A human case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Orleans County.
“West Nile Virus is most commonly spread by the bite of an infected mosquito,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The best protection against West Nile Virus and other mosquito-related illnesses is to prevent mosquito bites.”
Residents are encouraged to practice the following precautions:
Use an EPA-registered insect repellant and follow product label instructions. To find the best repellant for you, visit https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents.
Minimize exposed skin by wearing protective clothing like long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks, especially when outdoors at dusk or dawn when mosquitos are most active.
Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin.
Reduce mosquito population around your home and property by removing any standing water, such as by emptying buckets, containers, pots, planters, and pool covers.
West Nile Virus infections occur most often during summer and early fall. Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus do not show any symptoms.
According to the New York State Department of Health, roughly 20% of infected individuals will develop mild symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, diarrhea, and rash.
Severe illness may cause high fever, headache, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, disorientation, paralysis, and, in some cases, death. Individuals over the age of 50 are at highest risk for serious illness.
For more information on West Nile Virus, visit the New York State Department of Health.
For more information about GO Health Programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
Byron-Bergen staff with Champions of Change award banner (from left to right) Pat McGee, Kristin Loftus, Jackie McCombs, Katie Kaercher, Megan Wahl, Jenna Voos, Debbie Slocum. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
Press Release:
On Thursday, September 19, Byron-Bergen Elementary School kicked off the second year of its New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA) Champions of Change award-winning compost program. A partnership with Impact Earth, the composting program began in January of 2024 and by the end of the school year had redirected 6,786 pounds of food waste from the landfill to become nutrient-rich soil.
“The students did a great job with this program last year,” said Elementary School Principal Kristin Loftus. “We just completed a refresher presentation with Doug Carney (Education Manager at Impact Earth) to remind our returning students and introduce our new students to what food items we compost and why so that we can start the new year successfully.”
According to Carney, the compost program at Byron-Bergen Elementary School was the most successful elementary school launch he had ever been part of.
He commented, “On our end, we got almost no contamination, the bins were full every day, it all just worked. The student-led initiative went a long way to the program’s success and it’s a testament to the leadership at Byron-Bergen. I’m excited for the future of this program.”
Loftus added, “We were also really excited to receive this special award from NYSSBA and we are going to display it proudly in our cafeteria.”
The Compost Crew was awarded the NYSSBA Champions of Change Recognition earlier in 2024. The award highlights programs which bring positive, meaningful change to the students, communities and districts across New York State.
Byron-Bergen student sorting leftovers into compost bins. Photo by Kristin Loftus.
Impact Earth Education manager Doug Carney reveals the total food waste collected from January 2024 to the end of the school year during a presentation to students. Photo by Gretchen Spittler.
There are events and projects that happened in Batavia years ago that folks talk about, question, and criticize to this day. Urban Renewal and the destruction of downtown’s grand buildings in lieu of more modern structures such as Genesee Country Mall has been a big one.
Ellicott Station, the four-floor apartment complex that has been stalled now since summer of 2023, is another of those projects begging questions of how it came to be a visual doorstop in the middle of downtown Batavia.
And The Batavian has attempted to conduct forensic research and interviews to look back at all that took place leading up to the standstill, not to belabor the point but to establish and document the transactions as matters of historical importance, just as records about the mall-turned-Batavia City Centre are important to understand for anyone wanting to move forward.
The Batavian first assembled a timeline based on public documents of involved agencies -- the city of Batavia, Genesee Economic Development Center, and NYS Housing and Community Renewal. In addition to contracts and reports, The Batavian received hundreds of emails from key stakeholders such as City Manager Rachael Tabelski, GCEDC CEO Mark Masse and former CED Steve Hyde, HCR officials, and Ellicott Station property owner Sam Savarino. After the publication of those findings, The Batavian requested interviews with Tabelski, Masse and Savarino about the project, and Tabelski and Masse declined to discuss the issue further.
“Thank you for your inquiry. I have no further comments on the timeline. Right now, the City is doing its job to address code violations on the property and doing all we can to see this parcel redeveloped,” Tabelski said. “Along with the BDC, we continue to try to connect interested developers, not only with the stalled apartment building but also the DellaPenna building, which is a separate parcel.”
Masse appreciated The Batavian reaching out and our interest in this story, he said.
“The GCEDC is no longer involved in this project, and I have no comment on the story,” he said.
Savarino did answer a few questions and provided a document with additional details regarding a prior communication with GCEDC that he believes further validates his claim that the agency cost him and the community the project’s timely completion.
So where are we now is that Ellicott Station is swinging in the wind, so to speak? City officials have said a couple of developers have expressed interest, and The Batavian is aware of an unofficial list of prospective developers.
Are you or have you been working with any developers about potentially taking over the project? "Yes,” Savarino said. “Ellicott Station LLC has communicated and continues to communicate with potential successor sponsors for the residential portion of the project.”
What do you think went wrong with this deal? And who do you believe bears the responsibility for that complex sitting idle? “As your recent reporting indicates, the actions of the GCEDC disabled the project. The Ellicott Station project – both the commercial and residential components – are not feasible without the GCEDC benefits,” Savarino said. “The sponsor and funders would not have proceeded with the project without the GCEDC inducement. The GCEDC’s breach of its agreement preceded and precipitated any alleged non-performance of the sponsor.”
Do you have hindsight about what you could have done differently for another outcome? “No.”
Do you think GCEDC could have done something different? “Yes – not disable the project,” he said.
Was it a matter of a misunderstanding or something deeper? If so, what? “The documents and correspondence between the parties speak for themselves,” he said.
Do you agree that themisusage of low income, workforce and affordablemay have played a part in all of this for a misunderstanding between you and GCEDC/Batavia? “There ought not to have been any misunderstanding,” Savarino said. “The documents and correspondence between the parties and the GCEDC’s own documents make clear the nature and details of the project (in particular the residential component) approved by GCEDC — whatever brand or description someone may attach to it.”
Where are you currently with the project, and are you working with HCR, other agencies/municipalities and developers to get Ellicott Station moving again? “Yes; however, the actions of the GCEDC have presented significant hurdles, disabled and impeded the project and added significant cost,” he said.
