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East Otto, Randolph producers to host open houses during Maple Weekend events
BY DEB EVERTS
Maple season is underway, and producers across Western New York have been busy tapping trees, collecting sap and boiling the liquid gold in their evaporators.
The Durow and Ulinger families in Cattaraugus County have joined other maple producers for the annual Maple Weekends events continuing March 28-29.
Sponsored by the Western New York State Maple Producers Association, participating sugar houses are hosting free open houses at their facilities this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Mike and Dawn Durow invite visitors to their family’s sugar house, located at 11350 Archer Hill Road, where they can learn about maple production and see syrup being made both weekends from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. For the second year, Durow Farms is hosting an open house with activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family, including hayrides to the sap building where the vacuum system can be viewed, a scavenger hunt and a visit to a barn to pet the calves and goats that may include newborns. A pancake breakfast will be available for a donation both Saturday and Sunday each weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The family will give tree tapping demonstrations and compare the old days of maple sap collection with modern methods. Dawn said the evaporator will be running, so people can see how sap is transformed into golden maple syrup.
“It’s a great learning experience for people who have never watched the process or may have never tasted maple products, other than maple syrup,” she said.
Dawn said they started boiling Feb. 11. She said it’s been a good season, but with the intermittent warm weather, it could be a short one.
“It went from freezing to warm in a hurry,” she said. “The buds are starting to get some red around them, so we’re not sure if we’re done or not yet.”
Dawn said their operation had 4,500 taps last year, but they have 5,000 this year from adding more taps at their other sugar bush in Napoli, with the majority of woods on a vacuum system.
Durow Farms has maple products available for purchase anytime by appointment, and they are shipped to customers all over the United States. In addition to pure maple syrup, the farm store also offers maple popcorn, maple-coated nuts, granulated maple sugar, maple cream, maple sugar candy and pancake mix for purchase. Their
products are also available at a number of local farm stores.
For more information or to make an appointment, call (716) 358-4772, email durowdawn@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Durow Farms Maple.
MEANWHILE, Tim Ulinger and his family welcome visitors to Ulinger’s Maple Farm, located at 8835 Crumb Hill Road in East Otto. They will be open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Tour the sugar bush to see how the trees are tapped and the sugar house to watch the family boil pure maple syrup.
While at the sugar house, people can enjoy hot maple syrup over vanilla ice cream or a maple milkshake. They can taste samples of various products, including certified organic maple syrup, maple candy, maple
cream, maple caramel popcorn, maple barbecue sauce, maple fluff, maple cotton candy and maple granulated sugar.
Tim said they’ve had a pretty good year and have made 3,200 gallons for the season, as of March 16, and are hoping to make their goal of 5,000 gallons.
“The warmer the days, the more likely the buds on the trees will come out,” he said. “I can see a bit of a reddish tint to the tops of the trees right now, so that’s not a good sign, but the sap is running today. We might get a couple more weeks in, as long as those buds don’t pop out.”
Three generations of the Ulinger family have been participating in the annual Maple Weekend event since March 2019. The family-owned business has been in operation since 1982, and is one of the largest maple syrup producers in Cattaraugus County.
The farm has grown from over 11,000 tapped trees producing about 4,000 gallons in 2019, to about 17,000 taps producing over 5,000 gallons. In addition to more taps, Tim said they have upgraded to three reverse osmosis machines.
Tours at Ulinger’s Maple Farm are available yearround by appointment. People can purchase their maple products online, at the farm and at various local farm stores. They ship to all 50 states and all over the world.
To schedule a tour or to find out more about the farm and its products, call (716) 4997243 or email contactus@ ulingersmaplefarm.com. Visit the store online at ulingersmaplefarm.com. Find them on Facebook. Find participating maple producers and more information on maple production at mapleweekend.com.
Cattaraugus Free Library celebrates 100 years with open house
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
CATTARAUGUS — The
Cattaraugus Free Library
planned to celebrate its 100th anniversary with an open house on Wednesday at 21 Main St. in the heart of the village.
The anniversary open house was to include a peek at the upstairs expansion project, historical displays, light refreshments, basket raffles and small activities throughout the day.
