Local author keeps Christmas alive

Written for The Villager

As children grow up, their belief in Santa Claus and the spirit of Christmas dwindles, but one local woman is trying to change that.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Stayer, a former teacher, noticed that during the ages of 7-9 children stopped believing in Santa Claus.

However, she decided to help keep the spirit alive in children as long as possible by writing a book encompassing that all so magical belief in Christmas.

“I wrote a book to help them believe,” Stayer said. “I wanted them to believe longer.”

While teaching, she wrote a story and read it to her class every year around Christmas time – that book later came to be known as “Santa’s Magic Stardust.”

The book was published last December and includes full-page illustrations by former Salamanca art teacher Linda Sciandra.

National Grid gives you tips to save money this holiday season

Written for The Villager

With holiday decorations filling the streets and stores, National Grid offers some helpful hints to save on money while still making your Christmas bright.

“National Grid customers don’t have to be Scrooges to save money on lighting and festivities this holiday season,” a National Grid press release said. “By following some simple energy efficiency and safety tips, customers can benefit from a more environmentally friendly, safe and cost-effective season.”

Those of you who still may have the classic, traditional lights may want to think of investing in light-emitting diode lights, more commonly referred to as LED lights. These lights not only are better for the environment, but they will really save your wallet. To operate 10 sets of 100 LED lights will only cost the average customer about 60 cents per month, but to operate 10 strings of 25 traditional bulbs will cost about $37.50. By switching over to LED lights you could be saving over $36!

For all those indoor holiday lights and decorations, turning them off before bed, or while you are out of the house shopping, can also cut down on your electric bill. Why have the lights on if there is no one around to enjoy them?

Salamanca Youth Bureau struggles in current times

Written for The Villager

For the past 34 years, the Salamanca Youth Bureau has been open to helping area children, but this year things are a little tighter than usual.

Since the casino decided not to pay its taxes to New York State, Salamanca has consequently lost a lot of state funding. Each year they factor in those millions of dollars, but now that money is not there and kids are the ones suffering.

“They don’t have a voice,” said Sandi Brundage, Youth Bureau director.

Within one year of the casino opening up four years ago, the number of visits the youth bureau received almost doubled. But now, with all the recent cuts, they have less money and less staff then before.

The issue the casino has is not with the city, but with the state of New York, so sadly the city and those who reside within it are caught in the middle.

Community Action’s Santa’s Carnival, free for children to enjoy

Written for The Villager

With Christmas being so expensive could you or someone you know use a little pocket break while still giving your kids a good time? Then come on down to the 4^th Annual Community Action’s Santa’s Carnival Thursday, December 9 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hosted by the Cattaraugus Community Action (CCA), kids will be able to spend time with Frosty, The Grinch and of course Mr. and Mrs. Clause.

 “Community Action’s Santa Carnival is an opportunity for us to provide for the children in the area a couple of hours of just absolute, total fun,” said Diane Nowak, volunteer Coordinator.

“Stars & Promises” comes to Holiday Valley

Written for The Villager

On December 8, Ellicottville will be getting a rare visit from one of music’s most historic legends – Peter Mayer.

Mayer, from the Peter Mayer Group, is most commonly known for being the guitarist in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, but has since expanded into a music world of his own.

The Stars & Promises concert, which Mayer heads, will be held at the Yodeler Lodge at the Holiday Valley Resort at 7:30 p.m.

All proceeds from the concert go to benefit the Rotary Club of Ellicottville Foundation for Youth and Family Services, said Mark Szpaicher, event chairperson and rotary club member.

The Stars & Promises concert is celebrating its 10^th anniversary, but this is its first time in Ellicottville.

“Wintervention” – A snowy treat to tame your snowy craves

Written for The Villager

Addicted to snow? Always fiending for that alluring white powder? Well, you’re not the only one. Some crazy skiers and snow boarders do almost anything to get the high that only snow provides.

Within the next two weeks, you will have the chance to see one of two showings of “Wintervention,” a film by Warren Miller Entertainment.

