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Seneca leader Tina Abrams honored as NYS Woman of Distinction

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Ellicottville launching new ‘Nashville Nights’ event this weekend

BY DEB EVERTS

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ELLICOTTVILLE

Country music

lovers take note — the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce is introducing “Nashville Nights,” coming to the village for the first time this weekend.

The chamber’s newest event will take place Friday through Sunday, bringing the spirit of Music City to Ellicottville with live music, themed entertainment and a lively atmosphere throughout the village.

Visitors and locals alike will have the opportunity to enjoy a weekend filled with country-inspired fun as Ellicottville transforms into a honky-tonk destination.

Bars, restaurants and venues throughout the village will host live performances by talented artists and bands, creating an energetic soundtrack all weekend long.

Chamber Director Barb Pump said Nashville Nights is designed to highlight Ellicottville’s vibrant nightlife, local businesses and welcoming small-town charm while introducing a new music-focused experience for spring visitors.

“Nashville Nights is a fresh and exciting addition to our event

lineup,” she said in a release. “We’re looking forward to welcoming both residents and visitors to experience the music, energy and hospitality that make Ellicottville such a special place.”

Pump said Nashville Nights is something the local businesses have brought up for years, and now they are excited to see this event come to fruition.

“Doing an event during ‘Mud Season’ has been something that has been talked about for many years,” she said. “With the rise in line dancing and country music, we thought it could be an event during a slower time that will be new, fun and exciting for all.”

Pump said no tickets are required, but there may be a charge for certain activities, such as the Bellini Bar and the hat sketching/burning, as well as any food or drinks at each location. Whether visitors are die-hard country fans or just in town for the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. They can choose from live performances or karaoke, a Bellini Bar and signature cocktails, taste free cider and tequila, build a hat or learn hat sketching and burning, try a glow in the dark throw, learn how to line dance or test their buckaroo skills at bull riding.

Winery of Ellicottville.

• Noon to 7 p.m.: Carriage rides at Little Red Barn Farm, 7735 Otto Road, Cattaraugus.

• 2-5 p.m.: Build Your Own Hat Bar, Mill Street Sports Pub.

• 2 p.m.: Ed & Tina, The Ratchet Hatchet.

• 4 p.m.: Gerry Dixon, Winery of Ellicottville.

• 4 p.m.: Free Hard Cider Tasting w/Little Mack Hard Cider, The Ratchet Hatchet.

• 4 p.m.: Free Tequila Tasting w/Lobos Tequila, The Ratchet Hatchet.

• 5-7 p.m.: Line Dancing lessons with Ciara, Balloons.

• 5 p.m.: Glow in the Dark Throw, The Ratchet Hatchet.

• 5-10 p.m.: Buckin’ Bull Rides, Ellicottville Brewing Co.

• 6 p.m.: Miranda Wilcox, Ellicottville Tap + Bottle & Taqueria.

• 6 p.m.: Karaoke w/DJ Hypetrain, The Ratchet Hatchet.

• 6 p.m.: Travis Happoldt, Pour Taproom.

WEST VALLEY —

Employees from the West Valley Cleanup Alliance (WVCA), the Department of Energy’s cleanup contractor at the West Valley Demonstration Project, rallied together to support residents of Fiddlers Green Manor in Springville by donating nearly 500 personal hygiene items and a full box of blankets.

WVCA employees filled four baskets and 12 bags with products requested by the facility to use as prizes during resident activities, helping stretch the activity budget and bring more entertainment and engagement to the community.

“This community is amazing,” said Fiddlers Green Manor Activity Director Michelle Gonter. “The support we received from WVCA employees will improve our residents’ quality of life and put smiles on their faces.”

Fiddlers Green Manor offers shortterm rehabilitation and long-term care with

Just a short drive from Ellicottville, visitors can go for a carriage ride at the Little Red Barn Farm, 7735 Otto Road in Cattaraugus, from noon to 7 p.m.

For additional information and updates, visit ellicottvilleny.com or follow the Ellicottville

Chamber of Commerce on social media.

Tentative Schedule Friday, April 17

• 4 p.m.: Bellini Bar, Winery of Ellicottville.

