Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

OLEAN, NY -- The 42nd Annual Greater Olean Area Home and Garden Show welcomed more than 3,569 visitors April 12-14 (about 300 less attendees than last year). Seventy-four vendors were on hand to display and demonstrate products from hot tubs, to gardening supplies, along with heating and cooling systems. The event, hosted by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, was co-sponsored by their forty-eight corporate sponsors. The vendors at the Home and Garden Show were enrolled in a contest for “Best Booth” based on neatness, presentation, props, information, and theme-related. The theme this year is “Where Inspiration Becomes Reality.” Winners for 2013 Greater Olean Area Home and Garden Show go to BEST USE OF THEME – Lee’s Wine & Beer, BEST OVERALL BOOTH – Scott’s Landscaping. Congratulations to both and thanks to the judges for their time and coordination. Prizes are discounts on 2014’s Greater Olean Area Home and Garden Show rental. The winners of the Times Herald/Greater Ol...

OLEAN – Fifty units and more than 812 adults and children took part in the 27th Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade held Friday, November 23 in downtown Olean. Judging for this season’s parade was done by Al Wager, National Grid Co.; Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean; and Lori Babcock of Microtel Inn of Olean. The Elves Award, sponsored by Family Partners Group, a float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; went to Hinsdale Cub Scout Pack . Angelic Spirit Award sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, awarded to the Greater Olean Association of Churches as the most spiritual/religious float or unit. Blitzen Award, sponsored by Times Herald went to Continental School of Beauty as the most photogenic float; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn of Olean, the best theatrical (music/dance) float was awarded to Rock-it-Out DJing and Olean Dance Arts ; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., for the float with t...

OLEAN -- Officials at Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce have announced that the 44th Annual Chamber Clambake was a great success. The clambake was held Wednesday, June 13th, at new location, Premier Banquet Center, Olean. Nancy Morgan, Membership Director, states, “The Clambake is a great kickoff to the summer with fun, food, music and prizes for our Chamber members and guests. This year’s attendance was 632 Chamber members and guests. The event is sponsored by the forty-nine corporate sponsors.” Chamber member, the Premier Banquet Center, catered the event. The restaurant served up Beef on Wyck, Clams Casino, Clam Chowders, Sausage Sandwiches, BBQ Chicken, Hot Dogs, and BBQ Ribletts. The next event for the Chamber is the Annual Corporate Challenge Run/Walk Wednesday, June 27. For more information on upcoming Chamber events, please contact the office at 372-4433 or events@oleanny.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

OLEAN – Fifty-three units and more than 1,125 adults and children -- including our own Scott Douglas -- took part in the 26th Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade held Friday, November 25 in downtown Olean. Judging for this season’s parade was done by Al Wager, National Grid Co.; Paula Snyder, Jamestown Community College; Max Bullers, Home Depot of Olean; and Lori Babcock of Microtel Inn of Olean. The Elves Award, sponsored by Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, a float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; went to Cub Scout Pack 621. Angelic Spirit Award sponsored by Mandy’s Flowers, awarded to Archbishop Walsh Academy as the most spiritual/religious float or unit. Blitzen Award, sponsored by Times Herald went to The-Connection as the most photogenic float; Jingle Bells Award, sponsored by Microtel Inn of Olean, the best theatrical (music/dance) float was awarded to Rock-it-Out DJing and Olean Dance Arts; The Rudolph Award, sponsored by National Grid Co., ...

OLEAN -- The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce will honor the contributions of Paul Brown Motors with the 2011 Enterprising Business award given by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. The award honors those who exemplify the enterprising spirit of community and commercial growth in the greater Olean community and will be presented at the GOACC 106th Annual Dinner scheduled for Thursday, November 2, at Premier Banquet Center. Napoleon Engineering Services will also be recognized at the 2011 Annual Dinner with the Enterprising Business award, and Tom Buffamante with the 2011 L.O.U.I.E. Award (information on these two awards out later this week). Paul Brown Motors was incorporated in 1952 as a Dodge car and truck dealer. The business was sold by Mr. Paul Brown to John Brairton in 1984. John was formerly a Chevrolet dealer in Honeoye Falls, NY but knew Olean well as a graduate of St Bonaventure University. Terry Brairton joins the family business in 1994. Business grows steadi...

OLEAN -- The final tallies from the ninth annual Rally in the Valley are in and organizers from Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce are very pleased with the outcome. With the success of the event, they will be able to gift $10,000.00 to local charities. Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center; the ReHabilitation Center; the Dempsey Club; Olean Airport Support Group; Mercy Flight; OHS Sports Boosters; South Olean Football; and Southern Tier Military Support Group are all recipients of the event’s proceeds. With this year’s donations, the Rally in the Valley has been able to give more than $160,000.00 to local charities. Rally in the Valley was introduced to the area by local business leaders who saw what other communities have done with similar events and wanted to bring that same type of experience to Olean. They knew the event would draw many people from outside the area and the longer they ran the event the larger it would grow. In addition, they knew there were many bikers in th...

