YWCA

As part of its year-long 100th Anniversary celebration, the Batavia YWCA opened the time capsule in the cornerstone of its North Street building Sunday afternoon.

The cornerstone was laid in 1967 and the time capsule probably hasn't been opened since (it took a mason four hours to dislodge it).

Executive Director Barbara Hale said that the local YWCA thought it would be fun to peak inside the time capsule, which contained old newspapers, photos, the Batavia club's original application to join the YWCA and a scroll of donors who contributed to the building fund.

"What was of interest to me was the number of three-generation families that have been involved with YWCA, mine being among them," Hale said. "My dad’s name was on that roll."

All of the items found in the time capsule will be returned to a new box along with some items from the current time and bricked back into the corner of the building, Hale said.

Above, Hale, left, with City Council President Marianne Clattenburg, and Shirley Lasuer with Nora Sands, look over some other items of historical interest to the local YWCA, including a picture of the organization's founder and the original charter certificate.

Elisa Dipietro, left, and Lynn McKeown prepare a lunch in the YWCA kitchen for a special meal in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. today while Gordo Gonyo works in the background.

Barbara Hale, executive director of the YWCA, receives a City Council Resolution from Councilwoman Marianne Clattenburg. Hale and the YWCA were honored for the Y's work on behalf of victims of domestic violence. The Y's program has been in place for 15 years and is the only local provider of domestic violence services such as counseling and advocacy.

From the Daily News (Friday):

• Reporter Joanne Beck identified one of the two candidates in the running for the position of police chief as the force's 27-year veteran Sgt. Randy Baker. Beck said two sources named Baker as one of the candidates, but both requested to remain anonymous. Baker told her: "I can't comment on it." City Manager Jason Molino said he will "probably" make his choice by the end of next week, contrary to repeated news stories on WBTA that said Molino would "probably" decide by the end of this week.
• Australian filmmaker Rohan Spong is in town to interview Batavia residents for a documentary on transgenderism, "specifically teachers who transition from male to female within the American school system." Batavia was vaulted into the national news spotlight in 2006, when a Batavia High School teacher announced that he was going have a sex change. School Superintendent Richard Stutzman declined an interview with Spong. Anyone else interested in being interviewed should call Spong at (310) 382-4807. He will be here for the day.
• Genesee Speedway will host a benefit Saturday for racer Don Marsceill who was critically injured at the track last Friday. Gates open at 4:00pm, and drivers will pass their helmets through the stands to collect for Marsceill. Check out the article by Matt Surtel for more about Marsceill.
• Genesee County Farmers Market opens for the season Tuesday in the parking lot at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road. The market will be open from 8:00am to 5:00pm Tuesdays and Fridays through to October 24.
• Genesee County's YWCA will host more Women & Issues Luncheons. The next two will be October 1 and November 5 and cost $7 per session, and that includes lunch. Call (585) 343-5808. The article does not mention a location for the luncheons.
• Head to the Old County Courthouse on Main Street from 5:30 to 6:30pm June 17 for the Genesee County Youth Court Open House. The organization is looking to recruit new members — between 8th and 11th grade. From the article: "Youth Court is a voluntary alternative for young people who face disciplinary action through school or law enforcement." Call Jocelyn Sikorski at the Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960 for more information.
• More than 600 people came out June 1 for an open house at Victorian Manor, the senior living community that is currently undergoing renovations that include the addition of 50 more apartments. The project should be finished by mid-July.

For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.

From the Daily News (Wednesday):

• Genesee County's YWCA will hold a domestic violence volunteer training session from 9:00am to noon on June 28 at its facility at 301 North St. Application and registration must be completed by June 20. Call (585) 343-5808 for more information. Read reporter Joanne Beck's article for a well-written inside look at one crisis counselor's experience.
• Leadership Genesee will host its fifth annual golf tournament at 11:00am on June 16 at Stafford Country Club. Teams of four can register before June 9. A $115 per-person ticket includes green fee, golf cart, lunch and a buffet dinner. Dinner-only tickets are $30. Proceeds will benefit Leadership Genesee, "a year-long leadership program of Cornell Cooperative Extension Genesee County." Call (585) 343-3040 ext. 118 for more information.
• Staff writer Virginia Kropf has a fun feature in the paper today on the history of aprons. Check it out.
• Reporter Paul Mrozek writes: "Twenty-three bars, restaurants and stores in Genesee County failed age-compliance checks this year when they sold alcohol to individuals less than 21 years old, the Genesee County Drug Free Communities Coalition was told Tuesday." That was the second highest rate since the program began in 2001. The article did not reveal which businesses failed the checks.
• A letter to the editor by Daniel Jones was featured on the opinion page of the paper today. The same letter was posted here on The Batavian last week.

For the complete stories, the Daily News is available on local newsstands, or you can subscribe on BataviaNews.com.