January 2024

The Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the Region 2 contest of Poetry Out Loud®. The first place student winner is AninTruchan from Ridgway Area High School. The second place spot was a tie between Hailey Fleming and Sarah Hasselman, both from Elk County Catholic High School.

The McKean County Conservation District announces the following application dates for the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) for funding to implement agricultural conservation practices. 

2024 Application Deadlines:

• February 9, 2024
• May 31, 2024
• August 30, 2024
• November 20, 2024

OLEAN, N.Y., January 25, 2024 — The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s  scholarship process for 2024 will open to applications from area students on February 1.

Students can apply using the online scholarship portal at cattfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police, Penn Highlands Healthcare, and the Highway Safety Network observed Winter Driving Awareness Week with a press conference today where they stressed the importance of postponing any unnecessary travel during a winter storm. If travel is unavoidable, they also stressed the life-saving benefits of seat belts.

There are very polarizing opinions about winter weather – you either love it or hate it. While ice and snow are beautiful and bring winter sports fun, they can also cause treacherous conditions for roads and sidewalks with the potential to wreak havoc on our bodies. Though many people may prefer to stay inside and wait for the outdoor activities until spring, getting some fresh winter air is important, not just physically, but mentally as well. Here are some common winter injuries to be aware of as well as some tips on how to prevent them and treatment options. 

Preventing Common Winter Injuries

Slips and falls cause the most common winter weather related injuries – fractures. In the elderly population, fractures from falls are more often seen in the hips. At the same time, younger people sustain fractures in other areas, including the extremities, shoulder, clavicle, and wrist. Head injuries can also happen from a slip on the ice and being knocked unconscious in blistering conditions can turn deadly. To help prevent slips and falls, consider the following tips:

Although we were hoping the snow would hold on for one more day, we experienced a substantial amount of melt today. As such, we will not be able to administer the outdoor recreational activities we advertised for our Winter in the Lumber Camp event slated for Saturday 1/27. You are welcome to visit to tour the museum or purchase food in the program room, but we will not be able to have cross county ski and snowshoe activities; and sledding and snow art will likely be quite limited. We do have some indoor crafts and games set up for families to try. Here’s hoping for more snow for our Snowmobility Weekend event in February!

BRADFORD, Pa. — The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s creative arts magazine, Baily’s Beads, will hold a celebration Wednesday for the launch of its 2024 issue.

Admission is free and the public is invited to the event, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. It is co-sponsored by Pitt-Bradford Arts and the Pitt-Bradford creative and professional writing program.

This year’s Kettle Campaign for the Salvation Army proved
quite a success, more than doubling any previous year’s donations.
The Lions want to express a sincere thank you to Stan Swank for
being a gracious host to our fundraiser. Having been across town the
last few years, we had to find a new location and Stan was most
agreeable to letting us set up at Shop ’n Save. Beginning on Black
Friday and ending the third Saturday in December, our club collected
$2325.00 in the kettle! Shoppers at Shop ’n Save were very giving and
are to be commended! The money is to be donated to our local
chapter of the Salvation Army, located in Olean. All monies collected
will be used in our area.

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce has been working on a fundraiser for more than 6 months and on March 9 the doors will open.  Executive Director Tina Solak says this is the first time the chamber has hosted a fundraiser.  “It is necessary due to the increase in price offering special items during Weekend in the Wilds (fireworks) and Christmas in the Wilds (live reindeer).” 

Sponsors do offset some of the costs, but the remainder is paid by the chamber.  Solak explains the importance of offering fireworks, and reindeer.  “These events draw visitors who in turn spend dollars at businesses.   In the case of the reindeer, families travel hours to see Santa’s favorite team.”

The fundraiser is called Lit & Lucky.  Two people get in on one ticket.  The ticket number is used in a reverse raffle.  The goal is to be one of the last 5 numbers called and then decide to either split the $2500 cash prize or keep drawing numbers and hope to be the last number.  Every 6th ticket holder will be given a prize when the number is called. The ticket includes 2 drink tickets.  Additional drinks can be purchased from the vendors offering beer, wine, hard cider, and moonshine along with non-alcoholic offerings.  Hors d’oeuvres will be free.

Ticket goers can also purchase a $2 bingo card.  As reverse raffle numbers are called players will mark off the bingo card.  A coverall wins you half of the pot!

A meta quest (Oculus virtual reality headset ) will be offered through a penny raffle.  Purchase as many tickets as you like.  The price you pay is determined by the last 3 digits on a randomly drawn raffle ticket.  Several baskets will be put up for grabs through a silent auction.  Other prizes will be available by purchasing a $5 ticket.  They include two brunch tickets each month for a year at Straub Brewery Visitor Center and Tap Room, a $500 gift card to purchase a gun, and a wheelbarrow full of cheer.  At least one 50/50 drawing will be held. 

Ticket holders will be alerted via email as prizes are added.  Tickets can be purchased online at https://cameroncountychambercommerce.betterworld.org/events/lit-lucky

Wellsboro, Pa., January 16, 2024 – UPMC welcomes Jeffery Gilbert, D.O., to the Heart and Vascular Institute team in North Central Pa.  

Dr. Gilbert received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia. He completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship training in cardiology with Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa. Most recently, Dr. Gilbert practiced noninvasive cardiology with Geisinger Medical Center. 

“As we expand our roster of skilled health care professionals, the residents of Wellsboro, and the surrounding communities, can anticipate enhanced access to high-quality cardiovascular care close to home,” said Luke Klingler, director, of Heart and Vascular Institute, UPMC in North Central Pa. “We look forward to Dr. Gilbert’s contributions to the lives of those we serve.” 

To learn more about UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute services, go to UPMC.com/HeartNCPA.  

COUDERSPORT, Pa. — Those who volunteer to prepare large quantities of food for the public may want to attend a Penn State Extension workshop titled “Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer’s Guide to Safe Food Handling.” Aimed at helping nonprofit organizations and volunteers stay up to date on food safety rules and regulations, the event will occur from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14, 2024, and the Penn State Extension Potter County office, 1 North Main St., Rm. 216, Coudersport, PA.