Children Cinema Series

Children Cinema Series presents free films at Fredonia Opera House

Submitted photo Looking over the Harry Potter books to be given away are, from left, Dan Allen, Opera House technical director and Children’s Cinema Series coordinator; Kathy Petersen, DR Barker Library Children’s Program coordinator; and Patty Donovan, owner of The Book Nook.

11/30/2006 - The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

So says Dr. Seuss in his book “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” The philosophy espoused in that quote is the notion behind the Children’s Cinema Series at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House — that reading will take you far in life.

Sponsored by the DR Barker Library, the Children Cinema Series features films based on or that inspire books for children; and admission to the films is free. The series was developed as a way for adults to encourage the children in their life to read by seeing the entertainment that can come from books. To further support that concept, The Book Nook donates several copies of the books on which the films are based to be given away in a random drawing before each movie.

“More than 2,000 individuals have attended the films since the series was introduced in 2003,” says Executive Director Rick Davis. “And the feedback we receive from parents, especially, is very positive.

“This past year, when we screened ‘The Secret of NIMH‚’ one young father told me of having seen the film with his father when it was first released. Now he was bringing his own son to see the film and said it felt as though he was carrying on a family tradition.”

The series will continue in December and January with all four of the Harry Potter films to be screened in order of their release. The films are based on J.K. Rowling’s fantasy books of the same name, which many parents contend have spurred their youngsters’ interest in reading. The first, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” will be shown Saturday, Dec. 2.

The film introduces 11-year-old Harry Potter to the life he never knew he had, the life of a wizard. In his first year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, he meets his two best friends, Ron Weasley, an expert at Wizard Chess, and Hermione Granger, a girl with non-magic parents. But as Harry begins to learn all about life as a wizard, someone is up to something bad in the Dark forest outside the school. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is rated PG for some scary moments and mild language and runs 152 minutes.

The second film in the series, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” will be shown on Saturday, Dec. 16. In this sequel, Harry Potter’s adventures continue. He begins his second year at Hogwarts School, but is warned by a mysterious creature that danger awaits him at the school. Malevolent voices whisper from the walls. Soon it’s not just Harry who is worried, as dreadful things begin to happen at Hogwarts. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” is rated PG for some scary moments and runs 161 minutes.

“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third film in the series. It will be screened Saturday, Jan. 6. In this installment, it’s Harry’s third year at Hogwart’s, but a shadow hangs over the school. A dangerous mass murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped Azkaban Fortress — the Wizards’ Prison. While learning to cope with the Dementors sent to protect Hogwart’s, Harry learns the disturbing story of Sirius Black and Black’s connection to Harry’s own past. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is rated PG for frightening moments, creature violence and mild language and runs 141 minutes.

The final film in the series is “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” It will be shown on Saturday, Jan. 20. In this, the latest in the Potter series of films, Harry finds himself selected as an underage competitor in a dangerous multi-wizardry school competition. Harry soon begins a brutal test of strength and mind only to ultimately face his greatest challenge yet. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” is rated PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and runs 157 minutes.

All four films in the series will be shown at 10 a.m. For information, contact the Opera House at 679-1891 or visit http://www.fredopera.org./ The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in the Village Hall in downtown Fredonia.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Look for major changes in terrain parks

Look for major changes in terrain parks By FLETCHER DOYLE News Sports Reporter 11/29/2006
	Click to view larger picture Special to the News Freestylers can enjoy the new terrain park at Peek'n Peak, which features progressive levels of difficulty. Eric Langman has worked at Vail in Colorado and at Mount Hood in Oregon. Now he's using what he's learned to make the first big changes in years to the terrain park at Kissing Bridge. The word these days is progressive. It has two meanings, and both apply at Kissing Bridge. The first is that there is a progression of skill levels, a concept that is embraced by resorts throughout the region. At Kissing Bridge, that means starting with a new mini park that will be well maintained and well stocked with rails and boxes. It will be adjacent to the Coal Chute Chair. "There will be so much to do in the mini park [beginners] won't have to go in the big park," said Rachel Fanelli of the marketing department. It also includes intermediate areas and then advanced areas with bigger jumps. "Our mission with the terrain parks is to provide the customer with features that cater to all levels of freestyle riding in order to help the transition from beginner to intermediate to the expert ability while also making the experience fun, safe, creative and progressive," Langman said in a written statement. "We want our parks to flow from one feature to the next so the rider is able to maximize time on hill per run." Parks that flow is the second meaning of progressive. One of the trends in the business is to lay out progressively harder hits and jumps so that a rider can go from one to the next, hitting four or five in each run. To do this, Langman planted 25 rail features at the top of the park, an increase of five from last year, and moved tons of dirt, some of which he fashioned into jumps. Kissing Bridge also bought six new tower guns to assist with its plan to open more terrain on opening day. Langman said the new dirt piles and the snowguns will allow the terrain park to open with less snow, within three to five days of the rest of the area. Parks with progressive levels of difficulty were added at Bristol Mountain and at Peek'n Peak. "We are finally making the right steps to make sure freestylers have a good time," said Billy Bacon, multi-media manager at Peek'n Peak. "We're going to be as progressive as we can." Holiday Valley is even putting entry level features in a designated "rail garden" in the area serviced by the ski school tow. Terrain park manager Chris Perks and Jimmy Curtis, who will drive Holiday Valley's new halfpipe groomer, attended the Cutter's Camp at Mount Hood (Ore.) last summer. There they learned the latest in safety design as well as tips in how to lay out a progressive park. Perks calls boarding into the increasingly harder features "hitting the rhythm section." Holiday Valley did make two terrain park changes. The Slope Style course has been moved to Moon Shadow, and the entrance to the halfpipe is now at the top of Cindy's. This means boarders will no longer cut through the NASTAR course to get to the pipe. Kissing Bridge added a WiFi zone at Central and at Willie's Smokehouse, and bought kid-sized boards for its rental fleet. It has also added two events. The Smith Limo Rail Jam is Dec. 26. The limo has a rail on the top, and it will be put in the snow so people can ride it. There will also be a banked turn race against the clock on Crazy Eights. Peek'n Peak has cut 11 to 14 new trails and is putting in three fixed-grip quads that will be ready next year. This will increase terrain by 40 percent. It bought a Zaugg halfpipe groomer and spent $2 million to expand snowmaking. It has spent $8 million to upgrade facilities this year. Bristol added a trail, Lower Galaxy, and bought 13 tower mounted guns, which will bring its snowmaking capacity to 97 percent of the area. It also bought all new Elan rental equipment, paved the parking lot and added the outdoor Summit Grill next to the Summit Demo Center at the top of the hill. The grill will be equipped with heaters. Holiday Valley spent $4.3 million on improvements, finishing its 62 million gallon lake for snowmaking, expanding its Junior Team Training Center, roughing in a few slopes in the area near the lake (it will eventually be served by a lift that will originate near the bottom of Tannenbaum), and making renovations to the golf course and the Inn guest rooms.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Women now prime target for snowboarding growth

