American Advertising Awards 2014 Silver ADDY Award Winner
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 38
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The Official Newspaper of the Village of Ellicottville and the Towns of Ellicottville, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com facebook/theEllicottvilleTimes
NOV. 28 - DEC. 4, 2014
Christmas in Ellicottville SCHEDULE OF EVENTS see page 3 • Olean and Allegany Get the Holidays Right see page 12
Two Weekends of Christmas Cheer!
Calendar of Events
Christmas in Ellicottville Nov. 28-30, Christmas Stroll Dec. 6
November 28 Thanksgiving November 28-29 Springville’s A Very Merry Main Street
By Alicia Dziak
November 28, 29, 30 Christmas in Ellicottville
© 2014 Keystone Designers Inc.
Friday, Nov. 28 marks the official start of the Christmas season, and what better place to kick it off than in the beautiful village of Ellicottville? With holiday activities galore, there’s something for kids of all ages all weekend long. Christmas in Ellicottville The fun begins Friday, with events going on all day for Christmas in Ellicottville, highlighted by the annual tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., led by Santa himself. There are plenty of other opportunities to see Santa up close throughout the weekend. Meet him at the Wingate by Wyndham, 2:15–3:30 p.m. on Friday, 3:15–4:15 p.m. on Saturday, and noon–1 p.m. on Sunday. You can also enjoy a free pancake breakfast with him at The Barn Restaurant Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9:30–11 a.m. (If you attend the breakfast, please consider bringing a donation for the Ellicottville Food Pantry.) People can’t resist the fun of riding in a big fire truck, and Santa is no exception — visitors can join him Friday, noon–2 p.m., and Saturday 1–3 p.m. Santa will feel right at home in Ellicottville with live reindeer gracing the village. Check out Rudolph’s long lost relatives at the 1887 Building on Friday, 4–6 p.m., during the
December 5 Irish Christmas December 6 Holiday Art Crawl December 6 United Church of Ellicottville’s Annual Christmas Bazaar. December 6 Christmas Stroll & Living Nativity December 6 5X7 Art for Everyone Exhibition and Sale Cattaraugus County Arts Council, Allegany December 20 Demo Day at Holiday Valley December 31 Torchlight Parade Holiday Valley January 5-9 Canadian Friendship Week January 9-11 Winter Blues Festival January 17-18 Greater Olean Outdoor & Recreation Show
See Christmas Cheer page 3
Drink and Love Katy Spreading Holiday Joy Eat, Katy’s South to Open February in Great Valley at Irish Christmas Dec. 5 Bidding for Pies and Serving Hope By Mary Fox
Since Katy Arena opened Katy’s Café on Main Street in Ellicottville in March 2012, she has literally breathed new life into a 125-year-old building with her winning smile, upbeat demeanor, laid back joie di vivre, to say nothing about her beyond delicious food. “I love Ellicottville and the people and having a locals’ place,” she said exuding her natural excitement. And soon, she will have a second location, Katy’s South at 4836 Route 219 in Great Valley. The old Eddy’s restaurant is being completely renovated to become a
By Alicia Dziak
The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time for a little Irish cheer. Don’t miss the annual Irish Christmas celebration on Friday, Dec. 5, which will be held at the Gin Mill. “It’s held at a time of year where people want to help and make a difference,” said Bob McCarthy, who organizes the fundraiser. McCarthy, who said he “loves being Irish,” lights up when he talks about the mystique and history of Ireland. “(Irish Christmas) is a night of Irish magic. I don’t know how the magic gets there, but it just does. That’s the beauty of it,” he said with a smile. For 10 years, the Irish Christmas fundraiser See Irish Christmas page 5
Ellicottville Makes the Holidays So Special Small Business Saturday is November 29 By Jann Wiswall
There’s nothing like Ellicottville during the holidays. Throughout the season, the village comes to life with all the trimmings. And thanks to Mother Nature’s recent input, you’ll be enjoying them with a whole lotta that white stuff to make it perfectly complete. The season’s official kickoff occurs on Friday, Nov. 28 with Christmas in Ellicottville. Be sure to head to the village to sing along with strolling carolers performing all of your favorite holiday tunes, while the smell of hot chocolate and the decorated windows in this 19th century village bring back thoughts of Christmas past. At dark, the village comes to life when thousands of white lights and the three-story tall village See Holidays So Special page 8
See Katy’s South page 11
$3.4 Million in Improvements You’ll Love
Exciting Changes at Holiday Valley By Jann Wiswall
As soon as last year’s ski season ended, Holiday Valley began spending its time and $3.4 million in resources making some major
improvements intended to enhance every second of your experience. With the snow last week, the resort and the season’s first skiers/boarders were able to test out some of its
great new investments with a preview weekend Nov. 21-23. Due to the epic snowstorm in Buffalo, which closed roads heading to Ellicottville See Exciting Changes page 4
New Salt Cave Spa Now Open in Ellicottville Soothing Halotherapy Spa Melts Away Stress By Eva Potter
A salt cave in Ellicottville? Sounds a little crazy, but once you experience it, you will no longer think so. Daily stress adds up and creates an unhealthy state of being, and the new Ellicottville Salt Cave — New York’s first authentic European salt cave — owned and run by Tracy Draper, can help even the tensest person unwind. The business has been open by appointment since Nov. 26. According to Draper, “it’s all about breathing good air,” See New Salt Cave page 11