Le Roy edges Haverling, 3-1, to reach Class B semifinals
Behind a dominant outing from Alex Spezzano and some highlight-reel defense, Le Roy advanced to the Section V Class B baseball semifinals Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Haverling.
Spezzano tossed a complete game two-hitter, striking out seven.
After Haverling’s Dylan Wenban reached on an error and scored in the first, Spezzano allowed just one hit the rest of the way.
Le Roy’s defense came up big, highlighted by left fielder Jude Sherman’s diving catch to end the fourth and strand a runner. At the plate, Adam Woodworth and Jake Higgins drew back-to-back walks in the fourth, pulled off a double steal, and both scored—Woodworth on a wild pitch and Higgins on a fielder’s choice by Holden Sullivan. Higgins later drove in Woodworth with an RBI single in the fifth.
Jude Christ and Jagger Smith added hits for Le Roy. Haverling’s Gage Thomas pitched well in the loss, allowing just four hits.
Le Roy moves on to face No. 3 seed Wayland-Cohocton in Thursday’s semifinal.
Oakfield-Alabama earned a spot in the Section V Class C2 semifinals Tuesday with an 8-2 win over Alexander.
Piper Hyde went 4-for-4 with a triple to lead the Lady Hornets at the plate. Raine Denny drove in four runs, including a triple, while Chloe Lamb added three hits and two RBIs. Allison Harkness finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Ysa Schrauger and Allie Williams each added a hit.
Savannah Durham pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out five.
“We played well defensively and cashed in our runners when we got them into scoring position,” OA coach Jeff Schlagenhauf said. “This is a great opportunity for these girls to move on to the semifinals.”
After decades of exceptional service in family medicine, Mary Obear, MD, PhD is preparing to retire at the end of May, leaving behind a profound legacy of healing, leadership, and community commitment. Her patients will be seen by Shannon Bartlett, ANP, and Kevin Beuler, PA, at Oak Orchard Health’s Corfu office.
A retirement party will be held in her honor on June 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Pembroke Community Center. Family, friends, current and past staff and patients, and people in the community are welcome.
Dr. Obear has been a family physician in private practice since 2002 at Pembroke Family Medicine, which grew to three locations (Batavia, Alexander, and Corfu). On July 1, 2020, she combined her multi-location practice with Oak Orchard Health because of their common mission to provide high-quality primary care to everyone. At that time, we dedicated the health center to Dr. Obear.
“It is with mixed feelings that I announce my retirement from Oak Orchard Health on May 30. I have cared for patients in Genesee County and beyond for over two and a half decades (that’s a quarter of a century!). It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and my time at Oak Orchard Health has been very important to me,” says Dr. Obear. “I feel it’s time for me to begin my next chapter of my life, traveling and seeing my family who live all over the country. I leave my patients in the care of Shannon Bartlett, ANP and Kevin Beuler, PA. I have supreme confidence in them. They are both skilled practitioners and are compassionate and caring with patients.”
Dr. Obear is well known in the community and serves in many volunteer roles. She is on the Board of Health for Genesee County and the Board of Directors at Crossroads House and Gateway House.
The Batavia Social Security office located at 571 East Main Street, Batavia, will be temporarily closed on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30. The office will reopen to the public on Monday, June 2, at 9 a.m. Local telephone services at the Batavia Social Security office will remain available at 1-866-931-7103.
People who need to conduct their Social Security business in person may visit the following Social Security offices:
4050 West Ridge Road, 2nd Floor, Rochester
200 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Rochester
Social Security office hours are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Social Security’s customers can now make appointments for all types of services instead of waiting in line, resulting in a better overall experience and reductions in wait times.
Customers can still wait in line if they cannot or do not want to make an appointment. Staff at local offices are being particularly mindful of vulnerable populations, people with disabilities, and other groups needing specialized or immediate attention when they walk in.
