2025

Preparing food in large quantities is different than food preparation in the home. Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer’s Guide to Safe Food Handling program helps nonprofit organizations and their volunteers understand the risks involved with preparing large volumes of food and the important food safety practices that must be implemented to ensure a safe event.

Even if your organization has been doing this for years, things change, and it is important that volunteers are up-to-date and knowledgeable about rules and regulations governing food safety. Don’t risk your customer’s health or your organization’s reputation.

This program is for volunteers preparing food for events such as church fundraisers, fire company barbecues, booster club food sales, and the many other types of events where food is served to the public.

Volunteers will learn the causes of foodborne illness as well as safe food handling practices related to: Preventing Cross Contamination; Controlling Time and Temperature; Good Personal Hygiene; Cleaning and Sanitizing; and Planning a Successful Food Event.

This course, taught by Rick Kralj, Penn State Educator, is scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $50/person or $75/organization (an unlimited number of participants can attend). The registration deadline is Tuesday, February 25^th. To register, call (877) 489-1398 or visit  https://extension.psu.edu/cooking-for-crowds.

ServSafe is a certification program developed by the Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The course meets certification requirements for individuals who are responsible for the safe handling of food in restaurants, schools, elder care facilities, lodges, bed and breakfasts, community centers, and other food concessions (organizations or businesses that sell or prepare food regularly). 

This course, taught by Rick Kralj, Penn State Educator, is scheduled for Thursdays, February 27 and March 6, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $165/person. The registration deadline is Thursday, February 20^th. To register, call (877) 489-1398 or go to http://extension.psu.edu/food-safety/serv-safe.

From the rocky soil of Mound City, South Dakota to the rolling hills of Salamanca, New York, Ann Liederbach placed a high value on education.

Born in 1904 in Mound City, South Dakota, Anna Grenz Liederbach exemplified resilience and creativity throughout her life. Her early years on farmland in South Dakota, and later in Beulah, North Dakota, instilled a strong work ethic and an appreciation for beauty in everyday life.

An accomplished student, she graduated from Dickinson State Normal School in 1927 and began her teaching career in Dickinson, North Dakota before moving to New York State.

In July of 1933, she married Chester Liederbach, and together they raised two children, Hanford and Marilee.

Dedicated to education, Ann furthered her own studies at the State University of New York at Geneseo, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She later went on to teach kindergarten in Salamanca, where she was highly regarded for her ability to create a warm, nurturing and imaginative environment for her students.

Gertrude Hawk Candy Bar Sale: The library is selling Gertrude Hawk candy bars in various flavors. Stop at the library or Sprout’s Drug Store and get some today!

Little Caesars Fundraiser: The library will have another Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser from Tuesday, January 14th – Thursday, February 13th just in time for the Superbowl! Place orders online and have the kits delivered right to your door, or order a meal kit and pick it up at a local Little Caesars! Watch our website and Facebook page for more information at the start of the fundraiser.

Teens’ Night: Please join us on Tuesday, January 7th at 5:30 pm to socialize and play games! Bring your favorite board games, card games, and your friends. This program is for ages 12-18.

Diamond Art Class: Join us at the library on Saturday, January 18th at 1:00 pm for a Diamond Art Class! You will decorate and take home a compact mirror in this class. All supplies are provided, and limited seating is available! Please call or stop by the library to sign up! 814-697-6691.

Students in the Early Childhood shop at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center lent a hand to the Port Allegany Rotary Club when the club hosted their annual Christmas Party for PAES students with special needs.  In preparing for the event, the class wrapped gifts to be given by club members to the children.  A few days later, the class attended the weekly Rotary meeting, held at the local Moose Lodge, and assisted the Rotarians in serving lunch and helping Santa hand out gifts.  The Early Childhood class is pictured with their teacher, Kim Mooney (seated) and CTC Director, Jim Young.  Mr.  Young is also the president of the local Rotary Club.  

Six Port Allegany High School students traveled to Coudersport High School to participate in a day-long Chorus Festival.  The IU9 Chorus Fest gave students, 150 in total, an opportunity to work with directors Steve Luxbacher from Oil City High School and Daniel Sensenig from Wellsboro High School.  A performance was held that evening at the school.  Representing Port Allegany were (pictured left to right) Lena Skinner, Grace Finn, Brielle Kaple, Tessa Evens, Kaydence Beaver and Bailey Looyd.  The students were accompanied by high school music instructor, Camille Baptiste.  

Interested in learning to make maple syrup from start to finish? Penn State Extension will hold a no-cost workshop on identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and cooking it into syrup using beginner-friendly techniques. Both in-person and virtual options are available.

The “Getting Started in Maple Syrup” webinar will occur from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 29. The in-person version will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 1, at Penn State Extension’s Potter County office, 1 N. Main St., Room 216, Coudersport.

The program is aimed at individuals considering making maple syrup for the first time, beginner maple syrup producers, and members of the public interested in learning about maple syrup production.

Led by Scott Weikert, forest resources extension educator, the program will cover:

The community is invited to join the congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church as they celebrate their history in Port Allegany..  It’s been 125 years from Swedish immigrants to modern America with the same message of faith, hope and commitment to Christ.  An Open House will be held from 12:15 – 2 p.m. on February 9 at the church located at 67 Church Street.  Light refreshments will be served.   Pictured are Pastor J.T, Madison and Netra Baker, Committee Chairperson.  Other members of the committee include Sara Bishel, Linda Niles, Jess Klein and Evelyn Guncheon.    

(McKean County, Pennsylvania: January 9, 2025): District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer honors Officers on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a day that allows us to honor the officers who take on the responsibility of enforcing the law and protecting their residents:  “Our Officers take exceptional risks to ensure that we are safe from harm.  And they must take these risks on a moment’s notice.  While their day may start out as peaceful and orderly, it too often flips to violence and chaos. Many of our McKean County neighbors have taken the pledge to accept this risk and so have many others who live elsewhere but come to McKean County to protect us.  

The uncertainty they face is challenging. But it is the certainty that they will face violence more days than not- but nonetheless report for duty-that makes them heroes. Some of them have faced violence during a routine traffic stop that turned deadly.  Some of them have succumbed to the abuse their bodies have suffered merely from performing their jobs.  And some have been murdered merely for putting on their uniform without regard to the human beings they are or the families they leave behind.    Yet these Officers respond to every call that comes in during their shift as if they have put this knowledge out of their minds. 

It is our privilege to work with these officers.  We look at the legacies of Patrolman Steven Jerman, Sergeant David Distrola, Lt. Jeff Shade and Trooper Jay Rougeau with honor  and which we hold in the highest place of esteem. Today and every day we remember and honor these gentlemen. And we thank and honor those that continue to take these risks for our security.  Thank you ladies and gentlemen. We honor all law enforcement officers – McKean County Detectives’ Bureau & K9 Unit, McKean County Drug Task Force, Bradford City Police & K9 Unit, Pennsylvania State Police,  Bradford Township Police, Foster Township Police, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Police, Otto Police, Smethport Borough Police, Port Allegany Police, Kane Borough Police, Sheriff’s Department, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, U.S. Marshalls, , McKean County 911, FCI-McKean, SCI-Forest,  McKean County Jail, Potter County Jail, Warren County Jail, McKean County Juvenile and Adult Probation, State Parole and the families of our Officers. These officers are family, friends and heroes.  God bless our Officers and their families. On behalf of the McKean County District Attorney’s Office, thank you”. – Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer, District Attorney