Together, we raised $5,000 for Pawsitive for Heros in 2024! Submitted photo.
Press Release:
Get ready for a tail-wagging good time! Ashley Bringenberg Photography is thrilled to announce the return of Pooch Playoffs, an exciting bracket-style dog portrait competition and fundraiser benefiting WNY Heroes’ Pawsitive for Heroes program.
Now in its third year, this fun-filled event gives local dog owners a chance to show off their beloved pups while making a meaningful impact. Portrait sessions are happening from now until the end of February and the competition kicks off in late March, featuring 32 dogs vying for the title of WNY’s Ulti-Mutt Cutie!
Each round, participating pups will be paired up for head-to-head online voting, with winners advancing until one dog is crowned champion. The Final Four earn special prizes, and the top dog will claim the grand prize, along with ultimate bragging rights!
“A professional portrait of your pet is something most people don’t think to do, but pets are such cherished members of our families,” says Ashley Bringenberg, owner of Ashley Bringenberg Photography. “Pooch Playoffs gives families an opportunity to capture their pup’s personality while supporting an incredible cause.”
For a $125 donation to WNY Heroes’ Pawsitive for Heroes, participants receive:
A custom dog portrait session
A personalized photo keychain
A swag bag full of goodies
Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested pet parents should visit ashleybringenberg.com/pooch to enter their pup ASAP.
Local businesses are also invited to sponsor the event and be part of this heartwarming community initiative.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to register your pup, visit ashleybringenberg.com/pooch or contact Ashley Bringenberg at hello@ashleybringenberg.com.
Both the Boys Indoor Track Team and the Girls Indoor Track Team on Thursday put in dominating performances to win sectional titles.
It was the 19th sectional title for the girls' team and the 12th for the boys.
The girls scored 209 points. In second place, Wayne Central scored 72 points. The boys scored 184 points. Livonia-Avon-Geneseo came in second with 82 points.
"This was an incredible performance by the Blue Devils as we were able to win 18 out of 33 events contested," said Coach Nicholas Burk. "We had solid contributions across the board in our throwing, distance, sprinting, hurdles, and jumping events. Our Blue Devil athletes were very committed to continuing the tradition of Batavia Track and Field and representing our school and community with the tough reputation we've earned through many years of success."
Anna Marie Barclay presented an award to Ed and Ginny Adams for decades of service to the community.
The Byron-Bergen Business and Civic Association held its annual recognition banquet on Saturday night at The Batavia Country Club.
A theme emerged throughout the night of awards: "(Bergen) can do." The "can do" motto is a legacy of BBCA and it was a recurrent phrase of the acceptance speeches. Bergen residents "can do." They can make the community better, stronger, and more memorable through volunteering and sharing gifts and talents.
Dinner entertainment was provided by The Byron-Bergen Singing Silhouettes, led by director Joe Parish.
Anne Sapienza provided a brief history of the BBCA.
Six members of the Bergen community were honored with awards for their service.
Anna Marie Barclay presented an award to Ed and Ginny Adams for decades of service in a variety of ways -- from one-on-one acts of service to neighbors, to a wide array of impact through their church, to large projects instrumental to village infrastructure improvements -- such as sewers and cul de sacs, library development and leadership in the origination of Bergen Park Days.
Charlie Cook, chairman of Liberty Pumps, presented a community service award to his colleague, director of manufacturing, Don Cunningham. Cunningham made significant contributions to many buildings and government offices in the village, as well as the fire department, through fundraising events.
Town Supervisor Ernie Haywood received his award and recognition from Town Clerk Teresa Robinson. He was honored for work completed on the 500 parcel water district, The Byron-Bergen Capital Project, educational opportunities for high school students, advocacy for the fire department, youth with special needs and BOCES.
Byron-Bergen STEP Boosters President Amy Phillips received her award from Katie Rumble. Phillips' contributions to organizing special events for students were highlighted. Cookies with Santa, trunk-or-treat, birthday parades during the COVID-19 pandemic, coaching youth sports through the Gillam Grant Community Center and running concessions stands at sporting events were among her noted and appreciated service.
