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Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! 42-mile Charity Ride Supports ECRT Trail < Back Join us for the Fourth Annual EA2EVL Fondo Beth Lasky May 27, 2024 Sign up today for EA2EVL Fondo 2024! 42-mile Charity Ride Supports ECRT Trail Join us on October 5th for the 4th annual EA2EVL Fondo, a 42-mile epic road ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville. The ride will venture down Route 240 through the fall foliage and rolling hills of Western New York and end with a celebration at the beautiful Holiday Valley. The best part: 100% of the proceeds benefit ECRT! Register today! This event has SOLD OUT for three years and raised $150,000 to support the ECRT trail. We've used those funds to remove rails and ties, improve drainage and resurface the first 1.3 miles of the trail starting at the Orchard Park Village Depot. In June of 2023 this beautiful section opened to the public, connecting to the 2 miles of natural surface trail open at Jewett Holmwood Road. EA2EVL 2024 funds will be used to expand and improve the trail further south. Here's how YOU can help! RIDE ON: If you are a biker, register today ! YOU are the secret to the success of this major source of funds needed to build the rail trail - so we ask you to FUNDRAISE as well! If you raise a minimum of $100 in donations , you get an event t-shirt and tickets for food and drinks at the finish line party. If you raise $500 or more , you also get an event jersey. The top fundraiser gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. So sign up, ask your friends, family and coworkers to donate ( here ), and enjoy a great fall ride! REGISTER HERE . VOLUNTEER: We will need volunteers for the start line at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora, three water stops (Colden, Concord and West Valley), course pointers and traffic control on the route, and at the finish line party at Holiday Valley. Volunteers sign up HERE . We’ll be in touch with more specific instructions for your role. DONATE: If you can't join us, you can still help by supporting one of the riders on our registration site here . SPREAD THE WORD! Invite others to join in the fun. Post this link to your social media: givesignup.org/Race/Volunteer/NY/EastAurora/EA2EVLFondo or share this QR code: See you on October 5th! Previous Next

Ride safely on or off road with your bike this riding season < Back EA2EVL Safety Sponsor offers safe cycling tips Deborah Stellrecht Jun 16, 2023 Ride safely on or off road with your bike this riding season Craig Small, of the Small Law Firm, is our 2023 EA2EVL Safety Sponsor. Watch this video for tips to ride safely this season. ( https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0373ea_042d58a6b0194336a974626f8ab6979e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 ) Start with a tune up. Take care of your bike; your bike will take care of you. Maximize your roll. Tire inflation to the correct pressure can make a huge difference in the energy you'll expend riding. It's all about the fit. Make sure your helmet fits, using the 2 x 2 x 2 rule. Replace old or damaged helmets. Fuel your ride. Pack snacks and water, and electrolyte tablets or powdersadded to your water can reduce muscle cramping and fatigue. Light it up. Bike lights make you more visible to drivers, even in daylight hours. Bright & reflective clothing helps you to be seen, too. Don't forget the sunscreen and sunglasses: protect your eyes and your skin rom the sun's rays. Previous Next

Orchard Park Christmas at the Depot event was a treat for young and old! < Back ECRT at Christmas at the Depot Deborah Stellrecht Dec 7, 2024 Orchard Park Christmas at the Depot event was a treat for young and old! Previous Next

Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. < Back Volunteer Crew Clears Weeds Kathleen McCrone Aug 14, 2023 Orchard Park North trail section spruced up. An energetic group of ECRT volunteers spent an evening on the trail recently to cut back the weeds that were encroaching on the trail. A lot was accomplished in just one evening and we're very grateful that we have such hardworking volunteers. Trail users and adjacent homeowners appreciated the trail crew's clean up efforts, too. You can help build your trail in a variety of ways by becoming a volunteer! Learn more at ecattrail.org/volunteer . Previous Next

For every beer sold between 6-10 pm, a donation will be made to ECRT. < Back ECRT Friendraiser @42 North Brewing Deborah Stellrecht Aug 13, 2023 For every beer sold between 6-10 pm, a donation will be made to ECRT. Plan to celebrate with us at 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora on Thursday, August 24th at 6 pm ! It's a Friendraiser Community night for ECRT fans and supporters. For every beer purchased between 6-10 pm, 42 North will make a donation to ECRT , to help extend and improve the multiuse recreational trail from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY. Come out to meet other friends of the trail and enjoy the 2023 EA2EVL Pale Ale , brewed especially for this year's EA2EVL Fondo! You can sign up or volunteer for the Fondo, our scenic 42-mile fundraising bike ride happening on September 30th, purchase ECRT hats, water bottles, or car magnets, and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win one of two bikes! We hope you can make it! https://ECRTFriendRaiser2023.eventbrite.com Previous Next

Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP < Back John Landi Business Data and Analytics Manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP Previous Next

OP Depot Clean-Up 2023 < Back Spring is Here! Kathleen McCrone May 19, 2023 OP Depot Clean-Up 2023 Steve Williams, a wonderful and enthusiastic ECRT volunteer, managed to get several volunteers out on the trail near the OP Depot. Many workers make for lighter work and these worker bees spread several yards of mulch and made the area ready for Train Day on Saturday. We are so lucky to have so many volunteers. Fran Hogenkamp even used his tractor to help spread the mulch. Enjoy some photos from the day! Previous Next

Mike Bowen is a retired business and technology leader with more than 30 years of experience guiding complex organizations through transformation, operational improvement, and long-term strategic change. His experience brings a strong perspective on stewardship of resources, risk management, transparency, and aligning investments to mission-critical outcomes. He has a long record of community service and volunteer leadership focused on youth development, education, and public service. His involvement includes leading annual volunteer construction teams supporting Camp Stella Maris; serving for many years as a coach and team leader across multiple youth sports programs; volunteering as a science consultant for middle school students in the city of Rochester; and contributing to public safety and outdoor recreation through service with the National Ski Patrol at Bristol Mountain and the Safety Patrol at Holiday Valley. He is deeply committed to initiatives that promote community well-being, accessibility, and responsible use of shared natural resources. Mike holds an MBA with concentrations in information technology and marketing, and a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the University at Buffalo School of Management. He is an avid skier, bicyclist, and Adirondack mountain hiker, and he values trail systems that connect communities, expand access to the outdoors, and preserve natural corridors for future generations. When he’s not busy conquering major trails or organizational transformations, he enjoys spending time with his family in Western New York. < Back Michael Bowen Mike Bowen is a retired business and technology leader with more than 30 years of experience guiding complex organizations through transformation, operational improvement, and long-term strategic change. His experience brings a strong perspective on stewardship of resources, risk management, transparency, and aligning investments to mission-critical outcomes. He has a long record of community service and volunteer leadership focused on youth development, education, and public service. His involvement includes leading annual volunteer construction teams supporting Camp Stella Maris; serving for many years as a coach and team leader across multiple youth sports programs; volunteering as a science consultant for middle school students in the city of Rochester; and contributing to public safety and outdoor recreation through service with the National Ski Patrol at Bristol Mountain and the Safety Patrol at Holiday Valley. He is deeply committed to initiatives that promote community well-being, accessibility, and responsible use of shared natural resources. Mike holds an MBA with concentrations in information technology and marketing, and a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the University at Buffalo School of Management. He is an avid skier, bicyclist, and Adirondack mountain hiker, and he values trail systems that connect communities, expand access to the outdoors, and preserve natural corridors for future generations. When he’s not busy conquering major trails or organizational transformations, he enjoys spending time with his family in Western New York. Previous Next

110 bushes planted to celebrate Earth Day < Back Scouts Plant Bushes in Orchard Park Kathleen McCrone Apr 23, 2023 110 bushes planted to celebrate Earth Day We're grateful to Boy Scout Troop 411, Elaine Mainier, Murray Covello and Dorothea Wattles for organizing a planting day on April 23rd. The group planted about 110 bushes along the trail between Deer Run and Curley Drive in Orchard Park. Everyone worked very hard and had a great time! Thank you! https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0373ea_703ab3a7e8854eedb50d7dcb20f54b2b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Previous Next

We are participating in GivingTuesday! < Back Show the trail some love on Giving Tuesday Deborah Stellrecht Nov 24, 2023 We are participating in GivingTuesday! Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! We are participating in GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that takes place November 28, right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday! We’ve heard how much you love the trail and you’re excited for us to improve and open more of it. Help us by sharing our cause on social media using the hashtag #ECRTGivingTuesday , and join millions of global givers on November 28 by donating at https://ecrailtrail.org/donate . Donate $50 or more and you’ll receive an ECRT Supporter car magnet! Bonus! If you’re a resident of Cattaraugus County, you can win prizes for donating to ECRT through our Cattaraugus Gives site. Donate $100 or more before noon EST on Giving Tuesday and your impact will be doubled through a matching gift by an anonymous donor (both through our website and Cattaraugus Gives). We’re grateful for you and all the ways you support the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail! Follow our progress toward our GivingTuesday goals on Facebook or Instagram ! Gratefully yours, Mary Brummer President, Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Previous Next

