Bergen

Carl William Altman, 54, of Clipnock Road, Stafford, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving a motor vehicle on a sidewalk, and unregistered motor vehicle. Altman was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Eric Meyer at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday at Darien Lake Theme Park, into a report of a vehicle driving on a sidewalk in a densely populated area. Altman was jailed on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Trisha Marie Craig, 24, of South Lake Avenue, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Craig is accused of failing to secure her residence and allowing her 4-year-old son outside the residence unsupervised for an extended period of time. The child was reportedly found walking on Route 19 in the Village of Bergen.

Debora Marie Donoghue, 48, of East Avenue, Holley, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Donoghue allegedly violated an order of protection May 20.

Press release:

Alumni of Byron-Bergen schools might remember seeing high school runners carrying the Jr. Olympic torch through the streets of the two communities back in the 1970s. The custom began in 1976 to signal the start of the Elementary School’s Jr. Olympics Day celebration, but fell out of practice over the years. The tradition was back again on the evening of June 12, as a relay team of varsity runners from Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, escorted by town fire engines, traveled a route around the towns of Byron and Bergen.

This was the third year for the new town run, which was organized by Varsity Track Coach Ken Rogoyski and elementary school teacher Alyson Tardy. This year’s runners, Jerome Spinks, Dayanra Caballero, Siomara Caballero, Anna Hersom, Hope Hersom Miriam Tardy, Josh Tardy, Paul McDermott and Travis Lambert, were cheered on by neighbors as each took a turn carrying the torch.

The next day, the traveling torch made another appearance at the opening of Jr. Olympics Day at the elementary school. Students there had been busy studying the cultures of many different countries. Each class represented their chosen country in a parade, and then in a day full of track and field competitions.

“The Jr. Olympics Torch Run is a fun way to connect with our community and a good way to get the younger kids excited about participating in the next day’s ceremonies,” Tardy said. “We’d really like to thank the folks at the fire departments for their support. We hope that even more people will take a moment to come out, have fun, and enjoy the show again next year.”

Top photo: Runner Anna Hersom carries the Jr. Olympic torch in Bergen as neighbors look on.

Team Ireland celebrates at the Byron-Bergen Elementary School Jr. Olympics on June 13.

Proud Bees after the 2018 Jr. Olympic Torch Run, (l-r) Jerome Spinks, Dayanra Caballero, Siomara Caballero, Anna Hersom, Hope Hersom Miriam Tardy, Josh Tardy, Paul McDermott and Travis Lambert with driver from the Bergen Fire Department.

Seniors in Byron-Bergen’s 2018 graduating class were urged to “set out and make a difference” by Junior-Senior High School Principal Patrick McGee, as he addressed the class at graduation ceremonies Saturday.

The class of 80 received their diplomas at Roberts Wesleyan College’s Cultural Life Center in North Chili.

McGee commended school staff in helping the kids, who he called “an amazing group of young people.”

In urging them to make a difference, he cited a young boy named Pete whose only ambition was to be a bagger in the local grocery store. Pete wrote a personal note and put it in each customer’s bag. Business at the store soared and all the customers lined up at Pete’s station, causing long waits, but they all said it was because Pete’s notes made their day.

“He became part of the life of every person in his community, because of one simple act,” McGee said. “And it had to do with putting others first.”

McGee said today Pete is a very successful motivational speaker.

Superintendent Mickey Edwards challenged the class to set goals for themselves.

“Life is not always fair, and sometimes failure is inevitable,” but keep moving forward, whatever you do,” Edwards said. “I know each one of you has the potential to change the world.”

Finally, he urged the class to laugh often and be responsible citizens.

Salutatorian Margaret Graney said she thought the class was all pretty great.

“We’ve had an opportunity to grow up together as friends,” she said. “Always remember something good about Byron-Bergen – the fun you’ve had and the mistakes you’ve made.”

She said Byron-Bergen had taught them a lot – maybe not all in the classroom.

“It taught us how to think – not what to think,” she said. “It taught us how to take on the bigger world. Like a fish only grows as large as its tank will allow it to, Byron-Bergen has been our fish tank. Now it’s time to move on to bigger things.”

Valedictorian Lauren Burke praised all the great teachers, from kindergarten through her senior year.

