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Whipple, Granger Family Businesses, Red's and Trudy's, and Fox Financial to be honored at

Chamber's 113th Annual Dinner

Three businesses and one individual are receiving the highest recognition bestowed by Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is pleased to announce the winners of its L.O.U.I.E. and Enterprising Businesses awards, as well as a new honor, the Presidential Award.

Jack Whipple, CEO and managing shareholder of Buffamante Whipple and Buttafaro, P.C., is receiving this 2018 L.O.U.I.E. Award. Both Fox Financial and Granger Family Businesses are this year’s winners of the Enterprising Business Award. Taking home the inaugural Presidential Award is Portville mainstay Red’s and Trudy’s.

The winners will be honored at the Chamber’s 113th Annual Dinner, slated for Nov. 1 at Good Times of Olean’s Events Center. To reserve tickets, contact the Chamber at 372-4433 or email info@oleanny.com.

Whipple awarded prestigious L.O.U.I.E. Award

For a career of serving the businesses and residents of the greater Olean area, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to give the highest recognition it can to Jack Whipple, CEO and managing shareholder of Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, P.C.

At the Chamber’s upcoming 113th Annual Dinner, slated for Nov.1 at Good Times of Olean’s Events Center, Whipple will received the L.O.U.I.E. (Love of Olean United in Enterprise) Award.

The L.O.U.I.E. Award is bestowed upon an individual who symbolizes the enterprising spirit of commercial growth and admiration for the greater Olean community, qualities which were embodied in the life of Louis Marra. Last year’s recipient was Brian Snyder, the former CEO of the Olean Area Federal Credit Union.

“Jack is the epitome of the L.O.U.I.E. Award — a person devoted to the greater Olean area both as a leader in business and someone who readily gives back,” said Larry Sorokes, the Chamber’s CEO. “His career is one firmly rooted in his upbringing in Olean and demonstrates how hard work combined with strategic thinking can lead to great success.”

Whipple has enjoyed a long career in his hometown.

After graduating from St. Bonaventure University in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in business administration focused on accounting, Whipple began his career working as a staff accountant for Sheeser & Co., an accounting firm in Olean. He became a CPA in 1981. A year later, Whipple and a coworker, Steve Teuscher, bought the company from its founder, Pete Sheeser, establishing Teuscher & Whipple CPAs.

Throughout the next decade, Whipple and Teuscher worked to grow the business and maintain its foothold in the area’s accounting sector. In 1992, Whipple became the sole owner of the firm, and a year later he merged the company with then Weinaug, Benson, Buffamante & Co., P.C., another local accounting firm, to create what would become Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, P.C.

During his time at BWB, the now CEO and managing shareholder has filled many roles, often working closely with clients to provide tax, accounting and advisory services. In addition, he’s acted as a consultant on valuation and litigation support engagements, buy-sell agreements, mergers, and acquisitions.

Much of the firm’s growth in the 25 years that followed is attributed, in part, to Whipple’s leadership style, which those who nominated him for the L.O.U.I.E. described as one of positivity, tenacity, and generosity.

In fact, his nomination for the award cited many examples of how Whipple has used the firm as a means to do good in the community. His nominators pointed to BWB’s “Stuff the Truck” campaign, in which the accounting firm calls upon its management, staff, and the community to collect donations of food or money to benefit the area’s food pantries during the holiday season.

Outside of BWB, the Olean native is an active member of the community, helping local organizations.

Of note, Whipple has given his time and talent to the National Exchange Club of Olean, Cattaraugus County Mental Health Association, Interfaith Caregiver’s Gift Tree Program, Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, and St. Bonaventure University. What’s more, in 2003, he helped coach as an assistant an Olean Little League Baseball team to a season title championship game. Whipple has also served on various committees and the Board of Directors at Bartlett Country Club.

He is currently on Board of Directors of Community Bank Systems, Inc. where he chairs its Audit Committee and is a member of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

“Jack is a great addition to the long list of L.O.U.I.E. winners and the Chamber is proud to honor one of Olean’s own,” Sorokes said.

