Dream It Do It Western New York (DIDIWNY), the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST), the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) are joining manufacturers, schools, workforce partners, and communities across the region in celebrating Manufacturing Month throughout October. The monthlong observance highlights the critical role manufacturing plays in Western New York’s economy and the career opportunities available to the next generation.

In Chautauqua County alone, manufacturers generate approximately $5.1 billion in annual shipments, and manufacturing represents approximately 18% of the county’s workforce—more than twice the national share. New York State also identifies manufacturing as a foundational sector of Chautauqua County’s economy.

The impact of manufacturing is significant across the Southern Tier. The three-county region of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua, served by MAST, employs more than 18,000 people in manufacturing and generates approximately $7.5 billion in annual manufacturing shipments. Manufacturing represents approximately 15% of the three-county workforce, demonstrating the sector’s outsized importance to the regional economy.

Manufacturing continues to be one of the economic foundations of Western New York. Across the five-county region of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties, more than 1,600 manufacturers employ approximately 70,000 people and generate $26.8 billion in annual manufacturing shipments. Manufacturing accounts for approximately 12% of the region’s workforce, compared with about 8% nationally.

“Manufacturing Month gives us an opportunity to recognize manufacturers of all sizes and the people who make things every day and contribute so much to the strength of our communities,” stated Chase Churchill, President of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier. “Manufacturers are investing in new technology, developing their people, and creating career opportunities right here in our region. As manufacturers, we also have a responsibility to open our doors and help students, parents, and educators understand the opportunities that exist within our industry. Building the next generation of our workforce starts by giving people the opportunity to see manufacturing firsthand.”

The challenge facing manufacturers is not simply creating jobs; it is ensuring that young people understand the opportunities that already exist and have clear pathways to pursue them.

“The future of manufacturing depends on the young people in our region’s classrooms today,” stated Chris Lanski, Chair of Dream It Do It Western New York. “Manufacturing Month gives us an opportunity to introduce those students to careers they may never have considered and to show them that manufacturing today is about technology, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Dream It Do It is about creating those connections early and giving students meaningful experiences that can help them discover a pathway to a successful future right here in Western New York.”

Modern manufacturing increasingly requires employees with skills in machining, welding and fabrication, industrial maintenance, automation, robotics, engineering, quality, advanced production, and other technical fields. Dream It Do It identifies welding, machining, electro-mechanical technology, mechanics, quality assurance, and production operations among the region’s priority skilled occupations.

That is where Dream It Do It Western New York plays a critical role. DIDIWNY is building an early talent pipeline across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara counties by connecting middle and high school students with hands-on learning, manufacturing career exploration, employer experiences, industry-recognized credentials, and pathways into education, training, and employment.

“One of the most rewarding parts of Manufacturing Month is watching students experience manufacturing rather than simply hearing about it,” stated Cindy Aronson, Director of Dream It Do It Western New York, Chautauqua County. “When students tour a company, operate equipment, build something with their own hands, and talk directly with people working in the industry, manufacturing becomes real to them. Those experiences build confidence, spark curiosity, and help students recognize talents they may not have known they had. Sometimes one experience is all it takes for a young person to begin imagining a completely different future for themselves.”

Throughout the year, and with an intensified focus during Manufacturing Month, Dream It Do It works with schools and manufacturers to move students beyond simply hearing about manufacturing careers to actually experiencing them.

Through Manufacturing Technology Tours, Girls in Manufacturing, Create Your Future, Manufacturing Mayhem, STEM/TECH Wars, and other hands-on career exploration experiences, students have opportunities to meet people working in manufacturing, enter manufacturing facilities, experience technology firsthand, and understand the education and skills required for different career pathways.

“Manufacturing is part of the identity of Western New York,” stated Todd Tranum, Executive Director of MAST and President of DIDIWNY. “These companies provide good careers, support families, invest in our communities, and sell products throughout the country and around the world. Building the next generation manufacturing workforce is not simply a workforce development issue; it is an economic development priority for our entire region.”

Manufacturing Month also provides an opportunity for manufacturers, educators, parents, and community organizations to consider the role they can play in strengthening Western New York’s future workforce.

