Russell Patrick Brown will delight the crowds this Saturday: Lily Dale Auditorium welcomes the two-time world championship competitor for a one-night only performance

Written for The Villager

   Ever seen a show where one man performs the harp, organ, piano, keyboard, the flute and sings? All while mixing in Celtic dances? Yeah, I haven’t seen it done either. However, that will all change after this weekend!

   On Saturday, July 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Russell Patrick Brown will perform to a crowd of up to 10,000 people for only $10 each (gate fee not included).

   Born in Cleveland, Ohio, the 28 year old has been dancing his entire life.

   “I’ve really be dancing since the womb,” Brown explains “my mother was always dancing and when I was a baby my parents would hold me while they were out on the dance floor.”

   At 3 years old, Brown started to waltz and at 5 he started learning other kinds of dances, including Irish dancing.

The Second Annual Corn Moon Dinner returns for another great evening for a good cause

Written for The Villager

   Coming back after a successful run last year, the Corn Moon Dinner will be held on August 13 on the grounds of Green Heron Growers in Sherman, N.Y. raising money for Slow Food Southern Tier.

   The Corn Moon Dinner derives its name from the full moon in August called “Corn Moon” by Native Americans. “Even though there may not be a full moon the night of the dinner, it is still a really cool name,” Bares said.

   The Corn Moon Dinner will consist of only naturally grown foods by seven different local farms and wineries.  This fundraising dinner will feature food and drinks from Abers Acres, Busti Cider Mill, Farm Market and Munsee Farm, Good Grass Farm, Green Heron Growers, Lapp Farm Dairy and Johnson Estate Winery.

   However, a great four-course meal with passed hors d’oeuvres beforehand won’t be the only thing you’ll enjoy that night. This year, the Corn Moon Dinner has partnered with Green Heron Growers to bring you a night lights display.

Taryn Miletti opens a new world for water lovers

Written for The Villager

   Born in Jamestown, N.Y. and raised in Lakewood, Taryn Miletti has brought a new outdoor adventure to Chautauqua Lake.

   Returning to the area after living in New York City for three years, Miletti brought her new passion for stand-up paddle boarding back with her.

   “Right after I tried it (paddle boarding) I thought it would be a great thing to do in this area,” Miletti said.

   Miletti had just tried paddleboarding in May on a visit to Naples, Florida.

   “I fell in love with it,” Miletti said. “I was going to buy a board for myself, but then I decided to take it further … it’s a great sport to get going in the area.”

10th Annual Scandinavian Folk Festival

Written for The Villager

   How often do you get to transport yourself into another culture right in your own backyard? Once again this year you’ll get that chance when you attend the Scandinavian Folk Festival at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds.

   Next weekend, the 15, 16 and 17, more than 3,000 people will fill the Grounds to enjoy the 10th annual Scandinavian Folk Festival, said Don Sandy, Festival Coordinator.

   This year, the festival will be featuring more than just local Scandinavian talent, but world-renowned artists from Scandinavia itself! Scandinavia technically covers Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Lapland region, which the Sami people inhabit.

14th Annual Antique Boat Show

Written for The Villager

   Splashing through the water the 14^th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show anchors in town Friday July 8^th and Saturday 9^th.

   Next Thursday evening, the 7^th, boats from all over the region will begin to dock in Bemus Bay, but most will arrive throughout Friday morning and afternoon. Last year almost 70 boats came to the boat show and Bill Reynolds, president of the Chautauqua Lake Twin Tier Chapter, hopes that they will get just as many this year.

   “So far we have 43 registrants, but if the weather is good I hope we’ll get more,” Reynolds said.

   Boat shows are very weather dependent, Reynolds said. If the weather is nicer, then more boats are likely to come to the show.

   “If we match the 60-70 boat range of last year, then the remaining boats will be docked on land,” Reynolds said.

Ellicottville's Summer Music Festival 2011

Written for The Villager

   Even though summer technically started on the 21^st, the summer season really begins with Ellicottville Summer Music Festival. This year’s festival starts on Thursday, June 30^th and runs until Sunday, June 3^rd, giving you the perfect way to celebrate the holiday weekend.

   This music-filled weekend is sure to excite everyone’s musical taste buds. The eclectic mixture coming to Ellicottville will definitely be one to talk about. The genres covered throughout the four-day festival will have all the crowds singing to their favorite songs, maybe even introducing people to some new favorites they’ve never heard before.

   “This year, we literally have something for everyone, including families, the over-40 crowd and even younger, edgier audiences,” said Brian McFadden, the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce president.

   The festival weekend starts a day early this year on Thursday as Sudden Urge – Gettin’ Down with Dance & Disco –ushers in the festival from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of the free Ellicottville Gazebo Series. Then on Friday, July 1^st, the festival will move down to Holiday Valley’s Main Stage where it will welcome Rusted Root at 8 p.m.

Starry Night in the Garden: Three stars come to rock the Botanical Gardens

Written for The Villager

   Do you ever dream of a sitting outside at night as the stars light the sky and beautiful plants surround you as you listen to great music? Well, you don’t have to keep dreaming about it too much longer. Star 102.5 and The Buffalo Botanical Gardens are making your dreams come true June 29.

