As a result of last year’s plastic bag ban, Wegmans announced that they would eliminate the use of plastic carry-out grocery bags on Monday (Jan. 27th.) The ban goes into effect statewide on March 1. Paper bags will still be available for a fee.
While reusable shopping bags are already widely used, many residents do not have or do not wish to purchase reusable bags for one reason or another. As such, my office has a limited supply of reusable bags available free of charge.
If you are interested in a free reusable bag please stop by my office at 8203 Main St., Suite 4, Williamsville, or contact my office by phone at (716) 631-8695 or (585) 454-0322 (Monday-Friday, 9-5) and we would be happy to get you a bag. Supplies are limited and bags will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The debut "Crafting for Critters" bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. All proceeds benefit homeless pets at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.
Admission is free. The event is hosted by Volunteers for Animals.
They would like you to consider being a vendor. For more information and a registration form, please email the volunteers at: vol4animalscraftfair@gmail.com
Vendors should respond by Feb. 1 to get a spot at this indoor event.
Press release:
The Fashion Program students at Genesee Community College announced the 39th Annual Fashion Show will take over the Richard C. Call Arena on Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. and no one should miss this "Ebullition" in Fashion!
Earlier in the semester, GCC's Fashion Program student Yuuka Sano unveiled the 39th Annual Fashion Show theme as "Ebullition!" (A sudden violent outburst or display; the act, process, or state of boiling or bubbling up. -- Merriam-Webster Dictionary.)
As the theme dictates, this show will be an eruption of emotion expressed through fashion.
Each scene in the show will be connected through a series of introspective garment selections with specific colors and textures to reflect authentic emotions consistent with the Japanese representation "ki do ai raku" meaning happiness, anger, sadness and joy in English.
With an exciting and powerful theme to guide their selections, the students have already begun to audition scene coordinators, marketing, advertising, sponsorships and scene garments. In the coming months, GCC students will build and coordinate more than a dozen scenes for the fast-paced, professionally produced show.
In addition, the Fashion Show student committees are holding Model Tryouts for all ages in GCC's Batavia Campus Forum on:
Anyone interested in becoming a GCC Fashion Show Model should email Fashion Show Marketing Committee Member Jess Piper at jpiper1@my.genesee.edu to schedule a tryout timeslot.
Taking full advantage of the 24,000 square foot indoor field house in the Richard C. Call Arena, "Ebullition" will accommodate up to 2,000 guests and offer ample parking.
This year's students are planning a fully immersive production, which includes preshow interviews and photo ops featuring the coordinators of each scene, and a post-show party and vendor market. Currently, students are seeking vendors to participate in this portion of the program.
There are industry-exclusive sponsorship opportunities available that include public recognition and promotional value. Any business, organization, or individual interested in supporting this year's Fashion Show should contact Debbie Mancuso at (585) 345-6830 or via email at fashionshow@genesee.edu today.
Tickets to the show will go on sale in February -- watch here for details.
The show is also live-streamed around the world.
The Fashion Program at GCC has always been a flagship for the college. The knowledge and experience of the faculty and their dedication to their students has produced quality and professional workplace candidates and well-prepared transfer students since the program's inception more than 40 years ago.
Recently, GCC renewed its articulation agreement with LIM for students in the Fashion Business: Merchandising A.A.S. program. Students who complete the track and degree can seamlessly transfer to LIM to complete their B.B.A. in Fashion Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Marketing or Management.
In addition, GCC is very excited to announce a new articulation agreement with Cazenovia College. This agreement provides a seamless transfer opportunity for GCC's Fashion Business: Merchandising A.A.S. students to Cazenovia's Fashion Merchandising B.P.S. and for GCC's Fashion Business: Fashion Design A.A.S. students to Cazenovia's Fashion Design B.F.A. degree program.
Anyone interested in taking advantage of these transfer opportunities through GCC is encouraged to contact GCC's Student Success Center at (585) 345-6805 or via email at SSC@genesee.edu.
Submitted photo and press release:
The JCPenney department store in Batavia is dedicated to helping our local youth. It has proudly donated $1,200 to the Liberty Center for Youth located at 114 Liberty St.
They have made this donation to help close the opportunity gap for the youth of our community. The opportunity gap refers to youth who have unequal access to programs, resources and necessities that enable them to be academically successful.
Many factors such as age, race, gender, household income and community wealth can put the underserved youth at greater risk of not graduating high school or getting the formal training they need to secure a good-paying job. That is where the Liberty Center for Youth Comes in.
