Roger Leo, Associate Editor
This year's work brings the 17-year reinvestment at Holiday Valley to $50 million. Holiday officials report they have purchased two new groomers, one of them a winch cat used on the steepest trails, such as The Wall, Eagle, Edelweiss, and Yodeler. The second groomer will perform the less glamorous, but much-appreciated work of restoring trail surfaces to corduroy each night. The resort reports its snowmaking enhancements include replacement of 4-inch water lines with 6-inch lines on the Chute and other locations. The snowmaking pump house controls will be automated so that crews can control and balance all three pump houses from one location. Holiday's trail crews spent much of the summer preparing slopes and trails for a new high speed quad on Morning Star to be installed for the 2010-11 season. The Foxfire slope, home of the 42/78 Terrain Park, has been widened. Clean up work will be conducted in The Glades, located between Ego Alley and Champagne. Other work includes launch of a new Web site, construction of a 2,000-square-foot picnic/wedding pavilion adjacent to the Yodeler Lodge, implementation of a "Single Stream" recycling program throughout the resort and the purchase of several new rails for the terrain parks. The Inn at Holiday Valley has received several upgrades in the guest rooms and common areas. The Holiday Valley Tubing Company will be improving their snowmaking system, purchasing new tubes and installing an outdoor music system. Construction of the Tamarack Club, four-star 79-unit hotel-condominium project, is under way next to the Clubhouse Chalet base lodge. The Tamarack Club is projected to be completed for the winter of 2009-10. For More information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com |
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Holiday Valley Invests In Groomers, Water Lines, Trail Work
Monday, November 03, 2008
DJDC Prepares To Host ‘Toyland Christmas’ In Jamestown
| By Kristen Johnson, kajohnson@post-journal.com POSTED: November 3, 2008 This year, Christmas in Toyland is coming to Jamestown. The theme for this year's Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration will be ''A Jamestown Toyland Christmas,'' according to a recent announcement made by the Downtown Jamestown Development Corp. ''There are a variety of toy-related activities and events that are held in Jamestown during the holiday season - Toys for Tots, Santa's Family Workshop and The Nutcracker performances,'' Tiffani Reynolds, DJDC special projects manager, said. ''The theme name was just a natural fit.'' CHRISTMAS PARADE Every year, thousands of people line the streets in downtown Jamestown to watch the Christmas parade. This year, the parade is set for Dec. 5. Last year, an estimated 18,000 people came out to watch a parade that included 250 organizations from Jamestown and Chautauqua County. This year, parade lineup will begin promptly at 5 p.m. along the Third Street Bridge, Porter Avenue and on Third Street from Porter Avenue to Hallock Street. Participants should be at the lineup area early. The parade will step off at 6:30 p.m. and will travel east on Third Street to Tracy Plaza for the traditional tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks extravaganza. Those who wish to participate in the parade should register with the DJDC. Registration forms are available online at the DJDC's Web site, http://www.discoverjamestown.com/. In the upper right hand corner of the page, click the ''2008 Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration'' link, then scroll down. Hard copies of the parade registration forms are being automatically mailed to last year's parade participants. Registration forms are also available by calling 664-2477. Parade participants may represent toys of all kinds that are both traditionally and currently given at Christmas. ''It is always exciting to see how each unit interprets the theme differently each year,'' Ms. Reynolds said. ''This really adds to the aesthetics value of the parade.'' As a fundraiser for this year's parade, the DJDC will sell tickets to any individual who wants to ride with Santa Claus during the Christmas Parade. Tickets will be $5 each or 3 for $10. Ticket locations will be released by the DJDC at a later date. The drawing will be held at the Lost Neighborhood tree-lighting ceremony and the Light Up Downtown events held on Nov. 28 in Brooklyn Square. SNOWBALL DROP The DJDC has invited all area businesses and organizations to participate in the Jamestown Snowball Drop, which takes place in conjunction with post-parade activities. In 2007, 400 white ping-pong balls, donated by the Jamestown Cycle Shop, were distributed to local businesses. Business owners were encouraged to decorate the balls with special promotions. The decorated ''snowballs'' were dropped from a Jamestown Fire Department ladder truck after the parade. Those lucky enough to catch a ball were able to redeem it at the business where the ball had been