Mark Russell

MAYVILLE – Political satirist Mark Russell will be in Chautauqua County next month  to present his “Mid-Term Report” in connection with a fundraiser for the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Russell will make an exclusive appearance at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville on Aug. 5. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. and include a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, dinner, dessert, followed by Russell’s report.

Admission is $100 per person. To learn more or to register, call the Jackson Center at 483-6646.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Noon Rotary Club is announcing its Fire and Ice Ball fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville.

The event is being described as an eclectic evening of dining, music, dancing, a silent auction and extraordinary “Fire” and “Ice” drawings for items such as a week-long stay at a resort in Mexico and an authentic Ice Blue diamond.

Attendees will be treated to dinner food stations, with music Porcelain Bus Drivers. Reduced-priced rooms at Chautauqua Suites are available.

Tickets for the Ball are available for the price of $60 each from any Jamestown Noon Rotarian or by calling 489-7308.

MAYVILLE, NY – Chautauqua County’s historical museums, associations and historians will come together in Mayville, Aug. 13 and 14 for a History Fair. The event will take place at Chautauqua Suites Conference Center and feature 50 historical organizations from all corners of the county. Admission is free.

“This event offers a rare opportunity to bring together historical objects, documents, and program information from a wide range of not-for-profit organizations, all dedicated to preserving and promoting some aspect of the county’s history. The wealth and breadth of historical collections in this county is really remarkable,” notes Chautauqua County Historian Michelle Henry.

The participants include historical and genealogical societies, libraries, heritage and preservation associations, reenactment groups and even an archival supply vendor. Each of the participants will feature unique and fascinating artifacts relating to their local history, many of which are rarely displayed. From the Dunkirk Lighthouse Museum, to the Bemus-Point Stow Ferry, the Concord Grape Discovery Center, and the many local historical societies, every community in the county will be represented at the fair. The displays will offer something for history enthusiasts and heritage tourists.

In addition to the displays, there will be demonstrations by the Hilltop Spinners and the 64th Virginia Mounted Infantry, Civil War reenactors who will be in uniform.

The fair will run Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no cost to attend the event and parking is free.

While officials in attendance pointed to several new programs and initiatives that have been put in place since the first drug forum one year ago, some in attendance were still not convinced that enough is being done to combat the heroin and prescription drug addiction problem that has led to dozens of overdoses – some of which have been fatal.

One of the biggest challenges facing those with addiction is the lack of a local detox program and that is still something that has yet to be improved. However, the local Mental Health Association has been working on a plan that would bring better treatment options to the growing number of addicts and is encouraging county residents to continue applying pressure on elected officials to put that plan into action.

County Executive Vince Horrigan – who’s office was a cosponsor of the event – said that the county would look into creating an “outpatient detox” program. He also said that the county is working on the education component as well – trying to persuade members of the community, especially teens and those in their 20s. He said that scare tactics aren’t working and the focus should instead be on a more holistic approach being taught in local schools.

Phil Donahue

MAYVILLE – The Robert H. Jackson Center is pleased to announce that media personality, writer, and film producer Phil Donahue will make a rare appearance at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville for “Dinner with Donahue” on Sunday, August 10, 2014 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Phil Donahue changed the face of American daytime television, pioneering the audience-participation talk format as the host of the Donahue show, a 29-year run which stands as the longest of its kind in U.S. television history.

Tickets for the event are $100, and include a reception in Mr. Donahue’s honor, dinner – and a retrospective look at his career in television and journalism. Proceeds from the event will benefit Youth Education Initiatives at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

To purchase tickets please contact either the Jackson Center at 716-483-6646, or Chautauqua Suites, 215 W. Lake Road in Mayville, 716-269-7829. A portion of the ticket price is considered a tax deductible donation.

Community leaders, medical personnel and law enforcement officials joined families and recovering addicts at Chuatauqua Suites in Mayville for the Drug Addiction Awareness Forum, designed to educate the public on the issue of addiction and what can be done to help those who suffer from it. The event was organized by Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan and Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene Director Patricia Brinkman.

The day-long event featured professionals who work with addicts as well as law enforcement officials who battle drug trafficking in the region. A Q&A session also allowed the audience to ask questions and offer their thoughts on addiction in Chautauqua County.

Associate Medial Director David Withers from the Marworth Treatment Center addressed the audience in the morning, saying getting drug abusers to come forward, or admit they have a problem, is one of the biggest challenges for people that treat addicts.

WRFA will feature portions of Withers’ presentation during this week’s Community Matters program, which airs at 6 p.m. Thursday and Noon on Sunday.

Martha Robertson

MAYVILLE – The women who will likely be running against Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) in the 2014 election will be in Chautauqua County today to receive the endorsement of leaders from the democratic party.

The full Chautauqua County Democratic Committee will be meeting at 6:30 tonight in Mayville to endorse Martha Robertson of Tompkins County.  According to the county’s democratic party chairman Norman Green, Robertson will be on hand to personally ask for an endorsement and to also share her views on the campaign and the issues facing the 23rd congressional district.

The endorsement meeting will take place at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville and is open to all county citizens interested in Democratic Party business.