Erie Cattaraugus County Community Source 1/27/23

Molten chocolate in every bite

Molten

Dessert is often the

culmination of Valentine’s Day festivities. Couples can enjoy decadent desserts while out on the town, but waiting to indulge until you arrive home gives couples time to digest and savor the rich flavors more completely. Of course, when it comes to Valentine’s Day desserts, chocolate must make an appearance. This recipe for “Molten Chocolate Cakes” is a mix of spongy cake and warm, flowing custard. Dress up the cakes even further with berries and whipped cream or chocolate shavings. Try this recipe, courtesy of Baker’s® Baking Chocolate.

Grease six custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwavable bowl on high for 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

Add powdered sugar and flour; mix well. Add whole eggs and egg yolks; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Divide batter evenly among prepared custard cups.

Bake at 425 F for 14 to 15 minutes or until cakes are firm around edges but soft in the centers. Let stand 1 minute. Run small knife around cakes to loosen. Carefully invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Garnish as desired. Serve immediately.

Tip: Batter can be made a day ahead; pour into prepared custard cups. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate. When ready to serve, uncover and bake as directed.

Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Scholarships Awarded

Dunkirk, N.Y., January 18, 2023 - The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation recently assisted the Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Scholarship committee in presenting the Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Scholarship awards. This year the committee proudly awarded the scholarship to Nathan Pakulski.

Nathan, a graduate of Dunkirk High School, attends SUNY Fredonia as a Criminal Justice major, with minors in Sociology and Psychology. He was a member of the Dunkirk High School JROTC Battalion throughout his high school career, serving as Battalion Commander in his senior year. Nathan credits this experience with helping him discover a love of community service and leadership. Following in the footsteps of his father and older brother, who he says are his role models, Nathan plans to begin a career in law enforcement following his schooling.

provide support to the families of county heroes – firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and other local uniformed heroes – who have been killed or critically debilitated in the line of duty. The fund also provides scholarships to students interested in careers in public safety. To qualify, applicants must be pursuing a career in law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services.

For additional information on this scholarship, visit www.nccfoundation.org/fallen-heroes-1 or e-mail scholarships@nccfoundation.org. A list of other scholarships is available on the website www. nccfoundation.org/scholarships-home.

Since its incorporation in 1986, the NCCF has invested more than $20 million in northern Chautauqua County through strategic grantmaking, targeted scholarships, and leadership and community collaborations. The NCCF is a tax-exempt charitable organization inherently committed to enhancing the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. As a nationally accredited community foundation, the NCCF has proven compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, demonstrating integrity, equity, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in meeting the needs of its community. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-3664892.

Opera House Presents Portrait of the Queen

FREDONIA – The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center presents a special cinematic production in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II this Sat., Jan. 28, at 1 p.m.

Queen Elizabeth II was the most photographed, the most loved and talked about, spied upon, praised, criticized, popular woman on the planet. All over the globe and in every moment of her long life, that came to an end at the age of 96, people have wanted to watch her through a peephole, discover new things about her, get to know her better, connect with her and understand her.

Portrait of the Queen offers an original portrayal of the story of the Queen from a totally new perspective: through the most intense, amazing, revealing photographic portraits of her, as shared by the extraordinary photographers who accompanied and often created the image of the British monarchy itself.

Special focus is given to each of the Queen’s most intense, intimate, faithful portraits, symbols of 20th century history, contextualized by the photographers who portrayed Her Majesty – Brian Aris, Jason Bell, Julian Calder, Chris Levine, David Montgomery, and John Swannell.

In addition, sincere, spontaneous comments from British subjects alternate with conversations featuring photographer and Camera Press photo agency co-owner Emma Blau, Valentino Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli, actress, author, philanthropist and model Isabella Rossellini, and Susan Sarandon, actor and activist who met the Queen in person and gives viewers a more private, intimate reflection on the role, obligations and complexities of being a monarch. This special cinematic production runs one hour, 35 minutes

Tickets are $15, ($10 students) and are available in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

The Opera House is equipped with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or Opera House staff member.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.

