Chautauqua Lake Bemus Bay Pops Marks 11th Year

By NICHOLAS L. DEAN BEMUS POINT — Dan Dalpra says the calls start coming in as early as February, calls from people looking to plan their vacations around the Bemus Bay Pops summer entertainment series. ''Lots of people plan their whole summer around what we produce here on the Floating Stage,'' said Dalpra, Bemus Bay Pops chairman. ''It's a unique venue and we're very lucky to have such a unique venue driving the tourism and economy.'' Announced in recent weeks by Dalpra, the 2008 season features a variety of events — from orchestras and movies to tribute acts and the fifth annual Chautauqua Lake Idol regional vocal competition. Building on the event's decade-long history, Dalpra said regular attendees will see some of their favorite acts returning to Bemus Point this summer as well as new entertainers. ''We've really been lucky with selecting really good groups and good acts,'' Dalpra said. ''Some of the ones that we have back this year are coming back because of their popularity and because you never tire of their performance, like Jimmy and the Soul Blazers. Last year was a hoot with the Rod Stewart tribute and we're bringing him back. I mean, he got down on the water. Everybody had a great time. ''These people are incredibly talented and we're fortunate to get them in our area, performing on this stage,'' Dalpra continued. ''All the shows are free, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. However, we are always accepting donations so that we can continue to do this and bring all this great stuff to Bemus Point to entertain the entire family.'' Started as a rooftop performance by the Bemus Bay Pops Orchestra on Labor Day in 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops entertainment series has grown into a summertime tradition in Chautauqua County with music, movie, dance and other events happening weekly. Since the orchestra first performed atop the Italian Fisherman restaurant in Bemus Point, the Bemus Bay Pops has grown — attracting more and more people to Bemus Point each summer. With an estimated 4,000 people in attendance in 1998, the Bemus Bay Pops series has grown to have as many as 10,000 people attending the series in recent years. See Page 46 From Page 44 ''Our goal is to continually drive the area, culturally and economically, by doing these types of programs that continue to draw interest,'' Dalpra said. ''It brings more people here to invest. It brings the tourism dollars. That's really what drives this thing. It should be a very exciting year. I think some of our condos are supposed to open this year and there are some exciting things going to be going on in Bemus Point.'' HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR'S BEMUS BAY POPS SERIES OPENING DAY The 2008 Bemus Bay Pops summer entertainment series begins Sunday, June 29 with a Praise on the Lake event. The Bemus Point United Methodist Church will hold an outdoor morning service at 9 a.m., featuring Pastor Dan McBride and the Praise Band. Other Praise on the Lake events are set for July 27 and Aug. 24. Also June 29, the Denver Mile High Orchestra will provide a high-energy afternoon show. Finalists on Fox's ''The Next Great American Band'' program, the Denver Mile High Orchestra is a horn-driven big band stopping in Bemus Point direct from touring the globe. Dalpra says the audience members will have a hard time staying in their seats, as the group makes listeners want to get up and swing dance. SALUTE TO AMERICA The Jamestown Municipal Band will perform a special tribute to America at 7 p.m. Friday, July 4. Dalpra said the Bemus Bay Pops decided to include additional July 4 entertainment this year because July 4 falls on a Friday. The Jamestown Municipal Band's performance will prelude the traditional lighting of the lake at 10 p.m. BRITISH INVASION On Saturday, July 5, the Caverners will provide a special tribute to the Beatles with a 7 p.m. show. Canada's premiere Beatles show will take listeners back through the entire history of the Beatles with the Caverners remarkable sights, sounds and mop tops. Expect early hits right on through Sgt. Pepper to Abbey Road. ROD STEWART TRIBUTE Rick Larrimore returns with ''Hot Stuff'' to rock on the lake in and out of the water. A sizzling tribute to the musical icon, Larrimore is a top-notch Rod Stewart tribute artist set to perform at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6. LAKE NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Again this year, the Bemus Bay Pops series will include Lake Night at the Movies — a free event happening weekly at the Floating Stage. Presented by M&T Bank, the movies begin at dusk every Tuesday between July 8 and Aug. 19. Rain dates for each showing are on the following Wednesday. All movies are free and viewable from both sides of the Floating Stage. Sound is broadcast on 104.9 FM and is also available on inexpensive headsets which may be purchased from area merchants. See Page 47 From Page 46 Opening the movie series this year is ''What About Bob'' on July 8, followed by ''The Italian Job'' on July 15; ''Beetlejuice,'' July 22; ''We Are Marshall,'' July 29; ''Close Encounters,'' Aug. 5; ''Ferris Bueller's Day Off,'' Aug. 12 and ''Dances With Wolves,'' Aug. 19. JIMMY & SOUL BLAZERS Returning from Ohio with their hip-shaking, soul-stirring Motown sounds, Jimmy and the Soul