SPECIAL SHORTS (11/21/2008)
By Gerlind Dubey

Believe it or not last Friday a few die- hard golfers were out there hitting the greens, and this week the greens are white with several feet of snow. Cattaraugus County residents woke to a Winter

Wonderland last Monday morning. The Tuesday morning headlines in the Buffalo News read “SNOW BURIES SOUTHERN TIER” -Most of Western New York escapes wintry blast that strikes Chautauqua, Cattaraugus.

What the heck do they mean by “escapes’ that my friend is not what this paper would have used for a headline- after all this is snow country, right? Special-E-Fects would have probably read with a much more positive note like; “WHOOO HOOO! 28 INCHES AND ITS STILL COMING!

CHEF SIGNATURE CATERING will be holding an open house on November 29 from 11 to 4. I’llbe heading to 5165 Bryant Hill next Saturday to “THE KITCHEN” Chef Brigid Marie Pommerenck will be serving up some of her special Pumpkin Pie to welcome visitors to her new little slice of heaven.

SANTAS CARNIVAL A Holiday event for all Cattaraugus County children through the 5th grade
December 11th from 3-5PM- at Cattaraugus Community Action, 25 Jefferson Street, Salamanca, New York.- features Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as the Grinch. Of course there will be a bag full of toys and gifts for all good girls and boys. There will be face painting, balloon animals, and a caricature artist on hand for holiday fun!  Every child leaves with prizes, decorations, toys, and homemade Christmas cookies and hot cocoa.

This is second year that CCA’s is sponsoring the event.  Each of CCA’s departments creates at least one game, craft, or contest for children. Interactive events may include creating Christmas tree decorations, Grinch bowling, and making holiday or get well cards for our military service men and women at Walter Reed Hospital, the limbo, and of course, photos with Santa and the Grinch.  CCA’s will also be raffling off a homemade gingerbread house, which is being donated by an Ellicottville resident.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE AT IMMANUEL CHURCH, OTTO NY Otto Immanuel Lutheran Church will hold a Thanksgiving Eve Service on November 26 at 7:30 pm. The public is invited. The Church is located on Otto East Otto Rd (County Rte 12), just east of town. For information, call 257-9581

THE LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY in association with the Olean Public library is increasing the amount of free computer tutoring available to the public beginning November. SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) of St. Bonaventure University is joining Literacy Volunteers to expand the computer tutoring program. SIFE volunteers have experience in teaching computer skills in other parts of the world and are excited to share their knowledge with the Olean area. This one-on-one tutoring is absolutely free and provided on a first-come, first-serve, sign-up basis. Adults can learn a variety of skills needed to operate a computer. Expanded hours for tutoring sessions will begin November 3, 2008, at the Olean Public Library and hours include: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5 until 9 p.m., Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information please call Literacy Volunteers at 716-375-8627 or stop by the office located within the Olean Public Library.

ALLEGANY NORDIC WILL SPONSOR A TRAIL WORKDAY on the Art Roscoe Trails Saturday, November 22nd at 9:00 A.M. Participants will hike or ski the trails to cut back vegetation and to remove fallen tree limbs. Participants will meet at the summit trailhead and are encouraged to bring brush clippers and warm waterproof gloves. A brief brownbag lunch meeting will follow to organize upcoming ski events and organization activities. Allegany Nordic is a group of cross country skiers from the twin tiers of New York and Pennsylvania dedicated to advancing the sport of cross-country skiing on the Art Roscoe Trails of the Allegany State Park through advocacy, charitable activities and trail stewardship.

THE CATTARAUGUS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING & TOURISM would like to announce a new web page for www.enchantedmountains.info featuring downloads for GPS of Points of Interest for visitors to and residents of Cattaraugus County. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mr. Williams at jjwilliams@cattco.org or by telephone at 938-2331.