Skip to main content

batavia

Photos: Lions Club fishing tournament at Dewitt

By Howard B. Owens

Joshua von Kramer is all business as he casts his line into the pond at DeWitt Recreation Area today during a youth fishing tournament sponsored by the Batavia Oakfield Lions Club. Fishing with him are Nicole and Eric von Kramer.

Reice Woodward reels in a catch.

Reice Woodward

Ed Staniszewski with the boys and girls derby grand prizes.Other prizes on the table.

Joey Staniszewski

Blake Bradt gets her catch measured by Joe Bradt.

The tournament was dedicated to the memory of Kendra Haacke, who died this Spring at age 31. Above, members of the Haacke family, Melissa, Chris, Ken, Emma, Mary Ann and Lily.

Grand Jury indictments: DWAI incident that seriously injured five people, plus couple of alleged dope dealers

By Billie Owens

Michael L. Sanders is indicted for the crime of driving while ability impaired by drugs, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 29 in the City of Batavia, he caused serious physical injury to another person while operating a 2013 Acura on Oak Street with his abilities impaired by drugs. In count two, he is accused of vehicular assault, 1st, a Class D felony, for allegedly causing serious injury to another person while driving the same vehicle with his ability to do so impaired by drug use, thereby seriously injuring more than one person. In counts three, four, five, six and seven, respectively, Sanders is accused of the same thing, specifically seriously injuring five different named individuals.

Kevin J. O'Connell Jr. and Samantha L. Hicks are indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 24 at 62 S. Main St., Batavia, they knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it. In count two, the defendants are accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing a narcotic drug, heroin, with the intent to sell it. In count three, they are accused of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, a Class C felony, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing a narcotic drug, cocaine, with an aggregate weight of one-eighth ounce or more.

Photos: Ireland well represented on first night of 2014 Jackson Square concert series

By Howard B. Owens

The annual Jackson Square concert series kicked off Friday night with a return engagement by Stone Row, who first played the series nine years ago.

The electrified Irish band entertained the crowd with traditional and contemporary numbers.

Opening the show was a string quartet from the Genesee Symphony Orchestra playing traditional Irish tunes.

For a line-up of this summer's shows, click here.

Flowers by Dick Burton closing its doors for the last time Monday

By Howard B. Owens

One of Batavia's venerable businesses, Flowers by Dick Burton, is closing its doors the final time Monday evening.

The roots of the business are in Oakfield, growing out of greenhouses owned by Irving Bates and Benjamin Harrison, who opened a flower shop in Batavia sometime in the 1940s.

Eventually, Dick and Mary Burton bought the shop and after operating on Main Street for some time, moved it to Cedar Street.

John and Shelia Hamel purchased the business -- and kept the name -- 34 years ago.

Even though the Hamels have built up a customer database of 21,000 people (including customers in seven other nations), it's become too difficult to compete against Internet businesses, Hamel said.

"Yes, we have local competition, but our main competition is the Internet," John said. "These 1-800, Procom, Just Flowers, all these things -- I just urge our customers and anybody, do not use them because you get taken. You don't get the quality they expect here or any flower shop."

Hamel said customers have compared his prices to Internet prices and complained, but people don't realize the quality just isn't the same. The flowers aren't prepared properly and can even arrived dried out, and shipping costs often exceed the cost of the flowers.

Hamel said he isn't sure what's next for him and his wife. Shelia can still work in the flower industry if she wants. She's a certified master designer who got a near perfect score when she tested for the certification. She was Florist of the Year in 2002, named by the now defunct Floral Association of Greater Rochester.

Flowers by Dick Burton was Genesee County's Retail Business of the Year in 1994. The business as also won numerous awards from FTD and other trade organizations.

Hamel said there are so many people to thank for all the years of support of the business that he can't possibly name them all -- all of the customers, most of all.

He in recent years it's been a treat to do the flowers for brides whose mothers first came to them for their weddings in the 1980s and 1990s.

He said he especially wanted to thank the shop's longtime employees, Barb Spring, Charlie Augrom, Linda Luthart, Sally Case and Lori Mosier.

Through Monday, everything in the shop is half off. On July 9 and 10, the shop will be open for other florists to come in and buy fixtures and cases. The property will be auctioned off July 17.

