As 2009 begins and the economy remains on shaky ground, everyone’s budgets are tightening, with marketing as traditionally one of the first budget lines to get scrutinized. As a provider of marketing services, we have reacted to this environment with services tailored to smaller budgets. One thing we realize here at Mellon & Co. is that not every business needs - or can afford - a big ticket website with all the bells and whistles. And while we are fully prepared to provide highly intricate and detailed websites for our clients, an elaborate website is sometimes just simply unnecessary for certain businesses. What is important, however, is having a website that is professional, communicates the key benefits of your brand and is focused on the user. If you’re going to have a poor website, it’s sometimes better to have no website at all.

We also know that many small businesses give it a go on their own, getting pulled into using overpriced template programs that seem simple enough to use, but end up lacking in functionality and causing more headaches - and more cash - in the long run. These are the websites that end up lingering our there in cyberspace, outdated and doing more damage than good to the company, person or organization in which they represent.

It’s a phenomenon that pains us here at Mellon & Co., as a small business ourselves and a frequent witness to the power of the web as a marketing tool for any sized business, so we decided to do something about it. Our Illustrate Your Story (IYS) website builder program is designed exclusively for the small businesses of the world, those just trying to get a proper start in web marketing and those with an otherwise limited budget. With marketing budgets getting slashed in the recent economic downturn, Illustrate Your Story will allow you to keep a new website in your 2009 marketing plan.

So what’s the fuss about this program? For starters, you get a fully custom website, complete with a content management system for easy self-edits and updates, and the full support of a professional, multidisciplinary web team including marketers, designers and developers. It comes at a price you can afford and, perhaps best of all, the website will grow with you. No starting from scratch when you decide you want to add a new application, change your color scheme or otherwise add new functionality.

You can get all the details and even order your website at IllustrateYourStory.com, or give us a call to get started. We launched a number of these websites in 2008 and have highlighted some of the most recent here on our news page.

Our Illustrate Your Story program is all about providing a professional web presence for small businesses or those with a limited web marketing budget. We’ve had several clients take advantage of this service in 2008. Some of the most recent are highlighted below:

Ross Reed Manor, Ellicottville, NY

Ross Reed Manor is a beautiful Victorian home in Ellicottville, NY, that is available for daily rent. RossReedManor.com showcases the 4-bedroom unit with a written description of amenities, accompanied by a photo gallery, video slideshow set to music and a 5-shot virtual tour. It’s a great example of the flexibility of the Illustrate Your Story websites in adding additional functionality and applications, such as the multimedia upgrade of the Mellon & Co. virtual tours.

Interfaith Caregivers, Allegany, NY

InterfaithCaregiversInc.org is an Illustrate Your Story website for the Allegany-based program of Faith In Action, a national network of volunteer organizations that work to help the elderly and disabled to maintain their independence and dignity. Interfaith Caregiver’s website is an informational website, with the primary goal of creating awareness of the organization’s services and allowing potential beneficiaries of these services and volunteers to easily contact them.

Real Estate Illustrate Your Story Websites

EastConcordHome.com and EllicottvilleAreaHomeForSale.com both highlight beautiful homes that are up for sale by ERA Vacation Properties agent Andree McRea. Another example of how the Illustrate Your Story websites can be easily upgraded with multimedia elements, these websites both feature virtual tours, photo galleries and video slideshows.

Keystone Designers, Ellicottville, NY, & Evanston, WY

KeystoneDesigners.com showcases the custom promotional products offered by Keystone Designers, Inc. They specialize in sourcing items of all kinds - from shirts and jackets to drinkware and office supplies - at the best possible price, to be customized with your brand. They can also help to create graphics for your materials.

Nance Jackson, Artist from Little Valley, NY

NLJackson. com showcases the acrylic and mixed media paintings of this stellar artist. A slideshow flash gallery allows visitors to easily scroll through her work and select pieces for large view. As with all Illustrate Your Story websites, the client has the ability to update and edit all pieces of the website - from the copy text to the images in the photo gallery - with just an internet connection and a few minutes of training.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Christmas ’08 is now a memory, but now begins the New Year’s Eve celebrations and into the New Year!

Holiday Valley will once again host their Annual Torch Light Parade that starts at 11:30 pm followed by the traditional fireworks at 11:45 pm.  The Valley expects to have all 56 slopes operating, weather permitting.

All of the area restaurants are gearing up for the New Year’s festivities and most will have special menus.  Try Surf ‘N Turf at The Barn Restaurant, or crab legs and prime rib at The Birdwalk.  Tips Up is also planning to serve special New Year’s food items.

You can always expect some special entertainment during the holidays.  Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub will be offering live music by Mo’ Porter from 5 – 9 pm followed by a DJ until 4 am.  The Double Diamond will be featuring one of the best bands in the area with The Tripper Harrison Band.  The Gin Mill will be heading into the New Year with The Headers from 9 pm until 1 am.  These are just a few of our local establishments that will be providing us with entertainment, be sure to check out all the others.

January 1 - Polar Bear Polar Bear Series of Runs & Walks - 5K Run/Walk
Special event coordinated by The Olean YMCA and held on January 1st at St. Bonaventure University. Check out the Olean YMCA’s website at www.oleanymca.org for all the details and registration form.