Savarino has stood by his sign-off to GCEDC then-President Steve Hyde in March 2023 in that “we are committed to making this project a success by every measure,” and contends that the only reason that has not happened to date is because EDC pulled back its offer, hamstringing Savarino’s financial abilities and overall efforts to move forward.
He provided The Batavian with his own copies of documents received by The Batavian in its Freedom of Information Law requests as proof that he complied with every request from the industrial development agency, such as demographics about the 102 applicants — 82 were from Genesee County, eight from Orleans County, three from Erie, two from Wyoming, one from Bronx, two from Queens, and one each from Livingston, Monroe and out of state counties — to the number of 20 people receiving disability benefits, 31 people being 55 or older and 19 being 62 or older.
There were details about how actual tenancy would work, including orientation and that it would cover an explanation of the terms and conditions of the lease agreement, rules and regulations, a demonstration of how appliances and equipment operate, information about community services, medical facilities, shopping areas, public transportation and such, explanation about energy conservation measures and about resident participation/cooperation in operational programs with trash and recycling, fire safety drills, snow removal, etc.
There were also topics for employees about how to handle grievances on site, termination of leases and evictions, security, insurance, locks and keys, utilities, payment of rent, criminal activity and smoking, routine inspections, and pets.
One letter from consultant Divitta Alexander to both Hyde and Savarino, dated Nov. 22, 2019, cited income ranges of $9 to $15.55 per hour for a one-bedroom apartment and $10.26 to $17.64 per hour for two-bedroom units. These hourly rates “would qualify for the project at the rents that both HCR and the market analyst expressed comfort with,” Alexander said.
“I think the project is properly characterized as mixed-use workforce housing,” Alexander said.
In an example used by The Batavian for a prior article published after the income levels were publicized by Ellicott Station LLC, two people each earning minimum wage, $14.20 an hour, were not eligible for a two-bedroom apartment at Ellicott Station because they would be earning too much (the maximum household income for two people in a two-bedroom apartment is $34,600, and two people working full-time at $14.20 would gross $59,072).
So, the numbers seem off in 2019. At $9 per hour, that could arguably be reasoned as lower income, with a $17,550 gross income per year, given the 37.5 hours per week, according to Alexander. Savarino has maintained that his understanding of the project’s target audience had not changed since the beginning, even though he used the term workforce with a reporter at least once.
As Savarino and Hyde continued to communicate about the project, Hyde expressed concern about the following issues:
Will the updated brochure-ware better emphasize “Workforce Housing” and de-emphasize “Vouchers Accepted” in future communications all while remaining compliant with Fair Housing Laws?
What does the on-site property management staff’s work schedule look like given domestic disturbance problems tend to occur in the evening after normal working hours?
Is there any night coverage or ability to have a property manager live at Ellicott Station?
It appears from the Tenant Selection Plan (attached) that fairly rigorous requirements will be effectuated that will confirm applicant incomes (hence, being employed) but discussion of preferences toward Genesee County residents weren’t addressed. Can you please clarify if that is a possibility?
Will Savarino Companies commit to providing the Batavia City Manager and GCEDC President and CEO a copy of its annual report each year that includes housing achievements and occupancy statistics?
“I can confirm for you that there will be an office on-site that will be staffed for the day-to-day management of the facility, including timely responses to tenant needs for any maintenance as well as quality of living issues. During non-business hours when staff is not on site, there will be a direct, toll-free phone number and email for tenants to contact management with any off-hour issues or concerns,” Savarino said. “A safety plan will be developed that will meet all regulatory requirements and city codes in order to secure a certificate of occupancy for the building. Emergency exit signs, fire extinguishers and no smoking signs will be just some of the safety and health measures that will be installed and easily accessible and visible throughout the building. We will have interior and exterior video surveillance security cameras on the property at locations yet to be determined. The management office will have monitors to observe surveillance video in real time as well as record video for use if ever necessary. In addition, a state-of-the-art access system for tenants only will allow management to closely monitor who is entering the building.
“Savarino Companies will do all we can to make sure that Ellicott Station provides a safe and welcoming environment for residents and visitors, especially as we complete the construction of the retail structure and continue our efforts to secure a retail tenant or partner(s) to help make Ellicott Station a destination that is vibrant and has a positive economic impact on the City and region,” he said. “As you know, we are now advertising and accepting applications from individuals interested in tenancy. All applicants will be screened and will go through a rigorous vetting process within the bounds of New York State and federal law and regulation. Information on third party tenant screening systems that will be utilized for Ellicott Station were recently provided to GCEDC. As you may be aware we have conferred with the Genesee County Job Development Bureau and G.L.O.W. Workforce Development to actively reach out to prospective entry level workforce tenants who can take advantage of the quality, safe and proximate housing offered by Ellicott Station. Efforts will include revamped informational literature and participation in regional job fairs. We are also planning outreach to the senior community as Ellicott Station has much to offer independent seniors. We will share with you evidence of such outreach. (There was a color brochure with photos of workers and information about Ellicott Station distributed.)”
“You have requested specific information related to Savarino projects that are directly comparable to the Ellicott Station project. While Savarino has developed and constructed many mixed-use and residential projects including affordable housing projects and some providing affordable housing to senior, elderly, and special needs tenants we do not have a project that would directly to the Ellicott Station project,” he said. “We are happy to provide you what information we can on projects currently under Savarino management to the extent we can obtain sufficient formal assurance of confidentiality for any information provided and subject to approval of our counsel.”
There are several other documents, many of them quoted in the prior story, and Savarino believes that they put the blame squarely on the shoulders of GCEDC.
Through all the strife and turmoil of his life, Joseph (Genesis, chapters 37-50) didn't lose faith.
He was hated by his brothers, sold into bondage in Egypt by his brothers, and wrongly imprisoned.
His faithfulness and ultimate role in saving countless lives, including those of his entire family and their descendants, which would have included Jesus Christ, is one of the themes of a conference on Oct. 12 at EverPresent Church in Batavia called "Armor Up, Hold the Line."
The speakers are Pastor Matt Sassano of Fresh Start Church in Hornell and Phil Cappuccio, a former pastor and now an itinerate Christian teacher.
Pastor Jason Norton, EverPresent, said the conference is about Christians standing their ground and holding the line in difficult times.
