The Genesee County Office for the Aging is pleased to announce an informative and free event designed to help residents of Genesee County navigate the upcoming changes to Medicare in 2025.
The event will take place on Tuesday, October 8, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Town of Bethany Community Center, located at 10510 Bethany Center Road, East Bethany.
This event is open to Genesee County residents who are new to Medicare in 2025, currently on Medicare, or caregivers attending with a Medicare recipient. Reservations are required, and attendees will have the option to select a boxed lunch upon making their reservation. To reserve your spot, please call 585-343-1611.
The event is made possible through funds from the NY State Office for the Aging, NY Connects, the Administration for Community Living, the Genesee Senior Foundation, Inc., and the support of the Genesee County Legislature.
Program Highlights:
Genesee/Orleans Health Department will discuss effective communication with healthcare providers regarding medications and overall health.
New York Statewide Senior Action Council, Inc. will provide insights into the latest Medicare scams to be aware of during the upcoming Open Enrollment season.
Genesee County Office for the Aging will have a Medicare Specialist present to go over the changes coming to Medicare in 2025, followed by a Q&A session.
This event aims to empower and educate attendees about the changes to Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans, giving them the confidence to make informed decisions moving forward.
For individuals with disabilities or language interpretation needs, requests for reasonable accommodations should be made at least five days in advance.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact the Genesee County Office for the Aging at 585-343-1611.
Joe Oddo celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday. Photo by Steve Ognibene
For Joseph Oddo, a Batavia native and Army veteran, it didn’t take long to name what’s kept him going for a century.
“I always help people out. That’s why I think the Lord blessed me, because, you know, the things I did in my life to help people,” the newly turned 100-year-old said during an interview with The Batavian. “I worked with people. I kept going all the time.”
Oddo will be celebrating his 75th wedding anniversary with his wife Fran on Sept. 24 — a date he joked he had not better forget. She stayed home to care for their children while he was on the road a lot, he said, as his work ethic didn’t just get him through jobs but through life.
“So everything worked out,” he said. “I kept myself busy, kept going. I always did that. When you come from a family of 10 kids …”
As the oldest in his family, he learned early on, which originated from his dad arriving “off the boat” from Sicily with a sponsorship from a Le Roy resident, that he needed to forge ahead with whatever came his way.
That included doing his patriotic duty right out of high school graduation in 1942, he said. A military draft had just been declared, and the government wasted no time pulling young boys into service. Oddo was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served with the Signal Corps 234, a 3342 signal battalion, he said.
“I still remember, and in the battalion, various different companies. So I was a 231st company, which dealt with radio, telephone and teletype. My job was a W8, a double E day was a field telephone. That was my job, and I made sure that those are operating, and the people that had them made sure that they were getting the right information,” he said. “Because, you know, we were in Persia, they call it Iran today. See, when the Germans pushed, I mean they pushed, what’s it called, the Germans into Russia, came in with a lot of equipment, they talked about, they came along with tanks and guns and everything else.
We were just outside of Tehran into white Russia, so to speak, and that’s where we were stationed, and that’s how we kept the communications going from that point on because we could reach the troops and everybody from that point,” he said. “I served three years in World War II. I got my notice in December ’42, so in January ’43 I got inducted. I went to Fort Niagara.”
He became a leader right away when he was put in charge of troops. Then, he said, they boarded a train to New Jersey for training.
“And then all of a sudden, I had to go to Fort Monmouth for two months. And it teaches all the communications of telephone and teletype and radio and all that,” he said, referring to another time during service. “We all worked together and stuff like that. Occasionally, we had guard duty. They had a lot of German prisoners, we used to guard them at night time, that was our duty some times. We put switchboards out in the field and we had to operate switchboards because they were contacting what was on the other side of Germany.”
When he returned in January 1946, he resumed working at Doehler Jarvis even though he was “a little upset” that he couldn’t go on to school.
“When I couldn’t go to school, I had to go to the Army. I did my duty and said, ‘Why did you pick on me? I was only 18 years old, you know. But you had to serve your country. I did it,” he said. “I was told Jarvis said they wanted me; I became a steward. They made me the president of the union. I ran for president, and that was president of four plants in Chicago, Toledo, Grand Rapids and Pottstown, Pennsylvania.”
He did such a great job, in fact, that he was offered a job in Detroit for the United Auto Workers. Sell your house and move, he was told. He worked with the union for many years, negotiating contracts and such, traveling to California and “all over the place,” he said. He was so good at negotiating and so fierce that he was even dubbed “Jimmy Hoffa,” he said.
He couldn’t sell their local home and move, however, due to his wife’s mother, who had a disability and wanted her daughter close by.
Oddo never had a gap in employment, being offered various jobs throughout his life — a testament to that work ethic no doubt. He and Fran have two children, Sal Oddo and Marianne Anderson, and they still live in the Southside home they bought in 1960.
Through all these years, he has retained his memories and the drive to do what Joe Oddo does best.
“Keep going; it’s the key. Don’t stop,” he said. “I’m 100 years old, I’m still going. I do things, you know, work outside, clean. I do everything right now.”
Joe Oddo, 100, with his wife Fran, 93. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Joe with his daughter Marianne (Oddo) Anderson and son Sal Oddo. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Multi generations of family for a group photo with Joe. Photo by Steve Ognibene
City of Batavia Fire Captain Bob Fix being honored at Erie County Fair. Submitted Photo
During a heatwave in early July, Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation faced several related challenges: the nursing home’s HVAC system faltered, the mechanical room overheated, and the elevators broke down, creating a potentially hazardous situation for the senior residents.
When City of Batavia Fire Captain Bob Fix was called to the scene, he didn’t merely give a standard response. He exceeded expectations, Supervising Administrator Samantha Vagg says.
"Captain Fix stuck out because of how he guided younger firefighters and frequently called back after his team left to make sure our facility was okay,” Vagg said to The Batavian.
His proactive approach, including collaborating with nursing home staff and coordinating with National Grid, prevented further issues, Vagg said, which prompted her to nominate Fix for Erie County Fair’s Firefighter Honoree Award.
