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Batavia shopper wins $10K of 'Food & Fuel Stimulus' in Tops Monopoly Tip It and Win It Game

By Press Release

Press release:

Yesterday, Tops was excited to award $10,000 in Food & Fuel Stimulus as part of its Tops Monopoly Rip it and Win It Game to MaryAnne D., of Batavia.

Tops kicked off its 12thseason of Monopoly® Rip It & Win It Game on March 7. This year you’ll not only have a chance to win one of 50 Grand Prizes of $10,000 like the lucky individual noted above, in Food & Fuel Stimulus, but millions of other prizes and great money saving offers!

MaryAnne was lucky winner number 15 of a potential 50!

  • Her initial reaction when the realized they won – "Not real, someone added an extra 0 at the end of the grand total. Starting to sink in but I won’t really believe it until I get the gift cards in my hand. People were so excited at the store when I showed them the ticket – it was like a party going on."
  • Where were they when they realized they won – "I was home and alone. ... usually thrown them in my purse and don’t bother with them right away. Wasn’t even supposed to shop that day. I had to pick up some items for a gathering so I stopped in. Another unusual thing happened is that I changed lanes to the one next to me and I never do that. My daughter had a bunch of tickets and opened all of them right away, but wasn’t as lucky."
  • Who did they tell first (if they weren't around anyone when they realized) – "Went to my daughter’s that day and showed her the ticket.  She was very excited."
  • Are they regular players of the game/how long – "Retired and used to play the board game, but she likes the Rip It & Win much better."
  • What do they think they will buy first – "Don’t know, don’t spend a lot on groceries or gas, I will probably give away as gifts."

Also when you play online select game tickets will award Magic Tokens, new in 2021. Magic Tokens can be saved in the player’s online game account and may be redeemed to receive an eCoupon for that week’s Weekly Lucky Token special which is loaded into their BonusPlus Card.  This way you never have to miss out on a great deal just because you don’t have that week’s Lucky Token!

And what’s more-one lucky winner will be guaranteed to win our Second Chance Sweepstakes of $20,000 Food & Fuel Stimulus Prize!

For more details on this year’s game, visit www.topsmarkets.com today!

A hundred meals left to sell: Mother's Day drive-thru chicken BBQ at hall to benefit Alexander Fire Dept.

By Press Release

The Alexander Fire Department is hosting a drive-thru only Mother's Day Chicken BBQ on Sunday, May 9th, from 12-1:30 p.m.

Meal includes half chicken, mac salad, salt potatoes, roll and cookie all for $12/meal.

Don't make Mom cook on her day! Preorder your meals by calling (585) 356-3301 or (585) 507-9930.

Barbara Eddy wrote an email today to The Batavian saying: We have about 100 meals left. We really need to sell out. Thank you again, as always."

Town of Alexander to hold public hearing on zoning to regulate large-scale solar projects

By Press Release

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by Alexander Town Board regarding a Local Law to establish Zoning Codes to regulate Large Scale Solar Systems, within the Town of Alexander, NY.  

Said hearing will be held on Monday, May 10th, 2021 at the Alexander Town Hall, 3350 Church Street Alexander, New York 14005 at 7:05 p.m. at which time all interested persons will be heard.  Written comments will be accepted prior to that date. A copy of the Local Law is on file at the Town Hall for review.

By order of the Alexander Town Board

Free 2021 rentals for five raised growing beds available at city's Community Garden, first-come first-serve

By Press Release

Press release:

Attention City of Batavia residents -- you can be one of five gardeners to receive a 4' x 4' raised bed rental – for FREE for the 2021 growing season at the City of Batavia Community Garden.

This opportunity is offered on a first-come first-serve basis to city residents who do not already have a growing plot in the Community Garden.

It is made possible thanks to a donation by a community-minded gardener who would like to help expose more people to the enjoyment and benefits of growing their own plants/flowers/food.

The rental fee is normally $20 per year.

The Community Garden is located at the end of MacArthur Drive next to the Batavia High School.

For more information check out:

Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/BataviaCommunityGarden

City website -- https://www.batavianewyork.com/community-garden

Or call Janice Smith at City Hall: (585) 345-6325

Movie Nights in May at WNY Gas & Steam Show Grounds in Alexander

By Billie Owens

Movie Nights at the WNY Gas & Steam Show Grounds!