Community members are invited to stop by, learn about the library’s history and help celebrate 100 years of reading, learning and community connection.
With a century of history behind it, the future of the library is looking bright.
Director Tyler Soderlund said his team is striving to improve services in any way they can and are excited to open the second floor of the library to the public.
“With the grants we have received, we are aiming to have it fully open in 2027,” he told the Press. “The upstairs will effectively double the library’s space which will allow us to store more books, provide a free private
conference room, host larger community run groups and events and continue to expand services.”
Today, the library provides access to books, modern and updated public computers, assistance with technology, free wi-fi in and outside the library, cost effective printing and faxing and a place to request assistance with general questions. Soderlund said they are hoping to leverage the new space to provide Cattaraugus with a small community center of sorts right downtown.
“Our main goal is supporting our community and we do our best to use the resources we have available to help in any way we can,” he said.
The idea for a public library in Cattaraugus began with the Women’s Civic League, first mentioned in meeting minutes on Oct. 12, 1925, when discussions began about establishing a library for the community.
On Nov. 17, 1925, the Civic League voted to house the new public library in the bathroom of their building so the collection could begin serving residents. Shortly after, on Nov. 22, 1925,
the first elected Board of Trustees met and submitted an application for state aid.
The library received its provisional charter on March 25, 1926, officially establishing the Cattaraugus Free Library. The library
opened its doors to the public soon after on April 8, 1926, with a collection of 771 books. Today, the collection has grown to more than 7,000 books, continuing its mission of serving readers of all ages.
Events celebrating the library’s 100th birthday will continue this summer, Soderlund said, with the Summer Reading Program theme “Unearth A Story.” He said the library will be providing six days of
programs and crafts with prizes for reading at home. The kick off day will be July 14. Meanwhile, Soderlund said the best way to support the library is to stop in and use the resources they have available.
“Checkouts, printing, letting us help in any way we can,” he said. “Once we have the upstairs open, we are hoping that local groups will use the space.”
That being said, projects like the elevator are not inexpensive, Soderlund said, and grants only cover so much. He said donations towards construction projects and renovations will allow the library to continue improving the space in the future.
“The donations we have already received over the years towards the upstairs projects have helped immensely,” he added. “For the future, there are still projects to be finished upstairs beyond the elevator, such as a second handicap bathroom and a kitchenette space.” For more information, contact the library at 716) 257-9500 or email director@ cattarauguslibrary.org.
File photo
The Cattaraugus Free Library is located at 21 Main St. in the heart of the village.
File photo
The Durow Farm in Randolph will welcome Maple Weekend guests from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. each day, when they can enjoy a pancake breakfast. Jeff Durow is shown testing sap in the evaporator at Durow Farms in Randolph.
Photo submitted
Ulinger’s Maple Farm, in East Otto, will be hosting their open house from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. during Maple Weekend. Shown are four generations of Tims with owner Tim Ulinger Jr. at far right. From left are his father, Tim Sr.; grandson, Tim; and son, Tim.
SALAMANCA — The Seed to Supper Program, presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Cattaraugus County, is returning to Salamanca with sessions open to the public beginning April 14 in the Salamanca High School cafeteria.
Over the course of six free sessions led by volunteers and staff of CCE and the Salamanca City Central School District, the program will give
novice gardeners the skills to connect with others in the community, grow in confidence and successfully grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget. Classes will take place Tuesday evenings between 6 and 7:30 p.m. from April 14 through May 19. Each session includes instruction by a trained Seed to Supper educator, hands-on activities and discussion with participants who have a variety of gardening experiences.