“Manufacturing has long been a cornerstone of Chautauqua County’s economy, and the CCIDA has a long history of working alongside our manufacturers to help them invest, expand, modernize, and remain competitive,” stated Mark Geise, Chautauqua County Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “These companies create good-paying jobs, make significant investments in our communities, and are essential to growing our local economy. Just as important, we need to make sure they have access to the skilled workforce they need to succeed. That means connecting young people with the tremendous career opportunities that exist right here in Chautauqua County and building a strong talent pipeline for the future.”

Manufacturers can open their doors to students, participate in career exploration activities, provide job-shadowing and work-based learning experiences, and help young people understand the wide range of careers available within their companies. Educators and counselors can help students connect classroom learning with career opportunities and expose young people to multiple pathways after high school, including college, technical education, apprenticeships, and direct entry into the workforce.

Throughout October, Dream It Do It Western New York and its partners will highlight manufacturers, manufacturing careers, and opportunities for students to experience the industry firsthand.

For information about Dream It Do It Western New York, Manufacturing Month activities, or opportunities for schools and manufacturers to participate, visit DIDIWNY.org, email info@didiwny.com, or call 716-483-1833. To learn more about incentives and support provided to manufacturers looking to expand or relocate to Chautauqua County, visit ChooseCHQ.com or call the CCIDA at 716-661-8900.

Jamestown Pride is celebrating National Coming Out Day with an event on October 10th, 2026. The event will feature a mix of community members sharing their experiences, as well as an open-mic period for others in our community who want to share a testimony, celebrate themselves or a loved one, or provide support for the LGBT+ community.

National Coming Out Day is observed on October 11th each year, commemorating the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The founders and activists of the event believed that silence and compliance to ignorance are where homophobia takes root. They sought to celebrate the act of living openly, while using simple visibility as a powerful catalyst for equal rights and government action during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The first few decades of the observed holiday were frequently marked by people “coming out,” identifying themselves as part of the LGBT+ community. These days were used both privately and publicly to raise awareness — the fact that you know more queer people than you think.

Today, the National Coming Out Project is sponsored and managed by the Human Rights Campaign and is celebrated in several other countries. By living authentically ourselves whenever possible, we let those around us know that we are a safe place, but we will not be silenced.

Jamestown Pride presents: OUT LOUD.

Please join us for a night of unity, peace, and acceptance. There’s a space for you here, and we will celebrate our lives and testimonies with those who need it most. This event is from and for both sides of the closet.

Robert H. Jackson Center, October 10th, 4PM–6PM

Refreshments will be available.

The Robert H. Jackson Center will mark the ceremonial first lighting of its Robert H. Jackson statue in October, shining new attention on history, justice and civic responsibility.

The public is invited to join the Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, for a brief ceremony, the first lighting of the statue and seasonal hot cider on the front porch.

The new lighting, made possible by support from the Gebbie Foundation, will illuminate the statue each evening and keep Justice Jackson’s likeness visible to the community.

Sculpted by Dexter Benedict in 1996, the statue originally stood at nearby Samuel G. Love Elementary School, where it welcomed visitors entering downtown Jamestown. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor presided over the unveiling.

The statue was relocated to the Center’s front lawn in May 2016, when the Jackson Center assumed responsibility for its care. Today, it stands as a tribute to a Jamestown attorney whose service on the U.S. Supreme Court and work as chief U.S. prosecutor at Nuremberg helped shape modern justice worldwide.

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026

Time: 7 p.m., with brief remarks at 7:15 p.m.

Location: Robert H. Jackson Center, 305 E. Fourth St., Jamestown, N.Y.

The event is free and open to the public.

Rebecca Robbins, known as Becky, will retire in mid-November after twenty years as Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Communications Coordinator.

“Becky has helped tell the BPU’s story for 20 years, always keeping our customers and community at the heart of her work,” said BPU General Manager Kristofor Sellstrom. “Her warmth, dedication and pride in her co-workers have strengthened the connection between the BPU and the people we serve. We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her a wonderful retirement with her husband Dale and their family.”

Robbins came to the BPU after four years at the Robert H. Jackson Center, where she worked as the director of development and in public relations. In her years at home with children, she worked as part-time executive director of the WCA Foundation, Inc., and as a freelance grants writer.

Before and after her children were born, Robbins worked full and part-time in the Development Office of Chautauqua Institution from 1979-1993, in the succeeding roles of research associate, grants writer and development officer. She previously served as community relations assistant at Jamestown Community College, after working three years as a news editor and announcer at WKSN/WHUG Radios, Jamestown.

