Embarking on a journey into the vehicle business in 1886 at the tender age of 25 and founding General Motors just two decades later was no small feat. This National Inventors Month, we pay homage to our founder and inventor, William Durant, in a quintessentially American narrative of perseverance, diligence, and triumph. The Early Years of William Durant Long before the inception of GM, GMC, or even the automotive sector, William Durant made an unconventional start. Opting out of formal education, he ventured into lumber stacking and cigar sales. While this might not seem like the ideal foundation for a future titan of the American auto industry, Durant's entrepreneurial spirit shone through. He gradually ascended the ranks, transitioning into a partnership at an insurance agency before venturing into the realm of automobiles. Armed with nothing more than two carts and a design patent, Durant notched a significant achievement, clinching a blue ribbon and securing cart orders. Within a mere fifteen years, the Durant-Dort Carriage Company burgeoned from a modest investment into a two-million-dollar enterprise, earning the distinction of being the largest vehicle manufacturer in the U.S. at its Flint, Michigan manufacturing hub. Witnessing the burgeoning popularity of horseless carriages in the U.S., Durant found himself at the forefront of the nascent auto industry. When James Whitling of Flint Wagon Works acquired Buick, he entrusted Durant with the task of steering the company's fortunes. Within a brief span of eight years, Buick's production eclipsed that of both Ford and Cadillac combined under Durant's astute leadership. The Rise of the GMC Powerhouse Did you know that General Motors once came close to acquiring Ford? Following a failed merger attempt involving multiple stakeholders, Durant conceived a novel strategy—to amalgamate Buick and Oldsmobile under a fresh brand christened General Motors. Established on September 16th, 1908, GM swiftly gained momentum, prompting Henry Ford to entertain the notion of selling his company merely a year later. However, an unforeseen hurdle arose when a bank committee vetoed the deal, altering the course of automotive history. One can only speculate on the ramifications had Ford become a subsidiary of GMC. Undeterred by this setback, Durant pressed ahead with GM, embarking on an acquisition spree akin to today's startups and small businesses. Within a scant sixteen months, Durant had amassed 22 companies under the GM banner. Among the noteworthy additions were Oakland (later Pontiac) and McLaughlin (later GM Canada), bolstering the existing Buick, Cadillac, and Oldsmobile brands under the General Motors umbrella. While bankers remained skeptical, dismissing personal automobiles as fleeting trends, Durant remained steadfast in his conviction. Contrary to their skepticism, Durant foresaw a future where half a million automobiles would be manufactured and sold annually—a prophecy that materialized. The Later Years Despite encountering headwinds as larger vehicle models fell out of favor, Durant's ingenuity prevailed yet again. Partnering with Louis Chevrolet, Durant leveraged the Buick brand to reignite interest through America's road races. Harnessing this momentum and reclaiming control, GM burgeoned eightfold from its previous state under bank management. However, Durant's trajectory was stymied by the advent of World War I and the Great Depression. Under Durant's stewardship, GM attained numerous milestones, including pioneering innovations such as the electric starter, automatic transmission, catalytic converter, and airbags—first featured in the 1970 Cadillac, Buick, and Oldsmobile models. GM continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, pioneering the electric vehicle market with groundbreaking vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, the first Extended Range Electric Vehicle. With a rich tapestry of achievements behind us, the future holds boundless possibilities for GMC and its brands. We are confident that the forthcoming 2025 models will continue to redefine the automotive landscape, propelling us into an era of unparalleled innovation. Keeping GMC Tradition Alive Much like Durant, the team at Bokman of Wellsville has dedicated ourselves to our craft - serving our customers to the best of our ability and offering the highest quality cars Chevrolet and GMC can offer. Help us keep the GMC tradition alive and visit us for a new 2024 models! We many different vehicles to fit any lifestyle - from GMC Sierra 1500 trucks to the all-new GMC Terrain SUV. Whatever your vehicle needs - new, pre-owned, or even custom parts and service - we're ready to help you!

The holidays are a time for family, friends and of course, food! If you're looking to impress your guests this year, try one of these five delicious holiday dishes. From traditional classics to festive twists on old favorites, there's something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Pick a dish from this list and get to cooking! Roast Beef with Roasted Potatoes and Carrots Roast beef with roasted potatoes and carrots is the quintessential holiday dish - nothing quite says "celebration" like a home-cooked seasonal feast. This traditional combination of savory flavors has become part of family gatherings across generations, satisfying taste buds and tummies in memorable ways. As holidays come and go, one thing is certain: a warm plateful of roast beef paired with mouth-watering potatoes and carrots makes us all feel right at home! Turkey with Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce The holidays are the perfect time for celebrating with family and friends, and one delicious way to get everyone together is with a delicious spread of turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce. A holiday favorite, a perfectly roasted turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce is an easy way to bring everyone together and make a memorable holiday. From the salty stuffing and juicy turkey to the sweetness of the cranberry, nobody can resist such a delicious and comforting dish. If turkey and stuffing is making your mouth water, break out your family’s favorite recipes, fill your plate up high – and don’t forget to save room for seconds! Ham with Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes Ham with green beans and sweet potatoes is a family favorite for any holiday celebration. Not only does it make for an impressive presentation at family gatherings, but the delicious combination of flavors will have everyone wanting more - melt-in-your-mouth ham, savory green beans, and sumptuously sweet potatoes! A dish like this is sure to spread happiness and merry vibes no matter what kind of family gathering it's included in. Plus, its ease of preparation means more time for family bonding over a meal prepared with love! Salmon with Rice and Steamed Vegetables Salmon with rice and steamed vegetables is a delicious alternative option that is perfect for holiday gatherings. Whether you're sharing a meal with a pescatarian or just want to shake things up for the holidays, this delicious and healthy dish has something for everyone. With its hint of sweetness from the salmon, nuttiness from the rice, and bright flavor from the vegetables all melding together in one delightful bite - you won't be able to resist going back for seconds. Not only does this dish look beautiful on your table but it tastes just as amazing too. As an added bonus, it's incredibly easy to prepare - so you can spend more time with your family instead of slaving away in the kitchen! Vegetarian Lasagna Who says that you can't have a holiday dish without meat? Vegetarian lasagna is a delicious alternative to traditional lasagna and is sure to make heads turn at your family gathering or holiday celebration. It's an incredibly flavorful and healthy alternative to standard recipes, and its versatility allows you to improvise based on what ingredients are available. So when it's time for that next big celebration, consider swapping in vegetarian lasagna instead! Your friends and family will rave about its flavor. It's Time to Cook No matter what you choose to make, with one of these five dishes your guests are sure to be impressed. After all, who can say no to a classic roast beef or a delicious vegetarian lasagna? From turkey and stuffing to ham and green beans, there's something for everyone on this list. So get cooking and enjoy the holiday season!

Chevrolet has just announced it will be producing a fully-electric police vehicle, which will arrive in 2024 and be known as the Blazer EV PPV. This groundbreaking announcement from Chevrolet is welcome news to local cities and municipalities that have committed to reducing carbon emissions. With policing being a round-the-clock job, it isn’t uncommon for police cruisers to spend thousands of hours idling while on duty, which unfortunately contributes significantly to carbon emissions. Thanks to the engineering team over at Chevrolet, police will soon be able to work around the clock without worrying about contributing to the ever-growing amount of carbon emissions. Check out the following article provided by Chevrolet for more information on the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV PPV. As soon as the 2024 Blazer EV PPV is available for pre-order, Bokman of Wellsville will be ready to help your department get its fleet started. For more information, give us a call at 585-596-0715.