The Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation held its annual Kentucky Derby Party at Terry Hills on Saturday afternoon.

The party is a major fundraiser and supports research for curing childhood cancer and provides assistance to victms' families.

A big tradition with the Kentucky Derby is women wearing fancy hats, and that's also part of the tradition of the foundation's party.

Above, Christen Napoleone, Andrea Suttell and Ashley Napoleone.

Jennifer Houseknecht and Lori Reinhardt

Jody McCulley

Peggy Sacheli

Trish Pero and Peg Pietzykowski-Gorecki (Peg created both hats)

If the moon seemed especially big and bright Saturday night -- that's because it was.

The moon was at the point on its elliptical path called perigee, the point where passes closest to Earth. At this point, it is 31,000 miles to closer than the opposite side of its orbit, or apogee.

While the full moon appears largest just after it rises, it officially reached its closest point to Earth at 11:34 pm. Exactly one minute later, the moon, Earth and sun line up and this allows the moon to achieve its full brilliance -- 30-percent brighter and 14-percent larger than any other full moon this year. 

Here framed by spruce boughs, the brilliance of the full moon will have drowned out all but the brightest fireballs of the Aquarid meteor shower, also on tap Saturday night, according to NASA.

Officially, this year's supermoon was "eclipsed" by the supermoon of March 2011, which passed by Earth some 250 miles closer than this year's.

There is reportedly a fight among three or four people at 15 Center St., the City Church Youth Center. Law enforcement is responding as are medics. One person was stabbed.

UPDATE 8:16 p.m.: A male, age 22 or 23, is being taken to UMMC with a cut on his left cheek that is "longer than it is deep." Also, police call for firefighters to respond to wash away blood on the sidewalk. City Engine 12 is responding.

UPDATE 8:25 p.m.: Engine 12 has accomplished its mission and is back in service.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m. (by Howard): Officer Dan Coffey, tonight's shift commander, said at about 9:30 p.m. that officers were still conducting interviews and "sorting things out." No arrests, and there's no description of a suspect available.

Today was the inauguration of Genesee Community College's fourth president, James M. Sunser, Ed.D. He replaces Stuart Steiner, who recently retired after serving as the college's president for 37 years.

Sunser is pictured up front and center in the above photo, along with the distinguished guests -- including GCC officials, members of the Genesee and Orleans county legislatures, officials from the SUNY system, private colleges and some representatives from the state government.

The fact that GCC has only had four presidents in the nearly 45 years of its existence made this a particularly significant event. Mary Pat Hancock, chair of the Genesee County Legislature and the third speaker at the ceremony, lauded the college's thorough and careful selection process during this "crucial transition."

In his speech, Sunser expressed his enthusiasm for the job.

"It is my honor and privilege to stand before you to reflect on this significant and special day," he said. "I am humbled and honored by the confidence you have shown in me, and I assure you that I will aspire toward the highest standard of excellence, for which this college is known."

He also said that he was proud to be part of a college with such a legacy of "resourcefulness, dedication and faith in the future," pointing out the ordinary citizens who "banded together against conventional wisdom and the community's expectations" to found GCC 45 years ago.

Sunser believes that not only meeting, but exceeding expectations is the challenge of education and anyone who wants to make a lasting difference in the world.

As examples of people who have done this, he talked about key historical figures like Albert Einstein (who grew up with a speech impediment) and Rosa Parks, as well as the aforementioned citizens who pushed for GCC's foundation and the pioneers who first came to this region 200 years ago, "pushing beyond expectations."

"I promise to meet and exceed your expectations at GCC," he said. "I believe there is no more powerful, no more enduring gift than education. (At GCC), we will develop programs and curricula that will bring the best to our work force and help shape the vibrant economic prosperity of the region."

Toward the end of his speech, Sunser also encouraged his partners in the community and ordinary citizens to make a difference.

"Each of us can help change our community," he said. "Let us leave a legacy that makes those who follow us proud."

