Village of Knives Celebration returns Friday and Saturday
BY DEB EVERTS
LITTLE VALLEY —
The Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds will be buzzing with activity this Friday and Saturday as knife dealers and collectors across North America and around the globe gather to educate, appraise, buy and sell some of the rarest knives in the world at the second annual Village of Knives Celebration.
The two-day event celebrating Little Valley’s heritage in the knife industry will take place in both corporate buildings from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $1, and children 12 and younger are free.
Over 200 vendors are expected to participate, offering a range of services, including knife sharpening, handmade products and food and beverages. With kids in mind, there will be activities including first aid lessons and fun facts about knives.
Wagon rides and personal tours to Little Valley’s famous cutlery factory locations will be available.
Case cousins John Burrell and Brad Lockwood cofounded the Village of Knives event that has become an annual attraction to custom knife makers, collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world. They said this year’s show will be double in size compared to last year’s inaugural event.
The highlight of this year’s show will be a fierce competition between professional bladesmiths who will battle it out to see whose
custom-made knife can stand up to the challenges.
“The contestants will chop rope, wood, a golf ball in half, cut paper and other items,” Lockwood said. “In the process, they are going to destroy some beautiful blades to become the champion.”
Last year’s event featured the History Channel’s December 2020 “Forged in Fire” champion Walter Baranowski. He worked with Burrell, an experienced bladesmith and former owner of Burrell Cutlery, to make the first knives in Little Valley in 61 years onsite and in real-time. The champion is back this year as one of several judges for the competitions.
According to Lockwood, the Champlin family is donating the Army-Navy “E” Award flag received by the Cattaraugus Cutlery for excellence in production during World War II to the show. He said the award flag will be on display at the Little Valley American Legion afterward.
Lockwood said Mark Zalesky, editor and owner of Knife Magazine, and Case Cutlery representatives from Bradford, Pa., will be joining them for some archeological metal detecting around Little Valley before the show. They will be searching to see what’s in the ground and the creeks behind the old cutleries before the show and will have whatever they find on display.
THIS EVENT WAS 150 years in the making, dating back to when the cutlery
at last year’s event sold at auction for $5,250. Proceeds from the event will benefit Little Valley, including its library, fire department and beautification efforts.
Sponsors include W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery in Bradford, Little Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Hughes Hotel, Ellicottville Brewing Company, Knife Magazine, Cattaraugus County Fair, Top Flight Early American Cutlery, Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Valley and the American Museum of Cutlery.
Burrell said W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery in Bradford, which started in Little Valley in 1904, made 150 commemorative knives for this year’s event. Both Burrell and Lockwood hope the kids in attendance will become Junior Knife Ambassadors.
industry first appeared in the village, culminating in more than 60 companies within a 50-mile radius, known as the “Magic Circle.”
Champlin, Brown, Burrell, Crandall, Platts and Case are all legendary surnames in the industry, and all related by blood. From these interrelated families, brands like Ka-Bar, W.R. Case & Sons, Cutco, Kinfolks, Case Brothers, Platts and Western would make their mark on American knifemaking. Over 30 different cutlery companies sprang out
Symptoms of plumbing problems
The drip of a faucet, the bang of pipes and the visible signs of a leak under the sink are some notable indicators of plumbing problems. Other, potentially serious issues may not be so evident. How can homeowners tell if they have potential plumbing problems? The following are some sights and sounds that indicate it is time to call in a plumber.
• Banging or clanking: Plumbers refer to these noises as water hammer. This is when a rush of water forces through the pipe and bumps into a closed valve, producing a metallic noise. Something is in the pipe that is restricting water flow. Over time, the flow of water meeting an obstacle could loosen pipe joints as the water tries to find an easier workaround.
• Pipe discoloration: If there is any sign of discoloration on pipes, particularly rust, it could be a symptom of a dripping sink or drain line that is slowly leaking. A slow leak can eventually turn into a big mess if left unattended.
• Sewer smells: Pipes need traps and vents. Traps are designed to prevent sewer gas from entering the home, while vents channel sewer odor up to the roof. If there are sewer smells, it could mean a trap has dried out or a vent line is cracked, says Family Handyman.
