LE ROY -- Wright Beverage Distributing has acquired Certo Brothers brand distribution rights and is expanding their footprint in Western New York.

The deal is set to close on Jan. 10^th, and Wright Beverage will assume full operations in Certo’s existing markets effective Jan. 13.

Wright Beverage plans to acquire a 139,000-square-foot warehouse, adjacent to their 205,000-square-foot facility, in the Village of Le Roy as part of a proposed $8.9 million expansion plan.

The newly combined Rochester/Buffalo area brand rights expand Wright’s base by more than 50 percent to service 17 counties and over 2.5 million people.

Wright Beverage Distributing, headquartered in Rochester, announced Tuesday that they have reached an agreement with Certo Brothers Distributing to acquire Certo’s brand franchise and distribution rights for all five counties Certo currently services in Western New York. The newly acquired brand rights will extend WBD’s market coverage from 14 to 17 counties, growing their existing 10.5m annual case sales volume by more than 50 percent and adding more than 150 jobs to their current team of 425 employees.

“Our employees are what make expansion opportunities like this possible,” said Claude H. Wright, owner and CEO of Wright Beverage Distribution. “With both our companies being family owned and over 170 combined years of local market heritage in the beverage business, our cultures are very similar, and I know we’ll make an outstanding combined team.”

Wright had previously competed with Certo in Erie and Niagara counties, and this purchase will expand Wright’s territory into three additional counties: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegheny. Major brands involved in the transaction that are currently represented by Wright in adjacent territories include Coors, Molson, Miller, Sam Adams, Corona and Genesee.

Founded in 1953, Wright Beverage is now run by second-generation owner Claude H. Wright, CEO who has grown the company exponentially since taking over in 1977. The company attributes its sustained growth to its people and partnerships that spanthree generations. Representing over 50 suppliers, the company maintains a diversified portfolio of Beer, Non-Alcohol, Wine and Spirit products.

It will also be expanding its current Buffalo metro sales offices and employee base. Tessa (Wright) Tobin, Claude’s daughter, is the third generation of the Wright family to take ownership of the company and serves on the executive team as Chief Business Development Officer. Tobin is leading the joint transition team focused on launch plans to ensure a smooth transition and get the expanded organization off to successful launch in January 2020.

“We are thrilled to finally expand our Buffalo footprint and make this longstanding goal a reality. Our newly combined team and expanded territory will enable us to leverage our business model and yield sustainable benefits for our employees, customers, and supplier partners,” Tobin said.

WBD prides itself on bringing smaller scale brands to compete at market with larger players and has cultivated partnerships with local and regional breweries, wineries, distilleries and non-alcoholic brands to complement its business model.

“We are brand builders," Wright said. "We do this by actively managing a relevant portfolio and reinvesting in our partnerships, people and community. This is key to our sustainability.”

Other local and regional Wright brewery partners include F.X Matt (Saranac), Young Lion Brewing, Triphammer Bierwerks, K2 Brother’s Brewing, Ithaca Beer, and Blue Toad Hard Cider. Wright also maintains a diversified portfolio of wine and spirits, including local, family owned wineries and distilleries such as Villa Bellangelo, Billsboro, Toro Run, Lockhouse Spirits, and Tequila 21, distilled in Mexico.

Gaining broader market awareness and presence with an established and respected distributor like Wright Beverage has significantly accelerated their success, like it has for our own Genesee Brewery in Rochester. Wright currently boasts being Genesee’s largest distributor worldwide – whose beginnings with Wright were much the same as many of their smaller locally owned brands are today.

“Wright Beverage is and will continue to be a family owned and managed business, committed to continuing the exceptional level of service to the community as Certo has provided for over a hundred years," Tobin said. "Our Vision, Mission and Core Values remain the same; their meaning and importance will be shared throughout our organization and reinforce our unified culture.”

WBD eagerly encourages anyone interested in joining the Wright team to visit their career page to learn more about available positions and apply for a job by visiting www.wrightbev.com/careers. More information about this transaction and the company can be found at www.wrightbev.com.

(Inset photo above, Wright Beverage Distributing CEO Claude H. Wright (right) and his daughter Tessa (Wright) Tobin, chief Business Development officer, represent second and third generations the company's management.)

Occasionally, a Batavia High School student completes their graduation requirements out of cycle with the rest of their class and receives their diploma at a Board of Education meeting. That was the case Tuesday night for Hezekia N. Burch.

From the Historic Batavia Cemetery Association:

The Historic Batavia Cemetery Candlelight Ghostwalk on Oct. 26th is a sellout. People may still call 943-5662 and leave their name and phone number if they wish to be placed on a cancellation list.

From Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

In honor of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is calling on individuals to embrace education and early detection as primary mechanisms to fight the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States and at the top of new cancer cases reported in New York in 2016. 

“As we all come together to emphasize our constant fight against breast cancer this month, it is critical to impart on the public that early detection is the key to beating this disease,” Hawley said.

“There are countless state and local programs, support groups and resources available to the public including through the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) as well as a free screening program that is part of state law to cover ineligible or uninsured women.” 

For more information on the state program or to find a screening location, click here.

On Oct. 23, BCCR will host its annual “Lives Touched, Lives Celebrated” event which pays tribute to all the women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and includes a candlelight walk, music and poetry. For more information, visit https://bccr.org/lives-touched-lives-celebrated/.

Submitted photo and press release:

As the fall season gets underway with brisk temperatures, mark your calendars for Genesee Community College Foundation's 2019 Encore celebration, "An Evening of Elegance" cochaired this year by Mary Blevins (above seated) and Jenna Holota (above right).

Join the entire GCC community for dinner, drinks, dancing and a holiday concert by "Nik and the Nice Guys" on Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Richard C. Call Arena at GCC's Batavia Campus. Tickets are on sale now, click here.

Since its inception, the Encore Gala has provided an opportunity for the local community to raise funds for student scholarships. In 2018, the Foundation awarded over $145,000 in scholarships. As the world and economic factors change, the need for scholarships grows -- and so does Encore!

Blevins has lived and worked in Batavia for 28 years while she raised her sons John and Matthew. In addition to being the branch manager at ESL Federal Credit Union in Batavia, Blevins is the chairman of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

"I've always believed in the work GCC does," Blevins said. "I was so honored when Rick Ensman contacted me to chair this event.

"I'm excited to bring together new elements and admired traditions to through music, dining, dancing, networking, and friendship all wrapped up in 'An Evening of Elegance' at Encore 2019. I hope everyone will come out to enjoy it and to support the scholarships that change lives for so many students."

Holota, grew up in Batavia and is now raising her 3-year old daughter, Mckenzie, in her hometown. As the assistant branch manager at ESL, Holota enjoys helping the credit union members through every financial situation they encounter. 

"When Mary asked me to cochair this event with her, I was both proud and honored," Holota said. "I've enjoyed attending the event in the past. Knowing that I will be contributing to a scholarship program for GCC students makes it extra rewarding."

Each year, GCC offers opportunities to sponsor the Encore event. These sponsorships are critically important to the scholarships GCC provides its students and are available at several levels this year: the Holiday Chord Circle -- $1,000; the Golden Guitar Society -- $600; and the Inner Circle -- $300. Each of these levels includes tickets (six, four or two, respectively) for the event.

To become "An Evening of Elegance" sponsor, please complete the online forms here or contact the Foundation Office at (585) 345-6809, or foundation@genesee.edu today.

County health officials are still waiting on details from the federal government on a $1.3 million grant awarded to Genesee County and Orleans County for lead-hazard abatement and reduction in older homes.

At a meeting of the Human Services Committee last week, Paul Pettit, director of the health departments in both counties, said the first he learned that the counties had received the grant was by reading about it in The Batavian.

Since then, he's received a phone call confirming the grant but formal guidelines have not yet been delivered to his office.

"This is a significant amount of funding to come into Genesee County and to Orleans County and it would really help us to help those who don't have the means and the funds potentially to fix the problem," Pettit said in an interview last week.

Pettit's office applied for the grant over the summer.

The grant will enable the health departments to identify housing stock with potential lead hazards and make available grant money to the property owners to remediate the hazard.

"This funding is very important because what it does is, it allows, number one, a potential partnership with the homeowners or rental landlords to be able to fix a problem before a child gets poisoned and have funding available to remediate those homes prior to the poisoning occurring," Pettit said. "So when you look at it from a primary prevention standpoint, that's what we want to do. We want to try to prevent a child from getting poisoned in the first place."

The grants will be available to both homeowners and landlords of residences built prior to 1978 in three of the four census tracks in the City of Batavia and one census track in Albion.

Until the guidelines are in place, Pettit said it's not possible to provide details on how properties will be identified, inspected and what the criteria will be for providing assistance to property owners.

"We're gonna have to stand this program up fairly quickly when we get the formal announcement of the funding," Pettit said.

Health department staff has recently been through training for lead risk-assessment certification, Pettit told the Human Services Committee.

He also told the committee there is legislation pending in Albany that would require landlords with housing built prior to 1978 to receive annual lead-safe certification for their units, unless they made the property lead free, which would mean doing likes like removing trim, replacing windows, installing siding on the outside of the building.

