VOLUME 2 ISSUE 46
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THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD, NEW YORK
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JANUARY 24 - 30, 2014
Calendar of Events
Harley-Day Valley Back for Second Year
January 1-31 National Learn a Snowsport Month January 25 Harley-Day Valley Holiday Valley January 25-26 Greater Olean Sports & Outdoor Recreation Show
Bikes Rev into Town Saturday, Jan. 25
By Alicia Dziak
February 7-8 AMSOIL Seneca Allegany Snocross
The biggest winter biker party is back for the second year in a row. Holiday Valley and Gowanda HarleyDavidson are teaming up to bring back Harley-Day Valley on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., featuring a variety of all things Harley! “This is just a fun day at Holiday Valley that has out-ofthe-ordinary activities like the Jumpstart, lots of motorcycles on display, people dressed in Harley clothing and a fun band!” said Jane Eshbaugh, marketing director at Holiday Valley. Last year, hundreds of Harley lovers came out to take part in this fun-filled day, with activities centered on the second floor of the Holiday Valley Lodge. Visitors will be able to test the Jumpstart motorcycle simulator on the deck of the lodge by going through the gears and making a lot of noise. It’s a great opportunity to sit on a real bike that’s running, but stationery, and learn how to shift through the gears. Bikes will be on display throughout the resort, including all-new 2014 Harleys. Guests can also purchase Harley-Day Valley merchandise, and enjoy food and drink specials, and the Motorcycle Safety School will be on hand from noon to2 p.m. In addition, the HarleyDay Valley party runs from 3–7 p.m., also in the Holiday Valley Lodge, featuring live music by The Strangers, and
February 8 Phoenix “Rise to the Challenge” Race HoliMont February 9 Aspire’s Ski the Valley Holiday Valley February 10-11 Your Turn Women’s Ski Clinic - Holiday Valley February 14 Rotary Ski Day HoliMont
© 2014 Keystone Designers Inc.
February 15 Boarding for Breast Cancer Holiday Valley February 15 Moonlight Snowshoe Tour Griffis Sculpture Park February 16 Art Roscoe Loppet Allegany State Park February 22 Penguin Paddle Holiday Valley March 6 Ski Day for United Way HoliMont March 7 Celtic Thunder Fundraiser Ellicottville Town Center March 8-9 Mardi Gras & Winter Carnival Ellicottville • Holiday Valley
See Harley-Day Valley page 3
SCA’s Renovation, Expansion Projects on Schedule By Jeff Martin
Coming Up: Chili Fundraiser, Performances, Classes, Artist Residences, Exhibitions and More The upcoming year looks like another successful one for the Springville Center for the
Arts (SCA). Fast becoming one of the most successful beacons in the Western New York area, the organization has a calendar full of events for 2014. Looming the largest is the current renovation and expansion project using approximately $830,000 in grant money from the Regional Economic Development Council, which was awarded last year to great surprise and celebration. Seth Wochensky, executive director for SCA, said this week that the organization is “pretty much” on schedule regarding its two major projects. “There’s so much work involved in the projects,” he said. “I can’t believe how much we’ve had to work on to get through this. Then See SCA Projects page 8
Area Athlete Looks Back on Time with Skeleton Olympic Development Team
By Alicia Dziak
Over the years, Western New York has produced many athletes chasing the Olympic dream. One of those athletes is Thomas (Tom) Abbey,
Thomas Abbey at the U.S. Team Trials for the 2009 season.
a graduate of Pioneer Central, who grew up in East Arcade, not far from Ellicottville. Abbey’s sport was the skeleton, a speed-infused sport that involves a descent on a special ice track in a sled with steel runners and a weighted frame. In this Olympic discipline, the athlete lays face down and head first, controlling the sled using special spikes on their shoes. “Skeleton is a great sport,” said Abbey. “It requires speed, power and skill. But best of all, it’s a dream come true for a kid who grew up sledding in Western New York!” Abbey, a college athlete, had moved to northern Virginia to become a personal trainer, where he learned about the skeleton. “I’d taken a course for my personal training career with the NSPA (National Strength Professionals Association), an organization created and run by a former bobsledder,” explained Abbey. “I had to submit an athletic history, which detailed my career as a Division See Olympic Team page 11
Mansfield Welcomes New Board Members Organizes for 2014
By Jann Wiswall
The Town of Mansfield welcomed two new board members to its ranks — Greg Meyer and Larry Johnson — who were elected in November. As is customary during the first meeting of the year, this was the board’s official
organizational meeting. The board approved the reappointment of positions and reestablished official designations of service and business partners. At Town Supervisor Bob Keis’ request, the board approved his appointment
of Nancy Meeder as deputy town supervisor. The board also reappointed the following individuals to their posts: Brad Hurley, Highway Superintendent; Dale Baldwin and Leonard Horning, Deputy Town Clerks; Betty Jane See Mansfield Board page 11
STW Improving Access to Locally Grown Foods BY JANN WISWALL
People interested in purchasing locally produced food soon will have a new resource available to help them quickly find growers and producers in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. Southern Tier West (STW) is in the process of producing
a comprehensive, web-based guide for consumers to help them find farmers markets, roadside stands, CSAs, producers and farm businesses in the tri-county region as part of its Local Foods Program. “A lot of people are committed to eating food that is locally grown and at the peak See STW page 11
Local Equestrian Gail Pearles to Present at WNY EquiFest Event at Fairgrounds in Hamburg March 16 By Jennie Acklin
Gail Pearles was born with a love of horses, like so many young girls. The only difference is that she hasn’t outgrown it. In fact, she’s getting more and more immersed in the human/
horse connection each year. Pearles and her husband Bernie (both of the Blue Mule Band fame) live on a farm in Cattaraugus, which they share with several horses and a few other barn companion animals. She is a member of the WNY Horse Council and gives riding lessons at her farm, or your stable, and teaches clinics around the region. See Equifest page 11