Announcements

Press release:

This Friday, Sept. 14th, the Batavia Blue Devils Football Team and its supporters would like to recognize all those who have worn or currently wear a military or first responder uniform by inviting them to come to the home game.

Any military personnel, police officer, firefighter or first responder will get free admission (with proof of ID) as well as a complementary hot dog and drink. They will also be seated in the end zone; and to thank them for their service, they will be honored at approximately 7:15 p.m. prior to the start of the game.

Vandetta Stadium is located at 120 Richmond Avenue in the City of Batavia.

The Genesee County 4-H Fur and Feather Club is hosting a youth poultry show on Saturday, Sept. 22. at the Merton Building on the Genesee County Fairgrounds, located at 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia.

The show is open to all local youth ages 19 and younger, youth don’t need to be a 4-H member to participate. Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 17; no day-of-show entries will be accepted.

Showroom opens at 7:30 a.m., birds must be cooped by 9 a.m. For complete show rules and entry form please visit: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events or contact the Genesee County 4-H Office at 343-3040, ext. 101.

Press release:

Join us for some spooky fun on Saturday, Oct. 20th, when the Batavia Cemetery Association will host a candlelight guided ghost walk through the Historic Batavia Cemetery on Harvester Avenue in Batavia.

The tours will feature the famous and infamous movers and shakers who shaped and influenced the City of Batavia.

The guided tour will bring guests to meet men and women of Batavia, who, for various reasons, held great power and exerted great influence in their day, were victims of tragic events, or both: Philemon Tracy, one of the few Confederate officers buried in the North; Ruth the unknown victim of a horrendous murder; Joseph Ellicott, a man of great power and great flaws; and William Morgan, the man who disappeared and was allegedly murdered before he could reveal the secrets of the Masons. These are some of the ghosts who will tell their stories on the tour.

Also visiting will be: Rev. John H. Yates, poet, preacher, philanthropist, journalist and author of nationally known hymns; Civil War veteran General John H. Martindale, who was Military Governor of the District of Columbia in 1865; and Dean and Mary Richmond, who greatly influenced civic life in Batavia in the 1800s, will meet with guests in their mausoleum on the last stop of the tour.

Dean Richmond made a great fortune in Great Lakes shipping and was the second president of the New York Central Railroad. Mary Richmond vastly expanded her husband’s fortune after his death and sat on the boards of many businesses and civic organizations. 

Tours begin at 7 p.m. and run every 15 minutes until 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes refreshments. Reservations are required.

Proceeds benefit the upkeep and restoration of the cemetery. For more information, or to make reservations, contact 343-3220.

Press release:

Fifth annual Taste of Independence food-sampling extravaganza is being held by Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

It's taking place at Batavia County Club, 7909 Batavia-Byron Road, Batavia.

The event will offer guests a chance to try some signature dishes of the Genesee Region’s finest restaurants, plus a basket raffle and 50/50 split club.

Tickets are $15 and can be picked up at the ILGR office, 113 Main St., Suite 5, Batavia. RSVP -- Space is limited!

To R.S.V.P., become a sponsor, or get more information call Donna Becker at 585-815-8501, ext. 411, or email dbecker@wnyil.org.

The funds raised will be used to help people with disabilities living in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties who are in emergency situations with employment, or moving forward with life goals, when there are no other financial resources available.

ILGR's services include independent living skills training, advocacy, peer counseling, Diabetes self-management classes, a loan closet of medical equipment, housing and employment assistance, Social Security and Medicaid assistance information and referral, and many more.

The participating restaurants include:

• Batavia's Original Pizzeria;
• Big Pauly’s Pizza;
• Black Creek Cidery LLC;
• Capish! Pizza-ristorante;
• D & R Depot Restaurant;
• Eden Café & Bakeshop;
• Farmer's Creekside Tavern & Inn;
• Farmer's Wife LLC;
• Fishtales Hideaway;
• Ken’s Charcoal Pits & Bar-B-Q;
• KMC Custom Cakes;
• L.B. Grand Steak and Spaghetti House;
• Mooney’s Sports Bar & Grill;
• Subway Restaurant;
• T.F. Brown’s Restaurant;
• The Eli Fish Brewing Company;
• The North Pole;
• The Wild Rican;
• Tully’s Great Food & Good Times.  

