JULY
1 2022
72 Graduate at Gowanda
Photo by Bill Peglowski Valedictorian Emma Christopher delivers her address during the Gowanda Class of 2022 graduation ceremony Friday at Hillis Field.
BY BILL PEGLOWSKI
GOWANDA — A beautiful summer evening was the backdrop for Gowanda High School’s 138th annual graduation ceremony Friday at Hillis Field with the bleachers filled to near capacity for the 72 members of the Class of 2022. Brief welcoming comments by high school principal Rebekah Moraites included reading comments from Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson, who was unable to attend due to the graduation of one of his children in another school district. “Follow your passion in
life, treat others with respect and kindness and do what you can to make this a better place for all,” Anderson wrote in prepared comments. Seneca Nation Chief of Staff John Waterman, a school board member and Class of 1992 alumnus said standing at Hillis Field is special not because he was a board member, but because he is a Panther, the school mascot. “We are celebrating the start of something,” he said. “Panthers are among the most intelligent and agile of animals in the wild. They are tenacious about
going after what they set their eyes on… You are ready. You are Panthers.” Salutatorian Michele Jackson told her classmates she sees a group of resilient and dedicated students who would all go on to take on important roles in society, each in their own way. She urged the class to trust themselves regardless of what directions others might point out to them. “May we all go into the world as leaders,” Jackson added. “We live in an imperfect world and it is up to us, as the next generation, to ensure safety to the most vulnerable, healthcare to those in need and to help
those trapped in darkness.” Valedictorian Emma Christopher thanked her classmates for all the laughs, the tears and the unforgettable memories. Growing up in a small community like Gowanda, she said they had shared many mutual past experiences. Christopher passed on several ideas to her fellow graduates, telling them, “Listen to others and try to be as open-minded as possible;” “Be kind to yourself and others;” “Have confidence in yourself and your dreams;” “Please stand up for what is right and what you believe in” and “make your life a life you are happy to live.” Jared White, a member of the Class of 2011, described himself as a smalltown kid with a big heart. He said being good to people was easy after high school, and he gained many insights from all those he encountered along the way. “Legacy is not about money or recognition. Leave those that you encounter with additional happiness and hope,” White said. “Attract what you respect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire.” GRADUATES: Timothy Ackley Jr., Kaylee Baird, Daymein Beaver, Elizabeth Brooks, Maddox Browning, Kathryn Budziszewski, Cole Cartwright, Emma Christopher, Rachel Colantino, Zachary Conklin, Lillian Coughenour, Kyle Cygan, Mary Denea, Marc Dewey, Yisel Dominguez, Madi-
son Dubiel, Jordyn Farner, Hailey Fort, Keegan Fox, Noah Gieger, Sara Gernatt, Adam Golden, Hanna Green, Amy Haggart, Zachary Hammond, Dylan Harbison, Jesse Heintz, Lincoln Holocinski-Francis, Dommnick Hunt, Michele Jackson, Denali Jimerson, Caleb Johns, Miranda Kaminski, Seth Kaminski, Leon Klute, Michael Knowles, Marit Kuehne, Charlesa Le-Tran, Asia Lindgren, Alexandra Liszkiewicz, Zanthia Luciano, Logan Lukonaitis,
Keegan Maude, Emylia McHale, Cameron Merril, Dylan Milne, Mavi Montour, Laila Moon, Cameron Nagel, Autumn Nephew, Preston Niemeyer, Aaron North, Sarah Noyes, Gavin Phillips, Ethan Pierce, Amna Rafique, Daunte Reims, Richelis Ricotta, Abigail Rolon, Madison Rosier, Mason Ruff, Jonathan Smuda, Arley Sommers, Victoria Soroky, Kenneth Steklasa, Aailyah Stevens, Paige Szalay, Emma Taylor, Noah Vogtli, Matthew Waterman and Bryan Zynda.
Photo by Bill Peglowski Salutatorian Michele Jackson speaks during Gowanda Class of 2022 commencement Friday at Hillis Field.
ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE
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M&T DONATES $10,000 TO INCREASE FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
The donation supports Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corp’s First-time Homebuyer Program BUFFALO , NY— As part of its commitment to first-time homebuyers, M&T Bank has contributed $10,000 to Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC), a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. The donation will support CHRIC’s firsttime homebuyer program, which includes helps with credit, introductions to realtors and lenders, and assistance with budgeting. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish and are open to all homebuyers in Chautauqua County. “The importance of first-time homebuyer education cannot be overstated said Kim Davis,” M&T’s Mayville Branch Manager. “CHRIC is a wonderful organization that works with countless homebuyers and homeowners to provide financial education and assistance to help make their dream of homeownership a reality. We're thrilled to be able to help them in this endeavor.” M&T Bank serves firsttime homebuyers through several different mortgage programs, including acting as one the leading providers of State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) loans. The bank works closely with homeownership education programs, like CHRIC, to help guide prospective owners through the process of purchasing their first home, while connecting them with resources to make ownership affordable in the long run.
Photo Submitted Kimberly M. Davis, M & T Bank Branch Manager, and Joshua Freifeld, CHRIC Executive Director.
“We are grateful to M&T for their contribution to our cause of educating first-time home buyers,” said Joshua Freifeld, Executive Director of CHRIC. “No matter how prepared people think they are, it’s hard to anticipate what the process is like until you’re in it. Our first-time homebuyer program provides potential homebuyers with the information they need to take the next step
with confidence.” Donations to the CHRIC can be made on the agency’s website, located at http://www.chric.org/ More information on M&T’s mortgage products can be found at https:// www3.mtb.com/mortgages-loans. About M&T M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in
Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information on M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com. ABOUT CHRIC CHRIC is a county-wide non-profit housing agency that has been serving the needs of Chautauqua County residents since 1978. For 44 years, CHRIC has been improving the housing stock of Chautauqua County and the living conditions of its low-income residents. As a chartered NeighborWorks® organization, we provide leadership in strengthening communities and creating affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate-income families. Over the past five (5) years alone, CHRIC has created 158 New Homeowners, has counseled 855 in Financial Literacy, Repaired or Rehabbed 633 owner-occupied homes, developed or preserved 139 rental homes, assisted 1,973 families in Chautauqua County, provided 633 volunteer hours, and provided a total of direct investment of over $19,099,137 million dollars in Chautauqua County.
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JULY 1, 2022
Sign Up Now for the 30th Annual Silver Creek Yard Sales Registration is open now for the popular Silver Creek Yard Sales, scheduled for August 8. Homeowners that want to get listed on the map for this event can submit their registrations online through the Chamber’s web calendar or can register in person at either of two Silver Creek businesses: Den’s Antiques, 8 Main Street, or at Silver Creek Optical, 41 Main Street. The cost to register
is $10 per sale. Sales must be registered by August 1st in order to get on the map. Yard sale maps will be sold in the village park in Silver Creek the morning of the sale day. Proceeds from the yard sale events help support scholarships from the Hanover Community Chamber of Commerce to graduating high school seniors at Forestville and Silver Creek High Schools.
