In two years, the Songbirds, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, has gone from playing for a couple of dozen people at a block party in Batavia to headlining at some of Western New York's top music venues.
On Monday, they closed out, as headliners, the Oakfield Labor Daze Music & Food Festival, drawing, likely, in the area of hundreds of fans for a three-hour set of all the best of Fleetwood Mac along with some deep tracks.
After the parade, on a beautiful blue-sky Labor Day, the third and final day of the music portion of the Oakfield Labor Daze Music & Food Festival opened with power trio Salvatore, an Albion-based band, followed by Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald.
More than 50 years after the war ended, Vietnam War veterans in Oakfield, at long last, have an appropriate memorial in Triangle Park.
A new granite bench in the park was dedicated on Monday during the final day of the Oakfield Labor Daze Music and Food Festival.
About 18 months ago, an Oakfield resident, George Norway, sat in Triangle Park in his electric wheelchair with a sign on the back.
It read, "Shame on Oakfield."
When people inquired, he disclosed he was upset with the fact that in the park there were memorials to veterans of the world wars and Korea but nothing honoring the sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans.
Norway was not himself a veteran but he had seen friends and family go off to war and was not happy that they were forgotten.
Jill Klotzback, Robyn Gage and Laurie Nanni, along with members of the Oakfield Historical Society, got together and began to plan an appropriate memorial.
After the company they were working with to create the memorial more than doubled the price of the monument, Justin Calarco Smith of H.E. Turner spoke with the company's distributor and he was able to get the bench for less than the original quote.
Before the bench was unveiled, Assemblyman Steve Hawley spoke about how Vietnam veterans were forgotten, ignored, even shunned after the war. He recalled that for the first five years of his annual trip to Washington D.C., the Patriot Trip, there were never Vietnam War veterans who took the trip. Over the past few years, their numbers have been increasing. When the tour stops at the Vietnam War Memorial, Hawley speaks with those veterans and thanks them for their service and apologizes on behalf of the nation for how they were treated upon their return. "Thank you for your service and welcome home," he says.
The brother and sister-in-law of George Norway then placed a bouquet of roses on the bench to dedicate it.
Shawn Woodward fries up a blooming onion. Woodward said he thinks the first time he tried a blooming onion himself was as a child at the Elba Onion Festival. Photo by Howard Owens.
The Oakfield Labor Daze Music and Food Festival has two main components. We've covered the weekend's music. Here's a look at the other part of the festival -- all the good food being served up by about a dozen vendors.
Monday's Schedule:
10 a.m.: Parade
11 a.m.: Salvatore
1 p.m.: Terry Buchwald (Elvis)
4 p.m.: Songbirds (Fleetwood Mac)
And food vendors all day.
Joel Hamm cooking in the Oakfield Betterment Committee food booth. Photo by Howard Owens.
Felix Elimihele from Kitchen Africana in the Greece Mall. Photo by Howard Owens.
Like any serious collector of vinyl records, Cheektowaga resident Joe Spath comes across many decades old records with little to no value—copies of the soundtrack to “South Pacific,” for example, or any Mitch Miller LP. Ditto Burl Ives. To say these records are a dime a dozen is to overstate their value.
That's why Spath grabs those records from the pile when he finds them to turn them into wall art.
Using computer-guided cutting tools, Spath turns the vinyl records into tributes to legendary artists, such as Chuck Berry, Paul McCartney, Elton John, ABBA, the Bee Gees, and so on.
He carves an artist's image or logo into the record and prints out a faux record label he downloads from the Web to cover over the original less desirable label.
Spath is one of the vendors this weekend at the Oakfield Labor Daze Music & Food Festival.
He started cutting records about 12 years ago.
"I've been doing this because it makes people happy," the Navy veteran said Sunday.
A former DJ, Spath said he has cataloged in his collection of "keepers" 8,000 LPs, 2,000 45s, 1,500 CDs, and even a lot of cassettes.
The collection spans the 1940s to the 2000s and pretty much every genre of music.
