JUMP Day back in Wellsville as middle-schoolers serve the community
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
Middle school students at Wellsville Secondary School weren’t playing hooky on May 29 when they swarmed onto Main Street and across the village at 8:30 a.m. — it was JUMP Day.
The black-shirted and safety-vest-wearing students were taking part in an event that hasn’t occurred since the COVID pandemic, the annual Jump Up Middle school Participation (JUMP) Day of community service.
JUMP Day is an offshoot of JUMP Club, which was organized by teacher Lois Miller when there was still a Brooklyn school building. While the building is long gone, Jump Club continues teaching and engaging middle school students, through hands on projects, the values of community service.
The JUMP Club/Day project earned multiple awards and accolades from the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce and the state. While Miller retired from teaching a few years
ago, JUMP Club continued.
This year, kindergarten teacher Barb O’Grady brought back JUMP Day, with teachers and helpers leaving their desks to supervise crews of six or more students working on projects across the village.
On Friday, students participated in several projects.
At Jones Memorial Hospital, a team cleaned up the grounds, while at the Salvation Army
Green’s MVP performance lifts Wellsville to B2 title
LIVONIA — The start was not good for Wellsville on May 30 during the Section 5 title game.
Wellsville senior Trenton Green gave up two first-inning hits and the Lions trailed East Rochester, 2-0, with no outs and a runner on third.
However, Green put together a performance of a lifetime, retiring the next 14 batters, allowing only one more hit and striking out 12 as No. 2 Wellsville defeated fourth-seeded East Rochester, 10-2, for the Class B2 crown. This marked Wellsville’s thirdstraight sectional title and the 17th in program history, which, according to first-year coach John
Anderson, ties Pittsford-Sutherland in Section 5 annals. Green picked up the win in the first game of sectionals, a 7-5 triumph over Bishop Kearney, then with just 17 pitches picked up the victory in the semifinals against Bolivar-Richburg/Cuba-Rushford.
On May 30, he threw 103 pitches and picked up ANOTHER win and the Section 5 Most Valuable Player Award. Last season, Wellsville beat LeRoy, 4-3, when Karson Grover stole home for the deciding run.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
Packing food bags at the Salvation Army food pantry are seventh-grader Emily Britt and eighth-
graders Kinley Root and Natalie Aftuck.
Wellsville B2 Title continued on PAGE 6
Photo provided
The Wellsville baseball team pose
Hearts For Isabella’s 5th HeartRaiser set for June 5-6
BOLIVAR — The Fifth Annual CHD HeartRaiser, organized to support those in local communities affected by congenital heart disease, is set for June 5-6 at the Bolivar Country Club.
William and Tabitha Dombrowski founded the non-profit Hearts For Isabella in the memory of their daughter, Isabella Annelise Dombrowski, who on Feb. 3, 2020, lost her life at only 3 months old due to complications of open heart surgery after being born with only half a heart.
Each year, Hearts For Isabella hosts the family-friendly event to help support area children and families affected by CHD through scholarships, funding for Heart Camp, hospital toy drives, snow sculptures and vital research toward a cure.
Activities planned this year include tethered hot air balloon rides (weather dependent), a car show, family-fun activities, inflatable fun, a silent auction, raffle, 50/50, beverages and pre-sale dinner specials and food trucks.
There will also be a golf tournament, wine pull, live music and DJs, costume characters, face
painting and air brush tattooing and a vendor craft show.
Artist Eric Jones, who partners with Hearts For Isabella annually, will be on hand to do caricature drawings and there will be a children’s painting event, a wildlife animal show and an appearance by members of the Bolivar Fire Department and EMS service.
The organizers noted that all activities are subject to change and may not be available both days.
“These efforts are only made possible by the incredible individuals and corporate sponsors who partner with us,” the Dombrowskis stated. “We are truly grateful for the overwhelming support we receive each year to honor Isabella in such a special way.”
Sponsors, volunteers,
vendors, golf teams and basket donations are welcome. Call (607) 6617782 or (716) 904-3420, or email heartsforisabella@gmail.com for information or to offer
support for the event. Donations are also welcome and may be made via PayPal to HeartsForIsabella.
