Freshman Emalyn Mucher redefining what’s possible at Fillmore
Cuba-Rushford Elementary lets their hair down for Bald For Bucks
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
CUBA — The Cuba-Rushford school community came together once again to sacrifice their hair in the name of cancer research.
The school district hosted its 11th annual Bald For Bucks event April 17 in the elementary school auditorium to finish a year-long fundraiser for Roswell Park Cancer Research Center.
Bald For Bucks began in 2002, when a Buffalo-area high school teacher shaved his head
to honor his sister, who was battling cancer. When his students realized what he had done, they wanted to join in to make a difference, collecting donations before shaving their own heads. That first year, $3,600 was raised for cancer research.
To date, Cuba-Rushford has raised over $10,000 for the cause just this year alone, with a decade-long total of over $120,000.
“This is a small community, but it’s always amazing how much they
give,” said Erica Quattrone, special education teacher and Bald for Bucks coordinator in the district. “
In February, Cuba-Rushford Elementary (CRE) participated in Jar Wars, a fundraising initiative organized by Schools Against Cancer, which is part of the Roswell Park Alliance, ultimately raising $1,120.33. Of the schools in Western New York that participated, CRE won first place for the second
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — Patagonia and New Zealand may be the most challenging, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana may have the greatest variety, but the best place to catch an award-winning trout this coming weekend is at the 36th Annual Greater Wellsville Trout Derby sponsored by the Lions Club.
The derby gets underway Saturday, April 25, at 5 a.m. anywhere along the banks of the Genesee River between the Jack Bridge Road in Shongo and Breezy Point Campground in Scio. Contenders will have 13 hours on Saturday
and 10 hours on Sunday, April 26, to hook one of 450 tagged brown or rainbow trout that will have been placed in the river. Each of the tagged fish will score a cash prize ranging from $25 to $1,000. A total of $50,000 has been sponsored for the event.
People from all over New York state, Pennsylvania and Canada — and from as far away as South Carolina — come to Wellsville to throw their lines in the Genesee to try to hook one of the tagged fish. Last year, 1,292 contestants turned out.
The event makes for some interesting fish
tales. In 2025, while 450 tagged trout were placed in the river, only 97 were caught. The cold weather on Saturday and the wind on Sunday last year kept the numbers down, according to the Lions Club’s Dean Arnold and Bruce Hand, who ran the event last year and are in charge again this year. Similar conditions could happen this year, with a 70% chance of rain and temperatures only in the high 40s forecast for Saturday, although the forecast for Sunday appeared nicer. Whatever the weather, Fish Headquarters in
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
Some of the 23 students and five adults who had their hair cut Friday at Cuba-Rushford Elementary School at the annual Bald For Bucks event.
Freshman Emalyn Mucher redefining what’s possible at Fillmore
BY HENRY
Before then seventh-grader Emalyn Mucher ever played a varsity game, head coach Tom Parks thought he had a plan.
“As a seventh-grader, I was planning to give her at least half a year or a full year on JV,” he said. “But even back then, during scrimmages, I realized how much she could help our team and be a factor.”
Mucher forced her way onto the floor early,
and she hasn’t slowed down since. Now a freshman at Fillmore, the 14-yearold guard is already a superstar in her region: 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 4.4 steals per game, along with 45 made three-pointers. She set the program’s single-season assist record with 115, earned her second straight league MVP, landed on the All-State team, and was named first-team Big 30 in 2025 as an eighth-grader. She also closed her freshman season with
more than 900 career points, with most of her high school career still to go. And somehow, those numbers still undersell her.
“She just continues to outdo herself,” Parks said. “Last year, as an eighth grader, I’ve just never had a player do what she did. And this year, she’s outdone herself again, even as a freshman. She’s only 14 years old, and she’s out there doing things that, as a coach, I’ve never seen a player do.”
More than a scorer
Beyond Mucher’s production, something that stood out all season long was her control over a game.
because she understood when to score and when to get her teammates involved. That’s something you just don’t see from most kids, especially at her age.”