"We want to encourage people to stay strong," Norton said. "There's just a lot of craziness going on in the world, and sometimes, in times like these, people with faith and conviction just need to show forth their faith by holding true to it rather than faltering and being weary or discouraged or fearful."
Pastor Matt Sassano
Sassano is taking his theme from the story of Joseph.
Joseph was hated by his brothers first because he was favored by his father, but he also had a dream of his own future greatness, which he immodestly told his brothers, and his brothers hated him even more.
After his brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, Joseph went through many trials, but his ability to interpret dreams eventually impressed the pharaoh. Because he correctly predicted a seven-year famine and provided the strategy for Egypt to survive it, the pharaoh gave Joseph a high office in charge of famine relief.
The long famine engulfed the entire Middle East. Without Joseph and his plan, much of the area's population would have been wiped out.
In his lofty and powerful role, Joseph eventually saved his entire family, including the brothers who had betrayed him.
The story of Joseph illustrates, Sassano told The Batavian, that God always has a plan. It may not be apparent to you at the time. It may take years before the plan is revealed -- if it ever is -- but God is always in control. There are no coincidences.
"No matter how difficult things get, particularly as Christians -- this is how I operate, and in the realm I'm in -- no matter how difficult or bleak things look, there's always hope, there's always a future. There's always something that God has in store."
It's easy to get discouraged, Sassano suggested, because what God does, he doesn't necessarily do in our timeframe.
"God doesn't see time like we do. We live by it, and he doesn't live in it, Sassano said. "There's a Bible verse that says 1,000 years is like a day, and a day is like 1,000 years to God (2 Peter 3:8). We understand it to mean God doesn't live in time. You're waiting five years or something, and it's a blip on the screen, you know? So, (my talk is) about not giving up on your dreams because Joseph did not give up; he eventually saw his dreams come to pass."
Phil Cappuccio
The theme of Cappuccio's talk is putting on the armor of Christ to deal with spiritual conflict. He's calling his talk, "Welcome to the War."
The first key passage of scripture, he said, is 2 Timothy 2:3-4: "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs but rather tries to please his commanding officer."
"I'm going to identify the reality of the Christian life in the New Testament, just identifying how there is a war," Cappuccio said. "I'm going to deal with three aspects of conflict. I will deal with the spiritual war, and that's identified in Ephesians 6:10-13. I'm going to identify personal war that we can face as believers. 1 Peter 2:11 talks about the fleshy lusts that war against the soul. And I'm going to address the cultural war we presently find ourselves, which I call it, the war against truth. Just to give a scriptural reference, Isaiah 59:14-16. It talks about judgment or judication being turned away, backward, meaning that it's reversed. Justice is far off because truth is falling in the street, and as a result, equity cannot enter in when there's not an absolute truth, the truth that God has set for all humanity."
Cappuccio said he wants those who attend the conference to better identify the times we're living in and to recognize that conflict is a normal part of Christian life.
"I want them to be equipped," Cappuccio said, "to be equipped personally against spiritual warfare and to be victorious in the time we're living in."
Everpresent Church is located at 4 Batavia City Centre, Batavia. The Conference is on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pastor Jason Norton said the event is designed to feed adults. The cost is $21.50 or two people can attend together for $33.
The most famous, perhaps, is Mozart’s, which was left unfinished (though finished by other composers) at the time of his own death.
Typically, composers write eight or nine movements corresponding to the Catholic Mass for the Dead. A vocalist or chorus sings the mass in Latin.
Typically.
Thirty-five years ago, Laurence Tallman, a Genesee County resident, had a different idea. He became intrigued with the idea of composing a requiem that was purely orchestral—no singing, just the music, with the lyrics implied by the melody.
On September 28, Tallman's “Unsung Requiem” will have its world premiere at Genesee Community College, where the Genesee Symphony Orchestra will perform it.
"The piece was inspired by an experiencing Maurice Durufle’s Requiem with the Crane Chorus and Orchestra in Potsdam way back in 1989," Tallman said to The Batavian. "Even then, as a composition student, I thought it would be amazing to write a requiem using the form that would be just instruments. It's been mulling around in my head forever. Then, 200-some compositions later, and finally, the time and the inspiration were there, and so I constructed this piece, so based on an actual Requiem form, the nine movements that are typical in it, but there's no singing."
This isn't the first time GSO has performed a piece by Tallman, but this is a piece that Musical Director Shade Zajac encouraged Tallman to complete so the orchestra could perform it.
"The things he's done of mine have been very playful, very funny," Tallman said. "I get hired a lot for humor pieces and pieces that have a lot of moving parts to it. I told him about this, and I said, 'This has always been on the back burner, and I've got bits and pieces of it done.' I started showing him some sketches, and he's like, 'I love this. I love this idea. I think you should invest in this, and we'll get the group to do it.'"
Tallman, who lives in Byron with his husband, is a retired music teacher. He taught at Byron-Bergen Central Schools. He is the music director for the First Presbyterian Church of Byron and plays contrabassoon and piano in the GSO. He received his B.M. and M.M. in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. He also has a certificate of compositional study from the Birmingham Conservatory of Music in Birmingham, England.
He said his requiem reflects the text and moods of the Mass for the Dead.
"Some of them are very somber and pensive. Some of them are playful and joyful," Tallman said. "The lux aeterna is like the light that you know we're searching for. And then the in paradisum ends with this lovely kind of ascension into the Netherworld."
He said the last movement is composed through the lens of his own passing and he had some fun with it.
"(It is) what would it be like if I was in that state of transition and then, ideally, the ascension," Tallman said. "So that piece has a lot of musical allusions to some of my favorite works of music, and it just becomes this collage of sound. The agnus dei has this little repeated pattern that is a variation of a pop tune that is very obscure, and everything builds around that pattern. It's dedicated to a pop star I loved in the 1980s (Alison Moyet), who got me through a lot."
The concert is at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Stuart Steiner Theater at GCC. Tickets are $17 for adults, seniors $12, and students (with ID) may attend for free.
Additional works on the program:
Canzona per Sonare No. 2, Gabrieli
Crisantemi for String Orchestra, Puccini
Ritual Music, David Skidmore
A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Britten (which Tallman will narrate).