“Narrated by skiing icon Jonny Moseley, Warren Miller’s Wintervention is the definitive solution for the snow-obsessed.  Wintervention takes riders like Chris Davenport, Jonny Moseley and Lindsey Vonn on a global tour of Alaska, Norway, Canada, Antarctica and beyond… delivering a successful Wintervention for all of us in need,” according to Warren Miller Entertainment.

Wintervention will tease you with drops and slopes you’ve been yearning for since the close of ski season, but don’t worry, as Wintervention reminds you, it’s just around the corner.

Tourism in Cattaraugus County: There’s more than you may have thought

Written for The Villager

Tourism in Cattaraugus County is still going strong.

Being in a “drive-to destination” area has its perks because it is easy for people even beyond the county to get to.

“There’s always something to do,” said Debra Opferbeck, county tourism specialist for 10 years. “When people say there isn’t anything to do, they just don’t know our area.”

Even through the rough economic climate, Cattaraugus County has been doing well with tourism. With the Enchanted Mountains website and the new brochures, Opferbeck has created finding things to do in Catt County even easier.

With 15 theme brochures and a yearly county travel/activities guide, people can find events throughout all four seasons. The theme brochures include things such as snowmobiling, the Amish trail, antiques, fishing and boating, as well as many others.

Wine lovers unite!

Written for The Villager

For two weekends in November wine lovers can enjoy a relaxing time in New York’s wine country. The Lake Erie Wine Country, formally known as the Chautauqua/ Lake Erie Wine Trail, is hosting its 10^th annual Harvest Wine Weekend.

November 6-7 and 13-14, take a drive up to wine country and enjoy all the delicious wines, and their parings, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty wineries will be participating in the wine weekend, celebrating the end of the harvest season.

This year, for $35 per person you will receive a complimentary wineglass, a gift, food, a recipe book, a $5 wine voucher and wine with a food pairing at each winery. Designated Drivers will receive a $15 discount, as well as a wineglass, recipe book, gift and food during the weekend.

Each ticket is valid throughout the entire weekend it was purchased for.

“It’s an excellent value for a really nice weekend,” said Julie Pfadt, executive director of Lake Erie Wine Country.

Randolph Area Community Development Corporation: helping new business grow in a hard time

Written for The Villager

Operating since 2003, the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation (RACDC) has been promoting its downtown area, catching the eyes of not only locals, but tourists too.

The RACDC received its 501-C3 status from the IRS 7 years ago, allowing it to run as an official not-for-profit organization. The RACDC’s 12-member board wanted the corporation to run not only as an organization serving businesses, but one that serves the community as a whole.

“We function partially as a chamber of commerce, but we are involved in other aspects of the community as well,” said Tonia McAllister, executive director.

However, the goal of the corporation goes even further than that.

Just in time for the big game hunting season

Written for The Villager

Since 1991, the Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department has been holding the Sportsman Show as one of its biggest fundraisers.

Twice a year, the department holds the event and showcases some of the latest firearms, hunting and fishing equipment as well as some antiques.

Eighteen years ago, Jim Miller suggested the idea to the department as way to fundraise. The show started out with just 13 vendors and 23 tables on display, but now the show has grown to 45 vendors with 155 tables.

Miller, the chairman for the past 18 years, has been in the department for 25 years and believes that this show will be just as good as the others.

“It’s another good show like the rest of them,” Miller said. “I mean, all the shows have been good and this one is turning out to be the same with the vendors that I have. (People will) be seeing the same high quality that I’ve had at the other shows.”

A rare experience right in Ellicottville

Written for The Villager

Way up on Bryant Hill, past Holiday Valley Tubing, you may find yourself stumbling upon a farm, but be guaranteed this is not your usual farm but a horse farm.

Point Break Farm breeds, trains and holds lessons on Friesian horses.

“Friesians are a rare breed of horse,” owner Lisa Williams wrote in an e-mail. “They are known for their fairytale appearance.  Their personality is very sweet and willing.”

Williams and her husband both own the farm, but she is more involved.

“I just grew up horse crazy and it (the farm) was just my dream,” Williams said.

