Twin Tiers Venture Out - Fall 2016

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Autumn 2016

TTVentureOut.com A publication of The Bradford Era, Olean Times Herald and The Salamanca Press

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Inclusion of ineligible resultterms, in a higher blendedLimited A.P.R. 0% A.P.R. at and low-rate financing may not beKubota available with andaccordance conditions with of Kubota’s standard Limited Warrantyequipment apply. For may warranty see Kubota’s Warranty www.kubota.com or authorized Dealers. customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available Kubota Credit Corporation, DelisAmo Blvd.,toTorrance, 90503; subject to credit approval. *$0 Down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up©toKubota 60 months onthrough purchases of2016. new Kubota BX, B, LU.S.A., and M3401 tractors available qualifiedCA purchasers from participating Optional equipment may be shown.

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0% A.P.R. may interest is available to customers no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be Optional equipment be shown. © Kubota Tractor ifCorporation, 2016. accordance state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. 0% A.P.R.Find and Your low-rate financing may not available with Next Adventure atbettventureout.com - Autumnwith 2016 2 l Twin Tiers Venture inOut customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval.

Contents Pfeiffer Nature Center, Portville, NY

Elk County Visitors Center, Benezette, PA

Pumpkinville, Great Valley, NY

Venture Out - if there is a time of the year that beckons exploration and discovery in the Twin Tiers; it is autumn. The splendor of the fall colors calls to most everyone to come and enjoy the beauty of the season.

For more that 60 years, Bradford Publishing has published annual summer travel guides, which are some of our most popular special sections of the year. This year our three newspapers, The Bradford Era, Olean Times Herald and The Salamanca Press joined forces to bring you our biggest and best travel guide yet - Twin Tiers Venture Out - in May. When we thought about what “Venture Out” means to this region, we quickly realized that we would need an autumn companion piece to the annual summer edition.

It seemed such a waste to let this season slide past without recognizing its wonderful travel and tourism opportunities and plentiful events and adventures that only this season brings. For most who live here, autumn in the Twin-Tiers represents a unique and beautiful time of year. Warm sunny days and cool clear nights create a perfect climate for outdoor activities and travels.

And all of the adventure doesn’t stop with this publication. We launched a companion site ttventureout.com in the spring, and we would like to invite you to take part! As you explore the region and take part in events and activities, please post your photos and adventures to the site. We would love to hear all about them!

The mission of this travel guide is to provide you with the everything you will need to know to enjoy the fall season in the Twin Tiers region.

Whether you are just traveling through or are fortunate enough to call this amazing place home; welcome to the most beautiful season of all in the Twin Tiers. Enjoy the splendor of the autumn season and the natural beauty of this region that includes the Allegheny National Forest, Allegany State Park, numerous state forests, nature preserves and so much more.

Chelsea Place Special Sections Manager, Bradford Publishing

Trails at Jakes Rocks, Warren, PA

What’s Inside 4 Fall Fun Train Excursion

14 Hinsdale Haunted House

6 Elk Viewing

16 New Mountain Biking Trails

8 Fall Hunting Preparations

18 Portville’s Hidden Gem

10 Letchworth Art Show

20 Ski Season Preview

12 The Great Pumpkin Patch

22 It’s Apple Time!

On the Cover: The photo is a view of the Kinzua area of the Allegheny Reservoir from the Rimrock Overlook off of Route 59 in Warren County, PA. The photo was taken by Chelsea Place.

Publisher - Jim Bonn Executive Group Editor - Jim Eckstrom Advertising Managers - Jill Henry, Justin Parkes, Preston Cochran Circulation Manager - Nichole Finnerty

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© 2016 Bradford Publishing • Twin Tiers Venture Out Vol. 1, No. 2 • Autumn 2016 All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without written permission of the publisher. Information herein is published as a guide only, for use in 2016, and is subject to change without notice.

Twin Tiers Venture Out | 639 Norton Drive | Olean, NY 14760 716-372-3121 ext. 247 | Visit us online at TTVentureOut.com

Twin Tiers Venture Out - Autumn 2016 l 3

MODEL TRAIN Arcade and Attica Railroad - Fun for the whole family ENTHUSIAST?

by RICK MILLER

ARCADE — Formed as the Buffalo Attica & Arcade Railroad in 1880, the present day Arcade & Attica Railroad offers visitors a number of opportunities to ride a steam engine locomotivedrawn train.

The Buffalo Attica & Arcade Railroad connected Buffalo with the Pennsylvania state line and on to Pittsburgh.

Today’s Arcade & Attica Railroad passengers are riding over rails that were first spiked in 1891 and standardized from the original narrow gauge railroad in 1895.

The railroad, which still hauls freight, runs between Curriers Corners in Arcade and Attica; part of the original line that opened in 1890.

In 1917, the Buffalo Attica & Arcade Railroad was operated by the Buffalo & Susquehanna Railroad, and heading toward closing. Concerned businesses along the line including the Merrell-Soule Company of Arcade, which operated a large milk processing plant, and others needed rail service.

The interests sold stock to farmers, merchants and others, and raised $79,000 to form the Arcade and Attica Railroad Corporation.

The railroad is still owned by the small corporation. Excursions

4 l Twin Tiers Venture Out - Autumn 2016

leave from 278 Main St., Arcade.