Our thanks to non-restaurant event Gold Sponsor: R.A. Haitz Co., Inc.; Bronze Sponsor: Platt Properties. Friend Sponsors: BGW Properties LLC, Fox Farm Antiques, High Voltage Tattoo & Piercing, and Sikes Enterprises Inc.

Press release:

The Batavia High School Class of 1988’s Class Reunion is scheduled for Sept. 21^st and 22^nd. We are looking for help in contacting the members of our class and to inform them of our 30^th Class Reunion celebration.

On Friday, Sept. 21^st, we will gather at Eli Fish Brewing Company (109 Main St., Batavia) at 7 p.m. and enjoy the music of Justin Williams at starting at 9 p.m. There will be Class of ’88 specials on specific Eli Fish beverages and appetizers.

On Saturday, Sept. 22^nd, we will gather at Steve and Lisa Pies’ home at 7 p.m. There will be light snacks available. Members of the classes of 1985-1991 are welcome to join our classmates and their guests at these events. 

RSVPs are kindly requested for both events. (The Pies’ address will be available upon receipt of a RSVP.)

To RSVP, please contact a committee member:

Colleen Odessa Kemp at colleen@elifishbrewing.com;

Steve Pies at steve@maxpiesfurniture.com; or

Julia Rogers at jrogersbcsd@gmail.com.

Submitted photo and press release:

On Friday, Sept. 21, jazz will be in the air in Downtown Perry. The Arts Council for Wyoming County (ACWC) is presenting the Batavia Brass Society in their main gallery to play a "Light Evening of Jazz." This is the first time this group of musicians has played at the ACWC.

The Arts Council for Wyoming County is located at 31 S. Main St., Perry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; concert begins at 7.

The Batavia Brass Society is made up of Derek Reiss (trumpet), Peter Mark (trombone), Edward VanZandt (trumpet), Roger Bolton (tuba), Elizabeth Kockler (horn), Scott Kockler (percussion).

Musicians are current, former, and retired music teachers from our area. They have been performing since 1980 playing a variety of music from classical to jazz and pop. You may have seen them at the Oakfield Labor Daze, Le Roy Oatka Festival, Genesee Community College, and the concert series in Holley and Akron. 

"I am pleased that the Arts Council will finally have the opportunity to present the the Batavia Brass Society in concert at the Gallery," says Jacqueline Hoyt, executive director of the Arts Council for Wyoming County, "This show will feature local musicians playing songs that are familiar to our ears."

Tickets for this concert are $15 ($13.50 for ACWC members). Purchase online at artswyco.org or by calling the ACWC at (585) 237-3517, ext. 101. Tickets are first come, first served, and early reservations are suggested.

If you would like to reserve tickets for parties larger than 10, please contact the ACWC directly at (585) 237-3517 or email info@artswyco.org.

About the Arts Council for Wyoming County

For more than 40 years, the Arts Council for Wyoming County (ACWC) has created opportunities to bring arts into their rural communities through programming, grants, and art events. The ACWC is also Wyoming County’s NYSCA Decentralization Site for Community Arts Grants. In addition to yearly programming, the ACWC produces the Letchworth Arts & Crafts Show and Sale. For more information on membership or advocacy in the arts, please visit www.artswyco.org.

Volunteers for Animals' 15th annual Fur Ball to benefit their Spay/Neuter Program at the Genesee County Animal Shelter will take place starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Days Inn in Batavia.

The hotel is located at 200 Oak St.

There will be food, fun, basket raffles and silent auctions.

Tickets are $25 each; tickets for children 12 and under are $15. A table of 10 -- with 10 seats -- costs $250.

The event is limited to 200 tickets.

Please make checks payable to: Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program.

They can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1621, Batavia NY 14021

Tickets are also available at the shelter.

Volunteers for Animals are now accepting new items for the Fur Ball raffle/auction. Items can be left at the shelter during adoption hours.