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (HABS) - COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGES US TO KNOW IT AND AVOID IT MAYVILLE, NY - The Public Health Division of the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) urges all Chautauqua County residents and visitors to educate themselves about Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and to be cautious when swimming, boating, and fishing. In New York, HABs occur most frequently in the mid to late summer months but can occur at any time of the year. Small bloom conditions can change rapidly due to changes in weather and lake currents. Larger blooms will likely persist throughout the summer once they become established. Chautauqua Lake: Small, localized blooms have been observed. Know It. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally present in lakes. Nutrient rich runoff from surrounding land, warm water temperature, and sunshine encourages blue-green algae growth. With the right conditions blue-green algae forms blooms which may appear as floating “rafts” or scums on the surface of the water, these blooms are known as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Be alert and watchful for blooms which may resemble “pea soup” or have a paint-like appearance with strong colors including bluegreen, green, yellow, white, brown, purple, or red. Blooms are more likely in nearshore areas than open water areas. HABs present a public health risk because they can release toxins which may be harmful to human and animal health. People and pets can be exposed to toxins by contact (touching, swallowing, and inhaling water droplets) with HABs during water recreation activities, through surface water use around the house, such as watering gardens, and through improperly treated drinking water. Key municipal water treatment facilities in Chautauqua County do test for toxins in their water when blooms occur near their intakes. Avoid It. Christine Schuyler, Chautauqua County Director of Health and Human Services, said, “Not all blooms are hazardous, but the Health Department recommends taking the following precautions:
· When swimming, wading, or boating, avoid areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored. This applies to everyone - adults, children, and pets. · Don’t fish or eat fish caught from areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored. · Pay attention to beach closures, advisory signs, press releases, and websites. Never swim at beaches that are closed. · Never drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water, bloom or no bloom.” If people or pets are accidentally exposed to a bloom use clean water to rinse off as soon as possible. Consider medical attention if people or pets have symptoms including diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, skin irritation, and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties after exposure to surface waters with HABs. New York State and Chautauqua County have active programs aimed at reducing the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen entering streams and lakes. Watershed management plans have been developed for several lakes in Chautauqua County, including Chautauqua and Findley. As recommendations in the plans are implemented, improved water quality will follow, but it may take years to see improvements. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health investigate HAB reports, sample blooms for toxins, and conduct research to learn more about HABs and toxin production. The Chautauqua County Health Department monitors permitted bathing beaches for HABs and the indicator bacteria E. coli. To best protect the public from possible illness, beaches are closed when the water exceeds bacteria safety standards and/or HABs are identified. The current status of Chautauqua County permitted public beaches and website links to additional HAB information are available on the County Website at https:// chq gov.com/env iron mentalhealth/beach-closings.
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ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE
JULY 1, 2022
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Around Town
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE SECURES GRANT TO SUPPORT STUDENTS’ Concord Senior Center News MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS We will be closed July day July 13 is SHOPPING MAYVILLE, NY – The Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene (CCDMH) was recently awarded $150,000 to support eligible Chautauqua County schools with their students’ mental health needs. Administered by the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and developed in consultation with the New York State Education Department, the grant funds will be available between July 1 and December 31, 2022. According to the OMH website, OMH.ny.gov, funds are to improve access to mental health resources; support students who have experienced stress, anxiety, and/or trauma; and support the adults
4 for the Holiday. A few of our groups are taking surrounding them. a summer break & will Under the direction of be back in September. CCDMH, the Tapestry Friday July 8 is Painting system of care will use with Caroline. Wednesthe funds to expand existing efforts further through community and staff training, faculty inservice days, in-school health and wellness events, placement of school-based mental health clinicians and therapeutic resources. These are some examples of how the funding continues and grows support for our Chautauqua County students. The Chautauqua County Legislature amended the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene’s budget on June 22, 2022, therefore, approving the use of these funds.
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Park. We still need a few more to be able to get a bus to take us there. So, sign up-it is fun-chicken BBQice cream truck -games -music -Raffles—fun -all for $3.00. Remember
you now need to use 716 for all calls. Call 716592-2784 –716-592-2768 email concord2017sc@ gmail. Com—check us out on Facebook—the concord senior center.
Silver Creek Music in the Park The Village will be hav- evenings in the ballpark: (also a car cruise night), and chair. There will also ing music in the park on July 12 (also a car cruise Aug. 23 from 6-9pm. be food vendors at each the following Tuesday night), July 26, Aug. 9 Bring your own cooler event.
Village Fireworks Display
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The annual Silver Creek Village Fireworks display will be on July 3rd at dusk. The Kokomo Time Band will play from 6-9pm at the lake front area.
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Alzheimer Support is a free service that assists Silver Creek families who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Through the free search tool and database of Alzheimer’s care facilities, families in need of care for their loved ones can locate licensed care homes and communities in the Silver Creek area that are best equipped to provide care for their loved ones. If you are interested, please visit the link below. ht t ps://w w w.a l z he imersupport.com/memory-care/new-york/
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ERIE CATTARAUGUS CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY COMMUNITY SOURCE
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JULY 1, 2022
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