For nearly 50 years, the levels and flows of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have been regulated by dams in the river. This regulation has eliminated the natural 15-30 year cycles of low and high levels that have shaped the beaches, dunes and wetlands of the lake’s coastline. The current water regulating [...]

If you want to get outdoors but don’t know where to start - this is the place! The EXPO offers you a day of learning opportunities to enhance your enjoyment for outdoor recreation on both land and water. You can participate in workshops for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, backpacking, camping, bicycling and many other related outdoor [...]

Here’s a blog by a Keepers Jackpot of hiking Mt Adams as she pursues the fire tower challenge - complete with great photos.

New Exhibits Highlight County Bicentennial and Tell the Story of Ellicotville’s Deep History

E’VILLE – The Ellicottville Historical Museum will be opening for the 2008 season on Sunday, June 1 with new exhibits centered around the history of “Our Town.” The museum, located in the 1853 brick building at the intersection of Routes 219 and 242 in the village, will be open June through September on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1-4pm. Volunteers from the Ellicottville Historical Society and community will serve as hosts. If enough volunteers can be secured, the museum may be open another afternoon during the week. Any adults interested in local history that would like to help out manning the museum are asked to contact Ellicottville Town Historian Mary Elizabeth Dunbar at 699-2162.
Cattaraugus County is celebrating its 200th year with Bicentennial events throughout the county during 2008. New York State Legislature in 1808 created the County of Cattaraugus. A commission was appointed by the governor to select a site for the county seat. They selected the place where the future Village of Ellicottville was to grow because it was very near the center of the county.
The Holland Land Company, which had vast land holding in Western New York, were eager to sell land to settlers. When laying out the streets of Ellicottville, they designated a square which was divided into quarters for public use. It conveyed two lots to the county to build a Courthouse (currently the Ellicottville Town and Village Hall) and Clerk’s Office (now the Ellicottville Historical Museum), one to the school district, and the other to the first religious group to organize and build a church building (St. John’s Episcopal Church was built in 1837.) In 1837, the Village of Ellicottville was incorporated. The county seat was moved to Little Valley in 1868 as Ellicottville did not have a railroad at that time.
New exhibits at the museum consist of the Old Chautauqua Road, a pioneer trail across the county in a more or less northeastern to southwestern direction that passed through Ellicottville. Early settlers used it to travel west, and drovers used to send cattle and sheep east to market in New York City. It also served to link up the Holland Land Company headquarters at Geneseo with their western headquarters in Mayville.
Another exhibit will be the 2008 Bicentennial Wagon Train that will travel to most communities throughout the county during its 14-day drip August 9-21. A schedule is posted and people are encouraged to watch as they go by and to visit their evening campsite where there will be music, storytelling and demonstrations of pioneer life on the trail.
Six prominent early Ellicottville settlers and their biography are featured in displays prepared by Historical Society Vice-President Cathy Lacy, and art teacher at Prospect Elementary School in Salamanca.
Early farm and household tools are also on display. Vintage baby and adult clothing arranged by Dottie Fredrickson, the Society’s Treasurer can be seen. Both Cathy and Dottie assisted the Historian in setting up the museum exhibits.
There are vignettes telling the story of Ellicottville with pictures of the village, early businesses and churches, along with a permanent display on the importance of wood and wood products top the early development of the area.
A special exhibit of photos and equipment of Civil War Veterans from the Ellicottville area is on display, as well as Memorial Day and 4th of July celebrations that have occurred in the community.
A new County Bicentennial History Book giving the history of each Township in Cattaraugus County will be on sale for $15.00 as long as the supply lasts. The Ellicottville Historical Society will also be selling laser engraved plaques of early postcard scenes of the Village of Ellicottville. These make unique gifts due to their historical significance.
Appointments can be made to have the museum open for group tours and programs, persons doing research, or from out of the area visiting by calling in advance Mary Elizabeth Dunbar, Ellicottville Historian, at 699-2162.