People can schedule an appointment by calling their local office (recommended) or 1-800-772-1213, which also has a call-back feature. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call Social Security’s TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
Many Social Security services are conveniently available online at www.ssa.gov. People may create their my Social Security account, a personalized online service, at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. If they already receive Social Security benefits, they can start or change direct deposit online, request a replacement SSA-1099, and if they need proof of their benefits, they can print or download a current Benefit Verification Letter from their account.
People not yet receiving benefits can use their online account to get a personalized Social Security Statement, which provides their earnings information as well as estimates of their future benefits. The portal also includes a retirement calculator and links to information about other online services.
Need a Social Security Number card?
Please note for many situations people only need their number and not the actual card. If they need a card, they should start the process online.
People can visit www.ssa.gov/number-card to submit a request for a replacement card, start an application for an updated card, or to request a Social Security number for the first time. Some people may not need to visit an office and, if they do need to visit an office to complete the application, they will save a lot of time by starting online.
Want to apply for benefits?
People can apply online for most benefits. In many cases, there are no forms to sign. The agency will review the application and reach out with questions or for more information. Visit www.ssa.gov/onlineservices to apply for retirement, disability, or Medicare.
Need proof of benefits, want to check the status of an application or appeal, or curious what else people can do online?
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #576 of Le Roy has selected two students to attend this year's Empire Girls State the week of June 30 at SUNY Brockport.
Teagan Falk Submitted photo.
Teagan Falk and Elise Fisher have been selected to attend. As part of the premier ALA program, “citizens” of the New York Girls State will study local, county, and state government processes during this five-day nonpartisan political learning experience.
Teagan is a high school junior from Oakfield-Alabama High School. She participates in many extracurriculars, including Chorus, Band, Varsity Football and Basketball Cheer, Mock Trial, NHS, and is the president of her class. She takes multiple AP classes and has a 4.0 GPA. She also participates in activities outside of her school, including as lead singer of a band, and modeling in the GCC fashion show.
Elise Fisher Submitted photo.
Elise Fisher is a high school junior from Le Roy Jr./Sr. High School. She is well-known for her passion for social justice and conservation, participating in various clubs such as Mosaic, Ecology, Feminist Club, and the National Honor Society.
ALA Girls State attendees, known as “citizens,” receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties. The young women then campaign, hold rallies, debate, and vote to elect city, county, and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens.
Every spring, approximately 25,000 young women across the country are selected to attend ALA Girls State programs in their respective states. Two outstanding citizens from each of the 50 ALA Girls State programs are then chosen to represent their state as “senators” at ALA Girls Nation held in Washington, D.C. in July.
Placing of flags honoring veterans at the memorial wall at UMMC, Jerome Center Photo by Steve Ognibene
Monday's Memorial Day ceremony at the War Memorial at the Jerome Center, Bank Street and
The ceremony featured an invocation, the National Anthem performed by the Batavia Concert Band, the GAR Order of the Day, a wreath-laying by Veteran Services with a Gold Star mother, and the reading of the honor roll. The program concluded with a 21-gun rifle salute, the playing of taps, a benediction, and the singing of “God Bless America.”
Oakfield-Alabama erupted for eight runs in the top of the eighth inning to break open a tie game and defeat Honeoye, 11-4, in an extra-inning thriller Monday night.
OA (now 13-8) tallied 11 hits and took advantage of three Honeoye errors, overcoming a 3-3 deadlock after seven innings. Ryan Schnaufer led the way with a double and a dramatic inside-the-park home run in the eighth, finishing 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs.
OA took a 3-0 lead into the third, but Honeoye (13-8) rallied to tie it in the fifth. Both teams’ pitchers worked out of jams through regulation before OA’s bats came alive in extras.
In the eighth, Jake Gehlert reached on an error to score Schnaufer, who led off with a double, for the go-ahead run. Avery Watterson reached on another error, and Jackson Gilbert delivered a two-run single, scoring Jack Cianfrini, who had singled earlier, and Watterson. Levi Kabel followed with a two-run single of his own, and Schnaufer capped the rally with his two-run, inside-the-park homer to right-center.