Sunser is an alumnus of Onondaga Community College (OCC), Syracuse University, SUNY Brockport and the University of Rochester. Before coming to GCC, he worked at OCC for 22 years -- first as bursar, then as vice president of finance, and finally as vice president for continuing and extended learning.

OCC president Debbie L. Sydow, who was one of the greeters at today's ceremony, spoke of Sunser's passion for education and dedication to the service of others.

"He always puts the students' interests first (at OCC)," Sydow said.

She described Sunser as "no-nonsense yet good-natured, smart yet down-to-earth."

For more information on President Sunser, see his biographical page on GCC's website.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Carlson.

State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer doesn't want his staff members showing public support for either of the two men running for the GOP nomination in the 27th Congressional District, and so he apparently fired one staff member this week for supporting David Bellavia.

The Buffalo News reports Michelle McCulloch, 45, was fired after introducing Bellavia at a campaign event outside of Ranzenhofer's district.

While she had previously been warned about her connection to Bellavia, McCulloch said she felt she was complying with Ranzenhofer's directive by reporting the campaign appearance to him the next day.

Nick Langworthy, Erie County GOP chairman and ally of Chris Collins, the candidate Bellavia would like to defeat, was at the campaign event in Attica. CORRECTION:  Langworthy contacted The Batavian and said, "Bob McCarthy reported falsely that I attended the GOP event Attica. I did not attend that event."

Langworthy denies he was involved in McCulloch's dismissal.

While McCulloch said she was given no official reason for her termination, she believes it's a logical conclusion.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, the City of Batavia Historic Preservation Commission, in conjunction with the Landmark Society of Genesee County and The New York Landmarks Conservancy, will host free guided walking tours of some of Batavia's historic architecture.

May is National Preservation Month. The guided tour will bring guests to various locations that will highlight the historic significance of the “hidden gems” as well as explain the history behind some buildings that are now “lost treasures.”

The sites include GO ART!, the Masonic Temple, City Church, the Cary Mansion location, the First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church, a couple of houses on East Main Street, St. James Episcopal Church, the Richmond Mansion location, the Richmond Memorial Library, and the Ross Street Historic District.

The First Presbyterian Church, locally designated as historic, and St. James church, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Their participation in the event is part of The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Second Annual Sacred Sites Open House weekend.

The Cary Mansion location will be receiving an historic marker through the help and research of City Historian Larry Barnes, made possible by a grant from the Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse.

Guests will also get to enjoy refreshments as well as a special organ performance by Charles Bradley. However, you MUST reserve your space for the FREE guided tour. Call Marcia Gann at 343-8218 to reserve your space.

To close off the event, The Landmark Society of Genesee County will host its 39th Annual Preservation Awards & Dinner that evening at 6 p.m. at St. James. The dinner will honor property owners for the thoughtful care and/or restoration work they have done.

The cost is $15/person. Anyone interested in attending the dinner must call Lucine Kauffman at 757-2455 or Laurie Oltramari at 343-1457 by Saturday, May 12th.

A two-car accident involving multiple injuries and possible entrapment is reported at 714 Harlow Road near Broadway Road. Mercy Flight is on in-air standby. Darien Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 11:58 p.m.: A responder on scene reports there is no entrapment.

UPDATE 12 p.m.: Law enforcement in on scene. An ambulance from Alden is also called to the scene. A responder reports that one vehicle has a 17-year-old driver and three passengers -- all under the age of 2. The driver of the other car has minor scratches. One of the vehicles is a Jeep.

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight is cancelled.

UPDATE 12:22 p.m.: One patient is being taken to Erie County Medical Center via the Alden ambulance. One patient is being transported to UMMC by Mercy medics.

UPDATE 12:31 p.m.: Mercy is taking one patient to Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 12:37 p.m.: An adult female patient is being taken to ECMC, but it is not clear if this is a new transport or if the rig that was going to go to Buffalo was re-routed.

UPDATE 12:53 p.m.: Darien is back in service.

A tree in a field of dandelions on Wortendyke Road, Batavia.

The dedication of the peace garden in Batavia on Sunday will draw a quiet protest from some local residents, according to Mike Barrett, owner of Barrett's Batavia Marine.

