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Photos by Howard Owens

The Midway at the Genesee County Fair opened on Tuesday.

The schedule for the rest of the week:

• Wednesday, Noon to 9 p.m., kids 16 and under ride for $20/wristband from noon to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.
• Friday, Noon to 9 p.m
• Saturday, Noon to 9 p.m., kids 16 and under ride for $20/wristband from noon to 4 p.m.

Photos by Howard Owens.

While waiting for the Genesee County Fair Parade to start on Tuesday evening, Genesee County Legislator Gordon Dibble recalled what he enjoyed as a kid while visiting the summer fair.

“The rides, ice cream cones, it’s really a great place to go,” he said, adding why he thinks it’s an important event for the community. “Because it has its roots in the community, in farming, and that’s what we’re about. You know, the animals and all the shows, and it has something for everybody, with a demolition derby … the numbers go up every year here in recent history. So somebody’s doing something right.”

After the parade, Dibble joined his fellow legislators at the fair’s staple eatery, the Chuck Wagon, slinging burgers, calling out orders, and cashing out hungry customers. The group has done this for several years in a row now as a way to give back to the yearly event, right after walking in the parade, tucked between the newly crowned queen and some well-groomed farm animals. 

Legislature Chair Shelley Stein was in charge of the fry station as she reminisced decades ago when she was growing up nearby.

“Probably when I came with my boyfriend back, you know, 40-some years ago to the Genesee County Fair. I grew up around fairs. My fair was Seneca County. So we always showed holsteins and were part of 4-H clubs,” she said, answering what most comes to mind when she thinks about those fairs. “The fact that we would go well prepared, and that our animals had good care at home, and they had a good time with us so that they led really well.

"I'm one of six. So we had to compete in an amongst us before we could even go to the fair, and compete against others,” Stein said. “So learning responsibility about caring for our animals and being responsible for yourself, those are really good character builders through 4-H. So those are my memories.”

And why do you think the fair is important for the community?
“This is a piece of our culture here. We are so rooted in our agricultural side of our county, and we really treasure and steward our land, our farmers, the career opportunities that that brings to our community,” Stein said. “You know, the Farm Bureau is important here, our Ag Society, the volunteers that work here tirelessly, all year long, everybody picks up their little piece. And this fair week offers opportunity to our 4-Hers, it is the culmination of their year here at the fair, and the fun that they have, but really learning about responsibility.”

Why does Genesee County’s fair seem to just keep growing when others have closed?
Stein’s answer is quick and to the point: The county’s Agricultural Society volunteers. 

“That’s our secret sauce,” she said. “These folks don’t just volunteer for that for one week out of the year. There are horse shows here, there are beef shows here, there are car shows here. They use this facility and this resource to really help to put money back into our buildings the the grounds itself,” she said. “They’ve tapped into soil and water so that we could improve the drainage here, and we could put stacking pads here for the manure. They’re business people that are really interested in having this fair continue past them. It’s not going to fail on their watch. And they’re really incredible volunteers.”

Legislator Brooks Hawley agreed with that sentiment — it’s “the people behind the scenes” that keeps the place afloat, he said. He likes that sense of “everybody coming together,” and it’s not just the farming population but people from throughout the region who appreciate what Genesee County has to offer,  he said.

“I’m also part of Cornell Cooperative Extension, which is a huge part of putting on this fair and helping it out with everything,” he said about the agency’s role in overseeing the 4-H program. “And being part of that committee, I learned everything behind the scenes and see how important this is. And it’s a great thing to see. I’m glad it’s very successful.”

Legislator Gregg Torrey, who grew up on a small dairy farm, remembers the fair as something his family always went to. His dad, having known everyone in the industry, could “always find a place for us to volunteer.”

“So that was always fun,” Torrey said. “My mom was the county Republican chairman, so we always volunteered to work the Republican booth. It’s always fun to come out and go on the rides as a kid and see everybody from the farming industry, cousins and neighbors and everybody you didn’t see here. So everybody seems to come out and have a good time.”

Visiting the fair, with its plethora of animal exhibits, gives Legislator Gary Maha more appreciation for farmers “and what they do with the food they grow for us,” he said. He did note a more recent trend of farmland being used for solar panels, and while “I understand the farmers’ point of view, you can’t tell them what to do with their land … personally, I hate to see all the solar farms going up on farmland.”

