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Librarian Laura Keyes, who also does presentations and portrayals of historical women as part of Historic Voices, can recall as early as third grade repeatedly settling down in front of the television with family to watch the holiday classic, “White Christmas,” which was her grandmother's favorite movie. 

As Keyes and her two sisters got older and everyone was going their separate ways, there was even a fight over who would get the prized VHS copy of the movie. They ended up buying multiples so that each family member could watch the movie for times when they couldn’t all gather together, she said. It was that special.

“From a very young age, I was always watched as the family gathered at my grandmother’s house. And again, from a young age, my family started to watch it at our house … Looking back on my childhood, I didn’t remember much about the plot. And then, of course, as I grew up and I really paid attention to the movie, I was reminded there’s not much of a plot in the movie. 

"It’s a wonderful movie, and it has beautiful songs, but just to be honest, there’s not much of a plot in it,” Keyes said during a phone interview from Illinois. “At this point, the movie has the added layer of family togetherness and nostalgia that my family has created around the movie, including my parents and my siblings, so there’s that layer of enjoyment to the movie as well.”

Keyes will be presenting one of her latest research projects, "Virtual Illustrated Lecture: A Look Behind White Christmas," to be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia. 

The program is about an hour long, and Keyes will talk about the 1954 movie, which was a hit even before it debuted and has remained a holiday classic even today.

Her illustrated lecture will show you how the film was created and who were the creative geniuses behind it, all with behind-the-scenes images and historical information. She goes beyond the famous faces of Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney to also discuss people such as supporting actress Mary Wickes and costume designer Edith Head, both of whom “definitely added to this.”

A common vein that flows through all of her work is the back story of a subject, and "White Christmas" is no exception. That has allowed her to reignite a love of history she wasn’t so familiar with during her high school years when “it wasn’t taught in a way I enjoyed.” 

Diving into that back story — the underbelly of a person, place, situation — opens up the interesting details and emotions that Keyes not only enjoys learning about but also sharing with others, she said. 

"I have been portraying women from history and lecturing on historic topics since 2008 and I have a variety of different historic topics that I've taken on, especially when it comes to illustrated lectures … and I've touched on a number of different topics, including, a couple years ago, I created a talk on the history and folklore of Santa Claus. And so I enjoy looking at a topic, including a topic of popular culture, and just kind of getting the back story on it. And I did that a couple of years ago when I took the 1938 'War of the Worlds' broadcast that Orson Welles directed, and I looked at the whole back story of that, and then I explained that in a historical lecture, an illustrated lecture," she said. "And so I decided to do the same thing with this favorite movie of mine, 'White Christmas.' I wanted to share not only this film with so many other people, which I know some people also enjoy as a favorite of the holiday season, but I also wanted to give some of the back story and talk about the actors and other artists who created the film. 

"So that's what I talk about in my lecture; not just say their names and when they were born or some such, but really give the back story on them: how did they come to be cast in the movie?" she said. "I've actually just plain enjoyed learning more about these actors and artists.”

For anyone not familiar with the Welles' radio play, it was based on the 40-year-old novel of the same name about an alien invasion.

Keyes joined community theater years ago when she was cast in a lot of plays, including one featuring Mrs. Lincoln, she said. The glitch was “it was very historically inaccurate.”

“And in 2008, I had just graduated as a librarian with my master’s degree in library studies, so I did my research as a good little librarian. I put my research cap on and I said, ‘wow, this play is inaccurate,’ and, of course, one cannot change a script,” she said. “But I was allowed to write a short essay for the playbill, and I talked about Mary Lincoln and I talked about what she really went through. And so word got around the town that I was portraying Mary Lincoln very accurately, and so before the play closed, I had three phone calls from three different libraries saying ‘would you come to the library and give a talk like Mary Lincoln and wear your dress?’ And it’s just grown from there.”

Some of her portrayals also include Mary Todd Lincoln's daughter-in-law, Mary Harlan Lincoln, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Charlotte Bronte, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 

Keyes actually developed several programs about the first First Lady Mary Lincoln to accommodate her “complex and unique character” in various presentations throughout history. However, when asked for her favorite character, she couldn't pinpoint one. It was like asking to choose your favorite child, she said.