• Low water pressure: If you turn on the faucet and
the water pressure is poor, it could be the result of a clog or a leak somewhere in the system. Pipes that are improperly sized for a home also can affect pressure.
• Sluggish drains: Clearing drains is perhaps the only plumbing problem that homeowners should address themselves. More often than not, drains that fail to drain quickly have a blockage such as hair or other debris. If attempts to clear the drain do
not work, it is best to bring in a professional plumber.
• Shaking sounds: Water can cause occasional noises, but if the sounds are frequent, the pipes are not secured firmly enough. A plumber will need to tighten the mounting straps or even completely replace them.
Plumbing issues are nothing to take lightly, as small problems can quickly escalate and cause thousands of dollars in damage.
of the Case family alone.
“At the turn of the last century, Little Valley made more knives in one year than England and Germany put together,” said Burrell, who is Ellicottville’s mayor and the last Case-family knife-maker. “It has a huge place in the history of knife making in the United States.” Lockwood, author of “Tested XX: The Case Cutlery Dynasty,” documented his Case family’s history for the process required for a historical marker for the Case
Brothers Cutlery Company (circa 1898) in Little Valley through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
“This small town in western New York holds a significant place in American history, with many of the knives made in Little Valley highly collectible today,” Burrell said. “Check your attics and closets because you might have a valuable piece of history.”
Burrell said he has seen Little Valley knives sell for as much as $12,000. He said the knife made
“It’s a great event for grandparents to bring their grandkids where they can see some remarkable things they will probably never see again and have a good time,” Lockwood said. “We really want to focus on kids because, if knife collecting is going to be carried on, we need younger people.”
The public is invited to a Pig Roast at the Little Valley American Legion Post 531 Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. that will include live music and awards. More information and a self-guided virtual Walking Tour are available at villageofknives.com.
Photo by Deb Everts
The second annual Village of Knives Celebration will take place at the Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday when thousands of knife dealers and collectors across North America and around the globe will gather. Pictured (from left)
Did You Know?
Summertime skin protection strategies
summer. But ASDS notes even people with naturally darker skin that tends to tan instead of burn need to wear sunscreen every day as well. The ASDS recommends applying roughly one ounce of sunscreen two to three times each day in summer. Sunscreen should have a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. It’s possible to get sunburn even in cooler climates or on cloudy days when time in direct sunlight is minimal. So the sunscreen rule can apply year-round, but is especially important in summer when people tend to spend more time outdoors than during other times of year.
• Opt for protective clothing. The ASDS notes that unbleached cotton, tightly woven T-shirts or shorts, and wide-brimmed hats provide excellent protection against the sun. Many manufacturers now offer highSPF clothing that absorbs UV rays. Pairing such clothing with daily applications of sunscreen can be a great way to protect skin against summer sun.
• Pay attention to your skin. Routine skin examinations in summertime can uncover warning signs of skin cancer. For example, the ASDS notes that discoloration, a changing
mile or a rough red patch of skin are early warning signs of skin cancer. Contact a dermatologic surgeon immediately if any of these signs are detected.
• Avoid sunbathing to reduce sunburn risk. The ASDS notes the only way to prevent exposure to potentially harmful sunburn is to stay in the shade. Though many consider a little color in summertime harmless, the reality is that skin cancer develops over time and sunburn is dangerous. Each sunburn a person gets increases his or her risk of developing skin cancer, so even a mild sunburn that disappears in a day or two can have a long-term and potentially deadly impact.
Fun in the summer sun is part of what makes the season so special. But it’s imperative that people take steps to protect their skin from sun damage when enjoying warm summer days in the great outdoors.
West Valley celebrates 17 graduates at ceremony
WEST VALLEY
West Valley Central School honored the graduating Class of 2025 Friday, June 27 in a commencement ceremony held in the school auditorium.
Led by Principal Daniel Amodeo, the event recognized the achievements of this year’s graduates and celebrated their hard work and commitment throughout their educational journey.
