Announcements

Press release:

Northgate Free Methodist Church will once again be hosting our annual VBS (Vacation Bible School) Base Camp between Aug.16th–20th with some exciting changes this year!

As we are growing rapidly our younger campers (ages 3–7) will enjoy a half day program at our North Campus (8160 Bank Street Road) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. while our older campers (ages 8-12) will participate from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at our South Campus (350 Bank St.)

This year’s theme is Space with OUT OF THIS WORLD activities, games, devotionals and special guests like Art of Mandy and the Seneca Zoo Mobile.

The older campers will also have the opportunity to engage in skill building and instructional exercises for their preferred sport to stay sharp over summer!

For costs and applications please visit northgatefmc.com and click on “Register” or call us at (585) 343-4011. Scholarships and family discounts are offered and always available as we want all students and families to be able to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Daniel at daniel@northgatefmc.com or just give us a call! See you this summer!

Press release:

It’s a different world when the sun goes down in the forest! Join us for a nocturnal insect adventure at the Genesee County Park & Forest on Saturday, July 10th from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Wayne Gall, Ph.D., will attract night-flying insects to a white sheet with a mercury vapor light and identify them. See these mysterious insects up close and learn cool facts about their natural history!

Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center and walk to the outdoor location. Masks must be worn while indoors and when unable to maintain six feet of social distance. Cost is $5/person, $10/family. Preregistration is required, call (585) 344-1122!

From Barbara Eddy:

This weekend the Alexander Fire Department E.S.P. Tractor Pull returns!

It will be held Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Recreation Hall grounds, 10708 Alexander Road, Alexander.

Cost: Adults: $16; children 6-12: $8; 5 years and under free.

Classes include: Super Farm, Light Super Farm, Limited Pro Stock Diesel Truck, Heavy Super Stock and Modified Tractors.

Friday at 5 p.m. will include a take-out only Chicken BBQ by the Ladies Auxiliary. Saturday will feature our popular local band "Red Creek" from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the beer tent.

Food tent will be open! Hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage, pizza, nachos, hot pretzels, fried dough, french fries and plenty of cold beverages served both nights.

Plenty of food and drink for all ages! It's time to get out and come to Alexander for the roar and excitement of the Alexander F.D. Tractor Pull!

Press release:

On Thursday, July 1, the Genesee Country Farmers Market starts a new program called Double Up Food Bucks.

Spend up to $20 in SNAP -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- and receive $20 matching funds. SNAP is accepted at the market. Redeem for tokens at the market kiosk.

The DUFB silver coins are good for fruits and vegetables. The wooden SNAP tokens are good for any SNAP-eligible item. 

Come get double your money's worth!

The Farmers Market at Bank Street and Alva Place downtown is open Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Press release:

Richmond Memorial Library invites patrons of all ages to take part in Summer Reading! This year’s theme is animals, with the slogan of “Tails and Tales.” Beginning June 25, children and adults can take part in reading challenges for a chance to win prizes.

The Children's Room at the Richmond Memorial Library is excited to continue its annual Summer Reading Program this summer from June 25 to Aug. 14.

New this year will be reading tracking using Beanstack. As a computer website or a mobile app, Beanstack will help readers track their minutes read, remind them of milestone prize pickups, and engage readers with fun activities to earn an additional end prize.

Children’s Room staff will gladly help families register on Beanstack when the program is available starting June 24. Watch the Children’s Room page on the website for updates. 

Summer reading for adults? Yes, please! Summer Reading BINGO will begin on Friday, June 25 and go through Aug. 21. Complete challenges like reading outside, listening to an audiobook and watching a documentary for a chance to win weekly and grand prizes.

Grand Prizes include a Book Lovers’ Basket, an 8gb Kindle Paperwhite and a piece of book art by a local artist! Weekly prizes will include gift cards and goodies from local establishments.

Registration begins in person at the library and online at batavialibrary.org at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 25.

The adult program is open to anyone 17 years of age or older with a valid library card. Complete rules and information will be provided with registration. Those registered for adult summer reading by July 7 will be entered for a chance to win one of ten copies of our 2021 Richmond Reads book (title to be revealed on July 8)!

