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Announcements

Genesee Country Farmer's Market Announces Weekly Winners

By Patricia Hawley

The Genesee Country Farmer’s Market is pleased to announce the winners of its weekly drawings:
Winner of the $50.00 Oliver’s Candies Gift Card – Nick Dillabough, Newfane, NY
Winner of the Farmer’s Market Bag o’Produce – Bernard Hoerbelt, Batavia, NY

Vendors at the market contribute produce from their stand each week throughout the season. Items are placed in a large, reusable tote bag. To sign up, visit the EBT/Food Stamp table at the Genesee Country Farmer’s Market on Tuesday and/or Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.    
 

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity to draw name of new owner of shed

By Ronald Burroughs

Genesee County Habitat for Humanity volunteers have built a "play house" that they are calling "Little Habitat House". Habitat board members have tickets available for the raffle to be in September. You can also go to the Habitat web site    www.geneseehabitat.com  to purchase tickets online. The play house will also be at various  locations in the county. The price of tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Procedes from raffle will be used for the next house for a Habitat family. The play house interior dimensions are 6' x 8' and the outside dimensions are 6' X 10' X 6'. The committee will deliver the playhouse to the winner up to a 30 mile radius of Batavia.

A dozen local kids are part of "Charlie Brown" production

By Billie Owens

A dozen local students will be in the performances of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" on Friday and Saturday at Genesee Community College.

The 8- to 16-year-olds took part in the Performing Arts Experience, a summer theater workshop for area youth.

In addition to learning the skills, dances and lines, campers also learn self discipline in order to run and execute a successful show. They learn about "ensemble" philosophy, where everyone works together and no one single person or character in the show is more important than the rest.

Genesee County participants include:

From Batavia

  • Kelli Dumuhosky
  • Michal Lullo -- (WOODSTOCK role)
  • Daniel King-Sobresky
  • Riley Norton
  • Shea Norton
  • Spencer Hubbard -- (LINUS role)
  • Alixandra Young -- (SALLY role)
  • Lauren Young

From Elba

  • Tyra Smith

From LeRoy

  • Emily Hendrickson
  • Samantha Platek
  • Sara Platek

*SNOOPY is played by Rob Reiss, a second-year Theater Major at Genesee Community College.

New SUNY chancellor to visit Genesee College

By Billie Owens

Nancy L. Zimpher, PhD, the State University of New York's 12th Chancellor, is visiting all 64 SUNY campuses in her first three months as the new SUNY Chancellor.

Her tour will stop at Genesee Community College Thursday, July 23. Chancellor Zimpher will meet with faculty, students and Genesee president Stuart Steiner, PhD, throughout the day.

Event Date and Time
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Young thespians to perform "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown"

By Gretel Kauffman

The Stuart Steiner Theater at Genesee Community College has hosted many quality college productions over the years. However, these past three weeks, a younger group of thespians called it home.

They are members of GCC's theater camp who'll be performing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” this Friday and Saturday.

The musical comedy features the beloved Peanuts characters from the late Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip. The gang's all here -- Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally, Schroeder and Snoopy, of course.

Maryanne Arena, director of Fine and Performing Arts at the college, says she picked the show because of its wide appeal and because it is a full-length musical.

“I felt we were ready to do a full-scale show,” she said. 

The 22 campers, who range in age from 8-16, say the past three weeks have been fun, but challenging. 

“It’s a great experience to be onstage, and it gives the kids the idea of what it’s really like," said Margaret Gayford, who is playing Lucy. "Everyone works really hard." 

This is the 13-year-old Warsaw native’s fourth year at the camp, and she says she enjoys seeing old friends year after year.

“We’re all like a family from working together so much,” Margaret said.

Spencer Hubbard, also 13, has the role of Linus. He says the camp has made him realize his love of live theater.

“I’ve learned that I really, really want to be an actor," Spencer said. "And now instead of acting on TV, I’d much rather do Broadway.”

“You shouldn’t be afraid to come out and show the world what you can do,” added 11-year-old Alix Young, with a grin, spreading her arms theatrically.

