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Press Release:

On Wednesday, Jan. 3, the Genesee County Medical Society presented the Batavia City School District Foundation with a $25,000 donation to provide scholarships to Batavia High School seniors who plan to enter health sciences careers after graduation.

Founded in 1807, the Genesee County Medical Society “provides resources for physicians, including continuing medical education, practice and professional guidelines, legal support, and a patient referral service.” Due to changes in the healthcare landscape, going forward, the group will be administrated by the Erie County Medical Society and will no longer be exclusively serving the Genesee County community.

“After 217 years, I feel the weight of history. Thousands of physicians have worked in this area over these 200 years, and their mission and vision have always been the same: education, health awareness, and quality care,” said Dr. Mohammad Rumi, Genesee County Medical Society President. “We are happy to present this check as a donation to the Batavia City School District Foundation to administer this Genesee County Medical Society scholarship fund. The fund will award graduating seniors of Batavia High School, the most preeminent high school in this area, who plan to enter the health sciences field.”

“We thank the Genesee County Medical Society for this generous donation,” said Zachary Korzelius, President of the Batavia City School District Foundation. “While the Genesee County Medical Society may be closing its doors, this donation will continue to support the organization’s educational mission for years to come.”

More information for prospective applicants for the Genesee County Medical Society scholarship will be available via Tracy Grover at Batavia High School as part of the Batavia City School District Foundation’s regular scholarship process.

Press Release:

The Batavia Police Department has closed out the Movember campaign for 2023. The department raised $1,700 for Genesee Cancer Assistance with 19 members participating. Pictured are a few members who participated in the campaign with leadership from Genesee Cancer Assistance. 

Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, co-founded in 1995 by Mrs. Dorothy Schlaggel & Mr. Russ Romano. Their shared desire was to create an organization through which cancer patients living in Genesee County could have access to financial aid and a variety of support services. Since its founding, Genesee Cancer Assistance has been able to assist thousands of individuals; helping hundreds of patients each year.  

The Movember Worldwide Campaign started in 2003 in Australia and has since grown. Movember was created to bring awareness to Men’s Health; specifically, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

After a thorough and time-consuming process that involves a peer review panel of dozens of applications, the first round of 2024 statewide community regrant program recipients for 2024 have been chosen, Educator and SCR Director Mary Jo Whitman says.

GO Art! will be regranting $336,000 to artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and programs throughout Genesee and Orleans counties, with the first round wrapping up in November, and the second round opening up just after Christmas and closing Feb. 17.

While the SCR program is not new, the grant funding sometimes gets mistaken for GO Art! money, which is not the case, Whitman said. The Genesee-Orleans Council on the Arts (GO Art!) acts solely as administrator of the funds to disperse them to the grant recipients chosen by the panel. 

"I think there's a lot of misunderstanding about the programming. A lot of people kind of mistake the idea that we get the funding, which we do not, we're not allowed to use any of the funding toward our programming. So much of the programming that we do is completely separate from this,” Whitman said during an interview with The Batavian. “We may administer it, and we have to make sure that it goes into the hands of the nonprofits and artists. So things like Picnic in the Park, for example, is one thing we got a lot of flack on as, you know, when we weren't getting as much funding for Picnic in the Park, and it just wasn't feasible for us to host it anymore. We've definitely heard a lot of comments about that — a backlash of how we're funding all these other projects.

“But we can't fund Picnic in the Park, we can't use the money for Picnic in the Park; it’s a completely different strain of money. We're not allowed to use that."

The Statewide Community Regrant Program (SCR) is a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts that was developed in 1977 to ensure that the state’s cultural funding would reach every part of New York State. The cornerstone of SCR is its focus on local decision decision-making through a transparent and competitive peer review panel process, she said. Local artists and nonprofits submit their projects for consideration and are reviewed, chosen and submitted to the GO Art! Board. 

So, instead of giving GO ART! money for its own programs, creative as they may be, this money goes to many individual artists and nonprofits for various projects, including outdoor murals, musical concerts, dramatic presentations, festivals and light displays. 

The panel selected 46 applications for up to $5,000 each in categories of Community Arts (Reach) and Arts Education (Spark), and $2,500 for Individual Artist Commissions (Ripple). The categories and recipients are as follows:

REACH -- The GO ART! Community Arts Grants (Reach Grants) provide seed grants to individual artists, collectives and arts organizations for projects and activities that enable Genesee and Orleans County communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media, and visual arts.

Each year the program supports arts projects, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings, and more. 

REACH Recipients:

• Batavia Concert Band - $5,000 for 2024 Music in the Park Summer Concert Series
• Haxton Memorial Library - $5,000 for Talented Thursdays
• Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Band - $4,837 for Community Performances
• The Elba Betterment Committee - $4550 for EBC Presents ...
• Oakfield Betterment Committee Inc. - $5,000 for Oakfield Labor Daze
• Genesee Chorale Inc. - $5,000 for 2024 Genesee Chorale Season
• Village of Bergen - $2,300 for the Hickory Park Concert Series
• Rebecca A. O’Donnell with Community Partner, Warrior House of WNY Inc. - $4,000 for Creative
• Community Connections at the Goose
• Batavia Business Improvement District - $5,000 for Jackson Square Concert Series
• David F. Burke with Community Partner, Warrior House of WNY Inc. - $2,500 for Wings Mural for The Goose
• Heather Kathleen Davis with Community Partner, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church - $3,100 for Opera on the Oatka
• Genesee Symphony Orchestra - $5,000 for The Genesee Symphony Orchestra’s 78th Season
• Byron-Bergen Public Library - $5,000 for Arts in our Community
• Amanda M. Taylor with Community Partner, City of Batavia Fire Department - $5,000 for Main Street
• Fire Hydrant Murals
• Bergen Business and Civic Association - $5,000 for Bergen Park Festival
• Woodward Memorial Library - $4,979 for Art All Year, Take Two
• St. Mark’s Episcopal Church - $2,415 for Music at St. Mark’s
• Kathlyn Baker with Community Partner, Warrior House of WNY Inc. - $5,000 for Art Exploration Project
• Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming OUT!, Inc.- $5,000 for GLOW OUT! Pride Festival 2024
• Village of Corfu - $5,000 for Corfu Farmers Market 2024 Music Series
• GLOW YMCA, Inc. - $1,000 for GLOW Corporate Street Beat
• Gillam-Grant Community Center - $4,640 for A Spectrum of Art
• The Batavia Players, Inc. - $5,000 for the 2024 Season
• Marianne Skye with Community Partner, Warrior House of WNY - $5,000 for Groovy Moves-Family
• Music and Movement
• Lee-Whedon Memorial Library - $5,000 for Finally Fridays! 2024
• Yates Community Library - $5,000 for Yates Community Library - More Than Just Books
• Friends of Boxwood Cemetery - $5,000 for Boxwood at Night 2024
• The Cobblestone Society - $5,000 for The Cobblestone Museum Arts Series for 2024
• Lyndonville Lions Club - $5,000 for I Hear the Music
• Village of Holley - $3,000 for Village of Holley Canal Concert Series
• Community Free Library - $5,000 for Continuation of Myron Holley Erie Canal Mural
• Care Net Center of Greater Orleans - $5,000 for Artists and Their Styles
• C. W. Bill Lattin with Fiscal Sponsor, The Cobblestone Society - $5,000 for Architecture Destroyed In
• Orleans County, N.Y.
• Village of Holley - $2,000 for Festival Series 2024
• Canalside Radio Inc. - $5,000 for Harmonizing Communities: The Canalside Radio Initiative
• William Schutt with Community Partner, Village of Albion - $5,000 for Lighting the Erie Canal
• Hoag Library of the Swan Library Association - $5,000 for 2024 Hoag Music Series

