2018 December VOICE Newsletter

A monthly newsletter from the

Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce December 2018 Chamber Annual Meeting Highlights Importance of Collaboration The importance of working together was stressed during the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, held Friday, December 7 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. From the guest speaker’s presentation to the awards for coalition building, the need to building relationships to create success was top of mind.

David P. Hart, President and CEO of Hart Hotels was the guest speaker. A privately owned company based in Buffalo, Hart Hotels has more than 30 years of experience developing, operating, and managing hotels and restaurants. Its Harbor Hotel Collection features a portfolio of award winning hotels in Portland, Maine; Watkins Glen New York; and Clayton, New York.

The Inn at Diamond Cove is located on the historic site of Fort McKinley on Great Diamond Island in Portland, ME. Working with the Krog Group, Hart Hotels recently completed and opened the new $38-million Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron.

This world-class destination hotel and conference facility is located on and pays tribute to the former Celoron Amusement Park, which closed decades ago leaving a vacant nine acre site on the lake shore. Mr. Hart talked about building successful partnerships, such as the Hart and Krog alliance for the Celoron project, as well as trends in the hospitality and tourism industry and the economic and environmental factors that go into consideration before a development.

Chamber President and CEO Todd Tranum said, “We are proud to have the new Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in our community and equally proud to be able to have Mr. Hart provide a keynote address for our Annual Meeting. His success in business over the years and new investment in Chautauqua County will provide valuable insights for all sectors of our business community.”

Two local women who have helped to spearhead Young Professional movements in Chautauqua County will be honored with this year’s Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award from the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. Monica Kemp-Simpson of Dunkirk and Simone Sellstrom of Jamestown will jointly receive the award during the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Friday, December 7 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. Ms. Kemp-Simpson is Incubator Program Manager at the Fredonia Technology Incubator. Ms. Sellstrom is an Assistant Professor and Director of Media, Visual, and Performing Arts; Communication Coordinator at Jamestown Community College. They have each worked diligently to organize young professionals to build networks and professional relationships to enhance their communities. The award is named in memory of the first President of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, Pam Lydic, who worked diligently to bring together a number of smaller Chambers of Commerce around the county to work collectively for the benefit of all businesses and communities.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors for 2019 was confirmed. Board Chair Brian Bugaj of Nestle Purina PetCare will hold that position again in the coming year. The Vice Chair once again will be Fred Johnson of Johnson Estate Winery, who also serves as the representative for the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber. Neil Frederick of Bush Industries will become Secretary, and Matthew Churchill of Water Street Brass is stepping up to become Treasurer. Immediate Past Chair is Curt Anderson, e-commerce consultant, will continue to

Calendar of Chamber and Chamber Member Events 12/11 - Noon, Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs Monthly Lunch, Shorewood Country Club

12/13 - 4:30pm, Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs Holiday Networking, Merritt Estate Winery

12/14-15 - Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, The Nutcracker, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts

12/15-16 - Winter Village at Chautauqua

12/15 - 1-4pm, Decorating with Greens Make and Take, Audubon Community Nature Center

12/15 - 1pm, Live at the Met, La Traviata, 1891 Fredonia Opera House

12/15 - 7:30pm, Wits & Giggles Stand Up Comedy, Northwest Arena

12/16 - Christmas Bird Count, Audubon Community Nature Center

12/21 - 5-7:30pm, Solstice Bonfire, Audubon Community Nature Center

12/27 - 10-11:30am, Christmas with the Critters, Audubon Community Nature Center

12/29-31 - Winter Village at Chautauqua

12/31 - Las Vegas New Year's Eve Celebration, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel

provide leadership and oversight to the organization. Mr. Anderson hosted the meeting in place of Mr. Bugaj who was called away for business purposes.

