Tom Talbot loves local history.

And he loves to write.

And he loves fiction.

Over a 30-year period, he worked hard to bring these interests together in a project that would ultimately become the historical fiction novel, "The Craft: Freemasons, Secret Agents, and William Morgan."

Originally from Elba, Talbot has lived in Batavia for more than 40 years. While some people may say that Batavia is a boring place to live, he has always been fascinated by the stories it has to tell.

"We live in an area with a rich history," he said.

His book, which was published in August, is set in 1826 and follows two government agents who are assigned by President John Quincy Adams to investigate the disappearance of William Morgan.

Morgan, as area history buffs know, was a Batavia resident famous for having mysteriously vanished after threatening to write a book exposing the secrets of Freemasonry.

"[The Morgan incident] put Batavia on the map for a while," Talbot said. "In a bad way, but still..."

The book's plot goes beyond William Morgan, placing his disappearance in the context of a larger web of intrigue that involves "rogue British Masons" (as the back cover synopsis puts it) and a presidential assassination plot.

"I didn't want the book to be just about Morgan himself," Talbot said. "That's been done by a lot of people. I wanted to include him, but also have a broader scope."

Agents Matthew Prescott and Zeb Cardwell are the story's protagonists. In Talbot's fast-paced thriller, they travel all over the Eastern Seaboard searching for the truth behind Morgan's disappearance, going from Washington, D.C., to New York City, Albany, Canada, Rochester and, you guessed it, Batavia.

Locals may recognize certain locations mentioned in the Batavia segment, including the Holland Land Office Museum, the Eagle Tavern, and the Mix Mansion (which is over on Mix Place).

Research into what life was like in 18th Century New York State -- including the difficulties of travelling in the pre-railroad days, bedbug infestations at inns, and the dangerous malfunctions of primitive steamboats -- helped Talbot craft some very interesting dramatic situations for his characters.

"A lot of it you have to imagine (as an author), but you do need some basis (in period details)."

"The Craft" is Talbot's first novel and second book. His first book, "Illustrated Black History," was a curriculum guide for social studies teachers (he himself taught history at Batavia Middle School for three years). It is available as a reference text in the Richmond Memorial Library's local history section.

He started working on "The Craft" while attending graduate school at SUNY Brockport and raising a family in Batavia. The busyness of his life required him to set the book aside for long periods of time; but over the years, his wife, Vicki, kept pestering him to finish it.

He credits the completion and publication of the novel to her persistence.

Looking back on this 30-year endeavor, Talbot likes to joke about how he started writing the book on yellow legal pads before graduating to the use of a typewriter, then transferring it onto his Apple computer, eventually putting it on his IBM computer, and, finally, finishing it on his laptop.

Writing is something in which he "dabbled" quite a bit before starting on "The Craft."

"Writing was always one of my major interests," he said. "I played around with poetry and short stories in college. I also did curricular writing for the Batavia City School District and for the Buffalo schools."

Since retiring from his position as an administrator at GCC in 2000, he has worked part-time as a grant writer and data evaluator for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA).

"I like to kid people by saying that I've written a lot of grants, but that's not all I do -- I've also written a book."

His jobs in the Buffalo schools, GCC and GCASA have involved extensive research and data evaluation as well as writing. Between this and a history degree from Georgetown University, his credentials for a research-intensive project like "The Craft" aren't too shabby.

As for whether other Tom Talbot novels are on the horizon, he definitely hopes that "The Craft" is "not a one-shot deal."

"I have some ideas for other books, including a sequel to 'The Craft.' Possibly something in a different genre, too."

Talbot himself is an avid reader and enjoys authors as diverse as John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Daniel Silva, J.R.R. Tolkien and Alexander Solzhenitsyn. He has a blog, Tom's Book Pages, where he writes book reviews.

As for "The Craft," you can purchase it locally at Present Tense or at the Holland Land Office Museum; you can also order it online.

For more information or to order a copy, visit www.thecraftthebook.com. Talbot says he encourages people to comment on the book on the site as well.

"I would appreciate any feedback," he said.