She earlier worked at both WKSN-WHUG and WFRA-WVEN Radios in Franklin, Pennsylvania, writing advertising, and announcing on weekend shifts. She wrote reviews for the Buffalo Courier Express newspaper.

Robbins was a high school valedictorian in Franklin and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History. She attended classes at St. Bonaventure University, Jamestown Community College and the Institute for Philanthropy-University of Indiana.

In the community, Robbins is a member of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Board of Directors and previously served on the Carnahan-Jackson, Gebbie and WCA Foundation boards. She was the Secretary of the Chautauqua Foundation. She is a member of the Chautauqua Cemetery Board and of the Greater Jamestown Noon Rotary Club.

St. Susan Center honored her this year by establishing the annual Rebecca Robbins Community Partner Award, presented “in recognition of exceptional dedication to community partnership, compassion and service.” Robbins operated the yearly BPU’s “Cents for St. Susan’s” campaign to raise funds for the soup kitchen.

Robbins co-founded a Jamestown Communicators Group and trained in the Chautauqua Leadership Network. She formerly volunteered as president of the Jamestown Girls Club, public relations chair for both the Jamestown Concert Association and the Busti Historical Society and is a former vice president for public relations of the Southern Chautauqua County United Way. She is an associate member of The Creche, Inc.

“I’ve loved working with BPU customers and co-workers,” said Robbins. “The BPU is ‘the jewel of Jamestown,’ with its reliable and affordable services. I’m proud to be part of the BPU, where I have been fortunate to work with wonderful employees and leadership. The employees truly care about our customers and work as a team to help the people in our community.”

Robbins is married to Attorney Dale C. Robbins. The couple lives in Jamestown and has three grown children and five grandchildren.

The latest publication from Chautauqua Region Press, The Marlow Murder reproduces the Jamestown Journal’s detailed coverage of the arrest, trial, conviction and execution in 1872 of the Jamestown Brewery proprietor Charles Marlow. Marlow murdered German immigrant William Bachman on the brewery’s premises in August 1871. The grisly murder included the burning of Bachman’s body in the brewery’s furnace. Celebrated Jamestown attorney Porter Sheldon defended Marlow through court proceedings. Sheldon postulated a farfetched defense implicating Marlow’s mother-in-law, a non-English speaking German immigrant who lived with him and her daughter. The murder and trial alarmed and infuriated the citizens of Victorian Jamestown. The Journal’s reporters related in objective matter-of-fact prose the gruesome details of the murder and the impassioned arguments of both defense and prosecution. The testimony of the lengthy schedule of witnesses illuminates the demographics of the Chautauqua County community at the time. Local history enthusiasts will appreciate the description of the county’s physical Victorian attributes. Author Paul Leone has included additional editorial and historical information beyond the scope of the Journal’s reporting.

Join Author, Paul Leone for a reading at the Patterson Library Thursday, Oct. 8, 5:30 PM.

Join the Mad Hatter and his friends for a Storybook Tea Party! The Prendergast Library’s annual Haunted Library Fundraiser will be on October 24th, with shows at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 5 PM. The program runs 90 minutes. Meet characters from popular fairy tales, play along with “storybook” trivia, and enjoy light desserts and refreshments. The event takes place in the library’s Fireplace Room — decorated to transport you to Wonderland. Costumes are optional but encouraged.

This program is recommended for guests ages 6 and over. Guests 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available for purchase on the Prendergast Library Website — prendergastlibrary.org and at the library’s front desk. Tickets are $10. All proceeds benefit the library’s educational programming.

Anne and her husband, Steve, created Shades of Pink, a WCA Foundation endowed fund that supports breast imaging navigation and helps patients fighting breast cancer receive support close to home, and other important breast cancer patient initiatives.

After 10 years of fundraising, Anne and Steve held their final Shades of Pink Golf Tournament this past August. With the WCA Foundation investing event contributions, the endowed fund has grown to $100,000. The funds will help support the Mammography Expansion at UPMC Chautauqua, a project that is now underway. Their support, along with gifts from other donors, has helped make the expansion possible.

Turning Experience into Support for Others

For Anne Sischo, a retired kindergarten teacher, it all started in the summer of 2015 when she discovered a lump in her breast. “I felt like something was not right,” Anne said. “I scheduled a doctor’s appointment, and my physician immediately ordered a mammogram.”

