I came across these deer and wild turkeys feeding together along what was one of my favorite outdoor haunts in my teen years.

As I took these photos I thought back to the very first time I came across deer and wild turkeys together. At the time I thought it merely happenstance and simply savored the moment. After a second occurrence I chalked it up to coincidence. Today, several years later, gatherings between whitetails and wild turkeys may cause me to raise an eyebrow. But am I surprised? No way!

You see, in the time since my first deer/turkey encounter, I've heard it said that, "if the wild turkey, with its keen eyesight............

possessed the scenting ability of the whitetail deer...........

it would be nearly impossible to get close enough for a shot"....

A bit of an exaggeration perhaps? Maybe. While it may sound like a stretch of the imagination, it's a statement that attests to the keen senses of both species.

By definition, symbiosis isn't what we might label the relationship between deer and turkeys. Yet the wild turkey and the whitetail deer are two of North America's most sought after creatures, with pursuit being from man and natural predators alike. That being said, I find it not only interesting, but understandable as to why the high strung whitetail and the skittish wild turkey oftentimes work together. It's a relationship that benefits both species.

I got there too late, but Dan Fischer, WBTA, confirms there was quite a crowd lined up for the opening of the new McDonald's on East Main Street, Batavia. He said people were lined up before 6 a.m. The opening was at 8 a.m. He said at one point there were at least 100 people in line.

There is an official ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.

Washington Post: Jimmy Carter turns 90

(Chief Shawn Heubusch explaining safety and security issues with the current building)

Police Chief Shawn Heubusch along with Assistant Chief Robb Yaeger and City Manager Jason Molino made a legitimate case for a better working and functioning police headquarters building during a two hour tour of Batavia Police Headquarters at 10 W. Main St. today.

Chief Heubusch says there are major safety concerns daily.

A comingled entrance at the back of the building is a big issue.

Suspects, police and the general public all come and go in that one entrance at the rear of the building.

Assistant Chief Yaeger says there have been incidents where suspects have not been cooperative when being brought into headquarters in handcuffs. Getting an uncooperative suspect up the stairs can be difficult for officers.

Also the public waiting area is located in the same entryway where suspects are brought in.

Security is also an issue.

The City Youth Officer's office is located in the same area where adult suspects and criminals are brought in for questioning. This area does not comply with NYS law that says the two areas must be separate.

The parking area for police vehicles is also not secure. A secure, fenced-in parking lot is needed.

"The most important thing is safety and security, not only for the officers but the community," Heubusch says. "We have to be able to provide safety and security for the community. If we can't provide it for ourselves, it is difficult to provide it for the public."

(City Manager Jason Molino discusses the older model boiler that heats the building)

City Manager Jason Molino says the discussion about improvements and or a new police headquarters is 25 years overdue.

Improvements have been discussed at length, but no action has been taken.

In the meantime, the 150-year-old building, originally the Brisbane Mansion, is in need of repairs.

.

Crumbling cement, leaking bricks, rotting wood, leaking ceilings and a whole basement that cannot be used due to asbestos contamination are emergency issues that cannot be ignored any longer.

(Rotting wood below windows on the west side of the building)

(Water damage to drop ceiling in basement)

(What is left of a ceiling in the basement area when the building was used as a home, between 1855 and 1917)

According Molino, consultants who have been working on the project for the last 10 months have come up with four alternate locations for police headquarters and two renovation schemes for the existing building.

Site 1 is listed as 56 Ellicott St. and is located at the former Santy's Tires shop. It will cost between $11.1 - 11.9 million to construct.

Site 2 is listed as 96 Jackson St., which is currently the location of the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Cost is between $11.6-12.5 million.

Site 3 is located at 26 Evans St. and is located next to the Falletti Ice Arena. It would include the current ice rink parking area. Cost at this site is between $11.4-12.3 million.

Site 4 is located at 165 Park Road and is located next to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Cost to build at this site is between $9.9-10.6 million.

Renovation scheme A for 10 W. Main St. will cost between $15.9-17.2 million and includes the demolition of an area of the building built in 1963.

Renovation scheme B for 10 W. Main St. will cost between $11.3-12.2 million and does not include the demolition of the area of the building from 1963.

Site options 1-4 also include improvements to the current building for resale.

The project will be paid for by reserve funds, bonding and grants, Molino says.

A Citizen Task Force Advisory Board made up of citizens, business owners, education and health care leaders will be created next. 

