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Ellicottville’s Largest Disco Party

20160521_195732 — Team Pritchard got in the 70’s spirit for 2016 Ellicottville’s Largest Disco Party!

ERA Team VP was a proud sponsor of Ellicottville’s Largest Disco Party hosted at Villaggio on Saturday, May 21^st. This was a fun-filled night full of creative costumes and dancing! People broke out their wigs and best digs, which made this night a night to remember in Ellicottville!

The whole downstairs area was dedicated to the dance floor where we all put our best dance moves on display! Upstairs was the lounge and food section for people to chat and enjoy some refreshments in order to fuel up for more dancing! This awesome event also had a red carpet costume competition! Everyone was dressed up for the occasion, which led to a lot of laughs and good times throughout the night!

Tickets were only 25 dollars each and they included 2 drink tickets as well as a raffle ticket for a chance to win some really cool prizes! With some really good food and drink choices, Villaggio knocked this event out of the park. Everyone got creative and let their costumes and dance moves shine!

“ERA Team VP Real Estate and Vacation Rentals was honored to support and sponsor such a fantastic event!” said Rachael Wiley-Steffen, Director of Corporate Marketing and Vacation Rentals at ERA Team VP. “Thanks to Villaggio for bringing all of us together for some funkadelic fun and for an awesome fashion parade on the red carpet!”

Everyone here at ERA Team VP had a blast and we are looking forward to next year’s event!

Kicking off the New Year in Ellicottville, NY? Here is the recipe to a perfect New Year’s Eve… packed with music, food, and fun!

NYE

Villaggio

7 Monroe Street, Ellicottville | 716-699.2199 | VillaggioEVL.com
Start off your night by indulging on one of the many choices featured on Villaggio’s Special 2015 New Year’s Eve Menu. With entrees ranging from Lobster Mac & Cheese to Veal Chop & Artichokes, there’s sure to be something to satisfy your tastebuds! Click here to view all of the decadent options that are being offered. If you are planning on indulging at Villaggio this New Year’s Eve, make sure pick up a gift card beforehand and earn $15 in Villaggio Cash back for every $100 you spend!

Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub

20 Monroe Street, Ellicottville | 716-699-4162 | BalloonsRestaurant.com
Next, take a short walk down the street at 7:00pm for some live entertainment, courtesy of the A-List Band. Comprised of 6 seasoned musicians, the A-List Band performs a wide variety of music from Rock to Funk. Find your place on one of the two dance floors and be immersed by the lights and music from the incredible world class sound system and light show! Be sure to make your way over to the bar for a $3 drink special from 6pm-9pm.

The Gin Mill

20 Washington Street, Ellicottville | 716-699-2530 | EllicottvilleGinMill.com
Still in the mood for music? The Gin Mill is featuring the 3 Easy Pieces at 9pm! This family-owned and operated tavern has been open since 1976 and offers pub grub & draft beers! Be sure to stop by, as they have a huge selection of beer on tap!

Holiday Valley New Year’s Eve Celebration

6557 Holiday Valley Road, Route 219, Ellicottville | 716-699-2345 | HolidayValley.com
Looking for a more family-friendly event? Holiday Valley will be hosting their annual New Year’s Eve party. Beginning at 9pm with music and DJ entertainment in the Holiday Valley Lodge, the event includes drinks, food specials and mocktails for the kids as well as party hats, glowsticks, and noisemakers. Cindy’s Chairlift remains open for an extra hour and followed by a Grooming Machine parade at 11:15pm, a torchlight parade at 11:30, and concluding with a “knock-your-socks-off” fireworks show beginning at 11:45! Entrance to the New Year’s party is free and reservations are not required.

Armor Inn

5 East Washington Street, Ellicottville | 716-699-1143 | ArmorInn.com
Cap the night off with a champagne toast at midnight at the Armor Inn! Reservations are recommended for this event so make sure to give them a call at 716-699-1143. They will be offering their regular menu as well as a special New Year’s Eve Menu.

After celebrating the New Year in Ellicottville NY, skip the drive home and book a stay in a Vacation Rental Home! ERA Team VP Vacation Rentals located at 12 Washington Street, has accommodations available in the Village, near Holiday Valley and HoliMont, and in the surrounding countryside. Call our office 716-699-4800 to speak with a seasoned reservationist and finish your New Year’s Eve celebration in the comfort and convenience of a local Vacation Rental Home!