"Variety is the spice of life," he said.
There are close to three dozen vendors at the festival this weekend.
Five-year-old Lukas Kastelic was quite pleased with the tie-dyed Buffalo Bills T-shirt his parents were buying him. Photo by Howard Owens
Sunday night's headliner, Nerds Gone Wild -- perhaps Western New York's most popular cover band -- thrilled all their fans who turned out in Triangle Park for their headlining performance on the second day of the Oakfield Labor Daze Music & Food Festival.
While waiting for the band make its grand entrance, one woman from Arizona approached a reporter and praised the festival. She couldn't believe all the music was free. And she loved all the food options. She said she extended her vacation an extra week just to see Nerds in Oakfield.
Photo of the Ice Cream Celebration at the library. Submitted photo.
Press Release:
The Haxton Memorial Public Library had 82 participants in attendance for the end of the Summer Reading Ice Cream Party on Thursday, August 15.
Our young readers were able to make their own sundaes and all prizes were distributed during this fun-filled evening at the library.
The library had a busy summer with a total of over 236 children, teens, and adults participating in our Summer Reading Program, titled: “Adventure Begins at Your Library”.
The children and teens recorded over 70,000 reading minutes combined and the library offered 40 programs (for children, teens, and adults) with an attendance of over 1,000 participants during our 6-week program.
“We had such an amazing turnout and we are so proud of all of our readers this summer”, said Kim Gibson, Library Manager of the Haxton Memorial Public Library.
Photo of the Ice Cream Celebration at the library. Submitted photo.
The next "We’ve Only Just Begun" Sr. Luncheon: Theme: Back to School is on Tuesday, September 17 from 11:30-1:30 p.m. at the South Alabama Firehall, Route 63 (2230 Judge Road, Oakfield). Open to the public and welcome all!
Our speaker this month will be Dorothy Schlaggel, and she will be speaking about the Genesee County Cancer Assistance Program that she and two others were the founders of. Dorothy is a cancer survivor and she will be sharing how this program was developed to help the people in our County. You won’t want to miss this informative program this month!
Bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door! Come and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with old and new friends. Co-chairpersons: Michael Hamm and LaNora Thompson. Contact person LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.
2023 File Photo of Labor Daze parade in Oakfield Photo by Howard Owens
Here’s hoping that the extended weather forecast is off base for this weekend, because organizers are bringing back the car cruise to this year’s Labor Daze, Jamie Lindsley says.
The cruise is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the village of Oakfield.
“We are looking forward to a great turnout of classic cars thanks to help from some experienced car cruise and show aficionados,” said Lindsley, Oakfield Betterment Committee chair.
So pay no nevermind to a chance of rain on Saturday, and dress accordingly for a day of fun, food, music and mingling. Labor Daze is arguably the area's -- and certainly Genesee County's -- biggest three-day Labor Day weekend festival going.
Another new activity is Carrie’s Kids Parade, promoted as one of the highlights of the Labor Daze regular parade to hit the street on Monday morning.
“We wanted to give kids their own special parade for them to participate in and show creativity and enthusiasm,” Lindsley said. “It is named after OBC’s dear friend Carrie Gilbert Desjardins, who was a longstanding member and always displayed love and commitment to her community, especially the children.”
There will be a Vietnam memorial dedication in Triangle Park immediately following the parade.
“The Oakfield Historical Society had a fundraising campaign to raise money to put this memorial in place amongst the other memorials in the park, and honor the men and women who served in Vietnam,” she said.
Other new elements this year are:
Exciting new raffles, including a Sportsman’s Raffle, a Mega (high-value items) Raffle, a 50/50 and basket raffles.
New musical performers, including Mayday Buffalo, a four-piece rock band from Buffalo playing music from the 1960s through today; Eaglez Tribute Band to the ever-popular Eagles country rock band; the local rock band from Orleans County, Salvatore, playing all your favorites; and Terry Buchwald’s return after seven years with a tribute to Elvis (see related story).
