NEWS

     On May 9-10th, Mrs. Lana Barth and Mrs. Kim Mooney attended the 2024 Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness (OTDA) Spring Conference held at Wyndham Garden State College. 

OTDA has been a successful part of Pennsylvania education for over 20 years and promotes grant opportunities that further provide avenues for teachers and students to expand their own awareness surrounding organ and tissue donation. Resources such as tool kits, educational activities, and lesson plans are accessible through OTDA. 

Dr. Carrie Rowe, pictured with Mrs. Barth and Mrs. Mooney, was the opening speaker. Dr. Carrie Rowe currently serves as the Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) in the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The other guest speaker was Dr. Thomas Butler, a board-certified fellowship-trained abdominal transplant, hepatobiliary, and robotic surgeon. Other guests included LeeAnn Richter and her uncle. LeeAnn donated a liver to her uncle in 2023 and shared their story and recovery. Many other speakers talked on various topics that expanded on the reasons to say yes to organ donation. 

Mrs. Barth and Mrs. Mooney hope to receive grant money to purchase some items for the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center that will introduce this important topic and plan on incorporating what they learned into some lessons on organ donation. Teachers can use grant monies to provide valuable tools to their classrooms, take meaningful field trips, and add to their existing curriculum. If interested, anyone can register as an organ and tissue donor and say yes to saving lives by going to donors1.org.

(L to R: Tana Smith, Journey Health System Director of Institutional Advancement; Amber Lang, Farmers National Bank St. Marys Branch Manager; Fred Port, Farmers National Bank, Vice President & Sr. Relationship Manager in Commercial Lending; Bob Ordiway, Dickinson Center Capital Campaign Committee Chair & Board Member; John Dippold, Dickinson Center Capital Campaign Committee member; and Jim Prosper, Dickinson Center Executive Director)

St. Marys, Pa (May 8, 2024)– Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), a non-profit organization and affiliate of Journey Health System, is thrilled to announce a generous $15,000 donation towards their St. Marys building project from Farmers National Bank. Thanks to the collective generosity of individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations, DCI has made remarkable strides in its fundraising for $1,174,101. Yet, they aim to reach their $1.5 million goal, with $325,899 left to secure.

DCI’s “Building for Tomorrow” capital campaign committee member John Dippold said, “This generous donation from Farmers National Bank exemplifies the crucial role community banks play in supporting rural America. Their ongoing dedication to the community is a testament to Farmers success.”

Garry Strait (11th grade, OESD), Nathan Haight (10th grade, PASD), James Burks (11th grade, OVHS) and Zachery Abbott (11th grade, NPSD) students in the Networking and Security shop at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center, recently earned their Network Pro Certification. Nathan also earned his Digital Literacy Pro certification.   For more information on the Networking and Security program, feel free to contact Mr. Bryant at bbryant@iu9ctc.org or (814) 642-2573.

The Port Allegany Town Wide Yard Sales will be held May 18th from 8 a.m. – ?  Registration forms are available at Fox’s Pizza Den and Northern Tier Children’s Home Thrift Shop.  The last day to register and be included on the map is Tuesday, May 14th.  Those having sales inside the borough need to be registered with Rotary to hold a sale.  The Town Wide Yard Sales are a community service project of the Port Allegany Rotary Club. 

Among the nation’s elite. From one of more than 400 women’s softball teams competing this season in NCAA Division III and now in a field of 62 in tournaments at 16 regional sites Thursday-Saturday. That is the rare company where coach Angela Stackhouse’s Pennsylvania College of Technology Wildcats find themselves.

During Monday morning’s selection show, several members of the team and coaching staff gathered to watch online, where the announcement was met with screams and cheers of joy.

“We were very excited. We had to wait until the last bracket to hear our name, so we were on edge,” coach Angela Stackhouse said of the show. “We were curious as to where we’d be heading. I’m happy about that (staying in Pennsylvania).”

Job Opportunity:

Manufacturing Process Engineer

Company:

Location:

Coudersport, PA

Essential Job Functions:

Align with our company culture, mission, values, philosophy, and policies and procedures by exemplifying our C.L.E.A.R Principles.

• Curiosity- look for a better way as a solutions-oriented problem solver.
• Leadership- take ownership and be the catalyst of change.
• Enthusiasm- be motivated and passionate about your work.
• Accountability- deliver on commitments and act with integrity.
• Respect- be present, listen and engage with inclusive open, honest, and direct communication.

