Chautauqua County Community Source 12/9/22

Audubon Little Explorers Look “Under the Snow”

Saturday, December 10

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Audubon

Community Nature Center

(ACNC) Little Explorers, 3 to 8-year olds and their favorite adults, will do their detective work “Under the Snow.” Un der the snow and the frozen ground, the natural world is still full of life. Chipmunks and mice tunnel under the blanket of snow, frogs and ot ters either sleep or search for food under the icy ponds, and predators use their senses to find prey through these frozen layers.

Little Explorers investigate this snowy world under their feet by examining clues and identifying evidence of ani mals. After a short indoor les son, they will take their win ter detective skills outdoors to search for evidence of those winter inhabitants, including holes, trails and food. A snack is provided after the hike, and a craft is offered if there is time.

This program takes place rain, snow or shine, so dress for the weather. The fee is $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 – 8 and Nature Center mem bers. Enrollment is limited to 15 children, 30 participants total. Make reservations by

Thursday, December 8, 2022, by calling (716) 569-2345 dur ing business hours or by going to AudubonCNC.org and click ing through “Programs and Events.”

Audubon Community Na ture Center is located at 1600 Riverside 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, snowshoe or cross-country ski over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses inter active displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays 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. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members. The building will be closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year’s Day.

AGRICULTURE DISTRICT INCLUSION PERIOD

Land Owners’ Requests Must be Submitted Between Jan. 2 - Jan. 31

JAMESTOWN, N.Y.:--Per New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) 303b, the Chautauqua County Legislature has designated January 2 through January 31, 2023, as the annual 30day period during which land owners may submit requests to include predom inantly viable agricultural land into an existing certi fied agricultural district.

During this period, land owners may submit written requests for inclusion into the Agricultural District.

Parcels requesting inclu sion must meet the defini tion of “viable agricultural land” as defined in Agricul ture and Markets Law § 301, subdivision 7. Lands already included in the district need not submit a request.

Land owners must com plete the Agricultural Dis trict Inclusion Worksheet, which includes a written description of the land, the tax map identification num ber, and be accompanied by a copy of the relevant portion of a tax map showing the location of the property you would like included into the Agricultural District. This worksheet, current Agri cultural Districts Map, and additional information can be found on the Chautau qua County Department of Planning and Development website at: bit.ly/CHQagin clusion. You can print out the appropriate map via the County’s GIS website availa ble at: bit.ly/CHQgis. Please submit all inclusion re quests to the Department of Planning and Development, Attn: Lauren Sharp 201 West Third St., Suite 115, James town, N.Y. 14701 or email to sharpl@chqgov.com on or before 4:30 p.m. on January 31, 2022. Inclusion requests

can only be accepted during the inclusion period from January 2 to January 31.

At the end of the 30-day period, the proposed par cels for inclusion will be re viewed by the Chautauqua County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB). Based on the AF PB’s recommendations, a report will be prepared for the Planning & Economic Development (PED) Legis lative Committee’s review. After review by the PED Leg islative Committee, these recommendations will be forwarded to the County Legislature for a public hear ing. Following the public hearing, the Legislature will vote via resolution to accept the recommendations made

by AFPB. The County Legis lature will then send the res olution to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to certify the inclusion of lands or not. If the Commissioner certifies the inclusion of the parcels, the land becomes part of the Agricultural District.

An agricultural district is a geographic area which consists predominantly of viable agricultural land.

Agricultural operations within the district are the priority land use and af forded benefits. These agri cultural operations receive protections to promote the continuation of farms and the preservation of agricul tural land.

This should not be con

fused with the agricultural assessment program which allows eligible farmland located both within and outside the agricultural districts to be taxed at its agricultural assessment.

Landowners should see their local assessor to find out more information on agri cultural assessment for their parcel(s).

For more information about the Agricultural Dis trict Inclusion Period or to see if you have land within an Agricultural District, visit the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development website at: bit.ly/CHQaginclusion or contact Lauren Sharp at (716) 661-8245 or sharpl@chqgov. com.

Photo Submitted

A vineyard located in Chautauqua County, New York.

County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board to Meet

Department of Planning

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.

