september 2015
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Opinions. We all got them right? I hope you have a good time readI mean what’s better than having a ing what our neighbors had to say and opinion on something? Isn’t that what also enjoy reading some of the great makes the world an interesting place local stories inside. We will be producto live in? Opinions are the basis of ing this monthly so stay tuned for next almost every conversation you have months edition and If you see Preston with people. Whether you’re talking Cochran or I out on the streets feel about the weather, sports, community free to stop and say hello and give happenings, TV, movies, food or dare i us your opinions... who knows maybe JUSTIN say... politics, opinions can make any you’ll make next month’s edition. All I PARKES dull subject fun. ask is that you be nice when expressFOUNDER Well with this new publication, we ing your opinions to us because, just humbly call Talk of the Town, we went out to the like you, we have opinions too. :) streets and asked local folks what their opinions So thanks to all the brave local folks who were on a few subjects. Some folks where a didn’t mind having their opinions and faces out little shy and some had no problems expressthere for everyone to see and make sure to visit ing their opinions but at the end of the day we all the great local businesses inside. Till next collected some great opinions and recommenda- month... keep those opinions flying! tions that we think make a fun and insightful read. - Justin Parkes
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september 2015
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september 2015
Robert Hooper Salamanca
Karen O’Hara Springville
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Springville is a great community with a diversity of small businesses. However the new expressway has diverted traffic and we have lost many new potential customers. The only fix would be for the community leaders and the D.O.T. to come together and change the signage requirements to allow an interchangeable billboard to allow community business to advertise affordably.
Not just in this community but drug abuse is really a problem in the entire country, and crime goes right along with it.
What is the biggest issue in your community and what would you do to fix it?
Laurie Hunt Salamanca
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I think on of the largest issues is drug abuse in our community. I don’t know how to fix it but it definitely is a problem.
Better economic growth. Bigger diversity in our retail setting.
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A large kid friendly park. Their is just not enough for kids to do.
Rebecca Myhre Little Valley
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People need to have a open mind. People need to try new things to bring new people in to our community.
The manure smell that blow in to the west end of Salamanaca move it to the east end.
Toni A. Salamanca
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Lack of businesses and activities. I try to do my part through promotion, but in the big scheme…one lone person can’t change it all, we need to be working together more!
Debbie F. Humphrey
Local people need to support local business.
Tonya Hoch Little Valley
Becky M. Limestone Depression and lack of smiling. I am fixing my community one smile at a time.
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Meggan Bacelli Salamanaca
Angie Wolf Salamanca
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Lee Salamanaca
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Depression and lack of smiling. I am fixing my community one smile at a time.
Logan Weatherby Salamanaca Pave the street better and clean up drugs.
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september 2015
Charlesworth earns awards in Syracuse By Rich Place
months. “There is a lot of work involved because you will want For local 4-H member Courtney Charlesworth, a recent to keep them and clean and get them trained so they will trip to Syracuse resulted in a handful of awards from the perform their best when you enter the show ring,” she New York State Fair. said. “Keeping their pens cleaned and properly feeding Courtney, a 17-year-old senior at Ellicottville Central them are part of the responsibilities that are year round.” School, earned Reserve Master Showman and Reserve Then there’s the responsibilities in the days leading Champion Female in the New York Junior Angus Show in up to and at the fair — washing and walking the animals, her second year competing at the state fair. clipping them a few days beforehand and packing the She also earned Reserve Master Showman, Grand trailer for the trip, whether it’s down the road to Little Champion Angus Heifer, Grand Champion Angus Cow/Calf Valley or upstate to Syracuse. Pair, Reserve Grand Champion Angus Prospect Bull and Throughout her time in the 4-H, Courtney said she has Supreme Champion in the 4-H Beef Show. learned a lot of skills that will help her in other aspects “Being at the state fair is so much fun because you get of her life. Among them is responsibility — having to take to see all your friends from all over the state,” Courtney care of animals is a task that she has learned a lot from, said. “You are all there for the same reason.” she said. Last year, she received First in Class during the 4-H “You also learn how to deal with disappointment and Beef Show. how to win with grace to be considerate of others,” she Courtney’s involvement in 4-H began six years ago said. “I have also learned how to help others and I have when she started showing rabbits. About four years ago, made friends from all over the state. she started showing beef cattle at the Cattaraugus County “Some of my favorite aspects are the people you meet Fair. Last year, she made her first trip to the state fair. because these are lifelong friends and you will always have “Being up at the state fair is a completely different their support later in life.” experience from the county fair,” she said. “There is much Following graduation in June, Courtney plans to attend more competition. While we may only have about 20 beef college and do something in the agricultural field, although animals at the county she’s not sure exactly fair level, there is over what that will entail. 100 animals just in Fields such as animal the angus breed at the science or veterinary state fair.” medicine are definitely And days at the being considered, she state fair are busy, said. she said, including the “4-H has definitely potential to show every influenced my decision day — “which can be because without 4-H, I exhausting, but is also a wouldn’t have developed lot of fun,” she said. as much of a love of Working with the agriculture or animals,” animals to prepare she said. “Even though them for fairs is much without 4-H I would more than just work have still been involved during the summer, with these two things, Courtney said. In order it would not have been to go to the fairs in the to this extent and I am so very thankful to have summer, work begins Submitted photo Courtney Charlesworth, a senior at Ellicottville Central School, won several awards 4-H in my life.” during the winter at the State Fair in Syrcause, including Supreme Rotation Champion (left).