To wrap up the evening, Bergen Town Historian Tom Tiefel was presented an award by Lisa Teremy. Tiefel was acknowledged for the transformation of the Harford Livery Museum. And the work he has done curating, cataloging and sharing artifacts and historical documents. Along with the education he provides to students and the community.
Information and photos by Jennifer DiQuattro.
Charlie Cook presented a community service award to Don Cunningham.
Town Supervisor Ernie Haywood received his award and recognition from Town Clerk Teresa Robinson.
Kendall Phillips and Katie Rumble presenting an award to Amy Phillips.
Batavia's Business Improvement District hosted its annual celebration of beer and cider as it returned on Saturday, with the sun out and lots of people in a party mood.
File Photo of 4 Mix Place, Batavia. Photo by Howard Owens
Ed Smart has been on a long haul to renovate his property at 4 Mix Place into a combination living and work space for himself and smartDesign in Batavia.
A series of code variances for his rezoning request, landscaping issues and neighbor concerns have turned his journey into a string of meetings with the city’s Planning & Development Committee, City Council Zoning Board of Appeals and soon the Historic Preservation Commission.
He said in June 2023 that his goal was to “see this thing restored to its glory and then some.”
“It’s just a beautiful piece of property,” he had said of his rambling site at 4 Mix Place. “I’ve invested in it even without being able to use it until I know I can use it for the use I want.”
And what he wants is to convert it into a combination residence, a small apartment and his smartDESIGN Architecture firm, requiring it to be zoned residential 3 to allow for professional offices in that section of the city between Ellicott Avenue and Oak Street.
Smart has worked to repair significant damage from prior theft and water leakage, made it past City Council for rezoning and a few trips to the city’s Planning Committee, and returned again this week to address landscaping, parking and a neighbor’s concerns.
His plans had included 12 parking spots; however, neighbor Jessica Lankford had sent a letter of “serious concerns” about parking along their shared fence — the potential for less privacy of her backyard pool — which prompted discussion about alternatives.
“I could probably supply 10 spaces and not provide the other two. I'm just trying to plan to accommodate people when I have a full house, which, again, doesn't happen that often,” Smart said. “I’ve had a very cooperative relationship with the Lankfords. We collaborated on the vinyl fence that was installed there. So again, there's been a good communication, good cooperation. I was not aware that she had sent this letter, happy to talk to her about it. Usually, the fears from neighbors when you're talking about automobile traffic in a parking area like this has to come with light shining into their yard. Again, that vinyl fence is six feet high, and it's solid. There's no spaces in between it.”
Code Enforcement Officer Doug Randall reminded him of the requirement for parking areas within 20 feet of neighbors: there needs to be solid screen fencing or plantings that obstruct the view. Smart said there is to be a wood stockade fence along the upper east side, placed on his property, “or we would cooperate with them.”
Randall wanted to confirm that Smart has coordinated the plan with his neighbors. “If you’re going to put a fence on their property for maintenance,” Randall said.
Other considerations are the height of the fence — no more than 6 feet tall, and solid enough to shield nearby homes from headlight spray — and parking parallel versus perpendicular to the road, or using a row of bushes as space for parking, neither of those last two options which would work, Smart said.
“That would be a substantial change to the landscape of the yard of this historic residence. One of the special features of this is that it's an extremely large lot in the middle of the city and highly landscaped. There's sandstone pavers that come along the back,” he said. “And also, that would impact the way you would approach the parking so, so they actually come across the entire back of the house. To have parking on the west side, in my opinion, would be a real detriment to the to the presidential character of that piece of property.”
While seemingly monotonous and detailed, these are the crux of site plans, especially in the city when accommodating neighbors’ requests and concerns. The shared fence is about 24 feet from the edge of the parking space, which seems to fit what’s required in the special use permit, committee members agreed.