Alix has the part of Sally.

Arena says that she hopes the children will take away from the camp an appreciation for more than just the applause at the end of the show.

“I try to teach love for the process, not just the end result,"  said the director. "I try to teach respect for what goes into making a show.”

Performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at  2 p.m.. The college is located at 1 College Road in Batavia. Tickets are $5. For ticket reservations contact the Box Office at (585) 343-0055 x6814 or by email to BoxOffice@genesee.edu.

Thank you

By Royal Rangers

I would like to take this time to thank those who have supported the Royal Rangers in 2009.  Kiwanis, City of Batavia Police Benevolent Association, Genesee County Deputy Sheriff's Association, Sheriff's Employee Association, City of Batavia Fire Fighter Association, VFW, Salvation Army, Oliver's Candy, Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, Batavia Assembly of God, Chlor's and all of you who bought candy bars, chicken barbeque's and supported the marathon fundraiser.  It is because of you that we were able to send so many of the boys to camps and to leadership training. 

For those of you who may not know who we are I will give a little history of our group.  We are an international group that started in 1962.  Our outpost was started in 1964.  Over the past few years we have been involved in leadership.  Our goal is to have every boy who is involved in our group go through the leadership camps.  In these camps the boys are taught how to lead and more importantly how to be lead.  Each camp is four days long.  They are very hands on.  The boys are taught all different life skills.  Each camp cost $85.00.  About 2/3rd's of our group come from low income families, and can not afford to go to the campouts or the leadership training.  We have the candy bar sale and the marathon fundraiser so the boys can raise money to go on the campouts.  I then ask for donations to send the boys to the leadership camps.  This year alone we were able to send eight boys to leadership camps. 

If you would like to support a great program that is building the future leaders of this community you can send a check to the Royal Rangers, 24 North Spruce Street, Batavia New York 14020.  In the memo section please writer "Boys Leadership".  This will insure that 100% of the money goes to the boys.  If you have any questions about this program please call 585-343-8521, between 830am and 330pm.   

We start the program back up in September and would love to see some new faces.  If your son or you know of a boy who loves the outdoors, come and join us on Wednesdays and 700pm at the Batavia Assembly of God church at 24 North Spruce Street.  We have some exciting events plained for the second half of the year.

I encourage all the parents who's boys are in the program to post a comment.

Author Julie Berry Book Signing

By Darrick Coleman

Author Julie Berry, a native of Medina, NY who now resides in Boston, will visit Present Tense on Friday, August 21 at 1:00 pm to sign copies of her award-winning debut novel for young adults, The Amaranth Enchantment.

Event Date and Time
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Byron Heritage Festival on Saturday, July 25

By James Renfrew

The Byron Heritage Festival is happening on Saturday, July 25th, with an incredible array of events for the public to enjoy from morning until midnight.  The Festival takes place in the park that is located behind the Byron Fire Hall on Rt. 262 near the center of town.  So please mark July 25th on your calendars, and come to Byron's Fireman's Park for a day full of fun, and dance the night away with live entertainment and beautiful fireworks. 

 

8:00 - 10:00 AM - Kiwanis Fishing Derby (sign-in begins at 7:30 AM)

9:00 AM - 5K Kid's Race and 10:00 AM 5K Adult Race (sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #13, registration begins at 8:30 AM)

9:00 AM -5:00 PM - Craft and Food Vendors

9:00AM - Garage Sales throughout the town

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Cruise In

12 Noon - Chicken BBQ (sponsored by the Byron Fire Dept, til sold out)

11:00 AM - Geoffrey Clough

12:00 PM - Renaissance Man

1:00 PM - Magician James Swatt

2:00 PM - Belly Dancers

2:00 PM - Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Sue Fuller)

2:30 PM - Sack Race/Balloon Toss/3 Legged Race

3:00 PM - Ghostriders

4:00 PM - Hot Dog Eating Contest

5:00 PM - Pig Roast (sponsored by the Byron Presbyterian Church, til sold out, tickets $8, take-outs only, served at the Town Park),