• 5-10 p.m.: Claudia Hoyser’s Druken Bean Whiskey with signature cocktails, Villaggio.

• 6 p.m.: Hat Sketching/Burning,

Pour Taproom.

• 6:30 p.m.: The Chillbillys, Balloons.

• 7 p.m.: Karaoke, Pour Taproom.

• 8 p.m.: Beard and the Bird, Mill St. Sports Pub.

• 10 p.m.: DJ Pipez, Balloons.

Saturday, April 18

• Noon: Bellini Bar,

WVCA employees answer the call for local nursing home

amenities such as an activity center, outdoor spaces and pet-friendly policies. Its programs, including clubs, movie nights, Bingo and arts and crafts, are designed to create a warm, homelike environment.

WVCA’s donations directly support that mission by helping the facility continue providing meaningful, personalized experiences for residents.

Since beginning their contract in June 2025, WVCA employees have consistently supported local nonprofits through Day of Caring events, food drives, Toys for Tots collections and other volunteer efforts.

“Giving is rooted in helping people and strengthening communities,” said Joseph Pillittere, WVCA Director of Communication and External Affairs. “The kindness and generosity of our employees made a real difference, and it reflects the spirit of compassion that defines our team.”

• 6:30 p.m.: The Pat and Owen Duo, Balloons.

• 7 p.m.: Claudia Hoyser, Villaggio.

• 7 p.m.: The Jimmy Flowers Duo, Ellicottville Brewing Co.

• 10 p.m.: DJ Kage, Balloons.

Sunday, April 19

• 2 -5 p.m.: Western Hat Workshop, Balloons.

Photo submitted Activities Director Michelle Gonter stands behind the nearly 500 personal hygiene items donated by WVCA employees at Fiddlers Green Manor in Springville.

Photo provided

The Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce is launching its newest event, “Nashville Nights,” April 17-19, when venues throughout the village transform into honky-tonk destinations. Shown are husband and wife duo Jon and Cathryn “Cat” Curry Hasz, who will bring their western swing and rockabilly sound to the Mill Street Sports Pub on Friday night.

Flooding deters many Trout Season opening day anglers

Opening Day of Trout Season was less than ideal this year, with major flooding of waterways throughout the region. Despite the swollen streams, some local fishermen were up to the challenge, including

families with multiple generations of anglers setting up along creeksides in Randolph

Tips to stay motivated to exercise

Lack of motivation

a difficult hurdle to clear when approaching any activity or goal. And that’s particularly so with fitness-related goals, as lack of motivation to exercise, which many people find boring and unenjoyable, is an oftcited reason for living a sedentary lifestyle.

The benefits of exercise, which include decreased risk for chronic disease, weight management, and improved mental health, should be all the motivation anyone needs to get up and go. But some people still need a little help to ensure they stay the course and achieve their fitness goals. People can try these strategies if their motivation to exercise is lacking.

• Embrace a new routine. While millions of people can’t imagine a day without breaking a sweat at the gym, others find gym-based workouts a little tedious and lacking in excitement. If that outlook sounds familiar, individuals can embrace new exercise routines that engage them. Sports provide great exercise, so adults can look into activities like pickleball, jogging and cycling to break a sweat and get fit. Each of those activities can greatly improve cardiovascular fitness and help people maintain healthy weights.

• Set small goals along the way to larger ones.

Fitness-related progress does not come overnight, so what appears to be a lack of daily results can make it difficult to stay committed for the long haul. Setting short-term goals along the way to long-term ones can provide all the motivation people need to keep going. For example, if your ultimate goal is to lose 10 pounds, set a one-poundper-week shorter goal. Being able to measure your progress each week can motivate you to stay the course.

• Remind yourself why you’re looking to get more fit. There’s no bad reason to get fit. Some people who find they lack the motivation to keep going simply need to remind themselves why they started an exercise regimen in the first place. Did you want to shed weight before a class reunion? Get healthy so you can be more active with your children? Exercise more to reduce your risk for a disease or condition that runs in your family? By routinely reminding yourself why you initially set out to get more fit, you may provide that little extra spark you need to stay the course. Set up

smartphone notifications as reminders if you feel you need a daily refresher regarding your motivation to exercise.

