By Carol Fisher-Linn
The year began with a rousing bonfire event at Ellicottville Distillery as they invited people to dispose of their Christmas trees at their annual Ellicottville Tree Burn Party. The party will again be held January 21, 2024, with the bonfire scheduled for 6pm.
Following in his family’s footsteps, Ellicottville Mayor John Burrell reignited knife making in his little shop on Maybee Alley. He calls it Top Flight Early American Cutlery in recognition of a trademark obtained by his grandparents for straightedged razors in 1940. This was the year they started their business after first working to help the Case family expand their own knife business.
So bitty. So convenient. Almost like a fairy tale setting. Basecamp Tiny Cabins opened for guests at the base of HoliMont, a short walk to the village and minutes from Holiday Valley. It is simply an enchanting place to stay in our beautiful story-book village.
The Reg Lenna Civic Center in Jamestown began celebrating its 100th year anniversary. The theater was first opened on February 5, 1923 as the Palace Theatre, a “High Class Vaudeville” house. When the last movie was shown in 1981 folks thought the building was done for. But, in 1990 it was renamed and restored. Reg Lenna Civic Center is now a state-of-the-art performance space; which retains all of the unique design qualities it originally had.
The Mardi Gras parade celebrated its 32nd year on the streets of Ellicottville. Who ever thought that a nighttime, winter parade on a main street could be a success? Punxsutawney Phil must because he shows up often to serve as Master of ceremonies!
The See-Zuhr House restaurant at Bemus Point re-opened under new ownership. Balloons Restaurant expanded their brand into Hornell, NY. Ellicottville’s Madigan’s got a facelift.
A traditional longhouse of the Iroquois Confederacy was built and dedicated at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca. The longhouse was the center of life for Seneca families and its clans for centuries, and now visitors can experience it first-hand.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church joyously celebrated its 100th year anniversary with events throughout the year. This summer they gave themselves and the community a lovely, covered gazebo on the church grounds as an anniversary gift.
An ice cream shop came to Ashford Junction in the old Ashford Junction Country Store and Diner. Bonus: They have an ice cream truck to rent out for special occasions. In Great Valley, Twists and Scoops has Perry’s ice cream in a skazillion flavors, plus, surprise, it’s a restaurant offering a home-made menu.
At HoliMont, you will find WNY’s first outdoor area to offer lift-access mountain biking and hiking throughout the warmer months. The Good Climb, a Mind and Body 5-Hour endurance challenge returned to HoliMont in late summer. The private ski club has turned into a year-round adventure park.
Randolph’s 12,000+ year old Mammoth tusks and head finally returned to be kept indefinitely in the Randolph library. The Wooly Mammoth was unearthed in 1934 when workers were clearing earth for the Randolph fish hatchery. Since then, it has travelled to various museums until finally coming home to stay.
EVGV Recreation Trail going north to Springville and south to Great Valley/Salamanca is moving forward. The EVGV Trail Committee is dedicated to building a system of walking, biking and cross-country trails linking Ellicottville and Great Valley totaling 15 miles. Can’t wait!
The three-year fundraising and construction project of the Ellicottville Skatepark Committee finally had its grand opening in June. Now known as the New Car Dealers of WNY Ellicottville Skatepark located in the Ellicottville Town Park, it is free and open to the public.
Chad Neal built a scaled down version of a golf course – Bigfoot Park – (destined to have 18-holes) in the meadow next to the Ellicottville Distillery.