This event was sponsored and put on by Ulysses Area Improvement.

Local funeral directors, Benjamin R. Olney and Dylan P. Foust, are pleased to announce their purchase of Switzer Funeral Home in Port Allegany, PA. The funeral home will now be known as Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, LLC, Switzer Chapel.

Addressing his retirement, Frank W. Switzer, Jr. said, “It has been my honor and privilege to serve the community where I grew up and continue the legacy of my parents. After 47 years as a funeral director, it is time to retire and pass the torch to a new generation. I am looking forward to more time with my grandchildren, travel, and new endeavors.”

Licensed funeral directors, Benjamin R. Olney, Dylan P. Foust, and Dale R. Howell, along with office manager, Diane Dynda, and funeral assistant Rick Bosworth, will staff the funeral home. Olney and Foust operate funeral homes in Ulysses, PA and Wellsville, NY, as well as Olney-Foust Private Crematory and Olney-Foust Monuments. The funeral home phone number remains the same at 814-642-2363. The website is www.olneyfoust.com

If you’ve ever felt an intense sting in your nose or a sharp bite in your toes while out in the cold, it could be more than just normal discomfort. These sensations might be signaling a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, also known as Raynaud’s syndrome or disease. This condition affects the small blood vessels in the extremities, causing an exaggerated response to cold temperatures. It leads to spasms in the blood vessels, which result in numbness, throbbing, or tingling, triggered by temperature changes or stress. This is much more than simply having cold hands and feet.

In people with Raynaud’s, affected areas like fingers, toes, nose, or ears typically go through a color change—from white to blue to red—as blood flow decreases and then returns. For comparison, normal fingertips may just turn blotchy when warming up after exposure to the cold. While the exact cause of Raynaud’s remains unclear, seeking treatment is important to prevent long-term damage. Around 5% of Americans experience Raynaud’s, yet only one in five affected individuals seek medical attention.

Raynaud’s is divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary Raynaud’s is more common and isn’t linked to other health conditions. While not life-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort, which can often be managed with lifestyle changes. Secondary Raynaud’s is less common and is often an early warning sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as lupus, scleroderma, or Sjögren’s syndrome. In severe cases, secondary Raynaud’s can lead to complications like skin ulcers or even gangrene if left untreated.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Raynaud’s

OLEAN, NY – Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, received toy donations from the Cattaraugus County Town Highway Superintendents Association (CCTHSA), just in time for the holiday season.

The Cattaraugus County Town Highway Superintendents Association generously donated an assortment of toys, games, and stuffed animals to the pediatric and emergency departments at OGH. For many years, the group has been committed to collecting and donating toys to brighten the days of children receiving care at the hospital. Over 30 years ago, this small initiative began with toy donations to social services, and over time, it has expanded to benefit multiple organizations in the community, including OGH.  

In response to an outpouring of support for the county’s five public libraries, the Potter County Board of Commissioners intends to restore the $10,000 funding cut for the Potter-Tioga County Library System that had been proposed in the county’s drafted 2025 operating budget. An official vote on the budget is scheduled for the commissioners’ year-end public business meeting at 11 am on Thursday, Dec. 26, in the Gunzburger Building Auditorium.

Among the major factors considered by the board was the ripple effect of a county funding cut, in that every dollar that is provided by the county is matched by the Commonwealth of Pa. In addition, all of the dozens of individuals and organizations who contacted the commissioners on the issue asked for reconsideration of the decrease, citing the importance of libraries in the vitality of their communities. The commissioners said they would seek reductions in other 2025 expenses to compensate for the additional library funding.

All of November through the week before Christmas, the Potter County Farmers Market will move indoors to the Riley Gallery, next to the Crittenden, on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The next market will be this Saturday, December 21st. Here is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

*  STARTING JANUARY 4TH,  NEW WINTER MARKET HOURS ARE 11AM TO 2PM. 

*  Beginning in January 2025 the Farmers Market will be the first Saturday of each month until May. The Saturday dates are January 4, February 1, March 1, and April 5.  May 2025 the market will again be on the square

*  Market times have been established after many trial times over the years.  If you are not able to visit us and would like something particular from one of the vendors, please contact them directly.  They are willing to try to accommodate your request.