  • 7 p.m., May 14 -- "The Goonies"
  • 7 p.m., May 15 -- "Aladdin" (The Original)

Cost is $25 per vehicle, no RVs, busses or limos. Drive-in only.

Food and drink for purchase on site.

Enter Walker Road entrance, Alexander Road. (Steam Show Grounds' address is 10244 Gillate Road, Alexander.)

Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 1st, www.alexandersteamshow.com. COVID-19 protocols to be followed.

Today's Local Deal: Alabama Hotel, Jagged Edges, Angry Charlie's, and more

By Howard B. Owens

Reminders of how the Deal of the Day program works:

  • To make purchases, you must be registered. Deal of the Day uses a registration system that is not connected to the registration for commenting on The Batavian (the main user login in the upper left of the homepage).
  • Once re gistered you must sign in using the "sign in" link in this box.
  • You click on the orange button, which appears if the item is not sold out, and it takes you to a PayPal button. This allows you to pay either with your PayPal account or with a credit card/debit card. The login for PayPal is completely separate from our accounts.
  • The first person to successfully complete the PayPal transaction wins the gift certificate.
  • You are eligible to buy the same item only once in a four-month period. We use the registration system to track this for you so you don't have to.
  • Only one gift certificate from the same business PER HOUSEHOLD is allowed in each four-month period. We do not have a way to automatically track duplicate purchases within a household; however, if we notice such a purchase, we reserve the right to cancel the purchase and refund the purchase money. Each individual buyer must use his or her own PayPal account for purchases. It's important that participating businesses not be asked to redeem multiple gift certificates from the same person/family at the same time.
  • Gift certificates should be used within 30 days of receipt.
  • Problems, questions, concerns about the Deal of the Day? Email Billie Owens:   billie@thebatavian.com

Hip Hop dance master Maceo 'Mace' Harrison to teach three sessions in GC this weekend

By Billie Owens

LAW Dance Studio in Batavia is offering master classes with Maceo "Mace" Harrison this Friday, Saturday and Sunday only -- April 23-25.

Harrison specializes in hip hop, acro, and break-dancing.

Options* are:

  • Friday: $20 -- Open Gym class. All ages, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at MCA Gymnastics Studio, 7820 Caswell Road, Byron.
  • Saturday: $50 -- Open Hip Hop Workshop. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at LAW Dance Studio, 218 W. Main St., Batavia.
  • Sunday: $50 -- Recital Choreographed Opening Number -- for LAW dance students only, required, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

*LAW Dance students -- Come to all three classes for $100.

Call to register (585) 297-2559.

About Maceo "Mace" Harrison

He is a hip hop dancer and choreographer born in Maryland, D.C. At age 7, he started pursuing hip-hop dance. At age 15, he began attending hip hop battles, performing at talent shows and even auditioned for "America’s Got Talent." At the age of 17, he joined his first dance studio, where he learned ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and tap.

Spending four years on a dance competition team, he won multiple scholarships and overall awards for his hip hop solos. He also made it to the third round of auditions during season 11 of, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

In 2016, he received a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City for their hip hop program and was featured dancing for Missy Elliot in her music video, “Snatch Your Weave.”

He's also the First Base Dancing coach for the Savannah Banana's Baseball team in Savannah, Ga. Here is a video interview of him that covers the history of Harrison as the dancing first base coach.

You can check out some of his content on his social media channels: 

Twitter: @harrison_maceo / Instagram: @danceiz_lif3 / Tik tok: @danceiz_m3

Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Association holds annual meeting May 11 in Alexander

By Billie Owens

Public Notice

The annual meeting of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, of Alexander, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday May 11th at 10276 Gillate Road, Alexander.

All cemetery plot owners and family members as well as any interested community members are welcome to attend.

'Get to know your slimy, singing neighbors': Amphibian Adventure at GC Park & Forest

By Press Release

Press release:

Listen to the chorus of spring and get to know your small, slimy, singing neighbors with Amphibian Adventure at the Genesee County Park & Forest on Saturday, April 17th, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.!

Meet us at the Interpretive Nature Center to learn how to identify our pest-eating pals.

Then we will venture into the wetlands and forest at night to search for amphibians in their habitat! Hear their many calls as they welcome spring and find out what you can do to help your tiny, big-eyed friends!

Dress for the weather, amphibians love rainybnights and this program will go rain or shine!

Cost is $5/person, $10/family.