POWDER GIRLS Women now prime target for snowboarding growth By FLETCHER DOYLE News Sports Reporter 11/29/2006
	Sarah Showalter, modeling Smith goggels and a jacket and hat by Burton, holds a Burton Troop board with Burton Escapade bindings. Eight years ago, Mark Sperling tried to teach his girlfriend how to snowboard and surf, and it didn't go well. Other guys told the marketing director for Transworld Snowboarding Magazine they had the same experience and asked him to organize a clinic for women, who show a preference for group learning experiences. He expected five or 10 participants, but 150 showed up. So he started Girls Learn to Ride http://www.girlslearntoride.com/ which this year will put on 800 female-only, action-sports clinics nationwide. A total of 75 snowsports resorts will host clinics run by his organization as the industry tries to reach its most underserved market, the woman snowboarder. Two of those clinics will be held at Holiday Valley - Feb. 3 and March 3. "Resorts were seeing they hadn't addressed the female market," said Sperling, whose group provides everything women need to learn and even throws in gift bags. Sperling said that at first he was trying to give opportunities to girls ages 12-18, but half of the participants at his clinics were over 21. These were women who didn't want to drop off their kids at the terrain park and ski away. "A lot of women now have the time to learn and want to reconnect with their kids," said Sperling, who is creating a Women Learn to Ride program to meet demand. Women make up 50 percent of all first-time snowboarders but comprise only 33 percent of all riders. That figure is up from 29 percent five years ago, according to the National Ski Areas Association. Industry insiders see that percentage rising because resorts are addressing concerns specific to women."Learning styles are different between men and women," said Sean Cattenaugh of Burton's Learn to Ride program, which has increased its presence in Western New York this year. "The other side is the learning environment. Men have something called ego. They will learn one success and they want to go on. "Women want to dial it in before advancing. They can be intimidated by moving up too fast. Women seem to be more comfortable with other women. The gender of the teacher is not important unless a male teacher doesn't understand women want to go more slowly." Women also aren't as likely to want to jump right in to doing tricks and aren't as accepting of scrapes and bruises. Every resort in the area has responded by creating terrain park features tailored to the inexperienced rider. "Large terrain parks draw the attention - but resorts with smaller parks get more traffic because the intimidation factor and the punishment factor go down," Cattenaugh said. "You have to have an environment to make learning easier so they will come back." Women, despite being in the minority among both skiers and riders, make up half of all lesson takers and 49 percent of all participants who have dropped out of either discipline for at least one year in the past five years. Also, only 15 percent stick with snowboarding. "The lack of proper equipment is the biggest reason they don't come back," Cattenaugh said. "Burton has women-specific products for rental to make the experience easier." Holiday Valley, which has had gender- and age-specific lessons at its Adult Learning Center for several years, spent $100,000 this year on Burton Learn to Ride products for its rental fleet. Bristol has brought in the Learn to Ride program and is cooperating with Burton in setting up a Freestyle Demo Center. Women not only want equipment that fits, they want apparel that looks good, and they are willing to pay for it. According the Colorado-based Leisure Trends Group, women spent $240 million in the last year on equipment and apparel, an increase of 64 percent from five years ago. During the same period, men's spending dropped by 3.4 percent. "I've seen immense growth in the women's market," said Two Four Five Snowboard Co. and Snowflake Ski Shop manager Tim Keller. "The industry in general has switched gears. "In years past, companies would put women's graphics on men's boards. Now the equipment is women's specific." That means boards for women are lightweight with a smaller flex, which makes them easier to manipulate. And they are narrower than men's boards to accommodate women's smaller feet. The boots are also women specific, accounting for differences in the shapes of ankles and calves. "Putting a different color on something doesn't make it a women's boot," Cattenaugh added. "Boots are the most important equipment." Keller said women are more fashion conscious than men, who are more concerned with function. However, he said women's taste has influence the look of all snowboard equipment. "If you're not on top of the women's market, you are going to be hurt," he said. "It's not just for snowboards, it's for the ski industry as well. "Women's sales have increased dramatically the last three years. You have to cater to that market. We feel the mothers are behind the skiing and snowboarding families. They are the ones that drive the kids [to the resorts] and get the equipment." Equipment purchases aren't the only way women are exercising their financial clout. The New York Times recently quoted Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants officer Nike Leondakis as saying women "are making 70 percent of travel decisions." That is one of the reasons Peek'n Peak is adding a Women's Learn to Ride center as part of its $8 million expansion. The resort bought Burton's Learn to Ride equipment and is sending staff to learn how to match beginners with the right equipment and how to teach them. Classes are restricted to females. "Women are making the decisions, we have to let women know you care about them," Chip Day, head of brand management at Peek'n Peak, said of the reasoning behind adding the women's center. "Mom will determine where the family is going to go."

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Mistletoe Mart

Third Annual Mistletoe Mart Begins Friday

By ANASTASIA CONKLIN

Something Old, Something New Pictured from last year’s Mistletoe Mart. To continue the tradition, there will be holiday items a plenty this year.

11/29/2006 - Bringing a mixture of the past and present, the third annual Mistletoe Mart returns.

‘‘The event is reminiscent of the way things were in the past,’’ said YWCA executive director, Beth Oakes. ‘‘This is something traditional, it was expected. It’s a way to connect the past to the future.’’

At 10 a.m. Friday morning, the third annual Mistletoe Mart will bring past traditions and future hope together, marrying them together to make their own holiday celebrations.

The Mistletoe Mart, made possible by the Young Women’s Christian Association, is a fund-raiser for the organization. All money raised during the event goes to the YWCA and benefit many programs for women and children.

‘‘This is one of our better fund-raisers,’’ said chairwoman, Cindy Young. ‘‘This helps bring in money to help programs and we are glad to see that it has returned.’’

Though the YWCA board tries to keep most things traditional about the Mistletoe Mart, many new things were added this year to bring in some new faces. This year, there will be more than 30 crafters and product vendors for people that wish for a different atmosphere for holiday shopping.

‘‘It’s a mixture of homemade and packaged items,’’ Mrs. Oakes said. ‘‘We invite the public to stop by, shop and have some holiday fun.’’

While shopping, there will be live holiday music, performed by local musicians. Sterling Pollaro will be on stage Saturday, singing Christmas songs in the style of Elvis. Steve Swanson will keep things more traditional by playing classic holiday songs on the piano.

The two-day event will also see an auction with prizes donated by many local businesses and individuals. Some of the prizes include day and evening passes to Chautauqua Institution, a floral arrangement from Garden of Eden, gift baskets from The Basket Company, gift certificates from Lucy-Desi Museum, Curves, Bob Evans and Farm Fresh Foods.

Another addition this year is the International Food Court, hosted by St. James Roman Catholic Church. Ethnic Italian, Polish and Spanish dishes will be offered. There will also be a cookie sale donated by YWCA board members and staff.

‘‘We’re here, we’re back and we’re bigger and better,’’ Mrs. Young said.

The Mistletoe Mart will be held 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the YWCA Building on the corner of Fourth Street and Main Street. Admission is $1 per adult and children under 12 are free. Tickets for the auction can be purchased at the mart for $1 each, $2 for three or $5 for ten. Winners do not need to be present for the drawing.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

It�s a Wonderful Life

Holiday classic to be shown at Opera HouseThe holiday film classic

11/28/2006 - It’s a Wonderful Life” will be shown at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House as part of the village of Fredonia’s Miracle on Main Street celebration on Saturday at 8 p.m. As a special holiday gift to the community from the Opera House and DR Barker Library, admission is free.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” stars Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed in the Christmas Eve tale of how one man’s life made a difference in the lives of many. Named “one of the best films ever made” by the American Film Institute and ranked No. 1 on the organization’s list of the most inspirational American movies of all time, the 1946 Frank Capra film also has been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.

“There’s nothing like seeing this wonderful film on the big screen, though,” notes Opera House Executive Director Rick Davis. “So we hope folks will take a break from their busy schedules to come enjoy this heartwarming story in an Opera House beautifully decorated for the holidays.”

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

A Dickens of a Holiday

A ‘Dickens’ Of A Musical

Top, Kalen Hall and the Tradition Dancers pose while rehearsing for the upcoming ‘‘A Dickens of a Holiday.’’

11/27/2006 - The Reg Lenna Civic Center will present ‘‘A Dickens of a Holiday’’ at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday.

One of the first holiday offerings of the season, ‘‘A Dickens of a Holiday’’ will usher in the Christmas season with all of the grandeur and drama of the Victorian era.

It is a musical adventure encompassing all of the trademark elements of a Dickens tale from wealthy opulence to destitute poverty and the overwhelming power of the human heart.

The large cast consists of actors from the ages of 4 to 21 who have been trained by the Drama Enrichment Program.

Kalen J. Hall, a Jamestown native who has just played the male lead in the Victorian musical ‘‘Jane Eyre’’ in Pittsburgh, will be a featured performer. Dancers from the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet’s ‘‘Nutcracker’’ will also be featured.

Gift baskets will be auctioned in the lobby during intermission.

Act II opens with ‘‘Riverdance,’’ ‘‘A Polar Express’’ and a bevy of showgirls in a Radio City Music style performance of dancing soldiers and Santa babies.

A bag of treats and coupons from McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s will be given to children coming to the shows. Dennis Webster is a special guest and the ‘‘Jolly Old Elf’’ himself will make an appearance.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children under the age of 12, and $30 for a family (family constitutes parents and children living in the same house.) Reserved seating in the loge and prime orchestra seats are available for $20.

Those wishing to be patrons of the show will be treated to a holiday reception waited on by a staff of Victorian maids on the mezzanine of the theater at 6 p.m. For information on the show, to purchase regular tickets or patron tickets, the box office can be reached at 484-7070. The box office is located on the second floor of the Arts Council building, 116 East Third St., while the outer lobby of the theater is under renovation.

