A golden-colored Yorkie, nearly 16 years old, went missing from his home at the upper end of Ross Street in Batavia. Named Zach, this frail guy cannot hear and does not see very well. If anyone sees him, please call his owner at 585-409-4870.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has collected critical funds in the community since 1954 – one dollar at a time – as part of the Fill the Boot program for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 896 will continue this long-standing tradition as its members kick off the annual program, raising funds to support MDA’s vision to accelerate research, advance care, and advocate for the support of MDA families.
Dedicated firefighters from Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 896 will hit the streets with boots in hand, asking pedestrians, motorists, customers, and other passersby to donate to the MDA on June 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Main and Court Street and Ellicott and Court Street in the City of Batavia.
The partnership between MDA and IAFF began in 1954, when the IAFF signed a proclamation designating MDA its charity of choice and vowing to continue raising awareness and funds until cures are found. To date, the nearly seven-decade partnership has raised more than $679 million, with involvement from over 300,000 firefighters nationwide.
These funds have led in part to over a dozen FDA-approved drugs in as many years for those with neuromuscular disease. Those treatments were created from MDA’s vision to open a new field of medicine and push the boundaries of the medical frontier we call genetic medicine.
“What the IAFF has done for MDA over the past 68 years is unprecedented,” said Donald S. Wood, Ph.D., President and CEO of MDA. “With the support from our partners at the IAFF, MDA is doing the impossible in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for people living with neuromuscular disease. We have a mission to empower the people we serve to life longer, more independent lives and we will fulfill this mission together, with the IAFF.”
The 2024-2025 Ascension and Resurrection Faith Formation Program recently participated in the Western New York Catholic Charities "Competing for the Cup Challenge." The program won first place against other Faith Formation groups throughout the Diocese of Buffalo, raising over $1100. When the program resumes later this fall, the group will enjoy a pizza party and treats for all their efforts.
The Faith Formation Group sponsored a Soup Supper, basket raffle, and bowl-a-thon during Lent in support of this challenge. As part of their service projects this year, they also supported the Annual All Babies Cherished Basket Raffle.
Thank you to all our families and volunteers who participated in this year's program, which will officially conclude with Confirmation at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo on Pentecost on June 8.
We know that moms are nurturing by nature, and that’s why it is imperative that children get guidance from both parents in building a foundation for success, especially when it comes to choosing a career.
Two out of three students develop their career plans from their parents, which is why I am here to emphasize the importance of parents being up to date on what employers are seeking in future job candidates and how you can mold your child’s career path and future plans.
Approximately 60% of all new jobs will need no more than a two-year degree; in STEM and the skilled trades, it’s almost 100%. Individuals who explore expedited pathways such as two-year degrees and apprenticeships will have ample career opportunities.
Starting your child in career exploration at a young age, much like in sports, provides them with valuable opportunities to discover their interests and strengths early on.
Waiting for your senior year in high school is too late and tends to be too costly when making career decisions. Acquiring skills and discovering the many career opportunities available throughout your academic journey will pay off in the long run.
If your child decides to take the four-year college route, figure out what your return on investment will be. Too often, I have seen students come out of school with debt and no career pathway.
That is why I suggest considering working and learning with your hands, especially if your child struggles academically. The best part is that these pathways are not permanent if your child decides to take a different route, but the skillsets they gain will be valued across many paths!
I want to thank parents like Brooke Pontillo, who connected me with her son Ben to discuss post-graduation opportunities. We met up for ‘coaching session’ and it worked!
I’m pleased to say Ben is now on a great career path at Liberty Pumps.
If you are interested to learn how you can spark career interest and exploration for your child, visit www.gcedc.com/careerchecklist to access our free career checklist, featuring eight essential steps to jumpstart a professional journey.
If you are a student, parent, teacher, or guidance counselor, contact me at csuozzi@gcedc.com to learn how to get involved today!
Go Bills!
