, she said. 

"I have been portraying women from history and lecturing on historic topics since 2008 and I have a variety of different historic topics that I've taken on, especially when it comes to illustrated lectures … and I've touched on a number of different topics, including, a couple years ago, I created a talk on the history and folklore of Santa Claus. And so I enjoy looking at a topic, including a topic of popular culture, and just kind of getting the back story on it. And I did that a couple of years ago when I took the 1938 'War of the Worlds' broadcast that Orson Welles directed, and I looked at the whole back story of that, and then I explained that in a historical lecture, an illustrated lecture," she said. "And so I decided to do the same thing with this favorite movie of mine, 'White Christmas.' I wanted to share not only this film with so many other people, which I know some people also enjoy as a favorite of the holiday season, but I also wanted to give some of the back story and talk about the actors and other artists who created the film. 

"So that's what I talk about in my lecture; not just say their names and when they were born or some such, but really give the back story on them: how did they come to be cast in the movie?" she said. "I've actually just plain enjoyed learning more about these actors and artists.”

For anyone not familiar with the Welles' radio play, it was based on the 40-year-old novel of the same name about an alien invasion.

Keyes joined community theater years ago when she was cast in a lot of plays, including one featuring Mrs. Lincoln, she said. The glitch was “it was very historically inaccurate.”

“And in 2008, I had just graduated as a librarian with my master’s degree in library studies, so I did my research as a good little librarian. I put my research cap on and I said, ‘wow, this play is inaccurate,’ and, of course, one cannot change a script,” she said. “But I was allowed to write a short essay for the playbill, and I talked about Mary Lincoln and I talked about what she really went through. And so word got around the town that I was portraying Mary Lincoln very accurately, and so before the play closed, I had three phone calls from three different libraries saying ‘would you come to the library and give a talk like Mary Lincoln and wear your dress?’ And it’s just grown from there.”

Some of her portrayals also include Mary Todd Lincoln's daughter-in-law, Mary Harlan Lincoln, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Charlotte Bronte, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 

Keyes actually developed several programs about the first First Lady Mary Lincoln to accommodate her “complex and unique character” in various presentations throughout history. However, when asked for her favorite character, she couldn't pinpoint one. It was like asking to choose your favorite child, she said.

Richmond Library staff was also drawn to her Lincoln personna, and booked her for a virtual performance in September 2022. 

For this upcoming program, Keyes, whose full-time job is library director for Dunlap Public Library in Illinois, began her research in January, when she traveled to a museum in Omaha that displayed many of the movie's costumes and artifacts. But two other requests for portrayals stalled her completion until later this fall, and she plans to debut her White Christmas lecture at her own library this Thursday before folks here can watch it.

The movie is a spectacle of big-name actors wearing ornate outfits, including the Santa-themed red velvet and white fur trim with rhinestone accents, glistening under stage lights, lots of Christmas decorations and brightly lit trees, ballerinas,  gushy romance, and music throughout. Songs include "Let Me Sing," "And I’m Happy," "Blue Skies," "Sisters," "Snow," "Santa Claus," and of course, the big finale of "White Christmas," in which the audience joins in on the singing. 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,

Just like the ones I used to know.

Where the tree tops glisten,

And children listen,

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

How would Grandma Joy, who was born around Christmastime, feel to know that her love for this movie has now transcended into a lecture for the public?
"I think that she would be very happy that I would be sharing this movie and this sweet story,” Keyes said.

Was there anything surprising in your research for "White Christmas"?
“Yes, something that absolutely shocked me," she said. "There’s a connection with Orson Welles and the 'War of the Worlds' program. I will explain that (on Dec. 18)."

Assistant Director and Community and Adult Services Librarian Samantha Stryker said the library is looking forward to hosting Keyes for her virtual illustrated lecture. 