Built for the moment
She plays for an elite club team in the area called Team Northeast, and constantly seeks out higher-level play. Parks said those things helped her to step into a varsity environment as a middle schooler and thrive right away.
“She practices and plays at a higher level than what she might even be facing at the time, just to prepare herself,” Parks said. “Her basketball IQ, paired with her skill level, allows her to do well against older players.”
constant, competitive environment.
program history.
“She scored as much as she does, and she’s not a volume shooter, that’s one of the special things about her,” Parks said. “She sees the whole game and doesn’t need to score to be satisfied. She just wants to win.”
That approach showed up most clearly when defenses tried to take her away.
Physically, she doesn’t overwhelm opponents. At around 5-foot-8, she’s still growing.
“I know the kids push each other at home,” Parks said. “It’s definitely a big basketball family.”
“There have been games this year where you just don’t think she’s going to miss,” he said. “When the ball leaves her hand, you expect it to go in.”
Growth beyond the stat sheet
As dominant as Mucher has been, her biggest strides may not show up in the box score.
That includes older sister Jadyn, a former Big 30 All-Star, and her brother Cam, a Big 30 First Team member this season. The result is a player who arrived at varsity already understanding the game at a deeper level.
“If you saw her, you wouldn’t immediately think, ‘Her height, that’s why she’s so good,’” Parks said. “She’s more average in that sense, but her game and her maturity is what really stands out.”
When opponents face-guarded her or sent multiple defenders, Mucher didn’t force the issue. She adjusted.
A basketball family
A quadruple double
The foundation for that development starts at home.
Early on, her high expectations sometimes led to visible frustration during tough stretches. That’s changed.
For all the consistency Mucher showed this season, one performance still stands above the rest.
As Parks described, in one game, with defenders collapsing on her all night, Mucher attempted just nine shots. She finished with 18 points, and led Fillmore to a win.
“If she wanted to force things, she could’ve taken 18 or 20 shots and we probably would’ve lost,” Parks said. “Instead, we won
“It really starts with their parents,” Parks said. “Alicia, her mom, is actually my JV coach, but honestly, she’s like a co-varsity coach. She’s done so much to guide Emmie.”
Her father, Jason, and siblings have played a role as well, creating a
“She did the impossible this year,” Parks said. “We’ve had a couple triple-doubles before, but she had a quadruple-double, and she reached that midway through the third quarter.”
It was the first in
“This year, she’s really learned to control those emotions better and stay in the moment,” Parks said. “It’s just that her expectations for herself are so high.”
She’s also grown into a leadership role, rare for a freshman on a team with experienced upperclassmen.
“She stepped up big time this year, becoming more vocal,” Parks said. “I saw that a lot in practice too.”
Other players from Allegany County on the Big 30 girls team are Lily Tompkins, Cuba-Rushford/Bolivar-Richburg, first team, and Mattie McCumiskey of Fillmore, second team.
Photo provided
Emalyn Mucher started playing varsity ball as a seventh-grader.
dining & Entertainment
WELLSVILLE — The Starlight Theater Company will sing iconic songs for the preservation of an iconic structure on Main Street, the Babcock Theater.
At 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, in the Grace United Mission Center (the former Christian Temple church) at 99 Maple Ave., Starlight members will present “Movie Melodies.” This is a free concert featuring songs from movies in support of the ongoing effort to preserve the Babcock. While the concert is free, the performers hope the audience will show their appreciation by making a $10 or more donation, but any donation is appreciated. Donation jars will be located throughout the venue, said Ryan Keib, a founding member of the troupe.
“We’re very supportive of the Babcock renovation and we want to see it happen,” he said. “Since our next show isn’t until July, we thought the best thing we could do is help with the fundraising effort. We got the idea of performing songs from the movies and decided to run with it.”
