Chautauqua Gazette

06/18/2026

Shout out to LiveCHQ for FREE tickets to tonight's game. We proudly featured our hometown Tarp Skunks in this week's edition: https://www.chqgazette.com

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Live CHQ Presents Community Buyout Night with Jamestown Tarp Skunks on June 18

Free admission, touch-a-truck, and a salute to first responders and healthcare workers highlight the evening

JAMESTOWN, NY — Live CHQ, Chautauqua County’s talent attraction and retention initiative, will again partner with the Jamestown Tarp Skunks to host a Community Buyout Night on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Russell E. Diethrick Park.
The Community Buyout Night will feature the visiting Niagara Falls Americans, with free admission for all fans courtesy of Live CHQ and its two affiliate agencies, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG). The theme for the evening is A Salute to Chautauqua County’s First Responders and Healthcare Professionals, with pregame recognition planned for first responders and healthcare workers in attendance.

“Offering free admission is one small way we can thank our community—especially the first responders and healthcare professionals who show up every day to keep us safe and well,” said Mark Geise, Chautauqua County Deputy County Executive of Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “Community Buyout Night also helps us keep Live CHQ top of mind and shine a spotlight on the many advantages of living and working in Chautauqua County.”

Beyond the on-field action, Community Buyout Night is designed as a full ballpark experience that encourages fans to arrive early, meet local organizations, and enjoy family-friendly activities before the first pitch. Pregame festivities are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will include a touch-a-truck event featuring a variety of first responder vehicles on site for fans to explore and learn more about the important work done throughout Chautauqua County.

Fans will also have an opportunity to meet and take photos with Whiffy, the Tarp Skunks mascot. Several local healthcare organizations and volunteer fire departments are expected to host information tables during the pregame period, providing opportunities to connect with residents, share resources, and highlight ways community members can get involved.

As part of the game welcome, representatives from the CCIDA and CCPEG will distribute free Live CHQ chip clips to the first 500 fans through the gate. Just prior to the start of the game, the Tarp Skunks will also host a special first pitch ceremony honoring first responders in attendance - with newly appointed Jamestown Police Chief Scott Forster selected as this year's honoree.

Free tickets for Community Buyout Night will be available at Russell E. Diethrick Park the night of the game. Volunteer firefighters, local law enforcement, and EMS workers may also pick up tickets at their designated stations. A limited number of tickets will also be available at both CCIDA office locations in Jamestown and Dunkirk. Any first responder group interested in arranging tickets may contact the Jamestown Tarp Skunks directly at 716-705-5600.

“This kind of night doesn’t happen without strong partners,” said Christian Dolce, Team General Manager. “We’re incredibly grateful to the CCIDA, CCPEG, and Live CHQ for helping us open the gates and create an unforgettable community night at the park.”

Additional information about the Jamestown Tarp Skunks, the team’s 2026 season, and a printable schedule is available at JamestownTarpSkunks.com.
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About Live CHQ - Live CHQ is a joint marketing campaign launched by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth in 2024 to assist with talent attraction and retention efforts across Chautauqua County, NY. The overall goal of the campaign is to help raise awareness of Chautauqua County as a viable place for individuals and families to live by speaking to the sensibilities, desires, and expectations of people who are considering the county as their primary residence. For more information visit LiveCHQ.com.

Affordable Living. Career Opportunities. Appealing Quality of Life. Chautauqua County has all this and more. Find out for yourself!

06/09/2026

Make us your go-to-guide for all your summer fun!
https://www.chqgazette.com/PDF/CG6-8-26.pdf

05/23/2026

Please join together with the Blue Star Mothers in honoring our veterans:

Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10AM
Annual Gold Star Memorial Remembrance
Veterans Memorial Park, West Third & Logan Streets, Jamestown.

Monday, May 25, 2026 at approx 10:45AM
Lake View Cemetery Memorial Day Service
directly following the 10AM Jamestown Memorial Day Parade.

