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Haxton Memorial Library board to meet Jan. 10

By Press Release

Press Release: 

The Haxton Memorial Library Board of Trustees will hold their monthly Board Meeting for January 2024 on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. The public is invited to attend.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents with a variety of programs, events, and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Oakfield boys came up short in closing seconds to Kendall 62-60 in Genesee Regional matchup

By Steve Ognibene
Avery Watterson moving down court.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Avery Watterson moving downcourt.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Oakfield lost by two points in closing seconds to Kendall on Friday in a Genesee Regional matchup at the Hornet's Nest, Oakfield.  

Kendall stunned the squad opening up the quarter, scoring ten straight to lead 16-11 after the opening quarter.

The Hornets battled back halfway through the second to come within four.  Oakfield's Kyler Harkness scored a bucket and got fouled to give momentum and maintain a four-point lead at the half, 29-25.

Both teams exchanged game leads in the third, and then Brent Mancuso scored a buzzer-beater to end the third, 48-45 Hornets.  

In the fourth quarter, the lead increased by eight to 58-50, and the Hornets were looking to get away with the game but got into foul trouble. Kendall chipped away with two plays that positioned them with a two-point lead with 18 seconds left in game regulation.  

Kendall won 62-60.

Avery Waterson scored 30 points for Oakfield. Kyler Harkness scored eight.

Oakfield is now 2-2 on the season and plays home versus Byron-Bergen next Wednesday at 7 p.m.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Brenden Wescott sets up the offensive attack.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Brenden Wescott sets up the offensive attack.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Nate Schildwaster looking for a rebound.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Nate Schildwaster looking for a rebound.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Kendall player double teamed by Oakfield defenders.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Kendall player double-teamed by Oakfield defenders.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Gavin Armbrewster shooting for two points.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Gavin Armbrewster shooting for two points.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene
Hornets Varsity Cheerleaders halftime show center court.  Photo by Steve Ognibene
Hornets Varsity Cheerleaders halftime show center court.  
Photo by Steve Ognibene

Dance Images to host free show Thursday

By Press Release
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Press Release:

On Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., Dance Images will be hosting a free show at Oakfield High School called “You Are Light”. They will be showcasing dancers with diverse abilities and talents, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and representation within our performances.

Dance Images believes in celebrating the unique abilities of individuals from various groups, fostering an environment that embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities for everyone to share their love for the art of dance. They pride themselves on giving all individuals the chance to share their love for dance with others.

"In this Christmas show, you will see a variety of dances such as individuals in wheelchairs, hip-hop, tap, ballet, ribbon dance, and lyrical" said Amy Pizzi, owner of Dance Images. "I had a studio in Lockport for 22 years and Oakfield has been open for 8 years. I have had so much support from my small town of Oakfield in getting my program off the ground."

"It means so much to have everyone’s support because I’ve grown up in the small town of Oakfield and have made many memories in the school where we will be performing. Many of my dancers who do not have any special needs love to volunteer to help with classes. We are a tight dance family. It has been my passion for years to showcase dancers of all abilities and demonstrate how inclusion can help not only the special needs but also other students who find a passion in helping others."  

For more info, please contact Amy Pizzi at 716-343-3162 or email her at Danceimages2002@gmail.com. 

Submitted photos by Amy Pizzi.

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Photos: Santa escorted to Memorial Park in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens
oakfield santa and memorial park

Santa Claus arrived in Oakfield for a short visit on Friday night, carried into town by the Oakfield Volunteer Fire Department with mutual aid from Elba and Alabama.

The children who gathered for his arrival then gathered at Memorial Park for Christmas carols and a tour of the holiday-light-decorated park.

The Christmas spirit carries on in Oakfield today (Saturday).  For information on Saturday's activities, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens

oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park
oakfield santa and memorial park

Photos: Annual remembrance Christmas tree lighting in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens
oakfield christmas tree lighting

Oakfield residents gathered in the Triangle Park in Oakfield on Thursday evening for the annual lighting of the remembrance Christmas trees.

This year, there are 94 decorated trees in the park.

For more on this weekend's events in Oakfield, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens.

oakfield christmas tree lighting
oakfield christmas tree lighting
oakfield christmas tree lighting
oakfield christmas tree lighting
oakfield christmas tree lighting
oakfield christmas tree lighting

Oakfield Betterment Committee announces plans for two days of Christmas in the Village

By Howard B. Owens
oakfield christmas in the village 2018
File photo from 2018 by Howard Owens

Christmas in the Village returns to Oakfield on Friday and Saturday with a full slate of holiday cheer, ranging from a parade and the arrival of Santa to a Christmas ornament scavenger hunt.

