December 2023

The Ruffed Grouse (pictured) showed a 33 percent decline in population between the first atlas and the second.

Next Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 6 p.m., the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, a group of birders based in Wellsboro, is hosting an in-person presentation for the public about the importance of the Third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas (PBA3) project and the need for local volunteers from Tioga and Potter counties. It’s free.

Susan F. Landis, 76, of South St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, December 16, 2023, at her residence. 

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and under the direction of Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.

All three Pennsylvania College of Technology winter sports teams saw action last week, with the wrestling squad coming away with the lone victory.

WRESTLING

On Saturday at the Messiah University Chocolate Duals, the Wildcats went 1-2, losing to team tournament eighth-ranked Johnson and Wales, 42-9, and Shenandoah, 25-24, and topping Ohio Wesleyan, 31-15.

TJ Martin, of Honesdale, went 3-0 on the day at 149 pounds with a win by fall, a major decision and a forfeit. Going 2-1 for Penn College were Luke Heimbach, of Boyertown, at 125; Kaden Ware, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, at 133; and Nicholai Brotzman, of Marietta, at 285. Martin and Patrick Snoke, of Northampton, who finished 1-1 at 141, both posted wins over regionally ranked opponents.

One day earlier, a program-record seven Wildcats made the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Mideast Region rankings.

SMETHPORT, PA – Pennsylvania Wilds-based artist Julie Mader has partnered with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship to release new art kits called Paint the PA Wilds Watercolor Kits. The kits are now available for purchase on the PA Wilds Marketplace at ShopThePAWilds.com/JulieMader.

“I feel like I have always drawn and it’s what I’ve always wanted to do,” says Julie Mader. Mader has not only been making art since childhood but has also been a teaching artist in the PA Wilds region since 2009. 

“I am very passionate about sharing the joy that goes hand-in-hand with the creative process. During COVID, I had to rethink how I was conducting my art residency. My solution was to prepare the materials for each lesson at home, record a video of project steps, and drop off supplies weekly at the host site. It worked really well, and I received feedback that other folks wanted to be creating art as well.” 

On Tuesday, December 12, the Allegany County Democratic Committee (ACDC) delivered homemade cookies to more than 1,000  “Health Care Heroes” at Allegany County’s medical facilities: Wellsville Manor, Manor Hills, Highland Park Rehabilitation, Jones Memorial Hospital, and Hart Comfort House in Wellsville; Cuba Memorial Hospital in Cuba, and the Houghton Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Houghton. 

This is ACDC’s fourth year organizing this project. Those involved do it to show support for our local health care workers, let them know they are appreciated, and thank them for the compassionate attention they give to the community members in their care.

More than 50 volunteers from all corners of the county baked and donated 175 dozen cookies, which were packed into individual bags at locations around the County. Each bag had a tag that read: “Thank you, Healthcare Worker!  We are very grateful! Allegany County Democratic Committee 2023”

Martha Sabato, a key organizer for this project, spoke for all: “Words can never fully express our appreciation, but we believe that cookies are able to say what words cannot. With this project, we recognize and honor the commitment and dedication of our local health care workers as they attend to our loved ones, our dearest friends, and our neighbors.”

Shown are images from the first Winter Wonderland on the Town Square in Port Allegany.  The event, sponsored by the Port Allegany Women’s Club and organized by the Christmas Lighting Committee, was a huge success.  Mother Nature cooperated with warmer than typical December temperatures bringing many people – young and old alike.

Santa wasn’t sure how he and Mrs. Claus would get to the Winter Wonderland since the reindeer had no snow, but Dan and Lori Roys came to the rescue and asked the Star Hose Fire Co. #1 if the fire truck could assist with their arrival. 

Vendors were on hand with lots of goodies for sale and there were also a lot of free snacks and treats as well as games and activities.  

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

G2 Gymnastics of Shinglehouse participated in the Hula Day competition in Lancaster, NY hosted by Gymnastics Sports Academy. Thirty-two athletes represented G2 at the 2-day event including two Pre-Team members, Anna Kellogg and Zoey Smith-Greene, that participated in their first competitive event. Three more gymnasts qualified to the PA State Championships at the event: XCEL Silver – Eliana McCarty, XCEL Gold – Averi Luther, and XCEL Diamond – Ashley Oswald. No placement awards were given for Level 2 or in the team division. Our top 3 All Arounds for Level 2 were: Brynlee Haines (37.50), Berkley Rovder (37.25), and Alanna Antoinioli (37.05) and top event athletes: Vault – Berkley Rovder and Brynlee Haines (9.40), Bars – Rhayna Coffed (9.15), Beam – Alanna Antonioli (9.60), Floor – Berkley Rovder (9.65).

Pictured: Morgan Advanced Materials’ staff along with the Dickinson Center, Inc. team.

Morgan Advanced Materials in St. Marys and Coudersport recently fulfilled dozens of Christmas wish list items for several children as part of Dickinson Center, Inc.’s Pat Work Memorial Angel Tree Christmas Gift Program. Each year this program provides gifts to more than 100 children receiving Dickinson services.  Many thanks Morgan and their staff for making children’s Christmas dreams come true.

Star Hose Company #1

This morning just before 3:00 am, Eldred Township firefighters were dispatched for a vehicle accident with possible entrapment on Route 446.

Chief 1820 arrived on the scene and found a single vehicle in a small creek with one person pinned inside and added Rescue 3 to the response. The Rescue, Utility 3, Chief 310, and Chief 320 responded with a total of 10 firefighters.

After arriving, the Rescue company stabilized the vehicle, removed a portion of the roof, and freed the trapped patient. The extrication was completed in less than 15 minutes and the patient was transported to a waiting helicopter.