Anne was later diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. “It was terrifying to hear the words, ‘you have breast cancer,’” Anne said. “I was scared and did not know where to turn.”

Anne completed chemotherapy, followed by a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. “One of the toughest parts was navigating a maze of tests, appointments, results, and questions,” Anne said. “My clinical navigators helped me move from one step to the next.”

Guidance Through Diagnosis and Treatment

At UPMC Chautauqua Imaging Services, certified breast imaging navigators helped Anne move through diagnosis, treatment, and support. Breast imaging navigators help reduce anxiety, coordinate care, answer questions, and connect patients with resources throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Today, Anne is 11 years into survivorship and feeling great. “It was not an easy road, but I got through it with the love and support of wonderful nurses, doctors, staff, family, and caregivers,” Anne said.

A Message That Can Save Lives

“If I leave one important message with readers, it is to pay attention to your body and get screened,” Anne said. “It saved my life, and it can save yours too.”

Helpful Screening Guidance

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women. According to the American Cancer Society, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer during her lifetime is about 13 percent, or roughly 1 in 8. The American Cancer Society recommends regular mammograms for women at average risk for breast cancer. Women ages 40 to 44 have the option to begin yearly screening; women ages 45 to 54 should have a mammogram every year; and women 55 and older may switch to every other year or continue yearly screening. Women at higher risk should talk with their health care provider about whether they need earlier or additional screening, such as breast MRI. Finding breast cancer early, when it is small and has not spread, makes treatment more likely to be successful.

Jamestown NY’s Art In the Alleys will have new artwork arriving this Spring.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is collaborating with Stephanie Baker at South Western Central High School and Chautauqua Art Gallery to update the public artwork currently displayed on Potters Alley, Chautauqua Art Gallery and Winter Garden Plaza in downtown Jamestown.

With the help of Stephanie Baker, a call for art has gone out to all Chautauqua County High Schools. Art Teachers have been asked to submit work from their senior class artists for an annual show at Chautauqua Art Gallery in May of 2027. Pieces from that show will be selected and reproduced for display in Art in the Alleys.

This year’s selections will replace works displayed on the side of Chautauqua Art Gallery. Artwork in each section of the project will be replaced on a rotating basis. Next year’s selections will be hung in Winter Garden Plaza, then Potters Alley. This will allow each artist’s work to be displayed for about three years.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation first developed the Potters Alley Gallery in 2010. For the initial project, the Renaissance Corporation collaborated with Jamestown High School, Jamestown Community College and the Active Artist Alliance to bring work by young artists to the walls surrounding Potters Alley, the current Chautauqua Art Gallery and Winter Garden Plaza. While several pieces have been replaced over the years, many works have been up since 2010 and are deteriorating.

“As I begin my tenure at the Renaissance Corporation, I’ve seen the wonderful public response to the Art in the Alleys,” said Michael Edwards, Director of Downtown Revitalization at the JRC.

“Public artwork helps create a warm and welcoming community. The JRC is very pleased to invite talented students from throughout Chautauqua County to rejuvenate this project and share their work with everyone who lives in and visits Jamestown.”

“I am thrilled to have the Alley Gallery, now Art in the Alleys, updated to show off our most current talented Senior art students,” said Stephanie Baker, Art Teacher at South Western High School. “Opening this project up to all Chautauqua County Senior art students provides a great opportunity for our neighboring districts to also be showcased.”

Details about Art in the Alleys can be found on the Renaissance Corporation’s website, www.jamestownrenaissance.org.

About Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC): The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is a non-profit and public-private partnership dedicated to revitalizing and enhancing Jamestown, New York. Through collaborative partnerships and innovative programs, the JRC creates a vibrant, thriving community that fosters economic growth, and improves the quality of life for all residents. Information about the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is available at https://www.jamestownrenaissance.org/

The Chautauqua County Health Department is notifying the community about possible measles exposures at the UPMC Chautauqua Emergency Department, 207 Foote Ave., Jamestown.

People who tested positive for measles were at the hospital during these times:

• Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 p.m. through Sunday, September 27, at 1:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, September 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The people who tested positive for measles do not live in Chautauqua County.

The Chautauqua County Health Department is working with UPMC Chautauqua Hospital to identify and notify people who may have been exposed. People who are known to have been at the hospital during these times are being contacted by the Chautauqua County Health Department or the local health department where they live.

