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By James Fink

To Bobby McClaine, it is all about memories and smiles.

McClaine and his two business partners, Brian Burke and Chris Sabatello, are presenting the upcoming "Legends & Stars Batavia Sports Card Expo," set for Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 at Batavia Downs.

The event, which features sports cards and memorabilia vendors and collectors along with a laundry list of former professional sports stars, is designed as a "family-friendly" gathering.

"We want to give everyone the experience of their lifetime," McClaine said.

Some come for the chance to buy sports-related cards and memorabilia. Others come to meet and rub shoulders with sports legends.

"It's all about the experience," McClaine said. "To see the smile on someone's face because they just met one of their sports heroes is priceless."

In addition to the deep pool of vendors, among the sports stars scheduled to appear to include current Buffalo Football Player Rasul Douglas and former National Football League stars as Thurman Thomas (Buffalo), Don Beebe (Buffalo), Lawrence Taylor (New York), Don Majkowski (Green Bay), Keith McKeller (Buffalo), Ron Jaworski (Philadelphia) and from the National Hockey League Dave Andreychuk (Buffalo), Wendel Clark (Toronto), Darryl Sittler (Toronto).

Also scheduled to appear is WWE star Kevin Nash, former Major League Baseball pitcher Jack Morris (Minnesota and Toronto) and actors Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, The Matrix, The Fugitive) and D.B. Sweeney (Eight Men Out and Fire in the Sky)

McClaine and his partners have been presenting the Legends card expo since 2018 - usually twice a year at Batavia Downs.

Batavia Downs works for its central location between the Buffalo and Rochester markets, and the event serves as another way for the venue to attract visitors not only to the gaming and entertainment destination but also to Batavia.

"People do come in for these shows," McClaine said. "Especially something like this that is geared and designed as an all-age event." 

The expo is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 25. 

Admission is $10, with children under 12 years of age admitted for free. Admission includes a $10 "free play" at Batavia Downs.

James Fink writes on behalf of Batavia Downs.

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By James Fink on behalf of Batavia Downs

Pauline Andrews considers it "almost fate" that she ended up working for Western Regional Off-Track Betting and Batavia Downs.

 It falls back to her youth when her father, the late Charles Augello - a muck farmer from Elba - owned and raced harness horses at Batavia Downs, through his Little Five Stables.

On Labor Day, the Augello family would sit in a grandstand box and watch horses from Little Five Stables race.

And, during family dinners, her father would play tape recordings of Little Five horses winning races at Batavia Downs.

Andrews, 54, is currently the longest-tenured WROTB/Batavia Downs employee as she heads into her 36th year with the organization.

After having a series of jobs, Andrews is currently executive secretary to WROTB President/CEO Henry Wojtaszek and other top officials as well as the agency's board of directors.

"It's like I grew up here," Andrews said. "I feel very fortunate to have worked here for so long”.

In 1988 Andrews went to work for Batavia Downs not long after graduating from Elba Central High School she said in the organization's "Dial-A-Bet" offices on Ellicott Street in Batavia taking telephone bets.

Andrews was promoted to receptionist at the Ellicott Street offices and later worked in the organization's accounting and payroll departments before being named executive secretary in 2014.

"I view my role as making Henry's and the board and executive staff as easy as possible," Andrews said.

Andrews has institutional and historical knowledge that is viewed as priceless within the WROTB/Batavia Downs network.  Yet, she downplays that role.

"It's just because I've been here for over 35 years," Andrews said.

The loyalty to her job serves as a snapshot of the large number of long-term employees at WROTB and Batavia Downs.

"Why would I leave?" Andrews asked. "I've worked with so many people here for so many years, They are like family to me."

If you are interested in employment opportunities at Batavia Downs, be sure to check out Batavia Downs’ employment page at: https://www.bataviadownsgaming.com/gaming/employment/

James Fink writes on behalf of Batavia Downs.  Sponsored Post paid for by Batavia Downs.

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