John and Melinda Bell of Fredonia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday Oct. 26. The couple along with their children threw a Halloween Bash to celebrate this milestone. Melinda also celebrated her 70th birthday. Great food and dancing were enjoyed by all. Family and friends ...

John and Jeri Wiedenhofer were married 50 years ago on Sept. 29, 1969 in Covington, Kentucky, while he was stationed right over the border at his base in Wilmington, Ohio. John was sent to Vietnam in late June, 1970. Nearly three weeks later, he was shot and seriously wounded, spending a year ...

Happy 60th wedding anniversary to Barbara and Michael Luffred of Gowanda. Enjoy your day, fondly, your loving children.

Ronald “Crab” and Nancy Chrabasz recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on Aug. 16, 1969 at St. Hyacinth Church in Dunkirk. Ron is the son of the late Jacob and Frances Chrabasz and brother of the late Norman “Butchie” Chrabasz. Nancy is the daughter of ...

Prevention Works (formerly known as CASAC) is offering an online training entitled “Marijuana and Adolescent Brain Development,” which is available until Nov. 22. Create an account and view the free training today. Presenters are Trish Whetstone and Eric Williams. The benefits are that ...

JAMESTOWN — The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health has announced the final free rabies vaccination clinic for 2019 in Chautauqua County. The clinic will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Jamestown Fire Training Center, 240 ...

JAMESTOWN — It is time again for the What’s New Fair! The 64th annual What’s New Fair, sponsored by the Jamestown Branch of the American Association of University Women, will be held at the Hamilton Collegiate Center on the Jamestown Community College campus on Saturday and Sunday. ...

JAMESTOWN — The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Forest Pest Task Force, is hosting an evening event aimed at educating municipal officials, private landowners, and interested citizens who want to learn more about invasive forest ...

Submitted photo Thirteen of Westfield’s finest music students were chosen for a variety of New York State School Music Association’s music festivals this fall. Students are chosen for these groups on the basis of their solo performance audition at a NYSSMA Solo Festival last May. They ...

Last week we shared a classic recipe that falls right in with the weather we are having. Something cozy that definitely falls in line with comfort food. With record low temperatures and snow fall, cozy is what we need right about now. I’ve heard the joke several times now that we start ...

Submitted photo The October students of the month for Forestville Elementary were revealed. They were selected by their teachers because they are positive role models for their peers in the classroom, follow school rules, are polite and friendly, and are hard workers that never give up, even ...

The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville is collecting new, unsigned Christmas greeting cards with their envelopes for use with its service project of helping to brighten the day of veterans who are in area Veterans Administration facilities by providing them with holiday greeting cards and warm ...

LATHAM – Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Branden Libby from South Dayton and assigned to the ...

The Botticello Family reunion was held at Evangola State Park. A chicken barbecue dinner by Weidner’s was severed along with many appetizers, salads, and desserts family members provided. A cake featuring last year’s attendees served as dessert. The highlight of the reunion was a water ...

ANGOLA — Students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programming at the Carrier Educational Center celebrated hard work and perseverance during the 2019 senior recognition ceremony held at Lake Shore High School. More than 80 students from Eden, Forestville, Gowanda, Lake Shore, ...

The Gary Tripp Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Monica Pokoj of Dunkirk High School. Monica will be attending SUNY Fredonia in the fall. The scholarship has been established using funds from the Gary Tripp Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament was originally started to assist Gary with ...

A daughter, Macy Cassandra Lorraine, was born to Ashley and Tyler Dotson of Marietta, Georgia on June 1, 2019. Ashley is the daughter of Barbara (Rusch) and Kevin Kane of Marietta, Georgia. Macy is the great-granddaughter of Barbara Kane of Dunkirk and Lorraine and David Rusch of Ocala, Florida.

Benjamin “Benji” Zachary Travis was born April 26, 2019 at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. His weight was 7 pounds, 10 ounces and he was 20.5 inches long at birth. His parents are Brooks and Tiffany Travis of Westfield. His siblings are Big Brother Harper and Big Sister Georgianna.

Bradley “B.J.” Jordan Monacelli and Genevieve Elizabeth Barbara Monacelli (Beichner) of Cassadaga are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Viviana Genevieve Monacelli. Vivi, as she is fondly called, was born on January 22, 2019 at the Buffalo Birthing Center in Buffalo. ...

A son, Noah Michael Farnsworth, was born Monday, February 11, 2019 to Jeremy and Jenna Farnsworth of Stockton.

Nicholas Berdyck and Emily Means announce their engagement. Nick is the son of Keith and Debbie Panek of Dunkirk. He is a graduate of Fredonia High School and earned his Bachelors in Business Administration from Jamestown Business College in 2017. He currently works in Quality Assurance at ...

Robert and Patricia Patterson of Dunkirk are pleased to announce the engagement of their son Shawn Patterson to Berenice Martinez, daughter of Ubaldo and Guadalupe Martinez of Sunland, California. Shawn graduated from Dunkirk High School and Gainesville Community College in Gainesville, ...

Randy Elf and Hilary Kurtz Margaret Chrystal Elf of West Ellicott announces the engagement of Hilary Anne Kurtz of Los Angeles and Dr. Randolph Scott Elf of West Ellicott. Miss Kurtz, a daughter of the late Deborah Ann Austin Kurtz and Joseph Cornelius Kurtz IV, is an alumna of Marymount ...

