Lovely golden-hued sunrises and flaming sunsets, wildlife caught momentarily frozen still in a field, and snow-capped villages are quite the contrast to Doug King’s early career as a Batavia police officer and crime scene photographer.
Yes, King, who lives with his wife Sherry in Elba, was that guy who snapped photos of homicides, suicides, burglaries, arsons, and severe auto accidents.
“Anything that could help to solve the crime,” he said, answering a question about how difficult the job was. “The ones that stuck in my mind were the homicides and suicides. It’d take about a month, and I could still see the victim. That goes with the territory."
He didn’t exactly set out on that career trail while studying at college in Maine. But it was when at college that his father, E. Douglas King, of Kentucky, had a heart attack. The junior King quit college to return home, get a job and help out his mom, who was from Batavia.
The Kings — E. Douglas and Lucille — had met during World War II when he became injured and was shipped to Oakfield as a military police soldier for a prisoner of war camp. They ended up living in Batavia.
Doug was the only child in the family and did what he could to help after his dad died. Meanwhile, the city police chief knew him through sports as an umpire for games.
“He knew my dad had passed and asked if I was interested in becoming a police officer,” King said. “He gave me three books to read overnight and said if I was interested, he needed a part-time officer and to let me know the next morning. I ended up with a 21-year career.”
Not only had that connection led him to a successful occupation, but King continued with photography, only moving away from the grim and gruesome scenes of his job onto nature and the outdoors — “Anything that can bring a smile on your face,” he said.
About 100 of his framed photos and 10 painted artworks from locals, including the late Pat Burr, MJ Thompson, and Jeffrey Crofts, will be up for purchase during this weekend’s Mother’s Day Craft Show and Basket Raffle. Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Elba Fireman’s Recreation Hall in Elba, and the show runs until 3 p.m.
King enjoys hiking through the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge to serve as inspiration for his photos, and finds many picturesque scenes in the great outdoors, he said. Now that he and Sherry are considering downsizing, they are more eager to rid themselves of the overflow of artwork they’ve amassed over the years, he said.
“One thing about downsizing, you can’t take everything you have,” he said. “I do a lot of outdoor photography … a lot of wildlife … sunsets and sunrises. Anything that can be eye-catching. I gotta shoot turtles, tree frogs, turkeys, eagles, ospreys. I mean, foxes, every kind of animal you can think of that’s in this area, but there's a lot of scenic stuff that I've taken too.”
To the chagrin of his wife (he uses a lot of gas on his photo-seeking escapades), King gets up around 5:30 or 6 a.m. every day and spends a few hours driving around taking pictures.
“I’ve got about 100 framed. I know I will never sell that many, I hope to sell three or four, maybe,” he said. “But I thought it'd be nice to display them and let people see, you know, what's around the community in our area here that they most often don't think about or realize. They're here to enjoy.”
There are a few cherished paintings that will remain with the couple, and most everything else will be at this weekend’s event. One such painting was by Pat Burr, and is a feed sack with GLF Quality on it. The moment Doug saw it, he had to buy it: his dad, grandfather and an uncle had worked at GLF Quality, a grain mill and fertilizer plant in Batavia way back in the day.
Burr had confessed at the time that she never thought anyone would buy such a painting, King said, but as artwork goes, it found its home and sentimental value with the right owner.
One of the Elba Betterment Committee organizers, Pauli Miano is happy to have King’s participation and local art as part of this year’s event, she said. She believes that event visitors will find his pieces “quite interesting” as they illustrate various views from throughout the county and include pieces of nostalgia from late and local artists.
This event will also feature items from local artisans and farms. The first 50 mothers will receive a carnation, and refreshments will be available.
This project is made possible with grant funds from the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature and administered by GO ART!
Top Photo of Doug King with one of his framed photographs; and a mix of his photos and artwork collections that are to be available for purchase at the craft show. Photos by Howard Owens.
Jim Stucko recalls when he was going to bed at night and his father would head for the kitchen. The elder Stucko was going to prepare a few batches of his winning rye bread recipe so he could bake it and take to some friends in the morning.
Not only was Stucko, a former Elba resident, a talented sculptor and artist, but he was also “an amazing cook,” his son said.
“I miss the guy a lot. Every time I cook something I think of the conversations we had in the kitchen,” Jim said during an interview Tuesday with The Batavian. “My parents rocked this world.”
Art pieces from John and wife Sophie Stucko’s collections will be on display with late artists Patricia Burr and Eunice Hare Murphy for a first-ever Mother’s Day Craft Sale and Basket Raffle 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall, Route 98, Elba. The event is being organized and hosted by Elba Betterment Committee.