Cdhecks may be sent to Hearts For Isabella, Inc., 15 Elmwood Ave.,
Celebrate National Trails Day with IMPACT on Saturday
IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. invites the public to join Saturday on a 6-mile morning hike to celebrate National Trails Day in Phillips
Creek State Forest. During the hike, IMPACT will introduce hikers to a new Adirondack-style lean-to, recently built by the Environment and Tech-
nology class at Andover Central School. Hikers will meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead on Route 244 and IMPACT
President Glenn Gebhard will lead the group
east on Trail 3 to Trail 4.
Along the way, participants can enjoy recently improved trail sections, spring wildflowers, and birdsong. On Trail 4, beyond the horse camping area on Stewart Forest Road, the group will stop at the lean-to overlooking a large beaver pond and dam.
Hikers will then continue southwest on a muddy section of Trail 4, which will be improved with a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Trail Maintenance fund this summer.
They will then explore a new timber bridge, constructed by IMPACT volunteers and New York DEC staff. After crossing Lockwood Forest Road, the hikers will enjoy a favorite part of the trail alongside Phillips Creek. When leaving Phillips Creek, be prepared for a short scramble up a rocky section of Trail 6.
After passing the Trail 1 and Trail 2 intersections, hikers will cross a timber bridge built a few years ago by Alfred State College
Construction Trades students. The project was funded by donations from the Allegany County Area Foundation, Saputo Dairy, and IMPACT.
Trail 6 merges with Trail 2 for the completion of the 6-mile hike returning to the Route 244 244 Phillips Creek State Forest parking area around noon.
Well-mannered dogs are welcome; be prepared to keep them on a leash and have a current rabies license tag. No pre-registration is needed for the hike.
Friendship, N.Y., 14739.
The Bolivar Golf Club is located at 8212 County Road 5c. Hours for HeartRaiser activities are 5 p.m. to
Photo provided
A new Adirondack-style lean-to built in Phillips Creek State Forest by the Environment and Technology class at Andover Central School.
File photo
The Fifth Annual CHD HeartRaiser to benefit the non-profit efforts of Hearts for Isabella is set for June 5-6 at Bolivar Golf Club.
Isabella Annelise Dombrowski
dining & Entertainment
Fountain Arts Center concert set for Sunday at Houghton
The Fountain Arts Center will present its Spring Concert at Houghton University at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, featuring musicians of all ages and levels of skill — students, teachers and professionals.
The semi-annual concert will include The Fountain Arts Center
Community Orchestra, Concert Band, the newly-formed String Orchestra under the direction of Noah Luthart and the Fountain Arts Center Youth Choir. The orchestra and concert band will be conducted by Alva Robbins, while the youth choir continues under
Bingo fundraiser benefits Green Machine Athletics
ANDOVER — The Arc Allegany-Steuben’s Green Machine Athletes, a sports organization dedicated to providing athletic opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host a bingo fundraiser June 14 at the Andover Volunteer Fire Department.
Doors will open at noon with bingo games beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance when purchased before June 10 and $30 at the door.
Admission includes 10 bingo cards. Additional cards, 50/50 raffles, food and beverages will also be available for purchase.
Organizers say the fundraiser promises an afternoon of fun, excitement, and community support while helping local athletes participate in Special Olympics New York competitions and events.
“Get your dabbers ready and mark your calendars for an afternoon full of anticipation and fun while supporting a great cause,” said Kyle Rook, Green Machine Athletics director.
Proceeds will directly benefit Green Machine Athletes by helping cover expenses related to training, travel, equipment and competition opportunities.
Tickets can be purchased online at thearcas.org/ bingo or at the door on the day of the event.
The Andover Fire Department is at 60 S. Main St.
the direction of Amanda Robbins.
In addition to the music, the audience will also be able to enjoy “Ageless Harmonies,” a display of Ashly Palmer’s photography in the Wesley Chapel Community Exhibition Gallery on the lower level. The exhibit is part of The Fountain Arts Center’s Artists Among Us Program — a revolving art program comprised of several curated exhibits rotating throughout several sites in Allegany County.
