After nearly three decades spent encouraging young people to keep moving forward, longtime physical education instructor Sean Swan-Leuze is making sure that encouragement continues well beyond his retirement. The family of Swan-Leuze, in recognition of his retirement after 29 years as an educator, has established the Sean Swan-Leuze Scholarship Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to support graduating seniors from Southwestern Central School as they continue their education after high school.

The scholarship will recognize students who have overcome adversity while demonstrating a positive outlook and determination to move forward. For Swan-Leuze, those qualities are especially meaningful.

“I’m a pretty happy person and have always tried to see the glass half full,” Swan-Leuze said. “I’ve known a lot of great students in the past who have been on the bubble in terms of affording college, and I hope this scholarship can be the help they need. I’ve seen students go on to do great things with a little help, be it college or workforce training.”

While retirement will bring his time as a classroom educator to a close, he has no intention of turning away from his role as an encourager.

Swan-Leuze, who taught physical education at both Southwestern Central School and Randolph Academy, currently lives with Jen, his wife of 30 years and their daughters Hadyn, Hannah, and Heidi. Living with ALS, Swan-Leuze intends to remain active through motivational speaking at schools and other venues. His message will focus on something he has valued throughout his career and experienced personally: the ability to face adversity without allowing it to define what comes next.

That same belief is at the heart of his scholarship. Swan-Leuze hopes to recognize not simply where a student has been, but where they have the potential to go.

“When Sean’s family reached out about recognizing his career with this Fund, we were honored to help define the scholarship selection criteria,” said Tory Irgang, Executive Director. “We look forward to announcing the first recipient next June.”

To learn more about the Sean Swan-Leuze Scholarship Fund or to make a contribution, visit crcfonline.org or contact the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation at 716-661-3390.

Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival returns to downtown Jamestown on Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29, 2026, for two days of live music, visual art and community programming throughout the city.

Presented by Lifted, Whirlybird 2026 features 14 shows across nine downtown venues, with the majority of festival programming free and open to the public.

This year’s lineup brings together nationally touring artists, regional favorites and local talent, including Jimkata, Sugar Nova featuring Luke Miller of Lotus, Uncle Ben’s Remedy, Grub, Feverhawk, Tsavo Highway, Royal Tea Service, Stereo Death, Invisible Dance, Mister Green, The Away Team, Adam McKillip, Circuit1, Oliver Burdo, DJ James Fiorella, Ryan Buzzetto, Gavin Paterniti, Bill Ward, Miki, Farkas, Erik Thor, Jade Giambrone, Jerod Eggleston, Mike Brunacini, Campfire Junkie, Stephen Babcock, Fred Leopard, Tin Can Reverie and Cheney Maxine.

The festival is hosted by Jonny Johnson, with visual art and installations from Gary Peters Jr., Joe Rice, Dangeruss, Darcy Farkas and Allie Farkas.

Free Music Returns to Winter Garden Plaza

At the center of Whirlybird weekend is the return of free, all-ages programming at Winter Garden Plaza.

Friday evening kicks off with a special performance from Feverhawk, marking the band’s final show before an indefinite hiatus, followed by Warren-based jam, funk and groove band Royal Tea Service. Gates open at 5 p.m., with Feverhawk performing at 6 p.m. and Royal Tea Service at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the Whirlybird Block Party returns to Winter Garden Plaza as Lifted celebrates its second birthday. The free, all-ages event features Invisible Dance, Grub and Sugar Nova, the dance-pop project featuring Luke Miller of Lotus, along with sets from Farkas and DJ James Fiorella.

Gates open Saturday at 2 p.m., with music beginning at 3 p.m. The Block Party will also feature live art, local vendors, food from Taco Hut and beer from Wicked Warren’s. A suggested donation at the gate helps support Whirlybird’s free community programming.

Festival Night Shows

Whirlybird continues into the night with ticketed performances throughout downtown.

On Friday, Western New York favorites Uncle Ben’s Remedy headline Raven & Rune, with Adam McKillip of Smilo and the Ghost and The Probables opening the evening. Doors open at 8 p.m. The show is 21+.

Saturday night, Jimkata returns to Jamestown for a headlining performance at Wicked Warren’s, with Circuit1, the electronic project of Adam Gould, opening the night. Doors open at 8 p.m., with Circuit1 at 8:30 p.m. and Jimkata performing from 9:30–11:30 p.m. The show is all ages.

