VOLUME 6 ISSUE 38
SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2017
By Mary Heyl
Enjoy the first full weekend of autumn by exploring local alpaca farms during National Alpaca Farm Days on Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24! Always held during the last weekend in September, National Alpaca Farm Days is a fun annual event that invites the public to learn about these beautiful, versatile animals that have created a remarkable surge in the agribusiness industry over the past two decades. If you think you know all there is to know about alpacas, think again! Although it’s well-known that alpaca fiber is very warm and hypoallergenic (it doesn’t have wool’s lanolin, which is an allergen to some), did you know that it’s also naturally flame resistant? Even better, alpaca fiber is also water resistant: it can wick away moisture, which makes it great for close fitting garments, like socks, and accessories that get exposed to rain and snow, like hats and scarves! Although alpaca farms have come into vogue in just the past couple of decades, raising alpacas for their fleece is hardly a new business. Alpacas were domesticated by Incas more than 6,000 years ago because of their luxuriously soft fleece. Because of its versatility and excellent quality, alpaca fiber was reserved primarily for the garments of the upper echelon of ancient Incan society. Fortunately, these days, anyone (royalty or not!) can enjoy the warmth and beauty of alpaca fiber, as it is incorporated in many every day garments that are available at local alpaca farms. Learn all about how these gentle animals are raised and what it takes to make fleece into fabric during National Alpaca Farm Days at any one of Cattaraugus County’s alpaca farms: A Slice of Heaven Alpaca Farm and their Simply Natural
National Alpaca Farm Days Sept. 23-24
Fri • Joseph & Johnson • 9pm Sat • Joe Quick • 9pm Tues • The Hick Ups • 7pm Wed • Wagner & Winston • 8pm Thurs • Joseph & Johnson • 8pm
20 Washington St • 699-2530
Fri •Jeff Fetterman • 7pm Keith Shuski • 10pm Patio Bar
Sat • The 24th Street Wailers • 6pm Ade Adu • 10pm Patio Bar 20 Monroe St • 699-4162
Weekend Chairlift Rides Spruce Lake, Holiday Valley September 20 - 23 NIGHT LIGHTS Griffis Sculpture Park September 22 ECS Homecoming September 22-24 Ellicottville Lacrosse Festival September 23-24 National Alpaca Farm Days September 23-24 Community Boot Drive for Hurricane Harvey September 24 A Walk in the Nannen Arboretum October 7-8 Fall Fest Ellicottville October 7 Fall Festival 5K
Welcome Lacrosse Players!
See Alpaca weekend page 7
of one of the fastest growing sports in the country. The tournament promises to bring some exciting competition, with many teams participating. “We have 38 teams registered ranging from 5/6 graders to 50 year olds,” explained Mike Riorden of Rhino Lacrosse, who worked with the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce to organize this event. “This year, we have both club and school teams coming from Buffalo, Canada, Rochester, Syracuse, Pennsylvania By Alicia Dziak and Ohio.” In a first ever for Ellicottville, the Ellicottville This year’s tournament is for boys and Lacrosse Festival is happening this weekend, men only, but Riorden said, “we are already in Sept. 22- 24. The fields will be set and teams talks with Lynn Reitenbach about adding girls/ will descend on our area, ready for a weekend See Lacrosse page 9
Franklinville/Ellicottville Upends Maple Grove, 26-6
October 8 Fall Festival Mountain Bike Race
ECS Officials Meet with New Insurance Agency
By Kellen M. Quigley
At the Sept. 19 Ellicottville Central School Board of Education meeting, district treasurer Aimee Kilby reported on her first interactions with the district’s new insurance agency. After the school recently changed its insurance agency, Richardson & Stout, of
If there was any question which of the eight Section 6 Class D football teams was the front-runner, at least as this season edges to the halfway point, it was emphatically answered on Friday night. Franklinville/Ellicottville went to the home field of defending champion, Maple Grove, and on a mild September evening, dominated the Red Dragons, 26-6. And, even at that, the score was misleading. The Titans (3-0) surrendered a mere 20 yards of total offense heading into the fourth quarter with a 26-0 lead en route to a 324-84 edge in offensive yardage. F/E senior quarterback Brock Blecha rushed for three touchdowns (6, 1 and 13 yards) and finished with 70 yards on 20 carries. But it was his arm that impressed both coaches. See Titans page 4
Wellsville, visited the district earlier this month to meet with Superintendent Robert Miller and Kilby. Richardson & Stout delivered the district’s auxiliary report, which Kilby said went back to 2010 and looked good. They said the district didn’t have many losses or claims, according to
Kilby. “It helps to keep the premium down,” she explained. “And by going to the consortium, we actually only went up like $800. That was something they said was a really good change.” Kilby said the agency also recommended two additional See ECS Board page 5
Nightmare Hayrides Set to Spook Sept. 29 By Elizabeth Riggs
The Ellicottville Rodeo cowboys have ridden off into the sunset, and with the change of seasons, it’s now time for a new form of entertainment in town: Nightmare Hayrides on Sommerville Street. Hosted at the same location as the Ellicottville Rodeo, and by the same couple, the Nightmare Hayrides on Sommerville Street will begin on Friday, Sept. 29, at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road in Ellicottville. “This is our 27th year,” said Karen Kent, who co-owns the
By Chuck Pollock, Olean Times Herald Reprinted with permission from the Olean Times Herald
FE Titans Football facebook page photo
LIVE Music
See Nightmare Hayrides page 3
Visit Randolph This Fall
By Mary Heyl
Autumn is one of the best times of year for visitors to spend a beautiful afternoon exploring the historic village of Randolph. There are many great activities for families to enjoy together as the seasons change, including fun holiday events this winter. Head down Route 219 to Randolph for a memorable weekend soon. Calling all leaf peepers! Enjoy the foliage and explore Amish shops, bake stands, and produce stands; whether you’re looking for a gorgeous hand-made quilt, sturdy furniture, or homemade
See Randolph This Fall page 6