Cast members of ‘‘A Dickens of a Holiday’’ will also be on a float in the Holiday Parade on Friday Dec. 1. Victorian maids will serve holiday treats at the Reg Lenna Studio Theater on the afternoon and evening of the parade.

Serving hot chocolate, coffee and desserts, the Studio Theater opens its doors to sit and watch the parade through the large bank of windows facing Third Street. The Reg Lenna Studio Theater is at 108 E. Third St.

‘‘A Dickens of a Holiday’’ is a presentation of The Drama Enrichment Program which is funded in part by grants from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and the Karl Peterson Foundation.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualaehomes.com

Renaissance Christmas Farm

Kennedy Couple Has Reason To Be Thankful

By PATRICK L. FANELLI

Beating The Odds John Merkle, right, and his wife, Carol Donegan, display some of the merchandise sold at the Renaissance Christmas Store and Farm. Merkle is recovering from bone cancer he was diagnosed with a year ago. P-J photo by Patrick L. Fanelli

11/23/2006 - KENNEDY — As friends and families around the country celebrate the holiday, one Kennedy couple might be at the top of the list of those who have reasons to give thanks.

John Merkle beat the odds. He defied his diagnosis.

He lived to see another holiday season — and for that, he’s grateful.

‘‘The drugs worked,’’ said Merkle, who owns and operates the Renaissance Christmas Farm on Route 62 in Kennedy with his wife, Carol Donegan. ‘‘As long as I stick to the medicine, stick to the regime, there’s no telling how long I can go on.’’

It’s been a year since he and his wife, both of whom share a profound love for the holiday season, first opened the Christmas store in the farmhouse behind their home.

Two weeks later, Merkle was diagnosed with bone cancer and kidney failure, and was told he had anywhere from six to 12 months left to live.

For Merkle, the prospect of never seeing another Christmas was a difficult one to bare.

‘‘I love what I do,’’ Merkle said in February as the cancer ravaged his body, literally dissolving his bones. ‘‘I just don’t want to give it up.’’

???

Thanks to a cancer specialist at WCA Hospital and a medical drug with a notorious reputation, Merkle will almost certainly see another Christmas — and maybe many more to come.

‘‘We ran across an oncologist who didn’t believe the odds,’’ Merkle said. ‘‘He started me on non-traditional medicine that got control of the bone cancer.’’

‘‘Jamestown has a very good medical system,’’ Ms. Donegan added.

Dr. Jarius Ibabao of WCA Hospital’s Jones Hill campus put Merkle on Thalidomide — the infamous drug that caused thousands of children to be born with serious deformities when it was sold as a sleep aid and a drug to treat morning sickness during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Though Thalidomide proved terrifying and tragic early in its history, it has since been used to treat a number of illnesses and ailments, including cancer and leprosy. For Merkle, the same drug that caused widespread panic, fear and suffering four decades ago stabilized his condition.

The cancer certainly took its toll. Merkle lost six inches in height and more than 60 pounds since he was diagnosed, and he was clear — he can’t win this battle and will eventually die from it.

But the transformation is noticeable upon first glance. He has more energy, he no longer requires a cane to get around and he has even started to gain weight, according to Ms. Donegan.

‘‘Considering how far I’ve gotten since last year, I’m not complaining,’’ Merkle said. ‘‘If I could get another one year or five years, I’m a happy camper.’’

???

Things have started to get a little easier around the store. After Merkle was diagnosed, he underwent radiation treatments and chemotherapy five times a week, forcing he and his wife to dramatically cut back hours. They would often return home from the hospital and find fresh tire tracks in the snow — the dreaded mark of a lost customer.

Merkle still must undergo dialysis treatments three times a week, and is too weakened from that to drive to the hospital himself, but it’s much easier than it was before the medicine got control of the cancer.

‘‘This past year — it’s been a little bit, let’s say, in left field,’’ Ms. Donegan said.

Their plans haven’t changed. Though progress has been slow since Merkle was diagnosed, they still intend to expand the store to the other structures adjacent to the farmhouse and have 70,000 Christmas trees in the ground within 10 years.

‘‘The store and the trees will come to maturity at the same time,’’ Ms. Donegan said. ‘‘We’re a little behind on planting. We got 300 trees in instead of the 3,000 that we planned because we were never here.’’

They have nearly 7,500 saplings growing on the 93 acres they bought in 2003 when they first moved to Kennedy and left their native Florida and former occupations in the sound and lighting industry at Walt Disney World behind.

‘‘They’ll go south. In Florida, one of the big things for high school (fund-raisers) is selling Christmas trees,’’ Ms. Donegan said, joking of swapping the trees for cartons of oranges and grapefruit — which themselves are hot fund-raising items among schools in Western New York.

???

According to Ms. Donegan, store hours have been much more constant since Merkle began to recover. She said they are opening their doors for Black Friday — the ‘‘biggest decorating day’’ of the year. Beyond that, hours of operation will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The store features both Christmas decorations and gifts — everything from hand-knit stockings, ornaments, lights and Department 54 items to stuffed animals and snowmen ordained with Bills and Sabres logos.

Merkle and Ms. Donegan do their best to stand out among a dizzying flurry of holiday enticement in November and December, but the store is an all-year operation — and the Christmas atmosphere they have created in Kennedy lives on long after the holiday season is only a distant memory.

That was their dream when they moved to Western New York a few short years ago — as Merkle said, a scenario where Christmas could happen ‘‘365 days a year.’’ Though they are thankful they are making that dream a reality, there is something much simpler they have for which to give thanks.

‘‘I’m just thankful I have a husband that’s still walking around,’’ Ms. Donegan said.

‘‘Yeah, she has a husband that’s glad he’s walking around, too,’’ Merkle added.

Send comments to pfanelli@post-journal.com

For more information about Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

(As a side note Rick & Julia McMahon were the acting brokers in helping Carol & John aquire the farm)

Living Christmas Tree

Voices of Christmas

Living Christmas Tree

11/25/2006 - The Living Christmas Tree stays strong in its 22nd season

By JIM COFFMAN

First Covenant Church senior pastor David Trosper and his wife, Beth, had only been in Jamestown less than two months late last year when they received an early lesson about the impact that the Living Christmas Tree can have on the area.

It was the third week in November, a Saturday morning, when church and community members were busy assembling the structure in the church’s sanctuary, which is located at 520 Spring St. in Jamestown.

But while plenty of work was going on there, the tree’s figurative branches were already providing a warm embrace on the other side of town.

It seems that a woman had been involved in an automobile accident on Fairmount Avenue near Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center and was understandably distressed. Fortunately, Mrs. Trosper reported, the woman’s concerns were quickly put to rest.

All she needed for comfort was the sight of David Cohen’s NACO Express Truck — the vehicle in which “the tree’’ is stored for 50 weeks out of the year —which just happened to be nearby.

“In her moment of need,’’ Mrs. Trosper said, “she looked up and saw the trailer, inscribed ‘God’s Trailer: The Living Christmas Tree Inside,’ pass by. She was reminded that all would be well.’’

All is well, indeed, as the Living Christmas Tree, now assembled and decorated, awaits a 65-voice choir, a 25-piece professional orchestra, a narrator and pageantry to help tie in the whole message of Christmas.

Conducted by Norm Lydell, ‘‘The Voices of Christmas,’’ by Joseph and Pamela Martin, provides a message in the forward to the piece that explains what the production is all about: ‘‘Christ was born to everyone: past, present and future,’’ it reads. ‘‘We are all, in some sense, connected to the manger. We are all witnesses to and voices of the good news of His birth.’’

The Living Christmas Tree provides an opportunity for First Covenant to get that message across.

See LIVING on Page C-3

From Page C-1

“There is a presence of excitement coming together to build the Tree that creates the anticipation of Christmas,’’ the Rev. Trosper said. “It is centered in telling the story of Christmas, a story that can get lost in the secular, commercial aspect of Christmas. There is something about music that is incarnate within us.

“The Living Christmas Tree is the story of hope that is so important to the church and the community. It is the telling of God’s story in music and in drama that’s inviting. It is a living manger being acted out in the present as if you are a witness to the Christ-event. It is this living manger that touches the emotions within.’’