Under the direction of Bella Winslow, members of the the-
ater troupe have been rehearsing throughout the last two months, as a group and as individuals. They have selected a cross-section of movie music that spans the decades and includes award-winning, classic and modern songs. From the 1930s they have chosen to perform “Smile” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” From the 1940s and ‘50s they will perform the Marilyn Monroe and Elvis classics — “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “Jailhouse Rock.” From the later 20th century, “The Time of My Life” from “Dirty Dancing” and, from “Titanic” the blockbuster “My Heart Will Go On” will be featured.
From the more recent hit movie “Barbie,” the guys will sing the feature song, “I’m Just Ken.” Several other well-known songs from
the movies will also be part of the program. The vocalists hail from both Wellsville and Olean and include Jeff Apple, Jesse Beaton, Isabella Corwin, Tristan Defiore, Emma Elliott,
Keib said the concert will include both solos and duets. He added that this is something of a red-carpet event for the performers, who will be dressed up.
“We’re hoping the audience will dress up, too, but it’s OK if they want to come to the concert in their sweatpants,” he said.
During a brief pause in the musical stylings, Keib said there will be an update on the progress of the Babcock
‘Movie Melodies’ concert to benefit Babcock Theater effort in Wellsville
Theater Preservation Society, presented by a member of that organization. Refreshments will be available throughout the show. Keib explained one of the reasons the Starlight Theater Company is hosting a fundraiser for the Babcock Theater Preservation Society is because members have discovered the theater’s old stage, which was hidden behind the movie screen, and they plan to preserve it and put it to use.
“We want to perform on that stage,” he said.
Molly Green, Jackie Hitchcock, Ryan Keib, Heidi Lawton, Katelynn Roulo, Mikayla Turner and Emily Usselman.
BY KATHRYN ROSS
Photo provided
The Starlight Theater Company will perform the Judy Garland classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” when they present “Movie Melodies” on Friday evening, April 24.
year in a row, meaning the Buffalo Sabres mascot Sabretooth is coming to visit the school later this spring.
“It’s just people donating their loose change,” Quattrone said. “It’s always amazing how this little town will give you the shirt off their back.”
Hair-cutting stations were set up both on the CRE stage and in front
Island Park will be open throughout the derby.
That’s where contestants bring their live, tagged fish to catch a payout, as winners will get their check on site. Only a little over $4,950 was paid out in the 2025 derby.
of it for the five adults and 23 students who stepped up to have their hair trimmed or shaved for the cause, Quattrone said. DJ Anthony from KISS 98.5 in Buffalo, who has attended the event every year, was on hand to help run the event, along with a representative from Roswell Park. “It felt smoother this year,” she said. “We had more stylists to
Food will be available for sale at headquarters and includes breakfast both days, with burgers, hotdogs, french fries and beef-on-weck as well as soft drinks offered. Raffles and commemorative items are also
make sure nobody was rushed.”
This year’s event saw a nice mix of those who have participated for several years and first-timers stepping up for the cause. Quattrone said CRE teacher Richard Beck has shaved his head every year since 2020. He was right there with DJ Anthony helping the crowd of students cheer on their peers.
featured in the headquarters pavilion. Outside, vendors will also be selling fishing gear. Headquarters is also the place to catch a Community Fish ticket, until that fish is caught.
“And then there’s the brand new kids who are already saying, ‘I’m going to do this next year,’” Quattrone added. The eighth-grade leadership group that helped organize the event arrived at the elementary school earlier in the day and helped set up and decorate the auditorium and cleanup afterward, Quattrone said.
Historically, the Community Fish is the most profitable fish for fishermen and community members alike. Last year, the Community Fish was worth $6,304 dollars with a payout of $3,152 dollars to an Angelica woman after the fish wasn’t caught. If the Community Fish is caught, the lucky fisherman is awarded half of the prize money. The other half of the prize money goes to
“They were so helpful this whole day,” she said. Quattrone said CRE regularly talks to the students about being heroes, which includes helping, encouraging and respecting others as well as taking care of and looking out for each other.
