THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD,
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 18 FREE
NY
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
JULY 3 - 11, 2013
July in Ellicottville: Fun Times for All By Jann Wiswall
Ellicottville has pulled out its red, white and blue to keep the patriotic theme and festival atmosphere going this weekend for visitors and residents alike. Folks of all ages will find more than enough to enjoy, whether you’re into fireworks, concerts, art shows, rodeos, car races, shopping, quiet picnics or all of the above. The Ellicottville Summer Music Festival, July 4–7, is the biggest event of the summer, where art and music are featured at Holiday Valley and throughout the village.
Ellicottville Summer Music Festival Schedule
© 2013 KEYSTONE DESIGNERS
July 5: The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. with an evening of comedy sponsored by Jamestown’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. Stand-up comics Tammy Pescatelli and Tony Deyo will keep you rolling in the aisles during their performance billed as “Mountain of Laughs, a HILLarious Event.” July 6: Tons of activities are on the schedule in the Village all day, beginning with the annual Arts & Crafts Show on Jefferson Street from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. At 11 a.m., take a break from shopping to watch the annual Pet Parade down Washington St. Dogs, goats — anything goes. It’s a sight to behold! From 3:30–5 p.m., inspirational musician Will Lowry will perform selections from his newly recorded album “Fragments” during a free concert at the Village Gazebo. Then at 7 p.m., head over to Holiday Valley for the festival’s feature concert starring country music great Gretchen Wilson, with an opening act by the band 90 West. July 7: The Arts and Crafts show continues from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. From noon to 3 p.m., make your way to the Gazebo for the
2013 New York State H.O.G. Rally at the Valley 1,200 Expected to Rumble into Town
By Sue Whistler
Holiday Valley Resort will be going “hog wild” this summer when they host the 2013 New York State H.O.G. Rally. The theme for this year’s rally is “Enchanted Mountain Thunder … Ride all Day, Rumble all Night.” H.O.G. stands for the Harley Owners Group and represents an enthusiastic, diverse group of Harley-Davidson owners, who get together
every year to share experiences from the road, tell tall tales about the Harley “that got away,” promote safe motorcycling and just have fun. Every Harley dealer across the country has a H.O.G. chapter and each state holds its own annual H.O.G rally. Tim McKeever, marketing manager at Gowanda Harley-Davidson, said, “This is all See H.O.G Rally page 9
2nd Annual Golf Classic at HV July 17 Honors Memory of ‘Big Ed’ Szpaicher
By Eva Potter
The second annual Ed Szpaicher Memorial Golf Classic is right around the corner so be sure to get in on action. The event will kick off with a party on
Tuesday evening, July 16 with Freddie N’ Tuck playing crowd favorite tunes at The Ellicottville Depot restaurant. With a personality and generosity as big as Eddie’s, it’s no wonder Ellicottville will never forget Big Ed Szpaicher. “My dad would have been so honored to be a part of an event like this and I know that he is always watching over us helping us along the way. We are looking forward to another great event this year,” said Ed’s daughter, Mila Szpaicher Clauss. Golf begins Wednesday with morning and afternoon shotgun starts. All morning shotgun players will receive a complimentary day pass to enjoy the pools at Holiday Valley, so plan See Memorial Golf Classic page 11
Big Changes in the Works for Ellicottville
By Jann Wiswall
Second Quarter Review If you haven’t been in Ellicottville in awhile, you might be seeing and hearing about some changes that have been in the works. Some changes relate to area infrastructure, others relate to your favorite resorts and businesses.
Transportation Improvements Getting here will be getting easier with two major highway construction projects that are underway. The first is the longawaited road improvements along the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86) between Salamanca and Steamburg. This stretch of roadway has
been the source of public consternation and front-end alignments for several years. Pothole work, bridge repair and overpass improvements have already begun. Be prepared for some temporary lane closures. Most work is scheduled to be completed this year. See Big Changes page 11
Celebrate Rich Cultural Heritage
Seneca Casino Veterans Pow Wow
By Sue Whistler
After one of the most reluctant springs in recent memory, summer is finally here and with it a wide assortment of cultural festivals and country fairs. If you’re looking for something a little different that doesn’t involve
carnival barkers and pie eating contests, check out the 24th annual Seneca Casino Veterans Pow Wow. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about our area’s oldest native culture and have a lot of fun in the process. The 24th annual Seneca See Veterans Pow Wow page 9
Comedian Tammy Pescatelli Headliner at ‘Mountain of Laughs’ This Friday By Stephanie Keis Timblin
Sponsored by the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival and appearing Friday, July 5, comedian Tammy Pescatelli, winner of Comedy Central’s Stand-up Showdown and finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing 2, will be the headliner for “Mountain of Laughs” at Holiday Valley Resort during the Summer Festival of Arts.
Ellicottville Times (ET) had the opportunity to chat with Tammy last week. Raised in a large Italian household in Cleveland, Ohio, three hours west of Ellicottville, Tammy said she has “always loved comedy.” At the age of 12, she would watch legendary comedians Rodney Dangerfield and Eddie Murphy on VHS tape See Pescatelli page 11