Citizens Rally for a Full-Time Assessor; Summer Swim Program Heads to LV

BY STEPHANIE HACKER
ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY

At Wednesday evening’s Ellicottville Town Board meeting, discussion of the need for tax assessment change continued.
Jim Gill, a Mansfield resident, presented the concerns of the citizens to the Board. Gill stated that between 2004 and 2007 taxes went up seven percent, and last year Ellicottville was paying $5 million in taxes to the county. He said that there is a need for an assessor to be educating the people. In order to serve the needs of the community, Gill proposed to the Board the need for a written document of the job description of an assessor. The job description needs to set goals, policies, and expectations of the assessor.
Currently Ellicottville has a six-year appointed assessor, Robin Pearl-Lamphier. When looking at the budget for the assessor appraiser and clerk, it is approximately $59,000. Burrell commented on looking for someone who can do all of it.
“A full-time assessor needs to be hired who knows the area and can be fair with people,” Gill said. “The needs of the people have not been met and the Board needs to approve a full-time assessor.”
Nancy Rogan, a concerned citizen, explained to the Board how data was entered into the computer to come up with the assessments. She said, “We need accurate, up-to-date information. Assessing is an art not a science; computers relate to science.” She explained how she and other citizens feel the assessor needs to go out and physically see the parcels.
Rogan continued, “More time and money needs to be put into the assessor’s position.”
Barb Sergel, a retired citizen of Ellicottville said, “I want to live here; I love it. But, the feelings I get when assessments come is horrible. It’s depressing.”
Ellicottville Mayor Charlie Coolidge said he wants to be involved in all meetings dealing with the issue of assessments. Rogan explained that the mayor, Burrell and others were left out from the meeting they had because they wanted it to be strictly from the concerned citizens, not political.
In other business: $100 was approved for a training class for Constable Howard Gifford.
Head of the Recreation Department, Becky Szpaicher, presented the Board with this summer’s swim program. She was granted by the Ellicottville Board of Education for transportation to the Little Valley community pool; costs would be approximately $2,100. In past years, swim programs have been held at Holiday Valley, costing about $1,500 and this year’s swimming in Little Valley would be approximately $500. Sign-ups for the Town of Ellicottville Recreation Program are taking place at the Village Park, June 23 and 24 from 5-7pm at the Gazebo.
Dave Golley, highway superintendent, was approved to attend Highway School June 2-4 in Ithaca. After June 4, the highway department is planning to grind and re-lay Smith Road and Simmons Road.
A sewer pipe was found broken last week, when it was drilled last year. It has yet to be fixed. The Board needs more information to decide who is responsible for the cost of the damages.
In old business, the Board discussed providing fire services to Mansfield. Tom Brady wrote a letter that spells out that it is possible to do.
Relay for Life will take place on June 13 this year from 6pm-12am on the Ellicottville soccer field.
The next meeting of the Ellicottville Town Board will take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at the Town/Village Hall at 6pm.