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Submarine Stories By Florencie Bryant Contributing Writer
My brother just about ran away and he joined the U.S. Navy at an early age. That just about killed my mother, but Pa knew he had never wanted to be a farmer anyway. After that, I used to do a lot of things to help Pa with the old Fordson tractor when I was still small — very small — and Pa tied wooden blocks on the bottom of my shoes so I could reach the pedals on the grain binder. Brother wrote that he was on a submarine and told of depth charges trying to sink their sub. This started Pa on the first submarine history, which I will now relate to the best of my knowledge. The first sub was only about 25 feet long and not very successful. The second one was a Confederate vessel called the H.L. Hunley and was about 39 feet long and only 4 feet wide. The propulsion was provided by a hand-turned propeller shaft and a screw propeller and could attain a maximum speed of four knots, or about five miles per hour. Her normal crew was nine and her armament was a single 90-pound charge. On Feb. 17, 1864, this strange craft would soon be inscribed on American
history. Their mission was to sink a 1,240-ton Federal vessel, the U.S.S. Housatonic, which had been blockading Charleston, S.C. harbor as part of the conflict between the states, which had started three years earlier. So the young skipper had the men close the hatches and get under way. Slowly, they submerged and started toward the big ship, which was their prey. The men on the Housatonic thought they saw a wooden plank or a porpoise nearby. Then the sub was able to get close enough that the ship’s big guns couldn’t reach them. The rifles and revolvers of the men on the deck of the big ship couldn’t penetrate the hill of the Hunley and they were able to place their 90-pound charge against the hill of the Housatonic and detonate it, thus causing the big ship to sink. Unfortunately, the Hunley also sank and it was only very recently that divers were able to raise and salvage the Hunley, whose nose was still pointed at the ship she sank. It was the first submarine in history to sink a warship. Mama would dress me in little sailor suits which I didn’t like as much, as some folks called me a little boy. Brother came home from that terrible war, but he was bothered by it all the rest of his life. Many of our young men didn’t return. Like Uncle Stanton’s son, Buddy, and my uncle was heartbroken over his loss. Let’s all remember the men of today who have come back but they all need our love and help and understanding. Give away smiles, say hi to a friend for me!
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september 2015
Laurie Hunt Salamanca
Becky M. Limestone
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Donald Trump. I’m sick of the political correctness in this country and he seems too tell it like it is. He can be a little too blunt at times but I think he is the best candidate out there right now.
Toni A. Salamanca
Which Presidential candidate do you hope wins and why?
Bernie Sanders. Because he makes the most sense to me.
John Valentine
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John Kasich he can balance the budget he has done it before and can do it again.
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Donald Trump!!! The man is a business genius who is selffunded! His views are straightforward and blunt, but honest.
Lee Salamanaca
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Donald Trump seems to know how to run things and has cool hair.
Angie Wolf Salamanca
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Debbie F. Humphrey
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Tonya Hoch Little Valley
Is this really who we have to choose from?
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Have not found the lesser evil yet.
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Donald Trump because he stirs the pot.