decorated. ''We're aiming for 2,000 to 3,000 ping-pong balls this year,'' Ms. Reynolds said. ''Four hundred was great, but thousands would be even better. Businesses interested in participating should contact the DJDC at 664-2477. OTHER EVENTS The DJDC will kick-off the holiday season with its second communitywide light display in conjunction with the Lost Neighborhood Tree Lighting ceremony on Nov. 28. All businesses and residents in downtown Jamestown are encouraged to decorate their storefronts, windows, buildings and doors for this event. Also this year, as a fundraiser for the Christmas parade, the DJDC will sell $1 holiday window decals. The decals will soon be available at a number of businesses throughout Jamestown. Additional holiday celebration events will include the Jamestown YWCA MistleToe Mart, a Christmas Parade Pre-Show, Christmas Tree Give-A-Way, Free Downtown Parking in December, Toys for Tots, Santa's Family Workshop, various holiday productions at the Reg Lenna Civic Center, and a Christmas parade fundraiser. The DJDC will also put on a free Christmas movie on Dec. 6. This year, the movie will be Babes in Toyland or March of the Wooden Soldiers. The location for this year's movie has not yet been determined, though DJDC officials are searching for a venue somewhat larger than last year's. For more infromation on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com |
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa to host Beer & Wine Festival
| Findley Lake, N.Y., October 16, 2008 – Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa will host its annual Beer & Wine Festival on Saturday, October 25, 2008. The festival will take place from 3 to 7 pm and will feature a combination of microbreweries, and local & regional wineries. Breweries scheduled to attend include Magic Hat, Southern Tier, Erie Brewing Co., Flying Bison Brewery, Great Lakes Brewing Co., Saranac and several others. Peek'n Peak is pleased to feature new wineries from the Finger Lakes Region including Heron Hill Winery, Catharine Valley Winery and Four Chimneys Organic Winery. Local favorites from the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail will also participate including Mazza Chautauqua, Noble Winery, Quincy Cellars and several others. Tickets are $25 pre-sale and $30 day of the event. This includes a tasting glass and 25 sampling tickets. You must be 21 years or older to attend the event. Tickets may be purchased online at pknpk.com or at your local Wegmans. Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa will once again host America's only ski slope Trail of Lights November 23 – December 23, 2008. Guests ride chairlifts and are taken high above fourteen separate themed areas of large colorful and animated light displays. The twenty minute ride will leave guests with an everlasting memory of Peek'n Peak! Tickets are $5 per person; rides will be available Wednesday-Sunday from 6 pm to 9 pm. Special group and fundraiser options are available. For more information about these upcoming events and more, visit pknpk.com or call 716-355-4141. About Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa Established in 1964, Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa, in Findley Lake, NY, is a regional destination for golf and snow sports, 30 minutes east of Erie, PA and 30 minutes west of Jamestown, NY. The resort features two highly acclaimed golf courses, 27 ski slopes and trails, 10 miles of cross country terrain, exquisite day spa, fine dining, and a vast selection of accommodations and other amenities, as well as a prestigious RCI Gold Crown rating. Each year, the Peek welcomes over 450,000 visitors. For more information, visit www.PKnPK.COM. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com |
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Bemus Bay Condos May Have People Moving In This Week
By Dennis Phillips dphillips@post-journal.com POSTED: October 19, 2008 Paul Goldberg, Bemus Point Investments LLC co-developer, said things are going well with the final stages of construction at the condominiums. However, he did say a fire pump had to be repaired after an accident occurred, which caused flooding in an equipment room. Goldberg said once the condos receive a certificate of occupancy, people will be able to move in to their residence. ''Within a week, people could move in,'' he said. Goldberg said construction has been completed in the common areas of the complex, with only unsold condos still needing work to be done. ''The only thing left to do is the units, which we do to the specifications of those who purchase them,'' he said. At this point, Goldberg said around 50 percent of the condos have been purchased, which he said is a good sign. ''Half the units sold before there is moving in is a good record for any condominium project,'' he said. ''The county is changing every day as we continue to sell units. We will continue to see sales throughout the winter I think.'' Lee Chilcote, Bemus Point Investments LLC co-developer, said he is very proud of the project. ''(Bemus Bay condominiums) are distinguishable from everything else lakeside,'' he said. ''There is a lot of character in these buildings. We wanted this project to blend into the community and I'm pleased that it does that very well.'' The condominiums are year-round homes that offer residents the benefits of the Chautauqua Lake region's various seasonal activities. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/ | |||
