Public Notice
The annual meeting of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, of Alexander, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday May 11th at 10276 Gillate Road, Alexander.
All cemetery plot owners and family members as well as any interested community members are welcome to attend.
Press release:
Listen to the chorus of spring and get to know your small, slimy, singing neighbors with Amphibian Adventure at the Genesee County Park & Forest on Saturday, April 17th, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.!
Meet us at the Interpretive Nature Center to learn how to identify our pest-eating pals.
Then we will venture into the wetlands and forest at night to search for amphibians in their habitat! Hear their many calls as they welcome spring and find out what you can do to help your tiny, big-eyed friends!
Dress for the weather, amphibians love rainybnights and this program will go rain or shine!
Cost is $5/person, $10/family.
Space is limited. Preregistration is required. Call (585) 344-1122 to reserve your spot!
Masks must be worn inside the Interpretive Nature Center and whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance.
Participants are encouraged to wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
For more information visit our website, or contact Shannon Lyaski at: Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us
Gilliana's Diner in Batavia is donating 30 percent of all take-out dinner sales to benefit the Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club on Thursday, April 29.
Time is 4 to 8 p.m.
The diner is located at 41 Jackson St. in Downtown Batavia.
The club provides scholarships to local youth and monetary wards to nonprofit organizations to help further their missions in our community.
Visit Gilliana's Diner Facebook Page here.
Visit the website of Gilliana's Diner here.
From Lisa Wittmeyer:
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is Spring Cleaning!
We’re hosting a FREE Clothing Give-a-way on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, in front of our building, located at 5073 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.
We’ll have other household items available as well.
Please wear your mask and social distance.
The 4-H Family & Consumer Science Club is holding a Hanging Basket Sale.
All proceeds benefit the club.
Hanging baskets of petunias and million bells (calibrachoa) are $20 each, no order limits.
Order now through May 3rd. The baskets will be available for pick up Friday, May 7th, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. It is located at 420 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.
Colors will be first come first serve at the time of pick up.
Please pay by cash or check made payable to "CCE Genesee."
To order, contact a 4-H FCS Club member or email Alicia Spoth: aliciamkeller@outlook.com
From Angelina Pellegrino:
On Saturday and Sunday May 15 and 16, I am hosting a yard sale at my house at 150 State St. in Batavia. Time both days is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..
All the proceeds are going to the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.
Most of my rocks are up for purchase/ donation as well. There are many new ones I have put out this year.
I encourage everyone If they are Spring cleaning and are getting rid of any items, including toys clothes furniture, etc. to donate them for this sale. I will pick your stuff up or you can drop it off.
Press release:
The Batavia Society of Artists is having a Virtual Hands-on Art Demonstration by artist Karen Crittenden at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13th.
It is open to nonmembers for a $5 fee, please go to the society's Facebook page to sign up. Members will receive an email with Zoom meeting info.
Crittenden is a local mixed-media artist and photographer who owns and operates a niche craft store -- Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors at 550 E. Main St. in Batavia.
She teaches there and offers a variety of lessons. She is a lifelong artist, learner and enjoys sharing what she does with others.
To play along with this mixed-media offering you will need:
Optional
A webinar focusing on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication will be offered via Zoom videoconference from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.
It is sponsored by the Upstate New York Poison Center and is the third webinar in their Health Educator Series. Anyone interested in the topic is welcome to register for it.
Mary Beth Dreyer, MS, will conduct the webinar.
Participants will discover:
Press release:
The New York-based Equine Collaborative International (ECI), Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, Monty Roberts, Dr. Maria Katsamasis, Frank Lovato Jr., and Bernice Ende have teamed up to produce an equine educational webinar series that begins this evening (March 24) at 7:30 p.m. EST and opens with Katsamasis on “Rethinking Riding.”
