This year marks our 50th Anniversary! As our BIGGEST event of the year, the festival treats thousands of visitors to lively special activities, contests, and demonstrations that celebrate “woodhick” skills. Unique food and craft vendors provide guests with ample shopping and culinary opportunities.
There is live music throughout the weekend, crafts and games at the kid’s corner, operating demonstrations of our steam-powered circular sawmill and birch still, blacksmithing, chainsaw carving, and lumber camp cooking. See the Eastern Loggers Model Railroad display in operation.
Kraft Heinz Foods Company, a Newberry, S.C., establishment, is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The turkey bacon was produced from April 24, 2025, through June 11, 2025. The following products are subject to recall.
District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Mount Jewett man who pled guilty to trying to photograph an 18 year old man in a bathroom stall and leaving a note on the vehicle of a 17 year old male suggesting sexual contact has been sentenced by a judge at a hearing held June 30th at the McKean County Courthouse. Junior RAINEY pled guilty to Attempted Invasion of Privacy and Corruption of Minors for the crimes that occurred at Walmart in April, 2024. Video surveillance captured RAINEY approaching a vehicle driven by a 17 year old male after the male entered the store and left the vehicle parked in the parking lot. When the 17 year old returned to the car after shopping, he found a note that said, ‘Text if you want (oral sex)” and that listed RAINEY’S telephone number.
In the process of moving things around in my office, I came across the following:
Tell me……..I’ll forget.
Show me……I’ll remember.
Involve me…I’ll understand.
Interestingly, despite how simple this sounds, it’s often overlooked because we don’t take the time. Think about this for a moment: if I tell someone what to do, how will they know what it is if I don’t show them and involve them in the process? Yet, we often just tell them and expect that they will do what we want.
Eric William SANDLE, 82, of Wellsville, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, June 28, 2025, after a courageous and gracefully-fought battle with lung cancer.
Friends may call at J.W. Embser Funeral Home, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, on Monday, July 7, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in the funeral home. A reception will follow and all are welcome.
Rev. Monty Ader will officiate.
Memorials may be made to David A. Howe Library, Jones Memorial Hospital – Wilmot Cancer Center, or Whitesville Rod and Gun Club.
On Thursday, July 10 from 5-8:30, quilters, Brenda Bonczar and Lisa Bretz will be teaching an adult sewing class featuring a ‘Penny Candy’ Quilted Table Runner. All supplies included. Price of the class is $45.00. Ages 14 and up.
Laurie Angood will be teaching a ‘Beginner Watercolor Class’ on Saturday, July 19 from 1-3pm. In this class, students will learn about watercolor sketching techniques and having a daily art practice, using Gouache and artist quality watercolor paper and brushes. Price of the class is $35.00 and includes all materials. Students will be given a palette and paper to take home.
The’ July Young Artisan Class,’ will be held on Thursday, July 24 from 1 – 2:30. This class is open to students grades 2 – 6. Snack and materials provided. Price of the class is $25.00.
On July 26, from 1-2:30, Astrophotographer, Mark Casazza, will be teaching a class in Astrophotography: Using the Equipment you Already Have. Price and material list to be announced.
To register for these classes or events, please call the Potter County Artisan Co-op on 814-274-8165. The co-op is located at 227 N. Main Street. The co-op’s hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00-5:00.
Need an activity while visiting the area? Potter County Artisan Co-op can arrange a private group class for you and your friends at your convenience. Just call ahead or message us on Facebook.
Events and classes are supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Elk County Council on the Arts, state agencies funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Our mom, Carol Lee Davis Ransom, died in her home on July 1, 2025 surrounded by us kids and our dad. Mom was born on July 9, 1939 in Corning, NY to Eliza Lozier and Paul Davis. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1957 and went on to be a flight attendant and returned to Westfield and worked at the Tannery. In 1965, Mom married the love of her life, Ray Ransom (Shine) and together they raised us five kids and built our home and business together.
