Announcements

Press release:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Alabama is hosting its 34^th annual Spring into Nature celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.

This year we welcome back spring with the theme "Your Backyard Refuge." Join us for a variety of nature-related exhibits, crafts, fishing demos, and games for the kids.

Bird feeder/nesting platform construction, viewing of live birds of prey, archery games, and face painting are among the returning favorites. Don’t forget to meet "Puddles," the blue goose mascot of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Food will be available for purchase and all activities are free.

Please contact Refuge staff at 585.948.5445, ext. 7037, or visit our website here for further information.

Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester, and is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact the Refuge at (585) 948-5445 or at the Federal Relay No. 1-800-877-8339.

Press release:

In April, the premier consumer-run disability service organization serving Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), is resuming “The Wellness Hour” -- a series of four FREE classes to help the whole community to live healthier.

Taking place from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday in April in the front lobby of the ILGR office, 113 Main St. at Center Street, Suite 5, Batavia; the series of Informational talks is designed to expand participants’ awareness of tools that can promote wellness.

• April 3rd—Jill Smith, Healthy Living in Batavia: 
  On screenings for cancer, such as breast and prostate cancers
• April 10th—Nicole Cummings, personal trainer:
  Be as fit as you can be
• April 17th—Laura Koepp, naturopathic doctor: 
  Using noninvasive procedures and natural remedies to promote self-healing; she is the author of "Broken: a Mother's Story," about her family's struggles after her daughter survives an auto accident
• April 24th—Chris Saraceni, M&T Bank:
  All about reverse mortgages 

ILGR stresses that the information shared is not intended to replace a doctor’s instructions. You should always consult with your physician or health care provider before beginning any new treatment.

While reservations are not required, so that we can plan, we would appreciate participants calling Bridget Mosman to RSVP at 585-815-8501, ext. 400.

All WNY Independent Living, Inc. services are accessible to persons with disabilities, including sign language interpreters and materials in alternative formats. To request a specific reasonable accommodation, please contact (716) 836-0822, ext. 126.

Press release:

The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society is hosting a free public presentation on endangered species at the Gillam Grant Community Center on Saturday, April 28, to encourage Bergen Swamp community members to be aware of the sensitivity of this ecosystem.

The society wants to bring awareness about the need to preserve the rare animals in the swamp, discourage poaching or killing these animals, and how to identify and report some non-native invasive species.

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society's “Meet and Greet” at the Gillam Grant Community Center will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. The center is located at 6966 W. Bergen Road in Bergen. Refreshments will be available.

The Bergen-Byron Swamp is a refuge for a diversity of wetland plant and animal life. How many people have actually seen some of the most famous animals of the swamp? Now is your chance to meet some of these animals in person with Seneca Park Zoo herpetologists.

These professional herpetologists will share with the public a live Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a black rat snake and a spotted turtle.

Learn about the natural history of the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, as well as some of the other reptile species found in the swamp. Learn why these reptiles are an important part of the ecosystem and what you should do if you encounter one!

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society trustees will also be on hand to answer any questions about the swamp’s special flora, fauna and geology. Learn about a new non-native invasive grass, brachypodium sylvaticum -- commonly known as false-brome, slender false brome or wood false brome -- that threatens the Bergen Swamp and what we can do to mitigate its threat.

Also, please note that Bergen Swamp Orchid tour will be held Saturday, May 19th. Tours are at 9 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. and meet at the Gillam Grant Community Center on West Bergen Road, Bergen.

Press release:

Long ago each full moon was given a name to mark the season of the year. Join us for the Full Moon Hike: Full Worm Moon on Saturday, March 31st, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and welcome the magic of springtime.

Explore the forest by moonlight as we search for animals, hear old stories, and discover the world waking up from a long, cold winter.

Meet at the Interpretive Nature Center and dress for the weather, hike will go on rain or shine! $5/person, $10/family. Preregistration is required! Call 585-344-1122 to reserve your spot!

Call (585) 344-1122 to register. For more information visit our website at http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/parks/, or contact Shannon Morley at Shannon.Morley@co.genesee.ny.us or (585) 344-1122. 

Press release:

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting a All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast with the Easter Bunny! It is this Sunday, March 25, 8 a.m. to noon at the Alexander Fire Department Recreation Hall. It is located at 10708 Route 98, Attica.

Menu will be pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, bacon, sausage gravy and biscuits, home fries, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice and real maple syrup!