Other board members returning are Virginia Horvath of SUNY Fredonia, Kris Maytum of DFT Communications, Michael Pucci of Pucci’s Carpet One Furniture, and Emily Reynolds of Cornell Cooperative Extension. Joining the Chamber for the first time this coming year is Heather Brown of The Resource Center. Other representatives for Community Chambers are: Dunkirk, Elizabeth Booth of JCC North who is new to the board; Fredonia, David Dengler of Larson-Timko Funeral Home returning to the board; Hanover, Rick Klisiewicz of Ecolab, new to the board; Jamestown, Vicki McGraw of Elegant Edibles Catering returning for a second year; and Mayville-Chautauqua, Sally Andriaccio of Andriaccio’s Restaurant returning for another year.

The Chamber also recognized some long time members who have stepped down from the Board. Ann Abdella of the Chautauqua Health Network is retiring from her board service, as is Kelly Borrello of Cabana Sam’s who represented the Hanover Community Chamber and Michael Pease of The Chautauqua Center who represented the Dunkirk Community Chamber.

Our Annual Meeting is sponsored by DFT Communications with additional support from E. E. Austin & Son, Inc., Lake Shore Savings Bank, Northwest Arena, OBSERVER, The PostJournal, and M & T Bank.

JCC and Manufacturers Work Together on New Scholarship Building partnerships is essential to address today’s complex challenges. Workforce development is one of those challenges. Simply put, we have employers that can’t find workers. Our region, New York State and the rest of the nation have been hit by a retirement tsunami. The lack of a workforce is holding our economy back from meeting its full potential. Specifically, manufacturers in our community are having to turn away contracts because they don’t have enough people to do the work.

To build the workforce of today and tomorrow, organizations will have to collaborate in new ways and reinvent strategies and approaches to getting people trained and into the local workforce. To that end, Jamestown Community College (JCC) and the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST) have gathered input from manufacturers in the region to design the Workforce Readiness Scholarship. Students who qualify for this scholarship will receive a tuition-free education at JCC as well as be connected with an employer who will provide either a paid internship, part-time employment or an apprenticeship.

The workforce readiness scholarship can be used for programs offered through JCC’s Manufacturing Technology Institute (MTI) including: Industrial Equipment Technology certificate, Machine Tool Technology certificate, Welding Technology certificate and degree, Mechanical Technology degree and the Computer Aided Design & Computer Numeric Control certificate.

Today’s manufacturing is state-of-the-art, high-speed, and high-tech. Manufacturing careers pay well and provide good benefits. The Workforce Readiness Scholarship is a great opportunity for individuals interested in entering a manufacturing career in the region. The training and education provided through MTI at JCC will prepare individuals for a great career.

We are asking our community; specifically potential students, parents, grandparents, educators, counselors, and local leaders, to give us a call. Give us a call if you know someone who is interested or if you personally want to learn more about the Workforce Readiness Scholarship. For more information contact Jeff Teluk, Director of Engineering

Science and Technology at Jamestown Community College at 338-1324 or email jeffteluk@mail.sunyjcc.edu. You may also visit www.sunyjcc.edu/wrscholarhip.

Manufacturers interested in participating in this effort should call Tim Piazza, Talent Pipeline Manager / Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, at 483-1833 or email tpiazza@mast-wny.com.

Winter Can Be Fun! The Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau recently released a video they call Embrace the Lake Effect, and we couldn’t agree more. If you see winter as nothing but a chore it’s going to be a long haul for a few months. But with so much to do here in the winter there is certain to be something that will be to your liking, even if it’s just a pleasant evening by a fireplace sipping locally produced wines.

The ski season is now officially underway at Peek’n Peak, including snowboarding and tubing. With more snow on the way it won’t be long until snowshoe and cross country ski opportunities are available at Long Point State Park, the Audubon Community Nature Center, and other locations, and snowmobiling is just around the corner.

Right now you can also enjoy the Winter Village at Chautauqua Institution, where special lighting displays illuminate Bestor Plaza and weekends include special events and performances for the whole family. Admission and parking are free. To learn more visit winter.chq.org.

Plans are underway for the annual Presidents Day Weekend Winter Festival at Lakeside Park in Mayville coming up February 15-17. If you would like to volunteer or help sponsor this tremendous family-friendly event please contact the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce at 753-3113.