Watterson earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing just one hit and one earned run while striking out one. He also reached base twice and scored three runs. Starter Travis Chaya went 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and striking out three.
For Honeoye, Owen Cuba pitched seven strong innings, allowing three runs (one earned) and striking out eight. Kevin Schmitt took the loss in relief, charged with eight unearned runs in the eighth. Kevin Schmitt and Dylan Washburn each had two hits for the Bulldogs.
Stats:
OA: 11 hits, 11 runs, 3 errors
Schnaufer: 2-4, 2B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB
Kabel: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Tobolski: 1-3, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB
Watterson: 1-4, 3 R, BB, 2 SB; 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 1 K (W)
Chaya: 1-5, RBI; 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Oakfield-Alabama advances and will await its next opponent in sectional play.
The Village of Corfu held its Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday. The parade kicked off at noon, with the ceremony immediately following at the Pembroke Intermediate School.
Photos by Kara Richenberg.
Tom Sargent (on the right), Mayor of Corfu.
Lilly Senko, PHS Veterans Outreach Club President, speaking at the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Commemoration of America's Conflicts
William Joyce's reading of the deceased Corfu Veterans.
Mary Lichtenstein struggled and suffered most of her life with depression, and did so in silence, coming from a family at a time when one didn’t “air the dirty laundry,” and masking repercussions of having been in a car accident as a teenager by being “a walking pharmacy,” she says.
Yet despite the prescription drugs, there were the side effects, migraines from a head injury, and not much relief, rendering her feeling as if “I didn’t want to be here,” she said. It was her husband Mark that found out about Donna Eden, founder of the Eden Method, a way to use one’s body energy to live a “long, healthy and joyful life,” according to her website.
“It was the best gift he ever gave me, besides my daughter, Danielle. I stopped playing the movie in my head that I’m not good enough, I’m not pretty enough, I’m not thin enough,” Lichtenstein said during an interview with The Batavian from her home in Mexico, New York. “I teach people now. I no longer have foggy brain, that movie didn’t play over in my head any more. I gained healthy boundaries, I learned we surrender our power. Before, I was notorious for being a doormat.”
Lichtenstein owns Integrative Healing Solutions, LLC and is an advanced practitioner of Eden Energy Medicine, an integrated approach to healing by learning how to build neuroplasticity, detox your brain, open new neural pathways and calm the nervous system.
She’s bringing a class, Calm Within: Energy Medicine for Stress & Anxiety Relief, here from 1 to 3:30 p.m. June 5 at Batavia First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St.
Serving as her own living validation that the Eden method of recovery and living actually works, Lichtenstein has gone on to teach it to others, watching remarkable transformations, she said.
“What I love about Donna Eden's work is that it's one of the quickest, most effective ways I've discovered in my 63 years of struggling myself. I mean, not so much in the last 15 years, but prior to that, it gives you tools that you can use for yourself to give you back and empower you and make you more resilient," she said. "I would dare say that every single health crisis has a stress component to deal with it, and not being able to deal with it or know how to deal with it, and this gives you those simple tools to deal with it, so that you don't get sick.
"And I'm walking proof of it. And most people that have become practitioners in energy medicine is because they are very sick themselves, and it saved my life, basically, learning how to do this," she said. "And I want it for everybody else, because, we deserve to have a full, beautiful life and enjoy every day to its fullest, because we don't know what's going to happen.”
She provides tools for people to use to calm themselves, she said. It’s a really soothing, simple yet powerful energy to restore one’s balance, whether it’s the breath, presence or intention, there is most definitely a noticeable before and after, she said.
A registered respiratory therapist for several years, she didn’t feel as though she was making much of an impact on her patients’ health. It was as if she was “taking this blazing fire and we were taking this little squirt gun, and going, ‘I’m wondering why they weren’t getting better,’” she said. So she eventually left that field and went on to work in schools.
Then in 2010, she began to study this new method, and saw “amazing results” with students while as a teen health educator for two school districts.