The Easter Bunny will be there along with an indoor bounce house, coloring contest, face painting and 50/50 raffle.

Adults: $10; Children (5-12): $5; Under 4 eat free!

Please join us for some Easter Fun with Bunny!

Press release:

The Holland Land Office Museum will be hosting the 12^th Annual Batavia Antique Show and Sale on Friday and Saturday, April 6^th & 7^th. The antique show will take place at the Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel located at 8315 Park Road, Batavia.

The show opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 6^th and continues until 8 p.m. It reopens Saturday, April 7^th at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The admission is $5 per person, which helps support the museum to continue to hosts events and programming for the community.

The Batavia Antique Show and Sale is an annual event that brings together antique dealers, collectors and vendors from across Western New York, the Southern Tier, Central New York, and even out-of-state.

It contains a wide variety of vendors displaying many different and unique items, including: jewelry, glassware, books, and much more.

Each attendee will receive with their purchase of a ticket a $5 Free Play to be used at Batavia Downs. In addition, Saturday admission is free with the proof of Friday attendance.

For more information about the 12^th Annual Batavia Antique Show and Sale, please contact the Holland Land Office Museum at 585-343-4727 or hollandlandoffice@gmail.com

Join the Genesee County Master Gardeners this spring as we “Catch the Gardening Bug.” Our first gardening program this spring will be “Companion Plants for Bearded Iris” on March 28 from 6 to 8 p.m., presented by Master Gardener Brenda Fox.

Bearded iris are some of the most beautiful flowers, yet are surprisingly easy to grow. The first half of the program will focus on how best to grow iris, and will discuss when to plant or divide, soil preparation and sun requirements. The second half will explore colorful combinations with shrubs and perennials. These will be illustrated with lavish photos showing both contrasting and complementary color schemes.

Other topics will be “Dahlias 101” on April 5; “Permaculture 2.0” on April 18 and “Dividing Perennials” on April 25.

Classes will be held at the Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 420 E. Main St., Batavia. Cost is $10 per person. Preregistration is required as class size is limited.

Contact Brandie at 585-343-3040, ext. 101 or stop by our office to register. Visit our website at: http://genesee.cce.cornell.edu/events for more information.

Press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is seeking public-spirited citizens to spend a couple hours assembling bundles of materials that can be used to create artworks, to go to artists with disabilities.

The “Second Annual ARTcovz® Packaging Party” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 31, at the ILGR office, 113 Main St. (near Center Street), Suite 5, in Batavia.

The Agency offers participants a light breakfast and the opportunity to make new friends, as they assemble: clay art packages; card boards, colored pencils and paint for drawing and painting; folding paper for origami projects; glue and binding materials for creating books, etc.

This is made possible thanks to the generosity of the North-Buffalo-based University Heights Arts Association (UHAA), a group of artists that serve as a driving creative force and educational resource to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the arts.

UHAA has stocked an ARTcovz® self-serve kiosk of art supplies in the ILGR lobby since March 2016, which has included: colored pencils, watercolor pencils, drawing (graphite) pencils, watercolor/ drawing paper, craft paper, origami paper, polymer clay, and art-oriented audio books on CD.

Having placed many ARTcovz® booths in public areas around Western New York, UHAA has partnered with ILGR to expand their outreach to people with disabilities.

While not mandatory to participate, those who plan to attend are encouraged to preregister, so there will be enough food on hand. For questions, or to RSVP, please call Bridget Mosman at (585) 815-8501, ext. 400.  

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR) is a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. family of agencies that offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

Press release from the Town of Bethany:

Beginning Saturday, April 7, all recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, glass, tin cans and aluminum cans are to be bagged and disposed of the dumpster designated for recyclables. These items may be bagged together. There will be a charge of $4 per bag.

If a container can be easily flattened, please do so. This will take up less space in the dumpster resulting in fewer hauls.

All items must be rinsed; labels do not have to be removed. 

More information is available at the Town Hall or at the Transfer Station.

Carl Hyde Jr., Bethany Town Supervisor

Press release:

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club announces its annual scholarship and Community Service Awards and calls for applications.

Scholarships are open to all Genesee County High School Seniors (male or female). The students need to have maintained an 85-percent average, must complete the one-page application and attach a letter of recommendation from a school staff member.

The students will also need to submit a personal essay discussing their achievements and future goals as well as an essay from a parent. The application and details can be found and printed at the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Website here.

