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.

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.