2018 february voice

A monthly newsletter from the

Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce February 2018 Presidents Day Weekend Winter Festival in its 31st Year The Presidents Day Weekend Winter Festival, taking place February 16 – 18, 2018 at Lakeside Park, Mayville NY, will include winter fun for the whole family. Hours of the festival are Friday, Feb. 16th at 6 p.m. (opening ceremonies), Saturday, Feb. 17th from 10 a.m. – after the 8 p.m. fireworks, and Sunday, Feb. 18th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Many events and activities are planned to take place festival weekend.

Contests with cash prizes will take place again this year. Westfield Dodge City, Westfield NY, will sponsor the Snowball Distance Throwing Contest, being held Saturday, Feb. 17th at 3 p.m. North Shore Specialties, Mayville, is sponsoring the Lego Creation Building Contest during festival weekend, with the judging taking place on Sunday, Feb. 18th at 4 p.m. The Children’s Snowman/Animal Building Contest, sponsored by Andriaccio’s Restaurant, Mayville, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18th during the day, with the judging scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Beauty Boutique, Mayville, will sponsor the Children’s Golf Ball Race on Sunday, Feb. 18th at 1:30 p.m.

The Festival Logo Scavenger Hunt, again taking place for the 2018 festival, is sponsored

by Northwest Savings Bank, Mayville, and will be held the entire month of February. Entry forms are available by going to the Mayville Winter Festival Ice Castle, February 2014 Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce and Presidents Day Weekend Winter Festival Facebook pages, emailing to the chamber office at dmarsala@chautauquachamber.org, or calling the chamber office at (716) 7533113. Entry forms can also be obtained at participating chamber member scavenger hunt sites Webb’s Candies, Webb’s Cottage Collection, Lighthouse Grocery, 3 Seas Recreation, Reverie Creamery, Crosby’s (Mayville), M & T Bank (Mayville), Town of Chautauqua offices, Northwest Savings Bank (Mayville), Village of Mayville offices, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (Welcome Center at Chautauqua Institution), Mayville Auto Parts, Mayville Hardware, and Chautauqua Bookstore (Chautauqua Institution). For scavenger hunt sites not open during the weekend (banks and municipal offices), the logo will be placed so that it can be viewed from outside the building. Complete instructions are included in these entry forms.

The Polar Plunge, organized by Family Health Medical Services, and benefiting the Food Bank of Western New York, will be held at the festival on Saturday, Feb. 17th at 2 p.m. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. inside the tent. Prizes have been donated this year for participants of this year’s plunge. The participant who raises the most funds will win a full day’s boat rental from Smith Boys of Chautauqua Lake.

Participants who raise a minimum of $250 will be entered to win a one-night stay at Webb’s Resort in a king room with Jacuzzi bath and private balcony. Participants who raise a minimum of $50 will receive an Official Polar Plunge T-Shirt. All participants will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gas card provided by Crosby’s and a one-pound box of assorted chocolates provided by Webb’s Candies.

For information on the Polar Plunge and for entry forms, go to the 2018 Polar Plunge Facebook page or call (716) 753-7107 (Ext. 100). Entry forms contain the details to participate. (continued next page)

