October 10, 2012 Harvest Celebration

Colors of Chautauqua Learning Festival

Dates: Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. to Oct. 21 at 5 p.m.

Location: All over Chautauqua Contact: 866-908-4569; info@tourchautauqua.com

Kitchen Gardening with Herbs

Dates: Oct. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: Rainbow End Herb Farm; 10084 Hooker Road; Perrysburg Contact: 716-532-6022; jcountyswift@aol. com

Harmony Historical Society Harvest Festival

Dates: Oct. 6, 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Harmony Historical Museum, Ashville

Contact: 716-782-3074; www.harmonyhistoricalsociety.org

Contact:716-753-0371; julie.blueheron@ gmail.com

Painting the Colors of Chautauqua

Mausoleum Tours and More Tours

Dates: Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Chautauqua Institution Contact: 716-326-4478; audrey.donald. dowling@gmail.com

Saints and Sinners Cemetery Tours

Dates: Oct. 6 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Location: Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown Contact: 716-664-6256

Plant, Spirit and Herbalism

Dates: Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Green Heron Growers, Panama

Dates: Oct. 7 at 8 p.m.

Location: Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown Contact: 716-664-6256

How to Think Like a Genealogist Dates: Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon Location: Cherry Creek Inn, Cherry Creek Contact: 717-672-4445

Whiskeys of New York

Dates: Oct. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant, Mayville Contact: 716-753-3960

2

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration– C

|

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

Chautauqua County Master Gardener Top Tips, Tricks, Techniques & To-do’s for the Fall Garden

Fall is the best time of year to plant/transplant trees and shrubs – the soil is warm and you get great “end-of-season” deals at the local nurseries!

Stock up on garden tools, supplies and equipment – as stores make way for snow shovels take advantage of the discounts on gardening supplies!!

Use aluminum foil as a scrubber to remove rust and dirt from metal garden tools.

Pour about 1/2 bottle vegetable or canola oil into a bucket of sand and mix well. Push your trowels, shears, pruners, knives etc. in & out of the sand 4-5 times. The sand cleans the dirt off and the oil protects them from rust over the winter.

Wipe with paper towels or garage cloths and your tools are ready for spring!

The sand can be saved for future use and cleaning of dirty/rusty tools.

Use your leaves -do not rake into street where their nutrients may go down drains to the lake.

Grind them up and use as mulch or for brown layers in your compost pile. Bag “extras” and store to use in the Spring and Summer.

Add protection to your fall planted bulbs by surrounding them with gravel or crushed zebra mussel shells. It will deter the little critters that like to enjoy these tasty delights.

Get free plants by dividing your perennials. Do your research in advance to determine which types

of perennials should be divided in the Fall and the best methods for doing so.

Get more free plants: Take cuttings from tender annuals like coleus, sweet potato vine, impatiens and geraniums now to root and winter over in the house.

If you have tubers or bulbs that you dig up in the Fall to store over winter, use a sharpie marker to label the type of plant and the flower color.

Seed vegetable gardens with a cover crop to help retain soil moisture, restore nutrients and prevent soil erosion throughout the winter.

Turn them in in the Spring to add even more nutrients.

Bring some worms indoors: If you have an outdoor compost pile harvest a few worms by wrapping kitchen scraps up in a newspaper that you bury in the pile and dig out a week later. You will have a great starter package for an indoor worm bin!

Leave seed heads on plants like Coneflower to provide food for birds that overwinter.

Create your Spring beds now…now is the time to do any deep (8”) rototilling so if you have a new spot that you want to have a garden in the Spring now is the time to prep the ground.

Plant your garlic, onions and perennial rhubarb roots in October before the first frost.

Use row covers or straw

mulch to protect fall crops from frost and deer while extending the harvest season for a wide variety of coldtolerant greens (lettuce, peas, onions) and root crops(beets, carrots).

Before winter sets in cut your turf to the lowest setting, 2” if possible. This is the only time of the year you should have to cut the turf less than 3”. This reduces the risk of snow molds in the turf over the winter.

Take a portion of the garden and seed, yes seed, leaf lettuce, arugula and spinach even in the fall, you should be surprised with an early spring crop of greens.

Keep a fresh supply of basil in the fall by cutting long stems from basil in the garden (before the first frost) and putting them in water in glass containers on a windowsill. The basil will actually root and grow giving new leaves into December.