The webinar series has limited availability and access to the entire series can be purchased for one small fee $25 for adults or $15 for youth under the age of 18. Each year including 2020, ECI has held an in-person March Meet-Up in Western New York to raise scholarship funds for young equine enthusiasts in need, but in 2021 is replacing the annual in-person event with this webinar series in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are very excited to have this great lineup of presenters for our first webinar series,” said Phyllis Jensen, president of Equine Collaborative International LLC. “The diversity of their topics allows us a truly ‘something for everyone’ situation as these dedicated horse people share many years of expertise and experience.”
“We’re elated to offer such an outstanding panel of world-class speakers that will help Equine Collaborative International live up to its name by making this series available around the globe,” said Marty Irby, a director of Equine Collaborative International LLC and executive director at Animal Wellness Action.
“Horse enthusiasts will have an opportunity to ask questions and our iconic American equines will be represented by one of the most diverse and talented panels assembled since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.”
All funds received will go directly to Equine Collaborative International LLC
REGISTER AT: www.paypal.me/eci2021
Single registration fee gains you entrance to all six webinars!
$25 for adult non-members $15 youth non-members
$15 for adult members $10 youth members
$0 for 2021 New Members
Please message with PayPal payment your e-mail address so you can receive the link to the webinars and if you are submitting for webinar only or for membership as well.
For all Questions or Concerns: e-mail 411eci@gmail.com
Or call: (716) 912-2100
All presentations begin at 7:30 p.m. EST except where noted.
*****This event with Monty Roberts begins at 6 p.m. EST on 4/14/21*****
Biographies for 2021 Spring Kick-Off Presenters
Monty Roberts
Monty Roberts is a world-renowned horseman and best-selling author of several books (printed in more than 15 languages and having sold more than five million copies) on training, his relationship with horses, and the horse language that he recognized and has developed as part of his training technique. Roberts won his first rodeo trophy at age 4 and has gone on to successfully compete in the rodeo and show world, breeding championship Thoroughbred racehorses and establishing horsemanship schools at his home base in Solvang, Calif., and more recently online. Viewed internationally as the ‘father’ of and most profound promoter of Natural Horsemanship, Monty has been training horses for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and was recently named in People Magazine as one of Her Majesty’s top five inner circle. Monty Roberts’ presentation will include “Methodology, Training and His Experiences” and will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
Marty Irby
Marty Irby is the executive director at Animal Wellness Action in Washington, D.C. Irby worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) as Communications Director and Science, NASA, and Agriculture Policy Advisor. In August of 2020, Irby was recognized with a commendation from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, II, for his extraordinary efforts to reduce violence in the training of horses, only the second occasion in world history the British Crown has given such a presentation. Irby served as president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association from 2010-2012, where he led the charge to bring an end to the painful practice of “soring” walking horses. Prior to his presidency Irby was an eight-time World Champion equestrian rider and driver. He was named by The Hill as one of the nation’s Top Lobbyists for 2019 and 2020 and is a native of South Alabama who grew up on a horse and cattle farm in Mobile. His written works on equine protection have been published across America. Currently, Irby serves on the board of directors at Equine Collaborative International and the Organization for Competitive Markets.
Scott Beckstead
Scott Beckstead is a lifelong horseman and has fought against the slaughter of horses for human consumption and against wide-scale roundups of wild horses and burros throughout the West. He is an outspoken critic of the BLM’s current approach to mass roundups and the agency’s minimal use of humane fertility control programs in the field. In his role as the director of campaigns at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, Beckstead continues his long history of animal welfare policy accomplishments in the state of Oregon, and on the national stage including efforts to reform inhumane wildlife management practices, factory farming, and industrial mink farming. A native of Idaho, Beckstead has taught Animal Law, Wildlife Law and Policy, and Endangered Species Act at Willamette University College of Law since 2010. Most recently, Beckstead led a program working with farmers and ranchers who adhere to more humane, sustainable, and regenerative animal husbandry practices. He served as mayor of Waldport, Oregon for five years. He lives in Sutherlin, Ore., with his wife, Jackie, their children, grandson, and a menagerie that includes dogs, cats, and a rabbit named Mr. Hobbes.