Additional night performances throughout the weekend include Tsavo Highway, Stereo Death, The Away Team, Mister Green and Fred Leopard at Jamestown Wine Cellar.

Festival programming takes place across downtown Jamestown at Winter Garden Plaza, Wicked Warren’s, Raven & Rune, Jamestown Wine Cellar, Haggy’s 4 Below, Labyrinth Press Co., Jamestown Skate Products, 2 Gingers Inn, and Jamestown Farmers Market.

Most Whirlybird events are free admission. Night shows at Wicked Warren’s, Raven & Rune and Jamestown Wine Cellar require a Festival Pass or individual venue admission. Raven & Rune and Jamestown Wine Cellar night shows are 21+.

Two-day Festival Passes and individual show tickets are on sale now at whirlybirdfest.com/tickets. Presale Individual Passes ($10) for Jimkata are available without service fees at Lifted & Wicked Warren’s. Presale Individual Passes ($10) for Uncle Ben’s Remedy are available without service fees at Lifted & Raven & Rune.

The complete Whirlybird 2026 schedule, including performance times, venues and admission information, is available at whirlybirdfest.com/schedule.

Whirlybird Music & Arts Festival 2026 is made possible through the support of Lifted Dispensary, National Comedy Center, Jamestown Wine Cellar, Wicked Warren’s, Haggy’s 4 Below, Labyrinth Press Co., Brazil Lounge, Jamestown Skate Products, Raven & Rune, Jamestown Spine, Snowbelt Gardens, Black Cherry Tattoo, Stanton’s Garage, Chautauqua Art Gallery, Art & Cloth, Lee Yaw Law Office, Pine Cone Creamery, 2 Gingers Inn and East Side Liquor.

Whirlybird brings artists, venues, businesses and the community together for a weekend built around independent music, creativity and downtown Jamestown.

The Bird is Back. Join us August 28 & 29 for two days of music, art, smiles and sun.

Together We Can CHQ invites residents, businesses, organizations, schools, and community leaders throughout Chautauqua County to participate in Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week, taking place August 24–31, 2026.

This county-wide initiative promotes hope, healing, remembrance, recovery, education, and community connection while encouraging meaningful conversations about substance use and mental health. Throughout the week, the community is invited to participate in themed Spirit Week activities, attend local events, and stand together in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.

Together We Can CHQ is a community-driven overdose awareness coalition dedicated to fostering hope, healing, connection, and compassion. Through its Be the Light Initiatives, the coalition works to fight stigma, support recovery, honor lives, and strengthen the community through education, advocacy, harm reduction, and meaningful connection.

While the coalition’s work is rooted in Chautauqua County, every Overdose Awareness Week initiative is officially registered through the International Overdose Awareness Day Campaign, connecting local efforts to the world’s largest annual campaign dedicated to preventing overdose, reducing stigma, honoring lives lost, and supporting individuals and families affected by substance use.

Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week Spirit Week

Several community buildings, listed below, will be participating by “Keeping the Light On,” illuminating their buildings purple to recognize this observance. Community members are encouraged to participate by wearing the daily themes, visiting buildings illuminated in purple, taking photos with coworkers, friends, family members, classrooms, or organizations, and sharing them on Facebook and Instagram while tagging Together We Can CHQ.

These locations include: Mayville Village Clerks Office; Mayville Depot; Jamestown City Hall; Dunkirk City Hall; Dunkirk Police Department.

The Spirit Week schedule runs Monday, August 24: Challenge the Stigma, wear recovery or mental health apparel. Tuesday, August 25: Peace Out to Accidental Overdose, wear tie-dye. Wednesday, August 26: Band Together, wear your favorite band or concert T-shirt. Thursday, August 27: Glow for Awareness, wear neon or bright colors. Friday, August 28: Be the Light, wear purple or your Together We Can CHQ shirt and join us for our community event. Saturday, August 29: Let’s Team Together, wear your favorite sports team apparel or jersey. Sunday, August 30: International Overdose Awareness Day, wear purple, honor those we have lost, celebrate recovery, and join communities around the world in raising awareness and inspiring hope.

