Cameron County Chamber of Commerce and C&N Bank teaming up to encourage you to spend a week shopping in Cameron County. From Shop Small Saturday November 30 through Christmas in the Wilds Saturday December 7 spend $100 and you can win Chamber Bucks.
The Wellsboro Community Concert Association is presenting two free performances by Adam Booth, an award-winning storyteller, educator, and musician.
Registration is recommended at wellsborocca.org or 570-404-0411 to ensure getting a seat to attend one or both of the free shows but is not required.
On Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro, Booth will present “The Heron’s Journey.” He created this original tale about self discovery and self acceptance that combines spoken storytelling with quilting and paper sculptures.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, Jerry and Helen Gaye of Osceola held their 10th Annual Homeless Animal Benefit at Howard S. Lines Knoxville VFW Post 6753 at 703 Boatman Road in Knoxville, PA.
Raised was $2,633. In addition, a $500 donation was made during the benefit bringing the total contributed to $3,133 on Oct. 19 to the Heading Home Center at 725 Gee Road in Tioga, PA.
BRADFORD, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, including Hanley Library, will be closed Nov. 28 through Dec. 1, in observance of Thanksgiving.
Residence halls are closed, and there are no classes through Nov. 29.
Hanley Library will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27 and closed from Thanksgiving through Nov. 30. The library will reopen on Sunday at 6 p.m. and remain open until 10 p.m.
The Marilyn Horne Museum and gift shop is closed through Sunday, Dec. 1, when the Marilyn Horne Museum Store will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate Museum Store Sunday with 20% off all items.
The Marilyn Horne Museum Café will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but otherwise open regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
On campus, classes will resume, and offices will reopen on Dec. 2.
Love to dance or watch others do it or listen to music or sing along? Then, plan to attend the Starliters Big Band performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. There will be room for dancing.
Sarah E. Hill, 48, of Ridgway, died unexpectedly on November 19, 2024, at her residence.
Funeral arrangements are being held privately by the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
A $150 early bird season pass to attend all 17 Endless Mountain Music Festival concerts is available now through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra is presenting its popular annual Holiday Jazz Concert twice, first on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at its home in the Trachte Music Center at Lycoming College and the next night, Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.
Photos by Tim McBride
Town Crier Phil Waber will greet visitors and ring his bell at the Victorian marketplace during Wellsboro’s Dickens of a Christmas celebration.
Hamilton-Gibson Productions will present A Dickens of a Concert Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and six performances of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Deane Center’s two theaters on Saturday and one performance on Sunday.
The 14-day Dickens of a Book Sale will be indoors at the Green Free Library at 134 Main Street in Wellsboro beginning Monday, Dec. 2 and continuing through Wellsboro’s Dickens of A Christmas on Dec. 6, 7 and 8 and ending on Sunday, Dec. 15 of Wellsboro’s Christmas on Main Street with the $5 a bag sale. For more information, call the library at 570-724-4876.
Gently used, gift-worthy books for Christmas will be available every day. “We will have books for all ages, including new fiction, nonfiction, coffee table and Christmas books, older books at special prices, audio books and DVDs, and special items for sale as gifts,” said Leslie Wishard, Green Free Library director. Proceeds support the library. “We do accept cash and credit card payments,” she added.
Book sale hours are: Monday, Dec. 2 through Thursday, Dec. 5, 9am to 6pm; Friday and Saturday, Dec 6 and 7, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, Dec. 8, 10am to 2pm; Monday, Dec. 9 through Thursday, Dec. 12, 9am to 6pm; Friday, Dec. 13, 10am to 4pm; and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15, 10am to 2pm.
For more information, call the library at 570-724-4876.
Tickets are available for purchase now through Saturday, Dec. 7 for chances to win one of five Dickens of a Christmas Raffle Baskets, the Friends of the Green Free Library’s annual fundraiser.
Basket #1 is the Gourmet Food Basket; Basket #2, Tioga Basket; Basket #3, Fenton Christmas Basket; Basket #4, Home for Christmas Basket; and Basket #5, Spa Basket. The baskets and their full list of contents can be seen at the library in the display case. Photos of all five raffle baskets are also on The Friends of the Green Free Library Facebook Page.
Tickets are $2 each or three for $5 and can be purchased at the library at 134 Main Street in Wellsboro, or from members of the Friends of the Library. Purchasers must be at least 18 years old and those purchasing tickets for raffle basket #5 that includes wine must be 21 or older.
The drawing for the baskets will be at 2pm Saturday, Dec. 7, in the library’s Pennsylvania Room, immediately following the Friends’ Dickens of a Christmas Reception being held there from 11am to 2pm with light refreshments. The Friends ask that winners pick up their baskets at the library or make other arrangements.
