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It took a village to save Patrick Raycraft's life < Back EA2EVL Fondo Rider Makes Comeback from Cardiac Arrest Deborah Stellrecht May 1, 2025 It took a village to save Patrick Raycraft's life Patrick Raycraft (Above center, in the red & white jersey) was an experienced rider enjoying ECRT’s EA2EVL Fondo charity bike ride on October 5, 2024, when, near the 32-mile mark, he knew he was experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. As luck would have it, he spotted a spectator and his pickup truck parked at the side of the road, and he asked to be driven back to the previous water stop, the Ashford Community Center in West Valley. Once there, emergency responders were called, while Fondo volunteers found some aspirin for Patrick, and a cardiac nurse who was also riding the Fondo tended to him until the ambulance arrived. Patrick was unconscious at this point and he now says, “The next thing I recall is waking up in a helicopter, banking to the left.” After he was stabilized at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville, Patrick was flown by Mercy Flight to Buffalo General Medical Center / Gates Vascular Institute , where he then received critical cardiac care. He had suffered a massive heart attack and cardiac arrest. Only 10% of patients survive heart events such as his. The Impella heart pump The world’s smallest heart pump, the Impella , was implanted. This tiny pump, developed by Abiomed (Johnson & Johnson), allows the heart to rest and recover by temporarily assisting the pumping function of the heart to efficiently deliver blood and oxygen to the entire body. Patrick spent 16 days in BGMC/GVI, before being transferred to a Hartford, CT, hospital near his home where he spent an additional 10 days. His health today is the result of countless hours of nursing care, physical therapy, yoga, acupuncture, mental health therapy and other therapies, and he’s extremely grateful to everyone who helped him, from the day of his health crisis to today. Patrick displays what's left of his riding jersey from that fateful day. 6 months later, on April 4th 2025, Patrick returned to the BGMC/GVI to be reunited with and thank many of the people of his care team, including Dr. Vijay Iyer and nursing staff; plus support teams from West Valley Volunteer Hose Company, Mercy Flight, Bertrand Chaffee Hospital and Jennie B. Richmond Nursing Home , and Johnson & Johnson MedTech Heart Recovery , the maker of his implanted heart pump. Patrick reunited with his care team All of us at ECRT are so thankful and thrilled that Patrick survived this medical crisis and has fully recovered. He is already planning to ride in the 2025 EA2EVL Fondo on October 4, 2025! Enjoy more photos of the reunion at BGMC/GVI on Flickr at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC7MYp . (Photos by Kaleida Health) Previous Next

Deb has enjoyed a varied career, owing to a curiosity about everything! She served for 5 years in the Canadian Air Force as an Avionics Technician, then went on to do work in the fields of Technical writing, computer programming and web design. In 2013 she took a break from IT to manage the office end of her home parish of St. George in West Falls. Deb retired from the parish when it closed in 2024. She continues to work part-time as a medical receptionist in Orchard Park. Deb believes that time spent in nature is essential to our spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing, and she enjoys running the open portions of the trail whenever possible. Her goal is to do everything she can to increase financial support for trail improvements and community engagement with the ECRT organization. < Back Deb Stellrecht Deb has enjoyed a varied career, owing to a curiosity about everything! She served for 5 years in the Canadian Air Force as an Avionics Technician, then went on to do work in the fields of Technical writing, computer programming and web design. In 2013 she took a break from IT to manage the office end of her home parish of St. George in West Falls. Deb retired from the parish when it closed in 2024. She continues to work part-time as a medical receptionist in Orchard Park. Deb believes that time spent in nature is essential to our spiritual, mental and physical wellbeing, and she enjoys running the open portions of the trail whenever possible. Her goal is to do everything she can to increase financial support for trail improvements and community engagement with the ECRT organization. Previous Next