The problem, Barrett said, is that the peace garden is a little too closely linked with the United Nations and Barrett and others are no fan of the U.N.

One of Barrett's current concerns is a U.N. push to create an international treaty on the trade of guns, and while supporters of the treaty say it merely deals with the illicit sale of guns, groups such as the NRA fear it's really an attempt to circumvent the 2nd Amendment (Wikipedia).

"(The peace garden is) a noble effort," Barrett said, "but when one of the principles of the peace garden gets an award from the United Nations and they're going to have a torch run via the U.N. from Buffalo to Albany, that concerns us. We don't want anything to do with the U.N."

Barrett is referring to Paula Savage, a Batavia native who organized the first peace garden in Ottawa and is now part of the International Peace Garden Foundation.

Savage was recently honored by the U.N. for her peace garden efforts.

The Batavia garden is adjacent to the Holland Land Office Museum on West Main Street and the protest is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on the opposite side of the street.

"It will be peaceful. There will be no bullhorns," Barrett said. "We're going to have an informational protest to show that the the peace garden is associated with the United Nations and that we're dead set against what the U.N. does."

This week, a group of Tibetan monks created a sand mandala in the forum at Genesee Community College. The mandala symbolized love and compassion.

Hundreds of people came through the Batavia campus over the past four days to see the creation of the mandala.

Part of the spiritual message of the mandala is that when it's completed, it's destroyed, to symbolize the temporary nature of life. 

The ceremony included chants and then the mandala was swept into piles and a portion placed into baggies for members of the audience to receive, and a portion placed into ceremonial vessels and then carried to the Tonawanda Creek where the sand was dumped into the flowing water.

Previously: Mandala being created by monks at GCC meant to symbolize love and compassion

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.

A grass fire is reported on the north side of the Thruway by mile marker 394, in front of Area 51 Motocross Prack. East Pembroke Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 4:58 p.m.: As firefighters discussed how best to get to the grass fire, the NY Thruway Authority notified the dispatch center that the blaze is off the Thruway and cannot be accessed by driving down Harloff Road where the motocross park is because there's a fence blocking access to the Thruway.

A car and motorcycle accident is reported at 519 Genesee St. (Route 33) in Darien. The motorcyclist is alert and conscious and complaining of a headache. Mercy EMS and Darien firefighters are responding.

The location is between South Lake and Fargo roads.

UPDATE 2:51 p.m.: Darien is back in service. The motorcyclist is being transported to UMMC.

A two-car accident is reported at Norton Road and Route 262. One person is complaining of a facial injury. It is partially blocking the roadway. Elba Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:23: A second ambulance is requested to the scene.

UPDATE 2:41 p.m.: A Mercy rig is transporting two patients to UMMC after their vehicle "broadsided" another vehicle, causing "moderate front-end damage" to the vehicle occupied by the patients. The driver is a 70-year-old man who has lacerations on his upper and lower lips and seat-belt marks and bruising. The passenger is a 30-year-old woman with bruising from her seat belt. CORRECTION: A family member informs us the patients were 17 and 13.

UPDATE 2:48 p.m.: The driver of the other vehicle is also being taken to UMMC by Mercy. The 33-year-old man is complaining of shoulder pain.

UPDATE 2:53 p.m.: Elba is back in service.

GO ART! has announced the winners of the 2012 Genesee/Orleans Student Poetry Contest.

Students from schools in both counties were invited to participate.  
The winners in Genesee County are:

• Ian Edwards -- Grade 2, Alexander
• Will Johnson -- Grade 5, Byron
• Emily Leone -- Grade 6, Le Roy
• Anna Dembowski -- Grade 12, East Bethany

A motor-vehicle accident is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. Alabama Fire Department is responding along with Mercy medics. There is one patient with a facial injury who is also complaining of chest pain.

UPDATE 12:39: Southbound traffic is blocked. Fire police are needed for traffic control. Law enforcement is on scene.

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.: Alabama is back in service. One patient is being transported to Erie County Medical Center.

