Announcements

Press release:

"Jinglin' All the Way Festive 5K Run/Walk" will be held in Le Roy beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Check-in/registration is at the Masonic Temple, located at 21 Bank St.

Proceeds from the event benefit a Le Roy charity; this year's recipient is the Le Roy Pantry & Help Fund Inc.

Cost to register is $20 per adult, plus a toy donation for the Le Roy Pantry. Cost on race day is $25. Students pay $10 to preregister, plus a toy.

There will be a Jinglin' Post-race Party, graciously hosted by Farmer's Creekside Tavern & Inn, which will provide food, drink specials and music. The race is held in conjunction with the Le Roy Winterfest, which culminates with Santa lighting the Christmas tree in the center of the Village.

There will be a raffle for a basket valued at $75. Every nonperishable food item donated gets you one ticket for this basket raffle.

Go to TRItheOatka.com to register and see details.

The event is sponsored by the Tri the Oatka Committee.

About the committee:

About seven years ago, a group of friends got into a fitness regime. They participated in 5K run events in local areas. They made a day of the occasion because they enjoyed the sense of achievement they felt when they crossed the finish line. They always ran for charities or causes: breast cancer, leukemia, hemophilia, melanoma or some type of memorial run.

This made race day a win-win for all. The 5K runs quickly turned into 10K runs. Shortly after, they were purchasing road bikes and then swimsuits, goggles and wetsuits. They were transformed into Triathletes.

In 2011, they agreed that Le Roy was a great place to host such an event. They decided to take advantage of the beautiful Oatka Creek with a canoe / kayak event to replace the swim. And so….the “TritheOatka” was born; 5K run, 13-mile bike, 1.6-mile canoe or kayak. Thirty-eight teams competed that first year, doubling in year two.

The event continues to grow and the Jinglin' all the Way Festive 5K is now added.

Proceeds from the committee's events are always given back to the Le Roy community. The Le Roy Community Pool, LCCP, Sunshine Nursery School, Love Bugs Pre-K Program, the Le Roy Pantry & Help Fund Inc., Grace’s Kitchen, and Le Roy Nursery School have all benefitted. 

More so, though, it is the school that has benefitted. Since 2014, $4,000 has been awarded to Le Roy seniors for the Tri the Oatka Scholarship fund.

The committee has given to the Back-Pack program and again donated $1,000 for this school year.

Working with Joanne Hyde, they have purchased headsets for the grade school for all the computers in both labs, and purchased 100 pair of ear buds for kids who couldn’t afford their own. In 2015 they donated funds to the Ecology Club for their trip to Yellowstone. They will also be funding Mrs. Horgan’s CPR class this year and plan to continue helping with the expense of this program as long as funds allow.

Hoping for Your Support

"We are hoping we can have your support with encouraging students and staff to participate in our December 2^nd 5K either by running, walking or volunteering. ... The Le Roy Pantry receives the donated toys and nonperishables from this event and it is a great and affordable way for our kids to help make a difference to many people in our own community.

"We hope we can count on you to continue helping our students and our community."

Sincerely,

Gabrielle & Scott Keister                                                                        Karen & Steve Samis

Tami & Pete Loftus                                                                                 Amy & Dan Vanderhoof

Press release:

As part of this year's Global Migration theme, which explores human migrations from a macro and micro perspective, Genesee Community College's Global Education Committee and the Student Government Association invite the community to participate in a book discussion featuring Sonia Nazario's novel, "Enrique's Journey."

Start reading now and join us for an enlightening review and discussion on Nov. 30.

Following previous lectures by GCC faculty on "Global Migration -- Terms, Trends and Tensions" and "Ancestry Revealed in our DNA", the review of "Enrique's Journey" is directly aligned with this year's Global Migration theme.

"Enrique's Journey" is the nonfictional account of one boy's terrifying and treacherous journey from Honduras to the United States in an attempt to be reunited with his mother. The book includes details and images of migration journeys and documents Enrique's success and setbacks, including being detained in prison during one attempt.

The journey from Central America, like Enrique's, is among the most difficult journeys in contemporary times.

Here's an excerpt from page 5 of "Enrique's Journey":

"They must make an illegal and dangerous trek up the length of Mexico. Counselors and immigration lawyers say only half of them get help from smugglers. The rest travel alone. They are cold, hungry and helpless. They are hunted like animals by corrupt police, bandits, and gang members deported from the United States. A University of Houston study found that most are robbed, beaten or raped, usually several times. Some are killed."

The discussion, led by Associate Professor of Reading, Julie Jackson-Coe, will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 in room T119 of the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus.The discussion session is free and open to the public. Seating is first come-first served.