JAMESTOWN, N.Y.: -The Chautauqua County N.Y. The public will be able to fully observe the If you should have ques

Opera House Met Live Season Continues with World Premiere

FREDONIA – Live at the Met, the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning series of live, high definition (HD) opera transmissions to theaters around the world, continues at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center on Sat., Dec. 10, at 1 p.m., with the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts’ The Hours.

Soprano Renée Fleming makes her highly anticipated return to the Met in The Hours, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel. Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and made a household name by the Oscar-winning 2002 film version starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman, the powerful story follows three women from different eras who each grapple with their inner demons and their roles in society.

The exciting premiere radiates with star power, with soprano Kelli O’Hara

and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato joining Fleming as the opera’s trio of heroines. Phelim McDermott directs this compelling drama, with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct Puts’ poignant and powerful score.

Sung in English with English subtitles, this production runs three hours and 13 minutes with one intermission. Live at the Met is underwritten with support from Daniel S. Kaufman and Timothy W. Beaver.

The Hours contains themes of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, help is available from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.

Individual tickets to each of the operas in the Live at the Met season are $20, ($18 Opera House members, $10 students). A flexible subscription of eight tickets which can be used however you want

– one at a time to eight different operas, all at once for eight people, or anything in between – is available for $142. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, TuesdayFriday, 12-4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online anytime at www. fredopera.org.

The Opera House is equipped with assistive lis tening headsets for the hear ing-impaired. Simply re quest one from any usher or Opera House staff member.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Cen ter is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our commu nity and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality program ming at an affordable price.”

It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.

New Hours Announced at MHA Recovery Luncheon

Jamestown, N.Y. – The monthly recovery luncheon of the Mental Health Associ ation in Chautauqua County (MHA) was a special treat in November.

Two days before the hol iday, participants were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a variety of desserts, all prepared and provided by Jamestown’s St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Ryan Saunders of the Jamestown Fire Department joined MHA staff members to serve the meal to a well-at tended gathering.

MHA Program Director Michael Nordin announced new hours for both the Jamestown and Dunkirk re covery centers.

Anyone with questions or in need of services for them selves or a family member is welcome to call or stop in at the Jamestown recovery center at Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street. It is open Mon day – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The north county recov ery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk is now open Mon day – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The next recovery lunch eon is Tuesday, December 20, 1 p.m., in Jamestown.

The Mental Health Associ ation in Chautauqua County

is a peer recovery center of fering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen well ness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their per sonal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChau tauqua. A schedule with de scriptions of all groups and classes is at MHAchautau qua.org/groups. To access the MHA’s most recent news letter, go to MHAChautau qua.org/newsletters.

Interested in Becoming a Master Gardener? Join our Team!

-BY SHANNON RINOW, MASTER GARDENER COORDINATOR

Jamestown, New York (De cember 06, 2022) -- Are you in terested in becoming a Master Gardener? Cornell Cooperative Extension is accepting applica tion for their next Master Gar dener training class. Instruction begins Wednesday, February 8, 2023, and go through May 20, 2023. Classes take place conven iently on Wednesday evenings 6:00pm-7:00pm, remotely. There will be 1-3 in-person classes that will take place monthly for hands-on learning activities. Please note, the in-person classes (about 6 total) will take place at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County in Elli cottville (28 Parkside Drive Elli cottville NY 14710).

Applications are available online, for pick-up at the Chau tauqua County office or you may call (716)664-9502 and one can mailed to you. Deadline to sub mit an application is January 16, 2023. Tuition cost is $125.00 and includes all training materials. Space is limited!

https://cattaraugus.cce.cor nell.edu/gardening/master-gar dener-volunteer-program Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who work in part nership with the Cattaraugus & Chautauqua County Cooper ative Extension staff to teach and share gardening knowledge

dener Program has an emphasis on environmental stewardship and on food insecurity. One way Master Gardeners contribute to addressing food insecurity locally, is by supporting the Na tional Seed to Supper program that helps teach residents how to grow their own vegetable gardens. You get to be a part of some exciting opportunities as a Master Gardener in Chautauqua

Successful participants will be expected to commit 50 hours of volunteer service in their first year, and 30 hours of volunteer service annually to remain ac tive Master Gardeners. There is also, an annual expectation of 10 hours of continued horticulture education after the first year of volunteering.