Right now, the Arcade & Attica Railroad is gearing up for its fall excursions through October. The fall foliage excursion train rides cost $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $14 for children ages 2 to 12.

There’s a number of special excursions including the Great Train Robbery with the Stagecoach Riders on Sept. 24 and 25. It also offers a Halloween Haunted House ride in October.

Next, the North Pole Express, a 2 ½-hour rail trip to the “North Pole” on weekends in November and December to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Christmas elves. The cost is $24 for adults, and $22 each for seniors and children.

The Arcade & Attica Railroad is headquartered at 278 Main St., Arcade, just over the north eastern Cattaraugus County border in Wyoming County and can be reached from the Olean area by Routes 16 and 98.

For questions or to make reservations, call the Arcade & Attica Railroad at (585) 492-3100.

For more information, check their Facebook page or its website at ArcadeAndAtticaRR.com.

Local Model Train Events ArtCraft Train Show & Sale Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Hamburg VFW 2985 Lakeview Road Hamburg, NY

Autumn in Allegany Train Show Sunday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Carter Event Center Allegany, NY

TCA Toy Train Show Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Jamestown Savings Bank Arena Jamestown, NY

35 Annual Greater Buffalo Train & Toy Show Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 19-20, Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m, • Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Erie County Fairgrounds Event Center Hamburg, NY

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Your account must Motorcycles, be open and current *Customer Cash offer good& on 2016Products modelsmade between 7/29/16 to 9/30/16. **Offer available approved purchases of new 2012-2017 Yamaha Scooters, to be eligible for this offer. Eligible purchases will be charged no interest for 6 months from purchase date. Thereafter, you will be charged your Standard APR ATVs & Side-by-Sides & Power Products15.24%-23.24%). made on the Yamaha Card issued by8/5/16 Capitaland One, N.A.toOffer valid opened throughon9/30/16.

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photo submitted

Journey To View The PA Elk Herd BENEZETTE – Elk County is known for a lot of things: a thriving sintered metal industry, the Straub Brewery, and even a major league ballplayer, St. Marys native, Joe Beimel.

It is also known for, of all things, an elk herd.

According to the Pennsylvania State Game Commission website, in the early days of Pennsylvania, elk thrived throughout the Commonwealth. However, overhunting lead to their disappearance from the state as early as the 1860s. It was not until 1913 when elk arrived from Yellowstone National Park in a move to not only reintroduce the animal to the Keystone State but also to reduce the elk herd out west.

The game commission opened season on elk in 1921, but closed it again in 1928. Elk hunting in Pennsylvania would not be legal again until the early 1980s.

Hunting elk is not the only activity with the eponymous animal while in Elk County.

According to Carla Wehler, operations manager at the Elk Country Visitors Center in Benezette, an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 people visit the center annually to view the majestic animal.

Wehler estimates approximately 200,000 of those visitors come during “bugling” – the elks mating season – in September and October, when between 6,000 and 7,000 people per day visit.

Wehler said the best time to view the elk are at daybreak and at dusk, and while the mating season attracts the most visitors, elk can be viewed year round.

She noted that in the winter, the elk may be easy to spot against the snow. Wehler said the bulls lose their antlers in the spring.

by CHUCK ABRAHAM In mid-May, calving season arrives, she said, and many people like to watch the interactions between cows and calves.

Wehler said it is not uncommon for one cow to watch other cows’ calves. The groups of calves, called “nursery bands,” usually have several cows who interact by “talking” with one another.

By August, the bulls antlers have come back, just in time for mating season, Wehler said. She noted many of the bulls start leaving their “bachelor groups” and start looking to mate. In fact, it is not uncommon for what she referred to as a “satellite bull” to come in while two larger bulls are sparring to take a couple of cows for mating, Wehler said.

“There is great elk viewing all year long,” Wehler said.

And there are plenty of them to watch.

Wehler said during the rest of the year, they average between 10 to 15 elk in the herd. During mating season, she said that number swells to over 80.

While the best times for elk viewing are in the early morning or at dusk, Wehler said visitors can easily find other activities in Elk Country to pass time. She said since elk are usually least active during the midday hours, there are many shops and wineries in the area, and even a craft distillery for visitors to pass the time. She said the elk are a tremendous asset to the tourism industry, and they are “driving the economy” in the area.

The elk herd may be seen at their peak times via live stream at pac.pa.gov/ Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Elk/Pages/Default. aspx.

Of course, it is much better to see them in person.

6 l Twin Tiers Venture Out - Autumn 2016

Elk County Visitor Center photo submitted

ELK VIEWING SAFETY TIPS Maximize your chances of seeing elk by knowing where to go, when to go, what to do and what to not do. During your visit be safe, considerate and respectful.

Wildlife watchers often congregate in areas with the best viewing opportunities.

Problems can arise when folks gather on the shoulders of rural roads and are focused on watching elk rather than oncoming traffic. Your actions help all elk-watchers, landowners, law enforcement and conservation officials have a good experience.

Keep a Safe Distance

Elk are wild animals. Always observe from a safe distance, and at the minimum of 100 yards (the length of a football field). Risk of serious injury or death can occur if a safe distance is not observed. If you cause the animal to move, you are too close.

Do Not Block Traffic

When viewing elk from your vehicle, park completely off the roadway or view elk from designated Wildlife Viewing Areas.