DEC Encourages Anglers to Safely Enjoy Ice Fishing this Winter Review

Ice Safety Guidelines Before Heading Out

catching.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today reminded anglers to be safe when venturing onto the ice this season, especially given recent variations in weather conditions.

"New York State has been experiencing wide-ranging temperatures and weather conditions, from freezing to fairly mild," Commissioner Seggos said. "Given these unpredictable fluctuations in weather, it is critical that winter recreationists exercise extreme caution when doing anything on the ice, including fishing, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience."

Ice anglers should check the thickness of ice before leaving the shore. Four inches of solid clear ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness can vary between waterbodies and even within the same waterbody, increasing the need to ensure thickness. Anglers should be particularly cautious of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice from forming. Checking the ice can easily be done with an auger or spud bar at various spots. In addition, fishing with a family member or friend is also encouraged for safety. Local bait and tackle shops are a great source for finding out where there is safe ice and what anglers are

Those interested in trying ice fishing for the first time should mark the weekend of Feb. 18-19 on their calendars. As a designated free freshwater fishing weekend, the need for a freshwater fishing license is waived during these days. This free fishing weekend is also a great opportunity for experienced anglers to introduce someone new to fishing.

For some fish species, ice fishing can be more productive than open-water fishing. Given good ice conditions, anglers normally limited to shore fishing can access an entire waterbody.

Beginning ice anglers can download the Ice Fishing Chapter of DEC's I FISH NY Beginners Guide to Freshwater Fishing for helpful information on how to get started. For a more interactive option, DEC released a series of six ice fishing videos on the agency's YouTube channel late last season. Visit the playlist ) to check out the brief instructional videos.

Additional information, including a list of waters open to ice fishing, can be found on the DEC ice fishing webpage, and also through the new Tackle Box feature in DEC's HuntFishNY app. Fishing regulations, access information, fish species present and more can be

accessed from a map-based interface, all within the convenience of a smart phone.

The use of bait fish is popular when ice fishing and may be used in most, but not all, waters open to ice fishing. For more information on bait fish regulations visit DEC's website.

To protect New York's waters from invasive species and the spread of fish diseases, anglers are advised to take these critical steps when using baitfish while ice fishing:

Review and follow DEC baitfish regulations; Ensure the use of baitfish is permitted in the waterbody by checking the special 'regulations by county' section of the fishing regulations guide;

Use only certified diseasefree bait fish purchased from a local tackle store (buyers must retain the receipt provided to them while in possession of the baitfish); Personally collected bait fish may only be used in the same waterbody from which they were caught; and Dump unused baitfish and water in an appropriate location on dry land.

DEC reminds anglers to make sure that they have a valid fishing license before heading out on the ice. Fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

The Chautauqua Fallen Heroes Fund was established at the NCCF in the fall of 2001. The primary purpose of this fund is to

First Sunday Storytime is Free at Audubon February 5

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y.:--

The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County is pleased to announce the 14th annual Kick Cabin Fever (KCF) Indoor Triathlon will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 9 a.m. at Chautauqua Health and Fitness at Turner Community Center, 4840 W. Lake Rd. in Chautauqua, N.Y.

Jamestown, N.Y. –Children’s books are powerful tools to connect children to nature and establish a strong foundation for their educational journey.

Audubon Community Nature Center’s (ACNC) next monthly First Sunday Storytime is February 5, 2023, 12:30 – 1 p.m.

With ACNC storyteller Claire Certo in the lead, children will go on literary adventures with animals, through habitats and seasons, and discover new things with every page.

Doors open at 12:20 p.m. for ages 2 – 8 and their adults for this free, nature-based story time.

The building fully opens at 1:00 p.m. Participants are welcome to stay afterward and explore the Nature Center building.

Both the program and Sunday admission are free. Come for story time and stay to explore the indoor Nature Play Area, live animals, and exhibits. Then go outside to enjoy the outdoor Nature Play Area and visit Soren the Red-tailed Hawk.

Participation is limited to 15.

