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Irish Christmas Reimagined
Solutions-Oriented Rotarians Keep Tradition Alive
As snow threatens to settle and trees turn bare, the town of Ellicottville shifts into winter mode.
Boots are broken out, summer tires are replaced, and calendars begin to fill with a plethora of
lovely holiday traditions unique to the area. Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas, a seasonal
highlight, is a hallmark of Ellicottville generosity and compassion. Hosted by the Rotary Club of
Ellicottville, the event serves to raise funds for initiatives like Rotary-sponsored Santa’s
Workshop and the Cattaraugus County Sheriffs’ Santa Program. McCarthy, a master craftsman,
friend to the Rotary, and passionate philanthrope, is honored each year by the community
togetherness embodied by Irish Christmas. The auctioning of baked goods, hand-crafted items,
and neat finds from local businesses allow both Santa’s Workshop and the Sheriff’s
Department’s Santa Program to provide holiday presents and meals to local families in need.
This year, McCarthy’s Irish Christmas will still take place...with a few adjustments.
“In light of the pandemic,” said a recent Rotary press release, “it does not make sense to do a live
event like we have in previous years. However, we do want to keep the spirit alive for 2020.”
Now more than ever, families are in need of a little holiday happiness; the pandemic has
presented unique challenges on every front. The Rotary Club hopes that Ellicottville’s
unshakeable powerhouse community will open its heart and donate at
www.ellicottvillerotary.com or on the Rotary Facebook page. A little goes a long way!
On top of that, more than 15 auction pieces will be on display at many of Ellicottville’s local
businesses. Among the treasures are Bob McCarthy woodworking originals and special creations
from Ed Frederickson and Hughey Dunn. Each item will be on display from November 27
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through December 18
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, both in town and at www.brookslefeberauctions.com. Be on the lookout
for Bob’s Unique Magical Rocking Horse at Katy’s Café! A full list of auction items will be
published by Thanksgiving, after which anyone can bid online or in-person at a local business.
The auction itself will take place on Friday, December 18
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at 7 PM. This will be a live online
event hosted by Brooks Lefeber Auctions on www.brookslefeberauctions.com with commentary
via Facebook Live.
If you would like to bake an item for the baked goods auction, contact Katy Arena at Katy’s Café
(716-699-8860) by Thursday, November 26
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.
Bob always found a way to make the holidays magical...and this year is no exception. In August
of 2016, about 2 months after he passed away, Anne Northrup created bracelets that read
“WWBD?” (What Would Bob Do?). This question, a guiding light for those who knew the
charismatic gentleman, allowed the community to rise to the occasion, together filling the void of
his absence. This year, as straightforward solutions constantly absented themselves, that question
became all the more important. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Ellicottville, Brooks Lefeber, local
businesses, solid supporters, and community-members, this year’s reimagined Irish Christmas
keeps Bob’s favorite event alive and well.
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