Respect Private Property

Elk know no boundaries. Please respect private property when viewing elk.

Be Mindful of Rutting Season

Mid-September through October is elk mating season. During this time bull elk are very protective of their harems and can be extremely aggressive.

Do Not Feed Elk

Feeding elk in Pennsylvania is illegal.

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What happened to the summer?

Someone please tell me where it went. I can’t seem to wrap my brain around the fact that it’s no longer light at 5 in the morning and dark so soon. Time is flying by, per usual, and I am upset by its speed.

The good news is that September is the kickoff for more things than just football.

Nature’s clock is ticking — fish, birds and animals are responding to the subtle differences of daylight, temperatures are cooling off and the cosmos is preparing for the coming fall. We hunters and fishermen have to pay attention also, if we’re wise and start preparing ourselves.

Those with an observing eye have noticed the large flocks of birds, fully grown geese goslings and ducklings and the mature, velvet-covered antlers of deer. My friend recently saw a buck out of velvet, its antlers smooth and hard in the sunlight.

In September the morning air is subtly different, the goldenrod already bursting into yellow splendor across acres of neglected fields. Big chinooks are beginning to stage off of the tributaries in Lake Ontario and perch are schooling up and preparing to move into shallower water on many lakes, including Chautauqua. Scary though the thought is, there are only four weekends in September and in order to take advantage of the fishing and hunting this month you will have to act immediately to prepare yourself or schedule a charter.

If you’re a hunter, doves are already in season. A quick trip to a skeet or sporting clays field is an excellent way to loosen up your swing for those deceptive and darting targets. Bring lots of shells. I’ve rarely been ready for dove season in my life and this year is no exception.

Early goose season has started and now is a great time to score if you can pattern them in their summer habits. However, they can be cagey birds for sure and learn quickly, geese can be a real challenge at this time of year. Discovering where they are now spending the day and feeding at night is your goal for once shots are fired they change their habits immediately.

However, I have to admit that other than looking for forward to the improving fishing, getting my equipment ready for archery season is beginning to weigh heavily on my mind. There’s so much to do.

by WADE ROBERTSON Stands have to be checked or moved, new ones placed, brush trimmed, deer patterns observed and this year’s bigger bucks found. They are still in the loose summer pattern of feeding and some can be patterned. Once the fall feed becomes available they will move to the food sources.

Then the rut comes along and there are no patterns.

My crossbow and I took a nasty fall last year and the scope rail is bent quite badly. I’ve been puzzling over a way to raise it,hopefully without further damage. I really need to take a good objective look at how things are put together. If the rail is aluminum, bending it back could seriously weaken the metal. Perhaps I shoot the bow and even if the scope is at maximum adjustment up, but holding its zero, I’ll simply do nothing. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, wisdom of yesteryear can still hold true today.

I love my crossbow; it’s accurate and together we put some serious venison in the freezer. In fact, by far the biggest-bodied deer I’ve ever shot was with my crossbow was a buck weighing over 200 pounds dressed — a real hog. Surprisingly, even though the antlers were very nice, they weren’t what you’d expect from such a huge deer.

I’ve been using Rage broadheads and they are something. They fly very accurately, expand every time and cut a hole you can drive a street car through. My crossbow shoots about 350 feet per second and not one deer has even slowed my arrow down as it passed through. You have to use both hands to pull the arrow out of the ground for crying out loud. I don’t believe spending extra money for a crossbow simply to gain additional velocity in this geographical area is worth the investment myself.

The only thing that might tempt me to buy a new bow would be lighter weight and a shape not so awkward to carry. The swelling handguards at the bottom of most bows are not ergonomic when it comes to carrying them. I use a sling for comfort.

If you’re fortunate enough to shoot a deer with a carbon arrow and it strikes the ground, retire the arrow to a place of honor, I strongly discourage using it again. My good friend tried reusing his lucky arrow and it exploded on the bow!

This is not only dangerous, but cost him a beautiful buck at the 8-yard range

8 l Twin Tiers Venture Out - Autumn 2016

as well. He was most upset over the whole incident, but glad no arrow parts ended up in his face, hands or arms. Sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad and retire your expensive arrow.

In a rare fit of preparation I actually fired my rifles the other day at ranges from 100 to 400 yards. I’m not totally pleased with the results. I need to reload some ammo, andd tinker with some powder charges and bullet weights. I have a sneaking suspicion the rifle rest was not helping me.

The lead sled certainly takes the pain out of shooting, but I just couldn’t get comfortable with it. Keeping the same cheek pressure while attempting to keep the recoil pad in the same position and same pressure every shot caused some flyers past 200 I think. Being a perfectionist this has been haunting me. Good news actually, I love to reload and experiment so I should be happy for a bit.

Let’s see, .223, .243. .308, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag so far, life is good.

Just a reminder, when reloading be sure to write down your load data on every box of shells. This includes brass manufacturer, primer, powder weight and bullet manufacturer, type (spitzer, spitzer boat-tail, hollow point, silver tip or flat base) and weight. Don’t get careless, lazy or forgetful because this will come certainly back to haunt you in the future. It’s amazing how facts and especially figures blur with time. Nothing more frustrating than opening a box of hand loads and not knowing what they are!