Buffalo Place, Inc. Announces Lineup for Summer ’08 at Lafayette Square

Every Thursday from the end of May and dipping into the beginning of September, Buffalo’s Lafayette Square is filled with music and libations as thousands of people stream in from surrounding suburbs into the city to catch some of the best known national acts for free.
The series, sponsored by Buffalo Place Inc., a not-for-profit organization that focuses on marketing and managing downtown Buffalo, has been free since its inception in the 1980’s and is subsidized by the concession stands, which offer adult beverages.
The roster of performers brought in by the series includes such names as The Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Manicas, Buckwheat Zydeco, Great Big Sea, Blue Rodeo, Reverend Horton Heat, The Marshall Tucker Band, George Thorogood, The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones, Donna the Buffalo, The Lowest of the Low, Arrested Development, and more.
This year, what started out as a casual showcase of local talent over twenty years ago, has once again preceded its reputation of brining in some of the best national acts.
The showcase begins tonight, Thursday, May 29 with Galactic, a New Orleans Troupe that boasts a blend of hip-hop, electronic, latin rock, blues and jazz. Formed in New Orleans in the 1990’s this group has rocked Radio City Music Hall and has headlined with the Dave Matthews Band, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Buffet, to name a few.
June 5: The Disco Biscuits are a trance fusion group that formed out of the University of Pennsylvania in the 90’s. They have enjoyed large success touring nationally at festivals such as Lollapalooza, has topped Billboard Magazine charts, and won the 2000 Jam of the Year Award.
June 12: Yonder Mountain String Band are Colorado natives formed in the late 90’s and have peaked the Billboard charts for Best Blues album.
June 19: David Sanborn was a young inspired saxophonist from Missouri who has toured with the likes of Stevie Wonder and David Bowie and enjoys a worldwide fan base. Sanborn is a six-time Grammy Award winner and has released over 20 solo albums.
June 26: Martin Sexton is a Syracuse native who worked his way into gigs by playing on the streets of Boston’s Harvard Square. He went on to win many Boston Music Awards, The National Academy of Songwriters “Artist of the Year” award and his hit single “Diner” is featured on the TV series Scrubs.
July 3: Jakob Dylan, famed son of the legendary Bob Dylan and former lead vocalist for the band Wallflowers is on his first solo tour. Dylan has received several Grammy Awards for writing and performing, “One Headlight”.
July 10: Jimmie Vaughn is one of the most respected blues guitarists in the world of popular music, hailing from his band The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
July 17; Mikey Hart, former member of The Grateful Dead and whose album, Planet Drum, received a Grammy Award for “Best World Music Album” and hit #1 on Billboard’s World Music Charts, is on a 20-city tour with Steve Kimock and George Porter Jr.
July 24: The Gin Blossoms are an alternative rock band that formed in ’87 out of Arizona. They have topped the Billboard Charts with hits, “Found Out About You,” “Till I Hear it From You,” and “Follow You Down.”
July 31: Spirit of the West is one of Canada’s most successful folk rock bands and has been nominated for five Juno Awards.
August 7: Zappa Plays Zappa, headed by Frank Zappa’s son, Dweezil on guitar, is dedicated to playing the music of the late American composer and musician who was known for his mixture of audio and video technology.
August 14: Mike Gordon is a bass player and vocalist most noted for his work with the improvisational rock band Phish, whom he wrote 17 original songs for. The album ‘Sixty Six Steps’ which he co-wrote with Leo Kottke won the Jammy Award ‘Album of the Year’.
August 21: Saliva is a post grunge rock band formed in 1996 in Tennessee and made it to the final round of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Grammy Showcase just one year later. Their hits, “Ladies and Gentlemen” and “Blood Stained Love Story” have hit the Billboard Charts.
August 28: Candlebox merged from the Seattle Washington Grunge scene in the 1990’s. By ’93 they topped the carts with their hit single “Far Behind’ which enjoyed constant rotation on MTV in ’94 when they also performed at Woodstock and were the only band with a Top Ten record at the time.
September 4: Big Head Todd and the Monsters is a rock band formed in 1986 in Colorado and enjoyed Platinum success with their album ‘Sister Sweetly’.
All concerts take place from 6-10pm in Lafayette Square. For full information log on to www.buffaloplace.com/aboutus/marketing/summerconcertseries.html.

Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel WNYPGA Pro-Am

SALAMANCA – Elkdale Country Club hosted the Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel WNYPGA Pro-Am this past Tuesday, May 27. Congratulations to the winning team, pictured left to right: Kris Vargo, Rich Rzodkiewicz, PGA Pro Rob Horak, Greg Gibbons, and Tom Smith (score of 124 won match of cards). Second place went to Rich Burlett, Steve Gaydos, Rod Harris, Dave Constantino, and Bill Pedacchio-124.
A special thank you to the tournament’s sponsors: Elkdale Country Club, J&M Distributing Co. Inc., J. D. Northrup Construction, Park Pharmacy, Peters & Ploetz Attorneys and Counselors at Law, California Closets, and Little Valley VFW Post 8734.

