Little Valley awarded county grant to revive, beautify village
BY DEB EVERTS
LITTLE VALLEY
Thanks to a Community
Revitalization Grant awarded by Cattaraugus County, Little Valley is going big and making it possible for dedicated residents to revive the look of their community.
Spokesperson Brad Lockwood, who wrote and applied for the grant on behalf of the Little Valley Beautification Committee, said the county Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism awarded the $5,000 grant to the village’s Beautification Committee. He said both the village and town contributed matching funds of $2,500 each, bringing the total to $10,000.
“The village and town were incredibly receptive and we thank them,” he said. “Here’s the beautiful part — in reality, on top of that, we have almost $5,000 additional funds that other entities, including Cattaraugus County Bank and the Little Valley Fund, have stepped up and offered to put forward.
Lockwood said the bigger focus is thinking big. He said the beautification committee is amazing at planting flowers and doing other seasonal things, but Little Valley has bigger issues that they were able to thoroughly think through and identify for the grant to get the county’s approval to do them.
Director Crystal Abers said the county Department of Economic Development,
provided
Little Valley residents take great pride in their “Village of Knives” as it’s now known. A municipal utility crew recently installed a large banner depicting the late Tint Champlin with the “largest fork and knife in the world.” He co-founded Cattaraugus Cutlery with his father, the late John B.F. Champlin. Shown are Brad Lockwood, crew member Louis Szabo, John Burrell of Ellicottville and crew chief Larry Imhoff.
Planning, and Tourism is so happy to provide this opportunity for a grant for the village of Little Valley. She said the department’s program is designed to support local municipalities in making positive changes to their main streets by providing grant funds to help cover the cost of supplies.
“This grant gives the community a meaningful opportunity to revitalize its
downtown — the heart and soul of the area,” she explained. “A vibrant downtown supports local businesses, encourages growth and strengthens the spirit of the entire community.”
Little Valley’s Beautification Committee has been on a mission to make the village more attractive and appealing to visitors. With community pride, the group has been joined by other residents and businesses working hard
to make that a reality.
Members include, but are not limited to: Sue Koch, retired town clerk and member; Anita Williams, president of the group; Karel Hamilton, co-secretary with Cathy Johnson; Linda McCubbin, treasurer; and Nancy Shinners, vice president.
Lockwood said the inaugural event last year was an eyeopener to him. He said the event brought in at least 4,000 people from around the world — some with rare knives that were made in Little Valley. We expect double that number of people who are coming this year.
love to do three
There will be cash prizes and the committee would like them to be done by September.
Lockwood said volunteers started with the gazebo located downtown at the intersection of Erie and Fair Oak streets. He said the gazebo has been fully restored with donated materials from Sixt Lumber and painted by dozens of volunteers. A huge attached banner went up on June 4. New American flags, lights and decorations are up, and lovely flowers have added a finishing touch.
“There was a lot of work done at the gazebo, including the facia, scraping and priming before painting,” he said. “We started at the gazebo to show the local public, ‘This is happening.’ It’s a very tangible thing.”
THIS GRANT ENABLES the residents to spruce up their village in time for the second annual Village of Knives event coming July 11 and 12 to the county fairgrounds.
Lockwood said a large banner depicting the late Tint Champlin with the “largest fork and knife in the world” has been installed on the side of the yellow, brick building at the corner of Rock City and Main streets, courtesy of owner Jon Mowry. Tint co-founded Cattaraugus Cutlery with his father, the late John B.F. Champlin. He said they also plan to do a huge, beautiful banner to celebrate the county fair, using images from vintage posters found a few years ago.
“The Village of Knives group, John Burrell and myself, who are Case cousins, donated the banner and other money,” he said. “It’s been an all-hands-on-deck project. This is our chance to make Little Valley shine.”
According to Lockwood, there is a lot more to come. He said they are doing an open call to talented artists from all over the region to create
“I think the biggest message with these murals is we’ve had private business owners and private building owners step forward and say, ‘Use my space.’ They are even donating the materials,” he said.
Artists interested in creating murals for Little Valley should make inquiries at lvbeautification@gmail.com.
President Anita Williams said the Beautification Committee is excited to have the opportunity to bring public art and other immediate improvement projects to the village as a result of the Cattaraugus County grant.
“We would like to send a huge thank you to Cattaraugus County, the village of Little Valley, the town of Little Valley and so many members of this community volunteering to help bring our goals to life,” she said. “From flowers to flags, decorative lights, murals and historic educational banners, this is only the start.”
Photo
Photo by Deb Everts
Cattaraugus County
the village of Little Valley a Community Revitalization
(From left): Sue Koch, retired town
Anita Williams, president of the group; Karel Hamilton, co-secretary with Cathy Johnson (not present); Linda McCubbin, treasurer; and Nancy Shinners, vice president.
