Stories from

Two local Genesee Community College students were recently honored for their entries in the Annual Garfinkel Essay Contest. It's sponsored by the Historical Society of the Courts of the State of New York.

GCC student Kevin Volk, of Batavia, was awarded Second Place for his essay, "A Brief Examination of the Difficulties in Finding Justice for the Victims of the Triangle Factory Fire, 1911."

Volk's essay points out the importance the 1911 Triangle Factory Fire had in New York State, and how this tragedy began the wheels of change to protect factory employees and improve working conditions.

His award-winning essay can be found on the following Historical Society of the Courts Web site: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/essay/2011/essay11.htm

Phyllis Washburn, of Le Roy, received an honorable mention.

The Historical Society of the Courts was chartered to preserve the legal history of New York state and foster understanding and public appreciation of court history.

Two women will be honored Monday at the annual meeting of the Mental Health Association in Genesee County, which is being held at Terry Hills Restaurant.

Award of Excellence -- Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts, Genesee Community College
 

Special Recognition Award -- Brenda Westhoven

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is issuing a call for artists and crafters, food vendors and nonprofit organizations to participate in the 33rd Annual Picnic in the Park celebration on Monday, July 4, in Centennial Park, Batavia.

Application forms can be downloaded from the GO ART! Web site at www.GOart.org, by e-mailing us at info@GOart.org, or by stopping by GO ART!, Seymour Place, 201 E. Main St., Batavia.

Artists and crafters are invited to exhibit and sell their work – which must be handmade by the artist/crafter – in the Arts and Crafts Show. We will provide a fence for fine art displays, however there is ample room to set up individual tents, tables, and chairs.

If received by June 1, the application fee for artists and crafters is $35 for non-members and $30 for GO ART! members. After June 1, but no later than June 30, the application fee is $40 for non-members and $35 for GO ART! members.

The application fee for food vendors is $125 by June 1 -- or $150 after June 1 but by June 30. Non-profit organizations in Genesee and Orleans counties may participate free of charge. All vendors must supply their own tables, chairs, signs, canopy/tent, and extensions cords. The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, June 30.

Picnic in the Park is a free day-long event featuring activities for families and children, folk art events, entertainment and refreshment stands. Each year, the event draws approximately 3-5,000 attendees.

For additional information, call the GO ART! office at 343-9313, visit www.GOart.org, or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/geneseeorleansarts.

Todd Haight has been appointed general manager of Live Racing at Batavia Downs by the Board of Directors of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation that owns the Genesee County racetrack and casino.

Haight began his new duties this week and he replaces Michael D. Kane, who was recently appointed president and CEO of WROTB

In his previous position as promotion marketing specialist at The Downs, Haight served as track handicapper and television host. He also created and implemented racing promotions. He has been with the organization since 2002.

“I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity and the confidence shown in me by Chairman Richard Bianchi, the board of directors and Mike Kane,” Haight said. “I look forward to working with the racing staff and horsemen and continuing many of the great traditions for which Batavia Downs is known.”

Kane said: “Todd’s knowledge and experience in the horseracing industry and at Batavia Downs should serve him well in his new position.”

In addition to being America’s Oldest Lighted Harness Track, the facility at 8315 Park Road in Batavia is home to more than 600 of the most popular slots and the Grandstands Bar & Grille.

Batavia Downs’ 65th harness season begins July 25.

Jenna Raphael, a GCASA prevention educator, sent this along:

This is the second year we will be having our “Adopt-the-House” at Dwyer Stadium.

For those of you who sat at our red house last summer, you are familiar with this. It is free advertising/showcasing for your agency or organization. Volunteers tend to arrive an hour before the game starts so they can catch the incoming crowd.

If you volunteer, you can stay free of charge to watch the Muckdogs game afterwards!