City council will meet Oct. 14 and decide if it wants to move forward with the task force and, if so, appoint one in November.

Molino says he expects a task force recommendation by July of 2015. Construction could possibly begin in 2016 or 2017.

Heavy black, stinky smoke is reported at 1641 Indian Falls Road. It is said to be caused by burning tires. Indian Falls Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE Thursday: The resident called and said this was a false report by another resident in the area. There were no tires burning.  It was just brush.

A Sheriff's Office youth officer involved in an accident on Route 33 in Stafford on Tuesday has been cited for alleged failure to yield the right of way, according to an accident report released by the department.

John Dehm, driving a county-owned 2009 Chevy sedan, was southbound on Mill Road at 4:55 p.m., when he approached a yield sign at Route 33. He said he stopped and checked both ways but did not see a vehicle on Route 33.

His car struck the passenger's side front tire of a 2011 Lincoln SUV, which skidded off the south shoulder and struck a concrete foundation of a demolished building.

The report says that a utility pole near the intersection may have obstructed Dehm's view.

Vicki J. McKeirnan, 62, of Batavia, suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to UMMC.

The accident was investigated by Sgt. Ron Meides.

Previously: Sheriff's car involved in accident at Route 33 and Mill Road, Stafford

A Brockport man who claims he had a shotgun pointed at his head by a local resident testified today that he couldn't get State Police to even consider his side of the story before he was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief.

After the charge against Micheal Crooks was dismissed (under what's called an ACD -- adjudication in contemplation of dismissal), he did what a trooper and attorney labeled "cop shopping." 

Crooks went to the Sheriff's Office and found that Sgt. Ron Meides was willing to listen to his side of the story. As a result, John Robinson, of North Lake Road, Bergen, was arrested by Deputy Matthew Butler and charged with menacing, 2nd.

The attorney for Robinson, Kevin DeCarolis, has requested Justice Donald Kunego dismiss the charge against his client "in the interest of justice."

Kunego held the hearing today as part of the motion process. He will issue a written ruling at a later date.

He's already received written arguments from both DeCarolis and Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell on the motion.

The case stems from a confrontation Jan. 13, 2013. Crooks contacted both the State Police and the Sheriff's Office about pursuing charges against Robinson in November 2013. Robinson was arrested in April of this year.

Trooper Eric Daigler, who arrested Crooks based on a complaint by Robinson that Crooks damaged his screen door while trying to get into his house, testified today that he was confused and angry when he learned Butler was about to arrest Robinson.

He said typically, law enforcement officers don't involve themselves in cases that have been handled by other agencies.

He felt the case had been closed in January 2013 with the arrest of Crooks.

"I was dumbfounded," Daigler said. "First and foremost, it's common practice not to take on other agencies cases. We refer to it as 'cop shopping.' It happens. Usually, we are pretty good at stopping people who are just trying to get the right answer. They are looking for the answer they want. That's usually the Sheriff's Office policy."

Daigler said it was his position at the time of the incident that Robinson was doing exactly what he's allowed to do under the law -- protect his property and himself. 

"He didn't conduct himself in a manner that he should be arrested," Daigler said. "He was in his home. He armed himself and he called 9-1-1 and informed dispatchers he had armed himself. He was well within his rights in his own home when a man he never met came to his door and was yelling and screaming."

Daigler consulted with his supervisor, Sgt. Ron Lobur, and other troopers, who all concurred, arrest Crooks, but not Robinson.

Since the arrest of Robinson, Daigler said, everybody he's spoken to in the local law enforcement community, with the exception of Meides, are bothered that Robinson was arrested.

"I've had 10 members of the Sheriff's Office come to me independently and voice their displeasure with the case," Daigler said.

Crooks testified that Daigler never even asked for his version of events before telling him he would be arrested.

Contrary to prior reports, Crooks said he didn't try to hide from troopers before being contacted. He said he didn't even know that in his "assertive" knocking he damaged the door, and to this day, he isn't convinced that he did.

After the confrontation, he said he went to a job site in Brighton -- he's a construction manager -- and then went home and discovered he had a message from Daigler that evening. He immediately returned the call, and when he didn't get a call back after an hour, he called again.

When he spoke to Daigler, Daigler told him to meet him at the Batavia barracks. When he asked why, he said Daigler told him he was going to be arrested on a criminal mischief charge.