The novel is available for purchase at the GCC Campus Bookstore at One College Road in Batavia. The bookstore is open to the public: Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A limited number of copies of the novel will also be available for purchase at the event. A portion of all bookstores sales is donated to the college.

To reach GCC's Campus bookstore, please call 585-345-6878 or email at sm768@bncollege.com.

For more information, contact Academic Support Assistant in Human Communications and Behavior's Academic Support Assistant, Nina Mortellaro at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6228, or via email: nimortellaro@genesee.edu.

Press release:

Providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful and isolating, but support groups can provide coping tools and a welcoming embrace from others in the same position.

The Alzheimer's Association Western New York chapter oversees close to three dozen monthly caregiver support groups across the region, including three in the GLOW (Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming counties) region.

The groups meet monthly, and are designed to provide emotional and social support for caregivers and help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems.

These are the GLOW region meetings:

• Albion
  2^nd Tuesday, 6 p.m., Hoag Library, 134 S. Main St.
• Batavia
  3^rd Wednesday, 7 p.m., Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St.
• Warsaw
  1^st Monday, 10 a.m., Wyoming County Office of the Aging, 5 Perry Ave.

Information about all the other support group meetings that take place across WNY is available by visiting the chapter’s website at alz.org/WNY or by calling 1.800.272.3900.

Yahtzee anyone? Or how about Crazy Eights or a classic American board game like Sorry!?

A “Community Game Day” will be held next Saturday, Nov. 18, at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehab., 278 Bank St., Batavia.

It starts at 3 p.m. in Main Dining Room.

Bring your favorite board games, family and friends; they will provide the snacks!

If you have any questions, please call Premier Genesee at 344-0584, ext. 2113.

Press release:

A Holiday Wreath Sale, sponsored by Grandview Cemetery, is underway and orders are due no later than Friday, Nov. 17.

Wreaths cost $22 each and feature a red bow and accessories. All proceeds go toward cemetery maintenance.

To order, call Joyce at 343-0877 or Anne at 343-0350.

Wreaths can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26th, at cemetery maintenance building. Grandview Cemetery is located at 80 Clinton Street Road in Batavia.

Press release:

This month St. Paul Lutheran School in Batavia is celebrating 20 years of educating children in and around Batavia, from prekindergarten to fifth grade. On Sunday, Nov. 26, there will be a special Alumni Reunion & School Celebration!

The worship service will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., immediately followed by the reunion outside the main church entrance at 31 Washington Ave.

There will be old photographs and DVDs to see and reminiscing with former schoolmates and teachers.

For questions, contact Mrs. Ann Werk, school principal, at 343-0488.

Press release:

Genesee Community College is accepting applications for Finger Lakes Hired Employment Program. This initiative includes career guidance and job search support, as well as potential funding for tuition and more for eligible applicants.

Applications for this program are due by Nov. 21.

The Finger Lakes Hired Employment Program (FLH), which established the grant, is part of a four-year, federally funded initiative operated in partnership with RochesterWorks! to place long-term unemployed individuals into local high-demand jobs. The FLH program stipulates that applicants must:

• Have been out of work for six months (27 weeks) or more, or must be currently under-employed;
• Be pursuing an academic program in Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care, or Information Technology;
• Be on track to graduate the program by May 2018.

There are strict deadlines for training grant applicants. Individuals seeking assistance with non-credit courses must submit application and necessary documentation between now and Jan. 5.

Through The BEST Center, GCC currently offers several certificate programs in the industries the FLH grant targets. In the healthcare arena, the Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program, Patient Access & Registration Professional Certificate Program and the Phlebotomy Certificate Program are currently available. In addition, on the job training opportunities are also available for newly hired employees in the areas of IT and Advanced Manufacturing.

There are also training grants opportunities for college credit-bearing courses for returning GCC students to complete their degree by May of 2018. There are more than 15 potentially eligible academic degree programs available through GCC.

For assistance with the training grant application process contact: Andrew Gerber, liaison and case manager at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6002, or by email: algerber@genesee.edu(link sends e-mail), or Emily Cooper, education and employment specialist at 585-397-5807, or by email: ecooper@rochesterworks.org(link sends e-mail).

For online details go The Finger Lakes Hired website: http://www.fingerlakeshired.com/(link is external)

Press release:

If you are a homeowner and eligible, the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit can help you repair or replace your furnace, boiler and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep your home’s primary heating source working.

HEAP emergency furnace repair benefits are available beginning Monday, Nov. 6th.

Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace your furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment, $3,000 for a repair and $6,500 for a replacement.