Logan Weatherby Salamanaca Not Donald Trump.
september 2015
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Hootenanny ends 2015 season with fundraising fun
Rich Place/The Salamanca Press Sally Marsh holds a “Keeper of the Hoot” jacket made by one of the frequent attendees of her weekly hootenanny on Thursday, Sept. 3. In addition, Marsh presented shadow boxes with memoriablia from the “Old McDonald” World Record breaking attempt to Bob Schmid of the Allegany State Park Historical Society and to her friend, Jo Patterson, who helped with organization of the August 2013 event.
By Rich Place Jo Patterson doesn’t like garbanzo beans, but she was happy to eat a spoonful of them to celebrate a considerable accomplishment by attendees of this year’s hootenannies. Patterson helps area resident Sally Marsh out with the weekly old-fashioned, singing event held each Thursday throughout the summer at the Quaker Amphitheater at Allegany State Park. She lost “a bet,” of sorts, after enough money was raised this summer to purchase a new portable screen and microphone for the hootenannies. Meanwhile, Marsh avoided having to bite into a tomato — certainly not one of her favorite foods — after declaring enough money was raised. It was all part of the fun attendees had during the final hootenanny of the season on Thursday, Sept. 3. Even State Senator Catharine M. Young, R-Olean, a friendly face to the hootenannies, stopped by to declare the winner of the fundraising effort. “Sally … I love you to pieces,” she said, “You’re the best. So I’m glad I could be here tonight to deem you as the winner.” In good-natured fun, Marsh offered Patterson a canister of assorted Reese’s snacks to avoid having to dive into the garbanzo beans. But Patterson took one spoonful anyway to keep her promise. The money raised from various raffles and sales of keychains throughout the summer will be used to purchase a new portable screen for the weekly hootenannies and outdoors movies shown at the Quaker Amphitheater. “With the screen that we have now, if it’s down people
can’t get underneath (the amphitheater),” Marsh said, noting that although “it doesn’t rain on Thursday nights” for her hootenannies a portable screen would allow for people to gather in case the wet stuff does fall. Enough money was raised for one new portable microphone and a second is hoped to be purchased as well, she said. “The new microphones will be so good I’ll be able to bother everybody up top or in the bathrooms,” Marsh joked. “You won’t be able to get away from me when I’m trying to get you to sing.” She said the equipment will also be able to be used by other organizations to show movies and such elsewhere in the park. Following announcement of the fundraising result, the hootenanny returned to the same tradition it’s known for — singing and dancing the night away. Marsh said the hootenannies went well this year, as well as the outdoor movie showings weekly on Friday or Saturday nights. “These nights have been absolutely wonderful all summer,” she said. “Even on those three days it rained all day, it stopped at 6 o’clock.” This fundraising efforts comes the year after hootenanny officials led an effort to raise money for the projector and sound equipment needed to start showing outdoor movies again. The money raised for that equipment came from Smokey Bear’s birthday party held in August 2014. Marsh has conducted hootenannies at the park for more than 40 years and will host a Columbus Day weekend hootenanny, which has just recently become an annual tradition, on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Rich Place/The Salamanca Press State Senator Catharine M. Young, R-Olean, (right) stopped by Sally’s Hootenanny Thursday night to declare Sally Marsh the winner of a fundraising challenge to raise money for a new microphone and portable screen for Marsh’s weekly hootenannies and movies.