Mom was never idle being a homemaker and running us kids to our activities. Dad said that they were partners and he couldn’t have done this without her. After we left home mom enjoyed scrapbooking and making beautiful quilts. She volunteered at Chit-Chat and was a member of the Jemison Valley Church. She enjoyed traveling and she and Dad took some awesome trips. Her walking buddies were Faye and Catherine, along with her lifetime friends, Joyce, Sue, Joan, Shirley, Marcia, Barb, and Jeanette. If you stopped by the house, the coffee was always on along with a plate of her famous sugar cookies.
Michael R. Ackley, AKA “Digger”, age 71 a lifelong resident of Westfield, passed away on June 30, 2025 at UPMC Wellsboro.
Born March 2, 1954 in Wellsboro, he was the son of G. Roy and June (Roby) Ackley. He graduated from Cowanesque Valley High School, Class of 1972 and attended Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. Mike was a hard worker and entrepreneur; he bought his first piece of equipment at the age of 24 and has owned and operated Ackley Construction for 48 years. He was all about taking chances in life and is well known for his many other businesses, Cathead Farms, Rusty Canon Motel & RV Park, Westfield Auto Center, Ackley Rentals and his partnership in the Old Antlers Inn. Mike was a mentor, who taught many young men & women work ethic, a constant community supporter and volunteered his work.
Closures: The library will be closed for the holiday on Friday, July 4th. Regular hours will resume on Saturday, July 5th.
Summer Reading Programs: Our Summer Reading Programs are now in session for July! Registrations are now closed. Program meeting times for those who signed up are as follows: Adults – Tuesdays, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Kids – Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Tweens/Teens – Thursdays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Pre-K – Fridays, 10:00 am – 11:00 am.
Diamond Art: Join us at the library on Saturday, July 26th at noon for a Diamond Art Class! The project for this month is a sun catcher. Limited seating is available. Please call or stop in to sign up! 814-697-6691.
Joshua “Josh” S. White, 38, of Russell, PA., died Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025, at his residence after a brief illness of natural causes.
He was born June 19, 1987, in Warren, PA. He has resided in the Frewsburg and Lakewood, N.Y., area for most of his life. He was a 2005 graduate of Frewsburg High School, where he was instrumental in creating the Frewsburg High School Trap Team. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Non-Profit Management and law enforcement from the Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Missouri.
While in college, he was 4-time Collegiate National Trap Shoot Champion, He was employed for 10 years as supervisor with R. Patti Concrete & Excavating of Jamestown, N.Y. He was a member of the Carroll Rod & Gun Club, where he was Captain of their Rod & Gun Trap Team. Most recently he was Pennsylvania State Champion of the Single A Class for shooting trap. He was a 32nd degree mason with the Carroll Lodge 1147 Free & Accepted Mason. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved the outdoors. He is lovingly remembered for being such a great father to his children, he loved them so much!
As women enter their late 30s and early 40s, they may begin noticing physical and emotional changes that can feel confusing or even concerning. Irregular periods, mood swings, hot flashes, and disrupted sleep often lead to the same question: “Is this perimenopause?”
Perimenopause is a natural transition that leads to menopause, and while the symptoms can be disruptive, there are options available to help manage them. One of the most commonly asked-about treatments is hormone therapy. Your OB-GYN can help you navigate this stage of life with personalized care and informed recommendations.
What Is Perimenopause? Perimenopause refers to the time when a woman’s hormones like estrogen and progesterone begin to shift. It ends once you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period, which marks the beginning of menopause.
Constance L. “Connie” Otteni, 78, formally of Birch Valley Road, Kersey, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Paoli Hospital.
She was born May 2, 1947, in St. Marys, PA, daughter of the late Robert and Catheryn DeLullo Meyer. She attended Queen of the World Catholic elementary school and then graduated from Elk County Christian High School in 1965.
Thomas L. Snyder, 98, of 911 Plymouth Road, St. Marys, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 29, 2025, at his home surrounded by the love of his family. He was born April 16, 1927, in Daguscahonda, son of the late Joseph and Caroline Schatz Snyder.