The award, which was presented to Fix on Aug. 18, is given to individuals who exemplify the highest standards of the fire service, showcasing a notable record of service, achievement, and selflessness.
City Fire Chief Josh Graham spoke highly of Captain Fix, emphasizing that the department’s standard is to go above and beyond. He added that the entire department takes pride in Fix’s recognition, which reflects the collective dedication that defines the firefighters’ work.
"Captain Fix is a dedicated professional and a true asset to our community,” Graham said. “We are honored to have him represent Local 896 as Sunday's Firefighter Honoree.”
Fix, a 21-year veteran of the fire department, said that no matter how bad his day might be going at work, “whoever’s calling for help is having a worse day than me.”
“If I can do a little extra, why not?” he said, remaining rather modest about the recognition. "I'm just the guy that got nominated for the award."
He deflected praise aimed at him instead to his entire team and the nursing home staff, who he said played a crucial role during the emergency. Vagg said that she would have nominated the whole department if she could have since it “is so professional every time we interact.”
Firefighting is not just a career but a calling in his family, Fix said. Being honored at the fair became a full-circle moment for him, combining his love for the community with his lifelong commitment to public service. He’s also quick to point out that the department does so many other things within the community.
"My father was a firefighter, and I've been going to the fair for as long as I can remember,” he said. "We’re there for car accidents, technical rescues, building safety inspections, and more. In October, we’ll focus on fire prevention, going into schools to teach fire safety. It’s all part of the job."
Chapin CEO Tim Onello and Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Photo by Howard Owens.
The seemingly anti-business posture of New York's government dominated a conversation on Tuesday at Chapin International in Batavia during Assemblyman Steve Hawley's visit with CEO Tim Onello and other Chapin executives.
Onello said it would help the state's business climate by lowering taxes and reducing mandates and regulations.
"There's just all the extra laws and things you have to maneuver when you're in New York," said Onello, a Buffalo native who became CEO four months ago.
The barriers to business expansion drove Chapin, said Bill Kegler, VP of operations, to open a plant in Kentucky a few years ago.
"We had to go out of state ... unfortunately, because the environment in New York is restrictive and tough, just tough to grow a business," Kegler said. "It's just not conducive to success, to the continued company success."
Hawley noted the echo of history. Chapin occupies the former Sylvania factory, which relocated to Tennessee in 1976.
"It has been a recurring theme economically speaking and business speaking for many, many decades," Hawley said. "Apparently, we didn't learn from our past mistakes."
Onello said Chapin has no specific legislative requests at the moment and with the Legislature in between sessions, Hawley didn't have much to offer in the way of possible business-related bills the Legislature might consider.
After the talk, Hawley was provided a tour of the factory.
YWCA of Genesee County is excited to announce a $50,000 grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to add Crisis Counseling Services for Genesee County.
YWCA welcomes Jacquelyn Wheeler as their new Crisis Counselor.
Case Managers at the YWCA already offer intensive support, safe temporary shelter, 24 crisis hotline services, court advocacy, information and referral, support groups and safety and transitional planning for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and stalking. This new, full-time crisis counselor position will provide more therapeutic services, complementing the services, complimenting the work we are already doing and adding a much needed piece of continued healing and support for the people we assist, says Jamie Rada, Executive Director.
For more information on the YWCA of Genesee County Crisis Counselor Position please visit www.ywcagenesee.org or contact the YWCA at 585-343-5808 or info@ywcagenesee.org.
A casualty of the pandemic, Rudely Stamp’d’s production of “Now We Stand by Each Other Always” had a great three-year run touring the eastern United States from New York to Florida between 2017 and 2020.
After a long hiatus, Rudely Stamp’d has revived “Now We Stand…” with a performance at the Main Street 56 Theater in Batavia on September 20 at 7 p.m. with other tour dates to follow.
Written and directed by Derek Maxfield, a history professor at a local community college, the three-act play “Now We Stand by Each Other Always” features a series of conversations between Union generals Ulysses S. Grant – played by Derek Maxfield - and William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War.
Much of the dialog is drawn from historic sources and seeks to capture the evolving relationship between the generals over the course of the conflict with scenes featuring conversations at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1864 and City Point, Virginia in 1865 – just weeks before Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House.
The reboot also features a new face. During the pre-pandemic run, Tracy Ford brilliantly played the part of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. The role will now be filled by Daniel Snyder, a professor at a local community college.
Folks might remember Dan from his role in “Brothers at Odds” about the Brisbane family of Batavia. Dan played the eccentric Albert Brisbane, whom he also portrays for the Batavia Cemetery’s annual ghost walk.
In addition to Maxfield as Grant and Snyder as Sherman, the play also features a supporting cast featuring Jess Maxfield as Julia Grant and a special appearance by Thomas Schobert as Gen. John A. Rawlins.
The next "We’ve Only Just Begun" Sr. Luncheon: Theme: Back to School is on Tuesday, September 17 from 11:30-1:30 p.m. at the South Alabama Firehall, Route 63 (2230 Judge Road, Oakfield). Open to the public and welcome all!
Our speaker this month will be Dorothy Schlaggel, and she will be speaking about the Genesee County Cancer Assistance Program that she and two others were the founders of. Dorothy is a cancer survivor and she will be sharing how this program was developed to help the people in our County. You won’t want to miss this informative program this month!
Bring your favorite dish-to-pass OR make a donation at the door! Come and enjoy lunch and an afternoon of fun with old and new friends. Co-chairpersons: Michael Hamm and LaNora Thompson. Contact person LaNora Thompson (630) 888-8966.
2023 File Photo of Labor Daze parade in Oakfield Photo by Howard Owens
Here’s hoping that the extended weather forecast is off base for this weekend, because organizers are bringing back the car cruise to this year’s Labor Daze, Jamie Lindsley says.
The cruise is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the village of Oakfield.
“We are looking forward to a great turnout of classic cars thanks to help from some experienced car cruise and show aficionados,” said Lindsley, Oakfield Betterment Committee chair.
So pay no nevermind to a chance of rain on Saturday, and dress accordingly for a day of fun, food, music and mingling. Labor Daze is arguably the area's -- and certainly Genesee County's -- biggest three-day Labor Day weekend festival going.