Blazers will play a 2:30 p.m. show on Sunday, July 13. SHAMA LAMA Set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, the Fonzie wannabees of Shama Lama are an amazing 11-piece show band which rocks listeners down memory lane, from bobby socks to blue jeans. SWINGING STREET DANCE Dr. Zoot will headline the end-of-July street bash at 7 p.m. Friday, July 25. A 7-piece dance and show band, Dr. Zoot specializes in such high-energy musics as swing, latin and rhythm and blues. A special dance floor will be available in the street for interested dancers to try their steps in public. SOLITARY MAN Tom Sadge's awe-inspiring sound and uncanny resemblance to Neil Diamond will have some concert-goers convinced he's the real thing. Set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27, the Solitary Man Show will make a ''Diamond Head'' out of many uninitiated fans. IRISH FESTIVAL Running throughout the day Aug. 3, the annual Irish Festival will feature the 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums, Ireland's ''Funny Man'' Seamus Kennedy, vocalist Andy Cooney, Searson's kicking celtic music and the Rochez Irish Dancers. Irish food, drink and culture will be celebrated throughout the village all day long. FRANKIE VALLI'S FAMILY Bobby Valli pays tribute to his older brother Frankie at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 with ''Oh, What A Night!'' — a show that harkens back to when the Four Seasons ruled the charts. CHER & FRIENDS Diva Karen Grainger returns to recreate the songs of such famed female singers as Celine, Dolly, Reba and Babs. A one-woman show, Karen Grainger's tribute has been called hilarious, dazzling, and an amazing visual and vocal illusion where the stars come to life right in front of your eyes. BLUES FAMILY BAND SHOW A rhythm and blues revue with 12 performers, the Blues Family Show Band pays tribute to everything from the Blues Brothers, Sister Act and more. There will be laughing, dancing and more as concert-goers boogie at the high-energy concert on Aug. 24. TROMBONE SALUTE John Marcellus of the Eastman School of Music will present the Bionic Bones Trombone Salute at 6:30 p.m. Friday Aug 29. LABOR DAY FINALE The full symphonic Bemus Bay Pops orchestra will bring the 2008 season to a close at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. The orchestra is under the direction of Bruce Morton Wright along with John Marcellus and Steve Swanson. The world-class musical finale is described as magical by organizers and will feature fireworks. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Institution

Annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party Set For Sunday     The Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in 2007. They are otherwise known as Jim Roselle of WJTN and Alice O'Grady. The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at Celebration Hall in Mayville. This year, the event is a mother-daughter tea party with Mad Hatter Jim Roselle as the master of ceremonies. Entertainment will be provided by the Junior Guilders of Jamestown under the direction of Helen Merrill. Kent Nappenberger, harpist, will play throughout the event. The Chinese auction will feature gift baskets of all kinds of goods, from an iced tea set to children's toys. Door prizes, including a one-day gate pass to Chautauqua Institution, have been contributed by local businesses. Tea sets and other goods from Home Chic in Mayville will be on display. The fashion show this year will be organized by Pat Finson. Accessories from Pat's and Chautauqua Wearhouse shops at Chautauqua Institution will also be on display. Both these shops, as well as Surroundings in Westfield, have tickets to the tea party at $15 for adults and $5 for age 16 and under. The fashion show models are current and past board members of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Chautauqua County. The event is a benefit for CASA, an organization that trains volunteers to work with children who are in foster care because of parental abuse or neglect. For more information, contact CASA at 753-4123 or CASAofchautauqua@roadrunner.com. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Bemus Point Chautauqua Lake Improvement Committee Wants Public Comment

BEMUS POINT — The Bemus Point Improvement Committee is inviting public comment on its plans to renovate sections of Main Street and Lakeside Drive. The committee was formed last July, and its mission statement is to "improve the function, safety and aesthetics on Main Street and Lakeside Drive.'' Christine Wight, village board member and improvement committee co-chair, showed plans for the project at Tuesday's board meeting. They consist of wider sidewalks, new curbs, more visible crosswalks and areas for landscaping and benches. Committee members also hope to be able to bury the village's utility cables and install more attractive light fixtures. According to Mrs. Wight, the committee has reached a point in its planning when community input is becoming valuable. "Now's the time when we have something to show you,'' she said. The committee is still in the early phases of planning. Next on its agenda is to apply for a matching funds grant through the New York Main Street program and begin fundraising. The committee meets the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the village hall. The next meeting is May 29. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Lakes Newest Eatery