The Liberty Center for Youth offers free programing to all youth ages 9-16 in the community. The center is equipped with a technology lab fit with 10 new computers, 10 tablets and a smart board.
The facility is also has a gymnasium, indoor foursquare court and gaming room complete with air hockey, pool and foosball tables. Youth are offered a free snack every day in the cafeteria and tutoring services are also provided free of charge.
The City of Batavia Youth Bureau and the Genesee County YMCA have entered into a collaborative partnership to deliver Liberty Center for Youth for youth programing. Both organizations have prided themselves on offering free, safe and fun activities to our youth.
JCPenney proudly supports this community and its success. JCPenney would like to thank Lydia Schauf, who is the program coordinator for the City of Batavia Youth Bureau, for making us aware of this need in our community and taking the time to coordinate this donation.
Photo: Back row, from left -- Sue Dart (JCPenney), Charitie Bruning (Glow YMCA), Elise Lee (JCPenney), Lydia Schauf (City of Batavia Youth Bureau), Rachel Hale (Glow YMCA), and Jeff Townsend (Glow YMCA). Four local youths are in the front row, from left: Kamela Lockhart, Jonelis Martinez-Williams, Gabrielle Lawlis and Gianna Williams.
A crash involving two vehicles is reported in front of Jim's Saloon in East Pembroke, 2677 W. Main Street Road. One of the vehicles rolled over and it's possible that a person was ejected.
East Pembroke Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding and mutual aid from Town of Batavia is called for extrication equipment.
Also, Town of Batavia Fire Police are asked to shut down Route 5 at Powers Road and Corfu Fire Police are asked to shut down eastbound Route 5 at Read Road. Alexander's ambulance is called to the scene, too.
UPDATE 8:34 a.m.: A gray sedan and a white minivan collided head on and all were transported to trauma centers with non-life-threatening injuries; at least two of them were taken to Erie County Medical Center. There was only a driver in the minivan. The sedan had three adults in it, including an elderly person. One occupant of the sedan was ejected. Due to the severity of the crash, a member of the county's Crash Management Team was called to the scene.
Here is the letter sent to Governor Cuomo today from the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District regarding a proposed amendment to the state health law adding a vaccine for the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus to the list of mandatory immunizations for NY public schoolchildren (verbatim, including boldface italics.)
Dear Governor Cuomo,
We have been made aware of a proposed amendment to Section 2164 of the New York Public Health Law, which would add the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to the list of mandatory immunizations for all children attending public schools. We are aware that a number of our colleagues in other school districts have written to you to voice their opposition to this proposed amendment. The Board of Education and Superintendent of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District also strongly and vehemently oppose this proposed addition.
HPV is spread by intimate sexual contact and therefore is not an epidemic infectious disease among school-aged children. Vaccines previously mandated for universal use are those which protect the public's health against agents easily communicated, responsible for epidemics, or causing significant morbidity or mortality among those passively exposed to the illness. HPV is not an agent in that category.
Further, the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics (January, 2007) reasons that the HPV vaccine does not meet the high threshold for mandating. According to the American Medical Association:
“Most infections are harmless, and screening methods (Pap smear and HPV testing) are available to identify individuals who are at risk of cervical cancer, which occurs 10 to 20 years following initial infection. Treatment of precursor lesions by minor surgical procedures is completely effective in preventing cervical cancer. Thus, there is no compelling public health rationale for mandating HPV vaccine in school-aged children.”
The proposed legislation adds HPV to the current list of mandated immunizations for school-aged children and decrees that schools not permit any child to be admitted or to attend school without proof of the HPV vaccination. The only options available for parents are to home school their children or move to a state without mandated immunizations. Mandating the vaccine for school-aged children and denying children admission to school if they don’t comply seems particularly onerous, especially for a disease that is not communicable in the classroom and/or school environment.
We urge you not to dismiss the concerns of those worried about both the rationale for mandating HPV vaccinations and the serious governmental overreach that interferes with the parental ability to make informed medical choices for their children. Please use your influence to reject this amendment.
In education,
Matthew Lamb, President, Board of Education
John C. Fisgus, Superintendent of Schools
Oakfield-Alabama Central School District
Robert William Devos, 31, of South Pearl Street, Batavia, is charged with falsely reporting an incident in the second degree. On Jan. 26, Devos turned himself in at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on the pending charge. It stems from an incident that occurred at the Citgo Gas Station on Park Road in the Town of Batavia at 6:10 p.m. on Jan. 17. Devos allegedly reported to patrons and store staff that there was "an impending occurrence of an explosion in the store." Devos was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released with a ticket to appear in Town of Batavia Court on Feb. 6. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Mullen, assisted by Deputy Jared Swimline.