• Michelle Cryer with Community Partner, Town of Carlton - $5,000 for Carlton Mural at the Cove

  RIPPLE -- The GO ART! Individual Artist Commission (Ripple Grant) supports local, artist-initiated activity, and highlights the role of artists as important members of the community. The Commission is for artistic projects with outstanding artistic merit that work within a community setting. 

RIPPLE Recipients:

• David F. Burke - $2,500 for the Extension to Harvester Center Hallway Mural
• Thomas Jennings - $2,500 for the Missing Man - The Vince Welnick Story
• Joshua Lang - $2,500 for the Suite de Ballet Mvt 3
• Eric Weatherbee - $2,500 for The Humble Bard Presents

SPARK -- The Arts Education Program (Spark Grant) supports arts education projects for youth and/or senior learners. Emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the creative process through which participants learn through or about the arts. Projects must focus on the exploration of art and the artistic process.

SPARK Recipients:

• Linda Fix with Fiscal Sponsor, BCSD Foundation Community Schools - $5,000 for #It Takes A Village
• Bart Dentino with Community Partner, Oakfield-Alabama Central School District - $4,815 for The Spaces Between the Leaves
• Judd Sunshine with Community Partner, Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School - $4,200 for Erie Canal Songwriting Project

These projects go way beyond one piece of artwork, Whitman said, as it draws community members to a locale and that can spur an economic and social ripple effect.

“We just really want to see as much art programming as possible in our community. We go to audit events. For example, there'll be a concert series, we're going to the concert series, we'll be talking to some of the audience members, and they talk about how they come to see this concert series every week, and when they're there, they go, ‘everybody eats at this restaurant all the time.’ So it really forms a sense of community, that helps get people out, penetrating these different local establishments," she said. "And it's much bigger than just funding a little project, it really helps with economic development, it helps bring people to the area, being situated right between Rochester and Buffalo. There's no reason why we can't have people coming into the area from both sides of  the city to enjoy the programming that is being offered.”

Another example of how a project can impact more than just the artist and a small segment of spectators are the workshops offered to the public that provide opportunities for folks who otherwise would not be able to partake in that form of art medium, she said.

“And it really gives the community a chance to really learn about different mediums or just even have the opportunity to take the workshop.  I know for myself, I grew up in Orleans County, and as a child, I was always interested in arts, but we never really had the opportunities to take these workshops," she said. "These classes will now, you know, they're able to provide them, and most of them are free. If there's any cost to them, they're very minimal, so it makes the arts accessible, I guess, is the easiest way to put that.”

She is happy that not only is GO Art! one of the partnering organizations with the state agency, but it is “actually one of the top-funded organizations in the state.”

Artists, nonprofits, and municipalities seeking funding for arts-related projects, programming, and events in Genesee and Orleans Counties are encouraged to apply to the second round of SCR funding through GO ART!.

For more information on applying for the program, go to: www.goart.org/grants or contact Mary Jo Whitman at mjwhitman@goart.org. These grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.  

Victor A Rivera-Cotto, 55, of Batavia, was charged on Dec. 25 with criminal contempt first, assault third, and two counts of criminal mischief fourth. It’s alleged that Rivera-Cotto violated an order of protection by striking the victim in the face and damaging their phone, in order to prevent her from calling for help. Rivera-Cotto was arraigned in CAP Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, and $20,000 partially secured bond. He is due in Batavia City Court on Tuesday. 

On Dec. 21, Michael J. Difalco, 36, of Batavia was charged with menacing, second and criminal possession of a weapon, third. Difalco allegedly threatened another person with blunt object during an altercation on South Main Street. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail, without bail. He is due back in court on Jan. 18.

On Dec. 21, James N. Difalco, 27, of Batavia was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing after an investigation into an altercation on South Main Street where Difalco allegedly obstructed the breathing of another person by applying pressure to their neck. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Tuesday. 

Benjamin G. Evans, 35, of Batavia was charged Dec. 22 on three bench warrants. The first warrant stems from an incident on July 7, where he allegedly stole a package from the porch of a residence on State Street. The second is the result of an incident on Sept. 19, 2023, where Evans was allegedly found in possession of narcotics. The third warrant stems from an incident on Oct. 13, 2023, where he allegedly stole a package from a porch on Union Street. Evans was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to Genesee County Jail. He is due back in court on Jan. 16. 

On Dec. 22, Taiya J Rolle, 19, of Batavia was arrested for DWI. Rolle was arrested after a traffic stop on Walnut Street, where she was allegedly found to be operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 17.

Matthew J. Mika, 53, of Batavia, was charged Dec. 16 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, second, and tampering with physical evidence. Mika was charged after an investigation into a traffic stop in October 2023, when he was allegedly found to be in possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. It’s also alleged that he attempted to conceal evidence. He was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court.

On Dec. 15, Sarah E. Saile, 40, of Batavia, was charged with grand larceny, fourth, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh. It’s alleged that Saile stole in excess of $1,000 worth of prescription pills from the pharmacy at Tops, where she was employed. She was issued an appearance ticket for Batavia City Court.

Angelo P. Mana, 49, of Batavia, was charged on Dec. 15 on a warrant for burglary, third, petit larceny, criminal mischief, fourth, and conspiracy, fifth. Mana was charged in relation to an incident that occurred on Oct. 23, where he and another person allegedly broke into a building on Mill Street and stole property. He was arraigned in CAP Court and is due to appear in Batavia City Court at a later date. 