The course highlights practical, low-cost techniques for building, planning, planting, maintaining and celebrating the harvest of a successful vegetable garden. Sessions will cover vegetable gardening fundamentals such as soil preparation, garden planning, planting, maintenance and harvest. All participants receive a free guidebook. Programs are appropriate for any type of home or community gardening, including
container gardening, raised beds or traditional garden spaces. The Seed to Supper program is a beginning gardening experience designed for adults gardening on a budget while building community and relationships among community program partners and between program participants. There will be activities for younger members of the families to be involved with and participate in during
class time. Past participants in Seed to Supper show an increased knowledge of food gardening, feel more confident in their ability to grow a portion of their own food, and are better able to access garden resources in their community. In the medium and long-term, they implement food gardens, improve nutrition, offset grocery costs, reduce hunger and become advocates who teach others and access locally
grown fruits and vegetables. Several Seed to Supper participants from last year are joining the upcoming Master Gardener Volunteer Training. Registration is required to participate in this free program. Sign up at https://reg.cce.cornell. edu/SeedtoSupper2026Salamanca_258. Contact Kim Oudemool at Kkr35@ cornell.edu or 716-6992377 ext. 100 for more information.
Kolkowski picked for Allegany mayor as villages voted Wednesday
BY BOB CLARK
ALLEGANY — A new mayor was elected in Allegany on March 18 as village voters statewide went to the polls.
John Kolkowski, on the Republican and independent Taxpayer First lines, received 198 votes for a one-year term to replace the late
Gregory Pearl, while Dominic Papasergi, on the Democratic and independent Common Sense lines, received 179 votes.
Cattaraugus County Board of Elections officials reported that all vote totals are unofficial until recanvassing is completed. Voter turnout across the six
From River to the lakes we
villages holding elections Wednesday was 11%, county officials reported, with 529 votes cast from a combined 4,972 registered voters. In other village elections:
Cattaraugus — Christopher Perkins received 14 votes and Glenn Hall received 13 votes for two village
trustee positions. Delevan — Patricia Sherwood on the independent Common Sense line received 21 votes for mayor, and four write-ins were reported. Independent Common Sense candidates Anthony Giboo received 23 votes and Steven Dominessy received 19 votes for two village
trustee positions. One write-in was reported. Franklinville — Republicans Stephen Pockey received 17 votes and Sherill Sciortino received 16 votes for two village trustee positions. One write-in was reported.
Gowanda — Independent Allegiance candidates Peter Sisti
received 54 votes and Wanda Koch received 51 votes for two village trustee posts. Three write-ins were reported. South Dayton — Republicans Kevin Butcher received 24 votes and Joseph Kortz received 20 votes for two village trustee posts. Four write-ins were reported.
Homeowners do not need to get hung up on room labels as they explore ways to reinvent their spaces.
Just because a floor plan labels a space as a formal dining room doesn’t mean the area has to remain that way.
Repurposing rooms in a home comes down to aligning the space a person has with their lifestyle needs. Here are a few ways to rethink interior spaces and make a switch to improve utility.
• Identify unused or under-used rooms. Take note of spaces that are cleaned but rarely used. For many people, this is a dining room or a guest suite. Either of these rooms can be transformed into something new.
• Invest in multipurpose furniture. Even people short on space can transform their homes. Replacing a traditional bed with a murphy bed or a daybed can make a room more suitable for a home office or yoga studio, but still provide a space for the occasional houseguest to sleep. A pull-down shelf desk in a bedroom or even a walk-in closet can turn an area into a compact home workstation.
• Claim dead space. The area under the stairs or another small spot often is used to collect junk. Instead, it can be turned into a built-in wine rack, a reading nook for kids or even a pet sanctuary with just a few modifications. Analyze areas around the home that seem like they don’t serve a purpose, and then figure out a way to make them more functional.
• Establish room zones. Some people simply cannot transform an entire room into something else. Visual partitioning makes it possible to
create rooms within rooms. An area rug can be used to define a border of a space. Open bookshelves can serve as a wall to separate a sleeping area from a lounging spot. Lighting can add dimension to areas in a space. A pendant light over a crafting or work table can be used define the space.
• Look at utility areas. Unless you
are a do-it-yourselfer or have a hobby that takes up much of the garage or basement, utility areas are major spots in a home to consider repurposing. A garage can be turned into a home gym, kids’ play area or even a hobby shop. Modular flooring and insulated walls can make the room comfortable. Attic lofts are the ultimate quiet zones, and can
be serene spots for reading, meditating or doing homework. An unfinished basement can be converted into a finished space to serve many different purposes. From media rooms to a teen lounge to a hobby cave, the opportunities are endless.
