Chautauqua County Community Source 12/2/22

Thousands of Socks Collected for Those in Need During

Bring Your Young Ones to Audubon First Sunday Storytime December 4 – for Free

Dunkirk, N.Y., November 29, 2022- As the cold weather arrives, socks are the most needed but least donated item at homeless shelters and char itable giving programs. North ern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s SOCKTOBER Sock Drive strives to address this issue locally by collecting new socks of all sizes and dis tributing them to area organ izations throughout Chautau qua County that serve those in need.

NCCF is grateful for the on going SOCKTOBER partner ships with Agricultural Logis tics, Lake Shore Savings Bank, Cattaraugus County Bank, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the many generous in dividuals, clubs, churches, and classrooms that collected warm socks during the month

of October. The tremendous outpouring of sock donations resulted in thousands of socks being distributed to individu als needing them most.

Socks will be distributed through the following organ izations: Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition, Chautau qua County Rural Ministry, COI Transitional Independ ent Living Program (TILP), Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels, Kids at Promise, St. Gianna Molla Center, West field Food Pantry, and the YWCA of Jamestown.

For information on how you or your organization can get involved in Socktober 2023, please call (716) 366-4892 or email Eileen at eardillo@nc cfoundation.org.

Since its incorporation in 1986, the NCCF has invested

more than $18 million in northern Chautauqua County through strategic grantmak ing, targeted scholarships, and leadership and community collaborations. The NCCF is a tax-exempt charitable organ ization inherently committed to enhancing the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philan thropy. As a Nationally Ac credited Community Foun dation, the NCCF has proven compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, demonstrating integrity, equity, accountabil ity, transparency, and effec tiveness in meeting the needs of their community. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.

Jamestown, N.Y. – On the first Sunday of each month, you are invited to accompany your 2 –8-year-olds to Audubon Commu nity Nature Center for First Sun day Storytime.

On December 4, doors open at 12:20 p.m., with the free, na ture-based story time beginning at 12:30 p.m. The building fully opens at 1:00 p.m.

Children’s books are powerful tools to connect children to nature and establish a strong foundation for their educational journey.

With Claire Certo in the lead, children will go on literary ad ventures with animals, through habitats and seasons, and discover new things with every page.

Both the program and Sun day admission are free. Come for story time and stay to explore the indoor Nature Play Area, live an imals, and exhibits. Then go out side to enjoy the outdoor Nature Play Area and visit Soren the Red-

tailed Hawk.

Participation is limited to 15. Reservations are requested by Saturday, December 3. To reserve your space, call the Nature Center during open hours at (716) 5692345 or go to AudubonCNC.org and click through “Programs and Events.”

Walk-ins are accepted if there is room.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 River side Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike, snow shoe or cross country ski over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive dis plays, a collection of live ani mals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift

Shop. Visitors are welcome Mon days through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Build ing admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345, find Audubon Commu nity Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org, where you will find the most up-to-date COVID-19 Notice at the top of the page.

Audubon Community Na ture Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive out door experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsi ble ways.

Photo Submitted

December 4 is First Sunday Story Time at Audubon Community Nature Center. Storyteller Claire Certo leads the free 12:30 - 1 p.m. event for 2-8 year olds and their adults. Participants are welcome to stay afterward and explore the Nature Center building.

Photo Submitted

Stephanie Buck delivers socks to NCCF collected by Agricultural Logistics in Dunkirk for SOCKTOBER.

Around Town

Town of Stockton Christmas Lighting Contest

Town of Stockton Planning Board Town-Wide Community Christmas Lighting Contest (Includes the Village of Cassadaga; No Entry Fee Required). Applications are available at the Stockton, Cassadaga Libraries, or the Town Clerk's Office. Please return applications by 5pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Or you can enter by calling the Town Clerk's Office at 716-595-3192 ext. #1, or email willsm@netsync.net, or drop applications off at the Stockton Town Hall or the Stockton Cassadaga Library building, or book drop off. Contest judgin will take place at 6pm, on or after 12/19/2022.

Cookie Walk 12/17

Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 17th at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 4th & Lark Street, Dunkirk. From 9:00am - 1:00pm or sold out. Come walk through cookie lane and pick out your favorite HOMEMADE COOKIES. Last year we had over 60 different kinds of cookies, fudge & brownies. Oh so good!! If you can't come, please call 716-366-8421 or 716467-0283 to place your order and we will deliver to your door locally. Please leave your name and phone number if no answer. A limited amount of Italian Fig Cookies and Baklava are available, please call ahead to reserve. Cut-Outs & Assortment $12.00/lb; Italian Fig Cook ies $18.00/lb; Baklava $18.00/lb,

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Winter Village in Chautauqua

This holiday season, experience Chautauqua as we come alive with winter magic! Fri day through Sunday, December 16-18, the Winter Village showcases our picturesque grounds along with boutique shops, dining, spas, and other businesses to celebrate the joy and fellowship the holiday season brings. Come and enjoy family fun festivities across the grounds, including special events like Breakfast with Santa, beverages and snacks around cozy outdoor fire pits, local school choirs performing holiday music, a Reindog Parade, let ters to Santa, activities for kids and many more seasonal activities. Celebrate the warmth of the holidays with Chautauqua Institution. Learn more about all of the Winter Village events and shops at www.chq.org/winter.

