steve ognibene's blog

In the photo above, senior Maggie Cecere is kicking in her second goal of the afternoon at Batavia High School, breaking a girls and boys soccer school record that was held since 1996 by Julie Redband Varland with 37 goals in a high school career.

Her 38th goal was recorded in the second half of the game with 14 minutes left and assisted by Junior Sophia Dinehart. Batavia won 2-0 over Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Maggie tied the school record scoring 20 minutes into the first half off a pass from senior Ali Moore. Shots on goal after the half were 9-1 Batavia.

Batavia came out a little sluggish in the second half but their defense held tough. Second-half shots were 7-5 Batavia.

Maggie's father, Assistant Coach Peter Cecere, embraced his daughter at the completion of the game along with teammates who celebrated their first home win; their record increases to 5-1. Batavia Head Coach Roger Hume is very proud of his team starting off strong and hope it continues into their next game -- away vs. Eastridge, Friday night at 7.

To view more photos and to purchase prints click here.

The seventh annual Dash in the Dark hosted at Oakfield-Alabama High School, where high school cross-country runners run their races at night under the lights, took place last Friday evening.

Thirty-four schools, more than 1,000 competitors from Section V and VI, and one from Pennsylvania, attended this year's event. 

It's pretty much the "Super Bowl" of cross-country, said Peter Beuler, Oakfield-Alabama-Elba head coach, because the runners start and finish under the football stadium lights and have construction light towers along the course as well to guide them. It's very unique and the kids love it.

The course is a fast, flat, grassy, 1,600-meter loop around the school grounds. Each leg will run two loops, starting and ending inside the football stadium.

Teams consist of three runners. Each school can enter three teams in the Gold Race (fastest race) and unlimited teams in the Blue Race.

Teams will be split up into two divisions depending on school size. 

Medals are awarded to the top 10 fastest individual times, both girls and boys, for both divisions.

Team trophies are given to the top three teams in both divisions in the Gold Race. 

Team awards go to the top three teams in the Blue Race, for both divisions and genders.

For final results go to: http://yellowjacketracing.com/results

To purchase prints click here.

Batavia Jaycees held their 30^th annual 5K race this morning starting at MacArthur Park in Batavia. More than 50 people participated in the annual event. 

The winner was Eric Boyce pictured below with an unofficial time of 17:30. Kimberly Mills was the top female, who finished fourth in the field.

Top 10 finishers were:

1.  Eric Boyce

2. Zak Jantzi

3. Kevin Sheehan

4. Kimberly Mills

5. Mario Rosales

6. Jim Lane

7. John Bruggman

8. Frank Gioia

9. Thomas Ognibene

10. Paul Hackett

To view pictures and purchase prints click here.

(Photos by Steve Ognibene. Story by Phil Coburn.)

Pickleball you say? If you’re wondering what this is, it’s a relatively new sport activity in Batavia! It’s lots of fun, easy to learn, and is one of the fastest-growing sports in America. 

The game is a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong, and is played over a net that is 2 inches lower than a tennis net. The court is 20 feet x 44 feet, about half the size of a tennis court. The ball is a perforated plastic ball similar to a whiffle ball, and the paddles are wood or composite material.

The game is adaptable to all ages from youth to seniors, and both male and female. Due to the smaller court and lighter ball, it requires much less running and has less impact on the knees, arms and shoulders than tennis.

Locally, it all started after Batavia residents Phil and Bonnie Coburn decided to travel in an RV across the United States in 2007. They had often said “What will we do if we can’t play tennis anymore?" Well, very quickly they saw some pickleball being played, and they became hooked! Upon returning to Batavia, they located a group in Ogden and played there for a couple years.

Then, after getting tired of driving 25 miles each way, they spoke to the people at the YMCA in Batavia in 2012, and they agreed to let them tape two courts in the gym. They got help from Dave Thomas in Rochester to do the layout, and he also gave them a portable net to use. They obtained grant money from the USAPA, and bought another portable net.

Thus, pickleball was born in Batavia with about six players participating.