“Ageless Harmonies” captures the drama, emotion and beauty of musical performances through stunning perspectives and dramatic lighting. The exhibit also features many of The Fountain Arts Center musicians, including familiar faces that have brought music to life in the region for decades.
The Fountain Arts Center is grateful for the use of Houghton University’s Wesley Chapel to present the concert and the art exhibit. The concert and exhibit are free and open to the public.
Photo by Ashly Palmer
William Fancher, Robert Keir, Alyssandra Robbins and Norman Patton rehearse with the horn section of The Fountain Arts Center Concert Band, one of the musical groups to be featured in the upcoming Spring Concert.
Wellsville village trustees address grants, retirement of police officer
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
It was a down-to-business meeting as the village board transferred funds, made a donation and approved permits Tuesday evening.
At the request of the Wellsville 250th Anniversary Committee, the village board, which approved the formation of the committee under its auspices in March, made a donation of $500 to the event. The celebration is scheduled to take place Aug. 15 on the lawn of the David A. Howe Library, which is co-sponsoring the celebration.
The board also approved a special-event permit for the annual Great Wellsville Balloon Rally Parade set for July 11 and which is being billed as the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally and America’s 250th Birthday Parade. The rally got its start in 1976 when the local aviation club organized an air show to celebrate the bicentennial and it developed into the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally.
A special-event permit was also approved for the July 10 and 11 Wellsville Area Yard Sales under the direction of Kate Williams. Approximately 90 households are expected to participate. Registration is at wellsvilleyardsales.com. The board approved waiving the mandatory $15 fee for
individual yard sale permits for those participating in the event. Individual trustees had little to report except for Ken Didion, who said he had received information regarding multi-million-dollar grant funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for Urban and Community Forestry projects. In lieu of the recent Main Street controversy regarding the cutting down and replacement of trees, he
said he’s looking into the village’s eligibility for the grant funding.
From the Police Department, Village Treasurer Melissa Mullen (Chief Tim O’Grady was not in attendance) requested an appropriation of $60,000 from the general fund for the purchase of a light kit and police car.
She explained the police car fleet of five vehicles is replaced by one new vehicle each year, on a rotating basis, resulting in no car being
older than five years.
The board approved the request.
The board also accepted with regret the July 30 retirement of Officer Percy J. Sherman after 25 years of service to the village. Sherman, who received the Allegany County Stop DWI Top Cop Award multiple times and also received state recognition, will continue to serve Wellsville on a part-time basis while the department conducts a search to fill the post.
Mullen also asked for approval of $201,686.96 in fiscal year-end transfers from the village’s Reserve Fund — for equipment, the fuel farm reserve fund and the water and sewer equipment reserve fund. The board approved.
The board also approved funding in the amount of $120,620 from the New York Forward Small Project fund. Receiving 75% of requested amounts are 94 N. Main St. for an egress stairwell, $15,000; the David A. Howe Library for additional ornamental lighting, $21,937.50; Sanders and Maglier LLC for replacement of two HVAC systems in the Rockwall building, $23,557.50; and the Babcock Theater Preservation Society for
repairs to the marquee, $10,125.
Nancy Hart will receive $50,000, the maximum fund request, for revamping and replacing the façade, replacement of siding and interior renovation at From the Hart, 108 Main St. At the end of the meeting the village board of trustees approved writing off uncollectible electric accounts in the amount of $12,627.81 for the fiscal year ending May 31. The electric ddepartment will continue to seek repayment of these accounts. The amount written off is lower than what was expected, Mullen reported.
The next village board meeting is set for 6 p.m. June 8 in the village hall.
automotive
students loaded grocery bags with food items for the pantry. They also received a crash course on food security and learned about increasing need for food and the need to help out individuals and families.
The Salvation Army has seen an increase in the number of people coming into the pantry, according to one of the officials. Students also cleaned up the interior and painted an outside wall.
The students could also be found on Main Street cleaning the sidewalks and gutters from Pearl Street to Fassett Street. At the Fassett Green Space, students raked the grounds and spread dirt.