Job Description:

Join our dynamic team as a Manufacturing Process Engineer where you will play a pivotal role in designing, defining, and planning manufacturing processes. You’ll be responsible for specifying and overseeing the installation of new processes, planning equipment build schedules, and monitoring vendor progress. Your expertise will contribute to recommending equipment, method, and layout changes to optimize manufacturing procedures and processes. Moreover, you’ll work on improving current processes through continual analysis of labor, equipment, and processing costs.

Desired Qualifications:

Previous experience in manufacturing methods/processes

Familiarity with PLC programming

Knowledge of CAD, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Industrial Engineering

Excellent creative, advisory, instructional, communication, and problem-solving skills

Education:

4-year bachelor’s degree preferred

Specific Education/ Experience:

2-4 year engineering degree, plus 3 to 5 years of manufacturing work experience. Candidates with Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering degrees are preferred.

Specific Skills and/or Experience with Software, Equipment, etc.:

MS Office, Autocad, Solidworks, Fanuc Robots, RSLogix, AB Panelbuilder, CTC HMI, Compumotor. Experience with equipment such as ultrasonic and vibration welding, automated vision, and electrical testing is desired.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications to Lmann@truck-Lite.com or visit the careers page at https://www.truck-lite.coDm/careers

The rainy days of spring are on their way out and soon we will be heading into the summer sun. This time of year is prime time to head outdoors and enjoy all that the region has to offer. Whether you plan to head out to the woods for a hike or camping trip, paddle down your local creek or river, or simply lounge out by your pool or on the patio grilling, taking time to ensure you are doing so safely can help you enjoy plenty of “ahh” moments and minimize your risk for “ouch!” In the attached health column, Kayla Keen, RN, injury prevention nurse, Trauma Services, UPMC Williamsport, offers some practical tips and guidance on how to avoid injury and stay out of the emergency room.

By: Kayla Keen, RN
Trauma Services, UPMC in North Central Pa.

The rainy days of spring are on their way out and soon we will be heading into the summer sun. This time of year is prime time to head outdoors and enjoy all that the region has to offer. Whether you plan to head out to the woods for a hike or camping trip, paddle down your local creek or river, or simply lounge out by your pool or on the patio grilling, taking time to ensure you are doing so safely can help you enjoy plenty of “ahh” moments and minimize your risk for “ouch!”

Consider the following tips to help stay injury-free and out of the emergency room:

Time served!!! We are very blessed at Tri-Town with our members. We were able to give out many years of service pins. Let’s start with Cliff Wood, WOW, 60 years!!! Then Harold Barber is again another WOW at 55!!! Robin Freeman 40, Ken Wingo 30, Pam Hunt 25, Matt Seeley 20, Cindy White 15, Krystle Musser 15, Cody Crowner 15, and Spencer Lampman 5.

Auxiliary Members also had some impressive numbers!!!!! Mrs. Jeannie Cole has 70, yes 70!!!!!, years of service. Mary Jane Haskins (not pictured) has an amazing 60 years! Roz Eastman has 55 years. Pictured below is Mrs. Eastman with Congressman Thompson. Mrs Eastman was given many citations. She stated “I only baked pies and biscuits” Her and the congressmen laughed after he replied that he liked pies and biscuits! Diane Erway (not pictured) has 40 years. Ruth Darrington (not pictured),Erica Yeager, and Louise Conney have 5 years. Congratulations to everyone on your years of service and thank you for all you do!!

By Rich Esposito

(Editor’s note: This is the second in a four-part series by the Olean Food Pantry about solving food insecurity in our communities.)

I’m a numbers guy. The hunger numbers are staggering in our communities. That reality has sunk in deeply since joining the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors in March.

But numbers by themselves are easy to misunderstand. It might be hard to visualize what a 95.4% increase in food pantry clients the last three years truly means. What’s more, we suspect the actual number to be much higher, as many people don’t know how to access community resources.

Or, worse, they’ve given up.

So let’s set aside numbers for a moment and look at people as people. People with real struggles. People with life goals. People with disabilities. Their challenges aren’t always what you might think – well beyond the realms of politics and social issues.

While Olean Food Pantry would never identify clients without permission, their experiences typically fall into several different archetypes. These are the faces of hunger:

The Resilient Parent

This person is the pillar of strength for their family. Despite facing their own hunger, they sacrifice to ensure their children receive the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. They could be a mother, father, grandparent, aunt or uncle, or other guardian.

Reduced-price school lunches and carefully planned trips to the grocery store and food pantry are precious lifelines. They don’t like asking for – or relying on – help. But for many reasons beyond their control, there are few other options.

The Job Seeker

Although we’re no longer talking numbers, there’s one more that we can’t ignore. Roughly 40% of Americans are one missed paycheck away from food insecurity, according to Forbes. That’s nearly half of people who are one job layoff away from an empty refrigerator.

