THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE VILLAGE OF ELLICOTTVILLE AND THE TOWNS OF ELLICOTTVILLE, GREAT VALLEY AND MANSFIELD,
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 9 FREE
NY
www.EllicottvilleTimes.com
MAY 3 - 9, 2013
Nature’s Playground
ASP Rolls Out New Group Camp, Mountain Biking Trails By Jeff Martin
© 2013 KEYSTONE DESIGNERS
For those who like to set themselves astride a mountain bike, you may want to pay close attention to what’s going on over at Allegany State Park. Gary Quattrone, park manager for the Allegany Region, said volunteers are finishing work on the approximate 2- to 3-mile mountain bike loop off Ridge Run Trail. The trail is the culmination of about 300 hours of volunteer work. “It’s a single track trail, and it’s going to be fantastic riding for those who are into that kind of activity,” Quattrone said. About 31 people showed up during the last work session, he said, a figure that’s been indicative of the passion bestowed upon not only the new trail but all trails throughout the wildly popular park. The new trail is expected to be completed this weekend, he said. Its completion marks the beginning of an exciting season at the state park. Quattrone said all trails throughout the park are getting touch-ups, including culvert and sluice pipe work, as well as general maintenance and preservation work. The park’s new group camp in the Quaker Run Area opens Memorial Day weekend and includes a new facility washhouse, mess hall and 18 sleeping units. Quattrone said the project goes back to 2010 when the state allocated funds to help with the project, which was meant to replace 20 existing cabins with 10 modern cabins. See Nature’s Playground page 4
Seven New Artists Take Part in Routes to Art Open Studio Tour by Eva Potter
If you enjoy navigating winding country roads that reveal the quaint hamlets and picturesque valleys of Cattaraugus County, then you’re in
Eileen Weishan
for a real treat. Begin your backyard adventure with an artistic driving tour of the county on May 18–19, 2013, when the Cattaraugus County Arts Council (CCAC) hosts the sixth annual Routes to Art (RTA) open studio tour. And this year, RTA has the pleasure of welcoming seven new artists. For those unfamiliar with the event, RTA is a weekend-long, self-guided driving tour of artists’ studios located in various locations throughout the county. This award-winning tour is free and open to the public both days from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. This year CCAC has chosen to make artist locations more accessible to visitors by choosing locations centered around Ellicottville, Salamanca, Little Valley, Cattaraugus and a few outliers in Irving and West Valley. Thirty-five artists will be showing in their own studios or collectively at other viewing See Routes to Art page 9
Dressing Up for Victorian Tea
By Mary Fox
From little girls to octogenarians, we never lose our love of “dressing up.” In ladies’ gowns, mom’s high heel shoes and grandma’s old hat, we stepped out for the afternoon. The ladies of the Historical Society of Ellicottville hosted their annual Victorian Tea
last Saturday April 28 at the United Church of Ellicottville. Alice in Wonderland would have loved to be there. There were no rabbits but there was plenty of tea — pots full — served to 40 ladies enjoying a cup with friends while listening to Annette Ieda’s classical violin. Plates heaped with dainty finger food, from cucumber sandwiches to scones to chocolatecovered strawberries, were served in the three traditional high tea courses. Seven young ladies from the Ellicottville Girl Scout Troop donated their time preparing and serving while modeling Mennonite-made quilted aprons donated by Jodi Bentley. ”Victorian teas are noted for being served with aprons. I thought them appropriate as they were hand stitched by Mennonites as in Victorian Days,” Bentley said. Between courses, eight ladies in traditional Victorian costumes waltzed down the runway See Victorian Tea page 3
Relay for Life June 1 at ECS
Teams Gearing Up to Break Fundraising Record By Jann Wiswall
As many as 20 teams and 200 participants from all over Cattaraugus County are scheduled to participate in the annual Relay for Life, the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, at the Ellicottville Central School track on June 1.
According to Dash Hegeman, an event organizer, the fundraising goal this year is $53,000 — $5,000 more than was raised at last year’s very successful event. Relay for Life, the world’s largest walk to end cancer, is a global fundraiser that honors cancer survivors,
remembers loved ones lost and raises awareness about what we can do to stay well and prevent cancer. According to the Relay’s website, more than 4 million people in some 20 countries raise as much as $400 million each year for the Relay for Life movement. See Relay for Life page 7
Zumbathon to Benefit Strong Kids Campaign at Olean Y By Jann Wiswall
The second annual Zumbathon event at the Olean YMCA is scheduled for this Sunday, May 5, beginning at 12:30 p.m., and promises to be a fun and energizing workout for all participants, whether you’re a beginner or a serious Zumba fan. Plus, proceeds
from the event benefit a good cause — the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign. “The Zumbathon will be a great time for all,” says Kim Watt, a Zumba instructor at Ellicottville’s Core Performance Fitness & Training and one of seven instructors scheduled to lead
the crowd at Sunday’s event. “Just bring a towel, plenty of water, and some comfortable soft-soled sneakers or crosstrainers, and get ready to dance the day away.” Zumba combines terrific Latin-inspired, percussionladen music with easy-toSee Zumbathon page 8
School Board Election Scheduled for May 21
Meet the Candidates
By Jann Wiswall
The election for three ECS School Board members is scheduled for May 21. Two five-year (2013-2018) positions are open to replace two members whose terms expire June 30, 2013. There also is a four-year (2013-2017) position open to complete the remainder of Aimee Kilby’s term, which she resigned in order to become ECS District
Treasurer. The two candidates with the highest number of votes will win the five-year board positions. The candidate with the third-highest number of votes will complete Kilby’s term. The following ECS district residents are running and will appear on the ballot in the following order: Melissa Foster Lives in: Great Valley
Education: B.A., Elementary Education, SUNY Geneseo; Reading Master’s/Certification, Indiana University of Pa.; Master’s/Certification, Niagara University Employment: Affirmative action officer, NYS Office of Persons with Developmental Disorders; past program coordinator, Integrated Employment Services Program; See Candidates page 8