“We’re so easily able to do that through this event,” she said.
the lucky person whose ticket is picked in the drawing at the end of the derby. If the Community Fish is not caught, the drawing is still held with the owner of the winning ticket receiving half of the money. The other half goes into the Lions Trout Derby proceeds, which helps them to fund the many projects that benefit the surrounding communities. Registration for the dderby runs through
Those who want to donate or learn more about the fundraiser should visit baldforbucks.org and search for a specific participant or team to choose who to donate to.
Donations can also be mailed to Roswell Park, Bald for Bucks, c/o Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Elm & Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263.
Sunday and costs $20 per person. Fisherman 16 and over must have a valid New York state fishing license to register. Tent camping is available in Island Park and along the riverbank. RVs may be parked at the entrance to the park on both sides of the river. Open fires are forbidden in the park, but grills are available. Camping is free.
BY RAY MAGLIOZZI automotive
Dear Car Talk:
The Wellsville Lions Club was founded in 1942 with 30 charter members. Since then, it has contributed more than $1.5 million to the community. It has supported building projects, both the David A. Howe Library and Jones Memorial Hospital, Little League and high school sports and academic teams, a variety of programs, local fundraisers, individuals in need, scholarships, eyeglasses and more.
On the broader stage the Lions Club supports the fight against childhood cancer and diabetes. It also provides disaster relief, promotes humanitarian and environmental causes and fights hunger and supports vision and youth programs.
Why did tire rotation patterns change?
Back in the days of bias ply tires, there was a standard X-plus rotation pattern that also involved the spare. When radials came along, we were told they were directional and should only be switched between front and rear, and had to be kept on the same side of the car. Now, when pros do tire rotation on our cars, they’ve reverted to the old X-plus method. What changed? — David
More experience and better tire construction. When radials first came into common use in the 1960s and 1970s, manu-
facturers believed that those tires developed a “memory” for what direction they turned.
I don’t think they believed tires had a literal memory (“Remember the time David bashed me into that curbstone after Fred’s bachelor party?”). But they were concerned that the adhesives that held the internal belts together could fail if the forces at work on the tire switched to the opposite direction. And when you switch a tire from the right side of your car to the
left side, you change its rolling direction and change the direction of those forces.
As better adhesives were developed, and we had more real-life experience with radial tires, the manufacturers eventually concluded that this was really not an issue, and it was perfectly safe to switch the tires’ direction. Sadly, they missed the opportunity to call this “tire amnesia.”
Not only is it safe to use the X pattern, but it’s highly desirable.
The X pattern you refer to is where you take the right rear and move it to the left front, and the left rear to the right front. So, you’re switching both the rolling direction and the front/ rear position of all tires.
If you have a full-size spare (that’s the “plus”), it usually goes on the right rear, and the left front becomes the spare. That rotation evens out the way all the tires wear down. Front tires wear faster than rear tires, since they carry a heavier load of steering and braking. And the individual chunks of tread tend to wear down more at their trailing end than their leading end. Reversing the rolling
direction evens that out and makes the tires less noisy and longer lasting. So, the X pattern, or X-plus, is the way to go now if you opt to rotate your tires. And unless your tires are specifically designed to be directional (some are), you can forget all about that issue, just like your tires have.
One Tough Animal
home improvement
Expert tips for the first mow of the season
(BPT) — As temperatures rise and lawns come out of winter dormancy, the first lawn mowing of the season becomes a critical reset point for overall turf health. Lawn care experts say how homeowners approach this first cut can influence everything from root development to how well the lawn holds up against heat, drought and weeds in the months ahead.
“Early in the season, your lawn is transitioning into an active growth phase, so it’s more sensitive to stress,” said Jason Wilk, senior product manager at ECHO
Incorporated. “How you handle that first mow can either support that transition or set it back.”
Clear debris and address winter damage first
A strong start begins with clearing what winter left behind. Sticks, leaves and compacted debris don’t just get in the way, they can block airflow and sunlight at the soil level, leading to slower, uneven growth. Before that first mow, Wilk recommends walking the yard to remove buildup and assess any light damage to shrubs,
small branches or overgrowth. For quick cleanup, a battery-powered blower like the ECHO DPB-2500 Blower can efficiently clear debris, while a compact pruning tool like the ECHO DHS3006 Pruning Saw is well-suited for trimming small limbs and winter dieback.