What prompted the committee to bring back Elvis after all these years? And why did you seek out Salvatore as a new performer? “This is the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Labor Daze, and we wanted to have a retro feel. Everyone loves Elvis, from children and families to young adults and their grandparents. Terry Buchwald is an energetic performer and gets the crowd involved,” Lindsley said. “Salvatore is new to Labor Daze, but were our featured performers at our Total Eclipse at the Park viewing party. Their music was so good, we just had to invite them to Labor Daze.”
Since this is the 40th celebration, are you aiming for a fresh event or settling on old favorites for attendees? “It’s a mix of both. Some returning favorites as well as new talent. The tradition of Labor Daze is so important to Oakfield. In fact, the Labor Day parade has its roots going all the way back to 1947,” she said. “Community worship service Sunday morning is open to all, regardless of denomination.”
Committee members are always learning year to year about what they may need for the following event, and this year is no exception, Lindsley said. The last Kids Fun Day was so successful, they now know to have more people on hand to help out for this year’s kids’ day, set from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Elroy Parkins Park, 37 Drake St.
"We were thrilled at the huge turnout and plan to have eight to 12 people there at all times to help run the games, contests, bounce houses and more,” she said. “We also learned that people of all ages love the pony rides and that we should have concessions at Kids Fun Day too.”
Registration for the 5K Hornet Hustle (9 a.m. Saturday) is outpacing last year's, which is exciting for committee members, she said. Spectators are encouraged to line the street and cheer for participants. Wear your blue and gold, a costume or anything OA Hornets-related.
The parade is also taking shape (10 a.m. Monday), with participants including fire departments, marching bands, classic cars, tractors, sports teams, county fair queen and princess pageant winners.
Not to leave out the other entertainment, Hazzard County was named a 2023 Western New York Top Country Band and features modern country hits with a few surprises; Batavia Players will be performing musical selections; Dance Images of Oakfield will take to the stage for a performance; Genesee Ted plans to crank up the honky tonk country rock, psychedelic era rock, blues, harmonies and Grateful Dead; Dave Viterna Group will do some blues and rock; Russ Peters Group has the contemporary Christian music covered, and Songbirds is a tribute to Fleetwood Mac.
Think all of this might make you hungry? Fear not, because there will be food vendors galore, with Italian sausage, peppers and onions, blooming onions, specialty grilled cheese sandwiches, pulled pork, fried chicken, hot dog stuffed pretzels, roast beef, authentic African cuisine and custom cookies, cupcakes and desserts.
You can walk it all off by shopping at the 50 or so arts and crafts vendors selling handmade wood products, sterling silver jewelry, custom shirts, terrariums, Buffalo Bills gear, crochet goods, flasks and tumblers, honey products, hard cider, handpainted purses, and more.
While Labor Daze is a community-building event, committee members want to remind folks to please don’t bring pets or alcoholic beverages and don’t smoke in the park during the three-day event.
“It’s family-friendly; there is no admission fee, so everyone can attend and enjoy without worrying about costs. We have more food choices than ever before, including the Oakfield Betterment booth and many of our local nonprofits. Anyone who loves music, food, community, making new friends, seeing old friends, arts and crafts vendors, classic cars, buying raffle tickets, will have a great time,” Lindsley said. “People who have never experienced Labor Daze will enjoy the small-town charm with first-rate live music. We’ve had people from all over the country that happened to be driving through Oakfield stop in because they were drawn to the festive atmosphere.”
For more information or to register for the Hornet Hustle or the parade, go to oakfieldbetterment.com.
The committee has been very pleased with this year’s supporters, which have helped to make the event possible, Lindsley said.
"We could not do this without our amazing sponsors, our volunteers, donors, the wonderful Oakfield Fire Department, the Village Board and Town Board, and all the other local organizations that come together to support this tradition,” she said. “Thank you for helping us continue to put on free events for Oakfield and beyond.”
Terry Buchwald as Elvis Presley. Photo from Buchwald's social media.
