1/6/2008 -
jwasmund@post-journal.comNow that the holidays are over, there is no need to dream of a white Christmas. However, the snow has only just arrived, and will undoubtably be present over the next few months.
While these long winter days may seem bleak, there are many activities going on throughout the community to keep individuals from going crazy.
For the ski and snowboard enthusiasts, Peek'n Peak and Holiday Valley each offer a variety of activities throughout the winter, as well as the slopes.
Peek'n Peak's lift tickets range from $34 to $42 on the weekdays, and $34 to $48 on the weekends for adults. However, they also offer discounted tickets. College students are eligible for $19 lift tickets Sunday through Thursday evenings with I.D. They also have a program geared toward Scouts.
''We have three remaining scheduled Scout days, and if you're a Scout, whatever your affiliation, they just have to come and show their ID to get substantial savings,'' said Chip Day of Peek'n Peak. Scouts are also offered discounted tickets, just $34 for children aged 12 and older on Sunday, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and Saturday, March 8. The resort also offers accommodation ''Ski and Stay'' packages, ranging from $39 to $95.
''Tubing is also a great activity because it's fun for everyone, and you don't need to know how to ski. Those sessions start as low as $10,'' Day said. For beginner skiers, the resort also offers a package for the novice winter athlete. Equipment rental, lift ticket and lessons are offered together for $55 in the learn to ski or snowboard packaged.
For those who like the great outdoors but do not want to participate in downhill skiing, Peek'n Peak also offers prices for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The trail fee is only $8, while rental fees are $9 for skiis, or $6 for snowshoes.
For more information visit the Web site at
www.pknpk.com/.Holiday Valley also has packages available, including college nights (Sunday through Thursday) for $25 after 4 p.m. Seniors over the age of 70 may purchase weekday tickets for the junior rate, and any fourth grader may purchase a New York state passport book for $19, which allows them to ski for free three times.
Upstate Farms is also offering a promotional discount — if an individual brings in the cap from a bottle of Intense Milk, they will receive two tickets for the price of one on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings after 4 p.m. McDonald's is offering a similar promotion as well, giving away 2-for-1 coupons in their restaurants valid evenings, Monday through Wednesday. Both promotions also are available for tubing passes for Thursday and Sundays. For groups of 15 persons or more, discounted rates are also available.
General weekday tickets range from $30 to $42, while weekend tickets are priced from $32 to $52. More information is available at the Web site,
www.holidayvalley.com/winter.cfm.While outdoor activities may not be for everyone, those seeking an old-fashioned movie experience, complete with marquee, can get their fix at the Reg Lenna Civic Center on Third Street. The establishment started a Movies @ The Center series, bringing in a variety of films.
''We started the series last year and so far it's been fairly successful,'' said Jim Ewing, box office manager. ''We would like more people to attend.... it's about building the audience again.''
The movie series runs through the Reg Lenna's regular season of September through May. Starting Jan. 15, the center will be showing five new movies, including Lars and the Real Girl, For the Bible Tells Me So, The Hunting Party, Gone Baby Gone and Bella.
''We have a new concession stand we'd like people to check out because we had so many requests for popcorn,'' Ewing said. ''We also have a coat room in the new lobby which is nice during the winter.''
Tickets are $7 for adults, and $4.25 for children under 12. Books of 10 tickets are available for $60, providing a discount for frequent movie-goers.
The 1891 Fredonia Opera House offers a similar movie experience, bringing to the screen in 2008 Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Into The Wild, August Rush and Lars and the Real Girl. Additionally, they have a ''Family Night at The Movies'' series, featuring free films the entire family can enjoy. This year's selection includes Snow Day, The Princess Bride, Charlotte's Web and Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown. For more information, visit the Web site at
http://fredopera.org/home/.If curling up with a good book sounds like the perfect way to spend a cold winter afternoon, the Prendergast Library has a number of top-selling titles to choose from, as well as activities and programs taking place in the library itself.
''If you're searching for something to keep you busy, we have thousands of good books and videos to choose from,'' said Catherine Way, director. Select the ''Catalog'' option on the library's Web site
www.prendergastlibrary.org/ to see almost 50 different recommended and best-selling reading lists. Additionally, The Sunday Post-Journal runs The Wall Street Journal's best-seller list each Sunday on page E-6.
Besides books, the library also offers different exhibits at its art gallery for anyone looking for a lazy afternoon. From Jan. 10 to Feb. 15 a series entitled ''The Unlimited Opportunities of Art'' will be open featuring works by art students at The Resource Center. From Feb. 22 through March 28 will be a series of photographs by James R. Butterfield, called ''Sky, Water and Architecture.''
Two programs are also running during the next few months. The first is children's story time, which begins Feb. 4, and lasts for eight weeks. There are three age levels offered: babies 0 to18 months, toddlers 18 to 36 months and pre-schoolers 3 to 5 years old. To register, call the library.
Adult classes are also offered for those looking to improve their computer skills. A basic computer training class is offered from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 8 through 29. An intermediate computer training class is offered from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 5 through 26. A workforce readiness credential training class, which helps develop skills for entry-level employment, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7 through Feb. 7. Lastly, a Web instruction page class called ''Project Vision'' will be offered from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 through April 3. Call 484-7135, ext. 225 to register.
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