Announcements

Volunteers for Animals' 15th annual Fur Ball to benefit their Spay/Neuter Program at the Genesee County Animal Shelter will take place starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Days Inn in Batavia.

The hotel is located at 200 Oak St.

There will be food, fun, basket raffles and silent auctions.

Tickets are $25 each; tickets for children 12 and under are $15. A table of 10 -- with 10 seats -- costs $250.

The event is limited to 200 tickets.

Please make checks payable to: Volunteers for Animals -- Spay/Neuter Program.

They can be mailed to: P.O. Box 1621, Batavia NY 14021

Tickets are also available at the shelter.

Volunteers for Animals are now accepting new items for the Fur Ball raffle/auction. Items can be left at the shelter during adoption hours.

Well, he's still at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Despite the dog days of summer, this pit bull / Labrador retriever mix manages to keep his enthusiasm for life high and his mood cheerful.

You can see it in his eyes.

He's asking for a true friend to enjoy all that this wonderful old world has to offer: The buddy system; Tete-a-tete; Mano a mano; Semper fidelis; Tit-for-tat; You 'n' me, pal; A team; Us vs. them; We're in the soup together; Comrades in arms & legs; Duality; Pair of jacks; Dynamite duo; A real pair; Besties; BFFs; "Pardners"; Yin and yang; Mac 'n' cheese; We.

This neutered, adult canine gets along swimmingly with other dogs and thinks walking with humans is best thing to do on the planet.

You could take him out for a "test drive" so to speak; probably do you both good. A leash is at the ready. Just don't forget to hydrate.

Visit the animal shelter during these A-D-O-P-T-I-O-N hours:

• Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri -- 1-3 p.m.
• Wednesday -- 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
• Closed Thursdays
• Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The shelter is located at 3841 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

Press release:

Come explore the active and adventurous sport of orienteering at the Genesee County Park & Forest! Learn how to find your way without batteries or a cell phone signal, by using a map and compass. All materials provided, no experience necessary! Orienteering is a family friendly sport for people of all ages and ability levels.

Join us for the Orienteering Event with the Rochester Orienteering Club on Saturday, Sept. 15th, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This program is FREE.

Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center at the Genesee County Park & Forest. Beginner class and basic training will be given from 9 to 10 a.m. Orienteering start is open 10 a.m. to noon.

All courses close at 1:30 p.m. Perfect for individuals and families who love the outdoors!

Come have some fun and find your way in New York State’s First County Forest. More information on the sport of orienteering and the Rochester Orienteering Club can be found here.

Please preregister online here or by calling 585-344-1122.

For additional information on programs at the Genesee County Parks visit our website here, or contact Shannon Lyaski at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us or 344-1122.

Genesee Community College's History Club will begin its fall lecture series on Wednesday, Sept. 5, when Kevin R. Pawlak speaks on "The Jewels of War: Robert E. Lee, George B. McClellan and the Battle of Antietam."

The free lecture will take place at 7 p.m. in Room T102 in the Conable Technology Building at GCC's Batavia Campus, located at One College Road. All are invited.

The History Club will host a lecture on the first Wednesday evening of every month this fall as part of its Historical Horizons Lecture Series. 

Pawlak is the author of "Shepardstown in the Civil War."

The Battle of Antietam is America's bloodiest single day. In totality, 12 hours of fighting on Sept. 17, 1862 left approximately 23,000 casualties. During this lecture, Pawlak will assess the dramatic events of the Civil War battle from the unique perspective of the commanders on the field.

(Photo of author Kevin R. Pawlak, courtesy of GCC.)

Women of the Moose in Le Roy will host a Pig Roast to benefit the YWCA of Genesee County from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Loyal Order of Moose No. 1132, located at 21 Bank St. in Le Roy.

Open to the public.

There will be basket raffles, prize raffles, and 50/50. Also, the YWCA will be on hand selling their cash raffle tickets for a chance at the Grand Prize of $10,000. Only 200 tickets at $100 apiece will be sold for the Grand Prize. Drawing will be held Dec. 6.

Food: roasted pork, salt potatoes, macaroni salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, roll and butter, dessert. All you can eat; includes a bottle of water. Cash bar. No take-out containers will be provided for in-house dining.

Price: Adults -- $12; Kids 11 and older -- $7; Kids 10 and under eat free.

Tickets available at the Le Roy Moose Lodge or at the YWCA, 301 North St., Batavia; or by calling Martha Bailey at 261-0714.

All proceeds benefit the YWCA of Genesee County to help with the important work they do in our community.