OLEAN – Community Bank, NA is proud to be the Thursday night sponsor of the 9th Annual Rally in the Valley. The Rally in the Valley, to be held August 25-28, is a motorcycle fundraiser event, which benefits a host of local organizations. Community Bank is a wholly owned national banking subsidiary of Community Bank System, Inc. (CBSI), and is the second-largest commercial banking franchise headquartered in Upstate New York. It is a full-service financial institution, offering complete consumer, business, and financial services. Community Bank will be the sponsor of a new day with the Rally; Thursday’s Banking on a Good Time Street Dance. The dance, a family affair, will be located downtown on Laurens Street at North Union Street. The band, Wildfire will entertain throughout the dance with hours 7 – 10 PM. This year marks the first year the rally will expand into four-days. In 2008, the event went to three-days. “We’re proud to be involved in the addition of a street dance during ...

OLEAN -- The City of Olean and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce deemed the second annual Greater Olean Area Outdoor & Rec Sports Show held this weekend a continued success with more than 1,100 visitors. The show which featured 47 vendors encompassed the William O. Smith Recreation Center, War Veterans Park, and Bradner Stadium. The 3-D Archery Stadium Shoot by Windfall Archery on Saturday attracted 19 contestants. Many participated in the Charlie’s Cycle Center Off Road Course and Lake Lane Resort Fishing Pond. A Companion Retriever Hunting Contest (C.R.H.C.) sponsored by Jim Beverly Retriever Training was held with the focus on actual hunting scenarios for both field and water hunting. The William O. Smith Rec Center field and swimming pools were used in the challenge. Ryan Young of Newstead, NY with his dog, Gunner won the Stage Two (higher skill level) and Larry Tarnacki, of Alden, NY with his dog, Jay won the Stage One (beginning level). The winners of the Grea...

OLEAN -- For the third year in a row, basketball lovers can enjoy traveling I-86 and playing in three Gus Macker Tournaments - Jamestown, Hornell, and Olean. The three Gus Mackers and Community Bank, NA are sponsoring the 3 on 3 by three I-86 Trifecta. The I-86 Trifecta will recognizes players who participate in the 3 tournaments in the Southern Tier: Jamestown (just held June 5, 6); Hornell (July 24, 25); and Olean (August 21, 22) with a complimentary I-86 Trifecta shirt. New this year, all players that are designated as I-86 Trifecta players will be eligible to win a free team in 2011 from the three trifecta cities! Last year’s Olean Gus Macker event was a huge success with two hundred eighty five teams playing, an increase of 44 teams (18.2%) over 2008 tournament. The tournament had 1,140 registered players - an increase of 176. The I-86 Trifecta recognized 80 players who participated in the 3 tournaments in the Southern Tier. To register for the Trifecta, please visit the web...

OLEAN -- Coed 4 A Cause (C4C) will be hosting several sporting events this year to raise money for Forness field improvements and local charities and causes. C4C is a not for profit organization created to show the local community that through some hard work and fun and local business support that anything can be achieved. C4C hosted the Snow Mushball Tourney in February and now is scheduling the 1st Ever Co-Ed Softball OVERNIGHT Memorial Day Tournament which will run from Friday, May 28 through SAturday May 29 at Forness Fields in Olean. Games will begin at 6 PM on Friday at all Forness Fields, proceeding through midnight and into Saturday with finals planned for 6 PM. Some regulations are teams are 5 men/5 women or 6 men/6 women and must alternate in field and batting order; men must use wooden bats; limit of 16 teams; entry fee of $150.00. Chinese auctions, raffles, tee shirt sales, food vendors, and home run derby are planned. The tournament drawing will be held Thursday, May ...

OLEAN -- The Harlem Wizards, founded in 1962, are one of the greatest basketball show-team organizations to ever "lace it up and let 'em fly." They have scheduled a basketball game in Olean against the Olean High School Faculty and Gus Macker Community Members on Tuesday, May 18 at the Olean High School. Each event that the Harlem Wizards perform offers a rare combination of individual athleticism, teamwork, entertainment and community involvement. It is pure enjoyment for every fan in attendance. Advance tickets are $8 for students (K-12) and $10 for adults, with tickets at the door $10 and $12. Tickets can be purchased until Monday, May 17 at all Olean elementary schools, Olean Middle School, Olean High School and the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, 120 North Union Street, Olean. Game time is 6:30 PM on May 18th with doors opening at 6 PM. A free autograph session is also scheduled at the game. Refreshments and souvenirs will be on sale during the game. The...

OLEAN -- Two groups and seven individuals have been named recipients of the 2010 Good News Awards given by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC). The awards honor those who enrich the community by their work and activities and will be presented at the annual Good News Award Ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 20, at the Premier Banquet Center, 2000 Constitution Avenue, in Olean. “The Good News Ceremony that the GOACC organizes annually allows the community to recognize individuals and organizations for their contributions in building a strong, dynamic and prosperous neighborhood,” said Meme Krahe Yanetsko, Chief Operating Officer of Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Yanetsko added, “These fine people are your neighbors, your friends, and they represent all that is good about this community in which we live and work. These extraordinary individuals contribute to the well-being of this area and give us all a reason to feel proud to be a part of this community.” The C...