“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.