Photo, from left, of Ted Mountain, SEI Design Group, Scott Simon, Alleghany Services, Pembroke School District Superintendent Matthew Calderon, Pembroke Primary School Principal Patty Zika, Jim Green, Director of Facilities, Playground Project Coordinator Allison Thomson and Dan Robertson of Campus Construction. Photo by Kara Richenberg
The Pembroke Primary School community gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening of a new playground, a project two years in the making.
Students found it hard to contain their excitement as they anxiously waited for the big moment to take place at the entrance to the playground.
“Cut the ribbon, cut the ribbon,” they yelled out in unison while some also exclaimed that “this playground is awesome!”
Superintendent Matthew Calderon began the ceremony by reflecting on the legacy of the old playground, which was built 30 years ago with the help of the current students' parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. He also noted the assistance given to the district for the upgraded design of what they celebrated this week.
“Special thanks to everyone that helped us with the playground, especially Play By Design’s Lee Archen, SEI Design, Alleghany Services, Campus Construction," he said. "And you know you need to give it up for our Director of Facilities Jim Green and Principal (Patty) Zika."
Zika shared that the journey to the new playground began two years ago when current third graders were in first grade. Each student wrote a persuasive essay convincing her for a new playground, expressing concerns about broken equipment and safety hazards.
The students had many ideas for the new playground, and many of their suggestions were taken into consideration.
The community build took place over two weeks at the end of August, with Alleghany Services handling grading, laying stone, and mulching. Despite having only 72 volunteers, those who participated contributed significant hours to ensure the playground was completed on time.
Among the dedicated volunteers was Gordon Crosby, a retired optical technician who also helped build the previous playground. Crosby logged nearly 60 hours during the two-week project.
The new playground features not only accessible swings and bars but also sensory areas, a spinning swing, animal tracking stations, and musical components. Zika emphasized that the playground will be open to the community outside of school hours from dawn to dusk.
“Come and enjoy it, and please take care of it,” Zika said.
Looking ahead, they are planning on bringing the refurbished murals from the old playground back and installing a picnic area on the side.
Facilities Director Jim Green praised the volunteers and donors who made the project possible.
“My staff did a great job adapting to ensure we finished on time and that the schools were ready for the kids’ return,” Green said.
This summer is seeing the return of Creed -- one of the biggest music acts of the late 1990s. The band has recently completed a pair of cruises and now embarks on an extensive tour that visits outdoor amphitheaters this summer and arenas in the fall.
It’s not the first time Creed has reunited. The first time, in 2009, the band’s reunion tour the following year saw fairly lackluster ticket sales. But this year, the cruises were instant sellouts and ticket sales for the tour have been robust. What’s more, the band’s 2004 greatest hits album has been re-released and is climbing the charts for multiple rock genres.
Guitarist Mark Tremonti offered his take on why Creed is enjoying this renewed wave of popularity.
“I think ’90s music in general is having a resurgence,” he said in an early July phone interview. “I think people want to go back and relive some of their younger years when they were going through college or whatever it was and want to get back out and relive those days. So I think people just want to get back together with their friends and go see the concert that they saw 20 years ago.”
It’s not just fans who bought some of the more-than-20 million copies of the first three Creed albums -- “My Own Prison,” “Human Clay” and “Weathered” -- that are snapping up tickets for the tour. A new generation of fans has discovered Creed on Tik Tok and other online sites, through the use of the Creed hit single “Higher” by last season’s Texas Rangers as the team’s theme song and via a popular Super Bowl ad that included Tremonti and singer Scott Stapp.
It turns out our largest fan base of the tickets that have been sold is between 25 and 35 years old,” Tremonti said, citing data the band receives from ticketing outlets. ‘Those are (mainly) people that wouldn't have quite been old enough to experience a Creed concert.”
Fans will be seeing the classic Creed lineup of Stapp, Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. That unit formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida, made a big splash with its 1997 debut CD, “My Own Prison,” which sold six million copies and spawned four number one hits on “Billboard” magazine’s Hot Mainstream Rock Hits chart.
The follow-up, 1999’s “Human Clay” (which is getting an expanded deluxe reissue in August) was an even bigger blockbuster, selling more than 10 million copies and producing multiple hits, including “Higher” and “With Arms Wide Open.” That latter song won the 2001 Grammy for Best Rock Song.
The third CD, “Weathered” became another big hit, selling six million copies, but after that CD was released in November 2001, things started to go off track for the band when Stapp was involved in a 2002 car accident that delayed a Creed tour. The singer then developed nodules on his vocal cords and was prescribed prednisone to combat the inflammation. Unfortunately, he began having anxiety issues as a side effect of the drug, and hoping to counteract his anxiety attacks, began drinking to excess.
A couple of embarrassing public incidents – the release of a sex tape he made with Kid Rock and some willing female participants and a drunken performance at a Creed show in December 2002 in Chicago – only made things worse, and in 2004 the band called it quits, with Tremonti, Marshall and Phillips moving on to form Alter Bridge with singer Myles Kennedy.
Tremonti said the four musicians are hoping this second reunion sticks, and there will be Creed albums and/or tours every few years. Creed’s activities will have to happen between other projects (Stapp and Tremonti both continue to release solo albums) and projects by Alter Bridge, which very much remains an active group.
“I think at this point now we've all seen enough, we've all been in enough bands, we've all had all our projects, to know that we're all going to be busy doing all our own things throughout the years,” Tremonti said. “We're going make it a best effort to be able to continue to keep Creed active at least every few years.
“We just have to plan way ahead, just gotta make sure that everybody has all their T’s crossed and I’s dotted in advance so we can make sure that everybody's other projects have their time and a life as well,” the guitarist said.
For now, Creed will tour, and fans can expect to hear the songs they know and love.
“Our setlist will initially start out pretty similar to what we had done on the cruises, playing the hits along with some of the favorite album tracks,” Tremonti said.
“As the tour goes on…(we’ll) probably dive into a handful of songs that we didn't play on the cruise and then from there as the tour goes on we'll just keep on adding songs.”
Creed plays at Darien Lake Amphitheater on Friday, September 27.
Bonnie Woodward and daughter Karie Credi stand in front of the future Shush Wine Bar in downtown Batavia at the former Gilliana's Diner on Jackson Street. Photo by Joanne Beck
Sometimes, circumstances align just enough to make it seem that your idea was destined to happen at the right time and place.