Calendar of Chamber and Chamber Member Events

2/2 - 7pm, Jamestown Jackals at JCC Physical Education Center 2/3 - Snowflake Local Living Festival, Audubon Community Nature Center 2/3 - 11am, Six Faces of WWII, Robert H. Jackson Center, Jamestown 2/5 - Jamestown Community Chamber Salute to the Finest, 6pm, Shawbucks Press Room 2/8 - 6pm, Civil Service Test Prep, JCC Continuing Ed, Jamestown Campus, Call (716) 338-1005 2/8 - Fredonia Community Chamber Annual Banquet, 6:30pm, Fredonia Beaver Club 2/9 - 7pm, Jamestown Jackals at JCC Physical Education Center 2/15 - 7pm, Diavolo, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts 2/16-18 - Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber Presidents Day Weekend Winter Festival, Lakeside Park, Mayville 2/23 - 7pm, Jamestown Jackals at JCC Physical Education Center 2/25 - 4H Green Tie Dinner, 5pm, Chautauqua Suites 2/25 - 4pm, Jamestown Jackals at JCC Physical Education Center 2/26 - 6:30pm, Shawbucks, Rolling Hills Radio Featuring Tom Paxton 3/2 - 12 noon, Chamber of Commerce Federal Congressional Luncheon with Congressman Tom Reed, Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center, Mayville 3/3 - 9am, Civil Service Test Prep, JCC Continuing Ed, Jamestown Campus, Call (716) 338-1005

(continued from page 1) On Saturday, Feb. 17th (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Sunday, Feb. 18th (12 – 3 p.m.), Vince the Tree Guy of Sherwood Arts (Vince Liuzzo) will present a chainsaw demonstration at the festival. He will be completing a one of a kind polar bear sculpture that will be raffled off on Sunday, Feb. 18th at 3 p.m. to also benefit the Food Bank of Western New York, with tickets available inside the tent.

We would like to thank our festival sponsors: Major sponsors The Media One Group, Town of Chautauqua, Douglas Crane Service LLC, Clark Patterson Lee Design Professionals, Village of Mayville, Northwest Savings Bank; Platinum sponsors 3 Seas Recreation, Lictus Oil and Propane, Uncle Jack’s Saw Shop, Lakeview Hotel/The Docks Restaurant, M & T Bank, Smith Boys of Chautauqua Lake, Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant/The Cottage Collection, Gold sponsors Digitell Inc., Jeff Lang Enterprises, Jamestown Awning, Webb’s Resort/Webb’s Candies, Andriaccio’s Restaurant; and Silver sponsors Chautauqua Abstract Company, Portage Hill Gallery, “A” Automotive, Johnson’s Village Pharmacy, Lake Chautauqua Memorial VFW Post 8647, Ezra Weise, Andriaccio’s Restaurant, Irwin Bay Cottages, Hogan’s Hut, Empire Energy E&P, Mayville Auto Supply & Parts, Chautauqua Area Real Estate, Chautauqua Ironworks, North Shore Specialties Refinishing, Raymond Downey, and Guppy’s Tavern. Thank you for your patronage of this festival in its 31st year.

Business After Hours at EBC West February 22 The Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce and Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend an Experience Chautauqua Business After Hours networking event at EBC West, 34 West Main Street, Fredonia. This event will take place from 5-6:30pm on Thursday, February 22.

You can enjoy appetizers and a cash bar. Bring a business card to be eligible for door prize drawings. The cost is just $13 for preregistered Chamber members or $15 for nonmembers or walk-ins at the door. To register, call the Chamber at (716) 366-6200 or sign up online at www.chautauquachamber.org/events.

Chamber Encourages Support of 4-H Businesses that help to support the annual Chautauqua County 4-H Green Tie Affair will be eligible to win a $200 Shoptauqua Gift Card from the Chamber of Commerce this year. Those that purchase a $200 table sponsorship for the event will be entered into a drawing to be held at the event, Sunday, February 25 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville.

The 4-H Green Tie Affair is a major fundraiser for Chautauqua County 4-H, helping to support a variety of youth development programs including workforce development in agriculture and other areas. For more information about sponsorship or about 4-H programming in Chautauqua County, contact Kate Ewer or Emily Reynolds at Cornell Cooperative Extension at (716) 664-9502.

Chamber Congressional Lunch March 2 Mark your calendar now to attend the annual Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Federal Congressional Luncheon on March 2. This annual event will be held at Chautauqua Suites Meeting and Expo Center, 215 West Lake Road, Mayville. We encourage Chamber members and the public to come with questions for Congressman Tom Reed during this event.