"We've enjoyed virtual programs from Historic Voices in the past, ranging on topics from the history of Santa Claus to a portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. Like many places, Richmond Memorial Library expanded into virtual programming during the pandemic, and now we're pleased to offer hybrid options -- patrons can watch from the comfort of their own homes or join us at the library to watch the live stream of the program on the big screen," Stryker said. "The ability to watch from home works great for those who may not like to drive at night or in wintery weather. Those who attend in person can enjoy cocoa, tea and cookies. Laura Keyes always presents well-researched and interesting deep dives into various topics and we're looking forward to hosting another intriguing presentation from her."

To watch at the library, register by calling 585-343-9550, Ext. 3. Go HERE for more information or to register.

Keyes said there will be time at the end for audience questions. Stryker will have copies of the film available for people to check out if they want to watch it.

Your ugly Christmas sweater could be your ticket to ride at Sunday's annual Genesee Symphony Orchestra holiday concert at GCC.

At intermission, GSO elves seek out the ugliest sweater worn by an audience member who will be the winner of the grand prize -- a chance to conduct the orchestra during its annual performance of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride."

While "Sleigh Ride" is a perennial fan favorite, among the highlights of the concert, said Conductor and Musical Director Shade Zajac, is the vocal performances of Soprano Jessica Moss.

She's singing an aria from the opera “La Wally,” two from Handel's “Messiah,” and an aria from “La Bohème.”

"She's an extraordinary singer," Zajac said. "I met her about two years ago. I've only been able to work with her one other time before, and she's a real, a real fine artist. I mean, absolutely, see her now before she gets to the Met, where the tickets are going to be more expensive."

Besides "Sleigh Ride," other fun numbers on the program include "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," as well as selections from the “It's a Wonderful Life” Suite -- yes, the soundtrack of the Jimmy Stewart classic arranged for orchestra.

"We've had a very busy start of the season and really intense start of the season, so it's really nice to just kind of let loose a little bit and play some fun music," Zajac said. "We love doing 'It's a Wonderful Life.' It's some great, great music and they don't make scores like that any more. It’s really cute and full of old Hollywood schlock."

GSO performs at GCC at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $17 for adults; seniors $12, and students with ID are free.

Photos by Howard Owens

If it's your habit to greet people with a "Go Buffalo" 365 days a year, a new radio show on Wednesday mornings on WBTA might be for you.

After Further Review is a local take—featuring Jim Ernst, Erik Triftshauser, Steve Pies, and Marc Tillery—on the Bills and the Sabres, local high school sports, some national sports, and an enthusiastic discussion of the hosts' other shared passion: music.

"It's your front-row seat for sports, hits and headlines," said Ernst, station owner and co-host.  "That's our slogan."

The show airs at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.

They talk about the Blue Devils, the Aggies, the Trojans, the Bees, the Lancers, and ever other high school sports program as much as they talk about the Bills and the Sabres. With hockey coming up, BND United will be a frequent topic of conversation.

They like to go deep into music, too, Ernst said.

"Every episode, we each pick one song, break it down a little bit, and talk a little bit about the group," Ernst said. "Like yesterday, I picked 'More Than a Feeling' because we were right there at High Mark Stadium, and it's Jim Kelly's favorite song."

"We like to say It's mind over matter. If it's not on our mind, it really doesn't matter," Triftshauser quipped.

Press Release:

Northgate Church is excited to invite the community to its annual Vintage Christmas celebration, which will take place on Thursday and Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the church’s backyard (8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia).

This free outdoor event is a wonderful way for families and friends to embrace the joy of the Christmas season together.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of festive activities, including:

• A beautiful Christmas tree lighting
• A walkthrough nativity experience
• Delicious free cookies and hot chocolate

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers announces that their Winter 2025 edition of the GREAT BATAVIA TRAIN SALE will be held at the Richard C. Call Arena in Batavia. The large venue on the campus of Genesee Community College offers unmatched convenience for attendees and vendors. The show is scheduled for Sunday, January 12. 

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for those under 18, and free for children under 13. The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and features model train vendors, free parking, and a snack bar.

