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Jaycees National President visits Genesee County celebrating 100 years

By laurie napoleone

Jennifer Ray visited Genesee County this past week and attended meetings with local officials. The national president is a civil engineer from  “ a little bit of everywhere”, but currently calls Baltimore, Maryland her home. She states that she moved to Maryland for a job after graduating from college and she only knew one person in the area. This one person encouraged her to join the Jaycees and after two years of coaxing, she decided to become a member. That was in 2001.  It was through the Jaycees that she met her husband, became connected to the community, and the reason she now calls Baltimore “her home”.  The Jaycees , she states is “an opportunity to be part of a global network… to do projects that make an impact and to then raise awareness through social media sources.”

Dating back to 1915, the Jaycees was started by Colonel H.N. Micgran, a prominent citizen from St. Louis who approached Henry Geissenbier who was the leader of the Herculaneum Dance Club and asked they become involved in civic issues. Geissenbier and his young men friends formed the young men’s progressive association (YMPCA), which then became the Junior Citizens, called the JC’s … thus, the name “Jaycees.” The whole concept started in St. Louis but grew outward from there. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the organization.

The Jaycees were originally an all men’s club that had a woman’s auxiliary and in 1984, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing females as members. This decision then led the way for other organizations to allow women in as members.  Currently, Jennifer Ray is the national president, and Cathy Colby is the New York State President for the Jaycees; proof that the decision made a gateway for females to not only join, but to take on leadership roles.

The Jaycees has over 200,000 members and is always looking for civic-minded people from the ages of 18-41 to join the various chapters. The various chapters “seek out solutions to local problems to create a sustainable global impact.” In meeting with local representatives, President Ray addressed problems regarding local socioeconomic issues, citing the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunches. By meeting with different chapters, the Jaycees can share community and global resources to hopefully find solutions to an issue such as this.

On a global level, the Jaycees have assisted with numerous projects and in June, they have a National Summit in Washington, DC, which brings together national policies and public policies. The Jaycees partners with various organizations to discuss national and global issues. Then they write resolutions and meet with legislators on Capitol Hill then return to their local chapters and look at opportunities and ways to resolve issues.  Jennifer mentioned the “Nothingbutnets” Project, which supports President Obama’s Malaria Initiative, and provides insecticide laced bednets that prevent Malaria in African countries. This is one of the many global projects the Jaycees work on. For more information on these projects, go to www.jci.cc

 

Cathryn Colby is the New York State President and she can be contacted at 716-474-3343 for anyone interested in learning more about the Jaycees and how to get involved in the local chapter.  Her mantra is “choose your tomorrow” – encouraging the youth in the community to get out and make a difference in your communities.

And as her final message, President Ray stated “young people are the movers and shakers.. it is important to become active in the community by not only identifying problems, but acting on them… and that is what we do”.

 

 

 

 

Santa visits Oliver's Candies in Batavia

By Rick D. Franclemont

Today was Santa's annual visit to Oliver's Candies in Batavia. Store Manager Jeremy Liles said that the event is held to kick off the Christmas season every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The line of kids waiting to see Santa stretched across the store to the door.

Some of the kids, happy to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.

Outside was a petting zoo for the kids.

The Batavia Area Jaycees were on hand with refreshments.

Just in case you weren't prepared for Santa's Christmas visit, the Girl Scouts had plenty of cookies. Just add milk.

THE BATAVIA AREA JAYCEES 25TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY RUN AND WALK

By Melissa George

THE BATAVIA AREA JAYCEES 25TH
ANNUAL LABOR DAY RUN AND WALK

Batavia, NY: The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce the 25th Annual Labor Day 5K Run & Walk being held on September 5, 2011 at MacArthur Park in Batavia, NY. 

Registration will begin at 8:00am and the race will begin at 10:00am.  The race fee is $12 for runners and $10 for walkers, with the fee going to $15 for the day of the race.  Medals and prizes will be given out to the top male and female runners after the race.  Sign up early to receive your free t-shirt.

The Batavia Area Jaycee’s 5K course is USA Track & Field certified #NY-06038-JG.

The Batavia Area Jaycees are also still looking for sponsorships for this event; if interested in participating or being a sponsor call 585-343-5775 or email us at bajny@yahoo.com

 

Clor's Chicken BBQ

By Melissa George
Clor's Chicken BBQ

The Batavia Area Jaycee's are sponsoring a Clor's Chicken Barbecue on April 30, 2011 from 11:00am – 2:00 pm.  