On Dec. 18, Brant G. Matthews, 29, of LeRoy, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled Substance, seventh, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, second. It’s alleged that Matthews was found to be in possession of narcotics and a digital scale while being arrested on an unrelated warrant. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 9. 

Jeanna M. Hattaway, 36, of Warsaw, was charged on Dec. 13 with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh. The arrest stems from a traffic stop on April 21, 2023, when Hattaway was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine. She was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on Jan. 9. 

On Dec. 14, Thomas A. Griffin, 36, of Batavia, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. seventh, and driving while ability impaired by drugs. Griffin was arrested after an investigation into an incident on July 31, 2023, when police responded to the parking lot of 7-Eleven to check the welfare of a person slumped over the wheel of a vehicle. Griffin was allegedly found to be operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court on Jan. 2.

On Dec. 6, Jon H. Bush, 40, and Jennifer K Freeman, 39, both of Batavia, were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh. Bush and Freeman were charged in relation to a traffic stop on Washington Ave on 6/30/2023, where they were both allegedly found to be in possession of narcotics. Bush was also arrested on an outstanding warrant and additionally charged with resisting arrest. Both were issued appearance tickets for the drug charges. Bush was arraigned in Batavia City Court on the warrant and released on his own recognizance. 

On Dec. 17, Danielle T. Lumpkin, 42, of Batavia, was charged for criminal mischief, fourth. It’s alleged that Lumpkin damaged a door at the victim’s residence. Lumpkin was issued an appearance ticket and is due in court on Tuesday.

On Dec. 15, Michael J. Difalco, 36, of Batavia, was charged with harassment, second. It’s alleged that Difalco pulled another person’s hair and punched them during an altercation on South Main Street. He was issued an appearance ticket.

John A. Cabrera, 56, of Batavia, was charged Dec. 12 for menacing, second. Cabrera allegedly threatened another person with an imitation gun during an argument on Washington Avenue. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released. He is due back in court on Jan. 17. 

On Dec. 11, Chad M. Johnston, 37, of Batavia was charged with burglary, second, and criminal mischief, third. It’s alleged that on Dec. 6, Johnston unlawfully entered a residence on Liberty Street and damaged property inside. Johnston was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. He is due back in court on Jan. 17.

 On Dec. 4, Tyler M. McCambridge, 30, of Syracuse was charged with attempted grand larceny, fourth, possession of a forged instrument, first, obstructing governmental administration, second, and harassment, second. McCambridge allegedly attempted to cash a forged check, at a local bank. He then ran from police when they attempted to take him into custody. McCambridge was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. 

On Dec. 8, Michael C. Mirabel, 51, of Batavia was arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Mirabal was initially stopped on Central Avenue for a traffic violation. After an investigation, it’s alleged that Mirabal was found to be operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs. He was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due back in court at a later date.

On Dec. 13, Aaron R. Hatfield, 39, of Kenmore, was arrested on a bench warrant. Hatfield was initially arrested in August 2023, and charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh, after allegedly stealing from Tops. The warrant was issued after Hatfield allegedly failed to appear in court. He was arraigned in Batavia City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 cash bail, $10,000 bond, and $25,000 partially secured bond. 

Patrick J. Gonzales, 30, of Batavia was charged Dec. 9 for obstructing governmental administration second and harassment, second. Gonzales was arrested after police responded to a residence on Highland Pk for the report of a disturbance. During the investigation, it’s alleged that Gonzales pushed an officer and attempted to prevent police from taking him into custody. He was issued an appearance ticket and released. Later that night patrols responded back to the residence for a medical call. Gonzales then allegedly attempted to prevent police and EMS from assisting another person. He was charged with another count of obstructing governmental administration, second, and issued another appearance ticket. 

On Dec. 3, Byron K. Bell, 54, of Rochester was charged on a bench warrant. Bell was initially charged on Dec. 11, with Criminal Possession of stolen property, third, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle third, and speeding after a traffic stop where he was allegedly found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle. The warrant was issued when Bell failed to appear for a court appearance. He was arraigned in CAP Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.

On Dec. 2, Daniel J. Bakowski, 43, of Batavia was arrested on an arrest warrant. Bakowski was initially charged on Oct. 3, 2023 with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, third, and failure to stop at a stop sign after a traffic stop on East Main Street. The warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court. Bakowski was arraigned in CAP Court and released. He is due back in court at a later date. 

Michael Robert Hawkins, 27, was charged with driving while impaired for a previous conviction designated offense within 10 years and driving while ability impaired by drugs with prior conviction designated offense in 10 years, for an incident at 12:49 a.m. Dec. 27, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said.

Hawkins, of Route 98, Attica, was charged after he was allegedly found asleep at the wheel of his vehicle while the vehicle was running on the shoulder of Route 98 in the town of Alexander. After an investigation, it is alleged that he was impaired by drugs and it was unsafe for him to operate a motor vehicle. During a search of his vehicle prior to the charge, deputies located a quantity of cocaine. Hawkins was charged and transported to Genesee County Jail for processing. He was also charged with CRIM possession of a controlled substance, failed to use/improper use of four-way flashers, and stop/stand/park violation on a highway. He was held pending a CAP Court arraignment.

James Gerard Smith, of Richley Road, Corfu, was charged with operating motor vehicle with.08 percent of 1 percent or more alcohol in blood first offense, deriving while intoxicated first offense and speed not reasonable and prudent for an incident that happened on Christmas, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies were dispatched at approximately 7:32 p.m. Dec. 25 to 94497 Snipery Road in the Town of Darien for a vehicle off the road into a tree. Upon arrival, Deputy Alexander Hadsall spoke with the operator of the vehicle, Smith, 62, who reportedly stated that he swerved for a deer in the roadway. Smith was given standardized field sobriety tests and it was allegedly determined he was intoxicated by alcohol, Deputy Hadsall said.  Smith was charged and taken to Genesee County Jail for processing. He is to return at 4 p.m. Jan. 16 to Darien Town Court.

A Batavia man was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh degree, and obstructing governmental administration, second degree, after being arrested for multiple active warranted on Dec. 26, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said. Ronald James Murray, of Wood Street, allegedly attempted to prevent deputies from apprehending him while attempting to execute the warrants. Murray was also allegedly found to be possession of fentanyl at the time of arrest. 

