Our area in Western New York state is a most beautiful and productive geographic location. Today in our column, we “highlight” in these verses, just one of the many most pleasant and scenic of communities in the area.

GOWANDA …

THE VALLEY BETWEEN THE HILLSIDES

By Robert L. Heichberger

Between the bountiful hillsides

With meadows and trees all sublime,

There is a valley with splendorous texture

And a running creek flowing in prime.

The hills are arrayed with choice splendor

Whatever season or time of the year,

They dress with colorful adornment

Giving to many, an abundance of cheer.

The two counties … Cattaraugus and Erie stand side by side

And the Village bridges the two;

The people there stand as care-giving neighbors

And their thoughtfulness is so wholeheartedly true.

Here is where the Amish trail arrow points southward

With a bountiful picturesque so serene;

Pristine farms and woodlands of beauty

What a natural and spectacular scene.

The gleaming waters of the creek flows like crystals

Over rocks and glimmering shoals;

They are the waters from the beautiful hillsides

Into Cattaraugus Creek with rippling unfolds.

The valley between the lush-filled hillsides

Is a precious sight … truly to behold

With people, tree lined streets, and colored gardens

A precious sight and a joy to unfold.

There is the Hollywood Theater standing so proudly

Renovated to the state of the art

And Academy Place with pride and with firmness

Meeting the needs of the people who take heart.

There are the places where people assemble

And gather to shop and to converse

And after a bit, with time moving forward

Each group goes on their way to disperse.

There are men and women busily doing

Helping others with a giving so sincere

Working, shopping, and caring for others

And receiving from others, a smile with good cheer.

There are volunteers and helpful first-responders

Who willingly give of their time

There are businesses, professionals and so many others

Who thoughtfully share their talents sublime.

This community is where visitors are treated like friends

And friends are treated like family…

Be it the home and the school, the town with the village

All are working with neighborly harmony.

The tree-lined hillsides surround this thriving village

This picturesque scene is special indeed

For all the people, be they residents or visitors…

Gowanda is like home, all seem to agree

This is the valley … between the bountiful hillsides

Where thoughtful people work and reside

It is a remarkable and friendly little village

“GOWANDA is its name” and we say it pride.

Dr. Robert L. Heichberger is a resident of Gowanda and Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus at SUNY Fredonia