"We do not want to see any child poisoned from lead exposure," Pettit said. "It can lead to developmental delays and other health impacts that could affect them over their entire lives. It's very important to identify and find these hazards early and then protect the children so they're not getting lead poisoning."

Press release:

The City of Batavia Water Deptartment is on location of a water main break at the Intersection of Ellicott Street and Clifton Avenue.

Clifton Avenue will be closed to through traffic. Water may be interrupted on Clifton Avenue, and James, William and Ellicott streets between Otis Street and Clifton Avenue, and Harvester Avenue from Ellicott Place to Ellicott Street.

Please do not attempt to do laundry as water may be discolored due to work being done.

Press release:

What: Guitar Lessons with Pete Avery
Where: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 E. Main St., Le Roy
When: Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., starting Nov. 5th

Pete Avery, guitar teacher and certified choral director, is offering weekly guitar lessons for beginning to advanced players starting on Tuesday, Nov. 5th from 7-8:30 p.m.

These will be held each Tuesday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 E. Main St., Le Roy. Lessons are offered at no charge, but a recommended weekly donation of $10 will be accepted to benefit local charities. No instrument is required to start.

Avery has taught guitar in most musical styles to people of all ages for the past 30 years. He started his musical training at age 6 and has played and sung with several groups for the past 55 years.

He is a certified Barbershop Harmony Society chorus director and is St. Mark’s current choir director. He sees his guitar playing gift as a blessing and has never charged for the 200+ students he has taught over the years.

Registration is required. Please email Avery at pgavery58@gmail.com. More information is available at www.stmarksleroy.org

The Blue Devils soccer team has historically faired poorly on artificial turf but Monday, they got a chance to start a new tradition -- one that is now necessary -- by winning their first home game in the new Van Detta Stadium.

Batavia beat Dansville 3-2 behind three goals by Garrick Havens. Two were on penalty kicks and the third was assisted by Andres Mateos.

Batavia took 16 shots on net and Dansville, 14.

Unique to the current roster are three pairs of brothers, all starters.

Watch the video to find out more and click this link to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Press release:

Le Roy – Traumatic events can directly impact a student’s ability to learn. The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence found that more than 60 percent of children surveyed experienced some form of trauma, crime, or abuse in the prior year, with some experiencing multiple traumas. This exposure often prevents students from their ability to focus in class, study or can even impair their capability to do well on a test.

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership has a new Trauma, Illness and Grief (TIG) Service to serve component school districts by delivering training and crisis support that links schools’ vision for trauma-responsive practices to processes for implementing sustainable change.

The service includes crisis training for teams in each school district, crisis response support in the event of a school tragedy, public relations/communications support and regional coordination of services to support students with mental health needs.

The TIG service brings together school districts and mental health providers to create a comprehensive support system in the Genesee Valley region.

The mission of TIG is to maintain and grow a community and school-based consortium of culturally sensitive and clinically appropriate training, support, and resource services to assist schools in responding to the emotional needs of children, teachers, and other school personnel, which arise from trauma, violence, illness, grief and loss.  

The TIG core curriculum prepares schools/districts to respond and intervene effectively during times of crisis and to support resiliency. This shared training assures that any responders are able to effectively and efficiently intervene to support their own district as well as dis­tricts throughout the network.

In the event of a district- or school-wide crisis, school districts can deploy and receive responders from both within and outside of the school in a coordinated and systematic manner through the Back Up Support Network.

Julie Donlon, assistant superintendent for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, explains why this service was launched and how it supports component districts.

“Despite our best efforts in taking a proactive approach at protecting our students, staff and communities from trauma, illness, grief and loss, life events happen that impact people in different ways," Donlon said. "The TIG service is designed to create supportive networks that encompass trained professionals to respond effectively in times of crisis.

"GVEP has partnered with Monroe County TIG to serve schools in the Genesee Valley region to ensure our students, staff and community have access to comprehensive support networks during times of tragedy. Through a regional approach, we've partnered with districts and local agencies to build a stronger, more resilient community.

"The service revolves around proactive efforts in planning, preparation and response. Together, we are stronger.”

About GVEP

The Genesee Valley Educational Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services providing shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties in New York state.

I spotted this caterpillar inching over the asphalt of our driveway so I grabbed my macro lens to try and make a picture of him (or her).

Press release:

Six unlucky coffin dwellers will attempt to complete the 30-Hour Coffin Challenge that's part of Six Flags Darien Lake's Fright Fest starting this Friday.

Each contestant will be required to complete haunted challenges in between long periods stuck in their coffins to be crowned this year’s challenge winner.