The fire truck parade delivering Santa and Mrs. Claus to Triangle Park is at 5 p.m. on Friday.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase at Memorial Park from the OA Parent Teachers Organization and Santino's, and Sweet Ally's will have special hours, staying open until 6 p.m.

The grand lighting of Winter Wonderland in Memorial Park is after the parade at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The evening will also feature musical performances by the Genesee Country Church children's choir, the Olympians, as well as the O-A Central School chorus and swing choir.

The Caryville Inn will be serving holiday drink specials.

On Saturday, it's Oakfield's own Small Business Saturday with an ornament scavenger hunt that will encourage participants to visit businesses in the village. 

The first 50 participants or families receive a wreath, instructions and a stamp card. It starts at 11 a.m. at The Goose Farm Market, 33 South Main St., and runs until 2 p.m.

A festive wagon will provide transportation throughout the village during the hunt.

The winners announced at prizes award at 2 p.m. at The Goose.

Santa Returns on a fire truck to Triangle Park at noon and will hear children's Christmas wishes until 2 p.m. in the gazebo while cocoa and cookies, courties at the Oakfield-Alabama Lions Club will be served.

Additional special events.

  • Genesee Society of Model Engineers – Open House with working model trains on display. Holiday cookies will be served.
  • Zeliff Farm Market – open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with specials on meat packages available. Samples of Snack Sticks and Meatballs too.
  • Haxton Memorial Library – games, crafts, and movies
  • Rusty Rail Bar & Grill / Strikeforce Lanes – opens at noon and will have bowling

House fire reported on Batavia Oakfield Townline Road

By Howard B. Owens
Oakfield fire 11/21/23
Photo by Howard Owens

A structure fire is reported at 2993 Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Oakfield.

Oakfield Fire dispatched.

UPDATE 4:44 p.m.: Second Alarm.  Town of Batavia Fire and East Pembroke Fire dispatched. A person reportedly trapped in the structure. Alabama Fire to fill in at Oakfield Hall. Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m. Joanne Beck: One occupant and two dogs were rescued from the structure safely. No other occupants are in the home. No flames and only light smoke are on scene at this time.

The fire is under control, and responding fire departments are starting the overhaul. 

UPDATE 7:43 p.m.: The scene commander was Chad Williams, first assistant chief of Oakfield Fire. The first chief on scene confirmed that there was a structure fire and a person inside, along with two dogs. That chief and a state trooper coaxed the occupant out. 

A neighbor had reported the fire and the occupant was apparently unaware of the fire.  

Williams said the first engine on scene arrived quickly. 

He said, "We made quick work into the house and ended extinguishing the fire, knocking down the base of it, and we made some headway to find where it was located."  He said the fire appeared to have started with or near a wood stove. 

The occupant was checked by medics and had no apparent injuries. 

Asked about the quick work of the firefighters to knock down the fire, Williams said, "That's that's what we trained for. We don't get these very often. A lot of folks, when we do this training, they're like, 'oh boy, why do we got to keep doing this training?' But you know, once that training kicks in, it's like muscle memory. It just kicks in. It's second nature. They go in they do what they got to do, and then everybody comes out unscathed."

batavia-oakfield townline fire
Photo by Howard Owens
batavia oakfield townline fire

Model Engineers host annual holiday open house on Dec. 2

By Howard B. Owens
model engineers open house oakfield
File photo of Genesee Society of Model Engineers in Oakfield in 2018.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Press release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers will host the club's 21st Annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 2, at the club's facilities located at 50 Main Street (Rte. 63), Oakfield, N.Y. 14125 (above the M&T Bank). The "FREE" event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Stairway access only.

The club's facilities feature operating layouts in O Gauge (Lionel), HO, and N. Club members will be available to answer your model railroading questions. This is a great family-oriented event filled with photo ops and fun for kids of all ages.

"The Christmas holidays seem to bring back those childhood memories of a model train and miniature village around the Christmas tree," said club president Mike Bakos. "Our members are busy keeping the tradition of trains and the holidays alive. We invite you to visit and enjoy one of Genesee County's best-kept secrets."