Chris “Coach SwazZ” Suozzi is the Executive Vice President of Business & Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
Spring has arrived, and with it comes Genesee County’s Farm Bureau’s annual event Kinderfarmin’! We are ecstatic to be able to bring this wonderful tradition to our kindergarten students and families! Kinderfarmin’ is being held on Wednesday, June 4, at Post Dairy Farms, LLC in Oakfield. This event, in one form or another, has been happening for over 40 years in Genesee County and has become a staple for classrooms.
Kinderfarmin’ has been recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation as an “Event of Excellence”.
This day attracts over 600 kindergarten students from ten school districts. Including teachers, chaperones, and the hundred volunteers, the host farm will have over 1000 visitors in a single day. For this one day, this local dairy farm will continue to be a dairy and be transformed into a classroom with hands-on learning stations and guided tours.
Genesee County Farm Bureau partners with roughly 20 local businesses and organizations to provide a unique, fun and educational experience for all ages. We aim to highlight all the effort that goes into making our favorite dairy products like milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and of course ice cream!
Our field trip is FREE for every student and would not be possible without the generosity of our many sponsors and local farmers.
A bowling ball rolls down the wooden lane, striking into the pins and clattering them to the floor.
A whoop and a cheer are let out as the next bowler takes center stage; all this is possible thanks largely to a $5,000 grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation. The grant was awarded to enhance Arc GLOW’s recreation and respite programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming counties. Thanks to this generous support, the people served by Arc GLOW are participating in a wide array of inclusive and enriching activities. From bowling nights and movie outings to dining experiences, museum and theater visits, and local festivals.
“Our goal is to create opportunities for joy, connection, and community involvement,” said Jill Pegelow, vice president of Self-Direction and Community Services at Arc GLOW. “M&T Bank’s support plays a huge part in helping us bring these experiences to life.”
Arc GLOW has several events on tap in 2025, including the Self-Advocate All Stars Annual Talent Show fundraiser on April 26; Johnathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day on May 31; Arc Night at the Ballpark on June 12; Genesee County fair activities; nature walks at Swallow Hollow Trail; outdoor sports; and many other community activities.
“Arc GLOW’s recreation and respite programs provide meaningful experiences to individuals and their families. We appreciate the support of the M&T Charitable Foundation for making a difference,” Pegelow said.
Arc GLOW’s recreation and respite program provides temporary relief to families from the demands of caregiving, which can help reduce overall family stress. This allows families to better meet the needs of their loved ones with a developmental disability. Respite can be provided in or out of the home, during the day, evenings or nights.
To learn more about Arc GLOW and the recreation and respite program, visit ArcGLOW.org.
The Batavia Muckdogs have officially released their 2025 promotional night schedule. This season the Muckdogs will have four fireworks shows- May 31, June 14, July 3, and 26, $1 Hotdog & $2 Beer Night return, various giveaways, and some new in-game promotions as well!
This season, fireworks shows will be sponsored by Graham Corporation and Turnbull Heating & Air (Saturday, May 30), O-AT-KA Milk Products and Tompkins Bank (Saturday, June 14), Batavia Downs and Rochester Regional Health (Thursday, July 3), and HP Hood and Oak Orchard Health (Saturday, July 26).
The Helicopter Candy Drop (sponsored by Pete Zeliff) will make a return on Saturday, June 7 vs Geneva. Bark in the Park (bring your dogs to the game!) and No Farms No Food Night (a night highlighting agriculture in our community presented by Alleghany Farm Services) makes their return to Dwyer Stadium.
The Muckdogs have also teamed up with local community leaders as well as this season will feature a YMCA Night (Genesee County), Military Appreciation Night (Presented by Geico – Local Batavia Office), Strike out Cancer Night (in partnership with Wilmot Cancer Institute), Stop DWI Night, and the regular season ends with a pet food drive on Saturday July 27 vs Jamestown. The full schedule is available at www.canusamuckdogs.com.