"We really don't know what we're going to do after that," Hamel said. "We're letting our faith take us at that point."

Work set to begin on Trumbull Parkway, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Tuesday July 1st, the Trumbull Parkway Infrastructure Project will begin on Trumbull Parkway from East Avenue to Lown Street in the City of Batavia. The project includes installation of a new sanitary sewer main, water services, replacement of damaged sidewalks, and resurfacing the roadway.  The work is expected to be complete by Sept. 19th. Given the scope of the work, sections of Trumbull Parkway will be temporarily closed to thru traffic, excluding the residents who live in the work zone.

If you saw a lot of police activity on Jackson Street, here's why

By Howard B. Owens

A person was reported running behind houses between Maple Street and Morton Avenue, Batavia, and members of the Local Drug Task Force happened to be in the area and took the young man into custody.

The person was cuffed and questioned while other law enforcement officers also by chance, apparently, who were in the area (Batavia PD and State Police) stopped by. 

A search of the area found nothing amiss.

With no further reason to hold the young man, he was going to be released, police said.

Batavia Cab returns to service after repairing its one vehicle

By Howard B. Owens

After several weeks of being out of service for significant repairs to its engine, Batavia Cab's lone cab is back in service.

Co-owner James Soggs said the cab just went back on the road today.

There were reports of Batavia Cab being out of business, but Soggs said the company hadn't closed, it just didn't have a vehicle it could put on the road.

There's been a lot of turmoil among local cab companies over the past two years with three or four companies opening and closing.

B-Town Taxi, Affordable Cab and Mike's* all appear to be out of business (we've confirmed B-Town is out of business). The only locally owned cab company we know to be currently operating in Genesee County is Batavia Cab.

Multiple readers contacted The Batavian over the past few weeks noting that there no longer seemed to be an operational cab company locally, creating a hardship on a lot of people, so the return of Batavia Cab should please a lot of people.

*I remember another company that started up two years ago and is now apparently out of business, but can't remember the company's name.

Free NYS Citizen Preparedness Training Program offered at The BEST Center, registration required

By Billie Owens

A NYS Citizen Preparedness Training Program will be offered on Monday, June 30, at The BEST Center. Time is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Batavia City Council President Brooks Hawley invites citizens to attend this free program that provides the tools and resources to prepare for emergencies and disasters, to respond accordingly, and recover as quickly as possible to pre-disaster conditions.

Each family that attends will receive a NYS Disaster preparedness Kit that contains items to assist people in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The state training and kits will help New Yorkers be the most-trained and best-prepared citizens in the country.

The BEST Center is located at One College Road, Room T102, at Genesee Community College.

To register for the training program go online to:

http://prepare.ny.gov/training-events

Law and Order: Batavia resident accused of stealing from former employer

By Howard B. Owens

Jamie A Dutton, 21, of Buell Street, Batavia, is charged with three counts of petit larceny. Dutton is accused of stealing money from a former employer on East Main Street, Batavia.

Nicole Lee Cramer, 24, of Lehigh Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Cramer is accused of violating the terms of the City Court drug program and arrested on a warrant. She was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Law and Order: Otis Street resident charged after child bitten by dog

By Howard B. Owens

Tami L. Mileham, 40, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with a prohibited nuisance. Mileham's Rottweiler allegedly bit a 9-year-old child. The Rottweiler was seized and is currently being held at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Kathleen E. Gonzalez, 52, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with issuing a bad check. Gonzalez is accused of issuing a bad check March 11. She turned herself in on an arrest warrant and posted $500 bail.

Markeda D. Starks, 23, of Campbell Street, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Starks was arrested on a warrant by State Police in Canandaigua stemming from an alleged incident at 9:05 p.m. June 16 in which Starks shoved another person during an argument. Starks was turned over to Batavia PD and arraigned on the charge and posted $300 bail.

Willie J. Miles Jr., 50, of Aberdeen Street, Rochester, was arrested for alleged failure to appear. Miles was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jerica J. Barber, 39, of Mix Place, Batavia, is charged with criminal tampering, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child. Barber allegedly committed the crimes of criminal tampering and criminal mischief (no details given) at 4:37 p.m., June 14. Barber allegedly resisted arrest in the presence of a child under age 17.

