Bergen

The Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church has just completed a huge organ renovation project, and to thank the community for its support, the church is holding a series of free musical concerts.

“The renovation of the church pipe organ was a huge undertaking for our church,” said Gregg McAllister of Batavia, a longstanding member of the church who volunteered his time to promote the renovation and fundraising. “Church members wanted to offer something special to the community to celebrate, so they planned this concert series.”

Two concerts have already been held in the series, with two more to go, including one on April 27 and an organ concert in May featuring Eastman School of Music musicians.

The church invested $90,000 in the restoration project.

According to McAllister, a member of the Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church since 1960, the organ is a historic treasure.

McAllister shared some of the organ’s history, dating back to its installation in the church in 1907, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the church’s founding. The organ was built by Viner and Son in Buffalo in 1901 and installed in a theater there. For some reason, it became available for purchase in 1907 and was acquired by the Bergen church.

McAllister described the instrument as a full pipe organ that had to be pumped by hand to create air. Youth in the church, called “tweens,” did the pumping from under the sanctuary.

The organ previously underwent renovations in the 1960s and 1980s, when church members, including longtime member Fred Ely, volunteered to physically redo the leathers and felts that held the keys together.

Ely was an active member of the Renovation Committee, and his family’s involvement with the church and its organ goes back to its arrival at the church. He first became a member when he married Eunice “Eunie” on June 8, 1957, at the church where she is a lifelong member. He explained that a church member arranged to buy and install the organ in the church in 1907, and a relative of Eunie’s transported it to Bergen. Her father also hand-pumped the bellows to make the organ play.

Alden Snell, a professor at the Eastman School of Music, began playing the Bergen church’s organ during his junior year at Robers Wesleyan College in 1999. After moving to Delaware with his wife, Christin, Alden returned to Bergen in 2018 and resumed his duties as the Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church organist.

“This organ is small by some standards, yet it has a lot of character,” Snell said. “Before the renovations, you sat down and wondered, ‘What is it going to do now.’”

 It became evident the congregation had a big decision to make – let the organ die a slow death or bring it back to life.

Snell said talk of renovation and fundraising began just before the pandemic. The congregation then met in July 2021 and agreed to embark on a $90,000 fundraising campaign.

“This was a big project and needed congregational support,” he said. 

A Renovation Committee was formed under the leadership of Pastor Brandt Hammack and was led by Rob Willhoft, Snell, Tom Jones, and Ely.

Parsons Pipe Organ Builders in Canandaigua was contacted, and renovations began in June 2023 and were completed in November. 

Some of the problems that had to be addressed were pieces that opened the pipes had weathered and needed cleaning. All the pipes had to be removed and cleaned, as did two keyboards, which were warped, and a pedal board. The renovation involved organ pipe voicing, woodworkers and designers who crafted a custom wind system.

The final step was providing clean air and creating a “clean room” for the blower. 

McAllister said the renovation process was very intricate. Every key had to be adjusted, and the sound had to be balanced with the building's acoustics. 

Snell said an organ is fit for its space, and the sound of this organ fills the sanctuary but doesn’t overpower it.

“By the end of the fund drive, the church only had to pay the initial 10 percent down payment and the rest all came in donations from the congregation and community,” he said. “We are really happy with the results.”

As for the concert series, the first concert was on Feb. 4 and featured church organist Alden Snell and David Carmer, organist of Trinity Lutheran Church in Medina.

The second this past Sunday featured Jaclyn Breeze of North Chili, composer and flutist, as well as Snell.

The next concert will feature guitarist George Collichio at 6 p.m. on April 27 in a Door of Hope Coffeehouse event at the church. 

The final concert at 6 p.m. May 5 will be an organ recital featuring Eastman School of Music students.

While there is no admission for any of the concerts, a free-will offering is accepted at each.

Press Release:

Jaclyn Breeze of North Chili, a composer and flutist, will perform at 6 pm this Sunday, April 14, in the Bergen Community Concert Series at the Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 38 South Lake Avenue (Route 19).

Ms. Breeze is an accomplished performer and composer who has produced commissioned works performed in North America, Europe, and Asia. The North Chili resident and graduate of Roberts Wesleyan and Syracuse universities, says her pieces and concerts are designed to foster community between artists and audiences.

Her concert has been titled Imitations. The listener will be transported by the flute solos to hear imitations of things such as butterflies, trains, rivers, and more. 

The concert is part of a series offered by the church to celebrate the renovation of the historic Viner pipe organ that was installed in the sanctuary in 1907. 

“We want to share a variety of music with our community, so have planned a spring series of concerts in celebration,” said Alden Snell, church organist.

Sunday evening’s free performance will conclude with a hymn sing accompanied by Dr. Snell, an Eastman School of Music professor, on the organ. 

Ms. Breeze is also passionate about teaching, having worked as a theory TA at Syracuse while earning her Certificate of University Teaching and teaching private lessons. She is currently the host of Jazz 90.1’s Kidz Zone, which provides lessons and activities for families to do together to learn more about jazz artists. She also serves as the pianist at Holley Presbyterian Church. Her coming projects include commissions for soprano/piano duos, Pierrot ensemble, and solo piano.

Refreshments will be served following the hour-long performance. A free-will offering will be accepted. 

Other concerts in the series are: 

• George Collichio, guitar, special Door of Hope Coffeehouse event at the church, Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. Mr. Collichio is a national recording artist, performer, educator, and private guitar instructor from Rochester. He has nine national CD releases and plays over 100 shows per year. He is a college professor (guitar and music theory) and founder of "Collichio School of Music" which has two locations and hundreds of students. 
• Organ recital featuring students from the Eastman School of Music, Sunday, May 5, at 6 p.m.