Richmond Library staff was also drawn to her Lincoln personna, and booked her for a virtual performance in September 2022. 

For this upcoming program, Keyes, whose full-time job is library director for Dunlap Public Library in Illinois, began her research in January, when she traveled to a museum in Omaha that displayed many of the movie's costumes and artifacts. But two other requests for portrayals stalled her completion until later this fall, and she plans to debut her White Christmas lecture at her own library this Thursday before folks here can watch it.

The movie is a spectacle of big-name actors wearing ornate outfits, including the Santa-themed red velvet and white fur trim with rhinestone accents, glistening under stage lights, lots of Christmas decorations and brightly lit trees, ballerinas,  gushy romance, and music throughout. Songs include "Let Me Sing," "And I’m Happy," "Blue Skies," "Sisters," "Snow," "Santa Claus," and of course, the big finale of "White Christmas," in which the audience joins in on the singing. 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,

Just like the ones I used to know.

Where the tree tops glisten,

And children listen,

To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

How would Grandma Joy, who was born around Christmastime, feel to know that her love for this movie has now transcended into a lecture for the public?
"I think that she would be very happy that I would be sharing this movie and this sweet story,” Keyes said.

Was there anything surprising in your research for "White Christmas"?
“Yes, something that absolutely shocked me," she said. "There’s a connection with Orson Welles and the 'War of the Worlds' program. I will explain that (on Dec. 18)."

Assistant Director and Community and Adult Services Librarian Samantha Stryker said the library is looking forward to hosting Keyes for her virtual illustrated lecture. 

"We've enjoyed virtual programs from Historic Voices in the past, ranging on topics from the history of Santa Claus to a portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. Like many places, Richmond Memorial Library expanded into virtual programming during the pandemic, and now we're pleased to offer hybrid options -- patrons can watch from the comfort of their own homes or join us at the library to watch the live stream of the program on the big screen," Stryker said. "The ability to watch from home works great for those who may not like to drive at night or in wintery weather. Those who attend in person can enjoy cocoa, tea and cookies. Laura Keyes always presents well-researched and interesting deep dives into various topics and we're looking forward to hosting another intriguing presentation from her."

To watch at the library, register by calling 585-343-9550, Ext. 3. Go HERE for more information or to register.

Keyes said there will be time at the end for audience questions. Stryker will have copies of the film available for people to check out if they want to watch it.

Your ugly Christmas sweater could be your ticket to ride at Sunday's annual Genesee Symphony Orchestra holiday concert at GCC.

At intermission, GSO elves seek out the ugliest sweater worn by an audience member who will be the winner of the grand prize -- a chance to conduct the orchestra during its annual performance of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride."

While "Sleigh Ride" is a perennial fan favorite, among the highlights of the concert, said Conductor and Musical Director Shade Zajac, is the vocal performances of Soprano Jessica Moss.

She's singing an aria from the opera “La Wally,” two from Handel's “Messiah,” and an aria from “La Bohème.”

"She's an extraordinary singer," Zajac said. "I met her about two years ago. I've only been able to work with her one other time before, and she's a real, a real fine artist. I mean, absolutely, see her now before she gets to the Met, where the tickets are going to be more expensive."

Besides "Sleigh Ride," other fun numbers on the program include "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," as well as selections from the “It's a Wonderful Life” Suite -- yes, the soundtrack of the Jimmy Stewart classic arranged for orchestra.

"We've had a very busy start of the season and really intense start of the season, so it's really nice to just kind of let loose a little bit and play some fun music," Zajac said. "We love doing 'It's a Wonderful Life.' It's some great, great music and they don't make scores like that any more. It’s really cute and full of old Hollywood schlock."

GSO performs at GCC at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $17 for adults; seniors $12, and students with ID are free.

Photos by Howard Owens

If it's your habit to greet people with a "Go Buffalo" 365 days a year, a new radio show on Wednesday mornings on WBTA might be for you.