You must go to your HEAP Local District Contact to apply. Your local district contact will decide if you meet all the eligibility conditions, including the income and resource requirements.

Before work is started it must be approved and authorized by a HEAP Local District Contact. Payment is made directly to the vendor after all the work is completed.

View HEAP Monthly Income Limits.

Byron-Bergen’s top vocal talents prepare for their debut with the RPO Festival High School Chorale at the season’s Gala Holiday Pops concert. From left, Jerome Spinks, Esther Wilkins, Mason Fuller, Stephanie Buell, Josh Phelps, Hannah VanSkiver and Brian Ireland. (Not present: Sydney Brown)

Submitted photo and press release:

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s Festival High School Chorale, a group of nearly 200 of the finest vocal talents from more than 30 high schools in our seven-county area, has been part of the popular Gala Holiday Pops concerts every year since 1994.

This year, Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School will be represented in the Chorale by eight young vocalists: Hannah Van Skiver, soprano; Esther Wilkins, soprano; Sydney Brown, alto; Stephanie Buell, alto; Joshua Phelps, tenor; Jerome Spinks, tenor; Mason Fuller, bass; and Brian Ireland, bass.

“This is a great group,” said Byron-Bergen’s Vocal Music Director Laurence Tallman. “They have strong, expressive voices, wonderful musical skills, and unusual depth and maturity. Each one is positive, enthusiastic, and committed to being the best they can be.”

The Festival High School Chorale gives young singers an opportunity to take on a program of challenging winter and holiday-themed music, under conductor Jeff Tyzik with co-directors Amy Story and Harold McAulliffe, and accompanied by the full Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Performances will feature guest Denzal Sinclaire, one of Canada's most popular jazz vocalists who is ranked among the finest jazz singers of his generation.

The performances will be held in Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre at: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21; 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22; and 2 p.m. and also 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23.

Tickets are available online at www.RPO.org.

Press release:

The Arc of Genesee Orleans will host the annual Chili & Chowder Fest & Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Arc Community Center in Batavia.

There will be a raffle of 100 theme baskets. (Need not be present to win.)

Time is 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Early ticket sales only Friday 11/17 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The center is located at 38 Woodrow Road.

This event benefits people with disabilities in our communities.

Want to DONATE a basket? Call 343-4203.

Press release:

We are happy to announce that Ascension Parish in Batavia is hosting a Christmas Bazaar to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 17 Sumner St. in the Community Hall.

This event will feature Mrs. Claus’s Café, Visits with St. Nicholas, Used Book Sale, Basket Raffle and Placek Sale.

In addition there will be children games including snowman bowling, jingle boxes, treasure chest and many more. There will be more than 25 vendors just in time for holiday shopping including Perfectly Posh, Tastefully Simple, Chiselwood, along with handmade items for sale. Each vendor will have a door prize to give away to a lucky winner.

Information provided by Jeanice Howard, of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post 576, Le Roy:

Consider buying a brick for Christmas. The Veterans Memorial Brick Program is a great way to honor a special veteran in your life by engraving a brick with their name. These make meaningful gifts.

This practice of pride provides a place of honor and reflection for veterans, their family and friends, and those who desire to show their respects to those service men and women who have and continue to boldly serve our county.

A 4-inch-by-8-inch engraved brick costs $50 (with wording space for 40 characters); an 8-ich-by-8-inch engraved brick costs $100 (with wording space for 60 characters).

The Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post 576 in Le Roy has been host to numerous events through the years, such as card games, bingo, breakfasts, holiday celebrations, bowling and the site is available to the community for wedding parties and local churches in time of need.

For information or questions, call Brick Committee Chair -- Jerry Diskin 585-721-3076.

To visit Le Roy's Post 576 online, click here:

To view a copy of the order form to buy a Veterans Memorial Brick from the Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post 576, click here.

You can print it out, fill in the blanks, then mail it with your check to the Legion in Le Roy. Checks should be made payable to American Legion Post 576. All the details, including the address, are on the form.

Press release:

The community is invited to Notre Dame High School at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, for Play It Forward,a fundraising event in memory of recently deceased Batavians, Christina Volpe and David Swinton.

The evening will feature an alumni basketball game, 50/50 drawing, and more than 75 baskets to be raffled, concessions and lots of family fun. We will also be raffling a prize trip to Topsail, North Carolina, and an overnight golf package for Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Center in Greenville, N.Y. (Catskill region) and an electronic lift chair, as well as Sabres tickets, and a signed Tyrod Taylor jersey.

All money raised -- 100 percent -- will be donated to local causes.  