All concerts are at the Church, 38 South Lake Ave., Bergen. A free-will offering will be accepted.

The Bergen Business and Civic Organization hosted an Eclipse Disc Golf Tournament at Hartland Park on Sunday.

There were 28 entrants in the morning tournament and 18 in the afternoon tournament, with players from both Genesee and Monroe counties participating.

Scott Prior posted the lowest toss total in each round, 49 and 51, respectively. 

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

Just about a year ago, Tom Riggio, partner with Paul Guglielmo of the booming Craft Cannery business venture in Bergen, spoke about the site's future expansion on Appletree Avenue and plans to hire more employees along with the physical growth.

Food and manufacturing officials brought the shovels out Wednesday for the ceremonial groundbreaking and celebration of the $1.5 million, 6,300 square-foot warehouse that will allow for a second kitchen and bottling line facility and, in turn, take on more clients, churn out more products and create more jobs.

Despite the continuous growth, there’s one element that has remained throughout the manufacturing process that may take a little more time but has most definitely been worth it for a winning product in the end, Guglielmo says.

“We make it exactly how you would make it at home. We put oil in, we let the oil get hot, and we put onion, garlic bell pepper in there and we sauté, then we add our tomatoes after that, our spices after that, and then we bottle it,” he said to The Batavian. “So, really, there's no difference between what I actually do at home versus what we're actually doing in the plant. And I think that's the secret when you get into big industrial packing. There are some secrets to how they're able to move so fast. That takes away some of that homemade aspect. So it really has to do with just making it exactly the way you make it home, just at a bigger scale.”

He spoke to a small gathering as part of the celebratory event, sharing how it all began with two special memories.

“The life-changing moment that really occurred first was when my wife told me it wasn't a stupid idea to start bottling sauce back in like 2013. The second life-changing moment was when a category merchant from Wegmans named Dan Mezzoprete showed up … and he's the guy who actually said we're gonna give this a shot, kid. So thank you,” he said to the small crowd gathered at the property. “So I think that today is really nice and validating. Grow New York was a validation for us. Today's another validation for us that we did what you set out to do when you start a business: find a problem that needs to be fixed. And I really feel as though we have found a problem that needs to be fixed.”

The company specializes in producing pasta sauces, barbecue sauces, salad dressings, oils, marinades and such on a large scale for local and regional food brands, retailers and restaurants that may not have the money, facilities, time and labor to do it themselves. As Guglielmo said, "Problem fixed."

“This world of contract manufacturing has a lot of big players who do a phenomenal job, but it doesn't have a lot of small players. There are some commissaries and commercial kitchens, and then there are big industrial co-packers, and people are doing really good jobs in those areas. But there's this thing that Cornell University described to me years ago, as almost like a death valley of contract manufacturing, and my partner Tom and I feel we really identified a niche, a problem,” he said. “And that is, our three main types of customers needed us: one was the startup entrepreneur with $1, and a dream, they want to bring their product to market, like Jerri Lynn from Blue Ridge BBQ. There's the restaurant food service, somebody who says, look, it doesn't make sense for us to come in and make dozens and dozens of gallons of barbecue sauce every day. What if you batch it for us? That will help our business efficiencies grow. And then of course, there's the regional players, like Wegmans, who we’re so proud to see here today as well, who say, Look, you know, we've got some skews that require a little more culinary expertise that we'd really like to see brought to market.”

Working at a small co-pack facility such as Craft Cannery allows staff to “really take your time on those kinds of recipes” before bringing them to market, he said, giving a thoughtful and modest nod to the company team that does “all the actual work.”

Riggio credited his partner’s dedication as the reason everyone was there to celebrate. They acquired the business nearly four years ago, and at the time, it was doing “minimal business,” Riggio said. 

“We do more in two weeks now than the business used to do in a year. The employees were three at that point. We’ve now got 15 full-time employees. When this expansion is complete, we’ll be adding another six to eight employees. We’ve actually had to turn business away over the last four years; some major players have come to us, and we just couldn’t support the business,” he said. “There are a bunch of products that are in those storage containers outside to make room for you to stand where you're standing. This is a great opportunity for us to continue to grow our business and support additional small clients, midsize clients and larger clients. We are looking forward to adding in the 6,300 square feet, looking forward to adding a second kitchen, second production line, second bottling line, and a second shift to support all of those, and we are really happy that you guys are out here.”

In the middle of COVID, about April 2020, an unflinching Guglielmo approached Wegmans Italian Foods Category Manager Steve Chichelli with his idea to open his own facility and forge a collaboration with the grocery giant. Chichelli had already known of Guglielmo as a radio personality with his stories about his grandfather’s homemade pasta sauce, and all of that had been "a great interaction.”

“So I'm thinking a guy, a local guy, ready to give jobs to a local community. And that's what Wegmans is about, too; we share a lot of the same values that he does, building up local businesses and creating jobs. So it was at that point we were like, hmm, how do we get him more? He's got his branded product, so I'm like, let's talk about private labels. Where could he fit in being a small co-packer, but let's partner him with our chef team,” Chichelli said. “So we started our endeavor with our first private label product with him, which is our Wegmans brand spicy tomato oil, one of my favorite items we have ever developed at Wegmans in the Italian categories. And that item has just grown to be great. When that launched, I mean, it was cross merchandised everywhere in the store, all departments got behind it: bakery department, prepared foods, we displayed it, and it's turned into a great item for us.”

He also said that they are developing a lemon butter and a marsala sauce to be launched this fall. 

