The Rangers, of the American League, beat the National League champs, the Mets, yesterday in the Batavia Minor League championship game.

More information about the game once it's e-mailed to us.

To purchase prints, click here.

A program to bring more higher-end apartments to Downtown Batavia is starting to produce results.

Yesterday, visitors were able to view two new apartments at 17 Jackson St. owned by Dr. Edward A. Sielski that were renovated as part of Batavia's community plan.

A $60,000 Main Street Improvement Grant -- funded by the state, administered by the Business Development Committee -- helped pay for the $270,000 project.

The second and third floors of Sielski's building -- his dentist office is on the first floor -- were converted to a pair of 1,000-square-foot apartments. Each is two floors with a kitchen and living space on the first floor and bedrooms, a bathroom and washer/dryer combo on the second floor.

The back apartment overlooks Jackson Square.

There are several more downtown apartment projects in the works under the auspice of the program.

Julie Pacette, economic development coordinator for the BDC, said studies have shown there is pent-up demand for higher-end apartments in Downtown Batavia.

The target market is the professional person or couple earning $60,000 to $75,000 a year who wants to live in a more urban environment. They don't mind walking up stairs and want to walk to the public market, the grocery store, theater, restaurants, bars, post office and gym.

Sielski said he's already received several calls about the apartments without even advertising them.

For the open house, one of the apartments was furnished by Max Pies with decorations from Valle Jewelers.

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS: The total project cost was $270,000 ($100K more than originally reported). This does not include architectural fees). That's 22 percent of the project cost.  The NYS Main Street Grant Program allows grants up to 75 percent of project costs. The first apartment completed under the program was in the Valle Jewelers building, owned by the Valles, and rented immediately.  The rents for these apartments is expected to be $950 to $1,000 a month.

Dr. Sielski with his family, from left, Neil, Lauren, Dr. Sielski, Claudia and Elise.

You don't see rectangular hay bales much these days, but while out in Alabama this afternoon I spotted a few in a field off Maple Street Road.

And below, a tractor in a field off Sanders Road, Stafford.

Val Zinni and Carmen Del Plato will perform in Jackson Square tonight as part of the Over the Hill Musicians Society show.

Performing as the Hutchins Street Blues Brothers Rhythm and Blue Review, Zinni and Del Plato will reprise a performance they've staged a few times over the years since 1981. That year they entered the talent show -- which was right after "The Blue Brothers" movie came out -- at the St. Anthony's Lawn Fete. 

Del Plato said after winning the talent show, Zinni kissed Monsignor Aquavia "right on top of his bald head," John Belushi-style, Del Plato said.

At first, Zinni and Del Plato performed to recorded music, but a few years ago they started performing with Del Plato's brother's band.

"We'll be performing two songs because the band won't let us do any more than that!" Del Plato said.

Show time is 7 p.m.

Photo by Shelley Zinni.

Press release:

RICHMOND AVENUE (from Park Road to Oak Street) will experience traffic delays on TUESDAY, JULY 30 BETWEEN 7 A.M. AND 4 P.M.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane for paving operations. The following side streets that intersect with Richmond Avenue will see temporary traffic closures preventing access to Richmond Avenue while paving operations are ongoing:

Park Road, Redfield Pkwy, Bogue Avenue, Woodrow Road, Union Street, Vernon Avenue and Lyons Street.

Residents and businesses are not to park on the roadway during paving operations.

Residents and businesses of Richmond Avenue (from Park Road to Oak Street), will have access to their properties, but should expect delays when paving operations are in front of their properties.

The Town of Batavia Fire Department is pleased to announce our 14th annual Harley Raffle to be held this Saturday night, July 27th, at 7 p.m.

This year the lucky grand price winner will take home a 2013 Harley Davidson Fat Boy model FLSTFB or $10,000. (Winner Not Need Be Present To Win.)

ONLY 2,500 tickets were sold and we are now officially SOLD OUT!