Scott’s topic for the webinar will be Mustangs- America’s Wild Horses and Burros, the Bureau of Land Management, and their relationship to the horse slaughter pipeline.
Dr. Maria Katsamanis
A native of Greece, Dr. Maria is now based in Ringoes, New Jersey at her training facility, where she resides with her Marwari stallion. From there she also runs her nonprofit Friends For Pegasus. She is a trainer, international clinician, exhibition rider, and author. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology and has the title of Assistant Professor at Rutgers University Medical School, has a horse program for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and has started a class for medical students teaching bedside manner using horses. Her classical dressage background encourages asking the horse for the best they can deliver, and she participated in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee as a display rider, but she resists competition as she prefers to allow the horse to be the best they can be without the constraints and directions demanded by showing.
Dr. Maria introduced the world to the concept of molecular equitation with her book, “The Alchemy of Lightness” (Trafalger Square Publishing, 2013) and she travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad for clinics and demonstrations.
She will speak On Rethinking Riding for her ECI Webinar and will be happy to entertain questions.
Frank Lovato Jr.
At the age of 4 years Frank Lovato Jr. decided to follow in his father’s boot steps and become a jockey. He left home at 14 and embarked on a journey that led him from farm hand to exercise rider, to apprentice, and became a jockey in 1979. This was followed by an amazing career in racing, which included being the leading apprentice in New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Louisiana and taking the Eclipse Award for Apprentice Jockey.
Following a racing injury, Frank created a wooden horse to assist in his rehab and this went on to become the Equicizer. Focusing on the Equicizer for his presentation, Frank will talk about its development and use not only in the racing industry but in training for all riding disciplines, films and all types of therapeutic riding.
In 2004 Frank was responsible for starting, Jockey World, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to providing reliable information, tools, guidance, and resources for anyone interested in pursuing a career in or having a better understanding of the racing industry.
At the age of 4 years old Frank Lovato, Jr., better known as "Frankie", decided to follow in his father’s boot steps and become a jockey. By the age of 16, his dream had come true and in 1980 his first-year racing professionally, he accomplished winning the highest achievement award given in thoroughbred horse racing, as the Eclipse Award-winning Apprentice of Nation.
However, in 1981, a freak racing accident left Frankie with a severely broken leg that questioned his future as a jockey. With this uncertainty, he created a contraption made of wood and springs to help him rehabilitate, train, and make an amazing comeback to racing. Years later, this wooden horse would become the Equicizer. Today, the Equicizer is used world-wide by all riding disciplines along with equine-assisted programs, therapies, and clinical therapies. Frankie's career as a jockey spanned 25 years, he has ridden over 16,000 races with 1,687 wins. His full-time job now is the Equicizer business, where builds and sells his horses to people all over the world, from his workshop in Norwalk, Ohio. On the side, Frankie created a nonprofit organization named Jockey World whose mission is to help educate kids who want a career in horse racing.
Bernice Ende
Now known best as, Lady Long Rider, author, filmmaker, and rider Bernice Ende was born into a Minnesota farm family. From her father she got a can-do spirit, from her mother she got the ability to search for horizons, and from the influence of three aunts, who were suffragists, she developed the independence that led her to saddling up at 50 years of age and riding off to visit her sister…2,000 miles away. One ride led to another, and Bernice has ridden over 30,000 miles encouraging women to have a voice, be independent and remember the great women who struggled as suffragists for the rights of females that exist today. She speaks plainly about the trials and tribulations presented by long rides and will answer questions at the end of her presentation.
****************************************************************
Equine Collaborative International, Inc. a 501( c ) 3 charitable non-profit organization. Empowering the Equine Community Through Cooperation and Education. Pro and non-pro horse persons coming from every discipline and interest to advocate for the horses and horse businesses to keep the industry moving in a positive direction. We look forward to serving you in your individual horsemanship journey and hope that you will join us and participate in our quest to help others. www.equinecollaborative.org
Animal Wellness Action (Action) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. We champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. We advocate for policies to stop dogfighting and cockfighting and other forms of malicious cruelty and to confront factory farming and other systemic forms of animal exploitation. To prevent cruelty, we promote enacting good public policies, and we work to enforce those policies. To enact good laws, we must elect good lawmakers, and that’s why we remind voters which candidates care about our issues and which ones don’t. We believe helping animals helps us all.