Winter in Ellicottville: 5 INDOOR Activities

Prefer to admire the picturesque snow covered landscapes in Ellicottville from behind a window? Check out these 5 INDOOR Activities to enjoy from the warmth of indoors this winter!

Bowling at Tim & Bonnie’s

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Come for one game or sign up for a league! EVL Bowling offers a state-of-the-art, family friendly facility, with a full arcade, prizes and big screen TV’s galore! The lanes are open Sunday-Thursday 11am to 10pm and Friday-Saturday 11am to 11pm. If you’d like to join a current league, or are looking to make one with your family and friends, give them a call at 716-592-9001. Short leagues are also available. Warm up your winter with one of Tim & Bonnie’s gourmet pizzas while you bowl!

Family Movie Nights at Ellicottville Memorial Library

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Keep an eye on the Ellicottville Memorial Library’s Facebook page for upcoming Family Movie Nights displayed on their brand new 70” TV screen in the Community Room of the Library! This Friday, December 11th at 6:30pm is a showing of “The Muppet Christmas Carol”. Bring the kids for a family-friendly evening where admission, popcorn and a drink are all free!

Canvas and Cocktails

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Artist, Rebecca Szpaicher, will lead you in drawing a simple painting with the luxury of not only paint but wine as well!! Each session is held at a different venue throughout Cattaraugus County, so make sure to check their Facebook page for the schedule of events and to find out which painting will be created that night. Although originally an “adult’s only” experience, Canvas and Cocktails are now offering children’s paint classes for ages 5 and up (wine is not offered!). Ages 5-11 will need to be accompanied by parents. All participants for any event must preregister either by calling (716) 560-7489 or emailing cocktailsncanvasny@gmail.com. Come sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself!

Brewery Tour at EBC

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Explore behind-the-scenes of The Ellicottville Brewing Company this winter! EBC is a select micro-brewery of craft beers and also serves a wide array of savory and satisfying American cuisines. Make sure to schedule a personalized tour of the brewing operations and warm up from the cool winter winds with your very own custom beer sampling session! Each tour includes a take home commemorative EBC glass so you can reminisce the experience when you are home drinking one of EBC’s signature craft beers, including their recently released “Hang Time” Pale Lager, brewed to benefit the P.U.N.T Foundation: a WNY charity founded by legendary Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman. Brewery Tours begin at 2pm and 4pm on Fridays, and Noon, 2pm, and 4pm on Saturdays & Sundays.

Balloons Music Weekends

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Established in 1990, Balloons is Ellicottville’s ONLY Nightclub! Different bands are highlighted every Friday and Saturday night, with upcoming headliners including The Rhythm Rockers, Tommy Z, Impact, Strangers, and the DeJa Groove Band. Escape the winter chills by finding a spot in front of the live music stage or on one of the two dance floors and enjoy the incredible world class sound system and light show. If the nightclub atmosphere is not for you, then find your way to the back bar for a quieter, more relaxed, family friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy a cocktail or order from their delicious dinner menu.

Give us a call at to speak with a seasoned reservationist about booking your own private vacation home rental so that you can fully experience all of the winter activities that Ellicottville has to offer!

Meet Our New Reservationists!

If you’ve stopped in or called our Chautauqua or Ellicottville offices during the 2015 season, you might have been greeted by some new faces/voices! We were happy to welcome three new Reservationists to our Vacation Rental Management team this year.

Kaysie Griffith
Full-Time Reservationist, Ellicottville Office
Kaysie was born and raised locally, and graduated from Ellicottville Central in 2012. She has two small children, and enjoys spending time with them, her husband and their family. She has an interest in photography and likes to play around with it on the side. “Joining the team at ERA Team VP has allowed me to grow on a professional level and build relationships with those I work with,’ said Kaysie, ‘It’s great to say that I love coming to work every day!”

Amelia Duffee
Full-Time Reservationist, Chautauqua Office

Amelia attended the Bemus Point School district from K-11 grades and graduated from Chautauqua Lake. She attended Hiram College for two years, finished her Associates through the University of Phoenix in Healthcare Administration, and is still working on finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Accounting. She worked for Food is Good/Chautauqua Regional Properties for the past 11 years before making the move to ERA Team VP. She has two children: her son, Arley, is eight, and her daughter, Ani, is twelve. She has been a homeowner for the last five years and states that she is humbled with the upkeep of being a home owner. She coaches indoor soccer during the winter and also enjoys being active with her family. Amelia notes that she is “thrilled to be a part of a growing, successful company!!”

