batavia

Press Release:

Second Annual Tourism Industry meeting

The topic "Social Media --What it is and how it can grow your business" will be the focus of the second annual tourism industry meeting.

It will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at O'Lacy's Irish Pub on Thursday, May 14. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Social media expert Jessica Wander of Manzella Marketing Group will guide you through this often confusing topic. Learn who's using it and how to make it work for you.

A tourism update will immediately following the guest speaker.

Please R.S.V.P to Dawn at 585-343-7440 ext. 32 by May 11th. Space is limited.

Notre Dame guard Kevin Francis had a tremendous senior season and because of that has earned first-team, all-state honors by the New York State Sportswriters Association.

Francis scored 20.9 points with 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 5.1 steals per game while leading the Fighting Irish to the top seed in the Section 5 Class D1 playoffs.

The Batavia basketball team that made the state semifinals had a pair of selections on state squads. Andrew Hoy was selected to the sixth team and Marcus Hoy was picked to the seventh team.

You will normally find me writing of the most recent events of Care-A-Van Ministries, a street ministry here in Batavia, New York. But tonight, my heart tugged at me to sit down at the computer and just write.

My prompting this evening came after I watched the news and heard of the possible suicide of David Kellerman, CFO of Freddie Mac. First of all, I had no idea what Freddie Mac was until after I watched this and learned it was a mortgage company.

I thought to myself what in the world prompted this suicide? What was he thinking? What was he feeling? Did he feel despondent with no hope? Then the next news flash was of a male teacher in a local high school that was charged with sexual involvement with a student. The next flash was of a female teacher that was charged with sexual involvement with a 14 year old boy. Then to top it all of was the news that the FDA approved that it was going to make it so the morning after pill Plan B can be purchased over the counter by minors.

How Does Plan B® Work?
Plan B® (levonorgestrel) may prevent pregnancy by temporarily stopping the release of an egg from a woman's ovary, or it may prevent fertilization. It may also prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. "
Source: http://www.go2planb.com/ForConsumers/AboutPlanB/HowItWorks.aspx

“Proponents of "emergency contraception," as well as the Preven and Plan B websites, contend that emergency contraception does not cause abortion. They argue that emergency contraception prevents pregnancy and thereby reduces the need for induced abortion. However, they intentionally define the term "pregnancy" as implantation of a fertilized egg in the lining of a woman's uterus, as opposed to "pregnancy" beginning at fertilization.”

All of this news just made me sick to my stomach. I thought to myself, what in the world is this world coming to? Why did it have to come to this point for this young man? What happened in these teachers lives that led them to the behaviors they had? What is wrong with our government that they are putting this pill out on the market available to minors?

I sat and wondered who was close to this man? Who may have seen or felt his pain and frustration in life? Were there Christians close to him that could have reached out to let him know that no matter what happens in life there is hope? Hope you ask? Yes hope.  Even with the billons of dollars that was lost for this company, there is hope. This mortgage company and many others have really made it hard for folks. But I bet, for those who have a true faith, they know that no matter what happens, God will provide.

If you are a reading this and God has brought you through some horrible trials and tribulations, you know there is hope. What has happened in your life? What horrible thing have you gone through and survived? Were you once a victim of sexual assault? Did you once have an addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, porn or anything else and you overcame it? Did you lose your job but were able to get your life restarted?  Are you sharing your story with others to give them hope?

Do you see your neighbor or co-worker struggling with something in life? Are you going forth and making a difference? Are you doing even the smallest of things to help? Yes even a smile and a hug can make a huge difference. Are you just rushing by people on the street and not even looking into their eyes?

Are you complaining about the youth on your streets? Or are you doing something to encourage them to live a healthy life free of drugs and alcohol? Are you supportive of any local programs in your community and churches that are striving to make a difference for these young folks?

With being involved in street ministry, I see more and more every week the need to touch the souls of the young people and old as well!  I see the need for adults to share the truths of the world with them. It is vital that they have a strong spiritual foundation while they are young. Someone needs to be open with them in regards to the whole arena of sex and sexuality. For many years it was so taboo, to even speak of such things, this in turn led many young people feeling frustrated and having no idea of their sexual identity and therefore led to risky behaviors and now we have increased teen pregnancies, sexual predators, abusers and  molesters running around. Their lives can change. There is hope.