Nanette Louise Kappus, 63, of Angling Road, Corfu, is charged with: aggravated driving while intoxicated -- a BAC of .18 or higher; DWI; and driving left of pavement markings. Following a traffic complaint, Kappus was arrested at 6:59 p.m. Jan. 26 on Angling Road in Corfu. She was issued traffic tickets and is due in Town of Pembroke Court on Feb. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Krzemien, assisted by David Moore.
Aaron W. Smith, 32, who resides in Oakfield, was arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Harding on Route 39 in the Town of Castile on Jan. 25. He is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. While on patrol, Harding allegedly witnessed a passenger in Smith's vehicle, which was in front of the deputy's car, throw an item out of the moving vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated near Swyers Road. Smith was found to have two active suspensions on his driver's license out of Town of Alabama Court, where he is due at a later date. Smith's passenger was issued a citation for littering on a highway.
Octavio M. Tardy, 54, of Woodside Drive, Bergen, is charged with petit larceny. On Jan. 21 at 4:30 p.m. Tardy was arrested for allegedly stealing items from the Dollar General Store at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. Tardy was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Tuesday (Jan. 28). The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Christopher Lindsay.
Tonya M. Weber-Jackson, 35, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. On Jan. 20 at 7:35 p.m. Weber-Jackson was arrested for allegedly stealing items from the Dollar General Store at 412 E. Main St. in Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Batavia Police Officer Wesley Rissinger, assisted by Officer Adam Tucker.
Submitted photo and press release:
The Batavia High School Winter Guard won First Place in Scholastic A Division at the North East Color Guard Circuit Championship on Saturday in Orchard Park.
It was their first competition since being promoted to the division.
Last spring, the Batavia High School Winter Guard won First Place in A1 class, so they were promoted to the next highest class this year -- Scholastic A.
Practices for the season began in October and the members have been working hard -- more than 12 hours per week -- to prepare for Saturday's competition.
They took on two other groups that have been competing at the Scholastic A level for years. But at the end of the night, BHS placed first with a score of 59.75.
The Batavia Scholastic A guard consists of 13 girls in grades seven through 12, who all have several years of marching experience. Their 2020 show is “As We Grow Together."
Batavia also has a Cadet Guard that competed in Orchard Park in Cadet class and the young ensemble scored 38.93. The BHS Cadet Guard consists of nine girls in grades four through nine and their show this year is called “Kaleidoscope.”
Both guards are scheduled to perform in five shows before championships in March.
Batavia High will host a show at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15.
A total of 18 color guards from Western New York and Ontario, Canada, are scheduled to attend next month's event. Batavia and Medina will each have performance ensembles there and the public is cordially invited.
BHS is located at 260 State St. in the City of Batavia.
Please join us for a 4-H Program leaders meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30. The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, located at 420 E. Main St., Batavia.
Press release:
Amid the unpredictable spread of the potentially fatal coronavirus, which has already been confirmed in three cases domestically, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer revealed today (Jan. 26) that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot access a special federal funding account known as the "Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund" until the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Alex Azar, officially declares a “public health emergency” related to the coronavirus.
Schumer made the case to affirm this emergency declaration and further revealed that in the recent budget deal he just negotiated, he was able to increase the very account relevant to combatting the coronavirus from $50 million to $85 million.
“If we have learned anything from the risks that new viruses pose to public health it is that a ‘stitch in time saves nine,’ and the more we can do to be proactive, the better off the public will be,” Schumer said.
“The CDC has been doing a tremendous job so far at being proactive and working around the clock to protect public health, but if we are going to make sure they can sustain this pace and remain at-the-ready should the outbreak get worse, they will need immediate access to critical federal funds that at the present time they remain unable to access.
"That is why, today, I am urging HHS to follow the CDC’s proactive lead: declare a formal public health emergency for the coronavirus. In doing so, HHS will unlock tens of millions for the CDC to access.”
Schumer explained that in the recent budget deal he just negotiated, he and Representative Nita Lowey, the chairwoman of House Appropriations Committee, were able to increase the account needed to combat the coronavirus from $50 million to $85 million.
Schumer explained exactly what the Infectious Disease Rapid Response Reserve Fund dollars will help the CDC achieve.
“The critical thing about these specific dollars is that the CDC has full discretion," Schumer said. "The agency can use them for whatever activities it deems appropriate, so long as they inform Congress. This kind of flexible funding needs to be unlocked now should this outbreak worsen."