Local artist’s series heads off on a world tour

Written for The Villager

One of Ellicottville’s most well known local artists Shad Nowicki soon will be hitting the big leagues as one of his collections goes to LAX.

His five-part paint series “Evolution of the Modern Age of America” shows how the United States has changed over the past century.

The series features five different animals surrounded and immersed in a different aspect of America’s development. The bunny with claws represents fortitude, the bird represent aviation, the chimp with a scorpion’s tale shows the progression of corporations, the tortoise with a helicopter blade attached to it signifies innovation and the fifth piece is an elephant wearing heels, which embodies culture.

Grandview Farms: A local business with a good message

Written for The Villager

Ten years ago, Dawn Samuelson and her husband transformed the family dairy farm into a horse-training program, and then five years ago added a life skills program to the mix.

The Grandview Farms Training Academy in Bemus Point, New York helps not only to train horses, but also train the riders on how to communicate with their horses.

“One thing that makes us extremely unique is that we don’t just train the horses; we train the riders to be a partner, unlike some places were you just come in, hug up on their back and just ride along – that’s not what we do,” Samuelson said. “We want to teach them about understanding the needs of the horse and how to communicate (and) how to watch their body language to anticipate a problem. So it goes a little deeper than your traditional riding academy.”

National Alpaca Farm Days: taking over western New York

Written for The Villager

Cute and curious, the Alpacas in western New York are sure to warm your heart this weekend as six local farms take part in the 4^th National Alpaca Farm Days.

Saturday the 25 and Sunday the 26, people will be able to get up close and personal with many alpacas across the region for free.

Alpacas are a cousin to the llama and are indigenous to South America. Most Alpaca items are imported from there, however the cottage industry is picking up pace.

“The goal is to have enough Alpacas so we can support (the demand) … but we can’t supply enough right now,” said Paul Mager, co-owner of Mager Mountain Alpacas in Little Valley, N.Y.

Mager Mountain has been up and running since 2002 and now has 30 Alpacas, along with two guard llamas.

A Young hero with a local connection makes the comeback of his life

Written for The Villager

For the past six years, Outback Kettle Korn has been providing Ellicottville with a delicious snack, but does anyone really know about the family behind the business?

On Aug. 15, 2009 the Stanzes’ life went from being focused on the business to being focused on something more important – their son. That day, John Stanz’s son Johnny, 27, was injured in Afghanistan.

While out on a mission to capture various members of Al-Qaeda during the time of the tense elections in Afghanistan last year, Johnny’s Humvee was exploded by and IED, an improvised explosive device.

“Returning out of the village they’d (Al Qaeda) been waiting for them and when his (Johnny’s) vehicle went over the landmine they exploded it,” father John Stanz said. “It threw his Humvee 50 feet with him in it and he hit the ground first and the Humvee landed about two feet from where he hit.”

As a result of the explosion, Johnny suffered severe traumatic brain injury, nerve damage to both arms, several broken bones, including multiple facial fractures, and a dislocated knee. His brain was swollen three times the normal size and was placed into a medical induced coma to try to reduce the swelling.

The Diva Show Band hits the high notes this weekend

Written for The Villager

Wearing poodle skirts, listening to The Supreme’s on the radio and rocking out to American Bandstand music – bringing back any memories? Well this Saturday, September 18, The Diva Show Band will be recreating some of the fondest memories from back in the day right before your eyes.

The seven-member band will be performing two sets on Saturday. The first will be from noon to 1 p.m. and the second from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“We try to put something in their for everyone,” said Chris McMahon, founder of the band. “We play a wide range of music … the 40s, 50s, 60s, disco, Motown, 80s and even some current music.”

Pumpkinville readies for another great season

Written for The Villager

Take a step back in time to the days of homemade apple cider, freshly baked pies and homegrown pumpkins brought right to you in Great Valley, NY.

Pumpkinville, open since the late 1960’s, has been bringing clean, family fun to people all over western New York and beyond.

“I think we give them (people) a chance to come to the country and just be able to relax … and unwind a little bit and see how things grow,” owner Dan Pawlowski said.