Granger Family Businesses to receive 2018 Enterprising Business Award

The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Granger Family Businesses has been selected to receive the 2018 Enterprising Business Award.

The Enterprising Business Award is the highest honor the Chamber gives to a member business. Recipients are companies which exemplify the unique hometown charm of the greater Olean area through enriching the community and commercial growth. Good Times of Olean and MJ Painting Contractor Corp. both received the 2017 Enterprising Business Award.

“Granger Family Businesses, owned by Al “Sparky” Granger, represents the entrepreneurial spirit of the greater Olean area,” said Tim O’Keefe, president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “Under the leadership of Mr. Granger, the company has set a fine example of how a to create great success in using the solid foundation of one business as a springboard to pursue other ventures.

“What’s particularly impressive is as Granger Family Businesses has expanded and taken on more long-standing establishments, it’s never lost sight of the community it calls home.”

Granger Family Businesses entered the local restaurant scene in March 1996 when Granger opened The Third Base at the corner of North 12th and West State streets. The bar and restaurant quickly became a fixture in the area’s nightlife as a favorite place for many to socialize, eat, or enjoy watching game. It’s remained that way ever since and has withstood the test of time. This year, The Third Base will see significant renovations.

With a well-established foothold in its industry, Granger Family Businesses started taking steps to becoming a bigger player in the local restaurant scene in 2014.

In March of that year, Granger Family Businesses purchased the former Skinny’s pizzeria in Olean and changed its name to Sparky’s Pizza and Subs.

Almost a month later, Granger Family Businesses expanded again when Granger and business partner Jason Keller took over operations at the former Tom’s West State News — a popular breakfast and lunch diner — and renamed the business The Home Plate.

Though both eateries were under new management, Granger Family Businesses only enhanced the restaurants — keeping the same welcoming ambiance and popular menu items each were known for while adding its own subtle touches.

Granger Family Businesses rounded out its operations with the opening of Grand Slam Grill in Allegany on March 14, 2017 — 21 years to the day Granger opened The Third Base. The new restaurant boasts a casual atmosphere and dining options. Just like the The Third Base, Grand Slam Grill has quickly become a popular dining establishment.

In total, Granger Family Businesses employs 30.

Through its four locations, Granger Family Businesses is able to give back to the community. There’s hardly a softball, hockey or dart tournament that the company doesn’t sponsor in some form. Granger Family Businesses is also always quick to donate gift certificates to charitable causes as well.

Red’s and Trudy’s awarded Chamber’s first Presidential Award

One of the area’s oldest businesses is receiving the newest award from Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce.

Taking home the inaugural Presidential Award is Portville mainstay Red’s and Trudy’s. The 94-year-old establishment will receive the honor at the Chamber’s 113th Annual Dinner early next month.

The Presidential Award is given to a business, organization or individual that are iconic and integral to the fabric of the business community in the greater Olean area. Recipients are selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

“The greater Olean area has a long list of businesses and individuals that are institutions in our community,” said Tim O’Keefe, President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “There’s no question that Red’s and Trudy’s is one of them. The restaurant has a history that spans generations. Though the restaurant has changed hands several times during the last nine decades, the quality experience its patrons have embraced has not.

“Red’s and Trudy’s is absolutely deserving of this award and a wonderful first recipient of it.”

Red’s and Trudy’s roots date back to the early part of the last century.

Frank and Libby Johnson Middaugh started serving food in a small building next door to their house on Portville-Ceres Road in 1924. They called it “Middaughs.” The eatery was very small, occupying a space of only 10 feet by 14 feet. In 1926, a dining room that could seat 36 was added. The next year, a room for a kitchen was added and later a storeroom.

In 1932, Red Rutledge took over the business and called it “Rutledges.” Eighteen years later, the property sold to its current namesakes, Gertrude “Red” Foote and Trudell “Trudy” Powell, both of Shinglehouse, Pa. The pair renamed the restaurant “Red’s and Trudy’s.”