The Chamber’s Federal Congressional Luncheon is sponsored by: Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Fredonia College Foundation, Jamestown Mattress Company, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and UPMC Chautauqua WCA. Advanced registration is appreciated. To register, call the Chamber at (716) 484-1101 or (716) 366-6200 or visit our website at www.chautauquachamber.org/events.

Westfield-Barcelona Chamber Hosts “Fish” Contest Just as Buffalo proudly displays its bison statues and Saratoga displays its horses, the Westfield area community will soon be known for its fish in recognition of its proximity to the tremendous fishing waters of Lake Erie. The Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce is taking orders for blank fish cutouts, which will be decorated and displayed throughout the community this coming summer. The fish dimensions are four by two feet, and 48 of them are available for organizations to purchase at a cost of $15 each. Then it’s up to the purchaser to decorate their fish however they see fit, and to make sure it’s weather-proof for outdoor display.

The decorated fish will be kept secret until they are unveiled on Friday, June 1 – the opening First Friday of the 2018 season. They will remain in place for the summer or until they are worn out or damaged. Businesses can display their fish project in front of their location, and others who don’t have a storefront will be given a designated spot.

Locations of each of the fish will be numbered and mapped to encourage people to move about the town and village, and ballots to vote for favorite fish will be available for 25cents each at First Friday on June 1. The winners of the contest will be announced later in the summer.

Anyone who wants to reserve a blank fish can get more information from Sue Poster, Community Chamber Coordinator, at sposter@chautauquachamber.org. Purchased fish will be delivered in February.

Rick Huber Praised at Mental Health Association It was a community-wide celebration on Friday, January 26 when the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County (MHA) honored Rick Huber on his recent retirement.

As Board President Carm Micciche explained, “The MHA Board of Directors, the Advisory Board, and the staff wanted to hold this retirement recognition to honor and thank Rick for his many years of commitment, dedication and selfless service to the Mental Health Association.” It was under Huber’s leadership that the MHA became a peer-run organization in 2005.

Live music by Vince Micciche and Photo caption: Live music, helium balloons, and an array of edibles made for a party atmosphere when the Mental Health Dalt Berringer and helium balloons in Association in Chautauqua County (MHA) celebrated the contrithe MHA’s blue and yellow colors butions that now-retired Rick Huber made to the welfare of the made for a festive party atmosphere. community, reducing stigma associated with mental health, and fighting the local opioid epidemic. Huber is pictured here The array of edibles included a large with (from the left) MHA Executive Director Kia Narrawayfruit tray donated by Brigiotta's, a Briggs, Board President Carm Micciche, and Advisory Board decorated cake and cheese tray Chair Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney. donated by A Fresh Start, and cookies and other treats provided by members of the Board of Directors.

MHA Executive Director Kia Narraway-Briggs welcomed everyone then introduced Chief Fiscal Officer Jenny Rowe. Rowe shared messages from staff members that began, “There has not been a day here at the MHA that Rick had not put his full heart into. Each one of us cannot express how your simple and kind words gave us hope. You believed in this place, in us, when nobody else did, and for that, we are more than grateful.”

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Carm Micciche dedicated the sensory room in Huber’s honor. The wood plaque she presented features the Mental Health logo bell and the inscription “Welcome to Rick’s place: dedicated 2018 in honor of Rick Huber.” It is now displayed over the doorway to the space created by Jamestown Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program students.

Advisory Board Chair Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney expressed “a great big thank you to Rick for his inspiration, courage and passionate and persistent advocacy on behalf of individuals and their families. He worked tirelessly through the years and nurtured the MHA though many difficult times. Rick has brought the MHA to where it is now, a successful and appreciated organization.” (continued next page)

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.

