Stories from

The K-Kids from St. Joseph's School are having a fundraiser by taking orders for Bob Evans pies. They are $10 and will be ready in time for Christmas.

The pies will be unmarked so you can serve them and take credit for making them!

Order forms are available at the school or you can order from Anita Strollo via e-mail <mommyneetz@yahoo.com>

Orders need to be placed by Dec. 17 and pick up for pies will be at Bob Evans restaurant on Dec. 21. All Checks should be payable to Bob Evans.

Your pie choices are:

• Apple Crumb
• Pumpkin
• Pecan

Let's help make this a success for our K-Kids! Thanks!

Press release:

This fall, ACE Programs of Genesee Community College welcomed its first cohort of Math Science Preparatory Students to campus. Area seventh-graders who have demonstrated high potential in math and science, participated in weekly classroom and lab experiences, visited the Formula SAE club at RIT, and will conclude the fall semester with a fun, on-location experiment with potential and kinetic energy while enjoying a game of bowling.

Due to the interest expressed in this program, ACE Programs is pleased to announce the expansion of openings available to students demonstrating early signs of high potential in math and science from 48 students to 72. Requests for nominations have been sent to all area school districts, and applications will be accepted from both current sixth- and seventh-grade students.

Although there are many gifted and talented students who would benefit from this type of preparatory instruction, ACE has raised the minimum requirements for nominations to ensure the highest level of success experienced by each student.

All applicants must be nominated by a math or science teacher and approved by a school counselor or principal.

Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 7. Students will be invited to complete the application process after review of the nomination. The application deadline is March 29. Those accepted into the program will be notified by May 1 and activities will begin during the summer of 2013.

The Math Science Preparatory program for students in seventh and eighth grade is taught by full-time GCC math and science faculty and expands upon the NYS math and science standards with content designed to prepare students for the academic rigor of college-level science and mathematics.

Students who successfully complete the two-year program will be eligible to participate in the Accelerated College Enrollment STEM Enrichment Program at Genesee Community College, including the expanded option to complete either an Associate (AS) Degree in Engineering Sciences or an Associate (AS) Degree in Math/Science with a focus on either Chemistry or Biology within months of high school graduation.

Participating in any of the ACE Programs allows students to gain transferable college credit at a greatly reduced tuition rate (one-third the regular in-state tuition charged by GCC). While ACE programs have always provided opportunities for exceptionally motivated students to achieve enough college credits to potentially earn an associate degree, the STEM enrichment program will be the first opportunity for high school students to pursue specific AS degrees through GCC. The goal of the preparatory program is to provide students with the opportunity to prepare for successful participation in this accelerated course of study.

While ACE Programs office has shared this information with all area middle schools and many have begun submitting nominations, interested parents and students are encouraged to contact the ACE Programs office or their school counselor for more information. Additionally, GCC will award one-year scholarships to two sixth-grade students through the second annual GCC sixth grade Math/Science Scholar awards.

For more information contact: Karlyn M. Finucane, program specialist, ACE Programs at 343-0055, ext. 6320, or e-mail kmfinucane@genesee.edu.

Press release:

Each year, the members of the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association look to recognize a member of the racing community who has selflessly given of their time and effort for the betterment of the sport and its horses.

This year, the organization will honor a man who has been doing it for more than three decades. Peter Kanter, D.V.M., Ph.D., has been practicing equine medicine in Western New York since 1973, after graduating from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. While servicing the needs of horsemen in the morning, he has also been the paddock vet at both Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway each night since 1979.

But this is only part of the story. Besides caring for his four legged patients, Dr. Kanter was also working to defeat a human disease that has touched everyone’s life at some point. From 1973 until 2008, Dr. Kanter served as a director in the Division of Drug and Treatment Development as well as being in charge of the Department of Comparative Surgery at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. Among his many accomplishments there, he was responsible for bringing a plethora of treatment drugs to market and also helped develop the techniques of what is now commonly known as minimally invasive surgery.

At the track, his commitment to the sport and its participants has been unparalleled and his many clients are a testament to that. He has made an uncountable number of horses better through his work and he continues to be there to address their needs before or after the races. While at Roswell Park, his work was responsible for helping to ease the pain and suffering of thousands of people while aiding the fight to a cure.

It is for his life’s work to improve the lives of both man and beast that Dr. Peter Kanter was chosen the 2012 UNY USHWA Unsung Hero. Dr. Kanter will receive his award trackside at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 8) during the fifth annual “Night of Distinction” awards presentation, where all the best equine and human performances of the current Batavia meet, as well as the best in Western New York for the entire year, will be feted.

A revived Wolcott Street School Parent Teacher Service Organization has elected new officers, and will meet Dec. 10 to begin planning for a spring fundraiser.