Another new activity is Carrie’s Kids Parade, promoted as one of the highlights of the Labor Daze regular parade to hit the street on Monday morning.
“We wanted to give kids their own special parade for them to participate in and show creativity and enthusiasm,” Lindsley said. “It is named after OBC’s dear friend Carrie Gilbert Desjardins, who was a longstanding member and always displayed love and commitment to her community, especially the children.”
There will be a Vietnam memorial dedication in Triangle Park immediately following the parade.
“The Oakfield Historical Society had a fundraising campaign to raise money to put this memorial in place amongst the other memorials in the park, and honor the men and women who served in Vietnam,” she said.
Other new elements this year are:
Exciting new raffles, including a Sportsman’s Raffle, a Mega (high-value items) Raffle, a 50/50 and basket raffles.
New musical performers, including Mayday Buffalo, a four-piece rock band from Buffalo playing music from the 1960s through today; Eaglez Tribute Band to the ever-popular Eagles country rock band; the local rock band from Orleans County, Salvatore, playing all your favorites; and Terry Buchwald’s return after seven years with a tribute to Elvis (see related story).
What prompted the committee to bring back Elvis after all these years? And why did you seek out Salvatore as a new performer? “This is the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Labor Daze, and we wanted to have a retro feel. Everyone loves Elvis, from children and families to young adults and their grandparents. Terry Buchwald is an energetic performer and gets the crowd involved,” Lindsley said. “Salvatore is new to Labor Daze, but were our featured performers at our Total Eclipse at the Park viewing party. Their music was so good, we just had to invite them to Labor Daze.”
Since this is the 40th celebration, are you aiming for a fresh event or settling on old favorites for attendees? “It’s a mix of both. Some returning favorites as well as new talent. The tradition of Labor Daze is so important to Oakfield. In fact, the Labor Day parade has its roots going all the way back to 1947,” she said. “Community worship service Sunday morning is open to all, regardless of denomination.”
Committee members are always learning year to year about what they may need for the following event, and this year is no exception, Lindsley said. The last Kids Fun Day was so successful, they now know to have more people on hand to help out for this year’s kids’ day, set from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Elroy Parkins Park, 37 Drake St.
"We were thrilled at the huge turnout and plan to have eight to 12 people there at all times to help run the games, contests, bounce houses and more,” she said. “We also learned that people of all ages love the pony rides and that we should have concessions at Kids Fun Day too.”
Registration for the 5K Hornet Hustle (9 a.m. Saturday) is outpacing last year's, which is exciting for committee members, she said. Spectators are encouraged to line the street and cheer for participants. Wear your blue and gold, a costume or anything OA Hornets-related.
The parade is also taking shape (10 a.m. Monday), with participants including fire departments, marching bands, classic cars, tractors, sports teams, county fair queen and princess pageant winners.
Not to leave out the other entertainment, Hazzard County was named a 2023 Western New York Top Country Band and features modern country hits with a few surprises; Batavia Players will be performing musical selections; Dance Images of Oakfield will take to the stage for a performance; Genesee Ted plans to crank up the honky tonk country rock, psychedelic era rock, blues, harmonies and Grateful Dead; Dave Viterna Group will do some blues and rock; Russ Peters Group has the contemporary Christian music covered, and Songbirds is a tribute to Fleetwood Mac.
Think all of this might make you hungry? Fear not, because there will be food vendors galore, with Italian sausage, peppers and onions, blooming onions, specialty grilled cheese sandwiches, pulled pork, fried chicken, hot dog stuffed pretzels, roast beef, authentic African cuisine and custom cookies, cupcakes and desserts.
You can walk it all off by shopping at the 50 or so arts and crafts vendors selling handmade wood products, sterling silver jewelry, custom shirts, terrariums, Buffalo Bills gear, crochet goods, flasks and tumblers, honey products, hard cider, handpainted purses, and more.
While Labor Daze is a community-building event, committee members want to remind folks to please don’t bring pets or alcoholic beverages and don’t smoke in the park during the three-day event.
“It’s family-friendly; there is no admission fee, so everyone can attend and enjoy without worrying about costs. We have more food choices than ever before, including the Oakfield Betterment booth and many of our local nonprofits. Anyone who loves music, food, community, making new friends, seeing old friends, arts and crafts vendors, classic cars, buying raffle tickets, will have a great time,” Lindsley said. “People who have never experienced Labor Daze will enjoy the small-town charm with first-rate live music. We’ve had people from all over the country that happened to be driving through Oakfield stop in because they were drawn to the festive atmosphere.”
For more information or to register for the Hornet Hustle or the parade, go to oakfieldbetterment.com.
The committee has been very pleased with this year’s supporters, which have helped to make the event possible, Lindsley said.
"We could not do this without our amazing sponsors, our volunteers, donors, the wonderful Oakfield Fire Department, the Village Board and Town Board, and all the other local organizations that come together to support this tradition,” she said. “Thank you for helping us continue to put on free events for Oakfield and beyond.”
Terry Buchwald as Elvis Presley. Photo from Buchwald's social media.
More than three decades of performing have passed by, but for Terry Buchwald it all still feels like yesterday as he hunkers down to be your teddy bear.
“It’s crazy how you feel so young. I just celebrated, I just turned 54 which I am not shy to tell people because I take care of myself and I keep performing,” he said during an interview with The Batavian. “I’m still doing the motorcycle. We do a little country, we do a little rock and roll. We will have three sets, and I'll do the young Elvis, and we'll do the 70s, and then we'll do some country, rock and roll, and, you know, some songs that Elvis inspired the arts.
"So we kind of try to keep with that, and I try to make it fun, I just don't want people to show up and ‘oh, there's an Elvis impersonator now.’ I want people to come and say, ‘oh my God, I haven't danced in 10 years, I haven't laughed so much. I haven't gotten up on stage.’ I want to make them part of it.”
They may not have danced in 10 years, not until they watch and hear this Elvis, that is. With his dazzling outfits, infectious personality and gyrations, he’s ready to give the audience a hunk a hunk of burning love.
And it all takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday during Oakfield’s Labor Daze. It’s been a long hiatus since he has rolled into the village on two wheels — seven years — and Buchwald is looking forward to his return.
