Allegany County Source 03-07-2025 by Community Source

Neighbors work to get elderly Allegany County man into new home

BY KATHRYN ROSS

ELM VALLEY —

When Melissa Fuller and her small children moved into her home in Elm Valley 13 years ago, her new neighbor from across the road was there to offer a helping hand.

Now, she’s the one offering help.

“When I moved in, Paul Glover, who ran a vegetable stand in front of his home, told me if I ever needed any help to just ask,” she said.

Now Glover is the one in need and Fuller, along with the surrounding community, have acted.

A few months ago, Fuller, who has kept her eye on her elderly

neighbor, realized that his living conditions had deteriorated. There was no water, the roof was falling in, outside walls were collapsing, inside ceilings and stairs were falling apart, the septic system had failed and the well had stopped working.

“The guy from Roots Water Well Service didn’t even want to go into the basement because the building was so dangerous,” she said. Fuller put out a call for help after talking with the Andover Town Board. The house where Glover had lived with his mother and sisters for years was condemned. Glover had no place to go.

Fuller arranged to

purchase a fifth-wheel travel trailer from an individual for a very reduced cost. She moved the trailer behind her home. Heat and water, with the help of Roots, was connected to it.

Glover moved in.

Fuller said, “He’s happier than heck and says it is the best he’s slept in years.”

Glover is now sitting comfortably in a recliner donated by Mattress City and watching a Smart TV — when the 82-year-old can figure out how to work it.

“But the goal,” Fuller said, “is to save him and get him out of the trailer and into his new home.”

Glover’s property, located on Route 417 in Elm Valley, is free

from taxes. It is located adjacent to the historical sign designating the burial site of Nathaniel Dike, which is located on top of the hill behind Glover’s home.

Early on, a GoFund-

Me page, Rebuild Paul’s Safe Haven in Elm Valley, was established. Donations toward the $10,000 goal are close, but they’ve slowed down. The initial funding has been used as a down payment on an Amish-built building from Sandy’s Place in Scio. But more than $11,000 is needed to

Zippo cutting Northern Lights workforce in Wellsville

BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER

Six years after joining the Zippo Manufacturing Co. family, Northern Lights Enterprises Inc. is making some major changes, including cutting nearly half of its workforce.

On Friday, Zippo spokesman Fred Feightner said that Northern Lights isn’t leaving Wellsville but confirmed that changes are coming.

“They are relocating certain product packaging operations to Zippo (in Bradford, Pa.) by May 27 ... and outsourcing candle pouring capacity to

contract partners,” he said. “Northern Lights’ head office, fulfillment center and flagship store remain in Wellsville. Approximately 35 Northern Lights employees will be affected.”

The company’s workforce, according to LinkedIn, appears to be around 80 people.

Feightner continued, “These organizational changes are necessary for Northern Lights to deliver more products more efficiently and meet the trajectory in demand while maintaining its home base in Wellsville.”

Workers at Northern

Lights received required Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notifications, Wellsville Regional News.com reported this week.

Allegany County Board of Legislators Chairman Brooke Harris, R-Alfred, told WRN he was surprised and disappointed about the jobs news, saying it will be a “hit,” but also noting that the county has experienced similar economic losses and has recovered.

As for those who

File photo

Zippo Manufacturing Co. started displaying Northern Lights

Photo provided

Melissa Fuller (left) has offered a helping hand to Paul Glover

Wellsville Brewing founders

company off to new owners

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE

—

After six successful and memorable years, the founders of The Wellsville Brewing Company are pulling the tap for the last time.

In the last few days, Tom Reuning, Shaun Walsh, Jim Knapp and Ed Fahs, founders of the Wellsville Brewing Company, let it be known that they are ending their run. The business has been sold to Joe and Kara Mariotti and their children, Isabelle and JT, who plan to carry on the business.

Joe and JT have been working with Reuning since last summer learning how to brew beer. Reuning will stay on for a while to help out.

The Mariottis are working now in the hope of a smooth transition with no interruption in the regular business.

The Wellsville Brewing Company opened its

doors in October 2018.