The committee approved a motion for the plan, minus two parking spots for a total of 10, with the agreement that Smart has to go to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval of all exterior changes.
That was another positive step forward. Smart said he wouldn’t be able to do any construction until the approval process is complete.
“I really want to be in it by the end of the year and make that work,” he said.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) reintroduced the Producing Incentives for Long-term Production of Lifesaving Supply of Medicines (PILLS) Act to promote the domestic production of generic medicines.
The generic drug industry is experiencing a movement toward centralizing production in India and China due to their significantly lower costs and looser manufacturing standards. This shift raises serious concerns about potential supply chain disturbances and inadequate drug safety measures. The PILLS Act offers pharmaceutical companies various tax incentives to enable them to shift all aspects of the manufacturing process for generic medicines, including materials and testing, to the United States.
"Drug manufacturing has moved overseas, putting American jobs and the security of our essential medical supply chains at risk. To address this, I reintroduced the PILLS Act, which incentivizes businesses to produce critical generic medications and antibiotics here in the U.S. By strengthening tax incentives for domestic drug production, this legislation will help prevent dangerous supply chain disruptions, reinforce our pharmaceutical security, and will create American jobs," said Congresswoman Tenney.
“Congresswoman Tenney's PILLS Act is a critical step toward reshoring America’s generic drug production and reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign suppliers,” said Zach Mottl, Chairman of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA). “America is facing an escalating health crisis due to chronic shortages of essential, lifesaving generic drugs, which make up more than 90% of all prescriptions dispensed in the U.S.—a crisis directly tied to our reliance on China and India. Since 2002, imports from India have increased 35 times, while imports from China have surged 165 times over that same period. Passing the PILLS Act is a necessary first step to reverse this trend, restore American pharmaceutical production, create high-quality jobs, and protect national security by ensuring a safe, reliable domestic supply of high-quality generic medicines, antibiotics, and other essential drugs.”
Jameson Motyka scores a goal early in the first period for BND United. Photo by Steve Ognibene
A packed house on Thursday for the Section V Class B quarterfinal in hockey had plenty of reasons to cheer as Batavia Notre Dame United dominated Churchville-Chili for an 8-1 win.
United outshot CC 38-17.
Jameson Motyka scored 5 goals, a hat-trick, coming within in the first eight minutes.
"In the first couple minutes, we started off kind of slow, but once we put the first one in, they just started coming real quick," Motyka said. "In the second period, we kind of took a step back, and then we went back at it in the third. It was a good period to end on going into the next game."
Churchville-Chili’s lone goal was in the second period on a shot by Anthony Indiano.
Point totals for BND United:
Jameson Motyka – 5 goals, 2 assists
Brady Johnson – 1 goal, 3 assists
Jake Hutchins – 1 goal, 1 assists
Sam Pies – 3 assists
Cadan Shamp - 1 goal
Chase Cummings - 1 assist
Will Stevens - 1 assist
Maggie Buchholz - 1 assist
Luke Staley - 1 assist
Goalie- Rhys Tanner - 1 assist, stopped 16 shots in net
BND United, seeded second in the tournament, plays this Wednesday at home vs #3 seed Webster Schroder at 6 p.m.
City management’s “hold over tenant” status has apparently been replaced with an official offer of a lease for Batavia Players to pay $4 per square foot plus back rent of at least $500 per month in an effort to move forward from an original lease in December 2019.
The nonprofit group and city officials had been communicating through their attorneys since the rent had gone unpaid due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Players’ Main St. 56 Theater shutdowns, and there was no renewal in January.
The two sides were to meet after Tabelski issued a statement toward the end of 2024 that Batavia Players would be considered a “holdover tenant,” and the matter would be further discussed.
The new lease agreement is up for discussion at Monday’s City Council conference session. The commercial lease is for city properties 2, 35 and 39 in Batavia City Centre, including 11,052 square feet of “improved commercial space that was renovated by Batavia Players through a Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Anchor grant,” Tabelski said in a memo to council. “Base rent will remain $4 per square foot to be paid $3,684 monthly. Back rent will be paid $500 per month or more until the balance is satisfied.