The business again changed hands In 1958 when Francis “Hoppy” and Janice Caya purchased the restaurant. During the 1972 flood, high water damaged the restaurant and necessitated a complete redecoration of the interior.

The Caya’s son, Fred, and his wife, Melanie, bought the restaurant in 2000 to continue the local tradition. The same popular items remain on the menu, with a few new additions.

Countless area residents have fond memories of Red’s and Trudy’s, and the restaurant has remained a family tradition for many spanning generations.

Fox Financial honored with 2018 Enterprising Business Award

The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Fox Financial has been selected to receive the 2018 Enterprising Business Award.

“Fox Financial is truly an asset to the greater Olean area,” said Meme Yanetsko, the Chamber’s COO. “The company and its employees are committed to the success of our community and set a fine example for the business community. Fox Financial and staff have anticipated and responded to market demands while exemplifying their commitment to their hometown.”

Founded in 1990 by Bill Fox and his daughter, Paula Fox Derwick, Fox Financial was an addition to the H&R Block office the pair ran in Olean. The firm focused on financial management and bookkeeping services.

Originally the business was headquartered at 483 N. Union St., a space immediately next door to its current location in Olean. As the financial management firm grew, it added investment services in Bradford, Pa., in the mid-1990s and relocated its Olean office to its home at 487 N. Union St. Approximately 10 years ago, investment services was added to their Wellsville location.

During its nearly three decades of operations, the financial management firm saw continued growth, not only from the number its offices, but within its repertoire of services, which were expanded to include more bookkeeping options and financial planning among other things. Fox Financial now employs upward of 20, with 11 of its employees at its Olean office.

As a mainstay of Olean’s downtown shopping district, Fox Financial has embraced the city’s economic redevelopment efforts.

In fact, the firm was one of the earliest supporters of the multi million-dollar Walkable Olean project. It was among the first businesses along North Union Street to invest money into its building’s facade to complement downtown revitalization efforts.

While the company and its staff have helped countless area residents navigate their way through the finer points of money management, the business has also served as a vehicle to better the community.

Fox Financial offers its support to many causes and organizations throughout the greater Olean area, including the “Back to School Backpack Program” at Christ United Methodist Church, Friends of Good Music, the Olean Theatre Workshop, Olean Community Theatre, the Tri-County Arts Council, and the Pfeiffer Nature Center.

Fox Financial also holds an annual “Shred Fest,” in which the community can bring documents with personal information for proper and safe disposal.

Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize the three businesses and Whipple at its 113th Annual Dinner, slated for Nov. 1 at Good Times of Olean’s Events Center.

An informal reception will start at 6 p.m., with the dinner slated for 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are $46 with a choice of menu of coconut crusted swai or chicken scaloppini marsala. A vegetarian option is also available. Patron dinner tickets for $55 and corporate tables of eight for $500 are also available to reserve. Patrons and corporates receive a listing in the dinner program. Music will be provided by New York Standard Time comprised of Jan Rhody, Les Sabina, Moses Howden.

Allegheny River Valley Trail celebrates 20 years

After serving countless walkers, runners and hikers, the Allegheny River Valley Trail celebrates a major milestone.

This month, the multi-use recreation trail running through Allegany, St. Bonaventure University and parts of the city and town of Olean, celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Plans for the trail started in 1992 when Joe Higgins, a local businessman, put his energy into seeing it come to fruition.

“My kids went to schools in places that had incredible trails in their communities, and when we would visit them, we’d hike them,” Higgins, who serves as chairman Allegheny River Valley Trail Committee, said. “We have a beautiful river ... and there were a lot of trails back in its floodplains that a lot of people used. Putting a trail in seemed like the natural thing to do and something our area needed to take advantage of.”

During the next six years, work on the trail slowly took shape, with Higgins devoting much of the effort to coordinating the project’s development among four municipalities, Cattaraugus County, dozens of property owners, funding agencies, and other stakeholders. Higgins also spoke with communities across the country that had long networks of trails for insights into creating a trail, as well.