• 1st Prize - $500
• 2nd Prize - $500
• 3rd Prize - $500
• 4th Prize - $500

GRAND PRIZE - Last Ticket Drawn Is For The Motorcycle! (Winner has choice of $10,000 cash prize or Motorcycle)

Admission to the event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! You do not need a raffle ticket to come to the event.

The event includes Live Entertainment from the band 7th Heaven from 8 p.m. until Midnight. Food from Alex's Place and beverages will also be available for purchase as well as 50/50 and Pull Tabs.

Doors at 7 p.m.

The Raffle is to take place this Saturday night at the Town of Batavia Fire Dept. Rec. Hall, 8380 Lewiston Road (Rt. 63) Batavia, NY 14020. (Across from Kmart, just down the road from the Batavia Downs.)

Everyone is Welcome! Must be 21+ to drink and anyone under 21 years must be accompanied by their PARENT or GUARDIAN.

For more information, visit us online: http://www.townofbataviafire.com/

Proceeds to benefit the Town Of Batavia Fire Department.

A wheat field is reported to be on fire at near Sanders and Bartoff roads. Stafford Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: The fire is out and Stafford units are clear.

Justine and Shayna Lawrence with Aubrey were among the shoppers showing up this afternoon for the Genesee Country Farmers Market at Batavia Downs.

The market is open on Tuesday and Fridays in the Downs parking lot.

All of the produce is grown by the vendors themselves and they displayed well-stocked tables today.

Below, the little red-headed girl holding an ear of corn is 2-year-old Alice, of Oakfield.

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 77 and Ledge Road. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding. A person is believed to have a fractured leg and is not able to get out of the vehicle. It is blocking traffic.

UPDATE 1:14 p.m.: Another ambulance is requested along with aid from Pembroke and Indian Falls fire. There are two additional patients, one with a head injury, and the other with a spine and neck injury.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Mercy Flight 5 out of Batavia is called to the scene.

UPDATE 1:19 p.m.: The landing zone will be an adjacent strawberry field.

UPDATE 1:34 p.m.: The helicopter landed a couple of minutes ago.

UPDATE 1:40 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne, bound for Strong Memorial Hospital. A Mercy medic ambulance is taking one patient to Unity Hospital in Rochester, formerly named Park Ridge Hospital.

A motorcycle wreck is reported at 58 Lake St. in Le Roy. The rider has a broken ankle, according to a responder on scene. An ambulance from Caledonia is requested. The roadway is not blocked. Le Roy fire is responding.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Le Roy fire is told to hold all equipment in quarters.

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: Caledonia is being cancelled. The injured person will be transported to a hospital by personal vehicle.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The Le Roy assignment is in service.

Bradman Chiropractic will be hosting an anniversary party and open house event to celebrate 25 years of serving familes in the Genesee Region. A significant milestone, Dr. Bradman has helped thousands of people since his doors opened in 1988. We welcome everyone to bring your family down to celebrate with us this Saturday July 27th from 1 to 5 p.m.!

Visit us online at: http://bradmanchiropractic.com

Press release:

Join us at Dwyer Stadium Aug. 6th, 7th and 8th for our youth baseball camp!

Kids ages 6-14 will receive two days of on-field instruction from the Muckdogs players and coaches on Aug. 6th & 7th from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Children will learn from the pros in the areas of hitting, fielding, pitching, catching, base running and bunting.

Then on Aug. 8th, campers will be able to come back to Dwyer for a private autograph signing with the team 30 minutes before the gates open (5:30 p.m.) and then be recognized on the field prior to the Muckdogs game vs. the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Rays affiliate).

Campers will also receive a special T-shirt not available in the team store, a camp photo, two tickets to the Aug. 8th game, as well as daily lunch, all for only $70. Registration forms are available at Dwyer Stadium and online at muckdogs.com. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

An amendment to a defense bill that would have ended the NSA's spying on American citizens was defeated in the House earlier this week, and Rep. Chris Collins was among the members who voted against the amendment.