The Animal Wellness Foundation (Foundation) is a Los Angeles-based private charitable organization with a mission of helping animals by making veterinary care available to everyone with a pet, regardless of economic ability. We organize rescue efforts and medical services for dogs and cats in need and help homeless pets find a loving caregiver. We are advocates for getting veterinarians to the front lines of the animal welfare movement; promoting responsible pet ownership; and vaccinating animals against infectious diseases such as distemper. We also support policies that prevent animal cruelty and that alleviate suffering. We believe helping animals helps us all.
There will be a drive-thru “take-out only” chicken BBQ at the American Legion, 83 Market St., Attica, on Saturday, March 27th, starting at 12 p.m. until sold out.
Dinner will include: half chicken, salt potatoes, macaroni salad and dinner roll w/butter.
Dinners are $12 each and will benefit the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.
To reserve your dinners, call Jeff at (585) 813-2743.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Betesha Thompson to assist people with disabilities in the Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County (GOW) Region as a Medicaid Application Assistance Program (MAAP) Facilitated Enroller.
Thompson comes to ILGR after having gained experience as: a Heath Care Coordinator at East House in Rochester; a Children’s Behavior Health Service Provider at the Hillside Family of Agencies, also in Rochester; a Residential Living Specialist at Eagle Star Housing in East Pembroke; a Residential Advisor at Iroquois Job Care Center in Medina; and a Direct Support Professional at The Arc of Monroe in Rochester.
She holds a Regents Diploma from Albion High School.
Looking forward to assisting persons in need, Thompson says, "I intend to use all of my skills to make sure every individual I work with has that person-centered experience."
In this position, she will assist individuals who are over 65 years of age, legally blind, or receiving Social Security Disability in applying for Medicaid insurance by determining the type of Medicaid coverage that is best for them. She can even assist in completing the application and collecting necessary documentation to submit with the Medicaid application.
Additionally, she will conduct outreach activities to educate, engage and enroll qualified individuals who live in the GOW Region.
ILGR is delighted that Thompson is bringing her vast experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.
ILGR offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
Press release:
The Finger Lakes PGRC and The Western PGRC are teaming up to present a Virtual Problem Gambling Training Event!
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). Increase your knowledge of problem gambling, learn the signs of problem gambling, learn about new options and emerging trends in the gaming industry, and how YOU can help raise awareness of problem gambling in your community!
This is a FREE virtual event open to everyone interested in joining with their local PGRC (Problem Gambling Resource Center) to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
For more information or to register:
jwierzbicki@nyproblemgambling.org (Western PGRC Team Leader) -- (716) 572-5017
jhotaling@nyproblemgambling.org (Finger Lakes PGRC Team Leader) – (518) 603-5037
*If you or someone you know is struggling to control their gambling help is closer than you might think* www.nyproblemgamblingHELP.org. We are “Here to Help."
Press release:
The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting its next Trivia Night at the Museum on Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, the topic will be Irish History. You can either join us in person at the museum or via Zoom.
Our in-person audience will be limited to 12 people, and masks and social distancing will be required. If you would like to attend in person, please preregister by calling the museum at 585-343-4727.
If you would like to come in person we are asking for a donation in place of the regular admission. For the links to attend via Zoom please visit the museum’s Facebook page or website, www.hollandlandoffice.com, for more details.
The Holland Land Office Museum welcomes back No Blarney on Wednesday, March 17th at 7 p.m. for another St. Patrick’s Day concert. No Blarney will play all of your favorite Irish tunes from every era.
The concert will only be available via the museum’s YouTube channel, Holland Land Office Museum, as it will be livestreamed thanks to Paul Figlow. Please visit the museum’s Facebook page or website, www.hollandoffice.com, for the details to watch the livestream of the concert.
