County DMV office hours

The three county DMV offices and the County Clerk’s office in Mayville will close on Monday (Christmas eve) at 1 p,m. This decision was made after observing historically low business volume on this day and the employee’s desire to have the extra time to plan for family gatherings. The offices will also be closed all day Christmas day and will re-open at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Dunkirk Recreation Department Adult Walking Program holiday hours

The Dunkirk Recreation Department’s Adult Walking Program at the Recreation Center Building at the fairgrounds will be closed on the following days: Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

City of Dunkirk announces holiday schedule

Dunkirk City Hall will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24 for Christmas Eve and Tuesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas Day.

As per the 2018 Curbside Collection Schedule, rubbish in the Tuesday collection zone (District B) will be picked up on Wednesday, Dec. 26, rubbish in the Wednesday collection zone (District C) will be picked up on Thursday, Dec. 27, rubbish in the Thursday collection zone (District A) will be picked up on Friday, Dec. 28 and rubbish in the Friday collection zone (District D) will be picked up on Saturday, Dec. 29.

Copies of the Curbside Collection Schedule, which are valid until Feb. 28, 2019, are still available in the City Clerk’s Office, City Treasurer’s Office and Public Works Department; they are also located on the city’s website at www.dunkirktoday.com.

Annual Christmas Eve 2018 Chautauqua Rails to Trails Event

One of the many benefits of utilizing the trail system created and maintained by Chautauqua Rails to Trails is an appreciation of our county’s railroad history. A day that lives in infamy is Christmas Eve, 1872, when a Buffalo, Corry and Pittsburgh trail went off the trestle, causing the passenger car to fall 25 feet, crash and burn. Twenty-one lives were lost. Many descendants of the victims keep that dark day in mind even today.

Chautauqua Rails to Trails will again commemorate the tragedy at the site of the accident. Attendees will convene at the Prospect Station trailhead on Christmas Eve at 2:30 p.m. The trailhead is located at the intersection of Prospect Station, Fish and Barnes Roads. The address is 6830 Barnes Road, Westfield. This year is special. Musicians Bill Ward and Mike Bratt will perform their collaborative work, “Christmas Eve at Prospect Station.” Refreshments will be provided. All trail lovers are welcome.

Villenova Grange plans pancake brunch Sunday, Jan. 6

The Villenova Grange will hold a pancake brunch on Sunday, Jan. 6 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Balcom Corners, 438 Route 83 (and 322), South Dayton. The event is all you can eat. The cost is $8 large, $7 small.

Perrysburg Town Board meeting planned

The Perrysburg Town Board will hold a special year end meeting on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m., at the Town Hall, 10460 Peck Hill Road, Perrysburg.

Seeking lights on display

The OBSERVER is making its list and checking it twice for noteworthy jolly holiday homes in Northern Chautauqua County. If you see any festive homes decorated for the season, call the OBSERVER at 366-3000 ext. 492 or email lifestyles@observertoday.com and mention addresses for recognition.

Check out these festive homes decorated for the holidays:

Dunkirk

6 Courtney St.

119 S. Margay St.

151 S. Serval St.

40 Sobieski St. (Ken and Dar Szymczak)

825 Washington Ave. (Bill and Wende Adamczak)

736 Park Ave. (Donald Piglowski family)

769 Park Ave.

919 Central Ave. (Francis family)

Fredonia

131 Matteson St. (Mike and Debbie Brooks)

26 Cleveland Ave.

21 Bradish St. (Brett and Jen Christy and family)

88 Prospect, 106 Prospect St.

several on Link Street

16 Cushing St. (Len Truby family)

22 Cushing St. (Ed Koning family)

Forestville

Round Top Road (Nick and Jen France)