June 2023

Dr. Martin L. Beller, of Gaines, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home during the night of June 6, 2023. He was 99 years old.

Marty was predeceased by his wife of more than 70 years, Wilma Kjelgaard Beller, who passed away in 2020 at 102 years old.

He is survived by their three children, Alan, Trixie (Bob) and Peter (Adriane), ten grandchildren (Elizabeth, Ruth, Tim, John, Ned, David, Jake, Melanie, William and Hannah), seven great-grandchildren (Lauren, Clementine, Henry, Leslie, Marielle, Francis, and Bruce), his sister Barbara and numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Marty was undeniably brilliant, a gifted surgeon, professionally successful, a loyal friend and an important contributor to his profession and community. He was a devoted and loving husband to his dearest Wilma, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a distinguished professional partner and an important force for good with all whom he touched. He served faithfully, and with distinction, for many years on the vestries of Trinity Memorial Church in Center City Philadelphia and St. Paul’s Church in Wellsboro, Pa. Accolades aside, Marty had a well-developed, and at times wicked, sense of humor. For Marty, telling jokes and hearing them and laughing together with family and friends was an important part of life. His impact and influence on those who knew him have been wide, deep and long-lasting.

Offers Key Tips to Help Identify Legitimate Sales Agents and Avoid Deceptive, Misleading or High-Pressure Marketing Pitches

HARRISBURG – As in-person sales and marketing activities increase across Pennsylvania – driven by warmer weather and continuing fluctuations in energy prices – the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today is offering consumers key tips to help identify legitimate door-to-door energy sales agents and avoid potential scams.

“Pennsylvania has clear rules regarding energy sales practices, and the PUC encourages consumers to understand these important protections,” said Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, PUC Chairman. “PUC regulations provide consumers with essential tools to help recognize deceptive sales practices and avoid falling victim to unscrupulous sales agents.”

Tip #1: Always #CheckForID

Pennsylvania’s regulations for energy sales and marketing require agents who conduct door-to-door activities, or appear at public events, to wear badges that clearly identify themselves and the supplier they are working for. 

Identification badges for energy sales agents must include the following: 

• Accurate identification of the supplier, including its trade name and …

View this press release on our website

Kathryn Crawford is pictured on a magazine cover.

There will be two more opportunities for people to see “Grit and Mirrors,” Gale Largey’s inspiring film about Wellsboro’s first and only movie star.

Showings are at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, June 9 and at 8 p.m. next Thursday, June 15, in the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Admission is by donation.

Kathryn “Kitty” Moran was born in Wellsboro and went on to become a movie star known as Kathryn Crawford during the 1920s and early 1930s. She appeared in 18 feature films alongside Hollywood stars such as Buddy Rogers, Robert Young, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, The Three Stooges, Carole Lombard and others of that era.

Despite turmoil throughout her Iife, she survived and thrived. “Thanks to her sheer grit and a belief in the American dream, Kitty refused to be a victim of past experiences,” said Largey.

He Iives in Wellsboro and is a retired MansfieId University sociology professor who enjoys presenting films about interesting people from this area.

Largey did the research for “Grit and Mirrors” and is the writer and director. Mark Polonia is the editor and Bernadette Chiaramonte did the graphics.  

Anne Acker of Wellsboro is Kitty’s voice and Kevin Thomas, owner of KC101, is the voice of “Radio Man.”

“Many other local residents volunteered their talents for the production for voice-overs and provided assistance,” said Largey.

For more information, contact the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.

Photos by Dart

2022 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen Regan Regina will be at Family Day this Saturday, Pet Parade this Sunday and crown her successor on June 17.

 The 81st Annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival with activities for all ages gets underway this Saturday, June 10 and continues through Sunday, June 18 in Wellsboro. 

OLEAN, N.Y. — Four area graduating seniors recently received the John J. Murphy Family Scholarship managed by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation. 

Chloe Grandusky, Tyler Griffin, Andrew Maguire and Thea Petruzzi each received the John J. Murphy Family Scholarship.

The $10,000 scholarship is given in four annual payments of $2,500. The John J. Murphy Family Scholarship was established through a grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas and continued through donations from the late John J. “Jack” Murphy, former CEO and Chairman of Dresser Industries.

The annual scholarship is given with preference for a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, engineering or business. The scholarship is available to area students from Allegany, Cattaraugus, McKean (PA) and Potter (PA) counties, but first preference is for students from greater Olean area schools. Preference is also given to students whose family members are or have been employed by Dresser-Rand.

Grandusky, a Portville Central School graduating senior, plans to attend Purdue University where she will study engineering.

Griffin, an Allegany-Limestone graduating senior, will study civil engineering at Penn State Behrend.

Maguire, an Allegany-Limestone Central School graduating senior, will attend Alfred University to study business analytics.

Petruzzi, a graduate of Port Allegany High School, plans to study biomedical engineering at Robert Morris University.

Since it was established in 2007, the Murphy Family Scholarship has made possible $638,750 in scholarships for area students.

Donations can be made to the John J. Murphy Family Scholarship Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203 or online at cattfoundation.org.

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation is the area’s supportive, responsive and trusted community foundation. Established in 1994, CRCF is growing good by connecting donors to the causes they care about most in the region. Grants from the foundation support many areas, including education, scholarships, health care, the arts, community development, human service, and youth development. To learn more, call (716) 301-CRCF (2723), email foundation@cattfoundation.org, or visit online at www.cattfoundation.org. CRCF is also on Facebook (facebook.com/cattfoundation) and Twitter (@CattFoundation).

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the opening of the ATV Regional Trail Connector Pilot for the 2023 riding season.

The 2023 pilot includes more than 400 miles of township roads, 163 miles of state forest roads and trails, and 33 miles of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation-administered roads.

This is the last season for the program to exist in its pilot phase. DCNR is evaluating the effectiveness of the special permit, the adequacy of funding for continued operation of the trail, and the need for additional education, outreach, and trail marketing.

The pilot riding area will remain open until, Sunday, September 24, 2023. Read more…