NEWS

       FRIENDSHIP – The weekly Community Prayer Gathering for Friendship area residents will add a number of broader focuses next week as it coincides with the annual National Day of Prayer observance.

       The activity, hosted by The Carter House Community Ministry Center, will take place at 3PM Thursday, May 4, at the 37 East Main Street facility, with both church and non-church affiliated individuals welcome to participate or observe.

       The theme for this year’s national gatherings is “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much,” with a focus on prayer for the government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

       The national observance was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

       In 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the U.S. House and Senate, being signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 2988, designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer.

       Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

       Organizers have noted that “prayer brings people together,” and builds bridges between opposing persons and even political parties.

       “Prayer reminds us that we are created in God’s image and He desires for us to represent Him everywhere we go,” they said.

       Pastor Kirk Kirch of the United Church of Friendship, which currently meets at The Carter House and started the regular Thursday afternoon community prayer opportunity, said that other prayer requests, as normal, for individuals, families and other situations also will occur at the session.

       “Prayer is a major component of everything we do,” he said, noting that it also is a focus with other activities at The Carter House, including a 10AM to 11:30AM Monday series on “Flickering Lamps – Christ & His Church,” a 10AM to 11:30AM Wednesday study on the Gospel of Matthew, a book of the Bible, and a 1:30PM to 2:30PM Thursday series on “Experiencing God – Knowing and Doing the Will of God,” all of which are open to the public.

       Further information about the local activities is available at grammakirch@gmail.com or (585) 973-7951 and on the National Day of Prayer, including free guides on “How to Pray for America” and “How to Pray as a Family,” at https://bit.ly/3vLelFz.

My Growing Tree Program

The McKean County Conservation District spent the last two weeks celebrating Arbor Day by sponsoring the “My Growing Tree” program with the assistance of Marshall Hamilton, Service Forester and Stan Hess, volunteer from DCNR, Bureau of Forestry. 500 First or second grade students in each of the public schools were given a white oak seedling along with a poster that included charts to enable the students to monitor their own height as well as the growth of their tree. 

District staff members and DCNR staff spoke about the importance of Arbor Day and how trees help to protect and improve our water resources. Students learned about the water cycle and the different ways trees help decrease pollution in streams by providing a protective barrier called a riparian buffer and by stabilizing streambanks with their roots.

Students learned the parts of the tree. Presenters also discussed how to plant a tree and did an activity that illustrates how forests are renewable which points out cutting trees is not bad when practiced in a sustainable manner.

Special guests Smokey Bear and McKean County Commissioner Cliff Lane helped kids recite a pledge to conserve our natural resources and to work for a cleaner and healthier McKean County. Seneca Resources, LLC, donated $2,000 toward the delivery of the “My Growing Tree” program.  “We are very grateful for the continued support we have received from Seneca Resources,” said Sandy Thompson, District Manager of the McKean County Conservation District. 

Seneca Resources Company, LLC, the exploration and production segment of National Fuel Gas Company, explores for, develops, and purchases natural gas and oil reserves in the Appalachia Region.  Additional information about Seneca and National Fuel Gas Company is available at http://www.nationalfuelgas.com

 Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April. For more information on Arbor Day or tree planting, visit www.arborday.org

Calling all Car Owners.

We are preparing for our Ulysses Old Home Day Festival and would like to invite you to join us for our 5th annual car show.

The Ulysses Old Home Day Festival will be held on Saturday July 8th^th 2023. It is now time to start making your reservations to register your vehicle, motorcycle or tractor and a misc. “vehicle” category. We will be presenting 1^st place trophies for the following categories.

We will kick off the day with a car show parade at noon followed by the Main Parade.

Registration will be from 11am-1pm.

Cost-$8 early registration and $ 10 day of the event.

Checks can be made out to the Ulysses Area Improvement Association

Mail to Ulysses Area Improvement

51 Pleasant View Drive Ulysses, Pa 16948

The car Judging at 3pm.There will be a raffle for prizes for the Car Show Participants.

• Classic – vehicle is 30-49 years old (1966-1985)
• Antique – vehicle is 50+ years old (1965 or earlier)
• Stock- vehicle 1986-present
• Custom / Muscle– any age but must be customized in some manner (non-stock)
• Exotic-Sports car

Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page and return is as soon as possible please.

Any questions please contact:

Steve Riley-Ulysses Area Improvement Association Treasurer-814-558-5260 or srileyf100@gmail.com    

Roy Hunt-Ulysses Area Improvement Member-814-203-7615

Name:___________________________________

Make/Model/Year/Class _________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________

E-Mail:_____________________________________

Phone #:____________________________________

OLEAN, NY – Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), parent company of Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), announce the appointment of Jennifer Ruggles, MSN, RN as chief nursing officer and Scott Bonderoff, MBA as the chief operating officer.  Both Ruggles and Bonderoff were serving as interim CNO and interim COO respectively, but will remove the interim from their titles.