“I give Paulie all the credit here. I'm just the guy who forms a strategy. He's the guy who works hand in hand with our chef team,” Chichelli said. “The tenacity, the passion that comes out in him—the chef team absolutely adores him.”

Major portions of the company’s growth have also been possible with infusions of funding — including $500,000 from winning second place at 2022 Grow-NY, a global food and agriculture innovation competition. 

“What began as a dream, nurtured by innovation and fueled by determination and unlikely a little bit of Paulie’s abundant energy, led to Craft Cannery’s Grow-NY winner's badge in 2022, and ultimately, a pivotal moment when their team now stands ready to embark on a new chapter of growth and success,” Program Manager Sarah Meyer said. “Beyond bricks and mortar, today we celebrate the profound impact Craft Cannery has had on its community, the Grow-NY Region and New York State as a whole. Since receiving their $500,000 prize, Craft Cannery has created and cultivated opportunities for growth and advancement as a contract manufacturer. They have established a space for innovation and created numerous job opportunities, fueling economic growth and fostering talent within their local community.”

Business neighbor Charlie Cook, founder of Liberty Pumps, further confirmed what a stellar job Gugliemo did on his Grow-NY pitch, which is viewable on the company website. Cook can see a lot of parallels between Liberty Pumps and Craft Cannery, he said.

“That we started from pretty basic beginnings and identified a niche that we could succeed at and excel at it,” Cook said. “And to have him right here in Bergen, being a Bergen business, especially a manufacturer in Genesee County, is fantastic. And it’s just been fun to watch him grow, and really, we wish him the best going forward.”

The company also received approval from Genesee County Economic Development Center for payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), sales, and mortgage tax exemptions valued at $72,496 to support the expansion. The proposed incentives for the additional 4,000 sq. ft. are estimated to return $3.06 million in projected wages and municipal revenues. The project would generate a $62 economic impact for every $1 of requested incentives.

“With their flexible and hands-on approach, we’ve seen Craft Cannery become a go-to provider for contract manufacturing,” said Chris Suozzi, Vice President of Business and Workforce Development at GCEDC. “The GCEDC was thrilled to support the expansion of Craft Cannery in our Appletree Acres business park. This project is yet another example of the continued growth of the food and beverage sector in Genesee County.”

Press Release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors approved a final resolution for LNK Holdings Inc./Craft Cannery’s expansion of its contract manufacturing facility in the town of Bergen at its board meeting on Thursday, March 28.

The proposed $1.465 million project enables Craft Cannery to expand operations at Apple Tree Acres by adding 4,000 sq. ft. to its existing 5,000 sq. ft. facility. The USDA-certified contract manufacturer provides dozens of customers with the capacity to ramp production of sauces, dressings, marinades, and other foods, produce small-batch foods, and pilot unique recipes for commercialization.

“The agribusiness industry continues to propel our region’s economy, having a successful and growing food and beverage cluster from Bergen to Pembroke represents the type of investments that have made Genesee County a destination for the private sector,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde.

The expansion will create 4 new full-time jobs and retain 6 full-time positions. Craft Cannery previously won a $500,000 grant at the 2022 Grow-NY Global Food and Agribusiness Competition that supports the expansion.

The company has requested payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), sales, and mortgage tax exemptions valued at $72,496 to support the expansion. The proposed incentives for the additional 4,000 sq. ft. are estimated to return $3.06 million in projected wages and municipal revenues. The project would generate a $62 economic impact for every $1 of requested incentives.

The GCEDC board also approved a final resolution from LeatherLeaf Solar LLC for a 5 MW community solar farm in the town of Byron. The $9 million project is projected to generate $4,000/megawatts (AC) annually + a 2% annual escalator of revenues to Genesee County and Byron-Bergen Central School District, along with a host agreement with the Town of Byron. 

Press Release:

On Thursday, March 7 the curtain rose on the sold-out run of Byron-Bergen Drama Club’s presentation of “Beauty & the Beast”. More than just a replica of Broadway, the Drama Club created a uniquely local presentation with original costumes and set pieces, including a wood-chopping machine designed and built by the High School Technology Club. 

They also included several references to local businesses and humorous cast interactions such as a student actress facing off against her real-life father during the battle for the enchanted castle.

From the imaginative shadow puppet narrations to the enchanted cheese grater, the Drama Club had the audience completely under their spell.

The young cast was anchored by seniors HannahRae Amador, Aurora Hiscutt, Malachi Smith, pit band percussionist Quintin Rich, and numerous experienced performers from last year’s presentation of “Hairspray”. Amador supported the village and castle ensembles both as an enthusiastic pub manager with a Viking helmet and wicked pirouette as well as a feisty coatrack, not afraid to defend the castle with loud whistles and impeccable comedic timing.

Hiscutt joined Gianna Graff, Katherine Rogoyski, and Genevieve Smith as the hysterical quartet of “silly girls” swooning after the vain and villainous Gaston. Hiscutt is a team player, bringing beautiful harmonies, giggles, and shrieks to the quartet as well as stepping out into the spotlight for solo work.

Rich, the only student-musician in a pit band full of seasoned professionals, kept the beat rolling from curtain to curtain including an epic three-minute drum solo of his own composition which acted as the lone score for the castle battle scene.

M. Smith took on the title antagonist turned hero, cursed into a monstrous appearance and racing the clock to return himself and his enchanted household to human form. He balanced Beast’s fierce roar and explosive temper with soaring tortured ballads, highlighting his skilled vocals. M. Smith impressed both with his physical acting as he single-handedly battled a pack of acrobatic wolves and with the tenderness that transcended his claws and prosthetic headpiece during his interactions with Belle.

