Come enjoy the spring season at the Genesee County Park and Forest! Join us this March, April, and May for a variety of walks, hikes, and environmental education programs.

Programs include:

• Saturday, March 23 - Amphibian Adventure
• Saturday, April 6 - Eclipse Stories, Myths, and Science Walk
• Sunday, April 7 - GeneSEEtheEclipse Story Time and Craft
• Sunday, April 7 - Springtime Woods Walk
• Monday, April 8 - Exploring the Eclipse at the Genesee County Park
• Saturday, April 13 and May 4 - Guided Dog Walks
• Saturday, April 13 - Indoor Lecture: Stewardship at Home
• Wednesday, April 17, April 24 and May 8 - Migration Morning Walks
• Saturday, April 20 - Earth Day Spring Sweep Cleanup at DeWitt Recreation Area (Free)
• Saturday, May 18 - Genesee Valley Birding Cup (Free)
• Saturday, May 25 - Full Moon Owl Prowl

Walks are led by a guide who takes you through forest, meadow, and wetland habitats. Each will explore a different topic. Walks are approximately 1 - 2 miles long over easy terrain and are family-friendly. 

Cost is $5 per person or $10 per family (unless otherwise noted). Please pre-register to receive the exact meeting location and full details! Please pre-register by visiting https://bit.ly/GenCoParkRegistration or by calling 585-344-1122.

For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Claudia Nusstein at Claudia.Nusstein@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122.

Buffalo State University is pleased to recognize the following students who have been named to the Fall 2023 Dean's List.

• Talidy Blijden of Batavia, is majoring in Social Studies Education (7-12)
• Hunter Doran of East Bethany, is majoring in Biology
• Annmarie Georgia of Batavia, is majoring in Ceramics
• Morgan Harrington of Elba, is majoring in Psychology
• Brianna Smith of Oakfield, is majoring in Childhood Education
• Amber Snyder of Batavia, is majoring in Fashion, Textile, & Technology

In general, students who have completed at least 12 credit hours and who have attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher qualify for the Buffalo State dean's list. Full criteria and grade-type exceptions can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Vermont State University(VTSU) is proud to congratulate David Greer of East Bethany, for being named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester. Well done!

Dean's List designation is reserved for students who maintain full-time status and a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

198 students from Genesee Community College were named to the President's List. 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.

• Phyllissa Mitzel of Alexander
• Julia Lennon of Alexander
• Kristian Natalizia of Alexander
• Christian Haller of Alexander
• Brendan Burgess of Batavia 
• Rachel Gelabale of Batavia 
• Alexandra Christopher of Batavia
• Ryan Bowen of Batavia
• Alexander Hunt of Batavia
• Michelle Witherow of Batavia
• Elizabeth Clark of Batavia 
• Danielle Clark of Batavia
• Allison Dent of Batavia
• Christian DeSantis of Batavia 
• Aden Chua of Batavia
• Paul Daniszewski of Batavia
• Duane Kross of Batavia
• Ashley Hightower of Batavia 
• Clara Wood of Batavia
• Amanda Audelo of Batavia
• Stacie Stein of Batavia 
• Joseph Perl of Batavia 
• Hailey Smith of Batavia
• Blake Pahuta of Corfu 
• Alec Skeet of Corfu 
• Isabella Wheeler of Darien Center
• Julia Yax of Darien Center 
• Michael Miller of East Bethany 
• Kyra Rhodes of Oakfield 
• Heidi Burdick of Oakfield
• Tyhler Wood of Oakfield
• Kenneth Kline of Oakfield
• Athena Mitchell of Oakfield 
• Erica Scott of Stafford
• Joan-Marie Gabalski of Byron 
• Sean Whiting of Le Roy 
• Mia Hampton of Le Roy 
• Maverick Blachowicz of Le Roy 
• Makayla Grant of Le Roy 
• Willard Prevost of Le Roy 
• Morgan Beverly of Le Roy 
• Shaun Graham of Le Roy
• Bryn Luckey of Le Roy 
• Matthew Bolton of Le Roy 
• Ian Kepple of Le Roy 
• Colton Dziekan of Pavilion 
• Dylan Wiedrich of Pavilion 
• Lauren Russell of Pavilion
• Alaina Rowe of Pavilion

Zachery Greer, of East Bethany, was named to the University of Mississippi's Fall 2023 Honor Roll list.

Greer, majoring in Criminal Justice, was named to the Dean's Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74.

In order to be eligible for honor roll designation, a student must have completed at least 12 graded hours for the semester and may not be on academic probation during the semester.

Come enjoy the winter season at the Genesee County Park and Forest! Join us this January and February for a variety of walks, hikes, and environmental education programs. 

