Summer brings sunshine, travel, outdoor fun — and a higher risk of dehydration. It’s something many people brush off as a minor inconvenience, but dehydration can become a serious medical issue if it’s not addressed quickly. And often, the early signs are subtle.

Whether you’re working outside, playing sports, or simply sitting in the sun, your body loses water through sweat and evaporation. If you don’t replace those fluids regularly, dehydration can sneak up on you sometimes before you even feel thirsty.

Why Staying Hydrated Matters

Water makes up about 60% of the human body and plays a key role in everything from regulating temperature to cushioning joints to helping with digestion and brain function. When you’re dehydrated, your body can’t perform these basic functions efficiently. That’s when symptoms start to appear.

Commissioner Paul Heimel’s community revitalization approach recognized at National Association of Counties’ 90th anniversary celebration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 14, 2025) – Commissioner Paul Heimel of Potter County, Pennsylvania, will receive the Public Leadership in the Arts Award at the 2025 National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Annual Conference, recognizing his community-driven approach to addressing rural population decline through strategic arts and culture investment.

The national award, presented by NACo and Americans for the Arts (AFTA), celebrates county elected officials who use the creative economy for community development. Commissioner Heimel’s work offers a replicable model for rural communities nationwide facing similar demographic challenges.

Since 2000, Potter County’s population has declined from 18,000 to under 16,000 – an 11% decrease driven largely by youth outmigration. Rather than accepting this trend, Heimel spearheaded the revival of the Potter County Council on the Arts, building a coalition of schools, organizations, artists, and county leadership.

“Having a vibrant arts and culture environment can be a deal-breaker for a rural county looking to attract and retain young people,” said Commissioner Heimel. “But this doesn’t ‘just happen.’ It takes strategic planning and buy-in from a broad range of stakeholders. Once they recognize the potential return on investment – particularly when it comes to community and economic development – they’re eager to come aboard.”

The community-driven approach has generated significant momentum and widespread support across Potter County. The newly independent Potter County Creative Council (PC3) has secured major funding and launched initiatives including:

• Major grant wins: Creative Counties Placemaking Challenge selection and four-year, $100,000 Creative Communities Initiative grant from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
• Strategic partnerships: Collaboration with Penn State University community development specialists for strategic planning and partnerships with Pennsylvania Lumber Museum for arts-based activities
• Community concerts: Grammy-nominated recording artists with local high school students as opening acts
• Youth engagement: Weekly writers’ workshops and mini-grants for youth-focused artisan classes
• Heritage connections: Modern approach to arts and culture led by community advocates like Art Metzger, a former school teacher who helped establish Potter County’s original arts council, agricultural partnerships and professional mentorship opportunities for youth

The approach has attracted widespread community support, with residents expressing excitement about preserving and building on their community’s creative character.

BRADFORD, Pa. – In recognition of the fifth anniversary of the death of civil rights leader and longtime member of congress John Lewis, Hanley Library at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host an educational screening and discussion event at noon on Thursday, July 17.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Marilyn Horne Museum Conference Room in Marilyn Horne Hall on Veterans Square in downtown Bradford.

The event will feature selected clips from the documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble.” The film highlights Lewis’s more than 60 years of activism and legislative leadership in the fight for civil rights and social justice.

Following the screening, attendees are invited to take part in an open discussion co-led by Dr. David Fitz, vice president of institutional integration and community engagement, and Jenelle Jensen, librarian with the University Library System.

Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch. For more information, contact Jenelle Jensen at (814) 362-7618.

An Open House was held Sunday afternoon at the Turtlepoint Park to celebrate the 90th birthday of Wilda Johnson.  Wilda was born in Olean, NY on July 13, 1935.  She was married to Paul Johnson, Sr., for 69 years.  The couple has four children – Trina Smith, Rod Johnson, Martha Bova and Paul Johnson, Jr., who hosted the party.  They have 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.  Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Port Allegany United Methodist Church.  She is pictured here with her children – Martha, Trina, Rod and Paul, Jr.  

Several members of the Canoe Place Historical Society are pictured with one of the banners they hung on the gazebo on the Town Square.  They are (front) Sherry Main, Dotty Anderson; (back) Jon Stehle and Joel Anderson.  Missing from the photo is Mike Main.  The buntings are available for purchase from the Historical Society.  The committee thought it would be a good way to celebrate the Semiquincentennial in 2026.  Profits realized will be used for fixing up the group’s building located on Main Street where the museum will be (the former Jean’s Casual Shop building). at 10 North Main Street.  Sizes available are 6’x3′ for $18 and 3’x5′ for $10.  The buntings can be purchased at Mike’s Mercantile.  The Canoe Place Historical Society will meet Tuesday, July 15 at 5:30 at the Port Allegany Senior Center,  216 North Main Street.  The public is invited to attend.

Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) is hosting a Scam Awareness Seminar for Seniors during Senior Day at the Tioga County Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds’ main building, 2258 Charleston Road, Wellsboro.

The event is co-hosted with First Citizens National Bank, C&N Bank, the PA Department of Banking and Securities, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

“Just when you think the scammers can’t get any worse, they sink to new lows, usually preying on our senior citizens with the goal of stealing their savings and possibly their identities,” Owlett said. “This event aims to help people learn to protect themselves by outlining the tactics commonly used by scammers, what to look for and how to avoid them.”

Seniors who wish to participate in the seminar are reminded admission to the fair is free for people age 62 and older until 5 p.m. that day (Aug. 5).

Registration is required and may be made online at www.RepOwlett.com or by phone at 570-724-1390 (Wellsboro office) or 570-297-3045 (Troy office).