A new winter festival is also in the works this year as the new Chautauqua Harbor Hotel will launch its inaugural Fire & Ice Celebration February 14-16, featuring custom carved ice bars, ice sculptures, music, food, and fireworks. To become a sponsor or learn more contact the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel at 4892800.

So visit one of our great outdoor gear stores and stock up on coats, hats, and mittens, then get out and enjoy winter while we have it!

Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce holds Annual Appreciation Dinner at Shorewood Country Club The Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce held its annual Appreciation Dinner at Shorewood Country Club Thursday November 8th. The program included key note speakers, Wilfred Rosas and Rebecca Yanus, Director of Development for the City. Both officials spoke about recent accomplishments in the City and upgrades to facilities and Parks. Mayor Rosas also spoke to the crowd of 2019 plans including plans to increase retail business in the Central Avenue Corridor. Ms. Yanus indicated movement in industrial growth with some new business in the former Cliffstar headquarters and increased employment opportunities. Also spoke about the housing and water district projects that will improve the quality of life for area residents. A question and answer period followed with brisk discussion with attendee’s.

The National Comedy Center Executive Director, Journey Gunderson was also featured.

She spoke about the direction of the Center from its opening in August and the projected numbers that have been established for the Center. She said the goals have been met and the projections have been exceeded in visitations since opening their doors. Ms. Gunderson, also spoke about many of the opportunities she has to speak about the Center on the national spotlight, including a morning promotion on the Today Show. The New York State TV commercial also highlights the National Comedy Center, and visitation from all parts of the world are expected at the Center.

The Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce also introduced its 2019 slate of officers includingPresident elect Elizabeth Booth of the JCC North Campus Director, vice president Michael Pease, CEO of the Chautauqua Center, Ellen Luczkowiak, Treasurer, from Key Bank, Branch manager, Westfield, and Meredith Patton, Secretary, The Observer. CCCC President

Give the card that supports local business. Call the Chamber at (716) 366-6200 or (716) 484-1101 to learn more.

Chamber members are always invited to submit news articles and photos for publication in our monthly online VOICE newsletter. Please email written submissions to: swebster@chautauquachamber.org no later than the 25th of the month for publication the following month.

thanked all for attending, and the evening was capped off with several items being raffled off courtesy of local chamber members including, DCCC, JCC North, The Fredonia Technology Incubator, Key Bank and Fredonia Opera House.

Event sponsors include: Bart’s Cove, City of Dunkirk, Dressed to Impress Doggie Spa, First Priority Mortgage, Graf Realty, Hall’s Hometown Insurance, Lake Shore Savings Bank-Dunkirk Branch, Main St. Wine and Spirits, Matt’s News, Ralph’s Pennzoil and The Chautauqua Center.

Photo Caption: Pictured are David Kleparek, DCCC Coordinator: Mayor Wilfred Rosas; Rebecca Yanus, City Director of Development; Journey Gunderson, Executive director of the National Comedy Center; and Michael Pease, 2018 Dunkirk Chamber Board President.

Westfield Wine Bottle 2019 After a successful year with the #WestfieldFish project, the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce will be back in the workshop again in 2019. Join the fun in the coming year as we celebrate our grape and wine industry! We will be cutting the shape of a wine bottle in honor of the community's grape heritage.

If you would like to reserve a cut out for the coming project please contact Chamber Coordinator Sue Poster by phone at (248) 830-6058 or by email at sposter@chautauquachamber.org. The cost is $20 per cut out. Watch the Westfield-Barcelona Chamber Facebook page for more information early in the New Year.

Two Lake Studios Opens in Mayville Two Lakes Studios at 38 South Erie Street in Mayville recently cut the ribbon to open its doors. Owner Carrie Tredo calls her business “An ecclectic shopping experience featuring fine art, furniture, home decor and affordable gifts. Also offfering classes in a variety of mediums.” Ms. Tredo is shown cutting the ribbon surrounded by family, friends, local elected officials, and Debby Marsala, Mayville-Chautauqua Chamber Coordinator.

