Holiday Valley $5M Investment
Cattaraugus County IDA Supports Enhancements

By Kate Bartlett      Holiday Valley is looking to invest over 5 million dollars in resort improvements with funding from the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency. This amount is significantly greater than years prior, but speaks to the resorts long-term commitment to invest in the area’s economy.     According...

Smiles and Strides:
A Look Inside the Happy Half Marathon

By Jonah Mann     The Happy Half Marathon buzzes with an infectious energy, a joyful anticipation setting it apart from races solely focused on speed. This event, true to its name, prioritizes fun and aims to create a memorable experience for every participant. We spoke with the enthusiastic race director,...

Music Spotlight: Smilo and the Ghost Erie Band Plays Griffis Sculpture Park Aug. 17

By Kate Bartlett       Founded in 2016, Erie PA based band Smilo and the Ghost has been playing festivals and venues in the area for over 9 years. They deliver hard-driving, old-time influenced folk-rock to crowds around the Northeast, and have opened for national acts including Dan + Shea...

Griffis Sculpture Park 2025 Line Up
Exciting Season Planned with Concerts, Theatre & More

By Doug Sitler      Entering its 56th year in East Otto, NY, the Griffis Sculpture Park has a lot of exciting things planned for the 2025 season. The park features over 250 large-scale sculptures dispersed throughout the forests, fields and ponds of the 450-acre park. Larry Griffis, Jr’s creation is...

Revitalizing The Hotel Lenhart
New Ownership and Renovation Plans

By Kate Bartlett      The Hotel Lenhart, a major historic Chautauqua landmark in Bemus Point, is under new ownership of William and Jill Curry (Bemus Point Holdings, LLC).  After years of halted operations and closure, the efforts to redevelop and reopen this iconic building are finally underway.      Bill...

Healing For Heroes
Disabled Veterans Retreat in Bemus Point, NY

By Kate Bartlett     Healing For Heroes is a 501c3 legally recognized non-for-profit organization that supports disabled Veterans and the Veteran community. Their Disabled Veterans Retreat and Wooded Oasis, Inc.  provides a free, retreat-style stay on their nearly 30-acre property in Bemus Point as well as meals, programming and activities...

Happy Half Marathon
5k & Beer Mile this Saturday in Ellicottville

By Jonah Mann     Nestled in the scenic embrace of Western New York, the charming village of Ellicottville is gearing up to host its annual Happy Half Marathon this Saturday, May 10, 2025. This isn't just another race; it's an experience designed to inject fun and exhilaration into the world...

ArtScape, Jamestown
Local Artists create Outdoor Gallery

By Darlene Brace     It's an exciting public art initiative in which local artists have the opportunity to showcase their original artwork, which is recreated on colorful banners displayed throughout the downtown area. These vibrant banners give support to local artists while brightening our streets and bringing joy to everyone....

Nature Oriented Day Trips
Celebrate Mom with Mother Nature

By Carol Fisher-Linn     Forget the Mother’s Day Flowers and candy. Take mom on a day trip. Always check if fur-friends are welcome. Some places may not allow, especially nature preserves. Niagara Falls from another angle. Niagara Falls is the dramatic apex of the free-flowing thundering waters of four of...

Cinco De Mayo Celebrations
Recognizing the Freedoms of a Country’s Citizens

By Barbara Arnstein     This weekend and on Monday, millions of Americans and people around the world will be celebrating a victory over people who tried to take away the freedom of a country's citizens and install an emperor to rule over them. The battle they celebrate took place on...

Celebrating Mother’s Day, May 11
“Mothering Comes in Many Forms”

Carol Fisher Linn       Mother’s Day is May 11th; who mothered you? Once I became a mother of three and stepmom of two, many ideals flew out the window. A recent Hallmark movie I watched centered around a foster mom who raised a house full of girls and gave...

Bemus Point-Ellery Paddle Trail
Blueway Coming Soon to Chautauqua Lake

By Kate Bartlett         This Spring, visitors and locals alike can enjoy Chautauqua Lake utilizing the new the Bemus Point-Ellery Paddle Trail & Blueway. Developed by Mayor Jeff Molnar with generous funding from Chau-tauqua County’s bed tax/occupancy tax in-lake grant, this trail hopes to attract tourism to the area...

Bemus Is Blooming, May 3-4
Village-Wide Open House this Weekend

By Darlene Brace     With sunny spring-like weather finally upon us, the Village of Bemus Point is excited to gear up for the 2025 season with their "Bemus is Blooming" weekend, taking place this weekend, May 3-4. This village-wide event marks the reopening of local businesses, including retail stores, restaurants,...

KenDucky Derby
Ellicottville Distillery Event this Saturday

By Kate Bartlett        Saturday, May 3, marks the third annual KenDucky Derby at Ellicottville Distillery. The event will start at 2pm with live music from The Hick Ups from 3-6pm in their outdoor space behind the distillery. Food will be available for purchase from Big Daddy’s Food Truck...

So Last Season Vintage
New Shop in the Village of Ellicottville

By Kate Bartlett    So Last Season Vintage will open at 18 Washington street next Saturday, May 10, just in time for Mother’s Day. Owner and founder Sydney Zuech is looking forward to being a part of the Ellicottville community and has been planning this shop for many years. Sydney...