But the idea of establishing such a business in their hometown started about four years prior to the opening when the foursome started looking for a building. After several months of searching, they found the Witter Building on Main Street. The building has had a long history. Built in the late 1800s, at one time it was the post office, a doctor’s office and with its tiny, antique bar from yesteryear as a focal point for several restaurants — Clancy’s, Beef Haus, Cathy’s Steakhouse, The Brass Balloon and Dave’s Steakhouse.

When the foursome moved in, they began extensive renovations, taking the plaster- and concrete-faced walls down to the original brick. They moved the antique bar, built a new entrance and façade and turned the back into a brewing room. The front was turned

into a tasting room where customers could sit at the bar or in comfortable and intimate seating arrangements. The walls were decorated with, among other items, historic photographs of Wellsville. It took them a little over two years.

Open only from Thursday evening through Sunday, the Wellsville Brewery Company — with its specialty and unique beers brewed on site,

complete the purchase and get Glover into his new home.

Fuller said she has heard that dinners and

its friendly atmosphere, trivia contests and singalongs — soon became a favorite gathering place in the community where customers were treated like family.

But it was hard work and all-encompassing for the founders, who also maintained other jobs and interests in the community. The founders began their search for someone to carry on the tradition they’d started.

“We knew when we

fundraisers are in the planning process but nothing yet has been scheduled.

started that we only

had about 10 years in us because we’re all older, so we’re right on schedule,” Reuning said.

“We wanted to give Wellsville a place where people could meet old friends and make new ones and I think we did that.”

As the founders raised their glasses for one last time, Reuning, Walsh, Knapp and Fahs gave their farewell.

“We are incredibly grateful for the un-

wavering support our community has shown throughout the years. The sale of the Wellsville Brewing Company marks a bittersweet moment for us. But it’s the love and loyalty of this town that made our journey so special. Thank you for raising a glass with us, for celebrating life’s moments together and for being the heart of everything we’ve built. We will forever be thankful for you all.”

“The community has been great,” she said. “Everyone knows Paul from the roadside stand and wants to help. He’s a fixture in the community. I don’t even know who all has donated clothes and jackets for him. Donations just appear on my porch.”

She explained that the town of Andover has helped with permits for demolition and code enforcement. Local businesses like Roots have helped with the water, local hardware stores have offered help.

house and is helping with cleanup. Twenty-five members of the Alfred State College Gamma Phi fraternity helped ready the site for demolition and more have promised to help with the cleanup and site preparation.

Fassett Lane and Home Depot have donated items and Auntie Em’s Attic has donated a bed, dresser, table and chairs. Habitat for Humanity from Steuben County is donating a new stove and refrigerator for the new house.

The Andover Lions Club and fire department have helped, and a good Samaritan has demolished the old

The Believers Chapel from Olean helped and the Wellsville Bible Church is overseeing the financials and the GoFundMe page.

“There’s grant funding in the town to help with septic and roofing and other needs,” Fuller said. “When I asked Paul why he hadn’t applied for them, his

answer was so typical of people from his generation. He said, ‘That funding is for people who really need it.’” When Glover gets back into his own home, he looks forward to planting a garden and reopening his roadside market. Along with his need for a new house, Glover will also need someone to rototill his roadside garden spot along Route 417, and he has no vehicle. To help Glover, contact Fuller at (607) 281-9013, donate to the GoFundMe page or contribute to the Wellsville Bible Church.

Photo provided

The founders of the Wellsville Brewing Company raise their glasses to say good-bye and thank you.

➡New Home continued from PAGE 1

Photo provided

Paul Glover’s dilapidated house in the town of Andover has been demolished and the community is helping to replace it.

WELLSVILLE — The

David A. Howe Library welcomes back the Emerald Isle Irish Band to the Nancy Howe Auditorium stage at 7 p.m. March 13 — four days before St. Patrick’s Day. This concert is free and open to the public.

This Western New York-based trio mixes

are losing their jobs, Feightner said, “Northern Lights is encouraging affected employees to pursue ongoing employment opportunities across Zippo companies and helping connect local area job search services to those who wish to pursue employment elsewhere. Affected employees will also receive company assistance with navigating any available benefits continu-

traditional and contemporary Irish, nautical and Scottish songs and instruments with humor and storytelling. Emerald Isle brings a variety of instruments including the banjo, accordion, guitar, penny whistle, mandolin, fiddle, harmonica and spoons and bone.