Cost for the dinner is $8.00 pre-sale or $8.50 the day of the event and includes half a chicken, cole slaw, salt potatoes, roll & butter.

 Pre-sale tickets are available at:

  • Jaycee Office (located at 31 Batavia City Centre) on Wednesdays from 1pm – 6pm,
  • Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 210 East Main Street
  • T-Shirts Etc, 438 Main Street, Batavia
  • Calling 585-343-5775.

Dinners can be picked up at Clor’s at 4169 West Main Street, Batavia.

58th Annual Home, Garden & Trade Show

By Melissa George
The Batavia Area Jaycees 58th Annual Home, Garden & Trade Show will be taking place on March 19th and 20th at the Batavia Downs. $4 weekend pass. Hours of operation are: Saturday 10am - 7pm and Sunday 11am - 5pm. Vendor space is available. Email Cathy Colby at bajhomeshow@yahoo.com for all the details.
Event Date and Time
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18th Annual Halloween Parade

By Melissa George

18th Annual Halloween Parade

 

SPONSORED BY: 
The Batavia Area Jaycees, Pontillo’s,
Oliver’s Candies and Batavia Youth Bureau

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010

Line Forms at 12:45pm, West Side of Genesee Country Mall/City Centre (near Dan’s Tires)

 

Small Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

~Wagons or sleds strongly suggested~

 

PARADE BEGINS AT 1:00PM

Parade route begins on the west side of the
Mall near Dan’s Tires

**NO RAIN DATE, Listen to W.B.T.A.
for Cancellations by
11:30am

 

The First 100 Children 10 & under IN COSTUME ONLY
will receive a special free gift compliments of Oliver’s.

 

Pizza & Cider for kids (IN COSTUME ONLY) at end of parade compliments of Pontillo’s

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 585-345-6420

 

Special Service Recognition Award: The Batavia Area Jaycees

By Billie Owens

Last year was a very special benchmark for the Batavia Area Jaycees. It was their Diamond Anniversary.

On Saturday, the community service and social-networking group will receive the Special Service Recognition Award from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

"The membership looks at it as a lifetime achievement for everyone who's ever been a Jaycee," said Steve Tufts, chairman of the Jaycees' 75th Anniversary Committee. "I think they are looking at the award as a nod from the chamber of commerce that they're doing some good stuff for the community."

Other committee members are Danielle Russell, Jodie Freese and Tara Pariso. Alumni who served on it are Bill Young, Ron Weiler, Bill Dougherty and Tom Ditzel.

The 1934 charter meeting of the Batavia Junior Chamber of Commerce was held at the Hotel Richmond on Main Street. Membership was restricted to men aged 18 to 35, but the age span shifted to 21 through 39 once the national legal drinking age became 21. The local chapter incorporated in 1976 and changed its name to the Batavia Area Jaycees. Eight years later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the national organization and all its affiliates could not ban women from membership.

"That year, the brainstorming power of our chapter effectively doubled," Tufts said.

From the beginning, the Jaycees were all about networking and developing leadership skills to better themselves and their communities. So for decades now, the club has groomed tomorrow's leaders, which is one of the unique aspects of the Jaycees. Some people think of it as a "stepping-stone organization."

"We recruit them, train them and ship them out," Tufts said. "When they leave, they're better at organizing things, running a project or serving on a board. They understand the basics of Roberts Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure."

The development of an individual's leadership skills includes learning to: think fast and speak extemporaneously; debate topics; improve writing and otherwise hone the abilities considered to be valuable assets, both on the job and in the public sector.

People in their 20s and 30s experience a lot of flux and changes in their lives, so the average length of a Jaycee membership is three years. If a member hits 40 and "ages out," he or she affectionately becomes "an exhausted rooster."

Over the years, many people have benefitted from their association with the Jaycees. Past Chamber of Commerce President Ray San Fratello is said to credit the group with helping him learn the skills to serve in that capacity. Chamber Executive Assistant Melissa A. George was once a Jaycee president. So was Kelly J. Bermingham, the chamber's director of membership and special events.

Each year, the Jaycees Board of Directors proposes a calendar of events to meet the needs of the membership and the community. Programming falls into one of four areas: management development, individual development, community development and membership services. Community volunteer activities are offered most.

Early projects were health related, including Adam Miller's Stamp Out Syphillis program in 1937, free polio and measles clinics and a blood bank. During World War II, the chapter displayed flags on Main Street, led campaigns on civic planning, Americanism, Boost Batavia, and established three shelters for hitchhiking servicemen.

