THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE, NEW YORK THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF GREAT VALLEY, NEW YORK
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 29 FREE www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2012
More Fabulous Fall Family Fun Apple Cider, Half Ironman, Falling Leaves & Horses By Sue Whistler
Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at precisely 10:49 a.m. marks the beginning of one of the most wonderful times of the year in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. It’s the autumnal equinox, aka the first day our fabulous fall season. What could be better than crystal-clear, starlit nights in the low 40s when you crack open the bedroom windows, wrap yourself like a human burrito in layers of soft down quilts and awaken to rolling hills awash in glorious shades of crimson, orange and gold? This fall there is enough fun and adventure in the hills to lure even the most blissful snoozer out from under those nice warm blankets.
Every size and color of pumpkins can be found at Pumpkinville - even PINK! Saturday is a great time to head over to the premier purveyors of all things pumpkin at Pumpkinville for their annual Apple Cider Festival from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Visitors can tour the entire cider making process in an authentic, old-fashioned cider mill with a 120-yearold cider press. Enjoy one of autumn’s most delicious beverages while munching on fresh pumpkin doughnuts and ice cream that are all made on the farm while you watch. When you have eaten your fill of all the delectable homemade treats, you can walk off your snack in the 6-acre corn maze, take a hayride or visit some of the many other attractions like the Cow Train, the Corn Cannon, Goat Mountain, and Storyland or the petting zoo. Pumpkinville is a 200-acre farm located just minutes from Ellicottville and has the
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See Fall Fun Page 2
Recreational Trail Tops Agenda at Ellicottville Town Board Meeting By Jann Wiswall
After calling the Town of Ellicottville board meeting to order and approval of previous meeting minutes, Town Supervisor John Burrell introduced Joe Higgins, a former Ellicottville resident who now lives in Olean and served on the committee that planned and developed the 5.6-mile Allegheny River Valley Trail. Higgins gave a brief description of how the communities of Olean and Allegany worked together to establish what he now says is
the “most utilized utility in the area.” “People of all ages use the trail year round,” said Higgins. Higgins recently offered to advise the Ellicottville committee that is studying the feasibility of developing a multi-use recreational trail that likely would be located from Ellicottville to Great Valley. He encouraged the town board to take the lead in making it happen, noting that Ellicottville’s “year round residents will use it most.” He also said that, while there are
challenges in getting adjacent landowners to agree to the idea, landowners are fully covered by State Law 9-103 that protects them from any damages caused by users. Plus, “they get to use them most,” he added. Town Deputy Supervisor and Trail Committee Chair Ken Hinman thanked Higgins for giving the committee his valuable time and advice. “We are honored to have his expertise on our committee,” said Hinman. SeeTown Board Meeting Page 4
Dignity For All Students
ECS Senior Class Officers( left to right): Caitlin Toth, William Murphy, Alex Steinbroner and Janae Hamilton. by Mary Fox
York State Dignity For All On July 1, 2012, Governor Students Act (DASA), which Andrew Cuomo signed created the need to update a bill updating the New parts of the Ellicottville
Central School Code of Conduct. Ellicottville Central is being proactive in implementing changes that are not required until July 1, 2013. One issue taking precedence is bullying. It was discussed in detail by middle school/ high schoolteachers at this Tuesday’s “Dignity” assemblies. Classes were broken up into small groups for interactive activities. The school’s “Students Rights and Responsibilities policy” states that “students take part in district activities free of the harassment or discrimination.” See Dignity for Students Page 8
Work Projects Planned for Allegany State Park National Public Lands Day is Sept. 29
Progress on the new Town Garage Building, Bryant Hill Road. Photo by Mark Alainello.
Allegany State Park. Who doesn’t love it? The camping, the programs, the hiking … so why not spend a few hours out of your year caring for the park you love. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Allegany State Park will once again take part in National Public Lands Day. This is
a national celebration that gives people a chance to give back, by helping to care for the public lands they use. This year’s celebration will focus on the Red House side of the park. Some of the projects will include work in the Butterfly Meadow, See Allegany State Park Page 9