That’s how the location of Shush Wine Bar LLC was found, Rob Credi says. With him as business manager for proprietor Bonnie Woodward, her two daughters Stephanie Mahoney and Karie Credi and daughter-in-law Michelle Woodward, the plan seemed to fall into place after Gilliana’s Diner closed permanently.
“Bonnie and I were talking since this spring and were looking for properties that made sense for what we wanted to do — open a nice meeting place for drinks — and we were looking for properties, just kind of keeping an eye on the market to see if anything came up that would make sense. And we looked at a couple other ones that came up but never really fit exactly what we were looking to do with it,” Credi said during an interview with The Batavian. “Then I saw Gilliana’s was closing online, and it was a surprise, but then I thought it was a perfect location. There are lots of bars but nobody focuses on wine. We are very aware of our demographic here. We want to cater to them so everyone can enjoy what we have to offer. So that was a big thing for us, to be able to bring something different with an elevated experience that’s not too posh or too expensive.”
The business partners worked with Gavin Townsend and pitched an offer to property owner Jack Waggoner for the former Gilliana’s diner spot, tucked between Michael Anthony’s Salon and Block, Longo, LaMarca & Brzezinski law offices, with a computer repair office and other tenants in adjacent properties, near the corner of Jackson and School streets in downtown Batavia.
They struck a deal and are leasing the 52-by-20 spot for Shush Wine Bar LLC at 41 Jackson St.
Yes, downtown may seem like a popular niche for beer, but Credi, Woodward and her family believe there’s plenty of room for an assortment of good quality, affordable wines to sip in a cozy atmosphere, perhaps with some live soft jazz at some point down the road, and tasting events, no doubt.
Waggoner is working with Batavia Development Corp. Director Tammy Hathaway for a revolving loan/grant to do “a huge rehabilitation” project at the site, Credi said.
Work is to include taking down walls, upgrading the bathroom, which would include making it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, putting in new flooring to replace the 60-year-old one that’s taken a severe beating, maybe relocating the kitchen for better workflow and rehabilitating the ceiling and its hidden tin-stamped treasure. They’re also mulling what to do with existing plastic with actual brick behind it and investigating some exposed options.
There will be seating for about 20 in what Bonnie Woodward describes as an intimate atmosphere with a small lounge where folks can stop in for a drink before heading to dinner.
Credi said a chef will whip up some light fare tapas, appetizers and such to complement the higher-quality wine at affordable prices. His wife Karie said to think of cheese and meat boards and a chocolate board to feed those sweet tooths.
They will also work with Eli Fish to procure a proprietary craft brew for the menu, and will include non-alcoholic and sparkling wines and have applied for a full liquor license to serve cocktails.
Bonnie is no stranger to the hospitality scene, having been an integral part of Alabama Hotel for decades, and returning to downtown is coming full circle for the family since Karie’s Uncle Pat Woodward owned the once popular Candlelight Restaurant up the street, a location Bourbon & Burger now occupies.
“This will be a little more elevated; it won’t be a cookie-cutter bar,” Credi said. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t want the bar scene. And it will be educational too, for people who want to learn more about wines; we will have tasting events and opportunities for people who want to learn more.”
They still need to work out the details, but they believe Shush will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays to get things going. The Woodward family is excited about this new venture in Batavia, and Credi, who closed his ramen take-out on Harvester Avenue earlier this year, is also looking forward to having another entertainment option for downtown, he said.
“It’s different, it’s classy,” he said. “It’s a great alternative for people who don’t want that typical bar scene, and it’s perfectly located amongst the busy places in town, like Eli Fish. I think they’ve done an incredible job with their space, and it definitely brings people downtown. So here’s something that’s not too far away for slightly different appeal, but the same quality.”
The Genesee County Highway Department will begin road paving projects on Transit Road in Elba and Byron Road in Byron next week. Work will begin on Tuesday, September 24.
Transit Road in Elba will be closed in sections during the day but will reopen fully overnight. Residents will have access to their homes and businesses, and emergency vehicles will be able to pass through.
Once Transit Road is complete, paving will shift to Byron Road in Byron, from State Route 262 to State Route 237. The road will be closed entirely during the project, with access for residents and emergency vehicles.
Both projects should be completed by Friday, September 27 weather permitting.
The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District's (OACS) 20th anniversary of the Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 12 to honor exceptional alums and inspire current students.
Reflecting on its inception, Bill Bostwick, a retired OACS teacher and this year's guest speaker, said that founder Dave George "came to me with the idea while I was a Lead Teacher while he was editing the alumni newsletter. We presented it to Superintendent Mike Hall, who was enthusiastic about it. With initial funding from Mike Hall's fund, we were able to start the Hall of Fame."
"After the first year, the operation became a volunteer self-supporting effort. Without the community's help, the Hall would cease to exist," Bostwick said. "Growing up in Batavia, my education was shaped by the emphasis on Math and Science during the space race. I initially pursued a bio-chemistry major at Hobart College but discovered my true passion in English literature. This liberal arts experience deeply influenced my perspective on the Hall of Fame," he said.
The inaugural Hall of Fame induction in 2004 remains a standout memory, Bostwick said.
"The first class was remarkable. We honored 11 individuals, including a Fortune 500 CEO and a top FBI official. Celebrating their achievements was a powerful experience for everyone involved."
"I really haven't had much involvement since I retired. The idea always was (and continues to be) to have the inductees interact with the students as much as possible to show them that there are ways to accomplish great things even if you're from a small town."The Hall of Fame also supports broader school goals through fundraising efforts.
Proceeds from the event go towards scholarships for graduating seniors, providing financial support to students pursuing higher education or skilled trades.
Since 2008, the Hall has awarded $25,500 to graduating seniors.
A vital feature of the Hall of Fame event is the involvement of current students. Students are paired with inductees for interviews and interactions, providing valuable learning experiences.
The food services students also prepare a farm-to-table lunch for the inductees, creating a meaningful connection between past and present.
The Hall of Fame, founded in 2003 by Dave George, OACS Class of 1979, was established to honor alums who have made significant contributions to their fields and communities. George, who is heavily involved in OACS with the alum newsletter and fundraising efforts, envisioned the Hall of Fame to provide current students with role models who exemplify the potential of an OACS education.
