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The Elk County Council on the Arts is teaming up with Remake Learning Days of Pennsylvania to offer a free, hands-on basket weaving class for families on Saturday, May 17, at 10:00am. This engaging workshop will be held at the ECCOTA gallery on Main Street in Ridgway and led by local artist Cathy Snyder.

Designed for families to participate together, the class offers a creative way to spend quality time while learning a traditional artform. Each participant will have the opportunity to weave their own basket.

Remake Learning Days is a nationwide festival that celebrates hands-on, innovative learning experiences for youth and families. Launched in 2016, RLD features thousands of free events hosted by schools, libraries, museums, parks, and other community organizations. These events are designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and collaboration among learners of all ages.

Mt. Jewett Rotary – Mt. Jewett Library Endowment Matching Challenge

The Mt. Jewett Rotary Club is once again challenging the community to raise a total of $4,000 to support the Mt. Jewett Memorial Library’s Endowment Fund. The Rotary Club will match on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $2,000 in contributions from the community to the Library’s Endowment Fund. This is your opportunity to double the impact of your donation. Just make your check payable to “Mt. Jewett Memorial Library” and drop it off at the Library or mail it to “MJML P.O. Box Y, Mt. Jewett, PA 16740.” Please write “matching challenge” in the memo line or attach a note.

The Mt. Jewett Memorial Library Endowment Fund is held in trust by Hamlin Bank and Trust Company under an endowment agreement that protects the principal of the fund in perpetuity and pays out the income to support the operations of the library.

MEETING MINUTES APRIL 17, 2025          SPECIAL MEETING OPEN BIDS

The April 17, 2025 meeting was called to order by AJ Plants, Chairman of Supervisors with three supervisors and Bradco representative in attendance.

Pledge of Allegiance

Bids for tractor with boom mower were opened. Bradco submitted multiple bids for several tractors ranging from $185,000.00 to $50,000. Steven Kontaxes presented bid for $35,500 for used 2010 5101 John Deere tractor with Tiger boom rotary mower. Motion to accept Bid for $35,500.

Don’t miss this exciting night featuring the Kentucky Derby, casino games, a live auction, and chances to win cash prizes! This vital fundraiser will take place at the Coudersport Consistory on Saturday, May 3rd, beginning at 5:00 PM. Your attendance and generosity will directly benefit UPMC Cole, ensuring our community has access to the best possible care, close to home. Tickets are $50 and will include delicious hors d’oeuvres, refreshing beverages, and a night of fun for a great cause. A cash bar will also be available. 

Get your tickets now and support UPMC Cole: Cole Foundation 2025 Gala

Don’t be afraid to embrace the spirit of the Kentucky Derby by dressing in your finest Derby attire. We look forward to an evening with you!

            OLEAN, NY –Make a difference in your community and enjoy a tasty treat while doing so by purchasing a smile cookie from April 28 through May 4 at participating local Tim Hortons locations. Smile cookies purchased throughout the week will benefit Olean General Hospital (OGH) with 100% of the proceeds benefitting maternity and delivery services thanks to a partnership with Tim Hortons.

Johnsonburg, Pa.:  Bethany Ford of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) Upland Bird Hunt Chapter announces that a couple of slots are still open for the individual, one-on-one, bird dog training clinic on Saturday, May 17, at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa.  This training clinic is for new bird dog handlers or experienced bird dog handlers that want additional help with training their dog.  This training is an extension of the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter’s popular Future Hunter and Handlers’ Clinic.  “We call this the Train the Trainer Clinic,” said Tom McPherson.

Elk County– Jim, Tom, and Ann Marie Heary of Art Heary and Sons Furniture recently presented a generous donation to the St. Marys Area United Way in support of its 2025 grant initiatives. Located at 125 East Arch Street in the City of St. Marys, Art Heary and Sons has proudly served Elk County and the surrounding areas for generations, offering high-quality furniture from top manufacturers across the United States.

Representatives accepting the donation on behalf of the St. Marys Area United Way included Jim Ryan, President; Doug Gaffey, Corporate Campaign Chair; Jason Gabler; and Leah Whitman.

PennDOT Asks Motorists to Watch for Slow-Moving Construction Vehicles

Montoursville, PA – During the warm months, The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews and contractors are involved in many projects throughout District 3-0, which includes: Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.