For 50 years the Great Batavia Train Sale has been one of the premier hobby events in Western New York. The Richard C. Call arena at Genesee Community College is a perfect train show venue providing excellent lighting in a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility. All forms of model railroad and train-related merchandise will be available. Over 100 vendors will be offering all scales of model trains and historic railroad items.

Modeling demonstrations, and a limited number of portable layouts, will be part of the fun. Free parking, on-site concession stand, and plenty of seating add to the experience.

For more information contact the Train Show Chairman Mike Pyszczek at 585-768-4579 (residence) or email: bataviatrainshow@gmail.com.

260 Ross Street Batavia-City. Super solid and well taken care of 3 bedroom ranch home ready for your immediate occupancy!! This home is clean, freshly painted thru out and has been well maintained and upgraded thru out the years!! This adorable home has a lot to offer and will surprise you with all that you can’t see by driving by! The home is well laid out starting with large living room with pretty hardwood floors, oversized eat in kitchen and awesome huge pantry! There are three large bedrooms with hardwoods as well as plenty of closet space. One currently has laundry hookups should ups should you need/want first floor laundry capabilities! Downstairs is HUGE and provides a lot of additional living space! Partially finished with full bath it makes a fabulous recreation area. There is also tons of storage space and a place to have small workshop area as well. Not only is this home located in great quiet neighborhood but is located on half acre plus lot-the backyard will surprise you as it is fully fenced and private with large deck that overlooks a beautiful wooded lot not visible from the road! Check this one out for yourself-Delayed negotiations on December 9th by 7:00!

An eclectic evening of music is planned for the main gallery to GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, at 7 p.m. on Friday when local musicians Howard Owens and Henry Grace perform solo sets that touch on pop, folk, country and Americana.

On stage first, Henry Grace, a Batavia-based singer-songwriter whose style evokes a variety of influences cultivated from years of living a life simple as a moment, partly an urban legend, a dreamer of dreams, and a storyteller to the working class whose live performances connect vividly with audiences.

Grace has an extensive musical background has taken him through New York to Atlanta to Nashville and back again, playing coffeehouses, church basements, bars, colleges, libraries, backyards, and regional festival stages.

Recently, Henry Grace has become a part of the burgeoning Batavia music scene as co-founder of the folk duo Parris and Holly and clamor pop band Rose Mary Christian’s Babies gigging locally at Jackson Square, GO ART!, Iburi Photography, Pub Coffee House, and VFW Post 1602.

Grace plays a mixture of original songs and covers by Vic Chesnutt, Jules Shear, and Neil Young, among others.

Owens is a product of the backcountry of San Diego County and the nascent punk scene in Southern California (birthplace of cowpunk). He never lost his Western roots, and his musical interests reflect that broad range of influences.  On Friday, expect to hear some Dave Alvin, Odetta, Iris Dement, Johnny Cash, Graham Parsons, Jack White, Amos Milburn, Tanya Tucker, and Bob Dylan.

Over the past two years, he's played at Juneteenth, GO ART!, Iburi Photography, and VFW Post 1602.

Admission to Friday's show is free.

The cause of a fire at 15 East Ave., Batavia, remains under investigation, according to City Fire Chief Josh Graham.

In a statement, Graham said:

On Thursday, Nov. 28, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a report of a residential structure fire at 15 East Ave in the city. Law enforcement arrived on scene and confirmed fire showing from the first floor with one occupant out of the building and unknown if any others were inside. 

Initial fire units led by Lieutenant Craig Huntoon arrived 4 minutes after dispatch to find a large volume of fire on the first floor of a two-story, single-family residence. Lieutenant Huntoon immediately requested a second alarm while crews made an aggressive offensive fire attack. 

Crews quickly brought the fire under control and searched for occupants. No additional occupants were found. Crews spent over three hours on the scene. 

The structure sustained major damage to the entire first floor, while the second floor only received minor damage due to a closed stairwell door. 

There were two minor injuries to firefighters on scene. 

Graham said the department was assisted by the Batavia Police Department, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, the Town of Batavia Fire Department, the Leroy Fire Department, Mercy EMS, and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management.