Announcements

Press release:

The Genesee County Fair announces that seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to current New York State high school seniors and also students enrolled in college.

The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs (NYSAAF) and the New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA) sponsor the scholarships.

Qualifying students must be active at the Genesee County Fair or The New York State Showpeople’s Association.

All applicants from Genesee County must submit their applications through the Genesee County Fair or the New York State Showpleople’s Association no later than Friday, April 10, 2015.

Information is available through the Genesee County Fair at (585) 344-2424, through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and from local high school offices.

Applications must be printed and completed from the Web at:

www.nysfairs.org.

For more information, contact the Genesee County Fair Office at (585) 344-2424.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY: The City of Batavia Fire Department will be offering an EMR original/refresher. Call 585-345-6375 for details.

Read more http://www.batavianewyork.com/fire-department/news/training-opportunity

Fight the Blight – Late Blight that is. Do you grow tomatoes or potatoes in your garden? Have you had problems with late blight wiping out your plants in the past? If so, then join the Genesee County Master Gardeners on March 25th from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn about this serious plant disease.

We will cover what this disease is, effective management strategies for your garden and what to do if it does infect your plants. Our guest speaker will be Elizabeth Buck, a member of the Cornell University Vegetable Team.

The class will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration by March 20th is requested as class size is limited. Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by our office to register.

You can also find the registration form on our Web site at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events/2015/03/25/late-blight-in-the-home-garden

On Saturday, March 21, the Vaness Strollo Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post #1602 will host a Spring Fling to benefit veterans' programs here and overseas. It will be held at the VFW Hall, located at 25 Edward St. in Batavia.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and pizza and snacks will be available for purchase. Entertainment will be by 87 Southbound, a popular country and rock band.

A $3 donation will be collected at the door.

There will be a Chinese Auction and a 50/50, the latter will benefit a special project called Team Red, White and Blue. This is a program that enriches the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.

Please come out and support our veterans, active military, and have some fun doing it.

Press release:

In celebration of National Agricultural Literacy Week, March 16-20, volunteers throughout the state will read a book with an agricultural theme to second-graders. In Genesee County more than 40 volunteers will be visiting and reading at schools throughout the county.

Students and teachers benefit from hands-on lessons and receive follow up activities. The book will be given to the school library with a bookplate recognizing the donor and NY Ag Literacy Week.

This year’s book is "Weaving the Rainbow," written by George Ella Lyon and illustrated by Stephanie Anderson. It is a beautifully blended story of agriculture and art. A young woman raises sheep, shears them for their wool, cleans and cards the wool, spins and dyes the wool, ultimately using it to create beautiful works of woven art from the fiber. The story will help students begin to make the connection between agriculture and its many uses and influences.

The focus this year is on fiber production in New York State from sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, rabbits and more. Agriculture is more than the food we eat, it is also the clothes on our backs, the materials that keep us warm and dry, and are used each and every day of our lives.

Last year, 1,400 books were donated statewide while thousands of students participated in fun educational activities. For more information about NY Ag Literacy Week or Agriculture in the Classroom please contact Barbara Sturm, at 585-343-3040, ext. 122, or at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/ag-in-the-classroom

The HomeCare & Hospice Guild is selling raffle tickets for handmade quilts, Afghans and blankets in its effort to “Spread the Comfort.”
 
The fundraiser will help provide medical care and social/emotional support for patients and families coping with end-of-life illnesses.
 
Tickets are $5 each, five for $20, and 12 for $50. Tickets may be purchased online at www.HomeCare-Hospice.org <http://www.HomeCare-Hospice.org>  or at HomeCare & Hospice offices in Batavia (29 Liberty St.) and Warsaw (450 N. Main St.)

The drawing will be held on May 1.
 
For more information, contact Kathleen Neeson at 1-800-719-7129 or kneeson@homecare.hospice.org

A social media workshop will be held at the BEST Center across the road from GCC from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12. Cost is $49.

"Basic Level: Social Networking for Facebook & Twitter" will teach the basics of using these tools. Participants will leave with a working knowledge of how to use these tools and how to protect yourself. It is highly recommended that you have a web-based e-mail service that includes Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, etc.

