During the eclipse events in Corfu, there was something sweet happening at Sweet Dream Maple Farm on Reynolds Road. Owners Al and Amy Stein had the farm open today for maple samplings, lunch, tours of the farm, and their shop was open for business.

When Al heard that the Darien Lake Hotel was going to be open for the eclipse weekend, he wanted to include their farm with all of the local happenings. 

"It's something for the visitors to do," Al said. "I opened everything as an extension of Maple Weekend." 

Nick and Tina were up here on a family trip from Danbury, Conn., with their three kids, Ben, Nicola, and Samantha. They heard of the events happening in Corfu from their Airbnb host, Amy Stein, and decided to keep their eclipse viewings local. 

Another stop was in the village of Corfu for their eclipse viewing party at Pembroke Intermediate School, which was free for all to attend. Many locals gathered for games of corn hole, miniature golf, trivia, and a cookout fundraiser for the church food pantry. 

Jim and Sara Hall of Corfu were excited to spend time with their kids today. 

"I took the day off of work," Jim Hall said. "It looks like it's going to be a dark one." 

He laughed.

"The three-day event was a great success," said Tom Sargent, the village of Corfu mayor. "It was well attended for a small community." 

He recapped that Corfu had the parade and dance on Saturday, which at one point had 45 people on the dance floor learning to square dance. The craft festival and movie night on Sunday also had great turnouts. 

"The weather definitely affected the turnout today," Sargent said. 

Even though it was a cloudy day for everyone in Genesee County, Corfu was able to catch a couple of glimpses between clouds before the total eclipse.

There was widespread agreement that it was an exciting event even though the actual total eclipse wasn't visible.

The village and school district of Elba collaborated to host an eclipse event Monday. Here are some of the visitors and participants, and activities that took place on school grounds. 

Photos submitted by Gretchen Rosales.

These photos, above of the total solar eclipse when the sun was fully shadowed by the moon and, below, after the few minutes were over and darkness evaporated into daylight again on Monday, were submitted by Red Dyson from Park Avenue in Batavia.

Other residents submitted their versions of the total solar eclipse as well.

 Animal lovers took in the eclipse Monday at Mockingbird Farm Animal Sanctuary in Byron.

Jonell and Joe Chudyk, and Jon Tedd founded the livestock rescue farm. They care for more than 40 rescue animals and birds.

The event on Monday drew visitors from New York City, New Jersey, Binghamton and Ithaca.

Ben Strothmann (aka Honey LaBronx, The Vegan Drag Queen) from Manhattan, who has performed at fundraisers for Mockingbird Farms, made the trip, saying it was "kismet" when he saw that a charity he supports was in the path of totality and was hosting a special eclipse event.

While awaiting the eclipse,  visitors could pet livestock, play lawn games, get tarot card readings, and read about eclipses.  

The event was coordinated with the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Previously: Mockingbird a sanctuary for all creatures, take a tour at festival Oct. 7

If you were in Genesee County on Monday were teed off that you didn't get to actually see the total eclipse that passed over the region, at Terry Hills, they were really teed off.

In the midst of the darkest minute, golfers hit glow-in-the-dark balls of the first tee, apparently just to say they played golf during a total eclipse of the sun.

Terry Hills Golf Course hosted an eclipse party, including a special menu with food items such as Total Eclipse Burger, Blackout Caesar Salad, and Supernova Nachoes.

Golfers also received a commemorative "I Saw the Eclipse at Terry Hills April 8th 2024" golf ball.

Danielle Rotondo said about 150 golfers hit the links on Monday, with about sixty playing during the eclipse.  The three people teeing off from the first tee during the totality were Mary Brown, Casey Brown, and Rotondo.

"It was a great day, an amazing experience playing and teeing off during totality," Rotondo said. "My aunt, Mary Brown, had the idea to use the glow golf balls, which make for an epic tee shot!  We had people come from all over New York State to experience it at our facility."

Photos and video submitted by Danielle Rotondo

The sun and moon may have hid behind clouds during the total solar eclipse that passed over Western New York -- with Batavia dead-center in the eclipse path -- on Monday afternoon, but even a glimpse of the partial eclipse from 2:41 to 2:44 p.m. thrill some visitors to the Richmond Memorial Library.