"The Hall of Fame's impact on the OACS community has been profound. The Hall of Fame is a powerful source of inspiration. Hearing about the achievements of our alums helps students see what's possible and reinforces the idea that their dreams are attainable with hard work and dedication," George says.
A Former OA teacher and Bostwick coworker, John Jakubowski, calls him a "master teacher."
Regarding the Hall, Jakubowski said, "I think that the OA HOF doesn't just recognize successful grads who have made outstanding contributions, but it also serves to recognize the teachers, administrators, school board members, and the community that made OA a great district."
Bostwick advises maintaining the Hall of Fame's legacy: Find what you're passionate about, excel at it, and treat people with kindness. Let the chips fall where they may!"
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. in the OACS High School Cafeteria. The evening will celebrate these distinguished individuals' achievements, offering an opportunity for the community to come together and honor their successes.
The Hall of Fame's 20th anniversary will feature the induction of four distinguished alums:
Robert (Bob) Briney, Class of 1962 Erin Graham, Class of 2002 Erik Olsen, Class of 1973 Terry Wolcott, Class of 1977
Tickets for the Hall of Fame event are available from Sept. 5 to Oct 5, and may be purchased at the following locations: OACS Elementary and the Junior-Senior High School; and Oakfield Family Pharmacy, 40 Main St.
For those preferring to purchase tickets by mail, send your request to:
OA Hall of Fame PO Box 35 Oakfield, NY, 14125
When purchasing by mail, make checks payable to Dollars for Scholars, indicating HOF Tickets in the memo line, and include your email address for order confirmation.
If interested in supporting the Hall of Fame event or the scholarships provided, write your tax-deductible check to Dollars for Scholars and write Hall of Fame in the memo area, and mail to address above attention Hall of Fame Treasurer.;Hall of Fame Treasurer.
Father Scott speaks to a gathering of about 150 people Thursday evening at Ascension Parish in Batavia. Photo by Joanne Beck
Tempers flared Thursday at a southside fellowship hall during an emotional and lengthy meeting about the impending closure of Ascension Parish.
Father Scottston Brentwood, aka Father Scott, fielded questions and assertions from a room full of about 150 unhappy congregants, including parish member Ed Kosiorek, who said he had gone through this before. He joined Ascension after St. Mary’s closed.
“Why are we not a part of this?” Kosiorek said. “There's a cover-up. We're not getting the information, okay? We just went through a major cover-up with the sexual abuse situation, and we didn't get the information we needed. Now we're going through the parish. I think nobody's being transparent. No one is putting the facts out there. Everyone in this room is a thinking adult, and if they are given the facts, they'll comprehend it, and they will sort it.”
Like it or not, he got the facts eventually during a slide presentation of financial and statistical considerations that put Ascension in the red, at about a 10% operating deficit, with decreasing numbers of youth and sacrament participation. UPDATED: The parish apparently does have $1.5 million of savings. Distance to the various church locations was also a factor, with the end result sounding like a simple math equation.
“You get two parishes, four worship sites and three priests, that is it,” Father Scott said.
After taking it on the chin for two and a half hours, he empathized and said that “no priest wants to close any churches, and I’m closing five.”
“It is not easy to say to people that a place that matters so much to them, you have to be the name that's attached to that final act. As I said in the very beginning, it's not something I would have wanted any priest to go through. It wasn't something that I have even chosen,” he said. “It’s one of those where we have to remember that this process has been up and down and all these other things. And even, I mean, I'm trying to be as honest as I can, I have been frustrated with the Diocese in the way that they've done things. I myself have said openly in the churches, in meetings and everything else, that I think things should have been done in a different way. But I did not have the decision in any of that, how they did it, how they rolled it out, how they expressed it.”
A few congregants stepped forward to commend him for his willingness to represent the powers that be.
“You truly had nothing to do with this decision to close our parish, and you're taking a lot of the brunt of the heat for it. So I just want to say thank you for at least hearing our concerns and letting us come to you when we're upset. I think what I can speak on behalf of all of us for is, at no point did Bishop, or anyone who was front facing at the Diocese say, we're prayerfully considering all counter proposals. If your parish wasn't on the initial list, be prepared, because that might happen,” Christina Bucciferro said. “And I think when we weren't on the initial list, we as a parish family were not prepared for us to close. And then on a random Tuesday, while I'm at work, all of a sudden see that my livelihood, my family's livelihood, in generation, it's just gone.
"And then I have to, like, snap out of it and be at the bank and be okay. And that's not okay. There was no communication from the Diocese that we were going to close, and that's not fair.”
Bucciferro likely represented many people there: she was baptized at Ascension, was a cantor, and sang in the choir for 20 years. It isn’t just a church, but part of her life and soul. In a letter she penned to the Diocese, she says that angry, disappointed and heartbroken don’t even sum up how she’s feeling.
While no one liked the idea of closing, they were most disgruntled about how it all happened, she and others said.
Fran Mruczek, a lifelong member who was baptized at Ascension, said that things seemed to work out fairly well for Father Scott, who she thought was to be in rotation yet she hasn’t seen much of him except for one Christmas Eve service.
“However, you you were able to stay just in Le Roy and in Bergen, and I understand that it worked out good because, you know, you get to know your parishioners better,” she said. “But how did that get by the sidelines?
“And as far as priests, I know there’s a shortage of priests. I know you’re overworked and everything … there are a lot of retired priests who would be happy to help out, and I know that’s the bishop, the Diocese; they just don’t want you to have anybody to make things easier for all the parishes, not just this parish, for all the parishes.”
She gave an example of a retired priest who has returned to work in Oakfield. Father Scott said not everyone who retires is physically able to return.
Another member suggested that if priests were allowed to marry, there wouldn’t be a shortage because there would be more priests taking the job. And there wouldn’t be sex scandals. The closures are so that money can be used to pay off pedophile priests, another said.
Father Scott wanted to address those points, he said.
If that was the case, then why are there shortages in Anglian churches? he asked. Why are there shortages of priests who are married and openly gay?
Why do Anglians have a shortage? The Methodists have women ministers and married ministers, and they have a shortage, he said, listing other denominations with similar issues. Why do they all have a shortage if the fix is to get married?