Art & Business Luncheon December 7

The Fredonia Technology Incubator will host local art ist Thomas Annear for an Art & Business Luncheon in the Atrium of the SUNY Fredonia Science Center, at noon, De cember 7.

Thomas Annear has been working on a series of Plein Air paintings that commemorate the beauty and history of local farming villages for the past twenty years. He has attempted to depict the particular topography, weather pat terns, and natural resources of Western New York in these pieces. Conservation and environmental concerns have become increasingly important in his work as well. If you would like to view more of his work, please visit https:// www.thomasannear.com/home

December 2022 Computer Classes at the Dunkirk Public Library

Exploring Ancestry Library Edition December 6th

1:00pm-2:30pm

iPhone Features December 8th 1:00pm-2:00pm

Exploring Social Net works December 12th 12:30pm-1:30pm

Android Features December 14th 1:00pm-2:00pm

Exploring Ancestry Library Edition

December 15th 5:00pm-6:30pm

New Facebook Features December 20th 1:00pm-2:00pm

Learning About New Devices December 28th 10:00am-5:00pm

Miracle on Main Street in Fredonia This Weekend

Festivals Fredonia’s annual “Miracle on Main Street” festival is set for Saturday, December 3 from 10 AM to 7 PM, followed by a DJ street party in Barker Common from 7 PM until 9 PM!

But leading up to Miracle on Main Street is Small Business Week in the village! Visit as many participating shops as possible all week long to see what kinds of specials they will be having and get your official Miracle on Main Street “punch card” and brochure, listing all the participating businesses, and get it validated by the shops. Visit and get validated with at least half of the businesses, bring the validated “punch card” to Miracle on Main Street and hand it in at the Festivals Fredonia table for a special drawing for one of two $50 ShopLocalCHQ gift cards at the end of the festival!

Then, end a great Small Business Week with the “Miracle on Main Street” festival. After the FREE movie (must be accompanied by an adult), generously sponsored by Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, in the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center featuring “The Grinch” and a short parade, join us for the official lighting of the tree by Santa Claus! Come celebrate all of the MIRACLES of the holiday season in downtown Fredonia. Santa and Mrs. Claus come to town on this special day with activities and fun times for kids and the whole family including caroling, the official Village holiday tree lighting in the park with refreshments, food vendors, craft vendors, wineries, gingerbread decorating sponsored by The Cakery (fee) at the Fredonia United Methodist Church, donut decorating provided by Tim Horton’s, basket raffle, "Red Kettle Campaign", ugly sweater/shirt contests, little Santa’s helper contest, shopping and much more. A fun, family festival!

The MIRACLES throughout the day include:

The Miracle of SHARING (Salvation Army “Red Kettle” campaign; 10 AM – 3 PM)

The Miracle of THE HOLIDAY (Santa lighting the tree; 6 PM)

The Miracle of GIVING (Festivals Fredonia annual “Community Give Back” recipient – Great Lake FX)

The Miracle of GENEROSITY (All of those who generously support Festivals Fredonia throughout the year and during this special festival)

The Miracle of LIFE (ConnectLife community blood drive at the Fredonia Family Church; 10 AM – 2

PM)

The festival and events kick off at 10 AM with activities throughout Barker Common Park, Fredonia Grange No. 1 and Fredonia First Methodist Church.

The Fredonia Elementary Choir will be in the park and Fredonia Grange No. 1 at various times throughout the day, adding some holiday music to the festivities.

There will be a story time with Santa for youngsters at the Barker Library, story time with Mrs. Claus at the Next Chapter Bookstore (12 Park Place), Friends of Darwin R. Barker Historical Museum will be hosting a letter reading by none other than Mark Twain! There will also be gift bags at the Darwin R. Barker Library for children as well.

Craft vendors and kid’s craft time will be set up in Fredonia Grange No. 1 starting at 10 AM, visits with Santa will take place 1 PM – 3 PM. Festivals Fredonia is hosting a basket raffle in Fredonia Grange No. 1 as well; proceeds to go towards the annual “Community Give Back” program.

Additionally, there will be an “ugly sweater/shirt” contest and “Santa’s little helper” costume and coloring contest throughout the day. Be sure to register for the “ugly sweater/shirt” at the Festivals Fredonia table by 2 PM, register for the “Santa’s little helper” at A Spot & A Spell / Lady of the Lake (52 W Main St), and winners to be announced at 3:30 PM.

Brand new this year!!! We will be hosting a community “Hot Toddy” crawl along with the other festival activities. Grab a map of all of the participating businesses to guide you to the business and grab a hot beverage while shopping in town.

Businesses will have the Hot Toddy for shoppers on Saturday (12/3), 10 AM – 8 PM, and on Sunday (12/4), 12 noon – 4 PM!