Adam Willis and Casey Cannon got engaged on Sept. 3, 2019. Casey was born and raised in Ellington, New York and graduated from SUNY Fredonia. Adam was born and raised in Eldon, Missouri and graduated from Eldon High School. They will be married on June 20, 2020.

The Chautauqua County Rural Ministry is an agency in Dunkirk assisting those who might need a helping hand. These people could live right next to you. Some have lost jobs and are out of work. Some face health problems that can be create problems for their families. Even abuse occurs with some ...

Griffith Jones, Junior, a family member at The Homestead, a Heritage senior living community in Gerry, was recently awarded a certificate for 65 membership years in the Masons. Deputy Grand Master, Rich Kessler and his wife, Joann, shared, “It was an extreme pleasure to be able to present a ...

Submitted Photo Donations from the community helped Silver Creek Elementary School present more than 300 pairs of socks to the Ruth Remsen Clothing Center at First United Presbyterian Church in Silver Creek via its “Socktober” effort during the month of October. The district is thankful ...

Monday is the beginning of Operation Christmas Child, a program by the Samaritian’s Purse to deliver shoeboxes filled with prizes for children around the world. Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week runs Nov. 18-25. Families, churches and groups are busy transforming ...

On Aug. 31, 2019, Michael Lack and Laura Parks were united in marriage at Shorewood Country Club. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Sandra Ball. Michael is the son of the late Michael Lack Sr. and Nicholene Bosworth of Ellington. Laura is the daughter of Kenneth and Diane Parks of ...

Mr. and Mrs. Tristen Peck Kelsey Luczkowiak and Tristen Peck were united in marriage on Aug. 1, 2019 in front of immediate family and closest friends at the home of Tristen’s grandparents, Stan and Cat Childs. Pastor Sandra Ball officiated. Kelsey is the daughter of April and Don Corll of ...

Emma Rebecca Laperruque and Justin Stephen Smith exchanged wedding vows on Sept. 2, 2018 at the Stanbury restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina. Josh Snyder, dear friend of both the bride and groom, performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Scott and Amy Laperruque of Short Hills, ...

Angela Pucciarelli and Kyle Rice exchanged wedding vows and rings on May 25, 2019, at Holy Trinity Church in Dunkirk. The Rev. Daniel P. Walsh officiated the wedding ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Joe and Donna Pucciarelli of Fredonia. Her husband is the son of Jeff and Connie Rice ...

Brocton Portland Seniors Brocton Portland Seniors met at the Brocton Legion on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Tom DeJoe opened the meeting for 46 members and three guests. Patricia Zanghi led the Pledge of Allegiance and Rev. Clara Wilder gave a prayer of thanks. Pat and George Cook were welcomed along ...

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl Members of United Seniors gathered at the Beaver Club for their monthly luncheon and meeting on Monday, where they also honored members who are U.S. military veterans. Pictured, front row, from left to right are: Tony Borrello, Nick Andin, Charles Alaimo and Fred ...

Collins 50 Plus Seniors Activities for the week of Nov. 10 to 16 Sunday, Nov. 10: Pickle Ball at 6 p.m., L.K. Painter Center gym. Monday, Nov. 11: Exercises w/Pat at 10 a.m., LKP Center gym. Tuesday, Nov. 12: Active Senior Aerobics w/ Kim at 9 a.m., Painter Center gym. Small fee. ...

Dunkirk Senior Center Independent Health will be available at the Dunkirk Senior Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays from through Dec. 5 (for open enrollment). No appointment is necessary. Travel updates: November and December customer appreciation trips are completely sold out ...

PINE VALLEY — Need some more music in your life? Need something fun to do indoors now that winter has arrived? We have just the thing for you! Pine Valley Drama Club is putting on The Music Man, Jr. on Nov. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. at Pine Valley High School. The Music Man, Jr. is about a ...

Fredonia Middle School will present its eighth annual musical, “The Wizard of Oz,” on at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 and 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 23 in the district auditorium. All tickets are $5. Reserved tickets are available at tinyurl.com/fcsdmusic or in the high school lobby from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 19 ...

By DAVID PRENATT editorial@observertoday.com WESTFIELD — Among the two dozen adaptations of Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic tale, “A Christmas Carol,” the version crafted by Grammy Award recipient and music educator, Kent Knappenberger, has become a popular tradition at Westfield ...

The next feature film in the Opera House Cinema Series is “Judy,” the fall hit movie starring Renee Zellweger as the legendary performer Judy Garland. It will be screened on Saturday, Nov. 16, and Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. It’s winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in ...

MAYVILLE — The Mayville Bluegrass Festival took place from 2002 to 2009 at Lakeside Park in Mayville. The Festival is being resurrected in 2019 at Big Inlet Brewing in a one-day, all day format on Saturday, Aug. 17. Tickets are only $20 for admission and are available on line at ...

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present acclaimed comedian Tammy Pescatelli on Friday, Sept. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Arguably one of the hardest working women in comedy today, Tammy Pescatelli brings brassy sexiness with a female voice of witty sarcasm to her audiences, holding her own on topics ...

French chamber music, featuring contemporary violinist Yuki Numata Resnick and two State University of New York at Fredonia School of Music faculty — pianist Eliran Avni, assistant professor, and cellist Natasha Farny, associate professor — will be presented on Saturday at 8 p.m., in Rosch ...

JAMESTOWN — The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center is looking forward to a night full of music and fun in downtown Jamestown during the 15th Annual Local Music Showcase! Local Music Showcase will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in downtown Jamestown. For only ...