(continued from page 3) Dr. Ney recognized and welcomed to the podium a number of community representatives: Lori Cornell on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, Jacqueline Chiarot-Phelps on behalf of Congressman Tom Reed, County Executive George Borrello, former County Executive Vince Horrigan, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, Judges John LaMancuso and Michael Bobseine, Chautauqua County legislator Elizabeth Rankin, and Kathy Swanson for Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene Director Patricia Brinkman.

After reading a proclamation from New York State Senator Cathy Young and a message from Chautauqua County Director of Health and Human Services Christine Schuyler, Dr. Ney expressed appreciation for their support to Tory Irgang and Lisa Lynde of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Amy Rohler and Krista Camarata of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, Linda Swanson of the Sheldon Foundation, and to the Lenna Foundation.

MHA Advisory Board Vice Chair Dale Robbins spoke of Huber’s importance in the community’s coming to recognize the extent of the local opioid epidemic. He quoted Linda Swanson as pointing out that “Rick was the canary in the mine” and gave examples of Huber’s being aggressive in sending his message.

When it was the guest of honor’s turn to speak, Huber said he was truly humbled by the outpouring for him. He wants others to “love everyone who comes through the door, love God, and love yourself,” noting that the only difference between himself and the staff and participants is “time and recovery.”

Huber closed the event by giving a plaque to Dr. Ney inscribed “In Honor of Dr. Lillian Ney for her ongoing support and dedication to the MHA.” Other MHA Advisory Board members are Leanna Luka-Conley, Dr. Betsy Kidder, Jim McElrath, Jr., Christine Schuyler, Harry Snellings, Todd Tranum, and Michelle Hammond Turner. Other Board of Directors members are Vice President Mary Keeney, Secretary Marie Anderson, Treasurer Robert Tomb, Ian Eastman, Peggy Hallberg, Lindsey Isaac-Lopus, Sharon Lawson, Kimberly Lombard, Heather Panczykowski, and Patrick Slagle.

The MHA works in collaboration with local treatment providers, other non-profits, community-based partners, and treatment courts to empower individuals in attaining their goals.

In an accepting environment, it provides recovery coaching by certified peer specialists as well as support groups and classes.

There is no charge for any of the MHA’s services or programs.

The Mental Health Association is located at 31 Water Street, Door 14, in the rear of the Gateway Center, in Jamestown, New York.

To learn more about the MHA and its many programs, call (716) 661-9044 or visit mhachautauqua.org or facebook.com/ MHAChautauqua. A list of support groups and classes is at mhachautauqua.org/services.

Anyone with questions or in need of services for themselves or a family member is welcome to call or stop in. Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Audubon Community Nature Center President Ruth Lundin Retiring One of the bright lights in the region’s community leadership is ready to pass her professional torch to a successor.

Ruth Lundin, President of Audubon Community Nature Center (ACNC) for almost two decades, has told Audubon’s Board of Directors that she will retire as soon as they secure her replacement.

Coming from the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm near Dayton, Ohio, Lundin was selected from among 68 applicants. She assumed her responsibilities at ACNC in March, 1999, and in the years since, Audubon has flourished under her leadership.

A few of the highlights over these years include: the welcoming of Liberty, a non-releasable Bald Eagle, to the Nature Center; the expansion of the education staff and thousands of hours logged annually by volunteers; the development of the Education Master Plan and expanding education programs throughout Chautauqua and Warren Counties; growth to more than 35,000 individual contacts each year, including over 1000 programs for nearly 17,000 student contacts; and the formal adoption of the Audubon Community Nature Center name, with its accompanying new mission, vision, and belief statements, slogan, graphics, and website.

Lundin also served on the Board of Directors of the national Association of Nature Center Administrators, including a term as president.

Of her decision, Lundin said, “I am excited with the direction and the strength of Audubon Community Nature Center. We have excellent people at all levels of the organization – members, volunteers, staff, and Board of Directors. With the many opportunities that exist, I am confident that the organization is well positioned to flourish. Taking a leap forward requires energetic, creative and insightful leadership, dedicated to the long-term vision for the organization. It is a perfect time for a new person to begin the transition to the next phase.”

