June 28, 2012 Chautauqua Star

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YOUR WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

www.StarNewsDaily.com

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Week of June 28, 2012

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Vol.5, No. 26 – FREE

Seats for Soldiers

Pops Sets the Stage for July 4th Celebration By Scott Wise Star Staff Writer

This July 4, residents of Chautauqua County have an opportunity to spend Independence Day with the modern day servicemen and women who make our freedoms possible. The Bemus Bay Pops is presenting ‘ABBAMANIA’ as part of a Fourth of July show, and providing a special ‘Seats for Soldiers’ section. “This is the first year we have held an event like this,” said Bemus Bay Pops Development & Communications representative Michelle Turner. “It is providing a venue where families can gather, celebrate the holiday, watch the fireworks and enjoy a terrific show under the stars.” In order to show an appreciation to the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and current servicemen and women, the Bemus Bay Pops is offering limited free seating to these individuals. For information on seating, vets are encouraged to call Dan Dalpra at 397-9200 or Michelle Turner at 640-4055. “In keeping with the wishes of the John Alfred Johnson Foundation, we wish to celebrate our country,” said Turner. “We are offering a limited number of seats to our local OEF and OIF Veterans as a “Welcome Home”. The entire event begins at 8 p.m. with ABBAMANIA, a tribute concert to the disco pop band ‘Abba.’ After

Sponsored by DFT Communications and the Johnson Foundation, ABBAMANIA, the world’s number one Abba production, performs on the DFT Floating Stage in Bemus Point on July 4.

the show, there will be fireworks to commemorate the Independence Day holiday. ABBAMANIA is sponsored by the local telecommunications company, DFT Communications and the Johnson Foundation. Special guest this year will be long time resident Vince Horrigan, who will be speaking on behalf of Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards.

“ABBAMANIA” is rated as the number one Abba production in the world. The cast of ABBAMANIA is from Toronto Ontario, Canada. ABBAMANIA performs 22 songs of ABBA in their two set show with costume changes, choreography, comedy and a great concert sound. ABBAMANIA is a show for all ages to enjoy and to sing along with songs from Waterloo, Fernando, S.O.S., Mamma

Mia, Super Trooper, Voulez Vous, I Had A Dream to Dancing Queen and many, many more. Abbamania performs all the hits. This fourth of July, celebrate our independence with the people who have made it possible. Head to the DFT Communications Floating Stage and enjoy a great show followed by fireworks.

Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum a Popular Summer Destination Ghost tours, focus on the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 expected to draw many to historical site

Point Gratiot.” The Dunkirk Harbor, which was then known as ChadStar Contributing Writer wick Bay, has been described in history books as one of The site of the Dunkirk Lighthouse the best harbors along Lake played a significant role in the War Erie that provided immediof 1812 and visitors to the landmark ate shelter and anchorage for site will be able to learn more about commercial boat traffic. In how the very first naval conflict of addition, Canadaway Creek that historic battle took place on the also offered shelter for boats Dunkirk harbor. as a group of about four dozen In addition to learning about the his- settlers formed a mini-militia torical significance of that first clash, to protect their salt boats and other commercial interests visitors to the Dunkirk Lighthouse based along the harbor. That and Veterans Park Museum will be first naval fight proved to be able to participate in one of three successful as the British eveninvestigative “ghost hunts” that will each include a lighthouse tour and a tually returned to their ship and fled the area. paranormal investigation. Dave Briska, a volunteer who serves The New York State Regional Tourism office and the Interas the events coordinator and also national Peace Garden Foundation wears a variety of other hats reprecently unveiled a brand new trail resenting the privately owned and map that identifies historical sites operated facility, says the historical related to the War of 1812 across aspects of the Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum give the the state and in Ontario that help landmark a direct connection to how celebrate the past 200 years of peace between the United States and the War of 1812 started. Canada. “The very first shots of the war were The guided tours of the historic fired here in Dunkirk,” said Briska. lighthouse and the Veterans Park “The way things began, it was the Americans who fired their shots right Museum allow visitors to enjoy the scenic view of Lake Erie from the at a British ship just off the coast of By Daniel Meyer

lighthouse’s observation deck. Tickets for all three of the summer ghost hunts, being held in conjunction with VillageHaunts, are now available for purchase. The collaboration with VillageHaunts provides a unique fundraising opportunity that allows the volunteers who operate the facility to facilitate public investigations at a unique local venue that has historic significance that is believed to have paranormal activity. The June 30 ghost hunt, entitled “The

Haunting of the Annabelle Wilson,” is scheduled to take place on June 30 from 7 p.m. to midnight, with the $15 cost per person leading to 100 percent of the proceedings going to benefit the lighthouse. The other summer ghost hunts are “The Hunt for the Widow Cole” on July 21 and “Beyond Ghosts” on August 18. In addition, ghost hunts will also be held in September and October, with special Halloween Weekend ghost tours scheduled for October 26 and 27. Briska encourages those who have never visited the lighthouse or museum to take some time this summer to visit. “We have a unique presence right on the lake that needs to be experienced first-hand,” said Briska. “The view is something you really can’t describe until you see it for yourself.” For more information about the Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum, including hours of operation, details on lighthouse tours and how you can purchase tickets for the ghost hunts, visit www. dunkirklighthouse.com or call 716366-5050.

Boat Rentals & Sales

Pontoon and Power Boats, Fishing, Pedal and Kayaks Safe Boating Class June 24–9:30 am (Located At)

Chautauqua Marina

Full Service Marina Open 7 Days a week 8 am–8 pm

716-753-3913 104 West Lake Rd. Mayville, NY


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June 28, 2012 Chautauqua Star by The Chautauqua Star - Issuu