Gowanda Small Town Times

Mar 11, 2023

The following Gowanda students from Jamestown Community College were placed on the Dean’s List for academic excellence during the fall 2022 semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.50 during the semester while enrolled in at least 12 degree credits.

Gowanda: Mary Denea, Hailey Fort

The 18th annual Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet is set for Saturday, March 25 at the Gowanda Moose Lodge.

This year’s inductees include: Tammy Putt, Allegany-Limestone; William Aiello, Olean; Allan Dunlap, Franklinville; Larry Welty, Portville; Marty Burroughs, Ellicottville; Jeffrey Hatfield, Gowanda; Chuck Howard, South Dayton; Frank Asquith, Pioneer; John Zalewski, Salamanca; Jeff Horth, Cattaraugus-Little Valley; and Mike Ahrens, West Valley, posthumously.

The program begins at 5 p.m. with a social and sports auction followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets for the event are $30 apiece and can be reserved by calling Mark Benton, banquet chairman, at 716-532-4053 or email hidibenton@gmail.com. The deadline for all reservations is March 18.

The following local Jamestown Community College students were placed on the part-time Dean’s List for academic excellence during the fall 2022 semester.

To be eligible for the part-time Dean’s List, a student must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.50 or better while enrolled in 6-11 degree hours.

Collins: Bryan Zynda

Gowanda: Ashley Burch, Autumn-Raine Pierce, Delaney Rotoli

The Winter Sports season ended for Gowanda on February 21. Both the boys and girls Varsity basketball teams saw their seasons end in Class C pre-quarterfinal action. The Gowanda boys, seeded 13, were at 12-seed JFK while the 11-seed Gowanda girls traveled to #6 Frewsburg.

The boys game was quite close until the very end. As had been the case for the last few games of the regular season, Gowanda’s career 1000-point scorer, John Ondus, did not dress for the game. JFK went up 4-0 early. Gowanda tied it at 4 and things stayed tight for most of the period. Late in the 1st quarter, after JFK had taken a 15-14 lead with a pair of fouls shots, a Tyler Smith 3-pointer put Gowanda back in front. The Gowanda lead was 19-15 when Quentin Centner was fouled putting the ball up from long distance. The official put one second back on the clock and gave Centner three chances from the foul line. He hit on all three and Gowanda was up 22-15 going to the 2nd quarter. A slow down in Gowanda’s production allowed JFK to move a bit closer. By half time, Gowanda’s lead had slipped to 34-30.

JFK opened the scoring in the 3rd quarter making it a 2-point game. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Centner had Gowanda back in control 40-32. JFK again slowly worked their way back. With 43 seconds left in the quarter, JFK finally pulled into a tie at 45-45. There was a huge momentum shift at that point. JFK scored twice more before the end of the period, including a basket at the buzzer. Gowanda was in total disarray in a final quarter that was full of bad passes and off-target shots. That along with a pair of JFK 3-point baskets, put Gowanda in a 65-51 hole. Gowanda stopped the slide but couldn’t close the gap. Gowanda’s Cole Herman closed out the scoring with a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left, but the team was still handed a 68-57 loss.

Leading the Gowanda attack were Quentin Centner (25 points) and Tyler Smith (11 points). Alex Pachucinski had 7 points. Also scoring for Gowanda were Cole Herman, Ruben Rivera, Victor Rivera and Blake Herman. The Gowanda boys closed their season at 8-13.

The Gowanda girls faced Frewsburg, a team they had just hosted in the last regular season game. The lack of confidence that had plagued he team for most of the season was again on full display. Sloppy passing and a lack of willingness to take shots were costly. This was all further aggravated by several in-and-out shot in the early going. Gowanda was down 17-9 after one quarter and 36-17 at halftime. Gowanda was pounded 25-7 in the 3rd quarter putting them in a huge 61-24 hole going to the final quarter. Frewsburg coasted to a 65-31 win from that point. Gowanda’s effort was led by Aurora Stevens with 15 points. Crissa Scanlan had 8 points. The Gowanda girls closed their season at 6-13.

The Historic Hollywood Theater in Gowanda, New York has been silent so far this year. Concerns about weather possibly interfering with events caused them to avoid scheduling anything in January or February. Even so, they have still been busy planning a busier schedule of events heading into Spring.

World renowned organist Dennis James will be back on March 25th as the theater’s silent movie series returns for another year. Shortly after that, on March 30, the Gowanda High School chorus brings their Cabaret Concert back to the Hollywood for a second year.

A busy and diverse April follows starting with “The Grand Illusion” performing the music of Styx on April 15. Then, on April 21 and 22, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” will be presented. This musical theater production is strictly intended for adults. April continues with the Gowanda Central School Art Show at the theater on April 26. The Hollywood will close out April celebrating Willie Nelson ’s 90th birthday with a Willie Nelson Tribute concert on the 29th.

Classic rock is featured in May with a pair of bands coming to the Hollywood. On May 6 there will be “A Tribute to Tom Petty”. Closing out May, on the 27th, “Green River” brings the songs of CCR and John Fogerty to Gowanda.

The Nickel City Opera brings a full production of “The Barber of Seville” to the theater on June 25. This production was initially scheduled for Friday, the 23rd. Once it was realized that the date conflicted with high school graduation, the show was moved to the Sunday date.

The annual Hollywood Theater Drama Camp returns in August. Then, on September 9, “A Night of Classic Country Music” will be staged. This promises to bring the songs of Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and more!

Heading into Fall, two classic bands are scheduled to make a return visit to Gowanda. September 30 brings in “Eaglez” with their tribute to “The Eagles”. Then, the audio-visual extravaganza that is “The Floyd Concept” returns on October 7. One other band just recently began planning an October 21 visit to the Hollywood. They will fill the building with the music of “Foreigner”.

The schedule is constantly evolving. The latest updates and ticket information can always be found on the Hollywood Theater website at https://www.gowandahollywoodtheater.com/upcoming.