Mellon & Co. Redesigns Former Century 21 Town & Country Site

E’VILLE - Century 21 Town and Country of Ellicottville has a new name, a new look and has added a few new friendly faces.
And they've topped it off with a new website.
Ellicottville.com has been redesigned by Mellon & Co. to represent the branding of the new ERA Vacation Properties office in Ellicottville, which includes the former Hunt ERA, Century 21 Town & Country, and Ellicottville Concierge offices. Century 21 Town & Country acquired the other offices on April 1, 2008 and will now operate under the name ERA Vacation Properties.
ERA Vacation Properties is owned by Bill Soffel. Serving all of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties, the newly expanded company has started the process of integrating the former Hunt agents and vacation rental properties into the Ellicottville operation.
This integration can be seen on the new website at Ellicottville.com, which provides complete details and photographs of the agents' listings along with a number of resources for both buyers and sellers. The site serves as a full-service real estate website including property searches, mortgage information, featured listings and vacation rentals.
"Our focus is to brand ERA Vacation Properties as the premier real estate, vacation rental and property management company for Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. Mellon & Co. understands our vision and has been instrumental in facilitating this mission," said Joanna Dahlbeck, director of owner and guest services.
The look of Ellicottville.com mirrors that of ERAvp.com, which represents the Chautauqua offices of ERA Vacation Properties. Both websites were designed by Mellon & Co., a web development, marketing and tech services company with offices in Ellicottville and Olean.

BOCES Support Staff Announces Recipients of Annual Scholarships

OLEAN - Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES Educational Support Personnel Association (BESPA-CA) has announced the winners of its third annual Scholarship Awards.
These scholarships are funded by members of BESPA-CA and are available to graduating seniors whose parents/guardians or grandparents are registered active members of the BESPA union. The recipients of the awards will receive $500.00 toward an accepted accredited educational institution. The winners are:
• Christine Janelle Bradshaw (daughter of John Bradshaw). Home School: Randolph Central School . Accepted College: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
• Anthony Robert Lanza (son of Valerie Lanza). Home School: Ellicottville Central School. Accepted College: Rochester Institute of Technology.
• Daniel Wichensky (grandson of retired Donna Gigliotti). Home School: Bradford Area High School. Accepted College: Slippery Rock University
The scholarship review committee extends its best wishes to all applicants and scholarship recipients. A special thanks to Jack Dalton and Jennifer Militello for their assistance, expertise and knowledge of the educational system, which allows the review committee to make the best decisions possible.

Essex Arts Center to Host Benefit for Arts-in-Education Programming

BUFFALO - One of Buffalo’s most beloved bands, The Great Train Robbery, will headline ‘The AMP Party’ fundraiser at the Essex Arts Center on Saturday, June 7, 2008. The event will run from 4-10pm and $10 tickets can be purchased at the gate. The Essex Arts Center is located at 30 Essex Street on Buffalo’s West Side.
The AMP Party will showcase individual artists, music groups, dance groups, a percussion outfit, spoken word, tours of the Essex Arts Center, Big Orbit Gallery and arts vendors and other fabulous things!
The Essex Arts Center is owned and operated by the Ashford Hollow Foundation, which also runs the Griffis Sculpture Park in Ashford Hollow, NY. The fundraiser will benefit the foundation’s arts in education programming and capital improvements to the facility.
The festival will take place outdoors in the inner courtyard parking area of the Essex Arts Center.
Headlining the music stage will be one of Buffalo’s favorite bands, rock-ska outfit The Great Train Robbery. Juxtaposse, A Potter’s Field, The Bogarts and The Heavenly Chillbillies round out the music performances.
Tribal fusion bellydancers, Bella Dea will perform throughout the event. The Gahu Drum Ensemble will pound out djembe-driven rhythms between main stage performances. Buffalo artists will be displaying their artwork throughout the event. A beer and wine bar will be available for those patrons over 21 years old.
Many people remember the 10-year run of BAM parties at Essex in the 1990’s. More importantly, the Essex Arts Center has been subsidizing gallery and studio space to Buffalo arts organization and artists since 1969. Founded by visionary artist Larry Griffis, Jr., Essex Arts Center was the early homes to Hallwalls, CEPA, and Buffalo Arts Studio. The Center has proudly been the home to Big Orbit Gallery since 1991. Each year, thousands of students participate in arts-in-education programming at the facility. The Boys and Girls Club program routinely have students show their works in national arts competitions. The Essex Arts Center was a former ice house and currently faces numerous capital improvement projects, thus the reason for the event.
For more information, contact Doug Sitler at dsitler@gmail.com or 716-984-7595.