Smoke Dance Contest set for today

The Tallchief Territory Spring Smoke Dance Contest will take place Saturday June 3 from noon to 5 p.m., at the Tallchief Event Center located at the Native Pride Travel Plaza, 11359 Southwestern Blvd., in Irving. According to J.C. Seneca, owner of Tallchief Territory: Home of Native Pride, Smoke Dances are a long-running Seneca Nation tradition.

“The Native American Smoke Dance began as part of a Six Nations ritual, as men prepared for battle,” Seneca stated. “Today, the dances include both men and women competing in displays of fancy footwork and athleticism to songs of both slow and fast tempos. Our competition will also include Native foods, along with Native crafts and arts vendors. We welcome people of all ages to come and experience this special tradition.”

General admission for the Smoke Dance is $10. Children 4 and under, and elders 60 and over are free. Dancer registration with individual fees of $10 will begin at 10 a.m. and will include contest categories of Tiny Tots (0-4), Youth (5-12), Teens (13-17) , Junior Adult (18-35), Senior Adult (36-49), and Golden Age (50+). The dancer’s grand entry will start at noon, with contests and social dances continuing until 4:30pm. Social Dances will feature the Ganondase:’ Singers.

More information on the Tallchief Smoke Dance Competition is available at Tallchief Territory Spring Smoke Dance ’23. More information about the Tallchief Events Center and the upcoming 2023 schedule of events is available at https://www.facebook.com/nativepridetravelplaza

Sons of Legion meet Tuesday

The Sons of the American Legion, Squad 59, will be holding a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Post 59, 156 E. Main St., Fredonia. The meeting is to finalize plans for its upcoming June 10 meat and shrimp Bingo Fundraiser open to members and guests.

Youngerman Center to host stroke, head survivor support group

The Henry C. Youngerman Center for Communication Disorders at the State University of New York at Fredonia will offer support group meetings in June and July for stroke and head injury survivors and their family members.

The group will meet twice during the summer on two Tuesdays: 3 to 4 p.m. June 20 and July 18, in Thompson Hall Room E148.

A typical group meeting includes activities to help stroke/head injury survivors learn to use compensatory strategies to improve communication skills and provide educational information, while also providing an opportunity to socialize and share experiences. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Youngerman Center recognizes there are individuals in the community whose insurance benefit for therapy has been exhausted but their hopes for improvement have not. Julie Williams, coordinator, can be contacted at (716) 673-4618 for more information about attending the group.

Fredonia Food Pantry open June 17

On Saturday, June 17, The Fredonia Food Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon at Fredonia Presbyterian Church at 219 Central Ave. The pantry serves the needs of residents of Fredonia, ZIP code 14063, including Pomfret, Sheridan, and Laona. All guests receive one or more bags of non-perishable food. Number of bags given out depends on family size.

Forestville yard sales June 10

FORESTVILLE — Forestville Community Yard Sales will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 10. Residents can still sign up at Cave’s Market or Evans Bank. The Forestville Fire Department is having a chicken barbecue from noon until sold out at the Fire Hall.