Announcements

The Batavia Lacrosse Club is pleased to announce its third annual Youth Lacrosse Camp from June 27 to July 19. There will be no session on July 4.

The camp is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Van Detta Stadium.

Students entering grades two through seven are eligible to participate. They will work with current coaches and players to learn the fundamentals of "the fastest game on two feet."

There are three payment options*:

1) $50 -- Covers registration and entrant gets to keep a lacrosse stick, ball and Batavia Lacrosse jersey;

2) $30 -- Covers registration and entrant gets to keep a reversible lacrosse jersey;

3) $10 -- Covers registration.

*No athlete will be turned away due to financial limitation.

For more information go to <http://www.batavialacrosse.com> or call Coach Joe Hussar at 343-2480, ext. 7429.

Press release:

Once again, Genesee Community College will welcome middle school aged-students to participate in the annual summer Sport and Wellness Experience. The popular weeklong camp focuses on helping children develop the skills and mindset necessary to compete in various sports, but also to help them appreciate the value of good health and wellness habits.

"We are going into our third year of this camp and it has really been a lot of fun," says GCC Health and Physical Education Director Rebecca Dziekan. "The kids have been great and the feedback has been so positive. Combining a variety of different sports with a little education on some important wellness topics provides a nice experience for all the participants."

GCC's Sport and Wellness Experience runs one full week and each day is filled with a well-rounded lineup of activities and great collection of contemporary topics that face young adults today, including but not limited to bullying, relationships, alcohol and drug abuse.

The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 23-27, with all activities taking place on the Batavia campus at One College Road. Participants have full access to GCC's new athletic facilities including the new turf soccer field, Fitness Center, Anthony B. Zambito Gymnasium and the tennis courts. The $120 cost covers instruction in tennis, soccer and volleyball as well as all of the educational discussions, a daily lunch in the college cafeteria, and a program T-shirt. A variety of GCC instructors lead the classes and discussions with guest speakers also sharing their expertise.

"The program in the past two years have 'wowed' both the student participants as well as their parents, and many attendees return for a second year," Dzeikan said. "From experiencing the college's high-end athletic facilities to the working with coaches and staff, we believe the program offers everyone involved a very engaging and fulfilling experience."

To learn more about the camp, and to download a registration form, visit this Web site: http://www.genesee.edu/gcc/wellness/.

Press release:

The best and brightest sixth-grade math and science minds in the GLOW region were honored during an awards breakfast at Genesee Community College today.

In February, school districts across the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming county region nominated 70 students for the inaugural cohort of the Math Science Preparatory Program at GCC. Embedded within the competitive application process was an opportunity for two students to earn a full scholarship to Math Science Preparatory Program at GCC for their first year in the program.

Two students were selected from among 21 Scholar of the Year finalists to win the first-ever award, and all the finalists were recognized today (May 29, 2012). The scholarship winners and 2012 Inaugural Math Science Scholars of the Year are Triton Adamski of Pembroke Central School, and Kiera Gross of Pavilion Central School.

Triton earned the highest score in the competition by performing exceptionally well on the competitive placement examination (placing into college-level mathematics). Combined with his excellent classroom grades in math and science, a thoughtful essay on the role of LEGOS ® in the better understanding of math and science, and an educational Powerpoint presentation, Triton clearly earned top honors. Triton also received awards for reading and character, and has been asked to tutor younger students in reading and math. He is an active member in team sports, his school's band, and the SADD club at Pembroke. Triton's mother, Denise Adamski, told the ACE program that he is looking forward to a wonderful and challenging experience at Genesee Community College.

Kiera demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the scientific method with her essay about the use of crash-test dummies in safety experiments. An active sixth grader at Pavilion Central School, Kiera is a member of PageTurners, as well as Sixth-Grade Band and Chorus. Kiera is also a black stripe belt at Cain's Taekwondo Academy, where she is a member of SMAC Competition Team and GOLD (Guidance on Leadership Development) Team. She also helps run craft activities for kids in grades one through four in Kids Count Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Akron Free Methodist Church. She is a Cadette Girl Scout and a member of 4-H. She enjoys caring for animals, camping, and making her own science experiments.