The 71st annual Batavia Gun and Sportsman Show, sponsored by the Alabama Hunt Club, will be held the weekend of Sept. 15 and 16 at Quality Inn & Suites in Batavia. There will be more than 100 vendor and exhibitor tables and plenty of free parking.

Hours on Saturday are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The hotel is located at 8250 Park Road and features a restaurant and a water park.

Admission is $6. Children under 12 get in free when accompanied by adult.

Exhibitors will bring items for collectors, including antiques and investment firearms, swords and knives, Revolutionary War to World War II militaria, plus books, traps, pistols, gun parts, ammo and hunting accessories, black powder accessories, reloading equipment, archery, medals and more.

The public is urged to participate by bringing items to sell or trade with dealers.

Note: All Firearm Laws MUST Be Obeyed.

A national instant criminal background check, which is free, MUST be completed prior to all firearm sales.

Exhibitors/dealers may only set up Friday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, Sept. 15, from 7 to 8 a.m.

No dealing is authorized out of autos, trucks or in the parking areas.

Exhibit tables require a $40 deposit per table and are available on a first-come basis. (Cancellations will be charged a $25 fee per table.) You must received a confirmation card in order to get a table(s).

(Editor's note: On Sept. 21, 2019, personal contact information for this event's organizer was redacted upon request of that organizer; and the request was granted because the information is no longer relevant.)

Northgate Free Methodist Church is continually opening its doors to the community and is inviting everyone to their fall kick-off events throughout September.

Beginning with a new message series starting on Sept. 8th and 9th, pastors Vern Saile, John Keller and Marsha Rivers will examine the "Fruit of the Spirit" -- characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control -- and how we can bring more of these into our lives.

In addition to worship services, Northgate offers dozens of volunteer-led small groups, many of which are open to the public. Several groups relaunch in September, including:

Grief Share, a 13-week group designed to help and encourage those grieving the loss of a loved one due to death. The format is a weekly video presentation and discussion time that offers hope and comfort. Find more information at http://www.griefshare.org/about. Meetings will take place on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m., starting Sept. 18th, at Northgate’s North Campus, 8160 Bank Street Road, Batavia.

Divorce Care, a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. Divorce Care seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You will learn how to heal from the deep hurt of divorce and discover hope for your future. A new 13-week session begins on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Northgate’s North Campus.

Mothers of Preschoolers or “MOPS” are women who gather together twice a month to share and support each other in the remarkable journey that is motherhood. Meetings consist of relevant speakers, fun crafts, supportive conversations and fellowship. There is always hot coffee and childcare is provided at MOPS meetings. Moms can choose a 9 a.m. group or a 6:30 p.m. group – both meetings begin on Sept. 25th. MOPS is open to all moms with children from birth until their youngest child finishes kindergarten. MOMS Next is also available for moms of school-age children; they meet every second and fourth Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit Northgatefmc.com/mops for more information.

Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday evening at 6:30 (including any and all holidays that fall on a Thursday, unless there is a serious snowstorm). Our CR leaders guide and assist those of us who are gaining joy and freedom in Christ as we apply the 12-Steps of Celebrate Recovery to the hurts, habits and hang-ups we all struggle with. All are welcome! We believe anyone and everyone would benefit by attending this group, where we take off our masks and allow God to transform our lives. We are able to share openly and honestly about our struggles with people we come to trust, who will maintain confidentiality, and who will not judge us. For more info, go to: https://northgatecr.weebly.com/

For more information about any of these groups or other events, please contact the Northgate office at (585) 343-4011 or email office@northgatefmc.com

Press release:

If you are interested in taking the Master Gardener training this fall, we still have a few spots open. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9, starting Sept. 5 and running through Nov. 14.

There will also be a full day of classes on Saturday, Nov. 3. Classes will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course. Preregistration is required and has been extended to Aug. 30 or until the class is full.

The fee for this horticulture training is $225 per person, which includes all class sessions and materials. The Cornell Master Gardener manual is available online.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first step to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer. A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training. Enthusiasm for sharing their gardening skills and knowledge is a must. Graduates of the program (Genesee County residents) are then eligible to apply to become a volunteer.

For an application or to register contact Brandie Waite at 343-3040, ext. 101, or stop by the Extension office located at 420 E. Main St. in Batavia.

Press release:

Calling all singers! Join with the Genesee Chorale in preparing for a holiday concert of glory and majesty, including the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel’s "Messiah" and a newly commissioned work celebrating the beauty of Letchworth Park.

First season rehearsal is 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10, at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., Batavia, with other rehearsals following Monday evenings leading to Dec. 12, 14 and 16 concerts.

