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.