The Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) has rolled out Downtown Batavia BINGO Boards, sponsored by M&T Bank. Downtown BINGO allows people to get out and about, exploring our community and supporting our small businesses safely.

All BINGO tiles must be completed specific to Downtown Batavia Businesses only. Find a full list of Downtown Businesses at www.DowntownBataviaNy.com. 

Downtown BINGO Boards are available online at www.DowntownBataviaNY.com. Get five spaces in a row and win prizes, courtesy of Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District and M&T Bank. Rules and regulations for BINGO are available online.

For more information on B.I.D. and Downtown events please visit our website at www.downtownbataviany.com.

The sun is shining, the grass is growing, and it’s almost time for our Adult Summer Reading program at Richmond Memorial Library!

Summer Reading BINGO: Adult Summer Reading program for adults at Richmond Memorial Library begins June 25 and runs through Aug. 17. All patrons 17 years of age and up with a valid library card are invited to take part.

Summer Reading isn’t just for kids – at Richmond Memorial Library, we’re happy to provide summer reading experiences for all ages.

Complete a BINGO card filled with library challenges to be eligible to win prizes -- for each square stamped, you can enter to win a prize. For each BINGO row you complete, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize! There are 24 challenges, including reading a book based on its cover, attending a library program or reading outside.

Registration is required; visit the reference desk at the library to sign up or for complete rules beginning June 20.

No library card? No problem! Summer is the perfect time to visit the library -- stop by the library with photo ID with current address and we’ll get you set up with a card.

New to the area? Bring photo ID and proof of address. Resident library cards may be issued free-of-charge to residents of Genesee, Orleans and Niagara counties, and to those who work, own property or attend school within the borders of the Batavia City School District.

Richmond Memorial Library continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment. Learn more here.

Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St. in the City of Batavia.

Contact: Samantha Stryker, Community and Adult Services librarian: Phone -- 343-9550; email  sstryker@nioga.org

I have been going for the last five weeks with my cousin Susie and knew it was in Envelope #1 said Cheryl Kowalik who’s tickets was drawn for a 50/50 chance to win the Queen of Hearts at last Friday Night Bingo.   The previous Friday April 1^st there was still no winner after nearly one year has passed which narrowed the weekly drawing and two choices remained.  The event is held weekly at Resurrection Parish (St. Mary’s) church hall, 18 Ellicott St. Batavia. 

A huge line formed prior to the 430pm time when the doors opened said Cheryl who waited an hour to get her boards and tickets for the Queen.  Two weeks ago a friend of her had a ticket drawn but she did not pick number #1 which when she opened it and it was not the Queen, I felt like this was just reserved for me.  I was supposed to usher at Harvester 56 that night with my girlfriend Barb but knew from saying a lot of prayers, they would were heard and hopefully answered.

I won part of the split pot which was just before the queen that totaled $600.00 I split it with two other people and received two hundred dollars.  I went up at intermission and bought more tickets on the queen.  Already spent ten dollars but spent an additional fifteen on more tickets.  Two tickets that I saw that was left to chose from was 507 and 508 which I said that I will take those too.  Announcer Chad Zambito called the last three numbers being 507 and I said, It’s me, It’s me.  Once I stood up everyone who attended was excited and cheered me on, which I felt humbly thankful for a small community and did not get any negative comments spoke about.

I went up to Chad and said #1, #1, #1 please.  He said this woman knows exactly what she wants and when Kathy Goras opened the envelope with the queen revealed and I almost touched the ceiling which at my age I almost didn’t even think I could jump that high.  The total winning amount was $5904.00 after taxes Kowalik will get $4428.00.

Her future plans is to pay her some property taxes, donating to Batavia High Schools new foundation in her moms memory Ruth Kowalik who was a teacher at Jackson School so they have some start up money.  I have a girlfriend who I am donating money towards a dress for her daughter.  My birthday is this Thursday and treating my staff to lunch who I work with at Darien lake.  To Barb and Susie I am taking them to dinner at the Red Oiser.  My grandfather who helped build the church Ascension Parish on swan st. is in need of a roof .  the good lord provided me so I am donating some money towards their roof fund.

Photo above is business manager Marcia Huber handing Cheryl Kowalik her winnings at Resurrection Parish Rectory today.

A five-car accident with no injuries is reported in the parking lot of Sacred Heart Church at 15 Sumner St. in Batavia. Fire and/or police are responding.

UPDATE (6:55 p.m.): "She didn't know which pedal did what," said Batavia Police Officer Matthew Baldwin at the scene of mild mayhem in the church parking lot.

They were all there for Bingo Nite when, according to Baldwin, a woman offered to help a disabled lady by moving her car for her, making it easier for her to get in. But the Good Samaritan was unfamilar with the vehicle controls, made for the disabled, and she accelerated too fast, couldn't stop and hit two parked cars. One of those vehicles smashed two other cars, and the driver, still in reverse, then hit a truck.

Nobody was hurt in the accident.

(Isn't five in a row Bingo?)

UPDATE: Photos by Howard Owens.

• Doors open at 5:30, games begin at 7:30
• Split pots
• progressive pot
• raffles
• food available
  

All proceeds benefit the children of St. Joseph School