More than three decades of performing have passed by, but for Terry Buchwald it all still feels like yesterday as he hunkers down to be your teddy bear.
“It’s crazy how you feel so young. I just celebrated, I just turned 54 which I am not shy to tell people because I take care of myself and I keep performing,” he said during an interview with The Batavian. “I’m still doing the motorcycle. We do a little country, we do a little rock and roll. We will have three sets, and I'll do the young Elvis, and we'll do the 70s, and then we'll do some country, rock and roll, and, you know, some songs that Elvis inspired the arts.
"So we kind of try to keep with that, and I try to make it fun, I just don't want people to show up and ‘oh, there's an Elvis impersonator now.’ I want people to come and say, ‘oh my God, I haven't danced in 10 years, I haven't laughed so much. I haven't gotten up on stage.’ I want to make them part of it.”
They may not have danced in 10 years, not until they watch and hear this Elvis, that is. With his dazzling outfits, infectious personality and gyrations, he’s ready to give the audience a hunk a hunk of burning love.
And it all takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday during Oakfield’s Labor Daze. It’s been a long hiatus since he has rolled into the village on two wheels — seven years — and Buchwald is looking forward to his return.
“We are very excited to be back. I love the Oakfield audience. I used to walk around and check out all the different vendors. There was a guy there that used to have a chainsaw and would carve bears and stuff. Actually, I bought a couple things, I have a turtle in my yard from Oakfield. We used to have a great time. I mean, it was wonderful. The basketball courts is where we started,” he said. “It's sad to see some of these things go and, you know, during my show, I definitely let people know how important it is that they're there, and how important it is to have live music, to keep community things going, it's so important. It just seems like we all are more, looking at our cell phones than we are getting together with neighbors and enjoying the day.”
Even though many activities were shut down during the COVID pandemic, Buchwald had one of the busiest summers ever, he said. In fact, he was performing “as much as they would let me.”
“So I never stopped. I just kept going,” he said. “All the way from Pennsylvania up into Canada and all the way across to Binghamton. I do go all over the nation, I I had a show last year in Las Vegas. I used to travel before covid. I used to travel every month, and I've covered all 50 states.”
Now he has settled into the eastern part of the country and performs at a lot of festivals in central and western New York.
“Every set has something for everybody out there. I ride in as young Elvis, take a short break, switch outfits and then do a 70s Elvis with a Las Vegas suit. We shoot teddy bears out to people. If it’s hot out I’ll bring the squirt gun,” he said. “Not everybody is going to be an Elvis fan, maybe the wife comes and the husband’s not, or the husband is and the wife’s not. So those are the people that I target a little more because I want them to enjoy the whole thing. I want them to enjoy the Elvis, and I want to cover everything. Those are the people I’m going to try and give a little more. I may do a Beatles song.”
While growing up in Depew, Buchwald was steeped in music — his mother was a big Elvis Presley fan and dad liked country western, while brother Eddie was in a band.
The Lancaster resident couldn’t help but be inspired by all of that, and recreated a musical artist he admires for how he could always draw people into his performances, and still does.
As for the musical lineup during Labor Daze, it begins on Saturday:
1 to 4 p.m. Genesee Ted
4 to 7 p.m. Mayday Buffalo
7 to 10 p.m. Dave Viterna Group
Sunday’s menu begins at 11 a.m. with Russ Peters Group and continues:
12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eaglez Tribute Band
3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Hazzard County
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nerds Gone Wild
Monday kicks off with Salvatore at 11 a.m., and after Terry Buchwald it wraps up with Songbirds: a tribute to Fleetwood Mac from 4 to 7 p.m.
Photos from Buchwald's social media with his permission.
We all get those cards in the mail promising the chance to win a free car from a dealership, and we probably also wonder if anybody actually wins the car.
This summer, Crazy Cheap Cars in Oakfield sent out 40,000 such mailers to residents throughout Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans counties for a 10-day promotion that ends on Aug. 3.