Third Annual Be the Light: Anyone Can Save a Life

The signature event of Overdose Awareness Week is the 3rd Annual Be the Light: Anyone Can Save a Life, taking place on Saturday, August 29, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Lower Pavilion, Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk. Unlike a traditional awareness event, Be the Light combines education, prevention, remembrance, family activities, and community connection into one evening designed to reduce stigma, build hope, and bring lifesaving resources directly to the people who need them.

Event highlights include a community resource fair featuring local organizations, live music by Miranda Wilcox, community yoga led by Dyann Bourne of Reborne Wellness, inspiring stories of hope and recovery, children’s activities, face painting, games, and prizes. Evergreen Health will provide free opioid overdose prevention education, naloxone (Narcan) training, harm reduction resources, and medication disposal education. Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone will present information about New York State’s 911 Good Samaritan Law. The evening will also include food, a basket raffle and 50/50 fundraiser, and freshly pressed Together We Can CHQ event T-shirts available for purchase.

As the evening concludes, attendees will gather for a community remembrance vigil led by Reverend Jim LaBarr of Harvest Chapel. The ceremony will include a moment of silence, prayer, and a purple glow wand tribute honoring the lives of those lost to accidental overdose while offering hope and healing to families, friends, and the community.

Together We Can CHQ’s work extends throughout the year. The coalition offers free community opioid overdose prevention and naloxone trainings, is launching the Be the Light Grief Support Group this September for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one to substance use, and established the Be the Light Scholarship, which supports the continuing education and professional development of first responders throughout Chautauqua County. This year marks the awarding of the coalition’s first scholarship.

Community Support Needed

We could not do this without help. Thank you to the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, The Recovery Center of Niagara and Lakeside Medical Practice for their donations and sponsorship. If you or your organization would like to support as well or for any additional information, please contact: Jennifer Larson, LCSW, CASAC-T: togetherwecanchq@gmail.com. Follow Together We Can CHQ on Facebook and Instagram for updates throughout Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week. Together, we can challenge stigma. Support recovery. Honor lives. Be the Light.

The Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities – Airports is inviting residents and visitors to attend the Great Mid-Summer Fly-In / Drive-In on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jamestown Chautauqua County Airport (JHW) at 3163 Airport Dr, Jamestown, NY.

Originally scheduled for July 18, the event was postponed due to inclement weather and has been rescheduled for August 29.

The free community event will showcase a variety of aircraft and classic vehicles while offering opportunities for attendees to experience aviation firsthand. Guests can enjoy discovery flights provided by Great Lakes Flight School, view visiting aircraft, and participate in raffles and a 50/50 drawing.

A featured attraction will once again be Whiskey 7, a beautifully restored Douglas C-47 Skytrain operated by the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo. The aircraft is one of the few remaining World War II transport planes still flying today and serves as a living tribute to the men and women who served during the war. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase rides aboard the historic aircraft for a once-in-a-lifetime aviation experience.

In addition to the aviation activities, Archie’s Airport Restaurant will host a chicken barbecue during the event. With 300 chicken dinners available, attendees are encouraged to come hungry and enjoy lunch while supporting a great cause. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available for purchase.

“We’re excited to welcome the community back for what promises to be a fantastic day celebrating aviation,” said John Machemer, Deputy Director of Public Facilities – Airports. “Whether you’re interested in historic aircraft, classic cars, or simply looking for a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone. Every dollar raised helps support the Alan D. Fuller Memorial Flying Scholarship and inspires the next generation of pilots.”

All proceeds from the event benefit the Alan D. Fuller Memorial Flying Scholarship, which helps aspiring pilots pursue flight training and aviation education.

The Great Mid-Summer Fly-In / Drive-In is sponsored by the Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities – Airports, the National Warplane Museum, Archie’s Airport Restaurant, and Great Lakes Flight School.

For more information about the event, contact the Jamestown Chautauqua County Airport at (716) 484-0202 or visit chautauquacountyny.gov/jamestown-airport/jamestown-airport-jhw.

St. Susan Center, Jamestown’s Soup Kitchen, presents the next chapter of the beloved cooking competition as Battle of the Badges: The Ladle Showdown, our community’s favorite soup competition returning with first responding heroes, friendly rivalry, and a mission to feed the future.

Four years ago, during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Susan Center launched So You Think You Can Cook, a community soup competition that brought people together when the community needed it most. Today, that beloved event returns with an exciting new twist. This September, St. Susan Center proudly presents Battle of the Badges: The Ladle Showdown, the next chapter of its popular So You Think You Can Cook series competition.