Seeing the value of the trail, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce joined as the project’s facilitator with the Town of Allegany as its sponsor. In fact, the account for the trail’s funding is what sparked the creation of what’s now the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

“It took a lot for this all to come together,” Higgins said.

Actual construction of the approximate $750,000 project was started and completed in 1998.

“As soon as parts of the trail were completed, people were out there using it right away,” Higgins noted.

Some 13 years later, the 5.5 mile-long hiking loop saw a major upgrade.

Through a multi million-dollar grant from the federal government, a three-quarter mile extension of the trail was added across St. Bonaventure University’s campus to create a 2.5 mile loop within the pathway. With the addition, about 50 percent of the trail was strictly on the university’s property. The grant also funded other improvements, such as repaving several of the trail's stretches and building a public restroom and warming hut on the university’s property.

More recently, crews have worked to upgrade its crossing at Constitution Avenue to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, installing new concrete and rubber panels on either side of the road.

“One of the great things to see is how our different partners have really made sure to stay on top of the upkeep of the trail,” Higgins said. “The trail is really an asset to our community and so many people use it.

“We are very grateful to everyone who saw the value in this and still do.”

Chamber accepting Santa Claus Lane Parade

float applications

The Santa Claus Lane Parade is always the highlight of the holiday season, attracting loads of people of all ages to downtown Olean. The parade will be held on the Friday, Nov. 23, in downtown Olean, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Santa Claus Lane Committee encourages area organizations and businesses to participate in the parade with a float, send in a musical unit, or display historical/public vehicles in the parade.

The parade will begin at Delaware Avenue and North Union Street, and proceed south on North Union. Santa and Martha Claus will have their traditional countdown of the lights coming on at the intersection of State and Union streets.

To participate in the parade, print out and fill in an application that can be found online at the Chamber’s website, www.oleanny.com, or call the Chamber's office at 372-4433.

Parade trophies will be presented in the following eight categories: The Elves Award will go to the float or unit that best typifies the holiday through the eyes of a child; Angelic Spirit Award will go to the most spiritual/religious float or unit. The Blitzen Award will go to the most photogenic float or unit; Jingle Bells Award go to the best theatrical (music/dance) float or unit; The Rudolph Award for the float with the most or best use of lights; The Seasons Greetings Award to the best newcomer to the parade, and one that typifies a welcoming theme - this unit must be a first-time entrant; and The Snowflake Award for the unit with the most participants in the parade. The Sleigh Award will go to the most decorated larger truck (fire truck, flatbed, utility vehicles, etc.)

The parade rules and guidelines include: floats may be no taller than 13 feet and they may not contain a Santa or Martha Claus; candy, small toys, light up wands, etc. should be thrown from the float, and any children on the float should supervised. Adults must accompany small children if walking. If you would like to hand out candy/coupons, please have volunteers walk along the sidewalk to do so. Animals, such as dogs and horses are allowed in the parade, you must provide scoopers to clean up droppings.

To participate in the parade, a float or unit must be decorated in holiday fashion. All floats up up for inspection before they enter the parade route. Although there is no official deadline for parade applications, the Chamber urges all participants to get the information by Nov. 20. All parade participants must have a waiver signed and Chamber officials ask that all waivers be handed in by Nov. 23, at its office at 301 N. Union St.

For more information regarding Santa Claus Lane call 372-4433 or email santa@oleanny.com.

Maximize your membership this holiday season

Again this holiday season, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce would like to offer you, our Chamber members, the opportunity to list holiday specials in one email blast targeted to your fellow members and the community.

Consider these emails as an additional tool to your normal promotional activities you do with our member television, newspapers and radio stations.

Ideas that you may want to consider promoting via the email blasts include:

• Host an open house possibly targeting the first hour just for Chamber members

• Give your product or service discounts some added holiday magic and do something extra special just for Chamber members.

•Feature product/services.

Our member marketing blast will focus on these days:

-Friday, Nov. 23. – Black Friday

-Saturday, Nov. 24 – Small Business Saturday

-Tuesday, Nov. 27– GivingTuesday

A special email will be sent out Nov. 13th. Have your information to the Chamber no later than Nov. 9. Please include:

Company Name

Physical Address

Website Address

Special Store Hours

Please list your special for your product/service for either or both of these days.

