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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 27
JULY 7 - 13, 2017
Your Hometown Newspaper & The Official Newspaper of the Springville-Griffith Institute Central Schools
The Beach Bucket List
A Sprague Brook Summer
By Alicia Dziak
There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach in the summer months. Whether you like to splash in the water or stay on shore building sandcastles or collecting sea glass, the beaches of WNY offer something for everyone this summer. Lake Erie Beaches Head to Lake Erie for endless views of the water and hours of fun in the sun. Woodlawn Beach State Park, at S-3580 Lakeshore Road in Blasdell, offers a beautiful, one-mile long natural sand beach with panoramic views. Woodlawn Beach supports a diversity of wildlife habitats including one of the finest freshwater sand dune areas remaining on Lake Erie. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, beach volleyball, nature trails and
By Alicia Dziak
Quaker Lake Beach, Allegany State Park
a playground on the beach. A nature center/bathhouse complex, with exhibits that highlight the park’s natural history, is connected to the beach by an interpretive nature boardwalk through wooded wetlands. This park
is operated by the Town of Hamburg through a partnership agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For information on the water report for
See Beaches page 5
WNY Filled With National History, Patriotism
By Elizabeth Riggs
We all know why the fourth of July is such a special date in American history — it’s the day our country was founded by our forefathers. But what Western New Yorkers may not know is that we share a home with several other historic sites that also have an impressive significance in our nation’s history.
In East Aurora is the only remaining site of our 13th President of the United States, Millard Fillmore. On Shearer Avenue, you will find his small, clapboard house where he lived with his wife, Abigail, until 1930 when they moved to Buffalo. Fillmore was born in Cayuga County in 1800, and began studying law when he was 18.
He preferred a small practice to a larger firm, so he moved to East Aurora and was the town’s only lawyer. In East Aurora, Fillmore rose to prominence, eventually elected the State Legislature and climbed the ranks from there. While many would imagine a presidential home to be grand and extravagant, Fillmore’s home truly defines the term “humble beginnings.” Fillmore’s home, located at 24 Shearer Avenue in East Aurora, is open for tours from June through October on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1-4 p.m., or by private appointment. Visit the Millard Fillmore House website, www. millardfillmorehouse.org or See WNY History page 4
Catch an Outdoor Movie This Summer By Jennifer Weber
As with most events in Western New York in the summertime, there’s never a lack of options available for entertainment. For those who love movies, there’s nothing like a nostalgic, memory-making night under the stars at one of the area drive-in theaters. Head to the nearby Delevan Twin Drive In, at 11771 Route 16 in Delevan, and take in a movie double header. Prices are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 4-12 and free for 3 and under. For more info, visit www.delevandrivein.net. The Transit Drive-In located at 6655 South Transit Road in Lockport shows movies on four different screens every night of the week See Outdoor Movies page 4
If you’re looking for a great and nearby way to enjoy all summer has to offer, check out Sprague Brook Park, located at 9674 Foote Road, right off Route 240, in Glenwood. This Erie County park was acquired by using state and federal aid programs to assume title to more than 2,200 acres of parkland (including Eighteen Mile Creek, Beeman’s Creek and Larkin Woods) in May
1963. In Feb 1964, Erie County bought 86 acres of land for expansion in the Towns of Sardinia and Concord for $1,500. So just what is there to do at this hidden gem? With numerous hiking and biking trails, there are plenty of locations to explore the great outdoors. Plant life includes American Beech, Hawthorn, See Sprague Brook page 3
A LOOK BACK: Dealing With the Wild
Nib Ellis with the last known wolf in the Town of Concord. By Derek M. Otto
With summer is well underway, the residents in the village of Springville and the Town of Concord are dealing
with a taste of the surrounding wildlife. Bear sightings and numerous fox and raccoons making their way into the village are making life a little more interesting for our residents. Years ago, the wildlife was part of daily life. Over time, farms developed and overhunting led to the decrease of bears and other creatures being seen in and around the village. Hunting still is a great sport in the area, especially for deer and turkeys, but little is heard of the old pastime of coon hunting. A friend recently told me of a story of his neighbor on Henrietta Road that would have coon hunts. Men would gather on Friday or Saturday
Upcoming Events July 8 SCENe Garden Walk July 16 10,000 Maniancs Concert Griffis Sculpture Park July 21 Bike Night Kissing Bridge July 28 Springville Stampede SGI High School July 29 Fiddler’s Green Bluegrass Festival July 31-Aug. 6 Cattaraugus County Fair Aug. 9-20 Erie County Fair
See A Look Back page 7
SCA Presents Disney’s Aladdin KIDS July 15
Springville Center for the Arts will be performing Disney’s Aladdin KIDS. Based on the animated film, Disney’s Aladdin KIDS brings back the classic storyline and characters. Aladdin, a street rat, discovers the beautiful Princess Jasmin, but finds out she must marry a prince. Aladdin uses the magical powers of a genie to make him become a prince in order to marry the princess. The Royal Vizier, Jafar, and his parrot Iago are also thrown into the mix, threatening to reveal Aladdin’s disguise as Prince Ali.
Musical Theater Camp’s 2016 rehearsal of Shrek Jr.
This show will be the result of Springville Center for the Arts’ Musical Theater Workshop. The workshop is the first of two happening this summer. Stay tuned for Disney’s Beauty and
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the Beast Jr. performing later this summer. The actors and actresses in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS are all entering grades three through eight, with See Aladdin KIDS page 2