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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 47
NOVEMBER 18 -24, 2016
The Official Newspaper
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com facebook/theEllicottvilleTimes
of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Ellicottville, East Otto, Great Valley, Little Valley, Mansfield, Olean, Randolph, Salamanca, Springville and Beyond
Winter Arts Festival Nov. 19 and 20
Upcoming Events in Ellicottville Nov. 19-20 Winter Arts Festival Holiday Valley
So Much Creativity and Inspiration in One Place!
The Holiday Valley Lodge will be bursting with creativity on the weekend of Nov. 19 and 20 with the 2nd annual Winter Arts Festival, presented by the Cattaraugus County Arts Council with special support from Holiday Valley Lodge, the Ellicottville Times and the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. The fine artists and artisans for this juried sale are looking forward to reconnecting with friends at the festival and meeting the public to share their love of the arts with them. Ellen Paquette, a painter and fiber artist explains, “It’s always a pleasure to be gathered with other artists in one venue to share our work with the public. Artists spend a lot of time alone doing the work, yet we need those opportunities to see what others are creating and to give and receive feedback from our peers. I always leave an event like this feeling inspired by what fellow artists are bringing forth with their creative talents. The opportunity to interact with the interested public, answer questions and have artinspired conversations is what I love the most about events like the Winter Arts Festival. I’m always guaranteed to meet interesting people and receive helpful feedback.” Paquette was an art major in college, focusing on painting, primarily in oils. About five years ago, she started experimenting with
Nov. 25 Target Opening Day Holiday Valley Nov. 25-27 Christmas in Ellicottville Dec. 2 Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas Ellicottville Dec. 3 Christmas Stroll: Living Nativity, Christmas Bazaar, Santa Claus Arrives Reindog Parade Cookies with Mrs. Claus Dec. 9 Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce Christmas Party Dec. 17 Demo Day Holiday Valley Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve Party & Torchlight Parade Holiday Valley
See Winter Arts Fest page 7
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Village Readies for Holiday Season
Considers Merging Town/Village Services By Jann Wiswall
The Village of Ellicottville is installing new lights along its streets in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. The lighting was designed by Doug Sitler, the artist behind the popular NIGHT LIGHTS installations. Mayor John Burrell said the lights were purchased on the Village’s behalf by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. The Village Christmas tree, to be placed on the lawn in front of the 1887 building at Jefferson and Washington Streets, was donated by Town of Ellicottville resident Mary Vari. Burrell updated the board on a number of ongoing and new activities. The “Four Flushers” committee of town and village staff involved in See Village of Ellicottville page 7
Brogcinski, Simon Receive NYCOM Public Service Certificates
Bob Brogcinski, center, with wife Kassie, and Mayor Burrell
Bob Simon, left, with Mayor Burrell
Former Village of Ellicottville Board Member Robert Brogcinski and former Village Attorney Robert Simon were awarded Certificates of Public Service by the New York Conference of Mayors for their many years of service to their communities. Brogcinski served the village in several capacities, including Deputy Mayor, for 32 years. Simon worked with the board for 27 years. Village Mayor John Burrell presented the framed certificates during the Monday, Nov. 14 board meeting. Simon thanked the board and mayor for the honor, saying “I have always admired the people who have served the village so well.”
Celebrate the Holidays in Ellicottville
Escape the hustle and bustle of a Black Friday Christmas Season and relax with an old-fashioned Christmas in Ellicottville, Nov. 25-27. The event, presented by Wingate by Wyndham and Sysco, and produced by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, is a great way to start the postThanksgiving Holiday Season without the rush of a big box Christmas. See Christmas in Ellicottville page 6
Ellicottville Freshman Honored for Fundraising Efforts
By Christopher Gordon
A few years ago, ECS high school student Samantha Van Wicklin wanted to make a difference when the mother of a friend was diagnosed with cancer. On Tuesday, she was honored during a ceremony for “outstanding young philanthropist” as her efforts to raise money for Roswell Park Institute were honored during a
ceremony at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in Depew. ECS Superintendent Mark J. Ward, who was asked to attend by Van Wicklin because of his support for the cause, said watching her receive the acclaim for her hard work is the highlight of this school year. “Sammy handled herself so well,” Ward said. “People were
impressed by her.” When she learned of the diagnosis for her friend’s mom, she started raising money for the Ride for Roswell, which is held each June. That first year, she raised about $4,000. She raised her goal to $10,000 in 2014, and ended up raising about $22,000. She raised $25,500 in 2015 and fell
See Freshman Fundraising page 4
Dekdrebruns: The Oldest Ski Shop in WNY turns 55
By Caitlin Croft
Ellicottville’s own Dekdebruns Snow Sports (DSS) is celebrating their 55th year of operation. Currently on the third generation of ownership, the shop is headed by Greg and Linda Dekdebrun. The Dekdebrun family boasts 70 years in the sporting
goods industry; their first shop, which they lovingly refer to as the “Original Dick’s,” opened in 1946. Kylie Dekdebrun, the daughter of Greg and Linda, is the general manager, with Jay Mowrey serving as the hard goods manager and Ciara Peters as the soft goods manager.
“We are very excited about the product lines we now offer,” Peters tells us. Orage and Phenix are two clothing lines DSS used to carry and has now brought back. “DSS now carries Nitro Snowboards and are the sole retailers of Apex Ski Boots.” See Dekdebruns page 7