This course is not about theory. It is hands-on. Get your feet wet and play with the different platforms in a safe environment with an instructor to help you every step of the way.

Call The BEST Center to register at 345-6868 or go online to www.bestcenter.edu

Press release:

"Frolic in the Forest" this Spring At Genesee County Park and Forest!

Be part of the magic this spring with full moon hikes, adventures in amphibian life, and forays into the pond at Genesee County Park and Forest. Explore the forest by moonlight as we search for animals, see new growth, hear old stories, and discover the world waking up from a long, cold winter.

Long ago each full moon was given a name to mark the season of the year. Join us for the Full Worm Moon in March, the Full Fish Moon in April, and the Full Flower Moon in May.

Evening exploration begins on Thursday, March 5 from 7 to 8:30, and Saturday April 4 from 7:30 to 9, and Saturday May 2, from 7:30 to 9.

Listen to the chorus of spring and get to know your small, slimy singing neighbors with Amphibian Adventure on Saturday April 18, at 8:30 p.m. After we learn to identify our pest-eating pals, we head into the wetlands and woodlands to search for them, listen to them, and find out what we can do to help take care of them.

Delve into some wild creature encounters with Pond Discovery on Saturday, May 9, at 11:30 am. Be prepared to get muddy and wet, you will be using a net and sharing a bucket of water to catch animals, and then learn about them from a Naturalist Guide.

Pre-registration is required for all programs. Cost is $5/person, $10/family. To register call (585) 344-1122.

For more information visit our website at <http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/>

Press release:

Last June we held the first Elba Alumni Reunion with more than 160 people attending. It was a wonderful success and we are not planning a second reunion. This is open to ALL Elba alumni or to anyone who ECS for several years and would like to see former classmates and friends again.

This year’s reunion will again be held at the Elba Firemen's Recreation Hall on Saturday, June 6th. It is located at 7143 Oak Orchard Road.

There will be a social hour at 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner at 6 preceded by appetizer and brunch. A cash bar will also be available. (A tour of the school at 3:30 p.m. will take place for those who are interested.)

As we are not able to contact all Elba alumni we would ask you to pass this information on.

Additional information and forms for the reunion can be obtained on Facebook under the group “Elba Central School Alumni” or you can contact Susan Berg Michalak at 585.343.7086 and a form will be sent to you.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to catch up with former classmates. Last year’s reunion was a fun evening of sharing so many wonderful ECS memories!

Press release:

Join us for our 49^th annual reunion to be held at the Tropic Isles Park Auditorium, 3100 10^th St. West and 28^th Ave., Palmetto, Fla., on March 4^th. Coffee and donuts at 11 a.m.; lunch at noon. Please bring a dish to pass that will serve eight (8) and your own table service.

For further information, call Chuck at (941) 721-9748.

Press release:

We are bringing nature inside with a fun and educational program from Wild Spirit. The program is designed to not only educate, but to spark the interests of the participants. With a visual and hands-on approach to nature education, the naturalists from Wild Spirit are trained to get the participants involved in the lessons.

On Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., the Wild Spirit Program will bring in birds such as owls, hawks and falcons for the audience to view and be educated on. The presentation will take place at the ARC Community Center located at 38 Woodrow Road in the City of Batavia.

The program is being sponsored by the Batavia Youth Bureau Youth Connection Program. This event will be fun and is appropriate for the entire family. For more information or to register call the Youth Bureau at 345-6420.

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners for their lunchtime garden series called “Garden Talk.”

On the first Tuesday of each month from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., the Master Gardeners hold an informational workshop focusing on a specific gardening topic. Bring your lunch to the CCE office (420 E. Main St., Batavia) and think spring!

The next session will take place on March 3rd and the topic will be “New Plants for 2015.” We will take a look at a sampling of the new annuals, perennials, vegetables and shrubs that will be hitting the market this year.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, for more information.

Future topics and other Master Gardener events will be posted on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County Web site at http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/ and also on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCEofGenesee

Press release:

Independent Living of Genesee Region will offer free workshops on “Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, and March 4th, 12th, 19th and 26th at the Washington Towers Apartments, located at 1 State St., Batavia.

Pre-registration is required as seats fill up quickly.