Eric John Betz, 31, of Genesee Street, Alden, is charged with disorderly conduct/obscene language/noise. Betz allegedly screamed obscenities during a domestic dispute in a public place at 440 Ellicott St., Batavia, at 9:34 p.m. on June 17.

Cheryle Jones, 32, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Jones was also charged under Leandra's Law with aggravated DWI. Jones was stopped by Ontario County Sheriff's deputies on Route 5 in Canandaigua for an alleged traffic violation. (Source)

Nicholas R. Graves, 18, of 7317 Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Graves is accused of having sexual contact with a child under age 17 in the Village of Le Roy. Graves was arraigned and ordered to stay away from the victim.

Benjamin P. Hilton, 25, of 25 Bacon St.. Apt. E, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Hilton is accused of intentionally breaking the window of a business on Mill Street on Saturday.

Heather Ann Johnson, 41, of Calla Way, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, inadequate lights, driving left of pavement markings in no passing zone and refusal to take breath test. Johnson was stopped at 11:53 p.m. Tuesday on Genesee Street, Darien, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Joseph Jonathan Kuzma, 34, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Kuzma is accused of stealing money from his employer in Bergen.

Daniel S. Curry, 36, of Webster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving while using mobile phone. Curry was stopped at 11:40 p.m. June 16 by State Police on Route 77, Darien.

Oakfield FD treasurer accused of stealing more than $6k from the department

By Howard B. Owens

Following a state audit, the treasurer of the Oakfield Fire Department was arrested today by State Police for allegedly misappropriating department funds.

Samantha Hilchey, 31, of Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, a Class D felony.

Hilchey is accused of stealing more than $6,000 through unauthorized transactions, including paying her personal utility bills and making cash withdrawals.

"Instead of safeguarding department funds, this individual took advantage of her position to pay her personal bills and make unauthorized cash withdrawals," said State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. "I want to thank department officials for helping bring this situation to light and to the State Police for working closely with my staff as we continue our audit and investigation into the department's finances."

The department's audit isn't expected to be completed for another couple of months.

GCC announces Spring semester President's List honorees

By Billie Owens

 

Genesee Community College, including all seven campus locations in Batavia, Albion, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw, proudly announces that the following students are among 484 students who were named to the President's List for the Spring 2014 semester. Students honored on the President's List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

This year's Genesee Community College Spring 2014 President's List honorees, with their hometowns, are listed below:

Kathleen Kwasniewski of Alexander, NY (14005)

Karly Natalizia of Alexander, NY (14005)

Kyle Natalizia of Alexander, NY (14005)

Brittany Taylor of Alexander, NY (14005)

John Winiecki of Alexander, NY (14005)

Jenna Wozniak of Alexander, NY (14005)

Zachary Chiro of Basom, NY (14013)

Amanda Kent of Basom, NY (14013)

Kerry Mills of Basom, NY (14013)

Jessica Pfalzer of Basom, NY (14013)

Robert Barnard of Batavia, NY (14020)

John Bezon of Batavia, NY (14020)

Rachael Bish of Batavia, NY (14020)

Natalie Brown of Batavia, NY (14020)

Erika Bucci of Batavia, NY (14020)

Danielle Cannella of Batavia, NY (14020)

Lynette Celedonia of Batavia, NY (14020)

Ariel Corcoran of Batavia, NY (14020)

Richard DelPlato of Batavia, NY (14020)

Taylor Doty of Batavia, NY (14020)

Danielle Eddy of Batavia, NY (14020)

Cortney Edwards-Fenton of Batavia, NY (14020)

Sara Elliott of Batavia, NY (14020)

Ashley Elmore of Batavia, NY (14020)

Alec Engel of Batavia, NY (14020)

Daniel Fili of Batavia, NY (14020)

Maria Frieday of Batavia, NY (14020)

Chelsea Gerace of Batavia, NY (14020)

Bernadette Goodenbery of Batavia, NY (14020)

Kelly Goodheart of Batavia, NY (14020)

Joseph Hall of Batavia, NY (14020)

Virginia Henning of Batavia, NY (14020)

Sarah Hulburt-Emerson of Batavia, NY (14020)