On April 16, 1948, he married Betty Luchs of Ridgway. They were blessed with 52 years of marriage before her passing in 2000.
(McKean County, Pennsylvania: July 1, 2025) District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the Bradford woman convicted of Rape of an Unconscious Person and other crimes at a jury trial in March was sentenced by a judge during a sentencing hearing held at the McKean County Courthouse yesterday.
Donna SIMONS, 67, was sentenced to a period of incarceration in state prison for 8 1/2 years to 17 years plus 3 years of consecutive probation on charges of Rape of an Unconscious Person, Involuntary Devious Sexual Intercourse of an Unconscious Person, Sexual Assault, Simple Assault (deadly weapon enhancement) and Terroristic Threats (deadly weapon enhancement). The crimes relate to a sex assault committed by SIMONS on a 17-year-old male at a Fourth of July party in Bradford Township in 2024. SIMONS will be required to register as a sex offender for her lifetime.
SIMONS was ordered to provide a DNA sample, have no contact with the victim and other terms. SIMONS is not eligible for any early parole program. Bradford Township Police Officer Jordan McCalla investigated the case.
At Coudersport Rotary Club’s June 16, 2025, meeting at A&W West End Grill, Rotarian Sharon Fitzgerald introduced her friends, Maureen and Tom McDonald, who run the Moore’s Run Fish & Game Preserve.
Maureen grew up on Big Moore’s Run Road outside of Coudersport and moved away after college. In 2016 Tom and Maureen took over Moores Run Fish and Game Preserve from her parents, which has been in operation for 45 years. Six years ago Maureen and Tom moved back up to Potter County from Columbia County.
Big Moore’s Run is a Class A Trout stream which flows to the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning River. The Preserve is a dual business of ecotourism and fish farming. Aquaculture is regulated by the PA Dept of Agriculture.
90% of the trout they raise are sold and delivered to streams and private individuals from late March to early April. The hatchery delivers fish to 9 counties. 80% of the fish are bought by 20% of their customers. 75% of customers are clubs and lodges. The other 25% are small derbies and people who come to get fish to stock their ponds.
They are a true hatchery, They start with adult brood fish, who lay eggs, which hatch into sac fry, which lie on the bottom, absorbing nutrients from an exterior yolk. These then develop a mouth and swim up into suspension. The McDonalds feed these a “milkshake” of ground up beef liver. Between February and April you can arrange to come and see the life cycle of the fish.
To grow from small fish to large ones, the fish need food, protection from predators, good genetics and age. Selective breeding yields the best fish. 25” trout are at least 7 years old, and not every fish can grow to this.
Commercial fishing trawlers waste a lot of fish. From their “waste fish” a paste is made which is 45% protein and high in fat. It is converted into different size pellets for different size fish.
Predators include birds of prey, mink, raccoon, bobcat, river otter and trespassers. Bears steal fish food. Elk may wallow in holding ponds, causing the fish to panic and smother.
They have one full-time employee, Danny Schoonover, who maintains the stream as well as supervising production.
Moore’s Run Fish & Game Preserve maintains 2 miles of stream for catch and release fly-fishing. Those fishing the stream must pinch the barb off their hooks to prevent injuries to fish and to people. They do need a fishing license.
The preserve offers guiding services although most customers are technically strong flyfishers.
People love the beauty of Potter County. They come to the Preserve for privacy and exclusivity. They have the stream to themselves and have the opportunity to catch big fish, which have been able to grow there under favorable conditions in pristine water. Many customers fly in or drive many hours, coming from as far as California and Texas. They patronize local B & B’s, motels, and restaurants, so there is trickle-down revenue to the community.
This is the 17th year Moores Run Fish and Game Preserve have hosted the Healing Waters program for Veterans. They also welcome local high school and conservation school programs.
Thank you Maureen and Tom McDonald for speaking before Coudersport Rotary Club.
