Announcements

Press release:

The Byron-Bergen Central School District announces its participation in the free Summer Food Service Program, offered through the USDA.

Meals will be provided to all children age 18 and under without charge. NO PAPERWORK is necessary -- just show up for great meals!

Delicious, convenient, healthy and economical lunches will be available for pick up at the high school bus loop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. starting July 13 through Aug. 19.

The school is located at 6917 W. Bergen Road, Bergen.

Each pick up includes three days of meals.

If you have questions or need more information, call (585) 494-1220, ext. 1015.

Press release:

There's an innovative new Financial Literacy program through the Ministry of Concern, open to residents of Orleans or Genesee County, for ages 12 and up.

The youth investment program will focus on everything from investing money and saving for the future to interviewing skills, how to get and keep a job, life insurance, budgeting and your credit score. 

This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people. We believe that this pilot project will help us pass on the key concepts of how money can work for you and be used to achieve personal goals as well as foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.

We are hopeful to have the classes started by mid-July so apply today.

Spots are limited. Ayesha Kreutz is the facilitator.

Phone is (585) 589-9210;  email:   orleansadvocateministryofconcern.org

Press release:

Press release:

St. Paul Lutheran School in Batavia will be holding an Amazing Race type of fundraiser called the "Amazing Grace Race" at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 5.

For $20 per vehicle you can travel to five different locations to complete a family friendly task. 

The top finishers will be recognized at the finish line and can try and win a prize.

All vehicles registered for the race will meet at St. Paul School, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia to get their race directions and first location to begin the race promptly at 10 a.m.

Once all vehicles have finished the race and the tasks we will meet back at St. Paul School.

Some of our sponsored locations include Terry Hills, Oles Family Farm, and the Geico Batavia Office.

If you are interested in participating, call the St. Paul Lutheran School office at 343-0488 or email stpaulbataviaprincipal@gmail.com.

Press release:

Day of Tractor Pulling June 19th, Saturday of Fathers Day Weekend, will be held at WNY Gas & Steam Show Association grounds, 10294 Gillate Road, Alexander.

Pulling starts at 9 a.m. with deadweight classes 4500#, 5500# and 6500#.

Stock Pull starts at noon. Stock Classes 5500-8500# and 9500-14,500#. Continuing with Enhanced Classes of 5500-8500# and 9500-14,500#.

In addition there will be 4-wheel drive trucks.

Bring Dad and enjoy the day together.

Admission: $10 adult; children 5-12 $5; 4 and under free.

We welcome you to bring your tractor to pull. If you have questions call Frank (716) 474-4492. General questions call Bill (716) 380-7061.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. All COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. Please join us!

From Barbara Eddy:

The Alexander Fire Department will be hosting a drive-thru Father's Day Chicken 'n' Ribs BBQ on Sunday, June 20th from noon - 1:30 p.m.

Meals are as follows: Chicken only $12; Ribs only $16; and Chicken 'n' Ribs Combo $18. Sides will include mac 'n' cheese, baked beans and cornbread.

No grilling necessary for Dad on his day!

For preorder call (585) 356-3301 or (585) 507-9930.  

Press release:

The Friends of Richmond Memorial Library are pleased to announce the return of the book sale! The Friends will host a special sale on Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the library.

This is the first sale since the coronavirus pandemic began, so the Friends are relaunching in a big way with plenty of new items to choose from!

There will be spaces set up in the Gallery Room, the Wilber-Fox Memorial Room and the Reading Room to browse for books.

“It’s been more than a year and we’re very excited to safely resume our sales,” said Friends of the Library Board President Kathy Zipkin. “The Friends sale has become a staple in the community, and we’re grateful for everyone’s support and patience. We know many people have been holding onto their books to donate!”

With the return of the book sale, the Friends gratefully accept your donations of gently used or new books and DVDs, BluRay, and CDs in good condition.

Before bringing your books for donation, the library asks you to consider:

• Is there significant wear and tear, such as a broken binding, or loose, torn, or missing covers or pages?
• Is there mold or mildew? Books with mold or mildew often smell musty and are discolored or spotted.
• Is there water damage or staining?
• Do the books have a strong odor such as cigarette smoke?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, the library will not be able to make use of your donation.

Other types of materials that are not needed are textbooks and encyclopedias.

Donations are accepted anytime the library is open, Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 pm, and Friday and Saturday 9 am – 5 pm. For very large donations (more than four boxes at a time) the library asks you to call ahead to (585) 343-9550, ext. 3.

Please place all donations in the bin located in the lobby. The library requests that you do not place donations in the book drop or on the loading dock.

All proceeds from the Friends of the Library sales benefit the Friends, who use the funds for library advocacy and programming. Payments for sale items can be made by cash or check.

Richmond Memorial Library continually provides access to physical and virtual resources and services that meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of its diverse community in a safe and comfortable environment. 