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september 2015
Pumpkinville open for the season By Rich Place
It’s widely known that Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer, but perhaps a more local indicator of the beginning of the autumn season is the opening of Pumpkinville. The farm opened to the public Sept. 12 and remains open through Halloween on Oct. 31. It features seven weeks of fall-themed attractions, fresh pressed apple cider and, of course, a wide selection of pumpkins. The farm, owned and operated by Dan and Diane Pawlowski, employs about 100 seasonal workers when in operation. This year marks 20 years of operation for Pumpkinville, a local attraction that has now become an autumn tradition that spans generations. “I just like to see the people having fun,” said Diane Pawlowski while helping to ready the farm for opening last week. “You’re a whole lot more than just a fun (place to go), you’re a (place that creates) a lot of memories. That’s what I like — seeing the people come and talk about it.” New this year at the farm is a Punchin’ Pumpkins maze attraction. Four pumpkins are scattered throughout the maze, and participants race to hit — or in the spirit of the name, punch— each pumpkin while racing the clock. “You can play it as a group, as a family, as an individual or as teams,” said Dan Pawlowski. “We thought it would be a cool addition and I think it will be a lot of fun for people.” “I can see brothers and sisters competing or moms and dads,” added Diane Pawlowski. “It’s a lot like the corn cannon — Dad will say, ‘I’ll beat you guys, you wait and see.’ I think Punchin’ Pumpkins is going to be the same way. I know it would be if it was me with my kids.” The attraction is one of several attractions at the farm
that will be
free to visi-
tors. An activity wristband — $11 Monday through Thursday and $12.50 on weekends — will gain visitors access to the Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pillows, the Mix 96 six-acre corn maze, farm pedal carts, a country hayride and the cow train. Admission to Pumpkinville is free and comes with a greeting from one of the Pawlowskis at the front gate. Diane Pawlowski said it’s an important aspect of the family’s operation there. “There’s always a family member at the front gate,” she said. “We want people to know it’s a family farm business. It’s important to us and it’s important for people to know a name to a face and a face to a name.” It also allows the Pawlowskis to interact directly with visitors, listening to their stories or working to improve their experience at the farm. “I like when people come and tell us their stories,” continued on next page
september 2015
Diane Pawlowski said. “There was a couple who were here and he was going off to Afghanistan the next day and this is where they wanted to spend their last day. That was a tear-jerker.” There’s plenty of memories that have been created at Pumpkinville, which Dan Pawlowski looks considerably different than it did when it first opened 20 years ago. He pointed out two buildings, now used only as storage, which are the only two original buildings still on site. But the family-friendly aspect of it hasn’t changed, he said. And, of course, neither has the availability of Pumpkinville’s namesake — a wide variety of pumpkins. “We had that wet spring and it affected things like our corn a little bit, but with that exception our pumpkins look good,” Dan Pawlowski said. Pumpkin picking began at the beginning of the month and the harvest had been impressive, he said. Pumpkinville is open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Halloween on Saturday Oct. 31. Admission and parking are free. Pumpkinville is located at 4844 Sugartown Road off Route 98 north of Great Valley. For additional information, call 699-2205 or visit pumpkinville.com.
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The Boardroom to open second location in conjunction with outdoors store By Rich Place A throwback of sorts along with a second location for The Boardroom will fill a vacant storefront on Washington Street in time for the upcoming ski season. The opening of Adventure Bound on the Fly, an outdoor- and lifestyle-themed shop, may spark memories for longtime village residents and visitors — it’ll open in the same location as the original Adventure Bound in the 1970s. On the store’s lower level will be The Boardroom on Main, a second location for The Boardroom currently located outside the village at 6113 Route 219. The combined store will be located at 16 Washington St., which has been vacant since Kazoo II moved across the street in 2012. Adventure Bound on the Fly will be operated by John Rounds, whose parents owned the original Adventure Bound store in the ‘70s. The Timkey family, with help from a new employee, will operate at The Boardroom’s new location. Mike Timkey, who owns The Boardroom, once worked the Adventure Bound before opening his own business. “It’s a cool story in terms of John (Rounds) coming back to open his parents’ store and then partnering with an established business owner who happened to work for his parents,” said Spencer Timkey, Mike’s son and one of the employees at The Boardroom. “It’s all coming full circle, which is really cool.” Timkey said plans are to have the store open by Ellicottville’s Fall Festival in mid-October and officials have spent the past month or so preparing the location for opening. As far as The Boardroom’s presence there is concerned, the space is smaller than the location outside the village but will carry many of the same products and brands right downtown and within walking distance to the village’s other stores. “It’s definitely going to be more casual,” Timkey said about the difference between the two locations. “It is in town and what we want to do with it is make it a little more lifestyle oriented, like a shop you might find in Stratton Village in Vermont. We want it to be cool, modern, fun and engaging and just because we are on the lower level doesn’t mean it won’t be welcoming.” The Adventure Bound on the Fly floor will feature more fair-weather items like paddleboards and fly fishing equipment, for example. “The two (stores) kind of lend themselves together to make for a really cool dynamic,” Timkey said. According to a press release issued by The Boardroom, the idea for the
Submitted Photo The Boardroom on Main and Adventure Bound on the Fly are expected to open at 16 Washington St. in Ellicottville in time for Fall Festival weekend in mid-October.