Jerry retired from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo at the end of 2019 after serving more than six years as the Foundation’s Chief Finance Office/Chief Administrative Officer. In that role Jerry had leadership of the following areas: Finance, Strategic Financial Management, Accounting, Investment/Asset Management, Business Analytics, Operations, Talent Management and Recruiting, Policies and Procedures, Enterprise Risk Management, Technology, Business Process Management, and Facilities. Before joining the Community Foundation, Jerry spent over 30 years in the field of public accounting, including 28 years with Dopkins and Company, LLP, where he was the Partner-in-charge of their Not-Profit-Industry Service Group. His primary focus was serving the not-for-profit and health care industries with a dedicated area of expertise in health and human services agencies. He provided audit, tax and consulting services to a majority of Buffalo’s largest not-for-profits entities and other large not-for-profits in Rochester and all across New York State. He is a retired member of the: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA); and the NYSSCPA’s Buffalo Chapter Not-for-Profit Committee. Jerry graduated from the University of Buffalo with a BS degree in Business Administration with concentrations in accounting and finance. Since March of 2013, Jerry has been providing consulting services to the WNY not-for-profit community as a sole practitioner. Jerry joined the ECRT Board in 2021 and serves on both the ECRT’s Finance and Development Committees. He joined the ECRT Board because he is passioned about having safe biking alternatives for the rural communities in WNY. In his free time Jerry enjoys hiking, biking, golf and guitar. < Back Gerald F. Reger Jerry retired from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo at the end of 2019 after serving more than six years as the Foundation’s Chief Finance Office/Chief Administrative Officer. In that role Jerry had leadership of the following areas: Finance, Strategic Financial Management, Accounting, Investment/Asset Management, Business Analytics, Operations, Talent Management and Recruiting, Policies and Procedures, Enterprise Risk Management, Technology, Business Process Management, and Facilities. Before joining the Community Foundation, Jerry spent over 30 years in the field of public accounting, including 28 years with Dopkins and Company, LLP, where he was the Partner-in-charge of their Not-Profit-Industry Service Group. His primary focus was serving the not-for-profit and health care industries with a dedicated area of expertise in health and human services agencies. He provided audit, tax and consulting services to a majority of Buffalo’s largest not-for-profits entities and other large not-for-profits in Rochester and all across New York State. He is a retired member of the: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA); the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA); and the NYSSCPA’s Buffalo Chapter Not-for-Profit Committee. Jerry graduated from the University of Buffalo with a BS degree in Business Administration with concentrations in accounting and finance. Since March of 2013, Jerry has been providing consulting services to the WNY not-for-profit community as a sole practitioner. Jerry joined the ECRT Board in 2021 and serves on both the ECRT’s Finance and Development Committees. He joined the ECRT Board because he is passioned about having safe biking alternatives for the rural communities in WNY. In his free time Jerry enjoys hiking, biking, golf and guitar. Previous Next

Let's get out and play in the snow! < Back Join us on the trail with snowshoes or skis Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Feb 21, 2026 Let's get out and play in the snow! Hello ECRT Friends! Welcome to 2026! The year has begun with a lot of snow, so we thought it would be fun to embrace the weather and explore the trail in winter fashion with this special FREE event! We invite you to join us with snowshoes or cross-country skis for a winter hike on the trail! If you've been interested in trying snowshoeing, now is your chance. Snowshoes can be borrowed for free from the Buffalo & Erie County Library system. You can also rent equipment from shops like Mud Sweat n' Gears in East Aurora and Colden Ski & Board Shop . When: Saturday, February 21, 10 AM - 12 PM Where:        Orchard Park Train Depot , 395 S Lincoln Ave, Orchard Park, NY. (Park at the Depot, on street or in the OP Library Parking lot) We will meet at the Orchard Park Train Depot and hike a loop to Jewett Holmwood and back, for a total distance of 2.4 miles. When we return to the Train Depot, we'll enjoy hot chocolate and bagels! RSVP:          Please pre-register here by February 20th and include the number of people attending. Or simply scan this QR code: If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email, call or text me. I look forward to seeing you and your families for our winter hike! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email, call or text me. I look forward to seeing you and your families for our winter hike! Happy Trails! Nicole Avitahl-Curtis Orchard Park Friends of ECRT 617-877-1103 navitahl-curtis@ecattrail.org Previous Next