For 2023, the Firefighter of the Year in the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department was a collective award, going to the Top 10 responders (11 members, counting a tie) for the year.

The Firefighters of the Year are Brian Breemes, Randal Henning, Tim Eckdahl, Chris Penkszyk, Mark Dougherty, Ashley Swartzenberg, Jason Smith, Ken Collins, Brian Pocock, Don Hall, and Ben Pocock.

The firematic officers installed for 2024 are:

• Timothy Eckdahl, chief
• Brian Pocock, 1st assistant chief
• Brian Breemes, 2nd assistant chief
• Kari Breemes, 3rd assistant chief
• Jason Smith, 4th assistant chief
• Randal Henning, rescue squad captain
• Chad Rambach, rescue squad lietuenent 
• Donald Hall, fire police captain
• Ben Fox, fire police lieutenant
• Brian Pocock, master mechanic
• Brian Breemes and Matt Hendershott, training officers
• Julie Bobo and Ashley Swartzenberg, chief's secretary

The administrative officers: 

• James Call, president
• Kari Breemes, vice president
• Bonnie Logsdon, secretary
• Stephanie Call, treasurer
• Trustees: Stanley Gere, Jason Smith, Ashley Swartzenberg, Chad Rambach, Stephanie Call
• Auditors: Ben Fox and Kenneth Collins.

The dinner was held on Saturday at the Batavia Country Club.

Photos by Howard Owens

Join the Holland Land Office Museum for another Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. The event will be on Saturday, March 23rd from 6-8 pm at the Batavia Country Club, located at 7909 Byron Rd. in Batavia. Enjoy a great meal from The Lodge at the Country Club and a wonderful show by WNY Improv. 

The mystery is "Spirits and Suspects, a Roaring 20’s Murder Mystery." Prohibition may be in full swing but for the Kingpin of Genesee County, the booze business is booming! What could possibly go wrong? Put your glad rags on and join the fun as mobsters, molls, and even a medium, face the eclipse... 

Tickets are $75 per person. There is a choice of three entrée options including stuffed chicken with beef, crab-stuffed fish, or pasta primavera. Please make your choice when you purchase your ticket. Your ticket includes your meal and dessert. A cash bar will be available. Links to buy tickets online are available at the museum’s website www.hollandlandoffice.com.

On Saturday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Batavia Country Club, the Holland Land Office Museum is proud to announce the return of the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater with WNY Improv. This time they will be putting on "A Murderous Affair: The Truish Murder Mystery of Johnston L. Lynch".

Once a sanctuary of opulence and decorum, the Batavia Country Club becomes the eerie backdrop to the murder of Johnston L. Lynch, a lawyer whose gruesome end shattered the peace of this tight-knit community. 

"A Murderous Affair" isn't just another murder mystery—it's an immersive experience, an investigation into the shadows of Batavia's history, and a labyrinth of mysteries waiting to be solved. Put on your detective hat and be a part of this unforgettable event at the Batavia Country Club. Discover what truly happened in the enigmatic world of Johnston L. Lynch and make your own conclusion in this enthralling real-life whodunit.

Tickets are $75 per person. Museum members receive early sign-up. Choose from 4 different entrée options- Prime Rib, Chicken French, Crab Stuffed Fish, Pasta Primavera. Meal includes salad, roll, potato, vegetable, and beverage. A cash bar will be available.

Seats are limited. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Please have your food preference ready with the reservation.

Young golfers got a well-rounded experience at the annual Batavia Country Club Junior Golf Camp, according to Pro Tom Tucker.

The camp for kids 7-10 was July 25 through July 29 and the camp for kids 11-15 to was Aug. 1 through Aug. 5.

Instructors included Tucker, a Top-100 golf teacher, Roxanne Noeth, 14-time Batavia Country Club Women's Club Champion,
and Dominic NiCastro

Tucker said that during the week, golfers competed in various contests as well as team competitions along with their instruction and practice sessions.

"All in all, the kids had great weather, made new friends, and had a great time," Tucker said.

For more photos and information, click here. 

Submitted photos.

Top photo: Back row, left to right: Ashton Mapes, Aiden Flaherty, Mike Richenberg, Patrick Casey, Dan Mudrzynski, Hunter Sprague, Nolan Rogers, Joe Wujiec, Joe Mudrzynski, Garrett Morris, Front row, left to right: Dakota Ford, Melina Moscicki, Lena Meyer, Crimson Hurd Alex Tomidy, Luke Mills, Gavin Philp, Jacob Knowlton, Levi Fisher, Absent from photo: Maisse and Delia Yunker

Boys Champion - Brayden Jachimowicz shot a 33 to squeak by Sawyer George and Cody Carlson by one stroke each. Girls Champion - Jada Fite shot a 33 and edged out Brooklyn Jachimowicz (Brayden's sister) by a single stroke in two very exciting finishes.

One hundred golfers gathered at Batavia Country Club on Saturday for a golf tournament held in memory of Mike Tenebruso and to raise funds for the Michael Tenebruso SUNY Brockport Memorial Scholarship Fund. This year's recipient was Ray Zajac.

Photos and information submitted by Al Fulton.

From left, Marcia Tenebruso, Ray Zajac, Kristine Tenebruso, Anna Tenebruso, Nicholas Tenebruso, Nathan Tenebruso, organizer Dave Petruzzi and Tony Tenebruso.

A Batavia Country Club today, Dave Barone, an avid golfer for nearly 60 years, sank his first hole-in-one.

The perfect shot came on the 178-yard 17th hole. Barone was swinging a 4 hybrid.

He finished the round at 79 strokes.  

In his foursome were Rod Allen, Johnny Lowe, and Doug Cecere.

Photo and info submitted by Doug Cecere.

All of that changed on Thursday when Empire State Development, the agency charged with designating businesses as “essential” or “non-essential," moved golf courses into the "non-essential" category.

Golf courses had been open for the past couple weeks.

“It’s really too bad about golf courses. It’s a safe place for people to get, especially if it’s done right (practicing social distancing),” Karen Pompa, owner of Batavia Country Club said this morning. “It can be a relief for people to walk around for four or five hours.”

She said that many of her customers are not happy about the latest New York State restriction.

“I’ve been getting a lot of emails from people saying that they want to get petitions going to open golf courses,” she said.

Pompa said things are quiet at the Batavia-Byron road establishment, which also has had to put a hold on its restaurant business.

“Like everyone else, we just have to wait it out,” she said.

According to Section 13, Recreation, of ESD’s guidance on essential services document:

-- Parks and other open public spaces, except playgrounds and other areas of congregation where social distancing cannot be abided;

-- However, golf courses are not essential;

-- However, use of boat launches and marinas for recreational vessels is not considered essential;

The golf courses mandate is effective through April 29 unless changed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Prior to yesterday’s ruling, the state had allowed golf courses to operate as businesses as long as they abided by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state-mandated guidelines, and adhered to safe, social distancing.