Stories from

Local photographer/artist Susan Meier (whose work was featured recently at the Blue Pearl Yoga studio) was selected to exhibit at the Todmorden Papermill Gallery in Toronto, Canada, as part of the CAPIC show. (Canadian Assoc. of Professional Image Creators).

Meier also received four awards from the Batavia Photography Club at its annual awards ceremony this year.

Sweta Kolisetti, of Batavia, whose major is Food Science, has been named to the dean's list at Clemson University for the Spring 2014 semester.

To be named to the dean's list, a student achieved a grade-point average between 3.50 and 3.99 on a 4.0 scale.

Ranked No. 21 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success. Clemson is an inclusive, student-centered community characterized by high academic standards, a culture of collaboration, school spirit, and a competitive drive to excel.

From the Cornell Cooperative Extention of Genesee County

Congratulations to the Genesee County 4-H youth who competed in the 2014 State 4-H State Public Presentations and the State 4-H Horse Communications Event at Cornell University in Ithaca on Saturday, May 17, 2014!

Representing Genesee County at the 4-H State Public Presentations event was Melissa K., who gave an illustrated talk titled "Meat Madness" in which she classified the various cuts of pork in a bracket to see which cut would come out on top. She received a 182 out of 190, which earned her a Gold Seal award.

Representing  Genesee County at the 4-H State Horse Communications Event was Alexandria (Jomni) T., who gave an illustrated talk titled "No Hoof, No Horse" in which she discussed the importance of maintaining horse hooves along with describing the types of tools a farrier uses to keep horse hooves healthy. She received 6th place out of 10 in the Junior Individual category.

For more information regarding local opportunities in 4-H Youth Development call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or e-mail genesee4h@cornell.edu

Press release:

Robert Joy, managing principal of JMZ Architects and Planners, PC presented an aggressive construction project schedule to Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees earlier this month. With a large series of bar graph (Gannt) schedules to illustrate the various project phases and key milestones, Joy explained how the 2015 – 2017 construction program takes into consideration the academic calendar along with the seasonality of construction.

With a $24 million appropriation for GCC's capital project included in the recently passed New York State budget, JMZ Architects and Planners are now carefully preparing a construction schedule featuring three major phases. The project follows the College's Facilities Master Plan developed several years ago and approved by the GCC Board of Trustees and State University of New York. The major project components include:

•    Student Success Center -- a 9,000-square-foot facility will accommodate core student services including the Placement Office, Testing, Career and Transfer Centers, Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar and other offices currently scattered across campus in makeshift, inefficient spaces. The two-story building will connect through a second-story bridge to the Conable Technology Building and nearly enclose the Clock Tower Plaza on the westside. Proposed construction cost is $5.2 million.

•    College and Community Event Center -- the 43,000-square-foot facility will become the largest meeting space in the region and will offer flexible floor space not only for student gatherings, but also for community events such as trade shows, charitable events, athletic competitions and exhibitions. It will be located adjacent to the College's current athletic fields and will house both classrooms and office space, as well as food services and a wellness center. Construction cost is projected to be $13.9 million.

•    Retrofitting Existing Space – With the creation of the new Student Success and Events centers, the existing space will be reutilized resulting in the net increase of 15 to 20 new classrooms and labs, with particular interest in launching new instructional career programs such as STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math) Agri-business, Health Sciences and Food Processing.

JMZ's proposed construction schedule begins with the site work in approximately one year (May 2015) to establish safe walkways and driving lanes, as well as designated parking and construction staging areas. The two major new facilities, the Student Success Center and multipurpose Event Center, would be constructed simultaneously and the proposed completion and occupancy of the new buildings is targeted for Fall 2016. The retrofitting of the existing building and total project completion is projected for Summer 2017.