Now is an especially good time to look over lasts years diary or hunting notebook and remember what you learned, lost or needed. Perhaps your grunt call scared more deer than it drew in. Try another. I can’t keep hold of my deer bleat calls to save my soul. Need a new one every year it seems.

For what it’s worth always try the doe bleat on a buck before the grunt tube.

You’ll discover you can scare a nice buck away with a grunt tube as it’s threatening to the less dominant bucks. A doe bleat is not, and may be more effective. I do think they could make a louder can though; it appears the deer have difficulty hearing mine at any distance.

If you have had your eye on a new

piece of property to hunt, now is a great time to ask. Get permission well ahead of time and be sure and understand what the landowner expects of you. Being polite, appreciative and not pounding nails into his trees or bending his fences is a good start.

People have many misconceptions.

Hopefully you are the type who can recognize a fact when you hear it. Hunters need to be gentlemen. I don’t know what has started this “cool” stuff that isn’t cool at all. Too many wish to fit in and wear their hat sideways, whatever.

The point of this little rant is that dressing in a neat and clean manner, saying “Yes Sir” and “No Sir,” always shutting the gate behind and saying thank you and meaning it can go a long, long way in this world.

Hunters and fishermen are in the public eye and need to do things right and be shining examples. Having manners and treating others property as your own is very important. A Christmas card, a present of some sausage or hamburger or any other item isn’t a bad idea either after the season.

Late September and early October always turn my mind to muskellunge. When the dark waters cool and frost threatens during the colder nights you just know the big, toothy jawed lunge are feeding up for the long winter.

Few things give you the thrill or feeling of accomplishment catching a big muskie does and I still get excited just thinking about casting for them. The sight of that long lean shape shooting up behind your lure is very intimidating and a thrill as well.

Make sure you completely check all your equipment. A big muskellunge can straighten hooks, break line or rod, rip apart a rotten net or drive a hook deep in your body if you’re not careful. You have to respect them, they can be dangerous.

Oh, the song of September! The hot, soft and cuddly summer is rapidly disappearing, the nights take on a cooler edge, a very few leaves are not only turning, but falling.

All of nature is perking up and anticipating the coming fall and winter, it’s an exciting time for all of nature’s creations.

I feel it building, that excitement, thrill and anticipation September always brings and now, right now, is the time to begin preparing.

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Twin Tiers Venture Out - Autumn 2016 l 9

photos submitted

41st Annual Letchworth Arts & Craft Show

The Letchworth Arts and Craft Show MT. MORRIS — The line of cars extends from the entrance gates to far beyond the boundaries of the park, spilling into Route 36 in Mt. Morris, NY. Police are on hand directing thru-traffic around the queue of eager arts and craft enthusiasts. The line moves along at a measured pace.

This was the scene at the gate of Letchworth State park last year for the Letchworth Arts and Craft Show; a juried art festival presented by the Arts Council For Wyoming County (ACWC). Held annually over Columbus Day weekend; it is ranked among the top art festivals in the country. I have been attending the show with my mom, most every year, for the past 20 years; since I was a little girl.

To me, it’s one of the highlights of the fall season.

My mother and I patiently wait in line, we can see the gate approaching. As we wait, we chat about what we hope to see at the show, items we are looking to purchase, and favorite artists from past years we would like to run into again.

We pass the gate and join the caravan of cars heading to the Highbanks Recreation Area. I begin flipping through the show guide book, which is handed out at the gate, to see the list of artists at this years event. I carefully mark the ones that I remember, or that sound like they would be interesting to my mom and I. Once the map is marked, I start planning out how best to tackle the over 300 vendors displaying on the grounds. This is all done as we make the short, but beautiful, drive from the park gates to the festival.

The massiveness of the art show itself is complimented by the striking natural beauty of Letchworth State Park, whose majesty and breathtaking scenery provides a perfect setting for the show, and to browse the work of artists and craftspeople from across the country.

My mom and I have completely different tastes in art and decor.

She is very country home. I am modern contemporary. She likes

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Featured Artisans Roycroft artists: Pat Halpen - fiber arts etsy.com/shop/skypathdesign Leah Corey - jewelry volksbeads.com/ Yvonne Stoklosa - glass ymsartglass.com New Regional artists: Kelsey Merkle - painting/design kelseymerkle.com Mark Speiser - woodturning bowledoverwood.com Jessie Valone - pottery jmvceramics.com Returning Favorites: Dean White - pottery chateauontheriver.com Elwood Huff - glass Facebook @ The Stain Glassery Cathrine Baldwin - photography Belle Dole - Floral design

by CHELSEA PLACE country bears and ceramic figurines. I like mixed media art and nature paintings. Despite the differences in our personal aesthetics, we still find common ground at the show. We especially love going tent to tent talking with the artists about their craft and inspirations.

When we get hungry, which is inevitable with all of that walking, food vendors are right on site. Everything from warm apple cider to fried oreos to Italian sausage sandwiches. If you prefer a sit-down meal, may I recommend the Glen Iris Inn. Situated right beside the Middle Falls on the Genesee River, the inn is a beautiful and historic establishment right in the park. There are also delicious restaurants in nearby Mt. Morris. Questa Lasagna, and the Charred American Bar and Grill are two of my personal favorites.

This year’s show will be held October 8th through the 10th.