The amendment was introduced by Rep. Justin Amash, from Battle Creek, Mich., and would have de-funded the NSA program, which gathers data from phone companies on phone calls by U.S. citizens in the hope of uncovering terrorist plots.

The Batavian sent an e-mail to Grant Loomis, spokesman for Collins, and asked for a statement on the vote. Loomis said we could attribute the following statement to him:

“Congressman Collins voted to keep in place the same program that for nearly the last decade has saved countless American lives and thwarted terrorists at every turn.”

There is no evidence publicly available that a single terrorist plot has been prevented by the program, known as PRISM.

We asked Loomis what evidence the Congressman had that the program has prevented a terrorist attack, and he responded:

"He has participated in Congressional briefings on the matter. Chris believes the NSA program is in the best interest of our country’s national security and his vote on the matter reflects his position."

The vote was largely symbolic because even if the amendment would have passed in the House, according to a Washington Post story, it certainly would have been stripped from the bill in conference committee with the Senate, but if it didn't, it would have been vetoed by President Obama.

Anthony L. Holohan, 77, of Gilmore Road, Corfu, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd. On July 11, an employee of the Log Cabin Restaurant arrived at work and found a hole in a picture window in the dining room. Later he found another window was damaged. After an investigation, Holohan was arrested and accused of damaging the windows at about 3 a.m., July 11. The estimated damage is $2,260. There's no known motive for the alleged crime. Holohan posted $5,000 bail and was released.

Ryan C. Riggi, 18, no permanent address, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th. Riggi is accused of twice possessing and using a credit card of another person, stealing more than $3,000. Riggi was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Danielle Marie Stevens, 36, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Stevens is accused of stealing a bottle of hydrocodone pills from the purse of another person.

Matthew Charles Olcott, 34, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, was arrested on warrants out of the Town of Pembroke and Town of Batavia, for criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, violation of probation, attempted unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3rd, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 2nd. Olcott was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court on all charges and jailed on $500 bail on the Town of Pembroke charges.

Press release:

Batavia Downs announced today that their highly anticipated expansion project will open on Sept. 27.

"Pushing back our opening date ensures that all facets of our new gaming facility will be finished and ready to accept customers,” said Michael D. Kane, president and CEO of Batavia Downs.

Batavia Downs will be open on Aug. 28th and 29th, days which the casino had planned to be closed. Promotions already scheduled around the weekend of Aug. 30th, including several large cash drawings, will go on as planned. 

"Customers should check our Twitter and Facebook pages for exciting promotions planned on days we were to be closed,” said Ryan Hasenauer, director of marketing.
 

Link: State of the First Amendment Report

Article written by Angelo Prospero. Prospero is a native of Batavia and grew up knowing many of the local boxers from Batavia's Golden Age of Boxing. He became a boxing writer and boxing historian of some note. He holds degrees in history from Conisius College and taught history at Trident Technical College in Charleston, S.C. He currently resides in Summerville, S.C. He's written for "Ring," the Batavia Daily News, "Boxing Illustrated," "Boxing Digest" and "Unitas Boxing World." He also wrote a book on boxing, "Great Fights and Fighters." Prospero has also been a ringside judge for professional boxing matches. Prospero provided us with the pictures, as well.

Patrons of Marshall’s News Store on Jackson Street in Batavia during the 1930s heard the sounds of shuffling feet, speed bags, heavy bags and shadow boxers skipping ropes upstairs as they purchased their newspapers and magazines.

The entire second floor was the home of the Batavia Boxing Club, the brainchild of Batavia businessman John DiCarlo, called by many the Father of Batavia Boxing.

DiCarlo, husband of famous artist Rose Pontillo DiCarlo, was a boxer, teacher, trainer and matchmaker who loved the sport. He was promoting his young brother, Ponce DiCarlo and was appalled at the lack of training facilities. Missing were a ring, showers, equipment and other paraphernalia that goes with a boxing gymnasium. So he took out a yearly lease and with his chief assistant, Tony Gaeta, renovated the upstairs Jackson Street area, making it as fine a place as any in Western New York.