National Mortgage Crisis Not Affecting Bemus Bay Condos
By Dennis Phillips dphillips@post-journal.comPOSTED: October 19, 2008 Rumors that the project's developers, Bemus Point Investments LLC, had declared bankruptcy is ''absolute untrue,'' said Steve Holt of Howard Holt Hanna Real Estate, who is serving as project coordinator. He said the condominium project, which started construction in September 2007 and is located along Lakeside Drive, has sold close to 50 percent of its nearly 40 available spots. Holt said the rumors swirling about the project may be due to the national mortgage crisis. ''Frankly there are so many rumors stemming from what people are seeing in the national media that we are not seeing locally,'' he said. ''Banks have money to lend. Jamestown Savings Bank is doing the construction financing and mortgages for moving in (to the condominiums), along with other banks too.'' Holt said the project is going well, especially considering everything that has been going on nationally with mortgages and the economy. ''Once they are completed, we have a lot of people interested in moving in,'' he said. ''We were at about 42 percent (occupancy), but we sold a couple more and are now closer to 50 percent.'' Holt said there was a short delay in construction, but that was quickly fixed. ''Some things were delayed a little bit due to parts available for elevators, things of that nature,'' he said. ''That has all been corrected. It's all fully operational.'' Holt said the condominiums are going for $399,000 to $650,000, depending on the condo's floor plan. Howard Holt Hanna Real Estate is the project's marketing agent and has an office on site with an agent available from noon to 5 p.m. every day of the week. A tour route is available to allow visitors to see the various types of condominium homes available. The condominiums consist of two buildings, named Browning and Columbian, with architecture reminiscent of the two hotels that once inhabited the site. The low-rise building construction and site plan configuration were designed by Jamestown-headquartered Harrington Sandberg Architects and Engineers to blend into the surroundings of the villag, which was founded in 1806. Each of the homes at Bemus Bay, http://www.bemusbaycondos.com,/ offers a private boat slip at the new docks recently installed in Chautauqua Lake and owner conveniences including secured entry, handicapped access, elevator service, a covered garage and reserved parking spaces. Four different floor plans with three bedrooms and two or three baths include air conditioning, granite countertops, master suites with a whirlpool bath and easy access to the property's heated swimming pool. All homes feature a private balcony or porch with views of Chautauqua Lake, and Chautauqua Institution is a short trip away by car or boat. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com |
Friday, October 17, 2008
Chautauqua County Woman turning 107
Posted By: Dave McKinley  While "horse and buggy days" is a phrase often bandied about, very few people these days can say they actually experienced them. Ruth Brant can. She was born October 22, 1901, while the nation was mourning the death of President William McKinley who had been assassinated in Buffalo the month before. It was two years before the Wright brothers first took flight, and cars were a rare sight indeed where she lived in Bemus Point. Nearly 107 years and 10 miles away, Ruth Brant resides at the Loyalton of Lakewood Senior Assisted Living Center, where she keeps active through a host of scheduled activities and has become a favorite among staff and residents alike. She also reads the newspaper every day. Asked by Two on Your Side what she believes the key to living such a long life is, she replied much as one might expect. "Don't drink, and don't smoke," Brant said. Longevity seems to run in her family. All three of Ruth's children are expected to celebrate her birthday with her next Wednesday, including her eldest daughter Betty who either skies or hikes mountain trails near her home in Utah on a daily basis. Betty is 85. With a presidential election coming up, it's an interesting exercise to figure out how many presidents have served since you've been alive. In Ruth's case, the answer is 18....and three of those presidents served before women like herself were allowed to vote. WGRZ, wgrz.com For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/ |
Monday, October 13, 2008
Peek’n Peak Owner Denies Bankruptcy Reports
