[photo1]The Cordelian Club of Springville donated $10,000 to Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, the largest sum given since the club’s inception 48 years ago.The check was presented on May 10 to CEO Nils Gunnersen, to be used to purchase new infusion pumps and help renovate the parking ... more

A new exhibit has opened at the Cattaraugus County Museum, 9824 Route 16, in Machias. The exhibit is titled “From Forest to Farm,” and features a wide variety of tools, primarily representing agriculture and the lumber industry.The main showcase of the exhibit is a display of saws and sharpening tools on loan from the collection of Allan Fish of Great Valley, some dating back to 1809.Business hours for the museum are Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, call... more

[photo1]The annual Spring Community Show at the Springville Center for the Arts is underway. Local artists to be featured will include Judson Brown, Kathleen Raines, Tom Irish and Deborah Petronio of East Aurora. A reception will take place May 12 at 7 p.m. in the Harold L. Olmstead gallery and will include refreshments. The public is invited to meet these... more

The Cattaraugus County Department of the Aging announced the launch of the ProAct prescription drug discount program. Beginning May 14, ProAct will mail prescription discount cards to every household in Cattaraugus County. The discount card covers all prescription medications but cannot be used in conjunction with any other type of health insurance. Cards will be mailed to every Cattaraugus County household, the week of May 14. Various county agencies and municipalities will also receive a supply of cards for distribution to residents. One card can be used for the entire family, regardless of the age of the family member. The program is sponsored by the New York State Association of Counties... more

[photo1]Springville Health and Fitness Center is all about the community, from photographs of local history adorning the lobby walls to “Griffin Hall,” a hallway of fame featuring Springville-Griffith Institute student athletes and an education-centered attitude that invites clients of every age and fitness level to come in and give the new facility a try.Gerry Czora, operator and former owner of GC Fitness at 66 East Main St., said that he and his business partners chose to make the new facility all about the people it serves.“The owners wanted to keep this a premier facility,” he explained. “As it grew, it became this real group effort. Every one of the partners has input and we work together... more

Tops Friendly Markets has announced its 2012 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation charitable campaign.The fundraiser runs until Saturday, May 12. Customers can donate to the foundation by purchasing paper sneakers while checking out at any Tops Markets location. In addition to the paper sneakers, individual Tops stores will host hot dog sales, golf outings, walks and raffles to raise funds for the foundation. “Improving the lives of children is a mission for Tops,” said Frank Curci, Tops Markets president and CEO. “We have been able to give JDRF a substantial annual donation for more than two decades and we are committed to another successful campaign this year.”In 1993, a Tops Markets associate... more

[photo1]The Hulbert Library of the town of Concord has just completed its 17th year of operation in its new building.This year, circulation at the library totaled 102,629 materials. Approximately 3,735 new books and library materials have been added and new ones arrive weekly.Patrons made more than 58,000 visits in 2011 and used more than 25,000 books, newspapers and magazines.If a book is not available at the branch, it can be ordered from another library within the system. Deliveries are made five times weekly.The summer reading program will begin on Thursday, July 12. “Dream to Read,” a youth summer reading program, allows participants to read five books each week and receive a prize. Visit... more

[photo1]When Casie Sweeney was getting married, she came up short in her search for the perfect decorators. Since necessity is the mother of invention, Sweeney and her mother, Mary James, decided to start The Balloonery, an event decorating business of the type that Sweeney said she wished existed during her own planning process. “That was a large part of [why we decided to start the business],” Sweeney said. “I guess you could say it was our inspiration.”James, who also owns and operates Rhapsody’s Gifts on Main Street in Springville, said that a creative field like balloon decorating had long been her dream job. “It’s something I had always wanted to do. We love it. It’s great to be able to... more

[photo1]Many volunteers, donors, and dignitaries were in attendance on Saturday, April 21 to help celebrate the Trading Post Community Care Center’s re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Cutting the ribbon were trading post cofounders Todd and Linette Crelly and Davis Foundation representatives Mark and Nancy Davis.Judge Tim Frank officiated at the ceremony and Pastor Keith Clark of the Springville Crossing Church spoke and prayed. Springville Chamber of Commerce President David Field and Assemblyman Kevin Smardz also addressed the staff, donors and volunteers of the outreach center on behalf of the families throughout the surrounding communities who are assisted by the center. Field also thanked... more

Cattaraugus County Bank, in partnership with America’s Promise, a national, not-for-profit organization, will be selling red paper wagons for a donation from May 1 - 31. The red wagon is recognized as the symbol of America’s Promise.All proceeds will go into an America’s Promise fund at CCB and will be used to support various communities’ child-oriented requests. The AP Team at CCB has donated to Cattaraugus and Chautauqua county envirothons, New York State Special Olympics, area youth soccer, the Robert H. Jackson Middle School Reading Program, Franklinville boys varsity swim team, ASPIRE of WNY, Hunter’s Hope, Fire Department Children Safety Program, Blount Library Summer Reading Program, St.... more