All schools in Genesee County have been emailed packages on this program, which included the eligibility requirements, guidelines and applications. Parents and students are advised to seek out their school’s guidance counselor/department to receive the needed information and application.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has established a scholarship for a returning student from Genesee Community College also. The recipient is chosen by a college representative and the award is applied to their account in the fall.

Recognition is also given to two outstanding students from Genesee Valley Educational Partnership in a form of cash awards for their outstanding scholarship performance.

The Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club has given scholarships since 1961. The number and amount of scholarships given are dependent on the club’s annual fundraiser. 

In addition, the Batavia Business and Professional Women’s Club will offer monetary awards for Service Groups in June. Any Service Group in the county may apply for this by sending a letter of request on the organization’s letterhead.

Deadline for both the Scholarship Applications and the Service Awards Letters are to be postmarked by Saturday, April 14.

Batavia Business and Professional Womens’ Club

P.O. Box 1778

Batavia, NY 14021

Any questions contact Peggy Johnson through email at bratvfm@hotmail.com or 585-409-8769.

The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble will perform its 2018 Spring Concert in the auditorium of Oakfield-Alabama Central School beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. The school is located at 7001 Lewiston Road, Oakfield.

Conductors are: Mark Flynn, guest conductor, high school band director at Akron Central School; Dan Klinczar, member conductor, elementary band director at Alexander Central School; and Philip J. Briatico, conductor and founder of the GVWE, Warsaw Central School.

Admission cost: Adults -- $10; Seniors (55+) & Veterans -- $8; Students (with ID) -- $5; Children age 5 and under -- FREE; Family Deal -- $25 -- for immediate family and children -- mother and/or father and up to four children.

These works will be featured:

• "Arabesque" -- Samuel Hazo
• "Flourish for Glorious John" -- Ralf Vaughan Williams
• "Joy Revisited" -- Frank Tichelli
• "The Chimes of Liberty" -- Edwin Franko Goldwin
• "My Fair Lady" -- Lerner & Loewe
• "Cherish" -- The Association
• The Music of Carly Simon
• "A Childhood Remembered" -- Rossano Galante
• "Prelude, Siciliano & Rondo" -- Malcolm Arnold

This program is made possible in part by the Reach Grant program administered by GO ART!

The purpose of the GVWE is to serve and to provide the Greater Genesee Valley audience with new and familiar music, to serve its membership with the opportunity to perform challenging wind ensemble literature and to creat the opportunity for the conductor and musicians to grow their collective musical talents.

Contact: geneseevalleywindensemble@gmail.com

Press release:

Call for craft artisans and vendors for the annual Picnic in the Park on July 4 at Centennial Park, Batavia. Sponsored by GO ART!

For details and application please visit GOART.ORG : Programs/ Events, Picnic in the Park applications, Art and Craft Vendors.

Submitted photo and press release:

Press release:

The Genesee County Interagency Council is pleased to announce the offering of two $1,000 scholarship for the Fall 2018-2019 semester.

Those eligible will be a high school senior living in and attending high school in Genesee County and a student living in Genesee County and attending Genesee Community College; in good academic standing, and majoring in Human Services, Social Work, Sociology or Psychology. 

Because the goal of this scholarship is to support those students who have a strong drive to contribute to the field of Human Services, special consideration will be given to those students who have already demonstrated a commitment to the field through their employment, volunteer, academic or extracurricular pursuits. 

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, May 1. The awardee will be notified by June 1; and presented at the council's June 20^th picnic meeting.

Applications are available from students’ high school counselors and from the Human Services program at GCC. Potential applicants are also welcome to email Amy Swanson, scholarship committee chairwoman at Amy.Swanson@co.genesee.ny.us

The council looks forward to having the opportunity to support a Genesee County high school and community college student in their pursuit of a degree in the field of Human Services.

Press release:

The Genesee County Fair announces today that up to seven $1,000 scholarships will be awarded across New York State to current New York State high school seniors and also students enrolled in college.

The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs and the New York State Showpeople’s Association sponsor the scholarships.

Qualifying students must be active at the Genesee County Fair, or with the New York State Showpeople’s Association (NYSSA). All applicants from Genesee County must submit their applications through the Genesee County Fair, or the NYSSA, no later than Friday, April 13.

Information is available at the Genesee County Fair office (Genesee County Fairgrounds, 5056 E. Main Street Road, Batavia) through the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and from local high school offices. Applications must be printed and completed from the Web at www.nyfairs.org.

For more information, contact Alton MacDuffie at the Genesee County Fair at (585) 752-3600.