This year's Open House will be one of the many events featured as part of Oakfield’s Christmas in the Village celebration, along with many other family-oriented activities taking place in the village throughout the day.

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers is located at 50 Main Street (Rte. 63), Oakfield, N.Y. (above the M&T Bank) and is open Tuesdays from 7 until 9 p.m.. Business meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month. Visit www.gsme.org. Like us on Facebook.

Author of first novel hopes to inspire with visit to Haxton library Nov. 9

By Jazmyne Boozer
Travis Scroger
Travis Scroger of Rochester, a first-time author, plans to talk about his first novel, "Torrent Breach," Nov. 9 at Haxton Memorial Library in Oakfield.
Submitted Photo

Travis Scroger’s entry into writing was a bit unconventional: After graduating in 2020 from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa., Scroger entered one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States.

As a social media manager Scroger, of Rochester, regularly oversaw posting across all social media platforms. Yet, amid the hustle and bustle that comes with managing the online world, he was deeply unhappy.

“I worked a lot of desk jobs and I kind of fell into a depressive state and went through some pretty severe anxiety episodes,” he said during an interview with The Batavian. “I didn’t go to college or anything with the plan of writing. I just kind of fell into it.”

The up-and-coming author and writer of his first novel, the dystopian spy thriller “Torrent Breach,” will be at Haxton Memorial Library for a meet-and-greet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear about his entry into becoming a novelist and insights into his book.

After his entry into the social media profession, and outside of a few press releases, Scroger had never published anything before. He did, however, find solace in writing. 

Since he was young, Scroger recalled having linear dreams. Dreams that would carry over one night into the next. Rather than discard them, he got into the habit of writing those dreams down, although he never shared them with anyone. His novel, “Torrent Breach,” is a product of one of his dreams.

“I had never shared them (his dreams) with anybody but I didn’t have much to lose any more, so I really allowed myself to try and become openly vulnerable,” he said. “Thankfully it worked out.”

Scroger hopes that local residents come out to learn more about his book, and can glean something from his life story.

“I hope that they find it inspiring. Deep down I just want to prove that you can do whatever you really want to do,” he said. “There was a lot of times I was hesitant to pull the trigger with publishing. It is possible to do it with the right people around you."

The library is at 3 North Pearl St., Oakfield.  For more information, call 585-948-9900.

Oakfield Alabama CSD announces all school meals served at no charge

By Press Release

Press Release:

The Oakfield Alabama CSD today announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2023-2024 school year, which would allow for all children at all schools/sites to be served meals at no charge. 

For additional information, please contact the following person:

Mary Della Penna, Food Service Director, Oakfield Alabama Central School District at 7001 Lewiston St. Road Oakfield, calling 585-948-5211 ext. 4234, or by email at MDellapenna@oahornets.org.

O-A grad rising up the ranks in Army at time of passing honored at memorial services in Batavia and Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens
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Michael and Megan Nixon, parents of Capt. Tyler Austin Nixon, 27, with the flag from his coffin near the end of a funeral service on Saturday at St. Cecilia Cemetery in Oakfield. 
Photo by Howard Owens.
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Capt. Tyler A. Nixon, U.S. Army

Tyler Austin Nixon, 27, a graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School, was honored with a Mass of Christian Burial at Resurrection Roman Catholic Church on Saturday morning, followed by burial with military honors at St. Cecilia Cemetery in Oakfield.

Nixon, a highly regarded captain in the U.S. Army, died unexpectedly on Sept. 23. He was found unresponsive in his quarters at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, where he was attending Medical Service Corps training in the Captains Career Course.

His death remains under investigation by the Army, and an Army spokesman said no further information will be released until the investigation is completed.

The Batavian did not seek comment from his parents, Michael and Megan Nixon, but in a military memorial service in San Antonio on Oct. 3, Nixon was praised by a former and his most recent commander as an outstanding human being and an officer who was a credit to the U.S. military.

Col. Thomas Collette, a former commander, spoke of first meeting Nixon when the colonel took command of the 421st Medical Battalion. 

"As you can see, Tyler was a big guy with an even bigger smile. He introduced himself brimming with enthusiasm for his new role as the S3 (Operations and Training Officer),” Collette said. "I couldn't have been more pleased to have an officer so deeply committed to this position. Even in our first conversation, it became abundantly clear that Captain Nixon was an officer filled with a passion for operations and unafraid of a challenge.”