Craft Cottage of Chautauqua Relocates Craft Cottage of Chautauqua recently re-located. The business which began in Ashville is now located at 1975 East Main Street in Falconer. Owner Stephanie Green noted that the move provides additional space and more functionality. Craft Cottage of Chautauqua is a specialty gift shop with all items made in Chautauqua County, specializing in Chautauqua County souvenirs, including locally made food items, jewelry, tee shirts, textiles, candles, wood items, seasonal items, and more. Vendor space is available for products made in Chautauqua County. Weekly craft classes also offered.

Shown is Ms. Green cutting the ribbon, surrounded by friends, vendors, and local elected representatives.

2019 Renaissance Block Challenge Applications Available The Renaissance Block Challenge (RBC) program will be available in 2019 for the ninth consecutive year. Sponsored by Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC), the RBC encourages groups of neighbors to collaborate on exterior improvements to their properties in order to boost confidence in Jamestown's neighborhoods and inspire others to reinvest. Since 2011, 45 neighborhoods have participated in JRC's Renaissance Block Challenge with 450 property owners investing more than $1.3 million in exterior improvements and repairs.

In the past, all neighborhoods in Jamestown had the opportunity to apply for this grant. In 2017, a Housing Market Analysis and Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy study was performed by czb LLC. This study suggests focusing on specific areas of the city for housing revitalization. After many discussions with community partners, including Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI), Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation (CHRIC), Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation, the City of Jamestown, and local foundations, the area around Allen Park and UPMC- Chautauqua was chosen as the 2019 target area. (See map) Property owners in the target area who wish to participate in the 2019 RBC need to form a neighborhood cluster with a minimum of five property owners that can include homeowners, landlords and businesses. Once a group is formed, the preapplication process can start.

Pre-applications for property owners will be available on JRC's website jamestownrenaissance.org, under "Healthy Neighborhoods'' starting Saturday, December 1st. The preapplications will be due Friday, February 15th, 2019.

Each property is eligible for a match up to $2,000 to facilitate their exterior projects.

Projects funded in the program include painting, porch repair, soffit repair, sidewalk repair, new mailboxes, exterior lighting, front-yard landscaping, front doors/windows, driveways, driveway aprons, and gutters.

Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers as well as discounts on coordinated purchasing of materials, services, and design.

The RBC pre-applications will be reviewed, and invitations to the final applications will be announced in March. In the final applications, participants outline exterior improvements they wish to complete and skills they can bring to projects in their cluster.

The neighborhoods with the best chance of being approved for the program are those that can demonstrate a commitment to cultivating strong communication between neighbors and a shared sense of identity so that momentum gained in 2019 can be carried forward and result in a sustainable impact on the community.

"While the Renaissance Block Challenge financially assists homeowners with curb appeal improvements to their properties, the real benefit is an increase in pride of ownership within each of these neighborhoods," says Mary Maxwell, JRC's Neighborhood Project Associate. "And on top of that, and more importantly, there is an increase in communication among the neighbors."

Block parties, neighborhood sales and group participation in volunteer activities become annual events.

Learn more about the Renaissance Block Cluster application process by attending one of the informational workshops (see the facts box). All the workshops are the same. Interested property owners only need to attend one, not all. Attendance is not required but it is highly recommended.

Funding for the Renaissance Block Challenge program is being provided by the John Alfred and Oscar Johnson Memorial Trust and The Lenna Foundation, with support from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation.

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation makes Jamestown better through inspiration, action, and celebration. For more information on Jamestown Renaissance Corporation's neighborhood projects, please visit www.jamestownrenaissance.org, or email mary@jamestownrenaissance.org.

JRC Announces 2018 Storefront Holiday Decorating Contest Winners Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) has announced the winners of the annual Downtown Jamestown Storefront Holiday Decorating Contest. The contest began in 2015 as a way to encourage business owners in downtown Jamestown to dress up their businesses for the holidays and to increase the curb appeal for visitors shopping and eating downtown during the holiday season. 25 businesses participated in 2018 and were judged by members of the Jamestown area community.