Space is limited. Preregistration is required. Call (585) 344-1122 to reserve your spot!

Masks must be worn inside the Interpretive Nature Center and whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of social distance.

Participants are encouraged to wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

For more information visit our website, or contact Shannon Lyaski at:   Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us

Gilliana's Diner to donate 30 percent of take-out dinner proceeds April 29 to Batavia women's club

By Billie Owens

Gilliana's Diner in Batavia is donating 30 percent of all take-out dinner sales to benefit the Batavia Business & Professional Women's Club on Thursday, April 29.

Time is 4 to 8 p.m.

The diner is located at 41 Jackson St. in Downtown Batavia.

The club provides scholarships to local youth and monetary wards to nonprofit organizations to help further their missions in our community.

Visit Gilliana's Diner Facebook Page here.

Visit the website of Gilliana's Diner here.

Order hanging baskets of petunias and million bells to benefit the 4-H Family & Consumer Science Club

By Billie Owens

The 4-H Family & Consumer Science Club is holding a Hanging Basket Sale.

All proceeds benefit the club.

Hanging baskets of petunias and million bells (calibrachoa) are $20 each, no order limits.

Order now through May 3rd. The baskets will be available for pick up Friday, May 7th, at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. It is located at 420 E. Main St. in the City of Batavia.

Colors will be first come first serve at the time of pick up.

Please pay by cash or check made payable to "CCE Genesee."

To order, contact a 4-H FCS Club member or email Alicia Spoth:  aliciamkeller@outlook.com

'Rock woman' on State Street in the city to host yard sale May 15-16 to benefit Habitat for Humanity

By Billie Owens

From Angelina Pellegrino:

On Saturday and Sunday May 15 and 16, I am hosting a yard sale at my house at 150 State St. in Batavia. Time both days is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..

All the proceeds are going to the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

Most of my rocks are up for purchase/ donation as well. There are many new ones I have put out this year.

I encourage everyone If they are Spring cleaning and are getting rid of any items, including toys clothes furniture, etc. to donate them for this sale. I will pick your stuff up or you can drop it off.

angelinapellegrino@ymail.com

Batavia Society of Artists holds virtual hands-on art demo with local artist Karen Crittenden April 13

By Press Release

Press release:

The Batavia Society of Artists is having a Virtual Hands-on Art Demonstration by artist Karen Crittenden at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13th.

It is open to nonmembers for a $5 fee, please go to the society's Facebook page to sign up. Members will receive an email with Zoom meeting info.

Crittenden is a local mixed-media artist and photographer who owns and operates a niche craft store -- Karen's Yarn Paper Scissors at 550 E. Main St. in Batavia.

She teaches there and offers a variety of lessons. She is a lifelong artist, learner and enjoys sharing what she does with others. 

To play along with this mixed-media offering you will need:

  • Scissors or a craft knife;
  • Magazines with your images pre-chosen;
  • Old book pages -- torn or cut out of the book;
  • Liquid white glue and a glue stick;
  • Acrylic paint -- any kind, three colors, whether you mix them or have, your choice;
  • Substrate to put all your treasures onto -- (I will be working on a cereal box side.) (The Dollar Tree store has 8x10 canvas boards, which will work.);
  • Paper towels or an old damp rag for your hands;
  • Old paint brush any size;
  • Newspaper or brown paper to cover your work area.

Optional

  • Bits of fabric, ribbon or Rick-rack;
  • Cut out letters;
  • Flat back stones or glass pebbles (need to have a really good glue);
  • Sharpie or posca markers;
  • **Heat tool or hair dryer to dry layers.

Free Zoom webinar on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication

By Billie Owens

A webinar focusing on teenagers' abuse of prescription medication will be offered via Zoom videoconference from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.

It is sponsored by the Upstate New York Poison Center and is the third webinar in their Health Educator Series. Anyone interested in the topic is welcome to register for it.

Mary Beth Dreyer, MS, will conduct the webinar.

Participants will discover:

  • What meds teens are abusing;
  • How they are accessing medication;
  • What unusual behaviors to look for;
  • How to properly dispose of medication.

Equine educational webinar series starts tonight, must register

By Press Release

Press release:

The New York-based Equine Collaborative International (ECI), Animal Wellness Action, the Animal Wellness Foundation, Monty Roberts, Dr. Maria Katsamasis, Frank Lovato Jr., and Bernice Ende have teamed up to produce an equine educational webinar series that begins this evening (March 24) at 7:30 p.m. EST and opens with Katsamasis on “Rethinking Riding.” 