"The lease also recognizes the city’s capital projects for the roof and HVAC units previously approved by City Council and clarifies how the Batavia Players shall submit requests for maintenance to the property,” she said.
The lease is to take effect April 1 for a period of 60 months to March 30, 2030. The tenant would have the option to renew “so long as the tenant is not in default under the terms of this lease” for a five-year renewal term at a negotiated rent not to exceed $6 per square foot.
If the city were to sell the premises, it would have to provide a six-month written notice of cancellation, and the tenant would be able to negotiate with the city to purchase the property at any time during the lease term, according to the lease.
City residents that own property and pay utility costs have an opportunity to learn more and speak up about the proposed 2025-26 budget, which includes 3.5% raises for non-union, management and City Council members; a $50 increase toward city employees’ gym memberships; and 6- and 9-cent increases for water and sewer rates, respectively.
A City Council conference session set for 7 p.m. Monday includes public hearings about the proposed budget, a related tax cap override, and increases that push the water rate to $6.52 per 1,000 gallons and sewer rate to $3.23 per 1,000 gallons. The session will be on the second floor of City Hall.
During a recent council meeting, City Councilman Bob Bialkowski reminded citizens that “this is a good time” for the public to attend and speak up about the budget and related items before council members take a final vote to adopt the $38.8 million plan.
The projected tax rate is $8.46 per $1,000 assessed property value, for a 50-cent decrease from the current rate of $8.96, or a total decrease of $50 per year for a home assessed at $100,000 — if property assessments remain the same.
The entire amount necessary, property and legal be raised by tax to defray the expenditures of the city of Batavia for fiscal year 2025-26 is $7.2 million
Total of all funds is $38,847,699, including City Centre and health insurance costs of $4,405,781, total water, wastewater and workers’ comp of $12,062,421, $511,177 for street maintenance, $486,042 for snow removal, $113,039 for street lights and traffic signals, $300,000 going into sidewalks, $130,000 for parking lots, $617,255 for parks, and $437,423 for inspection.
Other costs include:
$43,391 for Dwyer Stadium and $18,007 for David McCarthy ice rink
$87,847 for summer recreation programs, per a contract with the YMCA
$5,000 for Genesee Orleans Council on the Arts and $14,585 for community celebrations
$256,519 for administrative services, $116,699 for economic development
$269,235 for legal services, $900,000 for general fund reserves
$49,857 for City Council expenses, $160,517 for city manager
Employees, including the Police Benevolent Association, CSEA administrative personnel, are slated for a 2.5% increase, firefighters for a 3% increase and AFSCME, City Council, manager and non-union are to receive a 3.5% increase.
City Council gave itself a raise in April 2022, bumping up its salary from $3,500 to $5,000 for all council members, except the president, whose role earns a larger sum of $7,000, an increase from $4,900. This raise will add another $175 for each member and $245 for the president.
Public safety costs have increased by $800,000 for full staffing, contractual raises, technology subscriptions, additional spending on the Neighborhood Enforcement Team and retirement expenses, City Manager Rachael Tabelski said in the budget summary.
Other matters for discussion include a summer recreation agreement with the YMCA, bid awards, Empire State Development Pro Housing Incentive funding, and a lease agreement with Batavia Players.
Dr. Cassandra Williams speaking at 400 Towers on Thursday as part of a Black History Month dinner. Photo by Howard Owens.
Equal treatment in medicine has been a long struggle for Black Americans, Dr. Cassandra Williams told more than two dozen 400 Towers residents on Thursday following a Black History Celebration Dinner.
Williams is the medical director for Terrace View Long Term Care in Buffalo.
"I grew up on the east side of Buffalo," Williams said. "For the people that are not from Buffalo, it’s a predominantly black neighborhood. My dad had a high school education. My mom had an associate's degree. From as early as the fifth grade, I wanted to be a doctor. That's all I knew. There were none in my community, of course, but I wanted to do that. There was so much sickness, from my brother having lymphoma and taking chemotherapy at nine to my father being a brittle type-one diabetic and my grandmother having schizophrenia. I saw doctors as one of the ones that made people better."