She recalled her first school musical in second grade and the recent senior class musical. She shared the sports championships the classes had won during her school years and this year’s talent show.

There was the senior class trip this year to Cleveland and New York's Cedar Point State Park, located in the Thousand Islands' region.

“We’ve come a long way,” Lauren said. “We’ve gone from nervous kindergartners to star athletes and accomplished musicians. This class has taught us lessons we will use throughout the rest of our lives. None of our achievements would have been possible without the support of the community, our parents and teachers. Our success is your success.”

She concluded with a quote from "Mahatma Ghandi," born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, an Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you will live forever.”

Special scholarship awards were presented by McGee, school counselor Matt Walther and Assistant Principal Scott Bradley to the following:

Alfred K. Sheldon Memorial Leadership Award, Joshua Phelps; American Field Service Foreign Language Award, Lauren Burke; American Red Cross Scholarship, Morgan Fuller; Arthur Rohe U.S. History Scholarship, Lauren Burke; Bergen Grange Award, Ethan Green and Peyton Mackey; Bergen Rod and Gun Club Award, Justin Hannan and Morgan Fuller; Bergen Volunteer Fire Co. Student Volunteer Scholarship, Melanie Kulikowski; Brad A. Hobin Memorial Award, Paul McDermott Jr. and Michael Khomitch; Byron Kiwanis Club Award, Nicole Welka, Cameron Brumsted and James Boughton; Byron-Bergen Administration Scholarship, Quinn Chapell; Byron-Bergen Faculty Association Award, Justin Hannan; Byron-Bergen Learning Community Award, Jean Denson and Leah Thompson; and Byron-Bergen Student Council Scholarship, Benjamin Chaback.

Also, Claus Memorial Award, Lauren Burke and Margaret Graney; Clint Cooper Memorial Scholarship, Brian Ireland; Derek K. Sheldon Memorial Scholarship, Daniel Stutzman; Dora M. Jones Scholarship, Hayley Hoehn; Earl Almquist Family Art Award, Austin Sharpe; Francis J. and Ethel A. Miller Memorial Scholarship, Tyler Henry and Larissa Ashton; Gillam Educational Fund Scholarship, Dana Van Valkenburg; H.E. Turner and Co. Funeral Homes Community Service Award, Lauren Burke; Helene Forsyth-Hough Memorial Scholarship, Nathan Knickerbocker; Hesperus Lodge No. 837 F.&A.M., Julia Menzie; Ida Casewell MacEwen Award, Austin Sharpe; Jerome G. Spitzner Memorial Science Award, Benjamin Chaback; Leo J. O’Neill Memorial Scholarship, Benjamin Chaback.

And, Lori A. Nelson Award, Brendon Kendall; Mary Wride Memorial Attendance Award, Tyler Henry; Paul West Scholarship,Peyton Mackey; Ralph and Minna Gillette Scholarship, Jean Denson and Daniel Jensen; Reis Memorial Scholarship, Makenzie Muoio; Sackett-Merrill-White Post 575 American Legion Scholarship, Shaun LoVerdi; Sarah Batemen Memorial Scholarship, Nicole Welka; Sunshine Award, Hayley Hoehn; Tom Covington Memorial Agricultural Scholarship, Garrett Sando; TVFCU Junior Banking Scholarship, Leah Thompson and Melanie Kulikowski; and the William F. Engle Scholarship, Riley Sadler.

The graduating seniors with the 10 highest academic averages are Lauren Burke, Margaret Graney, Benjamin Chaback, Larissa Ashton, Lily Mercovich, Dana VanValkenburg, Tyler Henry, Jean Denson, Brian Ireland and Leah Thompson.

Class officers are Hayley Hoehn, president; Makenzie Muoio, vice president; Justin Hannan, secretary; and Lauren Burke, treasurer.

The High School Band, under the director of Kevin Bleiler, accompanied the graduates for the processional and recessional and in singing the National Anthem. Laurence Tallman is director of the school’s Singing Silhouettes.

Top photo: Byron-Bergen’s Class of 2018 stands with Principal Patrick McGee, left, and members of the Singing Silhouettes as they sing the National Anthem prior to graduation ceremonies Saturday at Roberts Wesleyan College’s Cultural Life Center in North Chili. Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Byron-Bergen High School’s valedictorian Lauren Burke addresses her class during graduation ceremonies Saturday at Roberts Wesleyan College’s Cultural Life Center.

