Members of the Batavia Area Jaycees drove around the City of Batavia and found what they judged to be the best Christmas light displays in the following categories:
It all started with a little girl with a big heart.
Angelique Heick, the 8-year-old from Bergen who competed as a finalist in the "American Miss" pageant in August, spent a large part of the last year taking money from her monthly allowances and using it to purchase toys for underprivileged children in Genesee County.
She donated 12 toys for each month of the year to Community Action Angels of Genesee County, which is the volunteer arm of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. It's made up of volunteers dedicated to gathering donations for toys, food, clothing, extra money and other necessities for Genesee County residents in need.
But this wasn't enough. When Angelique learned about all that the "Angels" do to support needy kids and families, she was bothered that there was no such volunteer program for kids her age.
"I wanted to know why there was no Community Action Junior Angels," she said, "so I decided to start my own."
Now, with the help of 100 Girl Scouts -- officially dubbed "Jr. Angels" -- their families, Community Action and others, Angelique has achieved this dream.
Angelique -- a third-grader at Byron-Bergen Elementary School, a Girl Scout since age 4 and a member of Troop 42174 -- inspired her Girl Scout Troop with her idea and efforts to collect funding promises from local businesses along with three friends -- Pat, Lisa and Annet.
Troop 42174 Leader Rene Vurraro gathered Girl Scout Troops from Byron-Bergen, Pavilion and Le Roy to help with a community service event in response to Angelique's vision.
When Community Action, in turn, heard about what the Scouts were doing, they decided to partner with them to make this a much bigger, annual event called "Circle of Giving" and to develop a Community Action Jr. Angels program.
The first "Circle of Giving" was held on Saturday at Byron-Bergen High School. The Jr. Angels were there to collect donations of food, clothing and toys, and to make cards for the recipients.
The goal is to eventually turn this into an opportunity for area Girl Scouts to earn a badge.
Beyond that, Community Action has included this project in a book of statewide initiatives so that people in other areas of New York State can read about it and get similar projects started.
"One 8-year-old's dream could turn into thousands of Girl Scouts doing the same thing," said Pat Standish, founder of Community Action Angels of Genesee County.
Standish gave the Scouts an inspirational talk about her experience with the "Angels" and told them how much people will appreciate what they are doing.
"When I first started (with Community Action Angels)," she said, "I thought kids would want things like bicycles and iPods. But what's important to them is not what you give, but that you show that you care."
She also stressed the importance of team effort when it comes to the "Angels" and similar volunteer initiatives.
"I may have had the idea (as founder)," Standish said, "but I needed the help of volunteers to make it happen. And Angelique had an idea, but she couldn't have done it without help from all of you and your families."
Organizations that sponsored this endeavor include Stahlka Agency, Complete Payroll Processing, the Sallie Mae Fund and First Niagara Bank.
"They gave money so the kids wouldn't have to wait (to get started)," Standish said.
Dee Dee Hintz, Angelique's grandmother and legal guardian, expressed gratitude to Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School Principal Aaron Johnson and Elementary School Principal Brian Meister for handing out fliers for this event.
"I think this is the beginning of something big," Hintz said, noting the number of volunteers involved in the overall project.
"Next year will be even bigger," she said. "(Angelique) already knows what she wants to do next year. She'll carry this on for at least two or three more years."
A final note
"Circle of Giving" is the philosophy of Community Action Angels, which encourages its beneficiaries to "pay it forward."
According to Standish, many of the people helped by the "Angels" over the years have become volunteers.
Special thanks to Angelique's mom, Jennifer Cejka, for sharing background information prior to the event and for providing the inspiration for the article's title.
Notre Dame edged out Batavia/Alexander in one of the most exciting cross-town rivalries in Section V.
After losing their first two games of the season, the Fighting Irish notched their first win of the season, 3-2 at Falleti Ice Arena in Batavia on Saturday.
“When we play against Batavia it’s such an emotional game,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Marc Staley. “I just try to keep them low key, as if it is just another game.”
It didn’t take the Irish very long to get on the board, as Kevin Moscicki jammed a loose puck by Batavia goaltender Trevor Rarick just 1:27 into the game. The Ice Devils responded quickly though, as Matt Tambe scored four minutes later to tie the game at one.
Batavia/Alexander would start the second period as the more aggressive team, peppering ND goalie Jimmy Johnson early on before Tambe tipped a Brannon Jones' shot by him to take a 2-1 lead.
Thirty seconds after Tambe’s second tally, Batavia would take a penalty, giving the Irish a power play. However, Notre Dame’s Mason Versage would be called for tripping halfway through, seemingly sending momentum back to the Ice Devils.
But once again Batavia would be called for another penalty, giving the Irish a 4-on-3 man advantage.