ACE program specialist Karlyn M. Finucane says she and other members of the GCC ACE team are looking forward to working with all of the students who were nominated for the Math Science Preparatory Award throughout the next several years.

"While the inaugural cohort was limited to 48 students, the overall quality of the applicants and overwhelming interest expressed by the community for this type of program has prompted the research and development of several additional math and science enrichment opportunities to meet the educational needs of our region's top performing students," says Finucane.

In alphabetical order, students nominated by their school districts in Genesee County for the Math Science Preparatory Program include:

•    Triton Adamski, Pembroke Central School *◦§

•    Landon Bish, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School *

•    Logan Cadieux, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School *◦§

•    Kim Davis, Pavilion Central School ◦

•    Cassandra DeLelys, Elba Central School ◦

•    Trevor Fitzgibbon, Alexander Central School *◦§

•    Samantha Gibbs, Alexander Central School

•    Cassidy Graham, Alexander Central School ◦

•    Kiera Gross, Pavilion Central School *◦§

•    Cameron Hausfelder, Alexander Central School *

•    Gabrielle Havens, Batavia Middle School *

•    Kelsey Hilburger, Elba Central School ◦ *

•    Madison Hoerbelt, Batavia Middle School

•    Lauren Hume, Alexander Central School ◦

•    Ethan Hutchins, Batavia Middle School *◦§

•    Tara Jagodzinski, Pavilion Central School *◦§

•    Logan Kellogg, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School

•    Jora Kusmierski, Alexander Central School

•    Jay Lewis, Batavia Middle School *

•    Nathan Loria, Batavia Middle School ◦ *

•    Michal Lullo, Batavia Middle School *

•    Joseph Marchese, Batavia Middle School

•    Aaron Michalak, Batavia Middle School *◦§

•    Christa Moscicki, Batavia Middle School

•    Madison Murray, Batavia Middle School ◦

•    Jason Normandin, Pavilion Central School ◦ *

•    Callee Norton, Elba Central School ◦

•    Anand Patel, Batavia Middle School *

•    Benjamin Pflaumer, Elba Central School ◦

•    Justina Pruski, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School ◦ *

•    Lauren Reding, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School ◦ *

•    Erik Scharlau, Alexander Central School

•    Kylie Schlagenhauf, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School ◦

•    Jordyn Schmidt, Batavia Middle School

•    Trevor Schoonover, Pavilion Central School ◦

•    Chloe Schrier, Pavilion Central School ◦

•    Edward Skalny, Batavia Middle School *◦§

•    Benjamin Slenker, Alexander Central School *◦§

•    Job Smith, Alexander Central School ◦

•    Ethan Stone, Pembroke Central School *◦§

•    Nicholas Ventola, St. Joseph's School *◦§

•    Grace Vogler, Pembroke Central School *◦§

•    Moira Werner, St. Joseph's School ◦

•    Emma Whalen, Pavilion Central School ◦

•    Claire Zickl, Batavia Middle School *◦§

•    Bethany Zwolinski, Pembroke Central School ◦

Key:

* Accepted for Math Science Preparatory Program

◦ Nominated for Math Science Scholar of the Year Award

◦§ Award Finalist

Press release:

LIFT Summer Program is a summer day camp for children ages 5-10 with special needs such as: sensory processing disorders, learning disabilities, Asperger’s, OCD, ODD, pediatric bipolar disorder and ADD/ADHD as well as siblings of children with special needs. This is our third summer providing services for children with special needs.

Camp days are 12:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays with extended hours available. The recommended donation is $3.50/hour.

Children will participate in activities that will work on sensory processing, fine and gross motor coordination as well as social and life skills. Additional classes include art, theater, music, math, reading and writing.

Camp takes place at the East Pembroke Grange Hall and will start June 29 and will end Aug. 17. Children are welcome to attend some or all of the camp days.