“We are very excited to be back. I love the Oakfield audience. I used to walk around and check out all the different vendors. There was a guy there that used to have a chainsaw and would carve bears and stuff. Actually, I bought a couple things, I have a turtle in my yard from Oakfield. We used to have a great time. I mean, it was wonderful. The basketball courts is where we started,” he said. “It's sad to see some of these things go and, you know, during my show, I definitely let people know how important it is that they're there, and how important it is to have live music, to keep community things going, it's so important. It just seems like we all are more, looking at our cell phones than we are getting together with neighbors and enjoying the day.”
Even though many activities were shut down during the COVID pandemic, Buchwald had one of the busiest summers ever, he said. In fact, he was performing “as much as they would let me.”
“So I never stopped. I just kept going,” he said. “All the way from Pennsylvania up into Canada and all the way across to Binghamton. I do go all over the nation, I I had a show last year in Las Vegas. I used to travel before covid. I used to travel every month, and I've covered all 50 states.”
Now he has settled into the eastern part of the country and performs at a lot of festivals in central and western New York.
“Every set has something for everybody out there. I ride in as young Elvis, take a short break, switch outfits and then do a 70s Elvis with a Las Vegas suit. We shoot teddy bears out to people. If it’s hot out I’ll bring the squirt gun,” he said. “Not everybody is going to be an Elvis fan, maybe the wife comes and the husband’s not, or the husband is and the wife’s not. So those are the people that I target a little more because I want them to enjoy the whole thing. I want them to enjoy the Elvis, and I want to cover everything. Those are the people I’m going to try and give a little more. I may do a Beatles song.”
While growing up in Depew, Buchwald was steeped in music — his mother was a big Elvis Presley fan and dad liked country western, while brother Eddie was in a band.
The Lancaster resident couldn’t help but be inspired by all of that, and recreated a musical artist he admires for how he could always draw people into his performances, and still does.
As for the musical lineup during Labor Daze, it begins on Saturday:
1 to 4 p.m. Genesee Ted
4 to 7 p.m. Mayday Buffalo
7 to 10 p.m. Dave Viterna Group
Sunday’s menu begins at 11 a.m. with Russ Peters Group and continues:
12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Eaglez Tribute Band
3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Hazzard County
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nerds Gone Wild
Monday kicks off with Salvatore at 11 a.m., and after Terry Buchwald it wraps up with Songbirds: a tribute to Fleetwood Mac from 4 to 7 p.m.
Photos from Buchwald's social media with his permission.
Batavia PD's softball team could have used somebody to put out the fire at Dwyer Stadium on Sunday, but City Fire was a little busy fanning the flames on the way to a 23-3 victory in the annual Battle of the Badges.
In four matches, the boys in blue have managed only one victory.
Jon H. Bush, Jr., 41, of Batavia, was arrested on two warrants and also charged with assault 2nd and obstructing governmental administration 2nd. On Aug. 5, Batavia patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Park Road and observed Bush attempting to hide in the back seat. Officers were aware of warrants for Bush's arrest. He was ordered to exit the vehicle. After getting out, Bush allegedly attempted to flee on foot. He allegedly fought with officers and injured one of them before he was taken into custody. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.
Vinayek A. Graves, 20, of Kansas City, Kansas, is charged with possession of a forged instrument 2nd, identity theft 1st, and forgery 2nd. Graves was arrested on Aug. 8 following an investigation into a fraud complaint. He was arraigned and released.
Nicholas M. Ricigliano, 40, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Ricigliano is accused of stealing an umbrella stand from a business on Bank Street on Aug. 21. He was issued an appearance ticket.
Branco J. Blanco, 60, of Batavia, is charged with dog running at large and owning an unlicensed dog. It is alleged that Blanco allowed two dogs to run at large on State Street on Aug. 18. The dogs allegedly bit a person who was walking in the area. Blanco was issued an appearance ticket.
Jeffrey G. Ellinwood, 65, of Batavia, was charged with criminal trespass 2nd and criminal mischief 4th. It's alleged that Ellinwood broke into a residence on Porter Avenue on Aug. 15. He was arraigned and released.
Jerry T. Saddler, Jr., 48, is charged with criminal mischief 4th, criminal obstruction of breathing, and harassment 2nd. Saddler is accused of striking another person, grabbing that person by the neck, and taking the person's phone to keep the person from calling for help. He also faces charges from an Aug. 14 of criminal obstruction of breathing involving the same victim. He was arraigned in City Court and held in the Genesee County Jail.
Michael C. Smith, 32, of Batavia, was arrested on four warrants. The warrants were issued after Smith allegedly failed to appear in court on four separate criminal cases. He was arraigned in City Court and remanded to the Genesee County Jail.
Geoffrey M. Anderson, Jr., of Brockport, was arrested on Aug. 16 on two warrants, including a warrant alleging bail jumping 3rd. The warrants were issued after Anderson allegedly failed to appear in court on a trespassing charge from 2017. He was arraigned in City Court and released.
Aaron Joshua Anwar, 18, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Anwar is accused of stealing merchandise from Dick's Sporting Goods on July 31 at 3:03 p.m. He was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released on an appearance ticket.
Leeanne Krull, 55, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt 2nd. Krull is accused of violating an order of protection at 12:43 p.m. on July 31 at a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. The order of protection had been issued in Centralized Arraignment Part Court just hours earlier. Krull was processed at the Genesee County Jail and released.
Justin Timothy Gladney Sr., 35, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with promoting prison contraband 1st and criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th. Gladney is accused of bringing crack cocaine into the Genesee County Jail at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1. He was held for arraignment.
Tricia M. Blatt, 37, of East Main Street, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies were dispatched at 1:40 a.m. Aug. 3, to Byron to investigate a complaint of a broken window, possible criminal mischief. Deputies located Blatt and determined she was allegedly too impaired to care for her child. There was no evidence of criminal mischief. Blatt was arraigned and released.
The following people were charged on Aug. 1 while attending the Kenny Chesney concert at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center:
Jonathon M. Morris, 19, of Rochester, was charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue following an ejection.