combined store spawned after Rounds approached Mike Timkey to discuss a potential partnership. Now the past four weeks have been spent working to open this location in addition to the regular pre-Fall Festival planning that goes into operating a ski shop in Ellicottville. “It’s a lot of work getting the building ready but it’s a task we’re up for,” Spencer Timkey said. “When it’s a labor of love, you make it happen.” The Boardroom, which is active on various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, has been getting favorable response from its users about the second location, Timkey said. “People are super psyched for us, which is cool to get that reaction,” he said. “You work so hard to attain and grow that loyal customer base and a lot of these customers turn into friends and vis versa. It’s cool when you’re excited about the idea and it’s validated because your customers are also super excited for you.” Like The Boardroom’s current location, The Boardroom on Main will be open October to April. Adventure Bound on the Fly is expected to be open year-round, Timkey said. The Boardroom’s original location is also now open weekends.
september 2015
Seneca Nation breaks ground on cultural center
By Christa Nianiatus The Seneca Nation of Indians hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning, Sept. 3, at what will become the site of a $13 million cultural center and museum. The facility will be the new home of the Seneca Iroquois National Museum, currently located on Broad Street, and an outdated-archives department. The Nation is conducting pre-development work on the project while a full construction schedule is being finalized, according to a press release. The Seneca Iroquois National Museum was built in 1977, and many Seneca officials in attendance remarked how far the Nation has come in nearly 50 years. “In 1977, I had the honor of serving as tribal councilor,” said Seneca President Maurice John. “I was the master of ceremonies for the opening of the Seneca Iroquois National Museum. At that time, we did the best we could with our budgetary constraints, but we recognized the value of building a museum.” Even at that point in time, Seneca Councilor Stephen Gordon said, they had a clear vision for the museum’s intent and purpose that will be carried on in this new facility. “I remember what the people said. The people said we don’t a museum that will house a big collection, we want it to be a living museum, letting the people know that we are still here,” he said. “It is going to be my hope and encouragement that the new ground we are breaking here for the new museum and archive center will go forward with that message in mind.” It is the intention for the new facility to provide greater space and opportunity to display the Nation’s growing collection of artifacts, as the limited size of the
current museum only allows them to display a small portion. It will also function as an updated facility to house its archives, according to Rebecca Bowen, director of the archives department. In keeping with the notion of “living history,” future plans also include space for outdoor culture and arts areas, along with research and library programs. John hopes the Nation will be able to find use for the old museum building in some way. Gordon took a moment during the ceremony to recognize the important role Bowen has played in the preservation of Seneca artifacts. “I applaud Becky Bowen,” he said. “The work she does in archives she does with a true passion. She loves what she’s doing, and she knows it’s for those generations still coming.” Bowen emphasized the importance of renewed efforts to preserve the Senecas’ artifacts, art, culture and traditions. “This building and its contents will stand on this ground long after the generations represented here on this day have passed on,” Bowen said. “Today we bequeath to future generations of Senecas and to the visitors who will come from across the United States the opportunity to be inspired and enlightened by our great nation.” “It is a great day for the Seneca Nation of Indians and the city of Salamanca,” said Mayor Ronald Ball in a statement after the groundbreaking ceremony. “The cultural center is the first step in preserving the Nation’s heritage, as well as sharing the uniqueness of it and the city that we share. I believe it will promote economic development, create jobs and promote tourism to our city. I applaud the Seneca Nation and its leaders for opening the cultural center.”
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Becky M. Limestone
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Dwayne Johnson
Debbie F. Humphrey
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Laurie Hunt Salamanca
Robert Downey Jr.
Who is your Celebrity Hall Pass?
Rebecca Myhre Little Valley
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Charlie Hunnam!
Lee Salamanaca
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Meggan Bacelli Salamanaca
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A: Ryan Conway Springville
Mila Kunis
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SoďŹ a Vergara. She is an extremely attractive middle-aged woman, I love her accent and she is a great actress.
Ryan Gosling is so hot!