Tim Bienkowski Nicole Avitahl-Curtis As an active ECRT volunteer, Nicole has participated in numerous trail cleanups and promoted the trail at many public events. She also leads the ECRT Friends group of Orchard Park and has organized several community walks. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Nicole spent most of her childhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her father was a musician from Romania who, at the age of 29, emigrated to the U.S. with her mother of German descent and he became a symphony conductor at several universities. Nicole and her husband, Rory Curtis, met while they were both scientists working in biotechnology research. They have three daughters together. After living in Boston, Massachusetts for about 20 years, Rory accepted a position in WNY in 2016, and they relocated to Orchard Park with their youngest daughter, Zoe. While living in Boston, Nicole often cycled on the Minuteman Community Bikeway there. She was introduced to ECRT about 5 years ago when she attended a Town Hall meeting in Orchard Park. Nicole immediately recognized the need for trail development and decided to become involved. Nicole loves spending time outdoors as a family, to get fresh air, exercise and appreciate nature. She enjoys biking, running and walking the trail. She believes it helps people connect with each other, and rejuvenates them while communing with nature. Nicole also volunteers for the Orchard Park Girls on the Run and Heart and Soul groups, coaching young girls to run 5K runs and teaching them life skills. Nicole assists with her daughter's musical organizations, too, as Zoe is a trombonist in local Marching and Jazz bands, competes in state competitions, and is a member of the Erie County Fair Marching Band. Nicole relates, “I feel very blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful area and be able to be involved in these great projects. We’ve really enjoyed the community and the friends we’ve made here. I hope I can have a positive impact on the rail trail.” Learn more about becoming a volunteer here . August 27, 2024 Written by: Tim Bienkowski Previous Next < Back

ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. < Back Members Full Moon Walk Mary Brummer Apr 17, 2025 ECRT Members enjoy a special evening outing on the trail. Our first ECRT Members event, a Sunset/Full Moon Walk on the Orchard Park trail section, was a success despite the cloudy skies. Walking eastward from the OP Train Depot, we looked back to marvel at the rosy sunset, and to appreciate the fiery torches placed along the trail. At the Jewett Holmwood end of the trail, Paul and Irene Ziarnowski had their telescopes set up and a moon chart available to view the rising moon and planets. Alas, the cloud cover obstructed our view of the night sky, but as we headed back in the dark, the tiki torches and red headlamps made the return trip more spectacular. The refreshments back at the Orchard Park Depot putting the finishing touch to a great evening with our trail supporters. Thank you! ECRT is grateful to Jeff Sweet for opening the Depot for us for this special event, and to Murray Covello for the photos! Not a Member yet? Check out all the benefits of membership at https://ecattrail.org/join . Previous Next

Walk the Trail! Prizes & Candy! Photo-Op with the Easter Bunny < Back West Falls Easter Egg Hunt 2025 Lisa Rood Apr 12, 2025 Walk the Trail! Prizes & Candy! Photo-Op with the Easter Bunny Register your little ones to have fun on the trail, collect Easter eggs, and have their photo taken with the Easter bunny! Egg supplies are limited, so please sign up at https://westfallsegghunt2025.eventbrite.com/ . Previous Next

Help keep the trail safe for everyone < Back Report Trail Issues Deborah Stellrecht Dec 13, 2024 Help keep the trail safe for everyone We want everyone to enjoy the trail in winter, but remember, unauthorized motor vehicles of any kind aren't allowed on the trail, especially snowmobiles, in Orchard Park, and Aurora. If you see snowmobiles, ATVs etc. on the trail in these areas, please report it! Scan the QR code below or click here to report a trail problem. Snowmobiles are permitted on clearly designated trail sections in Concord. 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

Deb Fenn turns over rail trail Board leadership to Mary Brummer in 2023 after years of progress. < Back Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Welcomes New President Beth Lasky Jan 17, 2023 Deb Fenn turns over rail trail Board leadership to Mary Brummer in 2023 after years of progress. Deb Fenn , one of the founding ECRT Board members, stepped down as Board President at the end of 2022, a role she has held since 2016. Ms. Fenn will continue to manage government relations and community engagement for the organization. On January 1, 2023, Orchard Park Village resident, Mary Brumme r, became the new ECRT Board President. Brummer joined the ECRT Board in 2018, shortly after she retired as a small animal veterinarian at the Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center. She previously served as ECRT Secretary and Governance chair. In her new role, Brummer’s first priority is to build funding and team capacity to ensure that ECRT can continue to improve and open more miles of trail. History of Progress In the 15 years since ECRT was incorporated, the organization has made tremendous progress. In 2018, ECRT, Inc. signed a long-term, federal railbanking lease with the Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad to build and manage the trail. Since that time, ECRT has secured grants and public support to open 10+ miles of natural surface trail. During Fenn’s tenure, the ECRT Board: Expanded the Board of Directors to include strong leadership in design and construction, development, communications, maintenance and legal expertise. Launched ECRT Friends groups in Orchard Park, West Falls/Colden, and Springville/Concord along with an extensive trail support network with 4,500 members and nearly 600 volunteers. Gained support from national and regional trail organizations, and support from all levels of government for trail development, including resolutions of support from the Town of Aurora and from adjacent towns for major projects. Hosted trail events, including National Trail Day observances, winter walks and clean up events, and the highly successful EA2EVL 42-mile charity bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville held in 2021 and 2022, raising $100k in donations. Looking to the future In 2022, Brummer led the Board’s effort to upgrade and launch a new 3-year strategic plan for ECRT, which includes many critical projects and priorities that the Board will work to implement in the future." “It became clear during the pandemic just how important trails are to our communities, especially here in the southtowns where we have limited access,” Brummer explained. “Under Deb’s leadership, ECRT gained great momentum and made enormous strides. I’m excited to build on that momentum, to weave in local community flair and flavor, and to deepen our relationship with our Friends and supporters. "It has been a privilege and an honor to build and serve this dedicated volunteer organization,” said Fenn. “I’m incredibly proud of the amazing progress we’ve made, especially in the last 5 years, and I know Mary is the very best leader to take this trail and team into the future." Previous Next