Children are also impacted by seeing the tree for the first time.

Mrs. Trosper recalled how her grandchildren stood in awe of the structure when they entered the sanctuary and were equally impressed when they noticed that their violin teacher from Persell Middle School — Katie Cierlicki, who is also the orchestra director at Jamestown High School — was a member of the orchestra.

The Rev. Trosper also feels that it is a wonderful family tradition. That tradition can take the form of families who attend the performances together; families who begin Christmas by working in various ways for the Living Christmas Tree; and the group of people from more than 20 churches who have become family after 22 years of performances.

The traditions that the Living Christmas Tree have fostered for more than two decades would not have been possible without the efforts of two church members — Gunnard ‘‘Kinky’’ Kindberg and Henry Norman — who both passed away this year.

The Living Christmas Tree participants remember Kinky as a man of many talents. His excellent tenor voice contributed to the choir for 21 years. His stewardship in taking care of the church will be missed. Kinky quietly and faithfully helped his wife, Carol, in her duties as chairman. His good spirit, jokes and love of people and the church are qualities everyone will remember.

“Kinky had a global view of all aspects of the Living Christmas Tree,’’ Lydell said, “dealing equally with small or big details in quiet ways. He knew what needed to be done to make things flow and nothing slipped through the cracks. His good spirit lightened the load. The way he worked quietly as a behind-the-scenes man made a significant contribution to the Living Christmas Tree.’’

Those involved in the planning of the Living Christmas Tree realize more than ever the significant contribution Kinky made every year and honor his memory.

Henry Norman is remembered at First Covenant for his strong faith, which he shared gladly with others and also as the tree’s original architect.

He was also remembered in 2004 by Russell Johnson, the Living Christmas Tree’s founding conductor, as ‘‘the real genius of the Living Christmas Tree.’’

Because of the unique architecture of the sanctuary at First Covenant Church, Henry had to design a tree that spanned over the altar railing and incorporated the tiers in the front of the sanctuary. This required frequent trips to the church to verify measurements as sketches were made and the Living Christmas Tree was created. It was first assembled at Mission Meadows camp on Chautauqua Lake, then erected at the church where the fit was perfect.

Amazingly, after 22 years of being assembled and disassembled, the integrity of the Living Christmas Tree remains intact. It has been examined and strengthened over the years to assure that it remains strong.

Henry was more than an architect, though. He was a teacher of the Bible, a prayer partner and friend.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Realk Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Peek'n Peak's

Peek'n Peak's new owner got start at 16

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Henry J. Gomez

Plain Dealer Reporter

Paul Kiebler was 16 when he bought his first house: a $17,100 steal from a sher iff's sale. He only had $100 in his pocket.
"I ran and told my dad I needed to borrow 17 grand. He thought I was crazy."
So did Kiebler's girlfriend. She ended things that summer, when Kiebler spent more time fixing up the home than he did patching up his high school romance.
But Kiebler's time - and money - were well-spent. He sold the house for $43,200. Factoring in what he spent on improvements, Kiebler turned more than a $15,000 profit.
He rewarded himself with a Trans Am. From that summer on, "every summer I'd buy a house and fix it up. And that's how I paid my way through college."
Now 36, Kiebler is establishing himself further as a real estate developer.
Most of his deals since his teenage, house-flipping days have hinged on Pittsburgh-area apartment complexes. Kiebler's latest project is more of a risk. In January, his Chardon-based firm bought Peek'n Peak Resort and Conference Center in Findley Lake, N.Y.
According to Chautauqua County records, Kiebler Recreation LLC paid about $10.7 million for the property. Kiebler said that does not include equipment and other assets acquired from previous owner Norbert Cross.
The popular ski and golf getaway, which draws 65 percent of its business from Northeast Ohio, had lost money in each of the five years before Kiebler came along.
Much like that first home Kiebler bought 20 years ago, Peek'n Peak is a fixer-upper.
Rather than trim costs, Kiebler already has spent $8 million toward the $280 million he has budgeted for improvements over the next 10 years. He also is beefing up Peek'n Peak's marketing budget, from an annual average of about $230,000 to more than $1 million projected for this year.
Kiebler, to recoup his investment, must establish the resort as a year-round destination.
One of the two golf courses is in line for a major overhaul. In addition, a huge indoor water park, more hotel rooms, condos and conference facilities are planned.
It's an effort to break free of what Gard Skinner, publisher of the North Carolina-based Mountain Resort Magazine, calls typecasting as a ski resort.
"The joke was that when ski resorts started building golf courses, they weren't trying to boost profits - they were trying to lose less money," Skinner said. "But the summer months can become a very solid performer on your bottom line, on your revenue."
In a recent interview, Kiebler shared his expansion plans and his upbringing in real estate.
Q: Did you grow up in the Cleveland area?
A: Actually my family moved to Chardon three generations ago.
I grew up in Chardon. Went to Chardon High School, Chardon public schools. Went to The Ohio State University.
Q: How did you get involved in real estate?
A: My grandmother was a real estate broker. Grandpa left the family when my father was 3. Grandma decided she had to go to work, when women weren't supposed to work. And the only field that really would accept her was real estate, so she became a real estate broker . . . and she dragged my father around doing all the deals. He decided that maybe the brokerage business wasn't the way to support a family, so he became a real estate appraiser. He dragged me around, and I watched all these deals Dad was appraising and said, 'Hey, I can do that.'
Q: So, you followed in your father's footsteps, into appraisals?
A: I actually was a real estate appraiser for about 10 years. My father started Kiebler, Smith & Co. in April 1972. I bought it in 1996. It took me about three years before deciding [to leave the appraisals business]. In 2001, I started Kiebler Properties [which focuses on development].
Q: What interested you about Peek'n Peak?
A: I had a business associate who was trying to put a deal together. The Peak has three main business ventures. One is ski, one is golf and the other is the development of condominiums.
They came to me and said, 'All right, Paul, this guy here is an expert in ski: He's going to buy the ski slopes. The guy over here is an expert in golf: He's going to buy the golf. And we'll sell you all the condos.' I spent probably three, four days with them and just realized very quickly they never were going to get their deal done, so I cut bait and went on.
But while I was up there, I just fell in love with the place. I stayed in touch with the general manager. Their deal blew up, and I asked, 'Is it still for sale?'
Q: Where are you so far in the expansion? What changes might guests notice this winter?
A: We've almost doubled our ski-able acreage. The first thing they're going to notice when they pull up is an additional 14 ski slopes cut into the resort. The other thing they're going to notice is that we just spent $2 million to buy a new snow-making system.
Q: Are you a ski bum yourself?
A: I skied a lot in high school. Then I started working. I got real busy and didn't ski as much. But over the last couple of years, I skied every opportunity I got.
Q: What's your target for improving the resort's financial performance?
A: Last year, the resort actually showed the first profit in probably five or six years. It wasn't much, but it showed a profit. And this year, we're certainly projecting some money. The 2004 marketing budget was $230,000. We're going to spend $1.2 million this year.
Q: How does this project compare to other investments you have made?
A: It's certainly bigger than anything we've done in the past. Once you break down the individual components of Peek'n Peak [ski, golf, condos] and look at them as separate business ventures, the size isn't overwhelming. But if you look at the entire project - you know, 1,100 acres, 10-year project - it's certainly the biggest we've ever been involved in.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
hgomez@plaind.com, 216-999-5405

© 2006 The Plain Dealer© 2006 cleveland.com All Rights Reserved. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Fredonia Opera House

Danza! plans holiday production at 1891 Fredonia Opera House

Danza! Performing Arts Academy of Fredonia will perform a full-scale holiday production at the historic 1891 Fredonia Opera House on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1

11/21/2006 - Danza! Performing Arts Academy of Fredonia announces its first full-scale holiday production, Holiday magic. The special kick-off to the holiday season will be performed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the historic 1891 Fredonia Opera House.

The dance showcase features an array of dance styles to traditional holiday classics, as well as new favorites. The show features students from all over Chautauqua County. Dancers range from age 3 through local college students.

Traditional numbers, such as “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Run, Run Rudolf” and the Christmas song, “Merry Christmas to You” will be heard, as well as new sounds of the Trans Siberian Orchestra and music made popular by the films, “The Polar Express,” “The Grinch” and “Home Alone.” Numerous dance styles will be performed, including ballet, Pointe, jazz, tap, modern and tumbling.