This season will also feature some new in game promotions as well. Making a return is the Tully’s hitman of the game as fans will earn a coupon to Tully’s if the player selected gets a hit. Dewey the dog will have a new “home” this season as Perry Veterinary Clinic sponsor the Muckdogs Mascot. Also, brand new this season if the Muckdogs win you win (a free hamburger) courtesy of the Burger King. For full list of fan experiences & promotions visit www.canusamuckdogs.com.
The Muckdogs opening weekend is set for Saturday May 31 at 6:30 p.m. vs the Elmira Pioneers with post-game fireworks and then back Sunday June 1 at 4:05 p.m. vs the Jamestown Tarp Skunks with meet the team night. Season tickets are on sale starting at just $99. 585-524-2260 or visit www.canusamuckdogs.com for special promotions, season tickets, or group information. See you at Dwyer Stadium this summer.
The 2025 Memorial Day schedule of ceremonies begins on Sunday, May 25, at 2 p.m. with a ceremony at the Western New York National Cemetery, located at 1254 Indian Falls Road in Corfu.
Additional ceremonies will take place throughout Genesee County on Monday, May 26 are as follows:
7:00 a.m. - Genesee Co. Park – Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Sponsored by VVA #193)
8:00 a.m. - Williams Park W.W. I Memorial (wreath laying, rifle salute & Taps)
Veness-Strollo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1602
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #193
Sons of Union Veterans Abraham Lincoln Camp #6
The LeRoy American Legion Post 576 will be having a parade starting at the post at 10:30 on May 26, 2025. It will go down Main Street to Trigon Park (Old High School). There will be a ceremony with guest speaker Jim Ellison, Capt/USN/Ret, a laying of the wreath, and a ceremonial firing followed by taps that will begin at approximately 11:00.
Batavia Veterans of Foreign Wars – Post 1602 25 Edwards St., Batavia, NY 14020 Post 1602 members will also be placing flags at the Elmwood Cemetery on Friday, May 23, 2025. On Memorial Day, the post opens at noon for veteran lunch.
The City of Batavia's Memorial Day Parade begins at 9:30 a.m.
The Richmond Memorial Library will welcome local author JG Benedict for an author visit on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m. in the Reading Room.
JG is a native of Batavia and the author of paranormal fiction. He will discuss his book The Nightroad (Anthology One), which was published in November 2024 by Media Hatchery. The Nightroad takes readers on a voyage through the paranormal.
JG will share a talk followed by a book signing. Copies of the book will be for sale in paperback ($20) or hardcover ($30). Payment can be accepted in cash or Venmo. Copies are also available to borrow through the library!
JG Benedict is a paranormal fiction author and general essayist. He is a native of Batavia and a current resident. JG graduated from Batavia High School before attending college at St. Bonaventure University and SUNY Potsdam. Over the past forty-some years, he has lived and traveled throughout the United States; he is something of a Renaissance Man when it comes to his experience and skill set.
More information can be found at jgbenedict.com. For more about the Richmond Memorial Library and other programs, visit batavialibrary.org. RML is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia.
Congratulations to the First Communicants from Resurrection Parish and Ascension Parish, who joyfully received their First Holy Communion during the 10 a.m. Mass on May 4 at St. Joseph’s Church.
Behind a one-hitter (an infield single) by Oakfield-Alabama's Savannah Durham, the Hornets beat the Elba Lancers in Softball on Saturday, 12-0 in six innings.
Durham fanned eight hitters and didn't issue a walk. She was also 2-4 at the plate.
The Lady Irish defeated the Elba Lancers Friday night, 11-10.
The Irish took a 7-0 lead into the 5th inning. The Lancers closed the gap with one run in the 5th and then proceeded to go on a scoring run in the 6th, flipping the advantage to a 10-7 lead over the Irish.
Notre Dame battled back in the bottom of the 6th with a single by Amelia Sorochty and a double by Sofia Falleti, driving in the two runs needed to even the score out to 10-10 going into the 7th.
Falleti turned a double play and then had a diving catch to seal all three outs in the top of the 7th.
Amelia Sorochty scored the winning run in the 7th for the Irish and led the team, going 4-5 at the plate.