Pumpkinville not only provides people a place to come and pick out a pumpkin, but a place where families can spend time outdoors in activities especially suited for the fall. Kids of all ages, including adults, can enjoy hayrides, cow trains, corn mazes, a petting zoo and much more!

“Quilting Around Chautauqua” comes around for another year of quilting fun

Written for The Villager

Like quilts? Want to learn more about how to make them?

Then the Quilting Around Chautauqua Quilt Show is the place you want to be September 24 through the 26. This year, the festival will be held at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY.

Friday the 24 will kick off the show with some “pre-show” classes.

The main event starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and goes until 6 p.m., as well as on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to millcreeksew.com.

People will be able to walk about the grounds and see over 60 different vendors, along with over 900 quilts on display – all over only $3.

For those interested in learning how to sew or quilt, or enhance their current skills, can attend different classes and lectures.

Shults enters a new spotlight

Written for The Villager

Shults Auto Group takes their business to a new level. A new commercial is up and running on Time Warner Cable, but you may notice something new.

For the first time, Shultsy will be broadcast to TV’s throughout Southern Tier New York and Northern Pennsylvania

However, the cute little car won’t just sit there, he’ll talk, wink, beep and make viewers everywhere put a smile on their face.

Golf tournament drives a cause into the spotlight

Written for The Villager
            Having a good time to help a good cause, ERA Vacation Properties hosted their first annual “Agents of Hope” Scramble Golf Tournament on Wednesday to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), specifically the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Division.  Throughout the golf tournament, ERA raised $15,000.

“We exceeded our goals and are thrilled to present $15,000 to the ALS Division of MDA,” Hanna Soffel wrote in an e-mail.

The event not only had a business reason behind it, but a personal one as well.

Taking art into a new form

Written for The Villager

September 17 to 19, The International Festival of Arts and Innovation will be coming to Chautauqua Institution for the second time this year.

The festival comes to Chautauqua to introduce people from all over to the arts in a way they may not usually experience, said co-founder Margret Johnson.

Dunkirk brings in the blues

Written for The Villager

   Get the hips swinging and the music playing because this Saturday, August 14 the Boats, Blues and BBQ Festival will be rockin’ the Dunkirk pier.

   Music begins booming and ribs begin ablazing at 2 p.m., but the festival starts a bit early with a garden walk at 10 a.m. But then as promised, at 2 p.m. the BBQ begins cooking when local restaurants and “weekend warriors” start up the grills, said Kory Ahlstrom, director of planning and development. There will be all kinds of chicken, pork, ribs and sausage as well as homemade brisket.  All the food is available until sold out. To go along with the massive amounts of BBQ is a “Budweiser Beer Garden,” sponsored by Spike Dailey’s Pub, which will be opened from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

An American Story: The journey of a neighborhood game

Written for The Villager

   In 1974, a high school kid, bored of playing basketball just for fun decided to play for money, and soon more and more kids wanted to play, more and more towns and soon the nation was swept away by 3-on-3 basketball.

   “Before this no one had ever seen a half court basketball tournament,” said founder Scott McNeal. The first of its kind, The Gus Macker 3-on-3 tournament opened the floodgates to a phenomenon led by a kid from Lowell, MI. 

A new business comes flowing in!

Written for The Villager   

   Last Thursday, the 29, a new business opened its doors to the village of Ellicottville, along with some bottles of wine.  The new winery called “The Winery of Ellicottville” was opened up by co-owners Sam Sheehy and Dominic Spicola.

   The two entered upon this venture because of their shared experiences with wine.  Sheehy, who is Spicola’s son-in-law, worked at a winery for two years and was a hobby winemaker since his college years. Spicola, born in Sicily, was raised in a winemaking family, making wines starting at a young age.  When the Spicola family came to America in 1968, he continued the tradition of making wine that has lasted all the way till now.

Who says playing in the mud is only for kids?

Written for The Villager

   Get down and dirty next summer when the Columbia Muddy Buddy Ride rolls into town.