The risk of developing measles from these potential exposures is considered low. Many people in our community are protected against measles because they have been vaccinated or have measles immunity.

What You Should Do

If you were at UPMC Chautauqua Emergency Department during either of these times:

• Find out if you are immune to measles. If you are not sure about your vaccination history, contact your healthcare provider or the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4491.

• Watch for signs and symptoms of measles.

• If you become sick, call your healthcare provider or emergency department before going for care. Tell them that you may have been exposed to measles. This will help them protect other patients and healthcare workers.

• Do not go to work, school or other public places if you are sick.

• If you develop symptoms or are diagnosed with measles, contact your local health department. Chautauqua County residents should call 716-753-4491. People who live in another county should contact the health department where they live.

People who may have been exposed on September 26 or 27 should watch for symptoms through Saturday, October 17. People who may have been exposed on September 29 should watch for symptoms through Tuesday, October 20.

Who Is Considered Immune to Measles?

A person is generally considered immune to measles if they:

• Have records showing they received two doses of a measles vaccine, such as the MMR vaccine;

• Have a blood test showing they are immune to measles or have laboratory confirmation that they had measles in the past; or

• Were born before 1957. Being born before 1957 is generally considered evidence of immunity for most people.

If you are not sure whether you are immune, contact your healthcare provider or the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4491. They can help you determine whether you need any additional steps.

About Measles

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area.

A person with measles can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash begins.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Red or watery eyes

• Rash

The rash usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body.

Measles can cause serious health problems, including pneumonia and encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain. Serious complications are more common in young children, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, measles can be fatal.

Vaccination is the Best Protection

The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles in people who are exposed to the virus.

The Chautauqua County Health Department encourages parents and caregivers to make sure children are up to date on their recommended vaccines. Adults who are not sure if they are up to date on their MMR vaccine should talk with their healthcare provider.

According to New York State Department of Health data, 85.6% of Chautauqua County children had received one MMR dose by age 2 as of January 1, 2026. This number is based on children ages 24–35 months who received one MMR dose before their second birthday.

FREE MMR Vaccine Available

The Chautauqua County Health Department offers free MMR vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its Mayville office. MMR vaccine is also available at Mobile Health Clinics held throughout the county.

• Mon. Oct. 5 | 9am–1pm: Cherry Creek County Church, 6813 North Main Street, Cherry Creek, NY 14723

• Fri. Oct. 9 | 9am–1pm: Troyer Greenhouse, 1669 Weeks Road, Panama, NY 14767

• Wed. Oct. 14 | 9:30am–12pm: Abbe Reformed Church, 595 Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer, NY 14724

• Thurs. Oct. 15 | 9:30am–12pm: Abbe Reformed Church, 595 Clymer-Sherman Road, Clymer, NY 14724

• Wed. Oct. 21 | 12:30–3:30pm: Fredonia Presbyterian Church, 219 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY 14063

• Wed. Oct. 28 | 10am–3:30pm: Salvation Army Food Distribution Center, 83 S. Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701

• Thurs. Oct. 29 | 11:30am–2:30pm: West Portland Baptist Church, 7081 US 20, Westfield, NY 14787

Visit HealthyCHQ.com for more Mobile Health Clinic dates or call 716-753-4491 to schedule an appointment.

Measles Cases in Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County has had three laboratory-confirmed measles cases in 2026.

The number of laboratory-confirmed cases does not necessarily include everyone who may have measles in the community. A laboratory-confirmed case means that a person’s illness was confirmed through testing. People who do not seek medical care or are not tested may not be included in the reported case count.

The public can view reported measles cases on the New York State Department of Health Measles Dashboard. The dashboard is updated weekly, and the information is preliminary and may change as case investigations continue.

NYSDOH Measles Dashboard: https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/measles/data.htm.

For questions about measles or vaccination, contact your health care provider or the Chautauqua County Health Department at (716) 753-4491.

SOCKTOBER is a month-long sock drive that collects warm NEW socks for distribution to individuals and families in need. This year, the need is more significant than ever, as rising costs and increased homelessness have left many without these basic necessities.

Throughout October, the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, in collaboration with Cattaraugus County Bank (Dunkirk location) and Lake Shore Savings Bank (Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Westfield branches), will accept sock donations. In addition, other drop-off locations, including individual classrooms, clubs, businesses, and congregations, continue to participate in SOCKTOBER sock collections throughout the county.

