Little Valley Legion Auxiliary distributes Christmas cookies to area vets PAGE 3
JANUARY
15 2026
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January 15, 2026
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Cattaraugus County Community Source - For Reader Ads Call 716.372.3121
January 15, 2026
In this week’s edition: Holiday Cheer makes Christmas brighter for area children in need See Page 4
Little Valley Legion Auxiliary distributes Christmas cookies to area vets BY DEB EVERTS
LITTLE VALLEY — Over the holidays, the Little Valley American Legion Post 531 Auxiliary sponsored the club’s annual “Christmas Cookies for Veterans” project to show their appreciation to local veterans. Auxiliary members and community volunteers made enough Christmas cookies to fill 89 decorated tins that were delivered to veterans living in the Little Valley, Cattaraugus, Salamanca, Great Valley and Ellicottville areas in mid-December. The Little Valley American Legion provided the drop-off location, along with rooms to process the cookies. Karel Hamilton and Eileen Ellis, who co-coordinated this year’s project, worked with auxiliary members Shelly Butcher, Shirley Crosby, Sue Moberg and Lori Kapuscinski in baking, sorting and boxing the cookies in decorative tins. Hamilton said each tin contained a dozen home-baked cookies of many varieties and a decorative card saying, “Thank you for your service and sacrifices for our country. Merry Christmas.” “We boxed the
veteran cookies Dec. 14. Delivery started that day and for two full days after,” she said. “In December 2024, we delivered 110 dozen cookies.” The names of the local veterans came mostly from the membership lists of the Little Valley American Legion Post 531 and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8734, but some people called to make special requests. Hamilton said she requested Christmas cookie donations, as well as the names and addresses of additional veterans, over social media. Vietnam veterans David Lewis and Jim Taft, both from the Cattaraugus area, were two recipients. Lewis served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 79th Engineer Battalion, in Europe. Taft, who served in the U.S. Navy as a quartermaster, was stationed in Washington, D.C., and sailed on the North Atlantic Ocean during the Vietnam era. Hamilton credits Little Valley resident Andrea Long-Pincoski for starting the project a few years ago on a smaller scale. She said Pincoski did the project for four years and delivered only to
Photo Provided
Photo Provided
U.S. Navy veteran Jim Taft is shown holding a tin of Christmas cookies delivered to him at his home on New Albion Road in Cattaraugus.
The Little Valley American Legion Post 531 Auxiliary sponsored the “Christmas Cookies for Veterans” project again this year. Members baked cookies and helped box at the legion. Pictured (from left): Shelly Butcher, Shirley Crosby and co-coordinators Karel Hamilton and Eileen Ellis. Missing: Sue Moberg and Lori Kapuscinski.
Little Valley veterans. When she was unable to continue the project for Christmas 2024, Hamilton, who was inspired by her, decided to give the cookie project a try with the legion auxiliary. According to Hamilton, the women of the auxiliary were onboard, as well as
many people from the general public who also donated Christmas cookies to the project. Hamilton said she took on the project last year because she likes doing this sort of thing, and it gives her a good feeling. She said it has become an annual auxiliary project. “A lot of veterans are forgotten. Some of them
have families, but there are a lot that don’t have anyone,” she said. “This is a way to show our appreciation to them for serving our country.” If anyone knows of a veteran who isn’t connected with the legion or VFW and would like to receive
cookies during the holidays next year, contact Hamilton at (716) 581-3066. The Little Valley American Legion and its auxiliary are always looking for new members. For more information and to join, call (716) 938-6711.