The ACNC Chairman’s Award is presented annually to a person or organization that has demonstrated exemplary service in nature education. At the 2013 Annual Dinner and Volunteer Recognition, Lundin received this award for her unflagging support of all things Audubon.

Lundin concluded, “I have always said that Jamestown was the first place I have ever lived where I had the strong feeling that ‘This is home. I want to retire here.’ It is now time for me to exercise that opportunity.”

Audubon Board Chair Pierre Chagnon said, “The Board of Directors has formed a Search Committee composed of board members, staff, and key Audubon volunteers. We are charged with the responsibility of finding an extraordinary person to carry on Ruth’s legacy of leadership to the organization and in the community. It is our honor to help celebrate Ruth’s upcoming retirement!”

Chagnon said the Search Committee’s goal is to have the job posting complete and distributed by mid-January, when it can be found on Audubon’s website, auduboncnc.org.

With more than five miles of beautifully maintained trails, Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside

Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. Its three-story building contains interactive displays, a collection of live animals, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop.

Caflisch Pallet Celebrates 25th Anniversary Dan Caflisch was raised and worked in the family business known as Caflisch Lumber Company, started by his great grandfather more than 100 years ago. After the business dissolved in the early 90’s, Dan followed the family tradition of entrepreneurship, and Caflisch Trucking and Construction Inc. was founded. The early years of his business involved hauling freight for local companies in the area.

As months passed, he noticed the need for wooden pallets in the manufacturing areas of Chautauqua and Erie Counties. It was then that Dan chose to grow the corporation into a pallet manufacturing and recycling facility, and with these new services the company emerged with a new name: Caflisch Pallet and Wood Services.

The firm’s beginning was a simple operation: including a flatbed truck, two employees and a small piece of land. Today the manufacturing facility is 35,000 square feet and employs over 25 dedicated and hardworking employees, and serving over 100 customers in the tristate area. The firm also offers healthcare and retirement plans to those who choose to participate. Services include building new, reconditioned, and heat treat certified pallets, in addition to specialty and custom-built wood items.

As a leader in the wood recycling industry, Caflisch Pallet & Wood Services is strongly committed to “green initiatives” to protect our environment. We are very proud of our pallet recycling success. Roughly 60 percent of the 25,000 pallets produced on a weekly are recycled. Approximately 90 percent of our pallets that are reclaimed for recycling are successfully made back into pallets. The remaining 10% served a purpose of mulch.

When it comes to our customers, we make every effort to respect our client’s needs and establish a trusted working relationship. The pressures and demands of today’s fast-paced manufacturing industry can be enormous. Meeting tight deadlines, creating custom and innovative solutions often result in passing a savings onto our customers. The overall quality of pallets we sell and making our customer service a priority has allowed us to continually grow the business, stay competitive and retain our reputation as a major supplier in the tristate area.

Owning a small business in New York State remains challenging. We continue to grow our business, always looking for safe and new improved processes. With each and every day there

are learning experiences and hurdles to get over. In 2017, our specialty business, which includes custom boxes and industrial lumber has exceeded expectations and has forced us to become more innovative and we’re excited about plans for a 2018 expansion.

Dan takes great pride in what he’s created, attributing much of the company’s success to creative thinking, good old fashioned hard work, and the support of his loving wife and family. He believes in community, strong relationships and loves the area he lives in.

Chautauqua Art Gallery Opens in Lakewood Chautauqua Art Gallery opened its doors for the first time on January 27, celebrating the occasion with a ribbon cutting and reception.

Community members gathered with Lakewood Village Trustees, Mayor Cara Birrittieri, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, Senator Cathy Young and a representative from Tom Reed's office at noon for the ribbon cutting followed by brief remarks by proprietor Leslie Calimeri, Senator Young, Assemblyman Goodell and Mayor Birrittieri. Later in the evening patrons were treated to live music provided by Infinity Performing Arts.