Megan Jacques of Batavia, NY (14020)

Cathy Jacques of Batavia, NY (14020)

Lee Johnson of Batavia, NY (14020)

Michelle Kantz of Batavia, NY (14020)

Kimberly Kingsley of Batavia, NY (14020)

Nicole Kline of Batavia, NY (14020)

Sharon Knaudt of Batavia, NY (14020)

Michael Korczak of Batavia, NY (14020)

Janelle Marble of Batavia, NY (14020)

Tony Martyn of Batavia, NY (14020)

Koree McAllister of Batavia, NY (14020)

Macey McCulley of Batavia, NY (14020)

Rebecca Meloon of Batavia, NY (14020)

Jennifer Merle of Batavia, NY (14020)

Sydney Moag of Batavia, NY (14020)

Alexandra Mruczek of Batavia, NY (14020)

Brittney Okoniewski of Batavia, NY (14020)

Maryssa Peirick of Batavia, NY (14020)

Daniel Plath of Batavia, NY (14020)

Robynn Prichett of Batavia, NY (14020)

Andrea Pursel of Batavia, NY (14020)

Crystal Rindell of Batavia, NY (14020)

Kimberly Samuelson of Batavia, NY (14020)

Sarah Sanchez-Anderson of Batavia, NY (14020)

John Sherman of Batavia, NY (14020)

Brenda Smelski of Batavia, NY (14020)

Meghan Tiede of Batavia, NY (14020)

Michelle Williams of Batavia, NY (14020)

Rebecca Woodruff of Batavia, NY (14020)

Courtney Amesbury of Bergen, NY (14416)

Diana Bonilla of Bergen, NY (14416)

Gina Constable of Bergen, NY (14416)

Brandy Hare of Bergen, NY (14416)

Ellen Kirkpatrick of Bergen, NY (14416)

David Mackey of Bergen, NY (14416)

Brendan Murray of Bergen, NY (14416)

Kayla Curry of Byron, NY (14422)

Dawn Fooks of Byron, NY (14422)

Emily George of Byron, NY (14422)

Brandy Harmon of Byron, NY (14422)

Dakota Longhini of Byron, NY (14422)

Heather Balcerzak of Corfu, NY (14036)

Bryan Cox of Corfu, NY (14036)

Alexander Farley of Corfu, NY (14036)

Joelle Fugle of Corfu, NY (14036)

Ryan Graham of Corfu, NY (14036)

Jennie Lipinski of Corfu, NY (14036)

Sandra Buxton of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Christina Haniszewski of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Austin Heberlein of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Jillian Hutzler of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Jennifer McNutt of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Rachel Walker of Darien Center, NY (14040)

Nicole Draves of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Bianca Nolt of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Emily Pelton of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Travis Schmieder of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Alexander Uptegrove of East Bethany, NY (14054)

Jacqueline Joyce of East Pembroke, NY (14056)

Madison Dentino of Elba, NY (14058)

Melissa Engle of Elba, NY (14058)

Christopher Green of Elba, NY (14058)

Tabitha Moreland of Elba, NY (14058)

Ryan Vlack of Elba, NY (14058)

Jaime Arena of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Betsy Griffith of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Peter Hollands of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Kelsey LaVare of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Rebekah Miller of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Jessica Mortimer of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Shelbi O'Geen of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Erica Parker of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Samantha Platek of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Nicole Polisoto of LeRoy, NY (14482)

William Simmons of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Jordan Tillotson of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Hailey White of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Sarah Worley of LeRoy, NY (14482)

Jonathon Cassiano of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Jessica Cherry of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Trevor Dayka of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Stacy Martino of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Carrie Ohlson of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Cara Sceusa of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Kristie Scroger of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Alyse Shamp of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Katie Spence of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Arielle Thompson of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Mellisa Wells of Oakfield, NY (14125)

Richard Apley of Pavilion, NY (14525)

James Babcock of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Trevor Berkemeier of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Brian DeFisher of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Kaitlin Draper of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Charles Janes of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Marissa Kingsley of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Sean Love of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Cody NiCastro of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Johnathan Peritore of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Peter Sherman of Pavilion, NY (14525)

Jennifer Cone of Stafford, NY (14143)

Nicole Moody of Stafford, NY (14143)

Genesee Community College offers more than 60 academic programs and certificates including the new Associate in Applied Science degree in Food Processing Technology which helps meet the demands of the thriving food manufacturing industry in Western New York.