After Further Review is a local take—featuring Jim Ernst, Erik Triftshauser, Steve Pies, and Marc Tillery—on the Bills and the Sabres, local high school sports, some national sports, and an enthusiastic discussion of the hosts' other shared passion: music.

"It's your front-row seat for sports, hits and headlines," said Ernst, station owner and co-host.  "That's our slogan."

The show airs at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.

They talk about the Blue Devils, the Aggies, the Trojans, the Bees, the Lancers, and ever other high school sports program as much as they talk about the Bills and the Sabres. With hockey coming up, BND United will be a frequent topic of conversation.

They like to go deep into music, too, Ernst said.

"Every episode, we each pick one song, break it down a little bit, and talk a little bit about the group," Ernst said. "Like yesterday, I picked 'More Than a Feeling' because we were right there at High Mark Stadium, and it's Jim Kelly's favorite song."

"We like to say It's mind over matter. If it's not on our mind, it really doesn't matter," Triftshauser quipped.

Press Release:

Northgate Church is excited to invite the community to its annual Vintage Christmas celebration, which will take place on Thursday and Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the church’s backyard (8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia).

This free outdoor event is a wonderful way for families and friends to embrace the joy of the Christmas season together.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of festive activities, including:

• A beautiful Christmas tree lighting
• A walkthrough nativity experience
• Delicious free cookies and hot chocolate

Submitted photos.

Press Release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers announces that their Winter 2025 edition of the GREAT BATAVIA TRAIN SALE will be held at the Richard C. Call Arena in Batavia. The large venue on the campus of Genesee Community College offers unmatched convenience for attendees and vendors. The show is scheduled for Sunday, January 12. 

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for those under 18, and free for children under 13. The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and features model train vendors, free parking, and a snack bar.

For 50 years the Great Batavia Train Sale has been one of the premier hobby events in Western New York. The Richard C. Call arena at Genesee Community College is a perfect train show venue providing excellent lighting in a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility. All forms of model railroad and train-related merchandise will be available. Over 100 vendors will be offering all scales of model trains and historic railroad items.

Modeling demonstrations, and a limited number of portable layouts, will be part of the fun. Free parking, on-site concession stand, and plenty of seating add to the experience.

For more information contact the Train Show Chairman Mike Pyszczek at 585-768-4579 (residence) or email: bataviatrainshow@gmail.com.

260 Ross Street Batavia-City. Super solid and well taken care of 3 bedroom ranch home ready for your immediate occupancy!! This home is clean, freshly painted thru out and has been well maintained and upgraded thru out the years!! This adorable home has a lot to offer and will surprise you with all that you can’t see by driving by! The home is well laid out starting with large living room with pretty hardwood floors, oversized eat in kitchen and awesome huge pantry! There are three large bedrooms with hardwoods as well as plenty of closet space. One currently has laundry hookups should ups should you need/want first floor laundry capabilities! Downstairs is HUGE and provides a lot of additional living space! Partially finished with full bath it makes a fabulous recreation area. There is also tons of storage space and a place to have small workshop area as well. Not only is this home located in great quiet neighborhood but is located on half acre plus lot-the backyard will surprise you as it is fully fenced and private with large deck that overlooks a beautiful wooded lot not visible from the road! Check this one out for yourself-Delayed negotiations on December 9th by 7:00!

An eclectic evening of music is planned for the main gallery to GO ART!, 201 E. Main St., Batavia, at 7 p.m. on Friday when local musicians Howard Owens and Henry Grace perform solo sets that touch on pop, folk, country and Americana.

On stage first, Henry Grace, a Batavia-based singer-songwriter whose style evokes a variety of influences cultivated from years of living a life simple as a moment, partly an urban legend, a dreamer of dreams, and a storyteller to the working class whose live performances connect vividly with audiences.

Grace has an extensive musical background has taken him through New York to Atlanta to Nashville and back again, playing coffeehouses, church basements, bars, colleges, libraries, backyards, and regional festival stages.