In the '60s, the Jaycees "spearheaded the effort to establish Genesee Community College," according to the Special Recognition Award application. And later, they held several annual competitions, including the Miss Batavia Pageant and Outstanding Young Farmer program. They developed a blind trail and built a shelter at Genesee County Park and a shelter at DeWitt Park.

Projects overseen by the Batavia Area Jaycees today include the annual Labor Day 5K Run, and the Home, Garden & Trade Show, which is the group's largest fund-raiser. Their 57th annual show was held this past weekend.

"It's been our longest-standing project because the basic model works -- it's a temporary place where local businesses can see more people than they normally would (in a weekend) and develop leads and maybe even sell some products," Tufts said.

He views the show as, indirectly, the chapter's best community service project, even though it is held to raise money for the chapter. Putting the show together serves as a "catalyst to local businesses" because homes are typically a family's greatest tangible asset, so virtually everyone has some connection to a home show.

The chapter's awards are too numerous to list. Suffice it to say that there are dozens and dozens of them, many of which are displayed at its hall in the historic Batavia Industrial Center on Harvester Avenue.

"We call it our woodpile," Tufts said, of the plaques, trophies, certificates, ribbons, etc., lining the shelves.

The fact that the Batavia Area Jaycees have a home base sets them apart from all other chapters in the state. It is a business. The chapter's ever-changing membership has been confident enough in its fund-raising abilities to take on the associated costs -- rent, utilities, insurance -- of renting office and hall space.

And they have succeeded, in part, because of the size of this community, not in spite of it. The small- to medium-sized community is best suited to any club that really wants to make a difference.

"We've got enough feelers out there to know and sense what needs to be done, how we can help and what gaps need to be filled," Tufts said.

General membership meetings are held at the Jaycee Hall at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. The Jaycee Hotline is 343-5775.

Photo: Tara Pariso, Danielle Russell and Steve Tufts.

"Fun"draiser Night at Pizza Hut

By Melissa George

Come support the Batavia Area Jaycees by dining at Pizza Hut from 4:00pm - 8:00pm (or take out during these hours).

Money raised from this event will be used to off set the cost of the Oct. 25, Halloween Parade.  Details on parade: http://geneseeny.entrexp.com/documentview.asp?docID=850

Its simple to do, just bring a copy of the form when ordering/paying!

Any questions, please contact the Jaycees at 585-343-5775 / batjcs@wnynet.net

Event Date and Time
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17th Annual HALLOWEEN PARADE!

By Melissa George

 

SPONSORED BY: 

The Batavia Area Jaycees, GCASA, Batavia Youth Bureau, and Oliver’s Candies

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009: Line Forms at 12:45pm, West Side of Genesee Country Mall/City Centre (near Dan’s Tires)

 

Small Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

~Wagons or sleds strongly suggested~

 

PARADE BEGINS AT 1:00PM

Parade route begins on the west side of the Mall near Dan’s Tires

**NO RAIN DATE, Listen to W.B.T.A. for Cancellations by 11:30am

 

Event Date and Time
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17th ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE!

By Melissa George
SPONSORED BY: The Batavia Area Jaycees, GCASA, Batavia Youth Bureau, and Oliver’s Candies
 
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009: Line Forms at 12:45pm, West Side of Genesee Country Mall/City Centre (near Dan’s Tires)
 
Small Children MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
~Wagons or sleds strongly suggested~
 
PARADE BEGINS AT 1:00PM
Parade route begins on the west side of the Mall near Dan’s Tires
**NO RAIN DATE, Listen to W.B.T.A. for Cancellations by 11:30am
 
The First 100 Children 10 & under IN COSTUME ONLY will receive a special free gift!!!
 
Popcorn and other goodies for kids (IN COSTUME ONLY) at end of parade compliments of the Batavia Area Jaycees
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 585-345-6420

23rd Annual Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5K Run/Walk Results

By Melissa George

And they are off!  2009 Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5k Run/Walk