Gregory Patrick Hamm-Johnson, 33, of Batavia, was charged with obstruction of breathing, harassment, second, and endangering the welfare of a child on Dec. 24 after he allegedly struck and hit another individual during the course of a dispute in the presence of a juvenile, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said. Hamm-Johnson was taken into custody and held at Genesee County Jail pending CAP Court.

A 40-year-old man was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh degree, operating a motor vehicle unlicensed and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, second degree, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said. Mark Joseph Konwicki, no address listed, was stopped on Dec. 17 near the Relax Inn in Batavia for a loud exhaust violation, deputies said. Konwicki was also charged for use of a motor vehicle without an interlock device and no muffler. He is to appear at 3 p.m. Jan. 9 in Batavia Town Court.

Lyndsay Taylor Young, of Route 98, Batavia, was charged on Dec. 26 with criminal contempt in the first degree for allegedly violating an order of protection issued out of Batavia Town Court after previously being convicted of criminal contempt in the second degree within the preceding five years, Genesee County Sheriff’s deputies said. Young was to appear in CAP Court.  

Spectators enjoyed the annual fireworks display Sunday evening for a New Year's Eve "First Night" celebration in Le Roy. People lined the street and gathered near Farmer's Creekside Tavern and Inn to view the show along the banks of Oatka Creek. 

Photos by Nick Serrata

It was another busy news year in Genesee County, with lots of big stories, such as the ongoing saga of Ellicott Station, which even cast a shadow over a planned development for Pembroke.

That wasn't the only sign of economic growth in Pembroke, which is the site of a distribution center under construction and a planned new travel center, growth that seems largely driven by anticipated new jobs at WNY STAMP in Alabama, a GCEDC project that was mired in controversy in 2023, beset by lawsuits and environmental concerns.

In 2023, the environment didn't always play nice with Genesee County.  In June, wildfires in Canada raised concerns locally over air quality, and Bethany, along with Pavilion and Pembroke, have been suffering through water shortages.

Counties throughout upstate New York hit the panic button in the spring when rumors circulated that New York City was planning to bus asylum seekers and other immigrants to rural parts of another state, causing Genesee County to join in declaring a state of emergency and banning local facilities from housing migrants.

The return of Wings Over Batavia capped Genesee County's 2023 summer.

There were no major crimes, but a spate of random gunfire incidents caused concerns among Batavia residents. 

In the arts, Batavia Players opened 56 Main Theater and The Harve made for a more entertaining June.  

In sports, both Notre Dame (baseball) and Byron-Bergen (Boys Soccer) made runs at state championships. Pembroke won its second consecutive state championship in 8-Man Football.

Readers visited the site 1.4 million times in 2023 and viewed 9.2 million pages.

The big stories aren't always the most read stories.  Here are the 15 most viewed stories according to stats for The Batavian in 2023.

• Air quality alert issued for Sunday, by Howard Owens
• Pavilion school board hears public outcry over SRO issue and chooses to remain silent, by Howard Owens
• Puerto Rican restaurant to serve up 'a nice little change' in Batavia, by Joanne Beck
• Zeliff residence up for sale, businessman to remain locally involved, by Joanne Beck
• O'Lacy's closes, owner thanks patrons and staff with 'heavy heart,' by Joanne Beck
• A friendly merger: H.E. Turner and Gilmartin sign deal, by Joanne Beck
• Soft opening launches WNY Plate at downtown takeout, by Joanne Beck
• Lawsuit by ex-wife against David Bellavia, Orleans County, alleges false arrest as part of ugly divorce, by Howard Owens
• Hawley criticizes NYS plan to require background checks for ammo purchases, by Press Release
• Sweet Betty's reopens with new owners and ready to please,  by Joanne Beck
• Nightmare on Bank Street gives the green light to a Halloween scare, by Howard Owens
• Batavians purchase Oakfield Hotel and Bowling Lanes, plan significant upgrades throughout, by Mike Pettinella
• Person ejected from vehicle that strikes tree in Stafford, by Howard Owens
• Troopers investigating serious injury accident on Route 98 in Batavia, by Howard Owens
• Sheriff's Office looking for person of interest in hit-and-run in Batavia Downs parking lot, by Howard Owens

Many of our stories were reported first on The Batavian, and we broke some important stories, most notably the travails of Ellicott Station.  If you value great local reporting, you can help ensure it continues.  Join Early Access Pass today.  As a member of Early Access Pass, not only are you supporting your local community by supporting local news coverage, you are getting early exclusive access to our most important stories.  You also get early access to Deal of the Day.  Currently, you get a four-hour advance (look for this window of time to increase in 2024) on important stories and Deal of the Day.

We wish you a Happy New Year and thank all of our loyal readers and sponsors for your ongoing support.

Press Release:

The Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their monthly Board
Meeting for January 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the
library. The public is invited to attend.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl St. in Oakfield
provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed
on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

City resident and historian Larry Barnes studied the lives of Black people who lived, worked, and/or had gone to school in the city of Batavia at some point in their lives, and the resulting message was as much philosophical as it was statistical.

Barnes is grateful for the prior work of local writer Ruth McEvoy, who thumbed through news articles from 1880 onward, and developed a list of articles about people who were Black. “That was a starting point for me,” he said, “where they lived, what they were doing, if they were working.”

Those articles did more than record people’s actions and behaviors; they documented the limitations imposed on the Black population even after the slaves were officially freed in 1865, Barnes said.

There was discrimination, Barnes notes, by imposed and non-statutory means, including deed restrictions, employment restrictions, facility restrictions, such as at Godfrey’s Pond, land, mortgage, and property rental restrictions, and the deeply subjective problem of “driving while Black,” he said.

How did that impact the Black community? Less family wealth — three cents for every dollar of non-Blacks — and lower household incomes of 60 cents for every dollar, a shorter life expectancy, higher incidence of chronic diseases and a greater chance of dying in a pandemic, being shot by police, getting convicted of a crime and being imprisoned, he said.

One source that proved to be “very interesting” for his book, he said, was the local paper, which was quite specific in identifying people as being Polish or Italian or Black in news articles, especially when the tone of the piece looked unfavorably toward the person of color, he said. They would sometimes be boldly and crudely labeled, such as a “Black stick of licorice.”

Despite the obstacles, many Blacks have had notable achievements, he said, as documented on pages 14 through 19, including:

Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965), a noted playwright and author whose plays were performed on Broadway and her best known work is “A Raisin in the Sun.”

Percy Julian (1899 to 1975), a research chemist and pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. His work laid the foundation for the production of cortisone and birth control pills.

