Stories from

Rehearsals and set construction are well under way as Genesee Community College prepares to launch its Spring 2012 theatrical season with a production of the Neil Simon comedy "God's Favorite."

The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 29 when the GCC Forum Players, in conjunction with the Genesee Center for the Arts, take the stage in the Stuart Steiner Theatre.

"God's Favorite" is loosely based on the biblical Book of Job, with God and Satan making a bet involving a wealthy Long Island businessman whose faith is tempted by a wisecracking messenger from God.

The cast and crew, under the direction of Fine and Performing Arts Director Maryanne Arena, reflect the GCC community of faculty and students, as well as local performers. They include Jerry Newell, of Attica, as pious businessman Joe Benjamin, and Rochester's Ben Liebrand as the tempter Sidney Lipton.

Rounding out the cast is: Patrick Dodge, of Warsaw, as prodigal son David Benjamin; Tyler Eldred, of Dansville, as son Ben Benjamin; Perry's Sara Stabley as Ben's twin sister Sarah Benjamin; Nikole Marone, of Batavia, in the role of Joe's long-suffering wife Rose Benjamin; Rochester's Whitney Sellers as maid Mady; and Bobby Steeves, of Albion, as the butler Morris.

GCC technical theater faculty member Ed Hallborg tackles the set design and technical direction of the comedy, with students Alison Scharvella (Copake Lake) and Roger Williams (Kendall) sharing stage manager duties.

"The cast and crew work incredibly hard and have shown an amazing amount of dedication to their craft," Arena said. "I am extremely proud of each and every one of our performers and crew members."

In addition to the debut performance on Thursday, tickets are also available for the 7:30 p.m. shows on Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 1.

General admission prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (55+), students and GCC faculty and staff, and $3 for Genesee students with valid ID. GCC alumni receive a $2 discount with valid alumni ID card. The theater box office is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and one hour before the start of each performance.

Reserve tickets are available through the box office at boxoffice@genesee.edu or by calling (585) 345-6814. Payment is accepted via cash, checks, and Visa or MasterCard credit cards.

Genesee Community College is located in Batavia, just two minutes from NYS Thruway Exit 48. Visit http://genesee.edu for door-to-door directions sent via email.

Press release:

United Memorial Medical Center will host a community education event, Diabetes Alert!, on Tuesday, April 17 at Bohn’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility, Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for informational displays. A light dinner, served at 5:45 p.m., will be followed by a program featuring guest speaker, Michele Barrios (RN BSN CWOCN) on the topic of wound prevention and care. Additional presenters include Rosann Quinn, YMCA fitness instructor on the topic of yoga, and registered dietician Amy Miller (RD CDN CDE) from United Memorial.

Tickets, which include a light dinner and program, are $10 each and available through the hospital’s Healthy Living Department. Checks may be made payable to UMMC and mailed to: Healthy Living, 127 North St., Batavia, NY 14020.

Payment may be made in person at the office location at Cary Hall, 211 E. Main St., Batavia, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets are pre-sale only and available until April 6.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 8.3 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, and of that number, 28 percent is undiagnosed and untreated. Diabetes is a condition that results when the body fails to efficiently use the hormone insulin, causing excess sugar to build up in the blood. People with diabetes are also at risk for a number of other health complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, depression and lower extremity amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

In addition to the yearly educational event, Diabetes Alert!, United Memorial provides a number of services to the community for chronic disease management as it relates to diabetes, including a diabetes self-management course held several times throughout the year. The multi-session course is typically covered by most insurance plans and provides participants with a number of ways to manage their illness with medication if necessary and healthy lifestyle changes to their diet and physical activity.

For more information on classes or to register for the event, please call Healthy Living at 344-5331.

Press release:

For the first time ever, trekkers who take part in Genesee Community College's annual alumni Trek the Trail walkathon can go online to solicit pledges from family and friends, form teams, and create their own web page!

The fundraiser, which benefits the GCC Foundation Student Scholarship Fund, includes a morning of fun and outdoor activities for all ages. For a $15 donation, each registered trekker gets a T-shirt, treats, prizes and lunch, and a chance to join their friends and family on an engaging stroll around the Batavia campus.

And new this year, walkers can register, ask for and tally pledges, challenge friends, and create their own page on the Trek the Trail website: www.gccfoundation.kintera.org/trek.

Last-minute registration gets under way at 9:30 a.m. on April 21, with sign-in at the Stuart Steiner Theater Lobby. The trek then heads out along the Cougar Paws Pathway, with various stops for healthy treats along the Nature Trail to the soccer stadium and baseball fields, where kids (big and small!) can run the bases. New this year: a photo opportunity in front of the giant GCC sign at the old soccer fields.

Hikers continue to College Village, where playtime awaits at the Ducky Pond, and moves to the gym, where future hoops stars can show off their dunking style. Walkers then progress to the Student Union and the Forum, where various medical technicians will offer blood pressure readings and other healthy check-ups. The walkathon wraps up with lunch under the tent.

"This is a terrific opportunity for folks to enjoy some light exercise in the fresh air, have fun with their children, and help the College Foundation provide scholarship money for students," said Alumni Affairs Coordinator Jackie Christenson. "We're very excited about the new website and think it will make this fundraiser more accessible for a lot more people!"

Prizes will be awarded for most pledges and most creative team (costumes are welcome!), and those who correctly answer trivia questions along the way will be entered into a prize raffle.

Sponsorship opportunities for Trek the Trail are still available and can be arranged by contacting Jackie Christenson, Alumni Affairs coordinator, at 343-0055, ext. 6265 or jkchristenson@genesee.edu.

The 15th annual showcase featuring antiques, collectibles, artworks for sale and appraisals will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at the Elba department rec hall. For the first time ever -- admission is FREE!

The fire hall is located on Route 98 in Elba.

There will be basket raffle and 50/50 drawings. Dave Cutitta, a Batavia dealer in coins and precious metals for 40 years, will be buying, selling and appraising silver and gold coins and scrap.

Lunch available.

There will be 50-plus tables of advertising, buttons, jewelry, glassware, pottery, primitives, Victorian, postcards, handmade silk scarves, felted purses, paintings, quilting, Mother's Day gifts, candy, and folk art. Something for everyone. Don't miss it!

Press release:

Students interested in a career caring for animals can learn more about the details of Genesee Community College's Veterinary Technology program during information sessions on the Batavia campus next month.

The college will host two meetings to introduce incoming students, as well as those still in high school and the general public, to the exciting possibilities of a career as a veterinary technician. Both sessions will be held Thursday, April 5.

Meetings will take place in the Conable Technology Building, Room T119, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Among topics that will be discussed:

• Careers in veterinary technology
• The application and admissions process
• Academic requirements
• Program prerequisites
• Degree and licensure
• Frequently asked questions

For more information, contact program Director Kathryn Seweryniak at 343-0055, ext. 6187, or via email at keseweryniak@genesee.edu.