photos

Just after sunset in East Bethany at Cacner Road and Francis Road.

Hundreds of local residents gathered at Northgate Free Methodist Church in Batavia on Wednesday evening for "A Service of Prayer and Remembrance."

The annual service sponsored by funeral home company H.E. Turner and Co., is a chance for people to remember loved ones who have passed and light a candle in their honor. The candles can then be taken home and relit on Christmas Day.

Rev. Greg Brotzman and Rev. Donald Shirk (pictured at the microphone below) participated in the service, which included music and a memorial sermon.

Brian Hillabush started the "tradition" two years ago, and I did my best to continue it last December -- that is, posting pictures of local homes bedecked in Christmas lights.

As time permits between now and Christmas, I'll head out in the evenings in search of Christmas light pictures of homes and businesses (because of the time factor, probably, primarily in Batavia).

Above, a home on Route 5 in Stafford and below, Red Osier, in Stafford.

A tree off Keller Road, Pavilion.

A portion of a barn off Route 19, Le Roy.

The other day in looking at this picture of the Old Courthouse, I realized instead of trying to photograph the courthouse where it is just the building and not the trees -- an impossible task -- I need to work the trees appropriately into the picture. With all the snow on the branches, I thought today would be a good time to give that a try. After trying out nearly a dozen angles, this is what I settled on. About 10 minutes before snapping this picture, Mary Pat Hancock walked into the building, which gave me the idea of waiting until I could get a person walking up the stairs to add a little extra interest.

Below is a picture of a landscape you've seen before -- off Lewiston Road heading toward Oakfield. And there are more pictures after the jump.

Austin Park

Austin Park

Austin Park

A new shot of the same 100-year-old mulberry tree we featured a few days ago.

Tom Monnier clears snow from around a fire hydrant on Drake Street in Oakfield. Monnier is a volunteer firefighter. He said it helps firefighters and other emergency response personnel a whole bunch when people shovel the walks of their homes and businesses.

Monnier said that if any elderly residents in Oakfield see him out and about today, to flag him down and he'll gladly shovel their walks.

This afternoon, just about anywhere I looked I could see a possible picture. I would have been out longer, but 4 p.m. rolled around and it was time to cover the Genesee County Legislature, which also explains why I'm just now getting the afternoon's photos posted.

Above, a tree on the grounds of the VA Center. Below, Vincent DiRisio helps his grandfather Harry Wortzman shovel his driveway. More pictures after the jump.

Centennial Park

Close up of the berries on the tree pictured above.

The clothesline in our own backyard.

The Town of Oakfield held a Majestic Lights in the Park on Sunday with 42 families lighting trees in memory of loved ones who have passed.

Here are three pictures from the a late afternoon drive through Le Roy/Bethany/Pavilion.

Above, Oakta Creek near Creek Road and Le Roy-Bethany Townline Road. Below, two barns on Le Roy-Bethany Townline Road.

What may be some sort of willow tree on Pekin Road. UPDATE: It's a mulberry tree. Sharon Ladd (formerly Dean, this was the Dean residence), who grew up on the property called to thank us for the picture. She said it's a beautiful tree year around. It's easily more than 100 years old, she said. She said there have been problems with the town over the years because the snow plow drivers think it is dead, so they're not too careful about hitting it. That's why the one branch is held up by a iron pole.

Barn, Pekin Road.

Drake Street Road.

With some beautiful weather, I was able to get out of the city for a bit today and take some photos. Here are three of the pictures.

Above, a Ford pickup behind Bruce Scofield's place (Scofield Roll Off Service) on Route 5 in Stafford.

An old windmill on Gully Road, Le Roy.

Silos on Pagen Farms, Gully Road, Le Roy.

It was interesting to see four contrails and the moon converge over Batavia tonight. This is my attempt to capture that moment.

Santa Claus passed through Batavia today, making a stop at Oliver's Candies (I've also heard that he stopped at Present Tense Books, but I didn't find that out until later).

While Santa was in the sweetshop, the Batavia Area Jaycees were outside selling hot dogs and running a petting zoo.

Besides the three pictures on this post, a couple of additional photos are available for purchase by clicking here.

First Student, Inc., a bus company on Oak Street, held an auction today. I didn't find out about it until after it was all over, but I'm told 250 old school buses were sold.

Buyers came from Kansas, Mexico and Guatemala, among other places.

Alicia Lurye of AK Entertainment is happy to be hosting the "Winter Wonderland of Arts, Crafts & Gifts" this weekend at Batavia Downs Casino. She said this is the first Christmas show at the Downs for many years.

"They just haven't found anyone willing to do it," she said. "And look at the turnout."

A lot of people came to browse and buy what 40 crafters and vendors had to offer:

Tami Burbules of East Pembroke offered free samples of her bread dips. She is selling them in addition to desserts, veggie dips and other treats from Gourmet Creations.