Alain Le Roy Locke (1885 to 1954), a writer, philosopher, educator and patron of the arts who was a Rhodes Scholar and a significant contributor as a Black artist, writer, poet and musician to the Harlem Renaissance.

Barnes lists several random Black achievers, but more to the point of the book, Black Batavians have overcome and achieved much in their own right, namely the adversity of frequently having been descendants of slaves with limited knowledge of the individuals from whom they came from or precisely from there their ancestors originated, he said. 

“They have been uniquely subjected to especially long-term persecution and discrimination, including being the target of Jim Crow laws,” Barnes writes. 

“And we also observed that, largely as the result of their history, as a group, American Blacks fare less well than most other groups in personal wealth, income, health, and encounters with our country’s justice system,” he states in the book. “Finally, and this needs to be stressed, despite these differences, Blacks have, again and again, excelled in all cases of life activities. I have provided five pages of examples to drive home a point often ignored.”

There’s Mattie Butler, born in 1865, who was a personal cook for President Benjamin Harrison, who served from 1889 to 1893, and was a housemaid at Harrison’s executive mansion in Indianapolis. After later moving to Batavia, she worked at Scott and Bean’s and Henning’s department stores, dying in 1935.

Rev. Raymond Walker graduated from Byron-Bergen Central School and enlisted in the Marine Corps, later becoming a Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy and earning a master’s degree. Walker taught history at Batavia Middle School and later was assistant principal at BHS until he retired in 2005. 

Dean Edwards, a BHS 1988 graduate, is an entertainer who works as a standup comedian, actor, singer, writer and musician who joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2001 for two seasons and has worked as a voice actor, staff writer and has appeared in commercials.

The late Dr. Diane London directed the medical response in 1994 when an Amtrak derailment injured 109 passengers near Batavia, and more than 500 volunteers responded. She was the emergency doctor and medical director at Genesee County Health Department, had a medical office in Batavia, and practiced emergency medicine at United Memorial Medical Center, St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston and Lockport Memorial Hospital. 

Want to know about more awesome Black Batavians? The book, “Black Batavians: Who They Are, Their Local History, and Aspects of Our Larger Culture That Have Especially Shaped Their Experiences,” is on reserve at Richmond Memorial Library and available at Holland Land Office Museum, and Genesee County History Department.

By studying the lives of Black Batavians, Barnes spotted a trend, he said. 

“What you find over a period of time, is that, before World War II, Blacks were employed in menial jobs that didn’t require much education, and after WW II, jobs were more evenly distributed, and Blacks began to move into positions that did require advanced education,” he said. 

By the 1970s, the Black population had grown rather significantly, he said, by 10 percent, in the city of Batavia.   

People from larger cities of Buffalo and Rochester were attracted to this area’s socio-economic, safety and physical attributes that came with a smaller, rural city, he said. 

What did Barnes glean from his research about the Black population? That, because of their association with slavery, Blacks bring a different perspective — one that shapes how much of the Black population looks at the world, he said.

“Many people are surprised to learn there were slaves in Batavia in the early 1800s,” he said. “If you were a descendant of a slave, you wouldn’t know who your ancestors were. People who are Black often came here from a part of the country where Jim Crow laws are in effect.”

Bryan Stevenson, a Black lawyer, Harvard graduate and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, asserts that “we will never achieve really good race relations in our society until we acknowledge and face up to our history,” Barnes said. “An attitude of white supremacy made slavery tolerable and, later, the Jim Crow era virtually inevitable.

“And it isn’t just a Southern problem, however, but an all-American problem. Racism permeates our society,” he said.

You can read more about Stevenson’s thoughts and Barnes’ reflections on the topic, and he leaves the reader with a challenge.

“In any event, it’s time for action,” Barnes said. “Each of us can play a part. What are you going to do to help end the legacy of slavery?”

He may not have been a City of Batavia resident for long before being appointed city historian, but whatever Larry Barnes may have lacked in residential longevity, he made up for with a growing passion.

It was while serving as an assistant to then County Historian Sue Conklin that Barnes became involved in researching city government — sifting through all sorts of materials and, as a result, becoming quite interested in the city.

That was more than a decade and a half ago.

“It’s been a tremendous experience, I’m really going to miss it,” Barnes said during an interview with The Batavian at his second-floor City Hall office. “It’s been a major part of my life for 16 years.” 

Since those humble beginnings, he has gone through a city centennial celebration, watched the unfolding process of the historic Brisbane Mansion — aka current police station — become a prospective boutique hotel or serve some other purpose as a new police facility moves toward final plans. He has researched several requests about homes that have physically been moved or relatives’ ancestors or other Batavia history, though he’s quick to tell you he’s not one’s personal genealogist. He has written books about the city’s most prominent people and places, and been quoted dozens of times over the years for news articles about the birthplace of western New York.

Batavia was once a village, founded in 1827, and became a city in 1915. Eight years ago, there was a grand centennial splash, despite a whirling blizzard that helped all ring in the New Year on Dec. 31, 2014.

In true western or upstate, take your pick, New York fashion, it was a windy, blustery, snowy, icy cold — and certainly not cooperative — evening for the plans the centennial committee had made for the outdoor portion of the event. 

But Barnes had committed to do his part as city historian.

“I remember standing on a platform trying to give a talk to a very small audience,” Barnes said. “Most of the people had gone inside where it was warm.”

And now as we approach the city’s 108th birthday, and another eight years for Barnes since that frigid night, he couldn’t help but also recall how his predecessor didn’t think he had the chops for the job, having only lived in Batavia a mere few years and all. But he’s also well aware of the fact that it doesn’t take one’s personal upbringing to be a good historian. 

Not that Barnes didn’t bring an attractive portfolio to the position; he began teaching at Genesee Community College in 1968, lived in the towns of Batavia and Byron and built a home in the City of Batavia in 2005, where he had lived for three years before taking the job. 

The city’s first historian was William Coon, who seemingly fell into the role as the city attorney, and was appointed by the mayor in 1919. He died in office after serving until 1953, which is something Barnes most definitely did not aspire to, he said: “My goal was to not die in office,” he said.

The last historian was Corinne Iwanicki, who served from 1995 to 2007, and she was succeeded by Barnes, who was the sixth city historian and the first one to be paid, if only for a short time. The position was not paid until this past year, when City Council agreed to provide a stipend. 

There also was no formal job description until former City Manager Jason Molino and Barnes worked on one that was officially approved by City Council in 2010.

Over the years, Barnes has researched various landmarks, people and happenings, such as where the first bridge was located in Batavia, when railroads changed to their current location and why, what happened to certain houses in the city, including some formerly located where the Southside roundabout is now. 