At that point, Crooks said, he decided he wouldn't make a statement without an attorney present.

On the advice of his attorney, he didn't pursue charges against Robinson until after the term of his ACD expired (six months).

Crooks was upset, he said, because he believed Robinson was involved in some sort of relationship with is wife.

He said he first became aware of the relationship some time around October of 2012.

He thought it had ended, but on Jan. 12, he said, his wife went to a party with their two daughters, ages 11 and 14.

His wife became drunk at the party, he testified this afternoon, and placed numerous calls to Robinson.

The girls became aware of what was going on and tried to get her to stop. That led to a physical confrontation between mother and daughters, he said.

That was what really upset him, he said, and convinced him he should talk with Robinson about not having further contact with Mrs. Crooks because of the stress it was causing for his daughters.

He testified that he didn't make any verbal threats to Robinson. That the only thing he yelled once he figured out Robinson was in fact at home Jan. 13, 2013, was "come out you coward."

He said after about two minutes, when it was clear Robinson wasn't going to come out, he decided to leave. 

He testified that as he walked down a sidewalk close to the house he caught some movement through a window and turned to look.

"There was Mr. Robinson," Crooks said. "He was holding a shotgun and he rushed right towards the window and screamed absolutely bloody murder that he was going to blow my fucking head off."

He said the barrel was only inches from the window.

"My heart stopped," Crooks said. "I've never looked down the barral of a gun that wasn't removed from a gun that closely in my life. I've been around guns my whole life. I own guns. I've owned guns since I was 19. I'm not afraid to be around guns."

Under questioning by DeCarolis, Crooks admitted that despite this mortal threat, he didn't call police.

When Finnell asked him about why he didn't call police, Crooks said he dialed 9-1-1 and had his finger on the button, but then changed his mind.

"I was exhausted," Crooks said. "I was emotionally drained. I wanted this to be over. I just wanted to go to work and do what I had to do."

In closing arguments, Finnell urged Kunego to take into the account of events provided by Crooks. He didn't fault Daigler for arresting Crooks. Since he didn't have a statement from Crooks, he could only go on the information available to him at the time of the arrest. But now, he said, Kunego has just as Medies had, Crooks' version of events. He said the case should proceed based on Crooks' account.

DeCarolis dismissed the testimony of Crooks as vindictive and self-serving.

Daigler, he said, did something very unusual -- he testified for the defense rather than the prosecution. That never happens and that should carry a lot of weight with court, he said. Daigler's testimony should weigh heavily in favor of Robinson because he has nothing to gain from his testimony.

The testimony of Crooks is another matter, however.

"His action, his tone, his disposition all show he has a very significant animus against Mr. Robinson," DeCarolis said. "It's very clear he was cop shopping. I would ask, your honor, that you evaluate his testimony in that light."

Kunego set a follow-up appearance for Nov. 19, but said he will likely issue a written decision on the motion to dismiss "in the interest of justice" before that date.

The Batavian's exclusive previous coverage:

• Alleged victim of shotgun menacing claims Bergen resident was communicating with his wife
• Attorney for Bergen man accused of pointing shotgun at person says charge should be dropped
• Dibble: Probable cause for arrest in Bergen shotgun case, now it's up to the courts
• Attorney for John Robinson asks for dismissal of charge 'in the interest of justice'

Two members of the Town of Batavia Planning Board said they were initially opposed to plans for an apartment complex in an area zoned commercial on West Main Street Road, but after study and consideration, decided to vote in favor of the project.

Those votes were essential last night to early-stage approvals for Big Tree Glen, a planned 136-unit complex from Rochester-based Conifer Developers.

The board approved the environmental review process, a zoning variance and a preliminary site plan.

The zoning variance is contingent on agreements in the final site plan that will prohibit Section 8 and HUD-subsidized rents in the complex, as well as continued on-site management.

Conifer is applying for a state grant aimed at encouraging "workforce housing," and that subsidy combined with putting the complex in a commercial zone were stumbling blocks for board members Paul Marchese and Lou Pagnello.

After Pagnello did some research, however, spoke with an attorney friend and thought about it some more, he decided he should support the project.

He said factors included the solid reputation of Conifer and the quality they're promising for the new complex. 

He said he also realized that as a businessman, if he were expanding or building a new business, he would apply for whatever government aid might be available. Any business owner would, he said.