Sophomore Gianna Clark is masterfully expressive, creating a Belle who was more than just an avid reader, but whose affection for her father and enchanted friends was as real as her ever-growing contempt for her supercilious suiter, Gaston. Clark’s vocal performances showed not only her range and precision as a singer, but her talent for living the character through song.

Gaston, played by Sophomore Roman Smith, at first seemed nothing more than an arrogant buffoon with silly one-liners about his thighs, but R. Smith unleashed flashes of Gaston’s cruelty, which peaked as he and his sidekick Lefou whipped up a frenzied mob of townspeople to storm the Beast’s castle. Lefou, played by 7th grader Teagan Williams, demonstrated his talent for physical comedy in a performance full of pratfalls, spills, and some truly astonishing choreography which he nailed while also belting out lead vocals in the pub scene.

The enchanted castle is staffed by a cast of magical objects with personalities as huge as their dance numbers. They were led by key performers Rylee Burch (9th grade), Abby Cook (11th grade), Bradley Pocock (10th grade), Michael Rogoyski (8th grade), and Jade Wolff (11th grade).

Burch took the role of Madame de la Grande Bouche, an opera performer turned wardrobe whose commanding soprano melodies were as graceful as the unexpected ease with which she handled the complex choreography, as a large piece of furniture. Abby Cook doubled as Babette, the feather duster, and a primary dancer in several villager scenes. 

Also, as a Dance Captain, Cook’s fancy footwork brought energy to the dance numbers and helped maintain the storyline of ongoing flirtation with the debonaire candelabra, Lumiere played by Pocock. 

Pocock was effervescent, delivering over-the-top puns and punchlines in a rococo suit and powdered wig. His scene-stealing levity was in sharp contrast to the curmudgeonly clock, Cogsworth, played by Rogoyski. 

Rogoyski nailed the strait-laced, “tightly wound” timepiece with a pompous but good-natured air and bursts of hilarity and sincerity that brought the character to life. 

Wolff rounded out the troupe, literally, in a huge, willow-patterned hoop skirt, taking on the role of Mrs. Potts, the teapot. Wolff delivered charm, personality, and the iconic title solo. Her smooth, dynamic vocals set the scene for Belle and Beast to fall in love.

The supporting cast of villagers and enchanted objects brought depth to the musical as each performer embodied unique characters such as the baker, pin cushion, farmer, potted plant, tailor, or chandelier. The ensemble pulled in the crowd, filling the stage with energy during the epic musical numbers such as Belle’s opening stroll through town, “Human Again”, and the showstopping “Be Our Guest”. 

The stage crew, led by Estelle Dumuhosky and Maryn Meier, also played a pivotal role in moving the story seamlessly from village to castle and through to the storybook ending.

The Jr./Sr, High School students were joined by several elementary school students who danced their way through “Be Our Guest” as forks, spoons, and dinner mints. Third-graders Austyn Krol and Naylee Robinson share the role of Chip, the teacup. Both young ladies deliver energetic and adorable performances. Also joining the cast are 6th Grade Teacher Ken Rogoyski as the lovable, zany Maurice and Aaron Burch as the menacing asylum manager, Monsieur D’arque.

Byron-Bergen’s production of “Beauty & the Beast” was directed by Alyson Mercedes Tardy, musical direction by Joe Paris, pit band direction by Kevin Bleiler, and choreography by Solange Rodrigues. Congratulations to the cast, crew, staff, and volunteers.

Aaron J. Fix, 50, of Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd, resisting arrest, criminal mischief 4th, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Fix is accused of interfering with the arrest of another person during a traffic stop on East Main Street, Batavia. When a deputy and Batavia patrol officer attempted to take Fix into custody, Fix allegedly resisted arrest and in the process, the officer was injured and a piece of the officer's equipment was damaged. Fix was arraigned and released.

Robert P. Tomaszewski, 56, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. A Batavia patrol officer stopped Tomaszewski on March 4 on River Street. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Alicia M. Lyons, 44, of Batavia, is charged with trespass. Lyons is accused of being at Kwik Fill on Mach 1 after being banned from the property. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Jeanna M. Hattaway, 44, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. She is also charged with obstructing government administration 2nd, resisting arrest, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Hattaway was located on March 4 walking on Tracy Avenue, When Batavia police officers attempted to take her into custody on the warrant. Hattaway allegedly ran from police but was caught a short distance away. Hattaway was also allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. Hattaway was arraigned in City Court and ordered held on $3,000 bail, $6,000 bond, or $12,000 partially secured bond.

Charles A. Reichert, 41, of Batavia, is charged with riding a bicycle on a sidewalk. Reichert was issued a ticket on Feb. 25 following a personal injury accident. Reichert is accused of riding on the sidewalk before riding into the path of a vehicle. 

Naquan J. Shepherd, 24, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant issued by City Court. Shepherd was initially charged with harassment 2nd in January 2024. He was issued an appearance ticket. He is accused of failure to appear. Shepherd was arraigned and released.

Shane M. Ramos, 32, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Ramos is accused of shoving another person during a fight on Summit Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Monique E. Hampson, 31, of Batavia, was arrested on March 4 on a warrant. Hampson was initially charged on Dec. 29 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd following a traffic stop on West Main Street. She is accused of failure to appear in court as ordered. Hampson was arraigned and released.

Jennifer N. Wilson, 36, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, and resisting arrest. Wilson is accused of being inside a residence on Otis Street and then resisting arrest. She was arraigned and released.

Jonathan M. Falk, 25, of Batavia, was arrested on Feb. 26 on a warrant. He and another person allegedly stole merchandise from Seven-Eleven. Falk was initially charged with petit larceny and conspiracy 6th. He is accused of failure to appear in court as ordered. He was arraigned and released. 