Farther up the street a team helped clean up fire trucks at the firehall, while back at school a team was washing cars for free in front of the school and a can and bottle collection drive was taking place behind the school.
Students said they enjoyed helping out, especially on a warm, sunny day, under a blue sky.
After their morning labors, the students gathered in Island Park where they enjoyed hot dogs and a picnic and games as part of Middle School Field Days. Afterwards, they headed back to their classrooms to hit the books.
Common and uncommon findings in your transmission fluid
BY RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Car Talk:
My 2015 Nissan Versa was due for its first transmission maintenance at 85,000 miles. There were no problems with it. But when I changed the fluid, I found little pieces of metal and a partial piece of what looks like a plastic clamp in there. I finished the job, closed up everything, and drove the car for a couple of hours. I didn’t notice anything wrong.
But then I decided not to drive it anymore until I find out if I should plan to replace the transmission. Any advice?
— Erik
Have you ever seen those signs inside the dealership service department that read, “Customers are not permitted beyond this point”?
This is why, Erik. There are some things a car owner shouldn’t see. At least there was no costume jewelry or wristwatches in there. Generally speaking,
it’s not uncommon to find some metal grit or shavings in transmission fluid. This is from the wear and tear, over time, of the internal components. But if you find metal chunks or pieces you can actually pick up with your fingers, that’s a troubling sign. And, in fact, your Versa has had significant problems with its CVT transmission. They’ve been so problematic that a class action suit forced Nissan to extend the transmission’s warranty to -- wait, how many miles
do you have on this? 85,000? The warranty was extended to 84,000 miles. No kidding. The good news is that by changing the transmission fluid and getting that stuff out of there, you have likely extended the life of the transmission -- whatever that life ends up being. So good for you. And in fact, for owners of 2015 Versas, changing the transmission
fluid every 30,000 miles to protect the clutches and belts is now recommended.
But, if it’s working well, Erik, you can either cross your fingers, commit to it, put it out of your mind, and plan to change the fluid every 30,000 miles from now on. Or think about trading it in before the transmission starts producing Legos and pieces of Samsonite luggage.
Decorated Wellsville Police Officer PJ Sherman will retire this summer.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
Main Street store From the Hart, owned by Nancy Hart, will receive $50,000 in grant funding for renovations.
Damien Agron Karsen Barber Garrett Clayson Zachary Deck Emilee Dempsey Oriana Dewe Ryellie Dietz
Shaelynn Eddy
Joseph Enzinna
Kaleigh Finnemore Ethan Fries Autumn Gajewski
Hatch Landon Hendryx Haydn Jones
Peyton Joy Coen Kellogg Collin Kerswill Dylan Kirnan Aaliyah Kowalewski Malakai Kreamer Richard Lett
Jadyn Little Maggie McGraw
Dezzarae Mogg Laura Mount Alanah Munson Preston Outman Stormie Peters Edie Pietrkiewicz Raegan Poore Katelyn Radomski Lauryn Radomski
Jordyn Radomski Olivia Rix Adam Roe Sawyer Rouse Kevin Smith Lana Studley Parker Swimline Brandon Taylor
Karleigh
With the score tied 2-2 this past weekend, Anderson remembered what happened last season and sent Paul Giovanniello home in the third inning to break the 2-2 tie, and the Lions never looked back.
“East Rochester’s pitcher, Liam DeHollander, was throwing 86 with a nice slider so I felt that might be the only way to get the lead,” Anderson said. “Then Liam took a line drive off the leg and somehow pitched into the fifth before he couldn’t land on the leg and came out. It was a gutsy performance.”
For Wellsville (14-7), freshman Drew Cowburn was 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI and, with Green, turned a 1-6-3 double play to Karter Grover to end the game. Giovanniello, a sophomore, had two hits, 2 RBI, stole two bases, made a sliding diving catch in center and made a throw from center on a line to stop a run from scoring.
“We were praising Paul for his diving catch — if he misses that, on the turf it rolls for a
home run, and for his monster throw home,” Anderson said. “But all he wanted to talk about was that steal of home.”