Recently, Henry Grace has become a part of the burgeoning Batavia music scene as co-founder of the folk duo Parris and Holly and clamor pop band Rose Mary Christian’s Babies gigging locally at Jackson Square, GO ART!, Iburi Photography, Pub Coffee House, and VFW Post 1602.

Grace plays a mixture of original songs and covers by Vic Chesnutt, Jules Shear, and Neil Young, among others.

Owens is a product of the backcountry of San Diego County and the nascent punk scene in Southern California (birthplace of cowpunk). He never lost his Western roots, and his musical interests reflect that broad range of influences.  On Friday, expect to hear some Dave Alvin, Odetta, Iris Dement, Johnny Cash, Graham Parsons, Jack White, Amos Milburn, Tanya Tucker, and Bob Dylan.

Over the past two years, he's played at Juneteenth, GO ART!, Iburi Photography, and VFW Post 1602.

Admission to Friday's show is free.

The cause of a fire at 15 East Ave., Batavia, remains under investigation, according to City Fire Chief Josh Graham.

In a statement, Graham said:

On Thursday, Nov. 28, the City of Batavia Fire Department responded to a report of a residential structure fire at 15 East Ave in the city. Law enforcement arrived on scene and confirmed fire showing from the first floor with one occupant out of the building and unknown if any others were inside. 

Initial fire units led by Lieutenant Craig Huntoon arrived 4 minutes after dispatch to find a large volume of fire on the first floor of a two-story, single-family residence. Lieutenant Huntoon immediately requested a second alarm while crews made an aggressive offensive fire attack. 

Crews quickly brought the fire under control and searched for occupants. No additional occupants were found. Crews spent over three hours on the scene. 

The structure sustained major damage to the entire first floor, while the second floor only received minor damage due to a closed stairwell door. 

There were two minor injuries to firefighters on scene. 

Graham said the department was assisted by the Batavia Police Department, Genesee County Emergency Dispatch Center, the Town of Batavia Fire Department, the Leroy Fire Department, Mercy EMS, and the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management. 

Batavian Jason Smith keeps the birds in his Southside backyard on snowy days.

2995 W Main Street Road Batavia-Town. What a great property! Even better price!! This country home offers a lot of possibilities and opportunities for all-whether starting out or downsizing this home has something for everyone! Starting with spacious layout and is perfect for anyone looking for first floor living-there are two full baths and two bedrooms on main floor! The master bedroom suite is oversized with private bath and awesome loft space perfect for private sitting area, workout space or amazing dressing room! Kitchen dining living-room flow perfectly and are great for entertaining and features propane fireplace for cozy evenings. Second bedroom is currently used as home office and great built in work area! Upstairs bedroom is spacious with corner fireplace huge closet/storage area and private bathroom! Outside features pretty wooded backyard with awesome double concrete patio and is all ready for you and your outside kitchen! The out building is what will have your friends envious-not only is it partially finished and heated with propane fireplace, there is so much great heated work space and storage areas as well! There is also huge finished loft area with bath -used as home gym space! Only scratching the surface with everything that is included with this property! Awesome location-conveniently located to shopping and thruway-Hurry and check this one out!! Call Reliant Real Estate today, call 585-344- HOME (4663)

Press Release:

Come to the Holland Land Office Museum (HLOM ) on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. for a Christmas concert featuring members of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. A brass ensemble will treat everyone to all the classic holiday tunes. Admission is $5 or $4 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Join us at the Holland Land Office Museum for the next edition of our Trivia Night @ the Museum on Thursday, December 12 at 7 p.m. In honor of the end of prohibition in the United States, the topic is the 1930s. Admission is $5 or $3 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Come to the Holland Land Office Museum on Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. for a Christmas concert featuring Mike Whyman as he plays many of the classic holiday songs on acoustic guitar. Admission is $5 or $4 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Come to the Holland Land Office Museum on Friday, December 20 at 7 p.m. for a Christmas concert featuring members of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra. That night a flute quartet will treat everyone with all the classic holiday tunes. Admission is $5 or $4 for museum members. Please contact the museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Around 1915, my father's family moved from Mendon, New York, to Batavia. My grandparents, James D. and Catherine Nussbaumer Reilly, raised five children at 27 Cedar Street in the east end of town. My grandfather was a railroad man ( Workin' On The Railroad,The Batavian, 11/20/2020), so the house they purchased was directly next to the four lines of the New York Central.