"Congratulations to the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, our first place winner! There were many beautiful windows this year.

Thank you to all of the businesses who decorated, and thank you to all of the judges for volunteering their time to carefully check out each window," said Kristy Kathman, Deputy Director for JRC. "Between the window decorations, the tree in Tracy Plaza, and the decorations on the streets, downtown Jamestown looks very festive!"

The second place winner was Crown Street Roasting Company, and third place went to The Jamestown Gazette. Each business that participated in the holiday decorating contest had a chance to win an advertising grant from the JRC and Jamestown Up Close to use in the coming year ranging from $1,000 to $250.

"Our staff is very excited to have won this year's Storefront Holiday Decorating Contest! We would like to thank all who voted for our window this year and to all the other businesses who participated with their beautifully decorated windows. So many businesses came out and decorated our town so beautifully for the season to come! Our staff looks forward to this event every year as it really gets the town into the holiday spirit," said Sarah Snavley, Retail Coordinator for the Museum. "This contest is a huge team effort and I couldn't have asked for a better team to help me decorate it. Thank you again, Jamestown and Happy Holidays from the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum and the National Comedy Center!"

The storefront decorating contest ran from November 30 to December 9. The People's Choice award was determined via Facebook vote which ran from December 3 to December 9.

Patient's Pharmacy won the People's Choice award, and chose The Cherry Lounge as the place they would like to receive a $100 lunch voucher to for their staff.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation makes Jamestown better through inspiration, action, and celebration. For more information on Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, please visit www.jamestownrenaissance.org or call 716-489-3491. You can also learn more about the organization by joining their Facebook page.

Photo Caption: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, 1st Place Winner

Taste NY Invites Farmers and Buyers to Grow Business and Support Local Buying at New Food and Farms Business Expo Networking Event Delivers on Promise to Connect New York Farms with New Markets Taste NY invites New York State’s diverse agricultural producers and its wide array of buyers to join its new Food and Farms Business Expo taking place Thursday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Michael’s Catering and Banquets in Hamburg.

The Western New York Food and Farms Business Expo is one of five business networking events held across the State that were created to link food, beverage and farm businesses with local buyers, such as area restaurants, universities, among others. The business-to-business event will give vendors the opportunity to showcase, market and sell their products onsite, while allowing buyers to sample and purchase high-quality goods that are grown and made in New York.

State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Ball said, “This regional business-to-business expo is the latest in a series of networking events connecting New York farms, food and beverage producers to distributors and buyers from institutions, retail locations, restaurants, and bars. We thank Governor Cuomo for supporting these exciting events, first announced in his 2018 State of the State address. We also thank our partners for sponsoring these expos, which help match businesses and institutions interested in buying local with farmers and producers in their regions.”

The free event, which is organized and sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership Chamber of Commerce and Taste NY, is open to buyers, retailers, restaurants, markets, schools, institutions and distributors, as well as farmers, food and beverage producers, brewers, cider and wine-makers, and distillers.

Participants will have the opportunity to sample locallyproduced foods and beverages while learning about various crops and commodities grown in the area, as well as where and how to purchase those foods. The networking events are intended to help farmers and agricultural producers grow their businesses and encourage hotels, restaurants, bars, retail locations and institutions to purchase local products.

Registration is required. Details for the events follow.

Western NY Food and Farms Business Expo Thursday, December 13, 2018 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Michael’s Catering and Banquets 4884 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, NY Participants must have businesses located in Niagara, Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. For more information and registration, call 716-541-1770 or email cjaniga@thepartnership.org.

The event is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, X, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

New York State boasts a thriving agricultural industry, with topnotch growers and producers of a wide array of food and drinks, including dairy, maple, cheese, meats, apples, Concord grapes, craft beverages and wine. The Western New York Food and Farms Business Expo is the latest Taste NY-sponsored Business-toBusiness networking events taking place across the state in 2018.

The first event was held in the Finger Lakes, and additional events in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region and Long Island were held this fall.