“These are Bandaids that aren’t going to work. It isn’t about being married or unmarried. It isn’t about women or men or all the other things. The answer comes down to commitment, because you don’t see people committing to marry Jesus,” he said. They’re living together and having kids together, but they won’t say yes. You have people interested in religion, interested in God, but they don’t say yes. You have to convince people that we need people who are committed to the gospel, and those are the ones who are going to be the good priests.”
Important points emphasized during the presentation were that every parish had an opportunity to present counter-proposals at the gatherings of the family leadership, and everyone had an opportunity to present as many proposals as they desired. St. Brigid presented two, not one proposals, whereas Ascension presented only one, he said.
Consideration was given to Max. Kolbe in East Pembroke primarily because of the distance to other parishes and faith formation. Finances were and are not the primary focus of the Diocese on the “Road to Renewal,” but the continuation of the faith for the future is, he said.
As for any kind of timeline of what may happen when, Father Scott had no definitive answer about that.
“When it comes to timelines, at the moment, we do not know. When we do know more that will be communicated immediately to everybody when we have an idea of what's going on, because when it comes to the next steps, the bishop has to issue a decree that actually closes a parish. Once that decree happens, there's a difference between when a parish is being merged and when a parish is closing canonically, which is different than the civil organization, which is the parish according to the state and others,” he said. “When we are merging a canonical parish into another, all of the assets are frozen from the parish, meaning they are not to be used for anything that do not directly relate to this parish. For example, if it merged today, you've still got to pay for electricity, you've still have to pay for water, you still have to heat the building at least minimally to keep the pipes from freezing, all of that stuff so the money that is frozen would only be used for paying the bills ... it would not be used to pay anything outside of this parish complex. When the merge happens, all records go to the parish that you are merged into. And we take very good care that that happens very safely, and we do it in a way in which nothing will be lost."
All records, including baptisms, confirmation, marriage, will be preserved in fireproof and waterproof bound books, he said, and may be obtained upon request.
And what if parishioners don’t want to close? They can fight it, he said. Parishioners can appeal the Vatican, but they need to know two important factors: it’s a costly endeavor, to the tune of potentially $10,000, according to another similar case; and there’s no guarantee that they will win.
One parishioner who did not want to disclose his name said that he is ready to pony up his share to save the parish. It would be worth the $10,000, he said. There was already a plan in place to gather signatures for an appeal.
“We do have a core group working to save the parish,” Pat Becker said, directing attendees to go into the parking lot after the meeting to sign a petition if they wanted to participate. “This group is willing to do whatever it takes to save our church, but we can’t do it without all of you.”
“So after this meeting, if everybody would head that way, we have a mandate that gives that core group the power to make necessary decisions, to do whatever they need to do, to fight, to save Ascension Parish. So we are asking you to please do that,” she said.
After all was said and done, Father Scott shared a somber thought about the deeper effects that the mergings and closings could have on people.
“The thing that bothers me the most is the number of people that will use this as an excuse not to go anywhere. I'm not saying that they're going to go to another church, or they're going to go to the Protestants, or they're going to go here. The ones that will use this as an excuse not to go anywhere.I don't think you guys know the charism of my particular community. It's the redemption of those captives in danger of losing their faith. Well, how many people are going to be losing their faith as a result of this process? And it's the charism of us to try to help them and save them and all that other stuff,” he said. “And I have in the back of my own mind all of these people that are going to, for whatever reason, be choosing to abandon their faith. And I have to try to, in my own conscience, understand how that works. And that is something I said from the beginning, is how many people are going to use this as the excuse not to continue on. And that bothers me a lot.
“And I can say, as hard as this may be to believe, that bishop Fisher is the same way, I know that you may not believe me, but I've had many conversations with him. And as I said before, I've known a lot of bishops in my time, believe it or not, and I don't like a lot of them. I do like him. He genuinely has the concern for what's going on, and he's trying to do what he can with whatever information is available, and all these other things, and it's hard to make those big decisions, and I know it bothers him to do that,” he said. “It's one of those where a decision has to be made, and he happens to be the person who has to do it. Ultimately, it's hard, and I know that it's hard for you guys. I know that it is. I'm there with you. I don't want anything to happen either, but I can't change that.”
Christina Bucciferro thanks Father Scott for leading the meeting and answering questions Thursday. Photo by Joanne Beck
Botts-Fiorito Post #576, American Legion, Le Roy, would like to announce with great pride and pleasure John E Johnson II as its selection for the 2024 “Le Royan of the Year Award”.
The “Le Royan of the Year” is to recognize people who demonstrate the following qualifications and attributes:
The man, woman, or child who exemplifies the true spirit of Americanism, its ideals, and love of the flag and country, regardless of race, creed, or color.
Good citizenship – by carrying out these principles, often beyond that expected of him or her.
Service to community – signified by excellence in life of purpose and accomplishment.
John, a dedicated lifelong resident of Le Roy, has shared 39 years of marriage with Wendy and raised two children, Jennifer (Scott) Pellett and Craig (Lindsey) Johnson, and is proud grandfather to Ellison and Josie Pellett.
As a Le Roy Jr. Sr High School alumnus, John has demonstrated unwavering commitment to LeRoy United Methodist Church, serving as Church Council President and past Trustee, and currently assisting in the church's pursuit of National Registry Status.
He is currently in his second term on the Le Roy Town Board and has assumed leadership roles in numerous community organizations, includes acting as Commissioner Le Roy Fire District, Le Roy Fire Police, Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, Le Roy Volunteer Ambulance, Le Roy Moose Family Center, Oatka Fish and Game, Son of the American Legion, and Northwoods Sportsmans Club.
To honor John, the 55th annual Le Royan of the Year Award Dinner will be held on October 19. Social hour is at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 6:45 p.m., at the American Legion at 53 West Main St Le Roy. A limited number of tickets will be available starting on September 20 at the American Legion Tuesday - Saturday from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m., or by calling Joan Fernaays 585-721-7801. Cost is $35 per ticket (check or cash).
Photo of (from left to right) Former Sheriff/Legislator Gary T. Maha and Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. Submitted photo
Press Release:
Sheriffs’ Week celebrates the significant contributions made by the Office of Sheriff as an integral part of the criminal justice system in New York State and in Genesee County throughout our history. Having been established in the State’s first constitution in 1777, and having been continued in every succeeding constitution, it is one of the original constitutional offices of Genesee County first established in 1802.