This year's challenge includes: 
          - Contestants spend an hour covered in live worms;
          - Contestants eating dried-out bugs including scorpions and tarantulas;
          - Sleep deprivation provided by our Scare-Actors.

The challenge runs from 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, through midnight Saturday, Oct. 12.

The contestants for 2019 are:                                

• Megan Shores, of Grand Island – She is participating in the challenge in memory of her brother who passed away last year; 
• Robin Basalla, of Rochester – She is a skydiver with more than 400 jumps to her name and is also a certified scuba diver;
• Mike Tedesco, of North Tonawanda – His family owns several area funeral homes and is training to become a funeral director, so this should be right up his alley;
• Angela Christ, of Blasdell – She is a volunteer firefighter and mother, out to prove her bravery;
• Nathan Squiers, of Elmira – He is a best-selling horror author looking for inspiration for his next book;
• Karissa Belzer, of North Chili – She says she loves everything Halloween and plans to compete dressed as “Zombie Batman."

This friendly dog appears "to have broken free of his dog run," says Marianne Newmark, who found the pet this morning on Route 237 near the Stafford Country Club.

He was running soutbound at about 8 a.m., then turned over to the custody of an animal control officer around an hour later.

"He had to run errands with me!" Newmark wrote in an email, and by his looks, he appears to have been on board with the task. Seems he made friends in the process.

If this dog is your best friend, please call the Genesee County Animal Shelter at 343-6410. It is located at 3841 W. Main Street Road, Batavia.

(Photo courtesy of Marianne Newmark.)

Lauren Yvette Smith, 20, of Strauss Road, Lockport, is charged with second-degree assault. At 6 p.m. on Oct. 6, Smith was arrested after an investigation of an assault complaint at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center during the Meek Mill and Future concert. She allegedly punched a female victim in the face and broke her jaw. Smith was arraigned in Darien Town Court then released on her own recognizance. She is due back in Darien Town Court on Oct. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Deputy Chamoun Nicholas.

Zachary V.D. Seeley, 22, of Lyman Road, Bergen, is charged with: Aggravated criminal contempt; aggravated family offense; and endangering the welfare of a child. On Oct. 6 at 9:24 p.m., following an investigation, Seeley was arrested. He allegedly violated a stay away order of protection and has previously been convicted of first-degree criminal contempt. During the incident at a motel on West Main Street Road in Batavia, Seeley allegedly threw a 16 oz. Dr. Pepper soda pop bottle at a child. Seeley was apprehended at a separate location and arraigned in Town of Batavia Court. He was put in jail on $5,000 cash bail or bond. He is due in Town of Batavia Court on Oct. 21. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Chamoun, assisted by Deputy Erik Andre.

Pictured above from left. Top row: Alan Brewen, Don Grieger, Michael Killelea, Gil Jordan, Will Mancuso and David Huebsch. Seated; Kevin Feary, Jeff Watkins and Steve BonDurant.

The “All-Weather Gang” keeps a 40-year tradition alive with regional artwork and an exhibit at the Richmond Memorial Library Gallery. Monday's show opening features local scenes depicted in various painting disciplines and continues through October. 

Batavia High School held its annual Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday night at Batavia Downs.

Inducted were:

• Elizabeth Varland, 2002, Soccer, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field
• Ryan Gugel, 2005, Football, Wrestling, Ice Hockey, Baseball
• Stephanie Conway, 2003, Cross-country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field
• Amanda Page, 2006, Soccer, Basketball, Softball
• Sumiyya Hunter Roff, 2004, Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field
• Jennifer Gurrant, 2005, Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field
• Phillip Santiago, 2003, Basketball

In one way or another Alan Dennis has been serving his community in Oakfield for most of his adult life.

He's been a Little League coach, a member of the water committee and zoning board of appeals, elected at one time to the Town Board, then, after 22 years working at Graham Manufacturing, he went to work for the Highway Department (resigning his Town Board seat at the time).

Sixteen years ago, he became the town's highway superintendent, but all those years of service came to an end Thursday when Dennis retired.

He was given a big party in Town Hall, where he received several presents, including the handmade bench he's sitting on in the photo above.

"I’ve always been active in the community. I think it’s good place to live," Dennis said.

A few years ago he and his wife, Debbie, bought a recreational vehicle and they plan to travel a bit but retirement will be a whole new world, he said.

"I’ve worked every day of my life," Dennis said. "I’ve never had a day where I was off, so it’s going to be a schedule adjustment."

Debbie Dennis, Alan's wife of 45 years, signs a life-size cutout photo of Alan.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented Dennis with an Assembly resolution commemorating his years of service to the community.