Mia Treleaven was the winning pitcher, giving up 11 hits and 10 runs (4 earned) while striking out 10. Bri Totten and Brea Smith led the Lancers, collecting two hits each. Smith took the loss, striking out eight and walking none.
“This year’s budget was a missed opportunity -- a chance to confront New York’s affordability crisis, restore public safety, and rebuild public trust. Instead, Albany delivered more of the same.
At $254 billion, this is the largest and one of the most irresponsible budgets in state history. While families struggle with rising costs and small businesses fight to survive, this plan adds to the burden. Modest wins like a small tax cut and one-time ‘inflation refunds’ will be quickly offset by the long-term damage of the runaway spending. You can’t fix affordability by growing government at such a scale.
The failures extend beyond the bottom line. The Governor promised meaningful discovery reform to fix the flood of criminal case dismissals under the 2019 law and the resulting harm caused to public safety. Instead, we got a watered-down tweak that won’t make a real difference. Her proposed mask ban, meant to deter masked agitators and criminals and aid law enforcement, was similarly gutted. The kind of lawless takeover we saw this week at Columbia University will happen again and again. Once again, public safety took a back seat to political appeasement.
There are a few bright spots. The budget finally expands involuntary commitment standards and strengthens Kendra’s Law—provisions similar to legislation I’ve championed for years. These changes are overdue and may save lives. It also pays off the state’s $7 billion unemployment insurance debt, offering long-awaited relief for small businesses. But let’s not forget: those same businesses have spent the past five years unfairly footing the bill while Albany failed to act.
Any goodwill is undermined by one of the most outrageous provisions in the budget: $10 million in taxpayer funds set aside to cover the private legal fees for state officials, including Attorney General Letitia James, if she faces federal prosecution for mortgage fraud. The actions being investigated involve a personal financial transaction and have nothing to do with her role as Attorney General. She should pay for her own defense. Taxpayers should never be forced to bankroll the personal legal troubles of political elites.
This budget is a monument to mismanagement—a missed opportunity to deliver real reform, real relief, and real results. Every year, Albany excuses a late budget by promising it will be ‘worth the wait.’ This year, once again, it wasn’t.”
The Batavia Police Department and National Grid want to warn you about a potential scam in our community. There have been reports of individuals going door-to-door, claiming to represent National Grid, but they are not affiliated with the company.
These individuals may be trying to sell services or collect personal information from residents. It's essential to remember that National Grid does not engage in door-to-door solicitation.
If someone comes to your door claiming to represent National Grid, be cautious and take the following steps to protect yourself:
Verify identity: Ask to see photo identification. National Grid and licensed Energy Service Company representatives must carry visible ID with a logo.
Protect your information: Never provide your utility account number or a copy of your utility bill unless you are sure you want to consider an offer.
Be cautious of agreements: Do not sign anything until you understand the agreement terms, rate structures, billing practices, customer service policies, and cancellation procedures.
Be aware of red flags: National Grid will never ask for your account number during a home visit or unsolicited call.
Stay safe: If you feel unsafe or suspect fraudulent activity, lock your doors and call 911 immediately.
If you're unsure about the identity of a National Grid employee, you can always confirm by calling 1-800-642-4272. We appreciate your partnership in helping us protect our community members from misleading or fraudulent activity.
Any other legitimate solicitor must register with the City of Batavia Clerk's office and will be issued paperwork, feel free to ask for this documentation.
Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Stay vigilant, and let's work together to prevent scams in our community.
If you have any questions or need further support, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Batavia Police Department or National Grid.
My mother, Anna Newhouse Reilly, lived about 70 of her 79 years in Batavia. She is not famous. There is no display about her at the Holland Land Office Museum. There is no statue of her by the county courthouse. Ruth McEvoy did not mention her in her History Of The City of Batavia. Nonetheless, due to her gregarious personality and caring and benevolent nature, she was well known in the small city of 18,000 halfway between Rochester and Buffalo. In fact, one of my cousins, who marches to his own drummer, sent her a letter from California. It was addressed only to “Aunt Anna, Batavia, New York,” and one day, there it was in her mailbox.