"The more I think about it, the more I think this benefits the community as time goes on," Pagnello said. "I was totally against it, but after doing a little research on my own, that's how I feel about it now. We want development in Batavia and we want to work with developers who are top-notch, not like some of the others we've dealt with before."

The complex, he said, will actually help spur commercial development on West Main, which is a key development goal for the town.

Marchese said he was with Pagnello.

"I was really against it, too," he said.

Because the county planning board recommended disapproval of the project, the town board needed at least five affirmative votes to approve the zoning variance. The vote was 5-1.

Paul McCullough voted no on the zoning variance request. He didn't state a reason for his no vote.

The board will need to approve a final site plan at a later date that will include the covenants and restrictions it's looking for to ensure the complex remains a quality housing project.

The state grant Conifer is applying for requires that the apartment complex meets the residential needs of people earning 50 to 60 percent of the area's median income.

That's about $65,000 for a a family of four in Genesee County. For the Town of Batavia, the complex will actually be meeting the needs of a family of four earning about $54,000 a year in gross income.

"This is truly workforce housing for the Town of Batavia," said John F. Caruso, representing Conifer.

Previously:

• Developers make case for 136-unit apartment complex in Town of Batavia
• County planners reject proposed apartment complex on West Main Street Road, Batavia

Jamie Merica prides himself on being a good mechanic, and Bob Adams Automotive in Le Roy has a decades-long reputation for good service, so when Bob Adams decided to sell his business and retire, Merica said taking over the business seemed like the right opportunity.

After five years as an employee of Adams, Merica now owns the shop.

"As a lifelong resident of Le Roy, I know a lot of people," Merica said. "That will help. We offer honest repairs at a fair price and we try to take care of everybody we can."

Photo by Amanda Earl.

Charles Kenneth Kelly, 60, of Silver Street, Mars Hill, Maine, is charged with harassment, 2nd, disorderly conduct and failure to obey traffic control device. Kelly was stopped at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday on Route 20, Alexander, by deputy Lonnie Nati. During the stop for an alleged traffic violation, Kelly allegedly became verbally abusive and struck Nati in the chest several times in an apparent attempt to push him off the tractor-trailer he was driving. Kelly pled guilty to the charges in Alexander Town Court, paid a $440 fine, and was released.

Calvin Robert Rando, 56, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with attempted petit larceny. Rando was allegedly observed opening a car door without permission and attempting to steal cigarettes.

Myles D. MacLeod, 26, of Sliker Road, Corfu, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, plate display violation, refusal to take breath test and driving without stop lamps.  MacLeod was stopped at 1:06 a.m. Tuesday on East Avenue, Batavia, by officer Devon Pahuta.

Cindy L. Bush, 52, of Oak Orchard Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, driving while ability impaired by drugs and controlled substance not in original container. Bush was stopped at 2:48 a.m. Sept. 19 on Lehigh Avenue, Batavia, by officer Marc Lawrence.

Dennis Joseph Pietrowski, 67, of Caledonia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or grater, and speeding (73 mph in a 55 mph zone). Pietrowski was stopped at 3:20 p.m. Monday on Route 20, Pavilion, by deputy Joseph Corona.

Todd Lester Fairbanks, 32, of Pratt Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Fairbanks allegedly violated a stay away order of protection. He was jailed on $250 bail or $500 bond.

The Le Roy Moose Lodge #1132 celebrated its 100th Anniversary Tuesday night with fun, games and a few speeches.

Speakers included Stuart Erbelding, the lodge's current governor, and Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Photos by Amanda Earl.

Hayden McCombs was co-winner, with Art Adner, of the shuffleboard contest.

Lodge Governor Stuart Erbelding.

Taylor Schneckenburger, 5, and sister Addy, 3, said they enjoyed the spaghetti dinner.

New York Times: Ebola Is Diagnosed in Texas, First Case Found in the U.S.

A Genesee County Sheriff's vehicle is involed in an accident at Route 33 and Mill Road, Stafford. Unknown injuries. Stafford fire and Mercy medics responding.

UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: Fire command asked that medics proceed non-emergency; injuries are minor.

UPDATE 6:03 p.m.: The Sheriff's vehicle involved is unmarked, non-patrol vehicle.

UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: It appears, based on preliminary investigation, that the Sheriff's Office vehicle pulled into traffic and was struck by a southbound white SUV.  The driver of the SUV was taken to an area hospital by her husband with apparent minor injuries. The other driver was not injured.

