SPECIAL SHORTS (12/26/2008)
By Gerlind Dubey

A HEALTHY, HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL

New Year is not only meant for prayers, celebrations and traditions but also to make new memories and create jovial moment. The New Year is a time to giggle with friends and family, have loads of fun and store them into a diary of favorite memories

Holiday Valley New Years Eve Celebration-Fireworks –Plus the Traditional Torchlight Parade
Holiday Valley rings in the New Year with live music from 9-1 –bring you family and join your friends, ski, ride and party at the most happening spot around. The Torchlight Parade begins at 11:30 Watch a fantastic display of Fireworks overhead as you bring in 2009.
Face it. Most New Year’s resolutions have the shelf life of a gallon of milk left in car on a July afternoon. You’re lucky if they last a week. So why do we make them?

Pondering My 2009 Resolutions

• I resolve... I resolve to... I resolve to, uh... I resolve to, uh, get my, er... I resolve to, uh, get my, er, off-line work done, too!
• I will stop checking my e-mail at 3:00 in the morning... 4:30 is much more practical. When I hear a funny joke I will not reply, “LOL... LOL!”
• I will stop sending e-mail, ICQ, Instant Messages and be on the phone at the same time with the same person.
• I will try to figure out why I *really* need 9 e-mail addresses. I will stop sending e-mail to my roommate.
• I resolve to work with neglected children... my own.
• I will answer my snail mail with the same enthusiasm I answer e-mail.
• I will stop using, “So, what’s your URL?” as a conversation starter
• I will spend less than five hour a day on the Internet.
• I will limit my top ten lists to ten items.
• I will read the manual... just as soon as I can find it.

I Gotta Tell You… that new Vibra Trim workout machine over at the new Natures Remedy Holistic Health and Wellness Center is the Cat’s Pajamas. I mean it’s BONKIN! You boarders don’t have the market on strange terms.

In Ellicottville… Coffee shops are becoming as plentiful as condo’s! And newspapers!

What’s on your agenda for 2009? If it’s more vigorous physical activity then Snowshoeing might be the answer. Snowshoeing offers participants the peaceful, quiet serenity of a snow-covered landscape, it’s a great activity for the body and soul, and can be mastered after only a few steps; if you can walk you can snowshoe! It’s a Snowshoeing fact that burn 45% more calories snowshoeing than walking or running at the same speed, in my opinion, after several falls while walking, snowshoeing is a lot safer! Snowshoeing is a cross-training conditioning sport, offering a low-impact, safe form of exercise. It is ideal for anyone interested in an aerobic workout combined with strength training and muscle endurance.

Winter cross country trails are in abundance at Holiday Valley, HoliMont so if the rest of your crew is enjoying a day on the slopes you too can join them for lunch. These trails are often packed, and well marked making them perfect for novice to expert (a nearly immediate learning curve) snowshoeing participants. Allegheny State Park- The Art Roscoe Ski Touring Area offers 35 miles plus of some of the finest groomed cross country skiing, and snowshoeing trails in the Northeast. Rentals are available at the Summit Mountain Shop.

Pfeiffer Nature Center at the Nature Center office, 14 S. Main St. the Pfeiffer Nature Center is offering snowshoe rentals throughout the winter season. Snowshoeing is a fantastic way to explore the beauty of the winter landscape. Currently available are four adult-size and two child-size pairs, at weekend rates of $20 per pair or $30 for two pair, or at daily rates of $8 for adults and $5 per child. Pfeiffer members receive a 10 percent discount off all rentals. Reservations for all rentals are required. For more information or to reserve, call the Nature Center office at 933-0187.