On President’s Day, I tried to convince my seven year-old granddaughter that my sister was married to a president (her last name is Kennedy). As I pondered this holiday, I started to wonder: do we have too many holidays in the month of February?

My February calendar has Groundhog’s, National Freedom, Valentine’s and President’s Day. February 2016 also includes the Chinese New Year, Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays, and the Super Bowl (an unofficial holiday), not to mention the presidential debates. I have a hard time keeping up!

To simplify things, I propose merging President’s and Valentine’s Day and renaming the Super Bowl the “Groundhog Bowl,” where at halftime the groundhog comes out of his burrow to make his prediction. I recommend a two- hour National Freedom celebration at which time all presidential candidates come together on mainland China to have one debate and celebrate the New Year. These ideas would help reduce the many holidays and events that we all have to remember in the second month of the year.

One special event that seems easy to remember and is fun for all is the annual Winter Wonderland in the Woods held at Reinstein Woods. This year’s event on February 6 was a great success. Despite the lack of snow, attendance was the best ever. Activities included ice rescue and ice fishing demonstrations, kids exploring an artificial snow tunnel, guided nature walks and live animal presentations by the SPCA, to name just a few. Thanks to the outstanding Reinstein Woods’ staff, the enthusiastic volunteers and all the community participants, the event has become a WNY winter favorite. Maybe next year the Reinstein Woods’ winter festival will become a national holiday! (Just a thought.)

Michael Gettings

Friends President

Greetings from the frozen North!

When my wife and I returned in February from a warm Florida vacation, my initial thought was “are you kidding” after seeing the snowy landscape.  I’m old enough to remember the days when snow was over the roof tops, there was no such thing as wind chill and you stayed outside all day and half of the night. But, this winter seems to be breaking all the records, imagined or otherwise.

My thoughts quickly improved, based on two recent events at “The Woods” which made me adjust my attitude concerning the winter season.

The first event was Winter Wonderland. Not only was the attendance fantastic, over 500 strong, but the families and kids had a great time and enjoyed the outdoors. I didn’t hear one complaint about the weather, the guests had fun, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow painting, ice fishing and watching the rescue dog Jackson perform.

The second event was an evening snowshoeing tour. On a clear 12 degree February evening, five individuals with disabilities who had never used snowshoes had a great time trekking for almost an hour on the frozen trails. Each explorer took turns leading the group, asked many questions and was excited about being outdoors. It was not the participants who got tired; it was me, the tour guide.

I’m sometimes negative about the winter weather, but I’m always amazed at the active winter related activities that I witness at Reinstein Woods. Lots of individuals and families enjoy the winter season here, either for the first time or as a regular customer.  I’m grateful that Reinstein Woods provides these opportunities and that I can play a small role in these worthwhile experiences.

Stay Warm – Spring Will Arrive!!!!!

Mike Gettings

President, Friends of Reinstein Woods