Programs include: 

• Saturday, Jan. 20 - Morning Bird Walk
• Wednesday, Jan. 24 - Winter Woods Walk
• Saturday, Jan. 27 - Moonlight Snowshoe Hike
• Saturday, Feb. 3 - Groundhog Day Walk
• Saturday, Feb. 17 - Great Backyard Bird Count
• Saturday, Feb. 24 - Moonlight Snowshoe Hike

Walks are led by a guide who takes you through forest, meadow, and wetland habitats. Each will explore a different topic. Walks are approximately 1 - 2 miles long over easy terrain and all are family-friendly. Cost is $5 per person and $10 per family. 

Snowshoe Hikes include snowshoe rental, cost is $5 per person and $15 per family. Please pre-register to receive the exact meeting location and other details!

Please pre-register by visiting https://bit.ly/GenCoParkRegistration or by calling 585-344-1122 For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Claudia Nusstein at Claudia.Nusstein@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122. Like us on Facebook at: Genesee County Parks, Recreation & Forestry.

Congratulations to Charles Urbanczyk of East Bethany on being named to the Pennsylvania Western University Dean's List for the 2023 fall semester.

Over 3,200 Pennsylvania Western University students earned placement on the Dean's List. Degree-seeking undergraduate students who achieve high academic standards are identified in accordance with the following criteria:

• The student must earn a minimum semester GPA of 3.40. 
• The student must earn a minimum of 12 graded credits during the semester, not including credits by proficiency examinations, incomplete grades, temporary grades (e.g., Not Reported), or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades.

Urbanczyk studies at PennWest's Edinboro Campus.

243 students from Genesee Community College named to Provost's List. Students honored on the Provost's List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

• Melanie Pohl of Alexander 
• Phyllissa Mitzel of Alexander 
• Ian Edmonds of Alexander
• Alan Riggi of Alexander 
• Kevin Neureuter of Batavia
• Carrie Lathan of Batavia
• Jill Kratz of Batavia 
• Maranda Vanelli of Batavia
• Michelle Witherow of Batavia 
• Jennifer Kula of Batavia
• Naomi Peck of Batavia 
• Lauren Reimer of Batavia
• Anthony Haitz of Batavia
• Brandon Delaporte of Batavia
• Amanda Woodrich of Batavia
• Stephanie Gordon of Batavia
• Shamiqua Hickman of Batavia
• David Boyce of Batavia 
• Kelly Smith of Batavia
• Catherine Richardson of Batavia
• Kingsley Antwi Darkwa of Batavia
• Alexander Frank of Batavia
• Seth Coburn of Batavia
• James Pulliam of Batavia
• Don Buckel of Batavia
• Leah Buckel of Batavia
• Katie Abaire of Batavia
• Theresa Tesch of Batavia 
• Elizabeth Rindell of Batavia 
• Jessica Barone of Batavia 
• Maia Hoffman-Miller of Batavia
• Sara Smith of Batavia
• Samantha Conibear of Batavia 
• Mikhail Saxton of Corfu
• Neve Tilley of Corfu 
• Colton Tarbell of Corfu 
• Raymond Vanelli of Corfu 
• Autumn Korytkowski of Corfu
• Trenton Woods of East Bethany 
• Aidan McClurg of Elba
• Elizabeth Verratti of Elba
• Genevieve Roman of Oakfield
• Cierra Tiede of Oakfield 
• Melinda Osborn of Oakfield 
• Jacob Cone of Stafford
• Amara Condidorio of Le Roy
• Matthew Bolton of Le Roy
• Dylan Dziekan of Pavilion

Elijah Stringham of East Bethany, NY, recently traveled to Italy as part of a pilgrimage sponsored by the Stonehill College Chapel Choir.

While abroad, the choir shared their musical talents with parishioners at St. Peter's Basilica, considered one of the holiest sites in the world. They also performed at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi and the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome. Before returning to the United States, the students represented the College at a Papal Audience, joining thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to see Pope Francis.

Despite a windy, rain-soaked morning, Natalie Hawley enjoyed herself at Genesee County Park in East Bethany Saturday.

The five-year-old was part of the Create a Critter activity at the Interpretive Nature Center. Supplied with all sorts of twigs, pine cones, cattails, walnuts, and other outdoor embellishments, Natalie and other children got busy creating various creatures during the event.

Leane Hawley of Le Roy, Natalie’s mom, said that it’s something they were both interested in for different reasons.

“We are here with friends, and it’s been a long time since we’ve been here,” Leane said. “I’m very excited to share this with one of my daughters. I just love nature, and just love to explore.”

Meanwhile, Natalie wanted to craft a timely critter for the season.

“I’m making a reindeer,” she said. “Because it’s coming up for Christmas.”

Top Photo: Natalie Hawley, 5, picks out some materials to make a reindeer Saturday at the Interpretive Nature Center at Genesee County Park & Forest; other families also participate in Create a Critter at the site in East Bethany; and in photo above, Natalie and her mom Leane work on the project. Photos by Howard Owens.