The four-week culinary showdown will feature police, fire and EMS teams from across Chautauqua County while raising funds for a much-needed walk-in freezer for St. Susan Center. The competition will be held September 3, 10, 17 and conclude with a Championship Finale on September 24 from 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Teams will prepare a signature soup for audience tasting along with a timed mystery basket appetizer and entrée challenge. Audience members will vote for the People’s Choice Best Soup while judges score creativity, presentation, teamwork, and execution.

Proceeds from Battle of the Badges will help St. Susan Center purchase a walk-in freezer and refrigeration equipment, expanding its ability to safely store food and continue serving nutritious meals to individuals and families throughout the community.

“At St. Susan Center, we witness every day how a meal can change someone’s life,” said Cherie Rowland, Executive Director of St. Susan Center. “This event is about much more than food, it’s about relationship. Around our tables, people find friendship, dignity, compassion, and hope. Battle of the Badges celebrates those same values while honoring the first responders who dedicate their lives to serving our community.”

Melissa Paterniti, Event Coordinator, noted, “When the original event was held in 2022, I was not part of the planning team, but I was asked to step in at the last minute. I had only a few short hours to prepare a soup, and by the end of the evening I had won the People’s Best Soup award. It was an unforgettable experience that sparked my passion for this event.

Now, four years later, I’m honored to be coordinating the next chapter. I am not standing behind the stove, I’m working behind the scenes with volunteers, board members, first responders, sponsors and community partners to make this the biggest and best fundraiser for St. Susan Center.

I was excited to hear the event was returning in 2026, and even more honored when Missy asked me to serve as a judge for one of this year’s competitions.

It’s a great opportunity to cheer on members of our police, fire, and EMS departments as they enjoy some friendly competition, all while supporting the incredible work of St. Susan Center. Events like this bring our community together, celebrate the people who serve our county every day, and help make a real difference for a great local organization.

And there is one added benefit this year, Faulkner adds, the fire department will already be there in case the cooking gets a little too hot! Anyone who attended the inaugural event in 2022 will probably remember the fire alarm trying to become part of the show. Hopefully, this year the only thing heating up is the competition!”

Get Involved: whether you are interested in volunteering, competing, becoming a sponsor or advertising in the official event program, we would love to have you join us. To volunteer or join in on the cooking fun, please contact Bonnie Kyle at secretary@stsusancenter.org for more information and event inquiries.

Event at a Glance — Location: St. Susan Center, 31 Water Street, Jamestown, NY. Dates: September 3, 10, 17 and Championship Finale September 24. Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m. Mission: raising funds for a new walk-in freezer and refrigeration equipment, celebrating Chautauqua County’s police, fire and EMS professionals.

St. Susan Center has served the Jamestown community for four decades, freely offering meals, fellowship, dignity and respect to all who come through our doors, sharing tables, it grows into futures reshaped, dreams reclaimed, and a community strengthened one life at a time.

For more information or to support St. Susan Center, visit stsusancenter.org.

Everyone is invited to the third annual Busti Church of God Rural Mobile Medical Unit Health & Wellness Event that is being held at the church, 996 Forest Ave. Extension, Busti, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday, August 28th!

The event will feature Supporters of our Communities (various agencies) who will assist people throughout the day. The Chautauqua County Mobile Medical Unit, the Erie Vet Center Mobile Unit and the Fidelis street van will be on site to assist as needed.

For the kids and elders, there will be various Bingo games and prizes, a scavenger hunt for the kiddos, bean bag toss (prizes!!) and other free fun things to do throughout the day! Each family will receive a free bag of home and hygiene products (while supplies last) and have a chance to win one of the various door prizes!

The purpose of events such as this is to bring together rural communities and services that usually are not physically present in the rural areas, so that those who are needing assistance can have access to the providers to learn more of what they offer and how to connect with them, as well as bringing medical services to the more rural areas of Chautauqua County.

There will be four Veteran’s agencies on site, the Erie Vet Center Mobile Unit, the Chautauqua County Mobile Medical unit and the Fidelis Street Van. Services are free during this event!