In the ensuing months, Collette said, Nixon took on increasingly complex and demanding duties that "pushed him well beyond his prior experiences. These challenges might have overwhelmed the lesser officer, but Tyler remained resolute and dedicated to professional growth and leadership development."

Collette observed Nixon as the officer in charge of the Expert Field Medical Badge competition, which would take place in Europe.

"What stood out most about Tyler in these duties was his thirst for knowledge and self-improvement," Collette said. "He valued and actively incorporated feedback from others, firmly believing he could learn from anyone. This desire to learn and grow forged strong bonds across the battalion."

Collette said Nixon displayed a "relaxed confidence and unwavering positivity" and that he was "the first to bring levity to intense situations."

He said, "We will forever remember him first for his cheerfulness, his quiet, unshakable confidence, his natural gift for uplifting others when they fell down, and his spirit that refused to quit."

Nixon graduated from Canisius College, where he attended the Reserve Officer Training Corp, and was thus commissioned as a second lieutenant upon graduation in 2018.  At Canisius, Nixon played rugby, a sport he continued to enjoy while in the Army.

Major Gray (his first name isn't mentioned during the service) remembered Nixon for many of the same traits recalled by Collette. 

He said he didn't really get to know Nixon until after they were deployed to Italy.

"During the drive to Vicenza, I learned about Tyler's love for his family, his dogs, motorcycles, lifting weights and rugby," Gray recalled. "We talked about the wonderful traveling opportunities that being stationed in Europe had to offer and how we looked forward to seeing new things and going into new places. While we were there, I learned that Tyler was an incredibly hard worker starting early and finishing late almost every day."

He said Nixon was "good-natured and easygoing" and that he could "connect with anyone."

He also recalled a story that illustrated both Nixon's love of sports and his dedication to seeing the mission through, even if it was a recreational activity.

"He literally gave up an entire weekend to umpire a softball tournament when he was told that they would have to cancel if they didn't get the volunteers they needed," Gray said. "So in the days leading up to that, he studied and learned how to umpire even though I'm pretty sure he had never played softball before, so he could umpire the game. Leading up to that time, he had to learn all the hand gestures and get all the calls down. And while he was umpiring, pretty much everyone was talking about how great he was doing and how he was the best umpire out of all the ones that they had, and that every future tournament that they were doing, they wanted him to come. That really is a testament to who he was as a person."

Besides his parents, who currently reside in San Antonio, Capt. Nixon is survived by his brother Jacob, sister Alison, and niece Coram, along with his grandparents Dale and Elaine Tucker and Michael and Kathy Nixon.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Burdett-Sanford Funeral Home in Oakfield.

The Batavian wishes to thank the Nixon family for providing us the opportunity, the honor and the privilege of covering his memorial service on Saturday.

Besides the photos with this story, you can view 49 more photos in a slideshow by clicking here.  And scroll down to the bottom of this post for a video of the Oct. 3 service in San Antonio.

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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.
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Photo by Howard Owens.

Photos: Memorial Service for Capt. Tyler A. Nixon

By Howard B. Owens
...
Full story: O-A grad rising up the ranks in Army at time of passing honored at memorial services in Batavia and Oakfield

Haxton library to host Halloween party, parade and storytime Oct. 26-30

By Press Release

Press Release:

Halloween Party: Thursday, October 26 at 6:45 p.m.

The whole family is invited to wear a costume and join us for games, treats and a craft! This year we will also have a "Costume Contest". Registration is appreciated. Call the library at 948-9900 to register.

2nd Annual Triangle Park Halloween Parade: Saturday, October 28 at 10 a.m.

Children of all ages are invited to wear their costume and "Trick or Teat" around Triangle Park in the Village of Oakfield. Our Library Volunteers will be handing out candy and we will also have a Halloween photo booth available. No registration necessary.

Halloween Preschool Storytime: Monday, October 30 at 10:30 a.m.

Wear your Halloween Costume for this special Halloween Preschool Storytime. We will enjoy “not-so-scary” Halloween stories and activities and then we will parade around the building for some Halloween treats! This program is designed for children ages 2-5, but ALL ages are welcome to attend. No registration necessary.

The Haxton Memorial Library located at 3 North Pearl Street in Oakfield provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.HaxtonLibrary.org.

Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble announces fall concert

By Press Release
genesee valley wind ensemble
File photo from 2016 by Howard Owens

Press Release:

On Sunday, November 19 starting at 4 p.m. the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble (GVWE) will be performing their fall concert at Oakfield-Alabama Middle/High School located at 7001 Lewiston Rd. Oakfield.

Phillip J. Briatico, founder of GVWE, will be conducting along with guest conductor Brad Willard. These works will be featured:

  • Overture for Winds- Charles Carter
  • Handel in the Strand- Percy Grainger
  • Chant & Jubilo- W. Francis McBeth
  • The Longest Day- Paul Anka arr. Brad Willard
  • Beauty & The Beast- arr. Calvin Custer
  • Autumn Leaves- Alfred Reed
  • ‘80s Soundtrax-arr. Patrick Roszell
  • The Washington Post- John Philip Sousa
  • Sleigh Ride- Encore

The purpose of the GVWE is to serve and to provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar live music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature, and to create the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents.

For more information and ticket prices visit www.geneseevalleywindensemble.org or contact geneseevalleywindensemble@gmail.com. 

Smoke reported coming from vacant house near Macomber Road, Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

Alabama Fire is responding to 2557 Towne Place, near Macomber Road, in Oakfield, for the report of smoke coming from a vacant house.

UPDATE 11:15 a.m.: A chief on scene reports nothing showing.

UPDATE 11:17 a.m.: Responders, which now includes an engine from Oakfield, can respond non-emergency.

Senior wishes grants 'Wish' to Oakfield resident

By Press Release
donald-h-on-farmall-h-tractor.jpeg
Submitted photo of Donald Hall sitting on a Farmall-H tractor.

Press Release:

Donald Hall of Oakfield was recently granted his wish to sit on a FARMALL-H tractor one more time in his life. As a boy, that was the tractor that he worked with on a farm in Basom. Mr. Hall mentioned his wish to LaNora Thompson at a We’ve Only Just Begun luncheon he attended. LaNora’s husband Robert knew of a tractor collector in Elba. He passed the information along to our wish-granting committee and thanks to the kindness and generosity of John Torrey - Donald’s wish came true. Not only was he able to sit on a FARMALL-H tractor but he and his family were given a personal tour of the tractor museum.

Senior Wishes’ grants wishes to lower-income seniors living independently and to those living in care facilities in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming counties. Wishes have included attending sporting and cultural events, visiting a loved one not seen in years, and re-engaging a senior in a hobby. Requests for needs are also considered.

Wish recipients must be 65+ and a resident of Western New York with an annual income under $38,000 for a household of one or under $44,000 for a household of two. Permanent residents of care facilities are exempt from the income qualification.

Founded by the United Church Home Society, Senior Wishes strives to bring special moments to seniors across WNY and allow them to feel seen, important, and not forgotten.

Two new artworks reflect connections, growth of the Goose

By Joanne Beck
Tree project at Goose
Artist David Burke witih his mural at The Goose in Oakfield.
Submitted photo

Two new art projects at the GOOSE Community Center in Oakfield are not just visual embellishments to the Main Street property, founder Susan Zeliff says.

They are embodiments of what the center stands for and has become. 

One is a mural based on a quote that Zeliff chose: “This I have learned from the shadow of a tree, that my influence may fall where I will never be.”

“It spoke to me a lot about our community center and the people that support it,” Zeliff said. “They’re helping people that they may never come into contact with.”

She commissioned artist David Burke, thanks to a grant through GO Art!, to paint the mural on an exterior wall of the center. It features a large grassy area with a tree’s shadow and the quote. 

The easy part was knowing what to do, Burke said. He used a scaffold for the piece measuring about 10 feet high and 40 feet wide. It took about 35 hours over the course of three or four trips to complete it with rollers and brushes.

What’s it like to have pedestrians and motorists going by observing your handiwork?
“It’s great, I love it. Several people in Batavia have been doing murals and all over the country,” he said. “Murals are coming back. It’s exposing people to art. I just like the idea of teaching and art. I really kind of enjoy turning people onto the idea that anybody can make art; anyone has the capacity for making any kind of art or music.”

Zeliff plans to apply for a GO Art! grant to bring in some art teachers, including Burke, for lessons, hopefully at the beginning of 2024, she said.

Those lessons will complement a host of activities, including chair yoga, which has doubled or tripled in attendance since first offered; a Family Fun Bingo night on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, drawing some 60 participants of all ages; a continuously growing food pantry that serves 80 to 90 families each month; a farm market that operates separately in the back of the building on Saturdays; and community room space that is rented out for special events. 