Lauren Burke, from a slideshow that presented students as seniors and with a childhood picture.

Salutatorian Margaret Graney gives her address during Byron-Bergen’s graduation Saturday at Roberts Wesleyan College’s Cultural Life Center.

Seniors Lauren Burke and Margaret Graney were presented with the Claus Memorial Award in memory Christopher Claus (Class of 2015) and Victoria Claus (Class of 2018) at Byron-Bergen’s graduation ceremonies Saturday.

Natalie Keller, of Darien, looked long and hard about the benefits of horsemanship before enrolling her daughter Sara in the Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship program.

Sara, 9, was born with Down syndrome. When her parents, who live in Colombia, South America, gave her up because they couldn’t care for her, Keller adopted Sara and brought her to the United States at the age of 4 1/2.

Keller was searching for anything which would help Sara when she discovered the Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship Program, which is run at Mat and Sharon Gartz’s Double G Ranch near Bergen.

Therapeutic riding has been in existence for centuries, according to information provided by Beth Allen, who does publicity for the Purple Pony program. When a woman who was disabled by polio won a silver medal for dressage at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, therapeutic horsemanship was established as being of pertinent value to handicapped individuals.

Horsemanship helps with balance and coordination, Keller said. She has been bringing Sara for little more than a year.

“She’d never been on a horse,” Keller said. “The first week, she jumped off. We told her next week she had to stay on longer than this week, and with death grips on her volunteer, she stayed on.”

Purple Pony is a member of what was the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, founded in 1968 in Virginia. In 2011, the organization changed its name to the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, with headquarters in Denver.

The local Purple Pony group was organized in the spring of 2005 by Lee Morgan and Lorrie Renker of Spencerport. Lessons grew to about 30 riders, but shortly after receiving approval as a 501(c) 3 corporation, Morgan and Renker ended their partnership. The board of directors postponed programming for the summer of 2007 until they could reorganize and offer lessons again.

In 2010, the program moved to a farm in Churchville, where it was run for three years. Their most recent move to Double G Ranch was made in November 2013, where they continue to teach barn and equine safety, the anatomy of the horse, proper care of the horse and the method for mounting and riding the horse.

Through the use of games and mounted exercises, Purple Pony’s goal is to contribute to the improvement of an individual’s confidence, social interaction, self-esteem, muscle tone and cognitive development.

Karen Reeverts, of Le Roy, and Lynette Short are instructors for Purple Pony, which is one of 700 similar groups in the United States.

Information from Purple Pony indicates horsemanship has proven to provide physical benefits to those suffering from a wide range of disabilities, such as mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, autism, brain injuries, and more, because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the body and internal organs in a manner similar to that of the human walking gait. Horseback riding helps to normalize muscle tone, improve posture and build up the cardiovascular system.

“The experience provides a bond and unconditional love,” Reeverts said.

“Sara loves it now,” her mother said.

Each rider is accompanied by a volunteer who leads the horse, another who holds the reins, and a third who hangs on to the saddle, making the rider feel safe.

“They started Sara by holding on to each side of the saddle, then maybe next time it was her foot,” Keller said. “Then when she was comfortable, they let go and just walk beside her.”

Riders learn the simple commands of squeezing their legs against the horse’s sides to make it start up. They go through exercises to turn the horse and they have games on horseback, led by the instructor in the center of the stable.

Keller’s brother also has special needs and after seeing how the program helped Sara, their mother Becky enrolled him in Purple Pony.

John and Mary Volpe, of Attica, have had custody of their grandson, 13-year-old Andrew Bennett, since he was born. He has sensory problems, Mary said, and horsemanship has helped keep him in perspective and keep his attention.

“It calms him and we’ve seen a big improvement in his posture,” Mary said.

ARC helps the family with reimbursement for costs of the therapeutic horsemanship, she said.

Bob and Hillary Laughton, of Hamlin, have been bringing their daughter Taylor, 14, who has epilepsy, to Purple Pony for five years.

“This is her favorite thing to do,” Bob Laughton said. “It helps with her coordination and self-esteem. Before this, we couldn’t find anything she excelled at.”