“The whole thing is part of the grant we received from GO Art! for our project: Elba Betterment Committee presents Art Around Town. The idea for including our local artists actually came from one of our members, Kelly Dudley, who has always wanted to do this sort of thing at The Mill in Elba,” EBC President Pauli Miano said. “After contacting families, three were willing and excited to share their loved ones’ talent with us.”
The artist pieces will be on display in the Rec Hall. Burr and Murphy were art teachers at Elba Central School, and all three artists shared their work in the community by donating pieces to the school, churches and other organizations, Miano said.
The Stucko couple collaborated on a lot of projects, Jim said. John would make wood cabinets and Sophie’s handmade stained glass would adorn the doors. She was from Batavia and John from Albion, and after they married they purchased a home in Elba, Jim said. His parents were avid outdoors lovers, and his dad memorialized various species of birds and fish in a painstaking fashion.
“The birds were carved, the feathers were burnt into the wood for texture, and then he painted them. I bet he’s got 100 hours into the painting,” Jim said. “It wasn’t a job; it was a labor of love. He would stay in his shop painting, and if he didn’t like it, he would paint it again.”
He remembers his dad scouring books for just the right species of bird, and fine-tuning the colors and textures of each piece. His work grew so popular that people would offer to commission him for particular projects, though John rebuffed them. He preferred to create exactly what he wanted, and not necessarily what others had in mind, Jim said. Quite possibly the artist was a perfectionist, and it showed in his work.
One of his last pieces was a pileated woodpecker for someone he connected with over a love of the outdoors and birds.
“It was absolutely mind-blowing,” Jim said. “He was highly skilled in many venues, and he was a people person. Until we started to go through photos, I never realized how much my dad smiled.”
Jim chuckled as the thought about his folks’ resolve to remain strong — or strong-willed in some cases — throughout their busy lives. John Stucko was active with his craft, which included gourd carvings, until he died in 2019 at 89. Sophie died a few years prior in 2017 and was 83.
There will be 25 vendor tables featuring hand-crafted items and food. The committee wanted to ensure there wouldn’t be a lot of duplicated items, so each vendor is to be selling a particular craft. They range from wood signs and handmade purses to floral arrangements, ornaments and, for the sweet tooth, a bakery section with cookies, cakes and cannolis, Miano said.
The committee will also be serving food to purchase, and the first 50 Moms will receive a free carnation. Genesee County Sheriff’s Office staff will also be on hand with photo and fingerprint equipment for families that request it for their children.
Eunice Hare Murphy was a 1948 Elba Central School graduate. She then completed her degree in Art Education at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. She completed her MS in Elementary Education from SUNY Brockport. Her first teaching job was for the West Bloomfield School District. Her family shared that she drove her small Chevy with a standard transmission back and forth from Genesee County every day.
Over the years, “Eunie”, as she was known to her friends and family, taught art at Byron Bergen Central School, and finished her distinguished career as an educator at Elba Central. She taught classes in Art, Crafts and Photography. Eunice was a member of the Writer’s Guild in the 1970s and even tried her hand at poetry.
Eunice loved gardening, and with the help of a variety of rocks and different plants, enjoyed making clever and, at times, eccentric gardens. While teaching at Elba she was the yearbook advisor, and helped to develop the Variety Show which ran for years afterward as a fundraiser for the yearbook. Eunice lost her four-year battle with cancer in 1988 at the age of 57.
Patricia Burr’s enthusiasm for painting is evident in a collection of 14 sketchbooks, each with memories of the places and people she visited during vacations, workshops, and even in study hall at Elba Central School. Along with pencil and ink sketches is a drawing rendered in brown eyebrow pencil while in the dark at Kleinhans Music Hall without a pen.
Her minivan didn’t leave her home without “the art stuff,” just in case she would find an interesting scene. This could be while waiting for the doctor or dentist, or even during time-outs during jury duty; that was the time for her sketchbook.
Burr’s philosophy was to “make a drawing because you gain much more information by observing the subject than you do when you simply snap a photo.” Scribble a few color notes, date and time of day, weather alongside the sketch to help when planning to paint later in the studio, she said.
Burr was inspired by fellow painters Margaret M. Martin, Franklin Jones and Don Getz. Her education included Albright Art School, Buffalo State College, University of Buffalo and Rochester Institute of Technology.
Active all of her life, Burr died at age 96 in 2014.