Jennifer Ruggles is a lifelong resident of the Olean area.  She has worked as a nurse in various capacities at both BRMC and OGH since her start in 2003 at UAHS. Her continued efforts to have OGH be a designated Primary Care Stroke Center has been exemplary and she played an essential role in nursing leadership throughout the pandemic.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work along Jennifer in her new long-term role as she continues to strive for excellence with nursing recruitment and retention initiatives, improving our quality of care and patient experience, and promoting a positive, transparent work culture for our team members,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, BRMC, OGH.  “Her appointment will have cascading valuable effects on the rest of our administrative team as we continue to adapt and evolve our local healthcare system.”

Ruggles’ education and experience are apposite for the chief nursing officer position as she transitions from her current role as interim chief nursing officer and the associate director of nursing within the organization.  She received her associate’s in nursing from Jamestown Community College in Olean, her bachelor’s in nursing from Daemen College in Buffalo, and her master’s in nursing education from the University of Phoenix.  Her experience includes over a decade spent in supervisory and managerial nursing roles at Olean General Hospital.

Scott Bonderoff, MBA, who stepped into the role as UAHS interim chief operating officer in October 2022 will be transitioning into the chief operating officer position permanently. 

“In the short time that Scott has been in the interim COO position, he has managed to help UAHS make strides in the right direction financially,” said Dr. Owens. “His skillset and experience are complementary to that of the rest of our administrative team.  He will continue to help us shoot for our goals and driving our financial initiatives.”

Bonderoff has over 30 years of experience in healthcare in various capacities.  Originally from Cooperstown, NY, he spent the last 20 years working for the Bassett Healthcare Network, a network that oversees 34 health centers, 14 school-based centers, 6 hospitals, 3 cancer treatment centers, nursing and home health services, and a variety of other healthcare related services including the Bassett Medical Group.  His roles included president of one of their critical access hospitals and network vice president of clinical support services.  

Bonderoff earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from SUNY College at Oneonta in Oneonta, NY and his master’s degree in business administration at Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY.  He has been member of the Medical Group Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“I’m excited to see our administration continue working together with our team members initiating positive changes throughout our organization,” Dr. Owens said.  “We’ve started to see great things happen and a cultural shift with our team members.  Healthcare will continue to face obstacles but I’ve stacked my team with experts in their field who are up for the challenges ahead.”

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BRADFORD, Pa. – With nurses still in high demand, it’s no surprise that nursing students graduating from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Sunday are in demand.

            Five of the graduates – Haley Dickel of Kersey, Paige Richner of Houtzdale, Jenna Morgan of Johnsonburg, Haily Schatz of St. Marys and Brianna Foy of Tyrone — will take on roles in the Penn Highlands hospital system, serving as neonatal intensive care unit, emergency room, medical-surgical and acute care nurses in the system’s DuBois, Elk and Tyrone hospitals.

The “Land of Endless Mountains” has been home to me for 37 years. I’ve grown to love and appreciate Cameron county with all of it’s rich history, mountains, streams, hidden waterfalls, vast variety of wildlife, the breath taking Moore Hill sunsets, the serenity and peace of the outdoors and most of all the people! This county is full of some of the most loving and caring people in the world!

My wife and I raised our three children here and have been so blessed to be a part of Cameron county and its very fabric. I’ve had the privilege to serve as Pastor and to be involved in public service in a variety of ways all these years.

In March of 2021 I took on a role in the governorship, when I was sworn in as one of the three Shippen Township Supervisors. In 2023 I ran on the Republican ticket for Supervisor and by your out pour of support I won the two year term. That term is ending and I’m pleased to announce that I am running for this position again, in the May primaries, that I may continue to serve the Shippen township residents.

Since taking office I also became a part time employee on the road crew which has given me a more thorough understanding of our roads, ditches, right of ways, waterways and areas that need attention. I’ve been able to view our roadways in the rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, torrential flooding rains and high winds. Now when one of our residents call in or attend a township meeting with a concern I have a much better understanding of the location being addressed. My boots on the ground with the road crew has greatly enhanced my ability as a Supervisor to make more knowledgeable and accurate decisions on the issues at hand. It also helps me to know, without a doubt, the condition of our trucks, equipment and tools and serves in helping me to make logical and practical decisions when a discussion and a vote is on the table to replace or update something.

I, as a Supervisor, am always focused on the safety of you the residents, who have chosen to live in Shippen Township, to ensure that your travels on our roads will be as safe as possible. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you for the past two years! I’m now asking for your support and vote as Shippen Township Supervisor, that I might continue to be a voice for all of you, with the best interest of you and your family on my heart. Thank you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

          Ultimately, Jesus is the author (Hebrews 12:2) and without Him this work would not be available or possible. He is the One who challenged Pam to pen the words and compile the widow stories already written in the Word of God. He is the One who wants you to know how much He loves you in your time of grief and loss. And, so does Pam. Even though she is not a widow, she desires for you to see the Father’s hand in your life, to hear Jesus calling your name and to feel the Spirit comfort you. For God sees you. Jesus hears you. The Spirit truly is there to comfort you. He promises to never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

          Pam and her husband, Roger, live in northwestern Pa. The Lord has blessed them with a daughter, Meredith and her husband, Dave, a son, Kyle and his wife, Talia, and four very grand grandchildren!