Taking the time to fully reset the yard before mowing creates a more consistent surface and reduces the likelihood of damaging equipment during that first pass. Prep your equipment to protect the lawn
heal faster, while torn grass blades can lead to moisture loss and make the lawn more vulnerable to disease.”
Before your first mow, Wilk recommends running through a quick equipment check:
• Inspect and sharpen mower blades: Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which can lead to browning and increased susceptibility to disease
once you begin mowing
Taking a few minutes to address these basics helps ensure more consistent performance and a cleaner, healthier cut from the start.
Control the first mow and trim lawn edges
One of the most common early-season mistakes is cutting too much at once. While overgrowth is normal coming out of winter, removing too much of the grass blade can shock the plant and weaken its ability to recover.
away, but taking too much off too quickly can set your lawn back,” Wilk added. “A more gradual approach helps it recover and grow in more evenly.” For areas a lawn mower can’t easily reach, like around trees, fences and tight edges, a string trimmer such as the ECHO DSRM-225 String Trimmer can help create a clean, finished look without overcutting those more delicate areas.
Choose the right lawn mower for early spring conditions
After months of sitting idle, lawn equipment should be checked to ensure it’s operating properly before the first use. Even small maintenance oversights can impact cut quality and stress your lawn during a critical growth period.
“A sharp blade doesn’t just improve how your lawn looks, it helps protect it,” Wilk explained. “Clean cuts
• Check battery charge and connections (for battery-powered models): Ensuring a full charge and secure connection helps deliver consistent power throughout the mow
• Check and top off engine oil (for gas-powered mowers): Proper lubrication helps ensure smooth operation and prevents unnecessary wear
• Clean or replace the air filter: A clogged filter can reduce engine efficiency and impact performance
• Inspect the deck and undercarriage: Builtup grass or debris can affect airflow and cut quality
• Test safety features and controls: Making sure everything is functioning properly before use helps avoid interruptions
Turf experts widely follow the “one-third rule,” meaning no more than one-third of the grass blade should be removed at a time.
“People want that fresh-cut look right
Early-season lawns are often thicker and uneven, making that first mow more demanding than routine cuts later in
home improvement
Outdoors
BY WADE ROBERTSON
Spring gobbler season is only days away and I should be excited, but may have a case of turkey PTSD — the longer I hunt gobblers the less I understand them.
Turkeys gobble, supposedly, to attract hens. When there are no hens around, they are supposed to run blindly into your seductive calls.
Yeah, right!
There may be areas where the above logic holds more or less true, like with the Merriam’s subspecies out West or on private lands and in states that allow baiting or areas lightly hunted — maybe. But here in Pennsylvania and New York, where turkeys are hunted very hard and the numbers of excellent turkey hunters are high, experience quickly shows you that turkeys are laws unto themselves.
During my earlier years hunting gobblers several experiences took place during one season that quickly taught me how totally unpredictable gobblers can be. That spring I scouted hard and located several birds that gobbled every morning. Then, two days before the season opened, an icy Canadian cold front blew in and the turkeys went silent. For the life of me all I could think of was the book, “Silent Spring”! The gobblers shut up and stayed quiet for two long, miserable weeks. Getting up at 4 a.m. for that time span and never once hearing a single gobble makes it incredibly difficult to force yourself out from under those warm covers!
The workdays become so very long and almost unbearable; having already been up three or four hours before arriving and climbing a steep hill as well. Sleep deprivation, exhaustion, are the correct terms, I believe.