Coppola's Pizzeria Holding Grand Opening Today In Bemus Point By Luke Anderson landerson@post-journal.com POSTED: May 21, 2008 Coppola's Pizzeria Holding Grand Opening Today In Bemus Point" Pictured are Mark and Luke Andriaccio, owners of Coppola's Pizzeria. The restaurant will have its grand opening today. P-J photo by Luke Anderson BEMUS POINT — Starting today, Bemus Point residents will have a new source for pizza, wings, subs, salads and calzones. Coppola's Pizzeria will have its grand opening at 11 a.m. today and will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, year round. On Tuesday afternoon, co-owners Mark and Luke Andriaccio were busy completing preparations for the opening of the restaurant, located at 20 Main St. in the village. ''We did some test runs with the ovens today, just making sure everything is coming out good,'' Andriaccio said. ''We're getting ready for the mad rush tomorrow.'' The restaurant is the brainchild of Andriaccio's son, Luke, who said he grew up around the restaurant business watching his father and uncle work at Andriaccio's Family Restaurant. ''I've been wanting to do this since I was young,'' Luke Andriaccio said. ''I've always wanted to work with my dad in the restaurant business.'' Coppola's is named for Luke's great-grandmother, who emigrated from Collepietro, Italy, with her two daughters to come to America. Luke's grandmother, Toni, and grandfather, Guy, started Andriaccio's Restaurant in 1982. ''We decided not to go with the Andriaccio's name to honor the other side of the family,'' Luke said. ''We just wanted to honor both of the families that started Andriaccio's,'' Mark added. According to Luke, who began spending more time in Bemus Point when he met his girlfriend, the village is a perfect location for his restaurant. He said Coppola's has an opportunity to fill a niche in a village that didn't before have a year-round pizzeria. ''I think Bemus Point has everything there is to offer. The tourist season is amazing, and what is there for us also are the locals,'' Luke said. ''They have been coming in — nothing but good people — saying they are glad to have us here. It makes me want to work even harder.'' Coppola's has limited seating inside, but offers take-out and delivery within the Bemus Point school district. The restaurant can be reached at 567-4057. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & LIving visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy To Hold Spring Wildflower Tour On Sunday

CWC To Hold Spring Wildflower Tour On Sunday   Rebecca L. Nystrom, Jamestown Community College biology professor, will lead the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy's Spring Wildflower Tour at Dobbins' Woods at 1 p.m. Sunday. Ms. Nystrom is a founding director of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and a member of the New York State Flora Association. Dobbins' Woods, which was donated to the conservancy by Willis Dobbins in 1995, includes moist hemlock-yellow birch forest as well as reforested land formerly in agriculture that was planted in pine and larch and now is transitioning back to hardwood forest. The forest is home to a variety of wildflowers, ferns, salamanders, frogs, toads, insects, birds and mammals. John Jablonski, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, will discuss the history and topography of this and similar sites and how they affect the quality and quantity of waters reaching the lake. The site is located on Bly Hill Road about one mile west of Route 394 in North Harmony. The tour will be held regardless of weather and will involve slow walking on uneven and sometimes wet, muddy terrain. Anyone attending should wear boots and appropriate clothing, and bring insect repellent. Pre-registration is requested by calling the conservancy at 664-2166 or e-mailing info@chautauquawatershed.org today.   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Lake Mayville Events

Mayville Dock Festival - June 2008 Discover how easy it is to get to Mayville and how wonderful it is when you do, as we host a "getting to know you" party at the very north end of the lake. The Mayville Docks Festival features live entertainment; boat demos; kids' activities; museum tours and the 2nd Annual taste of Mayville, a delectable sampling of the best of our restaurant row cuisine. We taste better every year. Mayville Bluegrass Festival - June 14-15, 2008 What started out a small hometown bluegrass get-together, gets bigger and better every year! For more information, visit the official web site for this event at www.mayvillebluegrassfestival.com Mayville Guitar Show and Stringed Instrument Festival - October 2008 This October festival brings together the best western New York luthiers and dealers of fine instruments, weekend-long workshops and concerts. Mayville Gospel Blues Festival - November 2008 Mayville plays host to the best in the Gospel and Blues genre. A rockin' and holy-rollin' great time for those who like good music played with passion. A Mayville Christmas - December, 2008 A good old-fashioned Christmas celebration with carolers, good food, shopping, live music and lots of Christmas spirit! For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua Lake Watershed Wells Bay Property

