2014 Silver ADDY Award Winner
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 24
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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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AUGUST 22 - 28, 2014
Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Ellicottville, Great Valley, Little Valley, Mansfield, Olean, Salamanca, Springville and Surrounding Communities
Calendar of Events
Adventure Park Leaves You Feeling Sky High
August 23 Tuscan Moon Michael Kerns Tribute
13 Challenge Courses, Mountain Coaster and Climbing Forest at Holiday Valley
August 31 Dirty Duathlon & Dirty Bit Trail Run Holiday Valley September 4 First day of School for ECS
By Eva Potter
Many outdoor enthusiasts may already know about Holiday Valley’s Sky High Adventure Park. Trip Advisor lists it as the number one attraction in Ellicottville. Have you experienced it firsthand? If you haven’t visited the park recently, it’s time to make plans to come back. Whether you love the strategy behind maneuvering, seek out thrill rides, or just love to climb trees, Sky High will meet all your requirements for a great time. “People really love it, enjoy having a unique adventure with their kids and friends,” said Jane Eshbaugh, marketing director at Holiday Valley. Aerial Park Set in the woods near Tannenbaum Lodge, the Aerial Park’s 13 challenge courses are family friendly and geared to a wide range of ability levels. From easiest to most difficult, including three yellow courses, five greens, two blues, two single black diamond and one double black diamond, most people are able to complete the courses they try. All courses except the Commando have at least one zip line. The yellow courses are about 15 feet off the ground and gain height with each difficulty level. Each course consists of a series of platforms, “bridges,”
September 13 - Oct. 31 Pumpkinville
© 2014 Keystone Designers Inc.
September 19-21 Rock n’ Roll Weekend
October 3 Nightmare Hayrides Season Opening October 4 Headstands for Humanity October 5 EVGV Trail Open House October 11 Fall Festival 5K Run/Walk Holiday Valley October 11-12 Ellicottville’s Fall Festival October 11 Fall Festival 5K Run/Walk Holiday Valley November 1 EVL Half Marathon, 5K and Kids’ Race November 8 Beer and Wine Festival November 16 Routes to Art Holiday Sale at Holiday Valley
See Adventure Park High page 6
EVL Highway Supt. Position: Elected or Appointed? of highway superintendent. The board’s action prompts a mandatory referendum, putting the issue on the November election ballot. If voters approve the law, it would not take effect until the end of the current elected highway superintendent’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2015. Several members of the community attended the public hearing to comment and ask questions. Voters to Decide in November Ellicottville resident Nita Widger asked the By Jann Wiswall board to explain its reasoning for the proposed Following a public hearing on the issue, law. the Town of Ellicottville’s board voted on Town Supervisor John Burrell said one of the Wednesday, Aug. 20, to pass a local law biggest advantages is to ensure the next highway abolishing the elective office of the highway superintendent and create the appointed office See Highway Supt. Position page 8
Monster of all Runs Set for Ellicottville this Fall ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. — Oh, the horror! From competitive runners used to burying the competition to newbies looking to knock off their first race, the inaugural EVL Halloween Half Marathon and 5K on Nov. 1 in Ellicottville has something for everyone. Whether you’re a zombie, ghost or goblin …
September 27-28 National Alpaca Farm Days
one of the good guys (Spiderman, Batwoman anyone?) a princess or prince charming … you won’t want to miss what organizers are predicting will be the “2014 race to die for” (metaphorically speaking of course). “There are several reasons why you and your friends won’t want to miss this event, starting with the fact we’re catering to runners of all ages and experience levels, with everything from a half marathon for distance runners, to a 5K for those who prefer the shorter races to a ¾ mile fun run for 4–12 year olds,” observed race coorganizer Doug Bush, an Ironman coach who has killed a few races of his own over the years. “The runs are designed to be as challenging as you want them to be, but at the same time, the main goal here is to have fun. Which is See Monster of all Runs page 5
Local Artist Pursuing his Passion by Drawing Attention to Himself Ellicottville Native Making his Mark as an Illustrator
By Daniel Meyer
“No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.”– Oscar Wilde
The quote above most accurately describes Logan Fitzpatrick’s aspirations as an artist, illustrator and painter. The Ellicottville native is certainly making his mark in what has become an See Local Artist page 6
Mansfield Hires FEMA Recovery Consultant 30-Day, $30K Contract Approved by Board By Jann Wiswall
The Town of Mansfield’s board contracted with Simmons Recovery Consulting (SRC) for a 30-day, not-to-exceed $30,000 agreement after hearing a presentation from its director of business development, Ryan Frykholm, at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 18.
According to Frykholm, SRC helps municipalities get the most from its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claims. Its expertise in disaster recovery allows it to ensure that municipalities are applying for and receiving as much aid — both for emergency repairs and for mitigations they are legally entitled to. In Mansfield, strong storms and heavy rains See Minsfield Hires FEMA Consultant page 4
Whitewater Park in the Works WNY Community Support Needed for Scoby Dam Project
By Alicia Dziak
The chills and thrills of whitewater adventure are potentially closer than you think. A whitewater park
is in the planning phase by Springville Whitewater Park (SWWP) for Springville’s Scoby Dam Park, which lies in Erie County, right near the border of Cattaraugus County, off Route 219. The Scoby Dam currently See Whitewater Park, page 11