Bryce D. Klehn, 18, of Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Klehn is accused of throwing a lit firework on March 2 onto the porch of a residence on Montclair Avenue. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Erica M. Esten, 36, of Oakfield, is charged with harassment 2nd. Esten is accused of hitting another person in the face in a parking lot on East Main Street, Batavia, on March 2. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Starzha Monae Hilliard, 25, of Webster Manor Avenue, Rochester, is charged with falsifying business records 1st. Hilliard is accused of providing false personal information to deputies and corrections officers after being arrested on unrelated offenses and then signing official fingerprint documents under the false identity. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Tabatha Ann Torcello, 58, of Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and moving from lane unsafely. Torcello was charged after an investigation into an incident reported at 7:17 a.m. on Nov. 30.  At that time, deputies responded to a report of a car in a ditch off Route 98 in Alexander. She was arrested recently and issued an appearance ticket.

George Samuel Luce, 54, of Gildden Road, Holly, is charged with strangulation 2nd and assault 3rd. Luce is accused of chocking and punching a woman during an incident at a hotel on Park Road, Batavia, at 10:42 a.m. on March 6.

Joseph Thomas Jablonski, 59, of Clifton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, unregistered motor vehicle, and vehicle with improper license plates. Jablonski was stopped at 3:29 a.m. on March 7 on Clinton Street by Sgt. Mathew Clor. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Arnold Bryan Colopy, 66, of Knowlesville Road, Alabama, is charged with torturing or injuring animals/failure to provide substance. Colopy is accused of keeping two dogs in "deplorable" conditions. Following a report at 4:11 p.m. on March 7, Deputy Alexander Hardsall allegedly found two dogs without any food or water. Colopy was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Michael Andrew Hahn, 44, of Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, aggravated unlicensed operator, unregistered motor vehicle, and uninspected motor vehicle. Hahn was stopped by Deputy Carlos Ortiz Speed at 3:43 a.m. on March 4 on Buffalo Road, Bergen. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Jacqueline Raj Garrett, 44, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Garret is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart at 2:50 p.m. on March 8. She was released on an appearance ticket.

Press Release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) visited Byron-Bergen, Kendall, and Barclay Elementary Schools for Read Across America Day. 

Hawley read to students in Ms. Conaghan and Mrs. Stephanek’s classrooms at Byron-Bergen Elementary School and Kendall Elementary School and spoke to two second-grade classes at Barclay Elementary School while participating in their yearly ‘crazy sock day.’ 

Hawley was happy to be able to visit with the students and inspire their love for reading on Read Across America Day.

“It was great to celebrate Read Across America Day with the students at Byron-Bergen, Barclay, and Kendall Elementary Schools,” said Hawley. “Reading is a great tool that helps us expand our minds and connect with others. I want to thank all of the schools, teachers, and staff members who are helping these students each day and making events like this possible.”

Press Release:

The Roberts Wesleyan University Brass Quintet will perform a free concert at the Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.

The Roberts Wesleyan Brass Quintet performs various styles ranging from early Baroque to modern music. It regularly performs at special events on and off campus, including commencement, accompanying the Chorale, and performing in departmental recitals. 

The quintet is directed by and performs with Dr. Paul Shewan, professor of instrumental studies, who teaches conducting and trumpet. Dr. Shewan is a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra trumpet section and has been a guest conductor numerous times. He has also performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concert is part of a series the church offers to celebrate the renovation of the historic Viner pipe organ installed in the sanctuary in 1907. “We want to share a variety of music with our community, so we have planned a spring series of concerts in celebration,” said Alden Snell, church organist. 

The evening’s performance will include a performance of a hymn on the organ. 

Other concerts in the series are:

• Jaclyn Breeze, flute, April 14, 6 pm. Ms. Breeze, from North Chili, is an American composer and flutist crafting pieces and programs that foster community between artists and audiences. Her works have been commissioned and performed by groups in North America, Europe, and Asia. 
• George Collichio, guitar, special Door of Hope Coffeehouse event at the church, April 27, 6 p.m. Mr. Collichio is a national recording artist, performer, educator, and private guitar instructor from Rochester. He has nine national CD releases and plays over 100 shows per year. He is a college professor (guitar and music theory) and founder of "Collichio School of Music" with two locations and hundreds of students.
• An organ recital featuring students from the Eastman School of Music will be held on Sunday, May 5, at 6 p.m. 

All concerts are at the Church, 38 South Lake St., Bergen. A free-will offering will be accepted.

Chad W. Burgess, 37, of St. Paul Street, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 2nd, two counts of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, tampering with physical evidence, criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd, and unlawful fleeing a police officer. Burgess is accused of fleeing a traffic stop at 1:51 a.m. on Feb. 25 on Lewiston Road, Batavia. Both deputies and troopers pursued him before being captured on Park Road, Batavia. He was allegedly found in possession of a large quantity of narcotics. Burgess was held pending arraignment. The investigation was led by Deputy Ryan Mullen, assisted by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell.

Oraid J. Blackshear, 19, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 2nd, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. Blackshear is accused of fleeing police on foot and resisting arrest on Feb. 16 after officers attempted to take him in custody on a warrant. He was allegedly found in possession of a loaded firearm. Blackshear was arraigned and jailed on $1,000 cash bail.

Nikkia M. Farias, 26, of Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd and resisting arrest. Farias is accused of trying to prevent police officers from arresting another person on Feb. 16 by pulling them away from officers as they attempted to take the suspect into custody. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Alan D. Tidd, 34, of Batavia, is charged with four counts of failure to register or verify as a sex offender, second offense. Tidd is accused of failing to register four internet identifiers related to social media accounts and a phone number. He was arraigned in City Court on Feb. 16 and jailed.

