THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD,
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 17 FREE
NY
Digital Edition online at www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
JUNE 28- JULY 3, 2013
Make Plans for a Great Summer in Ellicottville Fourth of July Weekend Filled with Crazy Fun for the Whole Family
by Jann Wiswall
© 2013 KEYSTONE DESIGNERS
With a whole lotta something for everyone, summer in Ellicottville is the place to be. Fireworks, music, art, car races, a parade, anyone? Let’s get this party started! Fireworks anyone? Let’s get the most important feature of this holiday — the fireworks — on your calendar first. If you schedule accordingly, you can enjoy pyrotechnic displays every evening at dusk from July 3–6. On Wednesday, July 3, pack the lawn chairs and head to Allegany State Park for its annual fireworks display at Quaker Beach. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with live music and great BBQ selections, or bring your own picnic. (www. enchantedmountains.com) On the 4th, you can check out the fireworks display at Bradner Stadium in Olean (www.oleanny.com) or at the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo on Sommerville Valley Road (www.ellicottvillerodeo. com), where fireworks will be part of the fun every evening from July 4-6. On Friday the 5th, there will be another fireworks display following the Demolition Derby and Monster Truck Exhibition at Little Valley Speedway. And, on the 6th, Holiday Valley’s fireworks display begins immediately following the Gretchen Wilson performance at the Ellicottville Summer Music Festival. The fireworks are visible from all around the area, so even if you’re not heading to the concert, you can enjoy them on your own terms from many locations. See Great Summer Fun page 11
Canadian to Run 104 Miles for Mental Health Awareness Teens and Young Adults at Greatest Risk By Jeff Martin
When Doug Flis comes running into Ellicottville on Sept. 14, he’ll be carrying with him all the necessary equipment for running long distances and the commitment to bringing awareness of mental health to everyone who will listen. Derric McElheney, director for Camp New
Horizons, an organization operated by the Mental Health Association in Cattaraugus County, will be there at the finish line. As one of Flis’s biggest supporters, McElheney is hoping that supporters of all ages show up in Ellicottville on Sept. 14. “There really needs to be more education on this issue,” McElheney said. Flis, who lives in Grimsby, Ontario, agrees. “Everyone knows someone who has been affected by this issue,” Flis said by phone. Flis has been running since the mid ‘70s as a way to improve his own health. When he got into charity running, Flis discovered that he could benefit not only himself but others. In the past 30 years, Flis has completed several long-distance runs benefiting charitable causes like the Heart and Stroke Foundation, children’s hospitals and Run for the Bus, which raised money for children in the Caribbean who cannot 104 Mile Run page 4
2nd Annual Ed Szpaicher Memorial Golf Classic It’s time for the second annual Ed Szpaicher Memorial Golf Classic on July 17, and spots are filling up fast.
You won’t want to miss the kickoff party on July 16 at The Ellicottville Depot with Freddie N’ Tuck playing your favorite tunes. Look forward to July 17 morning and afternoon shotgun starts. Sign up for a morning start and receive a free day pass to Holiday Valley’s pools. The day will flow into pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres poolside, followed by dinner on the second floor of the Holiday Valley Lodge. All net proceeds from the event will go directly to the Eddie Szpaicher Scholarship Fund, with awards going to deserving Ellicottville Central School college-bound graduates. Fees are unchanged this year: Tuesday party $25, dinner only $50, golf and dinner $100, and See Memorial Golf Classic page 11
Raccoon Rally Cycling Festival at ASP Road Race and Mountain Trial Bike Events
For cycling fanatics of all ages and all skill levels, the annual Raccoon Rally Cycling Festival is the place to be June 29-30, 2013. The
weekend-long event will be held at Allegany State Park’s Camp Allegany, in the Red House area. The action begins Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with a road race sanctioned by USA Cycling. Cyclists in this race will share state park roads with other vehicles in a 25-mile circuit. One-day USAC licenses for the race may be obtained on-site. Cyclists opting for more rugged terrain may be interested in mountain bike events throughout the weekend. Mountain bike trials will be held Saturday morning at Thunder Rocks. Cyclists of varying classes, including Beginner, Sport, Expert and Pro, will test out their skill against the unrelenting rocks. See Raccoon Rally page 4
ECS Board Reviews Capital Project Details
By Jann Wiswall
The ECS Board of Education will remain busy over the summer, despite the absence of students filling the halls. The capital project, in
particular, will be taking a lot of time as architects, ECS staff and school board members work to meet the Oct. 1 deadline to get final plans and a cost estimate to Albany for
approval. During the board’s meeting on June 25, Superintendent Mark Ward and Board Chair Roger Spell reviewed See ECS Board page 9
Trail Talk Ellicottville-Great Valley Trail Making Strides More Than $10,000 Donated This Month The Ellicottville-Great Valley Recreational Trail Fund received a huge shot in the arm in the last two weeks with over $10,000 donated by various contributors. Dave Riley, general manager at HoliMont Ski Resort, recently presented a check for $5,000 to See Trail Talk page 9