DEC closes trails in Zoar Valley over storm damage
GOWANDA — New York state has closed the entire Memorial Trail off the Valentine Flats parking lot and the Valentine Flats Trail in the Zoar Valley Unique Area in the town of Persia due to storm damage. The trails are
closed until further notice while repairs are completed to the damaged sections, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said Friday. The Valentine Flats parking lot will remain open. Other access points to the
Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area and Unique Area, including at Forty Road as well as the Holcomb Pond and Ross Pond will remain open to visitors. For more information, go to DEC’s Zoar Valley website.
SUNY Jamestown
Community College recently honored 65 high school students from throughout southwestern New York as the 2024-25 students of the year in the College Connections program.
In selecting the students of the year, schools were asked to consider College Connections participants who had embraced the challenges of completing college-level work and “demonstrated resourcefulness, integrity and dedication.” College Connections, JCC’s concurrent enrollment program with regional high schools, is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.
Recipients
• CA BOCES
Ellicottville Center: senior Savana Hubbard.
• CattaraugusLittle Valley: senior Amelia Wolf, junior Alexander Pietras.
• Ellicottville: senior Maddox Johnson, junior Olivia Tighe.
• Franklinville: senior Lilah Cudney, junior Kaylee Wilkins.
• Gowanda: senior Jillian Gernatt, junior Haley Campos.
• Randolph: senior Madelia Griffith, junior Riley Henry.
• Salamanca: senior Jacob Herrick, junior Jesse Hill.
AUTO CORNER
Tipstoimproveyourcommute
Remote work was the standard during the global pandemic, and that greatly reduced the time employees spent traveling to their places of employment. But now that many workers have been called back to business offices, professionals are once again facing the prospect of much longer commutes.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the average one-way commute is 25.4 minutes. The National Association of Home Builders reports a time of 26.8 minutes. Statistics Canada reports the average commute time for Canadian workers is 26.4 minutes. However, ask many employees and they’ll suggest that their commute times feel longer, particularly when increased traffic on the nation’s roadways continues to be a concern.
Commuting is seldom something to relish, but there are ways to make daily trips to the office more manageable.
• Try public transportation. Leaving the driving to someone else can make commuting a bit less taxing. If buses, trains or trollies are available where you live,
consider taking them to work rather than driving alone in your car. This will free you up for other activities during the trip, such as reading or organizing tasks for the week.
• Listen to audiobooks. Many people lament they don’t have as much time to read as they want. Audiobooks provide a great way to enjoy a best-seller while on the way to work and solve the problem of having too little time to read.
• Use a commute to relax. While it may seem counterintuitive, commutes can be transformed into relaxing moments when you practice mindfulness or meditation. Try deep breathing exercises to calm your mind.
• Vary your route. Take a different way to work a few times each week instead of the same roads over and over. A new route varies the view along the way and you’ll learn alternatives if there is a traffic jam or detour.
• Embrace outdoor time. If possible, incorporate some outdoor time into your commute. For example,
biking or walking a portion of the commute can make it more enjoyable. Getting fresh air and exercise can tame stress and improve mood.
• Maximize physical comfort. Making a vehicle as comfortable as possible can improve a commute. When selecting a vehicle, opt for one with supportive seats with comfort features like lumbar support and heated seats. Set up the interior so that your coffee or tea is within reach, and stock sunglasses or other necessities in storage areas so the car does not feel cluttered.
• Compile a commuting playlist. Figure out the mood you want to set during your commute and then curate a playlist that reflects that desired vibe. Do you want mellow, relaxing songs, or do you prefer upbeat, uplifting tunes? This way you’re not beholden to the offerings on the radio or satellite services.
Commuting may not be on par with a relaxing evening out with friends, but there are ways to make trips to and from the office more tolerable and even enjoyable.
Deb Perry
West Valley Demonstration Project West Valley Fire District #1 received a check for $80,000 from the West Valley Demonstration Project. Pictured (from left): Dave Schuman, CHBWV Safeguards and Security Manager; Jason Casper, CHBWV President and General Manager; Stephen Bousquet, DOE-WVDP Assistant Director, Office of Project Management; Paul Bembia, Director, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority;Dr. Edwin Heidelberger, West Valley Fire District #1 Board of Fire Commissioners; and Kevin Murray, CHBWV Sr. Emergency Management Specialist. (716)372-3121
WEST VALLEY — Mercy Flight, West Valley Fire District #1 and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital recently received checks on behalf of the West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) for their support of the ongoing cleanup site.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and CH2M HILL BWXT
West Valley, LLC (CHBWV) presented checks on May 28.