For more information, go to: https://www.facebook.com/elbabetterment/
Top photo: A duck sculpture by the late artist John Stucko, and several artworks by Stucko and artists Patricia Burr and Eunice Hare Murphy to be on display at the Mother's Day Craft Show and Basket Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall on Route 98, Elba. Photos by Howard Owens.
Pudgie's Lawn & Garden: PREMIER, your one-stop shop to get your fall decorations, to find HUGE mums, pumpkins, straw bails, corn stalks, gourds and more!
Looking for a sale? Right now, Pudgie's has 50% off all PERENNIALS, TREES & SHRUBS. Now is the time to plant them for next year!
Looking Indoors? Houseplants are here! A great addition for your home for beginners or novice – as new ones arrive weekly. There are many health benefits to having live plants in your home.
Looking to continue education? We offer classes and events, too. Check out our Facebook page for more information. You are never too old to stop learning, make new friends or just have fun.
Pudgie’s Class/Event List • 3646 W. Main St., Batavia • 343-8352
Seasonal Classes
Pudgie’s Class/Event List • 3646 W. Main Street, Batavia • 343-8352
Seasonal Classes
A Letter of Thanks from the Elba Craft Show folks:
Thank you, MR. Palmer, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Cusmano, Mrs. Cronkovich, Glennda, Mr. Tower, Mrs. Stucko, Ms. Bush, Mrs. Pedro, Mrs. Kent, Mrs. Christopher, the booster clubs that showed up, all the volunteers from National Honor Society, Student Council, we could not have done it without you.
Mel, I just want to let you know that you went above and beyond and w so appreciate you. Thank you again for everything you do for us.
This is why I always say ELBA ROCKS…..
I WOULD LIKE TO Thank the Brayden Salvaterra Memorial Foundation for bringing in the bounce house. The 50/50 raised $154.00 to be donated to this wonder foundation. The foundation gives back to the school and community in so many ways and we are grateful.
Thank you to the Boy Scouts for showing what scouting is all about. I am proud to be associated with such a fine group of young men. You worked hard all day and all I heard was wonderful things about you guys. You were polite, courteous, respectful and funny at times. (yeah, I know, doesn’t sound like our boys). Thank you to Jamie Belluscio, you are awesome with the boys helping them keep on track and getting the orders to the vendors. You definitely had more patience than I. Thank you to the kitchen crew Frank, Brian and Shawn.You guys did a fantastic job considering the boys brought you 30 orders all at once hahaha.
Thank you to the parents for letting us have their boys all day and thank you for instilling in them good behavior. Our scouting program would not work without your continued support. Also would like to thank Ron and Herm for setting up and all their behind the scenes work. Also, a shout out to Lauren Zuber, thank you for coming and helping set up on Friday night it was greatly appreciated.
I would like to thank each and every one of the vendors that came out and supported the Elba Scouting program, without you this event would not have been possible. Thank you to all the customers/shoppers that came out and supported us and the crafter/vendors. I would also like to thank the Sheriff’s Department for coming out and fingerprinting and photographing the children. And thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Claus for surprising us with a visit.
I would like to thank all our businesses that donated to our Grand Door prize which was worth well over $800. Thank you for your generosity.
Thank you to Harvester 56 for letting us borrow the chairs.
To My dear friend Ruth, thank you for setting up my booth and selling my baked goods all day. Luv u.
And as always last but not least my Queen Kim, there are no words to explain my gratitude. I luv you to the moon and back.
If I have left anyone out I am truly sorry it was an oversight, so many to thank to make this a success.
If I have left anyone out I am truly sorry it was an oversight, so many to thank to make this a success.
Thank You
Mark your Calendars
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Lori McClurg
Chairperson
The Community Action Angels will host a Vendor Blender on Saturday, June 8th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Genesee Community College One College Road in Batavia. There will be a nice variety of over 50 crafters & vendors, Chinese auction, 50/50 and lunch will be available. For more information call 585-343-7798 ext. 114
CHRISTMAS CRAFT AND VENDOR SHOW to benefit H.O.R.S.E. Rescue and Sanctuary in Pavilion. Polish Falcons, 123 S Swan St. Batavia. Come finish your Christmas shopping with us. Vendors, crafters, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle. Door prize for attending.
CRAFT SHOW
October 20,2012 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Salvation Army,
529 East Main St. Batavia, NY 14020.
30+ dealers.
No Admission.
Food Available.
Sponsored by the Women’s Auxiliary to benefit emergency services.
