The Hamilton-Gibson Treble Choir will officially begin their 32st Season on August 11 at a special kick-off rehearsal at Three Springs Ministries in Nauvoo (between Morris and Liberty.)
Registration for the choirs is now open and all singers from grades 2-8 are encouraged to sign up. Opportunities include the Treble Choir featuring singers from grades 5-8 and the Choir Too, the training choir for children in grades 2-4 or those who are still working on their singing voice. Enrollment is open to all children, and typically includes students from all three school districts, private schools, and home-schooled children.
In 1955, a song called “The Great Pretender” was released. It was written by Buck Ram and recorded by the Platters. It portrayed the many ways we pretend. We pretend to have it all together when we don’t, even when we’re doing well. The song’s lyrics resonated with me when I first heard it because they accurately described my life. I learned at a very young age how to pretend. I pretended to be happy when I wasn’t. I knew how to play the game of life to get by. I knew how to present myself to be accepted. I knew how to hide my true self.
I suppose there is a little pretender in all of us. We learn to pretend at different times, and it’s not always bad. But sometimes pretending is more about everyday life and existence. When that’s the case, serious problems are going on. If you think about it, pretending is always about presenting a falsehood. I have often thought that the world was my stage and I was but an actor playing a part. It took a long time for me to allow my true self to be seen. Pretending is also about control. You decide who gets in and who doesn’t. I remember thinking that if I let go, I’d be like Humpty Dumpty, falling off the wall of control and never being put back together again. It’s a sad way to live, but many do it.
For the pretender, loneliness and fear are common themes. It goes along with the thought that if I tell you who I truly am and you don’t like me, I’m left with nothing, and I can’t risk that. So pretending that all is well and that I’m on top of my game becomes the standard rule of life. But here’s the catch for every pretender. Maintaining the pretending game takes a lot of energy. At some point, you will crash because you can’t do it forever. For me, that point came when I finally surrendered to God. When I started to understand that God loved me just the way I was, I began to have some freedom to be myself. I no longer felt that I had to hide. His love began to erode my fears and insecurities. I started to learn how to trust others with who I was. I learned to take risks and allow myself to be vulnerable. I am not in a place where I must pretend. I’m okay being me. Think about it.
St. Marys Native’s Planning Will Benefit Organizations for Years to Come
Sometimes the greatest gifts are those that continue helping others long after they are given.
Although Gustave W. “Gus” Wolf spent much of his life away from St. Marys, he never forgot the community that helped shape him. Through careful planning, he created a permanent source of support for the people and charities that meant the most to him.
The Elk County Community Foundation is honored to announce the first annual distributions from the Wolf Family Community Fund, a designated endowed fund established through Gus’ gift. By naming the Foundation as the beneficiary of his IRA and documenting his charitable intentions years in advance, Gus ensured the organizations he selected would receive annual support for years to come.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 31, 2026 – Shirley, NY, American Regent, Inc. Animal Health is conducting a nationwide recall of two lots (25011 and 3369) of Adequan® Canine Injection (for dogs), 100 mg/mL 5mL multi-dose vials and two lots (24416 and 25265P) of Adequan® i.m. Injection (for horses), 500mg/5 mL single-dose 5mL vials to the consumer level. The products are being recalled due to the presence of glass fibers found during testing of internally retained samples.
Risk Statement: The administration of an intramuscular injectable product containing particulate matter, such as glass fibers, may result in local irritation, swelling, inflammation, injection site pain, infection, or abscesses. To date, American Regent, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recalled lots.
Galeton’s 2nd Annual Police Night Out – PA State Police helicopter, shown with the two pilots, who are from Latrobe, PA, came to Galeton’s 2nd Annual Police Night Out and landed with precision at John J. Collins Park in the center of Galeton, with a flight time from their home base being 55 minutes. This community event, sponsored and coordinated by the Galeton Police Department and Galeton Borough, happened August 4th with multiple agencies and departments participating in the well-attended event. All those at the event were willing to answer any questions that were presented to them. All are looking forward to next year’s event.
FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (July 31, 2026) – BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) is voluntarily recalling specific lots of BD® Intraosseous Vascular Access System Needle Sets to the user level. These products are being recalled following reports that some users experienced difficulty removing the obturator (stylet) after placement of the needle set. Based on complaint reports, bench testing completed by BD and clinical observations, this may occur if the drill is not pulled straight back during insertion or if the obturator is incorrectly rotated during removal.
The affected lots were manufactured with out-of-tolerance dimensions and distributed between September 30, 2024, and June 12, 2026. This recall does not affect the BD® Intraosseous Powered Driver.
Angelica, NY – When the Allegany County Democrats gather for their next “Coffee with Democrats” on Saturday, August 8thin Richburg, they’ll be collecting non-perishable food and personal care items to be donated to the pantry located at the Little Genesee 7th Day Baptist Church.