The family was Catholic, so they attended St. Joseph's Church on East Main Street, and the children attended St. Joseph's School. The Reverend T. Bernard Kelly was the administrator of the church and school and, for some reason, passed my father ahead two grades, so he ended up graduating from Batavia High School at the age of 15. He always regretted this as he later realized he was too young and immature to be a high school grad. Well-known Batavia newspaper columnist Dan Winegar even wrote a story about it.

My dad and his family continued to be parishioners at St. Joseph's, and in 1944, when he was an officer in the Army Air Corps, he and my mom were married there with Father Kelly as the officiant. My mother had grown up as a non-practicing Protestant but converted to Catholicism when she married my dad.

Switching Churches
I was born in 1947 and after a year of renting an old mill house at Seven Springs my parents bought a house on Thomas Avenue more toward the west end of the city. This area was in St. Mary's Church Parish and when it started an elementary school in 1952 that sealed the deal for us to change churches and we stayed as congregants of that Church at least until I graduated from the school following 8th grade in 1960.

St. Mary's Church is on Ellicott Street near the corner of Evans. It was built there and opened in 1907. Msgr. Edward Ferger became the pastor of St. Mary's in 1939, and around 1950, he decided to proceed with his idea to start a Catholic High School in Batavia and build an elementary school for the Church on the same property.

Land was purchased on Union Street, which parcel went through to Woodrow Road, and in 1952, Notre Dame High School opened there. St. Mary's Elementary School was being constructed next door to the high school, so for the first two years of its existence, the grammar school held classes in the basement of Notre Dame. 

In 1954, St. Mary's School officially opened in its own building with 8 classrooms and a combination Gym/lunchroom. One difference between St. Mary's and the other 3 Batavia Catholic schools was that the church and school were approximately a mile apart, while St. Joseph's, St. Anthony's and Sacred Heart were adjacent to the churches. This led to some interesting situations, which will come up later in my story.

I went to St. Mary's for first and second grade in the basement of Notre Dame ( I had attended Kindergarten at the public Washington School) and then moved to the new building for Grade 3 and continued there until I graduated from eighth grade on moved on to the Catholic high school.

In 1957, we moved to North Spruce Street on the east end of town, but my parents agreed to let me finish grades 6, 7, and 8 at St. Mary's, even though it caused some transportation problems. However, my three-year-younger brother Dan, who was just starting third grade, transferred to the closer St. Joseph's on Summit Street.

Serving At St. Mary's
Those readers who are Roman Catholic know that in the past, young boys, usually in their early teens, were chosen as altar servers, and their duties were to assist the priests with the Mass ( Catholic service) and also to aid in other church ceremonies, especially weddings and funerals. As time passed and some traditions changed girls were allowed to assist the priest. Today, with the shortage of priests and Catholic schools it is often an adult who assists the celebrant.

I don't recall why I was chosen to be an altar boy at St. Mary's in the seventh and eighth grade, but I'm positive it wasn't for my stellar academics or outstanding behavior ( I wasn't a bad kid, but if you've read some of my previous stories you know I could be mischievous). It could have had something to do with some pushing ( both of me and the priests) by my mom, who was very active in the church and school. At one point, she was president of the school “ Mother's Club,” which was St. Mary's equivalent of the PTA ( weren't dads involved in the school back then?) She also worked in the lunchroom.

In those late 1950's years the priests at St. Mary's were the older Monsignor David Cahill who had been born in Ireland and still had a bit of a brogue and a younger Father George Brennan. Most , if not all , of my my altar boy duties were with one or the other of them. Both priests were regular visitors to the school also.

As has been the case with many of my stories, for some reason, I tend to remember the humorous and odd incidents rather than the regular and mundane events that others do. The same is true with my altar boy days.

