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Batavia Lions Club

T.F. Brown's and Lions ready to deliver annual Christmas Day cheer to community residents

By Howard B. Owens

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T.F. Brown's and the Lions Club of Batavia are teaming up again for an annual free Christmas Day dinner for members of the community who want a place to go, a traditional meal and presents for the kids.

There are two seatings Christmas Day, at noon and at 1 p.m.

Childern will be able to visit with Santa and receive a present.

For reservations, call Barb at (585) 345-1000. Barb will need to know how many people are attending and if children are attending, their names and ages.

Pictured are Tony Scalia, Rick Mancuso, Chuck Brenner and Joe Teresi.

Batavia Lions presents annual scholarships

By Howard B. Owens

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Press release:

The Batavia Lions Club recently presented its annual scholarships and awards for the 2014-2015 school year.  

Each spring, several graduating seniors at Batavia High School and Notre Dame High School apply for these scholarships, are interviewed by a committee of Lions Club members, and are chosen to receive $1,000 toward their college education. In addition, selected students from each high school are awarded the Art Roth Fine Arts Award and the Bill Cook Scholar Athlete Award.  

The final award is the Batavia Lions Club Award in Communications, which is presented to a Genesee Community College student in memory of two former Lions and local media legends – Paul Bostwick, the former managing editor of the Batavia Daily News and James H. Gerrety, the former news director of WBTA.

During the high school football season each fall, members of the Lions Club man the food stands at each stadium to sell snacks during each home game.  The proceeds are used exclusively for the scholarship and awards program.

Genesee Community College’s Jenna Wozniak won this year’s Batavia Lions Club’s Award in Communication.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.

Top photo: Notre Dame’s 2014-2015 winners are (including Retiring Principal Dr. Joe Scanlon (L) and Athletic Director Mike Rapone (R): Emma Francis, winner of the Bill Cook Scholar Athlete Award, Anna Spring, winner of the Art Roth Fine Arts Award, and scholarship winners Lydia Moens and Anna Warner.

Bottom photo: This year’s Batavia High School winners are from left: Samir Jain, winner of the Bill Cook Scholar Athlete Award, scholarship winners Madison Kabel, Mica Pitcher, Katie Kesler, Allison Della Penna, and Ava Haitz, winner of the Art Roth Fine Arts Award.

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Photos: Lion's Bike Tour

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Lions Club hosted its annual Bike Tour in Batavia Saturday. 

Photos submitted by John Murray.

Sponsored Post: The Batavia Lions Club 5th Annual Bike Tour will be held on Saturday, June 14th!

By Lisa Ace

The Batavia Lions Club is hosting the 5th Annual Bike Tour on Saturday, June 14th. Join us for a 25-mile ride or 50-mile ride. Road assistance, bike support, free fruit and drinks will be available throughout the tour. Free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be provided to riders upon completion.

Location: Starting and ending at the parking lot behind the Polish Falcons, 123 S. Swan St., Batavia.

Check in times:
7 to 7:45 a.m. -- 50-mile ride
8:15 to 9:15 a.m. -- 25-mile ride

Starting times: 8 a.m. for the 50-mile ride and 9:30 a.m. for the 25-mile ride.

Entry Fees: After May 16th -- $35; All children under 16 years of age $15, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Kids under 5 are free. Same day registrations are accepted with cash or check payment the morning of the event.

For applications and/or further information contact Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle or visit www.batavialions.com.

Applicants wanted for Batavia Lions Club Young Entrepreneurs Academy

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Do you know a middle- or high-school student, age 11-18, who is interested in starting his or her own REAL business or social movement? If so, they might be a great candidate for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) and the full-tuition scholarship provided by the Batavia Lions Club!

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a year-long program that teaches students in grades 6-12 how to start and run their own, REAL businesses. Students brainstorm business ideas, decide if they want to work by themselves or as a team, write a business plan, pitch their plan to investors for funding, and actually launch their own business or social movement. All of the learning is real and experiential. Students leave the class as business owners, complete with a DBA and bank account!

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, or YEA!, is currently accepting applications for 2012-2013 academic year. YEA! will grant admission to a maximum of 24 students annually in each class. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 12.

Please note that Avon students who are interested in applying for the full-tuition scholarship must submit both the standard application as well as the scholarship application, which can be downloaded at www.yeausa.org

Classes will be held at the University of Rochester (Tuesday evenings), Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Corporate Headquarters (Wednesday evenings) and SUNY Geneseo (Thursday evenings). All classes meet from 4-7 p.m. beginning in November and ending in June.

Classes do not meet during school breaks and holiday recess. Books and supplies will be provided every week to those students who are accepted into the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

For more information, and to download an application and/or scholarship application, please visit www.yeausa.org <http://www.yeausa.org> , email aosborn@yeausa.org, or call 585-272-3535.

Still want to learn more? You can also feel free to visit the YEA! YouTube site at http://www.youtube.com/user/myyeausa, or check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YEAInc <http://www.facebook.com/YEAInc>.