• Make it a family affair. The buddy system is effective in many applications, and it can be particularly good at motivating people to stay the course and achieve their fitness goals.

Encourage a spouse, sibling, friend, or even your whole family to join you as you begin your journey to a healthier you. With someone there to get you going each day, you’re less likely to skip workouts.

Staying motivated to exercise may not be easy. But there’s a number of things people can do to ensure their motivation to get fit does not wane.

Photo by Deb Everts

Aaron Hendrickson and his 9-year-old son, Aaron II, of Jamestown, were fishing in the Little Conewango Creek behind the Randolph fire hall. Young Aaron caught an 8-inch brown trout. They camped overnight to be sure they could start fishing at the crack of dawn. The father-and-son duo goes trout fishing at the same spot every year. Originally from the Randolph area, Hendrickson said trout fishing on opening day became a tradition with his cousin when they were young boys.

Photo by Deb Everts

Bobby Holland of Jamestown brought his daughters, Jayla (left) and Katrina, to fish at Paisley’s Pond in East Randolph.

Seneca leader Tina Abrams honored as NYS Woman of Distinction

BY JIM ECKSTROM

A Seneca Nation leader and advocate in her third decade on the Nation’s Council as well as on the Cattaraugus County Planning Board will be honored among the 2026 Women of Distinction by the New York State Senate.

Seneca Council member Tina Abrams was selected for the honor in the 57th Senate District by Sen. George Borrello in recognition of her years of leadership, advocacy and service to the Nation, as well as to the broader Western New York region.

She will be honored with the other 2026 Women of Distinction from across New York at a ceremony in Albany on May 5. A separate recognition ceremony in Western New York will be set at a future date.

“I am humbled to be chosen as a Woman of Distinction, and grateful to Senator Borrello for this incredible honor,” said Abrams, a member of the Seneca’s Wolf Clan who was raised on the Cattaraugus Territory and has lived on the Allegany Territory for more than 40 years.

“This community is our shared home, and serving the needs of the community is not an individual path,” she said. “We all have a voice and an interest in seeing our community — and all of its residents — succeed, advance and grow.”

Abrams has been a member of the Nation’s Council since 2001 and was the first woman appointed as its co-chair in 2012.

Throughout her career, she has served in a leadership role in the oversight of Nation enterprises and has monitored and advocated on federal and state legislation and policy that impacts the Senecas as well as all of Indian Country. She has served on the

Cattaraugus County Planning Board since 2002.

Her commitment to service runs deep in her family — her grandfather and father were among those who fought to secure the Seneca Nation women’s right to vote in 1964.

Borrello said the Women of Distinction honor highlights leaders whose contributions often go well beyond what news headlines capture.

“Tina Abrams has spent more than two decades fighting for her community, her Nation and Indigenous peoples across this country,” he said in

announcing the honor.

“Tina’s life and work are a testament to what it means to lead with purpose and principle.”

Within the Seneca community, Abrams also serves as chairperson of the annual Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans PowWow, is a member of the Remember the Removal Committee and is chair of the Seneca Nation Athletic Commission. She has also served on the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors since 2021. She formerly served as Northeast Region vice president of the National Congress

of American Indians and served on the organization’s COVID Task Force.

In 2025, Abrams was honored as one of the “Living Trailblazing Women” by the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women as part of the Trailblazing Women of Western New York Monument Project. She also received the Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award from the Cattaraugus County Planning Board, the first Seneca member to receive the honor.

Abrams attended Gowanda Central Schools and graduated with honors from Jamestown Business College with a degree in business management. She and her husband, John, have three children and 10 grandchildren. Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca said Abrams’s selection as a Woman of Distinction is “well-earned through her leadership and passionate service to our Nation and the greater community.” He added, “Senator Borrello knows well the importance of the Seneca Nation to the entire region, and I thank him for recognizing Tina in this way and for consistently being a partner and advocate for the Nation’s people and priorities in Albany, here at home, and within New York state government.”