Genesee is accessible through seven campus locations throughout Western New York, as well as through its online learning program. College housing is available at College Village, just a three-minute walk from the Batavia Campus. With small class sizes, yet state-of-the-art technology both inside and out of the classroom, Genesee Community College is known for being "high-tech" and "high-touch."

Volunteer members needed for City Housing Authority, Planning & Development Committee

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The City Manager is seeking City residents who are interested in volunteering as a member of the following Committees/Boards:

- Batavia Housing Authority

- Planning and Development Committee

Residents interested in applying can obtain an application from the City Clerk’s Office or can visit our Web site at www.batavianewyork.com and download a Committee/Board Volunteer Application under Documents.

Applications are due to the City Clerk’s Office by Friday, July 18.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Office of the City Manager

One Batavia City Centre

Batavia, New York 14020

Phone: (585) 345-6330

Fax: (585) 343-8182

E-mail:     jmolino@batavianewyork.com

Minor injury accident reported on Clinton Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

A motor vehicle accident with three minor injuries is reported at 5038 Clinton Street Road near Stringham Drive, Batavia.

Town of Batavia fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Law enforcement is on location.

UPDATE 11:55 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 12:19 p.m.: At least one patient was transported to UMMC. Town of Batavia assignment is back in service.

Motorcyclist who struck deer still listed in critical condition at ECMC

By Howard B. Owens

The motorcycle driver who hit a deer on Pearl Street Road early Monday morning remains in critical condition at ECMC.

Brandon L. Scott, 23, of Darien, was westbound when a deer entered the roadway ahead of him and the front wheel of his bike struck the hindquarter of the deer.

Scott was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered serious injuries, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

He was transported by Mercy Flight to ECMC. 

Scott was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Andrew Hale, Deputy Frank Bordonaro and Sgt. Eric Seppala. Assisting at the scene were members of the East Pembroke Fire Department and the Town of Batavia Fire Department along with Mercy EMS.

Burglar breaks into downtown business, makes off with cash from register

By Howard B. Owens

A downtown business was burglarized overnight and the thief got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The break-in was discovered at 10 a.m. when the owner of the Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, arrived at work to open the shop for the day.

Det. Rich Schauf said it appears the burglar used a rock to smash a window pane in the back door and went straight for the cash register.

It doesn't appear at this time that anything else was taken.

Batavia's rich baseball history recalled in new book by Bill Dougherty

By Howard B. Owens

Spend a little time with Bill Dougherty, you're likely to hear a baseball story. He's full of them.

After years of telling friends these stories, one friend with a bit of experience in writing books suggested he collect his stories about Batavia baseball into a single soft cover collection.

"Bill Kauffman kept saying, 'you've got a book, oh this is a book'," Dougherty said. "He kept after me to put a book together. So I did."

This month, Dougherty's book, "A View from the Bleachers: Batavia Baseball," hit a few local store shelves.

Now that the book is out, Kauffman, an Elba resident and himself the author of 10 books and a screenplay, is eager to promote the new book. He sent over this endorsement:

Irish names festoon the history of baseball in Batavia: Dwyer, Callahan, Doody, Gerrety, Ryan. Add to that illustrious list Bill Dougherty, whose Batavia Baseball: A View from the Bleachers is a deeply researched, often surprising, and thoroughly entertaining account of baseball as it has been played, watched, and argued over in Genesee County from the 19th Century until today. Every baseball fan in the Mother of Counties should own a copy!

A worthy endorsement for a worthy book.

It's more than a collection of stories, or a mere recitation of baseball glories past in Batavia. It's also a history of Batavia and Genesee County as well as a personal remembrance of a man who made baseball his life's passion.

Dougherty spent countless hours going through historical archives, particularly the dusty, printed pages of 120-year-old editions of the Batavia Daily News.

He also draws on his own recollections from a his youngest days playing sandlot ball and in the park leagues of Batavia.