Cook spaghetti squash now, which doesn’t last as long as winter squash, take out the seeds and then portion out the “threads” in plastic bags & put in the freezer.

Create a “lasagna” garden bed that you can plant next spring. Use newspapers or cardboard for a base layer followed by alternating layers of ground up leaves, grass clippings and food scraps. Come Spring you will have a new raised bed with beautiful compost/soil to grow in without ever having to till first!

Remove old, spent plants from the garden. Any plants that had insects or disease should be put in plastic bags and thrown out with the trash. Others can be composted.

Turn the soil and leave it rough to expose insects and disease to the cold.

Take a soil test and add any needed lime to the garden (if your soil is acidic) so it will break down and do its job by spring.

Add organic matter (compost, leaves, grass clippings) to improve the condition of the soil.

Be sure to clean up your garden so it will look neat and clean for the winter.

Now sit back, enjoy a cup of hot apple cider and wait for the seed catalogs to start pouring in!

The mission of the Chautauqua County Master Gardener Program is to educate and serve the community, utilizing university and researchbased horticultural information. Volunteers are from the community who have successfully completed 50+ hours of Cornell approved training and volunteer

a minimum of 50 hours per year.

For more information on the Master Gardener Program, please contact: Betsy Burgeon, Master Gardener Coordinator 716 664.9502 X 204 Emh92@cornell.edu “Like” the Chautauqua County Master Gardeners on Facebook for gardening news and information!

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown) C

|

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration –

3

Get A Taste of Country at the Busti Cider Mill and Farm Market

By Patricia Pihl Managing Editor

Despite a disappointing apple season, Bob Schultz has been pressing apple cider since the end of August this year, an annual ritual at his Cider Mill since 1983. The press was built in the 1890s and has been the site of tours for

to go around. The farm and market, with 20 acres and a greenhouse, grows its own organic vegetables and berries with the focus now switching to winter veggies like rutabaga, and parsnips.

Open until Thanksgiving, the market moves into the Lillian Ney Center in Jamestown in November

nity.” There is also handstirred, goat milk fudge and cheeses. The farm also grows its our own grains and mills its own buckwheat, cornmeal, rye flour, whole wheat flour and cereal, all of which are organic. Also for purchase are home made jams and jellies, local honey and maple

Bob Schultz talks about the cider making process at his farm market and cider mill in Busti.

he says that it the farm is not certified organic.

Since participants get what is available during the season, Schultz says that the program is for people who “are a little bit adventurous, schools, groups and tour busses, although with the lack of apples this year, mill patrons may or may not be able to see weekend demonstrations this fall.

Not to worry. There is still plenty of fall harvest

and December.

The Mill and Farm Market are a great mix of all things country. The market’s gift shop is filled with handcrafted items made, according to Judy Schultz, “exclusively by our employees, and local artisans in the commu-

syrup.

Community Supported Agriculture Bob Schultz says the farm also participates in what is called Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. CSA has become a popular way for consumers to buy local seasonal food directly from a farmer. A farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public, similar to a membership.

In return, consumers receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. The program starts mid-May and goes until November.

The advantage to consumers, Bob says, is “fresh food, right from the farm and grown organically.” Although

not someone who sets a menu at the beginning of the week.”

Busti Cider Mill and Farm Market also participates in three farmers markets in Warren, Jamestown and Lakewood

throughout the season.

It is located at 1135 Southwestern Drive, South of Jamestown. For more information visit www.busticidermill.com or call 716-487-0177 or 483-7300.

WINDOWS $189

ANY SIZE INSTALLED! White Double Hung**

Largest Replacement Window Company in the US!* • Completely Welded Frame & Sash • Financing Available • Double Pane Insulated Glass • E.P.A Certified

*Qualified Remodeler 2012 **Ask Salesperson for details

(716) 763-0025

135 E Fairmount Ave., Lakewood NY

4

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration– C

|

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

“An Eclectic Mix of Knowledge and Expertise” SUNY Fredonia traces its roots to the Fredonia Academy, officially opened in 1826 in “Chautauqua Co., N.Y., one of the best educational sites in the Country.” * To honor the university’s beginnings, Lifelong Learning and Special Programs has launched a 21st century Fredonia Academy. * Taken from an early Fredonia Academy ad

Colors of Chautauqua 2012 Get away for fun and learning to Chautauqua County for the Colors of Chautauqua learning festival.

