Christmas

Press release:

The City of Batavia will be picking up Christmas trees in the month of January and will continue through the end of the month as weather and operations permit.

Important information regarding Christmas tree removal:

• We can only pick up real trees.  No artificial trees.
• Residents are to place trees in the parkway near the curb. Keep trees out of the roadway and clear of sidewalks.
• Residents placing trees out will need to strip the trees of all decorations, lights, stands and bags. These items damage chipping equipment. Contact your waste disposal company for information on the proper disposal of these items.
• If high winds are forecasted, delay putting trees out until after winds have subsided.  Trees in the road and across sidewalks are a hazards to motorists and pedestrians.
• Keep trees free of snow and ice so they are visible and do not become frozen to the ground.
• Please, have trees out for pick-up before January 31 (Last day of pick-up February 1).

The Oakfield Betterment Committee has announced the winners of its annual home Christmas Decorating Contest.

First place, top photo: Becky Chatt, 50 Drake St.

Photos and info submitted by Jamie Lindsley

Second place, Jerry Bliemeister- 32 Oak St.

Third place, Matt & Amanda Kastelic - 30 Webber.

Volunteers along with their family members at T. F. Brown's on Christmas Day for the restaurant's annual free Christmas Day Dinner for the community.  This year, the meal distribution was drive-thru with about 300 meals distributed.  This year, the toys donated for community children were distributed by City Church.

Photo and info submitted by Joe Teresi.

For the first time this year, the Oakfield Betterment Committee installed Christmas decorations for the first time this year in Memorial Park, 17 Main St.

The "Winter Wonderland" light display is a walking tour on the paved paths of the park.

"This is OBC’s gift to the community for their support of Labor Daze and other events," said committee member Jamie Lindsley. "We hope to make this an annual project and would like to undertake even more projects to improve our community for all."

Dewey Dilcher, on North Byron Road, Byron, decided some Christmas cheer to racing fans this holiday season with a tricked out stock car in his yard.

Photo submitted by Melissa Dilcher.

Residents throughout the county proudly display their Christmas trees in front windows so every passerby might enjoy the Christmas spirit.  Here are a few such trees in Batavia.

North Darien Bible Church- Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Christmas Eve 12/24
East Pembroke Site 4 p.m. - in the Hall. Corfu Site Midnight - Church. Christmas Day 12/25, Corfu Site 8:30 a.m. - Church, East Pembroke Site 11a.m. - Church 

Oakfield-Alabama Baptist Church- Christmas Eve Service on 12/24 at 7:00 p.m.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Stafford- Christmas Eve on 12/245:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, LeRoy- Christmas Eve on 12/24 at 7:00 p.m. Family Oriented Candlelight Holy Communion Service

Indian Falls United Methodist Church- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on 12/24 at 7 p.m.

East Bethany Presbyterian Church- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on 12/24  at 7 p.m.

Everpresent Church- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on 12/23  service at 7 p.m.

Emmanuel Baptist Church- Pajama Christmas Eve Service on 12/24 at 7p.m. @ 190 Oak St.

Please send updates to olivia@thebatavian.com

Press release:

Students at Jackson Primary worked very diligently on ornaments for festive Christmas trees that were purchased by the Jackson Parent-Teacher group in every community.

Our teachers Jessica Kolb and Mallory Flanagan helped to create these beautiful decorations for the trees. The students based their ornaments on a themed book. Community 1 read “The Smiley Snowman”, Community 2 read “Santa Bruce”, and Community 3 read “The Library Gingerbread Man.” 

After the students completed the ornaments they were hung on the trees for everyone to see. Teachers participated in a hallway decorating contest with students to showcase their theme. The students created work that complimented their themes. There were pictures of snowflakes, running gingerbread men, and festive sweaters with students' faces on them.

Every staff member and community participated in this holiday wonderland.  Students strolled the halls to see the beautiful and creative scenery all throughout Jackson Primary. 

On December 14th, three community members; Michelle Humes (Batavia Board of Education Member Assigned to Jackson Primary), Firefighter Tedford (Batavia Fire Department), and School Resource Officer Miah Stevens, visited Jackson Primary to be the judges of the Hallway Decorating Contest. 

It was a very tough decision due to the creativity in every hallway, but they decided after a long deliberation that community 3 (Gingerbread Men) was the most creative community in the school. 

Teachers in Community 3 are: Mrs. Amerine, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Ellingsworth, Mr. Ferri, Mrs. Koukides, Ms. Mattice, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Reeves, Mrs. Restivo, Mrs. Wolff, Mrs. Richenberg, Mrs. Sprague, Mrs. Wohlers, Mrs. O’Campo, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Wolff, Mrs. DiMartino, Mrs. Conroy, and Mrs. Grasso. The students in that community won a Timbit party donated by Tim Hortons on East Main Street.  All teachers and staff won a pizza party from the administration for their camaraderie and team-building efforts as a Jackson Family.

Photos by Howard Owens. Top photo: Principal Maureen Notaro, left, and Nancy Okoniewski, far right, with students in a UP-K class.

JoAnn Hayes was among the T.F. Brown customers to show up Thursday night in an "ugly sweater" with a new toy for a free drink as part of the establishment's annual Ugly Sweater Contest.

The toys will be given out by Santa on Christmas day to children in families who show up for the restaurant's annual free Christmas dinner.

Anybody in the community is welcome to attend with a reservation for either the noon or 1 p.m. meal, which includes a visit for children with Santa and a present.

For community members wishing to attend the dinner, reservations are required. Call Barb at 345-1000. She will need to know how many people are attending and the names and ages of the children who will be there.

Chris White, Dave Cecere, and Susie Ott.

Today, at Walmart, police officers with four agencies -- Batavia PD, Sheriff's Office, State Police, and Le Roy PD -- gathered at Walmart for law enforcement's annual "Shop with a Cop" day, when select youths in the community receive a free gift certificate to spend on presents for family members (and perhaps get something for themselves).

Amanda Sutton snaps a photo of her son Kannon, 3, and daughter Alora Wolff, 10 months, with Santa at the house of Angelina Pellegrino on State Street.  Pellegrino invited Santa and Mrs. Claus to her place on Friday evening to spread even more Christmas cheer.

Press release:

We're busy gearing up for our 2nd weekend of Our Hometown Christmas at Main St. 56 Theater in Batavia City Centre both Friday, December 10 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.! We'll have even MORE great crafters and vendors for your last-minute Christmas shopping: Crafts by Kellie, Tastefully Simple by Rebecca, Whimsy Christine Marie, Crazy Quilts, Chantel's Fun, and Fashionable $5 Jewelry, Build A Buddy, Wells Creations, EverPresent Church Raffle, Autumn's Dream, Cindy's Treasures, Carol's Custom Wreaths, Morning Mist Farms, Color Street by Sarah Wessel, Past, Present & Future Treasures, Laurie Chamberlain, Marlana's Chunky Corner, Serena's Crafts and From the Heart Crafts and Gift Shop, just to name a few!!! Santa will be here for more visits and photos from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec 10, and Mrs. Claus will visit with us Saturday morning for Storytime from 10 a.m. to12:30 p.m.! Lots of great local entertainment both days as well. See you there!

the Western New York Gas & Steam Engine Association is hosting its second-annual drive-thru Country Christmas Light display at the showgrounds, 3000 Walker Rd., Alexander.

The show is on display every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m.  

The cost is $10 per vehicle and $20 for larger vans and buses (cash only).

For more information like our Facebook page or visit www.alexandersteamshow.com