The Class of 2025 includes 17 graduates, with 59% planning to attend college and 41% entering the workforce.
Class president and valedictorian Magdalena Parish and salutatorian
Isabella Gibson shared their reflections on their experiences at West Valley while encouraging graduates as they embark on their futures.
The evening also featured the presentation of diplomas by Board of Education president Heather Klahn, musical performances by the Class of 2025 and a keynote address from Vincent Venitelli.
The evening concluded with the singing of the Alma Mater and a recessional set to “Everlong” by Foo Fighters, chosen by the Class of 2025 to close out their high school careers.
Graduates
Onnalee Caswell, Lemuel E. DiGiorgio, Baily Fuller, Isabella Marie Gibson, Walker Herbert, Justis
Kapp, Joshua Kowalski, Magdalena Lynn Parish, Victoria Grace Parish, Emily Quinn, Hailey Robbins, Addison A. Smith, Slater Smith, Natalie G. Stanier, Jack Tharnish, Tyler Trimm and Madelynn Winsor.
Awards & Scholarships
Baily Fuller – Grover H. Reifler Scholarship.
Isabella Gibson –CH2MHILL BWXT West Valley, LLC Science Engineering Scholarship, Salutatorian, Cattaraugus County Youth Citizenship Award, National Honor Society Scholastic Excellence Award, State of NY Comptroller Award, Triple C Award and the Delmont K. Pfeffer Memorial Scholarship.
Magdalena Parish – WV Chamber Community Service Award, CH2MHILL BWXT West Valley, LLC Science Engineering Scholarship, Valedictorian, Academic Excellence, Cattaraugus County Youth Citizenship Award, English Award, God and Country Award, National Honor Society Outstanding Member, Barb Nagel Memorial, OAG Civic Ambassador Award, State of NY Comptroller Award and the Delmont K. Pfeffer Scholarship.
Victoria Parish –Irwin Ahrens Memorial Award, Cattaraugus County Youth Citizenship Award, National Honor Society Distinguished Service Award, Pete
Scherer Memorial Award, Elizabeth Wiley Memorial Award, Leo Bernhoft Memorial Scholarship and the Janda Lee Hunt Memorial Scholarship. Emily Quinn –CH2MHILL BWXT West Valley, LLC Science Engineering Scholarship, Anna Schroeder Memorial Award and the Bette Aldrow Memorial Medical/ Health Services Award.
Hailey Robbins –Cattaraugus County Bank Academic Scholarship, Theron Hotaling Memorial Award and the Rev. Gilbert Snyder Memorial Scholarship.
Addison Smith –Superintendent’s Award for Attendance.
Slater Smith – Keith T. Young Memorial Award and Outstanding VoTech Student Award.
Natalie Stanier –CH2MHILL BWXT West Valley, LLC Science Engineering Scholarship and the Mary Lou Chappell Memorial Award. Jack Tharnish –CH2MHILL BWXT West Valley, LLC Science Engineering Scholarship, Jack Nuthall Memorial Scholarship, Teacher’s Association Scholarship, Academic Excellence, Alumni Association Award, Douglas Ford Memorial Leadership Award, State of NY Comptroller Award, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, John Philip Sousa Award and the Triple C Award.
Photo courtesy West Valley Central School
The 17 graduates of West Valley Central School’s Class of 2025 toss their caps in the air Friday, June 27 following the commencement ceremony.
Ellicottville Central sees 40 graduate in Class of ’25
ELLICOTTVILLE
— Ellicottville Central School District hosted its 131st commencement ceremony Friday, June 27 for 40 graduates adorned in maroon and white.
Board of Education
president Debra Golley, Interim Superintendent
Mark Ward and Middle/High School Principal Erich Ploetz presented the diplomas.
The program for the 131st commencement
included a welcome from Class Vice President Courtney Marsh, Siying Sun giving the valedictory address and Kathryn Bless delivering the salutatory address. Ward delivered the congratulatory address.