By Dennis Phillips, dphillips@post-journal.com POSTED: October 13, 2008 Kiebler said he suspects a few recently laid-off employees are ''creating a stir'' with the rumors of the resort's potential finacial demise. ''(The bankruptcy rumor) is the farthest thing from the truth,'' he said. ''We've remolded some of the hotel, done a lot of improvements. We're excited about the winter season coming.'' Less than a year after purchasing Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa in 2006, Kiebler, president of Kiebler Recreation LLC and Kiebler Properties LLC, announced that $280 million would be invested in the facility during a 10-year period. However, a year after Kiebler's statement, a number of factors led to speculation that Peek'n Peak's development plan was unachievable and that the resort itself was in financial jeopardy. At least five lawsuits were filed against Kiebler and Peek'n Peak within a year for nonpayment of services and materials rendered. Another issue with the resort included National Grid sutting off power to the facility last spring. The resort began running its own on-site power generation plant for about a month until a financial agreement was reached with National Grid to reconnect power. Kiebler said the facility is still working on some of its issues, but is looking forward to the resort's winter season. ''We're up when it comes to advance deposits for rooms and preseason ski pass sales are real strong,'' he said. ''We had a good summer, with golf numbers up 12 percent. Revenues are up, which is surprising with this economy.'' Even though Kiebler says the resort is stable, he admits plans for a 72-unit condominimum Camelot II and a 42-unit townhouse facility titled Stoney Creek have been put on hold. ''We put the idea on hold until we know what is going on with the bailout situation in Washington,'' he said. ''A prudent business person puts construction ideas on hold until the economy comes back. With the residential market the way it is, it's hard to get excted about building new homes.'' For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com |
Monday, September 22, 2008
Chautauqua County 34th year, Busti Apple Festival
BUSTI - Now in its 34th year, the Busti Apple Festival offers something for everyone. Whether it's that first bite into a fresh and juicy apple, interest in one of the many demonstrations of life in the 19th century, handmade crafts, or locally grown produce, people ''just seem to love it.'' ''For whatever reason, people just seem to love the festival,'' Norman Carlson, the festival publicity chairman, said. ''We are the first of this kind of craft fair in Western New York or northwestern Pennsylvania, and I think we're still the most well-known and the most well-liked. If imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, then we are very, very flattered.'' This year, the festival will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds around the Busti Grist Mill and Museum. Admission is $3 for adults. Children under 12 can get in free. No pets are allowed. Parking is free and available at the fireman's grounds. For a small fee, festivalgoers can park in various private parking lots near the festival. ''We're looking forward to it,'' Carlson said. ''It takes 100 people to put the festival together and get it in action. It's an awful lot of work, but it's worth it.'' The Busti Apple Festival is sponsored by the Busti Historical Society. Chartered by the state Department of Education, the Historical Society has what Carlson called ''an educational duty to preserve and teach.'' ''It's so important to pass these old skills on down,'' Carlson said. ''It's our duty to preserve and teach these historic, local skills. That's why this festival is so important. It reminds us of how we got to where we are today.'' Some of the proceeds from the fesitival will go toward the restoration of the historic Grist Mill, which dates to 1838. ''We want to have it brought back up to a condition where we can run it,'' Carlson said. ''It's important to us. We want the Grist Mill's condition to reflect its status at a period when it was used commercially.'' The Grist Mill was built in 1838 by Herman Bush, one of the early settlers of Busti. It ground locally-grown grain for both humans or animals, which made it the driving economic force for the town in a time when a transportation network didn't exist. As transportation advanced, the Grist Mill was unique because it produced flower in spite of intense competition from Jamestown and elsewhere. That changed in 1910, though, and for the next few decades the mill produced only animal grist. It closed its doors in 1959 or 1960. One big part of the apple festival will be the 19th Century life and pioneer skill demonstrations. ''We'll have 30 demonstrations,'' Carlson said. ''They will include log hewing, blacksmithing, candle dipping, quilting, dyeing and operating a cream separator.'' Other demonstrations will include trapping, bee keeping, leather work, knitting, spinning and grain grinding. The