CWC Seeking Grant Money To Purchase Wells Bay Property By Nicholas L. Dean ndean@post-journal.com  North Harmony Town Board members heard from John Jablonski III, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, Monday during their regular business meeting. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is looking to secure grant money to purchase a piece of lakefront property in Wells Bay. P-J photo by Nicholas L. Dean 5/13/2008 - STOW — The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is looking to secure lakefront property in the Wells Bay area, and has the support of the North Harmony Town Board to go after grant funding. Speaking to Town Board members Monday, John Jablonski III, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, explained that the conservancy cannot apply for state grant funds without the town's endorsement. Additionally, Jablonski said Bettina Wilkinson has signed a contract to sell 3.5 acres to the conservancy, which includes 208 feet of lakeshore known as Sandy Bottom. ''We will pursue the conservation of this property lakeshore site in North Harmony regardless of our success obtaining State Environmental Protection Funds,'' Jablonski said in his letter to the Town Board. ''If state funding is secured, we can conserve this site more quickly and may attract other funding to conserve additional lake sites of high water quality or ecological importance on or near the lake.'' Adjacent to the northwest of the end of Wells Bay Road, the property is south of the yard and home of James and Bettina Wilkinson. According to Jablonski, the waterfront is a boating site and the land is heavily forested with a perennial stream and various small wetlands. ''The conservancy is acquiring this site to conserve the quality and quantity of water stored, filtered and transported through this site, conserve the important habitats for water-dependent species such as frogs, salamanders, snakes, turtles, waterfowl and various mammals, and to conserve the opportunity for the public to continue using the state waters and lake bottom adjacent to this land parcel for boating, swimming, wading and fishing for this and future generations,'' Jablonski wrote. Question was raised about the value, assessment and sale price of the parcel, but was decided it did not need to be known for the Town Board to approve the Conservancy's intent to pursue state grant money. ''I think it's important we preserve anything on the lake, regardless of monetary compensation,'' said Councilman Art Thomas before motioning to approve Jablonski's request. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ralph Whitney and passed in a 3-0 vote, with Town Supervisor Sally Carlson being the third vote. Additionally, Jablonski said the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy hopes to seek funding for an additional site in the town of Ellery.   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Chautauqua County biking on the map

Going in circles     5/11/2008 - Group working to put Chautauqua County biking on the map By TRACY RZEPKA OBSERVER Lifestyles Editor If it's up to a group called the Built Environment Team, Chautauqua County will become a biking mecca. And why not, when our own backyard is a good match for cyclists? So says Sheila Lesniowski. "We have the natural recreational resources and all of these great routes," said Lesniowski, a specialist of business development for the Chautauqua County Visitor's Bureau. She and a group of people across the county want to make the area more user friendly when it comes to the two-wheeled form of fitness. The short-term goal is to make maps of bike routes easily obtainable on one Web site. The long-term vision is to develop the county's recreational resources for not only local residents, but visitors. The team is an outgrowth of Chautauqua County Steps to a HealthierNY, a five-year cooperative agreement program funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is meant to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives by providing funds to implement chronic disease prevention efforts. Lesniowski is joined by representatives from the Chautauqua County Health Network, county Planning Department and Department of Public Facilities, Steps to HealthierNY, county executive's office, Rails to Trails, city of Jamestown, county Office for the Aging, village of Westfield and bike shop owners. They first met in January and are now in the midst of a multi-year plan. As Lesniowski said, the aim is to "clean the streets and polish what's already there." Their first task is to pull together bike routes currently in existence. Hollyloft Ski & Bike has its own routes. Dave Dennis of Lake Country Bike, based in North East, Pa., has his list of "Wine Country Cycling Routes" available online. Then there's the village of Westfield Recreation Department, which has three main routes for the annual Tour of Chautauqua Bike Ride, with one route featured each year. Each course combination has five routes of varying distance, ranging from 25 to 100 miles. "They have the county map that shows hiking trails. I think they're already out there," said Venn Blakely, recreation coordinator for the village of Westfield. But as for the average person looking to track down a map of options for biking routes? Not so easy. "I would say there's not any good ones — nothing like this (being compiled) available," Blakely said. "Mostly right now it's special events. Or you