Twenty-four riders were enrolled in the spring class, which ends this week. They have been meeting for an hour every Tuesday and Friday for the past six weeks.

Reeverts said classes will take a break for the summer and resume the first week in September.

On Aug. 11, the Purple Pony staff will sponsor a huge indoor garage sale at 8321 Lake Street Road, Le Roy, to help with expenses of running the program. The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a huge indoor arena, with plenty of off-street parking.

A chicken barbecue will take place and there will be face painting, balloon art, and cotton candy.

Anyone with clean, gently used items who would like to donate them to the sale should call (585) 880-1096 for information. Scheduled drop off dates are all day July 21 and 27 and evenings on Aug. 3 and 4. They request no large appliances, televisions, computers, upholstered furniture or clothing.

In addition to the instructors, the staff of Purple Pony includes Dan Kilker, chairman of the board; Gail Ehmann, volunteer coordinator; Terry Greenwood, treasurer; Lynnette Short and Patricia Famiglietti, equine care; and Dot Gulardo, associate.

Top photo: Instructor Karen Reeverts with the Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship program checks the stirrups for Rob Keller of Darien, as volunteers wait to lead him around the ring at Double G Ranch.

Photos by Virginia Kropf.

Julia Menzie, a senior at Byron-Bergen High School, has been volunteering with the Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship program for four years. She loves horses and helping people.

Volunteers guide Taylor Laughton, 14, in backing her horse between two poles during an exercise at Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship program.

Sara Keller, 9, of Darien is led around the ring by volunteers at a recent session of the Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship program.

Riders line up waiting for instructor Karen Reeverts, walking at left, to lead them through a game during a recent class of therapeutic horsemanship.

Seated, from left, are Karen Reeverts of Le Roy, an instructor with the Purple Pony Therapeutic Horsemanship program, Beth Allen and Bruce Rychwalski. Matt and Sharon Gartz are owners of Double G Ranch in Bergen, where the horse program takes place. Standing, from left, are staff members Mary Lou LaPointe, Amy Condoluci, Dale White, Sandy Player, Dan Kilker (board president), Rex Milner and volunteer coordinator Gail Ehman.

Press release:

On June 19, the Byron-Bergen learning community and the community-at-large were treated to a special stage adaptation of “Sneaky Weasel,” a children’s book by author Hannah Shaw, performed by fourth-graders.

The show featured the talents of the entire class working together as actors, assistant directors, narrators, dancers, stage crew and scenery designers, sound effects artists, and costume designers. The story centered on an unhappy bully, Sneaky Weasel, who finally discovers how to be a friend.

“Our students have been working on the project for several weeks,” said fourth-grade teacher Alyson Tardy, who along with teachers Jenna Carney and Kelly Morriss, wrote the stage play and directed the performance. “They have each contributed their best efforts.

"It’s been really great seeing students find talents they didn’t know they had, kids stepping up to help each other, and quiet children coming out of their shells to get onstage in front of an audience. The arts are so important for development and this has been a wonderful opportunity for our students to really stretch themselves and shine.”

Top photo: “Sneaky Weasel” featured players (l-r) Grace DiQuattro, Joel Lamb, Simone Scharvogel (as Sneaky), Megan Jarkeiwicz, and Katherine Rogoyski.

Mama Weasel (Gianna Graff) with all her weasel-y offspring (Madisyn Rodak, Logan Czachorowski, Madison Hutchings, Sidney Maher, and Connor Copani.)

The cast included narrators plus singing and dancing hedgehogs, rabbits, sheep, rats, mice, shrews, dogs, and even a chicken.

There are power outages affecting some 2,200 National Grid customers in the eastern part of Genesee County, primarily in Le Roy and South Byron and parts of Bergen.

The outages appear to be part of a larger set of outages in Livingston and Monroe counties.

We don't know yet the cause of the outage.

Emergency dispatchers are aware of the outages but have no information about the outage so calling emergency dispatchers about the outages would not be helpful.

Callers are reporting a tendency of motorists to not obey four-way stop protocols at intersections without power to their traffic signals.

National Grid does report that power should be restored around 6 p.m.

UPDATE 5:03 p.m.: A spokesman for National Grid says there was an equipment failure in a transmission line that runs through the Genesee region. More than 11,000 customers lost power. The cause of the equipment failure is under investigation.