Freshman Ben Helveston had a double, RBI and a run, senior catcher Matt Ritter had a double and a run, Grover drove in two runs and scored and senior second baseman Andrew Ordiway made a diving stab of a ground ball heading to right and nabbed the runner.
“We have such a complete coaching staff, and Joe Carmona has put in so much time with the hitters, individual lessons, staying late and just solidifying their fundamentals,” Anderson said. “Then Logan Dunbar gives them the pitches they need no matter how tired he is and coach Matt Havens brings it all together with his circuit work and giving the infielders extra time. It all paid off with the hits and the plays in the field.”
Anderson felt it was the best Wellsville has played all season. He said losses to Olean, Bath, Arkport/Canaseraga and a few on the
southern trip had the team prepared for fast pitching and adversity.
“From pitching to hitting and defense, this was our most complete game of the season,” Anderson said. “We have such a great Section 5 committee who put together a great doubleheader at a great venue. ER coach Todd Kirkey joked, ‘Did you bring the entire village of Wellsville?’ It was a great crowd and a lot of baseball alumni and community members. It meant a lot to us.”
During the Section 5 Baseball Finalist Brunch on Friday, Anderson noted how much graduation decimated the team.
“I never forget the seniors and the work they put in. And we lost a ton of wins on the mound with graduation the last two years when we won sectionals as Ty Vogel, Aiden Cowburn, Cooper Brockway, Gavin Haggerty and Karson Grover won 90 percent of our games. To take it a step further, Vogel wins an NCAA national championship at NCCC, Cowburn’s Alfred State
team went to the Empire 8 finals, Alex Green, our catcher, wrapped up the first leg of his career at FLCC and even Cody Costello was MVP as Brockport State won the Club Baseball nationals,” he said. Anderson continued, “Yet here we are. Matt Ritter asked me last year how would we win again after our last game. I promised him and the seniors we would get back. The underclassmen started hitting in November and one of the biggest factors was Andrew Ordiway. He started the season hitting .444 and hurt his ankle, lost for the season. But he went to rehab, physical therapy, worked hard and came back to blast three doubles to get us to this game and made one of the best diving catches and throws to first I’ve ever seen in high school baseball in the Section 5 championship game.”
For East Rochester, Mason Loria (run), Tyler Leisten (run) and Noah Wollschlayer (RBI) had hits.
Alfred-Almond junior receives Civic Engagement Award
BELMONT — The Allegany County Democratic Committee announced that Serin Al-Fadhali, a junior at Alfred-Almond Central School, has been named the winner of its second annual Student Civic Engagement Award. The award recognizes Allegany County students in grades 11 and 12 for the ways in which they contribute to community life. It is a monetary award of $500.00 unrelated to academic performance it is not a scholarship and need not be applied to the cost of secondary education.
Karen Ash, chair of the Allegany County Democratic Committee, said, “This award is a gift, one that celebrates the spirit of community service in our youth, promotes civic betterment, and shines a light on our committee’s values of social and economic justice, equality, diversity, and helping the less fortunate among us.”
Serin’s volunteer activities include serving in the youth volunteer program at the Alfred Farmers Market and as part of a team of gardening and planting volunteers at the Alfred State Farm. She also participates in community food distribution events, and volunteers at the Alfred-Almond Elementary School, particularly for STEM Night and science fairs.
“Through volunteer work, I’ve seen how compassion and service build stronger, more supportive communities,” she said. “I hope to continue serving, learning, and creating a more understanding and just society for everyone.”
Serin Al-Fadhali
Ella Baker-Goerner Dreysen Burnside Noah Cady
Rebekah Copp
Heather Crowner Raya Fluty
Gertzen
Ethan Hamilton Marian Hamilton Mackenzie Harding Jadin Hardt Emma Haynes Kayla Hyde Micah Knowles Alanah Luce
William Nicholas Annagiulia Prando Corey Rice Gaven Richard Noah Sherman
Wellsville softball falls in B2 finals, 2-1, ending title streak
GATES — Wellsville’s title defense in softball came to an end in the Section 5 Class B2 championship, falling 2-1 to Avon at Gates Chili High School on May 30.