The perfect time to start tackling your holiday shopping list, and the perfect place to find unique items for those folks who have everything. If you’re interested in pottery, paintings, quilts, fiber arts, Over 300 artisans display their wares, along handcrafted jewelry, photography, furniture, decorative painting, with many food vendors, live entertainment dried floral arrangements, or packaged specialty foods, you won’t and other fun activities for the entire family.

Included in the entertainment lineup this want to miss this show. year are the steel drum band, Panloco.

Please also allow time to appreciate the park while you are Duo, will also be performing, covering there. The fall foliage is in full effect during early October, and it American folk, blues and more. The Warsaw provides a stunningly colorful backdrop for the the parks 3 waterfalls.

Barbershop singers will roam the grounds Visit a few of the picturesque Genesee River Gorge overlooks, and on Monday and there will be a spinning you’ll soon see why it’s nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of the East”. wheel demonstration by fiber artist, Last year Letchworth State Park was selected as best state park in Laurel Hendershott. Live performances the country, from over 6,000 state parks, by USA Today. and demonstrations are scheduled at 1 Admission to the art festival is free, however it does cost $10 p.m. each day. New this year, will be an per vehicle to enter the park. Handicapped parking is available, expanded KIDS ZONE, located toward the as well as curbside pickup for heavy purchases. rear of the festival.

For more information on the art show call 585-237-3517.

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Pumpkinville selected as a host of Charlie Brown celebration GREAT VALLEY — It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Great Pumpkin’s first appearance in the television special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,” Peanuts Worldwide Corp., set out to find the top 10 pumpkin farms in the country.

Landing in that prestigious top 10 was Pumpkinville on Sugartown Road in Great Valley, one of three — including another from Long Island — representing the East Coast.

Besides bragging rights, the Peanuts top 10 designation comes with two Saturday appearances by Snoopy Sept.

24 and Oct. 1, and a giant likeness of Charlie Brown’s pet dog in Pumpkinville’s 5-acre corn maze. The maze also offers a chance for a trip for four to Knotts Berry Farm in California this fall.

Don and Diane Pawlowski, who have owned and operated Pumpkinville for the past 21 years, were elated when they made the announcement Aug. 16.

The state’s “oldest, continuously working pumpkin farm” draws 100,000 visitors during its six-week run. Opening day this year was Sept. 17. Pumpkinville is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 31. Admission and parking are always free.

Dan Pawlowski grew up on Route 98 across from the Halloran Family, who started the popular seasonal family attraction in 1967 or 1968, he said.

“We’re closing in on 50 years for Pumpkinville,” he said. “We couldn’t be prouder of being selected one of the top

by RICK MILLER 10 pumpkin farms by Peanuts Worldwide.”

To be selected as one of the country’s top 10 pumpkin farms “really validates all the investment and hard work we’ve put into Pumpkinville,” Dan said. “It really means a lot.

To be able to do something like this.”

In 2008, Pumpkinville won a statewide award for Agribusiness of the Year.

Also new this season at Pumpkinville is the newest attraction, a train with six cars and a caboose.

“The kids are going to love this,” Diane Pawlowski said.

“We’d been shopping for a train for some time,” her husband explained.

They found this one, mounted on a Kobuta tractor chassis, at a convention in Kansas City 18 months ago. It was built in Atlanta and is a trackless train.

They had a depot built in July where visitors will board the train. There is an additional charge for the train ride.

There are a number of free activities including: Punchin’ Pumpkin Race, Singing Chicken Show, Perky the Talking Pumpkin, Farm Animals, Corn TeePee, Storyland and Kiddie Spookum Barn.

There are several activities where a fee is charged — or all-day wristbands — including: Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pillows, Snoopy Corn Maze, Farm Pedal Carts, Country Hayride, and the Cow Train. Wristbands are $11 weekdays and $12.50 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Thousands of pumpkins will be picked and sorted by opening day Sept. 17. All the pumpkins and squash sold at Pumpkinville are grown on the 200-acre family farm.

2016 PUMKPKINVILLE ACTIVITES

Punchin’ Pumpkin Race Singing Chicken Show Perky the Talking Pumpkin Farm Animals Corn TeePee Storyland Kiddie Spookum Barn Train Play Area Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pillows The Mix 96 Six-Acre Corn Maze Farm Pedal Carts Country Hayride Cow Train Pumpkinville Mining Company Helicopter Rides (October Weekends/Weather Permitting) NEW FOR 2016: Pumpkinville Express Train Ride And so much more!

NOTICE: NEW PET POLICY Although Pumpkinville love animals, beginning in 2016, you can no longer bring your dog or pets to visit the farm.

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Haunted Hinsdale house is a fall destination

by KELLEN M. QUIGLEY

HINSDALE — Nestled in a field just off Wagner Hill Florence and Joseph Misnik bought the property. They Road about four miles from downtown Hinsdale sits the lived at the house well into their 80s, dying within two always-ominous Dandy House, which has oozed supermonths of each other in 2010. The house has sat vacant natural mischief for over 40 years. ever since.