UPDATE 5:25 p.m.: The transmission line is repaired. National Grid engineers are now in the process of a controlled restoration of power for those customers who lost power. The ETA is still approximately 6 p.m. for that work to be done.

UPDATE 5:39 p.m.: It looks like power has been restored to most of the customers in Genesee County, though there appears to be a separate, possibly unrelated power outage in Stafford. There are 111 customers without power. A work crew has not yet been assigned to the outage through its estimated power will be restored by 6:45 p.m.

There were two fires reported on Monday at 46 South Lake Ave., Bergen.

The first one was caused by a microwave oven being placed on top of an electric range in an apartment and the range getting accidently turned on.

The cause of the second fire is under investigation but it's possible it was caused by the first fire.

In the case of the first fire, property owner Michael Marvin said he had a new tenant moving into the apartment in his duplex and somebody dropped items off for her earlier today. The new tenant wasn't home when the fire started but the smoke detectors went off and Marvin called 9-1-1 and Bergen Fire arrived on scene quickly and put the fire out.

The first fire was reported at 5:25 p.m. and Deputy Chief Chuck Dodson said when the fire department left the scene there was no indication that anything at all was still burning.

"We did extensive overhaul, the ceiling, the walls, the adjoining rooms, we used a thermal imaging camera, we used Class A foam, which is something that allows the water to penetrate into the wood, so when we left here, we were pretty confident the fire was out," Dodson said.

The second fire was called in by Marvin at 10:55 p.m.

Marvin said he had gone to bed a short time before and had fallen asleep. Something woke him up. It wasn't the smoke detectors. They weren't working after the first fire. He thinks it was the smell of the smoke.

"I was in my room," Marvin said. "I could barely see. I was glad I woke up or I would be dead. I couldn’t even see to get out the door."

Marvin said he got out of the house but then went back in to get his dog.

After rescuing his dog, he rescued the bright red 1966 Chevy Camero SS he's restoring, pushing it out of the garage.

At midnight, firefighters were trying to knock down the last of the hotspots in the structure.  The house was still standing but the damage to the entire probably means it is a total loss. Dodson said the goal at that point was to salvage as much of Marvin's personal belongings as possible.

Assisting Bergen at the scene were Le Roy fire, city fire, and Churchville, along with Mercy EMS, the Sheriff's Office, and Emergency Management Services.

The Red Cross was dispatched to assist Marvin.

Top photo submitted by John Zinter of Picture This Photography. The first four photos below by Howard Owens. The bottom two photos by Jim Oehler.

A house fire is reported at 46 S. Lake Ave., Bergen.

It's the same location as a structure fire reported at about 5:25 p.m. today.

Bergen fire, Le Roy fire, and Churchville dispatched.

UPDATE 11:12 p.m.: City fire's Fast Team dispatched. Pavilion requested to fill in at Le Roy Fire Hall.

UPDATE 11:16 p.m.: All units told to evacuate the building.

A working structure fire is reported at 46 S. Lake Ave., Bergen.

Route 19 will be shut down. The fire is a one-story ranch with an apartment in the back. A caller to dispatch reported seeing black smoke coming from the rear of the building.

Le Roy fire is responding mutual aid.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: The city's Fast Team is called to the scene.

UPDATE 5:32 p.m.: The city's first platoon is recalled to headquarters.

UPDATE 5:33 p.m.: One engine out of Byron is called to fill in at Bergen Fire Station.

UPDATE 5:37 p.m.: The fire is "possibly knocked down," so all remaining units traveling to the scene -- like Chili and Churchville -- are told to back it down.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: They are working to shut power off; ventilating structure.

A new granite monument honoring the men and women from Bergen who served their country in the U.S. military was dedicated in a ceremony today following the Bergen Park Fest parade.

Bob Bausch, chairman of the County Legislature and its Bergen representative, was among the speakers and he recalled walking through the park recently and looking at the names on the memorial.

"I looked at the list of the wars," Bausch said, "and I knew somebody from every one of those conflicts, even from World War I — I knew some of the old guys when I was a kid, so it means a lot to me, these efforts being made."