Providers who will be on hand to assist our communities that day are: the Alzheimer’s Association (Bingo!), Univera (sponsor!), Key Bank, Feedmore WNY, Highmark Health, Chautauqua Blind Assoc., VA Healthcare, VA Suicide Prevention, Buffalo and Erie Vet Centers (Scavenger Hunt!), JCC Workforce Development, Roswell’s Tobacco Free program, Erie Retina Research (free retinal exams and follow up), National Fuel, Center for Elder Law & Justice, Heritage, Total Senior Care, GoodSkills, WNY Epilepsy, Chautauqua Opportunities (Weatherization, Child Care Council, Head Start (Kids’ BINGO!)), Silver Tree Senior Apartments, UPMC Chautauqua (blood pressure and basic health checks), Healthy Community Alliance, Aspire, The Chautauqua Center, Job Corps, Aftercare, NYS OMH, U of Rochester Cancer Services, Tanglewood, Hazeltine Library, SILC, The Resource Center, Peterson Funeral Home (pre-planning your funeral), Venture Forthe and University at Buffalo CTSI.

The event will also feature a presentation by the NYS Emergency Preparedness Team (providing enough people register). The lecture will provide information on how to survive natural disasters and other incidents, with those attending receiving free emergency kits for their families! You must pre-register to attend this lecture by utilizing the QR code attached to this article!

A Big Thank You to our generous sponsors: Univera, M & T Bank, and Busti Church of God!

All are welcome to come to this FREE event! Bring your lunch money for the concession stand and ice cream truck and enjoy a day with your local service providers!

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts is putting its own creative spin on convention culture with Infini-Con, a free, family-friendly community event taking place Friday, August 28, from 4pm-7pm at the Infinity Center in Downtown Jamestown.

Created and hosted by Infinity instructors, students, and staff, Infini-Con will transform the Infinity Center into an evening of small convention-inspired experiences alongside hands-on arts activities, music, movement, and an open house for families interested in exploring Infinity.

Rather than a traditional traveling convention, Infini-Con is a homegrown Infinity event designed especially with children, teens, and families in mind. Visitors can move throughout the building at their own pace, stopping into different spaces to participate, watch, create, meet instructors, or simply explore their interests.

Convention-inspired activities will include a mini ‘Artists Alley’ featuring Infinity youth creators, a cosplay panel, costume runway, ribbon game, trinket trading, live chalk art, photo opportunities, and more. The event will also give Infinity students who participated in a ‘Cosplay Collaborative’ class during Infinity’s third trimester an opportunity to showcase the costumes and characters they have worked to create.

Art Instructor, Ash Pickering, will be presenting during the cosplay panel and shared, “It’s a powerful feeling to be able to wear something you have spent a long time creating, and being in character can be a great way to confidently meet new people with less pressure to fit in. Cosplay provides a unique way to combine visual arts, sewing, acting and a multitude of other art forms. I love the enthusiasm our students have for their favorite characters and fandoms, and how this media inspires their art. Infini-con is a way to celebrate the hard work our cosplay students have put in, while showcasing the different programming Infinity has to offer.”

Infinity Instructor, and fellow cosplay panel presenter, Laura Becker added, “Cosplay covers a wide span of artforms; sewing, painting, prop construction, and then there’s hair and makeup and wig styling. It’s a lot to learn! There is a growing interest among young people to get into cosplay and each costume has very specific requirements which vary from character to character.”

Family-friendly costumes are encouraged for all Infini-Con guests, whether they are experienced cosplayers, trying it for the first time, or simply want to dress as a favorite character. A prop check will also be available as guests arrive.

Throughout the rest of the Infinity Center, families can take part in hands-on activities including make-and-take art projects, an Instrument Petting Zoo, and a K-Pop Dance Class. Attendees can also browse an instrument and equipment sale and explore Infinity’s lesson rooms and creative spaces.

Infini-Con also serves as an Open House for Infinity, giving children, teens, and their families an opportunity to connect directly with Infinity experiences. Families can meet instructors, try new activities and instruments, ask questions about private lessons and group classes, and learn more about the opportunities that interest them. Families interested in joining Infinity can also register for the new program year, which begins Monday, September 14.

Infini-Con is free and open to the community from 4pm-7pm on Friday, August 28, at the Infinity Center, located at 301 East Second St. in Downtown Jamestown. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged but not required.

A local golfer turned an already successful day of fundraising into an especially memorable one Sunday when he recorded a hole-in-one during the fourth annual Crèche Fore the Kids! Golf Scramble at Chautauqua Golf Club.