Musical performances included senior chorus members singing “Landslide” and senior band members playing highlights from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”
Graduates
Hayden Jean Patrick Lockeby Andera, Brianna Lucille Aronson, Elizabeth
Marie Ball, Kathryn Shay Bless, Lauren Elizabeth Button, Owen Fisher Dean Doherty, Jayden Layne
Doutt, Benjamin Cromwell
Edwards, Sara Renee Epps, Alivia Grace Fisher, Jack Allen Flagg, Téa Elizabeth Fuller, Addison Paige John, Jacob Caleb Johnson, Maddox Walsh Johnson, Michael Traina Kerns, Alarice Louise Krause, Natalee Toy-Lan Leiper, Mackenzie Lynn Marek, Courtney Grace Marsh, Liam P. McGuire, Elleanor Anne Meacham-Williams, Ryan Fredrick Metzger, Laurena Skye Mooney, Eve Marie Niesyty, Ryan Patrick Norton, Jayce Robert Pearl, Merek Joseph Peters, Christopher Robert Polino, Grace Ann Privitera, Kyle
David Robinson, Cheyenne Lynn Rust, Carter Steven Smith, Siying Sun, Sophia Katherine Sundeen, Layla
Marilyn Thomas, Violet Rae Tussel, Gracie May Vassar, Adelaide Mary Weber and Ava Rose Woodarek.
Awards & Scholarships
Board of Education
Valedictorian Award for Academic Scholarship – Siying Sun.
Board of Education
Salutatorian Award for Academic Scholarship – Kathryn Bless.
Board of Education Awards for Academic Excellence – Ranked No. 3, Courtney Marsh; No. 4, Téa Fuller; No. 5, Benjamin Edwards.
Board of Education
Curricular Awards: Art –Benjamin Edwards; Physical Education – Natalee Leiper; Business – Eve Niesyty; Science – Kathryn Bless; English – Téa Fuller; Social Studies – Siying Sun; French – Michael Kerns; Spanish – Courtney Marsh; Mathematics –Siying Sun; Technology – Benjamin Edwards; Music – Adelaide Weber.
American Legion Gregg Smith Memorial Award – Maddox Johnson.
American Legion History Awards – Téa Fuller and Siying Sun.
American Legion Leslie I. Dunkleman Memorial Award – Carter Smith.
Arion Award –Grace Privitera.
Bob McCarthy Foundation Scholarships – Addison John, Ryan Metzger and Adelaide Weber.
Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarships – Maddox Johnson and Kyle Robinson.
Dale E. Golley Memorial Scholarship – Maddox Johnson.
Daniel A. Sirianni Scholarship – Addison John. DGK Memorial Scholarships – Benjamin Edwards, Courtney Marsh and Ryan Metzger.
Donald Chapman Memorial Award –Maddox Johnson.
Ed Szpaicher Memorial Awards – Benjamin Edwards and Ryan Metzger.
Elisa B. Hughey Scholarship for the Arts – Benjamin Edwards.
Ellicottville Alumni Association Scholarships – Addison John and Ava Woodarek.
Ellicottville Central School Related Professional Association Award – Addison John.
Ellicottville Rotary Club Foundation for Youth Scholarships – Addison John, Maddox Johnson, Adelaide Weber and Ava Woodarek.
Ellicottville Sports Boosters Awards –Benjamin Edwards, Addison John, Maddox Johnson, Natalee Leiper, Courtney Marsh, Ryan Metzger and Carter Smith.
Ellicottville Teachers Association Awards –Benjamin Edwards, Alivia Fisher, Ryan Metzger and Cheyenne Rust.
Frank Pitillo Memorial
Scholarships – Addison John and Christopher Polino.
Gary Clancy & Paul Clancy Memorial Scholarship – Courtney Marsh.
Good Human Scholarships – Addison John and Courtney Marsh.
Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship – Maddox Johnson.
Harmon Scholarship – Siying Sun.
Holiday Valley Scholarships – Natalee Leiper, Adelaide Weber and Ava Woodarek.
John Philip Sousa Award – Jayden Doutt.
Joseph F. Ward Memorial Scholarship – Maddox Johnson.
Kristen Hintz Memorial Awards – Kathryn
Bless, Addison John and Michael Kerns.