➡Northern Lights continued from PAGE 1

ance options.”

Zippo of Bradford, known for its iconic brass lighter, while also owning W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery, acquired Northern Lights in January 2019.

The company was founded in 1978 by Andy and Tina Glanzman in Wellsville. It grew to become a leading designer of luxury candles and artisan-made accessories across the United States. Northern Lights sells machine- and hand-made candles to small- and mid-size boutiques under its brand name, as well as to mass market retailers under other brands.

At the time of the acquisition of Northern Lights, Zippo officials noted the offering will diversify their business portfolio while intending to use Zippo’s existing international channels to globalize the Northern Lights brand.

The group, playing together for more than 25 years, is composed of Rich Schaefer, Chris Panfil and Mark Panfil — all educators and professional musicians — and has been a crowd favorite.

PEREGRINE ROAD RETURNS MARCH 27

The library will welcome Peregrine Road — the captivating acoustic duo of Rachel Bell and Karen Axelrod — to the Nancy Howe Auditorium stage at 7 p.m. March.

Bell, who grew up in the area, has performed at the library many times but it has been almost six years since she last took to the library’s stage and seven since Axelrod joined her there.

Peregrine Road’s sound is a delightful

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music from Emerald Isle

somewhere between chamber and folk music, with complex arrangements and lush textures alongside raw energy and multi-cultural influences.

Axelrod and Bell are in demand throughout North America and

beyond for concerts, workshops, festivals, English country dances, contra dances and other events. Their music is rooted in Celtic, English, French, Quebecois, New England and Appala-

chian traditions while at the same time being infused with the excitement of new compositions and dynamic improvisation. This concert is also free and open to the public.

The library will welcome Peregrine Road — the captivating The acoustic duo Peregrine Road featuring Rachel Bell and Karen Axelrod will perform March 27 at the library.

Photos provided

The Emerald Isle Irish Band will play March 13 at the David A. Howe Library.

home improvement

Tech upgrades for your home entertainment space

Life in the twenty-first century can feel like it’s moving at breakneck speed. Perhaps nowhere is that feeling more pronounced than within the technology sector, where new products are often upstaged by more advanced models, sometimes within a few weeks of an item’s initial release.

The speed with which technology advances can make it difficult to keep up. Howev-

er, it’s important to note that software updates can bring devices up to speed in a matter of minutes, often at no cost to users. That can quiet concerns some may have about investing in entertainment room technology. For those ready to move forward with their entertainment room remodel, these tech upgrades can take such spaces to the next level.

• New television: Consumers who like to watch television but are not necessarily into what makes certain televisions more suitable to their viewing habits than others may find their heads spinning when they begin

their search for a new device. Indeed, the alphabet soup of OLED, QLED, 4K, and other television styles can be difficult to navigate. If confusion reins over your television shopping trips, it might help to identify what you

faster refresh rate can ensure games don’t look fuzzy when the action picks up.

• Speaker system: Surround sound can take any entertainment setup to the next level. Modern televisions

watch most often and then find the type of TV that most suits your viewing habits. Though opinions vary and consumers should always trust their own eyes, the United Kingdom-based Smart Home Sounds recommends OLED televisions for movie and television lovers as well as gamers who require fast response times. Sports fans may benefit by prioritizing refresh rate when shopping for a new television. Though refresh rate is not the only variable to consider, a

Why hiring a painter is the right choice

Few home improvements can change the look of a room faster and more affordably than a painting makeover. In fact, homeowners often turn to paint before they make any other renovations.

Home Light, a real estate technology company, says painting a home’s interior can net a return on investment as high as 107 percent.

Although painting is a project that can be tackled by do-it-yourselfers, there are various advantages to calling in a professional to handle painting projects. Here is a look at some of the benefits to working with a professional painter.