Richmond Memorial Library is located at 19 Ross St in the City of Batavia.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Holly McAllister as a Taking Control Consumer Administrator. 

The holder of an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Food Service Administration from Erie Community College, McAllister has a range of office work experience: Clerk Typist in the Genesee County Health Department; Principal Financial Clerk for Genesee County; Guest Service Advisor-Leader on Duty for Petco in Batavia; Principal Clerk for Genesee Justice; and Secretary in the Genesee County Planning Department.

In this position she has a variety of responsibilities to coordinate, monitor, and enroll individuals as consumers/employers in the Taking Control program in the ILGR regional service area of Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties, while promoting the expansion and positive impacts of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistant Service (CDPAS) within the region.

Asked to describe her feelings on beginning this new position, Holly whimsically quotes former Saturday Evening Post columnist Herm Albright, "A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."

ILGR is delighted that McAllister is bringing her experience to serve the GOW region in her new capacity.

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:

Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York is still recruiting volunteers to serve as escorts at our Batavia health center. Volunteers will greet and provide comfort to patients upon their arrival to the health center and upon their departure.

Candidates must be calm, friendly and comfortable ignoring protestor activity. A commitment of two hours per week on weekdays during daytime hours is required.

Thorough interview and screening are required and training will be provided. For more information call (585) 546-2771, ext. 338, or email volunteer@ppcwny.org.

About Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York

The nonprofit organization provides high quality, nonjudgmental reproductive health care; promotes responsible and healthy sexuality; advocates for access to comprehensive health care; and supports those affected by sexual violence. Each year, PPCWNY serves more than 31,000 adults and teens throughout Central and Western New York.

Press release from the Old Hippies:

GONE FISHIN'! Kay and I have come to a difficult decision to pause our Home to Home Concert Series for the Common Good livestream after this evening's show -- #60 in a row -- May 22 at 7 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who has joined in our fun and music.

We will keep you posted on our website when the livestreams will start again, www.oldhippiesmusic.com, facebook old hippies, and billmcdonald, instragram Oldhippiesbillandkay, and twitter Ohippies.

The livestream can be found as follows:

• www.oldhippiesmusic.com
• https://www.facebook.com/bill.mcdonald.188

We appreciate all your support,

Bill and Kay McDonald

Press release:

PathStone is accepting applications for the Genesee County Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Applications are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in our lobby at 30 Jefferson Square (Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union building) in Batavia. Please use the side entrance that faces toward the mall.

All applicants will need to have complete names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for everyone that would be in the household. Income and asset information is also required. There is no minimum income, but there are maximum income limits based on the household composition.

Please note that there is no immediate or emergency assistance. All income eligible applicants will be placed on a wait list.

Submitted photo and press release:

Western New York Independent Living Inc. (WNYIL) is celebrating its decades of service to the community and citizens with disabilities with its virtual 41^st Annual Membership Meeting to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8.

The WNYIL Board of Directors invites everyone to join in the celebration by registering in advance by May 28, emailing Jillian Moss-Smith at jmoss@wnyil.org, or calling (716) 836-0822, ext. 146. Once one’s RSVP is received, information will be sent enabling one to attend via Zoom.

The Guest Speaker is Christina Mills (inset photo right), the nationally renowned executive director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, which works to increase access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities by building the capacity of Independent Living Centers.

As executive director of CFILC she is responsible for seamlessly implementing six statewide programs while also building the capacity of her Independent Living Center membership. In 2020, Mills launched California’s first statewide cross-disability Disability Disaster Access & Resources program. The program works to ensure that disabled individuals are provided services and resources to maintain their wellness and independence during an emergency or disaster. 

Other activities at the annual Membership Meeting will include: recognizing the WNYIL Employee and Volunteer of the Year; the Elayne G. Wels Community Support Award for a person’s contribution to our broader work; Corporate Support Award to a business that helps to advance the Independent Living Philosophy of, “All people, regardless of disability, have the right and responsibility to assume control over their own lives”; the Year-in-Review Video; the election of officers; employee recognitions; plus raffles.

The Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies offer an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

The Stafford Garden Club will host a Plant Sale on Wednesday, May 19 at a new venue this year -- Emery Park.

It is located 6079 E. Main Road (Route 5), Stafford, and has a pavilion, so the event will go on -- rain or shine.

The sale starts at 11 a.m. and there will also be hanging baskets and containers filled with plants and flowers.

All proceeds go for town improvements and scholarship funds.

June Rouse, one of more than 40 Stafford Garden Club members, said the club more or less follows the process used by the Cornell Coorperative Extension of Genesee County. Members grow the plants to be sold, then they are divvied up, arranged, with some of them planted "in good-size pots."

Expect to find perennials, a variety of hostas, regular aliums and drumstick aliums, Shasta daisies, phlox, peonies and small pines. Rouse is contributing aloes, spider plants and lush, fragrant basil, too.