In-person programming is back! All children’s programs will be held outdoors, including an All Ages Story time, Lunch Bunch, a Middle School Fidget Trading Club, and Family Fun Fridays. Adult programs include the Richmond Reads Title Reveal on July 8, book and film discussions and more!

Please visit the library website to continue to check for upcoming activities as they are available. For more information, visit http://www.batavialibrary.org or call (585) 343-9550.

Press release:

The Oakfield-Alabama Central School District announces its participation in the free Summer Food Service Program, offered through the USDA.

Meals will be provided to ALL children age 18 and under without charge. NO PAPERWORK is necessary -- just show up for great meals!

Delicious, convenient, healthy and economical lunches will be available for pick up at Triangle Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. starting July 13 through Aug. 19.

The park is located at 5 N. Pearl St., Oakfield.

Each pick up includes three days of meals.

If you have questions or need more information, call (585) 948-5211, ext. 4234.

(Children registered for summer instruction are served breakfast and lunch daily. Park/Rec registered students are served lunch only daily at Elroy Parkins Park.)

Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Central School District announces its participation in the free Summer Food Service Program, offered through the USDA.

Meals will be provided to all children age 18 and under without charge. NO PAPERWORK is necessary -- just show up for great meals!

Delicious, convenient, healthy and economical lunches will be available for pick up at the high school bus loop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. starting July 13 through Aug. 19.

The school is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen.

Each pick up includes three days of meals.

If you have questions or need more information, call (585) 494-1220, ext. 1015.

Press release:

There's an innovative new Financial Literacy program through the Ministry of Concern, open to residents of Orleans or Genesee County, for ages 12 and up.

The youth investment program will focus on everything from investing money and saving for the future to interviewing skills, how to get and keep a job, life insurance, budgeting and your credit score. 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people. We believe that this pilot project will help us pass on the key concepts of how money can work for you and be used to achieve personal goals as well as foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.

We are hopeful to have the classes started by mid-July so apply today.

Spots are limited. Ayesha Kreutz is the facilitator.

Phone is (585) 589-9210;  email:   orleansadvocateministryofconcern.org

Press release:

Press release:

St. Paul Lutheran School in Batavia will be holding an Amazing Race type of fundraiser called the "Amazing Grace Race" at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 5.

For $20 per vehicle you can travel to five different locations to complete a family friendly task. 

The top finishers will be recognized at the finish line and can try and win a prize.

All vehicles registered for the race will meet at St. Paul School, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia to get their race directions and first location to begin the race promptly at 10 a.m.

Once all vehicles have finished the race and the tasks we will meet back at St. Paul School.

Some of our sponsored locations include Terry Hills, Oles Family Farm, and the Geico Batavia Office.

If you are interested in participating, call the St. Paul Lutheran School office at 343-0488 or email stpaulbataviaprincipal@gmail.com.

Press release:

Day of Tractor Pulling June 19th, Saturday of Fathers Day Weekend, will be held at WNY Gas & Steam Show Association grounds, 10294 Gillate Road, Alexander.

Pulling starts at 9 a.m. with deadweight classes 4500#, 5500# and 6500#.

Stock Pull starts at noon. Stock Classes 5500-8500# and 9500-14,500#. Continuing with Enhanced Classes of 5500-8500# and 9500-14,500#.

In addition there will be 4-wheel drive trucks.

Bring Dad and enjoy the day together.

Admission: $10 adult; children 5-12 $5; 4 and under free.

We welcome you to bring your tractor to pull. If you have questions call Frank (716) 474-4492. General questions call Bill (716) 380-7061.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Please join us!

From Barbara Eddy:

The Alexander Fire Department will be hosting a drive-thru Father's Day Chicken 'n' Ribs BBQ on Sunday, June 20th from noon - 1:30 p.m.

Meals are as follows: Chicken only $12; Ribs only $16; and Chicken 'n' Ribs Combo $18. Sides will include mac 'n' cheese, baked beans and cornbread.

No grilling necessary for Dad on his day!

For preorder call (585) 356-3301 or (585) 507-9930.  

Press release:

The Friends of Richmond Memorial Library are pleased to announce the return of the book sale! The Friends will host a special sale on Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the library.