American Legion Commander Thomas Williamson reminded the crowd gathered for the ceremony to remember the veterans who served as they enjoyed the fireworks planned for later in the night; and American Legion Adjutant Gary Hilbert said the memorial honors those who served in times of war and times of peace and those who never returned.

"Today we make our Founding Fathers and those who came before us proud," Hilbert said. "Our liberties and values stand safe because of brave men and women who have been ready to face the fire. We thank God for each and every one of them."

To purchase prints, click here.

Two employees of Bergen’s Department of Public Works with a combined 64 years of service, were honored at a retirement party Wednesday at the Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Party House.

Bruce Partridge has retired as wastewater treatment plant chief operator after 36 years, while Joe Chimino, Bergen Electric foreman, has 28 years with the village.

Mayor Anna Marie Barclay presented proclamations while praising the men for their dedication.

“Your years of service cannot be appreciated enough,” Barclay said. “We are a small community and everything which is done makes a huge impact. We are going to miss them, but they will both leave a part of themselves behind.”

Partridge came to work for the village when his father was a trustee. He was working on a farm and the village was looking for someone to do electric work.

“I started doing that and moved to the wastewater treatment plant after that,” Partridge said.

He plans on enjoying a lot more golf now that he is retired.

Chimino attended BOCES to become an electrician.

“The day I graduated, I saw the mayor, who was James McConnell, and he asked me how I’d like a job with the village,” Chimino said. “I’ve thanked him many times since for hiring me.”

Co-workers called Chimino an asset to the community. He has co-chaired the village’s 5K run and likes to run himself.

Bergen is one of 54 villages in the state who are members of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association, and Chimino was a member of their board. In March, he was honored in Syracuse as their “Person of the Year.” He hopes retirement will give him more time to enjoy landscaping and caring for his big yard, and he may take up fishing. He is also active with Bergen’s Masonic Lodge.

Ken Steinmetz, DPW supervisor from 2011 to 2015, said he was happy for both Partridge and Chimino.

“Joe welcomed me and showed me the ropes, and Bruce taught me a lot about the plant and its workings,” Steinmetz said.

Gary Zawodzinski, the current DPW supervisor, also had the highest regards for both men, who have left very big shoes to fill.

“Joe and Bruce have been an asset to our village in many ways,” Barclay said. “They have served with character and loyalty.”

Top Photo: Bruce Partridge, left, and Joe Chimino, employees of the Bergen Department of Public Works, were honored at a retirement party Wednesday at the Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Party House, Bergen.

From left, Trustee Vickie Almquist, deputy mayor Kevin Donovan, trustee Bob Fedele and Mayor Anna Marie Barclay with Joe Chimino.

Cortney Gale, left, administrator for the Village of Bergen, looks at a framed photo presented to Joe Chimino at his retirement party Wednesday at the Viking Valhalla Restaurant & Party House.

A car and a farm tractor have collided in the area of 7671 Maple Ave., Bergen.

An ambulance is requested to the scene for evaluation of a woman.

No other injuries reported.

Bergen fire dispatched.

Yesterday, there was a report of a dog locked in a car on South Lake Avenue in Bergen but according to a woman who said she witnessed the whole thing, it didn't go down anything like the way it was reported to law enforcement.

Julianna Kalke said the dog was in the car no more than five or 10 minutes -- not the 45 minutes originally reported -- and not only did the owner roll down all the windows but she stayed by the car the whole time and talked with the dog.

The woman, Kalke said, stopped for a cigarette break.

"I am an absolute animal lover and attended Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and I did not see any harm to the animal," Kalke said. "If anything, the owner was doing the right thing by exiting the car so the dog did not inhale secondhand smoke."

Kalke described the woman who reported the dog in the car to dispatchers as "rude" to the dog's owner.

"(She was) harassing the poor woman who was just trying to do the right thing," Kalke said.

Student members of the Byron-Bergen Builders Club with Byron Kiwanis Club sponsors and RRH’s David Catalino (right), who gave the group a tour of the recreation center.

Submitted photo and press release:

On May 23, Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School Builders Club members presented a check for $500 to representatives from Rochester Regional Health’s Behavioral Health Treatment and Chemical Dependency Center at Unity Hospital.