For more information, please call Laura Kauppi at 233-6155 or email Liftschoolofmusic@gmail.com

Press release:

The Laughing Buddha recently held a piercing benefit to benefit Austin Heineman, a Pembroke High School senior with a rare form of cancer. The drive raised $565 to go to Austin to help pay for medical bills. MTV reality star Johnny Bananas was in town to make an appearance and host the event, which lasted all night Friday and included him meeting everyone who stopped in, taking photos and signing autographs. Bananas also made an appearance at City Slicker's Bar & Grill afterward.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council’s 34th annual family event “Picnic in the Park” takes place this Fourth of July. 

The festivities run from Noon until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4th, in historic Centennial Park at Richmond and Ellicott avenues in Batavia. As is tradition, the “Picnic in the Park” is kicked off by the Batavia Concert Band performing on the Main Stage at Noon.

This year’s “Picnic in the Park” includes all-day musical entertainment, arts and crafts show, folk arts programs, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more. Admission is free.

Please call GO ART! at 343-9313, email info@goart.org, or visit <http://www.goart.org> for more information. Applications are still available for artists, crafters, food vendors or nonprofits wishing to have a booth.

Press release:

The Richmond Memorial Library is excited to present this year’s children’s Summer Reading Club theme, “Dream Big, READ!”

The 2012 Summer Reading Club is open to all children through 6th grade. During the Summer Reading Club, children can win prizes by reading books or having books read to them, attending programs and playing games.

Programs include; Lego Club, Erin Hunter Book Club, Science Club, both day and evening story times, and special performances every Friday afternoon during Summer Reading Club. Throughout the summer come explore the Children’s Room, which will be decorated with a nighttime theme of stars, camping and nocturnal animals.

Registration starts June 18th. Sign up for Summer Reading Club on Saturday June 23rd during our "Sign Up Extravaganza" and receive a special souvenir cup.

For more information, call the library at 343-9550. ext. 4, or visit our Web site at  <http://www.batavialibrary.org>.

Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club (BBPW), 2011-2012 Scholarship Committee, has awarded scholarships to eight local students.

High School Award winners are: Anna Dombrowski (Alexander), Emily Doherty (Pavilion), Jenna Bauer and Melanie Case (Batavia), and Sarah Hill (Pembroke). Each is receiving a $700 check to support their educational and career goals.

These scholarships are open annually to Genesee County high schools seniors (male or female). Each student maintained an 85-percent average, completed a one-page BPW application with a letter of recommendation from a school staff member. Each student submitted a personal essay discussing their achievements and future goals as well as an essay from a parent. The finalists were interviewed by the BPW Scholarship Committee in late April and were notified by one of the scholarship committee members.

The Genesee Community College $500 Scholarship Award is being presented to Rachel Berardini, (Batavia), who is an adult student, majoring in Business. The selection process for the GCC award is completed by the Genesee Community College Foundation.

Our Genesee Valley BOCES $250 Scholarship Award winners are Gina Caccamise (Le Roy), from the Health Careers Academy program and Charles Eggebrecht (Batavia), from the Legal Careers Academy program. Both were selected through the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, Student Services Committee.

All of the award winners are invited to the BPW June Banquet, which is being held, Thursday, June 7 at Bohn’s Restaurant.

Additionally, BBPW club members voted at their May meeting on the service awards to be distributed and this year five $300 checks were awarded to: The Salvation Army; Genesee Cancer Assistance; Genesee Veterans Support Network; Crossroads House; and Justice for Children GLOW Foundation, Inc.

To be considered for the service award a letter with appropriate letterhead was sent to the BPW requesting consideration. To find out more about BPW scholarships and service awards visit our Web page: http://bataviabpw.wordpress.com/scholarship/

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club have two annual events to raise money for our scholarships and service awards, a Fall Live Basket Auction and December Cookie Auction.

Please support the next fundraising event by joining us for our Oct. 6 Live Basket Auction and Brunch being held at Batavia Downs and Gaming starting at 10 a.m. for browsing, brunch at 11:30 a.m. and live auction at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $20, contact Brenda Miller at 356-3720 or email your ticket requests to bataviabpw@gmail.com. All proceeds benefit Genesee County scholarships and service organizations!