This is the first sale since the coronavirus pandemic began, so the Friends are relaunching in a big way with plenty of new items to choose from!

There will be spaces set up in the Gallery Room, the Wilber-Fox Memorial Room and the Reading Room to browse for books.

“It’s been more than a year and we’re very excited to safely resume our sales,” said Friends of the Library Board President Kathy Zipkin. “The Friends sale has become a staple in the community, and we’re grateful for everyone’s support and patience. We know many people have been holding onto their books to donate!”

With the return of the book sale, the Friends gratefully accept your donations of gently used or new books and DVDs, BluRay, and CDs in good condition.

Before bringing your books for donation, the library asks you to consider:

• Is there significant wear and tear, such as a broken binding, or loose, torn, or missing covers or pages?
• Is there mold or mildew? Books with mold or mildew often smell musty and are discolored or spotted.
• Is there water damage or staining?
• Do the books have a strong odor such as cigarette smoke?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, the library will not be able to make use of your donation.

Other types of materials that are not needed are textbooks and encyclopedias.

Donations are accepted anytime the library is open, Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 pm, and Friday and Saturday 9 am – 5 pm. For very large donations (more than four boxes at a time) the library asks you to call ahead to (585) 343-9550, ext. 3.

Please place all donations in the bin located in the lobby. The library requests that you do not place donations in the book drop or on the loading dock.

All proceeds from the Friends of the Library sales benefit the Friends, who use the funds for library advocacy and programming. Payments for sale items can be made by cash or check.

Richmond Memorial Library continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment. 

Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Holly McAllister as a Taking Control Consumer Administrator. 

The holder of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Food Service Administration from Erie Community College, McAllister has a range of office work experience: Clerk Typist in the Genesee County Health Department; Principal Financial Clerk for Genesee County; Guest Service Advisor-Leader on Duty for Petco in Batavia; Principal Clerk for Genesee Justice; and Secretary in the Genesee County Planning Department.

In this position she has a variety of responsibilities to coordinate, monitor, and enroll individuals as consumers/employers in the Taking Control program in the ILGR regional service area of Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, while promoting the expansion and positive impacts of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Service (CDPAS) within the region.

Asked to describe her feelings on beginning this new position, Holly whimsically quotes former Saturday Evening Post columnist Herm Albright, "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

ILGR is delighted that McAllister is bringing her experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release:

Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York is still recruiting volunteers to serve as escorts at our Batavia health center. Volunteers will greet and provide comfort to patients upon their arrival to the health center and upon their departure.

Candidates must be calm, friendly and comfortable ignoring protestor activity. A commitment of two hours per week on weekdays during daytime hours is required.

Thorough interview and screening are required and training will be provided. For more information call (585) 546-2771, ext. 338, or email volunteer@ppcwny.org.

About Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York

The nonprofit organization provides high quality, nonjudgmental reproductive health care; promotes responsible and healthy sexuality; advocates for access to comprehensive health care; and supports those affected by sexual violence. Each year, PPCWNY serves more than 31,000 adults and teens throughout Central and Western New York.

Press release from the Old Hippies:

GONE FISHIN'! Kay and I have come to a difficult decision to pause our Home to Home Concert Series for the Common Good livestream after this evening's show -- #60 in a row -- May 22 at 7 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who has joined in our fun and music.

We will keep you posted on our website when the livestreams will start again, www.oldhippiesmusic.com, facebook old hippies, and billmcdonald, instragram Oldhippiesbillandkay, and twitter Ohippies.

The livestream can be found as follows:

• www.oldhippiesmusic.com
• https://www.facebook.com/bill.mcdonald.188

We appreciate all your support,

Bill and Kay McDonald

Press release:

PathStone is accepting applications for the Genesee County Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Applications are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in our lobby at 30 Jefferson Square (Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union building) in Batavia. Please use the side entrance that faces toward the mall.

All applicants will need to have complete names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for everyone that would be in the household. Income and asset information is also required. There is no minimum income, but there are maximum income limits based on the household composition.

Please note that there is no immediate or emergency assistance. All income eligible applicants will be placed on a wait list.