Notre Dame finally capitalized on the ensuing faceoff, as Zach Blew blasted a shot through Rarick’s legs from the top of the circle to bring the game back to even heading into the final frame.
The shot advantage in the game was dominated by Notre Dame heading into the third, as they outshot Batavia 23 to 16, however, Batavia would dominate play for the early part of the period.
The Irish would not muster a shot until there was 5 minutes remaining in the game, and only recorded three for the period. However, third one was the difference in the contest.
Versage intercepted an errant Batavia break-out pass with 2:35 remaining, and walked in on goal all alone before flipping it over Rarick’s shoulder for the game-winning goal.
“We had a few missing players,” Staley said of his conservative third-period strategy. “So we went to the trap in the third to conserve energy.”
The game would not end without drama, as Notre Dame would take a penalty with 1:30 left in the contest, but their stingy defense failed to even allow a shot on Batavia’s last power play attempt.
Johnson gave Notre Dame (1-2) a huge boost in goal, making 20 saves. Jeffrey Antolos also assisted on all three of the Fighting Irish’s goals on the day.
“This is a nice win for us,” Staley said. “It will certainly make practice easier on Monday, but we have to continue to work and take it one game at a time.”
One of the main things that plagued the Ice Devils was their inability to capitalize on mistakes, as they went 0-for-5 on the power play for the game.
Rarick made 23 saves for Batavia/Alexander, which falls to 1-2.
Photos by Howard Owens.
If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here.
A 17-year-old was killed Saturday tonight (Dec. 8) in a two-car head-on accident on Route 33, just east of Route 237, in the Town of Stafford. It occurred at 6:20 p.m.
The driver of the other car, a 49-year-old woman, was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Medic 1 with a severe leg injury.
The teen killed in the accident was Collin Crane, of Batavia. The female was Carmen Vega, of Le Roy, who was driving a 2002 Buick.
The young driver was westbound when his 1999 Saturn drifted into the eastbound lane, according to Sgt. Samuel Tagilenti, zone commander for the State Police.
Vega did try to avoid the accident, Tagilenti said, but the two cars hit head-on.
"You see a car coming over the line toward you, you’re going to try to move away from it, but you run out of road, and time," Tagilenti said.
No cause of the accident has been determined and Tagilenti would not offer up on possible causes.
"You could give 100 reasons and I could say it could be that, but until we can do our investigation and come up with a valid reason, we're not going to speculate," Tagilenti said.
Crane was pronounced dead at the scene by a Genesee County Coroner Barry Miller.
Stafford fire responded to the accident along with Mercy EMS. South Byron and Town of Batavia assisted with traffic control.
Exact cause of the accident and contributing circumstances are under continuing investigation.
UPDATE: Photo of Collin from a memorial page on Facebook that was set up tonight.
UPDATE: Another memorial page for Collin has been set up on Facebook.
UPDATE: Crisis counselors will be at Batavia High School on Monday to talk with students.
A motor-vehicle accident with injuries and entrapment is reported at the intersection of Route 237 and Route 33, Stafford.
Two Mercy ambulances dispatched and Mercy Flight is on standby.
Stafford fire dispatched.
UPDATE 6:28 p.m.: Mercy Flight is not available.
UPDATE 6:33 p.m.: A trooper informs dispatch that it's a serious injury accident. A sergeant is requested to the scene.
UPDATE 6:40 p.m. (By Billie): South Byron Fire Police are called to shut down Route 33 at Griswold Road. Bergen Fire Department is requested to bring extrication equipment to the scene -- "A second set (of jaws) is needed." The accident is just east of the 33/237 intersection.
UPDATE 7:04 p.m.: The victim has been extricated.
UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: Stafford and South Byron back in service. Route 33 is reopened.
A motor-vehicle accident, believed to be with minor injuries, is reported at Route 98 and Stroh Road. Alexander Ambulance and Fire Department are responding.
UPDATE 3:31 p.m.: A fireman on scene reports there are no injuries and it is not blocking traffic. Ambulance is cancelled.
UPDATE 4:03 p.m.: There were two sign-offs and one patient is being taken to UMMC.
UPDATE 4:13 p.m.: The patient is a 20-year-old male complaining of head and right knee pain. Alexander fire is back in service.
Press release:
A new offer to purchase the Wiss Hotel from the Village of Le Roy has been submitted to the village by Le Roy New York, LLC. The new offer eliminates the prior provision that the village loan the group money to purchase the property. The village board will provide the opportunity to residents to appear at the beginning of its meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, in the Le Roy Village Hall to comment on the proposal.
UPDATE: The backers of the project have established an e-mail address for people who would like information regarding the Wiss Hotel Project and the formation of the LeRoyNY LLC. It is WissHotelProject@gmail.com.