Lions give away two new bikes at Muckdogs game

By Howard B. Owens

Monday the Batavia Lions Club held its annual Ballpark Bicycle Drawing during the Batavia Muckdogs game at Dwyer Stadium.

This year's winners are Aliyah Curry, left, of Batavia who won the girls bike, and Shane McClurg, of Le Roy, winner of the boy's bike. Also pictured, Paul Bisig, first VP of the Batavia Lions Club.

Again this year, several local nursing home residents were guests at the game, courtesy of the Batavia Lions.

Submitted photo.

Batavia Lions Club names winners of scholarships and awards

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Lions Club presented its annual scholarships and awards to several local students at a ceremony earlier this week.

Each spring, several graduating seniors at Batavia and Notre Dame high schools apply for these scholarships. They are interviewed by a committee of Lions Club members, and are chosen by the committee to receive $1,000 scholarships.

In addition, selected students from both schools are awarded the Arthur Roth Fine Arts Award and the Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Award.

A final award is the Batavia Lions Club Award in Communications, which is given to a Genesee Community College student in memory of two former Batavia Lions and local media legends – Paul Bostwick, the former managing editor of the Batavia Daily News and James H. Gerrety, the former news director of WBTA.

During the high school football season each fall, members of the Batavia Lions Club sells snacks at the games. The proceeds are used exclusively for the scholarship and awards program.

This year’s Lions Club Scholarship winners are Kayleen Kelley, BHS, Danielle Siebert, BHS, Bethany Gabriele, BHS, Shannon Schmit, BHS, Justine Saraceni, ND and Lucy Norton, ND.

Time to register for Batavia Lions Club Bike Tour

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Lions Club will host its Second Annual Bike Tour on Saturday, June 11. This year there are two tour options from which participants can chose.

In addition to the 32-mile “Tour Ride," a six-mile “Family Ride” will be available.

Check-in time for the 32-mile ride is 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for the Family Ride.

The 32-mile ride begins at 8 a.m., and the six-mile ride begins at 9:15 a.m.

Check-in and the start of each event will be at the parking lot on the corner of Alva Place and Bank Street in Batavia.

Pre-registration postmarked by Thursday May 26 is $30. After that date, the registration fee is $35. The fee for all children under 10 years old is $15.

The first 50 riders registered by May 26 will receive a gift bag from our sponsors including an “official” ride T-shirt. All entrants must wear an approved safety helmet. All participants must be 16 years of age or be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian.

The tour route winds through the beautifully rich agricultural area of Genesee County that surrounds the City of Batavia. There will again be water and snack stops, help if needed along the way, traffic guides at busy intersections, and emergency roadside assistance. The tour route is flat with very few hills.

The club's address is P.O. Box 456, Batavia, NY 14020. Email is batavialions@yahoo.com. Or contact Dominic Lovria at 343-7198.   

Photos: Round 1 of the Batavia Lion's Club Basketball Tournament

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Blue Devils will advance to the finals of the annual Batavia Lions Club Basketball Tournament at GCC on Thursday.

The Blue Devils will face the Finney Falcons.

The Falcons (8-1) defeated Notre Dame (4-1) 76-68.

To advance, the Blue Devils (6-1) beat Dansville 87-38.

For Batavia, Andrew Hoy scored 24 points and had eight steals. Other point leaders, Ryan Pyatt, 11, Dylan Hodownes, 11, Ryan Funke, 10, Mitch Francis, 10, Justin Washington, 8. Ryan DiMartino had 10 rebounds.

For Notre Dame, Vincent Zambito, 15, Doane McCulley, 15, Tom Whelehan, 8, Marquis Love, 8, Josh Hotze, 8, Mike Pratt, 8, Zach Hotze, 6.

About 15 more pictures after the jump, and all of the pictures, including another 20 or so, can be purchased by clicking here.

Batavia Lions Club sponsoring raffle for home standby generator or $2K

By Billie Owens

The Batavia Lions Club is sponsoring a raffle for a Bryant HOME STANDBY GENERATOR (8/7 kW LPG/NG) or $2,000 in cash.

All proceeds will be used to help fund several current and future community projects.

Current include: Lions Night at the Ball Park; holiday decorations in downtown Batavia; Christmas dinner at T.F. Brown's; Christmas baskets of food for local families; the annual college scholarship program for students from Batavia and Notre Dame high schools; and most importantly, numerous vision initiatives to assist local residents.

Future projects will include: “Project New Hope”; and the “Lions Hearing Conversation Society”; and the upcoming Batavia Lions Club Bicycle Tour on Aug. 21.

“Project New Hope” assists veterans and their families face the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. The “Lions Hearing Conservation Society” helps community members afford quality hearing aids.

For more information about the Batavia Lions Club’s activities, please visit our website at <www.clubrunner.ca/batavialions>.

This Bryant home generator will allow you to automatically power essentials in your home in the event of a power outage. It operates on natural or LP gas. It will power such items as your lights, sump pump, refrigerator and heating system.

It automatically starts, transfers power from the unit to your home circuits, and transfers it back to line power when the emergency is over. It offers security to your family and protection for your home during those times when the Western New York weather has done its best to shut us down!