Although this is a free event, reservations are requested by Saturday, Feb -

ruary 5, 2023. To reserve your space, call the Nature Center during open hours at (716) 569-2345 or go to AudubonCNC.org and click through “Programs and Events.”

Walk-ins are welcome if there is room.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike, snowshoe or cross country ski over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbend-

er exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 5692345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways.

Carri Raynor, Coordinator of the Alliance said, “Chautauqua County experiences the beauty of all four seasons, but we know that the winter months can be challenging for some. We can feel isolated, stuck, down and even depressed, all normal feelings during this time, so we want to promote a healthy outlet for those who are battling the winter blues and hoping to feel better by participating in a fun activity.”

Cheryl Burns, a local triathlete began the indoor triathlon one year after her brother Marty Miller died by suicide following several years of struggling with depression.

Burns said, “The intent of this event is to get people moving during one of the toughest winter months in Chautauqua County. Kick Cabin Fever is more than a physical event. It is an opportunity to build and strengthen connections to our neighbors and community assets, so we have outlets to lean on when we are experiencing mental challenges.”

“We have seen this event grow each year and want to

encourage everyone of all ages to experience this fun event,” said Raynor. “You do not have to be a seasoned athlete to compete. The three events; swim, bike, and run only last a total of 45 minutes, and you’ll find positive encouragement along the way. Get together with some friends and create a team or come try it solo. Either way, you will leave with new connections and hope.”

There are approximately 20 volunteers, including friends and family, that make sure the day is fun and runs smoothly for competitors. The cost is $35 per

individual or $75 per a team of two or three people. All proceeds for the Kick Cabin Fever Indoor Triathlon stay in Chautauqua County for suicide prevention efforts.

The Alliance was formed when local professionals from the mental health and other health care fields saw a great need in the community for supports and education around suicide prevention. Over the past several years, The Alliance and its partner agencies have worked together to train local community members in suicide prevention and awareness. To learn more about the events they host and for more information, visit their website at preventsuicidechq.com.

If you would like to participate in this year’s event, register at https://forms. gle/8aT7ch52CFa5Ry3Z8.

For additional information, visit www.facebook. com/KickCabinFever.

Photo Submitted

The first Sunday of every month Audubon Community Nature Center offers a free storytime for 2-8 year olds and their adults. Storyteller Claire Certo leads the next First Sunday Story Time on February 5, 12:30 – 1 p.m.

PROTECTING YOUR PAINT JOB

Salt on the roads may make winter driving safer, but its corrosive effects can wreak havoc on your car. Follow these tips to protect your vehicle’s body against the elements all winter:

-Promptly remove any snow from your vehicle using a soft brush or non-abrasive foam snow removal broom.

-Wash your car regularly to remove salt and debris, and don’t overlook the undercarriage where road salt can accumulate and cause rust damage.

-Give your car a thorough wax coat before the first snow, and touch it up with a spray wax throughout the season. Protect your vehicle as frequently as possible with garage parking, or invest in a removable cover.

-Have any chips or scratches repaired before winter to prevent rust from taking hold and spreading. You might also consider applying a clear paint protection film to the areas of yourcar most vulnerable to new scratches or nicks.

How to make driving in inclement weather more safe

Impaired visibility can be a safety hazard while driving. Everything from sun glare to hail can affect a driver’s ability to see the road and navigate it effectively. Before drivers get behind the wheel, they should make note of their local forecast and make a plan for what to do if rain, snow or other conditions make it challenging to drive.

The International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences indicates that, based on an examination of crash test data conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the “likelihood of a crash increases during periods of low visibility, despite the tendency for less traffic and for lower speeds to prevail during these times.”

Drivers can take several steps to improve their visibility when driving in poor weather conditions.

• Inspect and change windshield wiper blades. Wipers are instrumental in clearing precipitation away from the windshield. If they’re not functioning properly, wipers cannot do their jobs. Drivers should replace their wipers at the first indication that they are no longer effective. In

some conditions, wipers can freeze or stick.

Drivers should then pull over and clean the wipers manually.

• Clear obstructions. Always make sure the windshield is clear before driving. This can include removing ice and snow in the winter and cleaning off mud or bug splatter in the spring and summer. Use the front and rear defrost if condensation fogs up windshields and windows.

• Slow down. Foul weather can reduce drivers’ ability to see far into the distance. Drivers should always drive slower in inclement weather in order to improve reaction time.

• Top off fluids. Always keep the windshield washer reservoir full and keep extra fluid in the trunk. In addition, look for a fluid that does not freeze in very cold temperatures.

• Learn how to drive in fog. Each year, more than 38,700 vehicle crashes occur in fog, states the Federal Highway Administration.

Travelers Insurance recommends slowing down, staying focused and using regular head-

lights and not high beams when driving in fog.

• Go out only if necessary. In snowy or icy conditions, drive only if it’s absolutely necessary, as snow and ice can impair visibility and make roads slick, says AAA.

• Avoid driving at dusk and dawn. The human eye can have trouble adjusting to rapidly changing light and darkness conditions, which are common at dusk and dawn. If possible, drivers should make trips during the heart of the day, especially if poor lighting conditions typically make it difficult for them to drive.

Drivers can take steps to improve visibility when inclement weather makes roadways hard to navigate.

Opera House Cinema Series to Present Empire of Light

FREDONIA – The next film in the Cinema Series at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is “Empire of Light,” starring Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. It will be screened Sat., Jan. 28, and Tues., Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

Oscar-nominated for Best Cinematography, “Empire of Light” is about the power of human connection during turbulent times. Hilary (Colman) is a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is a new employee longing to escape the provincial town where he faces daily adversity. Together they find a sense of belonging and experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

The Washington Post calls the film “a tender, tear-soaked valentine to the ineffable joys of movie-going.” The London Evening Standard calls it “a heartwarming reminder of the joy, comfort and necessity of the big screen experience.” Vanity Fair calls it “an achingly lovely film … something humane and nourishing, a picture of rare thoughtfulness and decency.” ScreenDaily says the film’s “message of love, tolerance and finding family wherever you can should make an impact in darkened rooms wherever it plays.” Rated R for sex-

Teachers Invited to Apply for NCCF’s Service Learning Mini-Grants

Dunkirk, N.Y., January 20, 2023- The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation is accepting applications for the Service Learning Mini-Grants Program for the 2023-24 school year. Awards will be announced in May.

tionally Accredited Community Foundation, the NCCF has proven compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Com-

munity Foundations, demonstrating integrity, equity, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness in meeting the

needs of their community. For more information on the NCCF, visit www. nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.

ual content, language, and brief violence, “Empire of Light” runs one hour, 59 minutes.

Tickets are available at the door the night of each screening. A book of 10 movie passes is available at the door or online at www. fredopera.org. For more information, call the Opera House Box Office at 716-679-1891.

The Opera House is equipped with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or staff member.

The Opera House Cinema Series is sponsored by Lake Shore Savings Bank. In addition, Opera House programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.

Local middle and high school teachers are encouraged to apply for projects that combine community service and classroom learning. Projects relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion are highly encouraged and strongly considered. This year, five area schools received 10 grants totaling $4,700. Classrooms from all disciplines participate in this program: art, social studies, trades, science, and more.

Applications are available on the foundation’s website, along with the option to apply electronically, at www. nccfoundation.org/service-learning. Complete the form and return it to NCCF by March 31. The committee will announce the awards in May. To learn more about the Service Learning Mini-Grant Program, visit the website, call our office at 716-366-4892, or send an email to nccf@ nccfoundation.org.

Since its incorporation in 1986, the NCCF has invested more than $20 million in northern Chautauqua County through strategic grantmaking, targeted scholarships, and leadership and community collaborations. The NCCF is a tax-exempt charitable organization inherently committed to enhancing the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. As a Na-

Photo Submitted

Students from Cassadaga Valley Central School participate in a project that combines classroom learning with community service, one of ten such projects supported by NCCF’s Service Learning Mini-Grants this year.