Altar Boy Escapades
One thing that will always be a mystery is why I almost passed out a number of times while serving Mass. It always happened while kneeling (almost the entire service) and usually before Communion time. I would start getting dizzy and lightheaded, break out in a sweat and would have to exit the altar. I would go through the sacristy ( the room where the priests and servers would get ready for the service), down the stairs, and then I would sit outside in the fresh air with my head between my legs. After about five minutes, I would start feeling better and could return to the altar.

My suspicion is that it was a combination of not eating ( back then, you had to fast before Communion) and the position my body was in while kneeling. Almost always, there were two altar boys, so my leaving briefly didn't really have any effect on the service. I know the priests asked me several times if I was okay and the odd thing is that it never has happened to me at any other time in my life. Of course, unless you install carpets or something, most people don't spend much time kneeling. ( That time you felt faint while proposing to your wife was probably for other reasons).

I am not a gambler, but I would bet that anyone who was an altar boy sampled some of the Sacramental wine at some point. There have been movies which depicted boys making off with a bunch of the wine and getting sloppy drunk , but I'm pretty sure that's exaggerated. I personally thought it tasted like watered down cough medicine when my friends and I snuck a sip or two.

Even though weddings usually took place on a Saturday morning we altar boys were glad to assist at them even though it was our weekend off from school. The reason was that it was a tradition for us to receive an envelope with some cash in it from the bride and groom for our service. I think it was usually $5, but in 1959 or 1960, that was a lot of money for a 12 or 13-year-old. I could buy a bunch of candy and some packs of baseball or football cards with that. I wish I had an exciting wedding story like the ending of the movie The Graduate, but the best I can do is the Best Man dropping the ring when he goes to hand it to the Groom.

Unless you were an altar boy you might be surprised that we liked funerals. No we weren't macabre, ghoulish or unfeeling. And we only liked them on school days. That was because we got out of school to go assist at the funeral mass. If the weather was nice enough we got to ride our bikes too because as I mentioned earlier the church was about a mile from the school.

Being 12 and 13-year-old boys, we took full advantage of this perk. At least until we got caught. When the funeral was over we took our sweet time getting back to school. Of course, our bike tires were low on air, so we had to stop at the gas station nearby to fill them up. Then we had to take a detour off West Main by crossing the Walnut Street bridge over the Tonawanda Creek and riding down South Main to recross the South Lyon Street bridge. Naturally we were scientifically curious so on both bridges we had to stop and study the flowing creek for signs of wildlife and observe the water flow.

Once we got back to West Main we were pretty tired and thirsty from our excursion so we might stop at Peters Delicatessen for a bottle of pop ( when I got to college at St. John Fisher I was made fun of by downstaters who insisted it was called soda). My favorite was Vernor 's “Va-Va Voom” Ginger ale. Finally we would arrive back at school just in time for lunch.

This was all great fun until Msgr. Cahill had some business at the school after a funeral and beat us back there by about an hour. We got a pretty good tongue-lashing, including some words in his Irish brogue that might have been a bit “off-color.” From then on, we were transported to and from the church in one of the priest's cars.

Speaking of getting lectured, there was another occasion that shows how immature 12—and 13-year-old boys can be. It was at a funeral, I think, for an elderly person, so fortunately, there weren't many attendees. A few of us got the giggles over something. You know, the kind where you should not in any way be laughing, but once you start, you can't control it? The Monsignor let us have it after the funeral was over, and we deserved it.

The final instance I can recall of getting berated by a priest as an altar boy I don't think was warranted at all. The Reverend ( I don't recall which one) was dispensing Holy Communion. My job was to walk next to him and place the paten (a gold plate) under the communicant's chin so the Eucharist ( a thin wafer also called the Host) wouldn't fall as it was placed on the person's tongue.

As Father reached into the Ciborium, a container that held the Hosts ( I never knew it was called that until I looked it up for this story), he dropped one on the floor. Out of reflex, I bent to pick it up. “Don't you dare touch that," he roared. “That's the Body of Christ”! Whoa! I thought a lightning bolt would come down and zap me into a million pieces. The person about to receive communion's mouth dropped open.

As the priest picked it up, my face must have turned 10 shades of red. I was so embarrassed in front of all the people.

