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VOLUME 4 ISSUE 7
The Official Newspaper
FREE
of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville and the Towns of East Otto, Great Valley and Mansfield, New York
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FEBRUARY 13-19, 2015
Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Ellicottville, East Otto, Great Valley, Little Valley, Mansfield, Olean, Randolph, Salamanca, Springville and Beyond
Calendar of Events
s i e l l i v t t Ellico ch Fun! u M w o n S
February 12-13 Your Turn Women’s Ski Clinic at Holiday Valley
Long weekends are so nice, aren’t they? And they’re even better when you’re on a ski holiday in Ellicottville. Holiday Valley and HoliMont, with a little help from Mother Nature’s promised snow and cold, are pulling out all the stops for you this weekend, whether you’re here for a romantic Valentine getaway, a family gathering or a few days of fun honing your boarding or skiing skills. On Saturday, be sure to check out Dekdebrun’s Ski Shop’s Demo Day at Holiday Valley and try out some new equipment (9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the base of Mardi Gras). How about taking some lessons? Or go for a whirl on the Mountain Coaster? Or take a shuttle to the tubing park? Or rent some cross-country skis and explore Holiday Valley’s miles and miles of peaceful trails. Then, when you’re ready for a break from all these adrenaline-pumping activities, book an appointment in any of Ellicottville’s fine spas for a massage, facial, mani/pedi, halotherapy, salt stone massage and more. Shopping is always entertaining in the village’s diverse collection of shops. You’re sure to find a little something for yourself, your Valentine and all of your friends. And when those tummies start grumbling, Ellicottville’s dozens of restaurants and happy hour spots are ready to please every palate. We know it can be tough to fit everything in on one weekend, so make plans to come back Feb. 20-22, when you can take part in Holiday Valley’s popular and hilarious Penguin Paddle or watch/participate in the Red Bull All Snow challenge. Need more? Check out our calendar of events (this page, right column) taking place throughout the rest of the season.
February 13 Ellicottville Rotary Ski Day at HoliMont February 21 Penguin Paddle at Holiday Valley February 21 Red Bull All Snow Event at Holiday Valley February 27 Telestock Day at Holiday Valley February 28 Play It Forward Vertical Challenge at Holiday Valley NEW DATE! March 1 Art Roscoe Loppet X-Country Ski Race at Allegany State Park
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Play it Forward to Give Back Local Non-Profits Benefit from New Holiday Valley Event
By Eva Potter
Play It Forward is a new fundraising event at Holiday Valley that elevates giving back to a new level — and it’s a day of fun on the slopes for all abilities and ages. When you bring your family to Holiday Valley on Saturday, Feb. 28, you’ll be in for a day of onmountain challenges, a new Rail Jam, auctions, a vendor village and more. And the best part is that while you’re enjoying a great day of winter
March 5 Ski Day for United Way at HoliMont
adventures, you’ll be helping to support the efforts of non-profits that improve the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors, needy residents and abandoned animals and that provide other important local services. Dollars Stay Local This year, all of the funds collected will remain in the community. Play It Forward will divide proceeds among a group of Western New York and local organizations, including Camp Good Days, the Ellicottville Food Pantry, Almost Home Animal Sanctuary, Ellicottville-Great-Valley Ambulance and both Holiday Valley’s and HoliMont’s adaptive ski programs. Shelly Kibby, co-director of the Ellicottville Food Pantry, said she is thrilled that dollars from this event will support the organization’s efforts. “Funds that are raised will go toward See Play it Forward page 6
Ted LaCroix 1940-2015
The entire Great Valley/Ellicottville community is mourning the recent passing of its beloved Edward “Ted” LaCroix. LaCroix, who retired in 2005 from Holiday Valley’s food service department as general manager, most recently served as deputy supervisor of the Town of Great Valley’s board. He was a member of the Ellicottville/Great Valley Recreational Trail committee and was a long-standing, active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He touched the lives of everyone he met and will be sorely missed (see obituary, page 9).
March 14-15 Mardi Gras and Winter Carnival March 22 Northwind Super-G Race at Holiday Valley March 28 Holiday Valley’s Pond Skimming
IDA Considers Olean Business Incubator
By Jann Wiswall
The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC), Olean Enterprise Development and Cattaraugus Empire Zone, and a private developer have formed a partnership called OBI, LLC, and are working on a plan to create a business
incubator in downtown Olean. The partnership asked the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency to support the plan by considering its application for tax abatements. According to the National Business Incubator Association (NBIA), “business incubators
nurture the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period, when they are most vulnerable.” As Olean embarks on a multi-year, multi-faceted redevelopment effort to See Business Incubator page 9
Village Board Sets Public Hearing on 2015-16 Budget By Jann Wiswall
The Village of Ellicottville board held a relatively brief meeting Monday, Feb. 9 to finalize several issues and hear updates on ongoing projects. It also set a public hearing to allow comment on the 2015-16 budget. DPW Report DPW Chief Harold Morton reported that his department is doing its best to keep up with changing weather and road conditions, See Village Board page 10
Fillmore Developments Approved by Planning Board By Jann Wiswall
The infrastructure, utilities and overall site plan for two new housing developments on the east and west sides of Fillmore Dr. between E. Washington and Parkside Dr. were approved by the Village Planning Board following public hearings on each of the projects. The east side property, being developed by Glendale Development, LLC, will be called Elk See Village Planning Board page 8