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Chamber's Class of 2011 business honorees named

By Billie Owens

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce today announced the 2011 honorees who will be feted at the 40th Annual Awards Ceremony on April 14 at the Clarion Hotel in Batavia. However, the Geneseean of the Year has not yet been named.

Here are the award recipients:

Business of the Year: Arctic Refrigeration Company of Batavia, Inc.  

Agricultural Business of the Year: Baskin Livestock, Inc.

Industry of the Year: Graham Corporation

Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: Adept Equipment Services

Innovative Enterprise of the Year: Palm Island Indoor Waterpark at the Clarion Hotel

Geneseean of the Year:  To Be Announced

This is the county’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism. If you would like to attend, tickets are $50 per person or a table of 10 for $450.

The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres. There will be entrée tables and a cash bar (No formal sit-down dinner will be served). The award program starts at 7 and dessert and coffee will be served at that time.

Call Kelly J. Bermingham, at 343-7440, ext. 26, to make your reservations or with any questions you may have.

Richmond library offers free eBook Class, registration required

By Billie Owens

Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia is offering an eBook Class from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10. Registration is required for this free class and group size is limited. Call the library at 343-9550, ext. 2, to register.

Participants will learn how to borrow and download eBooks from the library’s website. At 11 a.m., instruction will be given for the Nook, Sony, and Kobo readers. At 12 p.m., instruction will be given for the Kindle.

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Richmond library offers free eBook Class, registration required

By Billie Owens

Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia is offering an eBook Class from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Registration is required for this free class and group size is limited. Call the library at 343-9550, ext. 2, to register.

Participants will learn how to borrow and download eBooks from the library’s website. At 2 p.m., instruction will be given for the Nook, Sony, and Kobo readers. At 3 p.m., instruction will be given for the Kindle.

More information is available in the library, located at 19 Ross St., and online at www.batavialibrary.org.

Richmond library offers free eBook Class, registration required

By Billie Owens

Richmond Memorial Library in Batavia is offering an eBook Class from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Registration is required for this free class and group size is limited. Call the library at 343-9550, ext. 2, to register.

Participants will learn how to borrow and download eBooks from the library’s website. At 2 p.m., instruction will be given for the Nook, Sony, and Kobo readers. At 3 p.m., instruction will be given for the Kindle.

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Two students from Le Roy named to Deans' List at Roberts Wesleyan College

By Billie Owens

Roberts Wesleyan College is pleased to announce the following students were named to the Deans' List for their outstanding academic performance for the Fall 2011 semester:

Katherine Kovatch, of LeRoy, received High Honors.

Paul Stedman, of Le Roy, received High Honors.

High Honors are given to students with grade-point averages range from 3.7 to 3.89 on a scale of 4.0

Roberts Wesleyan College has had a tradition of excellence since 1866. It is a leader among liberal arts colleges with a Christian worldview and offers more than 57 undergraduate programs, as well as graduate programs in education, school psychology, school counseling, health administration, nursing education, nursing leadership and administration, strategic marketing, social work and strategic leadership.

It also offers innovative undergraduate degree-completion programs for working adults in health administration, nursing, organizational management, and teacher education. For more information, visit www.roberts.edu.

Bergen student earns certificate at Paul Smith's College

By Billie Owens

Craig Holland, of Bergen, graduated from Paul Smith's College in December. He earned a certificate in Geographic Information Systems.

Paul Smith's College is on the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake, and is the only four-year institution of higher education in the six-million-acre Adirondack Park of New York State. It offers programs in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship, the sciences, and many others. On the web: www.paulsmiths.edu.

Elba student earns Highest Honors for work at University of New Hampshire

By Billie Owens

Lauren Burhans, of Elba, has earned Highest Honors for the fall semester of the 2011-2012 academic year at the University of New Hampshire.

Students named to the Deans' List have earned recognition through their superior scholastic performance. Highest Honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade-point average of 3.7 or better out of a possible 4.0.

Special Civil War exhibit at GCC's Batavia campus library through Feb. 17

By Billie Owens

There is a special Civil War exhibit inside the Alfred O'Connell Library at the Batavia campus of Genesee Community College. It's part of a series of activities commemorating the 150th anniversary of America's most divisive conflict.