John “Rick” Goodell aced Hole No. 4 during the 18-hole scramble, which was held Sunday, Aug. 16, to benefit Crèche for Kids, a 100% volunteer-run organization that provides assistance to local children and families in need.

Goodell’s hole-in-one came on a hole sponsored by Ed Shults Auto Group, which provided a $5,000 hole-in-one prize: $2,500 for the golfer and $2,500 for Crèche for Kids.

Goodell’s ace was witnessed by Crèche volunteers Beth Snow and Kara Weinstein, as well as his teammates Robert Rappole, Gregg Wefining and Cody Gleason.

The tournament brought together local golfers, volunteers, sponsors and community supporters for a day of golf and fundraising. In addition to the golf scramble, participants had opportunities to take part in a putting contest, Get It on the Green game, 50/50 drawings and a raffle featuring donated prizes and baskets.

Proceeds from the tournament support Crèche for Kids’ mission of helping local children and families with essential needs throughout the community.

“We were thrilled with how the day came together, and having a hole-in-one on the Shults-sponsored hole was an incredible bonus,” said Meg Pickard, 2026 Golf Scramble chair. “We are so grateful to Ed Shults Auto Group for making the hole-in-one opportunity possible and to all of our sponsors, golfers and volunteers who supported the event.”

Buffalo Arts Studio is excited to present Presence, an exhibition of sculptural and two-dimensional work by artist Robert Booth of Chautauqua County, on view from August 28 through October 31, 2026. Presence highlights the relationship between allegory and human existence, encouraging reflection on how we make and mark meaning. An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 28, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm as part of M&T Fourth Friday at Tri-Main.

Whether intentional or by chance, symbols surround us in our daily life, as every person, place, or thing has the potential to hold some hidden meaning for us. Seeing them may stir a memory, spark an emotion, or call us to act. Every day, we feel called to that allegorical impulse: to make sense of our world by piecing together fragmented signs into one cohesive narrative.

Each varied sculptural form and two-dimensional work is packed full of recurring motifs, common symbols that stretch across the entire series in different pairings and configurations. Booth presents scenes that suggest the passage of time, consequences, and memory of something that has or will happen. Everyday imagery, such as houses, pencils, and chairs, points to and suggests something deeper, a meaning that is in flux depending on the symbols surrounding it.

Pulling from a series of artworks entitled Prompts, the work in Presence reveals how Booth flips that core question we might ask when engaging with a work of art, “What does this mean?”, onto the viewer. The symbols and contexts he creates are not intended to hold supreme intrinsic meaning, but instead function as a sort of vocabulary. As a prompt for something more. As a set of ideas inviting the viewer to piece them together from personal memory and experience to articulate meaning. To tell him what it means.

About the Artist

Robert Booth is a Western New York sculptor and educator. He received his BFA in sculpture from the Massachusetts College of Art in 1976 and his MFA from Syracuse University in 1978. Booth has presented his work in more than 100 solo and group exhibitions over the past thirty years, including at the Burchfield Penney in 1995 and 2015. A retired Distinguished Teaching Professor at the State University of New York, Fredonia, he was in charge of the sculpture curriculum there for over 40 years. Booth has served on the Board of Directors for the Mid-America College Art Association and is a former president of the SUNY Council of Art Departments Chairs.

About Buffalo Arts Studio

Buffalo Arts Studio (BAS) connects diverse communities through visual arts, offering inclusive exhibitions, educational programs, mentorships, and public art initiatives. BAS provides vital resources for visual artists, including affordable studio space and paid opportunities. Through its programs, BAS serves as a catalyst for self-empowerment, innovation, and regional enhancement.

Presence is on view August 28 – October 31, 2026 at the Tri-Main Center, 2495 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214.

Summer Tour (Wed., August 26 at 7 p.m.) is a poetic documentary that follows Jerry and Annie, a magnetic young couple devoted to the music and community of Dead & Company, as they journey across America for the band’s final tour. At once a love story and a celebration of a uniquely American tradition of wandering, Summer Tour reflects on what it means to seek belonging, adventure, and transcendence in a fleeting moment of cultural history. Summer Tour is unrated and is 80 minutes long.

Minions & Monsters (Fri., August 28 at 7 p.m. & Sat., August 29 at 2 p.m.) is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created. Minions & Monsters is rated PG and is 89 minutes long.