Led by Builders Club president, 10th-grader Jacey Donahue, the student delegation was welcomed to the Center by community relations managers Tiffany Carnevale, Valerie Donnelly and Brad Pearson from the RRH Gifts Foundation, along with Center Manager Jennifer Esten, supervisor Kristen Weber and Recreation Director David Catalino.

The group was accompanied by Byron-Bergen teacher and faculty advisor Andrea Feeney and Byron Kiwanis Club sponsors Robert Wood and President Karen Jaczynski.

Members of the Builders Club, who range in age from 7 to 15, have been working hard in their community this year, helping others and raising money through coin collection and raffles.

After researching a number of local organizations, the group decided to donate their funds to the Chemical Dependency Center.

After the ceremony, the group learned more about the operations at the organization and then toured the recreation center, where their money will be put to use purchasing new equipment.

Supervisor Weber explained the importance of exercise at the Center.

“Many people in recovery have not experienced fun, sober activities for a very long time," Weber said. "The exercise and recreation equipment we can purchase with the help of Builders Club funds will aid patients in setting and achieving goals for themselves.

"Thanks to these young people, our patients will build confidence that they can persevere and better their lives.”

Builders Club Member Hannah Catalino (the daughter of the Center’s recreation director), strongly advocated for supporting the organization’s work. She and the other members recognized that the Byron-Bergen community, like many others, is experiencing the problem of substance abuse, affecting fellow students and their families.

Earlier this year, they created handmade cards for the Center to help inspire and motivate recovering patients.

“I think what the Center does is important,” Hannah said. “I see how deeply the people here care for patients. They all feel it in their hearts and we in the Club do, too. We all wanted to help.”

Builders Club has been active at Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School for three years and has about a dozen members. The group began at the Middle School, but has expanded the opportunity to all students in the district who are willing to make the commitment to service.

This year, they’ve volunteered for the Salvation Army and at the Miracle Mile for the Golisano Children's Hospital. They’ve participated in hurricane relief efforts for Puerto Rico and at the Elementary School’s Fall Festival. They can also be seen helping out at community pancake breakfasts.

“Byron-Bergen is a NYS School District of Character and our students support many activities that promote character,” said Club Advisor Feeney. “Builders Club supports the development of character and leadership.

"Everything members do during the year is their idea and their choice. They choose to give back, to better their community and to aid those in need.”

The Byron-Bergen Builders Club members are: Sarah Fraser, Liam Feeney, Andrea Feeney, Jacey Donahue, Hannah Catalino, Claire Williams, Logan Lewis, Robert Wood, Courtney Pakusch, Evan Harter and Karen Jaczynski.

A dog has been locked inside a vehicle at 12 S. Lake Ave. in Bergen for at least the last 45 minutes, says a caller to dispatch.

An officer is responding.

It's 90 degrees outside.

The Village of Bergen has always shown itself to be forward thinking in implementing programs which will enhance the village and create savings for its residents.

These include: becoming an award-winning municipal electric department in existence for more than 100 years; establishing parks and green spaces throughout the village; sharing services with nearby municipalities; creating a community garden for residents to share; and, most recently, purchasing honeybees in light of the increasing concern over the decline in honeybees, thereby harvesting honey, which the village will sell.

“We had talked about getting bees some time ago,” said Bergen Mayor Anna Marie Barclay. “We had been working with NYSERDA to become a Clean Energy Community, but because we have municipal power, we can’t add solar panels. So we had to come up with a series of other projects to be recognized as a Clean Energy Community.”

The village received a grant from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority -- NYSERDA, which they used to purchase an electric cart and charging station. They are also converting all village-owned buildings to LED and have already converted all street lights to LED.

When they started talking about getting bees, Chris Fay, water treatment plant operator, volunteered to take a course on raising bees from a honeybee farm.

Bergen officially entered the honeybee business when their 60,000 bees arrived May 10.

“Soon you’ll be able to buy Bergen Honey,” Barclay said.  

Another village project includes the popular community garden, which they established near the water treatment plant three years ago. Eighteen plots were available and they are all spoken for, Barclay said.

A final project is the installation of new signage for the community garden, Hickory Park and the Sage Pavilion.

Photos: Chris Fay, water treatment plant operator for Bergen, took a course in beekeeping so he could tend to the new hives of the Village of Bergen.

(Photos by Virginia Kropf.)