The purpose of The Friends of the Green Free Library is to raise money to provide needed funds for the library. This is done through the Friends’ Annual Book Sale, its biggest fundraiser, the raffle baskets at Dickens, and with memberships and other donations. The library has used these funds to purchase new books, provide reading programs, assistance with grants, building repairs, and other needs.
Local residents making cookies for the Dec. 7 reception should package three per resealable bags and drop them off at the library between 9am and 7pm Thursday, Dec. 5, and 10am and 5pm Friday, Dec. 6.
This Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro, Stage Fright and nine guest musicians will perform selections from The Last Waltz, the famous “farewell” concert given on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1976 by the Canadian-American roots rock group known as The Band.
One of the most spectacular events in rock history, The Last Waltz was presented in the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California, the same venue where The Band debuted in 1968.
Hunters Have Opportunity for Popular Buck and Doe Raffle
Bradford, Pa.: The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) announces that they will once again offer their popular buck and antlerless deer raffle at their TWO DEER CHECK STATIONS this year on SR 59 and SR 346. All deer will be weighed, measured, and aged for FREE for hunters. Each hunter bringing in a deer for checking will also receive a ticket on a cash raffle. Hunters bringing in antlerless deer will be eligible for a $500 raffle. Hunters bringing in an antlered deer will be eligible for a $250 raffle.
The days of operation will be Saturday, Sunday, Monday, November 30-December 2 and Saturday, December 7. Hours of operation will be 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. all four days. Hunters will receive a fluorescent orange KQDC hat for bringing their deer to the check station.
One KQDC deer check station will be in Marshburg along SR 59 again this year. The check station will be 0.4 miles east of Timberdoodle Flats at the John Perkins Parking Lot. Wooden signs on sawhorses will be placed along SR 59 and at Timberdoodle Flats to direct hunters to the check station.
The second KQDC deer check station will be at the Willows Restaurant on SR 346 along Willow Creek in Corydon Township about four miles east of the Willow Bay Recreation Area. The GPS address is 2669 West Washington Street.
The KQDC is managed for Quality Deer and a Quality Forest Ecosystem to provide a Quality Hunting experience. Other goals are to provide quality forests for landowners to manage for timber products, local employment, numerous outdoor recreation activities, and quality habitat for all wildlife.
The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative is an on-going demonstration, begun in 2000, of how hunting can be used to meet the goals of multiple publics for managing deer. A partnership of forest landowners, forest managers, biologists, hunters, and local businesses developed the program which relies on hunters to manage deer density on a representative forested area. The program is conducted on a 74,000-acre forested demonstration area in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Bradford Area Public Library, Executive Director, Rebecca Feightner has taken a leadership role at the state level with her election to the position of Chair for the Pennsylvania Northwest Chapter of the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLa). She will assume her role of Chair beginning in January 2025. During 2024, she served as Vice Chair for the chapter.
Founded in 1901, the Pennsylvania Library Association is the state’s oldest professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Library groups. PaLa represents more than 1,300 personal, institutional, and commercial members affiliated with public, academic, special, and school libraries throughout the commonwealth. The association represents the profession in Harrisburg with the state legislature and provides opportunities for professional growth, leadership development and continuing education for librarians.
The Northwest chapter consists of Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties. Membership in each of the eight PaLa chapters is a mix of library type (i.e. school, public, archival, academic, etc.) and professional interests. Each chapter consists of an executive committee that is comprised of several positions. In her new role, Feightner will preside over two formal annual meetings, as well as monthly virtual gatherings.
Port Allegany, PA – The students and staff of the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center (SHCTC) came together in the spirit of giving this Thanksgiving season, completing a highly successful food drive that showcased the generosity and community spirit of the SHCTC family.
The drive, led by the dedicated students in the Networking program, collected an impressive total of nearly 800 non-perishable food items. These donations were distributed to members of the SHCTC family in need, ensuring they could celebrate the holiday with nourishment.
“Our students worked tirelessly to organize and promote this initiative, and the response was incredible,” said Mr. Bryant, the Networking shop instructor. “This project exemplifies what makes our community so special – the willingness to step up and support one another.”
The food drive is one of many ways SHCTC prepares students for the future, teaching not only technical skills but also the importance of leadership, collaboration, and community service.
To everyone who donated or helped in any way, the SHCTC students and staff extend their heartfelt gratitude. This Thanksgiving, the SHCTC family proved that when a community comes together, it can make a meaningful difference.
For more updates and news, follow SHCTC on social media and at iu9ctc.org
Cherry Springs and Lyman Run State Parks are pleased to offer the following winter programs for December 2024 and January 2025. Come out to stargaze, walk, or learn about animals in winter! All programs listed are free. Registration isn’t required for in-person activities, but you can sign up to receive a weather update a few days before the program. Register using the links below. Email Susan at sschenck@pa.gov or call 814-435-5010 ext. 2 with any further questions.