The Master Gardener Pro gram is one of many programs offered by Cornell Coopera tive Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua).

CCE-Chautauqua is a subordi nate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of orga nization and administration ap proved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative ex tension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant uni versity Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the coun ties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautau qua . Cornell University Co operative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

countywide. They are “neighbors teaching neighbors” about horti culture using researched-based gardening practices through a variety of educational programs and activities. The Master Gar

County! If you love gardening and are interested in giving back to your community- in a green-thumb way- please apply to become a Master Gardener today!

Photos Submitted

Master Gardeners teaching the water-cycle at Allegany Field Days

Photos Submitted

Master Gardeners sharing horticulture and invasive species information at a local farmer’s market

Photos Submitted

Live at the Met, the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning series of live, high definition (HD) opera transmissions to theaters around the world, continues at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center on Sat., Dec. 10, at 1 p.m., with the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts’ The Hours. The exciting premiere radiates with star power, with soprano Kelli O’Hara and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato joining soprano Renée Fleming in her return to the Met as the opera’s trio of heroines.

Photos Submitted

Preparing to serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at the Mental Health Association November recovery luncheon are (from left) MHA staffers Lily League, Jill Marsh and Allison Murphy, and Ryan Saunders of the Jamestown Fire Department. The delicious meal was provided by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Jamestown.

Holidays at the Lodge returns to RTPI

Celebrate the season at the

Michael Porpiglia of Dunkirk named to Spring 2022 dean's list

CHARLESTON, SC

(12/06/2022)-- Michael Por piglia of Dunkirk, New York is among the more than 900 cadets and students recognized for their academic achieve ments during the spring 2022 semester.

The dean's list is a recogni tion given to cadets and stu dents who are registered for 12 or more semester hours and whose grade point average is 3.20 or higher, with no grade of I (Incomplete) and no grade below C for work in a semester.

Cadets who are named to the dean's list receive a medal, which is worn on their uni form during the semester fol lowing their academic achieve ment. Non-cadet students on the dean's list are presented a certificate.

Academics at The Citadel are divided between five schools: the Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business, the School of Engineering, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Swain Family School of Science and Mathe

About The Citadel

The Citadel, with its iconic campus located in Charleston, South Carolina, offers a clas sic military college education for young men and women fo cused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. The approximately 2,300 members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are not required to serve in the military, but about onethird of each class earn com missions to become officers in every branch of U.S. military service. Citadel alumni have served the nation, their states and their communities as principled leaders since 1842.

The Citadel Graduate College, founded more than 50 years ago, offers dozens of graduate degree, graduate certificate and evening undergraduate programs in the evening or online. Consecutively named Best Public College in the South by U.S. News & World Report for 12 years and No. 1 Best Pub lic College for Veterans in the South for five years.

Jamestown, NY – The Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis St. in Jamestown, is the place to be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, December 17 for Holidays at the Lodge. This is the second year for Holidays at the Lodge and it has been expanded to include more holiday cheer. Among the many reasons to visit are ginger-bird cookie decorating, bird ornament decorating, eight local choirs performing, Christmas story time, and visits from Santa. There will be complimentary hot chocolate and cider and homemade Christmas cookies for everyone who comes. Admission is free each day for museum members and museums for all participants and only five dollars each for everyone else. Admission includes all of the festivities along with access to the current exhibitions: Curious by Nature: Works by Charley and Edie Harper, Chautauqua County en Plein Air, and Beauty Seen is Never Lost: Margaret Braun’s Birds.

“We are thrilled to bring Holidays at the Lodge back for our community,” stated RTPI’s CEO Arthur Pearson. “The program is fun and festive for the entire family, and RTPI is quickly becoming a cherished destination for the holidays.”

“We launched Holidays at the Lodge with a smaller program last year but this year the Santa gloves are off,” stated RTPI’s Programs and Events Manager David Niles. “We have two amazing weekends full of holiday cheer and we are

looking forward to celebrating the season with kids from 1 to 92.”

On December 10, Chautauqua Lake Central High School Choir, Westfield High School Westwinds, Infinity Performing Arts Singers, and the Southwestern Choraliers will be performing.