There was baseball in Batavia in the 19th Century, with a short-lived professional team setting up camp in town in 1897, but it would be in the following decade that the game began to flourish locally.

Every town had a team and rivalries were fierce, especially between Batavia and Le Roy. Dougherty covers some of the scraps between these teams.

In 1939, the Pennsylvania-Ontario-New York (PONY) League was founded in Batavia, with one of the original franchises set up in a new ballpark at MacArthur Park (the present site of Dwyer Stadium). 

Even with the arrival of a professional team affiliated with a major league club, and into the 1960s, semi-pro teams flourished throughout Genesee County.

Dougherty talks about more than just the teams and the games. He gets into the personalities and biographies of some the players who were from here or just passed through.

Among them, Joe Dailey, whom Dougherty admits becoming obsessed with.

"As you start picking out stuff, you can't wait to see where they lived, who they knew, where they died," Dougherty said, but Dailey was a particularly perplexing subject.

He died at age 37, and even though he came from a prominent local family, the Daily News gave his death notice a scant four lines. Dougherty had a heck of a time finding out more about him.

"It seemed like somebody was out there hiding everything," Dougherty said. "Then when I find something, I'm like, 'wow.' He led a short life, but it certainly was interesting."

Dailey was born in Batavia in 1876. He played on the 1897 professional team and when the team relocated mid-season to Geneva, he initially went with the team, but then didn't finish the season and returned home. He went to work in the family's furniture store and funeral parlor until his death from acute nephritis in 1914.

Dougherty covers quite a bit of the family's history, which is also a part of Batavia's history. An example of how this is more than a baseball book.

We also learn about Maud Nelson, who wasn't from Batavia, but played a bit of ball here. Billed as "champion lady pitcher of the world" at the turn of the century, Nelson barnstormed around the country, playing whatever semi-pro teams were up for the challenge.

In those early days, a bit of important baseball history had a Batavia angle. In 1912, after Ty Cobb was suspended for fighting with a fan, the rest of the Detroit team decided to go on strike.  Replacement players were brought in for one game. Among them was a kid from Batavia who played shortstop, Vincent Maney.

For decades, box scores credited Pat Meany as the shortstop that day, but Dougherty -- who is a member of the Society of American Baseball Research -- was able to gather enough convincing evidence that Maney is now correctly credited as the shortstop in that game.

A resident of Stafford, Dougherty made a career in heating and air conditioning (retiring in 2000), but he's made a lifetime of baseball. He's been secretary/director of the Genesee County Baseball Club (owners of the Muckdogs), is a member of the Rochester Baseball Historical Society and SABR.

Assisting in production of the book were Dougherty's son, Brian, (the publisher), his grandson Christopher (graphic design), Kathy Frank, typesetting, and Kauffman, editor.

The book also covers every big name baseball player who ever came through town, from Warran Spann, who pitched three times against Batavia when he was first starting his career, to Wade Boggs and Robin Young, who each played a few games at MacArthur Park.

In the book you can learn about Gene Baker (the first black manager with a major league-affiliated club) along with local sensations Walter Loos, Dick Kokos, Eddie Howard, Dick Raymond and Jackie Kelley.

In the late 1940s, when Dougherty was a teen, he became part of a serious sandlot ball team, the A.C. Shafters. The team played other sandlot clubs throughout the region and Dougherty devotes a chapter to the team.

There was a time locally when every park had a ball field and every field had a team and fields rarely were without a game.

Kibbe Park once had a ballpark with stands and dugouts. Today, there's just a softball field with a couple of benches. When Dougherty was out at the field Monday, mounds of dirt were piled on the infield. Dougherty just shook his head. "There was a time when that would never happen," he said. "There would be kids out here playing games all day."

Are there ever any games at Kibbe now?

Things started to change in the 1950s. The sandlot teams began to die off. The semi-pro teams started to disappear, too. From the early 1900s until the 1950s, nearly every city or village of any size in Western New York had a minor league baseball team, and as leagues folded, so did the teams.

Dougherty thinks kids today miss something with fewer teams around.

"I made lifelong friends from every step I played," Dougherty said. "Not every kid on every team. Not all nine or 12 or 15, but some guys I played with are still good friends."

The book is available in the front office of the Batavia Muckdogs, the Holland Land Office Museum and at Dougherty Heating on School Street, Batavia.

Schedule announced for Picnic in the Park

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) presents the 36th annual “Picnic in the Park” this Independence Day. The festivities run from noon until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 4th, in historic Centennial Park on Richmond Avenue in Batavia. As is tradition, this year’s “Picnic in the Park” is a free, family-friendly event that will once again include all-day live musical entertainment, an arts and crafts show, folk arts programs, food vendors, children’s activities, and much more!

Introduced just last year to great response, the event will be preceded by a “Kiddie Parade” kicking off the day. Harkening back to earlier times, families with children ages 12 and under are invited to bring their bikes, scooters or strollers to the northwest corner of Centennial Park – between the Main Stage and Richmond Avenue -- at 11 a.m. to decorate them for an old time “Kiddie Parade.” Decorations will be provided, and the parade will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Ellicott and Park avenues.

Live entertainment is presented on two separate stages, the Main Stage and “Stage 2,” which has traditionally featured performances that engage kids and families. MAIN STAGE entertainment commences at noon with the “Picnic” staple Batavia Concert Band playing its traditional mix of Sousa-style marches and Big Band numbers.

Founded in 1924, the Batavia Concert Band has brought musical pleasure to the region every year except during World War II. The Concert Band itself consists of 40 - 50 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from advanced high school musicians to 50-year veterans. Many have professional performance experience; the rest are advanced amateurs. All love to play. The Band's musical repertoire is wide-ranging in origin, style and period, and includes marches, Broadway show tunes, favorites from hit musicals and movies, pop, jazz and even rock numbers arranged for band. Join the Band for weekly concerts during the summer on Wednesday evenings in Centennial Park.

A wide variety of bands featuring local and traditional music will follow on the Main Stage throughout the rest of the afternoon:

1 p.m. -- Stephanie Pietrzak, “America’s Polka Sweetheart,” takes the stage with her “Honky Polka Band” to perform their lively Polish polka music. Having played for more than 45 years in the polka industry, the much-heralded Pietrzak was inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 2010. She began her polka music career at age 7 on the accordion but soon switched to the Polish concertina, a larger, square-shaped type of accordion with a distinctive sound, loved by Polka musicians. For more than 25 years she performed as a duo with her mother, Wanda, and the two were dubbed “America’s Polka Sweethearts.” They toured extensively across the United States and Canada and performed on numerous radio and television broadcasts, and with other well-known Polka musicians such as The Versatones, Marion Lush and Li’l Wally. Sietrzak continues to perform with her own band and has recorded several albums, including her own compositions. She developed her own radio show celebrating the music she loves at Polkasonline.com and continues to win awards for her work as a concertina player, vocalist and songwriter.

2:30 p.m. – “Trilogy” is a four piece classic rock and roll band that has been playing family-oriented music in the Western New York area for the past 26 years. The band features Dana Hurlburt on lead guitar and vocals; Guy Macaluso on bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals; Eric Kelly on guitar, keyboards and vocals; and Tom Kwiecien on drums. Be prepared to sing along and have fun!

4 p.m. -- Gan Ainm (pron.: gahn ahn'-um) performs Irish and Irish American traditional music, led by John Ryan. Meaning “without a name,” Gan Ainm recognizes the innumerable tunes that are passed on from one musician to the next, known as a "reel," "jig," "polka," or "hornpipe" that may be nameless, or ascribed to a person or event that fits the moment. The group includes players who have grown up in the active Irish music and dance community of the Rochester area, performing on button accordion, concertina, fiddle, guitar, tin whistle, bodhran, as well as vocals. They will invite you into the high energy dance tunes, soulful ballads, and easy camaraderie of an Irish session.

THROUGHOUT THE DAY in Centennial Park, other activities include horse-drawn wagon rides by Hartland Carriages, pony rides and petting zoo by North Forty Pony Express and the Wildlife Educators Coalition returning with its wide assortment of animals. Geoffrey Clough offers his popular interactive program of children’s songs called “Cookie Songwriting,” and of course juggling and other roving entertainment in the park. The GLOW Area YMCA will have its bounce house and inflatable obstacle course on site, and the Explore Art! Tent invites kids and families to do their own hands-on art activity, all materials provided, and free face painting will be available at the tent. Also, Stage II, the “family stage,” features interactive programs for kids and families, including family entertainer Janice Spagnola’s “The Extra Fun Balloon Show,” magic and puppet entertainment with a twist…a balloon twist that is! Balloon puppets will come to life along with amazing balloon magic. And finally, a surprise performance written and performed by the audience itself in a classic “choose your own adventure” style finale.