It featured a homemade ring and DiCarlo used his own money to purchase all the equipment and gloves, and formed the BBC. Dues were one dollar a week and the initial response was slow as DiCarlo and Gaeta promoted the career of young Ponce, who became a sensation with a long win streak all over New York State and the surrounding areas.

About this time, the Great Depression hit and many unemployed youngsters flocked to the gym filling it to capacity. It was the Golden Age of Batavia Boxing. Teams were dispatched to Buffalo, Syracuse, Frank Powderly’s Elks Club in Rochester, Cleveland and even New York’s famed Daily News national competition in Madison Square Garden.

Tony Sciolino of Buffalo was a brilliant featherweight who won just about every honor in his hometown and decided to turn professional. He was engaged to a lovely Batavia Miss, Margaret Fusco, of Ellicott Street, who lived near Ellicott Square at Liberty and Ellicott streets. Sciolino was the nephew of John D. Gioia, civic leader and pharmacist.

Since Sciolino was spending so much time in Batavia, Gioia decided to install a makeshift gym behind his pharmacy on Ellicott Street and Sciolino did most of his training there. How good was Sciolino? He defeated world featherweight champion Tommy Paul and fought a draw with Wes Ramey, who this last June, was inducted into the Canastota Boxing Hall of Fame.

Mr. Gioia also convinced Father William Kirby of St. Anthony’s Church to purchase a ring and equipment and put it in the corner of the Community Center on Liberty Street. The Center was financed by the many Bingo nights held there by Reverend Kirby and the gym was portable enough to be disassembled easily and stored in the cavernous bowels of the Center. Many times the boxers-in-training there disassembled the gym themselves with the aid of the school kids at the nearby St. Anthony’s School, so Bingo could be played.

Around the corner on Central Avenue, was the home of the Cintorino family. Ma and Pa Cintorino made a living selling Treadeasy Shoes (made in Batavia) to support their six boys. The second eldest, Joseph, dropped in the gym where Sciolino trained and quickly showed excellence under the tutelage of Sciolino, displaying a stinging left jab and defensive prowess.

Ironically, the teacher and pupil would meet in the ring professionally in a few years. To prevent his father from finding out he was fighting, Joseph Cintorino used the fistic name of Mickey Devine. His younger brother Sam used the name Sammy Devine.

Mickey Devine, undoubtedly Batavia’s greatest professional fighter, used a circuitous route to gain fame in the ring. He fought in two venues, amateur and bootleg. Combined, he had a 70 win, 6 loss record.

There existed at the time a hybrid group called Bootleg Fights, a sort of semi-pro organization with its own officials and rules, outside the normal amateur sphere. Some pros fought as amateurs using different names and amateurs fought as semi-pros looking to pick up a few Depression dollars. They fought in “Smokers” at various places, so called because the smoke was so thick. One such place was the Eastman Kodak in Rochester where the legendary George Eastman would attend. When fighters weren’t paid in cash, sometimes, trophies and watches were awarded which the fighter sold to gain some valuable dollars.

Mickey Devine was a sensation on the circuit and decided to apply for a professional license. As a pro, he compiled a brilliant 18 win – 2 loss – 1 draw record. His one loss to Jeff Furrone was later reversed. In their 2nd contest, Devine won easily, flooring his rival twice. For his 22nd fight, Mickey was matched with his mentor, Tony Sciolino, at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo in what was billed as “For the lightweight championship of Batavia.” Devine was too slick and too fast for the aging Sciolino and pounded out an easy eight-round decision.

With lucrative bouts offered him, Devine decided to retire and get married. He took the $1200.00 from the Sciolino fight, his largest purse ever, paid off his parents’ mortgage and purchased a house for himself. He served as a referee at amateur contests and trained a protégé, Nick Tundo. Remarkably, he was unmarked despite all those bouts, a tribute to his defensive skills.

