Give the gift of WNY this holiday season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact

Christine A. Smyczynski

explorewny@att.net

Give the Gift of Western New York this Holiday Season

November 24, 2009 (Getzville, NY). Do you have people on your holiday list who are difficult to buy for? Give them the gift of western New York! Western New York An Explorer’s Guide From Niagara Falls and Southern Ontario to the Western Edge of the Finger Lakes (The Countryman Press, 2008) by Christine A. Smyczynski, the only comprehensive travel guidebook to the region, makes the perfect holiday gift for the person who has everything. The book, written for locals as well as tourists, is truly one size fits all!

Here are some gift suggestions using this book:

¨ A WNY Explorer’s Guide tucked into a gift basket full of regional specialties like Anchor Bar sauce, Webers mustard and Chef’s sauce.

¨ Handing your party host a bottle of wine made locally in one of the area’s wineries, along with a copy of WNY Explorer’s Guide, so they can explore wineries on their own.

¨ How about sending a copy of the book to out of town relatives, so they can see what they are missing and they will come and visit more often.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless. If you’d like a signed copy of the book, author Christine Smyczynski will be participating in the “One Stop Buffalo Book Signing” at the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, 25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo, Saturday November 28 from 12-2pm. Over 20 local authors will be on hand to meet the public and sell and sign their books.

If you can’t make the event at the historical society, the book, which retails for $21.95, is also available at bookstores, specialty retailers, museum shops and online at www.countrymanpress.com, www.buffalobooks.com and www.amazon.com.

For more information about the book, visit the book’s website http://explorewny.home.att.net or visit Christine Smyczynski’s blog www.explorewesternnewyork.blogspot.com for information about local events and attractions. You can also follow WNY Explorer’s Guide on www.facebook.com

The author writes travel articles for numerous publications, including The Buffalo News, Western New York Family, Buffalo Spree, Lake Erie Living and the Democrat & Chronicle.

If you do not wish to receive future press releases, send an e-mail with the subject “unsubscribe” and you will be removed from the mailing list.

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Holiday fun in Elmira

I had an article in today's paper about Holiday events in Corning NY. Here is some additional info. about Elmira that got cut from the article.

Holiday fun in nearby Elmira

Take some time to explore the nearby city of Elmira, just a short drive from Corning. Author Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) wrote many of his well-known works here, as his wife, Olivia, was an Elmira native. The Clemens spent their summers here and both are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira.

To learn more about Elmira, take one of the tours of the city’s Victorian Near West Side Historic District, which are offered by tour guide Samuel Draper. Over 20 homes in this district are used for his tours. During December the homes are decorated for the holidays in Victorian style. After the first of the year the homeowners will begin decorating for Valentine’s Day. I haven’t had the opportunity to go on any of his tours yet, but after looking at the website, this will definitely be on my to-do list in the near future.

To get into the Christmas spirit, stop by the Christmas House in Elmira, a unique gift shop located in an 1894 Queen Anne Victorian style mansion. (see photo above) “Our name is a bit of a misnomer,” said owner and E.I.C. (elf in charge) Julie Delgrosso. “Although at Christmas we scream Christmas, we also carry gifts for all occasions. We are especially proud of the number of products that we carry that are either locally made or represent our area or region.” The shop carries thing like ornaments, wooden replicas of historical buildings, Mark Twain books, and much more.

Another unique place to shop near Elmira is a store called Oldies but Goodies in Big Flats. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit it yet, but I’ve hear it’s really nice. It has over 12,000 square feet of retail space and they carry a variety of times including furniture, home décor, collectibles, and more displayed in 50 separate rooms.

Near West Side tours (607-732-1436, http://www.historicnearwestside.com/ ) Tours are by appointment. $12/per person.

The Christmas House (607-734-9547http://www.christmas-house.com/) 361 Maple Avenue, Elmira.

Oldies but Goodies (607-562-7416, http://www.oldiesbutgoodiesinc.com/ ) NY 352 and Carpenter Road, Big Flats

Peak 'n Peak Polka Festival

Here's a press release I got from Peak 'n Peak resort a few weeks ago about an event this weekend.

Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa to Host First Annual Peak Polka Fest

Findley Lake, N.Y., October 30, 2009 – Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa will host the first annual Peak Polka Fest November 13 & 14, 2009. The festival begins Friday evening at 7pm with live entertainment from polka DJ Kenny Olowin and The City Side Band. The festival continues Saturday at noon with a polka party in the Regency Pub (located inside the Inn at the Peak). The polka party will include drink specials, Polish food and traditional polka music.

The Joe Matczak Band will take the stage Saturday, November 14 beginning at 3pm in the Main Ski Lodge. A traditional polish menu will be available featuring pierogis, cabbage rolls, sausage sandwiches and more. Following the Joe Matczak Band the festival continues with the sounds of Jimmy K. and Ethnic Jazz, and The Knewz. Polish folk artists and dancers will also be on-hand during the event, which ends at 2:00am.