Deb Fenn Harry James Over the past year or more, Harry James has played an integral role in ECRT’s successful bridge redecking and restoration efforts in the Town of Concord. He was named, he tells me, after his father, Harry James, and not in homage to the famous jazz trumpeter and big band leader, Harry James. Both Harrys, however — ours and the jazz legend — share a common key to their shared success on the job: They can improvise! According to ECRT Board member Kathleen McCrone, his improvisational skills and talent as an on-the-spot problem-solver came in handy more than once when critical adjustments in materials and measurements were needed to resolve unforeseen construction problems. “It was amazing watching Harry tackle a problem. First, his eyes would light up, he’d take a step or two back and we could almost see the gears turning in his brain. After a few moments of contemplation, he’d grab some tools, lumber, and a few volunteers and confidently get busy creating a perfect solution.” Harry grew up in Saranac Lake, where his mom ran the corner store and his selfemployed dad had both winter and summer jobs. “When you live in the Adirondacks year-round, you need to be versatile,” he noted, obviously an inherited skill. As a young man, Harry enjoyed venturing on foot or by bike to places not always on any map and sometimes considerable distances from home — “wherever a bike or my feet could take me” — Harry recalls. He loved to fish and was snowmobiling by the age of 14. “And I was always busy building or making things. To this day, I consider ‘creating’ my strongest interest and skill.” Harry attended SUNY@ Canton where he studied engineering. During the course of his career, he applied his skills working for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Carrier Corporation, Corning Glass Company, and Budweiser. He retired in 2021 after 30 years with the West Valley Nuclear Demonstration Project. Harry is a 30-year member of the Western New York Snowmobile Club of Boston and the organization’s current vice president. Here he met fellow bridge-building partner John Baronich, a former principal and shop teacher. Together, with the able assistance of other retired regulars interested in construction, they were able to successfully redeck and restore a total of seven bridges. “The new decking is basically an even floor with no gaps. The goal was to make these bridges usable for everybody — not just snowmobiles.” Today, Harry remains an avid builder/creator and bicyclist. He owns bikes for every season and surface. To his credit and for pleasure, he participated in both the 2021 and 2022 EA2EVL Fondo events, the non-competitive fundraising bike ride from East Aurora to Ellicottville to benefit the ECRT trail. As far as the trail is concerned, Harry believes, “If you build it, they will come. There are lots of places to explore and enjoy here. It’s great when you see businesses interested and involved in the trial. I think you help communities grow by building and supporting cottage industries. You know, people will drive (or bike) to go to breakfast if the food is good!” February 1, 2023 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Howy Holmes "Mr. Orchard Park" Howy Holmes is a lifelong resident of Orchard Park. His home, built in 1861, was originally located along Quaker Field Stables and was owned by Harry Yates, who, among other accomplishments, was a principal with Buffalo & Pittsburgh RR and instrumental in the design and construction of the OP Depot. Howy’s parents bought about an acre or so of property from Yates and moved the historic house to its current location at Bridal Path and Freeman Rd. Howy and wife Dorothy later purchased the home from his mother in 1982 where they raised their family and continue to live today. “I went from sleeping in the kid’s bedroom to the master bedroom – about 30 feet down the hall,” he quipped. Howy attended OP HS and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami Florida. There he met his wife Dorothy, in the last few days of his college career and her master’s program. He then joined the Navy reserves and served from 1966 – 1968. He and Dorothy married in 1972. Together, they raised 2 children, now grown: a daughter Chandra who lives near St. Louis, and son Tyler, who lives nearby in Amherst. After college, Howy decided to join the family’s highway construction business, Holmes & Murphy, established in 1917 by his grandfather. His wealth of experience in design and construction has been invaluable to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, and the board continues to rely on him and his considerable expertise. Throughout his adult life, Howy has been an active and avid community supporter. People often refer to Howy as ‘Mr. Orchard Park”, and rightly so! His affiliations and accolades include Orchard Park Citizen of the Year (2004), member and President of the Orchard Park Chamber of Commerce, Co-President of the Orchard Park Historical Society, President of the Quaker Friends Cemetery, board member of the Buffalo Ski Club and Hickory Hill Swim & Tennis Club, and a charter member of the Orchard Park Council of the Arts – the organization that built the Orchard Park Pavilion. “I was ‘Person of the Year’ in 2006 in Time Magazine,” he says, half-jokingly. “Just Google it.” [That was the year Time noted every citizen in that category!] Howy is also known to be a frequent attendee at Town board meetings. “I’m interested in what’s going on. You have to read the local paper and follow what’s happening in your hometown. It’s important. How else can you make good decisions? You need to support and sometimes question your local officials. That’s democracy.” Howy has been involved with Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail since its inception. “I mow, walk the trail in Orchard Park pretty frequently, take on maintenance jobs and participate in design and development. The new section [of the trail in Orchard Park] is so important. It links residents to the library, the depot and all the village has to offer. It’s such a great asset for the town and village. And this is just the beginning!” More volunteers