Childhood
One-year-old Anna with her mother and grandparents, Olle and Amalia.
Anna Newhouse was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1918, the daughter of Danish immigrants Henry Newhouse (Americanized from Nyhuus) and Anna Bernth. Mom's parents married in 1917 and moved in with my grandmother's parents, Olle and Amalia Bernth, who had also emigrated from Denmark after adopting their daughter at the age of 5 and bringing her with them. The Bernths owned and operated a bakery.
Mom's dad, Henry, began an apprenticeship as a tool and die maker, and in 1919, another daughter, Alyce, was born. In 1925, the Newhouses had a third child, Marie, who died at 7 days of pneumonia. Unfortunately, Olle also died that year at age 55, and Amalia could not run the bakery alone. Henry applied for a tool and die making job at a business called Doehler-Jarvis in Batavia, so the family bought a house at 25 North Lyon Street and moved there. That house remained in the family until my grandmother died in 1986.
In 1925, a son, Walter, was born in Batavia, and then in 1930, another son, Robert. He just turned 95 and is the last remaining Newhouse of his generation. That same year, Amalia, who had moved with her daughter and grandchildren from Brooklyn, passed away and is buried in Batavia's Elmwood Cemetery.
When the family moved to Batavia, Mom was in the third grade. She attended Washington and West elementary schools, and when Robert Morris was built in 1929, she was in the inaugural class of the 6th grade. At some point, Doehler-Jarvis closed temporarily due to the Depression, and Henry had to transfer to another of their plants in Toledo, Ohio, so Anna attended school there briefly. The Newhouses kept their North Lyon Street home by renting it, and fortunately, they were able to return when Doehlers reopened.
Mom was bright and inquisitive, and when she entered Batavia High School on Ross Street in 1933, she took a lot of business classes and did very well. She acted in some school plays and was on the girls' basketball team. When she graduated in 1936, she had been elected to the National Honor Society and was always very proud of that. It probably embarrassed her that none of her three sons ever achieved that status, but she was pleased that we all graduated from college.
Young Adult Life After high school, Anna really wanted to attend college. However, when she brought up the topic with her father (called “Pop” by the children), he said he couldn't let her because he had two sons to think about. She was very disappointed, and there is no doubt that she would have done well. As it turned out, both her younger brothers followed their father as tool and die makers and never went to college.
There were no student loan programs back then, so Mom must have thought that “if you can't beat 'em, join 'em” because she became employed in the Doehler-Jarvis office for a number of years. During these times in her 20s, she had lots of close girlfriends to do things with, such as horseback riding and going on day trips to Letchworth Park and Niagara Falls. Before World War II, Anna went on a date with a guy who had a friend named Jim Reilly. The young man introduced Mom to Jim, and the rest is history. They dated for several years and kept in close touch when Jim joined the Army Air Corps.
On April 10, 1944, Anna Newhouse and Lieutenant James F. Reilly were married at St. Joseph's Church in Batavia by the Reverend T. Bernard Kelly. It always bothered Mom, though, that they had to be married in the sacristy rather than on the altar because she had converted to Catholicism.
Dad was stationed at Mitchell Field in Long Island when they first married, so Mom went there to live. While there, she organized a daycare to help tend to the children of other airmen assigned to the base. After the War ended, Dad was sent to the Pacific for “mop-up” duties, and Mom went back to Batavia to live with her parents. When Jim was discharged and returned home, the couple rented an old mill building at Seven Springs outside of town, which today is a Zen Buddhist retreat.
Kids Arrive In January 1947, I was born, and mom and dad bought a house at 26 Thomas Ave. in central Batavia off West Main Street. Then, in December 1949, my brother Dan came along. During these years, Anna devoted herself to being a good stay-at-home mom and enjoyed caring for and being a part of her children's lives. Dan and I went to Saint Mary's School, and Mom was involved with the “Mothers Club,” which was similar to today's PTA, but apparently minus the dads. She also worked in the school lunchroom.