Schumer said the dollars could also be used by the CDC for, amongst other things:
Schumer explained that the sole purpose of his push today is to ensure the feds have the dollars necessary to wage a proactive and ongoing war against this developing outbreak. Even though the current risk to the American public remains low, Schumer said the federal funds must be unlocked now so that the CDC has them at-the-ready.
He added that, thus far, the CDC’s work has been critically important and that the agency will need immediate access to more funds if coronavirus continues to infect more Americans. He made the case for the emergency declaration as he detailed what happens next at the federal level amid this developing outbreak.
Schumer also confirmed today that a SUNY Stony Brook professor, who was visiting family in Wuhan, China, has been unable to return to the United States as a result of China’s lockdown. Schumer said today that he has worked with the State Department and Embassy officials to ensure the SBU professor is in constant contact with U.S. officials. Schumer said the United States is working on arranging a flight home for the SBU professor.
The novel coronavirus (termed “2019-nCoV” by CDC) can cause a wide range of symptoms, from those similar to the common cold to more severe respiratory illness that can be fatal. There is currently no direct cure-all, but a vaccine is currently under development at the National Institutes of Health.
According to the Washington Post, Chinese officials first detected this new strain of the virus on Dec. 31 in Wuhan, China. They initially linked it to an unsanitary food market where seafood and mammals were sold for human consumption. Scientist said people who were sickened were likely to have eaten something infected with the virus.
To date, there are nearly 2,000 confirmed cases in China, more than 50 reported deaths, and confirmed cases across 10 countries. The first case in the United States, discovered in Washington State, was confirmed on Jan. 21st, and there have been reports of a second case in Illinois and a third in California.
In response to this outbreak, travelers from Wuhan, China are being screened for symptoms associated with the virus at five U.S. airports, including JFK. Additionally, China has placed travel restrictions on several cities and banned large public gatherings in an attempt to contain the virus.
To protect against infection, the CDC recommends basic hygiene techniques such as frequent hand washing, staying hydrated, and coughing into one’s arm or a tissue. If there’s a fear of animal transmission, CDC officials urge people to wash hands after contact with animals and thoroughly cook any meat before consumption.
"The Angel & The Warrior" is the title of a presentation about Emily Martin and General Emory Upton that will be given at Genesee Community College at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
The public is invited to hear Sharon and Don Burkel tell the story of Emily and Emory's brief and tragic relationship through their personal letters and photographs. It will take place in Room T102, in the Conable Technology Building at the college, 1 College Road, Batavia.
(Pictured (l-r): Madison Chapin, Michael Maurer, Melissa Brown (executive director, The Buffalo History Museum), Mary Wilson, Alexander Kunes and Morgan Farman.)
Alexander Kunes, from Batavia, is one of four Canisius College student-athletes to receive a Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Sports Scholarship.
Awarded annually, the scholarship recognizes academically deserving student-athletes from Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada. This year's four receipients are all members of the Canisius swim team.
Kunes is a Business Economics major from the Canisius College Class of 2021.
The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Sports Scholarship is named after the late founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, a team in the National Football League. Upon being named the newest Ralph C. Wilson Scholars, the student-athletes met with Mary Wilson, wife of the late Wilson and life trustee to the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. Afterward, Mary Wilson invited the Canisius students to accompany her to The Buffalo History Museum, where she delivered a replica of Ralph Wilson's Hall of Fame bust (pictured).
One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Click here for more information about Canisius' milestones and celebratory events.
(Pictured (l-r): Madison Chapin, Michael Maurer, Melissa Brown (executive director, The Buffalo History Museum), Mary Wilson, Alexander Kunes and Morgan Farman.)
Alexander Kunes, from Batavia, is one of four Canisius College student-athletes to receive a Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Sports Scholarship.
Awarded annually, the scholarship recognizes academically deserving student-athletes from Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada. This year's four receipients are all members of the Canisius swim team.
Kunes is a Business Economics major from the Canisius College Class of 2021.
The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Sports Scholarship is named after the late founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, a team in the National Football League. Upon being named the newest Ralph C. Wilson Scholars, the student-athletes met with Mary Wilson, wife of the late Wilson and life trustee to the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. Afterward, Mary Wilson invited the Canisius students to accompany her to The Buffalo History Museum, where she delivered a replica of Ralph Wilson's Hall of Fame bust (pictured).
One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Click here for more information about Canisius' milestones and celebratory events.