The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition since it was created in 2013. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the State and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. It has also helped the farms and companies participating in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and, in many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Taste NY’s food and beverage businesses also support the State’s farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products.

New York products sold under Taste NY branding are available in more than 70 locations throughout the State as well as the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Grant Funded Health & Safety Training Opportunity The Jamestown Community College (JCC) Center for Continuing Education (CE) plans to submit a request to the NY DOL Hazard Abatement Board for an Occupational Safety and Health Training Education grant. JCC is offering local organizations the opportunity to participate in the grant application for the 20192020 year. When assessing safety training needs, please keep in mind activities, if approved, occur within a year after submitting the grant application.

The Hazard Abatement Board awards grants for programs that provide occupational safety and health training for public and private employers, labor organizations, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and trade associations. Eligible programs must train and educate workers, supervisors and/or employers and must promote workplace accident and injury prevention. The effective dates of activities covered by the grant need to occur between 8/1/2019– 7/31/2020. Safety training, safety assessments, and/or safety program development are eligible to be included.

If we are successful with this application, the DOL HAB grant will cover all instructional costs. Your organization will be responsible for employee release time, development costs (if applicable), and any travel expenses. This grant funding makes receiving quality safety training truly affordable.

JCC will be the lead agency (designated as the “grantee”), and the sole training provider. Any grant-related administrative duties will be handled by JCC, including all required paperwork.

Please complete this brief survey regarding the types of safety training you feel are most appropriate for your organization, along with the number of employees who will attend: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/MYSC88L For more information contact Grant Umberger, Director, Center for Continuing Education, at (716) 338-1005.

NCCF Open House Celebration!

Over 50 community members gathered at the Fredonia Technology Incubator on Friday, November 16, to celebrate Community Foundation Week with Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation board members, staff, and volunteers. It was a pleasure to meet with members of our nonprofit organizations and personally deliver to them their Community Grants Program award checks.

A total of $93,311 was awarded in grants to the following 17 local nonprofits:  Chautauqua County Agricultural & Fair Association, Dairy Barn Painting Project  Sheridan Historical Society, Roof-Painting Campaign  Fredonia Fire Department, Community CPR/AED Training Program  Chautauqua Works, Healthcare Talent Pipeline Internship Project  1891 Fredonia Opera House, Marketing & Capacity Building Project  Northlake Family Recreation Center, Parking Lot Resurfacing Project  Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue, Post-Adoption Program Support  Citizens for a Better Cassadaga, Basketball Court Gates & Maintenance Equipment  Fredonia Technology Incubator, Multimedia Innovation Design Studio Project  Salvation Army, Front Entrance Renovation & Lighting Upgrades  YWCA of Jamestown, Supervised Visitation Program in North County  BOCES Educational Foundation, Academy at Maple Avenue Greenhouse Project  Children’s Safety Education Village, MacBook Pro Laptop  Centaur Stride, Nature Trail Expansion Project  Village of Silver Creek, Historic Village Fountain Repairs  Lakeshore Humane Society, Feral Cat Spay & Neuter Project  Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, Internet-Phone System Installation & Program Support The winner of our Be a Philanthropist contest at the event was Mary Woelfle who chose the Lakeshore Humane Society to receive her $25 grant.

Congratulations!

Photo Caption: Lakeshore Humane Society volunteers showing their gratitude for their 2018 fall Community Grants Program grant!

Come to Audubon’s Christmas with the Critters Thursday Morning, December 27 As a special treat during the holidays, you are invited to join Audubon Community Nature Center animals to celebrate the holiday season with a live animal program, unwrapping of gifts, a behind-the-scenes Liberty tour, and an optional craft.

Christmas with the Critters is Thursday, December 27, 10-11:30 a.m. You will meet some of the animals up close during a presentation, and you can even touch some of them. You will learn more about their lives, natural history and habits. After the

program, the kids can help the animals – since they don’t have thumbs – open the presents for Audubon. The morning concludes with an option of making a craft for wildlife that you can either leave at Audubon or take home to your own wild critters. A behind-the-scenes tour and visit with Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle, is part of the program, so come prepared to spend about 15 minutes outside.