23rd Annual Batavia Area Jaycees Labor Day 5k Run/Walk                 First Name Last Name Town Age Time   1 Jon Valente Pavilion 18 18'01:80   2 Kevin Pawlak Albion 17 18'24:63   3 Eric Kowalik Akron 18 18"31:46   4 Kevin Sheehan Victor 47 18'37:00   5 Kevin Tillery Batavia 16 18'42:31   6 Guy Pirdy Castile 50 19'19:25   7 Max Lord Wyoming 16 19'22:52   8 Justin Cotter Batavia 17 19'27:50   9 Liz Valente Pavilion 16 19'31:07   10 Paul Jones Batavia 47 19'51:49   11 Jason Bibler   35 20'04:17   12 Aaron Sherman Batavia 27 20'04:95   13 Bill McMullen Batavia 56 20'12:50   14 Collin Mulcahy Batavia 15 20'19:87   15 Kenneth Scott   47 20'23:76   16 Paul Persia Batavia 58 20'35:00   17 Angela Jarvela Batavia 17 20'35:86   18 Rich Boyce Batavia 32 20'38:57   19 Luke Caila Oakfield 15 20'44:01   20 Eric Leffel Corfu 17 20'55:22   21 Bernie Valento Pavilion 43 21'08:29   22 Mark Heberger Rochester 54 21'23:80   23 Brian Hilburger Batavia 39 21'40:78   24 Jim  Lane Batavia 44 21'54:26   25 David Chua Batavia 42 22'06:75   26 Dennis Rettke Oakfield 50 22'08:27   27 Cody Mulcahy Batavia 17 22'23:60   28 Alan Seaner Akron 15 22'28:81   29 Guy Clark Batavia 49 22'35:35   30 Greg  Sharp Batavia 44 22'39:63   31 Jeffrey Scott Batavia 53 22'46:47   32 Zachary Shine Batavia 11 22'57:15   33 Ryan Fuller Batavia 13 22'57:93   34 Susan Francis Batavia 43 23'19:60   35 Lauren Ciurzynski Attica 17 23'23:14   36 Pam Johnson Canandaigua 47 23'29:31   37 Rick Erb Rushville 61 23'29:90   38 Cory Berardi Brockport 30 23'45:99   39 Matt Surtell Batavia 35 23'51:95   40 Edward Jones Batavia 48 23'56:60   41 Nancy Jo Rademateur Alexander 38 23'57:89   42 Bill White Hilton 67 24'12:96   43 Kervin Jonathan Basom 15 24'24:51   44 Vernon Howard Elba 35 24'26:12   45 Jorden Prescott E. Bethany 15 24'35:07   46 Todd Masters Batavia 28 24'45:20   47 Tom Mancuso Batavia 53 24'46:48   48 Tom Hawkins Williamson 51 24'53:98   49 Deegah Lotz Akron 13 24'58:25   50 Bob Kowalik Akron 55 24'59:14   51 Matt Britt Batavia 55 25'00:11   52 Peter  Coughlin Elba 54 25'06:23   53 Jane Geer Batavia 46 25'25:22   54 Irwin Crosby South Byron 65 25'29:67   55 Mark Cutcliffe Pavilion 50 25'33:28   56 Kevin Clary Pavilion 52 25'45:16   57 James McGee Asheville, NC 63 26'14:42   58 David Ciurzynski Attica 43 26'15:92   59 Sid Bolton Albion 67 26'33:80   60 Jessica Maurer Corfu 22 27'14:69   61 Carolyn Kriesen Webster 66 27'19:72   62 Bailee Welker Batavia 13 27'30:08   63 Mitzie Lenandawski Rochester 62 28'24:27   64 Jerry Godfrey Batavia 33 28'24:75   65 Joe Nicosia Corfu 25 28'26:59   66 John Albone Medina 48 28'34:59   67 Stephen Priber Batavia 56 28'54:60   68 Kevin Nickerson Byron 14 28'56:77   69 Janice Spiotta Batavia 52 29'02:54   70 Laurinda Liszewski Batavia 45 29'24:45   71 Jenna Mancuso Batavia 14 29'28:19   72 Jinny Mancuso Batavia 45 29'29:52   73 Debra Gisleson Canandaigua 31 29'55:30   74 Brenda Hoffman-Case Batavia 37 30'06:03   75 Al  Smith Rochester 71 30'23:41   76 Taylor Soule Albion 14 31'33:79   77 Norm Greiner Rochester 69 31'42:04   78 Loren Jones Basom 58 31'43:61   79 Gregory Vleck Rochester 60 31'55:11   80 William  Carrigan Pavilion 56 32'01:63   81 Colleen Morrissey Amhesrt  31 32'05:68   82 Jame Haggett Batavia 41 32'14:57   83 Andrew Kiebala LeRoy 28 32'33:48   84 Christine Nickerson Byron 45 32'44:64   85 Brad Nickerson Byron 47 32'44:98   86 Samantha Hilburger Batavia 14 33'15:12   87 Christian Valento Pavilion 10 35'40:36   88 Missy Valento Pavilion 45 35'42:71   89 Dick Lewandowski Rochester 65 35'44:46   90 Dot Carrigan Pavilion 51 36'23:88   91 Edye Radice Tonawanda 72 36'27:69   92 Margaret Peri Batavia 55 37'00:68   93 Brytney Orbaker Batavia 15 37'37:03   94 Lynn Pierce Stafford 56 51'34:24   95 Jodi Wolcott Oakfield 48 52'44:81   96 Don Cyprys Amhesrt  74 54'08:43  

Clor's Chicken Barbecue

By Melissa George

The Batavia Area Jaycees will be hosting a Clor's Chicken Barbecue on April 19, 2009 from 11:30am2:00 pm.   Cost for the dinner is $8.00 and includes half a chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll & butter.