For organizations participating in Giving Tuesday:

Blurb on your #GivingTuesday organization

How can people donate to your organization — provide directions

Once signed up, we will fax or email you the e-blast for you to review your specials/deal.

Also, we encourage you to continue with your normal holiday promotion with our member radio stations or newspapers. This promotion above will only be sent to our Chamber members through their emails.

For more information, contact the Chamber at info@oleanny.com or call 372-4433.

Olean Area Young Professionals sets

November event

Olean Area Young Professionals will be getting together from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m., Nov. 8, at the Holiday Inn Express located at 101 Main St. in Olean. Vic Vena Jr., the owner of Allen’s Wine and Liquors, will host a wine tasting for the group. He’ll be focusing on the best wine pairings for holiday dinners. What’s more, Hedley Brook Agency is stepping up and sponsoring the wine tasting.

Please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfw05Hq9HDCOH_wpuPMQr7dLHROdN48Ih9-2x86lxWHX8NUA/viewform?usp=sf_link

As part of its event, OAYP will be collecting donations to benefit area food pantries. A donation of $5 is suggested.

The Bernice Pierson Challenge Course is ready for you

Portville Central School District invites the community to take advantage of a unique opportunity for team building.

The Bernice Pierson Challenge Course, a ropes course and the first of its kind in the area, is available for use by area school districts, non-profits, and businesses looking to strengthen bonds between coworkers and friends.

The course is named after the former Portville Central technology/aggriculture teacher, the late Bernice Pierson. Pierson was tragically killed in an automobile accident in August 2012, days before the start of the school year. Pierson began working at Portville Central School in 1998 and was an avid outdoors person. The course was dedicated on May 21, 2015, and funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant.

Its high ropes course is set among the trees of Frair Forest located behind the school. There are two courses: lower course is 32 feet from the ground and the higher course is 42 feet. The lower course has five elements and the higher course has seven elements. Each of these elements challenges the mind and body. Participants will need strategy and balance to get through the elements. The final element is the 500-foot zip line.

The low ropes course contains 13 elements that will improve communication, team building, and problem solving. These elements focus on leadership skills and positive communication to achieve success on an element. They vary in amounts of risk, strength and awareness. This course is also located among the trees of the Frair Forest.

The inside course is located in the PCS South Gym. It features a 32 foot-high climbing wall. There are four paths to go up the wall, each challenging in their own way. Also in the south gym are six other elements that are suspended from the ceiling. Climbers are belayed on each of these elements. They challenge your balance, climbing skills and your love for heights.

The course is maxed out at 40 participants, but may accommodate more if arrangements are made. For more information, contact Portville Central School Athletic Director office at 716-933-1147 or ecolligan@portville.wnyric.org.

Chamber announces 2018-19

Business After Hours Schedule

The next season of Business After Hours is now underway. The second installment of the 2018-19 schedule was held on Oct. 24 at Olean Medical Group.

Business After Hours is held each year, once a month between August and May. The events provide an opportunity for Chamber members and their employees to meet and network.

StrOlean returs today

The final StrOlean of 2018 is today.

“Our first two StrOleans in 2018 have been successful in terms of vendors, events and attendanc. We are seeing many different companies and non-profits set up either a booth or an event at each of the events,” said Meme Krahe Yanetsko, the Chamber’s COO. “We encourage the community to come out and partake in StrOlean. Once again, there are many activities and programs off of North Union Street, so include those in your walking plan as well.”

Up and down North Union Street, many of the brick/mortar stores are participating in the Popup Marketplace, in which they’re hosting events and sales at their stores. Many vendors are also coming to the downtown to display and sell their artisan items, artwork, jewelry and more.