(Her brother was cured, she said, which brought a round of applause. He currently lives in Fairport.)
Black History Month, Williams told the residents, has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1976, when President Gerald Ford recognized it nationally as a time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans.
It grew out of Negro History Week, which was started by historian Carter G. Woodson and others in 1926. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and escaped slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
Then, Williams ran through important dates in medicine for African Americans.
Dr. James Durham was born into slavery in 1762. He bought his freedom and began his own medical practice, becoming the first Black doctor in the United States. He is best known for saving more Yellow Fever patients than any other physician.
In 1847, Dr. James McCune Smith graduated from the University of Glasgow, becoming the first African American to earn a medical degree.
In 1862, in Augusta, Ga., the Jackson Street Hospital was the first hospital for African Americans. It had 50 beds.
In 1864, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African American female to earn a medical degree.
In 1868, Howard University was established to educate African American doctors.
Howard University was needed, Williams said, because segregation prevented Black students from attending all-white schools.
Also, in response to racism, in 1895, the National Medical Association was founded since African Americans were barred from other established medical groups like the American Medical Association.
In 1936, Dr. William Augustus Hinton's book on syphilis treatment was the first medical textbook written by an African American.
In 1968, Prentice Harrison was the first African American to be formally educated as a physician assistant.
In 1973, Patricia Bass was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology. She later founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.
In 1981, Alexa Canada became the first African American woman neurosurgeon.
"Now, if you think about that, in 1981, she's the first African American woman neurosurgeon. That's not that long ago," Williams said. "That's like, that's after I was born. So that's recent."
The legacy of racism lingers. As of 2019, only 5% of the doctors in the U.S. are Black, while 13.6% of the population is Black.
She also discussed the disparities in health outcomes for African Americans compared to white Americans.
"There remains significant racial disparities, disparities in life expectancy, maternal deaths, and infant mortality amongst African Americans," Williams said. "Again, why? Why is that? What accounts for the Black-White health disparities? Is it family formation, culture, education, neighborhood disadvantage, employment insurance? None of these fully account for the difference when making all things equal, such as location, education, income level, city or rural, African Americans continue to have worse outcomes with most medical conditions."
One potential cause may be distrust of healthcare providers in African American communities because of past practices of the white establishment. That came up most recently during the pandemic, and there was a high rate of vaccine resistance in Black communities to vaccines.
"Granted, not just African Americans but people from all races were hesitant to take the vaccine for their own reasons, but the reason for a lot of African Americans was because of a history of unethical and racially targeted experiments," Williams said. "A few examples include gruesome experiments on enslaved people, such as doing surgery without anesthesia to see what would happen. Forced sterilization of black women ... and the very infamous Tuskegee experiment, where people who had syphilis, which could lead to anything from sores to brain damage, were not treated."
White doctors wanted to see what would happen to untreated Black patients, so while the patients thought they were receiving penicillin shots, they were actually getting injected with a saline solution.
"Penicillin is one of the cheapest, the oldest antibiotics you can get your hands on," she said.
"They were coming and coming weekly and getting shots, just like everybody else, but they were getting saline, right? They were getting nothing, but they wanted to see, but they were doing tests on them to see sores, the brain damage, to see what would happen."
That's part of the reason Blacks in America continue to distrust the medical establishment.
"Studies have found African Americans are consistently under-treated for pain, and often when they are evaluated by medical professionals, there are assumptions, such as, they are not married, uneducated or come from a poor environment," Williams said. "This is not in history. This is today. This is current data."
As a Black woman doctor, Williams has encountered prejudice throughout her career.