“My husband Joe and I are overjoyed by the support we received from our community and local dignitaries during our opening reception.

We are thrilled to be starting a new business in Lakewood. I’m looking forward to showcasing our talented regional artists and images that highlight the beauty of Chautauqua County.” said proprietor and artist Leslie Calimeri.

In addition Leslie’s paintings of local landscapes, the gallery is currently displaying prints by Photojournalist David Munch, handcrafted jewelry by Karen Schiavone and handmade knits by Lindsay Porter. A portion of the proceeds from Lindsay’s knits are donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the National Parkinson Foundation.

The newly renovated gallery is located at 104 Chautauqua Avenue in the heart of Lakewood. Regular winter hours are Monday and Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment.

More information about Chautauqua Art Gallery is available on their website at https://chautauquaartgallery.com, by phone at (716) 753-6296, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chautauquaartgallery/

Brookdale Lakewood Sponsors Senior Sweetheart Contest Brookdale Lakewood is pleased to announce our annual collaboration with the United Senior Council and Chautauqua County Office of the Aging to present our 6th Chautauqua County Senior Sweetheart Contest. This special county wide contest is driven by the community to recognize one individual for their service, talent, commitment, achievement, or overall positive impact on their family, friends, and the community we live in.

All nominees must be at least 70 years young or above and reside in Chautauqua County.

They must be nominated by contacting, Lisa LaRusch Piazza, Sales Manager at Brookdale Lakewood. She can be contacted at 716-665-2414 or Lisa.Piazza@brookdale.com .

Nominations can also be mailed to her attention at 220 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, NY 14750. All entries are due by Tuesday, February6th.

Brookdale Lakewood, 220 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, NY will be hosting a special community recognition reception on Tuesday, February 13th at 2:00 PM where Becky Blum, from the Office of the Aging will be crowning the 2018 Chautauqua County Sweetheart Winner. This year’s 2018 Sweetheart will be eligible to receive a package of gifts worth over $ 500.

Entertainment and complimentary refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the crowning. Please RSVP to attend to 716665-2414 by Monday, February 12th.

If you would like to learn more about the Brookdale Lakewood Senior Living Community, please contact Sales Manager, Lisa LaRusch Piazza at 716-720-2935 or stop in for a visit at your convenience any time. Brookdale Lakewood is a unique community offering four styles of apartments to choose from and personalized service plans that will cater to individual needs of seniors seeking assistive living.

JCC Continuing Ed Offers Civil Service Test Preparation Would you like to be better prepared for a civil service examination that is being offered? Are you currently employed, but your job requires you to take a civil service exam? If you answered yes to either ques on, take this workshop where participants will familiarize themselves with effective strategies to perform well on civil service examinations. Topics covered include: format of civil service exams, test taking techniques, and anxiety management.

The instructor is Kay Young. She has over 30 years of experience as a facilitator of workshops on test‐taking and learning strategies. Using an interactive approach, participants will develop an individualized plan to maximize their performance in testing situations.

The course will be offered February 8 from 6-9pm and March 3 from 9am-Noon at the Carnahan Center on the JCC Jamestown Campus. The cost is $49. For more information or to register, call (716) 338-1005.

Jamestown Jackals Season Underway The Jamestown Jackals basketball season is underway.

Proudly presented by #IntegrityFirst, Inc., the focus is on teamwork and providing hope to the community through the game of basketball. Sponsors can help send underprivileged youth to the games. For more information about sponsorship, contact Kayla Crosby at kayla@jamestownjackals.com. Home games are played at the JCC gymnasium and are scheduled for: February 2, 7pm; February 9, 7pm; February 23, 7pm; February 25, 4pm; March 4, 5pm; March 18, 3pm; and March 23, 7pm.