Alicia Lurye of AK Entertainment is happy to be hosting the "Winter Wonderland of Arts, Crafts & Gifts" this weekend at Batavia Downs Casino. She said this is the first Christmas show at the Downs for many years.
"They just haven't found anyone willing to do it," she said. "And look at the turnout."
A lot of people came to browse and buy what 40 crafters and vendors had to offer:
Tami Burbules of East Pembroke offered free samples of her bread dips. She is selling them in addition to desserts, veggie dips and other treats from Gourmet Creations.
Pam Perkins, of Small Town Girl, dazzled passersby with precious stones, different colored copper wires and glass beads.
Nearby, perfume bottles, tunics and other goods made in Egypt were on display.
Hosting this table were Mary Feola and her daughter, Staci (both pictured below). The best friend of Staci's fiancé -- who is Egyptian -- made the perfume bottles; she and her fiancé made the tunics.
Joanne Lee, of Palmyra-based Goldy's Goodies, with her jewelry and mosaic art (pictured below).
Susan Johnson, of LeRoy, promoted her homemade hot sauce, "Susi's Sauce" -- which fans promise to be "better than Frank's" -- and had free samples with pretzel sticks.
Flavors include Original Hot, Sweet Heat, Double Dog Dare, Triple Dog Dare and Hot Mess (habenero with garlic).
Pictured here is Lory Volkmar of Maple Grove Saddlery, a full-service tack shop for Western and English riders located in Pavilion.
In addition to riders' gear, they also have a gift shop as well as organic nut/peanut butters, jellies and local honey. These were on display at the craft show.
Sue Maniace and her daughter, Olivia, represented Cookie Lee Jewelry, which is a home show business. Look at all that bling!
Linda Dove, left, and Danielle Eckert handed out information on ESL Federal Credit Union, which just opened in Batavia on Nov. 1. It's at 4214 Veterans Memorial Drive.
For those of you who are interested in coming to the show later today or tomorrow, the ESL folks are also raffling off a $100 gift certificate to Alex's Place.
Bruce Kellogg (left), Pete Rickert (center) and Ed Cornbau man a table on behalf of the Conesus Lake Riders Motorcycle Club.
Sean Lamore and Sara Holman, of the Ithaca-based "Peace, Love and Rocks," made the Downs one of the many stops they take as they travel the state selling various common and lesser known types of rock.
One of the more obscure items in their eclectic collection is Shiva Lingam (pictured below), which comes from the Normada River in India.
This piece was advertised at the Bath Fitter table.
Attendees entered two separate drawings for two chances to win a free dollhouse.
Cheryl Snead showcased her signature "brings" (bracelets with rings attached) and barefoot sandals. She was there to promote Happi Feet & Happi Hands, a Rochester-based company. The proceeds of her sales help to benefit a young man she knows who will soon be going to Haiti on a mission trip.
Melissa Martin handed out information on New Directions Youth & Family Services.
Shanna Carmer of Everdry Waterproofing (located in Gates) gave people information and the opportunity to enter to win a free $200 gift card for Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts.
Jonathan Yawbshowed what Cheri's Gift Shop in Rochester had to offer.
Marshall Cranmer held out one of his cinnamon-scented beeswax pinecones for a customer to smell.
Cranmer came all the way from Butler, Penn., to advertise Beeswax Window Ornament's pinecones, which give off pleasant scents when the sun shines on them while hanging in the window.
"They stay strong for a good six to nine months," Cranmer said.
Phyllis Wagner from Mary Kay, with products for men and women.
Debbie Geisler, of Nanny Naturals Goat Milk Soap in Holley, holds up two of her products.
Bob and Jane Graham, of Bob and Jane's Place, in Boston, pose with their fudge samples (try the peanut butter fudge -- it's outstanding).
Independent Chocolatier Mary Pionessa, of Dove Chocolate, does home chocolate parties for a living. At the craft and gift show, she took orders for "Sweet" Christmas gift ideas under $20.
There were many other vendors' tables, too. This event is free and open to the public. It lasts until 5 this afternoon, and then from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. tomorrow.
Saturday, May 1st 10 a.m.-3 p.m
Emmanuel Baptist Church 190 Oak Street in Batavia
Bake sale, door prizes every 10 minutes, lunch
Plenty of free parking!
Featured Vendors & Crafters:
Family fun filled Oakfield Labor Daze. Live music, food booths, games, theme baskets, craft show. Parade on Monday, Labor Day @ 10:30 AM. Fireworks Monday @ 9:30 PM. Classic car show Sunday 2 PM - til?
Copyright © 2008-2022 The Batavian. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