More than 40 dancers will be joined onstage for a jazz dance to the Polar Express theme song. The dance features numerous turns, jumps and lifts by dancers of all ages.

The show is produced and choreographed by Danza! Artistic Director Krista Taylor.

Tickets are available at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House box office at 679-1891.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Southern Tier Brewing Co. Introduces New Product

A New Taste

The old bottle at the right served as a model in making the new labels for the beer at the left. In between is a tap handle used to dispense draft beer. P-J photo by Manley J. Anderson

Southern Tier Brewing Co. Introduces New Product

By MANLEY J. ANDERSON

Southern Tier Brewing Co. at 2051 Stoneman Industrial Park, Lakewood, has introduced a new product designed to be made, distributed and used only in Chautauqua County.

‘‘It started with the mild ale, seen as everybody’s beer and easily palatable for the average beer drinker,’’said brewing company owner Phin Demink.

He went on to explain, ‘‘We came out with a mild ale — it was never a success except down here in Chautauqua County.’’

Demink continued with ‘‘We felt the name was not right.We felt Chautauqua County residents were looking for a cool, crisp, easily drinkable beer — a new one with about 41/2 percent alcohol.’’

To elaborate, he said, ‘‘The mild ale at the time helped us realize what the people of Chautauqua County liked. Many preferred about 41/2 percent alcohol and that’s what our mild ale was, but it was priced up there with our other brews.’’

The brewery owner said it was felt Southern Tier could create a beer with the desirable qualities but at a lower cost to the consumer.

Demink said, ‘‘We used to have Iroquois, Kochs etc. in Chautauqua County. Having three nice sized breweries in the county was pretty good. We knew through light ale sales in Chautauqua County we had come up with the right concept.’’

He went on to relate, ‘‘A friend brought in a bottle from the old Jamestown Brewing Company. We loved the label and the whole idea behind Jamestown Brewing Company. We sought a full bottle but none was available. We saw it as a great heritage and came up with Chautauqua beer –initially as draft only.’’

The brewery owner continued, ‘‘The reaction turned out pretty good, but we thought long and hard to think what the original Chautauqua beer tasted like. We concluded it was most likely an ale but not quite as hoppy.’’

Demink explained, ‘‘We came up with a 22-ounce bottle, with the new design pushing heritage, pride and tradition.

The new label was designed by Nathan Arnone, recipient of an art degree at Rochester Institute of Technology and an adjunct art professor art at Jamestown Community College.

Demink said the new label largely incorporated the old bottle band to tie in heritage and tradition.

He said Arthur R. Gren will be the only distributor in the United States for Chautauqua Brew which can only be sold within Chautauqua County.

‘‘November first we’re going to release the products,’’ Demink said. The nice golden ale is very crisp, very refreshing. This is the first batch so we want to see how it goes. It will be sold at the same price as our premium beers and will be sold only in cases.

The brewery owner said the new beer will be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft November 1, with 12 ounce bottles to be available only at bars and restaurants beginning December 1.

Demink said Southern Tier Brewing Co. began this year with six employees and now has 13, with the potential for more jobs.

He said, in 2005, small breweries grew by 17 percent while large breweries decreased by 3 percent.

The Southern Tier brewery owner said, ‘‘We want to be the brewery that offers something for everybody.’’

He said the local brewery’s products contain 100 percent barley, with no rice and no corn as used in the big breweries.

Demink related, ‘‘All ingredients in this beer have been grown in North America and the bottles are made in Elmira. The labels on the small bottles are made in Wisconsin, the large labels in Rochester and the boxes are made by Jamestown Container.’’

The brewery owner said beer does not age or travel well, so it is always a fresh product, with his new product brewed in Chautauqua County, sold in Chautauqua County and drank in Chautauqua County.

He went on to explain, ‘‘One of the big brands we’re trying to compete with is Labatts. It can be brewed in Canada and sold in the U.S. but the reverse is not possible.’’

Demink said his objective is to produce a fresher, higher quality beverage — brewed, bottled, sold and consumed in Chautauqua County, noting he feels it is important to make things locally.

‘‘We’ve actually been here for four years,’’ he said, and we’re very excited by it as unique to the area. We’re up 47 percent in sales over 2005.

All indications point to Southern Tier Brewing Co. as doing things right.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Cornell University and Chautauqua Lake

Professor Talks About Ways To Combat Lake Weeds

By PATRICK L. FANELLI

Insects Vs. Herbicides Bob Johnson of Cornell University discusses the weevil — a beetle that feeds on milfoil and could be used as a biocontrol — during a presentation Wednesday night. P-J photo by Patrick L. Fanelli

11/16/2006 - Insects may be the most effective way to control Eurasian watermilfoil, Chautauqua Lake’s ‘‘problem plant,’’ according to aquatic ecology expert Bob Johnson of Cornell University.

After years studying Chautauqua Lake and other water bodies across the state, Johnson thinks moths and beetles that feed on the aggravating weed might prove more successful in the long run than treating the lake with herbicides.

‘‘It isn’t a long-term deal,’’ Johnson said of herbicides during a presentation Wednesday evening in the Southwestern Central High School auditorium.

‘‘These are all short-term fixes.’’

See MOTH On Page A-3

For years, Johnson has been studying a type of pyralid moth called Acentria Ephemerella that feeds on milfoil — the plant that sprung up dramatically over the summer in Burtis Bay and other areas in the lake.

‘‘There are lots of documented declines associated with the moth,’’ Johnson said, discussing his experiences with Cayuga Lake on which Cornell University is located.

‘‘We had a dramatic decline of Eurasian watermilfoil to the level where after three years there was almost none in the north end.’’

Another insect that feeds on milfoil are weevils, a type of beetle, called Euhrychiopsis Lecontei — but Johnson believes the moth is a more effective herbivore.

‘‘One of our tasks was to monitor Eurasian watermilfoil out there and also if the insects out there are attacking it,’’ said Johnson, who has been working with the Chautauqua Lake Association to better understand the invasive weeds and their relationship with insect populations. ‘‘In the northern basin, we have more luck. We’re trying to figure out why some places have higher numbers of insects.’’

More Moths

Johnson’s work has not only involved monitoring the insect populations, but adding to them as well.

‘‘The other issue is, can we use this as a biocontrol?’’ Johnson said. ‘‘So, for the moth — which we think is a better herbivore — we have been augmenting (the population).’’

Thousands of moth larvae were added to Burtis Bay — notorious for its heavy concentration of weeds — during the winter of 2002, and there was very little milfoil the following summer. Johnson said he can’t take credit for that, though, describing some sort of unknown event that took place underneath the surface that killed off much of the plant.

But the Chautauqua Lake Partnership can’t take much credit either, Johnson said. The CLP applied herbicides to Burtis Bay the previous summer, since herbicides are only applied up to a certain distance from shore, he explained.

‘‘We didn’t see any effect of the herbicides beyond where they made the application,’’ he said.

The weeds — noticable by the red tips that extend above the surface — began appearing well before the summer season even began. The intense growth may have been fueled by plenty of sunlight the plants received due to inadequate ice cover during the mild winter, but the absence of the weevil population may have also had an effect.

‘‘They didn’t get out there soon enough to stop this,’’ Johnson said, gesturing toward a picture of Burtis Bay on the projection screen.

Johnson said he and his crew will be adding more moths to Burtis Bay next season, though he thinks it’s unlikely the problem will be nearly as bad as it was this year.

‘‘Chances are that Burtis Bay isn’t going to look like it did this year,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘That just doesn’t happen in so many years.’’

A Healthy Lake

Eurasian watermilfoil may be a nuisance, Johnson said — but other types of plants are essential for the health of Chautauqua Lake.

‘‘We do need aquatic plants growing on the bottom of the lake,’’ he said.

For one thing, native plants that typically do not extend as far up from the surface compete with the milfoil, making it more difficult for milfoil to thrive. For instance, in recent years herbicides were applied to Waneta Lake in Steuben County to kill off all the plants growing beneath the surface. Within a few years, with no other plants to compete with, the milfoil returned ‘‘with a vengeance,’’ according to Johnson.

However, some herbicides only target milfoil — such as Aquathol K, which was used by the Chautauqua Lake Partnership in 2002.

Another reason aquatic plants are essential is they keep sediment on the bottom, Johnson said. Without plants, wind will kick up the sediment and the nutrients it carries with it will fuel algae growth.