Ric Jones is director, and all skills are welcome. For further information contact Heather Lovelace at (716) 531-8986, e-mail Info@geneseechorale.com

There will be a public informational meeting for the proposed Bethany Water District #5 on Monday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Bethany Town Hall. This is to discuss the $14.5 million water project for most of Bethany.

The public is encouraged to attend.

Bethany Town Hall is located at 10510 Bethany Center Road in Bethany.

Press release:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc. (BBPW) will hold its annual Basket Raffle & Live Auction & Dinner on Oct. 13 at the Ascension Parish Hall on Sumner Street in Batavia.

Please support the club's fundraising efforts by joining us. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 o'clock.

Basket drawings and live auction to follow.

Tickets are on sale now for $25 each and include appetizer, dinner, dessert and a sheet of basket raffle tickets.

Tickets are pre-sale only and must be purchased by Oct. 7^th.

The theme for this informal occasion is "An Evening in the Magical Kingdom."

We encourage you to come ready for some fun and help us help our youth and service organizations in Genesee County. This is the club's biggest fundraiser of the year. This event is for both men and women. 

To purchase tickets or if you cannot attend and would like to donate a basket, gift card, monetary donation or other item(s) to the auction, please contact Michelle at 585-297-0779 or send an email to bataviabpw@gmail.com. 

All proceeds from this event will benefit the 2019 Genesee County scholarships and the service organizations awards. Help us, help them!

June 2018 Scholarship Award winners

The June 2018 Scholarship Award winners were: Ethan Hutchins (Notre Dame), Kelsey Kasmarek (Batavia), Abigail Klos (Oakfield-Alabama), Grace Krizen (Pembroke), Madison LaGrou (Oakfield-Alabama), Gordon Montgomery II (Batavia) and Erik Sharlau (Alexander), Alexis Breton (GVEP), Jessica Hicks (GVEP) and Sabrina Walton (GCC). The high school Students each received a $750 check to support their educational and career goals. The Genesee Community College (GCC) adult student received a $500 scholarship award and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students each received a $250 scholarship award. 

Additionally, BBPW club members awarded four Service Awards to be distributed this year. This year, five $300 awards were given to Genesee Cancer Assistance, Crossroads House, Operation Injured Soldiers, Bethany Volunteer Fire Department, and Project Stork.

About the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club

It is a 501c3 organization that has been an active part of the community now for 97 years. The group works together to help improve the lives of others. Throughout the year they raise money through various activities to provide scholarships for local high school seniors, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP) students and adult GCC students as well as provide Service Award donations to several local charitable organizations.

Press release:

Genesee County Office for the Aging and Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) will be holding a FREE six-week Living Well with Type II Diabetes workshop for the community, beginning on Friday, Sept. 7.

The peer-led health education program complements the health care participants may already be receiving. The purpose of the workshop is to enhance one’s skills and ability to manage one's health and maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle. 

* Contributions are appreciated but are not required for participation.

The program content includes: decision making and problem-solving skills; developing and maintaining a safe, long-term physical activity program; preventing complications; dealing with anger, depression and difficult emotions; communicating effectively with family, friends and health professionals; using prescribed medication appropriately; healthy eating; blood sugar monitoring; skin and foot care; and planning for future health care.

Snacks will be provided.

The workshop takes place at The Greens of Le Roy, 1 West Ave., Le Roy, over six Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; on Sept. 7^th, 14^th, 21^st. 28^th, Oct. 5^th and 12^th. Participants who complete the series will receive a great resource book and a gift card.

For individuals with disabilities or language interpretation needs, requests for reasonable accommodations should be made with at least five days’ notice. Preregistration is required by Sept. 5^th. You can receive more information and sign up for the workshop by contacting The Greens of Le Roy at 585-768-2740. 

Again, please be sure to RSVP if you are interested! 

This program is made possible through funds from the NY State Office for the Aging, NY Connects, the Older Americans Act, the generous support of the Genesee County Legislature, and in partnership with Independent Living of the Genesee Region.

Press release:

The Genesee County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants for the Genesee Youth Lead Program. Applicants should be a Genesee County high school student entering their freshman through senior year.

The program is focused on developing leadership skills within an individual through each specific session and through hands-on experience.  Each session will have a different focus on our community and leadership.

The Youth Lead Program will take place at GVEP BOCES beginning Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held once a month on the second Wednesday of each month.

The program dates are Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, and May 8.

Youths who complete the program are encouraged to use the skills and information gained through their experience to support the communities in which they live.

The selection process will be done through an application and interview process by the staff. The class size is limited.

The program will cost $75 for each student. If there is an economic hardship please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau.

Applications for the program can be found here. 

Please contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau with questions at (585) 344-3960 or at youthbureau@co.genesee.ny.us.