A fundraiser to benefit Patsy Rapone is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at the East Bethany Firehall.
The hall is located at 10440 Bethany Center Road. The event will feature a dice run, food, drinks, live music, a Chinese Auction, 50/50 and other raffles.
At 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23 there will be a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction in remembrance of the late Rev. David J Scheider at Holy Name of Mary Church in East Pembroke.
Dinner costs $7 and all proceeds will benefit the newly made scholarship at Notre Dame High School. Spend an afternoon among family and friends and help make his memory live on and make this dinner a success!
This weekend, fans of Oz can see local children and teens sing and dance their way through the Batavia Players Summer Youth Theatre production of The Wiz.
The show, which tells the well-known story of Dorothy and her adventures in the magical land of Oz, features familiar characters such as the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, Glinda and the Tin Man.
However, The Wiz is a far cry from the original Wizard of Oz. There are several twists, such as Dorothy's magical shoes being silver instead of red, and an extra witch named Addaperle (played by Katelyn Rogers, above left). But the main difference is that the music and dialogue are in an African-American style.
"It's a much more lively show," says Maureen Edwards (above right), who has the role of Dorothy. "You just want to get up and dance. It's like the funky motown version of the Wizard of Oz."
Edwards, who is 12, is one of the 85 cast members that range in age from 3 to 22. This is her third Summer Youth Theatre production and her ninth production overall.
"Everyone is super supportive," she says. "I've been really lucky because in every show I've been in, I've been treated with a lot of respect. But I do think that with the younger cast, the friends I've made are a lot closer."
Director Patrick Burk says that he tries to give the cast members experience not only onstage, but behind the scenes as well:
"I want them to have a full experience. So they learn about acting, singing, choreography, etc., but they also help with props and sets and cleaning up. It's very important to teach them about tech roles, too."
Burk, who has directed the past 14 summer shows as well as numerous other local community theater productions, says that the cast began rehearsals in mid-May.
"Mr. Burk has a great vision for the show," Edwards says. "He yells sometimes but it's because he loves us and wants us to be the best that we can be. He's a lot of fun to work with."
The original Broadway stage production of The Wiz debuted in 1975, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It has had revivals in New York, London, San Diego and the Netherlands, and a film adaptation starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Nipsey Russell was released in 1978.
"Everyone should come see it," says Edwards. "It's going to be a great show."
Performances are Aug. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 22 at 2 p.m.. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. They can be purchased online at www.bataviaplayers.org link to www.showtix4u.com or at Batavia High School, 260 State St., during evening rehearsals and prior to each performance. For more information call 585-343-9721.
Banned Books Week is the only national celebration of the freedom to read. It was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. More than a thousand books have been challenged since 1982. The challenges have occurred in every state and in hundreds of communities. Stop in at Present Tense during Banned Books Week and see if YOUR favorite book is a banned book!
We will be reading Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt for our September meeting. Anyone ages 12+ is welcome to join us for a fun hour of discussion!
We will be reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd for our September meeting. Bring your lunch and enjoy a lively discussion!
http://www.presenttensebooks.com/events/lunchgroup.php
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County has announced the date of the Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Event. This year the celebration will be held at the Kennedy Building located on the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Route 5 in Batavia on October 8th at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and in lieu of payment, Extension is asking the public to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to a local food pantry.
Donna Morrill has been named the 2009 “Friend of Extension”. The “Friend of Extension” award is an honor bestowed upon an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to aid in the success of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. Donna has been an avid supporter of Extension, has served on the extension board for the past five years and is a graduate of the Leadership Genesee Program.
Other highlights of the evening include a tribute to Extension’s many dedicated volunteers, elections to fill positions on the board of directors, recognition of retiring board members Andrea Aldinger, Eric Adams, Mike Stroll, and Shelley Stein, as well as celebration and recognition of 4-H youth. Light hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be available.
For more information or to reserve a seat please call Barb at 585-343-3040 ext. 101 or stop by the Extension office by October 1st.
When asked how old she is, Elba artist Patricia Burr has to think about it a minute.
"Well," she says, "I was born in 1918, so that would make me...my goodness, that would make me 91. But," she adds with a laugh, "I don't feel it."
She doesn't look it or act it, either. Burr, who has resided in Elba for the past 68 of those 91 years, is still a working artist.
"I've enjoyed drawing for as long as I can remember. But in fifth grade, my teacher noticed that I would always draw in my books after I finished my homework. She called my parents and said, 'You know, it would be nice if your daughter could go to the art school.' Of course, I was all atwitter. I think that was really the beginning of it all."
The art school that her teacher recommended was the Albright Art School, now the Albright Knox Gallery. It was there that she took lessons every Saturday throughout grade school for 50 cents a week.
In 1939, after graduating from Buffalo State College, Burr was hired as Elba High School's first art teacher. Two years later, she moved from her native Buffalo to her current home.
Her love of art is evident just by opening up one of her 14 "fun books," which are filled with photographs and sketches of everything from carefully arranged fruit to strangers seen in restaurants.
"Always bring a pen or pencil with you wherever you go," Mrs. Burr advises, pointing out to me an impromptu drawing of the back of a friend's house. "You see a lot of different, interesting things."
She says that one of her greatest influences was Don Getz, a well-known Ohio watercolor painter from whom she took some classes.
"He was always very well-prepared for everything. We would all watch him and say, 'Wow, this guy knows how to do it!' We all hoped that someday we could be as good as Don. My friends and I would go on short road trips to find interesting things to draw, and sometimes Don would come with us. We all had a blast."
Now, Burr paints about three days a week and it usually takes her two days to finish one painting. She tends to work with acryllics and paints mostly landscapes and portraits, although she has been known to paint everything from pets to whiskey bottles, as pictured below.