But other elements fuel algae growth, especially water runoff from development, lawns and farmland.

‘‘Some things we need to really work on,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘We need to continue to promote good watershed practices. We have to somehow limit the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous anyway possible.’’

For Johnson — who heads the Research Ponds Facility of Cornell University’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department — Chautauqua Lake is one of his main projects. He works on the lake gathering data with a team of research assistants for much of the year, and he will present the annual report on his findings from 2006 early next year.

Wednesday’s presentation was sponsored by the Chautauqua Lake Association.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Buying and Maintaining Your Lake Home

How to Maintain Your Lake Home / By: Kenyon Blunt
Winterizing a Lake Home / By: Kenyon Blunt
3 Tax Breaks for Lake Homes / By: Kenyon Blunt
How to Make Money Renting Vacation Homes / By: Jeff Smith
8 Seldom-Used but Highly Effective Financing Options / By: Kenyon Blunt
Pooling Your Nickels – Buying a Lake Home with Family & Friends / By: Kenyon Blunt
Your Lake Home Loan – Demystified! / By: Debbie Wolfard
Financing a 2nd Home with a Second Mortgage or Refinance / By: Rebecca Oconnor
A 7-Step Formula for Finding the Right Lake Home / By: Kenyon Blunt
Top Things to Consider When Buying Lakeshore Property / By: Mike Wock and Harriette Wock
Getting a Good Deal on a Lake Home / By: Kenyon Blunt
Picking the Right Location / By: Kenyon Blunt
A Lake Home: Balancing Dreams with Reality / By: Kenyon Blunt
How To Pick The Right Vacation Home / By: Gray Rollins



For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center Gets Billboards In Two States

Lucy Fans Unite! A winking Lucille Ball invites visitors to her hometown Jamestown on three new billboards in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

11/13/2006 - Travelers in Ohio and Erie can now see billboards inviting them to visit the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown.

A grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, combined with 2005 Chautauqua County Occupancy Tax money, a donation from Marriott International as reward for Lucie Arnaz’s performance in January for the Eden Roc Resort and Spa’s 50th anniversary gala in Miami Beach, and a grant from Lake Shore Savings Bank made the billboards possible.

Travelers driving east on Interstate 90, near the state route 528 intersection in Madison, Ohio, can see a winking Lucille Ball against a bright blue background, encouraging them to visit the museums and shops in her hometown. A second billboard is rotating in Erie locations, initially on Interstate 79 near the airport exit and at the intersection of West 12th and Liberty streets.

‘‘It’s long been a dream of ours to be able to put up billboards to welcome more of the world to our Lucy-Desi attractions in Lucille Ball’s hometown,’’ said Ric Wyman, Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center executive director. ‘‘With the opening a year ago of the Desilu Playhouse added to the original Lucy-Desi Museum, we now have the capacity to accommodate many more visitors.’’

Named for the studio where I Love Lucy was filmed, the Desilu Playhouse features exact replicas of the show’s sets, a ‘‘Vitameatavegamin’’ opportunity and vintage memorabilia from the series. It opened in August 2005.

‘‘We are especially grateful to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation for stepping up with the initial funding to make these billboards a reality,’’ Wyman said. ‘‘The Community Foundation has been a strong partner with the Lucy-Desi Center since the Center’s incorporation nearly five years ago. The foundation provided support for the three downtown Lucy-Desi murals, the creation of the video enjoyed by festival and motor coach visitors who take Lucytown Tours and the acquisition of the historic cello that played a key role in the creation of I Love Lucy.’’

Advertising Advantage of Jamestown notified the Lucy-Desi Center earlier this year an anonymous donor was making possible another billboard, a new revolving style that Advertising Advantage was launching in Erie.

‘‘It is our hope that these new billboards will inform many more potential visitors of the opportunities that Jamestown offers,’’ Wyman concluded.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Cornell University & Chautauqua Lake

Aquatic Ecology Expert Will Present Findings Wednesday

By PATRICK L. FANELLI

Lake Weeds Dilemma Chautauqua Lake Association weed harvesters plow paths through the Burtis Bay weed infestation in June. P-J file photo

11/13/2006 - Aquatic ecology expert Bob Johnson from Cornell University spent much of the year on Chautauqua Lake studying one of the most aggravating aspects of the waterfront — invasive weed infestations.

Johnson, who heads the Research Pond Facility of Cornell University’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department, will present his findings at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Southwestern Central High School auditorium.

He is expected to outline the sources of Eurasian milfoil plants — the aquatic weeds that spring up offshore in places like Burtis Bay — which could ultimately lead to a more successful control effort.

‘‘He’s going to present the work he did on the lake this year — everything from macrophyte sampling to adding more moths and sampling what they had done,’’ said Paul Swanson, Chautauqua Lake Association general manager. ‘‘So it’s a pretty nice presentation.’’

Johnson has worked very closely with the CLA — the organization responsible for maintaining the shoreline and cutting and collecting weeds during the summer months.

This was a particularly bad year for weeds, especially in the shallow bays of Busti, Lakewood, Celoron, Ellicott and Ellery. Dramatic outbreaks were initially blamed on a particularly mild winter. Insufficient ice cover allowed a great deal of sunlight into the water, encouraging weed growth.

See LAKE WEEDS on Page A-3

LAKE WEEDS From Page A-1

There are many ways to curb it. Swanson runs a fleet of weed harvesters that spend the entire summer working all 44 miles of the Chautauqua Lake shoreline. Another lake group — the Chautauqua Lake Partnership — applied herbicides to Burtis Bay a few years ago and is hoping to do so again. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy advocates fixing the problem at its source by curbing the flow of weed-feeding nutrients into the lake. There are also weevils — insects that feed on the milfoil plants, effectively destroying them.

Johnson’s work was comprehensive, involving ‘‘physically sampling the weeds, mapping them, trying to document the intensity of the growth,’’ according to Swanson. Johnson’s findings could have an impact on how the CLA — which is on the front lines of the weed problem every summer — handles it.

‘‘We sure hope so,’’ Swanson said. ‘‘That’s why we’re doing it.’’

The CLA sponsored Johnson’s work as well as Wednesday’s presentation, which is entitled, ‘‘Chautauqua Lake’s Eurasian Watermilfoil and Factors Influencing Plant and Insect Populations.’’

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Upgrades to Peek'n Peak & Holiday Valley

New snow-making and grooming equipment are among the many planned improvements that will greet skiers and snowboarders when they return to the slopes in the next several weeks.

The biggest changes are at Peek'n Peak, the western New York resort purchased last winter by Chardon real estate developer Paul Kiebler. He has replaced the resort's snow-making guns with $2 million in new technology that creates soft, powdery flakes, not ice.

"In three or four days, we can have 36 inches on the entire resort," said Kiebler. "We're guaranteed to be the last resort open in the spring."

Other upgrades at the Findley Lake, N.Y., resort include two new terrain parks, one for beginners and one for advanced skiers, and renovations to 72 hotel rooms. A day spa is scheduled to open in January.

The biggest changes are yet to come: Expect 14 new slopes to open for the 2007-2008 season, along with four new lifts. Longer-term plans include construction of a new wing of the hotel, an indoor water park and a village at the base of the mountain, with a collection of restaurants, shops and condominiums.

Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, N.Y., also has invested heavily in snow-making power: The new 62-million-gallon man-made Spruce Lake, at the top of the Tannenbaum lift, provides enough water to double the resort's snow-making capacity, according to marketing director Jane Eshbaugh.