Daniel Jon Lewis, 23, of Genesee Street, Lima, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. Lewis was arrested Jan. 23. He is accused of stealing a vehicle from the 5000 block of Clinton Street Road in Batavia at 8:39 a.m. on Jan. 3. He was issued an appearance ticket for Feb. 6 in Town of Batavia Court, at which time he will be arraigned. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Chad Minuto.
Jennifer Ann Clarke, 22, of Beckwith Drive, Pembroke, is charged with stalking in the fourth degree and second-degree aggravated harassment. She was arrested Jan. 23. She is accused of sending several text messages and making several phone calls to an individual after being told to stop contacting that person. Clarke was arraigned in Pembroke Town Court on Jan. 23 and then was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Clarke is due in Pembroke Town Court again on Feb. 4. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Mathew Clor, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.
Submitted photo and press release:
AUCTION! St. Paul Lutheran School will host its annual Live Auction and Basket Raffle at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Doors will open at 3:30. Auction will feature new items, gift certificates, baked goods, handcrafted items, themed baskets, and much more! Refreshments will also be available.
For more information or to donate an item, contact (585) 343-0488. St. Paul Lutheran School is located at 31 Washington Ave. in the City of Batavia.
Press release:
Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Friday, Jan. 31st and will end on Monday, Feb. 3rd. The Super Bowl is America’s most watched national sporting event and Super Bowl Weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving.
Genesee County Sheriff, William Sheron Jr. said, “Let’s all be on the winning team, don’t drink and drive.”
Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.
New York State Police, County Sheriffs and municipal law enforcement agencies will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths.
You can help to make a difference by having a plan! Download our new mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, designate a responsible driver before the game begins. We want fans to remember that it’s a choice. So root for your favorite team; enjoy your friends and family and remember “DON’T DRIVE, GET A RIDE!"
The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day Weekend, Halloween and the national Holiday Season in December.
Press release:
The Alumni Affairs Office at Genesee Community College and Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble Honorary Chairperson Robert J. Bennett, GCC Class of 1974, has confirmed the Fifth Annual Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble will take place on Monday, July 20, at the Stafford Country Club, 8873 Morganville Road (Route 237) in Stafford.
A devoted volunteer and member of the GCC Foundation Board of Directors for more than 20 years, Bennett has served on or chaired every Foundation committee including having served as a president of the GCC Foundation and his efforts as part of the GCC Housing Board of Directors contributed to the creation of student housing at GCC.
In 2015, Bennett and his wife, Lori Bennett, served as co-chairs of GCC's 2015 Encore Celebration with the theme: "Nature's Bounty: Roots to Bloom," which also raises scholarship funds. All of these voluntary efforts earned him an Alpha Medal of Service Award in 2015. In addition to his service to GCC, Bennett has been an active community member participating in the Le Roy Rotary, Genesee County Planning Board, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), Genesee County United Way and so many more.
"How appropriate that Bob Bennett chairs the fifth annual Cougar Classic exactly five years after he received the Alpha Medal of Service at GCC's Commencement ceremony," said Vice President of External Affairs of Genesee Community College Justin M. Johnston. "In my short time at GCC, I've heard story after story of how Bob exemplifies what it means to be part of GCC. I look forward to working with him on this important scholarship scramble."
The Cougar Classic Scholarship Scramble allows up to 36 foursomes for the 18-hole event at the esteemed Stafford Country Club. Registration includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, all beer and nonalcoholic beverages during play, lunch and dinner with a cash bar, and much more!
As an added bonus, this year, anyone not interested in golfing can participate in an all-new Bocce Tournament which will take place during the golf scramble at the Stafford Country Club. Mary Blevins and Jenna Holota, who also work together at ESL Federal Credit Union in Batavia, have teamed up again to share their expertise and co-chair the Bocce Tournament portion of the afternoon. Sign-up details will be announced soon.
Most importantly, all proceeds from the entire Cougar Classic go directly to the GCC student scholarship program, making higher education possible for deserving students in our community.
Businesses and individuals looking to take advantage of GCC's advertising opportunities and lock in sponsorship levels are encouraged to act early and contact Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield directly at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.
Exciting new event details and additional registration and sponsorship forms will be posted here or available by contacting Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Wakefield at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6265, or via email at jgwakefield@genesee.edu.
(Photo from GCC's 2019 Cougar Classic.)
Press release:
The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies (WNYIL) will be holding its 40th Annual Meeting of members, consumers, staff, and other friends of the Agency on June 9 – and wants to do something new and exciting.