The Wolcott Street PTSO nearly dissolved this year, after the resignation of several longtime officers left the organization without enough volunteers to effectively continue. The Le Roy school issued a call for volunteers, and new officers were elected at a PTSO meeting on Nov. 26.

Elected to one-year terms were:

— President: Julie Ehrmentraut
— Vice President: Ray Coniglio
— Treasurer: Brittany Morse
— Secretary: Holly Eschberger

The next PTSO meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the staff dining room at Wolcott Street School, 2-6 Trigon Park. (Park off Trigon Park and enter through the loading-dock doors.)

The agenda includes planning a spring fundraiser.

The PTSO funds or supports many activities at Wolcott Street School, including book fairs, field trips and more. Each year, the organization provides grants to support projects that directly benefit all students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

The PTSO welcomes the participation of parents/guardians of Wolcott Street students.

For more information call Assistant Principal Jonathan Wilson at 768-7115.

An Ireland Study Abroad photography exhibit entitled "Thirty Shades of Ireland Through the Lens of Brittany Morelli" is on display in the lobby of the Stuart Steiner Theater until Thursday.

Morelli, a native of Batavia and photography major at SUNY Fredonia, displays her photographs from a trip to Ireland as part of the GCC Study Abroad program.

"This exhibit features varying perspectives of Irish culture which include architecture, landscape and farm life. These photographs were inspired from my most recent trip to Ireland that was taken through Genesee Community College's study abroad," Morelli said.

The exhibit sponsored by the GCC Study Abroad in Ireland program, which will host its third study abroad trip to Ireland from May 28th to June 12th. For further information, go to: http://www.genesee.edu/academics/studyabroad/programs/Ireland.cfm
 

It was the penultimate Friday night (Nov. 30) of the 2012 summer-fall meet at Batavia Downs Casino. Headlining the 12-race program, which take place on a cold and snowy night in Western New York, was a pair of $7,400 races, one trotters and one for pacers.

On the trotting side, Howard Ouriel’s Duke of Wellington, took over the lead past three-quarters and went on to a 2-1/4 length score in 1:59.4 to notch his fifth win of the season. Dan Noble, who has now won 16 races in the last three racing nights at the Downs, was at the controls for conditioner Don Rothfuss.

Duke of Wellington ($22.60), a 7-year-old altered son of Canadian sire Duke of York raised his lifetime bankroll to $119,037.

On race later the best distaff pacers in Western New York hit the racetrack and it was one of the most exciting finishes of the year.

Hasty Pulse with Dan Noble in the bike, took command at the top of the stretch after a first over trip and appeared to be well on her way, but it was Miss Too Punch who would not be denied and closed from last to take home the lion’s share of the purse money.

With Jamie Dunlap in the sulky for trainer Tracy Root, Miss Two Punch ($17) unleashed a wicked late burst to score a narrow neck victory in 1:57.4. The daughter of Allamerican Ingot made her fourth winners circle visit in 2012 and increased her lifetime earnings to $87,482.

In the final Pick-6 wager of the season, that featured a mandatory pay-out, four of six was a winning ticket and returned $83.

Racing resumes on Saturday night with a post time of 6:25. There are only three nights remaining in 66th season at Batavia Downs. Racing concludes on Dec. 8.

The free pick-6 contest kicks off on Saturday night; Players Club members that can pick the winners of races 4 through 9 will win or share in the $500 pool. This promotion is sponsored by the Western New York Harness Horseman’s Association.

A free lecture on William Seward will be given by Walter Stahr at Genesee Community College beginning at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5. It will take place in the Conable Technology Building, T102.

History and culture enthusiasts of all ages would appreciate this lecture.

As part of GCC's Civil War Initiative, Stahr will share excerpts from his new published biography entitled, "Seward: Lincoln's Indispensable Man."

The book has already reaped critical acclaim with James McPherson, famous Civil War historian and author of "Battle Cry of Freedom" stating: "After a rocky start during which Seward crossed swords with Lincoln in the issue of Fort Sumter and other matters, the secretary of state did indeed become the president's most indispensable ally. Politician, diplomat, raconteur, a figure of controversy and power, Seward has finally found a biographer equal to his importance."

Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin also noted: "This magnificent biography finally provides what William Henry Seward so justly deserves -- a full, terrific and complex portrait of his endlessly fascinating life."

Stahr also wrote a biography of John Jay, one of our nation's founding fathers and the first Chief Justice of the United States.

For further information: http://walterstahr.com/media-room/ Copies of Stahr's book will be available for sale at the event and Stahr has graciously agreed to autograph copies immediately following his talk.

The free lecture is part of GCC's ongoing initiative exploring the Civil War. You can learn more about it by visiting the history department's blog: http://civilwaratgcc.wordpress.com/.