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NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2019
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 48
DIGITAL EDITION ELLICOTTVILLETIMES.COM
CAR. TR. BULK RATE US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 244 BRADFORD, PA
TIMES The official Newspaper of the Village of Ellicottville, the Town of Ellicottville, Ellicottville Central Schools and the Towns of East Otto. Great Valley and Mansfield, NewYork
After three years, Ellicottville Ski Tree already a beloved holiday tradition By Ginna Hensel
Black Friday deals, snow on the ground, decorations and returning college students are general signs the Holiday Season is starting. However, in the eclectic and traditional town and village of Ellicottville, more personal holiday traditions are carried on, too. A newer tradition has been around the past several years but is already a sight many look forward to each November: the ski tree next to the Ellicottville Historical Society Museum on Washington Street. Ellicottville has had a tree in the past, but now with the new ski tree comes a new twist with the tradition. Several years ago, The Nelson Law Firm dreamt a dream to create something brand new for Ellicottville. While it has seen a couple of different locations, the message remains the same: to bring the community together to make them proud of their home. The idea came when John Nelson and a friend were out west and saw a ski tree. Magnificently standing above the other trees gleaming with repurposed skis living their new life. Since the previous tree in Ellicottville was nowhere as extravagant as the ski tree out west, Nelson and friends decided to bring a ski tree to Ellicottville. Thus, the decision
to have a ski tree was born. A community initiative began asking locals to donate their old skis to the tree. Having the community’s own skis on the tree brought a whole new meaning to the tree. When the tree was completed locals could look on the tree and see their memories. Skis on the tree held significant memories reminding community members of loved ones, childhood memories and good times. While Ellicottville’s first ski tree went up only in November of 2017, the tree is already expected to stand the test of time, creating a legacy. “The intention was never to make the tree permanent,” said Nelson, the mastermind behind the project. “We did not expect as much community response as we received.” The tree almost was removed in the spring of 2018 when the Ellicottville Village Board passed a resolution to have the tree removed. However, due to the outstanding community support, the tree remained. Nelson and his wife organized several events to help continue to fund the tree. The “Save the Ski Tree” fundraiser deputed in 2018, raising enough funds to help maintain the tree including moving the tree from one side of Washington Street, near where the old M&T bank is, to the other side of the street near the Nelson Law Firm is.
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Photo by Ginna Hensel The Ellicottville Ski Tree between the Ellicottville Historical Society Museum and Nelson Law Firm on Washington Street may only be three years old, but it’s as much a part of the holidays as snow and hot cocoa in the village full of traditions.
See Ski Tree, page 12
Feel the holiday spirit at ‘Christmas in Ellicottville’
LIVE MUSIC
By Deb Everts
Start off the holiday season with the annual “Christmas in Ellicottville” celebration held this year from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. Be transported to a scene from an old Victorian Christmas and enjoy oldfashioned fun activities scheduled for the whole family. Presented by the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Wingate by Wyndham and SYSCO, the free weekend event is packed full of holiday activities from noon on Friday until the last horse-drawn carriage ride on Sunday. “Christmas is a time we all look forward to,” said Barb Pump, project development manager for the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce. “We get to spend time with
See Christmas in Ellicottville, page 8
Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas events getting ready for Dec. 6
6600 US-219, Ellicottville, NY
Fri - 7 p.m. • Darkwater Duo Sat - 6 p.m. • Rock Angel
DJ AFTER BANDS
Fri • EXCITE Sat • JESTERZ 20 Monroe St • 699-4162
UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 28 -29 Christmas in Ellicottville
Nov. 29 & 30
Holiday Open House at Ellicottville Salt Cave
Dec. 4
Dec. 6
Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas at EBC
Dec. 7
Ellicottville Christmas Stroll
Jan. 23
Tell a Friend Tour at Holiday Valley
Patio NOW OPEN!
See Irish Christmas, page 3
Open for Lunch & Dinner Serving Cocktails & Beer
26 Washington St, Ellicottville, NY
Wreath Making & Boxwood Trees at Nannen Arboretum
Just a few blocks east of downtown Ellicottville
Cocktail Flights
was McCarthy who said, “I love doing Irish Christmas, which is a night of Irish magic. I don’t know how the magic gets there, but it just does. That’s the beauty of it.” For 14 years, the Irish Christmas fundraiser has become an event to remember, and one that locals and weekenders alike won’t miss. McCarthy’s wagon will be parked outside of EBC starting around 8 a.m., where new toys and unwrapped gifts are collected for Santa’s Workshop and the Sheriff’s
716-699-2042
Thanksgiving is here, and that means the season of giving is just around the corner. Again this year Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ellicottville, continues in Bob’s honor as he touched so many in Ellicottville with his spirit and generosity. Ellicottville Brewing Company is hosting the event again this year on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Although it can never be the same with his passing, Bob’s dedication to this event inspires all to continue with his magic. It
Thur - 8pm • Tyler & Jim Fri - 8pm • The Short Bus Sat - 2pm • Terry Savastano 8pm • West Tue 7pm • The Hick Ups Wed 8pm • Wagner & Winston
6600 RTE 219, ELLICOTTVILLE, NY • WWW.STEELBOUNDEVL.COM