Jamie Buff Salamanca
Channing Tatum
Megan Kelly
John Brads Salamanaca
Kurt Russell
Holly Wood Springville
Toni A. Salamanca
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Blake Shelton. He is tall, dark and handsome and I really love his music.
Emilia Clarke
Angie Wolf Salamanca
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Blake Shelton
september 2015
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Salamanca’s Turano, headed to nationals By Rich Place A local girl from Salamanca has been on both sides of the fence, in a way, when it comes to horse shows and competitions. Madelynn Turano, a senior at Salamanca school, participates in a variety of horse-related activities within 4-H, and now she’s headed to Kentucky this fall to represent New York State in horse judging. A lover of all things equine, Madelynn participated in a horse judging competition at the New York State Fair recently, which earned her a spot in the national event scheduled for early November. The art of horse judging is just like it sounds and it’s unique in the sense that it’s a competition judging another competition. Participants judge horses and their riders based on a variety of aspects, as an official judge tallies the actual results. Then, the horse judging contestants compare their notes and scores to the official ones. Later, they take time to explain to the judges why they chose the scores and remarks they did. “You meet with judges and try to persuade them why” you scored contestants a specific way, Madelynn said. “If you can back it up with enough reasoning — that makes sense logically through horse terms — you get points.”
Submitted Photo Madelynn Turano, a senior at Salamanca Junior-Senior High School, is headed to the 2015 Eastern Nationals 4-H Horse Roundup in Louisville, Ky. in November, after advancing from competition at the New York State Fair in Syracuse two weeks ago.
Madelynn is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Holly, who also was named to a national team it couldn’t go because of age requirements. It’s not the first time Madelynn had been at states but it was the first time she had been to states to participate in horse judging. In a 4-H world like Madelynn’s where she does “pretty much everything” related to horses, horse judging actually helps her in other events as well. “While I’m in the class riding I think to myself ‘at this judging clinic I learned the judges looked for this in particular. Make sure I don’t do that,’” she said. “It helps knowing what the judges are looking for.” While there’s a good chance she’ll be thinking about her upcoming competition and what she needs to do there, some of the focus the next several weeks will be on securing funding to get to Kentucky. The trip comes with a cost and in a senior year with other expenses like senior trip and preparing for upcoming graduation, Madelynn will be reaching out to local businesses to help support her financially. While in Kentucky, she’ll be able to explore other parts of the area like the Kentucky Horse Park in addition to nationals. She’ll also be meeting others from the state and the rest of the country competing in horse judging and other horse-related events. Madelynn said, among other life lessons, 4-H “teaches you to be social as well. Especially with this horse judging, I’ll be on a team with all these kids I don’t know but I’m still excited.” And striving for perfect attendance throughout her high school career — she said she hasn’t missed a day yet — she recently found out her two days absence from school to attend the trip will be excused and counted as an educational experience. That made her happy. The Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup, which will include the horse judging events Madelynn will participate in, will be held Nov. 6 to 8 at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center in Louisville. Those interesting in supporting Madelynn on her trip are asked to email her at ponylover08@yahoo.com.
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september 2015
Hundreds brave rain to support CF walk, research
Christa Nianiatus/The Salamanca Press Walkers begin a rainy trek down Wildwood Avenue Sept. 12 for the Giant Strides: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis walk.
