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CCLAA to present ‘Mean Girls: The Musical’ this weekend
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Cattaraugus County lawmakers voice opposition to state forest leasing for clean energy
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
LITTLE VALLEY —
The Cattaraugus County Legislature was a unified front in opposition to two proposed New York State bills that could allow renewable energy installations such as solar and wind infrastructure on state land.
All 15 lawmakers supported a resolution that urges both the state Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul to oppose Senate Bill S4408 and Assembly Bill A10483 and advocate for a responsible siting of renewable energy projects through the continued protection of prime agricultural lands and reforestation areas as well as urge the state to prioritize marginal lands such as brownfields and rooftops in its siting processes.
“Let this act serve as our vehement opposition to the governor’s proposed utilization of state forest land and other properties for the promotion of their ridiculous, indefensible agenda,” Chairman M. Andrew Burr said.
The county’s resolution claims these new bills run counter to the state Legislature’s stated goals under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Furthermore, it says the State Department of Environmental
Conservation is charged with the stewardship, sustainable forestry certification and maintenance of these areas with a mission to “conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land
and air pollution in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state.”
Legislator Brenda Hanson of Delevan said the state’s reforestation lands were acquired and are protected for forestry,
wildlife habitats, watershed protection and outdoor recreation, among others. She said they are trust assets held for future generations with a clearly defined purpose.
“Repurposing them now as a renewable energy
infrastructure corridor would not be a minor policy adjustment,” she added. “It would be a fundamental breach of that trust.”
Hanson asserted that Albany’s interest in reforestation lands came about after resistance from
CCLAA to present ‘Mean Girls: The Musical’ this weekend
communities over plans for industrial-scale energy developments on farmlands and near residential areas. That resistance, she said, should have prompted reflection and course correction by the state.
“Instead, it has prompted proposing relocation — moving the same industrial footprint onto public forest land where local voices are easier to override,” she continued. “That is not sound planning. That is an admission of failure.”
Hanson said that if an energy policy requires carving transmission corridors through public forests to compensate for unreliable generation, then the problem is not the lack of corridors but the policy itself.
“Public lands should not become a convenient workaround of the policy’s shortcomings,” she added. “They deserve to be managed with consistency, integrity and respect for their intended purposes.”
The county resolution also called the state’s use of protected public lands in the name of clean energy hypocritical, saying that the desecration of state reforestation lands to advance that agenda is at the expense of the environment the policy is meant to protect.
“I don’t think the vehemence of our objection to this idiocy could be more strongly stated,” Burr added.
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
SALAMANCA — Be sure to grab your Burn Books, dress in pink (even if it’s not Wednesday) and enjoy a night at the theater that’s sure to be “so fetch.”
The Cattaraugus County Living Arts Association (CCLAA) will continue performances of “Mean Girls: The Musical” this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Ray Evans Seneca Theater, 10 Main St.
Based on the hit 2004 film written by Tina Fey and starring Lindsay Lohan, the story is a satirical takedown of high school cliques and coming-of-age teen movies from decades past. Director Tony Bump said the rehearsals have gone smoothly for the show, highlighting the great performers on stage.
“There’s about 15 or 16” in the cast, he said. “We’ve got a gaggle of teenagers that are high school aged and we’ve got a bunch of twenty-somethings, all very talented.”
The story follows Cady Heron (played by Sonia Angeli), an American teenager raised in Africa, who is navigating the treacherous social hierarchy of a U.S. public high school for the first time. Befriended by outcasts Janis (Maura
Vossler) and Damian (Brandon Milanowski), she infiltrates “The Plastics” — a clique of popular girls led by
the ruthless Regina George (Gretchen Henneman) — but becomes a “mean girl” herself in the process,
sparking a school-wide drama.
Bump said the CCLAA acquired the rights to do the
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Bump said he moved to the area about a year ago and this is his first time directing for the CCLAA.
“I came and saw one of their shows, and they said they were looking for directors, and here I am,” he explained.
With about four decades of directing experience under his belt, Bump said this is the first modern show he’s directed — the Broadway production premiered in 2018.
“I specialized in small dramas and big things like ‘The Music Man,’” he said. “It was exciting to get to learn the new styles.”