"The officers set the prices, and they are reasonable," she said.

The move to the park was made because of the coronavirus pandemic, but she said she thinks it's a good idea because most garden clubs in the area hold their plant sales outside.

Press release:

The Annual Spring Basket Raffle fundraiser for Crossroads House will take place on Saturday, June 5th from 12 to 4 p.m. A presale will be Friday, June 4th from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

This event will be hosted at the Arc Community Center, 38 Woodrow Road, behind Notre Dame High School in Batavia.

There will be more than 100 baskets! In addition, we will have mega raffle prizes which are valued at $100 or more.

Masks will be required, and social distancing maintained.

This will be a “walk-thru” raffle, so you will be notified by phone on Saturday if you have won.

We’re sorry, we won’t be serving lunch this year, but we know that you’ll be amazed at the variety and high quality of our baskets.

We look forward to seeing everyone and are so grateful for the support of our wonderful community. We could not do what we do without you!

Photo and information from Cindy Canale:
 

Above, St. Paul Lutheran School Board members and students display some of the items to be auctioned Saturday, May 22.

Browsing for the annual auction will begin at 10:30 a.m.; bidding starts at 11 under the big tent in the St. Paul parking lot, 31 Washington Ave., Batavia.

Bring your own chair. Food trucks available. Proceeds benefit the school.

Submitted photos and press release:

Did you ever want to add some bushes or cattails to a painting but thought what you were looking at was just too busy or complicated?

Well it can be done simply and it doesn't have to be daunting.

The Batavia Society of Artists is hosting artist Kevin Feary (top photo) outside at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street in the City of Batavia at 6 p.m. on Tuesday June 8th.

He is demonstrating methods for plein-air painting  -- all different kinds of landscape elements -- bushes, reeds, a pond, and any general scrub you may see in a field or hedgerow -- using simple application methods and color mixtures.

All types of brushes, pallet knives, paper towels, your fingers or whatever tools are at hand can be used.

The live demo will be in Pavilion #3, the smallest one. Please bring a chair in case Kevin wants to get closer to the pond!

There is a charge of $5 for nonmembers. See our facebook.com/bataviasocietyofartists for more info.

About Kevin Feary

He has taken classes and workshops from local and nationally known artists throughout his career and has been honing his skills studying, drawing and painting. He creates commissioned paintings and murals, and paints from life through figure/portrait sessions and plein air.

He teaches plein-air and portrait workshops and demonstrates for art groups here and nationwide.

Feary is a member of The All Weather Gang, the Batavia Society of Artists, a signature member of the Genesee Valley Plein Aire Painters, signature member of the Rochester Art Club, Penn Yan Art Guild, and an associate member of the National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society.

He has been juried into multiple shows and events such as: Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Lighthouse Plein Air Festival 2016, 2017; Plein Air Funfest 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020; National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society (NOAPS) Best of America Small Works National Exhibitions 2019 and 2021; a finalist in the 2010 Oil Painters of America (OPA) Eastern Regional Exhibition; and finalist Artist's Magazine 25th Annual Art Competition.

Feary has won numerous awards. His work is collected throughout the United States.

Press release:

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a FREE drive-thru anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, May 20^th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 E. Main St., Batavia). 

“We encourage all Genesee County residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

“Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in Genesee County and is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit four pets per car maximum. 

Face coverings are required and please follow all social distancing requirements. 

To save you time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic. 

The next anti-rabies immunization clinic in Genesee County will be held on Aug. 12^th. For more information, please contact the Genesee County Health Department: (585) 344-2580, ext. 5555 or Health.Dept@co.genesee.ny.us

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Assemblyman David DiPietro will be hosting a free electronic waste recycling event with Sunnking on Saturday, May 15, at the parking lot of 5130 E. Main St. (Department of Social Services parking lot) next to National Grid, in the Town of Batavia. Time is 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Any e-waste including cell phones, computers, monitors, printers, and more will be accepted for recycling at this event, though preregistration online is required by FRIDAY MAY 14 AT 4 P.M.

Those interested in attending this event can preregister using this link: https://www.sunnking.com/events/batavia-05-15-21.

“Electronic waste is some of the hardest and most expensive to dispose of,” Hawley said. “This event will provide residents from throughout the area with a convenient and economical way to dispose of their electronic waste, giving people the opportunity to do some spring cleaning, while also preventing their old gadgets from becoming pollutants.”

Cars should enter off Ag Park Drive West.

Press release:

Jeff Nichols, host of the “History Comes Alive” podcast and member of Webster Bible Church, will speak for the Reformation Society of Western New York on May 13 at Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church at 38 S. Lake Ave. in Bergen.

The event, which begins at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public.

Nichols will present a paper entitled: "A Brief History of Some of the Popular Evangelical Presuppositions and Why They Matter." 

The Reformation Society of Western New York is in partnership with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (alliancenet.org). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/RefSocWNY/.