And in all those years, through several owners report“We’ve done a ton of research,” Klaes said. “We’re ing spooky encounters, the fascination with the allegedly dating it back to 1850s now, but we’re try to keep everyhaunted house hasn’t died down — it’s grown. one as knowledgeable about what actually happened Every Friday and Saturday through the Halloween as opposed to if it’s a fable. We try to tell them that this is season, the Paranormal Investigation Tour (P.I.T.) Society is a story, but we can’t show you the news articles.” giving tours of the “Hinsdale Haunted House,” located at To keep things fresh and different, he said different 3830 McMahon Road, but they’re already getting bookhunters, mediums and investigators would come in and ings into next year. help with the tours, which go through the house, around “We’re very busy every weekend with tours and prithe property and sometimes down to the Hanging Tree. A vate investigations,” said Dan Klaes, owner of the property typical tour lasts three hours. and managing partner of the group. “We’re booking into New technology has been a factor in discovering March right now, and we have a nice line-up for October and encountering new spirits, activity around the house, for the public every weekend.” such as the rumored Indian burial ground on top of the Since buying the property in June 2015, Klaes and his hill, or responses to names not usually triggers to the spirits. team have taken on a major restoration of the house in When Klaes was in the house one night a year ago, order to preserve it for years to come. The roof, the kitchhe mentioned Florence Misnik and felt a tingling sensation en ceiling, windows, electric and the heating system all on his arm and his K2 EMF meter lit all the way up, a sign of a strong presence, and stayed lit for a long time while were redone or replaced. Outside, the property around he walked up the stairs. the house had been opened up by clearing some of the “You’ll get surges on the K2 meter, but it rarely stays lit fields and a new stone driveway was put in. They even up unless I hold it up to a fuse box,” he said. “Certain spirits had to relocate a colony of bees. come out at certain times. I think a lot of it has to do with “When I had the bee keepers out, there was a colony Paranormal Lockdown, investigators Nick Groff and knowing the history of the house, and the more you know of about 500,000 honey bees that we safely removed Katrina Weidman at the Hinsdale Haunted House the more activity you’re going to get.” out of the house,” he said.

For October, many special guests will visit the house In recent months, Klaes said there has been a lot of support from the community with interest in the house, many helping with the roof, painting for exclusive tours. On Oct. 1, there will be a ghost hunt featuring Mike Dolan and Brian McCauley from “The Demon Files.” The following Friday, Oct. 7, psychic Chelsea Gill will and woodwork.

When visitors come to the house, Klaes said a typical tour starts out with a brief history perform an investigation. The next night, Oct. 8, the South Jersey Ghost Research team will also investigate the house. telling some stories of the house around a campfire.

On Oct. 15, there will be an “intense and emotional lecture” presented by exorcist JefThe bulk of the supernatural experiences were witnessed by the Dandy family, who resided at the two-story, three-bedroom home located at the end of the dead end street frey Leeper at the house. The following Saturday, Oct. 22, Sean Austin of the “The Demon Files” will do his own investigation of the house. Finally, on Oct. 29, Reverend Tim Shaw will for five years in the early 1970s.

As the brushes with the stranger things became more and more frequent and an perform an investigation of the house to wrap-up the Halloween season.

“We do tours any day,” Klaes said. “If somebody wants to schedule a tour not on a apparent exorcism by Father Alphonsus Trabold — an ordained exorcist and friar as St. Bonaventure University — did little to quell the paranormal, the family felt there was no weekend or an off-day, we can make arrangements anytime.”

Most tours can be booked on pitsociety.com. For more information or to schedule a choice but to move out.

After the Dandys left, ownership of the house changed several times until 1986, when visit, go to HauntedHinsdaleHouse.com or call (716) 578-4586.

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Phase 1 of The Trails At Jakes Rocks Now Open

Detail Map Of Proposed Trail System

WARREN — Twenty bicyclists rode 150 miles from Ellicottville, N.Y., to Jakes Rocks on the Allegheny National Forest one weekend over the summer to promote cycling in the region.

Calling it the 42nd Parallel Ride, the cyclists traveled along the border of New York state and Pennsylvania — also known as the 42nd Parallel — and ended at the new Jakes Rocks biking trail that was unveiled with a grand opening ceremony on Sunday, August 28.

“We wanted to promote cross-border cycling opportunities available in Cattaraugus, McKean and Warren counties,” said Barry Bryan, who participated in the ride and helped organize it.

Bryan said they also wanted to raise awareness and funding for the development of more trails — as well as have fun.

The groups now plan to begin a project of creating a tri-fold map showing all of the gravel, road and mountain biking trails in the region.

“Too many people have maps or guides that end at the 42nd parallel, describing just New York state parks and state forests, or the PA national forest and state parks,” Bryan explained. “This ride was a way to demonstrate that great opportunities exist on both sides of the border and should be considered together.”

He said they chose to keep it a small group because it was a “challenging endeavor” and they didn’t want “people lost or left behind.”

Almost all of the ride was done on dirt trails or roads, but in New York state, Allegany State Park has approved plans for a new 8-mile trail system similar to those currently being built at Jakes Rocks.

This trail system would tie directly into the Cain Hollow Campground, and though it is currently approved and ready for development, funding is not yet available, according to Bryan.

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by AMANDA NICHOLS “One of the larger reasons to do this was to connect regions for mountain biking between New York and Pennsylvania and create awareness for the positive impact that mountain biking would bring from a tourism standpoint,” said Northern Allegheny Mountain Bike Association president Andy Georgakis.