The resort also is adding two Web cams to give would-be skiers at home an up-to-the-minute look at snow accumulations at Holiday

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

FOAM PARTY @ THE LAKEVIEW HOTEL "MAYVILLE NY"

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

FOAM PARTY @ THE LAKEVIEW HOTEL "MAYVILLE NY" WED. NOVEMBER 22ND "NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING"..... ROAD DOG PRODUCTIONS AND DJ FELONY WILL BE THROWING A FOAM PARTY @ THE LAKEVIEW HOTEL IN MAYVILLE NEW YORK !!!! IF YOU HAVE NEVER ATTENDEED A FOAM PARTY HERE IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT... WE WILL FILL THE DANCE FLOOR WAIST DEEP WITH FOAM !! THE FOAM IS NON TOXIC AND WILL NOT STAIN CLOTHING THAT WATER WONT STAIN.... YOU MAY GET DAMP !! FOAM IS LIKE VERY LIGHT SOAP SUDS "PROLONGED EXPOSURE MAY DAMPEN YOUR CLOTHING, BUT YOU WILL NOT GET SOAKED !!! IF YOU DONT WANT TO GET FOAMED SIMPLY STAY OUT OF THE MAIN DANCE FLOOR AREA AND ENJOY THE SHOW...... SWIMWEAR IS FUN & SEXY, BUT NOT NEEDED !! THIS WILL BE THE MOST FUN YOU HAVE EVER HAD WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON !! OR MAYBE OFF !! GET THERE EARLY..... THE PLACE WILL BE PACKED !!!! For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chauatauqualakehomes.com

Nutcracker Dec 15 and 16

New York City ballet soloists to perform in local youth ‘Nutcracker’ production

Daniel Ulbricht

11/4/2006 - JAMESTOWN —

New York City Ballet soloists Sterling Hyltin and Daniel Ulbricht will perform the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier in the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet 2006 “Nutcracker,” to be performed at the Reg Lenna Civic Center Dec. 15 and 16.

Artistic Director Monika Alch said, “We are thrilled to give our young dancers the opportunity to share the stage with world-renowned soloists and also thrilled to give our community the opportunity to see two dancers from one of the world’s greatest ballet companies performed right here in Jamestown.”

Both will perform in NYCB’s own “Nutcracker” to sold-out audiences at approximately $100 a ticket.

Ulbricht was born in St. Petersburg, Fla., and began his dance training at age 11 at the Judith Lee Johnson Studio of Dance. He also studied at Les Jeunes Danseurs and attended the Chautauqua Summer Dance Program. In 1999, Ulbricht was invited by the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, to continue his training during their Winter Program. As a student there, Ulbricht performed with New York City Ballet as a Jester in Peter Martins’ “The Sleeping Beauty.” In December 2000, he became an apprentice with New York City Ballet and in November 2001 joined the company as a member of the corps de ballet. In January 2005, Ulbricht was promoted to the rank of soloist.

Hyltin was born in Amarillo, Texas. She began her dance training at 6 at the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet. Hyltin entered the School of American Ballet full time in fall 2000. In October 2002, Hyltin became an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and in June 2003 joined the company as a member of the corps de ballet. In March 2006 she was promoted to soloist.

“The Nutcracker” tells the classic story of Clara who falls into a deep, dreamy sleep after a holiday party at which Herr Drosselmeyer presents her a gift of a nutcracker. As she dreams, Clara embarks on a fantasy journey with her nutcracker prince, beginning with a battle with the Rat King and his army of mice, followed by a visit to the magical Kingdom of Sweets. There, they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court of sweets, who offer to perform their favorite dances in Clara’s honor.

Alch remarks that in addition to the treat of seeing Hyltin and Ulbricht dance, the audience will also be impressed by the caliber of performance presented by CRYB ballet students. Solos such as the Nutcracker Prince, Arabian and Spanish, the Snow Queen and Dew Drop will be performed by CRYB pre-professional students, and almost 70 other cast members, including both CRYB students and community members. CRYB will also present two school shows as part of the Arts-In-Education program. Schools interested in attending should contact the Reg Lenna Box Office.

Public performances are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for loge seating; $15 for adults; $10 for students and seniors; and $6 for children under 12. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Reg Lenna Box Office at 484-7070.

Sponsors of “Nutcracker” include the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation Inc. and M&T Bank. The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet is a not-for-profit organization that provides classical ballet instruction to youth from Chautauqua County the surrounding areas.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Holly Tour

Westfield sites to open up for annual Holly Tour

by Special to the OBSERVER

The Pisicoli home

11/5/2006 - WESTFIELD — The Westfield Women’s Organization is preparing for its 23rd annual Holly Tour — a self-guided tour with a lineup of distinctive and historic sites within a quaint village setting. The event is set for Nov. 19 from 12:30 to 5 p.m.



The home of Dr. Tim Roets includes approximately 11 acres on the north side of Martin Wright Road. Roets’ home was built over the fall and winter of 2003-2004 by Mayshark Builders Inc. The house is designed to take full advantage of the view over the escarpment and Lake Erie. Artwork in the home is comprised of a collection by local artists as well as other items obtained while Roets was stationed in Japan and the Middle East with the United States Air Force.

The Pisicoli home is a prime example of the American Four-Square style homes that first appeared in the 1890s and remained popular until the early 1930s. This home was built in 1904 by James H. Hall and family. They lived there for well over 50 years. It would be home to three generations of Halls. The current owners found their way to this combination of historical hand-wrought architecture and years of additions and design elements that document its evolution. As the rings of a tree give us insight into its age and life experience, so do the updates and upgrades of this house. The quarter-sawn oak-beamed ceilings and moldings give a glimpse of the arts and crafts era. The reconstructed front porch shows the dedication to maintaining the home’s grandeur and the additions of a new mud room and garage show the needs of the families changing as modern technology is introduced.



The Brooker home, originally built in 1837, has been in the family for 103 years, purchased by the current owner’s great-grandfather in 1903 for $505.83.

The back yard contains a large gazebo which stands on the site of a large barn which housed the horses used by Richard Brooker to help in building what is now known as Route 20. The gazebo will be open, weather permitting, to allow visitors to view the large lawn dotted with black walnut trees.

When touring this family treasure, take note of the antique train around the tree in front of the front room window and the small tree in the garden window, decorated with WWII era paper, glass and cardboard ornaments.

The Berke home was originally built in 1896 by members of the Welch family, founders of Welch’s Grape Juice. Over time, the home had additions and renovations, with the last makeover occurring 10 years ago to expand the kitchen.

Visitors stepping through the front door will see a vast nutcracker collection, each one dated with the year of receipt. A traditional Swedish straw wreath hangs over the staircase, while various Santas and stuffed toys greet family members as they ascend to the second floor. Off to the right is the library, with more than 100 children’s Christmas and holiday books, as well as dolls, teddy bears and toys. Of special note is the window seat that has a display of Department 56 and other miniature village decorations.

Chautauqua & Erie Telephone Company, a FairPoint Communications Inc. company, is celebrating 109 years of serving the community this holiday season. Beckoning one into its red brick building with Georgian-style peaks is the 30-foot blue spruce, donated by Garden Wizardry.

Built in 1970, the C&E building is a Westfield landmark. Visitors will enjoy the lobby with high ceilings, crown molding and raised panel walls. The C&E museum has a collection of telephone memorabilia dating back to 1876. On the way to visit the downstairs museum, visitors will find a collection of framed phone book covers, tracing the history of the company and the Chautauqua County area.

Holly Tourists determine the order in which the sites are viewed. Event organizers suggest participants dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Due to the occasional long lines, unpredictable weather and treasured collectibles and heirlooms of the homeowners, it is asked that infants and young children are left at home.

Pre-sale tickets are available for $12. During the weekend of the tour, tickets will be $15. Tickets are available from a WWO member or from the following locations:

Westfield — Westfield Optical (formerly Gunnard’s Hallmark Shop), Four Seasons Flower Shop, Café Barista, Cross Roads and Tallulah’s Hair Design

Fredonia — Time Pieces, The Paper Factory

Jamestown — Christian Treasurers

Erie — Traditions

North East — Calico Patch

Bemus Point — White Picket Fence

For more information, call 326-7317 or e-mail wwohollytour@yahoo.com.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Peek�n Peak Resort and Conference Center