historic demonstrations will also include one done in a one-room schoolhouse demonstration that will take place at three different times throughout the festival. There will also be 130 craft vendors at the apple festival. Their wares will include wood furniture, jewelry, lawn ornaments, candles, knitted and crocheted items, ceramics, holiday decor, appliqued t-shirts and sweatshirts, towels and dishcloths, panted slate, homemade fudge and candy. In addition, there will be a number of activities for children, such as temporary tattoos, sand art, and the opportunity to stuff a teddy bear. The Farmer's Market, which includes only local growers, will feature Franklin's Honey, Big Tree Maple, Abers Acres and the Bavarian Nut Co. ''We'll have a number of home-made products available for sale,'' Carlson said. ''We'll have candied apples for the kids, apple cider by the gallon or by the cup, apple pie and other things that include cheese, funnel cake, hamburgers, hot dogs, pop, coffee and chili.'' At noon, the Steve Johnson Band will play an outdoor concert at one end of the Busti Firemen's Grounds. Familiar to many in the area, the members are experienced musicians. Many of them have an established following as members of Big Leg Emma. Busti's own Amanda Barton is one of the band members who has also been with Big Leg Emma since its inception. Steve Johnson and Steve Davis are also members of Big Leg Emma. T.R. Mckotch and Left Davis round out the Steve Johnson Band. ''They're a big draw for the younger crowd and we're so happy to have them playing at the festival,'' Carlson said. ''They're contemporary rock with a folk influence.'' Carlson said the Allegheny River String Band will also perform in the Grist Mill, which will be open for tours throughout the festival. The festival will also include the Pennsylvania 111th Volunteer Infantry, a regiment of Civil War re-enactors. ''The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society will also have a booth, where they'll display a number of restored documents,'' Carlson said. ''They've restored the 1854 Chautauqua County wall map, the 1856 Jamestown wall map, and the 1881 Jamestown atlas.'' Busti introduced the festival concept in the southwestern New York area in 1972 with the Pioneer Craft Festival. The first Busti Apple Festival was held in 1975. For more infotmation on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com | |||
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Foliage in Chautauqua County
or Call 800-CALL-NYS Upcoming Events Silver Creek Festival of Grapes September 18-21 September 18-21 Quilting Around Chautauqua September 26-28 Busti Apple Festival September 28 October 17-18 Saints and Sinners Cemetery Tours October 18 & 25 October 11-12 & 18-19 Beer and Wine Festival at Peek'n Peak October 25 November 1-2 & 8-9 For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/ |
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Chautauqua Businesses Report Strong Summer Season
| By Benjamin Klein bklein@post-journal.com As the summer comes to an end, preliminary reports from area businesses indicate a successful season. Business owners have attributed the strong summer to the combination of scenic weather and lower gas prices in the month of August. Though there are no official numbers yet on the success of the season for the area, reports from local business owners have been positive. From businesses in the areas surrounding Chautauqua Lake to Randolph, reports indicate that people did in fact vacation closer to home this summer. Andrew Nixon of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau said it was a very strong summer, even if it was not as strong as last year, which was a banner year for the county. Lodging at hotels, camps and condominiums during the months from June through August was very strong. Such a positive turnout for the area may seem surprising with increased gas prices and a slight economic downturn, but this was beneficial for summer tourism visitation patterns. ''I think Americans in general may have been traveling more carefully with less frequent trips. We are a great choice for travelers in our market areas. People in our radius from Cleveland, Buffalo and Rochester rediscovered our area,'' Nixon said. Dan Dalpra, owner of the Italian Fisherman in Bemus Point, reported a strong season after a slower start at the beginning of summer due to the higher gas prices. ''We were real pleased, a big finish to the season with nice weather and attractions,'' Dalpra said. The successful tourism season for August coincides with the decrease in gas prices. For area business owners Matt Anderson, manager of Camp Chautauqua and Summer Wind co-owner Marlyn Brainard, August brought visitors in for a strong finish to the summer. ''We had a strong August with a considerable amount of local people and more people from the Buffalo area,'' Brainard said. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/ |
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