   Founded 11 years ago, the Muddy Buddy Ride has been offering people the opportunity to once again act like kids and roll around in the mud. The Muddy Buddy Ride is a family event that involves teams of two riding in a leapfroggish way. “One teammate bikes a mile, does an obstacle and starts running. The other teammate runs a mile, does the obstacle and begins riding the bike and they switch on and off like that through the race,” said founder Bob Babbitt. “Then at the end, they wait for each other and go through the mud pit together … Because of the way it’s set up, anyone can do it because you are only running and riding three miles of each.”

Soup For You!

Written for The Villager

   Grab your spoon along with an empty stomach and get ready to fill it at the third annual Souper Summer Event, formally known at the Empty Bowl Lunch.

   For $10 people will receive a commemorative bowl and enjoy three soups from among your choice of over 14 different soups from local restaurants.  The event is hosted by and benefits the St. Susan Center Soup Kitchen. For 26 years, the kitchen has been providing thousands of meals a week to their guests, increasing more with every year.  “We’re open seven days a week 361 days a year … we provide a hot meal filled with protein, fruit, dairy, starch, vegetables and juice,” said Sue Colwell, director of the St. Susan Center.  “We try to provide as healthy and balanced of a meal as we can.”

Wine’s a flowing across the county!

Written for The Villager

   Uncork some bottles and enjoy the music! That’s what 2,000 people are expected to do Saturday August 14 and Sunday the 15 at the third annual America’s Grape Country Wine Festival. The festival will be taking place in the heart of this wine region at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Locally grown food gets new attention

Written for The Villager

   With a cup of initiative, a dollop of ingenuity and a few pinches of helpful friends, you have the recipe for Elizabeth Bares new countywide initiative to create “Edible Grace.”

   “Edible Grace has the intention of putting fresh, locally grown vegetables and local pasture raised meats into food pantries. Edible Grace would also like to organize cooking classes for food pantry customers as well at the community at large,” said Bares, founder of Edible Grace and co-founder for the Corn Moon Dinner.

Lucille Ball’s birthday bash

Written for The Villager

   For Lucille Ball fans everywhere, this is the right celebration for you. Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7 is the time to relive and celebrate Lucy, and even Desi’s life.

   Although the celebration is smaller this year, said Sharon Bergstron, the assistant to the executive director, the Lucy-Desi Center still expects a lot of people to come and celebrate Ball’s life. “We hopefully will have just as many people as the other year come.” 

A Family Weekend: Americana Folk Art and Music Fair July 17 and 18

Written for The Villager

   Looking for family fun? Look no further than Ellicottville’s own Main Square and Holiday Valley.

   On Saturday July 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. art will fill the area around the town gazebo, as well as demonstrations of many different artistic mediums. Some demonstrations will be about weaving, glass blowing, wood carving, using a saw mill, cooking with shiitake mushrooms, as well as other demonstrations.

Art in nature to be shown at Jamestown Audubon Society

Written for The Villager

   For the third year, the Jamestown Audubon Society is showcasing art in nature for all to see.  July 18 and 19 on the Audubon grounds, people will be able to take in nature’s beauty for only a $5 admission fee.  All proceeds go to the Jamestown Audubon Society.  The art show will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   The art show will feature some of the more usual artistries including, painters, photographers, wood carvers, ceramic artists, print makers and jewelers.  The show will also feature some of the more unique and unusual forms of art, those working with pressed flowers, painting on feathers, bookbinding, fiber artists and many others.

Scandinavia comes to western New York

Written for The Villager

   July 16 -18 Gerry Rodeo Grounds will be transformed into the Ninth Annual Scandinavian Folk Festival celebrating Scandinavian heritage and culture.

   “We’re the only festival like this in the area … from Pittsburg to Toronto, Cleveland to Albany,” said Don Sandy, festival coordinator.

   For three days, 2,500 to 3,000 people will be able to enjoy Scandinavian food, music and most importantly, experience their culture. Throughout the weekend there will be constant musical entertainment provided by many Scandinavian musicians, such as Paul Dahlin and Äkta Spelmän, Smörgåsbandet, Bosse Brewitz who plays the unique Nycklharpa instrument, The Viking Chorus, Nordanvind and Svenska Spelmän.