Back at the Batavia Boxing Club, all types of would-be pugilists would be in training under the watchful eye of DiCarlo and Gaeta. Some of the notables were Jimmy Amatrano, Cheech Trinchera, Chet Mruzek, Vinnie Lewandowski, Ken Pixley, Joe Syracuse, Tony Zito, Eddie Urban, Tony Stone, Nate DiSanto, Frankie Flynn, Mike Saquella, Kid Fillete, Sammy Devine, Norm Columbo, Paul Columbo, Scrapiron Marshall, Gordon Hyde and Dick Warboys.

But the two gems of the stable were Joe Church and Lou Cecere, both inducted into the Rochester Boxing Assn. Hall of Fame, along with Mickey Devine and Tony Zito. Church from Swan Street on Batavia’s South Side, was a 1929 graduate of Batavia High School. He won his first title, the Niagara District Amateur Championship and his second followed quickly as he swept through the Buffalo Championships and continued his Western New York Amateur dominance, winning the Courier Express title, and repeated his Niagara AAU title in a heavier 126-lb. division.

These wins garnered Church a chance to compete in the prestigious National Amateur Championship in Cleveland. The only problem was money and transportation. Determined to fulfill his dream of winning a national title and competing in the Olympics in 1936, Church and a friend hitchhiked to Cleveland and slept at the bus station the first night.

A 100-1 shot, Church swept through the prelims and then shocked the boxing world by winning the featherweight title. Floored in the first round, Church won the next four rounds handily to win a unanimous decision.

He was awarded a champion’s reception when he returned by train to Batavia, being greeted by dignitaries, including the mayor, who presented him with a Key to the City, as the City Band played proudly. The crowd gave him a tremendous ovation, appreciative of Batavia’s only national boxing champion, ever.

The festivities didn’t end there. A parade brought him from Swan Street to the Community Center on Liberty Street. 250 admirers showered him with gifts and standing ovations. He was introduced by Father Kirby and praised by John DiCarlo, Tony Gaeta and John Gioia. He received another standing ovation when it was announced he would be an alternate on the 1936 Olympic team, the event that featured Jesse Owens.

Church later won a boxing scholarship to the University of Miami and served as a boxing instructor in the Army.

Lou Cecere, one of 11 children, was a boxing fan as a teenager and with his friend, Tony Zito, began appearing at the Jackson Street gym. His speed and footwork caught the eye of John DiCarlo and Cecere’s ability to outbox the veterans put him on several cards in Western New York. He once won 40 consecutive fights, including the prestigious Syracuse Herald American Golden Gloves.

Cecere had a 92-7 record when he headlined the Open Air Amateur card at MacArthur Stadium in the summer of 1940. It was his 100th fight and he didn’t disappoint the thousand fans who showed up at the ballpark. They paid a dollar for ringside and 44 cents general admission to see Cecere put on a dazzling exhibition, winning all five rounds over veteran Buffalonian Earl Wilson.

On the same card, youngsters with big padded gloves regaled the throng. Sammy Devine won a four-round decision and Cecere’s stablemate, Vin Tresco, lost a five-rounder to Ed Stokes. Tony Stone of Oakfield and Frank Aquino of Batavia were winners by decision. But, Batavians Kid Fillette, Jimmy DiFalco and Angelo Pettinella were all knockout losers and Ed Urban lost on a decision.

Despite the success of the evening, World War II was approaching and boxing lost its luster for a while. Cecere was drafted into the Army, losing his chance to turn pro. However, he did serve with Billy Conn’s touring group in Europe giving exhibitions in several areas. After four years of distinguished service in World War II, he never fought again.

Tony Zito’s main ambition was to win the Buffalo Golden Gloves. He lost his first effort, then enlisted in the Army. There he became a Service champion compiling an impressive 38-2 record before being shipped overseas where he participated in many infantry battles. During his march through Belgium, a V-2 German rocket destroyed a hospital. Zito worked several days, under heavy fire, getting patients to safety and for this supreme effort, he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery. He later was wounded twice by shrapnel and received the Purple Heart.