Feel Better! Take Control of Your Life! Get Connected! Do you want to increase your energy and get relief from pain, fatigue and difficult emotions? Do you want to connect with others who have similar health issues and enhance your skills and ability to manage a healthy lifestyle?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then the "Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes" workshop is just for you. This peer-led health education program, also known as the Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP), was developed and tested by Stanford University and is designed to complement and enhance medical treatment and diabetes management.

You will learn several key strategies to help you manage your diabetes such as: Decision making and problem solving skills; planning for future health care; developing and maintaining a safe, long-term physical activity program; how to monitor glucose; skin care; food; and how to communicate effectively with family, friends and health professionals.

To register or if you have additional questions, please contact Patricia McAllister at (716) 836-0822, ext. 402, or email: pmcallister@wnyil.org
 
About WNY Independent Living, Inc.: WNY Independent Living, Inc. is a family of agencies which includes Independent Living of Niagara County and Independent Living of Genesee Region. The agencies are joined by a common philosophy of self-help, self-determination, and equal access. Within the past year, the WNYIL family of agencies has saved New York State taxpayers over $71 million by helping individuals to leave and avoid institutionalization. We have been practicing the principles of education, empowerment and equality for persons with disabilities for over 30 years.

Genesee County’s annual “State of the County” address is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. in the Chambers of the Old Court House in Downtown Batavia. The Chair of the Genesee County Legislature, Raymond Cianfrini, will deliver the address. All are cordially invited and encouraged to attend.

The Mental Health Association in Genesee County awards two scholarships annually to deserving students who are pursuing their education at an institution of higher learning in the fields of human or social services.

The mission of the MHA is to meet the needs of the community by promoting mental wellness through education, advocacy and support, thereby improving the quality of life and instilling hope.

The two scholarships to be presented at the MHA’s annual meeting in May are:

• Constance E. Miller Scholarship Award in the amount of $2,000 (She founded the MHA in Genesee County in 1993.)
• MHA Board of Directors Scholarship Award in the amount of $500.

Applicants must have their primary residence in Genesee County.

A copy of the application is available online at www.gcmha.com

Applications are due to the MHA no later than April 1.

Applicants must provide: Name, mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, name of college or university accepted at, course of study or program enrolled in; and it asks if you are a relative of a current MHA employee or board member.

These are the requirements:

• Applicant must be accepted at an accredited college or university and enrolled in an eligible program by the time the scholarship is awarded.
• Eligible programs include: Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology or Human Services.
• Current MHA employees and board members are not eligible. Relatives of MHA employees and board members are also not eligible.
• Applicants must provide: (1) Academic history such as high school or college transcripts. (2) Resume or personal biography including work history, volunteer experiences, extra-curricular activities. (3) Essay that addresses educational and employment objectives. (4) Two letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes from people who know your academic and work/volunteer history. Letters from relatives will not be accepted. 
• Financial need, volunteerism, employment history and civic involvement will be given careful consideration.

Applications should be mailed to:

Scholarship Program

Mental Health Association in Genesee County

25 Liberty St., Batavia, NY 14020

Or send e-mail to:

e-mailadmin@mhagenesee.org

On Feb. 7, the Singing Silhouettes, a select choir from Byron Bergen High School, were invited to sing at the Genesee Valley School Boards Association Legislative Breakfast. The students performed “Aquarius” for the assembly and it was conducted by Lawrence Tallman.

Joanna Fisher, a PhD student at Cornell University in the Entomology department, will be giving a free interactive "First Detector" training on emerald ash borer (EAB), hemlock wooly adelgid (HWA) and Asian longhorned beetle (ALB); Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, 420 E. Main St., Batavia.

At this training session you will learn how to detect and identify these destructive invasive pests. We will also discuss EAB, HWA and ALB biology and management, and talk about how you can get involved in your community to slow the spread of these invasive species. An optional field trip to Darien Lake State Park will follow the workshop. Free and open to the public. Lunch will be on your own.

Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension and WNY PRISM. For more information and to RSVP, contact Andrea Locke, WNY PRISM coordinator at lockeas@buffalostate.edu or (716) 878-4708.

