Gowanda Small Town Times

Pictured above, Samantha Bucco and Jessie Mekus accepted the 1st Place medal for the Gowanda Free Library’s entry “Pete the Cat”. Library director, Heidi Khawam, was not present.

The last full weekend in September brought the annual Scarecrow Contest back to the streets of Gowanda. A total of 10 scarecrows competed for the title of Gowanda’s favorite. After the online votes and paper ballots were counted, the Gowanda Free Library’s entry, “Pete the Cat” landed in 1st Place with a total of 69 votes. Not far behind with 60 votes were “Puff n’ Stuff” entered by Jessie’s Home and Gifts in 2nd Place and “Edie Escrow” entered by Danahy Real Estate with 54 votes. Rounding out the top half with just short of 50 votes were “Victor the Vampire” by Gabel Brothers Furniture and “4-H Barn Buddies” by Perrysburg Barn Buddies 4-H.

Above, Amelia Jarzynski accepted the 2nd Place medal for “Puff n’ Stuff” by Jesse’s Home and Gifts.

Above, Brian Szkatulski and Mathias Arbeiter VI accepted the 3rd Place medal for “Edie Escrow” by Danahy Real Estate.

On Sunday, September 28, the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Car Show. They have now announced the Car Show Winners

They are:
Vintage- Dan Kaueger T-Bucket
Classic- David Walker ‘61 Chevy
Spectator Favorite- Paul Bradley ‘68 vette
Chamber Favorite- Kevin & Connie Ploetz ‘54 MG
Best Paint- David Hammond ‘70 Mach 1
Kids favorite- Brett Leight ‘49 Dodge
Best of Show- Brian Cheney ‘39 coupe

[photo] Members of local fire companies along the finish line await the arrival of the bulk of the derby ducks.

On Sunday, August 24, the annual Ducky Derby event was held in Gowanda. After using the new amphitheater at Gateway Park for spectator seating the past couple years, the race was relocated to Creekside Park for 2025. Gowanda’s Community Watch group added to the event by hosting a Community Picnic at the same location.

Community Watch volunteers gave out hot dogs and hamburgers to attendees while also accepting donations towards future activities. Several other local groups also set up booths during the event. Additionally, there was a duck mascot on hand plus horse rides in the park for the children. Despite some gloomy skies at noon, and a couple of rain drops, the skies cleared as predicted going into the afternoon.

[photo] A raft, with the duck mascot onboard, prepares to head upstream with the ducks prior to the start of the race.

The picnic began at noon while race goers were arriving for the 2 pm main event. Members of local fire companies were on hand to manage the derby. At race time, along with the duck mascot, two fire department members took two bins of derby ducks upstream to the starting point for the race. After releasing the ducks, the raft cruised back to the finish line to prepare for the arrival of the ducks there. Fortunately for race officials, the first five ducks managed to separate themselves from the pack (and each other) quite well making it very easy to determine the first five finishers. The finish line crew had to work a bit faster collecting and calling out the next few arrivals which came in with less space between them. After ten places had been called out, the finish line crew reverted to collection duties picking up the remaining duck to race another day.

Winning ducks were:

1st Place [$200] #380 “Tommy” owned by Thomas Bartlett II

2nd Place [$150] #410 “Duke 2” owned by Jim Galati

3rd Place [$50] #389 “Peanut” owned by Ason Offhaus

4th Place [$50] #204 “Joey” owned by Mark C. Burr

5th Place [$50] #395 “Dustin” owned by Elliott Bernard

6th Place [$50] #432 “Jackson” owned by Donna Byroads

7th Place [$25] #115 “Chucky 9” owned by Charlie Smith

8th Place [$25] #212 - unnamed - owned by Darlene Stark

9th Place [$25] #398 “Hillbilly” owned by James Kittle

10th Place [#25] #15 “frodo” owned by Fred Davis

Monday, August 18

Gowanda Free Library - 10:15am to 3:30pm
Weekly Crafts

Gowanda Free Library - 11am
Save Dollars Save Energy Workshop
Hosted by WNY Clean Energy Hub

Thursday, August 21

Collins Public Library - 3 to 4:45pm
Free Family Movie

Saturday, August 23

NY&LE Railroad - 11am & 2pm
South Dayton Flyer

NY&LE Railroad - 5:00pm
End of Summer Wine Train w/Woodbury

Sunday, August 24

NY&LE Railroad - 2pm
South Dayton Flyer

Gowanda Neighborhood Watch - Noon
Community Picnic at Creekside Park

Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce - 2 pm
Ducky Derby at Creekside Park

NOTE: Creekside Park is located just off of the northwest corner of the Shop’N Save parking lot.

The Gowanda Recreation Department will be holding a slow-pitch softball tournament on August 31 with an 11 am start time. The double-elimination tourney will cost $100 per team to enter. Sign-up deadline is August 22.

Tournament director, Mark Benton, can be reached by text or voice call at 716-770-8809.