Cut down on the job time

A professional painter can reduce the project timeline. Painters have the skill set and experience to complete a project in a timely manner. This means the job will be streamlined from preparation to clean-up.

Pay attention to details

Professional painters are likely to do a job that is nearly flawless, especially after homeowners exercise their due diligence and vet painters carefully. Professionals will pay attention to the

small details that less experienced painters wouldn’t think about.

Reduce your workload

Painting can be a time-consuming job, and most of it occurs even before you pick up a brush. It can take hours to prep walls, patch holes, remove moldings, and apply painter’s tape. Homeowners who do not have much time are better off leaving trusting the project to a professional.

Painters already have equipment

Do-it-yourselfers may need to buy new tools before beginning the job. This means brushes, rollers, tape, tarps, trays, and much more. Unless you plan to paint multiple times,

this can make stocking up a considerable investment. Professionals already have all the right gear and tools of the trade.

Lasting results

Professional painters understand which products will produce the desired results, depending on the wear and tear of the space. Paints are not all created equal, and certain walls, floors and trim may require

unique priming and preparation that novices are not familiar with. Professional painters can help ensure durability and save homeowners from having to do the job again in a few months or years.

A safer experience

Painting can be a challenging job when it involves painting hardto-reach spaces and/or climbing and balancing on tall ladders. Homeowners are not at risk of injury when hiring a professional painter. In addition, professional painters should be licensed and insured. This means if an injury or incident occurs, the homeowner will not be on the hook for the cost.

A fresh coat of paint can produce amazing results. Leaving the work to a professional can ensure a job is done correctly and beautifully and completed on time.

Legislator Gretchen Hanchett seeks another term in Allegany County

Gretchen Hanchett, an incumbent legislator for District II in Allegany County, has announced her bid for re-election.

Hanchett, who said she has served the district (towns of Amity, Clarksville, Cuba, Friendship and New Hudson) “with dedication and commitment,” aims to continue her work on the Board of Legislators.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the residents of District II,” the Republican legislator said. “Over the past term, we have made steady progress in areas such as economic development and community services. I look forward to continuing this work and addressing the needs of our community.”

Hanchett has been an active member of the community, serving as the former executive director of the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism. She said her extensive experience in business, community program development and legislative advocacy has been instrumental in her role as a legislator.

Hanchett said her campaign platforms focus on economic development, including promoting local businesses, attracting new investments and creating job opportunities. “We continue to focus on fostering economic growth within our county,” she said. “By supporting local businesses and attracting new investments, we aim to create more

job opportunities for our residents.”

She noted the county’s efforts include promoting entrepreneurship and providing resources for small business expansion. Resolutions passed to foster economic growth in Allegany County have resulted in a net increase of 219 jobs from 2023 to 2024.

“We are making earnest efforts to involve residents in economic development planning to address their needs and priorities, while also collaborating with community agencies, local businesses, and municipalities,” she said.

Notable initiatives include the Five-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan (Resolution No. 2024-14), adopted on Feb. 12,

Letter to the Editor: Essentially advocating form of torture

Recent statements put out by our elected representatives have left me feeling disheartened, as it seems that our representatives in Albany are upset that torture has been outlawed in New York prisons. Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski calls for the HALT Act to be repealed to “restore safety to New York’s prisons.” Our state Sen. George Borrello sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul demanding the “disastrous HALT Act” be repealed. What is the HALT Act, you may wonder? Passed in 2022, The HALT Solitary Confinement Act limits the length of time a person can be placed in solitary confinement as a means

of control in prison.

A 2020 press release from the United Nations titled “Prolonged solitary confinement amounts to psychological torture” makes a very unambiguous case for the elimination of the use of long-term solitary confinement. The UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules, created to honor the experience and suffering of the late Nelson Mandela, prohibit long-term solitary confinement. The HALT Act also prohibits people under 21, people over 55, people with disabilities and people who are pregnant or post partum from being put in longterm solitary confinement.

So, let me get this straight: New York state prisons used to routinely use torture as a means of control. Albany passed a law to stop this torture. The state Department of Corrections union, in part, went on strike because they can’t torture people. And Sempolinski and Borrello are sending out official statements complaining about torture being outlawed? Shouldn’t they be more upset that torture was ever allowed in the first place?