Wendy L. Henry, 39, of Batavia, Brian M. Raphael, 35, of Batavia, and Jessica D. Delcour, 41, of Batavia.  Henry, Raphael, and Delcour are accused of illegally entering an apartment on Feb. 12 on Fisher Park. All three were issued an appearance ticket.

Lisa R. Richmond, 35, of Batavia, was charged on Feb. 14 with petit larceny. Richmond is accused of stealing money allegedly intended for a Batavia City School fundraiser. She was arraigned and released on her own recognizance.

Douglas G. Goodwin, 32, of Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass 3rd. Goodwin is accused of unlawfully entering a building on Harvester Avenue on Dec. 27. He was issued an appearance ticket.

John A. Cabrera, Sr., 56, of Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Cabrera is accused of violating a stay-away order on Feb. 11 on Washington Avenue, Batavia. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

John H. Bush, Jr., 40, of Batavia, and Jennifer K. Freeman, 40,  of Batavia, were both arrested on Feb. 15 on warrants issued by City Court. The warrants stem from a traffic stop on June 30. Bush was charged with driving on a suspended registration, aggravated unlicensed operation, resisting arrest, and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Freeman was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Both are accused of failure to appear in court. They were arraigned and released.

Juan L. Figoura, 21, of Batavia, was arrested on a pair of warrants on Feb. 20. The first warrant charges Figoura with criminal contempt 1st, for allegedly violating an order of protection July 14. The other is related to an incident reported on Aug 17. Figoura is charged in that case with criminal contempt 1st, grand larceny 4th, criminal mischief 4th, petit larceny and harassment 2nd. Figoura was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

Ihsaan Y. Parker, 22, of Rochester, was arrested on Feb. 22 on a warrant. Parker was initially charged on Aug 2, with operating a motor vehicle with registration suspended, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and operating without a valid inspection.  Parker is accused of failure to appear in court as ordered on the initial charges. He was arraigned in City Court and released.

Elijah G. Schultz, 29, of Mill Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, uninspected motor vehicle, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and unlicensed operator. Schultz was stopped in the Village of Le Roy at 1:36 a.m. on Feb. 12 by Deputy Ryan Mullen. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Gregory George Goodberlet, 66, of Lyman Road, Byron, is charged with DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd, unlicensed driver, and moving from lane unsafely. Goodberlet was arrested at 4:39 p.m. on Feb. 19 at a location on Lyman Road following a welfare check. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Madeline Anne Morrison, 25, of Wood Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving on a suspended registration, and drinking alcohol or using cannabis in a motor vehicle on a highway. Morrison was stopped at 2:44 a.m. on Feb. 24 on Clinton Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jacob Kipler. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Michael Louis Harris, 55, of Marlbank Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely.  Harris was stopped at 1:19 a.m. on Feb. 25 on Clinton Street Road, Bergen, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. He was held pending arraignment. 

Cody Alan Bush, Sr., 38, of Columbia Avenue, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Bush is accused of threatening the life of another person during a telephone call at 8:31 a.m. on Jan. 22. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Ross Conrad Poodry, 35, of Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation 1st, reckless driving, speed not reasonable and prudent, and failure to stop at stop sign. Poodry was reportedly involved in a property damage accident at 10:11 p.m. on Feb. 28 on Akron Road, Pembroke He was held pending arraignment. 

Victoria Helen Richards, 48, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Richards is accused of providing a child with drugs while at the Quality Inn and Suites at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27. Richards was issued an appearance ticket.

Dustin Larry Stump, 53, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and driving a vehicle without an inspection certificate. Stump was stopped at 4:10 p.m. on March 1 on Byron Holley Road, Byron, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Rosemary Renee Waters, 37, of East Main Street Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal trespass 3rd. Waters was arrested following a traffic stop and roadside investigation by Deputy Jonathan Dimmig and Deputy Zachary Hoy on Feb. 25 at 4:05 p.m. on Beaver Meadow Road, Byron. Waters is accused of trespassing on CSX Railroad property and possessing a controlled substance. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Christy Lynne Thurston, 49, of Fetzner Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, resisting arrest, open container, failure to keep right, speeding not reasonable and prudent,  and moving from lane unsafely. Thurston was arrested following the report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:59 p.m. on March 3 on Lockport Road, Oakfield, investigated by Deputy Mason Schultz and Deputy Morgan Ewert. Thurston was released on an appearance ticket.

Kristen Lynn Fix, 49, of Washington Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration 2nd, moving from lane unsafely, and unlicensed driver.  Fix was stopped at 10:12 p.m. on March 2, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Zachary Hoy. She was held pending arraignment.

Matthew J. Callaghan, 33, of Blue Spruce Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, and side windows not transparent. Callaghan was stopped at 12:24 a.m. on March 2 on Clay Street, Le Roy, by Deputy Carlos Ortiz Speed. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Press Release:

The Genesee County Health Department is seeking information about the location of a dog and its owner(s) following a dog bite incident on Friday, Feb. 2, at 8:30 a.m. 

The incident occurred in a yard on Swamp Road near Jericho Road in Bergen. This dog has also been observed in that general area multiple times.

The dog was described as a black, lab/lab mix with a collar. The victim described the dog as well-groomed.

The health department is trying to avoid unnecessary medical treatment for the victim, so it is important to locate the dog to determine whether or not it is current on its rabies vaccination. If the vaccination status of the dog cannot be identified, post-exposure rabies shots will be recommended to the victim.

If you have information about the location of the dog and its owner(s), please contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555.