The total eclipse started at 3:19 p.m. and lasted for four minutes. It, however, was shrouded by clouds.

Even with a forecast of clouds, the dim prospects of actually seeing a fairly rare total solar eclipse were enough to draw a few visitors to Genesee County and the Genesee County Fairgrounds to see what they could see.

There were a couple of dozen groups of people at the fairgrounds on Monday to see the eclipse.

Denise Auker, of Lancaster, Pa., and her family of six picked Batavia because it seemed affordable and the five-hour drive was reasonable.

"The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce's website was very helpful and had a lot of information," Auker said. "We were at the maple farm this morning. They (the chamber) recommended that, and then they had this location on (the site). They had several locations to choose from, but we picked this one."

For Mike from Northern Virginia and his friend Aram, Genesee County seemed like it might be a place with fewer crowds, easier to get to and leave after the event.

"We also wanted to go somewhere where there were we knew there were places to see the eclipse," Mike said. "We didn't want to get stuck in the middle of a place with just roads and no cleaning, no place to park and see it. We figured this was a good place to end up."

Video by Steve Tufts

A layer of clouds between Western New York and the sun didn't dampen the party mood at Batavia Downs, which hosted an Eclipse Party on Monday afternoon featuring the band Nerds Gone Wild.

The hotel was sold out and more than 400 people attended the event, said Marketing Director Ryan Hasenauer. 

"The assembled crowd headed to the track and cheered as they watched totality approach, and then cheered once again when it became light again, Hasenauer said. "We thank everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities at Batavia Downs."

Hasenauer said the eclipse capped off a successful weekend for Batavia Downs, which also featured a well-attended Experience Psychic Fair.

Photos courtesy Batavia Downs.

Oakfield was one of several communities to host activities for families during Monday's total solar eclipse. The village had several vendor booths, children's games, a small petting zoo, food, and of course, plenty of space for viewing when the big moment arrived.

Photos submitted by Jamie Lindsley.

A Batavia couple was selling solar glasses Monday figuring, “hey, why not?” Since both of them had heard that other places had sold out. The duo had set up on Ellicott Street in Batavia. They weren't too hopeful, they said, considering there were some raindrops and continuing cloud cover to literally dampen the event a bit. But it was worth a try.

Photo by Howard Owens.

Jesse Hawley, a student from Pennsylvania studying at Alfred State College, was setting up his video equipment at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street Monday afternoon in preparation for — you guessed it — the total solar eclipse.

He chose to record the eclipse in Genesee County by tracking where the moon would be: dead center, he said.

And so I saw Rochester and Buffalo and stuff like that. And I figured that there would be high population density places. And then I found Batavia,” Hawley said to The Batavian. “I thought, I’m sure we can, you know, have a picnic and like not have to squeeze in. So I thought it'd be an ideal spot to come here. And it looked like a really nice park. So I mean, even if it's cloudy, it's nice to have a good picnic. 

“It seems like there's some young kids and another family that we're spending time with. And so I think they're having fun, you know, turning the football and playing on the playground and stuff like that. So it's working out for everyone, I think.”

Hawley used to study physics and astronomy, he said. That’s when he obtained a lot of equipment including a telescope and solar binoculars, which he kept even though he’s now into art and design.

“And a lot of my work is inspired by natural phenomenon, like plasma. I do a lot of neon work. And so biophysics, like my studies of that, continue, but now they're in my artwork, and I do a lot of sculpture and sound and video and a lot of stuff,” he said. “So, yeah, but you know, I have these tools and there's a crazy event happening and so I brought it all out and set it up and I have lots of friends who can help with the setup and yeah, so I think that'll be a lot of fun once it starts happening.”

Have you ever seen an eclipse before?

“In I think 2017 in Erie there was a partial eclipse and that's when I was studying physics. So yeah, I was yes, helping facilitate a viewing of that. But I’ve never ever seen a complete eclipse. So I hope we get some break in the clouds to really see, and hopefully see the corona of the sun. That'd be amazing,” he said.

So what are you anticipating?

“If it keeps up then clouds, and it'll just get darker than usual, which I think that'll still be like a very novel event to happen, it will become quite dark in the middle of the day,” he said.. “But it would be really nice if the clouds were not there and we really could see the outline of the sun.”