Cattaraugus County swears in Smith as new District Attorney BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
LITTLE VALLEY — There’s a new district attorney in town, but a familiar face to Cattaraugus County officials. Ashley Smith took her oath of office Dec. 31 in the legislative chambers of the county building in Little Valley, surrounded by dozens of friends, family and colleagues. “Between my new law enforcement family and my new district attorney team that I’ve built, we will work to do the right thing and make sure that justice is served, and we will not let you down,” Smith said minutes after being sworn in. Smith, a Republican, ran unopposed in November’s General Election, winning a fouryear term that began Thursday and ends Dec. 31, 2029. She replaces former Lori P. Reiman, who did not seek re-election after being with the DA’s Office for 16 years. Upon reciting her oath, Smith thanked all those who supported her, encouraged her and stood by her side during the campaign and in the weeks since the election. “When I first decided to run for district attorney, I had someone tell me that when you run for public office, you never say thank
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley Cattaraugus County District Attorney Ashley Smith (left) takes her oath of office Dec. 31 from Judge Ronald D. Ploetz. Her brother, Kane Smith, holds the Bible.
you to all who support you enough,” she said. “The amount of support I have received has been overwhelming, and I found that statement to be absolutely true.” Smith, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, said she is happy to be joining the county’s law enforcement family, noting that when she first announced her candidacy nearly a year earlier, she made a vow to foster a strong relationship with the law enforcement agencies. She said it is necessary for the success of the DA’s office and for
justice to be served. When she decided to pursue a career in law, Smith said she didn’t necessarily envision herself arguing cases in a courtroom or sitting in a private law office, but in a room full of law enforcement personnel with whiteboards and files, working to build a case. “Looking back, it’s very clear it wasn’t a vision — it was a dream,” she said. “I’m so very happy that tomorrow, that dream becomes a reality.” In attendance Wednesday were several area law enforcement
officials, including Nathan Root, Undersheriff of Cattaraugus County, who called Smith pivotal and “a go-getter.” He said when a new DA comes into office, you want someone to come in, prosecute cases and get good results. “Ashley, welcome, on behalf of the sheriff, myself and our law enforcement family,” he said. “We’re excited to have you there, and thank you for what you do and everything you’ve done.” Captain Robert Blovsky of the Olean Police Department said he has only known Smith
personally for several months, but added that he already knows her to be professional, organized and dedicated. During a preliminary hearing for a case in Olean City Court that he attended, Blovsky said he noticed Smith sitting in the gallery taking notes. “That’s how dedicated she is and was already,” he said. “We feel confident that she’s going to be able to lead us and take care of the victims of Cattaraugus County.” Captain Jordan Haines, Chief of Detectives for Cattaraugus County, and Captain Daniel Howard with the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, also congratulated Smith and expressed their looking forward to working with her in the coming years. County Administrator Kelly Reed said the DA’s role is not only about prosecuting cases but about leadership, judgment, balancing accountability with fairness and balancing public safety with public trust. “Ashley brings to this office a deep understanding of the law, a commitment to ethical decision making and an evident respect for the impact this work has on victims, families and the community as a whole,” said Reed, who has worked with Smith since 2020. “As county administrator, I
look forward to working closely with Ashley in her new role.” M. Andrew Burr, chairman of the Cattaraugus County Legislature, said he’s had the honor of working with Smith as the county attorney and looks forward to seeing her in the DA role, citing the characteristics she possesses to be successful there. “It’s a great privilege to have her take on this new, important role,” he said. “Even before she’s taken office, she’s done many things that have been beneficial to the county’s finances and the administration of justice in Cattaraugus County.” Judge Ronald D. Ploetz, who administered Smith’s oath of office, said that the job of the DA is not to win trials but to do right. After working with Smith for several years, he said he’s confident that the county is in good hands with her in the office. In her closing remarks, Smith said mornings with her children before school and work are sometimes pure chaos, but sometimes they’re pure joy. She said she’s certain that the days ahead in the DA’s office will also range from pure chaos to pure joy, too. “But on that note, and as I say to my kids in the morning, ‘Are you ready? Let’s rock ‘n’ roll!’”