Upcoming movies at The Reg include: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Oct. 30 at 10 p.m.) and Cat Video Fest 2026 (Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.)

Tickets for most Movies at The Reg are $8 in-person at the box office and $10 online (reglenna.com) and by phone at 716.484.7070. Family showings are $7 in-person at the box office and $9 online and by phone. Special engagements are priced differently. The theater and box office at The Reg are located at 116 E. 3rd St. in Jamestown, NY. The box office is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 12 - 5 p.m. and one hour before movies and events.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present An Evening with The Voice’s Lucas West on Fri., Aug. 28, at 7:30 pm.

Rochester-based vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter Lucas West is thought by many to be a strong force of the next generation of popular music. The 21-year-old West makes it his mission to pull from a variety of genres including rock, pop, jazz, soul, and R&B, and bring it back to the mainstream. He placed third on Season 29 of The Voice: Battle of Champions, and was John Legend’s finalist. He has performed in front of the likes of Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

West is also known throughout New York State for his powerful rendition of the national anthem, which he has performed at two Buffalo Bills home games.

He is a 2026 graduate of SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music with a BA in music and concentration in Jazz Studies. His journey on The Voice began in Fredonia’s Mason Hall, where he recorded and submitted an audition video that ultimately led to his selection for the show. During the competition, he worked closely with celebrity coaches Legend, Levine, and Clarkson, gaining insight into the professional music industry.

General Admission tickets to An Evening with The Voice’s Lucas West at the Opera House are $20, $18 (Opera House Members), and $10 (Students). They can be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. They can be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

Creatures like the flying squirrel greet visitors and share stories along the trails at Audubon Community Nature Center’s Enchanted Forest. From animal “actors” and trail guides to popcorn servers and parking assistants, Audubon needs many volunteers to make this magical event happen on Friday and Saturday, October 2–3.

Contact Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Tefft, STefft@AudubonCNC.org, if you can help. If your organization or business would appreciate some publicity while supporting a popular family-friendly event, contact Executive Director Aaron Sidder at ASidder@AudubonCNC.org to learn more.

Reservations for this guided walk are required and are now open to Audubon members at the Family level and higher. Walks go out every 10 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m. and last about 40 minutes. Regular registration opens September 1 at Auduboncnc.org/enchanted-forest. Any of these can be reached at (716) 569-2345.

Chautauqua County is pleased to announce that local artist Erin Ruffino will begin installation of the Water Street tactical bump-out artwork on Friday, August 21, 2026, with work continuing through Monday, August 24, 2026. The project is located at the intersection of East and West Alley, closest to 21 Water Street in the Village of Fredonia, New York.

The tactical bump-out project is a pilot initiative funded through the Chautauqua County Complete Streets Fund and identified through the Chautauqua County Complete Streets Workgroup, a collaborative group comprised of representatives from the County’s Department of Public Facilities, Chautauqua County Planning and Development, Department of Health, and County Executive’s Office.

As part of the project development process, the County Complete Streets Workgroup collaborated with the Village of Fredonia and the Village’s Safe Streets Workgroup to select the artist’s proposal and discuss the project location, artwork concept, and design. This collaborative approach helped ensure that the pilot project reflects the needs and character of the Fredonia community while advancing shared goals for pedestrian safety, accessibility, and a more welcoming public realm.

The painted bump-outs are intended to enhance the pedestrian environment while providing an opportunity to test a low-cost, creative approach to improving safety and visibility at crosswalks. Tactical bump-outs visually and physically narrow the roadway at pedestrian crossings, helping to shorten the distance pedestrians must travel while encouraging drivers to be more attentive to pedestrians crossing the roadway. The artwork further increases the visibility of the pedestrian crossing, contributes to traffic calming, creates a stronger sense of place, and makes the streetscape more welcoming and engaging for residents and visitors. These bump-outs provide a more cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional curbed bump-outs, while allowing for easier snowplowing and winter maintenance.

As a pilot project, the Water Street installation will provide an opportunity for the County, Village, and community partners to evaluate how painted tactical bump-outs perform in a real-world setting and whether similar treatments could be appropriate at other locations throughout Chautauqua County. The project reflects the County’s commitment to Complete Streets principles that consider the safety and accessibility of all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and other modes of transportation. In addition to the painted bump-outs and crosswalk, the Department of Public Facilities will be installing removable bollards and pedestrian crosswalk signage.