By Rich Place It was a gloomy day, but you wouldn’t know it from the smiles on the faces of the St. Bonaventure athletes and community members who came out Saturday morning for the Giant Strides: Taking Steps to Cure Cystic Fibrosis Walk. Approximately 300 people gathered on the lawn of St. Mary’s Church on Wildwood Avenue to raise money for cystic fibrosis research and in support of Andy Herrick, 10, who is living with the disease. “(Andy) wasn’t supposed to live past 5,” said Father Michael Lonto of St. Mary’s. “But they keep making strides and strides and strides (in research) and next thing you know he’s still here. He’s going to grow up to be an old man.” Andy’s father, Greg Herrick, said they have been fortunate Andy hasn’t experienced most of the complications associated with the disease yet, for which there is no known cure, and the life expectancy of those living with the disease keeps increasing. “So far (Andy) has led a normal life and we’ve been blessed with good health, but I think he also realizes that it’s because of all these efforts,” said Herrick. “He’s a little young to express some of his feelings but we see more and more of it now that he’s 10 years old, and he understands the importance all these people have in his life. “As a matter of fact, within two years he’ll have a brand new drug he’ll be able to take that will hopefully extend his life even further.” Donations from events like Saturday’s walk are essen-
tial for the improvement of the lives of those with cystic fibrosis, as research toward treatment of the disease is not funded by the government. “There’s no federal funding like there is for cancer research,” said Sandi Brundage, Andy’s aunt. “It’s a disease where ‘only’ 30,000 people are afflicted with the disease, so all the money going toward research is fundraised.” Now in its ninth year, organizers of the walk have set their sights on a fundraising goal of $300,000 for underfunded cystic fibrosis research. “We have raised approximately $268,000 coming into this year and our goal is to get over $300,000 and do this for at least 10 years,” said Herrick. “We also have wrap around events throughout the year the community has really come to love like the Octoberfest and flag football tournament. So we’re trying to do as much as we can.” The family’s efforts are aided by Herrick’s brother-inlaw, Darryn Fiske, director of strength and conditioning at St. Bonaventure University, and the entire Bonaventure student-athlete community. Last year, 10 teams at the college sent athletes to participate in the event and many showed up Saturday morning again dressed in their Bonnies’ attire. The partnership with St. Bonaventure has been around since the first walk was organized and they continue to support the cause. “I don’t know if you can go to too many places and get nine years of support from college athletes like that,” said Herrick. “Usually it goes a year or two and fizzles out, but this has been a pretty good partnership and they’ve been here every year. “We always feel it’s important to bring them in too, because they come from all over the United States and the awareness is almost as important as the donations sometimes.” But the Bonnies’ participation isn’t limited to just one day a year, and has evolved into a large community of support for Andy. “The Bonaventure community has really wrapped its arms around Andy. Last weekend he was the honorary coach for the women’s soccer team and they made announcements and brought him out to the middle of the field,” said Herrick. “It’s more than just today, throughout the year they treat him like a king and like somebody really important. I think it helps his emotional and mental state too, just to know he has so many people fighting for him.”
september 2015
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Buffalo’s Osteria 166 owner to open E’ville eatery lined menu than what we have here (in Buffalo).” A graduate of Ellicottville Central School, Pitillo worked for Seneca Casinos more than seven years in the food and beverage division. He ran La Cascata, the Italian restaurant at Seneca Niagara Casino, and helped lead the effort to open Patria, Seneca Allegany Casino’s Italian eatery. He said he has operated Osteria 166 for about two years and has “always been looking for an opportunity” to bring a restaurant to his hometown of Ellicottville. Plus, the move back to his roots extends beyond his restaurant business. “We are looking to raise our daughter there,” he said. “It’s a wonderful place to raise a family.” The opportunity to operate out of The Barn Restaurant’s former location came following that restaurant’s closure. According to its website, The Barn Restaurant had been in operation in Ellicottville since 1963 — the building itself was built in 1895. Rich Place/The Salamanca Press Formerly known as The Barn Restaurant, 7 Monroe St. in Ellicottville will become home to Osteria 166 soon.
By Rich Place An Ellicottville native is returning to the village and he’s bringing with him a new restaurant fresh from his time in the Queen City. Nick Pitillo, owner of Osteria 166 in Buffalo, has announced plans to open a restaurant at 7 Monroe St. in Ellicottville. The location was the longtime home of The Barn Restaurant before it closed in mid-August. The new restaurant — to be called Villaggio — is expected to be open in time for the village’s Fall Festival which begins Oct. 10. The new restaurant operators are in the process of making extensive interior changes. “You can only do so much because it’s actually a barn,” Pitillo said about any changes to the exterior of the building. “But we will not be The Barn Restaurant as it has been historically known. We will be a completely different restaurant.” Pitillo is working to open the restaurant along with his business partner and executive chief, Jeffrey Cooke. The Ellicottville location will be larger than Osteria 166, located at 166 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo, but is expected to have a more streamlined menu. Osteria 166 has seating for less than 100 people, compared to roughly 160 people at the location in Ellicottville, Pitillo said. Pitillo said the restaurant will feature a similar Italian theme but the menu will be customized for Ellicottville’s small town charm and ski resort characteristics. “It’ll be our most popular items and some traditional items we think fit the resort setting as well as extensive specials,” he said. “It will be a more stream-