Photo courtesy of Jen Zambito

One of Genesee County's great Halloween traditions returns this year -- Julie Allein and her daughter Kelsey have decorated their yard and barn with enough fright to scare the white off a ghost.

Julie Allein has been carving pumpkins and tricking out her barn at 8894 Boyce Road, Corfu, since 1997.

Saturday evening, Kelsey gave me a tour of her favorite haunts.

More pictures after the jump:

This is the sunset I found on West Main Street Road, Batavia, on Saturday evening.

Carter Wasilewski, 7, was trying to help his dad Saturday afternoon by doing some fall leaf raking at their Redfield Drive home. Sister Paige, 10, was ready to help if he put down the rake.

Thelma and Rick Hall love the holidays. They decorate their home on Watson Avenue to suit the season, but for Halloween tomorrow, they've made an effort that goes beyond even last year -- new ghouls and goblins and a "chop house" where the kiddies will need to enter if they want any tricks or treats.

The whole haunted yard will be populated by Thelma Hall, left, Rick Hall, Daniel Brian, Toni Stoller, Lou Stoller, Ashley and Mike Meyers (newlyweds).

Daniel Brian and Toni will marry in 2011 on Halloween at the haunted house on Watson Avenue.

While driving around town Saturday evening, I came across a group of boys playing hockey on Kibbe Avenue. Here's a few pictures from their good time.

To purchase pictures, click here.

More pictures after the jump:

At this point, most of the trees in our neck of the woods have lost their leaves. Some, though, retain their splendor, including one tree on the north side of Austin Park (Washington Avenue, across from the school district offices). It's a beautiful tree with a fascinating trunk. I took this picture late Saturday afternoon.

Saturday, the Batavia Fire Department held an open house, which included a chance for the kids to shoot a fire hose at traffic cones, a chance to get a close-up view of the fire trucks, information on fire safety, a child seat safety check (with the help of Batavia Police) and a demonstration of how the fire department can get trapped people out of a car.

The dismantling of a car was pretty fascinating and are a good portion of the pictures after the jump.

To purchase pictures from the event, click here.

The First Presbyterian Church Service Building was packed Saturday morning with hungry pancake eaters for the 52nd Kiwanis Pancake Days breakfast. At one point, the wait to get into the dining hall was 45 minutes long.

Above, Betty Ingram displays a heart-shaped pancake delivered to her by Sheriff Gary Maha.

To purchase pictures of Saturday's event, click here.

More photos after the jump:

"What's YOUR alternative?"

That's the question Wittnes Smith, of Attica, poses to young people in grades six through 12.

Since moving to the Village of Attica in 2006, Smith and his wife, Tressa, have noticed a couple things: there's not much for young people to do in Attica, and with too much free time on their hands, youths sometimes get involved in things they shouldn't.

So they are working to establish the Club ALT Teen Center in one of the three storefronts of Attica's historic Opera House, which is located at 16 Exchange St. in the village. The aim is to provide teens with alternatives to using alcohol and drugs, and to help them develop a "different outlook on life."

He says there is wide consensus that having a teen center here would be good.

The couple has been actively working on getting the club started for about a year. It would be open during after-school hours to sixth- through 12th-graders in Attica and surrounding areas, including Genesee County.

Village of Attica representatives, while unable to contribute to the project in an official capacity, have said that there are no legal or zoning issues that would prevent a teen center from operating.

Smith has a business license from the state -- which, he says, is all the project requires as far as legal issues go -- and has networked with people and organizations throughout Wyoming County as well as some from Genesee County.

He recently attended a quarterly meeting of the Drug Free Communities Coalition -- a program of GCASA (Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) -- during which people were given a survey and asked what they thought the community should do if given a large sum of money.

Nearly 37 percent of the attendees said they would like to see the money spent on programs for children and youth -- such as after-school programs, more activities for kids during their "down time," education, etc. It was the largest single percentage in terms of support for any one type of program or initiative.

Some supporters have donated money and other necessities to help out. Donations have also come from Batavia businesses. For example, the Batavia Rent-a-Center and BJ's Wholsesale Club have donated equipment and furniture.