While many projects involve work being done on interstates and other high-volume roadways, motorists should be aware that they may encounter work on less traveled roads in rural areas. Depending on the work involved, motorists may encounter slow-moving PennDOT work vehicles as well as changes in traffic patterns.

Motorists should be aware that they may encounter mowing, herbicide spraying and line painting vehicles at any time. Please give them plenty of room to operate. Remain alert, slow down and drive with caution in work zones.

In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are highlighting the meaningful contributions of their volunteers and encouraging more community members to join their volunteer teams.

In 2024, OGH was supported by 40 dedicated volunteers who donated approximately 1,600 hours of their time, while BRMC’s 41 volunteers contributed an impressive 4,005 hours.

Both hospitals offer a variety of volunteer opportunities that allow individuals to make a difference in the lives of patients, families and hospital staff. Positions are available in areas such as the emergency department, gift shop, nutrition, office support, meals on wheels and more.

The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk and Cameron program’s (LEC) monthly session focused on economic development, environment & tourism in April. The day started at Domtar in Johnsonburg with a tour of the facility. Participants learned about the history of the mill and its importance to the global economy and local conservation efforts.  After Domtar, they traveled to St. Marys to tour Straub Brewery and hear about how the Brewery benefits many local businesses and is a main tourist destination for visitors to the region. The participants then enjoyed lunch in the Straub Taproom which was sponsored by Domtar.  After lunch they headed to the Recycling Center where Bekki Titchner provided the group with some statistics about recycling.  The recycling center tour was during open hours so the participants got to see first-hand all the hard work that the volunteers do. One participant stated, “I never knew how much went into recycling and how it really is its own business.”

APRIL 26TH IS NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION TAKE BACK DAY

District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer reports that the medication drop boxes located throughout McKean County continue to be used by residents every day of the year but, National Prescription Take Back Day is a good reminder we have them. Each quarter, the District Attorney’s Office provides a community report on the use of the boxes across the county.  The County Detectives collect the unused medication that has been deposited and members of the Attorney General’s Office dispose of them. 

The weight of the drugs collected from January 8, 2025 to April 1, 2025 (1st qtr. of 2025) at the various boxes were: Bradford City’s box located inside the police department: 31 lbs. Bradford Twp’s box located in the municipal building:  5 lbs. Sheriff’s Dept’s box located inside the jail: 18 lbs. Kane Borough’s box located in the municipal building: 14.5 lbs. PSP Lewis Run’s box located at the Lewis Run barracks: 10 lb. TOTAL:  78.5 lbs. was collected Prescription “Take Back” days that are held on various days in different communities are a great opportunity to get rid of unused medication. 

We are fortunate here to have these boxes available every day at the above locations thanks to the generous donation of the boxes by the Pennsylvania District Attorneys’ Association and PA American Water Company.  Please look in your cabinets for any unused medication and take it to the nearest box to keep it out of the hands of anyone other than the person to whom it was prescribed. If you suspect illegal drug activity, please contact the McKean County Drug Task Force at the District Attorney’s Office at (814) 887-3312 or submit a tip to McKeanDA.org.

Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27, 2025

9 AM to 4 PM, both days

$8.00/Adult, $5.00/Youth (ages 4 to 11)

Join us this April for our annual Spring Show. Antique vendors will be on hand selling a variety of items like furniture, glassware, coins, books, clothing, and collectibles. A selection of historic trades, including the museum’s birch still, will be demonstrated. See the Eastern Loggers model railroad display in operation. PALMA members Jan and John Halter will present a cooking demonstration and tasting featuring wild leeks from 11am-1pm both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday (April 26) only, visitors will be able to watch the museum’s re-created 19th century steam-powered circular sawmill in operation.

Access to all museum exhibits and attractions is included in the price of admission to the show. Food and drink will be available on-site for purchase. No ATM on site so plan your visit accordingly. Antique vendors interested in participating can call (814)435-2652 to reserve a space for the event. Come for the fun and, perhaps, leave with a new treasured heirloom and a better understanding of the lumber and forest history of Pennsylvania.

Coudersport Rotary President Andrea Streich presents $500 to Kroy Bates, Coudersport Elementary School 6th Grade President for the 6th Grade students’ May trip to Washington D.C. fund.

This donation goes towards making travel to our nation’s capital possible for the whole class of 6th grade students.

(Pictured: Student Kroy Bates and Coudersport Rotary President Andrea Streich)