As for the fair itself, it’s more for the kids, he said. 

“You know, getting the young kids interested in agriculture and farming,” he said. “A lot of these farmers have a lot of young kids, and they enjoyed this week; they spend the entire week up here.”

Press Release:

The Genesee County Health Department receives funding from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to carry out the Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP). Residents in the Town and City of Batavia are eligible to participate. 

The program offers free home evaluations for asthma triggers, indoor air quality, lead-based paint hazards, fire risks, and other health hazards. At the home evaluations, residents are educated on asthma management, childhood lead poisoning prevention, carbon monoxide poisoning, radon gas, fire safety and prevention, and other home safety issues. Safety and cleaning supplies are also available to eligible participants.

Staff from the program are going door to door in the City of Batavia to raise awareness about the program and look for participants. At the homes we visit, we leave a door hanger or flyer with contact information for the Health Department. 

During the summer we are focusing on Ward 3 (north of Main Street from Oak Street to State Street) and Ward 4 (the western edge of the city to Oak Street north of West Main Street and to Pearl Street south of West Main Street). We will be covering other areas of the City later in the year. Information on the streets we are visiting each week will be posted on the Health Department’s Facebook and Instagram account under GOHealthNY.

Go to https://bit.ly/HealthyNeighbors to request a home visit from the Healthy Neighborhoods Program for yourself or to refer someone to the program. Once the Health Department receives the request, a staff member will reach out to schedule a home evaluation. For more information, call Healthy Neighborhoods Program staff at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 or visit www.GOHealthNY.org.

Press Release:

Supervisor Hensel has called a special meeting for the sole purpose of conducting an inspection of the condition of the highways and restoration of the areas which were disturbed during the construction of the water system. The Board will not take any action this meeting. 

The meeting is July 24 at 1 p.m. (arrive by 12:45 p.m. if possible) at Byron Town Hall. 7028 Byron Holley Rd. 

The Members of the Byron Town Board will be meeting at the Byron Town Hall to conduct a site inspection of Town of Byron Water Improvement Benefit Area #1. This Inspection is for informational purposes only. 

Representatives for the contractors, engineers, County and State highways, have, along with local officials, been invited to participate.

Some of the financial burden has been taken off of city leaders’ and local taxpayers’ shoulders with the announcement of a $1.2 million state grant that will be used for the ice chiller at the McCarthy Ice Rink in Batavia.

The funds are part of $7.3 million pool for climate-smart communities projects across New York State, and Batavia was chosen as one of several municipalities to receive financial assistance for a project that city and Genesee County officials have deemed worthy of the “Climate Smart Communities” initiative.

County Manager Matt Landers appreciated the opportunity to support the state Department of Environmental Conservation in making the announcement, he said Tuesday at the Evans Street ice arena, considering that it’s for “vital funding for new climate projects.”

“This support underscores our commitment to sustainability and highlights the innovative efforts of our local communities in addressing climate change,” he said. “We look forward to seeing these projects have a positive impact on Batavia and beyond.”

City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. also lauded the funding that city leaders had applied for in December 2023 as part of budget discussions and future planning for how to pay for the chiller, expected to cost upwards of $4 million.

“The Ice Arena and the programs provided year-round make it a unique gathering place for all our residents to enjoy. It's much more than just a place for people to ice skate and play hockey; it’s also used for many different events throughout the year. Monday, August 5, in a few weeks, the arena will be hosting the Batavia Police Department's Community Night. It's an annual event that strengthens the community police partnerships and promotes safe neighborhoods,” Jankowski said. 

Jankowski said city leadership, including the City Council and City Manager Rachael Tabelski and her team are pleased with the growth of the ice arena as a community hub since operations were award to local businessman Matt Gray.

"Matt is a distinguished member of our community and serves on various boards and organizations. He's very committed to the ongoing revitalization of our downtown," Jankowski said. "His successful venture at Eli Fish Brewing Company in the heart of our downtown demonstrates his keen business knowledge which will be a valuable resource in operating the ice arena. 