January 5-9 - Canadian Friendship Week
The year 2009 begins with our annual Canadian Friendship Week which starts January 5 and runs until January 9.  A week for our friends across the border! Holiday Valley will be accepting Canadian money at par for lift tickets.

January 5-31 - National Learn to Snowsport Month
Perhaps you made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.  Well if you or a friend would like to learn to ski or ride, now is the time.  Beginning January 5 is National Learn to Snowsport Month.  Holiday Valley is offering a buy one, get the second for half price learn-to package through January 30.  Dick’s Sporting Goods is also supporting this learn a new snowsport.  Check out this website www.skiandrideny.com,  to get all the information on National Learn to Snowsport Month.

January 9 & 10 - Winter Rhythm & Blues Festival
This fun filled weekend features great rhythm and blues music at over a dozen restaurants and bars throughout the village of Ellicottville.  Be sure to check the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ellicottvilleny.com to print the festival’s entertainment schedule.

January 10 at 8 pm - Greg Allman at the Seneca Allegany Casino The Seneca Allegany Casino says “As a member of one of the most important American bands of all time, Gregg Allman influenced a generation of musicians and forever changed the landscape of Rock n’ Roll and Blues. Now an acclaimed solo talent, Gregg Allman gives audiences memorable concert experiences with his beautifully soulful and distinctive voice, amazing songwriting and brilliant keyboard and guitar playing. Don’t miss this natural talent and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer as he performs only at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel” See their website at www.senecaalleganycasino.com to get all the details on how to get tickets to this great show!

January 18 -Racer X Series at Holiday Valley Resort
For our younger skiers, up to age 12, have a fun day trying out racing in a fun and supportive environment at Holiday Valley Ski Resort.  The event takes place on the Nastar Course on Cindy’s Run and the cost is only $5.  Registration takes place at the top of the course.

January 22 Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble at St. Bonaventure University
Friends of Good Music and The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts invite you to “The Spirit of Music and Dance”. Kevin Locke is known throughout the world as a visionary Hoop Dancer, preeminent player of the indigenous Northern Plains flute, traditional story teller, cultural ambassador and recording artist. The Ensemble is a troupe of experienced and highly regarded dancers, singers and musicians whose heritages are inter-tribal.  For more information email fogm@friendsofgoodmusic.com or check out their website at www.friendsofgoodmusic.com.

Neighborworks Home Resources is now accepting applications for its newest home repair program.  The program is funded through the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s Residential Emergency Services to Offer (Home) Repairs to the Elderly (RESTORE) program.  RESTORE offers money to pay for emergency repairs to eliminate unsafe conditions in homes owned by the elderly when the repairs need to be completed quickly.  The household income limit to be eligible is 80% of median for Cattaraugus County.  For example, a two-person household can have a maximum gross household income of $33,700.  At least one of the homeowners must be age 60 or older and must live in the house needing the emergency repair.  Examples of expected repairs include fixing a leaking roof, repairing or replacing a broken heating system, repairing an electrical hazard, or repairing an emergency plumbing problem.  For an application, please contact NeighborWorks Home Resources 209 N. Union Street, Olean, NY, 716-373-4100, or www.nwhomeresources.org.

There is a parking ban in Ellicottville each winter on Washington Street (between Jefferson and Mill Streets) and on Monroe Street (between Elizabeth and Martha Streets) from 4 am until 6 am beginning December 1 and ending March 31.  This ban is applied consistently throughout the designated time period regardless of the amount of snowfall received.  Residents and visitors are reminded not to block sidewalks when parking near intersections in the Town/Village, as they will be ticketed.  Access to the sidewalks is required for the sidewalk plow to be used effectively as well as for the safety of pedestrians.

Holiday Valley Ski Resort is open today and reports that 12 of their 12 ski lifts are open.  They have not received any new snow over the past 48 hours.  The base depth is 8” and the surface conditions are machine groomed, loose granular.

New Year’s Celebrations

Christmas ’08 is now a memory, but now begins the New Year’s Eve celebrations and New Year’s Day activities.

Holiday Valley will once again host their Annual Torch Light Parade that starts at 11:30 pm followed by the traditional fireworks at 11:45 pm.  The Valley expects to have all 56 slopes operating, weather permitting.

All of the area restaurants are gearing up for the New Year’s festivities and most will have special menus.  Try Surf ‘N Turf at The Barn Restaurant, or crab legs and prime rib at The Birdwalk.  Tips Up is also planning to serve special New Year’s food items.

You can always expect some special entertainment during the holidays.  Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub will be offering live music by Mo’ Porter from 5 – 9 pm followed by a DJ until 4 am.  The Double Diamond will be featuring one of the best bands in the area with The Tripper Harrison Band.  The Gin Mill will be heading into the New Year with The Headers from 9 pm until 1 am.  These are just a few of our local establishments that will be providing us with entertainment, be sure to check out all the others.

January 1st - Polar Bear Series of Runs & Walks - 5K Run/Walk

Special event coordinated by The Olean YMCA and held on January 1st at St. Bonaventure University. Check out the Olean YMCA’s website at www.oleanmca.org for all the details and registration form.

January 5th – 9th - Canadian Friendship Week
The year 2009 begins with our annual Canadian Friendship Week which starts January 5 and runs until January 9.  A week for our friends across the border! Holiday Valley will be accepting Canadian money at par for lift tickets.