Wouldn't something like, “ Dave, I got that, only priests are allowed to touch the Eucharist” have been kinder? He never said anything about it after Mass, either. And by the way, at today's Communion the people receiving it are allowed to indicate that the priest should place it in their hands so they can put it on their own tongue if they'd rather. You can file that with fasting, eating meat on Friday , girls being altar servers and some others under the category “ Once Forbidden Things That Aren't Any More”.

Herding Cats
One of my previous stories ( Bad Habits at St. Mary's School: the nuns who wore them, Kids Who Learned Them Aug. 8, 2019) detailed my elementary school career from grades 1-8. However I wanted to add a couple experiences which involved traveling to the church which, again, was a mile away.

I was a 5th and 6th-grade teacher for 32 years, and in that time, I took some classes on walking trips to nearby destinations in the City of Rochester, such as a movie theater, the Memorial Art Gallery, and The Rochester Museum and Science Center. So, I know that walking a bunch of kids somewhere takes patience and organization, such as enlisting parents to act as chaperones. But I never had to walk a mile wearing a habit and a pair of “nun shoes,” as we used to call them. Also, my classes usually had about 25 students, not the 45 or 50 that the nuns had to deal with at St. Mary's.

On occasion, the nuns would walk us to the church if practice was required for something which couldn't be duplicated at the school, such as May Crowning or the Confirmation ceremony. This required walking on Woodrow Road to West Main Street and the a pretty long trek down Main to the intersection at Dellinger Avenue/Walnut Street where we would cross at the traffic light and continue on the South side of Main past the E. N. Rowell Box Factory to Ellicott St. and then to the church.

I'm not sure how the girls behaved during these excursions on foot, but most of the boys would amuse themselves by slapping each other in the back of the head, trying to give each other “wedgies,” and other assorted childishness. If the nun happened to spot this misbehavior, you might end up walking with her, grasping you by the hand. This, of course, would subject you to ridiculing and snickers from the other guys. 

On one occasion, when whatever we were practicing for was done and it was time to head back to school, I hatched a plan to avoid the walk. Of course, it was foolish, but that fact evaded my thinking until later. As we exited the church, I quickly ducked into an alcove beneath the long front steps ( on a recent stop at the church, I found that it must have been filled in years ago). I stayed there until everyone was long gone and then walked home stupidly, chuckling to myself how clever I had been.

Of course, when the class got back to school, Sister noticed I was missing and called my mother. In addition to the lecture and punishment I got from Mom, I had to deal with the teacher in school the next day. What was I thinking? To paraphrase Scottish poet Robert Burns, “ The best laid plans of mice and (young boys) oft go awry.”

One non-church trip we hiked on was to the Dipson Theater on Main Street to see the movie The Song Of Bernadette. It was made in 1946 so the Catholic Schools must have arranged with the theater to show it for the students. The film is about a young French girl who claims that The Blessed Mother appears to her in a cave at a place called Lourdes. Then Bernadette digs with her hands in the ground, and water bubbles up, which people claim heals them from afflictions. I don't remember much of the film specifically, but I do recall my friends, and I were upset that the concession stand was not open for us to get popcorn and Junior Mints. The nuns probably wished for a miracle of their own to get us to be serious about something.

Recently I learned that Saint Mary's Church closed for good this past August ( the school has been gone since the early 2000s). Even though a lot of my memories are of silly and humorous situations that happened to or because of me there, I realize that many people have very fond recollections of the beauty of the church and baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals. Also, it was , like other churches, a gathering spot for dances, bingo and other social events, which brought parishioners together as a community. St. Mary's legacy will live on in those peoples' hearts and minds for as long as they live.

Photos courtesy Dave Reilly

Santa returns to State Street in Batavia on Friday, and again on Dec. 20, for photos with families and children from 6 to 8 p.m.

Mrs. Claus will be joining Santa on this special trip from the North Pole to spread Christmas joy.

Local helpers will be on hand to snap photos for parents who wish to be in the photo, too. 

To find Santa, look for the brightly lit holiday house at 150 State St.