A graying population in Genesee County and ever-more constricted sources of government funding has the Office for the Aging straining to keep up, but the job is getting done, Director Pam Whitmore told the Human Services Committee on Monday during a department review.

The legislative committee met at the agency's offices on Bank Street for the briefing.

Statistically, about 20 percent of the county's population was age 60 or older in 2010, Whitmore said. Now that percentage is about 25 percent and it's expected to be 30 percent by 2020.

There is an increasing trend, said County Manager Jay Gsell, for people born and raised in Genesee County who moved away for careers and lower taxes to return in their retirement years to be closer to family.

That means even more people wanting to use the services of the Office for the Aging.

A successful program, Whitmore said, is the agency's health insurance counseling service.

In 2013, the program saved all of its clients $2.6 million combined in health insurance premiums by helping find better insurance alternatives. So far this year, the savings is $3 million.

And that's just one year of savings, Whitmore said. The office doesn't calculate what the savings might be over a period of years.

The service is primarily funded through a $32,000 federal grant and supplemented by a $10,000 grant.

For 2015, the funding seems to be in good shape, Whitmore said, but she's more doubtful about 2016 and beyond.

"The program doesn't break the bank, but it does offer a rather huge return on investment," Whitmore said. "We see it helping our local economy by creating more discretionary spending through the money people are saving."

In general, the Office for the Aging is seeing more and more people coming through its doors every day, Whitmore said.

"We're trying to manage that with the staffing we have now in the office," she said. "Our funding is capped, but the number of people who walk through the door is not capped."

There's also growing demand for the meal delivery program and medical transportation.

Home health care is also an area long on demand and short on resources.

The waiting list for services is about 40 households long, but it never grows larger because at 40 on the list, the office stops adding names.

"It could be 100 names long if we kept adding them," Whitmore said.

The service helps elderly residents who have in-home medical needs.

A big concern in the office, she said, is the lack of middle-income housing in Genesee County, she said.  

There's no shortage of low-income housing and homes that are more expensive are available, but in that middle-income bracket, especially for seniors looking for apartments, there's just nothing available.

"We'd love to see that kind of option here," Whitmore said. "It's a niche, but a niche we don't have here. We need it, too, and in our county or another county in the state is going to meet that need."

The New York Press Association has served as a membership organization for community newspapers in the State of New York for 161 years.

Today, The Batavian became the second member in the group's history that publishes news exclusively online.

The first was RiverheadLocal on Long Island.

We're proud to become members of NYPA, which has a distinguished history of serving the needs of news publishers in New York.

Here's a statement from NYPA about our membership:

The New York Press Association is delighted to welcome Howard Owens and The Batavian as our newest online-only member. 

“The Batavian is a highly respected news organization which provides relevant local content to its readers,” said executive director Michelle Rea.“Readers should be able to access quality news content wherever and whenever they choose. Content and relevancy are the key, and The Batavian excels at both.  

"NYPA has a proudly supported New York’s community news organizations for more than 160 years, and as news organizations evolve, so do NYPA’s programs and services. NYPA continues to introduce best practices and new business models for print and digital platforms. We’re thrilled to have The Batavian join the conversation.”

Emily is 14.

She is 5'6" and 150 pounds with red hair and blue eyes.

She was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt and blue jeans and no shoes. 

Police believe she is in the local area.

Anyone with information that may assist in locating Emily is asked to call (585) 345-6350.

Dylan Scroger shared his long journey to making the highest rank of Eagle Scout this past weekend at the First United Methodist Church in Batavia. This marks the third scout to achieve the highest rank this year for Troop 6006.

Sharing this day with family and friends, he thanked all who have helped him on his journey. A speech was read by Ron Schmidt, Boy Scouts commisioner, which gave a much-detailed history behind Dylan's path to Eagle:

" Dylan Scroger's path to Eagle began in this room. He was a youth member of our church, and both Mr. McAllister and I invited him to join the boys of our troop. He joined the troop in the Fall of 2007. The first merit badge he earned was fishing, which he completed on a campout held at the McAllister pond. Since then he has completed 26 more Merit Badges of which 13 were required and two were historical badges.

During his membership in Troop 6, he has held many leadership positions. He has been an assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, the assistant senior patrol leader, and served a year as the senior patrol leader, and finally he served as junior assistant scoutmaster. He currently is registered with the troop as an assistant scoutmaster. He has gone to summer camp with the troop for five years, as well as going on their High Adventure trip this past summer. He has gone with the group two times to the Cooperstown area camping.