"In this day and age, there have been some subtle and some not-so-subtle racial and sexist roadblocks and remarks that I've had to deal with and persevere through," Williams said. "I've probably been asked if I was a CNA, the housekeeper, the nurse, the dietitian, more than others. Even though I wear my white coat all the time -- and that's the reason I wear it all the time, because the people I work with and work around look just like me. When I walk into the room, they don't know who I am so I introduce myself. I wear my white coat. I wear my stethoscope. Some people still say. "I didn't see the doctor today. "The doctor never came and saw me. They're like, 'Doctor? I'm sure she was in here.' They're like, "Oh, that was the doctor?' 'Yeah, that was her. That was the doctor.'"
Even so, Williams loves what she does.
"At this stage of my life, I love my career choice. I love the challenge. I'm grateful to be in the profession I'm in. I thank God, who is the head of my life, for guiding my steps through this journey."
Photo by Howard Owens.
Photo by Howard Owens.
Nathan Varland, director of 400 Towers, resident Augustine Flemings, who acted as host of the event, Dr. Cassandra Williams, and Jeremai Williams, pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and at First Baptist Church in Batavia. Cassandra and Jeremai met in college and Cassandra said she told him when they were first dating, she was going to be a doctor and he better be ready for the ride. It's been a lot of sacrifices, she said, but they've endured. Photo by Howard Owens.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Craft Cannery owner Paul Guglielmo Thursday in Bergen. Photo by Howard Owens.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley loves learning about successful entrepreneurs who set up shop in his district, and on Thursday, Hawley met Paul Guglielmo, owner of Craft Cannery in Bergen, for the first time.
"This is what we all read about and hear about from yesteryear, in a lot of ways, an individual who has an idea -- he missed his Grandpa's Italian sauce, that Sunday tradition -- and he missed that so much that in his heart and his mind and his wallet, he said, 'Maybe I can do this and make Grandpa's sauce,'" Hawley said during a tour of the plant. "Here we are today. A great, great example of what you can do if you put your mind, hard work and long hours into an idea."
He said his company's manufacturing capacity in 2019 was about 200 gallons of sauce and related products a day, and now the plant produces 1,000 gallons a day. That includes Guglielmo's branded sauces as well as sauces and similar products for other brands.
"We're doing about 10 times what we were doing in 2019 in terms of gross revenue. Employee-wise, this was a three-employee operation on May 1, 2020, which is the day we actually took over the plant," Guglielmo said. "It was three employees. And today, we're at 19. The square footage went from the back of that old pizzeria, which was 5,000 square feet to today, it's 11,600 square feet."
Hawley said he hadn't spoken with Guglielmo specifically about possible trials and tribulations of starting a business in the challenging regulatory environment of New York, but the fact that Guglielmo has succeeded here is a testament to his hard work.
"If you put your mind on anything, no matter where you are, and you you give it your all, there never is a guarantee in life, but oft times, you're rewarded because of that hard work, that investment, and the belief in yourself and your product," Hawley said. "So it's New York, but we hope more people come, and we hope more people stay."
Three new art shows opened at GO ART! in Batavia on Thursday evening, with Lorie Longhany drawing the spotlight with a collection of work she calls, "happy paintings."
She paints small works in her living room to tap into themes of solitude, contentment, and nostalgia.
Also in the opening were works by Bryan Wright (who was unable to attend the opening), drawing inspiration from his enjoyment of oceans. The coastal-themed exhibition featured ocean creatures sculpted with basic metal fabrication.
On the third floor is a showcase called African Heritage through Arts and Crafts. The exhibition has a special focus on Jamaican arts and crafts alongside select pieces from Africa. This multi-artist show highlights African and Jamaican artists' rich cultural heritage and artistic vibrancy. It also contributes to the celebration of Black History Month at GO ART!
UConnectCare has promoted Kathy Hodgins of Medina, a 23-year-employee of the nonprofit substance use prevention, treatment and recovery agency, to chief executive officer.
Hodgins succeeds John Bennett, who resigned to become director of network development with Forward Leading IPA’s WeLinkCare social care network. Her first day in her new role was Feb. 8.