The webinar series has limited availability and access to the entire series can be purchased for one small fee $25 for adults or $15 for youth under the age of 18. Each year including 2020, ECI has held an in-person March Meet-Up in Western New York to raise scholarship funds for young equine enthusiasts in need, but in 2021 is replacing the annual in-person event with this webinar series in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are very excited to have this great lineup of presenters for our first webinar series,” said Phyllis Jensen, president of Equine Collaborative International LLC. “The diversity of their topics allows us a truly ‘something for everyone’ situation as these dedicated horse people share many years of expertise and experience.”

“We’re elated to offer such an outstanding panel of world-class speakers that will help Equine Collaborative International live up to its name by making this series available around the globe,” said Marty Irby, a director of Equine Collaborative International LLC and executive director at Animal Wellness Action.

“Horse enthusiasts will have an opportunity to ask questions and our iconic American equines will be represented by one of the most diverse and talented panels assembled since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.” 

All funds received will go directly to Equine Collaborative International LLC

REGISTER AT:       www.paypal.me/eci2021

Single registration fee gains you entrance to all six webinars!

$25 for adult non-members          $15 youth non-members

$15 for adult members                   $10 youth members

$0 for 2021 New Members

Please message with PayPal payment your e-mail address so you can receive the link to the webinars and if you are submitting for webinar only or for membership as well.

For all Questions or Concerns: e-mail  411eci@gmail.com

Or call: (716) 912-2100

All presentations begin at 7:30 p.m. EST except where noted.

  • WED. MARCH 24 -- Dr. Maria Katsamanis, RETHINKING RIDING
  • WED. MARCH 31 -- Scott Beckstead, MUSTANGS, America’s Wild Horses and Burros, the Bureau of Land Management, History, Current Status, and the Future   
  • WED. APRIL 7 -- Marty Irby, HORSES, AND THE LAW -- the latest legislation, what is coming up, and how you can be effective advocating for the horse and horse business
  • WED. APRIL 14 -- Monty Roberts, METHODOLOGY, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCES*

*****This event with Monty Roberts begins at 6 p.m. EST on 4/14/21*****            

  • WED. APRIL 21 -- Frank Lovato Jr., EQUICIZER
  • WED. APRIL 28 -- Bernice Ende, TRAVELS, TRIALS, AND TALK -- Lady Long Rider discusses 30,000+ miles riding and setting records. Sharing her concern for others that ride and what her motivation was for riding, writing, and filming experience.

Biographies for 2021 Spring Kick-Off Presenters

Monty Roberts

Monty Roberts is a world-renowned horseman and best-selling author of several books (printed in more than 15 languages and having sold more than five million copies) on training, his relationship with horses, and the horse language that he recognized and has developed as part of his training technique. Roberts won his first rodeo trophy at age 4 and has gone on to successfully compete in the rodeo and show world, breeding championship Thoroughbred racehorses and establishing horsemanship schools at his home base in Solvang, Calif., and more recently online. Viewed internationally as the ‘father’ of and most profound promoter of Natural Horsemanship, Monty has been training horses for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and was recently named in People Magazine as one of Her Majesty’s top five inner circle. Monty Roberts’ presentation will include “Methodology, Training and His Experiences” and will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Marty Irby

Marty Irby is the executive director at Animal Wellness Action in Washington, D.C. Irby worked in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01) as Communications Director and Science, NASA, and Agriculture Policy Advisor. In August of 2020, Irby was recognized with a commendation from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, II, for his extraordinary efforts to reduce violence in the training of horses, only the second occasion in world history the British Crown has given such a presentation. Irby served as president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association from 2010-2012, where he led the charge to bring an end to the painful practice of “soring” walking horses. Prior to his presidency Irby was an eight-time World Champion equestrian rider and driver. He was named by The Hill as one of the nation’s Top Lobbyists for 2019 and 2020 and is a native of South Alabama who grew up on a horse and cattle farm in Mobile. His written works on equine protection have been published across America. Currently, Irby serves on the board of directors at Equine Collaborative International and the Organization for Competitive Markets. 