Georgakis said the grand opening for the new trail network at Jakes Rocks involved a ribboncutting first thing in the morning, followed by food vendors, demo bikes to test out and other festivities.

“It’s been nearly eight years in the making, so this is a pretty epic thing for us to be doing on the national forest,” Georgakis said.

Groups that helped bring the project to fruition include Pennsylvania Kinzua Pathways and the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry, as well as a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the local chapter of the International Mountain Bike Association.

He said the Jakes Rocks Trails will be optimized for biking, unlike other hiking trails in the area available for use by cyclists. Georgakis explained the trails will be contoured to the hills rather than shooting downhill as a means to travel from point A to point B. As a result, the network includes many portions that are good for beginner cyclists.

Eventually, they hope to make the Jakes Rocks network span 45-miles of trails, and a contractor has worked up a plan which could be done in three to four phases. However, it must await funding, which the groups are seeking through corporate and personal donations as well as grants, according to Georgakis.

“It’s been great community networking, hopefully bring in more attention and tourism dollars in the region,” he said.

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Appreciate Nature at Pfeiffer Nature Center

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by KATE DAY SAGER

PORTVILLE — As fall approaches, Pfeiffer Nature Center officials who include Beverly Jones look forward to the cooler temperatures, beautiful colors and a “sense of a slowing pace that provides a soothing and peaceful experience” on the rural Portville property.

“Every day of the year is a special day out in nature when you visit Pfeiffer Nature Center, but I am especially appreciative of the fall season,” Jones said. “We are excited about our fall lineup which will give outdoor enthusiasts a close-up and personal connection to our natural world.”

The nature program coordinator said this can be accomplished through activities that include meditation, a fern walk, kids’ outdoor exploration as well as studying the natural history of the Eastern Hemlock. Visitors will also learn how to keep the planet healthy through programs that promote environmentally friendly products.

“We encourage folks to enjoy Pfeiffer Nature Center this fall, whether it is through participation at a program or to stop by on their own,” Jones added.

She said the fall lineup of activities include the following programs.

• Oct. 8, 2 p.m. - Fall fun for Kids.

Visitors, both young and old, can spend the afternoon enjoying nature at the Lillibridge preserve while participating in several fun activities such as a scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, face painting, cart rides and trick-or-treating along the interpretive trail.

Program length is two hours.

• Oct. 22, 10 a.m., The Majestic Eastern Hemlock Officials with the Nature Conservancy will discuss the important ecological and social values of the Eastern Hemlock, also known as the Hemlock Spruce or Spruce Pine.

The species, a slow-growing, long-lived tree which may exist for more than 800 years, is considered a bright gem among the treasure trove of trees located within the Lillibridge old-growth forest.

Sarah Johnson, forest ecologist, will talk about the threats the species is currently facing, including the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA.) Considerations and options for the management of the HWA will also be reviewed. Program length is two hours.

• Nov. 12, 10 a.m., Celebrate Mother Earth over the Holidays Participants can enjoy environmentally friendly products over the holidays, and every day, through this program. During the session, Pfeiffer officials will outline the many reasons for using green products, including the fact that they keep water and air clean, protect wildlife and are safe for pets and family members. Users of the products will also receive the satisfaction of knowing the items are making a positive difference. During the program, instructors will share examples of eco-friendly personal, home, yard and garden products.

Product ingredients - how they are made and how they are used - will also be discussed.

Products will be on hand for participants to sample.

Pfeiffer officials noted the program will provide a “fun and festive way to learn about products and techniques that are great for you, for our community, for our local forests, rivers and streams and our planet.” The program length is two hours.

• Mid-October, Pfeiffer Nature Center Annual Wreath Sale Orders will begin in mid-October and pick-up dates are Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.

Volunteers for wreath decorating are welcome.

For more information on any of the noted activities, or to volunteer, email Jones at naturalist@pfeiffernaturecenter.org or call the office at 716-933-0187.

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About Pfeiffer Nature Center The Lillibridge Property consists 188 acres and 6 miles of hiking trails. It is home to a national & state registered historic cabin and is one of the largest privately held and easily accessible tracts of old-growth forest.

The Lillibridge Property is located at 1974 Lillibridge Road, Portville, NY 14770.

The Eshelman Property has 460 acres and has 3+ miles of trails through wetlands and secondary growth forest. Historically a small farm, we are gradually reclaiming it for these purposes.

The Eshelman Property is located at 1420 Yubadam Road, Portville NY. Together the two properties offer hills and flatlands, wetlands and meadows, old-growth and second-growth forests and much more.

Hours: Both properties are generally open, dawn to dusk, year round.

Eshelman is closed October through December for hunting season.

Admission: There is no admission fee. However, donations are appreciated.

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Ellicottville resorts gearing up for the ski season ahead ELLICOTTVILLE — As the winter season approaches, Holiday Valley and Holimont resorts are hoping for a better-than-ever winter season this year. Both resorts have been busy upgrading since the official closing of the lifts last spring.

Holimont Ski Resort has made some new improvements for its patrons and more are underway. Marketing Director Greg Culver said expanding and widening their cross country trails is one of the biggest projects they’ve done this year.

“There are a couple of reasons we did this expansion,” he said. “One was to add more value for our members. The other was to widen the trail so we could groom and maintain it better.”