Event Date and Time
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Jaycees offering BBQ chicken dinners, April 19

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

The Batavia Area Jaycees will be hosting a Clor's Chicken Barbecue on April 19, 2009 from 11:30am – 2:00pm.   Cost for the dinner is $8.00 and includes half a chicken, salt potatoes, baked beans, roll & butter.

Pre-sale tickets are available at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, 210 East Main Street; Licata Chiropractic & Wellness Center, 39 Ellicott Street; Oliver's Candies, 211 West Main Street; Holland Land Office Museum, 131 West Main Street; or by calling 585-343-5775 or asking any Jaycee for more details.  Tickets will also be sold at the Batavia Area Jaycee Booth at the Home, Garden & Trade Show at the Batavia Downs on March 20-22.

Dinners can be picked up at the Batavia Area Jaycee Office located at 56 Harvester Avenue.  Free delivery for those in Batavia with 5 or more pre-sale orders!

If you have any questions about the Chicken BBQ, contact the Jaycees at 585-343-5775.

Batavia Area Jaycees 56th Annual Home Garden & Trade Show

By Melissa George

The Batavia Area Jaycees are proud to announce the 56th Annual Home Garden and Trade Show is going to be held on March 20-22 at the Batavia Downs!

We are still looking for vendors for this event!  All booth prices will be $279!!!! 

Weekend Passes have been slashed to $1

For contract details visit: www.geneseeny.com/bataviajaycees and click on the home show link! 

Show hours are:
March 20 (Friday) from 5-9pm
March 21 (Saturday) from 10am - 7pm 
March 22 (Sunday) from noon - 4pm

If you have any questions, please contact us at 585-343-5775 or email at info@bataviajcs.org

 

2008 HOLIDAY LIGHT CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

By Melissa George

2008 HOLIDAY LIGHT CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Batavia Area Jaycees were out driving around on December 16th looking at all the homes that had decorated for the Holiday Season. These awards are ment to be given out as a friendly community project.  If you are offended by winning, please leave the Jaycees a message at 585-343-5775 and we will remove your name/house for future consideration.

Homes were judged on five different categories and the winners are:
Most Traditional – 107 Ross Street – beuatiful garland and ribbon, old time decorations.
Simple & Elegant - 45 Bogue Street – Classic white lights, wreaths and bows.
Most Colorful - 6 Allen Street – You name it, this house had that color.
Most Commercial - 15 Roosevelt Avenue. This house one because of the over 6 different moving white figures.
Overall - 3927 West Main Street – This year the lights were blinking to music when we went.
 
We did have a runner up for the Most Commercial, the home located at 29 Roosevelt Avenue and two Honorable Mentions – the homes at 3 South Main Street and 21 Union Street.
 
The Batavia Area Jaycees also thought the home at 8303 Lewiston Road took the phrase “Going Green” to a new meaning!
 
Take a night to drive around with family looking at all the wonderfully decorated homes for the holiday season. 
 
On a safety note, the Jaycees noticed many houses didn’t have visible numbers that you can see from the street either on the house or the mailbox. Help protect your family in case of an emergency and put up house numbers! 

HOLIDAY HOME LIGHTING CONTEST TO BE HELD

By Melissa George

HOLIDAY HOME LIGHTING CONTEST TO BE HELD

The Batavia Area Jaycees have announced they will be doing home holiday light judging on December 16, 2008 starting at 6:00 pm.

Winners will be bases on six categories:
  • Most Traditional Décor
  • Most Colorful
  • Overall Display
  • Friends of the Lighting Company
  • Most Commercial
  • Simple and Elegant
Judging will take place within the City of Batavia limits, but if you feel there is a house within the town limits that is worth judging, please leave a message at 343-5775 with the address and we will make an effort to judge the house.
The Batavia Area Jaycees is a community service organization for ages 21 to 39. They have been providing local individual development and leadership training since 1943.
 
For more information, call 343-5775 or visit www.geneseeny.com/bataviajaycees
 
 

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