Scott Beckstead

Scott Beckstead is a lifelong horseman and has fought against the slaughter of horses for human consumption and against wide-scale roundups of wild horses and burros throughout the West. He is an outspoken critic of the BLM’s current approach to mass roundups and the agency’s minimal use of humane fertility control programs in the field. In his role as the director of campaigns at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, Beckstead continues his long history of animal welfare policy accomplishments in the state of Oregon, and on the national stage including efforts to reform inhumane wildlife management practices, factory farming, and industrial mink farming. A native of Idaho, Beckstead has taught Animal Law, Wildlife Law and Policy, and Endangered Species Act at Willamette University College of Law since 2010. Most recently, Beckstead led a program working with farmers and ranchers who adhere to more humane, sustainable, and regenerative animal husbandry practices. He served as mayor of Waldport, Oregon for five years. He lives in Sutherlin, Ore., with his wife, Jackie, their children, grandson, and a menagerie that includes dogs, cats, and a rabbit named Mr. Hobbes.

Scott’s topic for the webinar will be Mustangs- America’s Wild Horses and Burros, the Bureau of Land Management, and their relationship to the horse slaughter pipeline.

Dr. Maria Katsamanis 

A native of Greece, Dr. Maria is now based in Ringoes, New Jersey at her training facility, where she resides with her Marwari stallion. From there she also runs her nonprofit Friends For Pegasus. She is a trainer, international clinician, exhibition rider, and author. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology and has the title of Assistant Professor at Rutgers University Medical School, has a horse program for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and has started a class for medical students teaching bedside manner using horses. Her classical dressage background encourages asking the horse for the best they can deliver, and she participated in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee as a display rider, but she resists competition as she prefers to allow the horse to be the best they can be without the constraints and directions demanded by showing.

Dr. Maria introduced the world to the concept of molecular equitation with her book, “The Alchemy of Lightness” (Trafalger Square Publishing, 2013) and she travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad for clinics and demonstrations.

She will speak On Rethinking Riding for her ECI Webinar and will be happy to entertain questions. 

Frank Lovato Jr.

At the age of 4 years Frank Lovato Jr. decided to follow in his father’s boot steps and become a jockey. He left home at 14 and embarked on a journey that led him from farm hand to exercise rider, to apprentice, and became a jockey in 1979. This was followed by an amazing career in racing, which included being the leading apprentice in New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Louisiana and taking the Eclipse Award for Apprentice Jockey. 

Following a racing injury, Frank created a wooden horse to assist in his rehab and this went on to become the Equicizer. Focusing on the Equicizer for his presentation, Frank will talk about its development and use not only in the racing industry but in training for all riding disciplines, films and all types of therapeutic riding.

In 2004 Frank was responsible for starting, Jockey World, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to providing reliable information, tools, guidance, and resources for anyone interested in pursuing a career in or having a better understanding of the racing industry. 

At the age of 4 years old Frank Lovato, Jr., better known as "Frankie", decided to follow in his father’s boot steps and become a jockey. By the age of 16, his dream had come true and in 1980 his first-year racing professionally, he accomplished winning the highest achievement award given in thoroughbred horse racing, as the Eclipse Award-winning Apprentice of Nation.

However, in 1981, a freak racing accident left Frankie with a severely broken leg that questioned his future as a jockey. With this uncertainty, he created a contraption made of wood and springs to help him rehabilitate, train, and make an amazing comeback to racing. Years later, this wooden horse would become the Equicizer. Today, the Equicizer is used world-wide by all riding disciplines along with equine-assisted programs, therapies, and clinical therapies. Frankie's career as a jockey spanned 25 years, he has ridden over 16,000 races with 1,687 wins. His full-time job now is the Equicizer business, where builds and sells his horses to people all over the world, from his workshop in Norwalk, Ohio. On the side, Frankie created a nonprofit organization named Jockey World whose mission is to help educate kids who want a career in horse racing.

Bernice Ende

Now known best as, Lady Long Rider, author, filmmaker, and rider Bernice Ende was born into a Minnesota farm family. From her father she got a can-do spirit, from her mother she got the ability to search for horizons, and from the influence of three aunts, who were suffragists, she developed the independence that led her to saddling up at 50 years of age and riding off to visit her sister…2,000 miles away. One ride led to another, and Bernice has ridden over 30,000 miles encouraging women to have a voice, be independent and remember the great women who struggled as suffragists for the rights of females that exist today. She speaks plainly about the trials and tribulations presented by long rides and will answer questions at the end of her presentation.