Well, he's still at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Despite the dog days of summer, this pit bull / Labrador retriever mix manages to keep his enthusiasm for life high and his mood cheerful.

You can see it in his eyes.

He's asking for a true friend to enjoy all that this wonderful old world has to offer: The buddy system; Tete-a-tete; Mano a mano; Semper fidelis; Tit-for-tat; You 'n' me, pal; A team; Us vs. them; We're in the soup together; Comrades in arms & legs; Duality; Pair of jacks; Dynamite duo; A real pair; Besties; BFFs; "Pardners"; Yin and yang; Mac 'n' cheese; We.

This neutered, adult canine gets along swimmingly with other dogs and thinks walking with humans is best thing to do on the planet.

You could take him out for a "test drive" so to speak; probably do you both good. A leash is at the ready. Just don't forget to hydrate.

Visit the animal shelter during these A-D-O-P-T-I-O-N hours:

• Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri -- 1-3 p.m.
• Wednesday -- 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
• Closed Thursdays
• Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

Press release:

Come explore the active and adventurous sport of orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest! Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal, by using a map and compass. All materials provided, no experience necessary! Orienteering is a family friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels.

Join us for the Orienteering Event with the Rochester Orienteering Club on Saturday, Sept. 15th, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This program is FREE.

Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center at the Genesee County Park & Forest. Beginner class and basic training will be given from 9 to 10 a.m. Orienteering start is open 10 a.m. to noon.

All courses close at 1:30 p.m. Perfect for individuals and families who love the outdoors!

Come have some fun and find your way in New York State’s First County Forest. More information on the sport of orienteering and the Rochester Orienteering Club can be found here.

Please preregister online here or by calling 585-344-1122.

For additional information on programs at the Genesee County Parks visit our website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or 344-1122.

Genesee Community College's History Club will begin its fall lecture series on Wednesday, Sept. 5, when Kevin R. Pawlak speaks on "The Jewels of War: Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan and the Battle of Antietam."

The free lecture will take place at 7 p.m. in Room T102 in the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus, located at One College Road. All are invited.

The History Club will host a lecture on the first Wednesday evening of every month this fall as part of its Historical Horizons Lecture Series. 

Pawlak is the author of "Shepardstown in the Civil War."

The Battle of Antietam is America's bloodiest single day. In totality, 12 hours of fighting on Sept. 17, 1862 left approximately 23,000 casualties. During this lecture, Pawlak will assess the dramatic events of the Civil War battle from the unique perspective of the commanders on the field.

(Photo of author Kevin R. Pawlak, courtesy of GCC.)

Women of the Moose in Le Roy will host a Pig Roast to benefit the YWCA of Genesee County from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Loyal Order of Moose No. 1132, located at 21 Bank St. in Le Roy.

Open to the public.

There will be basket raffles, prize raffles, and 50/50. Also, the YWCA will be on hand selling their cash raffle tickets for a chance at the Grand Prize of $10,000. Only 200 tickets at $100 apiece will be sold for the Grand Prize. Drawing will be held Dec. 6.

Food: roasted pork, salt potatoes, macaroni salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, roll and butter, dessert. All you can eat; includes a bottle of water. Cash bar. No take-out containers will be provided for in-house dining.

Price: Adults -- $12; Kids 11 and older -- $7; Kids 10 and under eat free.

Tickets available at the Le Roy Moose Lodge or at the YWCA, 301 North St., Batavia; or by calling Martha Bailey at 261-0714.

All proceeds benefit the YWCA of Genesee County to help with the important work they do in our community.

The 71st annual Batavia Gun and Sportsman Show, sponsored by the Alabama Hunt Club, will be held the weekend of Sept. 15 and 16 at Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia. There will be more than 100 vendor and exhibitor tables and plenty of free parking.

Hours on Saturday are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hotel is located at 8250 Park Road and features a restaurant and a water park.

Admission is $6. Children under 12 get in free when accompanied by adult.

Exhibitors will bring items for collectors, including antiques and investment firearms, swords and knives, Revolutionary War to World War II militaria, plus books, traps, pistols, gun parts, ammo and hunting accessories, black powder accessories, reloading equipment, archery, medals and more.