For years, WNYIL has honored an individual and a company, each of which has made an outstanding contribution to activities benefitting the community of citizens with disabilities in the preceding year. Previously, Agency staff have discussed candidates internally and reached a consensus; but, for this landmark anniversary, we are offering YOU an opportunity to nominate people and corporations that meet the following criteria – but your responses are needed by May 15. Here are the awards:
Elayne G. Wels Community Support Award: This award is given to an individual who personally and/or professionally supports, promotes and embraces the Independent Living philosophy throughout the community.
Corporate Support Award: An award given to a company that supports WNYIL and promotes and embraces the Independent Living philosophy throughout the community. Some honorees from prior years include: the Northtown Automotive Companies; Main Mobility; Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel LLP (now part of Bond, Schoeneck and King PLLC); the University Heights Arts Association;and Zajac Funeral Home Inc.
In case you wondered, the Independent Living (IL) philosophy is the belief that the person who has a disability is the best expert on her/his needs and should be empowered to make the final decision on personal services and solutions, and must be heard in issues of systemic advocacy. It is the product of the Independent Living civil rights movement of citizens with disabilities that began in the 1960s, and has spawned hundreds of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) nationwide, including one in Genesee County on West Main Street in Batavia.
If you are aware of an individual and/or a company which has served those with disabilities, please contact Daniel Colpoys, WNYIL’s Chief Community Engagement officer at (716) 836-0822, ext. 166; or email him with the nominee’s name, a paragraph about his/her/its qualifications and contact information, as well as YOUR name and contact information, to dcolpoys@wnyil.org.
Thank you for your willingness to help acknowledge deserving members of our community!
The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
Submitted photo and press release:
From their tiny offices on the second floor of humanities suite at Genesee Community College's Batavia Campus, Associate Professor of History Derek Maxfield (top photo, left) and Professor of English Tracy Ford became colleagues, then friends, and eventually formed their own theater group, Rudely Stamp'd, where they became generals from a bygone era.
Maxfield's passion for history and Ford's obsession with the written and spoken word is no longer confined to their separate classrooms, or even GCC. The dynamic duo has begun performing their unique program around the country.
The Fairfield County Heritage Association in Lancaster, Ohio, will celebrate General William T. Sherman's 200th birthday in a grand gala on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Mill Event Center located at 431 S. Columbus St., in Lancaster -- Sherman's hometown. The Association has invited Rudely Stamp'd, starring Maxfield, who plays the role of General Ulysses S. Grant and Ford as General William T. Sherman to be featured as part of the celebration!
Performed by Rudely Stamp'd nearly two dozen times in venues across the country, "Now We Stand by Each Other Always" features conversations between Grant and Sherman at critical times during the Civil War. Act I takes place at Vicksburg, Miss., as the men plan for the fall of the city to Union forces in July 1863. Act II portrays a meeting between the generals in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the men plan for the Atlanta and Overland campaigns in 1864.
Finally, Act III takes place at City Point, Va., as Sherman briefs his chief about his wildly successful exploits in Georgia, during the March to the Sea, and his campaign through the Carolinas. The generals also plot an end to the remaining Confederate armies. Acts II and III will be performed at Sherman's Birthday Celebration in Lancaster on Feb. 8.
The Rudely Stamp'd program illustrates the collaboration, dedication and expertise of GCC professors. Maxfield and Ford combined their talents and their craft as teaching professionals to create a program that not only benefits local communities, but often provides GCC students, specifically the History Club, with unique opportunities to appreciate the importance of history and its continued significance on contemporary times.
Many of the performances have also engaged students in event planning, sound and light technology, public speaking and understanding the value of community collaborations, which is a key value under the College's declared mission.
While many of the local performances have been free and open to the public, tickets to the Lancaster performance are $40 each. Available online at www.fairfieldheritage.com, or by calling the office at 740- 654-9923.
The ticket cost includes hors d'oeuvres, the Rudely Stamp'd performance, a General Sherman look-alike contest, Civil War costumes and trivia contests, and much more!
"This will be our third out-of-state performance, and Tracy and I continue to be impressed with how audiences engage with the characters, and are truly absorbed by their story," Maxfield said. "Being asked to perform in Sherman's hometown and on his 200th birthday is a profound honor for us."
For more information about the "Now We Stand by Each Other Always," contact Derek Mayfield at ddmaxfield@genesee.edu or go to https://rudelystampd.wordpress.com/. Rudely Stamp'd is also scheduled to perform in Brunswick, N.C., on March 3.
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