More information on the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club Live Basket Auction and Brunch can be found at: http://bataviabpw.wordpress.com/auction/

In order to meet the needs of the community, there will be Warm Line Volunteer Listener Training from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, at the Mental Health Association, located at 25 Liberty St. in the City of Batavia.

The Warm Line is a peer-to-peer award-winning program of the MHA that provides support and encouragement to individuals in our community.  The Warm Line is in operation from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., 365 days a year.

If you would like to find out more about this training opportunity or general Warm Line services, please contact Charley DelPlato, Warm Line coordinator at 344-2611.

Series of free classes at Richmond Memorial Library: "Introduction to the computer and Internet."

Learn the basics of using a computer and surfing the Internet at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, July 2 through Aug. 27.

The library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Please contact the library at 343-9550 to register.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Board of Trustees recognized the extraordinary service and contributions of the late Lynn E. Browne by dedicating the college's Library Instruction Classroom in his honor.

Browne served as a member of the Genesee Community College Foundation Board of Directors from 1997 to 2010, including nine years of service as treasurer. He was deeply involved in the fund raising initiatives that led to the expansion of the college's scholarship programs, and the construction of the Conable Technology Building and the Humphrey Student Union. He was a member of the committee that facilitated the foundation's acquisition of the former College Meadows, renamed College Village.

A native of Batavia, Brown was a graduate of the Wharton School of Business. After serving as an Army officer during World War II, he married Phyllis Shiekman, of Philadelphia, and relocated there. For many years, he owned and operated one of the nation's leading button distribution businesses. After the death of his wife in the 1980s, Browne returned to his hometown and immersed himself in community activities.

He was the first recipient of the Alpha Medal of Honor (2006), bestowed on area citizens during commencement ceremonies in recognition of outstanding philanthropic and volunteer support of Genesee Community College. His family returned his Alpha Medal to the college after his death, and it will be displayed in or near the Library classroom.

Browne contributed funds to assist in the renovation of the college's Alfred C. O'Connell Library during 1999-2000, and asked that the plaque recognizing his contribution be displayed outside the Library Instruction Classroom. The classroom is often used by students learning how to use library resources and conduct research, and it had a special meaning to Browne, according to Foundation Executive Director Richard Ensman.

Board Chair Charles R. Ruffino called Browne an extraordinary citizen who "poured his heart and soul into Genesee Community College."

The college foundation will host a public dedication event honoring Mr. Browne and the naming of the Library Classroom in the near future.

Press release:

The second annual Darien Lake Baseball Tournament Series scheduled for June is expected to draw more than 160 teams from across the Northeast and Canada to Genesee County. Each of the first four weekends in June will feature competition between different school-age club baseball teams at a number of local facilities.

The 10 & 11 Under teams kick off the series on June 1-2, with the 14 & Under teams scheduled for June 8-10. The series wraps up with the 12, 13, & 15 Under teams on June 15-17 and the 16 & 18 Under teams on June 22-24.
 
Tournament coordinator Neal Turvey, of Pitch 'n' Hit Events, is excited to build on last year's momentum to create an ongoing "don't miss" event for each of the teams that attend.

"This series features a variety of teams with a high level of competition at quality facilities," Turvey said. "We want each team to have a great experience and walk away already planning to attend next year. We've worked very closely with the Town of Batavia, local school districts, and parks to secure enough facilities that we are able to keep the entire event in Genesee County."
 
Tom Lichtenthal of the Town of Batavia has been instrumental in the planning process through coordinating field locations and layouts as well as connecting the dots between the tourism department of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and Pitch 'n' Hit events to ensure that local hotels and attractions are prepared to welcome the influx of visitors.
 
"We're excited to see the economic impact of this event, especially as it's grown from last year," Lichtenthal said. "Events like this are instrumental in showcasing the Town of Batavia and Genesee County as a destination for sporting events and tournaments. The Batavia hotel base and number of sporting facilities across the county make us a great place to host an event."
 