"There's nothing I don't like to draw," she declares.
I'm Cletus, an adult, neutered, male hound mix. They found me wandering around a dog competition. I was the wrong breed for the show, but I didn't care. I have a sweet personality and would make a great member of your family. Although I have tested positive for heartworm, I will be treated for it by Volunteers for Animals.
I'm Lucky, an orange and white female whose family had to move. They couldn't take me. I'm the kind of cat that needs very little to make me happy -- a soft bed, a sunny spot in the window. I'm a loving companion with much to offer. Please stop in and see me soon.
Adoption fee is $30
Unspayed/unneutered animals also require a $35 refundable deposit
The animal shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia. Visit Volunteers for Animals on the Web at <vol4animals.org>
Hours are:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Modern Think, a national research firm, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, have named Genesee Community College as one of the nation's "Great Colleges to Work For."
GCC was the only community college in the State University of New York system to be included in the "Great Colleges to Work For" list.
As part of the "Great Colleges" project, faculty and staff members at Genesee and almost 250 other leading colleges and universities across the nation described their attitudes toward their positions and their institutions in a lengthy survey.
Modern Think, the research firm, tabulated the results on behalf of The Chronicle of Higher Education, the nation's leading higher education professional periodical. As part of the survey process, the college also had to complete a detailed institutional profile.
Chronicle editors used the survey results and institutional profiles to identify several dozen colleges and universities as "great places to work." Genesee scored exceptionally high in the quality of facilities, and the safety and security of the campus environment.
Genesee faculty and staff ranked the college highly in numerous categories, including institutional pride, relationships with supervisors, and overall job satisfaction.
Six members of the College's Buildings and Grounds staff were on hand, and applauded, at the Board of Trustees meeting last month to hear the survey report given by Associate Vice President of Human Resources Gina M. Weaver.
They included: Timothy Landers, director of Buildings and Grounds; Martin Cross, senior custodial worker; Jason Reardon, senior groundskeeper; Erik Will, senior custodial worker; Diane Marchese, Buildings and Grounds secretary; and Wayne Gruendike, Buildings and Grounds supervisor.
Board of Trustees Chair Laurie Miller said that she was pleased with the survey results.
"We know we're a great college, but it's very nice to be recognized nationally," she said.
Seventy-five years of activity at the V.A. Medical Center will be highlighted during the Holland Purchase Historical Society's monthly dinner at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The public is invited for a full turkey dinner and dessert at the Elba Methodist Church. Tickets are $8 and are available by telephoning (585) 343-4727 or at info@hollandlandoffice.com. RSVP by Sept. 10.
You’ve heard people say, “a penny for your thoughts”. Visit Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union on Thursday, October 15th when we will be giving you 1,000 pennies - $10.00 - just for telling us how you would use it to help someone else! All entries will be videoed. Finalists will be selected from these entries and posted on-line for voting. The winner will be awarded $1000 to use however they wish in contributing toward their cause. Stop by October 15th, when videoing will take place between 10 am and 2pm, to tell us how you would “Pay it Forward”.
The Continental School of Beauty will host the Aug. 20 Genesee County Chamber of Commerce get-together.
It will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at 215 East Main St. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. There'll be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. Plus doorprizes, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.
Eight new faculty and staff members will join Genesee Community College this fall semester.
They are:
The Batavia Area Jaycees 23rd Annual Labor Day Run & Walk
Batavia, NY: The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce their 23rd Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk, to be held on September 7, 2009 at MacArthur Park in Batavia.
The route is USA Track & Field certified course #NY-06038-JG. This year’s event proceeds will benefit Regional Action Phone, Inc. (RAP).
Participants should check in from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. Race time is 10:00 am. The registration fee for runners is $12 if preregistered by August 28th and $15 afterward, including the day of the event. Walkers can register for $10. The first 50 registered participants will receive a free t-shirt and awards will be presented to the top finishers.
Registration forms are available online at www.geneseeny.com/bataviajaycees or by calling the Jaycee hotline at 585-343-5775.
The race committee is actively seeking sponsors for this event. If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship, please leave a message at 585-343-5775 or e-mail to batjcs@wnynet.net
A fun, family event called the Festival of Fur takes place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday Aug. 16 across from the Genesee County Animal Shelter -- rain or shine.
Genesee Feeds & Needs and Dave's Ice Cream are teaming up with Volunteers for Animals to offer lots of enjoyment to people and the pets who own them, so to speak. The address is 3860 West Main St. Road in the Town of Batavia.
Here's the lineup:
It's raining kittens right now and their human friends are swamped. So they're sending out an S.O.S. to any goodhearted soul who can give these little guys a home.
Currently, there are more than 80 cats and kittens either in the Genesee County Animal Shelter, at Batavia Petco or in foster homes awaiting adoption. Another 40 are on the shelter's waiting list.
From noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, the Batavia Petco (located in the Target Plaza on Veteran's Memorial Highway in the Town of Batavia) will be hosting its second major adoption event.
Toni Ann Petty, Human Resources Specialist at VA Western New York Healthcare System, is the recipient of the 2009 Federal Woman of the Year Award for the Western New York area.
She was selected from among candidates from various federal agencies in the area. This marks the second straight year that the award was given to a VA Western NY Healthcare System employee.
Petty provides retirement and benefits counseling to employees of WNY Healthcare System. Recently a recipient of national certification as a Senior Human Resources Professional, she is also an integral member of the facility's Federal Women's Program Committee.
In addition, she's a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer who advocates for female veterans and employee/patients on VA Western NY Healthcare System's Women Veterans Advisory Council.
A luncheon in honor of the Federal Woman of the Year and Federal Supervisor of the Year will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 at King's Court Restaurant on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.
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