Amie Acton, Alfred

2024, which serves as a roadmap for achieving economic development goals in Allegany County.

Hanchett’s other focuses include:

Tourism Growth: Enhancing tourism initiatives to boost the local economy and showcase the natural beauty of the county.

• Community Services: Improving access to essential services and supporting community programs that benefit residents of all ages.

Throughout her tenure as legislator, Hanchett has served on several legislative committees, including the Economic Development (vice chair), Human Services, Resource Management (vice chair) and Person-

nel committees. In addition to her legislative duties, Hanchett’s prior experience includes roles such as business and community development director at ACCORD Corp., executive director of Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Head Start Program operations director and regional director for LA Pettit Academy, overseeing nine preschools in four states, with a total of 1,200 children and 200 staff.

Hanchett has also served on various committees and boards, including Leadership Allegany, Education Council, Allegany County Development Services Inc. (past executive director), Southern Tier Economic Development

Board of Directors (president for seven years), Workforce Investment Board (Allegany, Cattaraugus), WIB, Finance & Audit Board, Allegany County Economic & Development Committee, Allegany County Manufacturing Council and Allegany County Planning & Implementation Group.

Hanchett and her husband, Doug Hanchett, have three grown children and two grandchildren.

“Family values and community service have always been at the heart of my personal and professional life,” she said. She added she is committed to engaging with residents and addressing their concerns and suggestions as she campaigns for re-election.

Just about two years ago, Allegany County Legislature Chairman W. Brooke Harris and Legislator Janice Burdick vocally opposed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s attempt to withhold federal Medicaid funding from counties, citing the devastating impact on local taxpayers.

“It’s not the state’s money,” Harris said, condemning the move as one of the most fiscally damaging proposals in recent years. Burdick, too, urged residents to contact their elected officials to stop this costly measure. Their outrage was clear, their message direct: Medicaid cuts that shift costs onto counties and residents are unacceptable.

And, yet, now we hear nothing. Not a word from Harris or Burdick as U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy throws his support behind a federal proposal to slash Medicaid and Medicare by $800 billion — a cut that would not just strain county budgets but jeopardize healthcare access for thousands of local families and cripple healthcare facilities and nursing homes. Where is the call to action? Where is the insistence that “it’s not the federal government’s money”?

The silence is telling. When state officials proposed shifting costs to counties, our legisla-

tors stood up. But when a member of their own party supports gutting healthcare programs that protect our seniors, working families, and the most vulnerable among us, they have nothing to say. If Harris and Burdick were sincere in their opposition to budget proposals that harm Allegany County taxpayers, they should be just as vocal in condemning Langworthy’s plan. Anything less is pure hypocrisy. The people of Allegany County deserve leaders who will defend them — not just when it’s politically convenient, but when it truly matters.

Jackie Wilson, Alfred

are slim and that sleek design does not always translate to great built-in sound. Though some recent models feature dramatically improved built-in sound capabilities compared to their slim screen ancestors, a home theater system featuring superior sound is still a must. A home theater surround sound system with subwoofer and Bluetooth connectivity can greatly improve the viewing experience no matter what’s on-screen. For consumers working on a tight budget, a

soundbar that can be upgraded with additional surround sound speakers down the road can be a great way to slowly build a theater-like sound system in your living room. When purchasing a surround sound system, consumers also can consider speaker stands that hold larger rear speakers in place.

• Lighting: Entertainment room lighting can be easy to overlook, particularly when consumers go down the television and sound system

rabbit holes. But the right lighting can set the perfect tone in an entertainment room. The decision of which lighting to go with should include consideration of how the space will (or won’t) be used when you aren’t watching the latest blockbuster or big game. If the room is exclusively for movies or big games, then lighting that calls to mind a movie theater, complete with LED strip lights on the walls, is an option worth considering. If the entertaining space is your living room and

a space where you’re just as likely to read a book as enjoy a family movie night, then recessed lighting in the ceiling with dimmable bulbs allows you to pivot back and forth between lighting schemes depending on how the room is being used at any given moment. It’s easy to get lost when considering tech upgrades for an entertainment room. But pairing the right television with great sound and appropriate lighting can make for a consistently impressive viewing experience.