For further details please contact John or Margaret Volpe at  585-813-1110  or Jane Swinton at 585-548-2898.

Let's get together and "Play It Forward."

Notre Dame is located at 73 Union St. in the City of Batavia.

Press release:

On Thursday, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) praised the signing of legislation to extend property tax exemptions to eligible U.S. veterans to include school taxes. These exemptions would extend the veterans’ property tax exemption to include school taxes in New York State and will ease financial burdens faced by veterans as they transition back to civilian life.

“As Americans, we owe it all to the brave men and women who fought to defend our country,” Hawley said. “Extending tax exemptions to veterans is one small way we can positively impact their post-military lives. I applaud the signing of this legislation and I hope veterans across the state will benefit from these additional tax exemptions.”

At this time, state property tax laws provide partial property tax exemptions to qualified veterans of the U.S. military, but these exemptions didn’t include school taxes. In 2013 and 2016 the alternative veterans’ property tax exemption and Cold War property tax exemptions were revised to give school districts the option of allowing exemptions. With this signed legislation, all three veterans’ property tax exemptions would apply to school taxes.

Press release:

City of Batavia firefighters are proud to announce the winners of their 5th Annual Fire Prevention Contest.

Information provided by Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble.

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble will perform an Autumn Concert beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Alexander Central Auditorium. It is located at 3314 Buffalo St. in Alexander.

Philip J. Briatico is the conductor.

These are the works to be featured:

• "Life Dances" -- William Himes -- featuring Guest ConductorJohn Maguda
• "Moorside March" -- Holst -- featuring Member Conductor Katherine Robinson
• Irish Tune from County Derry -- Percy Aldridge Grainger
• "Joy" -- Frank Tichelli
• "Emblem of Unity" -- J.J. Richards
• Highlights from "Fiddler on the Roof"
• A tribute to Stevie Wonder in concert
• "Climb to Glory" -- William Palange (Veterans Day)
• "March of the Trolls" -- Edvard Grieg, arr. Beck
• "Chester" -- William Schuman

Admission prices are:

• $10 -- Adult
• $8 -- Senior (55+) & Veteran
• $5 -- Student (with ID)
• Free -- Children 5 years old & under
• $25 -- Family Deal -- for immediate family and children as defined by mother and/or father and up to four (4) children.

The purpose of the GVWE is to serve and to provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar live music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature and to create the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents.

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble is based in Batavia.

This program is made possible, in part, by the Reach Grant program administered by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Contact: geneseevalleywindensemble@gmail.com

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department will be participating in the DEA’s 2017 National Prescription Drug Take-Back initiative on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The event will be held in the rear parking lot of the Batavia Police Department (10 W. Main St.) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Citizens can turn in their unwanted, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal.

The National Prescription Drug Take-Back addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Two other disposal sites are in Genesee County, and these also have collection hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tomorrow.

• Sheriff's deputies will staff collection at Pembroke Town Highway Barns, routes 5 & 77, East Pembroke
• Le Roy Police at Village Hall, 3 W. Main St., Village of Le Roy (near routes 5 & 19)

(For previously posted press release on how this initiative helps the Great Lakes and New York waterways, click here.)

Press release:

The fifth annual Traditional Martial Arts Association Tournament will be held Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Le Roy High School Gym, with eliminations starting at 10 a.m.

The Tournament will consist of Sparring (point fighting), Individual Kata (forms), Team Kata, Weapons Kata, and Self Defense.

Tournament organizers are Soke William Cavalier (Livonia Tatsu Do School), Hanshi Dick Borrell ( Borrell’s Karate Academy Batavia), and Renshi Fred Merica (Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Main Street Fitness). All three have been close associates and tournament/ clinic organizers for the past 40 years.

Ages of competitors will start as young as 4 years old with no age limit. We have had competitors in the past well into their 70s. Divisions are broken down by skill level and age.

Spectators are welcome at $5 each and students at $4 each. To see a flier go to www.fitness-martialarts.com and click the link at top of page “November 2017 TMAA Tournament- Download Flyer” or call 585-414-3181.

There will also be a breaking demonstration at noon. They break everything from boards, bricks, coconuts, and Louisville Sluggers with their shins.

Anyone interested to help be a scorekeeper please call 585-414-3181 for more information, minimum -- 15 years old, no experience needed.

Tournament sponsors are:

    Northwoods Sporting Club / Le Roy

    Cameron Construction/ Le Roy

    Ben’s Appliances/ Batavia 

    Le Roy Karate & Self Defense Center/ Le Roy 

    Borrell’s Karate Academy/ Batavia 

    Livonia Tatsu Do Karate/ Livonia