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Cattaraugus County Community Source - For Reader Ads Call 716.372.3121
January 15, 2026
Holiday Cheer makes Christmas brighter for area children in need BY DEB EVERTS
LITTLE VALLEY — A small group of residents who call themselves Little Valley Holiday Cheer made the season much brighter for local children in need. The group provided Christmas gifts for children of families who live in the CattaraugusLittle Valley Central School District. Karel Hamilton, Angel Gift Coordinator, said 100 children from the school district, ages 1 month to 18 years old, received Christmas gifts from the group this year. “The group provided toys from the child’s wishlist, pajamas, an outfit, socks, underwear, coats and boots this year,” she said. “Wrapping paper, tape, hats and mittens, stocking stuffers, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other personal essentials were also available.” In addition, the Little Valley (LV) Holiday Cheer group also distributed 40 “Blessing Bags” to shutins and those needing some holiday cheer. Hamilton said Blessing Bags include a variety of food and items, usually including Amish-made jelly, peanut butter and hand-quilted items made by the LV Quilters, as well as other volunteers. She said several of the
Photo Provided The Little Valley Holiday Cheer group provided Christmas gifts for children of families in need living in the Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School District. Holiday Cheer elves included (front row, from left) Gretchen Taft, Ann Paschen-Poole, Rita Harper, (middle row) Charlene Rohwer, Linda Gordon, Karel Hamilton, (back row) Nell Fellows, Kevin Andrew, Kristina Charlesworth and Debbie Gordon. Members missing: Laurie Cudney and Teri Parker.
bag recipients receive a handmade lap quilt made by member, Nell Fellows, every year. Hamilton said several local organizations, businesses and churches have joined the Holiday Cheer group to buy gifts for some of the families. She said individuals, families and area businesses also contribute monetary donations. The group funds many of these gifts through annual fundraisers, including a St. Patrick’s Day Bake
Sale and an Election Day Chicken & Biscuit Dinner with a basket raffle. “Our mission would not be possible without the unwavering support of the community,” she said. Businesses and local churches that contribute ‘angel gifts’ include the Little Valley branch of Cattaraugus County Bank; the county clerk’s office, county courts and building cleaners; as well as Empire Search. Churches include Bridge of Hope, Little Valley Wesleyan, First
Congregational, Grace Bible Baptist, Brooklyn Methodist, all in Little Valley, along with the Brooklyn Free Methodist Church of East Otto. Little Valley Holiday Cheer was founded in 1985 by a small group of dedicated Little Valley residents who saw that there were local people in need during the holiday season. Today, the non-profit group includes committee members Ann Paschen Poole, president; Nell Fellows, secretary; and Kristina Charlesworth
Photo Provided Employees from the Cattaraugus County Court System are shown donating their Angel Gifts. Jillian Crouse (far left) served as Angel Gift coordinator for her group.
Golden, treasurer; along with Karel Hamilton, Gretchen Taft, Rita Harper, Laura Cudney, Debbie Gordon, Linda Gordon, Teri Parker and Charlene Rohwer. Hamilton said Paschen-Poole and Taft are the senior members of the group, with 40 years and 30 years, respectively. According to Paschen-Poole, the group was run by the Village of Little Valley under the LV Youth Commission. At that time, the Christmas Program was run by Wes and Mary Pangborn and
Paschen-Poole. Later, Paschen-Poole took over, and the group became the Little Valley Holiday Cheer. “(The Holiday Cheer group) are independent, but the village lets us have a room to store our toys and clothes, plus hold our meetings and do our work,” Hamilton said. More information can be found on the group’s Facebook page, “Little Valley Holiday Cheer,” or through email at lvholidaycheer@gmail. com.
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Snowmobile season in full gear in WNY Snowmobiling season in Western New York is officially off and running with seemingly perfect conditions and full access to the nearly 450 miles of groomed trails, including those in Allegany State Park. A map of trails in Cattaraugus County can be found at the Enchanted Mountains website: enchanted mountains.com/ download/568snowmobile-trail-map The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) reminds snowmobilers to put safety first and ride responsibly. The leading causes of snowmobile injuries in New York state are excessive speed, inexperienced or inattentive riders and operator intoxication. Additionally, riding on ice is a risk that should be taken seriously.
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