The mailer promised a chance to win a new car if you showed up at the showroom with the mailpiece and took a test drive of any vehicle on the lot. No purchase is necessary.
Do that, and you qualify for the drawing.
Amy Larocco of Le Roy got her mailer, took it to Crazy Cheap Cars, went for a test drive and on Aug. 3, her entry was randomly selected.
Village of Oakfield Department of Public Works is asking residents of both the Village and Town of Oakfield to provide information on their drinking water service lines. If you have already responded to this survey, please disregard this notice.
As part of the new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead and copper rule revision, the Village of Oakfield DPW is required to collect an inventory from their water customers with details on the material that their water service lines are made of.
This is where members of the public can support this important public health work by responding promptly to our survey.
The DPW has provided information on how their residents can do a “Scratch Test” on their service line to determine the material.
How to Determine Service Line Material:
All you need is a screwdriver and a magnet.
Conducting a SCRATCH TEST
Find the water service line in your home, this will be a pipe entering your home and attached before the water meter.
Use the flat side of a screwdriver to scratch the surface of the service line.
4 Type of Materials
COPPER- if surface area is shiny or copper color (like a penny). Magnet will NOT stick.
GALVANIZED STEEL - if scratched, area remains a dull gray (very hard and not easily scratched). Magnet WILL stick.
PLASTIC- typically black or blue, the scratched surface remains the same color as the pipe itself. Magnet will NOT stick.
LEAD - if the scratched area is shiny and silver. Lead pipes are softer and easier to scratch than Copper or Galvanized Steel. Magnet will NOT stick.
Residents of the Village and Town of Oakfield can respond with their results in multiple ways:
Go to the Village’s website https://oakfield.govoffice.com and complete the online survey under WATER LINE SURVEY
Complete the Survey form found in your July newsletters, and return to the Village Office, 37 Main St., Oakfield.
Call the Village office, (585) 948-5862 with the information or to set up an appointment for our DPW to come to your home and check the line for you.
It’s that easy.
The EPA is requiring responses in October. The Village DPW is hopeful that our residents can respond timely, and we can wrap this up by September.
The DPW may leave a reminder card with those residents that do not respond by July.
Inspections by the DPW can also be scheduled.
“This is a requirement under the EPA, we are only asking for water service line information. This is the line that runs from the main water line in the street to your home. We really want to make this as simple as possible for our residents to respond. We are here to help.” DPW Supervisor Mikolajczyk said.
“We really thank the residents for responding quickly and helping with this momentous task. We have been monitoring and attending several informational meetings on what actions will be taken pending the results of this inventory survey.”
For the second year in a row, Oakfield hosted its own Box Car Derby on Saturday, this time using Bennett Avenue as the track.
The event was organized by the recently formed Oakfield Box Car Derby Association.
Here are the racing results:
Sport Division (Ages 7-10yrs) :
1st - August Rindell
2nd - Eli Pamer
3rd - Brynn Shildwaster
Super Stock Division (Ages 11-13yrs) :
1st - Cody Pangrazio (winner 2nd year in a row)
2nd - Forrest Franklin
3rd - Lincoln Puls
First-place winners in both divisions won:
The Sue D’Alba Memorial Trophy
$100 cash (courtesy of RKK Construction and Smith’s Outdoors)
1 free Large pizza per month for one year (courtesy of Santino’s Pizza)
An Oakfield Box Car Derby Association t-shirt (courtesy of XO, Sassy Parties)
Second and third-place winners also received a trophy, and all participants received a gift card for 1 free ice cream (courtesy of Blondie’s Sip n’ Dip).
“We’ve Only Just Begun” Sr. Luncheon is Tuesday, August 20 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the South Alabama Firehall on Route 63 located at 2230 Judge Road, Oakfield. We are open to the public and welcome all!
This month our returning special guest will be “Daniel Viola, Standup Comedian”. Dan is 57 years old, a husband, father of 7, and a teacher in the Brockport school system.