Hodgins has held several key positions with UConnectCare since starting as a chemical dependency counselor in 2002, most recently serving as chief clinical officer for the past five years. She also was the agency’s director of Treatment Services in Orleans County from 2012-18, assistant director of Treatment from 2009-12 and assistant director of Forensics and Satellite Services from 2006-09.
As chief executive officer, she will oversee a staff of that has expanded to about 150 employees and an annual budget that has grown to about $13 million.
“I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to contribute my expertise in collaboration, implementation of policy and procedures, and dedicated leadership to our organization,” Hodgins said. “My experience in all aspects of the agency has prepared me well to manage complex issues, ensuring that UConnectCare continues to operate smoothly and effectively in delivering outstanding patient care.”
Hodgins said she aspired to become the agency’s CEO someday and credited the mentorship of Bennett and David Markham, the previous executive director.
“I have been able to accomplish much in Orleans County when I was a director because John gave me the autonomy and he knew that I had the best interests of the agency at heart,” she said. “And I completed my master’s degree under Dave Markham, and I did my internship at his marriage and family practice. I have been privileged to work with such patient-focused individuals.”
Hodgins received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Buffalo after earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from Brockport State College and an associate’s degree in human services from Genesee Community College.
A licensed social worker and credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, Hodgins also is an adjunct instructor at Genesee Community College, where she implements lesson plans on the use, misuse and abuse of drugs and alcohol, and supports the Royal Employer Assistance Program as a counselor.
Her civic involvement includes Leadership Genesee, Leadership Orleans, Genesee Community College Human Services Advisory Board, Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here and WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium.
Hodgins said her leadership style is one that allows directors the freedom to try new things and work across departments and other community agencies for the common good.
“I embrace collaboration, and I like change; I’m a change agent,” she said. “I’m proud of the way the agency has grown to be able to provide what we call a ‘continuum of care.’ People can come into UConnectCare and start with detoxification, they can go to inpatient, they can go to residential, outpatient. For such a small town, we provide a wide range of services.”
She said she is looking forward to the expected opening of a residence for women and children in Albion this spring and the integration of the main building’s waiting area on East Main Street in Batavia.
“We have a DOH (Department of Health) grant that we will use to combine the two waiting rooms (treatment and methadone) into one,” she said. “That definitely will help reduce the stigma.”
Hodgins called The Recovery Station (on Clinton Street Road) “a hidden gem” – a place where those in recovery can not only receive valuable services but also enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free social setting.
“Our goal is to utilize that site more and more,” she said, noting that she wished it could have been located in the city for easier access.
Hodgins and her husband of 42 years, Michael, have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Michael is currently on the list to receive a second heart transplant. The couple is awaiting word from the Cleveland Clinic.
“The same week that I found out I was hired as CEO, my husband was notified that he is on the list for the transplant,” she said. “That was cause for a dinner celebration at Bent’s Opera House (in Medina).”
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), serving Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties, is excited to announce the recent awarding of a $371,176 grant by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation and the Rochester Area Community Foundation. This essential funding will establish The Independent Living Youth Project (ILYP), a two-year pilot program aimed at providing enhanced services for disabled youth and their caregivers.
The grant will fund two Independent Living Youth Specialists who will offer direct services and support to children and youth under 25 years old with disabilities, as well as their families and caregivers, helping them navigate this complex system.
Connecting to Our Existing Aims
As a peer-directed, regional advocacy, service, and program provider for people of all ages with mental, physical, intellectual, sensory, or developmental disabilities, ILGR is dedicated to ensuring that these individuals can live their lives as they choose, free from institutional care and restrictive environments.
While our Independent Living Specialists serve all ages, we recognize that disabled children and youth, along with their caregivers, often require specialized services and support. Their families report higher out-of-pocket medical expenses, spend more time coordinating their child's healthcare, and sometimes reduce or stop working due to their child's health.
Many families seek assistance with applying for public benefits and need direct support to navigate the process. Additionally, parents face challenges in developing the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for their child's school support.