Barnes received so many questions about relocated homes that he wrote a small book about 40 houses that have been physically moved to other locations. 

“If I get interesting questions, I will do that,” he said. 

His own questions piled up about a certain population in the city that seemed to go undocumented, and Barnes wanted to do something about that. While he noticed that quite a lot had been written about Italian, Polish and Irish residents whose families had emigrated to the United States, there was nothing about Black Batavians, he said.

The first simple but pointed question had to be; who is a Black Batavian? Do you go by the color of one’s skin, or facial features, or ancestors? Answer: the person is a Black Batavian if they or someone else defines them as such, he said. 

For more about his latest book, go to: “Black Batavians: Who They Are, Their Local History, and Aspects of Our Larger Culture That Have Especially Shaped Their Experiences.”

Christmas came a few days late this week for city of Batavia officials, but it was well worth it to open a package worth $350,000 in the form of a Community Development Block Grant, issued by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office on Thursday.

Details will be ironed out over the next few months about how the money will be allocated and who the recipients will be for home improvement funding, Assistant City Manager Erik Fix said.

“We are very pleased to have received the CDBG Grant this year.  It is a bit early for us to make any formal announcement and/or notifying eligible homeowners.  Aside from the announcement, we have not received any information in regards to how or when the grant can be distributed,” he said Friday. “We have multiple trainings and webinars in the next couple of months and should have all of the details ironed out by late-winter, early spring in time for summer renovation projects.

“In the meantime, we do have funding available in the Batavia Home Fund,” he said. “The application and details can be found in the Citizen Action Center on our website, www.batavianewyork.com.”

Fix had previously said that the grant would coincide with the city’s comprehensive housing strategy “that we are in the process of developing.”

“It goes hand in hand with the Batavia Home Fund that the City, GCEDC and Town of Batavia signed an inter-municipal agreement to fund this past fall,” he had said to The Batavian earlier this year.  “The CDBG will provide funding for rehabilitation projects on owner-occupied, single-family home rehab projects throughout the city.  The hope is that when one neighbor makes improvements, others will as well, and the city can help foster rehabilitation throughout our communities.”

The Federal assistance Community Development Block Grant funds would enable homeowners to make home repairs with grant and deferred loan funding. Any single-family homeowner was encouraged to apply and the goal of the program was to provide “vibrancy to communities” similar to recent improvements made to Summit Street to create vibrant transformations throughout the city.

This program is to tie in with the city’s housing improvement plan and the recently created Batavia Home Fund. 

Hochul said that 1,400 households will benefit from more than $46 million in grant awards to support affordable homeownership. The grants will help low- and moderate-income families make repairs or safety upgrades to their homes, replace manufactured homes, and provide down payment assistance for first-time buyers. 

Batavia is part of the Finger Lakes region, which was awarded nearly $2.8 million in grant funding. 

Who says you have to wait until midnight to celebrate the New Year? Batavia First Presbyterian Church is hosting a morning celebration from 10 to 11 a.m. with worship, songs, stories, and prayer and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday with brunch and games to ring in the New Year. There will also be a photo booth, hats, tiaras and other New Year’s goodies to ring in 2024, organizers say.

The public is welcome to attend at 300 E. Main St., Batavia.

The Town of Bethany has declared a State of Emergency for water services during a year-end meeting on Thursday due to the town’s inability to provide water services to the affected parcels of approximately 100 residences and two dairy farms in the town.

The town’s Water District 5 had previously been approved by the town to be installed for service as of Jan. 25, 2021, however, the "COVID emergency" and resulting escalated costs caused the project to increase from $16 million to $20 million, and the town no longer had the authority, by way of bond resolution or the State Comptroller’s Office, to continue with the plan for District 5, town officials said in a related resolution signed during the meeting.

During the spring, summer, fall and winter of 2023, the southeastern portion of Genesee County, including the town of Bethany, experienced severe drought conditions and those residences and dairy farms lost all water services, with one dairy facility needing to haul 60,000 gallons of water per day to meet the needs of its livestock.

Based on the determination that the inability to provide water service to the affected parcels imperils the public health and safety, the Town Board of the town of Bethany, through Town Supervisor Carl Hyde Jr., has found it to be in the best interest of the town to declare a local State of Emergency due to the drought conditions pursuant to 24(1) of the New York State Executive Law, the town’s resolution states, and as a result of the severe drought, all eight farms with cattle are now hauling water either to supplement their well shortfalls or their well failures.

“This is not a sustainable practice nor expense that farms can endure for a prolonged period of time,” the resolution states.

“Due to lack of water in ponds, streams, etc., because of the severe drought conditions, the ability for the fire department to fight fires is extremely hampered. Water for fighting fires must now be trucked into Bethany at 3,500 gallons per truckload from eight to 10 miles away from surrounding towns, and now therefore it is hereby resolved that the town board of the town of Bethany hereby declares a State of Emergency due to the drought conditions present in Genesee County and the Town of Bethany."

This declaration shall be in full force and effect for a period of 30 days or util rescinded by Hyde, whichever occurs first, and he may issue additional declarations extending the local emergency for additional periods not to exceed 30 days until the emergency ceases or is abated.

Town Council members Jeffrey Fluker, Timothy Embt, Steven Wells and Diane Fowler signed the resolution. 

The town had been loaned a 6,700 gallon water tanker this past month from the state Office of Emergency Management, and had to return it earlier this week. Wells had not been recharged at that point, and Hyde said he would be thinking creatively about how to help town residents with their water shortages. 

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the lineup for the Park Place Events Center for the first three months of 2024. 

On Thursday, January 11, Batavia Downs welcomes back the Polka Buzz tapings with Polka Band Seven and WBBZ.  Tickets are just $10 and you get $10 back in Free Play.  Doors open at 6 p.m. with the tapings starting at 7 p.m.  Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com.

The BBQ and Bourbon Dinner returns for two nights on February 2 and 3.  Enjoy flights of BBQ and samples from Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek as staff gives insight into the history of the brands.  Each attendee receives $50 Free Play and there will be prize drawings as well.  Doors open at 5:15 p.m., and the event begins at 5:30 p.m.  This event is only available by purchasing a hotel package, details can be found at bataviadownsgaming.com/hotel-deals/

Beatle-Mania Magic makes their Batavia Downs debut on Friday, February 9.  Doors are at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.  A national touring Beatles Tribute band will recreate Beatles concerts with identical costumes, equipment and spot on harmonies.  Tickets start at $15 and guests get $10 back in Free Play.  Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com.  Hotel packages that include tickets are available as well.