Kaila S. Smith, 27, of Batavia, is charged with filing a false written statement and falsely reporting an incident. Smith is accused of falsely reporting a sexual assault on Jan. 5. She was arrested on Jan. 13 and issued an appearance ticket.

Michael A. Sweet, 37, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny 4th. Sweet is accused of taking payment to complete renovations on a residence in Batavia and then never completing the work. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Maverick X. Cook, 18, and Patrick J. Peters, 18, both of Batavia, are charged with open burning. Cook and Peters are accused of starting several fires on sidewalks and parking lots in the area of Ellicott Street and Liberty Street, Batavia, in December. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Darrell Laverne McFadden, 53, of Clinton Street Road, Batavia, is charged with assault 2nd. McFadden is accused of causing serious physical injury during a fight at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, at a location on Clinton Street Road. He was jailed pending arraignment.

Jessica B. Eschenlauer, 34, of Batavia, is charged with burglary 2nd, criminal contempt 2nd, and aggravated family offense. Eschenlauer is accused of being inside a residence in violation of an order of protection. She was arraigned and released.

Roger M. Hofmeier, 22, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. In July 2022, Hofmeir was allegedly found in illegal possession of a firearm. He was arrested on Jan. 11, arraigned in City Court, and released under supervision.

Nikkia M. Blackshear, 26, of Batavia, is charged with trespassing. Blackshear is accused of refusing to leave 7-Eleven on Jan. 20. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Adrienne S. Bechtold, 28, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th and criminal use of drug paraphernalia 2nd. Bechtold was charged following a traffic stop on Jan. 18 on Ross Street, Batavia. She was allegedly found in possession of narcotics and a scale. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Vincent J. Disalvo, 48, of Webster, is charged with harassment 2nd and trespassing. Disalvo is accused of kicking another person during a fight in the 7-Eleven Parking lot. He then allegedly entered the store after being told he wasn't allowed in the store. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Anthony A. Bomasuto, 29, of Batavia, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. Bomasuto is accused of being involved in an incident on Jan. 15 on Ellicott Street, Batavia. He was arraigned and released.

Trace G. Brewer, 23, of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant. Brewer was wanted on charges of petit larceny and conspiracy 6h.  She was allegedly involved in a theft with another person of merchandise from 7-Eleven. She was arraigned and released.

Lorrie Beth Fischer, 45, of Park Road, Batavia, is charged with misapplication of property. Fischer is accused of possessing another person's property on Dec. 29 and, rather than returning it, selling it. She was arrested by Deputy Mason Schultz on Jan. 22. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Nicole K. Dell, 38, of Silver Springs, was arrested on a warrant on Jan. 25. Dell was initially arrested on May 23, 2022, and charged with DWI. The warrant was issued after she allegedly failed to appear in court. Dell was arraigned and released. 

Jacob J. Frayne, 26, of Darien, is charged with aggravated DWI and aggravated unlicensed operation. Frayne was charged following a traffic stop on Jan. 26 on Pearl Street, Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Takari G. Lang-Smith, 22, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Lang-Smith was stopped on Jan. 28 at an undisclosed location by Batavia PD. He was issued tickets and released.

Richard M. Fuhry, 42, of Brockport, is charged with DWI. On Jan. 20, Batavia patrol offices were dispatched to North Park and Ross Street for a report of a fight in the street. Fuhry was accused of being involved in the fight and then located driving on Seneca Avenue. He was issued several tickets.

Brian J. Hawkins, 44, of Olean, was arrested on Jan. 22 on two warrants issued by City Court. The first was a bench warrant related to an incident in 2019 where he allegedly provided alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The second warrant was an arrest warrant for Bail Jumping 3rd. Hawkins was arraigned and released.

Tanika N. Avant, 22, of Batavia, was arrested on Jan. 22 on a warrant issued by City Court. The warrant stemmed from an incident in April of 2023 where she was charged with two counts of harassment 2nd and one count of endangering the welfare of a child after a disturbance call on Bank Street. Avant was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. 

Johnny Burton Koonce, Jr., 33, of Federal Drive, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 1st, aggravated unlicensed operation 3rd, and failure to stop at a stop sign.  Koonce was stopped at 1:53 a.m. Jan. 20 by Sgt. Mathew Clor.  The passenger in the vehicle was somebody Koonce was allegedly supposed to not contact by court order. He was held pending arraignment.

Shanaya Nichole Brooks, 22, of Route 438, Gowanda, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd. Brooks is accused of striking the side of a house on Jan. 19 on East Road, Batavia, causing damage. She is also accused of trying to force her way into the house, causing damage. She was held pending arraignment.

Samantha Rae Balduf, 31, of Grant Street, Depew, is charged with petit larceny.  Balduf is accused of switching the price tag on a piece of merchandise at a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive (the name and location of the store was withheld by the Sheriff's Office) at 1:03 p.m. on Jan. 19. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Isaac Floyd, Jr., 59, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and illegal signal. Floyd was stopped at 12:07 a.m. on Jan. 24 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Jacob Kipler. Floyd was released on tickets.

Joel David Proudy, 37, of Rochester Street, Bergen, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Proudy is accused of violating a full stay-away order of protection at 10:50 a.m. on Jan. 17 at a location on West Main Street, Batavia. He also had multiple outstanding warrants. He was held pending arraignment.

Joseph Peter Mancuso, 35, of Deerfield Drive, North Tonawanda, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Mancuso is charged with violating a stay-away order of protection at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 at a location on Roberts Road, Alabama. He was arraigned and released under supervision.