Jackson Center hosts Program Featuring Six Area Vets The Robert H. Jackson Center, a non-profit dedicated to promoting liberty under law through the examination of the life and work of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson and its relevance to current events and issues, will host a program entitled “Six Faces of WWII,” a video presentation of personal stories related by six area World War II veterans. Robert H. Jackson Center President Susan Moran Murphy made the announcement.

These veterans’ stories have been preserved through the Defenders of Freedom project which recorded interviews with over 225 local veterans conducted by Greg Peterson, co-founder and board member of the Robert H. Jackson Center and the driving force behind the project. The program will be presented at the Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. 4th Street, Jamestown, NY, on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at 11am. Veterans, spouses, family, and friends are encouraged to attend. The program is open to the public and offered free of charge through the sponsorship of the Robert H. Jackson Center, Fenton History Center, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, and the Chautauqua County Veterans Service’s Dwyer Program.

The presentation uses filmed interviews and archival footage to provide a vivid portrayal of the veterans’ experiences. The six local veterans featured were selected by Phil Zimmer, who assisted with the “Defenders of Freedom” project. Zimmer is a veteran and local historian who has written extensively on WWII for numerous nationally distributed journals and magazines. “The half dozen veterans I chose were among those whose stories personally resonated with me,” noted Zimmer. “Others with equally compelling wartime experiences could have been singled out as well.”

Conrad King is one of the veterans featured in the “Six Faces of WWII” video presentation. “It was a miracle,” is the way Conrad King described his WWII experience when a Japanese bomb exploded in his eight-man gun position aboard the USS South Dakota. The seven other seamen died but King escaped without a scratch, which he attributed to divine intervention. He and the others aboard the 680-foot long battleship went on to conclude the war watching the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri in Tokyo harbor.

Dominic Spitale, a marine, was shot in the neck by a Japanese sniper and miraculously found alive later in a pile of dead

Americans. He was shipped stateside for extensive rehabilitation.

Airman Lester Bishop was shot down over France and captured by the Germans before being eventually freed by advancing Soviet troops toward the end of the war. Decades later, Bishop’s voice cracked with emotion as he discussed his wartime experiences and brushes with death.

One of the more colorful and comprehensive interviews was with Anthony Costanzo who fought across North Africa, in Sicily, and on D-Day with the Army’s “Big Red One” division. “Costanzo’s memories of getting Italian troops to surrender in North Africa, his time with his Sicilian grandmother after the fighting had ended on that island, and his views on Generals Mark Clark and George Patton are well worth hearing,” Zimmer adds.

Other featured veterans include Vivian Taylor, an AfricanAmerican draftee who describes his wartime experiences in a segregated U.S. Army, and Angelo Zanghi who discusses his service aboard the USS O’Bannon in the Pacific.

All of the individual Defenders of Freedom interviews are available on the Robert H. Jackson Center YouTube channel and on Chautauqua County TV’s Access Channel 5 website, https:// accesschautauquacountytv.org/shows/defendersOfFreedom.

Living Healthy Program Offered at Fairway Pointe Living Healthy, a six week chronic disease self-management program, will be offered at Fairway Pointe, 2123 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, on Tuesdays, February 27-April 10 from 1-3pm.

An evidence-based program created by Stanford University that helps individuals better manage their chronic health conditions such as heart disease, obesity and diabetes, this sixweek workshop series is highly interactive, focusing on selfmanagement skills, sharing experiences and support. The program helps participants: find better ways of dealing with pain and fatigue; discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy; learn the appropriate use of medications; improve nutrition; talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals; understand new treatment choices; and feel better about life.

The class is provided at no cost to participants and is sponsored by the Chautauqua County Health Network. Preregistration is required. To register or learn more call (716) 3380010. Class size is limited, please call today!

MetLife Products through Chamber/MAST We are often asked by members and their employees who have enrolled in MetLife products through the Chamber, “Do I get an insurance card?” or “Where can I review benefit information?”