Avery J. Dieterle, 19, of Akron, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue following an ejection.
William A. McCray, 57, no permanent address, is charged with harassment 2nd after allegedly striking another person while inside the concert venue.
The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is excited to announce an exceptional opportunity for artists of all disciplines living and/or working in Genesee and Orleans Counties. In partnership with the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), GO ART! is accepting applications for the NYSCA/NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Program. The program is free to participants.
This intensive 3.5-day professional development program is designed to empower artists across all disciplines—including visual, literary, performing arts, and more—with the essential tools needed to achieve sustainability and success in their creative endeavors. Whether you’re an emerging artist looking to build a strong foundation or an established professional seeking new strategies and networks, this program offers a dynamic platform to enhance your creative practice.
Program Highlights:
Comprehensive Content: Participants will explore key topics such as strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, financial literacy, and art law. The curriculum includes materials from NYFA’s renowned textbook, The Profitable Artist.
Work Sample Reviews: Receive personalized feedback from professionals in your field, offering valuable insights into the jury selection process and your artistic presentation.
Peer Network: Join a community of like-minded peers across various disciplines, fostering connections that extend beyond the program.
Access to Experts: Engage with NYFA’s expert staff and local arts industry leaders, including funders, curators, publishers, and artistic directors.
Artist Action Plan: Develop a personalized blueprint for your practice or specific arts project, with opportunities to discuss and refine your plan within the peer group.
Engagement with the Creative Community: The program structure includes presentations, panels, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions tailored to the needs of participants.
Eligibility and Application:
Who Can Apply: Artists of all disciplines and career stages, including students, who are living and/or working in Genesee or Orleans Counties
Application Deadline: Monday, September 23, 11:59 p.m. Applications must be submitted via Submittable.
Program Dates:
Meet and Greet and Introductions: Thursday, November 7 from 5 - 8 p.m.
Intensive Sessions: Friday - Saturday, November 8 - 10 from 10a.m. - 4 p.m. daily
Don’t miss this unique chance to grow your artistic career with guidance from leading professionals in the field. Currently accepting applications. For more information and to apply visit https://www.nyfa.org/professional-development/entrepreneurial-intensives/ Please email questions to learning@nyfa.org with the subject line “Artist as Entrepreneur, GO ART!.”
This program is made possible through New York State Council on the Arts, State & Local Partnerships with the support of the Governor's Office and the New York State Legislature.
Tim and Linda Richter with a photo of Dolly Parton, founder of the Imagination Library program. Photo by Howard Owens
When Tim and Linda Richter began their venture for the Imagination Library, they could only hope it would be successful in Oakfield. Even there, Linda says, it was a challenge.
“We were shaking in our boots,” she said with a laugh. “We had to do a 501(c)(3), and we were very nervous and thought, can we do this?”
Well, they soon found out that, of course, they could do it. And they're celebrating the 20th anniversary of establishing their nonprofit Richter Family Foundation in July 2004.
They also founded the first affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in New York State. Now what strikes them the most is how these entities are nowhere to be found in bigger cities of Buffalo or Rochester, Mrs. Richter said, while theirs has only continued to grow in rural Genesee County. Editor's Note: There is a chapter of Imagination Library in Rochester, and Chapter Founder Matt Present reached out to set the record straight. He shared the following information:
"In fact, the Rochester Imagination Library sent out our 50,000th book this summer, and we currently serve almost 4,000 kids across the City of Rochester," he said. "We have been in existence since I founded the chapter in 2021 in a single zip code; we expanded city-wide 18 months later."
Lucky for those Genesee County kids, the Imagination Library—a program that sends out one free book a month to children from birth to age 5—began with 82 kids and, at last count, has signed up 3,264 children for a total of 93,700 books sent out.
How does that happen? The way you’d build any library: one book at a time. Mrs. Richter shared one of her favorite memories so far from the program. It was when a mom pulled up to her mailbox with her 3-year-old son.
“He’s sitting in the back seat behind her, and they pull up to the mailbox, and he gets his book,” Mrs. Richter said. “He’s just about jumping out of his chair, smiling and hugging this book. It was just a great picture. And I think, boy, if I could be at the houses when these kids get these books, that would be amazing, wouldn’t it?”
After beginning with the Oakfield-Alabama school district, the Richters gradually made connections with other individuals, groups and committees and set up a program with Elba in 2010, Pavilion in 2012, Pembroke in 2013, Byron-Bergen in 2016, Batavia in 2016-17, Alexander in 2020, Le Roy in 2021, and, after Pembroke temporarily stopped in 2016, the Pembroke Corfu Darien Kiwanis Club picked up that area again in 2023. All school districts in the county now participate in the program, and the Richters — teachers at heart and by profession — couldn’t be happier.
“We send out 800 books a month; we’re just thrilled with the progress,” she said.
Mr. Richter referred to the bigger picture of the program since Dolly Parton’s vision was to inspire kids to read in her home county of Tennessee. She has surpassed that and been successful across the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland and Australia. More than 3 million books are mailed out each month to excited children, he said.
The Richters don’t feel as though their job is done just because Genesee County has been taken care of, the couple agreed, since there are adjacent counties with children who would benefit from the program.
“When we started in 2004, there was just us. Now there are 79 affiliates in New York State, and we are seven of them," Mr. Richter said. "This is what I would hope: maybe people who see The Batavian don't necessarily live in Genesee County, but maybe Wyoming County, Orleans County, for example, don't have anybody. And I would like to be able to expand going that way."
They believe that Dolly Parton's company is one of integrity and that staff takes issues seriously. For example, there was a packaging issue at one point, and the books were getting wet. A different material was used to better protect the books, which impressed the Richters.
“I have nothing but spectacular thoughts about the Dollywood program,” Mr. Richter said. “She does a fantastic amount of work."
Given the number of affiliates they work with, Dollywood is able to get really low prices for books to make them more affordable for each participant, he said. They pay for the books and postage, which people sometimes question: "Why isn't Dolly paying for this?"