Deb Fenn Laura Lisitsky Apart from a 12-year hiatus in Seattle, Laura Lisitsky is a life-long Western New Yorker and a dedicated lover of the outdoors. She grew up in Elma, attended Iroquois Central School and now teaches K-4 Physical Education there. When she’s not encouraging children to participate in structured physical activity, she indulges in some of her own. Favorites include hiking, kayaking and cross-country skiing. Laura is always up for another great outdoor adventure. Her love of the outdoors has deep roots, stemming from time spent at her grandparents’ home in the Catskills. The youngest of five, her grandparents would treat each child — one at a time — to a few weeks with them on their 23-acre homestead in Saugerties. Here, Laura spent many memorable hours exploring nearby woodlands, fields and streams. “Locally, I belong to an informal hiking group, formed during the pandemic by a group of former high school friends. We call ourselves the ‘Silver Lining Hiking Group’. Lots of our outings are spur-of–the-moment and always fun." “During my time in Seattle, hiking and biking trails were everywhere. I was surrounded by them, but couldn’t afford to live near them. They’re a very popular amenity, and housing prices are higher the closer you live to a trail.” Laura recently traveled to Norway with her partner, Steve. Here, again, hiking trails were numerous and considered an integral, defining part of the Norwegian lifestyle. Through her travels, chosen lifestyle and profession, Laura truly understands the value of trails. “People need to get outdoors for their mental and physical health. In my volunteer efforts with trail clean-up and the Fondo bike event, I’ve found pleasure working with like-minded people for such a great cause. We’re working to create something that will mean so much for so many. Trails are such an asset to any community. Why not ours?” April 1, 2024 Written by: Deb Fenn Previous Next < Back

Learn more about membership and how you can help us build the trail. Become a Member! Join the movement! Become a member and help us build the trail for the benefit of the whole community. By becoming an ECRT Member you will: Show that you are a trail supporter, and you have a true desire to see all 27 miles completed. Help ECRT to have a reliable income stream to fund trail development. Improve development efforts by offering an enhanced connection to the trail for members. Provide ECRT with additional resources to educate the community and broaden our base of support. Create additional excitement about the trail and encourage use and participation. Demonstrate support of the development of the trail to funders and governmental entities. Enjoy additional benefits that are detailed under each membership level in the Member Registration Form below! A Message from our President Prefer to mail a check? Make your check payable to Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. Address to: ECRT, PO Box 584, Orchard Park, NY 14127. Thank you! NYS Charitable Donation Disclosures Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered with New York State and dedicated to building and maintaining a 27-mile multiuse recreational trail from Orchard Park to Ashford, NY on the railbanked Buffalo & Pittsburgh rail corridor. The latest financial report from ECRT may be obtained by request from ECRT at www.ecattrail.org or from the Attorney General's Charities Bureau's Website - www.charitiesnys.com . Information about charities may be obtained from the Attorney General at (212) 416-8686.