The Holland Land Office Musuem welcomes Nellie Ludemann of the Seneca Falls Historical Society on Tuesday, March 30 at 7 p.m. for its next edition of its Guest Speaker Series. The presentation will be on the life of an early women's rights activist, Amelia Jenks Bloomer.
The presentation will be available via Zoom and in person to a small group of up to 12 people to come to watch on our big screen.
All those in attendance must wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. If you would like to attend in person, please contact the museum by phone at (585) 343-4727 to preregister. Please visit the museum’s Facebook page or website, www.hollandlandoffice.com for more details.
Starting this Saturday morning, March 6, free clothes are being offered at the North Darien Bible Church.
The church, located at 9762 Simonds Road in Corfu, has two rooms chock full of clothing, coats and shoes for all ages and sizes.
Your window of opportunity is from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month.
Don't be shy, come on down and take your pick!
Mark Your Calendar: And note that in a month, on Saturday April 3, there will also be the church's premier Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10:30 in the morning -- sharp -- for kids through grade five (age 10 and under).
Press release:
The Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Spring Gun Raffle, via Facebook Live, will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 10th.
Prizes include 10 rifles, six shotguns and two pistols. Grand Prize is a Barrett Firearms Model 99 rifle .50 BMG w/bi-pod and case.
All previous tickets drawn will be re-entered for the grand prize drawing.
Guns are supplied by Sugarbush Armory, Attica.
Tickets are $20 each and are available at Alexander Country Deli, JDubs Pizza and Subs, Sunnyside Cycle or by calling (716) 870-6431 or (585) 507-9930.
From the Byron-Bergen Central School District:
The second quarter High Honor and Honor Rolls have been released for Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School by Principal Pat McGee.
McGee and the Byron-Bergen Central School District staff offer their congratulations to these students.
Additionally, the District would like to correct three mistakes in the original publication of the first quarter Honor Roll listings (published on The Batavian Dec. 1, 2020). Logan Czachorowski achieved High Honor Roll, Kayden Crocker and Pearl Jolliff both earned Honor Roll. Their absence from the original publication of first quarter listings was a data input error and the District congratulates them on their hard work and academic dedication.
Grade 7
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Katelyn Ball, Sara Bishop, Liam Boyle, Sarah Campbell, Gianna Clark, Connor Copani, Laura Curts, Justin Deleo, Cole DiQuattro, Gary Donofrio, Ava Goff, Gianna Graff, Mia Gray, Megan Jarkiewicz, Carter Kuipers, Sidney Maher, Grace Mundell, Bradley Pocock, Colin Rea, Allison Rimmerman, Katherine Rogoyski, Simone Scharvogel, Rayne Sheard, Hayden Starkweather, Elizabeth Starowitz, Aubrey Stein, Evan Williams, Emma Wolfe.
HONOR ROLL -- Kayden Crocker, Logan Czachorowski, Grace DiQuattro, Nial Johnson, Malacai McGrath, Maryn Meier, Paige O'Brien, Evan Orto, Solomon Smith.
Grade 8
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Ryan Benstead, Zachary Brookhart, Deborah Catalino, Kendall Chase, Abigail Cook, Amber Cromey, Isabella Davidson, Craig DiQuattro, Lea Donofrio, Peyton Goodenbery, Ava Gray, Samuel Hersom, Eli Kupfer, Ella Lewis, Jackson Lundfelt, Martin Mac Connell, Anna McLaughlin, Connor Moran, Meghan Muscarella, Adam Piper, Sydney Salmonds, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens, Olivia Senf, Trent Sheard, Roman Smith, Lily Stalica, Rose Wilson, Mikayla Yohon
HONOR ROLL -- Isabelle Best, Noah Clare, Chesney Fregoe, Haylee Gartz, Landon Kent, Arianne McLaughlin, Kasey Pagels, Natalie Prinzi, Ian Pulcini, James Starowitz, Ruger Starowitz.