The project also has the enthusiastic support of lifelong Batavia resident Mary Ellen Wilber (who is Tressa's aunt).

Wilber is a good voucher for the project. She has decades of insight into rural problems, drug use, youth affairs and public health and worked with the Batavia Youth Bureau for awhile. She served as special advisor to the last four governors.

"Choices for healthy alternatives (to drug use, etc.) are so lacking in rural communities," she said. "The youth need things that will really get them to work together and not just hang out. What Wittnes wants to do is offer fun and inexpensive ways to keep kids occupied."

But there is still quite a ways to go, particularly in terms of funding.

"We need about $5,000 to get started," Smith said. "Right now we have $1,000 -- thanks to the generosity of Attica locals and businesses."

Club ALT's overall start-up budget is $25,000 -- or $5,000 to pay the basic overhead -- and it cannot open until that cost is met. Smith plans to raise money in different ways.

In terms of donations, he hopes, ideally, to have 1,000 people donate $25 each. He also plans on applying for grants and turning to traditional fundraising.

If his record is any indication, Smith's teen center is well worth funding. Before moving to Western New York he lived in Seattle, where he did this same type of work.

In addition to running a teen center for four years -- in partnership with the Metropolitan Development Council -- and doing teen programs in nine middle schools, Smith also created an annual musical event called Gospollo and co-founded a night club called Club Friday. Both are still very successful.

"He was very successful and did great work (in Seattle)," Wilber said. "He knows what he's doing."

At this time, he is in charge of a Cheektowaga-based program called Hype, which gives teens the opportunity to learn about the music industry and develop their artistic skills.

"I'd like to bring these same types of programs to Attica," Smith said.

Attica residents were not quite sure what to expect from Smith's idea. Initially, it was a concern for some people, but not because they didn't think the teen center was worth funding. Like most communities, the village has to prioritize projects and has limited resources for them.

The Village Comprehensive Development Plan was last updated in 2003 and included recommendations for future improvements. One was putting in a courthouse above the new firehouse, which was they did. The plan also called for creating a teen/community recreation/senior center.

Location was one of Smith's first obstacles. According to the village's Comprehensive Development Plan, existing buildings on Main Street should be given priority for appropriate public benefit projects. They ought to be re-used, upgraded and altered to accommodate them, according to the plan.

"There's only one building on Main Street that could be considered for re-use," Smith said, "and that is an old, closed-down coffee house."

Smith considered this option, but the asking price was rather high and it was uncertain whether the owner wanted to sell.

All in all, the Opera House storefront seemed like the best option. Smith is interested in a former Realtor's office that has been vacant for some time. The other two storefronts house a church and a massage business.

If successful, Club ALT will engage teens in a variety of activities, so that there will be something for everyone to get involved in regardless of what his/her interests and needs are.

Examples include film/video production, tutoring and mentorship, field trips to historical sites, a journalism club, prevention programs on alcohol/drugs/tobacco, programs aimed at helping parents better understand adolescents, cooking, recreational activities, and more.

Adults experienced in teaching, and youth and program development would supervise.

"I think people see that (the youth) are our future," Smith said. "What we hope to do (with Club ALT) is gear our future in different directions. Without structure or boundaries, young people can stray into harmful behavior and get into trouble. We hope to give them a different perspective on things that are better for them."

Smith has already set up a website anticipating the center's inception. For more information or to find out how you can help with the project, please visit www.clubalt.org.

Photo submitted by Wittnes Smith

Who loves Monk bread? The bread is made by the monks at The Abbey of the Genesee http://geneseeabbey.org/. They are very generous and donate to local organizations. They donate to the Salvation army in Rochester which in turns delivers to the Salvation Army here in Batavia.