5:30 PM - Beautiful Gardens of Byron winners announced

6:00 PM - Savage Cabbage (sponsored by the Byron Hotel)

9:00 PM - Midnight -Bandera

9:30 PM Fireworks

Portions of the day are made possible with funds from the Decentralization program, a regrant program of the New York State Council of the Arts, administered by the Genesee-Orleans Arts Council through the Byron Bergen Public Library.  For more information about the Byron Heritage Festival, please call Debra at 548-7123x10, or look at the town web site:  http://www.byronny.com/

To complete the weekend, the Byron Presbyterian Church is having Sunday morning worship outdoors in the park next to the church bulding at 9:45 AM.  Please bring lawn chairs or blankets.  Refreshments on the front steps of the church will follow the service.  For more information about the church please call 548-2800.

CIRCLE OF LOVE FOUNDATION,INC.

By BILLIE BALL

                                          HONORING OUR VETERANS

  We have over 1,000 veterans homeless. These people gave up their own freedom, so we could keep ours.

It's time for us - - to give something back

 We are recruiting volunteers, groups, organizations to help us with our mission....

We will be delivering: Nonperishable foods, gently used clothing & foot wear, used furniture, Christmas gifts

We will be offering our services for: Maintenance, yard & house repairs, house cleaning & shopping

Any other services they may have, that is not known to us yet.

If you have some free time and want to donate your skills,please e-mail  circleoflovefdn@yahoo.com

If your company can donate any scratch n dent materials , furniture or nonperishable foods,  contact  circleoflovefdn@yahoo.com or call 585-202-2566

     *******     OUR EFFORTS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE  ********

 

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New Coaches Confirmed for GeneseExcel Sports Premier Soccer Camp

By Patricia Hawley

BATAVIA -- GeneseExcel Sports is pleased to announce several additions to its roster of coaches for their Premier Soccer Camp with Liz Masterson. According to Ted Hawley, Camp Coordinator, “We’re lucky to have such a high level of coaching staff come in for this camp.” Along with Liz Masterson, captain of the Rhino’s W-League and Elmira College Women’s Soccer Coach, “we have coaches from the Buffalo Flash, from the Olympic Development Program, as well as collegiate stars,” Hawley added. Because of the staff additions, the sign-up deadline has been extended to July 22. “We’re confident that local athletes from the surrounding region will benefit from this unique opportunity to interact with coaches of this caliber.” The camp is scheduled from July 30 through August 1 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m at the Community Fields Complex, Bank St. Rd., Batavia (at the Saile Dr. intersection). Ages 9 – 22 are welcome. Cost for the 3-day event is $130.00. Pre-registration is necessary; walk-ins will not be accepted. For more information, call 585.343.3329 or email info@geneseexcelsports.com. Staff includes:

Jon Poulakis:
Jon Poulakis is a thirty-year coaching veteran and holds a USSF National license.  He has coached at every level of soccer including Pro-AM, high school, and at the collegiate including the University of Tennessee, Rochester Institute of Technology and William Smith College. He was the Olympic Development Program coach for the State of Tennessee and the Girls’ U-17 coach New York State.  He has coached both travel and premier teams and was one of the founders of the Rochester Spirit, the first Girls’ Premier Club in Rochester. Furthermore, Jon is on the teaching staff at the University of North Carolina for the summer camps with Anson Dorrance He is currently the Director of Coaches for the Irondequoit Soccer Club and the Director of Youth
Development for the Western New York Futbol Club.

Jacquie Lacek:
Jacquie Lacek played 4 years at Central Michigan University from 2003-2006 before joining several W-League teams including the Rochester Ravens, Rochester Rhinos, and West Michigan Firewomen. She is currently rostered on the Buffalo Flash and is the assistant coach for the U-17 Empire Buffalo girls. Jacquie has been a camp facilitator at numerous camps throughout the Western NY region including: Pittsford Mendon, St. John Fisher College, Rochester Ravens, Midland Soccer Club, ODP tryouts in Region III (Michigan), and Assistant coach for the Rochester Jr. Rhinos U-13 Girl’s soccer team in 2004.