MetLife will not mail cards and plan information to you, however, you can go online, register, and get access to plan information and print cards. Visit www.mybenefits.metlife.com.

The Association/Group is Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce (not your employer.) You will be asked to Register Now to setup personal login credentials. On this site you will also be able to search for in-network dental and vision providers for your MetLife plan. If you have any additional questions about your plan or accessing your coverage information from MetLife, please contact Kevin Sixbey, Director of Insurance Services 716-484-1101.

Save the Date: Tech and Manufacturing Expo June 19 The 2018 Technology and Manufacturing Expo will be held June 19, 2018. This is a great opportunity for manufacturers to showcase their company, network with other manufacturers in the region, build their supply chain and identify new customers. This event highlights additive manufacturing including 3D printing, 3D scanning and 3D CAD. The expo will include a wide variety of manufacturing related vendors showcasing safety, automation, tooling, hydraulic & pneumatic technologies and customized machine building. For more information contact Steve Myers at Allen Industrial Sales at 716-581-0321.

Doors Open Jamestown Success Another successful Doors Open Jamestown brought over 1,000 people downtown on Saturday, January 20. Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) and Jamestown Up Close would like to thank all of the participating attractions, restaurants, retailers, and most importantly the people that came out to support the event. JRC would also like to thank the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce for their continued sponsorship Each of the 16 attractions in the Greater Jamestown Area provided free admission and distributed enough giveaways to create a free raffle at each location. Each attraction drew their own winner and presented them with their prize.

This was the first year of an additional Photo Caption: (L to R) Lauren Johnson, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce; Lisa Hatch, Jamestown raffle to encourage Renaissance Corporation; Kevin Karr, raffle winner; participants to spend Steve Trapani, Discount Discs - Collector's Paradise; money downtown or Michael Streed, DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown; at the attractions they Brandon Wade, DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown are visiting. "We wanted everyone to realize they just received a great day of free entertainment and then take advantage of their savings to buy a souvenir or tickets from an attraction, a meal from a locally owned restaurant, or a great gift from one of our downtown retailers," said Zach Agett, Marketing and Events Manager at JRC. The winner of this raffle was Kevin Karr of Jamestown, who turned in a receipt from Discount Discs - Collector's Paradise.

Kevin's prize included a one night stay at the new DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown, slated to open this summer, a $50 Shoptauqua Gift Card courtesy of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, $50 to a restaurant of his choice, and $50 to a retailer of his choice. Kevin elected to receive his gifts from Brazil and Discount Discs - Collector's Paradise.

At Jamestown Renaissance Corporation we make Jamestown better through inspiration, action, and celebration. Keep an eye out for Doors Open next year, and continue to support our local attractions, retailers, and restaurants. For more information on JRC special events email zach@jamestownrenaissance.org.

Please welcome our newest members AAA 24-Hour Heavy Duty Road Service 111 West Fifth Street, Jamestown www.aaa.com (716) 488-1981

Alzheimers Association WNY Associations/Organizations/Nonprofits 2805 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville www.alz.org/wny (716) 626-0600

Bayview Retirement Services Financial & Investment Services 415 West Fourth Street, Jamestown www.bayviewretirement.com (716) 338-0410

Chautauqua Art Gallery Art Gallery 104 Chautauqua Avenue, Lakewood www.chautauquaartgallery.com (716)753-6296

Concord Spell Binders/Chautauqua Talks Toastmasters Service Club 40 Rosalyn Court, Fredonia 716-672-2662

Eventz by Scott Household & Estate Sales 31 North Main Street, Jamestown www.eventzbyscott.com (716) 720-0564

J & S Signs of W.N.Y., Inc. Billboards 3696 Straight Road, Fredonia (716) 467-1498

Stewart's Mayville Hardware Equipment Rental 53 South Erie Street, Mayville (716) 753-2621

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