Captain Bob Kurtz of the Salvation Army here in Batavia  was very generous and donated bread to Care-A-Van Ministries. Care-A-Van was at Northside Meadows for Saturday morning grocery distribution where 27 families with 91 family members received the delicious bread. When Care-A-Van was done there, they stopped by and blessed the residents of 400 Towers with the delicous bread. Isn't it amazing to know to see how the hard work and efforts of the monks, bless those in communities that surround their Abbey.  It is awesome to see how local agencies come together to serve those in the community. Captain Bob also donates his time with Care-A-Van every Thursday for morning ministry. Thank you to the Abbey for their generosity. If you have never been there, take a drive sometime.

Their facility and grounds are beatuiful and the fresh bread can be bought right there in their store.

A concerned citizen alerted authorities of an unusual situation in a Stafford Cemetery about a half hour ago. Seems a pickup truck was there along with some people looking around with flashlights. After all, Halloween is tommorrow and this seemed a bit...instrusive.

Before Sheriff's could respond, apparently impatience got the better of the caller, and he fearlessly investigated things himself. Once satisfied that no shenanigans were going on, he called back and said there was no need for the law to respond.

The prowlers were actually hunters, who'd shot a deer, tracked it to the cemetery and were simply trying the find their kill and load it into the truck.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley announced this week the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has limited the impact of new regulations on existing outdoor wood boilers (OWBs).

The DEC cited the numerous comments received during the public outreach process that eventually led to the new proposal provisions. The provision to phase out the use of older OWBs in an earlier stage of the proposal was eliminated from the final text of the rule.

“Due to residents grassroots efforts through attending and participating in hearings hosted by the DEC, unnecessary regulations and costs were avoided for people who are already meeting current DEC regulations concerning OWBs," Hawley said in a news release.

"I applaud the effort of the DEC for recognizing the burden of forcing roughly 14,000 households statewide to replace their OWBs at a total cost of anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 for a new unit.”

Hawley also added that he will now continue to push DEC to listen to citizens regarding the strict open burning regulations implemented last year.

He is currently a co-sponsor on NYS Assembly Bill 7414 which prohibits the DEC from restricting the burning of garbage, refuse or rubbish in an open fire on land owned by a single family, or any part of a farm, under certain circumstances.

A piece of farm equipment being driven on Quaker Hill Road is reported to be sparking, causing several small brushfires along the roadside as it heads down the roadway. The driver, apparently, is oblivious.

Several calls came in reporting the incident in the vicinity of 6054 Quaker Hill Road. The equipment is still traveling along. Orleans County is being notified.

Elba Fire Department is called to respond.

UPDATE (2:25 p.m.): In the 5000 block of Quaker Hill Road there is reportedly a large brushfire now, heading into the woods.

UPDATE (2:30 p.m.): All Elba manpower and equipment is ordered to Route 19 and the Genesee-Orleans county line to fight the brushfires.

UPDATE (2:52 p.m.): The brushfires were pronounced out a few minutes ago. Fire police are holding traffic until the fire trucks and their equipment can be packed up and leave the scene.

UPDATE (3:06 p.m.): The road is open, the units are back in service, and the volunteers firefighters are en route to the Pizza Pantry in Corfu.

A small brushfire is reported at the softball field behind the Byron Fire Station. A crew is requested from the Byron Volunteer Fire Department to go to the station and deploy its brush truck to put out the blaze.

UPDATE (12:33 p.m.): The fire is out and the Byron Fire Department is ready for service.

Carlson's Studio, 39 Jackson St., Batavia, NY: Christmas is coming! Now is the time to get your holiday portraits. We have a $150 gift card for $75 (+$2 PayPal Service fee).

Stafford Trading Post, 6173 Main Road, Stafford, NY: Lunch or dinner, Stafford Trading Post offers a variety of fresh, homemade meals, as well as snacks and drinks. Now in a new, expanded location. We have a $25 gift card for $12.50.

Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center, 3646 W. Main St. Road, Batavia, NY: Fall decorations are in as well as a big selection of spring bulbs. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

Main St. Pizza Company, 206 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Pizza, wings, subs and even hamburgers and hot dogs, Main St. Pizza makes everything deliciously. We have a $25 gift certificate for $12.50.