“Holy moly, what a difference. I had one girl who’d just as soon punch the vice principal as talk to him, and in her senior year, she didn’t get in any trouble, and now I’m so proud of her. She’s going to school to be a teacher, and it was just teaching her simple tools, which I’m going to teach in this class. It changed this girl’s life, and she got out of a toxic relationship and she’s doing fantastic.”
Participants in this class will receive a booklet of information and exercises to perform — not calisthenics that depend on one’s physical condition but those tools, Lichtenstein said — to enable anyone to do them and understand “how our energies affect” not only ourselves but others in the room, she said.
There will be “just enough” science to explain why and how this method works, but not too much to be overwhelming, she said. One key aspect is neuroplasticity.
What is neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout life. It refers to the brain forming new neural connections and reorganizing itself in response to experiences, emotions, behaviors, and even energy-based practices.
“When you're stressed or anxious, your brain often strengthens neural pathways associated with fear, worry, and survival. However, with intentional practices — like those in Eden Energy Medicine — you can begin to rewire your brain toward calm, balance, and resilience,” Lichtenstein said. “Each exercise students will learn in this class, Calm Within: Energy Medicine for Stress & Anxiety Relief, supports rewiring the brain by helping the nervous system shift out of survival mode and into balance, calm, and healing.”
Fee is $25, and scholarships are available for those that may not otherwise be able to attend. Lichtenstein said that once participants connect with her, she is there for you afterward if needed.
“My goal is to put myself out of business, because people are stressed.," she said. "I have had personal stress, and I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without energy medicine, and now I want to share it with as many people as I can.”
David Schnaufer delivered a masterclass on the mound and at the plate, leading OA to an emphatic 11-0 victory over Campbell-Savona on Saturday.
Schnaufer tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering just three hits over seven innings while striking out 10 and walking three. The right-hander was in command from the start, keeping Campbell-Savona hitters off balance and working out of the few jams he faced.
Offensively, OA broke the game open with a steady attack, scoring in four straight innings and erupting for five runs in the fifth. Jackson Gilbert led the charge with a 2-for-4 day, including a double and four RBIs. Schnaufer helped his own cause, reaching base three times and scoring twice.
Jack Cianfrini chipped in with two RBIs and two runs, while Avery Watterson drove in two and scored once. Jake Gehlert reached base three times, collecting a hit, two walks, and scoring a run. Travis Chaya added a hit and was hit by a pitch, and Hunter Tobolski crossed the plate twice despite not recording a hit.
Campbell-Savona was held to just three hits, with Jacob Wilson going 2-for-3 and Chance Miller adding a single. On the mound, Zachary Corell took the loss despite not allowing an earned run over four innings, as defensive miscues led to six unearned runs. Wilson pitched the final two innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits.
OA improves to 11-8 on the season, while Campbell-Savona falls to 6-11.
I have written many articles about Batavia's history using the Genesee County History Department, Ruth M. McEvoy's book, The History of the City of Batavia, the Holland Land Office Museum, and the Richmond Memorial Library. I have also enjoyed sharing my memories growing up in Batavia. I am always looking for topics to write about.
I recalled watching the 60s, two popular TV shows, Dr. Kildare and Ben Casey. I also remember the nun at St. Joseph's Elementary School slamming the top of my desk as I looked at a picture of Ben Casey, not paying attention to her lesson. I had taped his picture to the inside of my desktop.
I loved the clothing from the '60s and '70s. There was a unique store called Metamorphous, located on Ellicott Street Road. It sold the most incredible bell-bottoms in a brushed corduroy.
I remember when sneakers finally came in colors other than white. You couldn't express your style by wearing a school uniform daily since you had to wear white socks. I remember wearing penny loafers, and I put dimes where the penny was supposed to go.
There was also a phase of wearing a Liz Taylor blouse. It had ruffles on the front and was a welcome change to wear when not in School.
The dance moves included the Twist, the Mashed Potato, the Swim, and the Freddie. We enjoyed simple summers, swimming in the New Pool, participating in the City Parks Program, and attending the Tennis Court Dances at night.