“And I laugh. I laugh because they don't understand. But when you explain to them that there's a lot of overhead, I mean, they have a big storage facility, a huge warehouse where they store all these books, because they have to have the books months before they're able to send them out. They’ve got to pay for heating and so on and so on," he said. "They have to have the workers that they're paying. They have a committee that selects the books. They have to do the publishing negotiations. Then they have to keep sending out 3 million books. Just think of the amount of people there just responsible for this."
The Richter Family Foundation decided to pay for a third of the costs, and the remainder is from donations. To contribute, send a check to the Richter Family Foundation, 1600 Ham Road, Basom, NY, 14013, and put the respective school district in the memo line.
For more information or to check a child participant's eligibility, email richterfamilyfoundation@hotmail.com, call 585-948-9675 or go to imaginationlibrary.com.
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has increased funding and approved an extension to the Bridge Support to give organizations and our community more time for planning and collaborative efforts to address funding needs.
United Way will leverage its endowment and draw from the Mackenzie Scott gift and campaign funds to provide more than $7 million in transition support over two years. United Way will also expedite the remaining one-year grant opportunities.
What this means for nonprofit organizations:
2020-2024 Community Impact Fund partners that applied for 2025 multi-year grants and received less funding will now receive 75% of their current funding in 2025 and 50% of their current funding in 2026.
Pending the success of the Fall community campaign, the expanded one-year grant opportunities to support nonprofits will be launched providing a range of new funding opportunities and services as part of the full strategy.
“The impact of this moment and change for our partners and community cannot be diminished. As a nonprofit for nonprofits, we are continuing to seek creative solutions for these immediate and longstanding community challenges,” said Jaime Saunders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “United Way’s focus is ensuring our partners have the tools and resources to provide critical services in our community, and we will continue to work every day to help meet those needs.”
United Way is committed to keeping its partners and the community informed and engaged as it continues to roll out its full strategy evolution. United Way is convening Community Impact Fund nonprofit partners next week to discuss these changes and next steps.
To learn more about United Way, visit unitedwayrocflx.org.
Back row (from left): Jason Smith, Presenter & BCSD Superintendent of Schools; Richard Beatty, Committee Member Front row (from left): Claudia Nusstein, Presenter & Genesee County Park Conservation Education Program Coordinator; Cathy Uhly, Committee Member; and Christina Mortellaro Frank, Committee Member Submitted photo.
Press Release:
The Books Sandwiched In committee is pleased to announce the Fall 2024 Series of Books Sandwiched In! Sessions will take place on Wednesdays in September from 12:10 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Gallery Room.
Books Sandwiched In is a book review program, in which guest speakers are invited to present reviews of books, usually non-fiction titles. This fall’s theme encourages attendees to explore “America’s National Parks,” in keeping with the theme of the 2024 Richmond Reads title, The Last Ranger by Peter Heller.
“Attendees are not required or expected to read the books in advance,” shares program coordinator Samantha Stryker. “Rather, think of it as a way to learn a little something and figure out which books you may want to read.”
Each session will feature cookies, coffee, tea, and a chance to win a gift certificate to a local lunch spot. On your lunch break? Feel free to bring your lunch!
Fall 2024 Books & Speakers:
Wednesday, September 4 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore the Everglades: Genesee County Park Conservation Education Program Coordinator, Claudia Nusstein, reviews "Gator Country: Deception, Danger and Alligators in the Everglades" by Rebecca Renner
Wednesday, September 11 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore Yellowstone: Retired Teacher & NIOGA Board Trustee, Jeff Laub, reviews "Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America" by Megan Kate Nelson
Wednesday, September 18 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore the Grand Canyon: Retired School Counselor and avid outdoorsperson, Janice Spiotta, reviews A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko
Wednesday, September 25 at 12:10 p.m. - Explore Yosemite: BCSD Superintendent of Schools Jason Smith reviews Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship that Saved Yosemite" by Dean King
Books Sandwiched In is sponsored by the Friends of Richmond Memorial Library. All are welcome and this program is free to attend!
Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia. For more information about the library and other programs, visit batavialibrary.org.
New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and Members of the Senate Republican Conference today unveiled the “Creating Lasting Affordable Energy for New York,” a comprehensive legislative package to ensure a clean, affordable energy future for all New Yorkers.
This summer, critics have cited the failure of the Administration to meet benchmarks enacted under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Since the CLCPA has been on the books, Democrats have proved they have nothing to show for it except frustrated ratepayers and taxpayers, business organizations and even climate advocacy groups. Today, Senate Republicans are putting forward proposals to not only protect the environment, but also the pockets of our taxpayers.
These proposals come on the heels of the fifth anniversary of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act becoming law and the upcoming “Future Energy Economy Summit” in September.
Senate Republicans' common sense package offers solutions to delay the CLCPA mandate, while providing relief to taxpayers, ensuring the reliability of the grid, and ensuring a diverse energy portfolio that will keep energy options affordable and accessible throughout New York State.
“It’s ironic how five years after the implementation of the CLCPA, the billions of dollars spent, and the absolutely crushing utility hikes year after year, Governor Hochul just realized that now might be a good time to put some actual thought behind the Democrats’ energy policies. We welcome the Governor’s late arrival to the party and hope that she takes a look at the policies we have laid out here, as they will not only keep the lights on, but do so in a clean, affordable way that benefits all New Yorkers,” said Senator Mario Mattera, 2nd District, ranking member of the Senate Energy Committee.
"Since the CLCPA's approval in 2019, we've watched Albany Democrats move at world record speed to pile one unaffordable mandate on top of another unworkable mandate on top of the next unrealistic mandate desperately trying to inflict a zero-emissions economy on this entire state that will have zero impact on the climate. These actions will come with a devastating price tag and consequences for ratepayers and taxpayers, businesses and industries, school districts, farmers, and entire local economies. It has become clear that the current strategy is not realistic or achievable. It is not responsible or rational. There was no cost-benefit analysis, other than a "the sky is falling" proclamation. It lacks critical foresight, and it unreasonably risks energy grid reliability and affordability. The forthcoming reassessment and reexamination at least opens a long-overdue and desperately needed public discussion on the realities of the current strategy. Senate Republicans are putting forth a clean energy strategy that is focused on affordability, feasibility, and reliability," said Senator Tom O'Mara, 58th District.