It features more than a dozen miniature models depicting wartime scenes and situations of the Civil War. There are authentic weapons and war accoutrements, uniforms, a tent, and a selection of framed newspapers dating back to the 1850s.

The exhibit continues through February 17 and is open during normal library hours. Spring hours are:

  • Monday through Thursday -- 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
  • Friday -- 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday -- 12 to 6 p.m.

The college is located at 1 College Drive. For more information, call the library at 343-0055, ext. 6419, or visit online at <www.genesee.edu/library>.

College invites GLOW high-schoolers to enter Civil War essay contest

By Billie Owens

As part of a series of activities commemorating the 150th anniversary of the nation's most devisive conflict, the Civil War, Genesee Community College invites high-school students in the GLOW region (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties) to enter an essay contest.

The topic is "War Takes a Nasty Turn: The Changing Nature of the War of 1862."

The first-place essay winner will receive a color Nook electronic reader.

The essay should be a minimum of three pages, formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double-spaced. All citations must be written in Chicago Style (www.chicagomanualofstyle.org). All essays must be received electronically by Friday, April 13 at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu.

Winners will be announced at the Civil War lecture that is scheduled at the Batavia campus at 7 p.m. on May 1.

For further information please contact GCC's Lima Campus Center at 582-1226 or go to: http://civilwaratgcc.wordpress.com.

SUNY Oswego's Fall 2011 academic achievement list flawed, was deleted, corrected list to be sent soon

By Billie Owens

EDITOR'S NOTE: Two press releases posted earlier this week about students' academic achievements for Fall 2011 at SUNY Oswego were deleted today (Feb. 2) at the college's request. In an email, the college said they may have contained inaccurate information due to a "computer problem." Thus, we await new, corrected press releases regarding the academic achievements of students in the Fall of 2011 and we will post them posthaste.

Accident at Route 20 and Asbury Road, Pavilion

By Billie Owens

An accident with injuries is reported at Route 20 and Asbury Road in Pavilion. Pavilion Fire Department and medics are responding. Mercy Flight from Batavia is on in-air standby.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Traffic will be shut down at South Street and Route 20. A guide wire from a utility pole is blocking the roadway and needs to be cut and removed.

UPDATE 2:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled.

UPDATE 3:06 p.m.: Pavilion is back in service. Fire police will remain on scene along with State Troopers until the one vehicle involved is removed. One person is being transported to Strong Memorial Hospital.

UPDATE 3:54 p.m.: Pavilion Fire Police are back in service. The roadway is open.

HLOM February lecture topic: Ely Parker, Seneca chief and Civil War officer

By Billie Owens

February's topic in the ongoing Holland Land Office Museum lecture series is Ely Parker.

The Seneca chief, known by his people at Do-ne-bo-ga-wa, was a Civil War officer and the writer of the Terms of Surrender at Appomattox Court House.

The presentation about Parker will be made by Terry Abrams, of the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies as well as the Tonawanda Indian Reservation Historical Society.

The lecture begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the museum, located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia. Phone is 343-4727.

HLOM February lecture topic: Ely Parker, Seneca chief and Civil War officer

By Billie Owens

February's topic in the ongoing Holland Land Office Museum lecture series is Ely Parker.

The Seneca chief, known by his people at Do-ne-bo-ga-wa, was a Civil War officer and the writer of the Terms of Surrender at Appomattox Court House.

The presentation about Parker will be made by Terry Abrams, of the Western New York Association of Historical Agencies as well as the Tonawanda Indian Reservation Historical Society.

The lecture begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the museum, located at 131 W. Main St. in the City of Batavia. Phone is 343-4727.

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New, free map available from chamber: 'War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail'

By Billie Owens

A new, free brochure is now available from the Genesee County tourism office called the "War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail" map. It encompasses three New York tourism regions -- Greater Niagara, The Finger Lakes, and Thousand Island-Seaway Trail.

Production of the brochure was a collaborative effort between the International Peace Garden Foundation and the tourism offices of Niagara, Erie, Monroe, Wayne and Oswego counties.