Admission to the party is $8 for adults, $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 3 to 15, and free for children two and under. Instead of cash admissions, you may bring a wrapped gift per person from those listed on tags on the Giving Tree in the lobby of the Nature Center. You may stop in and pick up a tag or call (716) 569-2345 during business hours and a staff member will pick a tag for you and tell you what is on it.

Reservations are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. You can register online through the Programs page at auduboncnc.org or by calling (716) 569-2345 during business hours.

Photo caption: Audubon Community Nature Center’s annual Christmas with the Critters will be Thursday morning, December 27. After you enjoy a live animal program, you can open gifts for Audubon’s animal ambassadors and make a present for wildlife.

Be Part of a National Program: Count Birds in Warren or Jamestown, December 15 or 16 You are invited to count birds as part of a nationwide science project to analyze winter birds across the continent. On Saturday, December 15, in Warren and Sunday, December 16, in Jamestown you can join a dedicated crew of local bird watchers who take to the roadways, woods, and backyards to see how many birds and species they observe.

Audubon Community Nature Center is supporting National Audubon Society’s 119th Annual Christmas Bird Count. The first bird counts were organized to draw people away from traditional Christmas bird hunts, when groups went out to shoot raptors (birds of prey) for entertainment. This citizen science project has been gathering local information on bird populations since the 1940s to create a better local and national understanding of winter birds.

Newer birders are paired with experienced birders to go out to different parts of the region to count birds. Different count options are available, from backyard birdfeeder watching to hiking out through the woods. The count continues regardless of the weather.

Participants must be able to identify the birds, or be willing to go with a person who can do so, and to report using the protocol. Once assigned a location, you can spend as little or as much time as you want on the count day, but this will be a part

of the reporting.

Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle and is organized by a count compiler. Volunteers follow specified routes, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It is not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher.

If you live in the Christmas Bird Count circle, you can also help by filling your feeders and then keeping a list of the birds you observe on the counting day.

To participate in the Warren count on December 15, contact Don Watts at (814) 723-9125 or (814) 730-9204. To participate in the Jamestown count on December 16, you need to make reservations by Sunday, December 9, with Bill Seleen at (716) 499-4204.

For more information, call Audubon Community Nature Center at (716) 569-2345 during business hours or go to the Events page at auduboncnc.org.

Photo caption: You can be part of a national contribution to conservation by joining Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count in Warren or Jamestown on Saturday or Sunday, December 15 or 16. A bird like this Blue Jay would be easy to spot, especially against a snowy background. To be assigned a count area in Jamestown, you need to make a reservation a week in advance.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at Audubon Community Nature Center on Friday, December 21 You are invited to celebrate the longest night of the year at Audubon Community Nature Center on Friday, December 21, 57:30 p.m. The winter solstice has long been observed in many cultures around the world. The longest night of the year symbolizes winter, but also the returning of the light as the days begin to lengthen. You can cheer on the lengthening days with a bonfire, snacks, and a reflective hike.

Audubon will have a bonfire blazing at the Urban Pavilion on the west side of the property. A naturalist will lead a reflective hike through the nighttime trails.

Snacks and warm drinks are provided to warm cold fingers and spark conversation and laughter.

Come and celebrate the season in a down-to-earth fashion

before the whirlwind of the holidays embraces you. Be prepared to walk a quarter mile outdoors to the bonfire site and dress for the weather.

The fee for participating is $4 for adults, $3 for Nature Center members and children 3-15. and free for 2 and under.

Reservations are appreciated; walk-ins are welcome. For more information and to make reservations, visit the Programs page at auduboncnc.org.

Photo caption: You are invited to enjoy a bonfire, snacks, and a reflective hike in celebration of the winter solstice on Friday evening, December 21, at Audubon Community Nature Center.

Make a Holiday Decoration at Audubon, Saturday Afternoon, December 15 You can make a table decoration or swag with natural greens when you visit Audubon Community Nature Center on Saturday afternoon, December 15. Stop in anytime between 1 and 4 p.m., and you will be provided with all the greenery and materials you need to make a holiday feature for your home.

