“I just love being here. It’s just a great community.”
— Hilda Myer, SUNY Fredonia freshman

Monday, September 8 at 9 pm on WNED-TV — Premiere broadcast

In the Southwest corner of New York state, there’s a vibrant college town that’s also a lakeside retreat. It’s a historic community with abundant farmland, known as a place of deep spirituality.

Twenty-three people who call Dunkirk/Fredonia home recently captured their region’s diverse treasures for WNED’s 11th community “video scrapbook” production, Our Town: Dunkirk/Fredonia. Their video footage was edited and compiled by WNED. The volunteers also were interviewed about the topics they covered, and their commentary serves as the narration behind the program.

The volunteer videographers from these bordering rival communities highlighted stories of mystery, renaissance and adventure.

• Nin Privatera reveals an enigmatic little town across the street from his home. With its one-room schoolhouse and train depot, Grape Farm Village looks like an Old West stage set. But it doesn’t see many visitors.

• Dick Gilman proudly shows off the exquisite detail of the Fredonia Opera House. He was among a group of volunteers who took on the “exciting but daunting” challenge to restore the 1891 landmark. “It took us more than 10 years” but the end result is “glorious,” he says.

• Susan Cobb captures the excitement of local youth on a Quest Backpacking trip and their rousing homecoming celebration.

• Fredonia’s mayor, Mike Sullivan, shares the view outside his office windows―the historic town center, Barker Commons.

• Life at SUNY Fredonia is filmed by alumna Christina Wagner and her daughter, Hilda Myer, a current freshman.

Other segments highlight the Underground Railroad and the Lily Dale spiritual community. Still more showcase talented people and the area’s natural and historic assets, offering a glimpse inside a region with much to explore.

Produced by WNED with support from

Media Sponsor

Promotional Support
WDOE-AM 1410

Production Support
Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
Jamestown Community College
Fredonia Opera House

Since 2003, WNED has produced 10 other OUR TOWN programs, featuring:

• Ontario, Canada: Kitchener/Waterloo, Markham, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Oakville and Welland
• Western New York: East Aurora, Ellicottville, Jamestown, Kenmore/Tonawanda and Lockport