Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce


Silver Bells Theater Performance

MusicMakers will be performing an array of Christmas tunes at the Ray Evans Seneca Theater. The group will be honoring Salamanca native and Oscar-Winning songwriter Ray Evans, for whom the theater is named, including “To Each His Own,” Golden Earrings,” “Buttons and Bows,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Silver Bells.” Tickets are $10, $8 seniors and children under 12 are free.


Silver Bells Theater Performance

Enchanté Cabaret, a professional Dinner Theatre company, will be performing a special Christmas performance at the Ray Evans Seneca Theater in Salamanca at 7 p.m. This touring show has captured the hearts and imaginations of its audience members with their original scripts, incomparable vocal talent and attention to client needs. Tickets are $10, $8 seniors and children under 12 are free.


Silver Bells Holiday Craft Show

Experience the magnificent and unique shopping at the many art & craft vendor booths found at Prospect Elementary School from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. This event will provide you the opportunity to find that speical Christmas gift for your loved ones. Bring the children down to visit Santa Claus who will be Ho Ho-ing his way to the craft show.


Pyshic Readings

The Psychic Readings will be held at the Historic Dudley Hotel, located at 132 Main Street, Salamanca, Nov. 6-8. The hours are Friday 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. To make an appointment for your favorite medium or spiritualist, contact Jane Paskuly at 716-353-2592. Walk-ins will be welcomed if times are available. Come and hear all about your future!


32ND ANNUAL FALLING LEAVES FESTIVAL

This year Salamanca is celebrating its 32nd Annual Falling Leaves Festival. In late1975, members of various Salamanca fraternal and service organizations were concerned that civic pride was declining and decided to form a committee to rectify the situation, so Paul D. Formica, with his wife Sandra, formed a committee which was called the Salamanca Positive Action Committee (SPAC). The mission was to develop ideas to restore civic pride, improve the look of Main Street and attract new businesses to the area. One of the ideas the SPAC discussed was holding a festival in the fall, which became known as the Falling Leaves Festival.

 

The first Falling Leaves Festival was created and produced September 30-October 3, 1976 and was held in multiple locations; food concessions and entertainment were in Jefferson Street Park, art & craft and civic vendors were located at old City Hall and in the Mall, and a dance was held right in the middle of Jefferson Street. Through the years, the festival has taken on different shapes and colors. Rosie Hoag, who was President of the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber in the early 1990’s, recalls that, “People worked hard all year long to put on the festival and that’s what accounted for its success.” SPAC organized the event for its first seven years and then turned it over to the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce. In the early 1990’s, the City of Salamanca managed the festival until it was again turned back over to the Chamber, which is still managing the event today. The Chamber is confident that this year’s festivities will be as spectacular and memorable and the first year was.


Salamanca Applauds Awards

Wednesday, May 27 was our first annual Salamanca Applauds community recognition banquet! It was a great night for everyone involved as the Chamber honored three amazing people from our community. Salamanca Applauds 2009
 
Ross John (Ross John Enterprises) received the Handshake Award, presented to him for outstanding business leadership and growth. 
 
Deb Nichols (ACHIEVE) received the Hand in Hand Award for her work as an outstanding community builder, removing barriers and working with business and community members alike to create growth and programs that benefit the Salamanca area. 
 
Ron Yehl (Salamanca Area Historical Society) received the Helping Hand Award for his work as an outstanding area volunteer and for his coordination efforts with local events and community organizations.
Salamanca Applauds 2009
 
The keynote speech by Clyde Taylor (Taylor Communications) focused on encouraging collaboration and the importance of working together to benefit both individual businesses as well as Salamanca as a whole. He emphasized that each community member and business has something to contribute to the greater whole.
 
Our awardees’ acceptance speeches were all so inspiring and encouraging. We’re so proud of all the work they each have done for Salamanca and were excited to be able to honor them. We couldn’t have asked for a better response from the more than 75 attendees. To view more photos from the inspiring event, visit our Flickr photo page.
 
A special “thank you!” goes out to Elkdale Country Club for hosting the event and providing a great dinner and to Holiday Inn Express & Suites for hosting the keynote speaker.
 
-Lindsay, Member Services Coordinator

Welcome to the Chamber!

Thanks for visiting the Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce’s blog! We have lots of info about the Chamber on our website, www.salamancachamber.org – or you can stop in our office when you visit Salamanca! Be on the lookout for lots more information coming soon, especially about our 1st Annual Allegany River Fest, taking place July 10-12, 2009. Country music stars Heartland and Sean Patrick McGraw will be performing, there will be a greatly entertaining race on the Allegheny River called The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta (that anyone can participate in!), lacrosse and softball tournaments, and lots more country-western themed food, fun and entertainment. Check again soon for more details!

-Lindsay, Member Services Coordinator