About two years later, the gym floor was refinished, and the lines were painted on for a more permanent facility. At about the same time, Eric Volk lent a hand, and they worked with the Town of Batavia to have pickleball lines painted on the tennis courts at Kiwanis Park (replacing the tape which didn’t do too well in the elements), adding the first outside courts in the area.

This year, again with encouragement from Eric, the city, as part of the court renewal at Kibbe Park and Farrall Park, painted pickleball lines on the tennis courts, giving participants an additional five outdoor courts to play on in the area.

(At one of the newest lined courts at Kibbe Park, pictured below are some members of the Batavia Pickleball Club, from left are: Joann McCabe, Chloe Budenhagen, Becky Swanson, and founding members Bonnie and Phil Coburn.)

The YMCA has been very supportive of this activity, and currently there is play scheduled in the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday nights from 6:30-8 p.m.. Currently, every Saturday from 9:30-noon, players are welcome at Kibbe Park. Partners are not assigned, but use the "open" system of rotation for players waiting to play.

From the original six players, it has grown to around 30 fairly active players, and the ability level has definitely increased since those early days. There has been some discussion about holding a tournament next year for our local players, but there are no details available yet.

The club is always looking for additional players to try the sport, and to continue to help this activity gain momentum in Genesee County. Pickleball has become part of Physical Education in many schools, and is played in many parks and recreational facilities across the country. The Batavia YMCA has set the cost for non-Y members at $30 for a 10-play pass, $49 for a 7-week unlimited pass, or a $5 "drop-in" pass. No fee for Saturday play.

National recording artists and rock band ZZ Top performed last night, headlining three concerts in one week at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. They played many greatest hits off their 15-album career like "Legs," "Rough Boy," "Cheap Sunglasses," "Tush" and "La Grange."

Over 45-plus years of the band's success has also included TV and films early in 1990s as they appeared in the movies "Back to the Future Part III" and "Mother Goose Rock N Rhyme."  Very popular in the 1980s, they won three music video awards for "Legs," "Sharp Dressed Man" and "Rough Boy."

Earlier this month, Gregg Allman cancelled the remainder of his solo and U.S. tour with ZZ Top due to serious health issues, so Randy Bachman and his band opened for ZZ Top. 

The former lead guitarist of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive from the 1960s and '70s played some classics like "No Sugar Tonight," "American Woman," "You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet" and "Takin’ Care of Business."

Also opening was Jonny Two Bags from Social Distortion who performed a 30-minute set.   

Tonight’s concert is pop / punk rock band Blink 182 and Friday’s performance is American bro-country duo Florida Georgia Line, both starting at 7 p.m.

Randy Bachman

The 9^th Annual Chapin Charity Golf Tournament was played on Aug. 13^th at Terry Hills Golf Course in support of this year's charity: The Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network. All the proceeds raised were donated to the charity.

Although for the first time in the history of the event the weather conditions were less than perfect, the tournament was very enjoyable.

The tournament started off with a military honor guard accompanying bugler, Frankie Panepinto, playing the “National Anthem" in honor of our veterans. 

A record number of 204 golfers participated in the outing, which is quite an increase from the first event with 44 golfers! Each golfer received a gift bag full of snacks and items to start off the tournament, donated by Chapin. The Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network donated a pound of coffee to each participant and mugs, while helping pass out all the goodies. 

Everyone, including volunteers, received lunch tickets before the tournament. Players were encouraged to enter the putting contest at the practice green. For the last three years, Max Pies Furniture has donated a lounge chair for the winner of this contest. Local resident Derek Ellis won the chair.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner at the awards banquet catered by Terry Hills following the tournament. Assemblyman Steve Hawley began the awards banquet with a presentation on the 9^th annual Patriots Trip to Washington, D.C. Chapin followed up with a contribution to assist the veterans' fund for the trip.

The event recognized four categories this year as winners: The Chapin Division, the Business Division, Mixed Division and Female Division. Each player received a nice prize package. The Chapin Division winners’ names will be placed on a “Stanley Cup” style trophy and all other winners received commemorative plaques. Every player received a prize with a $25 value. Along with the prizes Chapin presented each player with a Made in USA, 3X5 American flag. No one walks away unhappy or empty handed.