A good rule of thumb before converting any room is to give it a test
run. Move in a piece of furniture and test how it works with its intended function.
Assess lighting, noise and foot traffic for a week, and then move ahead with changes if the result is positive.
Start the day sunny-side up at Yolked Café
BY DEB EVERTS
SALAMANCA —
A new café recently opened on Center Street, offering the community its favorite breakfast and lunch menu options.
Yolked Café hopes to become a daily hub for locals, a go-to spot for dine-in and convenient takeout. As diners enjoy their meal, they will see a beautiful mural on the wall, painted by local artist Jaelyn Rockwell.
Owner Austin Baker hosted the official grand opening of his café on March 10, and to thank his customers for their support, he gave away free Yolked Café t-shirts.
As an incentive to attract customers, Baker features free giveaways every week, and someone is chosen each week to receive a free breakfast.
“It’s something we started to do to get people to share our Facebook page and get more eyes on the new business,” he said.
“Just giving away free breakfast every week can make someone’s week a little better. It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Yolked starts a new
way to work in the early mornings as well as the people who are leaving work and coming home, like those who do overnights at the casino,” he said. “We get a lot of people stopping in here for just a quick grab-and-go breakfast pizza or breakfast sandwiches — stuff like that.”
Baker said the menu is currently small, with items like sandwiches, paninis and wraps, but they plan to add more, including burgers and fries.
Originally from Cattaraugus and currently residing in Little Valley, Baker said he doesn’t have any grand plans for his café. He hopes to expand hours slightly, add later lunches, and offer more menu options.
John Sheehan, CEO of the Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce, said Baker has the wisdom gained from successfully running several businesses.
giveaway every week with different rules, Baker explained. Some weeks, people just have to share the café’s Facebook posts.
“This past week, we did giveaways where
RC Hoag Dr., Salamanca, NY (716) 265-2004 5026 Rt. 417, Allegany, NY (716) 806-3591
if people came down during the grand opening, they got entered into a giveaway, so there are different ways to enter,” he said.
“Then, every Friday, we pick a name to give away a free breakfast.”
Baker said he opened the doors to his café and tested the waters with a soft opening in November. Since then, he’s been getting the business figured out and under control.
“Once we got a good staff in here, we decided to do our grand opening to let everybody know
it’s really happening,” he said.
Baker, who also co-owns the Green Room Sports Lounge in Ellicottville with Hunter Palmer-Baker, said he decided to open up a second, totally different type of business when he noticed there are not many dining options for breakfast in Salamanca.
“I always thought it would be a good idea for someone to put in a spot, and then I just happened to come upon the opportunity to lease the location we’re in
now. It kind of just all worked out,” he said.
“I took a long look at it and said, ‘Let’s try and do it since there should be more places like this in town.’”
According to Baker, being one of the few places in town that still offer a traditional, at-home, family-style breakfast sets his eatery apart from others in the city. He said they have really big portions for a pretty good price.
“On top of that, we have a lot of quick stop-and-go options for people who are on their
Did You Know?
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“We’re excited to welcome Yolked Café to Salamanca, and the chamber is proud to celebrate its opening,” he said. “New businesses like this bring not only delicious food to our families, but also enhance the experience for our millions of visitors.”
Located at 343 Center St., the café is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast is served all day and lunch is currently available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information or to place an order, call (716) 328-5463.
been linked to certain types of breast cancer. But the American Cancer Society says a large body of evidence supports the safety of soy as part of a healthy diet. In fact, studies have found consuming soyfoods is associated with a decreased risk or no change in risk for cancer. Past studies featured mice and rats, which break down isoflavones differently than humans. Also, the doses that elevated breast cancer risk in the rodents were much higher than in studies conducted in people. Human studies have found the estrogen effects of soy seem to have no effect at all and may even reduce breast cancer risk.
Photo provided
Yolked Café on Center Street held its official grand opening March 10, offering locals a convenient spot to enjoy breakfast and lunch. Pictured (from left): Gary Quattrone, chamber marketing coordinator; John Sheehan, Seneca Salamanca Chamber of Commerce CEO; Mayor Sandy Magiera; owner Austin Baker; and employee Dani Marie.