by Barbara Arnstein
Tired of winter’s snow and ice? See some cheery spring, summer and autumn sights anytime throughout the winter, and up until June 30th, 2026, in the photos on display at the Ellicottville Memorial Library. The scenes of nature were taken throughout Western New York and beyond, and include a fresh pink rose, bright against a black background, and spangled with raindrops; a branch of perfect cherry blossoms, and butterflies on wildflowers. One butterfly is uniquely shown from below, while the other is elegantly perched on a yellow blossom. A stream illuminated by golden sunlight in one spot, reflects the blue sky in another. There are several waterfalls, cascading in picturesque settings, and a photo of ducklings relaxing in grass, unaware of the sibling behind them ambitiously but unrealistically trying to flap his tiny wings and fly.
bara Arnstein.
The photographers capture fleeting moments in time, such as nature’s rare moments of cherry blossom perfection. Only when a camera stops time in its tracks, can one fully appreciate a butterfly’s beauty, something impossible while a butterfly’s in flight, or momentarily still. This writer made an often-photographed waterfall at Letchworth State Park (“The Grand Canyon of the East”) look like a painting, framed by trees with autumn leaves. Another painting-like photo features a yellow flower in full bloom, while a different one dramatizes water cascading from a mossy cliff. The unusual look of a waterfall in Chittenango, NY, just outside Syracuse, might have partially inspired the creation of the magical land of Oz, since its creator, L. Frank Baum, was born and raised there. (In his honor, his birthplace now hosts an annual “Oz-stravaganza”). Another photograph highlights dappled afternoon shadows, by a pond in Glen Falls Park, in Williamsville, NY.
“Every Wednesday at 9:30am, the library offers Story Time, which, along with stories, includes movement, song and dance and making crafts”, said the Director, Laura Flanagan. “Recently kids had fun making holiday crowns. There are scavenger hunts, coloring sheets, toys and puzzles, including jigsaw puzzles for adults.” On January 25th, 2026, between 2-3pm, the Young Adult Book Club will discuss “Two Sides To Every Murder” by Danielle Valentine. The library’s hours are: Mondays, 10am-5pm; Tuesdays, 10am-8pm; Wednesdays, 10am-8pm; Thursdays, 10am-5pm; Fridays, 10am-5pm, and Saturdays, 10am-5pm. It is closed on Sundays. The Ellicottville Memorial Library is located at 6499 Maples Road in Ellicottville, NY. For more information: Facebook.com/EllicottvilleLibrary, info@ellicottvillelibrary.org or call (716) 699-2842.