As part of this, SUNY Fredonia is proud to offer:

Pilates and Stress Relief

Gain knowledge and experience in basic movement techniques that promote overall health and well-being.

Trainers: Professors Helen Myers and Sam Kenney Dates: Saturday, October 6 and 20; 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location: Dods Hall, SUNY Fredonia $35 per person, per session (includes Pilates rings) Fee:

Tea and Poetry at the President’s House

Join SUNY Fredonia's newly appointed President for a morning of readings and discussion of the poetry of autumn.

Trainer: Dr. Virginia Schaefer Horvath Date: Saturday, October 13; 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location: President's House, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $15 per person (includes light refreshments and a tour of the 1855 home)

Spinning Yarn on a Wheel

Experienced spinners will choose a quality eece and turn it into yarn.

Trainer: Ryan Laurie Date: Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m.-Noon Location: Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $59 (includes eece - participants must provide their own spinning wheels)

Defensive Driving

Reduce up to four points from your New York State driving record and save on liability and collision insurance.

Days: Classes meet in an all-day Saturday or two-evening format Dates: September 15, September 17/19, October 13, October 23/25, November 10, November 26/28, and December 8 Location: Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $35 per person

�e Amish Experience: Tour and Supper

Tour the countryside, meet members of the Old Order Amish community, and partake in an Amish-style supper.

Trainer: Carol Lorenc Date: Saturday, October 13; 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Location: Tour starts at Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia Fee: $59 per person (includes transportation and supper)

Spinning Yarn on a Drop Spindle

Learn a few basics on the differences in eece options, choosing a quality eece, and how to turn eece into yarn.

Trainer: Date: Location: Fee:

Ryan Laurie Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m.-noon Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia $59 (includes drop spindles and eece)

�e Amish Experience: Holiday Shopping in Amish Country

Tour the Old Order Amish community, shop for unique handcrafted gifts and foodstuffs, and partake in an Amish-style lunch.

Trainer: Date: Location: Fee:

Carol Lorenc Saturday, November 17; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Tour starts at Fenton Hall, SUNY Fredonia $59 per person (includes transportation and lunch)

Lifelong Learning and Special Programs

716.673.3177

To learn more and to register, visit

www.fredonia.edu/lifelong

Pre-registration and payment are required for all workshops. We reserve the right to change rooms, instructors, times, dates, fees or cancel courses when necessary.

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown) C

|

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration –

5

Ellicottville Fall Festival A Personal Perspective

By Scott Wise Star Copy Editor

My family has spent countless Columbus Day Weekends at Allegany State Park; building campfires, going for walks and making cherished memories. In more recent years, the Saturday of that weekend has begun with a scenic trip through the mountains to Ellicottville for the Ellicottville Fall Festival.

While the majority of article we write for this paper are intended to promote community involvement in local events, it’s clear to anyone to has been to the fall fest that there is no need for higher attendance.

Each year, it seems we park farther and farther away from the downtown square. The craft tents, which began as a few local vendors set up in the streets, have since taken

over like a glorious virusspreading out farther and farther each year.

But- the event continues to be a highlight of the year for many Western New Yorkers- our family included. The craftsmanship is, in my opinion, far above that of nearly every other craft show we attend. Every tent seems to offer unique and creative original products.

We began going when I was still in high school,

my parents, aunt and uncle. Eventually, my girlfriend came with us.

Then she came as my fiancé. Three years ago was our first as husband and wife.

The following year, she was eight months pregnant and we brought our dog to show off. Last year, our son made his first appearance at the festival as a ten month old. This year, he’ll be walking around and be-

ing told not to touch all the delicate creations the festival vendors prepare.

We always start the festival off with a big bag of fresh kettle corn, which rarely makes it through to the end of our day.

We’ll walk around and check all the vendors, and have conversations with the folks we remember from years past.

Occasionally we’ll grab a blooming onion and a warm hot chocolate for

the cool fall day.

This year, we’ll be heading to the festival on Saturday, Oct. 6. It just happens to be my wife’s birthday, so I’m sure we’ll be doing something special to celebrate, maybe grabbing some extra barbecue. I encourage you to head up to Ellicottville on the weekend of Oct. 5, 6 and 7. It’s a fabulous festival, one you won’t regret going to!

Peek’n Peak Celebrating 25th Anniversary of Fall Festival Various Family-Oriented Activities to Take Place Over Two Weekends

By Daniel Meyer Star Contributing Writer

The beauty of the fall season in Chautauqua County will be showcased later this month at Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa as activities for people of all ages will be the focus of the 25th annual Fall Festival.