When we were young, there wasn't a Saturday Mass available for parishioners at the various Catholic churches. We attended the 9:15 a.m. children's Sunday Mass and were usually late getting our family of eight ready for church. Girls always had to wear a hat or some covering on their heads. Of course, if you didn't have the chaplet cap of mantilla for Mass, you'd get a bobby pin and pin a Kleenex to your hair. I wore many a Kleenex pinned to my hair as a St. Joseph's School student.
The children from the New York State School for the Blind attended the children's Mass. They sat on the left side of the church and walked to the altar for communion with a small group of students and one student leader holding a teacher's hand.
When Beatlemania hit the United States from England, our music changed. Many other groups followed the Beatles, the Fab Four. We now had music from many English groups, such as The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, and The Yardbirds, to name a few of the many popular groups from England. Clothing from that era was halter tops, cutoff jeans, wide bell-bottoms, and mini dresses. The hairstyles for boys and girls were long hair. Gone was the traditional boys' haircut.
A favorite memory of mine was when I gathered up my five siblings to have a portrait taken of the six of us. I made an appointment at Lawing Studio, and we all showed up in what we thought were appropriate clothes. We still have that once-in-a-lifetime sibling photo taken for mom. We had it framed and presented it to her on her birthday.
As we were waiting to hear her express her pleasure for this memorable portrait of her children, our soft-spoken mom, who never really raised her voice in our lifetime, was not a fan of her son's long hair, to put it mildly. She didn't like their pork chop sideburns either. We were shocked! She was happy with us girls, who were wearing my clothes.
We always laugh at the photo our mom hated that was never hung in the living room. We would drag it out on holidays and have a good laugh. At a reception at Terry Hill's Restaurant after our mother's funeral Mass, we took out the photo, sat in the exact order we sat in for the original photo back in the 70s, and retook the picture in memory of our beautiful mother.
At 75 years old, I repeat my memories; they are written a little scrambled, but that is how I recall them at my age. We share similar memories, so please feel free to share yours. I am not crazy about being 75, but my memories keep me young.
The Alexander Lady Trojans surged to a 24-5 victory over Clyde-Savannah in the opening round of sectionals Saturday in Livonia.
Alexander’s offense produced 16 hits, led by Melissa Sawyer, who went 3-for-5 with a triple, a three-run home run, and six RBI.
Emily Pietrzykowski added two home runs and three RBI, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base. Faith Goodenbury contributed a 3-for-5 day with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.
The Trojans jumped ahead 3-1 in the first inning, then broke the game open with nine runs in the second and seven more in the third.
Melanie Bump went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, while Paige Morton was 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, three runs, a walk, and two stolen bases. Ava Yax reached base five times, going 1-for-1 with five runs, an RBI, four walks, and a stolen base.
On the mound, Pietrzykowski threw a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 14 and walking 11. Despite not allowing a hit, Clyde-Savannah scored five runs, taking advantage of walks and defensive miscues.
Coach John Goodenbury said, “This was a strong opening round for our girls in sectionals. Emily threw an impressive five-inning no-hitter despite challenging conditions with wind, rain, and cold temperatures affecting her control. She battled through walks early on while trying to stay warm and find her rhythm.
"Sawyer is continuing to heat up nicely after overcoming a midseason slump, and Goodenbury is right there with her, swinging the bat well.
With today’s harsh conditions, steady rain, wind, and a real feel of just 37 degrees, we’re glad to advance and now fully shift our focus to Oakfield for Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup. Oakfield, the second seed, has been dominant and well-coached all season, so we know it’ll be tough, but the weather looks better for Tuesday, and we will see what happens.”
Alexander advances to face No. 2 seed Oakfield in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Town of Batavia - Lower 1 bedroom apartment for rent with all appliances and parking. Sun room with gas fireplace and patio. $1100/ Month; plus electric, includes heat and water. No pets and no smoking. Security and references required. Available June 15th. Call 585-344-3141 for appointment.