Friendship churches to focus on week of local to international missions

FRIENDSHIP —

Speakers with Friendship ties will be among several local to international missionaries who will be helping to build awareness about the importance of Christian outreach during an extended Missions Marching Forward Week this month.

Former First United Methodist Church

Pastor Robert Schooley, who has conducted a 20year outreach to Uganda, and Calum Ruxton of Friendship, vice-president of a three-county pregnancy support organization, will make public presentations as part of a March 15-21 awareness series at community churches.

The activity, hosted by the What God is DoingTM in Friendship ny alliance of churches, is being ex-panded this year from prior annual week-long events at the Friendship Bible Baptist Church.

Schooley, who now pastors the Centerville United Methodist Church, will start a week of nightly sessions with different speakers at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, at the Friendship United Methodist at 21 W. Main St.

He will talk about his experiences in working in various areas in Uganda through activities such as putting in wells, providing thousands of mosquito

nets, involvement in health-related areas such as obtaining medicines for needy communities, supplying educational materials and working with people with disabilities.

He and small groups which have traveled to that country, also have provided lunches for Beauty for Ashes School in a tourist area in “a very destitute part of town” where the parents of children are refugees from various places and work in nearby factories for some two dollars a day, according to the pastor.

Schooley served at the Friendship church between 2000 and 2012, before assuming his new pastoral role in Centerville. He also is a former special edition teacher,

whose work has included at-risk children, before retiring from the Pioneer Central School District in 2023.

Ruxton will speak at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Bible Baptist Church, explaining how God led him, as a single, young male to be an officer in the nonprofit Bright Alternatives pro-life ministry.

The organization, based in Bradford, Pa., has outreach offices in Wellsville and Olean.

Also known as The Center for New Hope, it provides a wide variety of services to mothers and families in need.

Its purpose is to encourage, empower, and equip women and families to make strong choices for themselves and a better future for their families through

Wellsville Elks welcome new members

use of evidence-based educational material and peer counseling.

This help includes services such as pregnancy tests and proof of pregnancy letters, community referrals, post-choice support and counseling, pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care and parenting classes, Earn While You Learn and Beds for Babies crib programs, and workshops on various other topics.

The Missions Marching Forward observance schedule includes:

Saturday, March 15

World Relief of Western New York will introduce the community missions week focus during 11 a.m. weekly services at Followers of the Way-Nile Community Church at 4094 State Route 275 South. The Rochester-based organization provides newly arrived refugees with access to basic necessities, starting them on the journey to belonging in new surroundings. The Saturday Sabbath-observing Baptist church also will hold its free weekly after-service community soup and bread luncheon following the service.

Sunday, March 16 — Churches alliance participants will provide individual focuses on the importance of local to international missions during weekly services.

Monday, March 17 — Pastor Schooley will be at the 1st United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. Evening public presentations through Saturday, March 20, also will start at 6:30 p.m., with all held at the Bible Baptist Church at 43 W. Main St., followed by refreshments.

Tuesday, March 18 — Karen Penning-

ton, academic dean at Houghton Academy, will trace her lifetime involvement in ministry, from growing up in a family of Salvation Army officers, to public education and her new position at the Allegany County international boarding school where some 70 percent of the student population is from other countries.

Pennington has been involved in inner-city missions, headed lay leadership training for the Salvation Army on the West Coast, and is an author of Sunday school, Bible study, discipleship development and church leadership training curricula.

Wednesday, March 19 — Ruxton will speak.

Thursday, March 20 — Liberty Behind Bars of Belfast, a jail ministry.

Friday, March 21 — A missionary involved

in ongoing Hurricane Helene cleanup relief in North Carolina.

Saturday, March 22 — Joe Keim, executive director of Mission to Amish People (MAP) of Greenwich, Ohio, will discuss the Amish religion and how to help those who have left those groups. MAP presented a conference last year in Friendship. Keim also will be present at 10 a.m. Sunday School and 11 a.m. church services on March 23 at Bible Baptist Church. No third Wednesday of the month free community missions luncheon, normally held at The Mission House, will be take place in March due to the full missions week schedule. Updates will be available on the alliance Facebook page at WhatGodisDoing@ outlook.com or at (585) 664-9989.