   The gates will open for Starry Night in the Garden 6 p.m., but the night really gets started once Secondhand Serenade’s John Vesely wows the crowd around 6:15 p.m.

   After Vesely, Michelle Branch will perform, followed by the headliner Hanson.

   Some of you may be shocked by the line up because Christina Perri was to perform but had to cancel on Tuesday because of a vocal cord injury. However, Star 102.5 was able to keep a great show going with Grammy Award-winner Michelle Branch.

Parkview Supermarket: Feel like family while you shop!

Written for The Villager

   For the past 49 years, one establishment in particular has been making you feel at home in Salamanca, and Joel Talbot has been a huge force driving that feeling.

   “I want to make everyone feel like family … We really do have a family atmosphere here,” said Talbot, store manager of Parkview Supermarket.

   A life-long resident of Salamanca, Talbot has worked for Parkview for over 37 years. At 17 years old, Talbot started out in the meat department and became the meat manager for 34 years, eventually moving up to store manager for a little over a year now.

2nd Annual Roger Tory Peterson Institute Birding Festival

Written for The Villager

   Like to hear great songs? Like to be outside? Well this summer fall in love with a different kind of “song.” This year the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, N.Y. will be holding its third Birding Festival this June 9 through June 12 exploring the wonderful world of warblers, a songbird living right in our local area.

   For its third annual Birding Festival, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) has switched things up for this year’s birding days.

   Instead of just having activities for ornithology enthusiasts, RTPI has planned activities for families and beginners in the study of ornithology, said Jim Berry, 15-year president of RTPI.

   Berry said that for this year’s festival, the Institute is preparing for 200 people, the most the Institute would have ever had at the festival.

Summer gets some speed with the Little Valley Raceway

Written for The Villager

   Vrooom. Vrooom. The engines have begun to roar at the Little Valley Speedway. Opening this Sunday, May 29 the Little Valley Speedway is set to have its first race at 6:30 p.m.

   To jumpstart its 15 season off right, the speedway will be hosting a Memorial Day Late Model Special, waving the green flag for entry, the gates open at 3:00 p.m.

   However, that won’t be the only fun festivity in store for this summer. Including having five races this year, the Little Valley Speedway will also be having its annual Freedom Daze festivities where thousands are expected to attend.

   Starting on Saturday, July 2, the raceway will host a double header of UMLS (United Late Models Series) and Patriot Sprints. The races start at 7 p.m. and will be followed by fireworks.

Reflections Hair Design: A business revamping for it's customers

Written for The Villager

   Have a big occasion to go to? Just want to try something new for summer? Look no further than your own town. Reflections Hair Design of Ellicottville has just what you need!

   Wanting to own her own business, Monica Harrington left a previous hair salon in town to open her own and thus Reflections Hair Design was born.

   Open since 2002, Reflections Hair Design has not only grown size wise but in service as well.

   Reflections has always been located at 39 Mill St., but five years ago the salon took over the space occupied by Bruce Candles when they moved downtown, expanding Reflections and the services it provides.

Yo! Dnt email bad msg 2 prof smh

Bonaventure professors, students caution

against improper email etiquette

              ST. BONAVENTURE (May 10) — Schwoop. Da-dum. Schwoop. Da-dum. Clicking away on her MacBook in her office, Carole McNall sends and receives her daily emails.

 Opening one, she sees:

“Carole, I need to talk with you at 2:30 today.” A student – not her boss or someone of higher authority – sent her this email.

 “That’s too informal,” McNall said. “He just expected me to drop everything. There is a certain level of respect I want to see out of students and colleagues.”

Email faux pas like this happen every day. People forget the etiquette necessary for an effective email, said McNall, an assistant professor of journalism and mass communication at St. Bonaventure University.

From freshmen year to senior year, Bonaventure students grow up

ST. BONAVENTURE (May 10) — Tap. Tap. Tap. Drumming her pencil against the one-armed desk, a frazzled freshman awaits her first class to end at St. Bonaventure University. Unsure of what classroom to go to next, she scurries by classes until she finds the right one.

That was Hannah Flanigan three years ago as a freshman journalism and mass communication major. Now a senior political science major, Flanigan quietly scribbles notes in a one-armed desk, knowing where she’ll be next.

The 49th Annual Western New York Maple Festival

Written For The Villager

For the past 48 years, local maple producers have participated in the Western New York Maple Festival and this year is no different.

Even though the festival is being held one week later than usual due to a late Easter, the Western New York Maple Festival, more commonly known simply as “Maple Fest,” will be going off just the same.

On Thursday, April 28 at 7 p.m., the Maple King and Queen Contest will be held in the Franklinville Elementary School Cafeteria. Those competing to be crowned queen are Cassia Kuhn, Gabrielle Bennett, Nicki Kellogg and Kristin Biela. The contestant for king is Ryan Bigham. The contestants will be judged based on their presentation, talent and on-the-spot questions relating to Maple Festival. This year’s talent will be both vocal and instrumental performances.