Pam Perkins, of Small Town Girl, dazzled passersby with precious stones, different colored copper wires and glass beads.

Nearby, perfume bottles, tunics and other goods made in Egypt were on display.

Hosting this table were Mary Feola and her daughter, Staci (both pictured below). The best friend of Staci's fiancé -- who is Egyptian -- made the perfume bottles; she and her fiancé made the tunics.

Joanne Lee, of Palmyra-based Goldy's Goodies, with her jewelry and mosaic art (pictured below).

Susan Johnson, of LeRoy, promoted her homemade hot sauce, "Susi's Sauce" -- which fans promise to be "better than Frank's" -- and had free samples with pretzel sticks.

Flavors include Original Hot, Sweet Heat, Double Dog Dare, Triple Dog Dare and Hot Mess (habenero with garlic).

Pictured here is Lory Volkmar of Maple Grove Saddlery, a full-service tack shop for Western and English riders located in Pavilion.

In addition to riders' gear, they also have a gift shop as well as organic nut/peanut butters, jellies and local honey. These were on display at the craft show.

Sue Maniace and her daughter, Olivia, represented Cookie Lee Jewelry, which is a home show business. Look at all that bling!

Linda Dove, left, and Danielle Eckert handed out information on ESL Federal Credit Union, which just opened in Batavia on Nov. 1. It's at 4214 Veterans Memorial Drive.

For those of you who are interested in coming to the show later today or tomorrow, the ESL folks are also raffling off a $100 gift certificate to Alex's Place.

Bruce Kellogg (left), Pete Rickert (center) and Ed Cornbau man a table on behalf of the Conesus Lake Riders Motorcycle Club.

Sean Lamore and Sara Holman, of the Ithaca-based "Peace, Love and Rocks," made the Downs one of the many stops they take as they travel the state selling various common and lesser known types of rock.

One of the more obscure items in their eclectic collection is Shiva Lingam (pictured below), which comes from the Normada River in India.

This piece was advertised at the Bath Fitter table.

Attendees entered two separate drawings for two chances to win a free dollhouse.

Cheryl Snead showcased her signature "brings" (bracelets with rings attached) and barefoot sandals. She was there to promote Happi Feet & Happi Hands, a Rochester-based company. The proceeds of her sales help to benefit a young man she knows who will soon be going to Haiti on a mission trip.

Melissa Martin handed out information on New Directions Youth & Family Services. 

Shanna Carmer of Everdry Waterproofing (located in Gates) gave people information and the opportunity to enter to win a free $200 gift card for Michael's or Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts.

Jonathan Yawbshowed what Cheri's Gift Shop in Rochester had to offer.

Marshall Cranmer held out one of his cinnamon-scented beeswax pinecones for a customer to smell.

Cranmer came all the way from Butler, Penn., to advertise Beeswax Window Ornament's pinecones, which give off pleasant scents when the sun shines on them while hanging in the window.

"They stay strong for a good six to nine months," Cranmer said.

Phyllis Wagner from Mary Kay, with products for men and women.

Debbie Geisler, of Nanny Naturals Goat Milk Soap in Holley, holds up two of her products.

Bob and Jane Graham, of Bob and Jane's Place, in Boston, pose with their fudge samples (try the peanut butter fudge -- it's outstanding).

Independent Chocolatier Mary Pionessa, of Dove Chocolate, does home chocolate parties for a living. At the craft and gift show, she took orders for "Sweet" Christmas gift ideas under $20.

There were many other vendors' tables, too. This event is free and open to the public. It lasts until 5 this afternoon, and then from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. tomorrow.

The above photo of the Tonawanda was taken about two weeks ago. While the foliage was still evident, there have been significant changes since.

Facing south from the creek bank at the rear of our place.

It's still early and a good morning to drive into southern Genesee and hopefully get a few pics of the Little Tonawanda and the surrounding countryside.

This is the Little T and 55 years ago wading barefoot and catching crayfish below that little riffle was great sport!

This redtail is eyeing me warily.

The falls on the Little T where it flows through Linden.

Though conifers - yet obviously not an evergreen - these larch stand out in contrast against the wooded hills.

The sun was climbing and so was the temperature...it was time to go home and do a little pike fishing behind the house.

There's a really interesting, twisted, gnarly old tree at the end of South Jackson Street by the railroad tracks. I dropped by there yesterday looking for a photograph.

Area veterans gathered in Batavia today to honor the men and women who serve or have served in the United States military.

There were ceremonies at the VA Center, the Upton Monument and the Jerome Center.

More pictures after the jump:

(Reprints of these and more pictures from today are available by clicking here.)

After finishing some business I had to conduct in Le Roy on Wednesday afternoon, I took some time to walk around the east side of the village and make some pictures. Le Roy is such a photogenic village I've been thinking I need to get out there more often for these sorts of expeditions.

Here's three pictures from Wednesday's walk about.