I encourage you to think about what you have come through in life. Are you thankful and praising the one who pulled you up and out of that pit of life you felt you were stuck in? I can share with you all, I am thankful for where my life has come from. I have a testimony, just like we all do. Wouldn’t you like to give back to others? Just think if you could help change the life of one person. Wouldn’t that be worth it? Our city here in Batavia is a big community (mind you this writer grew up in a town with a population of 500). When I think about all the people that need help in some way, I just pray that more and more people will start stepping up and out.

A friend of mine once said, it is time for us to stop being Mamby, Pamby and step up to what we are called to do. I loved it!  Well, I for one do not want to sit back with knowing I am capable of helping someone. We can all make a difference.

I could all write all night but I got to get busy packing. Care-A-Van Ministries has been blessed with opportunity to go on a road trip to NY City! We leave this Sunday at 7 AM. We are taking that big red bus miles away from its comfortable home to a world unknown to us. On Monday, we will be spending the day at the Hope Center in Elizabeth New Jersey, and then on Tuesday we take the bus to the Bronx! We will be working side by side with the Relief bus to do street ministry there. The Lord is using the ministry team of Care-A-Van to bring hope to the lost in another city. Just this past week, we were on the road to Machias to give thanks to a local church there that supports the ministry. The week after we return we have been invited over to Buffalo to share of the ministry there. I keep telling Paul, I see the vision of a fleet of buses! Can you just imagine if we filled buses with all us who have been called to make a difference what a better city this would be?

I wish you all a wonderful day filled with peace and joy. Thank you so much for listening to my rambling heart!

Thank you again to those of who are teaming up with Care-A-Van with your prayers and financial support and most importantly your valuable precious volunteering time to help make a difference.

Press Release:

The following events are planned for May at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Genesee County.

May 1 - Deadline for 4-H Giant Pumpkin Contest
The contest is open to any 4-H'er/4-H Family in Genesee County.  If you want to have fun, learn about horticulture, and challenge yourself, join 4-H'ers who will grow a giant or tiny pumpkin in spring/summer (125 days to grow) in home gardens or in container gardens all over the county. 

We will be using giant and small seeds. The Giant variety is "Dill's Atlantic Giant" or tiny pumpkin varieties includes "Baby Boo" or " Jack-Be-Little".  You can buy your own seeds or we can provide you with them. Educational materials will also be provided to each participant. Weigh-in will be in September (location to be determined).

Register by May 1st.  If you are interested in more information or to register, please contact Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106 or stop by the Extension office at 420 E. Main Street in Batavia.


May 2 or May 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Chainsaw Safety and Tree-Cutting Productivity Training – Level 1

Held at Cornell University's Arnot Forest, 611 County Road 13, Van Etten in Schuyler County. These are small-group (maximum 10) hands-on classes with a certified instructor that cover safe chainsaw use, chain and engine maintenance, and tree-felling (participants personally fell a tree under the instructor's guidance). 

No experience is required for Level I participants.  Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Cost is $152 per day (there's a discount for NYFOA members) and spaces are filled first-come, first served. 

Details, including on-line registration or mail-in registration, can be found at: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/forestconnect/GOL.html  Please direct questions to the Cornell Department of Natural Resources at 607-255-2115 or cce-nat-res@cornell.edu.


May 4 and May 11

ServSafe Food Manager Certification Class
CCE-Monroe County is offering the Level 1 nationally recognized ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course at the CCE-Monroe County Office at 249 Highland Ave. in Rochester on May 4 and 11. The 2 day course is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each of these days and the cost is $150 per person.

The registration form may be found on our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe <http://www.cce.cornell.edu/monroe> . Questions may be directed to Jane Botelho at 585-461-1000 ext. 232.

May 13

Promoting Regional Assets for Community and Economic Development 
Regional assets help build sustainable regional revitalization efforts. They include: the skills of the workforce; the vitality of community organizations; the resources of public, private and non-profit institutions; and the physical and economic resources of local places.

The conference will explore how different assets in the region assist and support one another. Also to be explored is the relationship between capacity building and the promotion and development of assets. This one-day conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Corning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Agenda and registration information can be found on the CaRDI website at www.cardi.cornell.edu <http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/> .
May 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Coffee & Dessert Series - Invasive Species
This program will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension -- Genesee County. Cost is $10. Pre-registration is required. Judy Spring, environmental educator from Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District, will talk about invasive species.