Findley Lake, NY - The new owner of Peek’n Peak Resort and Conference Center has announced plans to spend $280 million over the next decade on expansion plans, including $8 million in capital improvements currently under way at the western New York State ski resort.
The news comes less than one year after Paul Kiebler IV, president of Kiebler Recreation, LLC and Kiebler Properties, LLC, based in Chardon, Ohio, purchased the resort in January 2006.
Kiebler’s long-term plans include a resort village with boutiques and restaurants at the foot of the ski slopes, an indoor water park, new golf clubhouses, a new conference center, a full-service day spa and new condominiums. He also plans to add 11 ski slopes and four ski lifts. Currently there are 27 slopes, eight chairlifts and two magic carpet lifts.
Peek’n Peak opened as a ski resort in 1964 and now includes two 18-hole golf courses as well as other amenities. Since purchasing the resort earlier this year, Kiebler has invested about $8 million in the facility, including 150 new electric golf carts with Global Positioning System (GPS), the complete renovation of 70 hotel rooms, a $2 million snowmaking system expansion, two new terrain parks and a new half pipe cutter.
“After two years of testing various systems, we purchased the HKD Snowmaking Tower Gun Technology to work with our current system,” said Chip Day, Vice President of Brand Management, Peek’n Peak Resort and Conference Center. “The advantage of using a tower instead of a ground gun is the efficiency of the tower. We will be able to produce four times the amount of snow we can now and operate 120 towers instead of 30 ground guns,” he added.
The increased capacity will also allow the resort to make snow in the terrain parks and tubing areas right from the beginning of snowmaking season, rather than waiting until all the trails are open to build the half-pipe and terrain features.
The new terrain parks include a progression park to ease beginner snowboarders and skiers into the use of terrain features. For more experienced freestyle riders and skiers, an advanced terrain park with more challenging features has also been added.
The existing terrain park will also be enhanced with new flat rails and by the new Zaugg Pipe Designer half-pipe cutter. Instead of simply scooping material away from the snow walls as was done in the past, this machine provides a more aggressive cut while maintaining the correct curvature between the wall and floor of the pipe. This creates a smoother, faster ride.
“Our plans for The Peak are extraordinary. The ground work has been set and we are running,” said Kiebler. “The first-rate service and amenities that our guests experience now will only be improved with our future developments set to bring a variety of attractions and amenities to accommodate all ages and pastimes.”

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Vacation Home Fractionals

What is a Fractional Vacation Home or Private Residence Club?

by Jill Schoff

Do you like the idea of owning a vacation home in your favorite location, but don’t want the burden and cost of repairs and upkeep? Do you love the services of a luxury hotel but dislike living out of your suitcase? You’re not alone. A new breed of vacation home ownership, called "fractional ownership," is becoming increasingly popular with busy professionals looking to maximize their family vacation time.

Fractional resorts are real estate developments in prime resort locations on the golf course, ski slope or ocean. They provide the amenities of a luxury home, such as granite kitchen countertops, whirlpool baths and roomy closets — combined with the benefits of a first-class hotel, such as concierge, housekeeping and grocery shopping services. Depending upon the design of the property, residences may be hotel suites, cabins, townhouses or detached homes.

Owners purchase a deeded share in a residence (usually 1/4 to 1/13) that gives them a certain number of weeks per year at the property and use of all amenities. By only paying for the time you use, fractional ownership can be a much more cost-effective way to stay in desirable locations such as Vail, Colo., or Pinehurst, N.C. Prices range widely from $40,000 to more than $1 million, depending on the location, number of weeks, number of bedrooms and level of luxury.

Fractional, But Not Timeshare

Luxury fractionals differ greatly from the old-style timeshares. The primary differences are that fractionals offer:
. deeded property, with the same rights as any other real estate purchase
. greater chance of property appreciation
. a longer amount of time on property (from 4-13 weeks)
. a luxury level of furnishings, services and amenities

Of course, all of the above perks add up to another major difference: price. The cost of fractional property is quite a bit higher than that of a typical timeshare, though still much less expensive than whole ownership of a luxury home in the same location.

Exchange Weeks & Travel the World

Trading weeks is a great concept from the timeshare days that hasn’t been abandoned but instead greatly improved upon. With four or more weeks to enjoy, owners can choose to spend part of their time at a different property in another part of the country — or the world.

Most fractional properties participate in an exchange program that gives owners the ability to reserve time with other properties that have a similar level of luxury and service. Don’t feel like visiting your Caribbean property in the summer? Trade it for a week in the green mountains of Vermont instead. Always wanted to see Italy? Reserve two weeks in a Tuscan villa.

Though getting the location you want isn’t always easy (planning ahead is essential), this flexibility is one of the most exciting aspects of fractional ownership.

No More Living Out of a Suitcase

In the past those who chose to vacation at resorts — because of the services and activities they provided to their family — sacrificed some comfort in a relatively cramped hotel room.

A great feature of most fractional properties is the spaciousness of the residences. With fully-equipped kitchens, large closets and lockers for year-round storage of sports equipment, you truly have all the comforts of home.

Most residences have 2-4 bedrooms and an equal number of baths, so there is plenty of room for family, friends or clients. Many owners purchase more than one fraction to gain even more space and privacy — and time.

Not all fractional properties offer the extensive amount of on-site activities that a 5-star resort can, though this is changing. A new category of fractional property, called “Private Residence Clubs,” offer an enhanced level of amenities, such as a members-only golf club or spa, and 24-hour concierge services.

Service Sets Fractionals Apart

Personal service is an area where fractional properties clearly outshine traditional second-home ownership. When it comes right down to it, for most people today time is their most valuable commodity. Who wants to waste it cleaning, unpacking, grocery shopping and mowing the lawn?

There are a couple of drawbacks to not owning the whole home, of course. If you have a passion for interior decorating or enjoy taking unplanned, last-minute vacations, you may be unhappy with the limits of fractional ownership. However, fractional properties are one of the fastest-growing segments of the real estate industry, so there are clearly many who find the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

As one owner puts it, “My vacation starts the moment I arrive. We head straight to the restaurant for a bite to eat. When we get back to our residence, our refrigerator is fully stocked, our clothes are unpacked and our ski equipment has been pulled out of storage. There’s nothing left to do but have fun.”

Luxury Fractional Guide Copyright © 2005

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Your Chautauqua Vacation Home

Fractionalize To Maximize

Dividing Your Vacation Home Into Profit

by Sherman Potvin

Luxury Fractional Guide co-owner Sherman Potvin has written the definitive guide to selling your vacation home as a fractional. This e-book is a step-by-step manual that will give you all the tools you need to evaluate, prepare, market and sell a fractional home.

Learn more on Fractionalize2Maximize.com! View the Table of Contents and Sample Pages. Available in digital and print formats.

Why fractionalize your home? The benefits are numerous:

• Increase Profit: Many owners realize 1.5 to 2 times the Fair Market Value of their home when they sell it in fractions!

• Achieve a Sale: If your home has been on the market awhile in a “soft” real estate market, fractionalizing is a way for you to get your home sold and still get back a decent return.

• Make Owning Fun: Fractionalizing is a great option for those who love their vacation home (and want to keep a part of it) but would like to put less time and money into it. By selling fractions, you’ll be able to cover costs and hire a property management company to deal with all the hassle!


For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com

Midway Park Chautauqua Lake

NY acquires Chautauqua amusement park

Business First of Buffalo - 3:08 PM EST Thursday

by James Fink

Business First

In a deal that took more than one year to complete, New York state has officially acquired the historic Midway Park, one of the nation's oldest amusement parks.
The state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation formally closed on the Midway deal, paying $4 million for the amusement park whose roots go back to 1898. The deal was struck last fall but didn't close until Oct. 27 on the landmark Town of Ellery facility.
By acquiring the park, the state will ensure that it remains an amusement and entertainment center instead of being parceled off for development purposes. The Chautauqua County park, located about three miles from Bemus Point, had been on the market for more than two years.
"People from Pittsburgh and Cleveland were looking at it," said Steve Blake, a broker with CB Richard Ellis Buffalo who, along with Tony Kurdziel from his office, handled the deal. "It's a beautiful piece of real estate, right on the (Chautauqua) lake. The good news is that the state stepped in and will keep it a park."
Midway is the second-oldest amusement park in the state and the nation's 16th oldest. It predates Coney Island Park by several years.
The park has 26 rides and an open-air roller rink built in the early 20th century. Many of its rides were designed and built by Allan Herschell Co. of North Tonawanda, the same company that developed the carousel.
"With our plan to acquire Midway Park, we look forward to maintaining its unique character and its valuable role as a tourist destination in the region for the enjoyment of Chautauqua residents and the many visitors well into the future," Gov. George Pataki said in a prepared release.
The park had been owned by the Walsh family, who bought the 43-acre facility in 1951. The Walshes put it on the market more than two years ago, originally asking $4.2 million.
Besides its many rides and the roller rink pavilion, the main concession building remains in use and is considered an historic and architectural landmark. It was erected in 1915.
Midway Park is listed on the New York State Open Space Plan and is considered eligible for inclusion on both the state and national registers of historic places.
It now becomes one of 22 new state parks that New York has opened or acquired since 1995. The state currently has 172 parks.

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com