Potter County has been chosen for two national excellence awards by the National Assn. of Counties. They are in recognition of “No Veteran Left Behind,” based on the launch of a military veterans transportation program; and “Revitalize Potter County,” a strategy to address population loss and outmigration of young adults.

Just six of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are being recognized through NACo’s 2024 Awards Program. Potter is the lone county among them to receive two awards. The awards will be presented during the NACo Annual Conference in Tampa, Fla., on July 13.

Summaries of the county’s award-winning initiatives have been posted on the NACo website as follows:

–No Veteran Left Behind: Potter County is sparsely populated and remotely situated. There is little to no access to public transportation. Availability of health care is also limited. Among the most underserved residents are military veterans. There is no VA medical facility in the county. Many veterans are senior citizens with low incomes who lack the means to access quality health care. In 2022, a coalition of veterans’ advocates embarked on a lofty mission – a transportation service dedicated solely to taking veterans to medical appointments. This team effort was coordinated by the Potter County Department of Human Services (PCHS), with support from the Potter County Commissioners, Potter County Director of Veterans Services, American Legion/VFW posts, and community supporters. Widespread support, appreciation and respect for military veterans, coupled with the judicious and innovative use of state and county funding, have made the Potter County Veterans Medical Transportation Program a reality. It is funded annually as a line item in Potter County’s Human Services Block Grant provided by the state. Local veterans’ advocates, community organizations, businesses and individuals support the service through fundraisers and outreach activities. As a result, any eligible military veteran can access transportation for medical care.

–Revitalize Potter County: Potter County has been gutted by population loss, youth outmigration, a struggling economy, and a rising median age (47.4 years) that now hovers nearly 10 years above the national average (38.1). At the same time, COVID and social factors have been prompting many young families in the Northeastern U.S. to pursue a rural lifestyle. Many are seeking affordable housing, high-speed internet access, outdoor recreational opportunities, and vibrant communities. Potter County checks each of those boxes – with the exception of the latter. In 2022, a team of stakeholders spearheaded by the Potter County Commissioners embarked on a strategic plan to revitalize communities with an intensive focus on five core areas. Among them was developing arts and cultural activities. In 2023, this innovative mission bore fruit. An arts council that had been dormant for nearly a decade was revitalized as the Potter County Creative Council (PC3). National and state arts/culture organizations provided support, while a broad cross-section of public officials, artisans, community leaders, volunteers, school administrators and other key stakeholders have come aboard. Revitalize Potter County was off and running.

A Year of Firsts

by

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Perhaps you’ve never thought about it, but many will be experiencing firsts during this year. For example, if you’ve lost a spouse, this is the first year without them, the first Christmas, New Years, etc. If you’ve just had a child, this will be their first Christmas and yours too with a newborn.

Many firsts are fun and great to experience yet others, not so much. Death can create many hardships and difficulties. For some it doesn’t get easier after the second, third or even the fourth year. Life can be hard, and many are alone and suffer in silence. Death, separation, or just the experience of life can cause many to find their life is different than what they planned. Sometimes, this is the way life goes. It’s never in a straight line; it always has curves and bends. We must learn to adapt if we’re going to survive. Personally, I don’t always like to adapt. I like life to be consistent and predictable, but that’s not always possible, is it?

I saw this on the Internet the other day and although I don’t know who wrote it, I believe it’s a very powerful thought.

“I had my own notion of grief. I thought it was the sad time

that followed the death of someone you love. And you had

to push through it to get to the other side. But I’m learning

there is another side. There is no pushing through. But

rather, there is absorption, adjustment and acceptance. And

grief is not something you complete, but rather, you

endure. Grief is not a task to finish and move one from, but

an element of yourself, an alteration of your being, a new

way of seeing, a new definition of self.”

Each of us can have a year of firsts, the challenge is to not get stuck in firsts, but recognize that this is life, and with life, we are evolving into new ways of seeing, new ways of defining, and new ways of being who we are. Be careful not to allow firsts to define you. You are much more than that. Think about it.

INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY CONTENTS OF COMMERCIAL ASSEMBLY FACTORY. THIS IS AN ONLINE AUCTION ONLY ! YOU MUST REGISTER TO BID HERE . PHOTOS & INFORMATION ARE HERE for Auction zip. 