Leadership & Innovation Fund to boost ACAF grant-making

Over the past three years, the Allegany County Area Foundation has benefited from substantial donations that are providing increased funds to distribute and great flexibility in doing so.

ACAF Executive Director Bruce Campbell said, with more funds to work with, the foundation has begun adjusting its grant-making approach from one that’s been primarily reactive, to a proactive approach, engaging community leaders and organizations.

The foundation’s newest fund, the Leadership and Innovation Fund, will support both efforts, Campbell said.

Established by Jack Carter, the fund will allow ACAF to work with organizations on projects that enhance the quality of life in Allegany County and encourages ACAF in its efforts to see broad community involvement in identifying and bringing forth potential projects.

Carter’s involvement

with ACAF goes back to its very beginning, Campbell said. He and the late Peter Sprague recognized the good that a community foundation could do for Allegany County and their efforts led to ACAF’s founding in 1983. Carter served as the organization’s treasurer for its first twenty years.

The foundation will be discussing grant programs at a public information session this spring on a date to be determined. In the meantime, organizations with potential projects are encouraged to contact the foundation at (585) 296-5616 or director@acafny.org.

The Allegany County Area Foundation manages 98 funds that support students with scholarships, and communities through grants to not-profit organizations. To contribute to an existing fund or for information about establishing a scholarship or grant fund, contact the foundation.

FRIDAY 3/7

Photo provided Pastor Robert Schooley of the Centerville United Methodist Church (inset), a retired Pioneer Central School special education teacher, will discuss 20 years of missionary trips to Uganda, including work with school children shown, during a Missions Marching Forward Awareness Week presentation at the former church which he pastored in Friendship.

The Wellsville Elks Lodge has welcomed several new members to its ranks as it gets ready to celebrate the anniversary of its charter this summer. From left are Becky Sutton, Jessica Preston, Tracy Preston, Melissa Falandys, Exalted Ruler Tom Hand, Nicole Helmer and Alex Perkins.

Funeral director explains the process, planning for burial

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE —

There was standing room only when John Embser explained that “Funeral Isn’t a Four Letter Word” at the most recent Tuesdays With Grace at Grace United Church.

Embser, who recently sold his interest in the family business to the Olney-Foust Funeral Home and Crematory, has been part of the family business since graduating from college in the 1970s. His namesake and great grandfather started the business, JW Embser and Sons Funeral Home, in 1924 — 19 years after arriving in Wellsville and working with two other funeral businesses. That business celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1974.

While the Embser Funeral Homes still exist in Wellsville and Belmont, they are under the auspices of Olney-Foust, with Embser listed as a funeral director.

The turnout for Embser’s talk was attended by more than 50 people of a certain age, leading to more than one commenting that it was the time in their life to think about planning their last arrangements.

Right away, Embser told the crowd they have to keep in mind two questions: their mother’s maiden name and how many people will be coming to the reception afterwards?

He explained that while today cremation services represent 60%

to 70% of their business, when he started, there were only about three to four cremations a year. Today local funeral parlors offer a variety of services, from traditional burials in coffins and burial in a vault, with viewing hours and church services, to simple cremation with no frills and everything in between. There are even “green” burials.

“Generally, people know what they want,” Embser said. “This talk is to get you thinking about what you want. I want to present a pleasant, peaceful memory of the deceased for the family.”

After outlining the various funeral services Embser took questions from the audience.

“When someone dies,” he explained, “a funeral home, based on the family’s preference, is called to pick up the body. A few hours later, the funeral home calls the family to decide on burial. Have your facts straight, maiden name and parent’s names, Social Security number and other information for the obituary.”

The Social Security Administration is notified and, depending on where the person died, a certificate of death is issued by either the town or village office.

He went on to answer questions concerning cremation, green burial, vaults, caskets and payment. He advised the crowd to not die in another country

health & Wellness

because shipping by air is very costly and dealing with government agencies is involved.