For the job seekers who visit OFP, each day is a battle between a grumbling stomach and the pursuit of stability. Savings dwindle quickly. They’ve already begun selling off most of their “toys.”

They don’t “look” like a picture of poverty. They may have a nice house, nice clothes and a nice car. The job seeker’s journey notes the unpredictability of life’s twists and turns. Despite their professional demeanor, the once-stable ground beneath their feet has shifted.

The Elder on a Fixed Income

This individual navigates their Golden Years with financial strain. Memories of brighter days now clash with the agonizing choices they must make between essentials like medicine and proper meals.

In many cases, their spouse has long since passed on. They planned well and saved in their working years. But the dollar just doesn’t stretch as it once did.

Yet, they remain steadfast and optimistic, drawing from years of experience weathering life’s storms.

The Person with Disabilities

Many individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities also rely on Olean Food Pantry. They face unique challenges that make them more vulnerable to hunger.

They may have limited mobility or difficulty understanding food assistance programs, among other community resources. The community programs they do access are often siloed, with limited connection to others in what should be a well-rounded continuum of care.

While many have family and friends that help, some others do not. The systemic barriers they confront emphasize a widespread need for better accommodations.

The Recovering Addict

As if the demons of addiction weren’t enough, they accompany the harsh reality of hunger in a vicious cycle.

“Slipping up” means money spent on substances rather than food, housing, bills and other necessities. Limited employment opportunities mean no money for anything. No money means depression. Depression means relapse.   

Many Olean Food Pantry clients with substance-use disorders are reintegrating into society after involvement in the justice system, adding more difficulty to finding stable employment. Each day tests their determination in the face of adversity, highlighting the complex interplay between substance abuse, poverty and food insecurity.

These stories underscore the diverse and often hidden faces of hunger in Western New York. 

As Olean Food Pantry continues our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign, we’re committed not only to providing immediate hunger relief, but also to implementing long-term solutions that empower individuals and families to thrive. Donate today: https://oleanfoodpantry.org/olean-food-pantry-fundraising-campaign-2024-25/.

(Rich Esposito is a member of the Olean Food Pantry Board of Directors. He can be reached at oleanfoodpantry@yahoo.com.)

Access to Park Avenue is blocked on both ends today, due to necessary excavations across the street from the Library, which are expected to take some time. As a result, the Library will be closed today (Monday).

Job Opportunity:

Manufacturing Process Engineer

Company:

Location:

Coudersport, PA

Essential Job Functions:

Align with our company culture, mission, values, philosophy, and policies and procedures by exemplifying our C.L.E.A.R Principles.

• Curiosity- look for a better way as a solutions-oriented problem solver.
• Leadership- take ownership and be the catalyst of change.
• Enthusiasm- be motivated and passionate about your work.
• Accountability- deliver on commitments and act with integrity.
• Respect- be present, listen and engage with inclusive open, honest, and direct communication.

Job Description:

Join our dynamic team as a Manufacturing Process Engineer where you will play a pivotal role in designing, defining, and planning manufacturing processes. You’ll be responsible for specifying and overseeing the installation of new processes, planning equipment build schedules, and monitoring vendor progress. Your expertise will contribute to recommending equipment, method, and layout changes to optimize manufacturing procedures and processes. Moreover, you’ll work on improving current processes through continual analysis of labor, equipment, and processing costs.

Desired Qualifications:

Previous experience in manufacturing methods/processes

Familiarity with PLC programming

Knowledge of CAD, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Industrial Engineering

Excellent creative, advisory, instructional, communication, and problem-solving skills

Education:

4-year bachelor’s degree preferred

Specific Education/ Experience:

2-4 year engineering degree, plus 3 to 5 years of manufacturing work experience. Candidates with Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering degrees are preferred.

Specific Skills and/or Experience with Software, Equipment, etc.:

MS Office, Autocad, Solidworks, Fanuc Robots, RSLogix, AB Panelbuilder, CTC HMI, Compumotor. Experience with equipment such as ultrasonic and vibration welding, automated vision, and electrical testing is desired.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and qualifications to Lmann@truck-Lite.com or visit the careers page at https://www.truck-lite.coDm/careers

The Port Allegany Town Wide Yard Sales will be held May 18th from 8 a.m. – ?  Registration forms are available at Fox’s Pizza Den and Northern Tier Children’s Home Thrift Shop.  The last day to register and be included on the map is Tuesday, May 14th.  Those having sales inside the borough need to be registered with Rotary to hold a sale.  The Town Wide Yard Sales are a community service project of the Port Allegany Rotary Club.