The full-color trail map highlights 16 U.S. and three Canadian permanent historical sites, commemorating 200 years of peace between the United States and Canada. It identifies the specific location of each peace garden along with the historic significance of each one.

Special programming is being developed around the gardens to include concerts, art shows, reenactments, festivals and events.

A special audio component at the gardens allow visitors to tune in at any point to get more information about the site. Many sites will also display interpretive story boards.

All gardens are expected to be in bloom this Spring and will bloom annually from May through October. They are all open to the public and admission is free. Special arrangements can be made for groups by calling in advance.

Anyone who would like a free brochure should stop by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, located at 210 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. Hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Genesee County businesses that would like a free supply should call the chamber office at 343-7440. Questions may be directed to Tourism Marketing Director Kelly Rapone at ext. 23 or via email at <krapone@geneseeny.com>.

The International Peace Garden Foundation is the umbrella organization coordinating the development of the trail. A portion of the gardens along the trail are Honorary Peace Gardens. They contain special artwork and have more extensive landscaping. The sites are identified on the map.

The foundation is nonprofit and was established in 1992 to honor nations for their peace-keeping achievements and to develop peace gardens worldwide. More information can be found at <www.ipgf.org>.

Two-car crash, with injuries, in front of Batavia High School

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported in front of Batavia High School, located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia. City firefighters and Mercy EMS are responding.

UPDATE 3:01 p.m.: A second ambulance is responding to the scene.

UPDATE 3:15 p.m.: A 37-year-old female driver and her passenger are being transported to UMMC with complaints of neck and back pain.

UPDATE 3:23 p.m.: City fire is back in service.

Feb. 17 is submission deadline for first Digital Art Show at GO ARTS!

By Billie Owens

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) announces a Call for Artists to submit work for its first Digital Art Show, to be exhibited at the Batavia and Medina satellite galleries this March and April.

The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 17.

Digital art is defined as artwork or prints created or manipulated by digital (computer) means. Artists and art students of all ages in Genesee and Orleans counties are invited to participate. There is no cost.

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GO ARTS! seeking submissions for its first Digital Art Show, deadline is Feb. 17

By Billie Owens

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) announces a Call for Artists to submit work for its first Digital Art Show, to be exhibited at the Batavia and Medina satellite galleries this March and April.

The registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 17.

Digital art is defined as artwork or prints created or manipulated by digital (computer) means. Artists and art students of all ages in Genesee and Orleans counties are invited to participate. There is no cost.

The exhibit will run from March 7 to April 27 at GO ART! satellite galleries in the Genesee County Senior Center in Batavia and in the Shirt Factory Cafe in Medina.

Information, guidelines and the registration form are available from GO ART! at Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia. They are also available on the “For Artists” page on the GO ART! web site at www.goart.org <http://www.goart.org>.

An opening reception for both exhibit sites is scheduled for Friday, March 16. If you have any questions, please contact GO ART! at 343-9313 or email info@goart.org.

GO ART! exhibits are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. For more information, contact GO ART! at  343-9313, or info@GOart.org or visit www.GOart.org <http://www.GOart.org>.

Adult class on how to crochet a necklace at Richmond library

By Billie Owens

A class for adults on how to crochet a necklace will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, at Richmond Memorial Library.

Learn how to combine wire, beads, and a silver chain to create a necklace in this class taught by Jen Reardon.

An $8 materials fee is due at the time of registration. Participants for this class must know how to chain crochet. Please bring a G crochet hook.

More information is available at the library, by calling 343-9550, ext. 2, and at www.batavialibrary.org.

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Extreme couponing seminar, plus deals and Chinese auction at YWCA

By Billie Owens

An event on "extreme couponing" with local "master couponer" Michelle Kelsey will be held this Thursday, Feb. 2, at the YWCA in the City of Batavia. The location is 301 North St.

The free event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and feature a how-to demonstration, and "cash-and-carry" deals and coupons. There will be a Chinese auction, free refreshments and free child care.

"Come learn the dollar$ and cent$ of couponing."

This is sponsored by GROW YWCA (Giving Real Opportunities to Women). For questions, call Jeanne at 343-5808.

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