The third week of the season my partner and I finally began hearing a few gobblers but, of course, they were with hens. Finally, we had a bird come in, but not close enough to shoot. The next day we set up on him well before daylight. Even though he had gobbled his fool’s head off the day before, today our bird never made a peep. Once it was daylight
I happened to glance far up the hillside and there sat our gobbler on a log preening his feathers and looking around, just as calm as could be. Thinking he was just waiting for a lonesome hen to arouse his male ardor, I made a couple seductive clucks. To my amazement the turkey never even so much as glanced in my direction. Hearing my calls, a real hen answered me from up the valley and walked along the
ridge above us, calling constantly, but the big gobbler ignored her, too. I called louder and cut a little, but the big tom gave no indication he heard me at all. I might as well have been using a moose call. Soon he hopped down off the log and wandered off, dreaming no doubt of tomorrow’s card game or Saturday’s horse race. One thing was for sure; females were the furthest things from his mind.
Puzzled, Jim and I tried to analyze what had happened. The gobbler couldn’t have seen us as we set up in total darkness; he’d shown no signs of being alarmed and even ignored a real hen. What’s up? Talk about feeling helpless.
The last week we managed to locate two more birds in a different area and in a growing desperation made as perfect a setup on them as possible.
Spring turkeys are totally unpredictable
The gobblers cut loose about 5:45 a.m. and gobbled merrily away. Some owls came over to torment them and the adversaries hooted and gobbled back and forth for 10 minutes.
It was a soul stirring and beautiful concert and, once it was daylight, the gobblers flew off to our right, landing only 100 yards away in a cloud of dried leaves. Then five or six hens flew down to the left with a loud outcry of yelps, clucks and cackles, then went eerily silent while wandering off on their merry way.
The toms gobbled once or twice then went silent after landing, ignored the group of hens and presumably headed down to Joe’s Place for an early beer while the hens struck out for Hilda’s to get their hair done, I assume. Perhaps the gobblers had made an insensitive comment or two the evening before and ticked off the ladies, whatever the reason they showed absolutely no interest in one another.
The next to the last day of the season I was hunting alone, driving,
stopping, calling, just covering as big an area as possible. I finally heard a bird far down in a deep valley about 10 a.m.
Grabbing the shotgun and my vest, I slid down the near-vertical hillside, grabbing at saplings to slow my descent, and closed the range. Next, I snaked my way through a thick clearcut before finally setting up in the open timber at the clearcut’s edge. The gobbler had been gradually coming closer as I closed the range before closing to 35 yards, where I was finally able to coax him from behind a mound of dirt where he’d stubbornly hung up.
The 835 roared, blasting me backwards but the 4s found their mark, dropping a beautiful tom with an 8½-inch beard and 7/8th-inch spurs.
Deliriously happy, I repeatedly picked the gobbler up to make sure he was real and this wasn’t a dream. I have no clue why this bird came in while the others didn’t.
You know? I probably never will.
Photo provided Gobblers are totally unpredictable and I’m pretty sure they have no idea themselves what they’re going to do next. In fact, my buddy Jim Acker and I start laughing when we come up with some crazy idea of actually outsmarting an elusive bird. If we happen to be right we know it’s just dumb luck or an unlucky day for the gobbler. However, fate does smile on me occasionally, as this last day gobbler proves.
Alfred announces 54th annual Hot Dog Day festivities
ALFRED — Hot Dog Day returns for its 54th year, bringing a beloved tradition of community, creativity and celebration to the Village of Alfred.
Hosted by Alfred University and Alfred State, this year’s festival promises a dynamic lineup of events for students, residents and visitors alike.
Events on Friday, April 24, include:
Alfred State’s UJIMA group will present its annual Fashion Show from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Orvis Auditorium. The After Dark Dash5k Glow Run, hosted by the Alfred University Wellness Center, invites participants of all ages to light up the night. Check-in begins at 7 p.m. at the Village Bandstand, with awards for Best Dressed at 7:45 p.m. and the race starting at
Cuba Library offers beaded strawberry pincushion class
CUBA — Come to the Cuba Library on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and learn beading techniques with native artist Penny Minner to add seeds, edging around the leaves and a beaded hanger to a strawberry pincushion.