The Batavia Lions Club wishes to thank Turnbull Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., for providing the generator.

The drawing will take place on Oct. 25. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased from a Batavia Lion or through the mail. If purchasing your tickets through the mail, please make your checks payable to:

Batavia Lions Club
P.O. Box 456
Batavia, NY 14020
Attn. Tickets

Please include a posted, self-addressed envelope with your order and a name, address and telephone number for tickets to be returned.

Thank you and good luck from the members of the Batavia Lions Club!

Batavia Lions Club names new president

By Billie Owens

Bob Swanson took the reins of the Batavia Lions Club last night from outgoing President Steve Watson an an induction ceremony at Bohn's Restaurant.

As the club's new president, Swanson outlined his plans for the upcoming year which, of course, includes continued involvement in the Batavia community and continued efforts to serve local residents with vision problems.

In addition, Swanson spoke about two specific projects in which he has a special interest and would like the Lions to pursue during his upcoming tenure. Those are “Project New Hope” and the “Lions Hearing Conversation Society.”

The former assists veterans and their families facing the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. The latter helps community members to afford quality hearing aids.

The primary aim of Lionism is best expressed in its motto, “We Serve.”

Each year, Lions perform services and provide goods for thousands of people throughout the world. Lions Clubs are non-political, non-sectarian service organizations composed of community members from all walks of life.

The Batavia Lions Club has 53 men and women who enjoy good fellowship while working to assist their fellow Batavians and to make Batavia a better community.

The club currently meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Bohn’s Restaurant. For more information, please write to: Membership Chairman, Batavia Lion Club, P.O. Box 456, Batavia, NY 14020 or simply speak to any member.

Batavia Lions present annual student awards

By Howard B. Owens

From the Batavia Lions:

The Batavia Lions Club recently presented its annual scholarships and awards to several local students at a ceremony held at the Batavia Party House.

Each spring, several graduating seniors at Batavia High School and Notre Dame High School apply for these scholarships, are interviewed by a committee of Lions Club members, and are chosen by the committee to receive $1,000 Scholarships.

In addition, selected students from both schools are awarded the Arthur Roth Fine Arts Award and the Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Award.

A final award is the Batavia Lions Club Award in Communications which is awarded to a Genesee Community College student in memory of two former Batavia Lions and local media legends – Paul Bostwick, the former managing editor of the Batavia Daily News and James H. Gerrety, the former News Director of WBTA.

During the high school football season each fall, members of the Batavia Lions Club man the refreshment stands at both the Batavia and Notre Dame High School home football games to sell snacks. All of the proceeds are used exclusively for the scholarship and awards program.

The primary aim of Lionism is best expressed in our motto, “We Serve.” Each year, Lions perform services and provide goods for thousands of people throughout the world. Lions Clubs are non-political, non-sectarian service organizations composed of community members from all walks of life. The Batavia Lions Club has 53 men and women who enjoy good fellowship while working to assist their fellow Batavians and to make Batavia a better community. We currently meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 6:30 PM at Bohn’s Restaurant.

For more information, please write Membership Chairman, Batavia Lion Club, P.O. Box 456, Batavia, NY 14020 or simply speak to any member. The Batavia Lions Club congratulates all of these fine students as well as their parents and wishes them the very best in all of their future endeavors. It is comforting to know that our future rests in the very capable and talented hands of such outstanding young people.

 

Top photo: This year’s Lions Club Scholarship winners are Melissa Levins, BHS, Woodams “Woody” Clark, ND, Kristen Drilling, BHS, Benjamin Nowacki, GCC, Carissa Hyde, BHS, Erin Dobbertin, BHS, and Nichole Hart, ND.

Bottom photo: This year’s Bill Cook Scholar-Athlete Awards were presented to Matthew Hoye, BHS and Matthew Thompson, ND. The Art Roth Fine Arts Awards were presented to Angel Ramos, BHS, and Erin Kruppner, ND. Erin is not pictured because she was away on a school sponsored fine arts field trip to New York City.

Lions Club buys machine to help Elba woman read, do needlepoint

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia Lions Club has purchased a device that helps people with severe eyesight problems see better -- well enough to read a  book or continue with favorite hobbies.

The first person to get to use the device is Tamara Augello of Elba. Augello lost sight in her right eye due to complications from diabetes. While she relies on her left eye to see, that eye has been losing its vision.

The Lions Club has loaned her a $3,300 machine called a Topaz CCTV. It magnifies items, such as books, so that people using the machine can see to read.

Augello also enjoys needlepoint and the machine will help her complete some projects she's been working on.

“Not only can I read any book I choose, but also, my little grandson can sit on my lap while I read him all the books he loves," Augello told the club in a letter.

Half the cost of the machine was covered by a grant from the New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation MD-20 Grant Program, and the remaining funds for the purchase were raised by local club members.

In a statement, the club said:

We wish Tamara many years of enjoyment as she uses this equipment to again do what she loves. We also encourage local people with special vision needs to contact the Batavia Lions Club. It is our goal to work hard to provide assistance to the visually impaired in our area.

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