Wellsville fell despite a quality pitching performance from Kennedy Perry, who struck out 12 batters with one walk, allowing four hits.
But Avon held Wellsville to just one hit, recorded by Brynn Hallock, who also had the Lions’ lone RBI.
Avon pitcher Jessie Crye struck out 16 batters in the one-hitter.
The Lions fell to 16-3 to close the season. They had won five consecutive Section 5 championships.
BASEBALL:
Livonia 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 1
A year ago, an excellent Genesee Valley/Belfast baseball team fell to Kendall in the sectional championship game at
Livonia High School. On May 29, unfortunately for GV/Belfast, a nearly identical scenario unfolded.
GV/B, with legendary, longtime Allegany County coach Dennie Miles leading the way, was a force again in 2026, winning 17 regular-season games (19 total) and garnering the No. 2 seed in the Section 5 Class C2 playoffs. It again reached the sectional title contest, played at Livonia High School, where Kendall, a powerhouse in its own right, awaited.
And though this one was closer (GV/B dropped a 6-0 decision last year), Miles’ squad suffered the same fate, bowing to top-seeded and defending champion Kendall, 3-1, in the C2 final.
The Eagles scored one run in each of the first three innings to once again take the early lead … a lead that GV/B
could not overcome.
Kendall pitching, Miles said, proved to be outstanding in sectional play, elevating it to “elite status.” The Rams’ No. 2 pitcher threw a perfect game in a 7-0 victory over Perry in the semifinals last Tuesday. Nic Cole, their ace, displayed his dominance against GV/B in the title game, allowing only four hits while striking out 12 with just one walk. He set the tone over the first three innings with seven strikeouts.
Kendall pushed its record to 20-2 on the season and a glittering 41-4 over the last two campaigns.
GV/Belfast’s Ethan Davenport, working on two days’ rest, pitched a great game of his own, surrendering three runs on five hits with six strikeouts. But for the second year in a row, the GV/B offense could get little going.
Both teams played excellent defense, committing no errors.
“Good pitching, good defense and timely hitting wins championships,” Miles said afterward. GV/B had two of the components but no timely hitting.”
In each of the first three innings, Kendall placed the leadoff batter on, and all three scored.
For GV/Belfast, Davenport recorded two hits and a stolen base, Carson Foster had one hit and the lone RBI and Ian Mackenzie added the other hit.
GV/B finished the season 19-3 and has gone an impressive 40-5 the last two years under Miles. GV/B will graduate seven seniors, leaving a big void for next year.
“With them goes a lifetime of wonderful memories,” Miles said, “and that is what sports is all about.”
ACDC volunteers serve community meal in Wellsville
WELLSVILLE — Volunteers from the Allegany County Democratic Committee spent Friday preparing and serving a community meal at the David A. Howe Library.
About a dozen volunteers planned the meal, purchased groceries, prepared the food, and served it to the dozens of guests in attendance.
These community meals are provided free of charge and all are welcome. Each monthly gathering is a collaboration coordinated by the organization known as Community Kitchen,
and involves other such local organizations as Grace United Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, The Salvation Army and the Library. Other groups have donated goods, services and funds to make these free meals possible.
Janis Carson, coordinator of the meal, said,
“Giving in the service of others is a core Democratic value, and it is shared by all members of our committee. We’re so pleased we could be helpful in this way and look forward to taking part again in the future.”
Photo provided
The Allegany County Democratic Committee served a community meal Friday at David A. Howe Library in Wellsville. From left are Janis Carson, Maureen Holt and Mark Holt.
Brady Abdo Braiden Bachand Owen Bryant Jocelynn Butler Jude Colbey Olivia Cunningham Lucas Dickerson Georgia Donovan KayLynn George
Isaiah Goode Luke Karr Ridge Mesler Trevor Miller Colin Murray Soi Sang Ngyuen Kole
home improvement
What to know about home irrigation systems
Maintaining a lawn involves more than mowing once every week or two weeks. While it’s important that grass be cut consis-
Landscaping goes a long way toward how residents, guests and even prospective buyers view a property. A 2023 Thumbtack survey conducted in partnership with Nextdoor found that 73 percent of homeowners feel a wellkept lawn dramatically improves curb appeal.
tently and at a height that helps to prevent weed infestation, homeowners also need to go further if they hope to produce a lawn they can be proud of.