The 5^th annual Batavia Brew Fest, presented by Genesee Brewery and Rohrbach Brewing Company is back on Saturday, February 17 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.  For $30, attendees receive two and a half hours of beer sampling from many WNY breweries.  Early bird tickets available until January 29 for just $25.  Light snacks will be served and attendees will receive a commemorative plastic sampling mug along with $15 in Free Play.  Hotel packages that include tickets are available as well.

The Downs welcomes their first Prince Tribute with LoVeSeXy Tribute 2 the music of Prince on Saturday, March 9.  Doors are at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.  They’ll perform a remarkable, spot-on sound-alike, high-energy show featuring a wide range of songs including all of PRINCE’s greatest hits, from his early years and throughout his long career.  Tickets start at $15 and guests get $10 back in Free Play.  Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com.  Hotel packages that include tickets are available as well.

Returning again after several years of sold out shows is Music of the Stars on Saturday, March 23.  Doors are at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30 p.m.   The high-energy seven-piece band pays tribute to internationally famous artists, including Tom Jones, The Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Gary Puckett, Elvis, The Beatles and many more. Tickets start at $15 and guests get $10 back in Free Play.  Tickets are available now on BataviaConcerts.com.  Hotel packages that include tickets are available as well.

Batavia Downs is excited to welcome RECORD RIOT, a vinyl record vendor show on Sunday, March 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  With 40 dealer tables and more than 10,000 LPs in the room, attendees will be sure to have a great time browsing a wide variety of music while connecting with fellow music lovers.  Details can be found online at: https://www.recordriots.com/.  $10 Early Bird Tickets or regular $5 admission tickets can be purchased at the door.  Each ticket comes with $5 in Free Play for the gaming floor.

“We have more events scheduled in 2024 than ever before, “ said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel.  “These concert events are always well received by our guests, and we are excited to bring back the Brew Fest with our partners at Genesee and Rohrbach.  With a newfound interest in record collecting, we’re sure that our first onsite Record Riot vendor show will be well attended.  We’re looking forward to entertaining the people of Western New York over the next few months.”

Again, tickets are available now on bataviaconcerts.com.

Hotel Packages for select events can be found on the hotel deals page at https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/hotel-deals/

Other events scheduled for the 1^st Quarter of 2024 at Batavia Downs include the Experience Psychic Fair January 12 to 14 and the Legends & Stars Sports Expo on the last weekend in February.  Information on these events will be found in the coming weeks HERE.

Press Release:

Do-Re-Mi Preschool Music and Movement class

This class is designed for children ages 2 through 5, alongside their parent or favorite person. This session will have class on Saturday mornings from 10-10:45 a.m. in January (6, 13, 20, 27) at GO ART! in Batavia. 

We will focus on seasonal song, play, motor and locomotor movement, instrumental exploration, vocal and rhythmic call and response, listening activities, storytime, and fun! The curriculum is designed to engage young learners through play and exploration while providing a safe and nurturing space for them to discover and grow important skills, such as language, cognition, and physical development, as well as support and encourage social and emotional learning. 

Chelsea Miller is instructing this session and she has been teaching music in various capacities since 2015. She has received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, as well as a Master’s Degree in French Horn Performance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 

Currently, Chelsea teaches instrumental music to grades 4-12 at Elba Central School. To register your little one for this amazing class please visit https://goart.org/programming/exlporeart/exlporeart-children/, call (585) 343-9313, or email Jodi at jfisher@goart.org. 

Game Night

Grab a friend and come on in to GO ART! on the first Wednesday of each month for our Game Night! Game night runs from 6-9 p.m. so bring your favorite game or see what we have to offer. From classic board games, and strategy games to card games there is something for everyone. Tavern 2.o.1 will be open.

Do you have any (board, strategy, or card) games you never play and are in good to excellent condition you don't want cluttering up your house anymore? We would be happy to take them off your hands and add them to our collection. Please call (585) 343-9313 or email info@goart.org.

When Anthony Chmielowiec came to the United States in the 1910, he most likely knew that there would be hard work and uncertain times involved as he eventually pursued the American dream of becoming a successful business owner. 

And even when he didn’t know something, he suspended and pushed beyond any potential self-doubt, as was the case when offered his first managerial job.

“And this is probably the best part of our history. He came over from Poland and he settled in Buffalo and didn’t really have a job. And he saw an ad in a local paper for a painting foreman, and he had no experience whatsoever,” his great-great-grandson Jack Jr. said during an interview with The Batavian. “But he went and told them he had experience. He was hired as the painting foreman, and he watched the other painters. He learned by watching the other painters. It was the beginning of our history.”

And what a history: From those early days of Anthony Chmielowiec’s paint contracting and paint store, which led to an office and shop at 450 Ellicott St., Batavia, the business has been shared amongst the men in the family — from Anthony in 1923 and his sons Adolph (aka Jack)  and Raymond when they returned from serving overseas during World War II in 1946, to his son John Jack Sr. and Uncle Bob Chmielowiec in the 1980s, and then 13 years ago, it went to John Jack Jr. and Paul Chmielowiec. 

A. Chmielowiec and Sons opened a paint and wallpaper store on Ellicott Street in 1948, and John Jack began his own painting contracting business with his two sons, John Jack Sr. and Robert (Bob) in 1965. As the business grew, they incorporated and changed the name to Chmielowiec Painting, Inc. Commercial and Industrial painting became their main source of business, including vinyl wall coverings, epoxy floors and wall protection.

Jack Chmielowiec then retired and his sons, Jack Sr. and Bob continued to grow the business. After 45 years, both of them retired in 2010, and sold the business to their sons, Jack Jr. and Paul Chmielowiec. 

There’s no longer a shop attached to the name, and it’s a commercial/industrial painting business that caters primarily to the Rochester area, Jack Jr. said. His father, 79, was able to help celebrate the 100-plus-year anniversary of the business before he died on Tuesday. 

“I think all the family was pretty proud of the fact that we’ve sustained the business for over 100 years,” Jack Jr. said. “It’s mainly because we provide quality work, we meet certain schedules, we have a strong relationship with the contractors we do business for. It’s a pretty simple model, but it seems to work. And we treat our people good, we have good guys. It’s about as simple as it gets.”

His father retired 13 years ago and had enough trust to let it go. 

“When in a pinch and there was something he could do, he did it, but he kind of let us do our own thing,” Jack Jr. said. “I think it says a lot about the quality of the people in my family that passed it down to us. We get a lot of compliments on the quality of our work. At times they have other companies do the work and they say ‘we wish you were on the job.’”