Brittany Kinmond:
Brittany began playing for the Rochester Jr. Rhinos before moving up to the Rochester Rhinos at the age of 15. Currently playing for the Rochester Ravens, Brittany will be a senior at Spencerport High School this fall, where she hopes to break the100 goal mark!  Named to the All-Greater Rochester team for the past two years, she was also selected as All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year in 2008.  Brittany will attend Syracuse University this January.

Adam Palumbo:
Adam has served on the coaching staff for several local clubs including Irondequoit Soccer Academy, Western New York Futbol Club, and North West Elite Soccer Camp (Seattle, WA). He was the assistant coach for Rochester Women's Rhinos in 2008. A National D and E license holder, Palumbo played soccer at Nazareth College and was a two-time Empire State member. 

Rachel Kruze:
Rachel graduated from West Virginia University and played in the WUSA for the Philadelphia Charge. She also played professionally in Iceland. As a member of the Rochester Rhinos, she captained that team for two seasons. Rachel coaches Hornell High School’s JV squad and assists with the varsity squad.

Gretchen Hawley:
As a member of the Batavia High School Varsity Soccer team, Gretchen earned 2nd team All-County and was twice recognized for All-Greater Rochester Honorable Mention. She was also singled out as a 1st team All County player. Gretchen captained the squad in her senior year before heading to Elmira College to play for the Soaring Eagles. This year, the 3-year veteran on the varsity squad will be returning for her 4th and final season.  She has received the Unsung Hero award and has started every match but one for the last two seasons. She will graduate in spring 2010 with a degree in Biology.  


Ellie Hamilton:
Ellie graduated from Victor High School this spring where she received All Greater Rochester recognitions as well as Team Offensive MVP (2008). A member of the Doug Miller Soccer Club, she will be attending Elmira College in the fall to join the women’s varsity soccer team.

Genesee earns national kudos as a great college to work for

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College has been named one of the "Great Colleges to Work For" by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the leading higher education publication in the United States.

Genesee is one of only eight medium-sized, community colleges to be recognized for its workplace policies, and is the only State University of New York community college to receive the distinction in any category.

Specifically, Genesee was recognized in the category of Facilities, Security and Workspace among two-year colleges with enrollment of 3,000 - 9,999.

To participate in the program, institutions agreed to go through a free, two-part assessment process. It includes a survey administered to a randomly selected group of 400 to 600 administrators and members of the faculty and professional-support staff, and an institutional audit that collects demographics and workplace policies and practices from each institution.

The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was the employee feedback collected from faculty and staff members. Results from both of these surveys are used in the assessment process which includes analysis of demographic data and workplace policies at each of the participating institutions.

Genesee's recognition in the Facilities, Security and Workspace category was due to several factors:

  • the appearance of the campus was pleasing;
  • facilities adequately met needs;
  • the institution proactively takes steps to provide a safe and secure environment.

Detailed information was also collected on Emergency Response Plans in the institutional questionnaire portion of the assessment. Genesee's proactive safety initiatives involve the College's large and active Safety Committee to continuously promote campus safety. Additionally, the introduction of a Student Safety Patrol broadened the safety and security of the campus by using students from the Genesee's Criminal Justice program to assist Public Safety Officers.

"The results of the survey further distinguish Genesee as a leader in community college employment," said Stuart Steiner, president of Genesee Community College. "I'm not surprised that we were recognized in the facilities category.

"We have a beautiful campus and well maintained facilities. We are also constantly updating various areas of the College, particularly in technology. This illustrates how the quality of the workplace matters to our employees."

The "Great Colleges to Work For" program is designed to help colleges improve as workplaces through the individual reports received. The unique comments and results of the employee survey can be reviewed by each college or university and used as a benchmark or guide for improvements and to set goals.

