Let Us Give Thanks

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It gives us time to pause and reflect on what we are grateful for, to reconnect with family, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and warm company. Thanksgiving allows us to slow down, live in the moment, and appreciate the people around us - perhaps something we should practice more often.

Count your blessings, my friends. We truly do have so much to be thankful for here in our slice of western New York - temps are dropping (for those of us who look forward to snow-covered hills), the Bills are on a winning streak (ahem… go Steelers!), and Katy’s Cafe just rolled out their winter drink menu which includes their signature peppermint mocha (my fave), Sunrise Mimosa and EVL Bloody, thanks to their newly secured liquor license.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Let’s share! I’ll start… I am thankful for back-up cameras, skateboarding in my 40s, and bifocals (I can’t believe I just said that). On a more sincere note, I am most thankful for my loving family, my caring friends, continued clear scans, and this entire community which I am proud to be a part of and call home.

I am also thankful for all the support and encouragement shown to my business since launching in 2010. I am truly humbled to have the backing of so many who see the value in this publication and the services my team offers. Each one of us encapsulates a passion for what we do. We love this town, we love the people, and we love to promote it all - the resorts, the outdoor recreation, the village life, and all the businesses that make it work.

#SHOPLOCAL

Speaking of businesses, you’ve heard it before, but it never hurts to be reminded of how important it is to #SHOPLOCAL. The holiday season is an especially great time to exercise this practice, and honestly, quite easy to do in our area, as we have some of the most wonderful and unique storefronts lining the sidewalks in Ellicottville and surrounding communities. These entrepreneurs pour their hearts into their offerings and they depend on us to help them provide food for their families, experiences for their kids, and simple joys for themselves.

As we approach Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, venture out to the independent retailers in your local community and shop til you drop. A few of my top picks here in the 14731 include the soft suede and shearling-lined shackets for men at Daff Dry Goods, Himalayan salt-inspired night lights and detox foot domes from Ellicottville Salt Cave, and simmer pots in aromas such as Gingerbread, Christmas Morning, or Eucalyptus at Nature’s Remedy. For our four-legged fur-babies, Wild Roamer has a new pet section filled with pet accessories and festive, flavorful snacks. And for all you Bills fans, Anzivino’s (formerly The Tee Bar) just received a fresh shipment of Rolling Stones x Bills Mafia crew necks and Josh Allen onesies.

CHRISTMAS IN ELLICOTTVILLE

Load up the car with all your favorite people and make your way to Ellicottville this weekend to kick off the holiday season in style as the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce presents “Christmas in Ellicottville” November 29th-December 1st. The annual celebration is filled with all the things that make this the most wonderful time of the year. Put that #SHOPLOCAL spirit in high gear and saunter the village’s walkable 4-block footprint on your search for all the perfect presents for everyone on your list. It’s the best way to pass the time as we anxiously await for the ski lifts to start spinning!

Christmas in Ellicottville will kick off Friday, November 29th with a special lighting ceremony of Ellicottville’s iconic Ski Tree located in front of the Post Office at 6:00pm. Gather ‘round with Santa and a complimentary hot cup of coca, and join the countdown to officially welcome in the season!

A full schedule of holiday-themed activities for kids and the kid at heart are planned throughout the weekend. Thanks to event sponsors, visitors can anticipate fire truck rides with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, real live reindeer, interactive crafts, holiday movies and more. Our favorite Christmas character, The Grinch, will be making an appearance at our local Tops Market both Friday and Saturday. Find him meandering the aisles between 11:00am and 6:00pm. Come decorate a cookie with the green guy, and snap a pic to show all your friends back home!

ERA TOYS FOR TOTS

Want to do good? ERA Team VP Real Estate has made it their mission this holiday season to ensure that every child has a gift to open Christmas morning. To celebrate the gift of giving, ERA staff invites the public to join their efforts by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to any of their office locations, including Ellicottville, by December 3rd. All items collected will be donated to the Toys for Tots campaign.

If your business is organizing a fundraising drive this holiday season - or anytime of year - let us in on the details so that we can share it with our readers. Email us at info@ellicottvilleNOW.com.

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Brenda Perks is the publisher of ellicottvilleNOW and owner of DesignPerks, a graphic design company affiliated with the local media/marketing agency, PaNDaGOAT Media. Reach Brenda directly at brenda@ellicottvillenow.com.

Let Us Give Thanks

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