In the summer of 2010, he attended the weeklong junior leader training held at Camp Dittmer. His performance there earned him an invitation to be on the training staff for future years, which he did. In July of 2013, Dylan chose to attend the Firstr National Jamboree to be held at the Summit Bechtel Reservation, the new permanent Jamboree site. Our council sent two troops of 36 boys each. Dylan was elected to serve as senior patrol leader for his troop. Dylan was also elected to be a candidate for membership in the Order of the Arrow, which is considered the Honor Society of Boy Scouts. He completed his Ordeal and became a member in 2013.

This past year, Dylan planned his Eagle Scout project, worked with the troop leadership and committee to get it approved, and then got the help of the boys in the troop to help him complete the project. His project involved building a kiosk for the disc golf course at Darien Lake State Park.  He used my barn and workshop for some of his construction work, and it was fun to stand there and listen to the boys as they visited will they worked. They seemed to forget I was sitting there.  There were some hitches along the way, but he completed the project as he had planned it."

Scout Commisioner Ron Schmidt (far left) pictured below received the mentor pin. Also next to him is Troop 6006 Scoutmaster Ron Bernard and Dylan's family. Lots of church supporters came to the ceremony.

BATAVIA RAMPARTS PEE WEE III:  WE ARE NUMBER ONE

Hockey players from the Batavia Ramparts Pee Wee III team cheer and shout “we are number one” after proving they were the best team at the Tri-County Youth Hockey BREAKIN’ THE ICE tournament in Brockport this weekend.  Batavia began the tournament Friday night facing the host team from Brockport, Tri-County Youth Hockey (TCYH).  Both teams battled and the game remained scoreless until TCYH scored in the third period.  Down by one and late in the game, Batavia rallied.  With just over one minute remaining, forward, Sean Pies lit the lamp for Batavia with help from an assist by defenseman, Katherine Carmichael.  Less than a minute later, forward, Max Hutchins would pass to forward Drew Bower who would net the winning goal. 

After beating the teams from Rochester Youth Hockey and Monroe County Youth Hockey on Saturday, the Batavia Ramparts faced TCYH once again for the championship on Sunday afternoon.  Hutchins put Batavia on the board in the second period and a penalty shot in the third period would give forward, Zackary Geitner, an opportunity to add to Batavia’s lead.  He delivered.  With a score of 2-0, TCYH pulled their goalie and Hutchins out skated the Tri-County defense to put the puck back in the net.  Batavia wins with a final score of 3-0. 

Batavia’s goalie, Joshua Barber, was outstanding, showing his talents in each game.  The one point scored by TCYH would be the only goal on Barber throughout the tournament weekend.  Barber finished the weekend with three shut outs, helping his team post victories with scores of 2-1, 7-0, 4-0, and 3-0.  Barber’s efforts were noted and rewarded by receiving two of the four MVP awards during the tournament.  Max Hutchins and Drew Bower were also tournament MVPs.

The Batavia Ramparts Pee Wee III team brings home the championship after going undefeated this weekend and proving they are number one.

The Moose Lodge in Le Roy is 100 years old today.

Members have been celebrating since Saturday with various events, including a dance with the band Monster Johnson (pictured above). 

Today, the lodge is holding an open house all day, with food. At 6 p.m., various dignitaries will be on hand to honor the Moose on the 100th Anniversary.

There is a lodge enrollment ceremony at 8 p.m.

The lodge has 330 male members and 203 female members. It is a completely nonprofit organization and all proceeds from membership and fundraisers are returned to the community for good causes.

Up until this year, only a man could sponsor a new male member, and only women could sponsor women. That's no longer true, and getting new members is always a priority for the Moose, Richard Tredinnick said.

"We live and die with our membership," Tredinnick said. "It's more than just dues. It's also more people who can participate in our events, and by doing that, we have more money we can give back to our local community."

The Moose sponsor numerous community events, including breakfast with Santa, an Easter Egg hunt, breakfasts for Mother's Day and Father's Day, and dinners honoring emergency service responders and one honoring veterans.

Next week's events:

• Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., meatloaf dinner
• Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., followed by DJ Jamin Jim at 9 p.m.
• Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m., dinner, followed by the Rebel Posse Band

Amanda Earl contributed to this story. Photos by Amanda Earl.

Moose member Amy Larocco