 *  If you are interested in joining the market this year or have any questions please contact …. Netra Baker, 814-598-0649 netrabaker@hughes.net]

QUIET ACRES will be at market this Saturday, Dec. 21st. We will have a select, limited quantity of Haldeman Mills products as BOGO 50% off a second bag of equal or lesser value. This includes Brinser’s Corn Meal, Buckwheat Flour, Buckwheat Pancake Mix, Buttermilk Pancake Mix, Funnel Cake Mix, Soft Pretzel Mix, Stauffer’s Corn Meal and Dark and Ivory Teff.  On the handmade craft side we have one size fits all adult and child size aprons with pockets of many fabric choices.  As well as handmade trivets and bowls of various sizes, shapes and colors made of rope and braided fabric. We accept cash as payment.  You can contact us at QuietAcresPortAllegany@gmail.com 

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Saturday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products. We accept cash or card payments. Hope to see you there for the last market of the year.

ALPACA CREATIONS will be a vender on Sat. at the Riley gallery.   Last minute alpaca gifts will be available. Socks, and all warm and cozy alpaca apparel.   Last shopping day for alpaca in Coudersport.   Credit Cards accepted.   Juried and member PA Wilds Artisan Trail.  814-601-0049 for last minute  pick ups.  Thank you to everyone who supported Alpaca Creations this year.   Merry Christmas. https://alpacas75.wixsite.com/website  Alpaca Creations, follow on Facebook

THORNY BUSH FARM will be in attendance with PCAP selling goat milk fudge, herbal honey and herbal flea collars for cats and dogs with 20%of sales going to the PCAP program.  Merry Christmas everyone.

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service State College PA
322 AM EST Fri Dec 20 2024


Warren-McKean-Potter-Elk-Cameron-Northern Clinton-Clearfield-
Northern Centre-Southern Centre-Cambria-Blair-Huntingdon-Mifflin-
Juniata-Somerset-Bedford-Fulton-Franklin-Tioga-Northern Lycoming-
Sullivan-Southern Clinton-Southern Lycoming-Union-Snyder-Montour-
Northumberland-Columbia-Perry-Dauphin-Schuylkill-Lebanon-Cumberland-
Adams-York-Lancaster-
322 AM EST Fri Dec 20 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Light snow accumulation may result in slippery road conditions and
travel disruptions.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Frigid single digit and subzero wind chills will increase the risk
of cold weather hazards Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Private Philip J. Geiser (20), of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, son of Master Sergeant Thomas Geiser and Jessamy (Wilcox) Geiser, graduated from United States Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Parris Island on December 20, 2024. Private Geiser successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island.  Following ten days home on leave he will report to Camp Geiger, NC for one month at Military Combat Training then to Ground Supply School at Camp Johnson, NC.

At 18:23 yesterday evening city firefighters were called to service at 108 School St. for a house fire. Captain 1-20 and Tower 1 went responding at the time of dispatch. While responding county dispatch advised that City of Bradford Police were on scene confirming a working fire. With that updated information a second alarm was requested at 18:24. Captain 1-20 arrived on scene at 18:25 and relayed to his incoming units that he had smoke showing on the alpha side and heavy fire on the charlie side. Two men off the Tower made and aggressive interior attack while the Tower 1 driver made a quick exterior hit on the charlie side, quickly bringing the fire under control at 18:33. Squad crew conducted the primary and secondary searches and then transitioned to overhaul. Captain 1-20(Kloss) passed command to Chief 1 and he deemed the fire extinguished at 19:10. City Fire was assisted on scene by Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department, City of Bradford Police and DPW. Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department was placed on standby at their station. Two off duty city firefighters handled an ambulance call during the fire, a possible cardiac arrest in Keating Township. All units returned to quarters at 19:10. Chief 1(Butler) had School St. command.

Every year, Rotarian John Abplanalp contacts the Coudersport Elementary School Nurse, Kelsey, Cusatis, to find out which children in need would benefit from a gift from Rotarians.  We then anonymously learn the children’s age, clothing sizes, gift request, and favorite color, and do our best to fulfill their wish.  

The gifts are purchased and wrapped and brought to our annual Christmas Party. John Abplanalp then takes them to the Coudersport Elementary School to be distributed to the children.   

We Coudersport Rotarians hope to make Christmas a little bit brighter for local children!

Photo: Rotarians Paul Herzig, Tim Rigas, Deb Rinehart, Michael Rigas, Pat Northeimer, George Hults, Ronnie Schenkein, Steve Minor, Todd Brown, Jim Plotts, Jim Babcock, Sharon Fitzgerald, Ruth Sallade, Janine Morley, Rotary President Andrea Streich, Lynne Ruffner, John Abplanalp, Traci Benevento-Ceslik, and Greg Brink.