Steven James Dunham, 35, of Main Street, Corfu, is charged with failure to verify address within 90 days as a Level 3 sex offender. Dunham was arrested in January and held for arraignment.

Steven Kenneth Maskell, 31, of North Byron Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely, and driving while using a portable electronic device. Maskell was stopped at 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 on Lockport Road, Oakfield, by Deputy Morgan Ewert. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Robert Paul Gerspach, 67, no specified address, Buffalo, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation, driver's view obstructed, failure to keep right, and moving from lane unsafely.  Gerspach was observed by an off-duty deputy driving in an alleged unsafe manner at 11:22 a.m. on Jan. 24.  He was stopped and arrested by Deputy Austin Heberlein. He was released on an appearance ticket.

Guillermo Guadalupe-Vasques, 44, of Crimson Drive, Canandaigua, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, and moving from lane unsafely. Guadalupe-Vasques was stopped at 8:44 p.m. on Jan. 24 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Stephen Smith. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.

Mckenzie Leigh Stogsdill, 32, of East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, no headlights, and no tail lamps. Stogsdill was stopped at 1:44 a.m. on Jan. 27 on Park Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Mathew Clor. Stogsdill was released on appearance tickets.

Jessica R. Parker-Sharkey, 30, of South Butler Road, Savanah, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 4th and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Parker-Sharkey was arrested in Virginia Beach, Va., and extricated back to Genesee County. She was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court and released. The charges stem from allegations in April 2023 that she was in possession of a stolen car and a controlled substance. Following her release, she was turned over to Rochester PD on warrants.

Michael Curtis Smith Jr., 31, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing an electric scooter from Walmart at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 24. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.

Joseph Michael Petix, 66, of Shorecliff Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th, stop sign violation, breath test refusal, and consumption of alcohol while driving. Petix was stopped at 9:53 p.m. on Jan. 28 on Clinton Street, Batavia, by Deputy Travis DeMuth.  He was allegedly found in possession of cocaine. His release status was not reported.

Press Release:

Registration is now available for kindergarten and prekindergarten students in the Byron-Bergen School District. The District plans to once again offer a half-day universal prekindergarten (UPK) program at the Byron- Bergen Elementary School. 

The UPK program is focused on socialization, learning through play, and self-exploration. Children learn through a hands-on learning environment that includes activities, learning centers, concrete materials, and manipulatives. Students learn through a nurturing environment that is enriching, challenging, and developmentally appropriate. 

Students must turn four years of age by December 1, 2024 to be eligible for the program. If you have a child eligible and are interested in having him/her attend our UPK program, please complete this Google form which is also available on the Student Registration page of the Byron-Bergen website. The form requires the student’s name, parents’ name, address, phone number, email address, and date of birth. This electronic Google form is due by Thursday, Feb. 22. Parents who have already contacted the Elementary School by phone will still need to complete the form. If you are having difficulty completing the form, please call the Elementary School office for support.

Please note that if the District receives more applications than the allowed capacity, a lottery will be held to select students. This year's lottery drawing will be held on Friday, March 1, via Zoom. Student-specific lottery numbers and the Zoom link will be shared with everyone who completes the form before the February 22 deadline. Once the lottery is complete, if your child was selected, you need to complete the full registration packet, which can be found on the Byron-Bergen website, and submit it to the Elementary School Office. 

Children who will be five years of age, on or before December 1, 2024, are eligible for entrance to Kindergarten in September of 2024. New families in the school district should notify the school if they have a child who will enter Kindergarten in September of 2024. Parents may contact the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Office by calling 494-1220, ext. 1301. 

Information may also be sent to the Byron-Bergen Elementary School, 6971 West Bergen Road, Bergen, New York 14416. Please send all information for kindergarten screening by June 1, 2024.  All children registered for kindergarten will be scheduled for a screening appointment this summer. The results of this screening will be used to plan for the 2024-2025 kindergarten program. 

The following items are necessary to complete the registration process: the child’s birth certificate; certificate of immunization; proof of residency; and completed registration packet. Additional information and registration packets are available at http://www.bbschools.org/StudentRegistration.aspx.

Press Release:

Industry-leading self-defense center ‘The Firing Pin’ to host a first-of-its-kind safety class at The Kodak Center; Hundreds of students to learn newly required NY Handgun Safety information.  

The Firing Pin, a retail firearms store, indoor shooting range, and defensive training center located in Bergen, has booked The Kodak Center in Rochester and is hosting a low-cost handgun safety class on Jan. 28. Topics will include basic safety information, NY state gun laws, situational awareness training, as well as interacting with law enforcement, as set forth under the new required curriculum.

With NY State’s focus on reducing violence involving firearms through legislative action, TFP’s mission has been educating the public on firearms safety and security. Thousands of students over the past decade have learned how to safely handle a firearm at The Firing Pin, utilizing the classroom and 25-yard indoor range to hone their skills and become better gun owners.

NY State now requires 18 hours of training before an applicant can be granted their NY Pistol Permit, a new change as of September 2022. This large-scale class will fulfill 8 hours of that training, and students interested in getting their permit can take the remaining 10 hours at a later date.

The class on Jan. 28 at The Kodak Center, 200 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, hopes to reach as many people in the region as possible, the Center seats 1,900 total. The class runs from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., doors open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $15 and include a box lunch.

“We are extremely excited to bring our training to this many students, but we’re even more excited to be able to do so in such an amazing venue as The Kodak Center, we’re very thankful they were willing to work with us, as uncontroversial as a safety class should be, it took us a while to find a venue willing to work with us on this - it was very important to our mission that this class happen in the City - again, thanks to the great folks at The Kodak Center”, Brandon P. Lewis, Owner/Founder, The Firing Pin.