can stop at a bike shop and ask for advice." All together, about 10 routes have been counted. The initial step is gathering stakeholders to ensure all are correct before creating a master map site. "We're probably stepping off with three of them — three primary routes we'll focus on," Lesniowski said. "One is the Seaway Trail along Route 5, another is called the Century Tour, which includes the Westfield area, and then we're working on a tour that takes people on the lake (Chautauqua)." Also being devised is a classification system. Routes will be "called out," as Lesniowski said, so bikers "don't go where they shouldn't go, or beyond their abilities." Blakely and other route experts were asked to rate each one based on difficulty. The information will be compiled into a brochure and posted on the Web site to provide a more comprehensive view. "Sometimes it's very hard to know exactly what these routes are and where they go," Lesniowski said. Blakely's lettering system is derived from the amount and complexity of hills. "For instance, the worst hill goes up Ellery landfill. I rated that as my most difficult," he said. "The easiest is Silver Creek and Cherry Creek, where there's the least amount of hills." The project will also point out bike-friendly locations, including bike shops. "An example is the Boardwalk Market, which will have a bike shop," Lesniowski said. "It will be a wonderful stopping point of the Seaway Trail." A late summer/early fall online posting is the target for the completed compilation. Ideas are already floating around about creating new routes. A "Lucy" bike tour, for instance, was mentioned at a meeting this past week, which could take riders along legendary comedienne Lucille Ball's stomping grounds, from Jamestown to Celoron. A need for family-friendly routes has also been discussed. In the meantime, Lesniowski is drawing businesses into the endeavor, such as hotels and restaurants, with the goal of having them supply bike repair kits and racks. "My position is for conferences and groups to come into the region and discover what's going on here," she said. Saying cyclists are eager to find two- and three-day tours, she added, "It is a tourist niche market. It definitely is something that is going to build our recreational resources. "That is a 20-percent focus of my business development for the county — developing and calling attention to recreational resources. Cycling is one of the markets within it." Beyond mapping, the team is looking to provide proper signage to identify the routes. Attention is also being turned toward improving roads for the safety of cyclists. "We are in the preliminary stages. We're talking about widening the shoulders to accommodate bicycle routes," said George Spanos, director of the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities. To seek federal grants for such a project, the group needs a municipality to be the lead agency. Spanos and his department will serve as that agency when applying for a Transportation Enhancement Program grant, due by the end of June. The federal reimbursement program is under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and administered by the New York Department of Transportation. "If we are successful with the grant, we will have appropriate funds to pave the five-foot shoulder along existing roadways," Spanos said, explaining grant monies could be applied to county roads integral to the routes. Other long-term goals of the Built Environment Team include involving highway departments and law enforcement in ensuring bike paths are kept clear. Comments on this article may be sent to trzepka@observertoday.com   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Holiday Valley Adding $2 Million Worth Of Improvements

Summer Upgrade: Holiday Valley Adding $2 Million Worth Of Improvements By Robert Rizzuto rrizzuto@post-journal.com  Holiday Valley is celebrating 50 years of service as management announces $2 million to be reinvested into the facility over the next year. Above is an artist's rendering of the $33 million Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville. P-J photo below by Robert Rizzuto 5/9/2008 - ELLICOTTVILLE— Although the ski slopes are mostly green and closed until next season, one of the area's premier resorts is gearing up for facility improvements totaling $2 million and an event-filled summer. ''All 18 holes of the ''Double Black Diamond'' Golf Course at Holiday Valley are now open, and the course is in great shape,'' said Steve Carney, PGA Master golf professional and director of golf. ''The course came through the winter very well, thanks to the Holiday Valley Mountain Crew and their careful grooming of the ski slopes. The golf course maintenance crew are completing the finishing touches, and we look forward to a great year.'' Patrons may notice some changes and construction as they arrive to golf, or to take advantage of the spa and restaurants, as the resort currently has several expansion and improvement projects underway. Holiday Valley Mountain Resort and Conference Center has spent more than $50 million over the past 15 years to improve the facility, including $2.9 million this season, according to Jane Eshbaugh, director of marketing. She explained that since the business is based on the weather, the resort doesn't want to get too far ahead of itself by investing exorbitant lump-sums