****************************************************************

Equine Collaborative International, Inc. a 501( c ) 3 charitable non-profit organization. Empowering the Equine Community Through Cooperation and Education. Pro and non-pro horse persons coming from every discipline and interest to advocate for the horses and horse businesses to keep the industry moving in a positive direction. We look forward to serving you in your individual horsemanship journey and hope that you will join us and participate in our quest to help others. www.equinecollaborative.org

Animal Wellness Action (Action) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization with a mission of helping animals by promoting legal standards forbidding cruelty. We champion causes that alleviate the suffering of companion animals, farm animals, and wildlife. We advocate for policies to stop dogfighting and cockfighting and other forms of malicious cruelty and to confront factory farming and other systemic forms of animal exploitation. To prevent cruelty, we promote enacting good public policies, and we work to enforce those policies. To enact good laws, we must elect good lawmakers, and that’s why we remind voters which candidates care about our issues and which ones don’t. We believe helping animals helps us all.

The Animal Wellness Foundation (Foundation) is a Los Angeles-based private charitable organization with a mission of helping animals by making veterinary care available to everyone with a pet, regardless of economic ability. We organize rescue efforts and medical services for dogs and cats in need and help homeless pets find a loving caregiver. We are advocates for getting veterinarians to the front lines of the animal welfare movement; promoting responsible pet ownership; and vaccinating animals against infectious diseases such as distemper. We also support policies that prevent animal cruelty and that alleviate suffering. We believe helping animals helps us all.

Drive-thru chicken BBQ at American Legion in Attica next Saturday

By Billie Owens

There will be a drive-thru “take-out only” chicken BBQ at the American Legion, 83 Market St., Attica, on Saturday, March 27th, starting at 12 p.m. until sold out.

Dinner will include: half chicken, salt potatoes, macaroni salad and dinner roll w/butter.  

Dinners are $12 each and will benefit the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.

To reserve your dinners, call Jeff at (585) 813-2743.

Independent Living of the Genesee Region welcomes new Medicaid enroller

By Press Release

Submitted photo and press release:

Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR), a member of the Western New York Independent Living Inc. Family of Agencies, welcomes Betesha Thompson to assist people with disabilities in the Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County (GOW) Region as a Medicaid Application Assistance Program (MAAP) Facilitated Enroller. 

Thompson comes to ILGR after having gained experience as: a Heath Care Coordinator at East House in Rochester; a Children’s Behavior Health Service Provider at the Hillside Family of Agencies, also in Rochester; a Residential Living Specialist at Eagle Star Housing in East Pembroke; a Residential Advisor at Iroquois Job Care Center in Medina; and a Direct Support Professional at The Arc of Monroe in Rochester.

She holds a Regents Diploma from Albion High School.

Looking forward to assisting persons in need, Thompson says, "I intend to use all of my skills to make sure every individual I work with has that person-centered experience."

In this position, she will assist individuals who are over 65 years of age, legally blind, or receiving Social Security Disability in applying for Medicaid insurance by determining the type of Medicaid coverage that is best for them. She can even assist in completing the application and collecting necessary documentation to submit with the Medicaid application.

Additionally, she will conduct outreach activities to educate, engage and enroll qualified individuals who live in the GOW Region.

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

ILGR offers an expanding array of services to aid individuals with disabilities to take control of their own lives.

'Problem Gambling Basics and Emerging Trends' topic of virtual training event March 17, must register

By Press Release

Press release:

The Finger Lakes PGRC and The Western PGRC are teaming up to present a Virtual Problem Gambling Training Event! 

  • “Problem Gambling Basics and Emerging Trends”
  • March 17th, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (via ZOOM)

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). Increase your knowledge of problem gambling, learn the signs of problem gambling, learn about new options and emerging trends in the gaming industry, and how YOU can help raise awareness of problem gambling in your community!

This is a FREE virtual event open to everyone interested in joining with their local PGRC (Problem Gambling Resource Center) to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

For more information or to register:

jwierzbicki@nyproblemgambling.org (Western PGRC Team Leader) -- (716) 572-5017

jhotaling@nyproblemgambling.org (Finger Lakes PGRC Team Leader) – (518) 603-5037

*If you or someone you know is struggling to control their gambling help is closer than you might think* www.nyproblemgamblingHELP.org. We are “Here to Help."

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