          She and her husband presently attend the East Smethport United Christian Church where she teaches the ladies’ Bible study. 

          Pam has been the ladies retreat speaker for the Association of Evangelical Churches, Inc. through which she earned her license to preach the Gospel in 2013. “P3 Ministries”, Prison to Praise with Pam Ministries, is a recognized member of this association to declare that the Gospel of Jesus Christ releases us from “The Prison of Sin to Praising the Lord”.

          Her mission trips include Honduras, Ecuador, Africa and Colombia as well as preaching the Gospel at the local jail for four years.    

SUMMARY:

          Jesus invites you to open up the pages of this devotional to discover God’s love, compassion, comfort and provision for this season of grief in your life. He is in every one of these twelve widow stories written in the Word of God. The stories are true and these women existed so you can hear their widow story speak to your heart to help heal and restore your loss as you turn to Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

          God desires to meet with you personally on every page. He longs for you to turn to Him and hear His personal message of comfort for you in each passage. He draws near to you and hears your cry and will bring you up out of your sorrow. He will place your feet upon the rock of Jesus Christ, His Son, and help you take each step of faith. He will put a new song in your mouth so others will come to trust in the Lord because of your widow story.

          May the words of Psalm 40:1-3 speak to your heart and draw you to Him:

“And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear, And will trust in the Lord.”

Steve Mascho, Republican candidate, has officially announced his candidacy for re-election as Bradford Township supervisor.

A lifelong resident of Bradford, I have lived in the township for almost forty years and have served as a board supervisor for the past eighteen years. My experience includes nearly fifty years as a heavy equipment operator, working for Quaker State and Foster Township, and earning the Safe Driver award from Crossett Inc.

Most recently, I am self-employed in excavating services and driving tractor trailer. I am a member of the First United Presbyterian Church and former deacon. During my time as township supervisor, I have gained in-depth knowledge and a clear view of the various components of our township. In 2020, I was instrumental in working with PennDOT in creating a detour for thru-traffic while the South Avenue bridge was under construction. This provided an alternate route for township police and area residents as well as Zippo employees.

Additionally, I have worked with businesses to locate and welcome them into our township, including Hoover Oilfield Supply and Universal Well Services, both having the potential to bring significant revenue into our area. Going forward, I will carry out our plans for much needed road repairs and adhere to a strict schedule of road maintenance.

I will ensure cleanouts of drainage ditches and culverts, preventing flooding and further damage to roads and properties. I will ensure that our bridges are constructed in a cost-effective and timely manner by seeking funds through state grants and prioritizing our bridge projects. I believe that my experience and attributes are crucial components in what it takes to serve you well for another term. I am strongly committed to our residents and will work in their best interests while keeping costs down, making it affordable and more desirable to live in our township.

There are never-ending ways to improve and develop, all while keeping within our budget. I will continue to treat residents with respect and tend to their concerns. With your vote, I will continue to fight against back door deals, and always vote NO to wasteful spending. And I will promote transparency so all residents are informed of how we are using their tax dollars. I appreciate your vote and all write-in votes.

Paid For By The Candidate

Potter County Commissioner Nancy J. Grupp has announced her intentions to run for re-election on the Republican ballot in the May 16 Primary Election.

During her first term in office she served as the chair of the Board of Commissioners, County Salary Board, and County Retirement Board. She has served in an unpaid capacity as Potter County Director of Emergency Services, saving the county thousands of dollars each year and is a member of the county’s Aging Advisory Board.

During her tenure, Commissioner Grupp has also spearheaded improvements in county operations, including technology upgrades and updates to personnel and human resources policies. She was also chosen by her peers to chair the executive board of the regional community and economic development agency, North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Some of the current board’s accomplishments under her leadership have included:

— Creating programs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to support small businesses along with fire and ambulance services and other non-profits that were negatively impacted during the shutdown.

— Facilitating COVID relief grants to those significantly impacted in the hospitality industry, many of which would not have survived without those funds.

— Adoption of a countywide Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) ordinance, making available county tax breaks for businesses building or expanding operations to create jobs and support economic development.

— Improving services for Potter County veterans by expanding the Veterans Affairs Director position to full-time, giving military veterans much-needed assistance in accessing the benefits and services to which they are entitled.

— Supporting a collaborative effort to bring cost-free transportation to veterans who require rides to medical appointments.

— Repurposing federal grant revenue totaling more than $500,000 to support infrastructure projects in Genesee, Galeton and Ulysses to date.

Fiscal responsibility has been a high priority for the board under Commissioner Grupp’s leadership. While improving services in multiple ways, the board has not raised real estate taxes, which she considers a major accomplishment. Grupp is a lifelong resident of Potter County, has 30 years of experience working in the finance industry, and has served as a township auditor and secretary/treasurer, as well as president for the Potter County Township Officials Association.

She and her husband, Lynn, live in Coudersport.

Commissioner Grupp states, “Rather than engaging in extreme politics, if re- elected I pledge to continue to bring common sense leadership to Potter County. Thank you for your support.”

Paid For By The Candidate