Mark Wills’ performs at the Second Annual Allegany River Festival

Written for The Villager

   Looking forward to dazzle the Allegany River Festival, Mark Wills, a professional country singer, will perform on July 10.

   Born and raised in Georgia, Wills grew up on a variety of country music that he enjoyed not only listening to, but singing to as well.  Wills really began singing when he was about 8-years-old, but truly entered the music world when he got his first drum set.  “One thing led to another and here we are!” Wills said.

   Not only does he sing and play the drums, but he also plays other instruments.  “(I play) a little piano … I sing and I play guitar and I play drums, but those are probably the three things I do the best,” Wills said. “I shoot guns well, but ya know that’s really not country music.”

Antique and classic boats to dock at Bemus Point

Written for The Villager

   The 13 annual Antique and Classic Boat Show, hosted by the Chautauqua Lake Twin Tier Chapter, will be held Friday July 9 and Saturday July 10.  On the 9, the boats will begin to arrive, but the real show begins Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. and goes until 4:30 p.m.

   The show will feature many different boats from many different manufacturers. Most boats present at the show will have been manufactured by Chris-Craft, “Century boats would probably be the next in numbers, said William (Will) Reynolds III, president of the chapter and founding member. “We hope to get a Hacker or two, a Gar Wood, maybe a Shepherd, Lyman, and then a variety of many makes and models of all those manufacturers, and many others too.”

Buffalo Philharmonic to play with Motown band

Written for The Villager

   This coming holiday weekend, the Old School B-Boys and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing together at the Ellicottville Summer Festival.

   Growing up on Butler Street, the group of five men started their group in commemoration of Butler Street – giving themselves the name The Old School B-Boys.  The B-Boys are a Motown group that play hits from some of the greatest Motown stars, such as The Temptations and The Foundations.

Music to fill the sky at “Starry Night in the Garden”

Written for The Villager

   Year after year thousands of people fill the lush Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens for an evening of food, music and wine, and this year is no different.
   On Wednesday, June 30, 2010, the evening will feature music by Melanie Fiona, The Calling’s Alex Band, Serena Ryder and, headlining the evening, Collective Soul.

A little bit of NYC comes to Olean

Written for The Villager

   For the first time in Olean’s history, a group of New York City performers are coming to put on a festival that is to make audiences laugh and give them the thrill only a live performance can properly give, said Emily Fletcher, actor.

   “It’s a bit of a shock,” she said. “It breaks you out of your way of thinking and allows you to have your perspective shifted. That’s what theater is supposed to do.”

“Be Greek for a Day … or Two!”

Written for The Villager

   June 18 and 19 Jamestown residents and many others will be turning Greek for the annual Yassou Festival held at the St. Nicolas Greek Orthodox Church in Jamestown, N.Y. Held on the lush green lawn of the church, people of all ages will be able to enjoy Greek dancing, jewelers, boutiques, church tours and of course, lots of Greek food.

Residents marvel at the music of the Ieda Family

Written for The Villager
   For over 20 years, the members of the Ieda family have been playing music for audiences not only in the western New York region, but also in the southern reaches of Florida, all the way to Ontario, Canada and many places in between.

Notice Board takes on a new look

Written for The Bona Venture
   With a new face, an old friend takes on a new role. Say hello to the new and improved Notice Board. 
   A redesigned Notice Board launched Feb. 22 with the objective of grabbing student and faculty attention.
   "(For) the communications office, our goal is to help different entities on campus reach out to the campus community in a number of ways, and the Notice Board is one of those," Beth Eberth, director of university communications, said.
   When the Notice Board debuted on the Web, it was not measuring up to the technological standards of the day or meeting the needs of students and staff of the university. This forced the university to make a change, Eberth said. 
   "Being able to access the Notice Board easier was the driving force behind that," Eberth said. "We also recognized that it could use a little updated look, and by making it a little more visually appealing, we also hope that that will keep people's attention and make it easier to read."