Grade 9
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- HannahRae Amador, Brody Baubie, Tyler Chapman, Grayson Erion, Gabrielle Graff, Mackenzie Hagen, Makala Hoopengardner, Kaidance Kimble, Hanna Loewke, Colin Martin, Stephanie Onderdonk, Carter Prinzi, Victoria Rogoyski, Riley Sharpe, Malachi Smith, Emma Starowitz, Gabriel Vallese.
HONOR ROLL -- Jeffrey Borycki, Chloe Gilbert, Callista Kinkelaar, Lincoln McGrath, Travis Shallenberger, Liliana Vanegas, Connor Windhauser, Lydia Zaffrann, Megan Zwerka.
Grade 10
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Alyssa Ball, Cassidy Ball, David Brumsted, Dayanara Caballero, Cameron Carlson, Kendan Dressler, Frank Hersom, Alec Kulikowski, Ryan Muscarella, Valerie Pastore, Kendall Phillips. Elizabeth Piper, Austin Salmonds, Emily Salmonds, Zoey Shepard, Matthew Tanner, Ava Wagoner, Lillian Walker, Leyna Wheeler, Hannah Wies, Emily Yun. Sydney Zastrocky.
HONOR ROLL -- Jack Benstead, Jason Bleiler, Hailey Canfield, Caris Carlson, Robert Gaylord, Andrew Rimmerman, Alexandria Schuck, Julia Will, Nicholas Zwerka.
Grade 11
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Corin Abdella, Jared Barnum. Madison Burke, Caleb Calhoun, Caleb Carlson. Aidan Clark, Sadie Cook, Leanna Curts, Connor Gale, Christian Haller, Grace Huhn, Brooke Jarkiewicz, Danyel Nowatchik, Madelynn Pimm, Elli Schelemanow, Sasha Schramm, Aleigha Shallenberger, Grace Shepard, Alayna Streeter, Ella VanValkenburg. Alexandra Vurraro, Ashley Weit, Kaitlyn Windhauser, Corden Zimmerman.
HONOR ROLL -- Camryn Brookhart, Alexander Donnelly, Makenzie Eccleston, Meghan Kendall, Mikaylah Pocock, Elyssa Robbins, Jorie Strzelecki, Kaitlyn Zastrocky.
Grade 12
HIGH HONOR ROLL --Nicholas Baubie, Bianca Brumsted, Jonah Clare, Tylor Coats, Richard Denson, Jay Doyle, Veronica Duell, Joshua Fleming, Eden Goff, Sara Goodman, Devon Heick, Hope Hersom, Kelly Ireland, Carli Kirkwood, Colby Leggo, Logan Lewis, Julia Pangrazio, Andrew Parnapy, Bryanne Puma, Matthew Rada. Alaura Rehwaldt, Skylar Sharpe, Deacon Smith, Sarah Sue Streeter. Devon Zinter
HONOR ROLL -- Carleigh Buell, Zoey Chambry, Adriana Guzman. Aiden Kulikowski, Jaden Pocock. Joshua Swapceinski.
For the record, people of Genesee County please know that at least one couple residing here takes issue with the 2021 foretoken of the season's weather revealed Tuesday.
That would be Stafford denizens Walt and Kathleen Kershenski.
"My Wife and I are going to dispute Punxsutawney Phil’s Prognostication regarding six more weeks of Winter," Walt declared in an email to The Batavian.
They have evidence, they claim, that puts the lie to the outlook of a world-famous woodchuck in the state below ours.
As everyone knows, on Feb. 2 furry Phil is awoken early by members of his "inner circle," all dressed to the nines, at Gobbler's Knob, borough of Punxatawney, Jefferson County, Pa. The rodent, a member of the family Sciuridae (belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots), manifests itself outside his earthen den to see if he can see his own shadow.
If the little seer does, as was the case the day before yesterday, lore has it that the end of this drear is not near.