With scheduled events on the agenda the weekends of October 13 and 14 and October 20 and 21, Peek’n Peak will serve as the center of fall festivities on all four days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Peek’n Peak has been hosting the popular festival for more than two decades with great success due in large part to the wide variety of family-oriented activities that highlight the event’s calendar.

In an effort to make this year’s festival the biggest and best yet and to coincide with the celebration of a quartercentury of success for the event itself, organizers

have added new attractions, improved the live musical entertainment lineup and inserted some unique entertainment opportunities to the slate of what is already called the region’s premiere autumn event.

This year’s festivities include a craft show, farmers market, ski lift rides, snow sports equipment swap, horse-drawn rides, the famous “pumpkin cannon” and various activities geared towards children, including artsand-crafts workshops, pony rides and a petting zoo.

Of particular interest to automobile enthusiasts is the 15th annual “Turning Leaves Classic Car Cruise” on Sunday, October 14. Sponsored by the Southern Tier Classic Chevy Club, the roar of horsepower will be heard that afternoon as participants will showcase their classic cars and trucks and also be invited to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets and

enter for a chance to win special door prizes.

The 2012 Fall Fest Live Music bill is impressive, with two different acts set to hit the stage each of the four days the festival is held. The musical showcase will feature “Derek Davis & The Tasty Grove” and Sean Patrick McGraw” on Saturday, October 13 and will continue with “M4 Band” and “The Breeze Band” on Sunday, October 14. The music will continue on Saturday, October 20 with Rick Magee & The Road House Rockers” and “Jackson Rohm” and will conclude on Sunday, October 21 with “Ken Hardley & The Henways” and “Porcelain Busdrivers.”

In addition to all of the scheduled activities, live musical entertainment and food and beverage offerings all four days of the Fall Festival, Peak’n Peak will also offer attendees the opportunity to purchase their 2012-

2013 ski season passes at discounted rates.

The 2012 Peek’n Peak Fall Festival will take

place at 1389 Old Road in Findley Lake, with free admission and parking available to all festival-

goers. In addition to the daytime activities happening on Continued on Page 11

Ride aboard vintage coach cars including the open gondola car, First Class Wabash, and the Railway Post Office car.

View beautiful Oil Creek Valley while listening to the story of oil, lumber and railroads.

Check out the visitor center Food service available Stay overnight at The Caboose Motel

6

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration– C

|

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown) C

|

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration –

2012-2013 Productions

Fall Events Around Chautauqua Muddy Viking Date: Oct. 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Chautauqua Lake Lutheran Center, Bemus Point Contact: 830-6703 Fall Fest at Peek ‘n Peak Date: Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. until Oct. 14 at 5 p.m.

Location: Peek ‘n Peak Resort and Spa in Clymer Contact: 355-4141 Octoberfest Date: Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: JCC Contact: 338-1005 The Amish Experience Date: Oct. 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Location: SUNY Fredonia

Contact: 673-3177 Rocktober Fest Date: Oct. 13 from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: Jamestown Saving Bank Arena Contact: 484-2624 Harvest Moon Cemetery Tours Dates: Oct. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Location: Barkers Commons Gazebo, Fredonia Contact: 414-4818 Ghost Hunt Dates: Oct. 20 from 7 p.m. to midnight Location: Dunkirk Lighthouse Contact: 366-5050 November Harvest Wine Weekend

Dates: Nov. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Lake Erie Grape Belt Contact: www.lakeeriewinecountry.org The Amish Experience: Holiday Shopping in Amish Country Dates: Nov. 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location: SUNY Fredonia Contact: 673-3177 Thanksgiving with the Birds Dates: Nov. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Jamestown Audubon Society Contact: 569-2345

18

15 16 17

7

8

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration– C

|

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

The Good Cause at Cross Roads M arket has big Fall plans, including Chili Cook-off on Oct. 6 for Hospice

By Scott Wise

Join us for Harvest Wine Weekends November 2-4 or November 9 - 11 Food & wine samples at 23 wineries, gift bag, recipes, $5 voucher.