 LARGE QUANTITY OF WORKING AND NON WORKING FACTORY EQUIPMENT . INDUSTRIAL STEEL TABLES ,I BEAMS, TRUCK DOCK, UP RIGHT SUPPORTS , INDUSTRIAL SHELVING SUPPORTS ,WORKING BOVAR- SCHULTZ SURFACE GRINDER , JET WOOD WORKING BANDSAW , BRANSON 2000 SONIC WELDER, LARGE COMERCIAL CONFERENCE TABLE 12′ X 4′ , METZGAR CONVEYOR, 2 HEAVY DUTY SCREW JACKS, INDUSTRIAL WORK TABLES ,SOME WOOD TOP TABLES WITH IRON BASES” , PUSH CART, RACKS, SHELVING , 50 + VARIOUS TYPES OF WORKING INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY , LARGE AMOUNT OF SCRAP MATERIAL MUCH MORE !

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors on the square across from the county jail, every Friday (weather permitting) from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, June 14th. Below is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

*  The outdoor market is held each Friday from May through October (weather permitting; on very rainy days, we will relocate into the Riley Gallery (if available)).  In November, the Farmers  Market goes indoors for the winter market.

 *  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, 814-544-7313 netrabaker@hughes.net]

JULIE BENNETT will be bringing crochet items, wash clothes and scrubbies, as well as stuffed animals, and earrings. 

JOANIE’S APIARY plans to be at market on Friday depending on the weather, not if too chilly or too much rain. I will have my Raw Local honey along with my beeswax products, and corn heating pads. If I cannot get there my products are all available at the Artisan Center or on sale at my house. TOM AND LUCY HOPPE’S creamed Honey and cinnamon creamed honey will also be available at the same table as Joanie’s Apiary. 

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP will be there on Friday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products. These products are hand made in small batches using milk from our herd of goats. We accept cash or card payments. For more information contact us at meandmyboyssoap@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page.

CARD CREEK BAKERY will be at the market June 14 with requests of baguettes, breakfast bread, plus. Sweet treats for your enjoyment are always available. As the market grows with fresh fruits and vegetables and more vendors, so will my choices. For now, it helps me to know your requests.please let me know by contacting me. netrabaker2@gmail.com  Or 814-544-7313 Or Call or text 814-598-0649

BLUE MARBLE FARM will be at the market with local, organically grown beautiful produce and plants.  We will have Spinach, Romaine Lettuce, Lettuce Mix, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Radishes, Salad Turnips, and Green Garlic. We accept cash, checks, FMNP and credit cards. For more information, contact Lisa at bluemarblefarm@outlook.com, 814-320-1308 or bluemarblefarm.weebly.com 

QUIET ACRES will be at market Friday, weather permitting, with our selection of Haldeman Mills products – NEW Stauffer’s cornmeal, Teff Flour (African Ivory and Dark) and buckwheat flour for the gluten sensitive, Buttermilk and Buckwheat Pancake Mixes, Shortcake/Cobbler Mix, Funnel Cake  and Soft Pretzel Mixes as well as Brinser’s Best Cornmeal.  On the craft side: NEW rope coasters, trivets, trinket bowls and baskets. We will also have upcycled braided rugs/runners/mug rugs of all sizes as well as aprons for all occasions, for kids and adults including summer sports teams.  Orders are welcome – you can choose your fabric, color, size and shape. We accept cash payments. You can contact us at QuietAcresPortAllegany@gmail.com 

DIXON DESIGNS will be there with earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings.  For adults and children.  I accept cash for payment.

“The League of Women Voters of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties invites you to a Picnic in War Vets’ Park Pavilion in Olean on Tuesday, June 18 from 5:30 – 7:30.  All are welcome!

Last Fall, our group committed to a refresh of a memorial urn, which was installed in the park in the mid 1970s after being moved from its original location in front of old city hall.  The monument is dedicated to Eveyln Agnes Keith, who lived from 1852 – 1916 and was an influential member of the Olean community.  She was an early advocate for women’s right to vote, as well as the health and welfare of children and animals.  Her history has been somewhat lost over the years and our LWV chapter decided to reintroduce her monument as well as her legacy to the community.  Steve Cocca will have a presentation to do exactly that on June 18.

We will have music by Glenn Wahl, hear a song or two of the “Songs of the Suffragettes” and play a trivia game of moden empowerment music.