Kids can decorate Christmas bird ornaments in Roger’s Art Studio and make one for home and one for the tree at RTPI. Santa will be on-site from 10am to 11pm to pass out candy canes and take photos with the kids and families.

On December 17, Frewsburg Central School Choir, Jamestown High School Madrigal Singers, Jamestown Harmony Production Company, and the Maple Grove High School Choir will all perform. Kids can have some edible fun and decorate their own gingerbird cookies. Local authors Shannon Buttafarro and Bruce Moore will be reading from their book How Does Santa Get In? and Santa, himself, will be on-site from 10am to 11pm to pass out candy canes and to take photos.

The Lodge at RTPI has been beautifully decorated with holiday cheer by Lakeview Gardens, and the Snowy Owl Museum Store is fully stocked with great gift options for the special people on your holiday list. Visit RTPI.org for full details and the schedule for each day.

About the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) Home to the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s work, RTPI is a

and nurturing of art that matters to the planet. Through world class exhibitions and programs, RTPI illuminates the beauty of nature; challenges us to confront environmental issues of regional, national and global concern; and inspires us to preserve the earth’s biodiversity – 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.

6, 2023. For more information about NSAA, visit nsaachautauqua.org.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES REORGANIZATION OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

Social Services’ Divisions Integrate with Department of Mental Hygiene to Form New Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services Wendel Announces New Leadership Structure for Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services and Department of Health

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: -- Chautau qua County Executive Paul M. Wendel, Jr. has announced the reorganization of Chautauqua County’s three largest human ser vices programs.

The Chautauqua County De partment of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was first formed in 2011 when the County merged its Department of Health and De partment of Social Services.

“For 11 years, the County has operated with a Department of Health and Human Services, but I believe our programs and ser vices will be better aligned and further enhanced by separating this pre-existing department and creating a new structure for the delivery of these services,” said Wendel. “I am excited to announce our new plan going forward that involves the restructuring of our current DHHS services and also includes an integration with a current county department.” The five social service divisions of DHHS, including the divisions of Family and Children’s Services, and Transitional and Medical As sistance, will integrate with the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene to form the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Ser vices. In addition, the DHHS Divi sion of Health will once again be a stand-alone department as the Chautauqua County Department of Health, to include all County public health and disease preven tion programs, Environmental Health Services, Coroners, and providing medical services to the County Jail and County Emer gency Services.

These changes, which are sub ject to the review of the Chautau qua County Legislature and New York State, are desired to take ef fect in early 2023.

“This new structure will pro vide a stronger and more efficient way for our current employees to deliver human services to Chau tauqua County residents,” said Wendel. “Many individuals and

families often receive services from multiple areas of County Government and this restructur ing will better integrate our men tal hygiene and social services so that we are working on a united front to provide timely, accessi ble and quality care to County residents as we maximize our partnerships and improve com munity support systems. The planning behind this integration has been in the works for many months and the teams on both sides have worked diligently from the very beginning to make sure this is a right fit for our County. I am pleased to see how organically this plan has taken root with our mental hygiene department and social services divisions.”

Wendel also announced new leadership for these departments once the reorganization changes go into effect. Carmelo Hernan dez will serve as Director of the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services and Dr. Mi chael Faulk will serve as Chautau qua County’s Chief Medical Of ficer and head of the Department of Health.

Since September 2021, Hernan dez has served as the Director of Community Mental Hygiene Ser vices for the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene. He has a diverse background in mental health services as he pre viously served as a lead therapist at Alssaro Counseling Services in New Rochelle, N.Y., a mental health consultant at WestCOP in Westchester, N.Y., program manager for Wediko Children’s Services, and a combat stress re covery specialist for the Wounded Warrior Project.

“In a short amount of time, Carmelo has proven to be a strong leader, collaborator and advocate for mental hygiene services in our County,” said Wendel. “His back grounds in social services and mental hygiene services make him an excellent proponent to make this new integration suc cessful.”

Hernandez earned his Bache lor’s Degree in Social Work and Master’s Degree in Organiza tional Leadership at Mercy Col lege in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from New York University in New York, N.Y. Hernandez is also a certified Licensed Master Social Worker. He currently re sides in Westfield, N.Y.