Remaining performances of the CCLAA’s production of “Mean Girls: The Musical” are May 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and May 10 at 2 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are available now at showclix.com/event/cclaamean-girls.
“There’s so much talent in it,” Bump said. “It’s funny, it’s fun and it’s got great music.”
show as soon as they could because it’s a favorite among the cast members. He said, “Watching everybody learn the choreography and getting better at that” has been a highlight so far.
For more information, check out the “Ray Evans Seneca Theater” page on Facebook.
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
The cast of “Mean Girls: The Musical” rehearses the song “Roar” on the Ray Evans Seneca Theater stage. Performances continue Friday.
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
McCarty Hill State Forest is located in the Town of Great Valley.
and
Collars,
23rd AMISH RELIEF AUCTION
SATURDAY, May 23, 2026
Starting at 9:00 A.M. (Daylight Savings Time)
Outside Auction starting at 10AM, Livestock at 12:00 Noon, Quilts sell at 1:00 PM, Buildings and Farm Machinery at 1:00 PM (several auctioneers selling at the same time)
Auction to be held at The Farm of Menno A Yoder 5738 Stoddard Road Conewango Valley NY 14726 From Route 62 in Conewango take Northeast Road to Stoddard Road, Or Seager Hill to Stoddard Road. Watch for auction arrows. Handicap Parking Available; LOTS OF PARKING DONATIONS GREATLY APPRECIATED
Looking for donations of good, clean saleable items. Items can include: quilts, furniture, toys, machinery, crafts, baked goods, cattle, horses and horse related items, or whatever you can donate. NO JUNK!!!!
PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS CHILDREN AND OTHER NEEDY FAMILIES, DOCTORS AND HOSPITAL BILLS OWED BY THE CONEWANGO VALLEY N.Y. COMMUNITY
Monetary Donations should be made to Amish Relief Fund and sent or dropped off to: Bank of Cattaraugus 24 Main Street Cattaraugus, NY 14719 (716) 257-3431 OR Make Donations or for More Information Contact: Harvey M. Shetler Eli J. Yoder Daniel E. M. Yoder Raber’s Blacksmith Shop 5819 Flat Iron Road 11864 Seager Hill Road 12290 North East Road 12451 Eldridge Road Conewango Valley, NY 14726 Conewango Valley,
Horse Wormer, Bag of Horse Minerals, Pail of Tipp Horse Mineral, Scoop Shovels, Snaps & Lead Ropes, Farm Machinery, New Horse Shoeing Stocks, New Neck Yokes and Eveners, Storage Sheds, Small Chicken Coop, 1 New One Seat Hack, 55Gal Drum of K30, Polywood and Wood Lawn Furniture, Outdoor Lawn Chairs, New Furniture: Bureaus, Oak Dressers, Cedar Chest, Clocks, Planter Stands, New Cloth Dryer Racks, New Double Clothes Dryer, Small Oak Tables with Magazine Racks, Hickory Rockers, New Hickory Glider Rocker, Variety of Chairs and Rockers, Kitchen Chairs, Small Benches, Step Stools, Cutting Boards, Handmade Wooden Toys, Amish Relief Auction Mugs, Amish Relief Auction Insulated Coffee Mugs with free coffee all day, Case/Zippo Lighters; Push Lawnmowers, Bird Feeders and Bird Houses, Flowers, Hanging Baskets, Sporting Goods: Fishing Poles and Fishing Equipment, Skids of Groceries and Much More! Variety of LIVESTOCK
Increasing time spent outdoors enjoying nature can positively affect mood and mental health. Generally speaking, outdoor enthusiasts tend to be happier overall. The American Psychological
Association says spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being. Both green spaces and
Did You Know?
blue (aquatic) spaces benefit overall wellbeing. Several years ago, the University of Derby in the United Kingdom conducted a study titled, “The 30 Days Wild.” The study encouraged people to
do something wild once a day for 30 days. Participants shared that their connection to nature and doing things in nature created a significant increase in happiness and health. People who spend
more time outside can experience greater self-esteem, less stress, increased memory retention, and more positive body image. Natural environments also lower activity in the rumination area of the brain, decreasing negative, repetitive thoughts. Also, those who are outside more tend to be engaging in physical activities, and exercise directly correlates to better mental health.