Purchase tickets online:

www.lakeeriewinecountry.org (877) 326-6561

Latest Settlement 100K! 716.363.6000

wseegert@bouvierlaw.com

Wealth Strategies For Your Settlement

• Motor Vehicle Accidents • Construction Accidents • Injury on Property • Dog Bites • General Practice Appointments available in Dunkirk & Silver Creek Call for a Free Consultation

716.363.6000

Star Copy Editor

“Cooperation is nothing new but a very old idea,” is just a part of the Cross Roads philosophy. Community members working together can get farther for a cause than they can flying solo, and that still rings true for Cross Roads as it enters into the latter part of its 15th season.

As they have gone forward, the mentality has stayed the same as it was when Cross Roads opened in 1998sticking by the four P’s for success: Product, Price, Presentation and Personality.

“When developed properly, success will follow,” they said.

Cross Roads market isn’t just a weekend shopping location, though. The team of planners, which generally consists of all the vendors working together, work hard to bring plenty of events that promote community awareness and involvement, as well as raise funds for good causes.

For instance, the Cruise

Against Hunger in August raised money through a cruise-in auto show for the Food Bank of Western New York.

This fall, there will be no shortage of evetns and fundraising opportunities at Cross Roads, and ways for the community to get out and support, while shopping and having fun.

“The most important event we have coming up is the Chili cookoff,” said Mark Pouthier, who is the Market Manager and secretary of the board. “We usually raise $1,200 to $1,500, all of which gets donated to Hospice of Chautauqua County.”

The chili cook-off, which is slated for Saturday, Oct. 6, is in its 14th year, and has come to be a staple event for the Cross Roads season.

“We set it up in the pavilion,” said Pouthier.

“There are three categories for people to enter- service organizations, restaurants and individuals. Professional judging takes place at 10:30 and the winner is awarded a prize.”

But the main fundraising takes place throughout the whole day. The

‘People’s Choice’ award is where the money is at- literally.

“Throughout the whole date, people are judging the contestant’s chili,” said Pouthier. “There are portion cups available, and people go around and can sample each chili. Every time they sample one, they’re asked to put some money in a jar by that entry.”

At the end of a very filling and delicious day, the entry with the most money in it is called the winner of the People’s Choice award.

“It’s a huge day for us, we usually have a great big crowd,” said Pouthier.

Also coming up for Cross Roads this fall is the first annual Hat Parade. Ginger Hobart and Ingrid Kennedy, who run the Precious Possessions booth in Building One, orchestrate the event.

“We will all be wearing hats, and we want folks to arrive with funny creations- beautiful creations, or just plain creative stuff,” said Kennedy.

Continued on Page 9

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown) C

|

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration –

9

Fredonia’s ‘Harvest House’ and Harvest Moon Cemetery Tours Offer Fun For All

There are plenty of farmer markets for choosing a pumpkin in Chautauqua County.

By Peter Hamilton Contributing Writer

Someone in your family, or someone significant to you, might come up to you this fall and say, (yes, it might sound like they’re complaining) “Gosh, there’s nothing to do today.”

Depending upon the age, or relationship of the asker, there are an abundance of activities in the area.

Let’s say the asker is an elementary school age child. Or, an adult with an elementary school child’s youthful curios-

ity. If so, you might want to consider going to the “Harvest House” which is located about one mile east of Fredonia on Route 20. Harvest House opens on October 1 and continues throughout the month. If you go there, the question “what’s there to do?” will have plenty of answers - for all ages and all sizes.

There is a vertical measuring sign mounted against the side of the barn one can stand against and see how tall (or short!) they are. If they are, say about two and a half feet tall, the conversion measurement at Harvest House will show that the person will be four-black cats and two pumpkins tall; just the right size to climb and ride down the slide next to the sign.

There are also other activities that include a treasure hunt, the pumpkin house, hayrides, a

Crossroads, Continued from Page 8 “It’s a fun event and we’re hoping people will come out for it,” said Hobart.

“They’ll get a small gift just for entering and there will be a prize for the best in each category.”

The Hat Parade, which will be held on Oct. 20, will be in conjunction with a collection of hats, mittens, socks and other warm clothing for the children of Chautauqua County.

“We have an organization that will distribute [the clothing], and we’re working with local schools to make sure it

gets to the right kids,” said Hobart. “It’s just one of our outreaches. All the clothing donated will stay right here in Chatuauqua County.”

Aside from being a great location to visit, shop, eat and play- Cross Roads Market is a fundraising machine- building awareness and raising money throughout its whole shopping season, which lasts from May until Dec. 22.