City of Batavia seeks nominees for Volunteer of the Year

By Billie Owens

The City of Batavia is currently seeking nominations for the Community Volunteer of the Year.

This 2009 recognition award will be presented by City Council at the Sept.14, 2009 City Council Business Meeting. 

Nomination Forms can be picked up at the City Manager’s Office or by phone at (585)345-6333. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 14.

THE BIG GREEN DOG HOUSE ON CHANNEL 8 TONIGHT

By Loren Penman

Katrina Irwin will air a story tonight on Channel 8 Rochester bewteen 5:30-6:00 PM about Dick Gammell's Big Green Dog House that is on display at this year's Homerama in Victor.  You read about it first here last week at thebatavian.com!

Troopers step up patrols for bad drivers, trucking violations, illegal drugs

By Billie Owens

Today New York State Police launched the phase 2 of its summer traffic enforcement initiative. Law enforcement agencies are conducting intense patrols along interstates 90 and 86. Be advised:

  • Aggressive driving, impaired driving and speeding are some of the violations targeted.
  • They also are focusing on commercial vehicles with their Motor Carrier Enforcement officers and weight teams.
  • Aerial speed enforcement along with Drug Recognition Experts and K9 officers are being employed.

As the summer travel season continues, the goal is to educate and encourage motorists to make good decisions about their driving behaviors and adjust them accordingly.
 

Local firm lands big contract with college

By Billie Owens

In a special meeting last Thursday, the Genesee Community College Board of Trustees awarded a $394,450 contract for general construction work in the Anthony T. Zambito Gymnasium to V.J. Gautieri Contractors, LLC, of Batavia. The contract is part of an upgrade of athletic facilities at the Batavia Campus.

GCC college board re-elects three trustees

By Billie Owens

Genesee Community College's Board of Trustees re-elected Laurie J. Miller as chair of the board of trustees for the 2009-2010 year at the board's recent annual meeting. The board also re-elected Charles R. Ruffino as vice chair and Maureen T. Marshall as secretary.

Miller has served as a trustee since 2000. She is one of the owners and operators of Willow Ridge Farm in Alexander.

Ruffino, of Batavia, has served as a trustee since 2002. He is a retired New York State Department of Education administrator.

Marshall has served as a trustee since 2003. She is an owner and operator of Torrey Farms, based in Elba.

O-A alumnus counseled CIA employees

By Tasia Boland

Kenneth Bradt, Ph.D, is one of four inductees for the Oakfield-Alabama High School Hall of Fame ceremony the first weekend in October.

They will be introduced to students at a pep rally Oct. 2 and recognized publicly at that night's football game.

The Hall of Fame honors will take place Oct. 3 at the O-A Middle-High School. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. with the ceremony following.

Bradt has had an illustrious career. To prepare for it, he attended Syracuse University with an interest in chemistry but found he was more intrigued by people’s decisions and behaviors. He quickly switched his major and earned his bachelor's and master’s degrees in psychology.

In 1951, he earned his doctorate in psychology at Illinois' Northwestern University.

After getting his education, Bradt achieved the rank of first lieutenant in the Army Medical Service. He served as chief clinical psychologist at the Army Hospital at Camp Atterbury, Ind., and later became a research psychologist with the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C..

During the '70s Bradt counseled CIA employees coping with unfamiliar, unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations. For his work, he received the Intelligence Medal of Merit from the CIA director for outstanding contributions to agency management.

For 21 years, Bradt shared his knowledge and wisdom with students at George Washington University, the University of Virginia and George Mason University.

In 1981, he was teaching at George Mason University and originated one of the first graduate-level courses in organizational leadership in the country.

In 2004, he was elected Fellow in the American Psychological Association in recognition of outstanding and unusual contributions to the science and profession of psychology. 

The other inductees are Dr. Robert Disasio, Donald Carroll and 1st. Lt. Harmon J. Norton, who will be represented by Joe Cassidy, the Town of Alabama historian. Some previous inductees will also be attending.

Tickets go on sale in late August at the school’s main office or from committee members. The public is welcome.

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