Mary Elizabeth Eaton N.H.S. Scholarship –Maddox Johnson.
The No Limits Awards – Jacob Johnson and Sara Epps.
Michael Chapman Memorial Award –Kathryn Bless.
Pat McGee Nursing
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
Cattaraugus County Legislature honors Searles at his final meeting as administrator
LITTLE VALLEY -In his final Cattaraugus County Legislature meeting, just days before his retirement, county administrator John R. “Jack” Searles was honored Wednesday, June 25 for his nearly 46 years of service in the county.
Searles, wrapping up his 22nd year as administrator, is only the second person to hold the post, being sworn in in 2003. He served as deputy administrator under his predecessor, Donald Furman, and before that was director of the Department of Aging.
Legislature Chairman M. Andrew Burr thanked Searles for his many years of dedicated service to the county and its residents and taxpayers.
“Unlike the state of New York, I don’t think Jack has ever had a budget that wasn’t on time or ahead of schedule,” he said. “And since the property tax cap was passed in New York state … Jack has never proposed a budget — nor, to my knowledge, has the legislature ever passed a budget — that exceeded the property tax cap.”
Burr said Searles’s managing of the county and its numerous departments and services with continuous fiscal responsibility was to be commended. He said the county’s overall tax rate in 2003 was $11.62 per $1,000 of assessed value, and 22 years later, the rate is at $8.29.
Meanwhile, the county’s capital plan, which goes to infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, rose from just under $10 million in 2008 to just under $20 million last year — nearly doubling the output while keeping the tax increases low, Burr said.
“As far as taxes and spending goes, Jack has probably achieved some of the best results in the entire state of New York, and we are eternally grateful to his conservative, thoughtful approach to managing county finances and
departments,” he added. As one of the younger legislators in the chambers during Searles’s tenure, Vice Chair Mike Brisky thanked the administrator for his wisdom and patience with “folks who may have too much energy on their hands.” He said Searles taught him a lot — more than he could list during Wednesday’s meeting.
“You probably never in a million years thought I’d say this six or 10 years ago, but I’m most proud to call you a friend, you and (Searles’s wife) Kathy,” Brisky added.
Majority Leader Kelly Andreano said Searles has not only been the anchor of the county but also its captain. During his entire career, he has guided the ship through many storms, Andreano said, but she hoped he saw plenty of sunny days as well.
“I believe there was a reason you were put here and a reason you and Kathy stayed in the area and you went to St. Bonaventure and built your sense of community here with your friends and raised your family here,” she said.
Legislators Don Benson, Richard Helmich, Ginger Schroder, Steve Teachman and Richard Smith also congratulated Searles on his retirement.
Searles thanked everyone for their kind words and well-wishes, but said that everything that happens in the county is a team effort. He said everything that was said about him happens because of the legislature, the department heads and all their staff working together.
“Those accolades, while you’ve given them to me and I truly appreciate them from the bottom of my heart, the fact of the matter is, it’s really a representation of the family, if you will, of Cattaraugus County pulling together,” Searles said. “And I see that continuing with the team we have coming on board in my position.”
Kelly Reed, deputy administrator for the
county, has been selected as the next administrator, officially starting Sunday, following legislative approval in May. With the term ending Sept. 13, 2027, Reed will also continue to perform the duties and responsibilities of the director of the Department of Nursing Homes.
Additionally, deputy personnel officer Kristine Phinney was appointed as personnel officer effective Sunday to fill Searles’s unexpired term.
“We have great things ahead of us. We’ll always have challenges, but you also have to take and enjoy those wonderful opportunities that come and shine some light,” he said.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity that has been afforded to me to work here in this wonderful place.”
Searles was presented
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
Cattaraugus County Administrator John R. “Jack” Searles (eighth from left) was honored Wednesday, June 25 by the county legislature for his nearly 46 years of service ahead of his retirement Saturday.
with a resolution passed by the legislature that honors him for all his achievements during his career, a plaque of appreciation for his career and a framed
photograph of Theodore Roosevelt, one of Searles’s favorite historical figures.