Grape Discovery Center Announces 2023 Opening

Rod Association Cruise-In on Saturday, July 22. All cars and clubs are welcome to register the day of the event. Guests can bring a chair and stay a while, listen to the music, purchase a variety of food items, wine by the glass or bottle, craft beer and slushies. It’s always a fun day. The event begins at noon and concludes at 4 p.m. Prizes for registered vehicles will be awarded.

Save the date for the annual Grape Belt Open Golf Tournament scheduled for Saturday, July 29 at Pinehurst Golf Club in Westfield. Additional information is forthcoming.

Westfield, NY – The Grape Discovery Center in Westfield will open for the 2023 season on Thursday, March 30 at 11:00 a.m.

Conveniently located beside a vineyard on US Route 20 just outside the Village of Westfield, the Center promises to delight visitors, young and old alike. The Stanley Star Family exhibit room tells the story of the evolution of the grape industry in the region. Sample wines produced in Lake Erie Wine Country in the tasting room. When warmer weather arrives, enjoy a grape juice slush or a wine slush. Outside, adjacent to the tasting room, is the Steve Baran Memorial Patio overlooking the escarpment where you can experience an up-close view of grape vines and a large vineyard. The wine bottle fountain adds a touch of relaxation for those choosing to sit and sip a spell. The gift shop offers an exciting variety of items not easily found in other local stores including locally made food products, Amish gifts, specialty candy, and gifts by local artisans to name a few. Local wines are available for purchase by the bottle in the wine shop.

The tasting room and patio are the perfect spot to rent for small groups or events. The Center has hosted business and club meetings, birthday and anniversary parties along with baby and bridal showers for up to 45 attendees. Contact the Center at 716-326-2003 for additional details.

A fun-filled season lies ahead beginning with the Center’s participation in the Lake Erie Wine Country (LEWC) “Chosen Treasures” event taking place throughout the month of April. Ticket holders may stop by the Center Thursday-Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. all month long. For additional information on this event, or to purchase tickets, visit https://

Grape Belt Seniors Upcoming Events

Come join us on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for our aerobics and weights class at the Masonic Lodge from 9:00am10:00am. You must be a member to attend and memberships are now being taken for 2023. Class is $1.00 each time you attend.

Day trips for 2023 are : April 19th going to West Side Market which has over 100 venders and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame which has 7 levels to explore. Leaving at 8:00am and returning at 8:00pm. This trip needs to be finalized soon so please call asap to get your seat.

June 8th we will be going to the Niagara Falls power vista, lunch is at the Top of the falls restaurant and we will embark on the Maid of the Mist boat tour. We depart at 8:30am and return at 5:00pm.

June 27th we are going to the Seneca Allegany Casino to see the Kenny Rogers Tribute show. You will get $20.00 in slot dollars and $10.00 towards food which you can use for the buffet that will be opened for the show. Leaving at 9:00am and returning at 5:00pm.

July 19th we will see the HIGH ENERGY musical comedy “Chicago Speakeasy”. This will be at the Erie Station Dinner Theater in Erie. On our way home we will be stopping at a local ice cream shop to enjoy an included sweet treat. Leaving at 9:00am and returning at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.

6:00pm.

August 9th we are going on a cruise in Pittsburg aboard the “GATEWAY CLIPPER FLEET”, a sightseeing cruise on the three rivers. We will have a fabulous luncheon buffet and the entertainment being “Women of Broadway”. Following our cruise we will be going to the IKEA store. We leave at 7:30am and return at 8:00pm.

September 7th we are off to the George Eastman Museum & Strong Museum’s Toy Hall of Fame. Lunch is included at the Shadow Lake Golf Club. We will make a stop in Batavia at the famous Olivers Candies. Leaving at 8:00am and returning at 6:30pm.

September 17th is our trip to Pittsburg to see the Yankee/ Pittsburg baseball game at 1:35. The seats are in section 114 right behind the Yankee dugout. There is a $15.00 food voucher included. We leave at 9:00am and return at 8:30pm.

October 7th we take a scenic route to the Windmill Craft & Farm Market in Penn Yan. There are more than 200 venders. Following that we will stop at the Oak Hill Bulk Foods, a specialty food store. We leave at 8:00am and return at 7:30pm.

All trips leave from behind Big Lots. Our trips are open to members and nonmembers.

To sign up for these trips or for more information call Judy at 716-672-5778.

Back by popular demand, the Center will host the Mother’s Day Wine Tea on May 6, 2023, from noon to 2:00 p.m. Moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and children are welcome to attend. Check the website at www. grapediscoverycenter.com/ events for more information as it becomes available. Seating is limited, so you will want to reserve your spot by purchasing a ticket in advance.

Thursday, June 15 the Center will host a Beach Glass Art Class. The class will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. so please arrive at 5:45 to sign in and get settled. The cost is $30/ person and final details will be posted on the website, www. grapediscoverycenter.com/ events where tickets will be available for purchase.

See amazing vehicles at the annual Lakeshore Street

The season’s schedule is still in the making, so be sure to check the website or follow us on Facebook for current information. As a non-profit organization, the Center is in need of volunteers. Do you have a few spare hours a month? Become a “Friend of the Center” by sending an e-mail to manager@ grapediscoverycenter.com. A reply to your message will include details on volunteer opportunities.

The Center is located in Westfield at 8305 West Main Street. Seasonal hours of operation are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Grape Discovery Center, owned and operated by the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Contact information: www. grapediscoverycenter.com. For event information: www. grapediscoverycenter.com/ events. By phone: 716-3262003. E-mail: manager@ grapediscoverycenter.com. Calls received after hours will be returned if a message is left including a phone number. Like us on Facebook.

Book Signing with Dr. Karla-La at The Next Chapter Bookstore

The Next Chapter Bookstore is happy to welcome local author Dr. Karla-La. Dr. Karla-La has written several children's books that are wonderfully illustrated and fun to read.

On Saturday, March 25, Dr. Karla-La will be signing her books from 1pm – 3pm. Copies of her books will be available to purchase.

Dr. Karla-La will be back in the bookstore on April 1st and April 8th from 1pm – 3pm with her newest book, “Water Rabbit”. The Next Chapter Bookstore is located at 12 Park Place in Fredonia and all proceeds directly benefit Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua Count. To learn, please visit https://www.lvccread.org/