Howard Owens contributed to this article.

Curtis Foss of Medina added to his lengthy list of honor scores last week, posting a perfect game and 800 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 36-year-old right-hander, who operates the pro shop at Oak Orchard Bowl, posted games of 300, 257 and 245 for an 802 total using a Storm Summit Peak ball.

Brandon Gurnsey of Albion wasn't far behind, registering a 276 game and 770 series.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Bill Neubert of Batavia came within a pin of perfection for the second time this season in the Thursday Owls League.

The 73-year-old righty rolled 11 strikes before leaving the 7-pin for a 299 middle game. He finished with a 759 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Press release:

“Twelve years ago today I woke up on the floor of a jail cell...with no hope or possible idea what could be! There was no possibility of this life, no love of my life, no career, no future, no family, no recovery," Leaf wrote on X. "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending! There is Hope!” – Ryan Leaf, April 1, 2024.

In 1998, the San Diego Chargers selected Ryan Leaf, standout quarterback from Washington State University, as the No. 2 overall pick in the National Football League Draft behind Peyton Manning. A finalist for the Heisman Trophy following his junior year, the future looked bright for the Great Falls, Mont., native.

However, dreams of a storied NFL career turned into a nightmare for the strong-armed 6-foot5-inch, 235-pound signal caller as issues involving bad behavior, injuries, work ethic and focus -- beyond poor play – limited his time as a pro to four nonproductive years.

Leaf went into a downward spiral, eventually ending up in prison for burglary and drug-related offenses – a period of time he referred to in his statement above.

Although he wasn’t able to survive in the world of professional football, Leaf has turned his life around – carving out a respected space throughout the United States as a motivational speaker and ambassador for sobriety.

He said he has been in recovery from substance use disorder for the past 11 years, and has devoted his life to helping others overcome the stigma of mental health and addiction as a program ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community and CEO/President of RAM Consultant, Inc.

Leaf, 47, is coming to Batavia in May to share his experiences, both triumph and challenges, and offer invaluable lessons in resilience and the power of determination.

“Asking for help is the strongest thing you’ll ever do,” Leaf says, referring to those struggling with substance use.

Leaf also works as a college football analyst for the ESPN network.

UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) invites the public to attend his presentation, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 8 at Genesee Community College, Room T102.

To reserve your seat, call 585-815-1883 or send an email to prevention@uconnectcare.org by May 1.

Press Release:

The City of Batavia Police Department is pleased to announce a new partnership with Inmar Intelligence, a private company dedicated to the safe disposal of unused or unwanted medications. 

We have installed new green bins inside the waiting area of the Police Station to accept unused or expired medications. These bins are designed to be safer for use by the public and safer for disposal by members of the police department. 

Acceptable items include:

• Unused or expired prescription medication - including controlled substances
• Unused or expired over-the-counter medication 

Not accepted items:

• Any needle, syringe, or sharp
• Illegal drugs 
• Aerosol cans or containers

The new bins will be accessible only during regular business hours of the Department (9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Friday). 

If you are in need of disposing of medications outside of those times please check with your pharmacy for a location nearest you. 

All sharps (needles, syringes, etc.) shall be disposed of at an appropriate location, currently, Rochester Regional Health at United Memorial Medical Center accepts these items for disposal. If you have any questions about the new disposal bins please contact our Detective Bureau by calling 585-345-6444. 

"We want to give our residents the opportunity to safely dispose of expired and unwanted medications in the safest possible manner", stated Chief Shawn Heubusch, "This program will help make our community a safer place."

Press Release:

Have you ever wondered why someone vapes even after learning about the dangers and effects from it? 

There are hidden facts behind the range of colors and flavors associated with e-cigarettes. From addictive nicotine to harmful chemicals, the dangers of vaping are real. It is time to clear the air and learn about the risks of vaping.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, heat a liquid to create an aerosol, or mixture of tiny particles in the air.

There are many different names for e-cigarettes, including "electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)," "tank systems," "e-cigs," "e-hookahs," "mods" "vape pens," and "vapes."

The Public Health Law's Article 13-E, sometimes referred to as the Clean Indoor Air Act, has grown in New York State to ban smoking and vaping; and prohibit the sale or distribution of nicotine vapor products with unique flavors, such as e-cigarettes. 