Adolescents with disabilities often struggle to transition to adult services, self-advocate, find employment, and live independently.
Youths with disabilities and their families deserve a comprehensive, community-based, family-centered, and coordinated system of care.
"We're thrilled to launch this pilot project, which will enable us to provide focused assistance to youth under 25 years old and their families," said Rae Frank, Director of Independent Living of the Genesee Region. "Navigating a complex system can be challenging for this population, and additional support will assist them to succeed."
“The Greater Rochester Health Foundation is thrilled to be able to support the Independent Youth Living Project, a program that empowers youth with disabilities and their families,” stated Rachel Betts, Responsive Grant Program Officer at the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, “The challenges these families face are significant, but with specialized advocacy, direct support, and a focus on independence, Western NY Independent Living can make a meaningful impact. By providing resources like educational advocacy, assistance with benefits, and youth leadership opportunities, this initiative will equip these young individuals with the skills and services they need to thrive in their communities. The Independent Living Center’s commitment to improving the quality of life for these youth is both inspiring and necessary, and we are excited to fund this program that will bring about real, lasting change for so many families in our community.”
For more information or support contact 585-815-8501.
On Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23, the Legends and Stars Sports Collectors Expo will have several former Buffalo Football, Hockey and Basketball Players, Hall of Fame Hockey Athletes and Buffalo born actor, Chad Michael Murray, present inside of the Park Place Events Center at Batavia Downs located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.
The Memorabilia Show with vendors will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 22 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 23. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Admission for all others is $10. Paid admission receives $10 in Free Play on the Gaming Floor. Full details including autograph prices available on Legendsandstars.net.
Certified Guaranty Company and James Spence Authentication will be at the show offering authentication and grading services. Autographed cards may be submitted for CGC x JSA Authentic Autograph certification, and autographed memorabilia may be submitted for JSA-only services. CGC will also be accepting submissions of unsigned TCGs, sports cards, and non-sports cards for grading.
Athletes, Career Highlights/Teams Played for and Autograph Times are as follows:
Saturday, February 22:
Bryan Trottier - NHL HOF 1997, 6X Stanley Cup Champion - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chris Chelios - NHL HOF 2013, 3X Stanley Cup Champion - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Doug Gilmour - NHL HOF 2011, Stanley Cup Champion, Former Sabre - 12 to 1 p.m.
Frank Reich - Former Buffalo QB, led “the Comeback” - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Kyle Williams - Former Buffalo DT, 6X Pro Bowler - 1 to 2 p.m.
London Fletcher - Super Bowl Champion, 4X Pro Bowl, Former Buffalo LB - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Steve Christie - Former Buffalo Kicker, All -Pro - 2 to 3 p.m.
Drew Pearson - NFL HOF 2021 Super Bowl Champion, Former Cowboy - 2 to 3 p.m.
Billy Smith - NHL HOF 1993, 4X Stanley Cup Champion - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Chad Michael Murray* - Actor on One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls & Various Films - 12 to 3 p.m.
*Mr. Murray will be in the Autograph Area for the entire 3 hour window for autographs and table selfies
Sunday, February 23:
Ernie DiGregorio - 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year, Former Buffalo Brave - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Brad Park - NHL HOF 1988, 7X All-Star, NHL’s 100 Greatest Players - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gilbert Perreault - NHL HOF 1990, 8X All-Star, Former Buffalo Sabre - 12 to 1 p.m.
Adam Oates - NHL HOF 2012, 5X All-Star, NHL’s 100 Greatest Players - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Thurman Thomas - NFL HOF 2007, 1991 NFL MVP, 5x Pro Bowl, Former Buffalo RB - 1 to 2 p.m.
As a result of the ongoing extreme winter weather that has impacted all of western New York over the past week, Batavia Downs management has canceled the live card of harness racing scheduled for Thursday (Feb. 20) in an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of all the participants.
Live racing will resume on Monday (Feb. 24) at 3 p.m., which will be the last card of the winter meet.
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