Cherry Springs State Park Programs – December 2024
In-person programs –Registration optional
Saturday, December 14 – Full Moon Walk or Snowshoe
7 PM – 8 PM – Park in the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field Lot
Take a moonlit evening stroll along crisp, wintery landscape. Join a park educator for a 1.5 mile walk along level ground on the Overnight Astronomy Observation Field. Snowshoes will be available as conditions and attendance allow. Learn about winter constellations and folklore along the way with a laser-guided tour of the night sky. Telescopes available if conditions are favorable. After the hike, sip on warm hot chocolate or tea by a fire in the historic CCC pavilion.
Saturday, December 21 – Nature Journaling and Tea
10 AM – 11:30 AM – Historic CCC Pavilion
Unwind from a stressful December by spending time in nature. Go on a short walk for inspiration, then return to the fireside to practice nature journaling while sipping on warm tea and hot chocolate. No experience or artistic talent needed. Materials provided or bring your own. Intended for adults and teens. Note that program takes place in a historic pavilion, while there are walls and a cozy fireplace, there is no central heat.
Saturday, December 28 – Year End Stargazing Stroll
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Night Sky Public Viewing Area
Wrap up 2024 with a starry evening stroll along crisp, wintery landscape. Join the park educator for a 1.5 mile walk along level ground in the Night Sky Public Viewing Area. Snowshoes will be available as conditions allow. Telescopes available if conditions are favorable. Learn about winter constellations and folklore along the way with a laser-guided tour of the night sky. Program will end by 7:30 PM, leaving time for all your Saturday night plans. All ages. Please wear warm clothes and sturdy winter boots. No pre-registration required, all ages.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s annual statewide holiday donation drive to benefit families in need is underway, and the Allegany County Democratic Committee is leading the effort in our area.
Donations of new unwrapped toys, new and gently used coats, and new school supplies are being sought to assist community-based organizations during the holiday giving season.
“Together, we can spread joy and hope this holiday season by supporting our community-based organizations through New York’s statewide Toy, Coat and School Supply Drive,” Governor Hochul said. “Every item collected is a reminder that kindness and generosity can brighten the lives of our children and families in need.”
Northern Potter Royalty teamed up with the Office Of Veteran’s Affairs Representative Rene Kicklighter and NPSD to bring joy to troops currently deployed this holiday season. Potter County Fair Queen Kayla Hyde and Maple Ambassador Alternate Marian Hamilton visited the 7th grade classroom to talk to kids about service, sacrifice, and supporting our troops. Students throughout the district were invited to bring goodies in to send overseas and create cards and pictures.
Original Post HERE
Everyone has off days. Maybe you feel reluctant to get out of bed because it’s still dark out, or you turn down invitations you’d usually accept. You might find yourself endlessly flipping through TV channels because it’s too cold to enjoy the outdoors. But are these just winter blues, or something more?
Many people notice changes in mood or routines during the winter. If these feelings come and go within a few days or affect only part of the day, it’s likely just a temporary dip. You may even recognize a trigger, such as stress at work, a recent loss, or significant life changes.
However, when these feelings persist for two weeks or more, it may be time to take action. Depression, if untreated, can disrupt work, relationships, and overall health. Common signs of depression include:
For about 5% of people in the U.S., especially in northern states, these symptoms may appear each winter and ease up in the spring. This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression tied to seasonal changes. SAD often comes with cravings for sweets or starches, and people with SAD may find themselves sleeping up to 2.5 hours more each winter. When these symptoms arrive and depart around the same time each year, it’s a strong indicator of SAD.
BRADFORD, PA—Open Arms Community Church is thrilled to announce the launch of its Church for All capital campaign, an inspiring initiative to ensure their new building becomes fully accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. With the church’s anticipated move to its new location in downtown Bradford in the spring of 2025, this project demonstrates a profound commitment to creating a welcoming space where every individual feels they are included and valued.
The Church for All campaign aims to raise $200,000 to fund critical accessibility improvements for the Congress Street building. Key upgrades include: a Handicap-Accessible Ramp at the main entrance, involving adjustments to the doorframe to accommodate the proper ramp length, an Elevator System to provide access to all three floors for individuals unable to walk or navigate stairs, and handicap-Accessible Restrooms on the main floor, designed for comfort and convenience. Currently, the Congress Street building lacks adequate accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges. The Church for All project is a step forward in creating an environment that reflects the inclusive love of God.
“This year, we’re rallying together to build something truly special—a Church for All,” said Zoe Hatcher, lead pastor of Open Arms Community Church. “Our dream is to show God’s love by creating a space where no one is left out.”
Donald J. Crosby
Donald J. “Donnie” Crosby, 74, of Coudersport, formerly of Austin, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Funeral arrangements, entrusted to the care of Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.