Green burial, he said, is becoming more popular, but is dependent upon cemetery policy. Most local cemeteries do not allow it at this time, while the closest green burial site is near Ithaca. With green burial, bodies are not embalmed. There is no traditional casket (sometimes there is a wicker casket) and bodies are most often buried in a shroud in a shallow grave 2 to 4 feet deep.

Cremation involves cremation of a body in a cardboard type casket, with only bones remaining. Those bones are cremated into ashes, which are returned to the family. Ashes may be spread or buried; burial in a cemetery is dependent on cemetery policy.

“If you wish to be

cremated and think your next of kin may object,” Embser advised, “there’s a New York state legal form which will override the next of kin.”

A traditional burial in a cemetery includes embalming, preparation with clothing provided by the family or with donated clothing provided by the funeral home, grave opening, vault and casket, viewing hours and a religious service. Special arrangements can be made for a military color guard and flag ceremony. People can also be buried on their own land.

A traditional burial costs between $8,000 and $9,000, Embser noted.

Embser said most anything can be buried with the deceased. Most often small bottles of liquor are placed in the casket, but he has also

seen Star Wars figures, baseball cards and other memorabilia — even deceased pets.

He recalled when a euthanized cat was placed in the casket with its deceased owner. “When the pallbearers heard meowing, they panicked,” he said, “only to find there was a cat meowing outside the church door.”

Funerals can be prepaid in full or paid for over time. Prior to death, arrangements are made through the funeral home, with such agreements notarized.

After seeing a photo of Embser’s horsedrawn, antique hearse, some in the crowd wondered if it was available. It was recently used in the Wreaths Across America ceremony in Whitesville. While Embser hesitated, Dylan Foust, the new owner, commented, “We will do whatever you want.”

5 effective ways to maximize your workout routines

(BPT) — Whether you’re new to the workout world or a lifelong athlete, you need the right fuel to power your workouts. Proper nutrition before and after exercise is critical to performing well, recovering quickly and making strides in your physical fitness journey.

This National Nutrition Month, Sports Dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner wants to help you take your workouts to the next level. Check out her five expert fitness and nutrition strategies that can take your exercise from good to great.

1. Have a preworkout snack

Don’t work out on an empty stomach! Blatner recommends starting strong with a pre-workout snack 30-60 minutes before a workout. Choose a light snack - like a piece of fruit with nuts, string cheese or a hard-boiled egg - to fuel your effort without weighing you down.

2. Hydration is key

Did you know your body loses water overnight? To combat dehydration, kick off your morning with a glass of water. Having a glass of water right after you wake up can help you start the day feeling more energized.

Pro Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon for a bit of flavor and Vitamin C.

3. Pilates is a musttry Pilates is a popular form of exercise and for good reason. Because it’s a low-impact workout, it’s great for those who may have limitations when it comes to cardio and weights. But don’t be fooled - Pilates can have a high impact on your fitness. If you want to strengthen your core, improve flexibility and support total-body endurance, sign up for a Pilates class like Club Pilates and see how you like it!

4. Incorporate antiinflammatory foods

Post-workout soreness is very common, but you can combat it. Blatner says you should incorporate anti-inflammatory foods to help your body recover, reduce soreness and keep you feeling strong. Add options like eggs for high-quality protein and nutrients, berries and leafy greens for antioxidants, fish for healthy fats, and green or turmeric tea for their natural inflammation-fighting benefits.

5. Don’t forget about post-workout recovery

Eating after a workout is just as important as fueling up beforehand. When you get home from the gym, try this single-serve Social Media Famous Tortilla Quiche as a quick,

balanced and filling meal. Each quiche has about 20 grams of carbs to replenish energy and almost 30 grams of protein to support muscle repair.

The quiche is made with high-quality ingredients, including Eggland’s Best eggs, which contain more

than double the Omega-3’s compared to ordinary eggs, to help reduce muscle soreness and aid in recovery after strenuous exercise. Eggland’s Best eggs also have more than double the Vitamin B12 compared to ordinary eggs, providing a natural energy boost and keeping