Smaller academic programs marketing themselves, trying to increase student numbers

ST. BONAVENTURE (April 15) — Just like any other student at St. Bonaventure University, Stephanie Petty participated in a history class and walked amongst the other students, witnessing first hand a day in the life of a Bonaventure student. Two weeks ago, Petty, from two and a half hours away, took part in Spring into Bona’s, an event designed to help prospective students just like her learn more about Bonaventure and how it works.

To persuade Petty to come to Bona’s, Bonaventure first had to market the university and its programs to her and all the other potential students.

However, St. Bonaventure students and faculty members said the university didn’t market each program the same.

Bonaventure announces tuition increase

Tiffany Nunez (left) & Charlee Smith (right) Courtesy of Charlee Smith

ST. BONAVENTURE —
Click. Click. Click. Smack! Slamming her laptop shut and scurrying to find her Blackberry, sophomore Charlee Smith unearthed her phone from the pile of papers on her desk to call her father. She had just read Sr. Margaret Carney’s e-mail. St. Bonaventure University had raised tuition again.

Carney, the university president, informed students of a 3.7 percent increase in an e-mail to the campus community on Feb. 3.

“The tuition and fees for the 2011-12 academic year will be $27,890,” wrote Carney.

Ellicottville's Relay For Life date set

Written for The Villager

With the kick-off meeting last Wednesday, Feb. 9, Relay For Life of Ellicottville launched its new season.

Welcoming new comers and recognizing veteran team captains, the 2011 Relay season got underway. Besides acting as the start for the new fundraising season, the gathering was also a chance to have an informational meeting for the new members of the Relay For Life team.

So far, nine teams have registered, but Mike Porpiglia, community executive for the American Cancer Society, hopes that they will meet or exceed last year’s 26 teams.

This year’s Relay For Life will be held on June 4, 2011 from 12 p.m.-12 a.m. at the Ellicottville Central School track.

Anyone interested in creating a team or joining one can either log on to www.relayforlife.org, or call the 24/7 toll free number 1-800-227-2345.

Bonaventure to install new computer program, increase its Internet advertising

   ST. BONAVENTURE (Jan. 30) — One year ago, Xavier Galindo of California Googled private schools on the East Coast and found St. Bonaventure University. Galindo sought more information about Bonaventure after discovering the number of different majors offered at the private school by receiving e-mails and mailings. After a few weeks, Galindo knew Bonaventure could allow him to be far away from home while attending a small university.

   For the past three years, the university has adapted its integrated marketing framework to incorporate Facebook, Twitter, other social media sites and the Internet in general, said Emily Sinsabaugh, vice president of university relations who has a doctorate.

   Integrated marketing, Sinsabaugh said, aligns different media outlets (such as the Web, TV, flyers, etc.) to build on the activities occurring around campus in a cohesive manner.

Local ski shop wins award

Written for The Villager

The popular ski shop, The City Garage, won the national award for “Best Vibe” by Skiing Business, an online magazine.

Sean Lowes opened The City Garage with his wife in 1999. The ski shop is open year round and specializes for each season. During the winter, the store specializes in skis: alpine skis, Nordic skis and Twin Tip skis, just to name a few.

In the summer, the shop switches gears to provide people with the best in technical summer gear; including, sunglasses, footwear and The City Garage is the only one in the area to offer stand up paddle boards. The latter is a growing trend on the West Coast that is slowly but surely migrating to the East Coast where The City Garage is fully embracing it.

Explore the unknown this summer

Written for The Villager

As you look into the night sky, have you even wondered what is up there? What all the little flickering lights are? In February you will have your chance to get those questions answered, when Bert Probst teaches a two-night course on observing the night sky.

Probst, a Cleveland, Ohio native, was an engineer for the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. However, during the winter season Probst leaves Cleveland behind and comes to a place he loves: Ellicottville. Serving on Holiday Valley’s Ski Patrol and as a Ski School instructor there, Probst is on the slopes six days a week.

After retiring, Probst returned to a natural curiosity that began over 45 years ago when he looked up into the night’s sky.

“I was curious as to finding my way around the sky and finding the constellations,” Probst said. “I purchased a small telescope and that was the start of it all.”

Ellicottville Oasis: Relaxation is closer than you think

Written for The Villager

After a day on the slopes, don’t you feel that you deserve some pampering? Well, if you’re like me, the answer is yes! And Ellicottville Oasis just might be the perfect place.

Opened in 2004 by Joanne Bennett Timkey, Ellicottville Oasis provides more than just massages. Since last year they have been offering their own line of skin care products.

“We work with a lab in Vancouver, Canada,” Timkey said. “They manufacture a fresh batch of product as we order it.”

Timkey has been in the field since 2002, graduating from Trocaire College in South Buffalo certified in massage therapy and Continental School of Beauty in West Seneca for esthetics. Since then, Timkey has worked at Earth Worn Body Company, Peak Performance and the St. Elmo Day Spa at the Chautauqua Institution until she opened Ellicottville Oasis at 23 Jefferson St., Ellicottville, N.Y.