Watering a lawn promotes strong roots and produces that lush, green look that can quickly become the envy of a neighborhood. Hand watering is effective but also labor-intensive, while watering with lawn sprinklers may require frequent repositioning and lead to substantial runoff. That’s why many homeowners look
to irrigation systems to preserve their lawns and other areas of the landscape outside their homes. Homeowners considering such a system for their homes can take note of some of the basics of home irrigation systems.
Types of irrigation systems
Homeowners may be surprised to learn there are various types of irrigation systems. When considering an irriga-
tion system, homeowners may settle on two of the more common types.
• Sprinkler systems: These might be the most familiar home irrigation systems. A sprinkler irrigation system positions various sprinklers around a property and allows homeowners to water large areas in a relatively brief period of time.
• Drip irrigation systems: Drip systems are installed underground and provide water directly to the roots, which builds a stronger lawn and reduces the risk of weed infestation. Drip systems also can help to conserve water, which is important for homeowners who live in areas with arid cli-
Outdoors
Poor no more ... at least in terms of a spring gobbler
BY WADE ROBERTSON
The alarm blared at 3:45 a.m., the strident sound cutting into my sleep. My entire body revolted; I’d been cuddled beneath warm blankets, in blissful slumber. Even in my semi-comatose state my mind, I instantly asked, “Is a turkey worth this?”
I stretched out a hand, shut off the alarm and refused to consider anything but getting up. To think, reason, allow any type of excuse, the great majority of which were valid, intelligent and reasonable, would keep me comfortably in bed.
Glancing out the window showed the predicted rain had arrived. The truck glistened; tiny puddles dimpled from close placed, raindrops. Great.
After three long weeks of hunting my tag was unfilled. As usual, hunting turkeys involves failure after failure, many of which are unavoidable. Many
times success or failure is determined by the circumstances; how close the birds are, how thick or open the forest is, can you move at all without being seen, is a large tree close by, are there obstacles that would keep the turkey from coming closer? It’s a thousand different combinations of circumstances requiring instant decisions made under pressure with little or no time to carefully consider all the alternatives.
Then, of course, there’s the gobblers themselves. Hunting gobblers on public land, with other hunters competing for the same birds, can be extremely challenging. Gobblers that are not spooked or pressured can to some degree be patterned. Public birds realize every hen yelp they hear may not be the real thing. Tagged gobblers have been shown to move up to 5 or even 10 miles to escape heavy hunting pressure. They may quit gobbling altogether, just gobble
are calling from even from a great distance.
Jealous hens also lead the gobbler off. A gobbler’s long neck allows it to periscope its head up and peek through tree tops, brush, leaves, ground vegetation while remaining invisible. How many birds have seen me over the years without my knowledge is best not known, I’m sure.
Dressed and ready to go I peeked at the temperature: 60 degrees, vest weather. It took 20 minutes to reach my destination, 15 more minutes to cross a clearing, small stream and begin climbing the hill. It was 20 minutes to 5, just light enough to pick my way along.
fed in my direction. Above, a chorus of gobbles, three, four or five birds simultaneously, then silence once again. I gave two soft yelps. At 6:45 I swiveled my eyes left, behind my glasses prescription, and determinedd an indistinct black shape. Ever so slowly I turned — it’s a gobbler feeding. Wow! I attempted to shoot, but he never stopped moving his head, disappearing behind the bushes screening me.
from the roost tree then go silent when they hit the ground or, extremely maddening, give a single gobble when you call, then vanish. Then there’s the hens. Some hens, yearning for company, will answer and even come in, then refuse to leave, walking around your location calling constantly. You don’t dare move and after 15, 20 or 30 minutes, various parts of your anatomy begin to protest, fall asleep, ache, burn, joints ache, scream at their treatment. It is not unusual at all to find yourself in exquisite agony, praying
that hen will just shut the hell up and move! You dare not spook her for a gobbler may be coming in to see what the fuss is all about. When she finally moves off it’s often extremely difficult to move arms or legs because they hurt so badly. It sometimes takes me five minutes or so just to carefully, painfully stand.