“It is important to recognize these three organizations for their continued support,” said Stephen Bousquet, DOE Assistant Director of the Office of Project Management. “Their commitment to service and dedication to protect others is truly an asset to the WVDP workforce and the community.”
These three organizations serve as valuable resources for WVDP employees and the surrounding community. Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and its staff provide medical support, Mercy Flight provides air ambulance services and the West Valley Fire District volunteers provide fire and emergency services.
West Valley Fire District #1 was presented a check for $80,000, while both Mercy Flight and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital each received $5,000.
“These emergency medical services play a critical role in keeping our workforce and the community safe,”
said Paul Bembia, Director at NYSERDA.
“Knowing that there are dedicated men and women available at a moment’s notice further enhances our site’s emergency response efforts. We thank them all for their continued support.”
CHBWV President and General Manager Jason Casper reiterated Bembia’s sentiments.
“This day, we recognize the dedicated men and women who make themselves available for any emergency, should the need arise,” he said. “They freely give of themselves and use their knowledge to help those in need.”
The West Valley Demonstration Project is an environmental cleanup and waste management project located about 35 south of Buffalo. The project is conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management in cooperation with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. CHBWV is DOE’s prime contractor.
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY SALAMANCA
Goodwill of Western New York is planning an upcoming session of its Goodskills
Career Builder training program in Salamanca.
The training session will begin on Monday, June 30 at Connecting Communities in Action (CCA), 25 Jefferson St.
In collaboration with local employers and trainers, Goodskills
Career Builder prepares workers for careers in advanced manufacturing through four weeks of training at no charge, Community Outreach Liaison Jackie Greene explained to the Salamanca Common Council on June 11.
“We work with folks on both technical skills and soft skills with the goal of getting them full-time employment in manufacturing,” she said. “We focus on manufacturing because those jobs tend to be stable, they tend to pay better and they tend to offer benefits.”
The combination of classroom and on-site visits that may include hands-on experience has the dual benefit of filling a growing need for skilled workers while providing opportunities for people to advance from minimum or lowwage jobs into higherpaying careers.
“But the focus of what we do when we work with these folks is to really build their
confidence, let them get a real sense of what their abilities are and what they can bring to the table,” Greene said. “It’s really intense. We’re sticklers for attendance.”
Training topics include OSHA 10 certification, forklift, shop math, cybersecurity certification, financial literacy, resume building, job interview practice and access to a personalized career coach for up to three years, Greene said.
“We also invite groups from the community to come in and talk about their resources,” she added. “I think we’re going to have folks from CCA come in and talk about their programs, and we have folks from Cornell Cooperative Extension to talk about nutrition, so we really cover the gamut.”
At the end of four weeks, Goodwill holds a graduation ceremony, Greene said, and a couple of days after that, employers are invited in to do oneon-one interviews with the graduates. She said the program has an 8590% placement rate with graduates either going onto full-time employment or further education or training.
“In the last six cohorts, we’ve had at least two or three people go on to train at (Jamestown Community College),” she said. “Our goal is to make sure these people are work-ready at the end
of four weeks because we are going to put them in front of an employer, so we work very hard to make sure they’re ready.”
Goodskills Career
Builder is open to any adult 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent who lives in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua or Cattaraugus counties, is authorized to work in the United States and is currently looking for a higher-paying job in advanced manufacturing.
“We’ve been coming over to Salamanca for a couple months now, and I’ve gotten nothing but enthusiasm,” Greene told the council. “I think we’re bringing a piece of the puzzle that’s been missing here.”
In her position, Greene
said she meets a lot of people when they first start the program, and she is always impressed by the change she sees in them by the end of the four weeks. She said a shy participant who would barely talk at the start ended up giving an address at the graduation.
“Goodskills continues to bring its programming to local markets with an active need for trained, qualified candidates for manufacturing jobs,” Thomas Ulbrich,
President and CEO of Goodwill of Western New York, said in a statement. “Goodskills works with its employment partners to identify the skill sets that employers are looking for and provides appropriate training to participants, while getting them into the workforce quickly and set up for success.”
The partnership between Goodwill and local manufacturers represents a focus on creating long-term,
mutually beneficial relationships between potential employees and employers.
“At Connecting Communities in Action, we build resilient communities by helping people achieve economic, physical and emotional security. We believe in the transformative power of opportunity.
Goodskills Career Builder is a great opportunity and bridge to lasting change,” said Mason Maynard, Chief Operating Officer of CCA. “We’re glad to be partnering with an initiative that empowers individuals with the tools, training, and confidence they need to build sustainable careers and stronger communities.”
Potential candidates for Goodskills — and potential employer partners — can learn more by visiting goodskillswny.org or by calling Greene at (716) 229-0113.
