June 2023

Emma Podobinski, a June 2 graduate of Warrior Run High School in Turbotville was crowned the 2023 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen during the Saturday, June 17 coronation that began at 6:30 p.m. in the Wellsboro Area High School auditorium. She was awarded a $3,000 educational scholarship and is the daughter of Emily Ayers of Watsontown and Michael Podobinski of Clarks Summit.

Bradford, PA:  

All are invited to attend Inside My Afterlife: A 20-year-old Tale, with local author and Smethport native, David McElwee on Saturday, June 24 at 1:30 PM at the Bradford Area Public Library.  McElwee will discuss the writing of his first novel, My Afterlife, during a short 5-Act presentation which will conclude with a Q & A and book signing.

David McElwee was born and raised in Northwest Pennsylvania and earned a BS from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters in Science (MS) in clinical psychology from the University of La Verne.  A 10-day canoe trip with his brother to Alaska, lead him on a nearly eleven-year journey in which he met and worked closely with a with a group of committed professionals who strove to improve the lives of people with developmental disabilities. 

During this time, McElwee enjoyed research, and developing training programs.  His clinical experience provided an opportunity to present and conduct a series of workshops with Dr. Todd Risley. During which they addressed deinstitutionalization, wrap around services, training, and the development of competent community settings for people with developmental disabilities.  Throughout his career, McElwee has worked to build bridges past barriers in supporting people living with developmental disabilities.

McElwee’s novel, My Afterlife, is a tale that centers on the life of Skeeter McGee, a young man whose short life ends up having a profound effect on those he met long after his passing.  Thought-provoking and heartfelt, “My Afterlife” takes readers on an unforgettable journey and will stay with them long after its conclusion.   “Follow Skeeter as he navigates his “bicycle book bag” through the ups and downs of life, learning invaluable lessons along the way. But when the unimaginable happens, lives take unpredictable turns that always lead back to the source, the one common denominator . . . Skeeter McGee.”

Light refreshments will be available during this program, as well as a few copies of McElwee’s book for purchase.

Harrisburg, PA – Following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a statewide drought watch. While not required, residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing their nonessential water use.

“Although this week has brought some welcome rain to much of the state, it’s not enough to make up for the lack of rainfall this spring, following a winter that brought little snowfall in many areas,” said DEP Acting Secretary Rich Negrin. “As a result, we’re seeing lowered stream flows, dropping groundwater levels, and persistent precipitation deficits. Water conservation, always a good practice, is especially helpful now as it’ll lessen potential future impacts on water supplies if rainfall continues to be scant this summer.”

Residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce their nonessential water use by 5–10 percent. For example, at home there are many simple ways to use less water:  

These dedicated teens have spent the last three days taking babysitting safety classes at the Barbara Moscato Brown Library in Emporium with Safe Sitter, Inc. rep Krista Frank and Certified CPR instructors Breanna Ullman and Monica Ellenberger. They learned life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do in an emergency.

They are now trained and ready to safely take care of local youngsters!

Everyone learned a lot and seemed to have a wonderful time and the library will definitely be bringing back these classes again in the future.

We also want to extend a special “Thank You” to Josh Kuleck for helping organize this great workshop series with library staff to bring this great program to the community.

BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is one of only 149 universities and colleges worldwide to be honored by Exercise is Medicine® for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.

            This is the fourth year that Pitt-Bradford has earned the gold designation and the sixth year that it has been recognized by Exercise is Medicine® On Campus.

            Several activities helped Pitt-Bradford earn its gold-level designation. These activities include a referral system between health services and university’s exercise science program and the use of the Physical Activity Vital Sign through a student’s electronic health record, a main requirement for gold-level campuses. There is also an Instagram page that was run by Autumn Deblock, a senior exercise science major from Dingmans Ferry, as part of her internship with the program.

            “I’m very excited to receive our fourth year of earning gold campus recognition,” said Dr. Mark Kelley, associate professor of exercise science and founder of the university’s Exercise is Medicine® program.

“To be one of only 72 universities and colleges in the world to receive gold makes me very proud to have this program at Pitt-Bradford. The combined activities that student affairs, campus recreation and exercise science offer helped us with this award. The plan is to get back to our prepandemic activities that we have traditionally held in October, including our Exercise is Medicine on Campus Week this fall”

            Kelley accepted the award at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting in Denver.

            The Exercise is Medicine on Campus program has recognized Pitt-Bradford every year since 2018. This year it is one of only 72 universities and colleges around the world to receive gold-level recognition for its efforts. 

Exercise is Medicine on Campus calls upon universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health and encourages faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community. 

Exercise is Medicine on Campus launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn gold, silver or bronze status based on their activities.

Others involved in the Exercise is Medicine on Campus effort at Pitt-Bradford are Zac Stark, instructor of exercise science; Cassandra Preston, visiting assistant professor of exercise science, and Deblock.

WELLSVILLE, NY – Volunteers from the Allegany County Democratic Committee (ACDC) spent this lovely day preparing and serving a Community Meal at the David A. Howe Library in Wellsville, NY.  Ten volunteers planned the meal, purchased groceries, prepared the food, and served it to the dozens of guests in attendance. 

The meal is provided free of charge and all are welcome. Each monthly gathering is a true collaboration coordinated by the organization known as Community Kitchen, and involves other such local organizations as Grace United Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, The Salvation Army, and the David A. Howe Library. Other groups have donated goods, services, and funds to make these free meals possible. 

According to Martha Sabato, ACDC Vice Chair, “Giving in the service of others is a core Democratic value, and it is shared by all members of our committee. We’re so pleased we could be helpful in this way and look forward to taking part again in the future.”

To learn more about Community Meals, please contact Robin Kellogg at 585-593-4982 or Mary Gardner-Ruch at 607-270-0266.

The Allegany County Democratic Committee meets bimonthly at locations throughout the county. To learn more, or to take part as we “Serve our Community”, please visit our website at www.alleganycountydemocrats.org or connect with us on Facebook. 

Mt. Jewett, Pa.:  The. Ruffed Grouse Society, a national conservation organization, is proud to announce that they will offer their popular Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting Program at the Mt Jewett Sportsmen’s Club on July 15-16 and August 19-20.  On both Saturdays, the course starts at noon and ends at 4:00 p.m.  On both Sundays, the course starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m.  The Program Leaders would like to fill five more slots with women.

No pre-knowledge of shooting is required.  “We pride ourselves on helping a woman who has never even held a shotgun before learn how to become a wingshooter,” says Sue McClelland of Smethport, one of the instructors.  “And owning a shotgun is not necessary; we have shotguns that the attendees can try for size and then use during the program.  When you finish this training you can go on and shoot at targets for fun or hunt your choice of birds.”

You must register to attend this course, and it is on a first-come, first serve registration basis.  “We only take twenty women into the program each year so we can maintain the quality”, offers Taylor Holt of Kane, another instructor.  “And the neat thing about this program is that we have women instructors.”

Register by contacting wlhab9@gmail.com.  Lodging is available, if needed, but is limited.