NEWS

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

What is truth? How do you define truth? According to Webster, truth is simply an agreement with facts or reality. But what does that mean? Facts or reality, according to whom?

I’ve been around for a while. The first presidential election I remember was Dwight D. Eisenhower’s. Watching the evening news with my parents, I believed that everything I heard was the truth. If I wanted to know what was going on, I just had to listen to the news. Sadly, that wasn’t true then, and it’s not true now. Truth is subjective. Each person interprets it based on what they’ve been taught. We’re biased, and as much as I wish that weren’t so, it is.

Come join the fun at our 8th annual Back to School Block Party on August 9th from 11-3. We’ll have FREE bounce houses, inflatable slides, cotton candy, popcorn, and soooo much more

Huge 2 Day Estate Sale! August 8 & 9, Friday 9am to 6pm & Saturday 9am to 4pm

810 Blue Ridge Rd. Clarington, PA

(from Marienville take 899 S. About 7.5 miles and you will see signs for the sale, if you cross the Clarion river, you went too far)

Zero turn mower, push mowers, beautiful bedroom furniture, freezer, fridge, tools, power tools, Car Mate utility trailer, tiller, dining table, kitchen ware, ladders, carts, woodworking tools, lawn furniture, compressor, wood stove, wood, chairs, stands, pool table, cabinets, shelves, bakers rack, glassware, holiday decor, old welder, snow blower, saws, canning jars, gardening items, clothes, blankets, and much more.

810 Blue Ridge Rd. Clarington, PA, we will make another post with directions. 

House and 2 garages, full. Very clean house!

Area K-12 science teachers can still register for a free professional development workshop offered Aug. 11 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to earn Act 48 continuing education credits.

Dr. Ovidiu Frantescu, associate professor of environmental science at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, will lead the geology workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the university’s new Environmental Science Lab. Frantescu holds a doctorate in applied geology from Kent State University.

Participants will learn about identifying minerals; the three types of rocks and how they are in constant change; the connection between rocks and tectonic activity; natural events such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; the role of water; and fossil identification.

Eight high school graduates recently received scholarship awards from funds managed by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation for students pursuing a degree in business.

Connor Young of Southwestern High School, Elora Watkins of Maple Grove High School, Madelia Griffith of Randolph Central School and Ryanna Brady of Salamanca High School received the Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Realtors Scholarship, a $500 award.

The Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Realtors Scholarship provides four awards total: two to graduates of Cattaraugus County high schools and two to graduates of Chautauqua County high schools in good academic standing. Preference is given to students pursuing a business-related degree.

The deadline for Potter County families to take advantage of the school shoe program offered by Christmas House has been extended until Thursday, August 7. Sending children back to school with new shoes has been a focus of Christmas House for more than 25 years. This project is made possible by the generous annual contribution of the N.D.H.P. Motorcycle Club.

Only families who live in Potter County are eligible and the project is for children in preschool through grade 12.

A parent or guardian will need to call Christmas House by the end of the day on August 7 to make arrangements for ordering the shoes. The telephone number is 814-274-0825. Please leave a detailed message with your name and your telephone contact and we will return your call.

Christmas House is a non-profit organization piloted by volunteers and fueled by the generous support of individuals and organizations in Potter County and beyond. The First Presbyterian Church in Coudersport (402 N. Main Street) offers us space in their basement as our headquarters. Our entrance is on the north side of the building and is accessible by elevator if necessary.

Bradford, PA – The 32nd Annual CARE ‘fore’ Children Golf Tournament, presented by Premier Sponsors Allegheny Bradford Corporation, the Kids and Cancer Benefit, the Philo & Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, and Zippo Manufacturing Company, was held on Sunday, August 3rd at the Pennhills Club in Bradford.

To date, the tournament has raised over $44,000, with proceeds benefiting CARE for Children’s free outreach services for children with developmental delays and disabilities. These services include pediatric developmental screenings, therapeutic recreation, and child safety initiatives aimed at preventing injuries and fatalities.

This year’s Course Sponsors included Brad Mangel – in memory of Sally Mangel, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Marshall Insurance Services, Inc. – Mick and Michele Marshall. Flight Sponsors were Emporium Food Market and Olean Food Barn, Gleason Construction, Greg and Cherie Booth – in memory of Ashley Booth Griffin, CNB Bank, Northwest Bank, and Pine Valley Nurseries.

Port Allegany –Anne “Amy” M. Ayers, 73, of Port Allegany, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2025  at Olean Geneal Hospital, Olean, NY.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany are incomplete and will be announced with a full obituary.

Farmers Market Blog FY25

As we celebrate the Great American Farmers Market 2025, shoppers across the country are turning to their local markets for fresh, seasonal foods, and community connection. Whether you’re shopping for just-picked peaches or farm-raised meats, a few simple food safety steps can help you enjoy your market haul with confidence.

Open House Planned for Route 446 Roadway Reconstruction Project in Eldred Borough, McKean County

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to a public plans display for the Route 446 roadway reconstruction project on Monday, August 18, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the Eldred Borough Fire Hall (6 Platt Street, Eldred, PA 16731).

The plans display will follow an open-house format during which attendees will have an opportunity to review project displays and participate in discussions with project team members. The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project, share the results of the current engineering studies, and gather public input related to the project.