In fact, there's suppose be a winter storm tomorrow and Saturday, dumping up to nine inches of lake effect snow, with wind gusts up to 45 mph, prompting the staunchly prescient Kershenskis to, hypothetically, yodel in unison "Pshaw!"
"To our surprise, on Groundhog Day this week we saw a flock of birds land in our crabapple tree next to our bird feeders," says Walt. "It was a flock of at least 20 to 25 robins. They stayed for a while and feasted on the crabapples and then left. Unfortunately I did not have my camera nearby, so I could not get a picture."
But we can imagine it nonetheless.
And know that monotonous chill will give way to green and warmth, that forsythia will suddenly sprout -- yellow as Harvey Ross Ball's original Smiley Face, and we'll be the happier for it.
"We just wanted to boost people's spirits," Walt says, adding hopefully "and maybe there will be an early spring after all?"
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) welcomes Alan Huntington to its staff to be their Program Specialist to coordinate Continuum of Care for Western New York (CoC) services in partnership with the Homeless Alliance of Western New York in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties.
A concept introduced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a Continuum of Care is a collaborative funding and planning approach that helps communities plan for and provide, as necessary, a full range of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for homeless as well as other resources to address their needs.
He will encourage participation in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) as well as regularly meet with Warming Shelters and other organizations to provide information on resources to their direct service staff.
Huntington brings useful experience from his recent work with the City of Amarillo, Texas, where he was trained on HMIS and worked with the CoC committees to end homelessness for veterans in that area. He was also assisting the social workers on the Coming Home housing project there which helped those who are chronically homeless and have complex needs.
Huntington holds a law degree from the University of Colorado Law School, Class of 2011. His defense of an innocent homeless man in one of his trials led to his desire to further serve the homeless. He says that, “You will find a passionate advocate for my home county and area homeless individuals in me.”
ILGR is delighted that Alan Huntington is bringing his passion and experience in helping homeless people to serve the GOW region in his new capacity.
Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living, Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.
There will be assorted fresh-baked Christmas Cookies boxed and ready for pick up at the Batavia First United Methodist Church on Dec. 19.
This fundraiser offers 16-20 cookies in a one-pound box for $10.
Please order in advance by phoning the church office at (585) 343-4708. Orders must be received by Thursday, Dec. 10.
Drive-thru pick up will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Batavia First United Methodist Church, 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia.
Additional cookies may be available on the 19th until sold out.
The first quarter of Jr./Sr. High Honor, Honor and Effort Commendation Rolls have been released for Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School by Pat McGee, 7-12 principal.
Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School Honor and Effort Commendation Rolls*
Grade 7
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Katelyn Ball, Liam Boyle, Sarah Campbell, Gianna Clark, Connor Copani, Logan Czachorowski, Justin Deleo, Cole DiQuattro, Gary Donofrio, Estelle Dumuhosky, Ava Goff, Gianna Graff, Mia Gray, Megan Jarkiewicz, Carter Kuipers, Evianna Marts, Maryn Meier, Grace Mundell, Bradley Pocock, Colin Rea, Allison Rimmerman, Katherine Rogoyski, Rayne Sheard, Hayden Starkweather, Elizabeth Starowitz, Aubrey Stein, Evan Williams, Emma Wolfe.
HONOR ROLL -- Kayden Crocker, Laura Curts, Savannah Heick, Elijah Hiscutt, Pearl Jolliff, Sidney Maher, Evan Orto, Simone Scharvogel.
Grade 8
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Deborah Catalino, Kendall Chase, Abigail Cook, Isabella Davidson, Craig DiQuattro, Lea Donofrio, Peyton Goodenbery, Ava Gray, Samuel Hersom, Ella Lewis, Jackson Lundfelt, Martin Mac Connell, Anna McLaughlin, Connor Moran, Meghan Muscarella, Adam Piper, Natalie Prinzi, Ashley Schlenker-Stephens, Olivia Senf, Trent Sheard, Roman Smith, Lily Stalica, James Starowitz, Rose Wilson, Mikayla Yohon.