Tournament attendees will arrive in Genesee County each Friday to register and check in at Darien Lake Theme & Water Park who has signed on to sponsor the event.

"We're happy to have Darien Lake back for a second year of sponsorship," Turvey said. "They're a great fit for the event and we appreciate their continued support."
 
For more information and a full tournament schedule visit:  http://www.pitchnhitevents.com

Volunteers for Animals are pleased to announce new co-vice presidents.

Brenda Cromwell and Andre Miller will be sharing the duties, which include assisting Secretary Sylvia Dimick, fundraising, and maintaining VFA Facebook.

Appointed by Kathie Barnard, president, Rich Pearson, treasurer, and Mrs. Dimick, Andre and Brenda fill the vacant vice-president position.
 
The appointments are effective immediately and extend through general elections in November 2013.

Volunteers For Animals is collecting returnable pop/beer/water cans and bottles to help raise money for the animals.

Bring in your empties and we will return them for you. Or you can take them directly to Rob’s Bottle and Can at 214 Ellicott St. in Batavia (Hours are M-F 9-5 and Saturday 9-2) OR Eastown Beverages on East Main Street in Batavia.

In Le Roy, Le Roy Redemption Center at 8 1/2 Lake St. (Route 19) will accept empties for VFA.

Just tell them that they are for Volunteers For Animals and they will do the rest! All of the money collected from the deposits will go directly toward helping the animals at the shelter.

 

RSVP of Genesee County held its 27th Annual Recognition Event earlier this month. The following winners attended:

Gold Award Winners (500+ Hours)

Edward Corcoran -- 1,932

Donna Rhodes -- 1,239

Emerson Campbell -- 956

Diane Baker -- 826

Maureen Adams -- 803

Beverly Corcoran -- 796

Judith Ridley -- 792

Ray Luzier -- 779

William Parker -- 701

Vernon Rupert -- 605

Rita Hartrick -- 576

Silver Award Winners (250-499 Hours)

Carolyn Dain -- 449

Betty Luperino -- 430

Caroline Weber -- 414

Merrill Weber -- 404

William Haubrick -- 374

Sharon Ziomek -- 373

Anita Rynkowski -- 369

Timothy Richter -- 336

Joanne Muller -- 331

MaryAnn Silvernail -- 314

Pamela Ware -- 284

Vicki Becker -- 284

Joan Wood -- 281

Jennie Starowitz -- 280

Lucille Haubrick -- 275

Robert Eick -- 272

Anne Rupert -- 266

Bronze Award Winners (100-249 Hours)

Sylvia Traxler -- 246

Wayne Judkins -- 243

Loren Adams -- 239

Joan Fluker -- 238

Anne Barone -- 235

MaryFran Pietrzykowski -- 233

Florence Ziarko -- 233

Wallace Kornow -- 205

Kathleen Martin -- 201

Kathryn Wickson -- 190

Edna Wenhold -- 186

Jeanette DiSanto -- 185

Anita Dziekan -- 166

Allan Grehlinger -- 163

Regina Abdella -- 156

Genevieve Mahoney -- 148

Jeanne Graber -- 148

Helen Heale -- 138

Catherine Judkins -- 132

Marjorie Morse -- 129

Opal Phelps -- 128

Tina Kornow -- 128

Jane Grehlinger -- 122

Rita Sidari -- 117

Richard Neth -- 117

Agnes Redinger -- 115

Richard vonBergen -- 113

Janet Luzier -- 110

Terry Weber -- 103

Press release:

Employees at Genesee Community College once again demonstrated their generous spirit with donations that went beyond expectations during the annual United Way fund drive. Pledges from GCC employees totaled more than $20,000!

Money raised during the two-week campaign provides valuable resources the United Way of Genesee County uses to make a demonstrable difference in solving and preventing the area's most critical social problems. Donors can designate funds to a particular group or agency, or allow it to be pooled with other donations to help member agencies such as All Babies Cherished, the Salvation Army and HomeCare and Hospice provide needed programs and assistance.