Upon discharge, Zito wanted to return to the ring, but was advised by doctors not to because shrapnel was still in his body. He went ahead any way and in 1946 won two bouts before running into Calvin Leigh of Rochester, later, a successful pro, and lost in the semi-finals. It was his last fight.

Zito, a longtime employee of Batavia Downs, prided himself on his boxing knowledge and became a noted boxing historian.

Boxing in Batavia received a faint spark of life in 1947 with the emergence of Batavia High School athlete Dick Brenkus, who excelled in basketball and football. He tried boxing under the direction of trainer Jack Shevlet and won his first six bouts, capturing the Buffalo Courier Express Novice Middleweight title.

In the final exhibition held in Batavia in April 1947, Brenkus headlined a six-bout card at St. Anthony’s Community Center. The old ring was located and 800 fans packed the auditorium. Anybody who was anybody was there and they were delighted as Jimmy Fasano, a nephew of Tony Sciolino, won his debut in a three-round bout. Bob Smith won a five-round decision. But it was not to be for Batavia boxers that evening.

Sam Nicometo was starched in the first round and Brenkus, with famed coach Danny Van Detta in his corner, was simply overmatched. He was pitted against Buffalo Open Division champion Mickey McGuire who had 60 fights. Brenkus held his own the first round, but McGuire kayoed him in round two with a flurry of combinations dropping him over the lower strand of the ropes as referee Tony Gaeta tolled the mournful 10 count.

The flaming embers for boxing in Batavia died out that evening. With other activities such as cars, television and drive-ins, there wasn’t a farm system to develop young talent. It was over, all over. But what a glorious ride!

Today, boxing is being challenged and probably surpassed by MMA and other kickboxing battles. Aided by reality television and today’s penchant for violence, these affairs are immensely popular and highly visible.

But to the boxing purists of yesterday, they will never match the Sweet Science of the Golden Age of Boxing.

And to that I say “Amen.”

Mickey Devine trains protoge Nick Tundo, circa 1941.

Top photo: The Batavia Boxing Team in 1937. Dick Warboys, Vince Lavandowski, Joe Syracuse, Natalie DiSanto, Nick Tundo, Lou Cecere, Ed Urban, Tony Gaeta, Gorden Hyde and Mike Saquella. Photo by Tony "Butch" Zito.

It was a beautiful day. I didn't have much time to just drive around and take pictures, but as long as I was out and about, I did grab a few.

Above, a barn at Gillette and Ivison roads, Byron.

Below, three sunflower pictures from the Oderkirk Farm on Route 33, Stafford.

Construction is well under way for the new $1.65-million water tower in Oakfield and if all goes to plan, it could be in use by this fall.

Every day there are from five to seven welders on the job constructing the 165-foot, 10-inch tower. The sections are pre-fab and then welded together on site. It took one day to raise the center column, two weeks to build the bottom half of the tank top.

The tower now acts as it's own crane to haul workers and material to the top.

Workers will begin installing the next sections of the top of the tower on Monday.

Clark Patterson Lee out of Rochester handled the design and engineering. Caldwell Industrial out of Louisville, Ky., is the construction contractor.

The pedisphere-design tank will hold 500,000 gallons of water once completed.

Two suspects were taken into custody early this morning on assault and robbery charges stemming from an alleged incident on Columbia Avenue at 10 p.m. July 7.

Mark D. Callan, 26, of 189 S. Main St., and John P. Wittkopp, 29, of 24 Columbia Ave., both of Batavia, are each charged with third-degree assault with intent to cause physical injury and second-degree robbery, aided by another.

Callan was arraigned before Judge DelPlato in City Court, jailed without bail, and was scheduled to appear in court again at 11 this morning. No further information was provided about Wittkopp.

The investigation and arrests were made by officers Matt Lutey and Kirbis.