Pickut, a New Jersey native, now lives in Jamestown. He has multiple undergrad degrees including in the fields of biology, chemistry, and communications as well as graduate training in cardiopulmonary physiology and mass communications.

Pickut is a freelance writer and has served as editor and contributing editor of the Jamestown Gazette.

The noon luncheon at the Marvin House is $20 for members and $22 for guests. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 716-488-6206.

Norma Cummings

Retired County Emergency Services Project Coordinator Norma Cummings will present on the topic, “Be Safe, Be Prepared” at the Marvin Community House today.

Cummings worked for the Chautauqua County Office of Emergency Services for 10 years where her main role was emergency response planning for natural disasters, pandemics and threat- based emergencies. During that time, she responded to floods, tornadoes, search events for missing persons, drownings, power outages and the H1N1 influenza outbreak.

Cummings’ presentation will include how to prepare for a variety of life’s emergencies and also will cover available resources people can use to prepare.

The luncheon starts at noon and costs $18 for members and $21 for guests. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 716-488-6206.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley spoke with Marvin Community House Consultant Marlin Casker and Fenton History Center Executive Director Noah Goodling about their joint project to bring QR-code self-guided tours to their facilities.

“We wanted to come up with an idea that let people still experience the Fenton History Center and Marvin House and get all that rich, great history but without that guide breathing in your face.”
Goodling says QR codes are like a bar code that you use your phone camera to scan and read,

“It’ll link to somewhere on our website that contains additional content. So for the Fenton, if you walk into our orientation room and you scan the QR code in there you’ll get some introductory history about the Fenton mansion, about the Fenton family, about the history of Jamestown, you’ll get some extra pictures you’ll get some extra text, just give you a little bit more enriching history about what we’re offering.”

Marvin Community House Consultant Marlin Casker said a docent guide had been developed in the year before the pandemic,

“It changed from being a docent-led tour to being a self-guided tour, so we had to make a transition from paper to a voice. And so when you go through the house and listen to the presentation you’ll hear two people reading a text that sounds as if you’re joining Robert and Elizabeth on a tour of their house.”

Casker added that the paper version of the tour also will be available to visitors of the Marvin House.
Goodling says one of the main impetuses for the Fenton and Marvin House to start this program was to get more motor coach and bus tours interested in scheduling tours to the area.

The Marvin Community House and Fenton History Center will have a promotion for Saturdays in May where if you mention the promotion, you can receive entry to both attractions for ten dollars.

JAMESTOWN – Local residents are being invited to participate in Doors Open Jamestown on Saturday, Jan. 18.

The annual event invitees area residents to visit over a dozen different 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 County Chamber of Commerce
• 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
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required)
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute

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

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JAMESTOWN – The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again on Saturday, January 19.

Doors Open offers free admission for the day to our local attractions, demonstrating the extraordinary tourism opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are:

• Jamestown Audubon Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Public Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Martz Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required due to limited capacity)
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• Spire Theater
• Tot Spot
• Venue 31

The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this FREE day at many of our local museums and attractions.

Marcia C. Bliss, upon receiving her Woman of the Year award on March 18, 2013.

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Interclub Council has announced its Woman of the Year for 2013. During a banquet and announcement that took place last week at the Marvin House in Jamestown, the council announced that Marcia C. Bliss was this year’s recipient.

The YWCA of Jamestown and the Elizabeth Warner Marvin Community House were the two agencies that nominated Bliss for the award.

Bliss’s community service accomplishments include serving as a board member for the Child Advocacy Program, The Resource Center, YWCA of Jamestown, The Resource Center Foundation, the Marvin Community House and the Zonta Club of Jamestown.

The Jamestown Interclub Council began in 1935, with the objective to sponsor various activities geared toward the advancement of community interest, and activities that can be accomplished through a united action. Currently Jamestown Interclub Council consists of 15 women’s groups.

Winter is a longtime member of the Marvin Community House and added 20 new members to the organization in 2011, served on the house’s 60th anniversary celebration committee, and volunteers for various events related to the Marvin House on an annual basis.

Winter is also a retired teacher who worked 33 years in the Jamestown Public Schools system and has volunteered her time for various educational causes in the city. In addition to helping youth, Winter is heavily involved in church activities, has been president of the Jamestown Interclub Council and served on the boards of the Joint Neighborhood Project and Marvin Community House Junior Board. She has also spent time fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Multiple Sclerosis Association.