Submitted by The Rotary Club of Ellicottville/Carol Fisher
Live event at Madigan’s in Ellicottville next Saturday, September 28; silent auction in now live online.
The preparations are set. The baskets for the raffle are assembled. At least sixteen chili makers are planning their best recipes. An esteemed panel of judges has been chosen and people from near and far are ready to taste what is promising to be a true culinary delight for the senses.
The event starts at 4pm next Saturday, September 28, and runs until 7pm. The location is the newly remodeled upstairs of Madigan’s (36 Washington St, Ellicottville, NY 14731). In addition to the basket raffle, there will be 50/50 drawings, live entertainment from Michael Dietrich, bread and cornbread provided by the Ellicottville Bakery and Madigan’s restaurant and desserts provided by Cupcaked. Prizes for the best chili will be awarded to the top three entrants as decided by the judges and there will be a “People’s Choice” award as voted on by the guests sampling the goods. This award is a trophy designed by local artist Darlene Allen and must be seen to be believed. There is no cost to attend this fun event and a minimal $10 fee to taste all the chili. Cash, Venmo and credit card payments with a QR code will be accepted. An ATM is on-site.
And now, the silent online auction is up and running with incredible high-ticket items to be auctioned off due to the generosity of local businesses, manufacturers, vendors, B&B proprietors, car dealerships, artists, craftsmen, country clubs, friends of Rotary and on and on. Some of these items include an authentic, autographed Rasmus Dahlin jersey; a Cutko Galley +6 thirteen piece cutlery set with block; a golfers paradise package for foursome with carts at Springville Country Club and Penn Hills Country Club; a ski package with overnight at Holiday Valley; overnight stays at local B&Bs such as a two-night midweek stay at Saisons; a commemorative knife from Top Flight Early American Cutlery; a stainless steel fire pit, a Paint Party with artist Michelle Capizzi; art work from local artists; Fat Tire Bicycle table light sculpture by Garth Jackson, end tables, an ash coffee table and a Bob McCarthy handmade trunk, to name a few. To access the live bidding just go to the Rotary Club of Ellicottville Facebook page or the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce webpage for more instructions. Credit cards will be accepted at this site. Items will be added daily, so you may want to visit the site frequently.
The Rotary Club of Ellicottville has existed in Ellicottville since 1999. Rotary in one of the largest and highest rated charity organizations in the World. This past year we have worked with ERA Realty to conduct a village cleanup on Earth Day. We support the local high school by means of awarding three scholarships to graduating seniors and one to a BOCES graduate. Rotary also supported the eighth-grade annual field trip to Washington, DC. Additionally, we support the Great Valley Food Pantry and work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to support each other’s endeavors. We collaborate closely with the Rotary Club of Olean and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church each year to hold a Halloween Youth Party in conjunction with their Trunk or Treat event. Our latest special cause is the Ellicottville all-inclusive Playground. We have been awarded a Rotary District grant which will be matched by our Club to provide two swing sets which can be enjoyed by all children in the community. This year, we will be providing a Thanksgiving dinner for the community. We also raise funds for global initiatives such as polio eradication, clean drinking water and many healthcare directives aimed at Mothers and their children around the World.
This will be our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we hope that everyone can come out to support this in addition to having a fun day. You can also contribute directly to our Club through the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (cattfoundation.org) and designate the contribution to go to Rotary Club