Brennan Webb
Part-Time Reservationist, Chautauqua Office

Brennan graduated from Maple Grove High School in 2015 and is currently a freshman at Jamestown Community College where he is working on degrees in Adolescence Education and History. In his free time, he enjoy playing drums for the praise bands at Bemus Point United Methodist Church where he also delights in mentoring a few up and coming youth bands. When he is not helping with music at the church on a Sunday afternoon, there is only one place he can be found; in his lucky chair, in front of the television, rooting on his beloved Buffalo Bills. He tries to fill the other 6 days of his week with more family, friends, and, of course, working at ERA Team VP. “I am extremely glad to have joined ERA Team VP as I have found that the people and experiences here have prepared me for my future and enriched my life in a way that I’m sure no other job could.’ says Brennan, ‘There’s definitely a reason that we call ourselves a “Team” here at ERA Team VP.”

2015 Vacation Rental Management Association- New Orleans, LA

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Reviews are in and the Vacation Rental Management Association’s (VRMA) 2015 Annual Conference was a hit! With over 1,300 attendees, this year’s event, held October 25-28 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, Louisiana, marked another success for the vacation rental industry. The staff at ERA Team VP Vacation Rentals enjoyed networking with colleagues and business partners, discussing both opportunities and challenges facing vacation rental managers.

“The Annual Conference provides tangible takeaways and resources for operations staff, marketing professionals and vacation rental executives,’ notes VRMA, ‘With more than 56 educational sessions offered and a Vendor Showcase boasting more than 70 industry-leading vendors, the Annual Conference dives deeper into the ‘why’ of vacation rental management, providing in-depth insight on business strategy, industry trends and sales/marketing.”

The theme of “Celebrating the past. Looking to the future,” was integrated over three general sessions featuring noted speakers including Rory Vaden, cofounder of the multi-million dollar international training company Southwestern Consulting; Retired Lt. General Russel L. Honoré, Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina and Global Preparedness Authority; and Kristen Ulmer, voted by the outdoor industry as the most fearless woman athlete in North American.

Rachael Wiley-Steffen, Director of Vacation Rentals with ERA Team VP said, “our team enjoyed the education, networking, best practices, and all the fun that the VRMA Conference had to offer. We walked away feeling accomplished and confident with increased knowledge complete with tangible solutions for our business today.”

For more information on ERA Team VP Real Estate and Vacation Rentals, please contact the Ellicottville office at (716) 699-4800. or the Chautauqua Office at (716) 789-2600.

Winter in Ellicottville: 5 Outdoor Activities OTHER than Downhill Skiing

Ellicottville is known as one of the top Eastern North American winter destinations, attracting downhill skiers to it’s two major ski resorts, Holiday Valley and HoliMont, during the winter months; however, there are more ways to enjoy this snow laden oasis! Here are 5 outdoor alternatives to enjoy this winter in Ellicottville, NY…

Snowmobiling

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Also known as the Enchanted Mountains of Western New York, Cattaraugus County offers over 350 miles of snowmobile trails. Make sure to visit the 68 miles of well-groomed trails in scenic Allegany State Park, which is the largest State Park in New York, and the third largest State Park in the nation! Download a complete trail map here.

Need a ride? Visit Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Services to book a Polaris snowmobile rental or guided snowmobile tour. There’s no excuse to why you can’t be out enjoying the most scenic trails throughout Western New York this winter!

Want the kid’s to join? Make sure to attend one of the two FREE State of New York Snowmobile Safety Courses offered this December. Once completed, youth riders ages 14-17 may operate their own snowmobile without adult supervision (without the safety training course an adult must be within 500ft of the child). Youth ages 10 through 13 may operate a snowmobile if they complete the snowmobile safety training course AND are accompanied by an adult. For information on the Little Valley Snowmobile Safety Course click here or for the course offered in Franklinville click here.

Sleigh Rides/Horseback Riding

Prefer to admire Ellicottville’s winterscape from a different mode of transportation? How about a horse drawn sleigh ride! Nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains is the Crosspatch Horse Ranch. This family owned and operated working horse ranch offers sleigh rides, for up to 6 people, all winter long.

Want to take control of the reins? Schedule a winter trail ride for the family! They will gear you up, match you with a horse that suits your abilities and lead you through the trails for a day of horse-filled fun.

Have your own horse? Crosspatch welcomes you to join them on any of their special rides and events! Make sure to give them a call at (716) 938-6313 or visit TheCrossPatch.com.

Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing

For an enjoyable change of pace, explore Ellicottville’s countryside with snowshoes or cross country skis! Daily cross country ski, snowshoe and helmet rentals are available at Mud, Sweat N’ Gears, Dekdebruns or Holiday Valley’s Rental Shop. For terrain, choose from the Art Roscoe area of Allegany State Park, Holiday Valley or Griffis Sculpture Park. Holiday Valley also sells a cross country ticket for $15 to take you up to the top of Holiday Valley, from there you can ski the 3 miles from Cindy’s all the way to Spruce Lake. The Art Roscoe area is noted as one of the finest double-track trail systems in the Northeastern United States. The 20 miles of well-designed trail network offers free beginner and intermediate trails throughout the forest. Scenic vistas around the trail offer an exceptional skiing experience and beautiful panoramic views. Griffis Sculpture Park provides a unique experience as you snowshoe between the steel outdoor sculptures of Larry Griffis, Jr and other international artists. The 450 acre Ashford Hollow park features over 250 large scale sculptures dispersed throughout miles of hiking trails.

Tubing at the Holiday Valley Tubing Company

Not a skier? Visit Holiday Valley’s tubing hill that proves to be fun for all ages. No experience necessary: just sit down, hang on and experience the thrilling exhilaration of pure winter fun! Don’t worry about wearing yourself out from walking back up the hill, just grab a hold of one of the handle tows to ride the tube right back up to the top! The Tubing Area is 4 miles from Holiday Valley, but take advantage of the FREE shuttle service that picks up and drops off at the Resort Services Center turn around. There is a minimum age/height requirement of 7 years old and 42” tall; however, the little ones are welcome to join in on the fun at the “Little Tubers” hill, weather permitting.

Mountain Coaster at Holiday Valley

Looking to pick up the speed? Hop on the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster near Holiday Valley’s Tannenbaum Lodge and get ready for a fun twisty-turney ride down the mountain through the trees! The coaster is similar to a roller coaster, but being closer to the ground, it follows the contours of the snow covered terrain by zig zagging down the mountain. Choose to ride alone or with a friend, and control your speed by levels located on the side of the car. The Mountain Coaster opens December 19th, and riders must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall to ride with an adult or 8 years and 54 inches tall to ride alone. For more information or to purchase your pass visit Holiday Valley’s website.

Give us a call at 716-699-4800 to speak with a seasoned reservationist about booking your own private vacation home rental so that you can fully experience all of the outdoor winter activities that Ellicottville has to offer!

NEED A FALL GETAWAY?

It’s that time of year to celebrate the changing leaves, crisp weather, and all the fall festivities around our area. It is truly the perfect time of year to visit Western New York for the most incredible views of the fall foliage. A fall tradition here in Ellicottville, NY is the Beer and Wine Festival on November 7. Tickets for Saturday’s festival are available online for $52.50 and at the gate for $60 (if available).

So, why not get your family and friends together and make a weekend out of it! Stay in one of ERA Team VP’s beautiful rental homes, either in the village, on the slopes, or within the surrounding countryside! Book a stay with us either online or by calling 716-699-4800.

ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals to Sponsor Ellicottville Halloween 5K & Half Marathon

ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals is proud to announce its Bronze level sponsorship of the 2nd annual EVL Halloween Half Marathon & 5K to be held on October 24, 2015 in the charming and scenic community of Ellicottville, NY.

The 2015 edition of the race is expected to attract more than 1,500 conditioned athletes, runners and walkers as well as 3,000 spectators from around the country. The proceeds from the race benefit The Ellicottville Sport Boosters- a group dedicated to getting local children involved in athletics, as well as the local food pantry. Participants are invited to run in costume and enjoy other Halloween related activities.

Both the 5K and half marathon start and finish on Monroe St. in the Village of Ellicottville, which offers great shopping and restaurants for after race entertainment. The rolling course heads north through scenic, lightly traveled, rural roads that offer fast times and a great atmosphere.

There is still time to register for this event! Visit EVLHalf.com for more information. Need last minute accommodations? We still have properties available! Stop in our office at 12 Washington Street, Ellicottville or call 716-699-4800 to speak with one of our seasoned reservationists about reserving your local home for the weekend. We offer properties right in the heart of the Village of Ellicottville, on the outskirts, or in the surrounding countryside so that you can experience all that Ellicottville has to offer and truly #LiveLikeALocal for this year’s race.

2015 Ellicottville Mardi Gras Weekend

ERA Team VP Real Estate hosts Kick Off Party! — Click on this photo for full video article!