Press release:

Are you a parent looking for some help in understanding your child or teenager? The Salvation Army of Genesee County is offering a 13-week course which offers practical advice and helpful information on how to promote positive family relationships.

Discussion topics include: rest and comfort, money, emotional stability, talking and listening, setting goals and expectation, and conflict and resolution. The final session focuses on parenting issues faced by single parents. Each session has a short DVD presentation, group discussion, and time to take notes in a workbook.

The sessions are held on Mondays through April 27 from 10 a.m - 12 p.m.; there will be no class on Feb. 16. There is no charge for the classes.

Individuals can register Monday-Wednesday by calling 585-343-6284.

Information and photo submitted by Marsha Geiger

Pack 112 of Batavia held it annual Pine Wood Derby on January 30th at John Kennedy School. First place was Brien Tyoe, Second place was Shawn Schwartzmeyer, and Third place was Nicholas Grover.

Press release:

Jeanne Graber, a Batavia resident, knows first-hand how hard it is to quit smoking. She stopped smoking three years ago after 55 years of being addicted to the deadly habit. She is now encouraging others, including her neighbors at Washington Towers where she lives, to quit with the help from their doctors.

Jeanne will be among four women at Washington Towers who will be recognized by the American Heart Association. They will receive an iconic red dress pin at a special event to support the GoRedforWoman campaign.

The other women to be recognized are Patricia Epple, Margaret Hughes and Jeanette Johnson.

The event will take place at Washington Towers from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13th. Management and residents also will celebrate the third anniversary of the adoption of the smoke-free policy at the apartment complex, located at 1 State St. in the City of Batavia. This policy benefits non-smokers and supports those who want to quit smoking.

"I know quitting has changed my life and made me appreciate my health more than ever," Graber said. "I'm the master of my ship now, not cigarettes. Unfortunately, before the building went smoke free, residents really could not avoid secondhand smoke because it came through the vents, outlets, windows and cracks. I want everyone who lives here to be able to breathe clean air and have healthy hearts. I'm so glad we made the decision to go smoke free."

"Smoke free policies and laws are an easy, affordable and cost effective way to prevent heart disease and help to create healthier communities," said Kevin Keenan, Community Engagement coordinator for Tobacco-Free Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming. "Most renters, including smokers, want smoke-free housing as it supports their efforts to quit."

February is American Heart Month, an opportune time to remind New Yorkers that tobacco use and secondhand smoke are major causes of heart disease, America's number one killer. Frequent exposure to tobacco smoke has been found to nearly double the risk of having a heart attack and creates an unhealthy environment for children. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease, increases the risk of stroke and the severity of heart attacks when they occur.

New Yorkers can be protected from smoking-related illnesses such as heart disease by creating more smoke-free housing. In addition, smokers need resources to help them quit.

Valerie Tidwell, property manager at Washington Towers said, "More than 80 percent of our residents supported making the apartments smoke free. They now realize that this was a sensible policy since there's no fool-proof way of protecting residents from secondhand smoke unless you go completely smoke free inside. For management and tenants, it has worked out well."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year nearly 33 million nonsmokers in the U.S. may be exposed to secondhand smoke coming from other units and common areas. Each year secondhand smoke causes more than 3,000 deaths in nonsmoking adults in New York State, most from heart disease and lung cancer.

Tobacco-free apartment buildings save money in addition to many lives. According to the CDC, prohibiting smoking in subsidized housing alone would result in annual cost savings of nearly $125 million in New York State. Cost savings of $100 million would come from unneeded secondhand smoke-related healthcare.

"Smoking is one of the leading risk factors for coronary diseases and quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your risk of coronary diseases," Keenan said. "I hope more people join Washington Towers' residents in loving their hearts by ending this deadly addiction."

Those looking for help quitting, should talk to their doctor and for additional support, call the New York Smokers' Quitline.  The Quitline provides free coaching, information and a free starter kit of nicotine patches to eligible New York residents. All callers to the Quitline in February will receive a red dress pin or bracelet. Wearing a red dress pin is a tangible reminder that better heart health begins with quitting smoking.

For more information about smoke-free properties, contact Kevin Keenan at 585-219-4064 or by e-mail at Kevin.Keenan@roswellpark.org

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