In 1955, when I was eight and Dan was five, my mom began cajoling Dad to get a house with a bigger yard where we kids could play and for her to have gardens. Our house on Thomas was sold, but the home with the big yard had yet to be found,, so for two years, we moved one block away and rented the upstairs of a huge house at 20 Ellicott Avenue.
In 1957, the Reillys found their big yard, and we moved to the east end of town to 122 North Spruce St. We were the last house on the street at that time, and it was surrounded by woods. We started playing, and Mom started planting. A family room (always called the “back room”) and a garage were added onto the house. In April 1958, the last of the Reilly brothers, Jim Junior, was born, and the family was complete. Mom continued in her role at home, but started taking some part-time jobs such as doing some bookkeeping for the Steak House Restaurant on West Main Road a couple of evenings a week.
Mom's Work Years Around the time Jim Jr. was born, my father switched jobs, and the new one proved to be not so successful. Therefore, it was decided that Mom would get a job to assist with the family finances. Her previous experience at Doehlers and the restaurant, along with her outgoing personality, led to a long string of fice jobs at which she became increasingly successful.
Anna's first position was as a teller at The M&T Bank on Main Street. It was a well-known institution, and she got to know a lot of customers, which led to her next job, which was as the office manager of a downtown travel agency known as the North American Automobile Association. This company was the Canadian version of AAA, and they expanded into the American market for a time. For a number of years, she was fortunate to work at NAA with her longtime friend Henrietta (mom called her “Hank” ) Starrett.
From NAA, Mom moved on to work in the office of prominent Batavia clothiers McAlpine-Barton on the corner of Main and Center Streets. Mr. LaRay Barton had been a long-time neighbor on North Lyon and knew Mom well. She worked with LaRay's wife, Eva.
Finally, Anna took a job as the office manager for the reputable Western New York theater chain Dipson's, which until “urban renewal” had a well-utilized theater on Main Street near State Street. The chain was also a partner in the Mancuso Theater on the southeast end of Main and owned other theaters, mostly in small cities in the area. The owner was William “Bill” Dipson, and Anna was his trusted “right-hand woman” for many years.
In the mid-1970s, Dipson split the Mancuso Theater from one 1,500-seat entity into two smaller theaters so they could show more movies. As part of the renovation, Dipson's offices relocated to a spot in the back of the theater, which is where Mom mostly worked.
Health Issues In her later years, Mom was plagued by health issues. However, she fought through them with courage and determination because she had people she loved and things she wanted to accomplish.
In 1979, Anna, a long-time smoker, was diagnosed with oat cell carcinoma in her lung, which at that time had about a 5% survival rate. She was convinced she was going to die, but when the doctors offered the relatively new treatments of chemotherapy and radiation, she was willing to try. She became a virtual guinea pig for experiments and was the subject of many medical discussions. Fortunately, she survived, but those treatments took a toll, and mom was never the same after that.
In 1987, while she had a cast on her arm from a fall, Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and again made it through, but going forward, had two hip replacements, a broken wrist, and had her gall bladder removed. Some of this interrupted her work, but Mom was tough and bravely kept on until she finally retired.
Anna lived long enough to welcome three grandchildren whom she adored and spent as much time with as possible. She even went to their schools to work with their classes. One of her great-grandchildren is named after her.
Wanderlust After Mom's cancer treatments, she decided to do some of the traveling she had always yearned for. She loved Cape Cod and Nova Scotia, so she and my dad had gone there a number of times.
Then she joined a group called Elderhostel, which, through universities, sponsored classes and trips for senior citizens. Her first trip was to the Grand Canyon, where she went all the way to the bottom and, at one point, sat in a relaxing mud spa.
In 1989, Anna was part of a very special Elderhostel trip to China. She was so excited to go, and preparation was made for months. Just her bad luck though (and for the citizens of China), just as her group arrived and was billeted at a Beijing hotel, student protests, which had been going on against the Chinese government for some time, were escalated by the army, and the now famous “Tiananmen Square Massacre” took place. Hundreds or possibly thousands of protesters were killed and wounded.