The same motionless torment takes place when a gobbler is answering and slowly moving in. Their 6-power eyes will see the tiniest movement and with their super hearing they know exactly where you
At the top of the field the world was a gray, grainy, indistinct blur. I placed the decoy, picked a tree, realized it’s too exposed, found another screened by brush. Much better. Hot and sweaty, it was a relief just to sit and relax, catch my breath.
Slowly, the warm, moist darkness began to lighten, the formless forest taking shape, limbs, then twigs appearing by degrees. At 6, I heard a hen yelp quietly, then silence. Small birds half-heartedly chirped here and there but a water-logged quietness prevailed.
At 6:15 a single gobble sounded — where, I couldn’t determine. A hen appeared 80 yards away and I quietly gave two clucks. She slowly
I quickly shifted to the far side hoping he continued on. Before I could lower the shotgun, without warning, out stepped another magnificent gobbler, head high, 35 yards away, on alert, staring at my decoy. He was nervous, turning in small circles, head swiveling. Ever so slowly I raised the shotgun: “Squeeze the trigger!” to myself several times, then WHAM! The shotgun blasted!
He was down! Stunned almost, I realize it happened. I actually bagged a gobbler! Pure adrenalin poured into my system, joy beyond expressing filled me. Three weeks of painful effort finally fulfilled.
The 3-year-old weighed 19 pounds and sported a 10-inch beard with 1-inch spurs. Amazing! And, yes, all the struggles and effort were worth the what seemed unattainable, incredible reward, a prize beyond measure. For this, I give humble and heartfelt thanks.
health & Wellness
Vision should be cherished at every stage in life. However, as one ages and vision changes become more profound, it is even more important to stay abreast of what can be done to care for the eyes in the hopes of preventing certain conditions, including cataracts.
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lenses. The World
Health Organization estimates that cataracts affect more than 94 million people globally. Cataracts also account for nearly 45 percent of all blindness cases. Even though cataracts are considered an unavoidable part of the aging process, some people wonder if they can be prevented. Reedsburg Area Medical Center says that, while
one cannot entirely stop the biological aging of the lens, delayed onset and reduced severity of cataracts is possible through targeted lifestyle choices.
According to EyeHealth Northwest, by age 80, more than 90 percent of adults will either have a cataract or have already undergone surgery for them. Technically cataracts cannot
Can cataracts be prevented?
be prevented, but these steps can help push cataract development further into later life.
• Wear sunglasses with UV protection. The consensus among experts is that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet B rays accelerates the breakdown of lens proteins. Consistent use of sunglasses that
offer 100 percent UV protection can greatly slow this protein degradation. Wraparound frames will block light from the periphery as well as the front.
higher likelihood of requiring cataract surgery compared to those without the condition. Managing high blood sugar will prevent sorbitol from depositing in the lenses and causing cloudiness earlier in life.
• Lower oxidative stress. Preventing oxidative stress, a primary driver of lens opacification, can be achieved through diets rich in antioxidants, says Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho. Lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C act as shields for the eye. Eye Physicians of Long Beach says the risk of age-related cataracts reduces by around 26 percent for every additional 10 mg of carotenoids added to a person’s diet.
• Manage diabetes. The National Institutes of Health says individuals with diabetes face a 63 percent
• Quit smoking: Smoking is a key factor in cataract development, says Optometrists. org. Smokers have a 1.66 times greater risk of developing cataracts than non-smokers because the toxins in tobacco smoke can deplete the body’s natural antioxidant stores.
Although it may not be possible to turn off aging and prevent cataracts entirely, cataracts can be delayed and made less impactful through lifestyle changes.
Photo by Wade Robertson
This spring has been extremely difficult to bag a gobbler.
Several excellent hunters I know have yet to fill their tag and are extremely frustrated. Fortune, however, smiled on me at last after three long, fruitless weeks.