Joy also described the design of construction bid packages giving local contractors the maximum opportunity for bidding the projects combined together, or separately as individual projects. Contractors will have option to bid and bond the whole project, specific project components, or to work as subcontractors under a general contractor through a larger contract. It is hoped the first bidding documents for the site work that reorganizes the parking lots will be released early 2015 and work will begin after next year's commencement ceremony.

"With the right leadership, the right goal, and the right objectives including student success, retention, measured outcomes, and economic development, we now have a 'golden moment,' " Joy said. "This project represents the largest infusion of capital into the College since this [main] building was built [in 1972]. It is transformative and remarkable. Congratulations to all!"

Applications are being accepted for the 2014 Genesee County Fair Talent Show that will be held on Thursday, July 17^th 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Contestants compete in one of two age groups 6-12 years, or 13 and over. The contest is open to soloists, duets and groups in all talent areas. Past acts have included dancers, vocalists, instrumentalists, magicians and comedians.

Top prize is $100, second place receives $50 and third place receives $25. Contestants may also earn the opportunity to compete at the New York State Fair Talent Showcase where they can compete to win up to $500. Applications are available by visiting GCFair.com or by calling 585-813-7711. Applications must be received by July 8. Complete rules and a printable application can be found at GCFair.com

The Genesee County Agricultural Society is sponsoring the Genesee County Fair Queen and Princess Pageant to be held this year at the 175^th Genesee County Fair, July 15 – 19.

Officials have outlined the criteria and categories for the pageant offering winners in four age groups: Queen ages 17 – 19; Princess ages 14 – 16; Jr. Princess ages 11 – 13; and Little Miss ages 8 – 10.

All contestants must be female, reside in Genesee County, attend a Genesee County School or be a member of the Genesee County 4H Program.

The contestants will be judged on oral presentation, talent showcase, poise and personal interaction. All age groups will compete for a cash award and prizes.

For pageant applications, visit the Genesee County Fair Web site at www.gcfair.com or contact Pageant Coordinator Deb Baris at debrabaris@yahoo.com.

The Batavia High School Class of 1984 will be celebrating its 30^th class reunion with two gatherings in July.

Alumni of the class and their guests are invited to attend informal get-togethers on the nights of July 18^th at Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility, Clinton Street; and July 19^th at Batavia Country Club, Batavia-Byron Road. There will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres served throughout the evening.

The reunion committee is in the process of mailing out information to classmates.

To RSVP or if you have any address changes or questions contact either Kelly J. Bermingham, 585-356-4722, kbermingham@geneseeny.com or Jane Roach Johnson, 585-739-0378, peerless@rochester.rr.com.

The class also has a Facebook Event page that you can RSVP to at https://www.facebook.com/events/1387730391449332/  (BHS Class of ’84 Reunion).

Bergen’s newest Marine is PFC Aaron K. Inzinca, who graduated on May 23rd, 2014 from the United States Marine Corps, Mike Company Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, S.C.

Aaron is a 2013 graduate of Byron Bergen Central School and is the pride of Brian & April Stone of Bergen. Following SOI training at Camp Geiger, PFC Inzinca will be furthering his education in aviation mechanics in Jacksonville, Fla.

Current summer baseball players ages 9 thru 17 can extend their season through the fall with Team New Era Fall Elite Travel Teams. Teams will participate in league and tournament play in September and October.

Tryouts will be held at New Era Park in Depew, 3950 Broadway, as follows:

• Current summer  players ages 9 thru 11: Thursday June 12th at 6 p.m. and Sunday June 22nd at 5:30 p.m.
• Current summer players ages 12 thru 14: Thursday June 12th at 7:30 p.m and Sunday June 22nd at 7 p.m.

Fall College Showcase team tryouts (for current summer players ages 15 thru 17): Monday June 16th at 6 p.m. and Saturday June 21st at  6 p.m. Players need only attend one tryout.

For more information see www.teamnewerabaseball.com <http://www.teamnewerabaseball.com> or contact New Era Park at 716-681-3001.

Submitted by: Rich Wozniak, president, New Era Park.