We live where there are four seasons, and the weather, holidays, and outdoor activities dictate our memories. 

I remember how much snow we had in winter during the 50s and 60s, when the ground was covered with snow from November to March. It always seemed there were two feet of snow and never a snow day. You always wore a winter jacket, snow pants, rubber boots, and possibly a Wonder Bread bag over your shoes to make sure your feet stayed dry. A scarf, mittens, and a hat completed your winter attire. We looked like inflated children walking to school. 

We spent many hours on the weekends playing in the snow. That was where the snow forts were built, and the snowball fights began. It was also the time to take your Flexible Flyer steel runner wood sled to State Street hill and wait in line for your turn to sail down the hill, only to get to the end of the hill to walk up again and wait your turn in line. If you lived on the south side, you would sled on the South Jackson Street hill, and hopefully, no cars were coming as your sled would end up in the street. We had the snow to play in and the anticipation of the Christmas school break. 

Depending on where you lived, there was ice skating. Austin and Kibbe Parks’ wading pools would be transformed into an ice rink, and the Tonawanda Creek also became an ice skating rink. In the early history of Vine Street, there was also ice skating, and today, you can see what remains in a stone-created little building you used to go in to keep warm. That was before John Kennedy School was built. Later, the tennis courts became skating rinks with music to skate to. 

The day we would get our Christmas tree, we went to either the Boy Scout Christmas Tree lot or the St. Joseph's Drum Corps tree lot to purchase our tree. We had to wait a day before dragging out the metal stand and trying to set up the tree so it appeared straight. I remember two kinds of lights: the multi-colored large bulbs and the bubble lights. The ornaments were glass, and inevitably, a few would break. Mom or Dad put up the lights because we were too young to do that, and we probably would fight. The best part was the icicles. We would carefully put one strand at a time on the tree, and by the time we were done, we were throwing handfuls. Years later, Gina and Terry were added to the family, and now we had an aluminum Christmas tree. 

The youngest brother, John, just sat and watched the chaos. The little sisters weren't born yet. In the winter, board games were played, mostly Monopoly, and some arguing was bound to happen. We always had to ask if getting up on Christmas morning was okay! 

Mass was always a big part of our Sunday morning. I remember how beautiful the church looked, all decorated, and voices from the choir filled the air with traditional holiday songs. Our family was so big we filled an entire pew. 

Our Mom gave each of my five siblings a photograph album one year. It must have taken her a year to make them; we treasured them. In those pages, we were growing up through pictures. The six of us just sat in the living room, sharing photographs and recalling so many memories, and today, we would give anything to have one more day like that. It was the best Christmas gift we ever received. 

Another highlight of Christmas Day was the five-course meal that was prepared. If you are Italian, you know exactly what I mean. Dinner took place in our dining room, at the adult table, and in the kitchen, at the kid's table. Before dinner, our Dad always said grace and added something beautiful about being thankful for his family and all being able to share Christmas. After dinner, we would get into the station wagon and ride around Batavia looking at the Christmas lights. Our first stop was the NYS School for the Blind, where we saw the miniature Christmas Village. It was a time when you could see the Nativity Scene on city property. When I think of Christmas today and as a child, I wouldn't change a thing. I loved growing up in a big family because we all share the same memories, and the stories of our younger years get embellished every year as we tell them over and over again. 

It will always be the Blind School, State Park Hill, St. Anthony's, St. Mary's, Sacred Heart Church, and St. Joseph Church. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa to my readers.   I hope your winter season is a time to create new memories and cherish the old ones.

The Batavia Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Thanksgiving Free Skate on Thursday morning at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena in Batavia.

Photos by Howard Owens.

More than 950 local residents received free Thanksgiving meals on Thursday, prepared and delivered by dozens of City Church volunteers working out of the kitchen at the St. Anthony's campus.

Most of the meals were delivered but tables were set for any people who wished to dine at St. Anthony's.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Mike Miller, with a time of 21:58, won the Fourth Annual Turkey Trot on Thursday at Silver Fox Fitness on Cedar Street.

Photos by Howard Owens.