You Can Help:

Donate New Socks: Drop off new socks at designated collection points throughout Chautauqua County. Look for SOCKTOBER collection bins at partnering businesses and organizations.

Host a Sock Drive: Encourage your workplace, book club, school, or organization to host a sock drive!

Spread the Word: Share the news about SOCKTOBER on social media using the hashtag #SOCKTOBER and encourage your friends, family, and followers to get involved.

In 2025, thousands of socks were distributed through Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, the Homeless Coalition, Meals on Wheels, Jamestown YWCA, Boys and Girls Club, St. Gianna Molla, Mental Health Assoc., St. Susan’s Center, and other helping organizations.

Join us in making SOCKTOBER a season of hope, compassion, and warmth. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. For more information, contact Eileen Ardillo at 716-366-4892 or eardillo@nccfoundation.org.

The 2017 movie-musical was inspired by the legend and ambitions of America’s original pop-culture impresario, P.T. Barnum, played by Hugh Jackman.

The inspirational rags-to-riches tale proves that anything you can envision is possible and that everyone, no matter how invisible, has a stupendous story worthy of a world-class spectacle. Popular songs from Broadway veterans Pasek and Paul, populate the soundtrack including “From Now On”, “A Million Dreams”, and the Oscar-nominated “This is Me.”

In this version of the film, lyrics will be shown on the screen for audience members to sing along to. A host will warm up the audience with songs and a few dance moves. Each audience member will be given an interactive prop bag with items that can be used throughout the night. The first 200 ticket holders will receive prop bags. Patrons are encouraged to dress up as characters from the movie or in fancy dress for a night out on the town! A costume contest will be part of the evening.

Tickets for this event are on sale now. The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts box office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12-5 p.m. and one hour before movies and events. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 716.484.7070 or at reglenna.com. Reg Lenna Center for The Arts is located at 116 E. 3rd St. in Jamestown, NY.

The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts’ programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the governor and the New York State Legislature.

As efforts continue to identify a productive new future for the former NRG Generating Station in Dunkirk, local economic development officials recently traveled to New York City to learn more about the rapidly evolving nuclear energy industry and its potential application to the site.

Mark Geise, Chautauqua County Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), and Vince DeJoy, City of Dunkirk Director of Planning and Development, attended the 2026 Nuclear Energy Policy Summit on September 22 and 23. Representatives from Genover LLC, the current owner of the former NRG property, also participated in the summit.

Hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, the two-day event brought together leaders from government, industry, finance, and the energy sector to discuss the future of nuclear energy and the deployment of next-generation technologies.

For Geise and DeJoy, the summit provided an opportunity to better understand emerging nuclear technologies, financing models, regulatory considerations, public-private partnerships, and other factors that could influence whether nuclear energy could play a role in the future reuse of the Dunkirk property.

“The summit gave us an opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders about where nuclear energy is headed, the technologies that are emerging, and what it takes to move a project from an idea to actual deployment,” said Geise. “As we continue working with the City of Dunkirk and our partners at Genover to find the best path forward for the former NRG site, we want to understand every viable opportunity available to us. Nuclear energy is one option worth exploring, and the information and connections we gained through this summit will help inform those conversations moving forward.”

“The 2026 Nuclear Symposium provided our Dunkirk/Chautauqua team, as well as Genover, with the opportunity to learn from, meet, and network with experts in the nuclear power generation space including the NRC Commissioner, and have a better understanding of the financing challenges for these nuclear projects,” DeJoy said. “We also have come away with the importance of bringing the community along with us every step of the way to provide the best scientific information available on safety, but also the significant economic benefits.”

The former Dunkirk Generating Station operated for more than six decades before being retired in 2016. In May 2026, NRG Energy transferred ownership of the property and associated assets to Genover, which is now leading planning, preparation, and redevelopment efforts for the site in collaboration with local officials.

Returning the former NRG property to productive use has been a longstanding economic development priority for Chautauqua County, the CCIDA, and the City of Dunkirk. The site’s existing energy infrastructure, industrial history, available acreage, and location along Lake Erie make it a significant redevelopment opportunity for the city and broader region.

Local officials and Genover will continue evaluating potential uses for the property, with a focus on opportunities that can generate private investment, create jobs, strengthen the local tax base, and return the strategically important site to productive use.

For more information about the CCIDA and economic development initiatives throughout Chautauqua County, visit ChooseCHQ.com.