A lightning and thunderstorm passed through Batavia in the 10 o'clock hour, and though things have gotten quieter, there are still a few flashes in the sky now and then.

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement predicting ongoing lightning and thunder activity throughout the night with possibility of strong wind gusts at time and possibly hail.

Some hail was reported in the county tonight.

Power outages in the county so far tonight have been minimal. There was a report of a wire down and arching in Pavilion, but that doesn't sound like a serious issue.

A caller reports seeing flames inside a greenhouse at Pudgie's Lawn and Garden on West Main Street Road, Batavia.

Chiefs on scene report nothing showing.

UPDATE: A chief confirms an LED light inside the building -- no fire.

A chance meeting with five local farmers in a Le Roy diner helped convince Donnie Henderickson to take a logging job with David Henry Isabell, the 43-year-old, now-convicted timber con man, Henderickson said today.

Henderickson spoke after his appearance in Genesee County Court where he was given a conditional discharge on a single petit larceny conviction.

Isabell called Henderickson out to Le Roy to talk about a job on property owned by Lynn Belluscio, Henderickson said. It was the first time Henderickson had done anything with Isabell in 10 years, he said.

After the meeting at Belluscio's property, they went to a local diner and ran into the farmers, who greeted Isabell like an old friend, he said.

"After I got home, I said (to my wife), ‘I can’t believe it. He really changed his ways,’ " Henderickson said. "He was pretty shifty 10 years ago, and he hasn’t changed his ways. The only thing he’s done is he’s learned to finesse the BS a little more."

Henderickson described Isabell as charming -- a master of BS -- and said the 43-year-old Liverpool resident deserved a harsher sentence than he got.

He said he was sorry for what happened to the property owners Isabell conned.

He's also sorry for himself and what he's been through.

He said -- backed by his wife of 30 years -- that he's always been a legitimate logger, but this ordeal has ruined logging for him.

"It's a shame," he said. "When I drive out here, I see lots of good timber. I could have made a lot of money out here (in Genesee County) legitimately. I didn't need this.

"You know it's tough to make money (in logging) anyway. After this, all anybody has to do is get on the computer and pull a DEC report and see Mr. Henderickson’s name right there and they’re not going to deal with me."

To make a living now, Henderickson drives a log truck for another company.

The 49-year-old resident of Bernhards Bay was originally charged with grand larceny, 4th, 23 counts of timber trespass, grand larceny, 3rd, and scheme to defraud, 1st.

Those charges were reduced to petit larceny with a promise of no jail time on the condition that Henderickson testify truthfully against Isabell.

Rather than go to trial, Isabell entered a guilty plea to timber trespass and scheme to defraud, 1st. He was sentenced April 26 to six months in jail and five years probation.

Assistant Distirct Attorney Kevin Finnell said in court today that he is convinced that Henderickson was a partner in Isabell's timber scheme.

"I think Mr. Henderickson was well aware of what was going on with the home owners," Finnell said. "He was clearly part of this scheme, albeit to a lesser degree of culpability, but he certainly knew what was going on."

Even so, Finnell said, he didn't oppose the recommendation of the probation department that Henderickson receive a conditional discharge.

A conditional discharge means that if Henderickson isn't re-arrested for anything in the next year, the petit larceny conviction will be dropped from record.

"For the victims, I’m very glad they got the restitution they got, but as far as Mr. Isabell and (his sentence), what he did was wrong," Henderickson said.

It's true, one of New York's premier pitcher's will make a final rehab start with the Empire Yankees on Sunday against the Red Sox farm club.

Unfortunately for Batavia baseball fans, the game has been shifted to Frontier Field in Rochester.

UPDATE: Additional information about tickets just in:

All fans holding tickets to the regularly scheduled Yankees--PawSox game in Batavia on Sunday may exchange their tickets for the same game at Frontier Field. The exchange must be made by 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Dwyer Stadium Box Office in Batavia or the Frontier Field Box Office in Rochester. If any ticket holder can not attend Sunday’s game at Frontier Field, they can exchange their ticket for the Yankees game on June 12 in Batavia or any regular season Muckdogs game.