“That's why the award we're announcing today through the New York State Climate Smart Communities program is so important to the future and success of our ice arena,” he said. “The grant will enhance the operations of the arena as a result of various energy efficiencies. The modern equipment that's being installed will not only reduce operational costs, but will also reduce emissions and lessen the arena’s environmental footprint.” 

The ice chiller caused considerable conversation during city budget talks after the council approved inevitable knee-jerk responses to keep the rink going with a failing chiller system two years ago. A council meeting in June 2023 brought out new operating manager Matt Gray and hockey league members to speak to the rink’s importance and reasons why the council should move forward with the big-ticket purchase.

A rapidly failing ice chiller wasn’t likely to survive another full season, and without a working chiller, of course, there would be no ice, no hockey program, and no evolving 12-month facility that had just celebrated “a great first year,” Gray said at the time.

Investing more and more money into the refrigerant necessary to keep the chiller going was a losing strategy, he and Tabelski said. 

She presented two options for purchasing a new chiller, and the less expensive one included this potential grant that just came through. In July 2023, the council approved a $2.5 million capital project to purchase a new chiller and evaporator system for the rink and to apply for this grant funding.

The new chiller will use less electricity and less water in the chilling process and allow rink operators to recapture and retire the 22 refrigerant, “which desperately needs to get out of our community,” Gray said. 

“And it will do it all in a manner that is safer for the users. At the end of the day, we are in the ice business. The ice is what pays the bills and allows us to do all the great things that the McCarthy does for our community,” he said. “On behalf of our largest grant users, the Batavia Ramparts, BND United, adult hockey, along with the David McCarthy Foundation, and the community as a whole, I would like to thank the city of Batavia for taking the leadership role in this, and the DEC for your commitment and funding to get this done.”

Tabelski was happy to see the ice arena, which she believes is “a true community asset,” become the benefactor of the Climate Smart Community Grant Program.

“To enhance the operations of the arena as well as provide cost savings while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are key to New York State’s climate goals,” she said. 

She was not available for additional comments later Tuesday. 

Established in 2009, the interagency Climate Smart Communities program provides guidance and technical support to local governments to take locally-driven climate action. The first step to becoming a Climate Smart Community is to register by pledging to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. To date, 425 local governments representing nearly 9.6 million New Yorkers, or approximately 50 percent of the State’s population, have adopted the Climate Smart Communities pledge.

Genesee County Legislative Chair Rochelle Stein said that the county was also “very excited” about the support provided by the state’s Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to the ice rink.

“The rink is a center of healthy physical activity and quality of life for our residents,” Stein said. “Investments that extend the life of our local infrastructure with resiliency in practice are most welcome.”

The 4-H club held its goat show on Tuesday.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

The Genesee County Fair midway opened on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

The schedule for the rest of the week:

• Wednesday, Noon to 9 p.m., kids 16 and under ride for $20/wristband from noon to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.
• Friday, Noon to 9 p.m
• Saturday, Noon to 9 p.m., kids 16 and under ride for $20/wristband from noon to 4 p.m.

The Genesee County Fair Parade is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Photos by Howard Owens

The 4-H Market Hog Show at the Genesee County Fair was Monday.

Grand Champion Hog award went to Cody Carlson, and Reserve Grand was Jillian Weaver, both of Byron.

Photos by Laura Luft.  

The Batavian staff is at the fair all week, so stop by and say hello, enter our eagle-drawing contest and sign up to get all of the best Genesee County community news with The Batavian newsletter. 

Press Release:

“We’ve Only Just Begun” Sr. Luncheon is Tuesday, August 20 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the South Alabama Firehall on Route 63 located at 2230 Judge Road, Oakfield. We are open to the public and welcome all!

This month our returning special guest will be  “Daniel Viola, Standup Comedian”. Dan is 57 years old, a husband, father of 7, and a teacher in the Brockport school system.

Dan connects with any audience. Drawing on his background as a game show host, parent teacher, coach and salesman, he delivers energetic and relevant entertainment. His credits include comedy clubs, casinos, cruises, colleges and corporate events, as well as appearances on The Nashville Network and in TV commercials. You won’t want to miss Dan performing at our August Luncheon!

Bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door! Come and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with old and new friends.

Co-chairpersons: Michael Hamm and LaNora Thompson. Contact person LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.

With 28 singers and a large audience, the Genesee County Fair Karaoke Contest, hosted by Karaoke Club NY, on Monday evening, was a big hit.

The youth winners:

• 1st Jesse Reagan
• 2nd Hannah Beach
• 3rd Elle Williams 

The adult winners:

• 1st James Weston
• 2nd Seth Kibler
• 3rd Laura Guiste 

Food, fun and lots to do and see at the Genesee County Fair on Monday.  

The Midway opens Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. and the annual Genesee County Fair Parade starts at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday at the Genesee County Fair, 4-H members showed off their prize lambs in the Market Lamb Show.

Photos by Debra Reilly.

For the past three months, Kate Willson has been giving her business some special treatments before turning her attention to customers, who she now welcomes six days a week for luxury spa services, she says.

Willson first announced in April that she had moved into the former Spa at Artemis site at 206 E. Main St. and was preparing to relaunch it later this year under a new name, look and feel.

“We’ve been working on remodeling the space; we gave it an overall facelift on the inside and on the outside,” Willson said of her new The Beauty Lounge by Meraki in downtown Batavia. “We resurfaced the floors and kept the beautiful historic hardwood; we’ve been working on giving it a good refresh with colors, and the neutral color palette that we like really refreshed the interior to make it a little bit more elevated for a spa, very tranquil. We’ve been working on making the interior aesthetics come together. So it is a very luxurious relaxed spa.”

Splashed in tones of boho modern earth tones, the space has been opened up in front for a reception area and half of it is a boutique for clothing, with another portion dedicated to an assortment of pampering products such as candles, body whips and butters, delicate chains with charms and jewelry with essential oil sprays from local vendors, including Ashli from Freckled Acres, Jewels by Madi, and Desert Moon Earrings by Jess.

The spa also has a jewelry station where customers can have a piece of jewelry soldered on as a bracelet, anklet or necklace to remain as a permanent piece for themselves. That’s the only spa service that does not require an appointment, she said.

The Beauty Lounge boutique had a soft opening this past weekend with the spa’s official opening on Monday, which went really well, Willson said. 

“It was a good day of just getting some spa services in, and we had a lot of people in shopping the boutique. And I would definitely say the energy is high around here,” she said. “All the girls that are working here are so excited, which is definitely helping my energy levels, too, after all of this work. It’s going to be amazing. I would like to say one little shout out, just a thank you to my team for the support of our community at the salon, and just my family and friends leaning in to help with the remodel.

“I like letting people know that we are ready and excited for them to come and enjoy our spa services," she said. "We have a beautiful lounge to come to relax in before and after their services, and definitely amenities that they haven't experienced before in a local spa.” 

Other services include luxury manicures and pedicures, massage, “an amazing list of facials” and facial enhancements, high-frequency dermaplaning, full-body waxing services, and eyelash extensions and services. 

For those who have a Spa at Artemis gift card, Willson is offering 50% of the value of the gift card with proof of purchase or a credit card statement. For those who can’t show proof of purchase but have a gift card, she will give 50% off one service.

“We know a lot of people did buy gift certificates right before they had closed, and so we want to do that so we can offer those people to come in and experience our services,” Willson said. “We have 12 staff members, we have a solid team built right now, and we’ll be planning on adding to that eventually. We’re just trying to build the staple of what the spa is, so really build up the culture before we add more employees. So right now, we have a great fundamental team, and then we will be looking to add to that.”

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. For more information or to book an appointment, go HERE or call 585-356-0039.

There is plenty to see and do at the Genesee County Fair every day, including visits to the Parmalee and Kennedy buildings to see the award-winning arts, crafts, and gardening displays.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

Sunday evening at Genesee County Fair continued with games, activities and the Knight Patrol band.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

For nine years, Gabriella Zocco has been inching her way toward the title of Genesee County Fair queen, and she finally earned it late Sunday afternoon during a second round of the annual pageant that included crowning festivities.

The pageant has several categories, including Little Miss for the youngest ones. Then they move up to Miss, Duchess, Princess, Grand Princess and Queen.