“The evidence keeps mounting that CLCPA mandates are not only unworkable and unaffordable, but a very real threat to the reliability of our energy supply. If Democrats keep blindly pushing forward with this disastrous plan, even as experts raise numerous red flags, it will be a catastrophe for our economy, businesses, municipalities and already over-burdened New Yorkers. With a more balanced approach that ensures broader energy options and ratepayer relief, our plan is the desperately needed course correction that will prevent New York from going over the CLCPA cliff,” said Senator George Borrello, 57th District.
“Our legislative package is about securing clean and affordable energy for every New Yorker, and we're committed to doing it the right way. Our proposals lower costs of the transition for New Yorkers seeking cleaner energy while putting local decision-making back in the hands of local municipalities. Our package finds the right balance—hitting our environmental goals to keep our communities strong and ensuring a clean and prosperous environment for future generations to come, ” stated Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, 9th District.
“The extreme policies mandated by Albany's CLCPA will make energy more expensive and less reliable when Hudson Valley residents need it most. My colleagues and I favor a balanced, common-sense approach that maximizes consumer choice and eliminates harmful mandates that drive up costs. For example, my Ratepayer Protection Tax Credit will directly assist households forced to pay up to an additional $1,600 each year to subsidize Albany's unrealistic goals and roll back job-killing taxes on local businesses. Keeping everyday New Yorkers' energy options affordable, reliable, and plentiful remains a top priority,” said Senator Rob Rolison, 39th District.
“Senate Democrats have lost sight of reliability, affordability and feasibility in their energy policy. I'm proud to be a member of a conference that's pushing real, balanced solutions, and I'm thrilled to introduce legislation to keep hydroelectric plants producing the affordable, clean energy we need to power our economy and protect our environment,” said Senator Jake Ashby, 43rd District.
“High taxes, onerous energy costs, burdensome regulations and problematic policies such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act have forced hardworking New Yorkers to flee the state at an alarming rate. We need a plan that helps struggling taxpayers, families, business owners and communities – not one that imposes unrealistic and unreasonable mandates that only make things more difficult for those who stay in the state. This commonsense package of legislation that the Senate Republican Conference has unveiled today, which includes a bill I have sponsored, will provide much-needed relief to taxpayers and ratepayers, improve the reliability of the grid and ensure that the state has a diversified energy portfolio. Approaches such as this can help us to stop the exodus and build a stronger future for New York,” said Senator Joe Griffo, 53rd District.
“A recent comptroller report made clear what my Senate Republican colleagues and I have been saying all along: the cost of implementing the CLCPA is already far beyond that which Democrat leaders have suggested it would be. There must be accountability and transparency, and I’m proud to sponsor legislation requiring a true cost-benefit analysis of these mandates. New Yorkers deserve reliable, affordable energy. With this legislation and the other pieces sponsored by my colleagues, we can make that a reality,” said Senator Dan Stec, 45th District.
Since Democrats passed the CLCPA in 2019, Republicans in the State Senate have demanded answers about its cost, expressed concerns about its mandates and questioned if its goals were realistic or achievable.
The Senate Republicans’ “Creating Lasting Affordable Energy for New York” legislative package includes proposals that would:
Delay the implementation of the CLCPA mandates by ten years, giving the state time to develop a sustainable plan to build affordable, clean energy infrastructure and give state agencies more flexibility to adjust those time frames if the cost to New Yorkers is determined to be unaffordable while also considering the impact of the CLCPA’s compliance on reliable and affordable alternatives for heating and other services currently supplied by natural gas, including renewable natural gas and hydrogen
Create the “Ratepayer Relief Act” to determine the true cost of CLCPA mandates and provide relief in that amount to ratepayers, as well as cut existing taxes that will save ratepayers more than $100 million
Prevent the state from closing any power generation facility before new facilities come online and provide tax credits to homeowners for the purchase of backup power systems in the event of outages
Study the feasibility of bringing Indian Point back online and expand investment into alternative energy options
Encourage the use of solar by expanding the residential solar energy credit to give homeowners up to an additional five thousand dollars to install solar, provides a new solar STAR credit for communities that build small to midsize solar projects, and re-establishes local control over the siting of major renewable energy projects
Establish a commission to evaluate the impact of grid electrification on the safety and reliability of heating systems in extreme winter weather incidents that cause power outages, and to develop strategies and best practices to maximize grid reliability during these events
Provide relief via a tax credit to hydroelectric plants to offset relicensing costs, which can potentially put them out of business, to allow them to continue to be a source of clean, reliable power to New Yorkers
Create the “Rural Energy Infrastructure Act of 2025” to provide a tax credit for individuals in underserved or unserved areas of the gas system to assist the buildout of natural gas infrastructure to help bring service to those areas
Prohibit the state from mandating the electrification of personal vehicles
Establish the New York state hydrogen vehicle task force to examine another source of clean and affordable fuel
“The Governor and the Legislature continue to make it more and more difficult for a family to remain in New York. Every time the Legislature comes into session, New Yorkers pay more for basic necessities. This is exactly why New York is losing its population at the rate it is. The only thing participants of Governor Hochul’s ‘Future Energy Economy Summit’ should be considering is how to reduce energy costs for New Yorkers, and they could do that by taking up these proposals,” concluded Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, 62nd District.
As a coach, there’s nothing more inspiring than seeing a player emerge and outperform their expectations.
Training camps are underway, and teams like the Bills are seeing it in action. The next Matt Milano, Stevie Johnson, or Christian Benford is out there. The next unexpected leader just needs to prove they’re ready.
That’s the reality of sports and work. You need to show you’re ready before you get these opportunities. And I’m pleased that Genesee County, and our emerging workforce, can do the same as we prepare to launch a local Work Ready Communities initiative.
How?
By proving what we know is true about Genesee County.
That our students are engaged in work-ready technical training and have skills worth rewarding.
Our manufacturers, businesses, and employers understand talent and how to grow a new hire into a leader.
My major goal is to show that our families, schools, and communities are united in a better future for our kids. Having a venue to hold it - for both our youth and companies looking for the ideal place to locate - is now at hand.
