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NOVEMBER 23 - 29, 2017 www.EllicottvilleTimes.com facebook/theEllicottvilleTimes
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 47
‘Tis the Season
Upcoming Events
Christmas in Ellicottville
November 24
Tentative Opening Day Holiday Valley
By Alicia Dziak
The Thanksgiving break is all about family, and after you’ve stuffed yourself with turkey and mashed potatoes, what better way to start the Christmas season than with family in Ellicottville? Ellicottville’s Chamber of Commerce has been hosting “Christmas in Ellicottville” for decades and every year, new events and activities are added to the schedule. The festivities begin on Friday, Nov. 24 with fire truck rides with Santa from noon to 2 p.m. Other afternoon activities include face painting, horse and wagon rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at Katy’s, interactive children’s activities from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Wingate by Wyndham, with the big guy himself making an appearance there from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. From 5 to 7 p.m., guests can meet a real reindeer at the 1887 Building, where the Village Tree Lighting will also take place at 6 p.m., with the Ellicottville Sound Chorus performing from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy hot cocoa with Santa from 6 to 7. On Saturday, Nov. 25, the holiday magic continues with a free pancake breakfast with Santa at Finnerty’s Tap Room from 10 to 11 a.m., where nonperishable food items and cash donations for the Ellicottville Food Pantry will be accepted. There will once again be face painting, fire truck rides with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m., and horse and wagon rides from 1 to 4. Enjoy the food of the season with cookie decorating at Howard Hanna Realty from 1 to 3 p.m., or enjoy ornament
Christmas in Ellicottville
December 1
Irish Christmas
December 2
Christmas Stroll & Living Nativity
December 2
CCAC 5x7 Arts for Everyone, Allegany
December 16
Demo Day Holiday Valley
December 27-31
Training Center Christmas Camp Holiday Valley
December 27-31
Training Center Christmas Camp Holiday Valley
January 2 - 8
Canadian Friendship Week Holiday Valley
Photo by Spencer Timkey
Christmas Stroll Celebrates 30 Years
On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Christmas Stroll returns to Ellicottville. This year marks the 30th anniversary that this cherished event has been bringing the spirit of the season to the village. From 4 to 5:30 p.m., Santa and his elves will be at Villaggio, while Mrs. Claus will be baking some cookies at Katy’s Café. At 4:30, watch the famous reindog parade make its way through town. See Christmas Stroll page 2
We’re getting close!
As of press time, Holiday Valley is planning to open on Friday, Nov. 24, weather permitting. Visit www.holidayvalley. com for the latest info. Photo by Spencer Timkey.
© 2017 Ellicottville Times
See Christmas in Ellicottville page 9
November 24-26
January 7 - 9
College Daze 12pm - 4:40pm Holiday Valley
January 19 - 20
Winter Blues Weekend Ellicottville
#GivingTuesday and #NYGivesDay is Nov. 28 By Rich Place
On Thanksgiving, Americans have the opportunity to give thanks for what they have. Five days later, they have the opportunity to give financially to help during the holiday season and give to
organizations in need. Now in its sixth year, Giving Tuesday — and perhaps better recognized by its social media hashtag, #givingtuesday — kicks off the charitable season by advocating for See Giving Tuesday page 6
Ellicottville Town Board Approves 2018 Budget
By Rich Place
Last week, the Ellicottville Town Board unanimously passed its 2018 budget with a tax rate of 1.27 per $1,000, a figure the board touted as one of the best in the region. “Our highlight every year in our low rate,” said Town Supervisor Matthew
McAndrew, following the town board meeting. “We got — if not the lowest — one of the lowest in the county.” McAndrew said the creation of the engineering department, which will be a shared service between the town and village through an agreement by both municipalities, was one of the
challenges in developing next year’s spending plan. “We are hoping we are going to get grant money but we have to budget a certain amount to get it off the ground and that was a certain amount we didn’t have last year,” he said. See Town Board page 6
Ski Tree to be Lit During Christmas in Ellicottville
By Deb Everts
Construction of the Ski Tree • Photo Caitlin Croft
Many residents in Ellicottville and the surrounding area are becoming part of Ellicottville’s history by donating their old skis to create a new Christmas tree. The structure will stand on the
See Ski Tree page 7
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