The first night of Taste of the Holidays in Downtown Batavia had hundreds of people turn out to sample food from local restaurants and visit downtown merchants.
The event continues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, with Jason the Juggler, music by Bart & Kevin, and horse and wagon rides.
Donors drove up to Ken Barrett Chevrolet and Cadillac today by the dozens to deliver presents for Genesee County youngsters who might not otherwise get a visit from Santa and filled up two pickup trucks with new toys.
It was one of the biggest hauls for the toy drives in recent years.
Besides a big donation from Genesee ARC, the folks at Lawley Genesee (above) turned up in a Mancuso limo on the way to a Christmas party and dropped off several toys.
Pictured above are Lt. Marty Hinz and Chuck Harmon, of the City of Batavia Fire Department, Beth George, Nancy Hale, Patricia Kurtz, Tom Ditzel, Marissa Weaver, Susie Boyce, Wendy MacKay, Kim Morello.
Dan Fischer of WBTA with Kurtz.
Firefighter Green and Mary Blevins, manager of the Batavia branch of Key Bank.
Blevins with WBTA's Sloan Martin.
Edward and Beverly Corcoran were honored today by the UMMC Foundation and the Jerome Foundation with the 28th annual Health and Humanitarian Award.
The Corcorans founded and run Stephen’s Table, a soup kitchen that provides lunches six times a week, on average to 30 people a day.
The Corcorans prepare the meal each day. A typical lunch is homemade soup, sandwich, fruit, dessert and beverage. Volunteers help serve the meal. Ed and Beverly spend hours each week visiting local businesses that donate food to Stephen’s Table. Mrs. Corcoran also completes reports and correspondence.
The lunch was held at Terry Hills.
Alexander native and rising star soprano Emily Tworek-Helenbrook will perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday night in a program titled "A Classical Christmas."
Fresh from her recent appearance on the nationally broadcast radio show "From the Top," she will perform pieces by Handel and Massenet. The concert is at 8 p.m. at the Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, in Buffalo. Tickets range in price from $32 to $77.
Tworek-Helenbrook has performed at the Music Festival of Perugia in Italy, and with the Rochester Philharmonic, Genesee Symphony and with other regional groups. She is studying at Eastman School of Music and the University of Rochester, in the dual degree program for vocal performance and pre-law.
JoAnn Falletta will conduct this concert, which also features music from Amahl and the Night Visitors and works by John Rutter and Leroy Anderson.
Tickets are available by calling (716) 885-5000 or visiting www.bpo.org.
The premiere of the Circle of Giving, a charitable event hosted by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and local Girl Scouts, is Saturday afternoon at Byron-Bergen High School in the cafeteria. Time is 1 to 3 p.m.
The opening ceremony for the new initiative will begin promptly at 1:15 p.m.
Pat Standish, founder of Angels in Action in Genesee County, will tell a story of hope and inspiration.
You are invited to become a Junior Angel in Giving by providing new or clean, gently used items in good condition. All donations for this event will remain in Genesee County. There will be four donation stations set up:
In addition, enjoy holiday crafts and make Christmas cards that will be delivered along with the gifts to the needy. Cookies and punch will be provided. The school is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road in Bergen.
Press release:
The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Committee has announced the 2012 Annual Award Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 13 at the Clarion Hotel, Park Road, Batavia. This is the county’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service and volunteerism.
The chamber has streamlined its nomination forms to make submissions less cumbersome and time consuming. Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition, and Geneseeans of the Year. Business nominees must be a chamber member (If unsure of your nominee's status, call the chamber to verify).
Nomination forms are available at the chamber of commerce office, 210 E. Main St., Batavia, and can also be down loaded from the chamber Web site at www.geneseeny.com.
Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY JAN. 11 to be considered.
If you would like more information, feel free to call Kelly J. Bermingham, director of Membership & Special Events at the chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 26.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board has approved the following projects:
KNW Manufacturing, 35 Spring St., Bergen. The company is moving its mold injection business from Ogden to a 2,012-square-foot building in Bergen. The building is already under a PILOT tax abatement issued in 2007. GCEDC is re-assigning the PILOT to KNW Manufacturing. The PILOT will expire in 2018 as scheduled. No other tax abatements are offered for this project. The move will create 10 new jobs in Genesee County.
Yancey's Fancy, $150,000 from revolving loan fund. Project is an interim plant expansion and equipment upgrades to support ongoing business and growth during a period that Yancey's Fancy is awaiting sewer construction in Pembroke. A larger project is expected to begin construction in early 2013 and be completed within the following 12 months. There are no tax abatements with the interim project.