Ahoy Mateys! Welcome to Mardi Gras in Ellicottville New York! This weekend is sure to be a blast especially with ERA Team VP. Mardi Gras in Ellicottville is crazy fun, the slopes at Holiday Valley and HoliMont are packed and the village is hopping busy. The biggest attraction by far for the weekend is the Parade on Saturday night, I’ve seen everything from super heroes, to nuns, sports teams, the Blues Brothers, and if you can’t tell, this year ERA agents and our office are decked out with the pirate gear. Unfortunately Johnny Depp couldn’t make it for his surprise guest appearance… trust me I tried! At 5:00 pm we’ll be kicking off one of our company’s biggest parties of the year! We invite all of our clients, customers, and friends to enjoy the music, dancing, and the finest pirate grub and ale. The parade starts at 6:30 and you’ll see Washington St lined up with thousands of spectators. Prizes are awarded for the best dressed team so be sure to cheer on your favorite group of pirates! Make sure you’re ready to catch some beads because this group of pirates have snuck on to Captain Hook’s pirate ship and found 10 treasure chests full of the beloved beads. Sunday is also packed full of fun: more costumes, more food and drink, and of course, more beads! One of the coolest things to be a part of is the ski parade on the Mardi Gras ski slope at Holiday Valley. You’ll see tons of people dressed up in costumes skiing down this awesome slope. So if you’re ready for a weekend of fun in Ellicottville, hop aboard the ERA Team VP Real Estate buccaneer and we’ll be sure to show you a good time. Yo Ho Ho Mateys!!

~Ciji Riley, Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

“Capture Your Hometown” Photo Contest to Support the Fight Against ALS

ERA Team VP searches for local photographs that capture the essence of each area, to be raffled at 4^th Annual Agents of Hope Scramble Golf Tournament, with winning photographers awarded a cash prize and a chance to win an Ellicottville vacation getaway.

ERA Team VP Real Estate is looking for local photographs that best represent the “hometown” areas of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania that ERA serves. Nine winning photographs, each representing a different “hometown”, will be unveiled at this year’s 4^th Annual Agents of Hope Scramble Golf Tournament that ERA Team VP will be hosting on Wednesday, August 28^th, 2013. One of the nine winners will be randomly selected to receive a two night stay, for up to four people, at the Ellicottville Inn Condominiums. The Ellicottville in is located right in the heart of Ellicottville, within walking distance to restaurants and shopping. The remaining winning photographers will be awarded a $25 debit card and all photographs will be featured on ERA Team VP Real Estate’s company websites.

The nine winning photographs will be raffled off with all proceeds, as well as tournament proceeds, benefiting The ALS Division of MDA & ALSA (the ALS Association); whose mission is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, through global cutting-edge research, and to empower those affected and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

Photo submissions should represent one of the following areas: Bemus Point, Mayville/Westfield, Fredonia, Lakewood/Jamestown, Chautauqua Institution, Ellicottville, Cuba/Olean, Bradford (PA), or Warren (PA).

The deadline for submissions is August 7^th at 5:00pm, and entries must be a minimum width of 1680px. Please include your name, phone number, and the specific area you believe the photo represents. Multiple submissions per photographer will be accepted.

Submit your photos to Taylor Lehman at taylor.lehman@ERA.com. For more information or to submit further inquiries visit ERA Team VP’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ERATeamVP.RealEstate. If you choose to include people in your submission, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary releases from the individuals depicted, and must be able to provide copies of those releases to ERA Team VP upon request. In submitting a photograph, you grant ERA Team VP a royalty-free, nonexclusive right, in perpetuity, to: use the photograph on the Internet and company publications and promotions.

To register as a sponsor, individual entry, or four-person team for the 4^th Annual Agents of Hope Scramble Golf Tournament, or for more information, contact Hanna Soffel Briggs at (716) 789-2093 or hanna.soffel@ERA.com or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AgentsOfHopeGolf.

ERA Team VP was a proud sponsor of Ellicottville’s Largest Disco Party hosted at Villaggio on Saturday, May 21st. This was a fun-filled night full of creative costumes and dancing! People broke out their wigs and best digs, which made this night a night to remember in Ellicottville!

ERA Team VP was a proud sponsor of Ellicottville’s Largest Disco Party hosted at Villaggio on Saturday, May 21^st. This was a fun-filled night full of creative costumes and dancing! People broke out their wigs and best digs, which made this night a night to remember in Ellicottville!