The Office of Sheriff is currently held by William A. Sheron, Jr. He was elected Sheriff in 2017 and has worked for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for the past 47 1/2 years. Sheriff Sheron is also a trustee of the Executive Committee for the New York State Sheriffs’ Association.
The Office of Sheriff has evolved into a modern, professionally accredited, full-service law enforcement and public safety agency, manned by fully trained police and peace officers, as well as civilians using state-of-the-art technology and applying the latest and most-advanced theories and practices in the criminal justice field.
The Office of Sheriff is unique in the community, and the duties of the Office go far beyond the traditional role of “Keeper of the Peace,” and extend into many facets of public service, including maintaining the county jail, providing security in our schools, dispatching emergency services, communication systems, animal control, community service and victim assistance, and serving/executing civil process and victim protection orders for our courts.
As a constitutionally empowered Office directly responsible to the people, the ancient Office of Sheriff remains, even today, responsive and accountable to the public it serves. This week, we celebrate the historical and current contributions of the Office of Sheriff and the significant role that the Sheriff’s Office plays in our modern criminal justice system.
John Bennett and Erin Phelps of UConnectCare stand next to the Harm Reduction vending machine located at the agency’s office at 5130 East Main St. Rd. Submitted photo.
Press release:
UConnectCare is expanding its support services to those struggling with substance use disorder by placing Harm Reduction Vending Machines at agency sites in Batavia and Albion.
One machine is located in the entrance of space leased by the agency in the front right corner of the building at 5130 East Main St. Rd., Suite 5, Batavia, and the other can be found at the agency’s Albion clinic at 249 East Ave.
“New York State’s Office of Addiction Supports & Services identifies Harm Reduction practices as part of the treatment continuum and a way to reduce overdose deaths – and we at UConnectCare are on board with that school of thought,” said UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett.
“Harm Reduction is an important tool to keeping people alive so that we can provide brief interventions that move them towards treatment. It’s a patient-centered approach allowing people to make informed decisions about their treatment needs, just like other medical issues.”
Erin Phelps, the agency’s Harm Reduction project director, said the free vending machines remove the cost barriers to those seeking safer use supplies.
“If anyone needs these items, they can come to these offices and dispense them with no questions asked,” she said.
Phelps said those accessing the supplies will have the opportunity to meet with a member of the Harm Reduction staff but are under no obligation to do so or to accept literature focusing on treatment and/or recovery.
The machines will be stocked with harm reduction kits, naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, drug disposal bags, hygiene kits and other items – all at no charge.
In Batavia, they will be accessible from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and during open access hours. In Albion, items from the machine can be utilized from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
Previously, the agency (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) announced a Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach unit that visits several locations in the two counties five days per week.
Phelps emphasized the overarching goal of harm reduction is “to keep people alive and being ready to help them if and when they’re ready to seek help.”
Walk-ins are welcome to utilize Open Access. The program’s hours of service are 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at 5130 East Main St. Rd.
For more information about harm reduction services, opioid overdose prevention training and to see the mobile unit schedule, go to www.uconnectcare.org, the UConnectCare or The Recovery Station Facebook pages or send an email to harmreduction@uconnectcare.org.
On Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., the Friends of the Rink organization will host their Third Annual Scrap Metal Drive Fundraiser in the rear parking lot of the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena located at 22 Evans Street, Batavia.
All proceeds will be used to fund needed ice rink improvement projects.
Acceptable Items:
old appliances
gas grills
bikes
hot water tanks
anything metal
Unacceptable Items:
refrigerators
propane tanks
vehicle wheel rims with tires attached
items containing mercury
items with fluids inside or out (gas, oil, hydraulic oil, tar, etc.)
This event is held in cooperation with Ed Arnold Scrap Processors of Corfu. For more information: contact Bob Gray at 585-344-2248 or sqftbob1@rochester.rr.com.
On Tuesday, September 10 FEMA held a meeting at City Hall to review proposed flood zone updates, and present draft maps to City officials.
From the data FEMA collected, new flood zone maps were created for the City of Batavia. The draft maps include 147 structures (they include sheds as well as homes and businesses) and removes 282 structures from the current flood zone. In total, the City will have 1,052 structures in the new draft flood zone.
City officials have been asked to provide comments on the draft maps. The City will be conducting a detailed review of the proposed changes on behalf of City residents and businesses, but want to hear resident feedback.
Below is a link to view the updated flood zone map from FEMA. We are asking residents and business owners to review the map and contact us with comments you may have.
Genesee County Planning is creating a list of affected properties so the City can help property owners identify if the new maps will affect them.
Properties added should carefully review their elevations and future issues of flooding. Properties that will be removed from the flood plain will need to work with FEMA to certify removal and reduce their insurance.
The Richmond Memorial Library Tween & Teen Services department is sponsoring a Book Drive for Children's/Young Adult books during the month of September. The book drive started September 6 and runs through October 1.
The books can be for children/teens of all ages, must be in new or good condition, and can be dropped off and put in the bins in the foyer anytime the library is open. Age appropriate DVDs in good condition are also accepted.
The Library G.I.F.T. Program (Generate Imagination in Families Today) is dedicated to making new or gently used books available to children and their families in our area, and to raising awareness of the lifelong benefits of early childhood literacy. Bright boxes and shelves of G.I.F.T.
Books are located at agencies and businesses in Batavia. Children can take a book from the shelf to bring home, read, and keep! Having as few as 20 books in the home has a significant impact on propelling a child to higher lifelong education levels and earnings, potentially breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty - and the more books you add, the greater the benefit.
“Batavia is known for being a welcoming community and the donations will truly enhance the G.I.F.T program,” said Teen Services Library Assistant Ellen Caton. “This program extends out into the community and helps the kids have access to books at specific agencies and businesses in Batavia. Our shelves that house these books are getting very empty and we are looking forward to filling them up again with this book drive!”
For information on the book drive and other library programs, visit the library website at www.batavialibrary.org, or check out our Facebook and Instagram pages!
The Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross Street in the City of Batavia. The library is open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