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The Gold Star Memorial event is a yearly remembrance during the Memorial Day season. While Blue Star Mothers have active-duty and veteran sons and daughters, the Gold Star designation recognizes a family who has lost a son or daughter in the service of the United States during a time of war. On Saturday, May 23, the Blue Star Mothers will again recognize the memory of those local residents who have made the ultimate
sacrifice in the service of the United States as they honor the families left behind. This year 23 fallen men and women will be honored by name. Originally established in May of 2013, the Gold Star Memorial serves as a daily visual remembrance of these heroes. This memorial display includes a rock with a plaque honoring the fallen, surrounded by annually-flowering cherry trees in tribute to our local fallen sons and daughters. Desiring that these sacrifices never be forgotten, the local Blue Star Mothers chapter has secured the privilege of honoring local Gold Star families each year in this meaningful and enduring way.

The 10AM Gold Star Memorial ceremony will include the presence of
many local dignitaries and a Color Guard, 21-gun salute, and playing of Taps by
local veterans’ organizations. The participation of the local Patriot Guard and
a bagpipe benediction will also be included in the program. Along with memorial
wreaths, the ceremony will include the reading of each local hero’s name, followed by a moment of silence. Keynote speaker for this year’s memorial dedication is 30-year veteran Michael Canna USAF Col Ret.

A second event sponsored by the NY4 Blue Star Mothers will be the Memorial Day Service at the Lakeview Cemetery directly following the Jamestown parade on Monday, May 25, 2026. The service will include participation by the Jamestown Municipal Band, many veterans’ organizations and auxiliaries, and several local dignitaries. Honorary Speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony is US Army First Sergeant (Retired) Harry L. Snellings. Following 24 years with the US Army, 1st Sgt Snellings served the City of Jamestown for over 24 years as a police officer, the last ten as the Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety. Snellings currently works for the Chautauqua County DA’s Office as a senior investigator.

Master of Ceremonies for the Memorial Day Service will be Sgt First Class Tim Overbeck, US Army Reserve. The three children of SFC Overbeck and his wife Mary Eimers will also be participating in the ceremony.

The public is invited to both of these events, rain or shine. Limited seating is available, so a lawn chair (and umbrella) may be advisable.

Since its inception during WWII, the national Blue Star Mothers of America organization has existed to provide support for active-duty service personnel, to promote patriotism, and to assist veterans' organizations in our communities. Membership in the Blue Star Mothers is comprised of those who now have or have had children honorably serving in the U.S. Military. Chautauqua County's local chapter (NY Chapter 4) has been actively pursuing opportunities to provide tangible and emotional support to military personnel and their families since 2007. For those interested in knowing more about the mission of the Blue Star Mothers, please email [email protected].

Blue Star Mothers NY Chapter 4
PO Box 22
Jamestown, NY 14702

05/18/2026

Memorial Day Weekend is almost here. Join us in honoring our fallen veterans!

https://www.chqgazette.com/PDF/CG5-18-26.pdf

05/11/2026

It's such a pleasure to Showcase Clymer! We had just a truly wonderful welcome by this incredible community and encourage everyone to visit this weekend and often!
https://www.chqgazette.com/PDF/CG5-11-26.pdf

05/04/2026

Mother's Day is almost here! We keep this very special mother and the entire LaMancuso/Ditonto family in our thoughts and prayers.

05/01/2026

Realtor of the Week! Check out this Bemus vacation property and/or permanent residence! It's beautiful, with a location that can't be beat. 🙌

04/28/2026

Home & Garden edition!

Check out all our best contractor and retail recommendations for your springtime home improvement needs on page two!

Special thanks to Sara Sorci, Sheila Webster and Sarah Tranum for their beautiful feature articles!

https://www.chqgazette.com/PDF/CG4-27-26.pdf

04/20/2026

🌎 The April 20 edition of the Chautauqua Gazette is out now!

Pick up your copy on stands or read it online at chqgazette.com.

This special edition celebrates Earth Day, and we’re grateful to our featured writers, supporters, readers, and to everyone in our community who helps make our corner of the world such a beautiful place to live. 💚

Be sure to check out the latest events and happenings across Chautauqua County!

04/18/2026

Proudly featuring our Realtor of the Weekend! Check out this beautiful house today!