Whichever winter holiday you celebrate, natural objects make festive, inexpensive, and easy-to-find décor. You can create something of your own design and take home a unique holiday decoration that you made yourself.

This self-guided activity is fun for all ages. Fee is $3. No reservations are required.

While you are at Audubon, be sure to check out the Blue Heron Gift Shop, where you will find a great selection of stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and more.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. The threestory Nature Center building contains interactive displays, a collection of live animals, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop; hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m. The 600-acre wetland preserve with more than five miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and Liberty, the non-releasable Bald Eagle, can be visited from dawn until dusk daily.

Photo caption: Stop in at Audubon Community Nature Center on Saturday afternoon, December 15, and for a small fee you can make your own holiday decoration to take home with you.

New Attraction at Audubon Nature Play Day on Saturday Morning, December 15 Audubon Community Nature Center’s Nature Play Days are always fun, but this month will be special.

On the third Saturday morning of every month children ages two to eight and their favorite adults can drop in Audubon’s Nature Play Area anytime between 10 a.m. and noon. Children can explore unstructured outdoor play in a safe environment while their grownups learn how to continue the nature play experience at home.

This month participants will have the opportunity to scramble all over the most recent addition to the Nature Play Area: a climbable concrete turtle that weighs about 1500 pounds.

The 12-foot long creature was a gift from Mike Whitmire, the owner of Whitmire Outdoor Living in Starbrick, Pa., who designed, constructed, and delivered the turtle himself.

Unstructured play outdoors is beneficial to a child’s physical and mental development as well as their understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Unfortunately, concerns about safety, location, materials and the value of play are often barriers in creating these experiences. This program aims to inspire both kids and adults to make discoveries and feel more comfortable about the natural world through play.

Adults are required to stay with their children, and they may want to bring a chair, snacks and water or a drink. Children need to be prepared to play outside, wearing clothes and footwear that can get wet and dirty. You may want to bring an extra change of clothes or a towel for the car ride home.

While Nature Play Day is planned for rain, snow, or shine, in the case of severe weather, the program will be cancelled; call (716) 569-2345 to confirm.

Thanks to a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Legacy Funds from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Nature Play Days are free.

Reservations are appreciated and can be made through the Programs page at auduboncnc.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

Photo caption: The children at Audubon Community Nature Center’s next Nature Play Day on Saturday morning, December 15, will find a 12-foot long turtle in the Nature Play Area. The concrete creature was given to Audubon by its creator Mike Whitmire, owner of Whitmire Outdoor Living in Starbrick, Pa.

Skate for a Cause at Northwest Arena Toys for Tots Public Skate Takes Place This Sunday, December 9 Chautauqua County’s Toys for Tots campaign returns to Northwest Arena this Sunday for a Public Skate fundraising event.

The event will be held on the Shults Auto Group rink and will run from 1:30-4:30pm. The Public Skating fee of $7 per person and $2

for skate rentals will be waived if a toy is brought in for donation.

The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The Toys for Tots organization helps over 2,400 kids each year, and the Northwest Arena is proud to participate in such an incredible campaign.

For more information, please call 716.484.2624, visit www.northwestarena.com, or stop by the Northwest Arena’s Landmark Chevrolet Box Office. Don’t forget to follow the Northwest Arena on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates and information on upcoming events.

More Photos from Recent Chamber and Member Events

Right: Delicious foods provided by Andriaccio’s Restaurant and Revereie Creamery at the MayvilleChautauqua Chamber Business After Hours at the Chautauqua Amphitheater

Above Chamber Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing Below: A champagne toast for the ribbon cutting at the new La Quinta in downtown Jamestown

Below: Hanover Chamber Holiday Networking Mixer at Merritt Estate Winery

www.chautauquachamber.org 10785 Bennett Road, Dunkirk, NY 14048 (716) 366-6200 512 Falconer Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 (716) 484-1101