Supper will be provided by The Hungry Burro food truck.  To plan properly and for more information about our group,  please RSVP by June 14 to Margie McIntosh at cattarauguslwv@gmail.com or 716-904-1327. “

Program Title: Amazing Adaptations

Date: Saturday, June 15^th

Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM

Location: Environmental Learning Center

Description: What is an adaptation? Did you know that there are two types: physical and behavioral?  Come out and join the park educator to learn about what an adaptation is, what adaptations that humans have, and what adaptations that common PA mammals and birds have.  Short talk followed by an activity. 

Program Title: What’s the Score?

Date: Saturday, June 15^th

Time: 8:00 – 9:30 PM

Location: Campground Amphitheater

Description: What is the Boone & Crockett Club? Who founded it? Why is antler scoring   important to conservation? All these questions and more will be addressed at this program!  Short talk followed by a live demonstration of scoring an elk antler, plus the chance for you to try as well!

In case of thunder, lightning, or extreme weather conditions programs may be moved or cancelled.

If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park office at (814) 486-5605.

With a minimum of one week notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.

Additional programs and events can be found on the DCNR website by clicking on the Events tab or go to https://events.dcnr.pa.gov and search Sizerville State Park. For more information or questions about programs at Sizerville State Park, please contact the Environmental Learning Center at (814) 486-5609.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that Route 6 is closed in both directions between Leona Road (Route 4017) and Mud Creek Road (Route 3034) in Troy Township, Bradford County, due to a vehicle striking the bridge over Sugar Creek.

A detour using Leona Road (Route 4017), Springfield Road (Route 4014), and Route 14 is in place.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, and expect delays in travel.

On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, a tractor trailer hauling an empty steel tank struck several members of the steel truss bridge. As a result, the bridge was closed and an in-depth inspection is currently underway, after which a repair plan will be developed. It is currently anticipated the bridge will be closed through August. It will be reopened after repairs are completed.

The highlight of the 82^nd Annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival in Wellsboro is the coronation of the 2024 Laurel Queen this Saturday, June 15.

While in Wellsboro, the 30 Laurel Queen candidates will enjoy a full weekend of activities.

At noon this Friday, June 14, they will gather on the Tioga County Courthouse steps for the official welcome. The young ladies will then go to Leonard Harrison State Park to visit the East Rim and see the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon followed by a picnic lunch.

“Once Upon a Crime: The Trial of Goldilocks,” a Hamilton-Gibson production, is full of family-friendly fun and laugh-out-loud moments and surprises this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 13, 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro during the Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival.

This courtroom comedy includes favorite fairy-tale characters from Goldilocks and the three bears to Henny Penny, Thumbelina and even the Big Bad Wolf to name a few.

Will justice be served in this hilarious fairy-tale play? The audience is the jury and gets to decide Goldilocks ultimate fate with multiple endings to cover each possible outcome.

Admission is $10 for an adult and $5 for anyone 18 or under. There is also a special price of $25 for a family of up to five.

Order tickets at hgp.booktix.com or by calling 570-724-2079 with credit card information. Tickets will also be sold at the door beginning an hour before each performance. For more information, call 570-724-2079 or email hamgib@gmail.com.

Miss Isabella “Izzy” Rees, a junior, is representing Austin Area School District and her community as a Pennsylvania Laurel Queen candidate.

She is the daughter of Ramona and Travis Rees of Austin and will be a high school senior this fall. 

As a freshman, sophomore, and junior, Miss Rees has been on the distinguished honor roll; active in the Student Council, serving as Secretary both her sophomore and junior years; and a varsity starting player on the volleyball and basketball teams. In volleyball, she won the Coach’s Award as a freshman and played with “Octane”, the travel team, both her freshman and sophomore years. For basketball, she was named “Best Defense” both her freshman and sophomore years. She lettered in both sports all three years. Izzy volunteered at the Austin Dam Haunted Trail all three years of high school thus far.

As a junior and sophomore, Miss Rees was a student in Early Childhood Education at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. Her sophomore year she served as secretary on the student committee. She also assisted the junior high volleyball coach for both years. 

She was inducted into the National Honor Society in her sophomore year and served as Secretary in her junior year. 

Izzy was the President of the class of 2025 for her freshman and sophomore years.

She enjoys reading and baking as well as volunteering with young children. She frequently babysits.

After she graduates in June of 2025, Miss Rees is hoping to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, majoring in elementary education with a minor in Psychology.