[photo1]Although it is located within the city of Buffalo, the William Street Post Office, as well as the United States Postal Service’s intentions for that facility, still impact the town of Boston, according to the local town board.During its April 18 meeting, the Boston Town Board moved to adopt a resolution that “the decision to close the William Street postal facility be reassessed in light of the negative impact on local governments and business, the loss of jobs and that the postal facility ... be permanently kept open.” This resolution was passed unanimously by the board.Councilman Jay Boardway listed several reasons why he said he believed closing the Buffalo post office would have negative... more

[photo1]John Lauber, owner of Springville’s The Office, said that he always wanted to open up “the kind of bar I’d like to go to,” so when he was offered a buyout from his previous position in waste management in West Valley at about the same time the building at 189 West Main St. went up for sale, the pieces all fell into place. “I saw my opportunity and I took it. It was my dream to own a hometown bar and restaurant,” said Lauber. “It was just phenomenal how it all worked out.”That was 10 years ago and Lauber said his establishment is still going strong, thanks to his putting everything back into the business that he gets out of it. “When the economy’s hurting, so am I,” he said. “When it’s... more

[photo1][photo2]More than 40 food items from seven Southern Tier restaurants were featured at the annual Taste of the Southtowns, held at the Springville Fire Hall on April 22. Wagner and Winston and the Rustic Ramblers provided entertainment and a silent auction was also available. Proceeds went to benefit the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary in Delevan. Photos by Lizz... more

[photo1]Upcoming events at the Town of Concord Hulbert Library, 18 Chapel St, Springville, will include:An AncestryPlus.com workshop on May 7 from 6 - 8 p.m. This event is for anyone researching his or her family tree. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 592-7742.A Facebook® advanced workshop will be held Tuesday, May 8 from 10 a.m. - noon. Registrations are required.“Downloads 2 Go” will be held Tuesday, May 8, from 1 - 3 p.m. Attendees will be taught how to download library books for the Nook®, Kindle® and... more

LuLu Belle’s opened at 35a East Main St. on Saturday, April 14 to a large crowd of well-wishers.One of the newest businesses in town, LuLu Belle’s carries a wide selection of gifts and tchotchkes for people of all ages.Pictured is business owner Liesle Neureuther’s mother Betsy Priester displaying one of the many quilts available at... more

Emerling Ford of Springville and its Dealer Principal/President Carl Emerling received the President’s Award for the 15th year in a row. The award is given based on customers’ reporting their total satisfaction with doing business in sales and service at Emerling Ford. In addition, 12 Ford dealers out of more than 4,000 in the United States have won the award 15 consecutive times. “This award is the result of a lot of hard work by every one of our 86 dedicated employees. Every individual here works toward the common goal of [ensuring] our customers have the best possible experience and go the extra step to [ensure] that any customer’s experience is a great one,” said John Woodruff, who has... more

[photo1]West Valley Central School was awarded the Utica National Insurance Group’s “2012 School Safety Excellence Award.” Utica National officials recently presented the award at its school safety seminar in Olean.The program evaluates schools on 17 categories, from school playground safety to indoor air quality. Utica National insures more than 300 school districts in upstate New York.The award program has three levels, titanium, platinum and gold, in which schools can earn distinctions by meeting specific criteria. West Valley attained the highest level, titanium. In addition to a certificate, Utica National has awarded $500 to the West Valley Central School District for use in the safety... more

[photo1]Red’s Dogs and Cones, a new hot dog and ice cream shop featuring Sahlen’s hot dogs and custard ice cream, has opened at 17 East Main St. in Gowanda. The shop is owned by Bill Gugino.Hours are Sunday - Saturday from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. The outdoor patio is also... more

Tops Markets is offering its 50th Anniversary Monopoly® Collect and Win game, which allows customers to play every time they check out at a Tops Markets location.New this year, in conjunction with the store’s 50th anniversary, is the introduction of a $250,000 guaranteed cash payout. Up to 200 customers who find golden prize markers will have a chance to win this grand prize.Other prizes, amounting to a total value of $13 million, include various cash payouts, college tuition payments, gas points, televisions and other items, will be awarded.The game will be running through July 14, or as long as game tickets... more

[photo1]The former Blasdell Pizza on South Cascade Drive is now operating under the name Tim & Bonnie’s Pizza, although the business is under the same ownership.[photo2]No other changes will be made. A representative for the business said that the name change comes in preparation for the Blasdell Pizza corporation’s opening a new location in Ellicottville, an addition that is expected some time next f... more