In his new role, Hernandez will provide administrative oversight for mental hygiene and social ser vices. This includes ultimate re sponsibility for day-to-day opera tions thus ensuing quality service to the community while meeting state and federal mandates for each program.

“I look forward to continuing my leadership role with our divi sion of mental hygiene services and working with my new col leagues in the social services divi sions,” said Hernandez. “This re structuring will better integrate mental hygiene and social ser vices so we can ensure our clients receive the best possible experi ence while we continue to support their journey for hope, wellness, recovery and resiliency.”

Faulk has served as Physician in the Chautauqua County De partment of Health and Human Services’ Division of Medical Examiners and Coroners since January 2019. He also currently serves as Medical Director of In tegrated Acute Care for US Acute Care Solutions at Warren General Hospital, and Associate Medical Director for Public Safety for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Of fice. Faulk previously served as Emergency Physician and Medi cal Director of the Emergency De partment at UPMC Chautauqua WCA, Emergency Physician and Medical Director of the Emer gency Department at Warren General Hospital, and Emergency Physician at UPMC Hamot.

“Mike’s vast experience and background in many of our emer

gency medical services, medical and clinic services proves he is a worthy leader as we once again re turn to a separate department of health,” said Wendel. “Mike has worked very hard over his past three years with the County, and I am proud to promote someone who has proven himself in our or ganization.”

Faulk has his board certi fications in Emergency Medi cine from the American Board of Emergency Medicine and in Emergency Medical Services from the American Board of Med ical Specialties.

Faulk received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at North Park University in Chicago, Ill.; his Master’s Degree in Radiology Physics at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich.; his Doctor of Medicine at the American Uni versity of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten, Nether lands Antilles, and his Emergency Medicine Residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Her shey, Pa. He currently resides in Jamestown, N.Y.

"I deeply appreciate the oppor tunity to serve our community in this role,” said Faulk. “Having oversight over the many facets of medical care the County provides will foster improved collabora tion while striving to provide our residents with the highest quality public health services. I am both honored and humbled to have been asked to step into this unique role and lead what I already know to be a dedicated and talented team of professionals within the Health Department, Coroners Program, County Jail and Emergency Med ical Services. After spending the last 15 years providing Emergency and Acute care across this region, I hope to apply this knowledge and experience in a broad manner to not only help solve some of our most important challenges affect ing the health and wellness of our community but also to earn the trust of our residents."

Roger Tory Peterson Institute

About the North Shore Arts Alliance (NSAA) The North Shore Arts Alliance works on behalf of artists in Chautauqua County. The NSAA’s signature event each year is the ChautauquaLake Erie Art Trail, though NSAA helps create and promote a variety of arts-related events. The NSAA Members will be featured in the Patterson Library Octagon Gallery from December 9, 2022 - January

matics and the Zucker Family School of Education.

granulated sugar

3⁄4

large egg, at room temperature

teaspoons pure va nilla extract

cup sour cream, at room temperature Vanilla Buttercream Frosting 1⁄2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 11⁄2 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream or milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Gel food coloring (op tional)

1. To make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking pow der and salt until well com bined. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attach ment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well combined.

4. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. Mix in the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the sour cream. Make sure to mix in each addition until just combined, and be careful not to overmix the batter.

6. Using a 11⁄2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie

dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one.

7. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set and spring back when touched lightly. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 10 min utes, then carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. To make the vanilla butter cream frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld

mixer, beat the butter for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1⁄2 cup at a time, mixing in each addition until well combined.

9. Add the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and gel food coloring (if using), and continue mixing until fully combined.

10. Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread the frosting on top of the cookies.

11. Store the cookies in an air tight container at room temper ature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

the holiday season. Calendars are packed this time of year with gatherings with friends, family and professional colleagues. Entertaining requires keep ing plenty of refreshments on hand to ensure guests maintain their holiday spirit. Dessert is no stranger to the season, with office break rooms, dining ta bles and buffet stations brim ming with sweet treats to tempt celebrants’ palates. Everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring along to a holiday party or to offer guests when hosting their own fêtes. Cookies are a standard due to their versatility and portability.