Unfortunately there were no winners for the HOLE-IN-ONES offered on hole #7 by Toyota of Batavia (Corolla), hole #12 by Ken Barrett Chevrolet/Cadillac (Cruze), and hole #25 by Castilone Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep (Jeep Renegade). A very special thanks goes out to the dealerships for their continued support for the tournament.

The big winner was the Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network and this year’s funds raised reached a new record. More than $10,300 was raised to benefit the DAV. The Disabled American Veterans-Transportation Network still needs support. 

Please contact Doug Titus, coordinator at the DAV. Doug.Titus@va.gov. Phone: (585) 297-1170.

Chapin International is very proud to host this event each year. Next year it will be held on Aug. 12. Mark the calendar! Due to the continued growth, space will be limited.  Contact Norm Hubbard, Golf Tournament director, to become a sponsor or answer any questions, nhubbard@chapinmfg.com or 585-343-3140, ext. 3018.

Check out the pictures of this year’s event. Go to www.chapincharitygolf.com. Special thanks to the volunteers and photographers Mike Freeman, Scott Gimbrone and Lori Kramer.

Submission by Norm Hubbard -- Tournament chair, and photos by Michael Freeman.

American five-piece girl group Fifth Harmony performed last evening at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center with special guests JoJo and Victoria Monet. The five singers who all successfully auditioned as soloists on the second season of "The X Factor USA" in 2012 failed to progress individually in judging competition and decided to form a group together.

The band was formed one month following the second season of "The X Factor USA" and was named "Next Pop Superstar of 2013" by Popdust magazine.  They played hits like "Gonna Get Better," "All In My Head (Flex)," "Worth It" and "Work from Home."

Opening for them was Joanna Noëlle Blagden "JoJo" Levesque and Victoria Monet. Next concert is BRAD PAISLEY: LIFE AMPLIFIED TOUR, Aug. 19^th at 7:30 p.m.

JoJo:

Over 40-plus years and millions of albums sold the Wilson sisters -- brunette lead singer Ann and blond lead guitarist Nancy -- didn't miss a beat, as they kept the crowd dancing in the aisles last evening with their band Heart at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.  

Hands waving, cell phones were overheating amongst many followers engaged in some of the band's greatest hits like, "Magic Man," "What about Love," "These Dreams," "Crazy on You" and "Barracuda."

Cheap Trick and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts opened for Heart tonight with some famous songs by each band, "Dream Police," "I Want You to Want Me" from Cheap Trick. Joan Jett played some classics, "Cherry Bomb," "I Love Rock 'n’ Roll," and "I Hate Myself for Loving You."

Next concert is tomorrow night featuring G-Eazy & Logic: The Endless Summer Tour, with guests YG and YO Gotti at 6:30.

American singer, songwriter, actor, Josh Groban performed last evening at Darien Lake PAC in front of a contemporary, light-spirited crowd of six thousand people. His last appearance was in 2011 in Buffalo. He performed some hits like “You Raise me Up” and from musicals “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” and “Le Temps des Cathedrales.” 

Sarah McLachlan performed two duets with Josh, one being her own “Angel.” She was the lead opener with songs like "Building a Mystery," "I will Remember You" and "Sweet Surrender." Foy Vance opened for Sarah McLachlan.  

Next concert is tonight featuring Heart with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Cheap Trick, 6:30 p.m.

Sarah McLachlan

Are you ready to play some golf? If you have not signed up, you still can for the ninth Annual Chapin's Charity Golf Tournament Saturday Aug. 13th, at Terry Hills Golf Course, 5122 Clinton Street Road in Batavia.  This year’s beneficiary is the Disabled Veterans Local Chapter 166 of Batavia.  Our goal is to raise $12,000, everyone will walk away with prizes, said tournament chair Norm Hubbard.

The four-person shotgun scramble starts at 1 p.m., registration is at 11 a.m., including lunch and chances to win a set of clubs, also a chair from Max Pies Furniture store and much more!  

Skins and Mulligans are available at registration along with a putting contest before the tournament starts. The $70 ticket price includes lunch, dinner, 18 holes of golf with a cart, a sleeve of balls, gift bag, an American flag and chances to win many prizes.  

Chapin's encourages ladies' teams to participate and there will be prizes for everyone.

Pictured above is Norm Hubbard, tournament chair, with Doug Titus and members from the Disabled Veterans Chapter 166. Girl Scout Lily Gaylord along with leaders Lorelei Roll, Troop 42003, Laura Ranalli, Troop 42001 and GSWNY membership manager Jenni Malcomb.

To register your team, sponsor or donate go to: www.chapincharitygolf.com

Pictured above is 12-year-old Lily Gaylord from Girl Scout, Troop 42003, preparing gift bags. Lily is also pictured with her grandpa, Paul Gaylord, Disabled Veterans Chapter 166 commander holding the United States' flag. 

Pictured above, Pablo Garcia watching two West Virginia runs being scored.

A quiet start but energetic night coming into tonight’s second game versus West Virginia Black Bears, but the Batavia Muckdogs ended a three-game winning streak losing at Dwyer Stadium 9-4.

After the first few innings being tied, in the bottom of the sixth, Isaiah White stirs the field on a forced out grounder advancing Rony Cabrera to third who scored on Aaron Knapp’s single next at bat taking the game lead by one. Pablo Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to left which brought White in to score leading the Muckdogs after six innings 3-1.

Top of the 7^th Muckdogs Justin Langley comes in, West Virginia unloaded on Batavia, scoring six runs runs by, George, Krause, Baur, Craig, Pabst for the Black Bears. Ty Provencher replaced Justin Langley, Provencher  escaped the inning allowing two runs by Leffler and Owen which brought West Virgina’s lead 9-3.

No change until the bottom of the ninth with two outs Batavia’s Jhonny Santos homers on a fly ball to left field to eventually end the night with Batavia losing 9-4, tying the series 1-1.

Muckdogs will play tonight ending the three-game home stances against West Virginia game time 7:05.

Batavia Rotary Club’s 14th annual Father’s Day Fly-In Pancake breakfast will be from 7 a.m. to noon this Sunday, June 19, at the Genesee County Airport, 4701 Saile Drive, Batavia. The menu consists of pancakes, scrambled eggs, omelets, sausage, coffee, tea, milk and juice.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 4-12; children under 4 are free.

"We normally serve about 1,500 people but expect over 2,000 people because it coincides with the grand opening of the new Genesee County Airport terminal," said breakfast Chairman Paul Marchese.

Presale tickets are available from any Rotarian, Marchese Computer, or can be purchased at door for the same price.

All of the proceeds are used by Batavia Rotary to support many local agencies as well as help fund our college scholarships given to three outstanding high school graduates from Batavia, Notre Dame and Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.

Treat your dad, grandpa and yourself to a great breakfast at the Genesee County Airport this Father’s Day.

Pictured from left, Rotarian Susie Ott, Paul Marchese, chairman of the breakfast event, and Batavia Rotary Co-President Paul Saskowski.

Press Release submitted by Batavia Outdoor track Coach Nicholas Burk.

Three Batavia track and field athletes will be competing in the 2016 NYSPHSAA Track & Field Championships, today and tomorrow, June 10-11, at Cicero-North Syracuse High School.

Anthony Ray (pictured far left) has had a very dominant spring in the throwing events for the Blue Devils as he was undefeated in the Shot Put and Discus during our Monroe County League schedule, earned 1st Team All Monroe County, and also won Shot and Disc at the Section V Championships.

Batavia has had a boy or girl thrower compete at the State meet, both indoors and outdoors every year under throws Coach Dan Geiger. The Blue Devil's track team is recognized as having a very strong Throws Program over the past decade. Anthony was fortunate to qualify for the Indoor State Championships in the Shot Put and Indoor Nationals in the Weight Throw this past winter and will compete in the Shot and Disc today. He goes into the meet seeded ninth in Shot and 11th in Disc.

Kiaya Franklin will be on the track for her two events as she qualified in the 200m and the 400m. Both of these events will be held today, with the chance to qualify for the finals on Saturday. Kiaya is also coming off a State meet performance for Indoor Track this past winter. Earlier this outdoor season, she captured Section V championships in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. She goes into the State meet this weekend seeded sixth in both her events with a very good chance to medal in both.

Adonis Davis (pictured far right) will compete for the first time at the State Championships for track and field and is seeded third in the Triple Jump. He is coming off a very impressive season having earned 1st team Monroe County in Triple and High Jump and won Sectionals in both events as well. Adonis is considering competing in track and field at Brockport State next year.

All three Batavia athletes helped the track team win Sectional Championships two weeks ago and now have the opportunity for some individual success at States. Good luck to our Blue Devil athletes this weekend in Syracuse.

For complete LIVE results for this weekends New York State Meet click here: http://www.nysphsaa.org/Sports/Spring/Track/ChampionshipNewsVideo.aspx

Last evening, England’s rock band Bad Company opened the 2016 Darien Lake summer concert series.

The 43-year-old band has a 28-city U.S. tour planned before heading overseas to the United Kingdom this fall. They played some hits like “Ready for Love,” “Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy” and “Feel Like Makin' Love."

Singer Paul Rodgers captured the standing crowd grooving to their classic hits one after another.

Joe Walsh is a seasoned veteran of the music scene, having played in five successful bands, one of which was The Eagles. He did not disappoint on Tuesday night with his band, which opened for Bad Company. 

The 68-year-old performed some hits from previous bands including “Life in the Fast Lane," "Take it to the Limit” by The Eagles. From the band James Gang he performed “Walk Away” and "Funk #49."

Joe. also known as “The Clown Prince of Rock,” entertained the crowd with fascinating facial expressions through his 80-minute set, readying them for headliner Bad Company.

Country music star Miranda Lambert will be coming up later this month for the next concert at Darien Lake. 

For the complete summer lineup visit: https://www.darienlake.com/concerts

Joe Walsh and his band:

The boys and girls track teams from Batavia High School competed in the Class B Sectional Championships on Friday night, both earning hard fought victories.

The girls had an impressive 101 points, with Livonia coming in second place with 62. Kiaya Franklin had an unbelievable meet by winning the 100m in 12.51, the 400m in 57.69, and the 200m in 25.97. The girls 4x800 relay of Sophia Dinehart, Briana Bromley, Claire Zickl and Maddi Murray won with a time of 10:02.31. Rachel Denise won the pole vault with a jump of 9-0.

The boys had a much closer meet, scoring 124 points over defending indoor and outdoor champion Greece Olympia, which finished with 120. Anthony Ray continued his dominance in the throwing events by winning the shot with a throw of 49-3.25 and the discus with a throw of 146-8. Adonis Davis helped to seal the win two late victories in the high jump with a height of 6-4 and in the triple jump with a leap of 44-7.75. The boys meet was very competitive with the title still up for grabs with only a few events remaining.

Full results from the meet can be viewed at:

http://live.yentiming.com/#/results/meet/270

These sectional championships are the 25th team championships for Batavia track and field, both indoors and outdoors, since 2003. Both the boys and girls teams represented their school and community with a great deal of determination and poise throughout the competition. Congrats to the 2016 Track and Field Sectional Champions, the Batavia Blue Devils!

Story submitted by: Batavia Boys Head Coach Nicholas Burk, who is also pictured below receiving the boys Section V trophy from a track official.

Photos by: Steve Ognibene Photography

The top seed in Class A2, the Batavia Blue Devils, bested 8 seed Geneva Panthers at Dwyer Stadium for the section V quarterfinal matchup Friday afternoon. 

Greg Mruczek pitched the first couple innings. Geneva made some key hits and took control early after two innings leading 2-1.

Trevor Sherwood pitched the next three innings as the game remained the same. Senior Alex Canty hit a triple in the third inning to get within scoring range. Geneva held strong and Batavia could not get a break.

Batavia pitcher Alex Jones came in the last two innings to hold off Geneva from scoring. The score was set at 2-1 score until the bottom of the seventh inning, senior Steven Stefaniak got a base hit to lead off  senior Tyler Hale, who was up next and hit a triple to bring Stefaniak in for Batavia to tie the game 2-2.

Geneva was in trouble with one out, took a timeout to plan their strategy with two heavy hitters, Senior Alex Canty and Junior Jerry Reinhart up next.  Geneva intentionally walked them both Alex to 2nd base, Jerry to 1st, bases loaded.

Batavia called timeout, Tyler’s twin brother Senior Jake Hale was at the plate. 

"I have been playing baseball my whole life and told my brother to get the ball to the left side and knew he would come through," Tyler said.  "It may not have been a hard hit ball but it got in play and scored the run."

Jake Hale hit a grounder to the left of home plate, dug in the dirt bounced in the air. Tyler made a run to home plate, the pitcher came in grabbed the ball, bobbled it, lost his grip and went in the air. He slid into home plate and Batavia won 3-2.

Jake Hales thoughts before taking the plate: "I went up there just to play baseball, waiting for my pitch to hit and swung and missed at one, took one that was low in the dirt. I found the one but barely got a piece of it and then ended up bringing Tyler in. I ran to first as fast as I could hoping I would not get out, but then when I heard the cheers I knew my brother made the run and we won the game, then excitement took over."

Batavia plays 4 seed Wayne at Hilton High School, Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

For more photos go to: Steve Ognibene Photography

James Carter "Jimmie" Walker Jr., who played James Evans Jr. ("J.J.") from the mid-'70s TV show "Good Times," headlined Batavia Downs' first of many Comedy Nights scheduled this year. Walker has been entertaining people for more than four decades, from TV to comedy acts with his great one-liners, humor and his signature catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!"

He spoke about the era many years ago when TV had a whoppomg three channel and when it got to be very late, the signal went off the air with a beep and lines. Walker was nominated for Emmys, Golden Globes and more. The 68-year-old guy Bronx native entertained a packed crowd with laughter, wit and charm and was well received by Batavia.

Rochester native Todd Youngman opened the show for Walker.

The next Comedy Night at Batavia Downs is Wednesday, May 11th, with Michael Winslow from "Police Academy."

Pictured below, Todd Youngman.

Batavia Photography Club member Don Fryling talking to Club President Scott Neumann about his photo display.

Photos by Steve Ognibene.

Don’t be afraid to show some photographs 'cause you never know, you might have some good ones, said Batavia Photography Club President Scott Neumann on the opening gala night for its month-long exhibit at the Richmond Memorial Library.

The club holds this annual event so local photographers can showcase various prints of people, landscapes, animals and more, for the public to view and enjoy.

This year, three studio nights were offered instead of two, Neumann said. Some club members show off their expertise by teaching things like fantastic photography, neutral density filters along with guests from various clubs in the vicinity, too.

The Batavia club meets the first and third Monday of each month -- September through May -- starting at 7 p.m. at the Northgate Free Methodist Church, located at 8160 Bank Street Road in Batavia. Come as a guest and to learn more go to http://batavia.photoclubservices.com/

Nearly 200 friends and family members gathered Saturday evening in front of the Stafford Fire Hall to remember their dear friend "Shell" Mouery, who passed away Friday afternoon after surgery following a heart attack. She was someone they cherished and she also helped a lot in this small community.

More than a dozen people spoke about Shell -- from making pizza at her business, the Stafford Trading Post, giving to others and being a role model to all. 

"She was a great hugger and I am glad I got the chance to see her a couple weeks ago," said a local resident.

There was sadness for many, but also much laughter remembering great times and sharing stories during the 45-minute prayer vigil.

This Tuesday, March 29, will be a remembrance service will be at Stafford Fire Hall from 4-8 p.m.

Plans for a Chicken BBQ and Chinese Auction Fundraiser on Sunday, April 3, are still on. It will be hosted by the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department along with Genesee County S.C.O.P.E. Doors open at the fire hall on Main Road in Stafford at 10 a.m. and Chicken BBQ will start at 11:30 a.m.

There will be a Chinese auction featuring donations from numerous businesses in Le Roy, Stafford and Batavia. For more information contact S.C.O.P.E. Bill Fox at 585-356-4992, or to make a donation for the fundraiser contact Stephanie Call at the Stafford Fire Deptartment 585-356-1660.

Her obituary can be found here: Michelle M. "Shell" Mouery