Students also had a hand in the generous donation with their annual Ducky Derby. In the month of March, the students' poolside fundraiser collected more than $2,000 by selling numbered rubber ducks that were placed in GCC's pool for a special "race" via a current created by members of the college's swim team, which helped bring the total raised by GCC to $20,102.

To learn more about the United Way of Genesee, visit: http://www.uwgeneseecounty.org/

Press release:

The YWCA of Genesee County and Porter Farms are partnering to bring locally grown certified-organic produce to the community.

Anyone can buy a membership through the YWCA for the Community-Supported Agriculture Community Outreach Program. The cost is $330 per membership, and the cost and the produce can be split among families. The cost amounts to less than $1.60 per pound of produce.

Members receive 22 weeks of fresh, organic produce through the growing season. Produce distribution begins in late June and runs through the end of November.

The pick-up site is the YWCA building at 301 North St. in the City of Batavia from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

For every 15 new memberships signed up through the YWCA, Porter Farms will donate one membership to a family in need.

For more information or to sign up, call the YWCA at 343-5808 or provide your name and phone number to the Y via email at <YWCA_of_Genesee_County_Inc@mail.vresp.com>

The Batavia Cemetery Association, in conjunction with the Genesee County History Department, will host a guided ghost walk through the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.

The tours will feature some of the finest ladies who ever graced the community.

Guests will meet the late, great women of Batavia who, for various reasons, held great power and exerted great influence in their day. Mary Richmond and Rachel Ellicott Evans, among others, will tell the stories of their interesting lives and very powerful families. Lucinda Morgan may finally tell what happened to her husband, William Morgan, after he threatened to reveal Masonic secrets. And there may be a guest appearance by a ghost who knows many secrets of the powerful men of Batavia.

Tours begin at 2 p.m. and run every 15 minutes until 4 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes iced tea and cookies. Tickets are available at the cemetery gate the day of the event.

Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. For more information, contact the Genesee County History Department at 344-2550, ext. 2613.

A Special Extra Event: Readings from "Indigo Insight" by Frank R. Lord, registered psychic, clairvoyant, medium and spiritual advisor. Get closure on your past, present and future situations. $5 for 5 minutes/$10 for 10 minutes.

Rain date is to 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 23.

Press release:

The Class-A Short-Season New York-Penn League and its member clubs have announced that the league’s philanthropic arm, the NYPL Charitable Foundation, will once again award more than $10,000 in scholarships this summer to deserving high school graduates from the league’s 14 markets.

The 2012 NYPL Scholarship Program is open to any graduating senior from a public or private high school within the league’s footprint, who has been accepted at any two- or four-year college or university, vocational or technical education institution. Applicants will be judged based on academic performance, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and the impact their local NYPL club and Minor League Baseball has had on their lives.

The Scholarship Program will consist of two stages – a local round and a divisional round. In the local stage, students will apply directly with their local NYPL team, with one applicant chosen by each of the 14 teams to advance to the divisional round. The 14 finalists will be separated by the division of the team they represent. The winning application from each of the NYPL’s three divisions (McNamara, Pinckney and Stedler) will receive the top prize of a $2,500 scholarship. All other finalists will receive a $250 book award.

“The New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation initiated the scholarship program in 2009 as a way to assist high school seniors from within our league’s footprint who not only meet and exceed traditional scholarship criteria, but have also demonstrated the positive benefits their local NYPL club has had on their life,” said Ben J. Hayes, president of the New York-Penn League. “The Foundation is pleased to have this scholarship program in place and to support our 14 member clubs in their year-round community outreach efforts.”

Applications are available by contacting your local New-York Penn League club or by visiting the official NYPL Web site, www.newyork-pennleague.com

The deadline to submit the application to your local NYPL team is June 22 and each team’s winner, including the three $2,500 scholarship recipients, will be selected in late July and honored at a game in August.   
 
The New York-Penn League and its 14 member clubs created the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The mission of the foundation is to provide focus and support for the collective and individual charitable and community efforts of the New York-Penn League, its clubs, and their staff.