New York faces an onslaught of invasive species from other regions and countries.  These non-native plants, animals, and pathogens displace native species, disrupt ecosystems and recreational activities such as fishing, boating and hiking. They also damage commercial agricultural and aqua-cultural resources. For a brochure or more information, please contact Gail at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or via e-mail at gac11@cornell.edu.

May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Garden Gala
The Gala will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. No early birds. There will be an indoor and outdoor plant sale, chance auction, gardening activities for youth, door prizes, free handouts and soil testing, gardening advice, and free refreshments. If interested or need more information, please contact Gail Culver at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132 or Amy Berry at (585) 343-3040, ext. 106.

Press Release:

Applications due for Epilepsy Foundation College Scholarship Program

High school students in Genesee and surrounding counties who have epilepsy
are invited to apply for the Stephen A. Segar Scholarship. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30.

Stephen A. Segar, an attorney and founding partner of the Rochester law firm
of Segar and Sciortino, did not let epilepsy stop him from achievement in
college, law school and beyond, and now he wants to help others in pursuit
of learning.

Three $1,500 scholarships are available for high school seniors in the areas served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton.

High school seniors with epilepsy who plan to college or a technical or vocational school may apply.

"Young people with epilepsy are capable of achievement and excellence in
virtually any field," says Segar. "Having epilepsy should never be looked
upon as a limitation. It is my hope that this scholarship program, in some
measure, will encourage students with epilepsy to pursue their dreams."

Contrary to myth or stigma, people with epilepsy are intelligent, capable,
and high-achieving, and Steve Segar is a primary example, says Epilepsy
Foundation executive director David W. Milliman.

"His commitment and leadership will no doubt inspire and motivate young people with epilepsy," Milliman said.

Criteria for selection are academic performance, obstacles and successes
described in an essay, writing skills, and overall merit. Winners will be
decided by the Epilepsy Foundation¹s Scholarship Committee.

To download an application form, go to the Epilepsy Foundation website at
www.epilepsy-uny.org or request a form by calling (800) 724-7930.



 

Press Release:

Genesee's Library Poetry Contest Awards Seven Student Poets

BATAVIA -- The Alfred C. O'Connell Library at Genesee Community College has awarded seven student poets in its eighth annual student poetry contest.

The seven winners include a diverse set of students, from many campus centers and age groups. They are Terra Bartlebaugh, Daniel Branciforte, Michael Hoerbelt, Ricky Howard, Andrea Louis, Nathan Palmer and Sadie Waala.

Taking top honors in the contest was Nathan Palmer of Dansville whose poem "Blackberry (Not Just an Electronic Promotion of Capitalism) reads":

White bud in June
Bright red in July
Purple bloom in August
Sharp thorns in your side
Maroon branches don't cost us
Because you're outside and wild
Not planted by me years ago
But by great grandma as a child
Alongside the barn they grow and wait
Seeds fall to the ground
Wind blows up their fate
Bugs fly all around, too quick
Bees land to pollinate
Each summer they're picked
Those thorns I hate cause me to bleed
With buckets in my hand
To the woods I leave
On top of hills I stand to look for Blackberries

When asked what he wanted to convey when writing the poem Nathan noted, "I'm worried that the world won't know what a real blackberry is. I asked my sister what a blackberry was and she replied 'a phone!' I ultimately wanted to comment on the state of our world."

Second-place poet and ACE Student, Sadie Waala of Batavia entered the contest with her poem entitled "Self-Portrait." A student at Batavia High, Sadie will be attending St. Rose College in Albany this fall.

Tied for third place were Terra Bartlebaugh of Alden with her weather-inspired poem "Spring" and Daniel Branciforte of Batavia with "Bubbled," a journey poem that originally started as a class assignment.

Honorable Mention for Body of Work was awarded to Lancaster, NY native Mike Hoerbelt.

This year's contest also included two math-themed winners. Winning the Math X category was Ricky Howard of Arcade and the Math Y category winner was Andrea Louis of Waterport.

All the winners were awarded a variety of gifts and prizes donated by Darien Lake Theme Resort, the Genesee Country Village & Museum, the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, and the Campus community. They also were given their own journals and a certificate of recognition.

For copies of each poem, please contact Anita Whitehead at 585-343-0055 x 6231 or at awhitehead@genesee.edu.