Dan connects with any audience. Drawing on his background as a game show host, parent teacher, coach and salesman, he delivers energetic and relevant entertainment. His credits include comedy clubs, casinos, cruises, colleges and corporate events, as well as appearances on The Nashville Network and in TV commercials. You won’t want to miss Dan performing at our August Luncheon!
Bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door! Come and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with old and new friends.
Co-chairpersons: Michael Hamm and LaNora Thompson. Contact person LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.
Tyler J. Burns, 20, of Batavia, is charged with DWI. Burns was arrested after Batavia patrol officers were dispatched to the McDonald's on East Main Street, where Burns was allegedly doing burnouts in the drive-thru lane on June 28 (time of day not released). He was issued an appearance ticket.
Darien L. Rhodes, 31, of Batavia, is charged with robbery 3rd, criminal contempt 1st, criminal mischief 4th, and harassment 2nd. Rhodes is accused of violating an order of protection, forcibly stealing a set of keys from another person and damaging property during a fight at a location on Oak Street. He was arraigned in City Court and ordered held.
Carl E. Canterbury, 53, of Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 5th. Canterbury was arrested June 28. During a traffic stop in March, he was allegedly found in possession of what turned out to be cocaine. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.
Kenneth B. Jordan, 31, of Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd and criminal contempt 2nd. Jordan is accused of violating an order of protection and slicing the tires of a vehicle in the driveway of the person he wasn't supposed to contact. He was arraigned and released.
Shane P. Herzog, 38 of Batavia, was arrested on a warrant on July 3. Herzog was previously arrested for bail jumping 3rd but allegedly failed to meet the conditions of a plea agreement. He was arraigned in City Court and released on his own recognizance.
Reicha B. Morris, 40, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Morris is accused of shoplifting from Tops. While being taken into custody, she was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine. She was issued an appearance ticket.
Leon C. Bloom, 42, of Penfield, is charged with DWI. Bloom was charged following a traffic accident on West Main Street, Batavia, on June 29. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Joshua L. Clair, 42, of Attica, is charged with DWI. Clair was charged following a traffic stop on June 30 on East Main Street in Batavia. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Adam J. Arsenault, 38, of Batavia, is charged with harassment 2nd. Arsenault is accused of threatening a neighbor on June 29 on Hutchins Street during an argument. He was arraigned and released.
Janna Marie Stirk, 41, of Orchard Street, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to obey a police officer. Stirk allegedly failed to obey traffic directions at 10:53 p.m. on July 11 at Darien Lake following a concert. Stirk was arrested following an investigation by Deputy Mason Schultz. Stirk was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Jeffrey Robert Roth, 58, of South Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt 1st. Roth is accused of violating an order of protect at 7:22 on July 8 at a location on Veterans Memorial Drive. Roth was held for arraignment.
Moises Casarez, 43, of Leona Lane, Hamlin, is charged with DWI. Casarez was charged following a traffic complaint on Park Road, Batavia, at 2:20 a.m. on July 13. Sgt investigated the complaint. Mathew Clor. Casarez was held pending arraignment.
Joseph Degweck, Jr., 52, of Pine Street, East Aurora, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Degweck is accused of possession of a controlled substance at 10:20 on July 7 at a location on Main Road, Pembroke. He was held pending arraignment.
Alexander Michael Petrocci, 30, of County Road A, Farmington, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and speeding. Petrocci was stopped at 10:52 p.m. on July 13 on South Lake Road, Pavilion, by Deputy Jacob Kipler. Petrocci was jailed pending arraignment.
Dawn Marie Testa-Turner, no age provided, of Johnson Hill Road, Lisle, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, running a red light, and improper left turn. Testa-Turner was stopped at 12:22 a.m. on July 13 by Deputy Jeremiah Gechell at Oak Street and Park Road, Batavia. She was issued an appearance ticket.
J.D. Monroe Johnson, 24, of Wllmae Road, Rochester, is charged with failure to pay fine by court. Johnson was arrested on a warrant following a traffic stop at midnight on Nov. 13 and turned over to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office.