There will also be kettle corn, food vendors, wineries, as well as family friendly menus at Domus Fare, along with Duper’s Restaurant serving free hot dogs to kids 12 and under. Attend the free movie at 4 PM and followed by the parade to deliver Santa to the gazebo.

Special thanks to all of our sponsors and donors. Donations for this event have been provided by Tim Hortons, WeatherHill Farm, Southern Chautauqua FCU and Fredonia Grange No. 1. Many thanks to the SUNY Fredonia women’s soccer team for their help and support. For more festival information and the list of events and times, please go to www.festivalsfredonia.org.

Roger Tory Peterson Institute to host the NSAA Holiday Show and Sale

The North Shore Arts

Alliance Holiday Show Includes Works by 22 Local Artists

Jamestown, NY –November 29, 2022 –

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute will host the threeday North Shore Arts Alliance Holiday Show and Sale Friday, December 2 through Sunday, December 4. The NSAA Holiday Show and Sale features works by 22 local artists and includes paintings, ceramics, stained glass, photography, jewelry, furniture, sculptures, and more. There is no cost to attend the show during RTPI’s regular daytime hours. You can also see the Holiday Show and purchase any of the artworks at RTPI’s Art After 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 2.

“Supporting local arts and promoting local artists is part of our mission to nurture the next generation of artists,” stated Arthur Pearson, RTPI’s CEO. “We are delighted to host the NSAA Holiday Show again this year and are excited that it is expanded to include so many talented and diverse local artists.”

The North Shore Arts Alliance works on behalf of artists in Chautauqua County. Their signature event is the ChautauquaLake Erie Art Trail, which occurs during Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend each year.

“This is our second year partnering with RTPI for a Holiday Show and sale and we are thrilled to return to this incredible venue,” stated Nancy Nixon Ensign, NSAA’s Chair for the event.

“All of the artworks displayed in the NSAA Holiday Show are available for purchase,” stated David Niles, RTPI’s Programs and Events Manager.

“So, if you are looking for locally made, one-of-akind gifts for the special people on your list, this show is the place to be.”

The NSAA Holiday Show and Sale will kick-off the holiday season at RTPI. The Lodge at RTPI will be decorated with holiday cheer, and the Snowy Owl Museum Store will be stocked with many options for your holiday shopping. Holidays at the Lodge will take place December 10 and 17 and will feature eight local choirs, bird ornament making, ginger bird cookie decorating, and of course, a visit both days by jolly Saint Nick. For more information about the NSAA Holiday Show and Sale, Art After 5, and Holidays at the Lodge, visit rtpi.org.

About the Roger Tory Pe terson Institute (RTPI)

Home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s work, RTPI is a leader for the study, ex hibition and nurturing of art that matters to the planet. Through world class exhibitions and pro grams, RTPI illuminates the beauty of nature; chal lenges us to confront en vironmental issues of re gional, national and global concern; and inspires us to preserve the earth’s biodi versity – with a particular emphasis on the natural area wonders of Western New York. Learn more about RTPI at rtpi.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About the North Shore Arts Alliance (NSAA) The North Shore Arts Alliance works on behalf of artists in Chautauqua County. The NSAA’s sig nature event each year is the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail, though NSAA helps create and promote a variety of arts-related events. The NSAA Mem bers will be featured in the Patterson Library Octagon Gallery from December 9, 2022 - January 6, 2023. For more information about NSAA, visit nsaachautau qua.org.

Photos Submitted

Puffin by Paul Schonhart

Photos Submitted Red-breasted Merganser by Nancy Wehr

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Snowy Bemus Point Pines by Melissa Meyers

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Winter Woods by Audrey Dowling

Opera House to Screen “The Grinch” FREE as part of Miracle on Main Street

FREDONIA – The 1891

4 p.m.

Union as part of the Miracle on Main Street celebration in Fredo nia, admission to the film is FREE.

Based on Dr. Seuss’ be loved holiday classic, “The Grinch” tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christ mas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning, it’s a uni versal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indom itable power of optimism.

Academy Award nominee

Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a soli tary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with in ventions and contraptions

for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neigh bors in Whoville when he runs out of food.

Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increas ingly bigger, brighter, and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides to pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

Meanwhile, down in Whoville, Cindy-Lou Who, a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer, plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christ mas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with

the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Rated PG for brief rude humor, “The Grinch” runs one hour, 25 minutes.

Free admission tickets are available only at the door on the afternoon of the show. Seating is limited to 400; and patrons are reminded that there is no food or drink allowed in the Opera House and that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-sup ported not-for-profit per forming arts center located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.

Festivals Fredonia is com prised of a group of commit ted volunteers who aim to contribute to a high quality of life in Fredonia and sur rounding communities by presenting lively, varied rec reation and cultural oppor tunities to Village and area residents. For the full sched ule of Festivals events, visit www.FestivalsFredonia.org.

Fredonia Opera House and Festivals Fredonia will pres ent the animated feature film “The Grinch” on Sat., Dec. 3, at

Sponsored by Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit