BRADFORD, Pa. — Gabe Slocum is proof that internships pay off – literally.

Slocum, a mechanical engineering student who graduated Saturday from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, served as a manufacturing engineering intern at W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. in Bradford during his last semester. The folks at Case were so impressed by his performance that they offered him a job – which he accepted and starts next month.

Slocum, who is from Holland, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is one of the first graduates of Pitt-Bradford’s four-year mechanical engineering technology program, which began alongside a new program in energy engineering technology in the Fall semester of 2022. The first few graduates have been those who were able to transfer into Pitt-Bradford from other programs.

• Join us for a Holiday Paint n Sip on Friday, December 19 from 6:00-8:00.  Price of the class is $30.00.  All supplies included. 

• The Potter County Artisan Center is hosting a Christmas Open House with Santa on Sunday, December 21 from 2:00-5:00pm.  Bring the kids for a special visit with Santa, a hands-on activity and holiday treats.  Be sure to bring your camera or phone to capture a memorable holiday photo with Santa!  No registration required.

• A Young Artisan New Years Eve Open Studio will be held on Wednesday, December 31 3:00-4:30 pm. Price of the class is $15.00.  Choose from a selection of projects and materials, from painting to crafts, while enjoying a New Years Eve celebration!  Celebratory snacks and materials provided. 

To register for these classes or events, please call the Potter County Artisan Co-op on 814-274-8165.  The co-op is located at 227 N. Main Street.  The co-op’s hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00-5:00. 

Need an activity while visiting the area?  Potter County Artisan Co-op can arrange a private group class for you and your friends at your convenience.  Just call ahead or message us on Facebook.

Events and classes are supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Elk County Council on the Arts, state agencies funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

I recently wrote about the idea of the unexpected. The unexpected are, of course, those things that happen that you didn’t expect. They can come in the form of death, illness, job loss, and natural disasters, or through a host of other avenues you didn’t see coming. Since my latest event, I have joined an online group called The Zipper Club. This refers to those people who have experienced open-heart surgery for a variety of reasons and have joined together as a support group to share their experiences to help others. 

I’m a strong believer that you are more affected by how you respond to what happens to you than by what happens. It aligns with the question, do things happen to us or for us? The more we can stay out of the victim role, the better we will weather the storm. As a result of what I’ve experienced, I have learned and am learning a side of life I never knew existed. It has also opened up a whole new understanding and empathy for people I have never met but who share a common experience. 

This is an important message from NY Alert

Wind Advisory issued December 17 at 12:37PM EST until December 20 at 1:00AM EST by NWS Binghamton NY
* WHAT…Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
expected.

* WHERE…Portions of central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN…From 7 PM Thursday to 1 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

The SHCTC Networking and Security instructor, Mr. Bryant, is proud to announce the Student of the Week, Ayden Blair. Ayden is a 12th grader at Smethport Area School District and a third-year student at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center.

Ayden is an example of a student who overcomes adversity and achieves what he sets his mind to. Ayden exhibits an outstanding work ethic in shop labs, on theory assignments, and in earning certifications such as Chromebook Repair Academy.

White Castle Frozen Food Division Recalls Frozen 4-Count Cartons of Original Sliders Due to Undeclared Milk and Soy

COLUMBUS, Ohio — White Castle Frozen Food Division has initiated a recall of 1,021 cases of its retail frozen 4-count cartons of Original Sliders due to undeclared milk and soy. The carton may contain Jalapeño Cheese Sliders. Jalapeño Cheese Sliders contain milk and soy, allergens that are not on the Original Slider carton label. Consumers with an allergy or sensitivity to milk or soy run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product.

For the 89th consecutive year the Kiwanis Club of Bradford held their Christmas party for the children of Beacon Light Behavioral Health System (BLBHS), an affiliate of Journey Health System (JHS). This year’s luncheon was held at Beacon Light’s main campus where Kiwanis Club members, children from BLBHS, and staff attended to sing carols, watch kids open presents from the Kiwanis.

“We’re truly grateful to the Kiwanis Club for being a steadfast partner in our mission,” stated Jennifer Gesing, BLBHS Executive Director.

The Kiwanis Club contributes money every year to buy gifts for the clients of Beacon Light’s programs. Kiwanis President Stacy Williams and over a dozen Kiwanis members attended the holiday giving event and presented a donation check.

After the gifts were unwrapped, the kids received refreshments and they will enjoy a variety special activities throughout the holiday season thanks to the Kiwanis’ generosity.

BARNESVILLE, Pa. (December 16) – Frozen lakes mean great ice fishing opportunities for anglers across Pennsylvania.  Today, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocked more than a 1,000 Rainbow Trout at Locust Lake State Park in Schuylkill County.  It’s one of the final trout stockings of 2025.  While most people think of trout fishing in the spring when 3.2 million trout are stocked statewide, the PFBC stocks about 130,000 trout into 100 popular waterways during fall and winter.  Anglers are reminded to be safe when venturing out onto the ice. If you are new to ice fishing, it is best to go along with an experienced angler to learn how to stay safe and catch fish. Anyone venturing onto the ice should wear a life jacket or coat with flotation built in. For ice safety tips and to find great places to fish, visit Fishandboat.com.

Trout were also stocked into Kaercher Creek Lake, Berks County today.

The Elk County Cruisers Car Club and the St. Marys Servicemen’s Detail recently installed a new United States Flag Retirement Receptacle in front of the American Legion Post #103 on Center Street in St. Marys. The project was completed with support from the Doris E. Stackpole Foundation, Shop 14 Muscle Cars in St. Marys, and the Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF).

The new receptacle will make it easier for the public to drop off worn and tattered American flags for a respectful and proper disposal. Flags should not be deposited in bags or boxes as these materials clog the receptacle opening and make it difficult to empty. The Detail gathers the flags and conducts a ceremonial burning every summer at Bear Run.

In 2025, the Cruisers established a donor-advised fund at ECCF to raise funds to support projects like this in Elk County. This year, they made donations to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys, Christian Food Bank, Crystal Fire Department and St. Marys Municipal Airport. They also collaborated with the Servicemen’s Detail and American Legion Post #103 for the construction of the new flagpole and veterans’ monument at Shawmut Park. Donations to the Elk County Cruisers Car Club Fund of any size are gratefully accepted at the Elk County Community Foundation, PO Box 934. St. Marys, PA, 15857.

The Community Foundation of the Northern Alleghenies is the parent company of the Elk County Community Foundation and the McKean County Community Foundation. Funds established by charitable donors support our communities through the awarding of grants and scholarships. For more information on how you can help support important community programs please contact the Community Foundation at 814-834-2125.

As temperatures drop, many people with arthritis notice their joints feeling stiffer, achier, or harder to move. While the exact reasons aren’t fully understood, colder weather, changes in barometric pressure, and reduced activity all contribute to increased discomfort. Fortunately, there are practical ways to manage symptoms and maintain mobility throughout the winter months.

Keep Your Joints Moving

Movement is essential for joint health. Regular, gentle activity warms stiff joints, improves circulation, and helps maintain flexibility. On cold days when outdoor activity may feel challenging, there are plenty of indoor options. Stretching, yoga, tai chi, or even walking in place while watching TV can help. Short, frequent movement breaks throughout the day often work better than longer sessions, especially for joints that tend to stiffen quickly.

Matching grant program funds up to $2500 for businesses, organizations and events for tourism marketing

Bradford, (Pennsylvania) – Trail Central | The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureauis pleased to announce the 2026 Marketing Project and Event Marketing Program. This program will fund eligible projects and events from January through June 30, 2026. Since its inception in Summer 2024, the Marketing and Event Grant Program has supported 40 events and marketing initiatives in McKean County totaling $55,000.

The Bureau’s semi-annual grant program aims to fund qualified McKean County organizations and businesses to strengthen our tourism products, increase the marketing, promotion and advertising of tourism related business and enhance the quality of events.