StarNewsDaily.com – Week of August 4, 2011 – Vol.4, No. 21 – FREE
Bridging the Gap
2012 County Directory Brings Together North, South for purchase in a special commemorative edition, with the Lucille Ball Anniversary Logo embossed on the front cover. “This year’s directory honors a true legend of our time,” said Kurt Maytum, President and CTO for DFT. “We felt that this was a perfect time to honor such a tremendous woman with roots right here in Chautauqua County. We knew that residents of the county and Lucille Ball enthusiasts from all over the country would be pleased with this tribute.” DFT Communications is a telecommunications company located in Fredonia that has operated successfully for over 100 years. Started by the Maytum Family in 1898, they are now owned by the Lynch Interactive Corporation, or LITC. The company maintains a powerful local influence that can only be gained by establishment throughout history. For years, DFT has produced a phone book for northern Chautauqua County. For the past three years the company has enlisted The Maytum Company (yes, the same group that produces the great paper you’re currently holding and the website starnewsdaily. com) to produce a directory that crosses to provide the same great services to south county residents and businesses. Dan Siracuse, Marketing & Public Relations Manager for DFT Communications, has been involved
By Scott Wise Star News Editor
For the third year in a row, DFT Communications has collaborated with The Maytum Company and Star Media Group to bring Chautauqua County one of the best countywide directories in the nation. This year the much-loved phone book comes with a lovable twist; the 100th birthday of Lucille Ball, the infamous county native. County residents should keep a close eye on their mailboxes as the Chautauqua County Community Directory makes its way to each and every home in the county. As you can readily see in the photo, the cover of this year’s directory brings a simple message of pride and elegance with it. Lucille Ball, who is originally from Celeron, would have celebrated her 100th birthday this year. The phone book is due to be released to coincide with this momentous event for the county. “This is a book we are especially proud to present this year,” said Mark Maytum, President and COO of DFT Communications. “We know the affection people not only from our county but from all over the world feel for Lucille Ball. The commemoration of her 100th birthday is truly a very special time to honor one of our most treasured and loved people of all times.” Different from previous years, the book will not only be mailed to all residents but will also be available
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Roped In
Gerry Promises Buckin’ Broncos and ‘Backflip’ Banter at 67th Annual Rodeo By Mallory Diefenbach Star News Writer
Man versus beast. It has been this way since man took his first shaky step on the Earth’s crust. Now a few thousand years later our battle arena has moved out of the struggle of dominance but to a struggle of wills. On Aug. 4-7 you can witness this struggle of wills between man and beast at the Gerry Rodeo, the oldest consecutive rodeo east of the Mississippi. The Gerry Rodeo is the one of the longest running events in Chautauqua County. It was originally started in 1945 when Jack Cox, a former cowboy from the West, suggested a rodeo as a way of raising money for the recently formed Gerry Volunteer Fire Department. Any doubts surrounding the idea soon vanished when the members of the fire department and other volunteers turned four acres of swamp into an arena and parking lot in 70 days in time for arrival of the livestock. The main event this year is the rodeo clown Johnny “Backflip” Dudley of Athens, Texas. His quick wits and cuff banter has earned him the title of the hottest new talents in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Some of his acts include his motorized bull Cow Patty and loyal 4-year-old skunk, Flower.
Some of the other events listed at www.gerryrodeio.com include bareback bronco riding, an event which challenges the balance of the rider as one hand attached to a rigging strap is the only thing that keeps him on top of the bucking mount and not on the dirty ground below; bull riding, the most life-threatening of all the events as cowboy puts courage and skill against speed and power of a 1500 pound bull; and steer wrestling, a timed event where the cowboy leaps from his running horse to attempt to grab a steer’s horn and throw the beast to the ground. But the cowboys and cowgirls aren’t
the only ones who get to have all the fun. Children have their own events to participate in too. They include events where children get to imitate the cowboys and cowgirls by attempting to stay on the back of sheep, children chasing around calves to gather ribbons tied to the tails and a mass treasure hunt for nickels in the arena dirt. The Gerry Rodeo is located six miles north of Jamestown on Route 60. The show starts at 8 p.m. on Thursday thru Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children 3-12 years old. Children under 2 are free. Tickets
which combine the show and dinner are $20 for adults and $10 for children. A family pack which consists of 2 adults and 3 children is $35. If you buy pre-sale tickets, they are 10 percent off the total ticket price. There will be a church service on Aug. 7 at 9 a.m. Because the service is being held on the bleachers, participants are encouraged to bring a cushion or a blanket. If it rains, the service will move to the rodeo dining hall. For more information you can call the rodeo office at 716-985-4847 or visit www.gerryrodeo.org.