It’s that time again for the Turtlepoint Farmers Market! Happening this Saturday, August 9th from 9-12. Stop down to meet local vendors, farmers and growers to supply your cookout needs! There will be a variety of goods ranging from hydroponic lettuce, an assortment of veggies, homemade breads to Amish baked goods! Vendors are always welcome to come set up. We run on a first come, first serve basis for table spots under the pavilion. The market is located at the Turtlepoint Park, on Larabee Road, Turtlepoint PA! For more information, please visit our Facebook page! 

OLEAN, N.Y., August 4 – Those who knew Ryan Callahan knew that he always had a smile on his face.

The 2001 graduate of Olean High School was known by his family and friends for his insatiable spirit that could light up any room.

After graduating from Olean, Ryan earned his Bachelor’s degree in business and legal studies from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2005.

Shortly after graduating from college, Ryan found his professional calling in the sales business. For several years, he worked for Verizon and Toyota, where he was the top salesman for several years in a row.

WEEDVILLE, PA – Pennsylvania Wilds-based business Elk Mountain Winery has partnered with the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship to release a new PA Wilds-themed wine: Backdoor View.

This sweet white blend is available for a limited time at Elk Mountain Winery’s shop in Weedville, as well as available for direct shipping on their website. Visitors to the winery can also enjoy a sample of it for free during regular winery hours or special tasting events.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to a public plans display for the Route 446 roadway reconstruction project on Monday, August 18, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the Eldred Borough Fire Hall (6 Platt Street, Eldred, PA 16731).

The plans display will follow an open-house format during which attendees will have an opportunity to review project displays and participate in discussions with project team members. The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project, share the results of the current engineering studies, and gather public input related to the project.

The project will replace deteriorated drainage pipes and reconstruct and resurface the roadway on Route 446 (Main Street) from the intersection with Mechanic Street to the intersection with Chrisman Street. Milling and overlay will occur on Route 446 from Chrisman Street to the intersection with Route 346 (Prentisvale Road). PennDOT and borough officials strongly encourage you to attend and ask questions you have regarding the project.

The meeting location is accessible to anyone with disabilities. Anyone with special needs or requiring assistance should contact Michelle L. Mays, P.E., at (814) 765-0465 at least one week before the plans display.

Five recent area graduates received scholarship awards from the Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Education Scholarship Fund and the Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship Fund.

Emma Benson of Bradford Area High School, Ava Borer of Olean High School, Rowan Kriner of Otto-Eldred High School and Hanna Wysocki of Portville Central School received the Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship, a $750 award.

The scholarship provides annual scholarship for graduating seniors from Otto-Eldred High School (PA), Bradford Area High School (PA), Olean High School or Portville Central School who will be attending a four-year school. Preference is for students planning to pursue a degree or career in education, law enforcement, medicine or psychology.

Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Tioga- Northern Lycoming-Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming- 348 PM EDT Sun Aug 3 2025

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT MONDAY AUG 4...

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert for the northern tier of Pennsylvania on Monday.

This is due to smoke from wildfires in central Canada, resulting in elevated fine particle pollution.

A Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

For more information, visit www.airnow.gov, and www.aqpartners.state.pa.us.

Jerome Sullivan, age 37 of 303 North 19th St. Olean was arrested yesterday for Criminal possession of stolen property 5th degree for possessing Jewelry that had been previously reported stolen and Sullivan was also charged with a separate crime of Petit larceny for stealing shoes from the Marshall’s store located on W. State St on July 4th. Sullivan was issued an appearance ticket to appear in Olean City Court.

How Many Times?

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

A young girl approached me crying, and through her tears, she asked, “How many times do I have to do this?” I soon realized she was talking about forgiving her father for abandoning her as a baby. The pain of that rejection was real. Entering adolescence seemed to make it even more difficult. Even though I could answer her question, the pain would remain. Peeling away the layers is like ripping a bandage off the skin; it hurts, and no matter how many times you do it, it still hurts. 

If you haven’t learned this yet, forgiveness is tough. There are no simple steps or formulas. Yes, God can forgive and forget, but we can’t. That’s part of the problem. We remember everything: every pain, every word, and every action. But God doesn’t ask us to forget. What He asks is that we release the other person. As the saying goes, forgiveness is setting the captive free, only to realize the captive is me.

Part of forgiveness is learning how to deal with wounds. This means we must bring them into the light and remember them. We often don’t want to remember; we want to move on and forget. However, people who try to forget often find that the pain shows up in other ways. Eating disorders and addictions are just two of many results of unresolved hurts. They eat away at us from the inside, and despite our desire to hide, we can’t.

The answer to the question, “How many times?” is as many times as necessary. Even at my age, I have seen things resurface that I hadn’t remembered, and I am again forced to confront something from my past. Why does that happen? Simply because we all tend to stuff things down. What I have discovered is that the place where I’ve been storing these things is starting to leak, and I can’t contain them anymore. We no longer have the energy to suppress and deny. The emotions we’ve pushed down begin to show themselves in other ways. Often, the only solution is to start the forgiveness process that we’ve kept at bay for so long. Today might be the day. Think about it.