ACT Work Ready Communities provides the tools that will connect our graduates to the in-demand career opportunities available in their backyards, aligning the region’s economic development needs with the skills required to create an economic blueprint that benefits our local businesses and in turn our communities.
In order for our community to be designated a Work Ready Community, we will need participation from our local workforce and businesses. Once registered, you will have access to search and vet job requirements and skills sought by local businesses, allowing them to efficiently recruit from a pool of qualified candidates.
Think of this process as the free agent pool or transfer portal – students trying to find their next best opportunity, including higher pay as well as detailing the skill levels that have been attained.
To initiate the process, students, incumbent workers, and job seekers will have the option to complete assessments for criteria in applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace communications. The scores earned range from bronze to platinum and can be highlighted on transcripts, resumes, and other applications.
We want good-paying careers for everyone in our community and this certification program enables us to introduce students and residents to see how it can help them take charge of their career decisions.
As we grow our community there will be more opportunities to not only attract new businesses but hopefully to help existing businesses expand. Site selectors for major projects recognize this certification and provide them with the information and data, bringing more jobs to Genesee County.
I am working with school representatives, workforce institutions, and other stakeholders to boost our talent pool, linking our students to high-quality job opportunities that enable them to thrive in our local community.
To learn more or sign up for a National Career Readiness Certificate contact me at 585-343-4866 or csuozzi@gcedc.com.
Jackson Primary School Principal Maureen Notaro and art teacher and muralist Linda Fix. Submitted Photo
Kids at Jackson Primary School will return to a surprise landscape inside the hallway this fall.
Based on the “KEY” principles of kindness, empathy and you, artist Linda Fix painted a large swath of artistic scenery this past month.
Principal Maureen Notaro had already instilled the concept of community helpers at the school, such as police officers, firefighters and doctors, which reminded Fix of the familiar phrase “it takes a village.”
She wanted to add the American flag to her design and talked to Notaro about what she wanted to incorporate.
“She really wanted children in it. She loved the flags, one of the American flags in it, so I went and designed it. And my designs are an interesting process because they never end up quite the way they begin, and that's what I love about art and creativity,” Fix said to The Batavian. “It never ends really the way you had it in your mind. But you get a piece of it, you know, you can recognize it. But along the way, so many things change.
"As I'm painting, children walk by, and they say things they love, and I catch their favorite colors, and I ask them, what would you like to see in the picture and the painting? And they tell me flowers over here. And they'll point to an area, so I'll paint their favorite color, rather, in a flower," she said. "So it became a journey for me.”
Fix applied for and was awarded a $5,000 grant from GO Art! for the project. It’s the second of its kind for a mural in a city school. The first one was at John Kennedy Intermediate last year.
Fix credits former school employee Julia Rogers and GO Art! staffer Mary Jo Whitman for helping to coordinate the efforts, and wanted to give a shout-out to Sherwin-Williams of Batavia for a generous sampling of paint in just the right blue shades she needed.
After getting a sense of what Notaro wanted to see on the Jackson school walls, Fix then got to work. She chalked an outline of her design, which she began in late June of this year. There was a lapse for some vacation between then and when she really began the serious work in mid-July.
“I worked on it every day until (Thursday), for three or four hours a day, on the entire wall,” she said. “Maureen is a very ambitious principal; she's a very forward principal, and I love that about her. She said, hey, can we add a rainbow at the end of it with the sun and do it in metallic, she loved my metallic paint, so I put that there, and then in the front foyer, I also did another rainbow, because then they can hang the children's different artwork and things like that around it.
“So it kind of added a little bit to the timeframe for me,” she said. “But, you know, it was okay. I was fine with it. I have enjoyed painting it so much, and so has the community.”
Last year she then made contact with folks that arranged for a traveling mural of the artwork. That involved a professional photographer and transferring the art onto a huge 8-foot-by-8-foot piece of canvas that is displayed on an easel and transported around the district.
A traveling mural will be part of this year’s grant, and it will be forthcoming by the end of the year," she said.
Although kindness is widely taught in schools now, she said, it seems as though empathy is not as well known, which is why she favors that second word in the acronym of KEY.
“Because empathy isn’t something we teach,” she said. “How do we teach children to really understand that?”
The traveling mural is to help educate kids on that empathy component, she said. Last year there were also children’s workshops along with the traveling mural, and those details have to be worked out for this year, Fix said. She thinks the traveling part of the project will probably be out and about in October or November.
Asked about her favorite part of this year’s mural, Fix thought to the day her grandson Waylon accompanied her to school. He thoughtfully watched and observed her splash on colors and a continuing story before offering his own suggestion. There were children, a wise owl, school buses, white clouds, a blue sky, rolling hills, and math equations, but something was missing, he told her.
“He said you need a park in here. And he picked where it should go, and it was his idea,” she said of her 9-year-old artist-in-training. “And I would never have thought of a park. It has evergreen trees, and children are sitting on a rock.”
When Fix was taking art lessons, she told her teacher she wanted to paint billboards someday, and the male teacher scoffed, “Miranda, you can’t do that,” referring to her artist pseudonym, Miranda Fix.
Now, having just completed another project doing something that she loves in the hallway for hundreds of children to see, she may have accomplished that billboard after all. What is a billboard if not an artful display of thoughts?
Come Sept. 5, many youngsters will be treated to that once they enter Jackson.
“That'll be a surprise when the children come back in. We have a lot of hidden things, a lot of hidden gems,” she said. “We represented everyone. We tried to represent the janitors in the school, we tried to represent numbers, and the big clock you see has all the community helpers, symbols of community helpers in the clock. So, yeah, there's a lot of just little thoughts.”
Notre Dame is pleased to announce their 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Class. This year’s inductees include:
Dan Burns (1982)
Jeff Weaver (2001)
Katie Francis (2004)
Maurin Lawrence (2004)
Ashley Napoleone (2004)
Jeff Antolos (2013)
Eric Geitner, long-time Notre Dame Cross Country, Swim, and Track Coach
Also being inducted is the 1982 Football team that posted a record of 8-0-1, winning sectionals and snapping Cal-Mum’s state record 47-game winning streak.
The celebration event will be held on Saturday, November 11. More info to be released shortly.