at once, but rather chooses to spend incrementally each year, while managing the resort's growth. One Season at a Time The resort's president and general manager, Dennis Eshbaugh, said that Holiday Valley had a record-breaking year, thanks to the ski season. ''The 2007-08 winter season was a success with over 500,000 visitors and 124 days of skiing and riding,'' Eshbaugh said. ''Our entire staff worked hard to maintain great snow conditions and excellent customer service all year long. The payoff is that we can reinvest into the resort and continue to improve our product.'' The planned improvements include several moves aimed at enhancing the customer experience at the resort. According to Mrs. Eshbaugh, the resort will be purchasing two new slope groomers; one for the resort's steeper headwalls and another for the general resurfacing which takes place each night during ski season. She said the resort also plans to reinvest in its snow-making system, which is crucial to success every season. According to the director of marketing, the resort's snow-making capabilities are helped by the 62 million gallon lake on the top of the mountain behind the Yodeler Lodge. ''There's no way we could exist in the area without our snow-making system,'' Mrs. Eshbaugh said. ''What the large supply of water does is allows us to take advantage of the weather to produce more and better snow.'' Planned improvements to the system include automating the snowmaking pump house controls so crews can efficiently control and balance all three pumps from one location. Several water lines in the system will also be replaced with larger ones, further expanding the snow-making capabilities. The five-year-old Holiday Valley Tubing Company, located a short distance down Route 219 from the main resort, will also be getting an upgrade, according to Mrs. Eshbaugh. That snow-making system will be expanded and the resort plans to purchase new tubes and install an outdoor music system. ''It's hard to find a radio station that will please everyone,'' Mrs. Eshbaugh said. ''But it will add some excitement for people who aren't listening to their I-Pod.'' The increasingly popular terrain park will also be getting some new rails, as Mrs. Eshbaugh said the resort is constantly changing and rearranging it in order to keep things fresh. Also scheduled is the widening of the Foxfire slope and a clean-up in The Glades between Ego Alley and Champagne. Several improvements intended to further the summertime experience at Holiday Valley are also on the list. The director of marketing said that the resort plans to construct a picnic/wedding pavilion on Sugar Plum and a picnic shelter at Spruce Lake. ''Over the summer, we do have a lot of weddings up here,'' Mrs. Eshbaugh said. ''The pavilion (on Sugar plum) will be 2,000 square feet and available for those as well as picnics.'' Mrs. Eshbaugh said the resort is also planning to develop and launch a new Web site with e-commerce options to make transactions more convenient for the customers. 50 Years of Growth Leads to Further Expansion In early April, construction crews began working on a new upscale housing complex located in the heart of the resort. The Tamarack Club, a 78-unit, four-star condominium-hotel project, being constructed at Holiday Valley's base area, adjacent to the main Clubhouse Chalet, is the resort's largest undertaking to date, according to Mrs. Eshbaugh. She also said that even though the structure won't be complete until the 2009-10 winter season, many of the units have already been sold. Sales Manager Denise Schneider said that sales have already exceeded the expectations of Holiday Valley and Project Director Terry Elsemore. ''The test phase indicated that interest in this project was high,'' Elsemore said. ''At our launch on December 1, 2007, we sold 25 percent of the entire building. Over the next three-and-a-half months, we sold an additional 40 percent, totaling 65 percent sold out. This project is one of the fastest-selling fractional properties ever.'' Ms. Schneider said that fractional property ownership is popular in vacation-style housing, and it will allow a fractional owner to use the property once every fifth week on a rotating basis. ''Many buyers see this option as an advantage not only because the cost of ownership is lower, but also because the fifth share fits into their vacation schedule,'' Ms. Schneider said. ''Added benefits of ownership are exchange privileges to over 4,000 resorts and optional property rental management.'' The exchange through Resort Condominium International consists of properties are located across the U.S. as well as in many popular foreign destinations. The Tamarack properties can also be purchased as whole ownership, according to Ms. Schneider. The building will house a combination of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, and include ''a wealth of amenities.'' A health club and spa, a year-round outdoor heated pool, a restaurant and lounge, underground parking, conference facilities and an owners club, are among the benefits of ownership, according to Ms. Schneider. Holiday Valley also expects the Tamarack Club to benefit the surrounding community, as well as its patrons. ''The $33 million condominium project will have a significant economic impact on the Ellicottville community, Cattaraugus County and Western New York,'' Ms. Schneider said. ''In addition to the construction jobs over the next two years, 15 full-time jobs and 30 seasonal jobs will be created.'' The resort also expects sales tax and bed tax revenue of more than $305,000 annually, and property tax revenue of $375,000 annually. ''The high interest level in the Tamarack Club speaks well of Cattaraugus County's tourism potential,'' Holiday Valley's President said. ''This is a positive sign for the possibility of further development and growth of the region.''   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Western NY Real Estate