“This is the third year that county Democrats have organized pantry collections,” says County Chair Karen Ash. “ ‘Coffee with Democrats’ is held in different towns across the county. Wherever we meet, we donate to the pantry in that town. Serving our community in this way is a simple yet meaningful expression of our party and its members’ values. ”
The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Richburg Colonial Library and is open to all. This event is sponsored by the Allegany County Democratic Committee. Coffee and light snacks will be served. Sign up here to attend.
If you can’t attend but would like to drop off donations, contact us at info@acdcny.org
WHAT:Rep. ClintOwlett (R-Tioga/Bradford) is hosting his annual Senior Expo to provide convenient access to information about a variety of programs and services available to area senior citizens and their caregivers. He will also present the Matt Baker Community Service Award at the event at 9:30 a.m.
WHO:Owlett; more than 80 exhibitors; and area senior citizens and their family members and caregivers.
WHEN:Friday, Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to noon. Matt Baker Community Service Award presentation at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:Wellsboro Senior High School Gym and Commons, 225 Nichols St., Wellsboro.
(Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a series of webinars for interested applicants to learn about the new Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program, administered through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service.
These learning opportunities are open to the public:
Participants may expect to learn more about the program and details on submitting Letters of Interest (LOI) for consideration. PART offers partially forgivable loans to invest in infrastructure that produces electricity from hydro, geothermal or biomass energy sources as well as investments in energy storage systems to make intermittent renewable energy systems more reliable.
Individual awards will range between $1 million and $100 million and will support affordable power for American families, and infrastructure that keeps pace with economic expansion. Eligible projects receiving funding may be granted loan forgiveness up to 40 percent.
RUS will accept LOIs September 8,2026, through October 9, 2026.
Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, state or local governments, federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, nonprofits, distribution electric cooperatives and generation and transmission electric cooperatives, and certified electric utilities.
The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) is announcing increases to the adjusted annual income deductions. Handbook 1-3555 allows applicants age 62 or older to receive an elderly family deduction when calculating adjusted annual income. Effective immediately, this annual deduction has increased to $550 per household.
Handbook 1-3555 also provides a deduction for each eligible dependent in the household. This deduction has increased to $500 per dependent.
Handbook updates reflecting these changes will be released soon. The Guaranteed Underwriting System (GUS) is already applying the new deduction amounts correctly.
For questions about program policy or this announcement, please contact sfhgld.program@usda.gov or (833) 314‑0168.
Thank you for supporting the Single‑Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program!
ARLINGTON, VA – JULY 31, 2026 – Lidl US is expanding its July 24, 2026 recall of Eridanous Shortbread Cookies to include all units with a foreign language ingredients and nutrition facts panel for the following products:
Eridanous Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Truffle Coating & Apricot Filling – 11.6 oz (330 g) box (UPC 4056489125839)
Eridanous Shortbread Cookies with Apricot Filling and Cocoa Topping with Coconut Sprinkles – 11.6 oz (330 g) box (UPC 4056489125846)
Both of these products were distributed with foreign language packaging and failed to include English ingredient lists, nutrition facts panels, or required allergen declarations. People who have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat, soy, milk, egg, or tree nut (coconut) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume these products.
The products were distributed between 07/15/2026 – 07/28/2026 to all Lidl US retail store locations in Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.
DUKE CENTER, PA—Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for Richard W. “Rick” Tompkins, 77, a lifelong resident of Duke Center, on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at the Shinglehouse American Legion Post 530, 1364 SR 44 S, Shinglehouse, from 1pm to 4pm.
Members of the Potter County Honor Guard will accord military honors at 3pm at the Legion on August 9, 2026.
Rick’s family has entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, Funeral Director/Owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
COUDERSPORT, PA—Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life for David J. “Carrot” Marsh, 66, of Coudersport, beginning at 3:30pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Coudersport American Legion, Buffalo Street, Coudersport.
David’s family entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
The Coudersport Area School District is seeking applicants for a General Cafeteria Worker – 5 hr./day effective with the 2026-2027 school year.
Interested applicants should send a complete application package, including a letter of interest, application, current clearances (Act 24/31/34/151/168), and resumé to the Office of the Superintendent, CASD, 698 Dwight Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 by August 19, 2026.
We are looking for a reliable and organized person to join our team as a Legal Assistant in our real estate practice. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with details, staying organized, and helping things run smoothly.
No prior legal experience? That’s okay. We are happy to train the right person who has a strong work ethic, good computer skills, and a positive attitude.
