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JULY 5 -11, 2019
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 27
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
Don Felder, BPO highlight Summer Music Fest weekend By Kellen M. Quigley Welcome to another year of Ellicottville’s Summer Music Festival weekend! This weekend is not only about music, but about bringing people together during the weekend America celebrates its independence. For some, this weekend is an annual tradition, while this may be a brand new experience for others, but everyone will have the opportunity to make memories in Ellicottville and enjoy some great music. New this year, the Kick-Off Party Friday night is being held on Monroe Street in the form of Bags & Brews. This is a cornhole tournament fundraiser was created by the Rental Management & Real Estate team over at ERA Team VP. Listen to some live music by XPrime from 3:30 to 8 p.m. and support the cause with wine tastings, 50/50 raffles and more! Also Friday is the first day of Stroll the Streets of Ellicottville, featuring free music and events throughout the village. Performing will be Jay McDonnell. Face painting, balloon twisting and a stilt walker will be around the village for families to visit. Stop down in the village on Saturday, July 6, for the annual Pet Parade at 11 a.m. on Washington Street. Making their way to the Village Gazebo, every pet is a winner and everyone gets a prize. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday the Arts and Crafts show will feature fabulous local vendors along Jefferson Street. Then on Saturday night, get ready to rock with Don Felder, renowned as a former lead guitarist of the Eagles, one of the most popular and influential rock groups of all time.
See Summer Music Fest, page 2
Ellicottville Championship Rodeo returns for 31st year By Kellen M. Quigley
For 30 years, the rodeo has come to town on Sommerville Valley Road just south of the village of Ellicottville, and for its 31st year it’s getting even bigger and better. The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo kicked off on the Fourth of July with four shows scheduled from July 4 to 7. Fireworks are scheduled for the three evening shows beginning at 7 p.m. July 4 to 6. A fourth afternoon show is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 7. “Each day there are nine different events,” said owner John Kent. “The bronc riding and the bull riding are the two hot ones.” Photo by Kellen M. Quigley Just as summer arrives each June and Although it didn’t look like much last week, this trailer full of everyone prepares for the Independence gates and fences contains the equipment to make the arena Day holiday, Kent anticipates opening up for the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo, which is back for his property for thousands to visit the rodeo, its 31st year July 4-7 on Sommerville Valley Road. which is one of the largest International
Professional Rodeo Association- (IPRA) and American Professional Rodeo Association (APRA)sanctioned rodeos in the northeast. “We got over 500 cowboys who entered our rodeo on Wednesday (June 26),” he said. “We stay right around 475, 500, 525… You’ve got newcomers coming in all the time, and you have old boys like me who are retired.” Over the past 30 years, Kent said the rodeo has continued to grow. Since its early days, they’ve updated and added permanent structures and buildings and are now looking for additional seating.
By Megan Hartsell
Press photo by Megan Hartsell Valedictorian Louisa Benatovich turned her podium to face her class of 2019 and speak directly to them during Ellicottville Central School’s 125th commencement ceremony Friday.
which unified the class, and lessons learned along the way. “Mrs. Signore taught us to be respectful of others and their space,” she said. Mr. Hintz taught us not to be
afraid of answering a question for fear of being wrong. Mr. Delity taught us that practice doesn’t make perfect, but permanent.” Chapman concluded with quotes
Thur - 8pm • Joseph & Company Fri - 9pm • 2 Guys Drinkin’ Beer Sat - 9pm • Steelhorse Wed 8pm • Wagner & Winston
See Rodeo, page 7
Ellicottville Central graduates 38
On the evening of Friday, June 28, Ellicottville Central School hosted its 125th Commencement Ceremony for 38 students adorned in maroon and white. This was the fourth graduation to transpire in the “Ward,” the school’s gymnasium honoring retired Superintendent Mark War. As ECS seniors prepared to bid farewell to the comfort of high school, a bittersweet but welcome feeling, families and graduates shared a heartfelt tear or embrace. The graduates processed eagerly to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance,” counting down the moments until they became alumni of their alma mater. Salutatorian and Class President Meganne Chapman addressed her classmates by reminiscing past excitements, recounting field trips
LIVE MUSIC
Photo courtesy of Don Felder Don Felder, former lead guitarist of Eagles, is set to play as headliner Saturday night at Holiday Valley for Ellicottville’s annual Summer Music Festival.
from Winnie the Pooh, “Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you’ve always imagined.” Valedictorian Louisa Benatovich noted that “The class behind me, is the reason we are all here today. And guess what, we’re terrified…and happy and exhausted and confused.” Benatovich elaborated that these feelings were shared by not only the graduates but also by the entire audience. “We are all a part of this moment of miraculous change. Look around, it’s incredible.” Benatovich addressed her class with the wise words of Beth Baldwin, ECS 1998 Valedictorian, “I hope that you choose the path in life that brings you the most happiness and success.” After 14 years of “falling,” Benatovich believes that, as a whole, the Class of
22 Washington St, Ellicottville, NY
Fri - 7 p.m. • Cats on Holiday Sat - 6 p.m. • Strangers
DJ AFTER BANDS
Fri • XCITE Sat • SNARKSI 20 Monroe St • 699-4162
July 4 - 7
Ellicottville Championship Rodeo
July 4 - Aug. 8 Ellicottville gazebo series
July 5 - 7
EVL Summer Music Fest
July 26
Jazz & Blues Weekend
July 25
Gazebo Series ENCHANTED CABARET AT 7PM
Oct 26
EVL Half Marathon
See Class of 2019, page 5
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