Events are plentiful, too. Strollers may enjoy: chair massages at Radiant Health Spa; a used book sale; make and take craft class; bench press rep out; Girl Scouts of Western New York will teach children how to make a binary code bracelet; line dancing by the Toe Heel Twisters Line Dancers; Shhh – a Flash Mob will break out; a Halloween costume party at Storm Athletics in the mall; wine tasting at Allen’s Wine and Liquors; Olean Theatre Workshop’s 50 & 60s Dance and Song; Halloween at My YMCA; #NationalMuleDay at Union Whisk(e)y and karaoke at the Eagles Club.

Many of the vendors/events will be passing out treats to children in attendance for Halloween. Also the Cattaraugus Career Center /One Stop will be hosting a StrOlean job Fair at the center 175 N. Union St., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Attendees can partake in this free job fair and meet with 12 employers that have job openings. Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring resumes.

A complete program of activities and vendors with their locations and times is available at participating vendors at StrOlean, online at www.oleanny.com, and at the Chamber office.

The Chamber has scheduled the StrOlean events in 2019 for June 15, Aug. 16, and Oct. 26. For more information, please call GOACC at 372-4433 or email events@oleanny.com.

Marketing 101 Lunch & Learn set for Nov. 8

The next installment of the Chamber’s Lunch & Learn series — Marketing 101 — is slated for noon on Nov. 8. Attendees will learn how to reach and target the right audience for their business. They will also see how to get results from advertising investment, no matter the size of the budget. The featured speaker is Laurie Lis.

"This Lunch & Learn will bring up marketing basics for small business owners to help them better reach customers,” said Erica Dreher, the Chamber’s Member Outreach Director.

The Lunch & Learn series is free workshops conducted by local business experts, Chamber members, and associates of our Chamber partners.

“The workshops feature a wide variety of topics that are helpful for anyone involved with a business, from owners and managers to entry-level employees as well as some personal enrichment topics,” Dreher added.

Upcoming workshop topics include: self defense for business people; OPL Online rEsources; and estate planning for the individual and business owner.

The workshops are held at the Chamber’s office, 301 N. Union St., and are free for members to attend. Non-members must pay a $10 admission fee. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the Chamber by phone at 372-4433 or email erica@oleanny.com.

Leadership Cattaraugus accepting applications

for 2019 class

Scholarship applications are available for Leadership Cattaraugus’ Class of 2019 applicants through the organization’s scholarship fund, managed by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation.

The Leadership Cattaraugus board of directors established the Leadership Cattaraugus Scholarship Fund at CRCF to make participation in the program more affordable for worthy future leaders in the community.

The application is available at cattfoundation.org/scholarships. Applicants must email their completed application tofoundation@cattfoundation.org by Dec. 31 to be eligible. The CRCF Scholarship Committee will review the applications and recommend the awardees. Scholarship applicants must also apply for admission to the 2019 Leadership Cattaraugus class at www.leadershipcattaraugus.org.

The fund provides scholarships to cover the lesser of 25 percent of the cost of tuition or $400. The number and amount of awards varies based on the strength of applicants and availability of funding.

Applicants must live in and/or work in Cattaraugus County and be employed by a small (fewer than 100 employees) government entity, nonprofit or small business independently owned and operated in Cattaraugus County.

Applicants are judged by criteria including, but not limited to, the following:

• The individual is an existing or emerging leader as demonstrated by holding a leadership position in his/her organization or expecting to move into a leadership position within his/her organization in the next six to 12 months.

• Serves as a formal or informal leader in his/her community. Examples include:

• Serving as an elected official.

• Leadership in a civic or faith-based activity outside of the workplace.

• Coaching a sport.

• Coordinating a community activity/fundraising effort, etc.

• Has a vested interest in creating sustainable vibrant Cattaraugus County communities as demonstrated by community volunteerism and other similar activities.

• Engages in or expresses willingness to engage in community service activities (volunteerism, community campaigns, service on a board, etc.)

Awarded for the first time in 2018, the fund made possible two scholarships of $325 each to support class members.

Leadership Cattaraugus’ goal is to identify future leaders of the area and help them develop the skills they will need to work more effectively for the betterment of all the people in Cattaraugus County.

Donations can be made to the Leadership Cattaraugus Scholarship Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.