In the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois/Six Nations) culture, the strawberry is considered a gift from the Creator. They give thanks to the strawberry as it is a symbol of health, blatant thanksgiving, with deep roots in their Creation story.
In celebration of the strawberry, participants will be sewing a beautiful beaded velvet pin cushion using glass seed beads as embellishment. All materials are provided. If you need close up glasses, please bring them.
This class is free and open to adult patrons, but space is limited, and registration is required. Contact Cuba Library at (585) 968-1668 or email cuba@ stls.org to sign up.
Penny Minner is a Haudenosaunee artist, making traditional arts such as beadwork, moccasins and regalia accessories, as well as providing displays, demos and presentations on Haudenosaunee style artwork and stories.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program of the New York State Council on the Arts.
8 p.m. Registration is $5 for students and $15 for community members, with all proceeds benefiting Allegany County Cancer Services.
Alfred University’s Drag Club will host a Drag Show in Miller Theater starting at 8:30 p.m., featuring performer Aria (Event is open to guests 18 and older).
The centerpiece of the celebration takes place on Saturday, April 25, as the Alfred Hot Dog Day festival fills Main Street, Alfred State and Alfred University with a full day of festivities.
The day begins with the fan-favorite Wiener Dog Races at 11 a.m. on the AU Brick Hall Lawn, where dogs of all breeds (with a soft spot for dachshunds) race for glory and crowd cheers.
At noon, the Parade
marches down Main Street, bringing together student organizations, community groups, and creative floats in a lively showcase of Alfred spirit.
Following the parade, the Vendor Fair opens along Main Street, featuring more than 40 student and community vendors, six food trucks, and plenty of classic hot dog stands offering festival favorites.
The Carnival opens at 1 p.m. at the Student Leadership Center (Lot 3) on Alfred State’s campus. The carnival offers free rides, games, and entertainment for all ages. The carnival will feature four food trucks and a live DJ performing from the SLC balcony.
Festivalgoers can also visit merchandise booths at both Main Street and
health & Wellness
Alfred State locations to pick up official Hot Dog Day gear and souvenirs. With a mix of music, performances, food, and community tradition, the 54th Annual Alfred
Dog Day
continues to be one of the region’s most anticipated events. Organizers encourage all to attend and experience a full day of fun in
Warning signs of skin cancer
The World Cancer Research Fund notes that skin cancer is the seventeenth most common cancer across the globe. Skin cancer is a global menace, but it might be a greater concern for some than others. The United States had the highest skin
cancer incidence rate in 2022, while Canada had the eighth highest incidence rate of the disease of any country across the globe. Though no one is immune to cancer, Americans and Canadians may need to be especially vigilant if they hope to reduce their risk for the disease.
One of the steps anyone can take to improve their stance in the fight against skin cancer is to learn to spot signs and symptoms of the disease. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatable it is and the better the prognosis. The
MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that skin cancer may not show clear physical signs at first, which can delay detection. But certain sensations affecting the skin, including itching, tenderness, pain, or a burning feeling, may indicate the presence of skin cancer. When early symptoms are visible, they may include:
• A new spot on the skin
• Changes in an existing mole or spot that alter its size, shape or color
• A spot that itches or hurts
• A shiny bump on the skin, which may be red or skin-colored
• A rough, red patch that feels dry or scaly
The presence of any of these symptoms is not necessarily indicative of skin cancer, but they should be brought to the attention of a health care professional immediately.
As skin cancer worsens, symptoms might change. In such instances, the MDACC notes a person can be on the lookout for various signs, including:
• A sore that does not heal
• A raised bump with a center that bleeds or forms a scab
• A bump that looks like a wart
• A scar-like area with no clear edge
• A mole that changes quickly or one that features uneven edges or colors
Anyone concerned about their skin cancer risk is urged to speak with a health care professional regarding what they can do to protect their skin. Additional information about skin cancer and its symptoms is available at mdanderson.org.
Hot
Festival
Alfred.
Photo provided College students and the community of Alfred will once again celebrate the Hot Dog with a dynamic lineup of events.