“Complete Streets improvements are about more than making our roads safer, they are about creating main streets where people want to be. When we invest in attractive, walkable, and welcoming corridors, we create an environment that encourages investment, draws people to stop, visit local businesses, spend time in our communities, and come back,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency. “This work is part of Chautauqua County’s broader commitment to downtown revitalization and improving quality of life through investments in public spaces.”

Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County Executive Director Michael Nordin welcomed Cherie Rowland, executive director of St. Susan Center, to the MHA’s August recovery luncheon. Rowland announced that on Thursday, August 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Little Caesars Love Kitchen will be in the parking lot adjacent to St. Susan’s entrance on the east side of the Gateway Building, 31 Water Street in Jamestown. The mobile pizza kitchen travels across the United States and Canada to serve free, hot meals to people who are hungry, homeless, or affected by natural disasters and major crises.

She also described the recent vandalism of their freezer and its impact on the 150-200 meals they serve every day except Sunday. Jamestown Ice and Storage, Lindsey Refrigeration in North East, Pa., and several local food pantries have come to the rescue. They are storing 6,766 pounds of food, mostly recovered from partnerships with local farmers and retailers, including Wegmans, Tops Markets, Panera Bread, Ecklof’s Bakery, Target, and Walmart.

For locations, hours and services of the MHA’s Jamestown and Dunkirk recovery centers, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHACHQ.org or Facebook.com/MHAChautauqua.

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to supporting nursing families, promoting the benefits of human milk feeding, and increasing awareness of resources available to parents and infants.

In recognition of the month, the Chautauqua Child Care Council’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is encouraging registered and licensed child care providers throughout the region to become Breastfeeding Friendly (BFF) designated programs. The BFF designation is awarded by the New York State Department of Health to child care providers who complete specialized training and a program assessment demonstrating their commitment to supporting breastfeeding families. Providers who earn the designation create environments that help parents continue breastfeeding after returning to work or school.

Breastfeeding provides babies with the most complete and “custom-made” nutrition with the correct balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates needed for optimum growth and development. Breastfeeding also helps babies experience fewer serious illnesses including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), obesity, Diabetes, and Leukemia; lowers the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal issues as well as rashes, allergies and ear infections; and helps protect mothers from developing Diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers and postpartum depression. It’s a more cost effective option than formulas that can run upwards of $.50 to over $2.00 per ounce costing families and child care programs over $200 per month or $2,400 annually.

Breastmilk is creditable in the CACFP at any age allowing child care programs to claim meals and snacks served to babies and children that include breastmilk.

Parents looking for a list of centers and family child care programs that have earned the BFF designation can use this link: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/nutrition/cacfp/breastfeedingspon.htm. In addition, the Chautauqua County government’s website lists a number of local agencies and resources that support breastfeeding including a breastfeeding support group. Parents can use this link for more information: https://chautauquacountyny.gov/public-health/breastfeeding-support.

If your charitable organization has a community improvement project that needs a little financial help to come to fruition, take a few minutes to submit a Community Benefit Grants Program proposal to The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF) highlighting what the charitable organization wants to achieve and how it will do that.

Please send a Letter of Interest proposal of no more than two pages and a brief project description to NCCF Grants Program Coordinator Eileen Ardillo at eardillo@nccfoundation.org by September 1, 2026. The project proposal should show measurable impact and total project cost. Learn more by visiting nccfoundation.org/helping-nonprofits/, where detailed eligibility requirements and guidelines are available. After review by the NCCF Grants Committee, selected organizations will be invited to submit full grant applications.

The Community Benefit Grants Program is made possible through the generosity of donors who have established or contributed to Community Funds at the NCCF. Community Funds allow the NCCF’s Board of Directors flexibility to address the community’s emergent needs and maximize opportunities as they arise.

A 1/10 oz $5 American Gold Eagle coin is among the prizes at the Jamestown Coin Club Annual Fall Show, this Sunday, August 30, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

The free event is at the Herman Kent Post 777 (Celoron) American Legion, 26 Jackson Ave., off Fairmount Ave., W.E., Jamestown. More than two dozen dealers will be buying, selling, and offering free appraisals of U.S., ancient, and foreign coins. To learn more, call (716) 720-1591.