“I started as a Little Miss, and I came back every year I could until I was able to be queen. So this is like a huge deal for me,” the 17-year-old said after winners were announced at the yellow entertainment tent. “And I'm really proud of myself for being able to accomplish this. My future goal is, I want to go to college and I want to major in meteorology and have a minor in foreign studies and journalism.”

She would like to be a weather person on the news one day and be that go-to person forecasting the rainy and sunny days and those nasty tropical and winter storms that roll into folks’ hometowns. 

She said participating in the fair queen pageant has helped her bond with people and given her skills to use as she heads beyond high school at Our Lady of Mercy.

“I’d say the most rewarding part is finding myself because every year I learned a new thing about myself, and I learned about other people too, and how to really connect with people through the pageant,” she said. “Because, especially with the speech portion, you have to get up in front of a lot of people. You have to show confidence and leadership. 

"And you can’t be afraid to show yourself and you can’t be afraid to talk and share your own opinions, even though other people might disagree," she said. "So I think the most rewarding part is finding myself and making new friends and connections.”

Her mom, Verginia Zocco, the pageant director, said the first portion of the pageant was bittersweet because Gabriella would be aging out since she had already surpassed and won all of the previous categories. 

On the other hand, the sweet spot was being able to talk about the earth and women’s health, two of Gabriella’s favorite topics, while having friends and family there to support her. 

Remaining crowns for the Royal Court 2024 went to:

• Grand Princess Corinne Rhoads
• Princess Cassandra Judge
• Duchess Isabella Redden
• Miss Eleanor Hudson
• Little Miss Lyza Baker 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Kelly's Old Timers Band provided Monday afternoon's entertainment at the Genesee County Fair.

Photos by Howard Owens

Press Release:

Renewable energy in the form of solar electric (photovoltaic) grid systems are expanding rapidly throughout New York State both residentially and commercially. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for photovoltaic energy workers is projected to increase 50% or requiring 6000 new workers over the next ten years. 

Genesee Community College's Solar Electric Technician Certificate Program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly growing solar industry. Led by Chris Kemp, director of mathematics and engineering science, this program comprises four comprehensive courses, offering a flexible and practical pathway to a rewarding career.

Why Choose the Solar Electric Technician Program? 

The solar industry is booming, with one in 20 jobs in the US related to solar energy. Solar installers are among the top five most needed workers, with entry-level jobs offering salaries of $40,000+ per year. Local businesses are actively seeking trained professionals, making this an opportune time to join the solar workforce.

Program Highlights:

Diverse Workforce: The solar industry is known for its diverse work environment, welcoming individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Career Versatility: The skills acquired in this program open doors to various career paths, including management, sales, design (including CAD), and science/tech manufacturing.

No Experience Required: Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, this program is designed to provide an easy start with no prior experience necessary.

Flexible Schedule: The courses are held over seven weeks each, with classes meeting one or two nights per week, making it easy to fit into your schedule.

Course Overview:

PVO101 - Intro to Solar Electric:

• Explore solar irradiance measurement tools.
• Understand the functionality of solar panels.
• Learn why solar energy is viable even in cold climates.
• Gain insights into other renewable energy systems.

PVO102 - Solar Design and Installation:

• Hands-on experience with installing solar panels on various structures. 
• Training in basic tools, metal bending, and building roof/ground-mounted arrays.
• Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification.

PVO103 - Solar Codes and Standards:

• Detailed understanding of the Electrical Code.
• OSHA construction safety and NFPA electrical safety training.
• Safety harness training and rooftop access.
• National certification in solar installation.

PVO104 - Solar Business and Finance:

• Develop skills in creating business proposals and interacting with building/code enforcers.
• Drone pilot training for solar applications.

Over the past two years, every student seeking immediate employment in the solar industry after completing this program has been hired. Others have pursued further education in business, science, engineering, or renewable energy at partner four-year institutions.

Enrollment is now open for the 2024/25 cohort, with only 16 spots available. For more information, visit https://www.genesee.edu/academics/programs/solar-electric-technician/ or contact Chris Kemp, director of mathematics and engineering science at (585) 343-0055 x6392 or clkemp@genesee.edu.