HONOR ROLL -- Ryan Benstead, Isabelle Best, Zachary Brookhart, Jake Carlson, Noah Clare, Amber Cromey, Annabelle Erion, Jack Farner, Chesney Fregoe, Sophia Frongetta, Haylee Gartz, Aryan Klein, Eli Kupfer, Kasey Pagels, Ian Pulcini, Sydney Salmonds, Ruger Starowitz, Abigale West.
Grade 9
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- HannahRae Amador, Brody Baubie, Tyler Chapman, Grayson Erion, Gabrielle Graff, Makala Hoopengardner, Kaidance Kimble, Hanna Loewke, Colin Martin, Stephanie Onderdonk, Carter Prinzi, Victoria Rogoyski, Riley Sharpe, Malachi Smith, Gabriel Vallese.
HONOR ROLL -- Carlee Barons, Jeffrey Borycki, Chloe Gilbert, Autumn Hafner, Mackenzie Hagen, Callista Kinkelaar, Lincoln McGrath, Travis Shallenberger, Emma Starowitz, Connor Windhauser, Lydia Zaffrann.
Grade 10
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Cassidy Ball, Jack Benstead, Jason Bleiler, David Brumsted, Dayanara Caballero, Cameron Carlson, Caris Carlson, Frank Hersom, Alec Kulikowski, Ryan Muscarella, Valerie Pastore, Kendall Phillips, Elizabeth Piper, Austin Salmonds, Brianna Salmonds, Emily Salmonds, Zoey Shepard, Matthew Tanner, Ava Wagoner, Lillian Walker, Leyna Wheeler, Hannah Wies.
HONOR ROLL -- Alyssa Ball, Hailey Canfield, Robert Gaylord, Alexandria Schuck, Sydney Zastrocky, Nicholas Zwerka.
Grade 11
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Madison Burke, Caleb Calhoun, Caleb Carlson, Aidan Clark, Leanna Curts, Makenzie Eccleston, Connor Gale, Grace Huhn, Brooke Jarkiewicz, Danyel Nowatchik, Madelynn Pimm, Mikaylah Pocock, Elli Schelemanow, Sasha Schramm, Aleigha Shallenberger, Grace Shepard, Alayna Streeter, Ella VanValkenburg, Alexandra Vurraro, Ashley Weit, Kaitlyn Windhauser, Kaitlyn Zastrocky, Corden Zimmerman.
HONOR ROLL -- Corin Abdella, Jared Barnum, Rachel Best, Camryn Brookhart, Sadie Cook, Alexander Donnelly, Christian Haller, Meghan Kendall, Molly Simms.
Grade 12
HIGH HONOR ROLL -- Nicholas Baubie, Carleigh Buell, Hallie Calhoun, Jonah Clare, Tylor Coats, Richard Denson, Veronica Duell, Joshua Fleming, Eden Goff, Sara Goodman, Jonathan Hahn, Devon Heick, Hope Hersom, Kelly Ireland, Trebor Johnston, Carli Kirkwood, Colby Leggo, Logan Lewis, Julia Pangrazio, Andrew Parnapy, Bryanne Puma, Matthew Rada, Alaura Rehwaldt, Skylar Sharpe, Mason Singer, Deacon Smith, Sarah Streeter, Amanda Stutzman, Joshua Swapceinski, Xavier Thomas, Devon Zinter.
HONOR ROLL -- Bianca Brumsted, Zoey Chambry, Jay Doyle, Matthew Gonyea, Mitchell Gonyea, Jaden Pocock, Julia Schlenker-Stephens.
*(Editor's Note: This post was updated on Feb. 1, 2021 to correct three mistakes in the original publication on Dec. 1, 2020 of the first quarter Honor Roll listings. The following corrections for Grade 7 are now reflected in this post: Logan Czachorowski achieved High Honor Roll; Kayden Crocker and Pearl Jolliff both earned Honor Roll. "These students' names were absent from the district's original publication due to a data input error and "the District congratulates them on their hard work and academic dedication.")
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