Zeliff has been turning to GO Art! more regularly with applications for grants, last year providing “different styles of art, an expressive kind of art,” she said, which featured Burke and Bill Shutt, who returned this year to provide the second latest piece of exterior artwork for the GOOSE at 33 South Main St.

Bill Shutt hands project
Artist Bill Shutt with his Connecting Hands project at The Goose.
Submitted photo

He and Zeliff loosely talked about how his piece could somehow represent the site, and the symbol of hands came to him.

“I asked her the reason for the GOOSE, and she said to connect the GOOSE to the community and to resources and to connect businesses, connect organizations, etc. So that kind of led me to thinking about handshakes, and we’ve seen some of the logos of the four interconnected hands, so that was where the thought process for this piece came from,” he said. “The shapes came from recycled material … so all the hands are different. The material is all different, again, trying to show that we’re all made up of different pieces, and different parts, and we can all connect together.

“Connecting hands, connecting communities is what the GOOSE is all about,” Shutt said. 

A mechanic and welder fabricator for many years, Shutt was used to “making stuff” from the odds and ends of motorcycle parts and other materials that were the remains from an old farm, he said. 

“A lot of it was stuff around the house or around the shop. I've tinkered with cars and motorcycles. Probably five or six years ago was the first time that I really made something that was an art piece, per se. And that started off with old pieces, parts, motorcycle parts and car parts that I made into some musical instrument-inspired pieces,” he said.

He has crafted stringed musical instruments and other creations  — including some metal sculptures on boxes depicting the inequity of humanity outside of the GO Art! site in Batavia.

For the Oakfield project, he used galvanized tubing, stainless steel, chrome steel, motorcycle parts, and an old, high-pressure gas cylinder tubing. He appreciates using recycled materials and will be working on a project using part of an old Erie Canal lift bridge. 

Connecting hands is freshly tagged, so he hasn’t gotten a whole lot of feedback just yet, but “hopefully, the main message got across,” Shutt said. 

“If they see something positive out of it, it was a success,” he said. “It took about three months to complete. It was a lot of trial and error, a lot of R and D time, how I was going to make the hands, positions he hands. Sometimes the material dictates what you’re doing.”

Zeliff is pleased with both projects as an extension of yet continuing growth of the GOOSE center, which falls under the Warrior House program. Shutt’s artwork depicts one person standing with a “whole lot of hands behind them, and that’s my everyday,” she said. 

“I am very excited about all the activity that’s been happening within the community and just building relationships,” Zeliff said. “We do coffee hour on Wednesdays, and one year ago, it was me and one person, and now it’s two dozen people. It’s exciting to see the room become full.”

Connecting Hands project

OACS Alumni Hall of Fame class of 2023 dinner set for October 14

By Press Release

Press Release:

The OACS Alumni Hall of Fame Committee will be honoring the Class of 2023 on Saturday, October 14, at a community dinner and induction ceremony at OACS High School Cafeteria. This year's inductees are as follows:

  • Jeff Allen - Class of ‘85
  • R. Pauline Brundage - Class of ‘40
  • Melissa Evarts Gardner - Class of ‘99
  • Paul Osborn - Class of ‘89

The Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding OACS alumni who have achieved distinction in their lives and chosen field after high school through significant contributions to their career, community, or through personal achievements, providing incentives for current and future students. For tickets and for more information:

Email committee member Liz Conway at: conwayej@frontiernet.net.

Visit OACS Elementary & Middle/High Schools

Visit Oakfield Family Pharmacy

Elmira College recognizes annual key award recipients

By Press Release

Press Release:

Elmira College recently announced this year's recipients of its annual Key Award. This year's award was given to 783 students in 16 states. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school.

This year's recipients included:

  • Bethany Gracie of Bergen
  • Brennan Royce of Pavilion
  • Isabella Walsh of Batavia
  • Loretta Sorochty of Batavia
  • Kaidance Kimble of Byron
  • Riannon Newbould of Oakfield
  • Austin Pangrazio of Oakfield
  • Ava Chatt of Oakfield
  • Corina Dunn of Le Roy
  • Ella Radley of Batavia

"This award is given to students with the potential to excel academically, serve as leaders, and go on to enjoy success in life," said Charles Lindsay, president of Elmira College. "We hope they will choose to make Elmira College their place."

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