His company does mostly interior painting work, and he can attest to the notion that although many people think everyone can paint, “everybody can’t paint.” So is there a secret to a job well done? Not really.

“Take your time and do what you’ve gotta do,” he said. 

The company has downsized since the Kodak days when it had two shifts of 30 employees painting at the plant, he said. Today there are seven employees and the office is based on Prole Road in Batavia. 

Photos courtesy of the family.

In the fall, when the LeRoy Music Boosters posted that they would be raising money by having businesses or families decorate trees on Trigon Park, I thought it would be a neat opportunity to include the Le Roy Barn Quilt Trail. 

After 10 years, since we first started the Le Roy Barn Quilt project to commemorate Le Roy’s Bicentennial, the project has been revitalized with the help of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Office. In fact,
the Barn Quilt Trail just received a prestigious award from the New York State Tourism Alliance.

So, I signed up for a tree and started painting small wooden squares with the Le Roy Barn Quilt designs. I knew that I wanted to include the Genesee Solar Eclipse design, and I made a couple of those with the 6-inch squares. And then I measured off the “Railroad Crossing” design from Crocker’s Hardware, and the new barn quilt that’s on No Finer Diner.

That was followed by “Jell-O Jigglers” and “Nancy’s Fancy” from the D and R Depot Restaurant. I also included the beautiful blue and purple design that was on Ruth Harvie’s garage. Some designs were just too small to transfer to the 6-inch squares, but I included “Dash Churn” from the Stein Farm, and a great apple design. I also wanted to include the design that is on the former home of Nancy and Bruce Baker on East Main Street. That wood square is only 4 inches square, and hangs from the top of the tree. I included the barn quilt that’s on the outside of the Stafford Town Hall and the “Women’s Rights” pattern that hangs in the Le Roy Village Hall. I loved including the new barn quilt design that hangs in the window of Mama Chavez’s Taqueria on Mill Street.

I was painting the red, white, and blue barn quilt that hangs on Irene’s Walter’s barn when I heard of her passing, so like some of the other trees on Trigon Park, this tree is a memorial tree. Just before I put back the paints, I decided to include the “Ingham Rose” barn quilt that is on Candy Bower’s house in Le Roy – an important part of Le Roy’s history. The wood squares had to be varnished and then drilled so they could be attached to the tree. That turned out to be a
bit more challenging than I hoped, but I had enough wood squares painted and varnished in time to hang on the tree.

As I was taking this photo, with the tree in the rain, I thought that this is a great
opportunity for folks who are looking for something to do with their families in the rain. Pick up a barn quilt map at Crocker’s Ace Hardware on Lake Street in Le Roy, or at the Woodward Memorial Library or the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Tourism office and go on a scavenger hunt to look for the big barn quilts. There are over 100 of them just in Le Roy and Stafford. And with the map, you can go up on line and learn all about the stories of the barns and the people and the barn quilts.

Lynne Belluscio is the historian for the town and village of Le Roy.

Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School art teacher Leah Peca has uploaded what she estimates to be thousands of kids’ artworks over the years to a website that conducts a routine evaluation and selection process for an online contest. 

Out of all those entries, there have been many creative works, but never one chosen for Artsonia’s Artist of the Week voting competition, Peca said. That was until this year, when Artsonia’s panel selected Kempton Benjamin’s golden glowy moon over a pumpkin patch. Even better yet, the painting reaped 800 online votes and captured first place for an Artist of the Week spot in his age group.

“I was thrilled. I was jumping up and down, I thought I was crazy when I got the email,” Peca said during an interview Wednesday with The Batavian. “I was just so happy for him. It's very cool, because we're a very big sports community. Athletes are constantly always being recognized, which is great, but it's very nice to see some of these other kids get recognized for their own unique talents that are outside of sports."

The voting competition on Artsonia.com is promoted to be part of the world's largest collection of student art portfolios, exhibiting more than 100 million pieces of student art.

Artsonia developed Artist of the Week 15 years ago to encourage teachers to submit student artwork and engage the school and community to vote on and recognize students for their creative achievements, its founders state. Every week, Artsonia selects 12 random submissions in each of four different age groups (PreK-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12) from artwork submitted the previous week. Voting is open to the public for several days before the winner is announced.

Peca is one of the thousands of art teachers who uses Artsonia to showcase her students' art, manage the art room, crowdsource lesson plans, and fundraise for her classroom. Artsonia lets family and friends of student artists create and purchase custom keepsakes from the student art and then gives back 20 percent of all revenue to the local art classroom.

“Artsonia is huge in my art room. I love having portfolios of art for my students and my own children that date back to their very first days of school,” Peca said. “The kids also love the nostalgia of scrolling through their online portfolios and remembering their experiences with each project.”

Kempton, who enjoys painting nature and especially animals, was happy when his mom Malorie shared the news that he had won.

“I was excited. I was surprised,” the eight-year-old said. “I used oil pastels. I remembered going to the pumpkin patch, there were three pumpkins; I was recreating that. The harvest moon, it was golden.”

His mom said that he loves to paint and do various crafts, including working with clay. She received the congratulatory email earlier this month. Kempton received a plaque and a gift card for art supplies. He went home and ordered supplies right away, she said.

His list of goodies included pompom puppies, two bags of clay, and a craft kit to make his own kaleidoscope. 

“I'm so proud of him. He really loves art,” she said. “Any time your child gets recognized for something they enjoy or are passionate about, that's an exciting thing. He was really proud, we’re really excited for him. That was a cool recognition and awesome that he got to have other people see his cool, great work that we're always talking about.”

The online site allows families to view their child’s artwork and order items with the piece incorporated. Kempton’s grandma has already ordered a moon over pumpkin patch mug, and other family members will be ordering other items, his mom said. 

Peca has been teaching art for more than 15 years and said that she loves being around kids who are excited to try new things and realize their potential. 

“Everybody is excited to come to art class, and that joy is contagious,” she said. “And Kempton has always had such an aptitude for art, but he works so hard at it too. Whenever he finishes something, he's always asking how he can improve it or what he can do to make it better.

“He never just finishes it in terms of it,” she said. “And he always just keeps working on it. And it's so awesome.”

He spent two 40-minute classes using bright green and orange oils, purples, lavender, shades of periwinkle and sky blues, and brilliant white and yellow for the moon that’s casting a bit of glow onto the round orange pumpkins on the grass below. 

To view works on the site, go to artsonia.com.