Cattaragus Branch Area

The Cattaraugus branch area covers a distance of about 50 miles by 50 miles.  In the center of this 2500 square mile area is the Seneca Nation of Indians, a Sovereign nation of about 7 miles by 14 miles.  On this small area lives about 2000 Senecas.  We were told there are only about 7000 Senecas today.  The Cattaraugus meetinghouse is located on the Reservation nearly at the center of the branch area.  We drove considerable distances every day to visit with members and less actives who live in various communities in the area from Derby on the north, to Angola on the west, to Silver Creek, Forestville, and Cattaraugus on the south, and Eden, North Collins and East Otto on the East.  Adding to this the meetings held in Amherst and Orchard Park, and our several trips to Palmyra, we averaged about 2500 miles a month on our dependable little Pacifica.  As we drive through the various communities, and in particular on the reservation, we stop in at the homes of less active members. Included are photos of Sister Maxine Smith and her cousin Sister Jenny John who continues to recover after a serious accident and leg amputation.  These two sisters, both Senecas, reside on the reservation.  

During one trip driving through Eden we ran across “The Original Kazoo Factory.” Thinking of Kazoos made me laughingly think of the men’s singing group I directed back in Utah and the fun time we had singing and playing the Kazoo Koncerto so as a momento for them from southwestern New York I bought red, white, and blue Kazoos to distribute when I got home.