FREE! TAKE ONE! VOLUME 5 ISSUE 1
JANUARY 1 - 7, 2016
The Official Newspaper
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of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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Looking for Some EVL Fun?
Upcoming Events December 31 New Year’s Eve Party & Torchlight Parade Holiday Valley
6 Things to Try This January By Eva Potter
Ellicottville’s fabulous shopping, featuring chic winter ensembles, interesting gifts, beautiful jewelry, high-tech snowsports gear, a variety of holiday trinkets, signature Ellicottville wear, gourmet foods, local wines and craft beers, along with fine dining and live nightly entertainment in many establishments are part of what draws visitors and regional residents to this charming town. But there’s much more to do and January offers many events that your whole family will enjoy. If you’re in the mood for some fresh air, then head to Allegany State Park on Jan. 1, 2016, for a First Day Hike. Suit up and head to the Summit Area Warming Hut for a selfguided hike on the Red House side of the park. The off-trail walk is only about 1 mile long and easy to moderate in intensity with some minor inclines and declines. Just follow the old mountain bike trail to Stone Tower and make a loop back along the warming hut. There’s even a scavenger hunt along the way. The event runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and you can pick up your trail map and guide in the Summit Warming Hut, and be sure to dress for the weather. If the weather permits, feel free to bring your snowshoes, trekking poles or anything else you need for your hike. For more information, please call the Environmental Interpretation Dept. at (716) 354-9101, ext. 236, or email Katie.vecellio@ parks.ny.gov.
January 1 First Day Hike Allegany State Park January 4-9 Canadian Friendship Week
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January 8 World’s Largest Ski & Snowboard Lesson Holiday Valley January 22-24 Winter Blues and Brews Weekend January 23 Harley-Day Valley February 18 SkiScape HoliMont February 28 Aspire Ski the Valley Holiday Valley See Third in the East page 9
See EVL Fun page 9
Holiday Valley Opens Two Trails for Winter Break
Get Into the Record Books Jan. 8!
Holiday Valley to Participate in the World’s Largest Ski and Snowboard Lesson
Snowmaking Continues While the weather has not cooperated as much as most had hoped over this winter break, there’s just enough snow for those skiers and snowboarders who can’t wait any longer. Holiday Valley’s Yodeler and Creekside lifts continue to spin this week, giving guests access to the Yodeler and School Haus slopes. Lessons are being offered at School Haus. See HV Open page 6
More than 120 ski/snowboard resorts across the country will host a Guinness Book of World Records event in pursuit the record for the Largest Ski and Largest Snowboard lessons. The event takes place at 10 a.m. (local time zones) on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 and is the See World’s Largest Lesson page 10
Zoning Definitions OK’d by Planning Board By Jann Wiswall
2016 Here We Come! Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration at HV By Alicia Dziak
The countdown to 2016 begins at Holiday Valley this Thursday, when a lineup of New Year’s Eve fun awaits. Besides skiing, a familyfriendly party will be held in the Main Lodge. “The new addition is Mackenzie Bart with her Ventriloquist show,” said marketing director Jane Eshbaugh. “She performed this act when she competed in the 2014 Miss America pageant!” Following the 8:30 performance by Bart, guests will be treated to dancing, contests and fun led by See New Year’s Eve page 2
The Town of Ellicottville’s Planning Board has forwarded proposed amendments to zoning law to the full town board for its review and approval. A public hearing will be held on the matter once the town board has completed its review.
The changes are intended to clarify existing language that was weak on specificity in defining “Commercial Land Uses,” including definitions of farm stands, food stands and artisan’s workshops. Amendments also were made to add some types of land uses, including micro-breweries and
micro-distilleries, which were not included in the existing law. The proposed new language defines those and other businesses as follows: Artisan’s Workshop: A commercial establishment that serves individual households See Town Planning Board page 4
Burrell Chairs Final Meeting as Supervisor Board Reviews Hwy. Job Applicants By Jann Wiswall
In his last meeting as Town of Ellicottville Supervisor, John Burrell worked with the board to finalize two highway department position descriptions and take care
of some last minute details regarding an invoice for equipment rental and the purchase of a replacement pump for the wastewater treatment plant. The pump purchase decision will be made in January after incoming town supervisor Matt McAndrew takes office. McAndrew will be sworn in
on Jan. 1. The board reviewed the proposed job descriptions for two highway department positions: the Highway Superintendent and the Working Supervisor. Few issues were noted regarding the Superintendent description, but several board members felt See Town Board page 11