What You’ll Do:
Help organize and process documents for real estate files
Communicate with clients, lenders, realtors, and attorneys
Enter information into our system and keep records up to date
Assist with simple calculations (we’ll show you how)
Track the progress of files and help keep things on schedule
Help prepare documents for real estate closings
Keep your workspace and files organized
What We’re Looking For:
Someone dependable with a strong work ethic
Good attention to detail
Comfortable using a computer (Microsoft Office or similar)
Organized and able to manage multiple tasks
Friendly and professional communication skills
Basic math skills
Helpful but not required:
Office or clerical experience
Experience with real estate or legal work
Why This Role is a Great Fit:
On-the-job training provided
Supportive team environment
Opportunity to learn valuable legal and real estate skills
Ideal for someone looking to grow into a professional office role
Think you might be a good fit? We’d love to hear from you. Please email your resume to Finance@CahillyLaw.com
Ok folks…I have a friend who is going to take care of my Bradford distributions. This is the schedule for Saturday the 8th. If you are not able to pick up backpacks yourself, please send a family member or friend.
(Washington, D.C., Aug. 3, 2026) – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Administrator Karl Elmshaeuser today announced $410 million available in the new Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Program to increase the supply of rural power and support the reliability of America’s electrical grid.
“This new opportunity advances President Trump’s priorities to strengthen America’s energy infrastructure and lower costs for American families,” said Administrator Elmshaeuser. “Guided by the President’s executive orders to bring back energy dominance and strength, we’re working to ensure our grid is resilient in the face of growing demand.”
PART, administered through USDA Rural Development’s RUS, offers partially forgivable loans to invest in infrastructure that produces electricity from hydro, geothermal or biomass energy sources as well as investments in energy storage systems to make intermittent renewable energy systems more reliable. Financing new reliable, resilient and affordable sources of power as well as storage devices adds reliability, resiliency and dispatchability to sources of power.
Individual awards for partially forgivable loans will range between $1 million and $100 million and will support affordable power for American families, and infrastructure that keeps pace with economic expansion.
RUS is accepting Letters of Interest beginning September 8,2026, and until October 9, 2026.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making agency investment data accessible to the public.
In an effort to support the ongoing renovations to the Hanley Library, an electrical shutdown of the facility will be initiated on Friday, August 7. To accommodate this situation, the building, including the library, will be closed for the day. The facility will reopen, with normal operating hours for all offices, on Monday, August 10.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as this project continues, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in Potter County the week of August 3. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in Potter County for the coming week is as follows:
All of Route 1005 (Phoenix Road/Phoenix Run Road). Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 7. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours and may deploy a pilot vehicle. When encountering a pilot vehicle with a “Pilot Car Follow Me” sign mounted on the rear and a revolving yellow light, drivers must remain behind it until it has left the roadway. Do not pass.
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the following schedule of maintenance activities in McKean County the week of August 3rd. PennDOT performs year-round maintenance in its mission to provide a safe, efficient transportation system, and the scope of work in McKean County for the coming week is as follows:
Bridge Maintenance & Cleaning
Route 346 at a bridge spanning an unnamed tributary of Foster Brook in Foster Township. Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 7. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours and may deploy a pilot vehicle. When encountering a pilot vehicle with a “Pilot Car Follow Me” sign mounted on the rear and a revolving yellow light, drivers must remain behind it until it has left the roadway. Do not pass.
Pennsylvania has some of the oldest bridges in the country, with an average age of more than 50 years. Preventive maintenance is vital in extending the life of the structures. As such, PennDOT maintenance crews perform some bridge deck patching and structural repairs.
Edmond R. “Ed” Fichte, 94, of Bradford, passed away on August 1, 2026, with his beloved wife by his side.
Born on September 25, 1931, in Oil City, he was the son of Ernest and Martha Fichte (nee Rupert) and grew up in St. Petersburg.
In 1956, he married the love of his life Joyce Fichte (nee McBride).
Ed was a Navy veteran serving for eight years on active duty and reserves. He later graduated with a BS degree in electrical engineering. Settling in Bradford to raise his family, Ed worked at various engineering jobs including Corning Glass and Ingersoll Rand. After retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to campgrounds and later purchased a trailer at a camp resort in Bath, NY where they had many happy times.
Ed was an avid nonfiction reader and researched information for his many interests and projects. His talents were vast, and he was able to repair and build almost anything. Ed enjoyed hunting, growing flowers and vegetables, and also raised chickens that he hatched in his basement incubator. Ed and his granddaughter Sara loved to discuss Buffalo Bills football.
Surviving in addition to his wife Joyce, of 70 years, is one daughter Lesa (Thomas Koppenhaver) Fichte, one granddaughter Sara Koppenhaver, one brother Daniel Fichte, sister-in-laws Carol (Richard) Ashbaugh, Sandra (Robert) Best, Deborah Myers, Gladys Fichte, as well as nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death in addition to his parents, are a brother Mark Fichte, his son Casey Fichte, and many beloved dogs.
Services will be private. Interment will be in the St. Petersburg Cemetery, St. Petersburg.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the McKean County SPCA, PO Box 113, Bradford, PA 16701 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