Along the Richmond Avenue side of Centennial Park, artists and crafters representing an amazing diversity of arts and crafts are featured in an ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW AND SALE. An amazing variety of arts and crafts are represented, such as gemstone jewelry, photography, seasonal indoor/outdoor woodcrafts, puppets, hand-woven textiles, glass jewelry, clay creations, nautically inspired furniture, and much more. Additional attractions consist of booths by community nonprofit organizations, including Genesee County ARC information & recycling education, Genesee County Historians Association, Batavia Assembly of God dunk tank and sand art, Batavia Players pizza & show info, ACORNS Genesee County Park info, GO ART!’s Picnic in the Park prize giveaway and many others. “Picnic” always offers up tantalizing food by a variety of vendors, such as Abbott’s cones, sundaes, milkshakes and root beer floats, Lonsberry fresh-squeezed lemonade and soft pretzels, Kernel Cravin’ Kettle Corn, and, of course, the Batavia Jaycees famous "dog and burger stand" in its traditional location.

The event is funded, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts Folk Arts Program with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Picnic sponsors include the County of Genesee, LocalEdge and Rotary Club of Batavia. Table sponsors: Batavia Area Jaycees, CY Farms/Batavia Turf, Roger & JoAnn Triftshauser, and Turnbull Heating & Air. Contributor: Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. Flag Sponsors: Bouchard Financial Services, Bob and Linda Knipe, McGinnis Excavation & Plumbing, and Tonawanda Valley FCU. Friends include Max & Jane Mason and Paula R. Schumann. Additional support provided by City of Batavia DPW, Genesee County Chamber and the Porter Family.

Admission is free to the “Picnic in the Park.” Please call GO ART! at 585-343-9313, e-mail info@goart.org or visit www.goart.org for more information.

Law and Order: Duo accused of stealing nearly $3K in goods from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Brenden Robert Jones, 29, of Oakbrier Court, Penfield, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Jones is accused of stealing more than $2,800 in merchandise from Walmart. Jones alleged had a crack pipe in his possession at the time of his arrest. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible. Jones was released under supervision of Genesee Justice. Also arrested and charged with grand larceny was Matthew David Marvin, 26, of Old Country Lane, Fairport. Marvin was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Witness Smith, 45, of Laurel Drive, Attica, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Smith allegedly left a child who was under his supervision unattended in a motor vehicle at 12:22 p.m, June 16, on Jackson Street, Batavia.

Gordon M. Yohe, 71, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with felony DWI, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and refusal to take breath test. Yohe was arrested following a report at 2:38 p.m., June 10, of a suspicious person at a business on East Main Street, Batavia. Yohe was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Tyler J. Aina, 22, of Waterport Carlton Road, Albion, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Aina posted bail and was released.

Jeremy J. Smith, 19, of Loyalist Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Smith allegedly violated an order of protection by contacting a family he was ordered not to contact. Smith was jailed on $500 bail.

Kewa R. Buckman, 43, of Otis Street, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged parking on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Buckman was being held in the Monroe County Jail on an unrelated traffic charges. He was transferred to Batavia PD custody, posted cash bail and was released.

Pauline J. Hensel, 61, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant and jailed on $750 bail.

Robert Mitchell Andersen, 44, of Sand Hill Road, Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, suspended registration and driving without a license. Andersen was stopped at 5:06 p.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Beniluis Ruiz, 38, of Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with criminal sexual act, 3rd, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful dealing with a child. Ruiz allegedly sexually assaulted a person under age 17. He also allegedly provided alcohol to people under age 21.

Scott Macumber Castle, 52, of Vallance Road Le Roy, is charged with trespass. Castle allegedly trespassed at Byron-Bergen Central School. Castle was allegedly advised previously by school officials to stay off school grounds.

Authentically Local