Callahan Motion Control, $100,000 from revolving loan fund. CMC is buying the assets of Callahan Weber Hydraulics, an existing sales and service center in Darien. A local bank is financing the majority of the project through a coordinated program with Empire State Development. The program will save the company from 2 to 3 percent in interest over the next four years. GCEDC is providing a gap loan from its revolving loan fund to help finance the $434,000 project. CMC will also receive a mortgage tax exemption of $5,425. The company provides sales, service and repair of hydraulic components and systems for use in industry, agriculture, construction, gas drilling, lumber and mining industries.
Trevon L. Armstrong is indicted on counts of burglary, 2nd, criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, two counts of criminal mischief, 4th, falsely reporting an incident, 3rd, six counts of forgery, 2nd, three counts of offering a false instrument for filing and tampering with a witness, 4th. Armstrong is accused of entering a residence on East Avenue on Oct. 9 with the intent to commit a crime inside the residence. Armstrong is accused of possessing stolen property, a 46-inch Hisense LCD TV, a HP laptop computer and two boxes of jewelry. Armstrong is accused of damaging a window at the East Avenue property, as well as a door. Armstrong is accused of falsely reporting a burglary at a neighboring residence. He is accused of falsely implicating another person in possessing the stolen property. He is accused of signing a fake name on a fingerprint card, a witness statement and a deposition, as well as other government documents. Armstrong also allegedly tried to keep another person from testifying before the grand jury.
Earl F. Sprague III, is indicted on a count of criminal solicitation, 2nd. Sprague is accused of trying to engage another person in a Class A felony, murder in the second degree.
Janet M. Brady is indicted on counts of felony DWI, felony DWI with a child under age 15 in the car. Brady is accused of driving drunk Aug. 9 in the parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park, Darien.
Martin F. Jones is indicted on counts of felony DWI, two counts of aggravated unlicensed operation and criminal mischief, 4th. Jones is accused of driving drunk Oct. 9 in the City of Batavia in the parking lot of Settler's Restaurant and Hess Mart. He is accused of damaging property at Settler's Restaurant with a value that exceeds $250.
Dennis E. Hopkins is indicted on charges of burglary, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th. Hopkins is accused of entering a residence in February on Lewiston Road, Batavia, with the intention of committing a crime inside. He is accused of stealing $2,000 in cash.
Guillermo Roman Roque is indicted on three counts of incest, 3rd. Roque is accused of having sexual relations with a person he knew to be a family relative.
Elaina J. Mead is indicted on counts of menacing a police officer, assault, 2nd, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Mead is accused of placing a knife to the chest of a deputy while attempting to block the arrest of her son, Michael Mead Sr., on June 17. Mead is accused of intentionally injuring a Le Roy police officer with a knife. She is accused of unlawfully using a knife as a weapon. She is accused of attempting to prevent the arrest of another person.
James Smith Jr., is indicted on counts of criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of menacing, 2nd, and assault, 2nd. Smith is accused of using a weapon with the intent to injure another person. He allegedly displayed a knife. He allegedly injured another person using a knife on July 22.
Most viewed posts for November:
Submitted by Tom Ingalsbe:
Members of the Batavia Teachers' Association pose for a picture at the culmination of their "No Shave November" competition. The competition raised nearly $200 for Anna's Wish and the Kay Dean Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information on Anna's Wish, please go to http://www.annaswish.org/.
Press release:
Local entrepreneur Tim Walton, has decided to pull the plug on bringing a teen nightclub to Batavia after many hurdles and a bigger opportunity.
Walton had plans to turn the former Powerhouse Gym into a 7,500-square-foot venue that would cater toward the under-21 crowd, bringing them dances, parties and other events to keep them out of trouble.
The process had been delayed several times by the city due to codes that had to be met.
"We installed a sprinkler system, then needed another entrance, so we made that, then needed this and that, and things just kept adding up," Walton said.
Despite the setbacks, Walton said that the main reason for pulling the plug was due to bigger opportunities that were presented to him.
Walton recently took over as marketing and events director at LUX Nightclub in Buffalo.
"I got an offer that I couldn't turn down," Walton said. "It's the largest nightclub in the area so it's a great opportunity to do what I love to do."
The building at 624 E. Main St, which Walton had leased for a little over a year, has been put back up for lease by building owner Ken Mistler and Walton still has hopes to see something similar in there.
"It's a great wide-open structure that would be a great business opportunity for the right person, and I'd even be willing to help promote it if something were to come about in there," Walton said.
Although the club is no longer in the works, Walton still hasn't given up on bringing quality entertainment to the area.
"It's something that people enjoy and it's something I have the experience to bring to the city," he said.
Currently, he has scheduled for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson to make an appearance at City Slickers. The appearance will be headlined by Johnson's cousin, national recording artist YB the Rockstar (Ya Boy) and Batavia native DJ Macy Paradise. The event is set for Dec. 21. That event is sponsored by IR Systems DirecTV and The Batavian.
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