Two outstanding members of the local community, Marianne Laine and Blake Tarana, were celebrated for their philanthropic contributions at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon in Buffalo on November 14th. The event, hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Western New York (AFP of WNY), recognized individuals and organizations making a profound impact across Western New York. St. Bonaventure University and Olean General Hospital, a Kaleida Health facility, jointly nominated both Laine and Tarana, showcasing their dedication to bettering the community.
“As a committee member for National Philanthropy Day of Western New York, it was a privilege to work with the Olean General Hospital Foundation to nominate and share two stories of generosity and dedication in the southern tier,” said Melissa DeRose, major gifts officer, St. Bonaventure University. “The afternoon celebrated Marianne and Blake and their immeasurable impact; a testament to their unwavering commitment to our area.”
The Deane Center for the Performing Arts, a cultural cornerstone of Tioga County, has launched its Annual Appeal Drive, calling on the community and local businesses to join together in ensuring the Center’s continued impact. Donations and sponsorships are needed to support its mission of bringing world-class arts and entertainment to the region and maintaining an accessible, welcoming space for all.
“For over a decade, the Deane Center has been a place where creativity thrives, milestones are celebrated, and the community comes together,” said Amy Welch, Executive Director of the Deane Center. “This year, as we launch our Annual Appeal, we’re asking for your support to keep this vision alive and vibrant. Together, we can ensure this beloved space remains a hub for connection and inspiration.”
Annually, The Deane Center hosts 200+ events that span a variety of purposes, from performances to community gatherings, often offered at no or minimal cost to ensure access for everyone. However, sustaining this level of service requires robust community backing.
To The Editor:
Senator Tom O’Mara’s recent critique of New York’s Clean Slate Act misrepresents its scope, intent, and societal benefits.
He claims the law indiscriminately expunges millions of criminal records, including violent crimes such as manslaughter and kidnapping, which is false. The law explicitly excludes Class A felonies and sex offenses from expungement and imposes strict eligibility criteria: misdemeanors are sealed after three years and felonies after eight, contingent on the individual completing their sentence and remaining crime-free. Moreover, records are sealed, not erased, ensuring law enforcement and courts retain access for public safety (New York Senate, 2023).
O’Mara overlooks significant benefits of expungement laws. Research consistently shows that sealing records reduces recidivism by increasing employment opportunities and promoting housing stability (Prescott & Starr, 2019). These outcomes enhance public safety and support rehabilitated individuals in reintegrating into society.
Concerns about employer and public safety are overstated. Sensitive industries, such as childcare or elder care, require fingerprint-based background checks, which remain unaffected by the Clean Slate Act (New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services, 2023). The law also leaves victim rights and restitution processes intact, contrary to claims that it disregards crime victims.
Rather than engaging with the data-backed benefits of reforms like Clean Slate, O’Mara perpetuates fear-based narratives, calling it a “pro-criminal” policy. However, the law aims to correct systemic inequities and provide second chances to individuals who have paid their debt to society. This balanced approach fosters safer communities and promotes justice through rehabilitation, not perpetual punishment.
Jackie Wilson, Representative 2024 – 2026
Alfred, NY District 2
Allegany County Democratic Committee
References:
New York Senate. (2023). S211A, Clean Slate Act. Retrieved from https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S211A
New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services. (2023). Background check requirements for sensitive industries. Retrieved from https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/
Prescott, J. J., & Starr, S. B. (2019). Expungement of criminal records: An empirical study. University of Michigan Law School. Retrieved from https://repository.law.umich.edu/
On November 25, at 8:10 pm Angelica Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to I 86 West for a tractor trailer accident.
A community fund raising event will be held Saturday, November 30 from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 1st from noon – 4 p.m. at Eddie’s on Main located at 212 North Main Street in Port Allegany to benefit the Pastor Randy Headley Memorial Award for (Youth) Community Service. There will be raffles, food, shopping and fun showcasing God’s Country Creamery Cheese, Little Mountain Winery, locally crafted wooden photo frames, Card Creek Bakery Artisan breads and desserts, Out of the Lane Aprons by bkh, Brenda Sawyer Art, Ambeaulynn Hand Stamped Jewelry, Repurposed Sweater Mittens, PA Plants Succulent Planters, Otto-Eldred FFA grown poinsettias, local honey and maple syrup products, Eddie’s on Main Sweet Treats, Charcuterie Boxes and more holiday gift ideas. There will also be a holiday luncheon menu.
Pastor Randy Headley served in the U.S. Marines and worked in sales before entering the ministry in 1991. He served United Mehodist Churches in Shinglehouse, Ceres, Trinity (now Port Allegany UMC), Port Allegany Evangelical UMC (now closed) Crosby, Riverside and Fishing Creek, all in the Kane District of the UMC.