The day before, Mom had gotten to go to the Square and took a photo of the Statue of Liberty replica that the students had erected there. But on June 4th, Mom and her fellow travelers heard gunfire and were quickly escorted to a bus and out of Beijing via back roads. The Elderhostel trip was cut short, and the Americans, much to Mom's dismay, had to return home.
Of course, Dad had been frantic, worrying about his wife. The story was covered in the Batavia newspaper, and a photo of them reuniting at the Buffalo airport was published.
After arriving home, Mom wrote an article about her Chia experience, which was printed in the paper.
Interests, Accomplishments and Friends Mom had the proverbial “green thumb” and was a wonder with plants. When we moved to North Spruce Street, she planted many flowers, bushes and trees. The maple trees she put as saplings are now tall and fully grown. The side of the property bordering North Street still has forsythia and spirea bushes that she planted there. When her children were grown, married, and bought homes, Mom went there and helped with planting, too. In the early 80s, Mom and Dad sold their house and moved to a senior citizen apartment complex on West Main Street. Their back door looked out on Tonawanda Creek, and Anna and her neighbor built trellises and created beautiful flower gardens.
Anna also enjoyed writing, and, along with her interest in plants, she submitted an article on gardening to the New York Times Magazine, which, to her great pride, they printed. I have it framed and hanging in my apartment.
Mom made friends easily and a couple were well known in Batavia circles. Through her job at Dipson Theaters, she met Dianna (pronounced DEE-anna) Dipson, Bill Dipson's sister and a classically trained violinist. Diana lived in the family mansion on East Main Street and was somewhat eccentric, but Mom would stop by, and they would chat about gardening.
Anna was also good friends with Nan Meyer, who wrote for the local newspaper. When Mom passed away, Nan wrote an admiring eulogy, which was printed in the newspaper.
Mom was accepting of all sorts of folks and eventually became acquainted with a guy who claimed to be a member of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang named Geno. He fancied himself a poet, and Mom would help him with spelling and editing.
Anna was very giving of her time. Along with my father, she volunteered many hours at the Veterans Hospital. She also befriended a woman who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis and would assist her with getting to doctor's appointments, shopping, etc.
Learning from her Danish mother, Mom became an excellent cook. Most holiday meals for the family were held at our house, and mom's turkey, ham, or whatever she served never disappointed.
Anna was known for her baking, and rarely did an occasion go by when she didn't make a scrumptious apple, cherry, peach, or some kind of pie. For a time, she made wedding cakes for pay, and our house would be taken over by cake pans, mixers, bowls, layers laid out for assembly, and containers and pastry bags for decorating. Mom made many birthday cakes and wedding cakes for two of her sons and at least one niece.
Anyone who knew Mom would agree that she was “one tough cookie' as the saying goes. But, as is true for any parent who outlives their child, she was devastated by the loss of her son Dan at age 41 in a scuba diving accident at Lake George, where he lived. She bravely tried to soldier on through her grief, but in 1997, she suffered two heart attacks in a week and died on September 7th at the age of 79 in Genesee Memorial Hospital in Batavia. Per her wishes, Anna was cremated, but her ashes were buried at St. Paul Of The Cross Cemetery in Honeoye Falls with my dad, who passed away in 2007.
I think it can safely be said that Batavia, New York, was a better place for having Anna Newhouse Reilly as one of its citizens for so many years. I think she would be proud that her biography was written by her son and printed in the publication named for her city.
NOW HIRING seasonal agribusiness positions. CDL A & B Drivers to deliver bulk crop nutrients. Potential long-term opportunities. Great for retirees! GENERAL LABOR positions. Daily variety of indoor/outdoor responsibilities. Loader experience a plus. SIGN-ON BONUS and plenty of OT during spring/summer months. Apply in person at: 8610 Route 237, Stafford, NY www.cecrocker.com