The Enchanted Florist, 202 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Fall colors. Fall flowers. Brighten your home or office. We have a $20 gift certificate for $9.50.

Blue Pearl Yoga, 200 E. Main St., Batavia, NY: Exercise your soul as well as your body in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. We have a gift certificate for three weeks of yoga, 13 classes, a $36 value, for $18.

Settler's Restaurant, 353 W. Main St., Batavia, NY: Settler's has a 25-year history of serving great, affordable breakfasts, lunches and dinners to Batavians. We have a $20 gift certificate for $10.

NOTE: If you've never bought Deal of the Day before, or are otherwise unfamiliar with the rules and process, click here.

A caller has reported finding a car that hit a tree and is now on its side in the area of 470 Council House Road.

The caller reports finding blood, but can't see any person around, at least not in the dark.

Alabama Fire and Mercy EMS being dispatched.

UPDATE 12:13 a.m.: Alabama chief reports no victim at the scene. He confirms, the car is on its side.

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Here's a news release from The Jerome Foundation and the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

The 27th annual Health and Humanitarian Award of Genesee County will be presented to Ronald Burroughs on Friday, Dec. 3 at an awards luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant.

The award is presented by The Jerome Foundation and United Memorial Medical Center Foundation and recognizes volunteer men and women of Genesee County who have helped promote emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the area’s residents.

In naming Ronald Burroughs for this year’s award, the foundations recognize his volunteer efforts and leadership with Genesee County Habitat for Humanity. He has served as a board member of the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, and has been a tireless volunteer -- building and rehabilitating houses so local families can live in clean, decent and stable housing.

Michael Seyfried and Nancy Platt, members of the local Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, nominated Burroughs for the award, citing his zeal and skill in all phases of the building projects.

“Ron has provided leadership, equipment, professional contacts and 'sweat equity time' for a number of houses in our community, and his vision for such projects has enabled families to acquire affordable housing on their own," Seyfried noted in his nomination.

Platt credited Burroughs with inspiration and leadership in establishing Habitat’s ReStore resale outlet that sells reusable and surplus building materials to the public. Proceeds help the local affiliate fund construction of Habitat homes within Genesee County.

The Health and Humanitarian Award luncheon is open to the public. Reservations can be made by contacting United Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 344-5300. Seating will be limited so early reservations are encouraged.

Jackson Street Grill/Belladessa's, one of Batavia's more popular dining establishments, is shutting its doors.

Owner Jim Kujawski said this afternoon that the restaurant's last day will be tomorrow.

In a statement, Kujawski said:

I have decided that the sacrifices of running a restaurant are not worth it anymore. The first thought through everyone's mind is that the business is doing bad. That's not true. Of course the economy has had a negative effect on sales over the past 2 years but this was not the deciding factor. Working 7 days a week, 10-12 hr days, year round gets old after awhile. I want to go back to having some semblance of a life again and spending time with my wife and family. We did have a party interested in continuing the business but backed out at the last minute last week.

Kujawski opened Jackson Street Grill in 2006. It is known for big juicy hamburgers, including a huge cheese burger that patrons were challenged to eat. In 2008, Kujawski acquired Belladessa's and moved the pizzeria from Main Street to Jackson Street. Belladessa's had been around since 1997.

An electrical fire is reported in the basement of a house at 13 Walnut St. in the City of Batavia. The occupants have been evacuated and there is smoke coming from the building.

City Fire Department is on scene.

UPDATE (2:33 p.m.): The fire is knocked down. National Grid has been notified about the problem inside the electrical fuse box. Firefighters are "checking the extensions upstairs."

UPDATE (by Howard): Julie Worthington and Mary Kay Mayeu were sitting at the dining room table talking when they heard some loud buzzing pops and the lights flickered. Mayeu told Worthington she better get the kids out of the house.

"I think there's something going on downstairs," Mayeu said she told Worthington. "I looked downstairs and I could see flames. You couldn't see past the water heater, but you could see a yellow presence."

At that point, Worthington said, the smoke detectors hadn't even started beeping.

"We were actually out of the house before the alarms started going off," Worthington said.