However, the use of e-cigarettes by teenagers is on the rise, and the sale of these devices to teenagers is illegal.

According to the 2021 CLYDE Survey administered in schools in Genesee and Orleans Counties by UConnectCare (formally GCASA), it was reported that 19.7% of 11th graders reported vaping with nicotine in the previous 30 days, and 11.1% reported vaping with marijuana during the same time period.

Vaping is dangerous and can have unknown long-term impacts: 

• Nicotine is in most e-cigarettes and is extremely addictive. Nicotine can damage adolescent brain development, which lasts into the early to mid-20s. 
• Youth who use nicotine have a higher chance of developing a substance use disorder.
• Young people might see vaping as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Yet, an addiction to nicotine can lead to stress. 
• Long-term e-cigarette use increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by severely harming the body's blood vessel function. 
• According to the American Psychiatric Association, having symptoms of depression increases the likelihood of a teen using e-cigarettes. Using e-cigarettes is associated with worsening symptoms of depression.
• Vaping devices may contain vitamin E acetate. According to research, inhaling vitamin E acetate may cause problems for normal lung function. 

“Unlike cigarettes, vaping is often easy to hide due to its discrete nature, stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The devices used for vaping sometimes look like USB drives or pens. E-cigarettes also do not have a lingering odor, making it easier for individuals to vape without drawing attention. This causes challenges to parents, teachers, and other authorities to detect and stop vaping.”

Signs that your child or someone you know might be vaping include: 

• Increased Thirst. Vaping is hydroscopic, which means that it dehydrates the skin of the throat and mouth. People who vape are left with a dry mouth as a result. The body naturally wants a drink to fight dehydration as a result. 
• Among teenagers, JUULs, which are slim devices that look like USB flash drives, and vape pens that mimic regular pens, are the most popular e-cigarettes. If you come across an odd-looking pen or USB drive, it could possibly be an e-cigarette.
• Mood swings. After inhaling nicotine, users may get a brief rush, but this feeling quickly wears off making their mood less consistent. 

Get Help Today

If you are interested in quitting, or someone you know needs help quitting, help is available:

Visit the New York State Smokers' Quitline for quit-smoking and quit-vaping programs, or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), to apply for a free starter kit of nicotine medications and to talk to a quit coach.

Talk to your healthcare provider about medications and counseling to help you manage cravings. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover services to help you quit.

For more information about GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:

• Genesee County: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 
• Orleans County: 585-589-3278

Follow GO Health on Facebook, Instagram, and X at GOHealthNY.

The Batavian will have at least a half-dozen people engaged in covering the eclipse on Monday, mainly attending various viewing sites.

But there are dozens of viewing locations on eclipse day, and we can't make it to all of them.  We would love your help -- send us your photos.

Here's what we're looking for:

• Pictures of people viewing the eclipse
• People enjoying the social aspect of gathering for the eclipse
• Please send pictures that show people's faces, not backs
• Send full-resolution photos, not thumbnails
• Email photos to joanne@thebatavian.com
• Please be sure to include your name for photo credit, and include the location, and the names of any people in the photos if you know them.
• Feel free to send photos from the hour or so leading up to totality as you take them; we will attempt to do some real-time coverage of activities.
• Or send them later if that's more convenient.
• Photos from just within Genesee County, please.

Thank you.  We hope you have a safe and enjoyable eclipse day.

The Bergen Business and Civic Organization hosted an Eclipse Disc Golf Tournament at Hartland Park on Sunday.

There were 28 entrants in the morning tournament and 18 in the afternoon tournament, with players from both Genesee and Monroe counties participating.

Scott Prior posted the lowest toss total in each round, 49 and 51, respectively. 

Photos by Jennifer DiQuattro

The house was a-rockin' from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Willow Bend Inn as music fans welcomed spring to the sound of five area bands.

Among them, Shotgun Pauly (pictured).

The house was packed.

Also, on the bill, Bad Sign, Double Image Band, Rock Solid, and Stanton (the RnR Band).

Shotgun Pauly returns to the Willow Bend for a show on Saturday night.

The Willow Bend was celebrating 56 years as a family-run business.

Photos by Howard Owens.