FREE! TAKE ONE! VOLUME 4 ISSUE 39
SEPTEMBER 25 - OCTOBER 1, 2015
The Official Newspaper
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of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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Embrace the Soft During Alpaca Farm Weekend By Mary Heyl
Softer than a down pillow. More adorable than a teddy bear. Able to steal your heart in a single glance. Look! Out in the field! It’s a camel. It’s a llama. It’s an alpaca! Yes, it’s an alpaca, member of the camelid family from another continent who came to the United States with luxuriously soft fleece and a personality far sweeter than that of other livestock. Although it may be a stretch to compare an alpaca to the mighty Superman, no other animal has had quite the impact on Cattaraugus County tourism as the alpaca. Alpacas are native to South America, where they have been raised for many years for their soft, warm, hypoallergenic fleece. Recent decades have seen a rise in alpaca farms all across the United States. There’s no better time to explore this growing agribusiness than this weekend, when alpaca farms throughout the country are opening their doors to the public for National Alpaca Farm Days on Sept. 26-27. Throughout the weekend, alpaca farm owners will take visitors through their barns to meet the alpacas and feel for themselves the coveted fleece that makes such warm socks, sweaters, hats, and more. Visitors can learn all about the process of raising and breeding alpacas, and even meet the “crias” (baby alpacas) that were born this summer! Taking place during the first official weekend of autumn, National Alpaca Farm Days offers a fun, new reason to get out and enjoy a beautiful drive with your family.
Fri • RT Live • 9pm Sat• 3 Easy Pieces• 9pm
Tues• The Hick Ups • 6:30pm Wed • Wagner & Winston • 8pm Thursday • Fred ‘N Tuck • 8pm 20 Washington St • 699-2530
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Holiday Valley Third in the East!
SKI Magazine readers ranked Holiday Valley 3rd best among the top resorts in eastern North America for the 2015-16 season. “We’re so appreciative of our customers who choose Holiday Valley as one of their favorite resorts”, said Dennis Eshbaugh, President and General Manager of the resort. “And to be listed among these highly respected eastern resorts is very exciting.” When asked See Third in the East page 9
See Alpaca Days page 7
Northrup Buys The Purple Doorknob
Boardroom on Main Opening Fall Festival Weekend
Staying True to its Vision
Looking for another excuse to spend some time strolling through the coolest village around? You got it! In just a couple short weeks, the allnew, second location of The Boardroom (a.k.a. The Boardroom on Main) will open, just in time for Fall Festival. For those who aren’t familiar with The Boardroom, it opened its doors as a ski rental
By Alicia Dziak
By Jann Wiswall
Rachel Northrup stands on the balcony of the Purple Doorknob
“The Purple Doorknob is an organism unto itself,” said Rachel Northrup, who recently purchased the business from Urania Shaklee. “It is a great business with strong growth potential and a loyal following,” she said. “I will stay true to its vision.” The Purple Doorknob, also known fondly as the “sock shop,” has been a thriving business at 9 Monroe Street in Ellicottville since Shaklee opened it in 2010. It sells an eyepopping variety of men’s, women’s See Purple Doorknob page 8
The Countdown to Fall Festival Begins By Alicia Dziak
The long-awaited Fall Festival weekend returns to Ellicottville Oct. 10-11. With all kinds of activities happening all weekend long, you won’t want to miss the fun and excitement of EVL’s biggest festival of the year! Where to begin? How about burning off some of those calories you’re sure to take in? Sign up for the annual Fall Festival 5K on Saturday morning. Runners and walkers will enjoy a challenging 5K or 1-mile walking course, starting and finishing at Holiday Valley. For more info or to register, visit heartrateup.com. See Fall Festival page 2
Spencer, Samantha and Douglas (the dog) Timkey stand in front of the new Boardroom on Main.
See Boardroom on Main page 8
ECS Considers Funding College Courses By Jann Wiswall
“This is what we’re about,” School Board President Carl Calarco commented during the board’s discussion about giving all students the opportunity to take college courses through ECS regardless of their family’s ability to pay. During the Sept. 8 board meeting and again at its Sept.
22 meeting, High School Principal Bob Miller pointed out that some students don’t enroll in college-level courses simply because they don’t want to ask their families for the money. While students must be academically qualified to take the classes, Miller believes that more students are qualified to enroll but do not for financial
reasons. “Who are we to judge whether a child can take a college course or not based only on their finances?” he asked during the Sept. 22 meeting. Miller has recommended, with Superintendent Mark Ward’s support, that the See ECS Board page 4
Hit the Slopes in Style The Hottest Outerwear Trends This Season By Alicia Dziak
Sure, being out on the mountain this winter is all about the skiing and snowboarding, flying down the hill with the crisp winter air hitting your face, riding back to the top and doing it all over again. But the trails are also like a downhill, snow-covered fashion runway, and being a trendsetter on the slopes is a breeze when you live or hang in EVL! Top-notch ski and board shops can be found throughout the village and at the resorts, and Bright colors fill the racks at Mud Sweat N’ Gears
See Outerwear Trends page 5