Culver said a new ‘lean-to’ has been added up towards the top of the cross country loop. He said it’s a cozy area with a fire pit and they’re hoping to do some kind of evening excursions for members in the future.

In addition, he said Holimont has regraded and increased the size of the beginner area. They have future plans to improve the children’s programs and learn to ski programs by giving beginners their own area with a wide-open space.

Culver said a Nordic Center for cross country skiers and snowshoers is in the master plan for future development in the WestMont area of the resort. It will include new slopes and eventually a new lodge, along with a new beginner area.

For more information, call (716) 6992320 or visit online at Holimont.com.

Holiday Valley’s president, Dennis Eshbaugh, said it looks as though Mother Nature will be much kinder to winter sports lovers this season. The resort is ready for a great ski and snowboard season.

According to Steve Crowley, director

of Mountain Operations at Holiday Valley Resort, they start gearing up for the next winter the day they shut down the lifts in the spring.

“Planning, annual mountain and facility maintenance and improvement projects take place over the spring, summer and fall, so we’re ready for opening day in late November,” he said.

Marketing Director Jane Eshbaugh said the resort has budgeted $1.2 million for snowmaking expansion, slope improvements and a new skier arrival area. Last year, Holiday Valley changed the alignment of the access road to create better, more efficient parking areas. This year, they have been building a new ski arrival area to tie-in with the road and those parking areas. Besides making a great first impression and making it safer and easier for skiers, this arrival area will help direct visitors to the various services of the base-area.

“More than 1,000 trees and saplings have been planted on the new access road and we are currently looking at landscaping options for the arrival area that will be attractive, but salt resistant,” she said. “It’s the finishing touch and we really want to set-off the building and base-area.”

To expand the snowmaking operation, 38 HKD Impulse snow guns were purchased giving Holiday Valley a total of 608 snow guns. The new equipment will replace the older technology guns on Northwind and Cross Cut. Snowmaking will also be improved

by DEB EVERTS on Chute, Yodeler and Champagne to allow the resort to build moguls on the east sides of these slopes.

Eshbaugh said a two-mile mountain bike “flow-trail” was built that starts at the mountaintop and winds back and forth across the slopes to the base. This new trail, named Senear Valley, plus the older Grinder trail that leads riders to the top of the mountain, will give riders access to the 34 miles of single track and logging trails in the state forest that borders Holiday Valley Resort — connecting them with the Western New York Mountain Biking Trails.

Holiday Valley’s night skiing hours will be modified for the upcoming season. Night skiing will close at 9 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and will remain open until 10 p.m.

Wednesdays through Sundays.

Ellicottville is located on Route 219, just 50 miles south of Buffalo. To find out more, call (716) 699-3904 or visit online at HolidayValley.com.

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Area agritourism businesses ready for apple season While the early fall apples may not be as large as usual, there should be plenty of the sweet, crunchy fruit for consumers, said entrepreneurs of two seasonal businesses in the area and officials with the New York Apple Association.

According to a report from the apple association at NYAppleCountry.com, this year’s crop will offer a large variety of apples, albeit smaller in size due to the summer’s drought.

In addition, the association reports the state’s growers are forecast to pick 30 million cartons of apples.The amount is “slightly above the state’s average crop of 28.6 million cartons over the past five years.”

The report said this year’s apple crop should also be crunchier and sweeter from the drought. This is due to the fact that less water content creates a higher concentration of sugars in each apple.

At Cummins Cider Mill at 159 Portville-Ceres Road in Portville, owner Donny Leilous, said the early apples delivered to his business were used for the production of sweet apple cider sold at the restaurant and stand.

“Our apples are smaller because of the lack of water,” Leilous explained. “There’s going to be more juice apples for cider than to sell in the store.”

Leilous said he receives Cortland apples from the Lockport and Lake Ontario areas.

“Cortland is all I sell because it’s a good, all-around apple,” he said. “It’s a good pie-making and eating apple, you can do anything with it.”

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by KATE DAY SAGER The business, which is open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. seven days a week through the end of October, sells fresh cider, apples, fresh-baked doughnuts, coffee, maple syrup, cheese, cheese curds and honey.

At the Randolph Peaches & Cream business at 19 Main St. in Randolph, owner Gary Boser said he also expects to have a “decent apple crop” this season.

“The apples are not overly big, but with the rain coming they should size out,” Boser said, noting he usually sells between 13 and 15 varieties of apples from the Lockport area.

In addition to apples, Bosers business sells a large selection of locally grown fall produce, including a variety of squash, tomatoes and beans, as well as pickled Amish products, jams and soups.

An added treat for customers is the ice cream stand which sells 36 flavors as well as sundaes, milkshakes and nachos.

“The ice cream parlor is open until the Friday before Halloween, which is free cone Friday for kids,” Boser said. He said a wide variety of pumpkins, including white pumpkins, pie pumpkins and cow pumpkins - which make great Jack-O-Lanterns - will be sold during the fall.

The business will close approximately three weeks after Halloween and reopen to sell Christmas trees, wreaths and poinsettias during the holiday season.

Current hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

photo by KATE SAGER Raeanne Smith (at left) and Andrea Hewitt, employees of Cummins Cider Mill in Portville

photo by KATE SAGER Cheyanne France, an employee of the Randolph Peaches & Cream

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