“We’ll be open Black Friday for the folks who don’t want to go to the malls,” said Pouthier.

“But, the Saturday after Thanksgiving is our big shopping day. It’s packed here. Santa will be here starting on Black Friday, and every Saturday through Dec. 22.”

“We want to mix community awareness with fun,” said Hobart. “If we can reach out and give back a little bit- that’s our intent.”

For more information on the Cross Roads Market, visit www.thecrossroadsmarket.com or check them out on Facebook.

Halloween playground, pumpkin bowling and a corn maze. If you and your companions are in an investigative mood, the Harvest House has a treasure hunt. The participant is given a small wood container with a tiny padlock on it, and within the treasure box are several search clues for prizes and treasures hidden around the farm.

A prize is given to each successful contestant.

There is a playhouse for all ages where word puzzles are solved, games can be played and amusement found.

For fun sport, there is a pumpkin bowling lane.

For animal lovers, there is a barn with lambs and small, ready for petting, farm animals. If you get

hungry or thirsty, there is a refreshment pavilion.

Cider, hot chocolate, cakes, and other harvest treats can be purchased.

All events and activities can be done for a cost of about three or five dollars each. Visitors will also find that The Harvest House specializes in white pumpkins. Reservations are not required.

Harvest Moon Cemetery Tours If your entertainment seekers are looking for something historical with a somewhat spooky theme, you all can meet in Fredonia at the gazebo in Barker Commons and take a guided tour of Forest Hill Cemetery.

Tours are scheduled for October 19 and 20 from

7 p.m. until 10 p.m. each night. Tours leave the gazebo every half hour.

There will be horsedrawn trolley rides to the cemetery with a guide describing the sites along the way. The special tour will feature ghostly guides to hear about the heroes and villains of the area. Tour participants can help share their stories of Fredonia and its haunted past. After the tour, refreshments will be available at the Buster Brown Bean Company on Main Street. They are included in the price of the ticket which is $12.50 and includes the trolley ride, the cemetery tour and stories. Reservations are encouraged and can be make by calling 716672-4818.

In The Making Custom Designed Baked Goods

By Tara

Let us create one of our unique cakes, cookies or desserts for your next game day enjoyment.

Gift Certificates & Gluten Free baked goods also available.

Call Tara 672-9872 or e-mail: itmcakes@gmail.com

10 October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration– C

|

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)

Pumpkinville A Question and Answer with the Fall Favorite

By Scott Wise Star Copy Editor

As October arrives for 2012, it brings with it the smell of burning woodstoves, falling leaves, pumpkins and apple cider. And, for many western New York families, a trip to iconic Pumpkinville.

Pumpkinville, located in Great Valley, has been owned and operated by Dan and Diane Pawlowski since 1996. Located just off of Rt. 98, it is nestled on 200 acres of farming property, where hundreds of pumpkins are grown every year.

We met with Dan, who shared with us about Pumpkinville and what it has meant to their family.

With new events and ideas always growing, the Pawlowskis provide a great asset to the Fall season for all Western New Yorkers.

Star: How did it get started?

Dan: We took it over in 1996. It wasn’t on this property, it was located on Rt. 98 in a side yard with a few pumpkins. We were looking for something to do, and we got in touch with the couple that owned it. Things went well and here we are, and we’re forever indebted to them. It’s been the coolest thing ever. If you’ve got to work for a living, I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’ll stay in our family too- our kids are very interested in

it and will take it over.

Star: What was Pumpkinville like when you started?

Dan: We didn’t have much. We had a popcorn machine and a tractor and we thought we were the big time. We had a few little buildings, and we built a few more when we got here. There wasn’t a bakery, we built that in 2007. We sold ice cream, but we didn’t make it here like we do now. We sold apples and some crafts, jams and jellies. Bought in baked goods that we sold back out. We’ve kept growing, adding something new each year.

Star: Can you talk a little about the cider mill?

Dan: I added the cider

mill in 2004. A gentleman in Randolph ran this mill and we bought all our cider from him.

We were his biggest customer and he was a retired school teacher.

He was ready to be out of the cider business and it was a natural fit for us. It fits our place well and it’s a center to what we do.

It’s a big attraction that brings a lot of people in.

Star: Do you have an admittance charge?