Here is a good report that discusses how our area is in the top percentage for growing Real Estate Markets http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0805/gallery.resg_gainers.moneymag/5.html Looking for a new home? Visit our website: www.chautauqualakehomes.com C. Rick & Julia McMahon Broker/partners Real Estate Advantage Realty  716-483-3300  or  484-2020

Wild Rib Cook-off on the shores of Chautauqua Lake

Rib Fest Returns   By Patrick Fanelli pfanelli@post-journal.com 5/3/2008 - CELORON — When Celoron officials first learned of the Wild Rib Cook-off and Music Festival's demise in Jamestown last month, they immediately went to work hoping to bring the popular event to the lakeside village just outside the city limits. Their efforts paid off, and they confirmed Friday that the popular event will be held the first weekend in June at Lucille Ball Memorial Park across the street from Celoron Village Hall. ''It's just a great opportunity to showcase the village,'' said Celoron resident Rick Slagle, who has stepped forward to help coordinate the event. ''It's just a great opportunity, and plus it allows the rib festival to move forward.'' Erie event organizer Kathi Danielson, who founded the area's Wild Rib Cook-off and Music Festival in 2006, originally proposed to hold the third annual event at Baker Park in downtown Jamestown instead of its usual location along West Third Street. City officials wouldn't allow Ms. Danielson to hold it there for a variety of reasons, though some expressed interest in working with her on a new date and location before she pulled the plug on the event April 10. Right away, Celoron officials began discussing with her the possibility of bringing the area's third rib festival to Lucille Ball Memorial Park only a couple miles away. ''From there, it just took off,'' Slagle said. ''This was one of the best examples of a community pulling together.'' Ms. Danielson believes the event will be as much of a success in Celoron as it was in Jamestown, especially since it will coincide with the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball tournament, one of Jamestown's largest events of the year. ''It's not too far from Jamestown. I'm sure it wouldn't be too much trouble for people to come,'' Ms. Danielson said of Celoron. ''The good thing is people know what the event is about, and if they want ribs, they will seek them out.'' The third annual Wild Rib Cook-off and Music Festival is scheduled to take place Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8. Rib vendors will be set up along the road leading to the boat ramp in the park, and the bands will be set up on the boat ramp itself, allowing patrons to sit in the park, eat their meals and enjoy the music, according to Slagle. The park is a prime location for such an event, Slagle said, since it is situated right next to Chautauqua Lake and is all that remains of the sprawling amusement park that once made Celoron famous. Ms. Danielson expressed excitement about the prospect of having the event in Celoron, especially with the lake and the extra space for the family and children's activities she plans to bring as well. ''I'm so excited about this. I really think it will be great fun and a location conducive to a family festival,'' said Ms. Danielson, who organizes events through her Erie-based company, Performance and Event Management. ''I think it will be great.'' According to Mayor Tom Bartolo, the village will provide services for the event, and he expects to recoup any expenses the village incurs — though much of the work is expected to be done in-house to minimize expenses for Ms. Danielson and the rib vendors. ''We're very happy with it,'' Bartolo said of the event. ''We thought we'd let people know what a beautiful place Celoron is.'' According to Slagle, the village is on the lookout for sponsors in the Jamestown area and hope to get as much help as they can from the community so the event goes off without a hitch. Many groups in the community have already stepped forward, like the Celoron Moose and the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, both of which will coordinate the beer garden, as well as Brigiotta's. ''It's not just a Celoron thing. It's a community thing,'' Slagle said. According to Ms. Danielson, anyone interested in participating and helping out with the event, including vendors and sponsors, can contact her at (814) 899-5177 or through her Web site, www.performanceandeventmgt.com. Slagle just hopes this year's rib festival proves to be as successful as the last two were, though he doesn't think that will be a problem considering it's an already-established event. ''The fact that it's an established event does make it easier,'' Slagle said. ''It's just a new location.''   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com