Contact Jenna Raphael at (585) 815-1864 or jraphael@gcasa.org for questions and/or a sign-up sheet for the Muckdogs home games. Include your name, agency, and phone number on the sheet, it would be greatly appreciated. You may choose as many games as you’d like!

"Bike to Books" -- an event that encourages eco-friendly practices, reading, exercise, and plain old fun -- is scheduled for May 20 and 21.

For two days, anyone who rides his or her bike to Present Tense Books on Washington Avenue in Batavia will receive a discount on their entire purchase and a discount coupon for bike accessories from Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle.

In addition, they will be entered to win a Cateye® cycle computer courtesy of Adam Miller. A gift certificate to Present Tense will be awarded to the person(s) who bikes the farthest.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, cycling as little as four miles can prevent 15 pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere. In addition, the average cyclist burns between 400 and 550 calories during an hour of cycling.

“This is a really fun event that is great for the whole family,” said Erica Caldwell, owner of Present Tense. “With gas prices skyrocketing, this is an inexpensive way to enjoy the outdoors and get in shape while encouraging your kids to read.”

This year marks the fourth such collaboration between the two stores. In previous years, participants biked in from as far away as Akron, NY. The event began in 2007 as a creative spin on May as National Bike Month, which encourages people to ride to work, ride to the grocery store, or, in this case, ride to read.

“Bike to Books is a great way for independent businesses to team up and offer a unique event to the community,” said John Roche, owner of Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle, a cornerstone Batavia business for nearly 100 years.

The two business owners have worked together on several events and promotions in the past, an effort that emphasizes the importance of keeping shopping dollars in the local economy. "Bike to Books" is one such collaborative event that yields rewards for all participants.

“Bicycling means good exercise, environmentally friendly travel, and a way to really appreciate the sights you see along the way,” Caldwell said. “We want to see bikes lined up all along the front of our store during this event!”

The "Bike to Books" event is free and open to the public. Present Tense, a locally owned, independent bookstore, is located at 101 Washington Ave., Batavia, NY. Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle is located at 8 Center St., Batavia NY. For more information call (585) 815-7640, or visit www.presenttensebooks.com <http://www.presenttensebooks.com>.

A two-day Health Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10 in the Forum of Genesee Community College's Batavia campus.

It was developed and managed by the students and faculty of GCC's three major health care divisions -- Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Respiratory Care.

Local residents are invited to this free event to not only gather important information about cutting-edge healthcare needs, treatments and diagnostic developments, but also enjoy learning some preventive tips for maintaining healthy lifestyles.

The opportunity to learn about lung disease, alcohol toxicity, stroke recognition, hypertension, diabetes, sun safety, skin cancer, testicular cancer, breast cancer, prenatal care, pregnancy, sleep apnea and much more will be offered.

Nursing students will be performing blood-pressure screenings while physical therapy students will provide information on workplace ergonomics, lifting techniques, heart-rate monitoring for exercise, and sports injury prevention. Information about respiratory care and sleep disorder issues will also be provided.

"The Health Fair gives the larger community an opportunity to better understand their own health and wellness needs, and also provides potential new students and healthcare workers a chance to explore some fantastic career opportunities," said Assistant Nursing Instructor Marilyn Brennan, RN, MSN, CNS. "We hope to make this annual event."

The topics being presented are most applicable for young adults and adults -- teenagers to seniors. Some of the information may not be suitable for children.

Genesee County Master Gardeners will host their annual Spring Garden Gala from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

The plant sale starts promptly at 10. It will feature indoor and outdoor plants.

The features also includes a Chance Auction, free soil pH testing, gardening advice by certified Master Gardeners, children’s activities and refreshments for a nominal fee.

New this year – handmade bird feeders by Cindy Smith.

The Chance Auction drawing begins at 12:30. Don’t miss your chance to pick up some great plants for your own garden!

For more information contact Amy Berry at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 343-3040, ext. 101, stop by the extension office on East Main Street, or visit our Web site at www.genesee.shutterfly.com.