Dan: There’s no admission charge but the events out back like the Continued on Page 11

Before you grab that rake and start piling up the leaves on the curb, remember that pulverizing your leaves with a mulching lawnmower provides nutrients to feed your lawn and reduce the need for fertilizer. And reducing the fossil fuels used by your town to pick up leaves saves energy and tax dollars.

Blowing leaves into the lake or raking them into a stream bed causes organic material to build up in the Lake. This material feeds lake plants and algae, interfering with boating, fishing and swimming fun next summer. So compost or mulch your leaves this year.

Message sponsored by: The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and funded by the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation For more information on our watershed: www.chautauquawatershed.org

he ng ce y

What would you like to learn today?

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown) C

|

October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration –

11

Peek’n Peak, Continued from Page 5

October 13, 14, 20 and 21, special lodging packages are available to those interested in taking full advantage of everything the Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa has to offer.

Opportunities to purchase the “Fall Fest Family Fun Package,” which includes two nights stay at Inn at the Peak, $50 in

dining credit, passes to play miniature golf and two swimming passes to the indoor pool, are also available.

Lodging for large groups is also available in the condos, and overnight guests also have the option of adding a “Segway Tour” to your getaway package. Reservations can

be made by calling 1-800772-6906.

For more information about the Peek’n Peak Fall Festival, including details about the scheduled activities for all four days of the event, visit www. pknpk.com or call 716355-4141.

Pumpkinville, Continued from Page 10

a fall learning

festival October 5-21, 2012

Celebrate fall with the new Colors of Chautauqua learning festival, October 5-21, 2012. The two-week schedule features more than 40 workshops in culinary, creative and cultural arts held throughout Chautauqua County – The World’s Learning Center.

Register now and plan your fall learning adventure!

CHQcolors.com 866.908.4569

c lors

pony rides,the hay rides,the train, the corn maze are $3.50 a person, or you can buy an unlimited wrist-band for $12, then you can do all of them as many times as you’d like. You’ve got all the little animatronics, the singing chickens, the petting zoo and displays are all free. Come in and enjoy it and hopefully leave a couple dollars while you’re here.

It’s uncommon not to charge someone admission for this, but the way I see it is, ‘How the heck can I charge someone to come here and buy a pumpkin.’ There are folks who come here six, eight times a season. It’s only a couple quarters to feed the goats. We’re going to keep it that way.

Star: What can people expect at Pumpkinville this year?

Dan: We do barbeque chicken on the weekend, kettle corn on this end and it’s been a hit so far.

The Henhouse Five, sing and tell jokes. Kids and adults both love the Henhouse Five. They get a big kick out of it and we really had a great time setting it up.

We also added gem mining a year ago, which has

been a big, big hit. They buy a bag of sand with some gems in it and it’s got some colored stones in it.

We have hayrides that we added a few years ago, got a sound system that will talk to them as they’re going around. There’s a group of ponies for them to see, and they’ll learn about the different places around the farm that they’re seeing.

On weekends in Oct., we’ll be running helicopter rides through a gentleman from Mayville. He’ll come in weather permitting flies up across slopes and through Ellicottville.

Star: What about the corn maze?

Dan: The corn maze is a big hit for us. I would say it is the most used of any of the entertainment options here. We think it’s a great thing. We don’t have it professionally done with a GPS because it’s so costly. For us to keep the price down, we do it ourselves and it makes people happy.

My wife designs the corn maze every year, and it’s always different. They get a sheet of paper and it’s got a pumpkin on it.

They slide the sheet into a plastic stencil where

they can draw the eyes, nose and mouth. They come out and compare it with the sign to see what the pumpkin’s name was.

When they finish it, they get a free small pumpkin.

Star: What’s with all the pink pumpkins?

Dan: They’re genetically engineered pink, and each one sold raises money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We’d use to draw a crowd with the pumpkin weighoff, but we thought this would be a better way to spend that money. They made these pumpkins available on the market last year. We thought we’d take the money we’d pay out in the giant pumpkin weigh off and put it back toward a good cause. Maybe we can send enough money to make a difference and make people aware. We’ve already had plenty of people are coming in just for the pink pumpkins.

Pumpkinville is a great excursion for any family.

At a low price point, it’s easier accessible and full of fun stuff for kids and adults alike. This autumn, check out one of Western New York’s greatest fall assets!

12 October 4, 2012 Edition – Harvest Celebration– C

|

www.StarNewsDaily.com • 366.9200 (Dunkirk/Fredonia) • 338.0030 (Jamestown)