Admission is; $7 (adults), $5 (juniors) on Friday, and $12 (adults), $7 (juniors) on Saturday. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Lodging packages are available and include accommodations at the Inn at the Peak, admission to the festival and Peek’n Peak’s award-winning champagne brunch on Sunday. For more information on lodging or this event, visit www.pknpk.com or call 716-355-4141 ext. 7154.

Event Schedule:
Friday, November 13 at the Main Ski Lodge
7pm – DJ Kenny Olowin
8pm-11pm – The City Side Band

Saturday, November 14 at the Regency Pub
12pm-3pm – Polka Party at the Pub with DJ Kenny Olowin
3pm-4:30pm – Joe Matczak Band
4:30pm-6:00pm – Jimmy K. and Ethnic Jazz
6:00pm-7:30pm – The Knewz
7:30pm-9:00pm – Joe Matczak Band
9:00pm-10:30pm – Jimmy K. and Ethnic Jazz
10:30pm-12:00am – The Knewz
12:00am-2:00am – DJ Kenny Olowin


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

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Carrie Longstreet
Marketing Manager
Peek'n Peak Resort & Spa
1405 Olde Road - PO BOX 360
Findley Lake, NY 14736-0360
716.355.4141 ext. 7394
clongstreet@pknpk.com
www.pknpk.com

All you can eat pancakes...yummy

If you don't feel like cooking this Sunday morning, November 8, head to the A.J. Jurek Post located at Smith and New Roads in East Amherst for their monthly all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. And since Veteran's Day is coming up, what better way to support our local veterans. You can watch the pancakes cook right before your eyes on a huge griddle that is probably as old as some of the post members. Breakfast includes pancakes, two types of sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice. Everything is all-you-can-eat, not just the pancakes. Food is served 8am-1pm. Adults $6, children under 12 $3, under 5 free.

Polar Express at Fredonia Opera House Nov. 6

Below is a press release I received from the Fredonia Opera House

1891 Fredonia Opera House
9 Church St.,
PO Box 384
Fredonia, NY 14063
716-679-0891
http://www.fredopera.org/


Opera House to Screen “The Polar Express” FREE
as part of Family Night at the Movies
FREDONIA – The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present the animated feature film “The Polar Express” on Fri., Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the D.R. Barker Library as part of Family Night at the Movies, admission to the film is FREE.

Family Night at the Movies features films based on or that inspire books for children. The series was developed as a way for adults to share the excitement of reading and great family entertainment with the children in their lives. The Book Nook has donated several copies of the book, which will be given away in a drawing before the film.

In “The Polar Express,” the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away”) reunite for an inspiring adventure about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary magical train ride to the North Pole. In doing so, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” combines classic storytelling with a highly advanced version of motion capture technology developed and tailored to meet Zemeckis’ uncompromising vision. It was the first feature film ever to be shot entirely in this format. Rated PG for fantasy adventure action, “The Polar Express” runs 99 minutes.

Free admission tickets are available only at the door on the night of the show. Seating is limited to 400; and patrons are reminded that there is no food or drink allowed in the Opera House and that all children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the Opera House at 716/679-1891 or visit http://www.fredopera.org/.

Chautauqua County’s only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported, not-for-profit organization located in the Village Hall in downtown Fredonia.

Year-round snow in Western New York at Snowpark Niagara

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Snowpark Niagara in downtown Niagara Falls, which was the site of the monthly Niagara Frontier Tourism Task Force meeting. After pizza and our business meeting, our group had a tour of the facility, which includes a NHL size skating rink, a 50 foot hill for tubing and snowboarding, a snow play area and even a miniature golf course.

The facility is open year-round, as they have snowmaking equipment. I wasn't brave enough to try out the hill, but a few people in our group tried out the tubing and they said it was a really fast ride. There were a lot of high school and college age dudes on the snowboarding hill.

The prices seemed reasonable, Adults are charged $13 for either tubing or snowboarding, plus skating, snowzone and golf. To do both tubing and snowbarding they would pay $20 for the deluxe ticket. Children's tickets are $11 or $18 for the deluxe ticket.

Snowpark Niagara Falls USA, 427 First Street, Niagara Falls, NY 1-877-TUBING, http://www.snowparkniagara.com/

Ellicottville Fall Festival

Yesterday my husband, our two youngest children and me went to the Ellicottville fall festival, which is always a fun time. We first went to Holiday Valley and rode up the ski lift. What a great way to see the fall foliage. We ate lunch at the top of the hill (hot dogs, hamburgers and Italian sausage). We then headed into the village of Ellicottville. It seemed that there were more crafters than usual. My daughter and I bought some mittens and also a hat for her; a good idea, since it's going to be cold the rest of this week! We all enjoyed candy apples and even had some maple cotton candy! We didn't have any of the pig roast, but it looked really interesting, yet unsettling at the same time. Too bad this festival only comes around one weekend a year.