DECEMBER 5-11, 2014
FREE
The Official Newspaper of the Village Of Ellicottville and the Towns of Ellicottville, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Ellicottville, Great Valley, Little Valley, Mansfield, Olean, Salamanca, Randolph, Springville and Surrounding Communities
Why You’ll LOVE Ellicottville This Winter No Matter What Your Age, You’ll Never be Bored Here!
Ellicottville, Holiday Valley, HoliMont & Local Area
Calendar of Events December 5 Irish Christmas December 6 Christmas Stroll & Living Nativity December 6 Holiday Art Crawl December 6 United Church of Ellicottville’s Annual Christmas Bazaar. December 6 5X7 Art for Everyone Exhibition and Sale Cattaraugus County Arts Council, Allegany December 13 Rail Jam at Holiday Valley December 20 Demo Day at Holiday Valley December 21 Holiday Cantata 7 p.m. at Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church December 31 Torchlight Parade Holiday Valley January 5-9 Canadian Friendship Week January 9-11 Winter Blues Festival January 24 Harley-Day Valley February 13 Ellicottville Rotary Ski Day February 28 Stop Cancer Ski/Snowboard Event at Holiday Valley February 21 Penguin Paddle at Holiday Valley March 5 Ski Day for United Way at HoliMont March 14-15 Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival
A Myriad of Reasons to Explore Ellicottville This Winter
By Eva Potter
Ellicottville’s charm and distinct personality has a draw unlike any other small town in the region. From the generous and inviting residents, to the unique shops, music-filled nightlife, fabulous restaurants, cozy lodging and loads of adventurous opportunities, Ellicottville offers so many leisure and recreation options for our local and visiting friends all winter long. Winter is prime time around here with skiing, boarding and tubing taking the prize for snowy outdoor fun. Holiday Valley Resort has been named the #5 Best Winter Resort in the East by readers of SKI magazine for a second year in a row. The Valley’s highly respected Snowsports School, racing programs, lifts and slopes, gorgeous lodges, spectacular views, delectable food, terrain parks for all ages and helpful staff make this a top-notch family destination. Ellicottville also lays claim to HoliMont, the largest private ski area in the U.S., known for its welcoming members, great programs and exclusive slopeside living — and it’s in the midst of a master expansion plan. Look for interesting additions within the next few years. Whoever said strolling snowy sidewalks isn’t a sport hasn’t visited our great shops, offering signature Ellicottville wear, chic winter ensembles, artistic jewelry, high-tech active gear, really cool socks, fine art, gourmet foods, canine accessories, fine wines and more. No matter where you shop in Ellicottville, you’re sure to go home with some great finds. You can even do a little wine or beer tasting, or book a relaxing massage to round out your day.
HoliMont Lodge
Cindy’s Run at Holiday Valley
The nightlife around here is also first class, with live entertainment covering everything from folk to blues to rock ‘n roll on most nights of the week. At Holiday Valley, snowmaking, along with a healthy dose of the natural stuff from Mother Nature, has been underway for the past several weeks, which allowed an early “preview” opening on limited slopes Nov. 21-23. Skiers and boarders were delighted to hit the slopes on Holiday Valley’s official opening day on Nov. 28. HoliMont, the largest private ski resort in the U.S., is planning a Dec. 13 opening this year. The public is welcome on the slopes on weekdays, so come and check them out, too! Of course, it wouldn’t be winter without tubing at Holiday Valley Tubing Park, ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and crosscountry skiing as favorite pastimes. A little cold and snow doesn’t stop Holiday Valley’s Mountain Coaster — a 4,805-foot, gravity-defying ride with 15 curves, 12 waves, a jump, plus a huge circle/spiral — from providing a frosty thrill ride. If you’re lucky enough to visit Ellicottville during the holidays and beyond, here are many reasons we’ll make your trip a very merry one. Irish Christmas This heartwarming event on Friday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. at the Gin Mill, features cheerful music, an outrageous live auction for hotel and ski packages, handmade Irish gift items, the best pies you’ll ever taste and other fabulous gifts — all to benefit Santa’s Workshop and Family Support for Ellicottville, a local nonprofit organization. Each year this community-minded group helps about 100-plus recipients and their families around the holidays and beyond. For more information or to help, call (716) 699-8758 or (716) 997-9649. See Winter in Ellicottville on page 2