Dunkirk schools to close schools for eclipse

The Dunkirk City School District has joined the many area schools shutting down for the April 8 solar eclipse.

Superintendent Michael Mansfield told the Board of Education recently that the school should be able to use a “snow day” April 8. He said the district has used only one so far this school year.

The Lake Erie coastline is in the “path of totality,” where the sun will be completely blotted out. The area is expected to be inundated with visitors.

Adoption hours canceled this week

Lakeshore Humane Society’s open adoption hours will not be Wednesday and Saturday. Regular open adoption hours will resume Wednesday, March 6. LHS holds open adoption hours each Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from noon to 3 pm at the LHS Adoption Center, 431 E. Chestnut Street in Dunkirk. See www.lakeshorehumanesociety.org or call 716-672-1991 for information.

Kindergarten registration underway

The Fredonia Central School District welcomes families to register children for UPK and/or Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year.

Registration for pre-kindergarten children who will turn 4 years old on or before Dec. 1 and registration for kindergarten children who will turn 5 years old on or before Dec. 1 is currently in progress.

Kindergarten and pre-kindergarten registration are critical pieces of the school enrollment process. The pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms will continue to be held at Wheelock Early Childhood Center next year.

Please call the Wheelock School office to enroll your child in either UPK or Kindergarten and request a registration packet. The district plans on offering a full-day UPK program for all students next year, as well as an optional half-day am classroom.

Parents and/or guardians will need to provide the district with several important items when registering their child: proof of residency such as a utility bill or rent receipt, a birth certificate or other legal evidence of your child’s age, your child’s immunization record, and the completed pre-kindergarten or kindergarten packet forms and materials.

Please contact the Wheelock Office by April 1 at 679-1581, ex 2800 to request a registration packet for either Universal Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten.

Totopos finally open

Totopos Mexican Grill is finally open.

The much-anticipated restaurant near the Route 20-60 roundabout in the town of Pomfret opened Monday. It held a ribbon cutting Feb. 2 but didn’t open doors to the public for more than three weeks.

The restaurant is on the site of the former Paper Factory, a longtime, locally popular variety store. Totopos’ proprietors did extensive renovations to the building for more than a year, after Paper Factory closed.

Stations of Cross planned for Friday

Blessed Mary Angela Parish, a member of The Lord’s Vineyard, will be hosting its annual youth-led Stations of the Cross on Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Hyacinth\’s Church, Lake Shore Drive East in Dunkirk. Everyone is welcome to join the church for a special evening as it continues on the Lenten journey. All youth ages pre-k through high school are invited to participate in various ways, including readings, leading prayers or walking the stations. Those participating should arrive at 6:45 p.m. For questions, call or text Lori Felt at (716) 785-8831.

Towel Bingo planned for March 17

BROCTON — Sunday, March 17, the Preceptor Beta Epsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi is sponsoring its 22nd annual Towel Bingo at the Brocton American Legion, Post 434, Main Street, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Doors will open at noon. A variety of colorful bath and beach towels are available for winners of this unique bingo game using player’s cards instead of regular bingo cards. A Chinese auction and 50-50 drawings will be held during the afternoon and a variety of delicious treats will be served during the intermission.

Free punch and coffee are available during the afternoon. The winners of the Chinese auction will be announced after refreshments are served.

Money raised from this entertaining event is donated locally throughout the year to assist families, individuals and organizations in need of financial help or going through challenging times.

Farmland Protection Board meets Thursday

The Chautauqua County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board will be holding a meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building, 3 North Erie Street, Mayville. This meeting is open to the public. The meeting is also available by videoconference by going to the link https://chqgov.webex.com/meet/sharpl

Contact Lauren Sharp at the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development at sharpl@chqgov.com with any questions.