The Top Five communities for Season 5 of Small Business Revolution will be announced at 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Join us to watch the livestream reveal Tuesday morning at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. The doors will open at 6:30 a.m. so we can be in place and ready to view the official announcement.

Our fingers are crossed that Fredonia will make it into the Top 5! But even before that announcement, you can sign up now for voting reminders and qualify for the Vote My Fredonia Contest. Over $1,000 in prizes will be given out including Buffalo Bills tickets, Buffalo Sabres tickets, a Florida condo stay (travel not included), and many prizes donated by local Fredonia businesses. When you sign up for email and text reminders you get more chances to win. Go to VoteMyFredonia.com for more information and to sign up. You can also sign up for text reminders by texting myfredonia to 31996.

Small Business Revolution, a production of Deluxe, provides the winning community with $500,000 in business revitalization funds and a platform to showcase the transformation on the TV show, which is hosted by Amanda Brinkman and Ty Pennington and aired on Hulu and Amazon Prime. Previous winning communities for seasons one through four have been: Wabash, IN; Bristol Borough, PA; Alton, IL; and Searcy, AR.

The ramp up of Small Business Revolution in Fredonia has already made a big impact on our community. People have pulled together in a variety of ways to create a renewed sense of vitality and camaraderie. It has been inspiring to be part of the energy around this project.

We hope all will join us for the Reveal Rally, starting at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 14 at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House. Let’s get ready to vote!

Join Us for Doors Open Jamestown January 18

Come one, come all to Doors Open Jamestown on January 18! It’s a FREE day at local attractions, and designed to welcome area residents to visit to amazing places right here in our own backyard.

Designed to invite area residents to visit and learn about the local museums, galleries, and assets we have right here in our community, Doors Open Jamestown features something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, comedy, nature, or art.

Most attractions will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with FREE admission. Hours may vary at some locations. In addition, dozens of local restaurants and retail shops will be open for your shopping and dining pleasure on that day.

The list of participating attractions so far includes: Audubon Community Nature Center, Busti Grist Mill, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, Children’s Activity Corner, DAR House, Fenton History Center, James Prendergast Library, Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, Martz-Kohl Observatory, National Comedy Center (will require preregistration), Marvin Community House, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Robert H. Jackson Center, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is also opening its own doors on that day and will act as a headquarters for Jamestown Up Close and an information center. Our offices are at 300 North Main Street, Jamestown. We will also be part of the Doors Open Scavenger Hunt, and are providing space for Imagine Jamestown, an initiative of the Strategic Planning & Partnerships Commission. The Imagine Jamestown competition is addressing community and quality of life issues in the community and encouraging engagement, education, and empowerment to develop solutions. Stop in and learn more.

Doors Open Jamestown is organized by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close, with support from the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce.

Jamestown Chamber to ‘Salute the Finest’ January 27

All are invited to attend the annual Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce Salute to the Finest, Monday, January 27. This year’s recognition dinner will be held at Landmark Restaurant, 516 West Fourth St.

We are proud to present this year’s list of award recipients: New Business of the Year, Fringe Hair Salon; Young Business Person of the Year, Andrea Latona of Full Moon Rising Bakery; Service to Humanity Award, Chautauqua Blind Association; Pride of Jamestown Award, Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown; and the Business of the Year Award to JRSC Digital. A special Hometown Legacy Award will be presented this year to Geer-Dunn Co. Inc. for its 100 years of service to the Jamestown community.

A cocktail hour with cash bar starts at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6 p.m. The cost is $38 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members, or you can reserve a table of eight for $280. Meal selections are mango salmon, boneless short ribs, chicken Florentine, or a vegetarian butternut bowl. Reservations are required by January 21 and early registration is advised due to limited seating. To register visit chamberrsvp.org or call the Chamber at (716) 484-1101. Salute to the Finest is sponsored by Serta Mattress and the Media One Radio Group.

Celebrating Winter on Presidents Day Weekend!

The Presidents Day Weekend Winter Festival is February 14-16 at Lakeside Park in Mayville. This spectacular annual event celebrates our wonderful winter season here in Chautauqua County. It features construction of a large ice castle on the shore of Chautauqua Lake (weather permitting) at 6 p.m., February 14, followed by the Queen of Hearts Ice Ball under the big tent from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Throughout the weekend there will be activities, games, crafts, vendors, a beer & wine tent, carriage rides, ice hockey, an ice fishing contest, a snowball contest, chili cook-off, music, the Polar Plunge to benefit food pantries in Western New York, a 5K run by Chautauqua Striders, an amazing fireworks display, and much more!

Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions during this huge event. If you want to help, please call or email Jacquelyn Sasso, Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber Coordinator, at 366-6200 or jsasso@chautauquachamber.org.

In addition, the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel will hold its second annual Fire & Ice Celebration February 13-15. Over 20,000 pounds of meticulously carved ice sculptures will be on display along with music, food, martini luges, fireworks, and more. Tickets are $25 per person and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Child Advocacy Program in Chautauqua County. For more information contact the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel at (716) 489-2800.