July 23, 2026
Whitesville/Libraries
Whitesville Library's Garden Tour Showcases 14 Local Gardens
Whitesville Public Library hosted its "Hands in the Dirt, Nose in a Book" garden tour on a recent Saturday, sending visitors on a self-guided walk through 14 gardens around the village. Stops ranged from vegetable plots and pollinator habitats to a permaculture planting on Irish Hill Road, a mushroom-growing operation, and a chance to sample produce and pick blueberries along the way. Maps were available at the library's registration desk, and the free, donation-based event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tour serves as a fundraiser supporting the small library's programming.
Photo: WereItNotSoSimple / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) Alfred/Arts & Photography
15-Year-Old Maggie Bai Wins MostArts Festival's Young Pianist Competition in Alfred
The MostArts Festival at Alfred University wrapped its tenth season with a Grand Finale Concert on July 18, where 15-year-old Maggie Bai of Newton, Massachusetts took first prize in the Young Pianist Competition. Bai's win comes with a $10,000 award, an invitation to perform at the festival's 2027 season opener, and eligibility to become a Young Steinway Artist. Second and third prizes went to William Feng of Seattle and a tie between Daniel Beal of Moscow, Idaho and Jeremy Liu of Naperville, Illinois. The finale concert, led by guest conductor Kathleen Horvath and the International MostArts Festival Orchestra, also featured the world premiere of composer Gabriel Jenks' "As Luck" alongside works by Morton Gould and Chopin.
Ellicottville/Communal
Taste of Ellicottville Returns August 8-9 With Food, Music and 250th-Anniversary Theme
Ellicottville's signature summer food festival, Taste of Ellicottville, is back August 8-9, turning Washington and Monroe streets into an open-air café district. Local restaurants including the Gin Mill, Dina's Restaurant, Curated Chaos, Balloons Restaurant & Night Club and Edna's at the Tamarack Club will serve small bites and signature dishes alongside wine, spirits and live music. This year's event adds a patriotic twist tied to America's 250th birthday, with red-white-and-blue decorations and themed entertainment throughout the village. Advance tickets are available through the village's tourism website, with organizers encouraging early purchase to skip lines.