Published: April 24, 2008 06:21 pm            

NELSON & BARBARA COLLEY

Barbara and Nelson Colley, who make their home in Middleport, spend a lot of their life in Olcott.

The owners of the Images of the Past Gift Shop and Gallery and Carousel Concessions, serve on the Board of Directors for Olcott Beach Carousel Park.

“They spend countless hours helping to maintain the park,” nominator Rosemary Sansone said. “They serve on the Newfane Town Tourism Board, working on tourism shows to promote the Newfane-Olcott area.”

The Colleys started and manage Old Olcott Days, which is held the last weekend in July, and created a free museum/gallery to preserve artifacts and information on Olcott's history. Images of the Past, a souvenir and gift shop, does matting and framing of early photographs keeps the history of Olcott Beach alive.

Barbara and Nelson, who are retired, once had a shop in Lakeview Village. They keep Images of the Past cottage open on weekends during the off-season. Carousel Concessions will open at the end of May.

The Colleys help on fundraisers for the village, including the Carousel Auction on April 20. They are very involved with Carousel Park which offers all rides are 25 cents and a daily pass for $1.50.

“Olcott’s got a lot of offer. It’s never going to be what it was,” Nelson said, noting the beach, park and restaurants. “We try to offer young families a place to come.”

        

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