The public is urged to participate by bringing items to sell or trade with dealers.

Note: All Firearm Laws MUST Be Obeyed.

A national instant criminal background check, which is free, MUST be completed prior to all firearm sales.

Exhibitors/dealers may only set up Friday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 8 a.m.

No dealing is authorized out of autos, trucks or in the parking areas.

Exhibit tables require a $40 deposit per table and are available on a first-come basis. (Cancellations will be charged a $25 fee per table.) You must received a confirmation card in order to get a table(s).

(Editor's note: On Sept. 21, 2019, personal contact information for this event's organizer was redacted upon request of that organizer; and the request was granted because the information is no longer relevant.)

Northgate Free Methodist Church is continually opening its doors to the community and is inviting everyone to their fall kick-off events throughout September.

Beginning with a new message series starting on Sept. 8th and 9th, pastors Vern Saile, John Keller and Marsha Rivers will examine the "Fruit of the Spirit" -- characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control -- and how we can bring more of these into our lives.

In addition to worship services, Northgate offers dozens of volunteer-led small groups, many of which are open to the public. Several groups relaunch in September, including:

Grief Share, a 13-week group designed to help and encourage those grieving the loss of a loved one due to death. The format is a weekly video presentation and discussion time that offers hope and comfort. Find more information at http://www.griefshare.org/about. Meetings will take place on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., starting Sept. 18th, at Northgate’s North Campus, 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia.

Divorce Care, a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. Divorce Care seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You will learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future. A new 13-week session begins on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Northgate’s North Campus.

Mothers of Preschoolers or “MOPS” are women who gather together twice a month to share and support each other in the remarkable journey that is motherhood. Meetings consist of relevant speakers, fun crafts, supportive conversations and fellowship. There is always hot coffee and childcare is provided at MOPS meetings. Moms can choose a 9 a.m. group or a 6:30 p.m. group – both meetings begin on Sept. 25th. MOPS is open to all moms with children from birth until their youngest child finishes kindergarten. MOMS Next is also available for moms of school-age children; they meet every second and fourth Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit Northgatefmc.com/mops for more information.

Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday evening at 6:30 (including any and all holidays that fall on a Thursday, unless there is a serious snowstorm). Our CR leaders guide and assist those of us who are gaining joy and freedom in Christ as we apply the 12-Steps of Celebrate Recovery to the hurts, habits and hang-ups we all struggle with. All are welcome! We believe anyone and everyone would benefit by attending this group, where we take off our masks and allow God to transform our lives. We are able to share openly and honestly about our struggles with people we come to trust, who will maintain confidentiality, and who will not judge us. For more info, go to: https://northgatecr.weebly.com/

For more information about any of these groups or other events, please contact the Northgate office at (585) 343-4011 or email office@northgatefmc.com

Press release:

If you are interested in taking the Master Gardener training this fall, we still have a few spots open. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9, starting Sept. 5 and running through Nov. 14.

There will also be a full day of classes on Saturday, Nov. 3. Classes will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Preregistration is required and has been extended to Aug. 30 or until the class is full.

The fee for this horticulture training is $225 per person, which includes all class sessions and materials. The Cornell Master Gardener manual is available online.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first step to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer. A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their gardening skills and knowledge is a must. Graduates of the program (Genesee County residents) are then eligible to apply to become a volunteer.

For an application or to register contact Brandie Waite at 343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Press release:

Calling all singers! Join with the Genesee Chorale in preparing for a holiday concert of glory and majesty, including the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel’s "Messiah" and a newly commissioned work celebrating the beauty of Letchworth Park.

First season rehearsal is 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10, at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia, with other rehearsals following Monday evenings leading to Dec. 12, 14 and 16 concerts.

Ric Jones is director, and all skills are welcome. For further information contact Heather Lovelace at (716) 531-8986, e-mail Info@geneseechorale.com

There will be a public informational meeting for the proposed Bethany Water District #5 on Monday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Bethany Town Hall. This is to discuss the $14.5 million water project for most of Bethany.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Bethany Town Hall is located at 10510 Bethany Center Road in Bethany.