File photo
Cattaraugus Community Action headquarters at 25 Jefferson St. in Salamanca.
Coldspring to host 2nd annual town picnic Saturday
STEAMBURG - Old-
fashioned summer fun awaits area residents who come to the 2nd annual Coldspring Town Picnic and Car Show on Saturday at the Coldspring Volunteer Fire Company grounds.
From noon to 6 p.m., the picnic will include live music, local craft and food vendors, games and fun activities for the whole family.
The one-day event kicks off at noon when vendors open their booths. People will have the opportunity to enjoy various activities, including a chicken barbecue, a car show, a firemen’s water battle between local fire departments and a fireworks display.
In addition to the barbecue, there will also be hamburgers and hot dogs available for purchase, as well as Native American corn soup and fry bread, ice cream treats, Slushies, candy apples, cotton candy, kettle corn, honey, sourdough bread and beverages.
Firefighters from several local fire departments will face off in a fierce competition at 1 p.m. to test their skills and teamwork. Using pumper trucks and fire hoses, the teams will shoot water at a barrel, pushing it until it crosses the line on the opponent’s side and they win.
Town Supervisor Tina Hyde, who is heading the planning committee, said there will be more fire departments involved
in the water battle this year. “At least five firefighting crews are coming from Frewsburg, Kennedy, Little Valley, Randolph, Coldspring and maybe more,” she said. “Some of the fire companies will be in the competition more than once because they are bringing more than one crew.” There will also be fun and excitement next door at The Hideaway restaurant, where a Corn Hole Tournament will begin at 1 p.m. and continue throughout the afternoon. With kids in mind, there will be a bounce house open from noon until closing. At 2 p.m., youngsters will have an opportunity to compete in threelegged races and a water balloon battle. With water-filled balloons tied on their ankles, the last one to have an intact water balloon on their ankle wins. They can also dig for goodies in a sawdust pile. The popular pie and dessert auction is back for this year’s picnic. Beginning at 3 p.m., people will compete to have the highest bid on dozens of delicious pies and desserts. New this year is the Wood Cutting Competition that will feature about a dozen local sawyers demonstrating their skills at 4 p.m. Organizer Jeff Frank said these experienced wood cutters will be competing for trophies in three different divisions as they make three of their fastest, clean cuts in a “down-up-down” technique.
The event is sponsored by Turtle Pit Cafe & Smoke Shop, The Hideaway restaurant, Tri R Services, The Old Tool Tavern, Full Power Performance and Forestry Consultant Jared Kramer. Frank also thanked the Congdon, Perreault, Dohl & Rickert firm for their assistance.
“The Wood Cutting Competition is very appropriate for our event because everything that started in Coldspring was for timber,” said Hyde. The Quilt Raffle will also take place at 4 p.m. when a handmade quilt, crafted by local residents Penny Barber and Diane
Backyard ideas on a budget
Many people enjoy the possibilities that outdoor living offers and admit they would spend more time outside if the exterior spaces of their homes featured more amenities. According to a 2024 survey by Allstate Protection Plans, Americans love outdoor living and entertaining. Seventy-six percent of those who own outdoor products use their backyards, porches, patios, or balconies at least three times a week. About 25 percent of Canadians spent more time in managed landscapes in 2022 compared to 2021, according to a survey commissioned by the TurfMutt Foundation.
It’s clear people from all walks of life value time spent outdoors, but many homeowners cannot afford a major backyard overhaul. Thankfully, there are budgetfriendly upgrades anyone can embrace to maximize style and function.
Source thrift shops
Thrift shops are ideal places to find gently used items for the yard. Scour the aisles for patio sets, planters and more at deeply discounted prices. If you can’t find a matched set, look for patio pieces that have similar lines and materials to create a cohesive look and feel.
Grab some pallets
There’s an entire craft offshoot involving the repurposing of pallets acquired from warehouses or hardware stores. Pallets can be transformed into
everything from tables to sectionals to benches. Visit www.instructables.com/ Pallet-Furniture/ for building ideas, or check out YouTube video tutorials offering tips on getting started. Pallet furniture can be much more affordable for those on tight budgets, particularly since pallets are often free.
Lend a hand
Taking on some of the backyard renovations yourself can save money. Speak with a contractor, mason or landscape architect to see if you can pitch in to lower costs. You might be able to tear out existing landscape to reduce labor expenses so that the professional can come in and get started right away.
Reuse and refresh While thrift stores are one place to find inexpensive outdoor living items, you also can transform older furniture or hand-me-downs
with some sanding and a coat of paint. Breathe new life into found items with paint, fresh cushions and enthusiasm.
Renovating an outdoor living space is achievable in a budget-friendly way with some creativity and knowhow.
