Angelica native’s book explores life of important figure in American revolution — and namesake of the village
BY KATHRYN ROSS
Who was Angelica Schuyler and why does a tiny town in Allegany County bear her name?
If you are from Allegany County, you might have heard that the county’s founder named the town he designed after his mother, but there is more to the story than a son’s maternal devotion.
Who was Angelica Schuyler? Was she the love interest portrayed in the play “Hamilton,” who betrayed her younger sister who was Hamilton’s wife,
or is that just a small part of who the woman was and her impact on the developing nation which would become
the United States?
It was a mystery to a young girl growing up on a farm outside of the village in the 1980s. While other girls perhaps dreamed about being a Disney princess, Molly Beer dreamed about the real woman who had lived in the sand-colored, brick and stone, white-columned mansion on the bank of the Genesee River. The woman’s friends were the framers of the U.S. Constitution, the patriots and heroes of America’s War for Independence.
“Angelica: For Love
and Country in a Time of Revolution” is the name of the book Beer had been researching and writing for most of the last 10 years. It will be released July 1 by W.W. Norton Publishing Company. It is not the first book Beer has written, but it is the first book she’s written about her hometown.
“I’ve written about El Salvador, Mexico and Nepal, but I’d never really written about my hometown,” she said.
“Angelica, New York, is just as interesting to me as any place I’ve ever been, but in order to
write deeply about Angelica the place, readers have to know WHO Angelica the person was, and I had to know.”
BEER STARTED researching the life of Angelica Schuyler Church in 2016. But she admits that it was just an extension of the information she’d heard as a child listening to oral historians on her front porch telling fascinating stories, and from what she gleaned from visiting the local library.
“I used to ride the school bus past Angelica’s house twice a day, going and coming from
elementary school,” Beer said. “She was a person that people who came to our house told stories about. Rural people like to gossip even if it is 200-year-old gossip.
“We didn’t have a television when I was growing up, so while other kids, little girls, were talking about Jasmine and Ariel, I was interested in Angelica,” she continued. “I was one of those little girls with a princess fetish — I think Angelica was my American version
Authorities ban water craft on Cuba Lake
Due to heavy rains and flooding on June 6, which washed tree branches and trash into Cuba Lake, a travel ban on the lake was issued June 7 and remained in effect to begin the week.
No water vessels, including boats, jet skis, kayaks or any other watercraft were permitted to launch or travel on Cuba Lake during the duration of the order, issued at 4 p.m. June 7 by Cuba Town Supervisor Lee James and Police Chief Dustin Burch.
The ban also included swimming and fishing on the lake.
“Several factors
guided our decision, primarily the potential for physical injury and the possibility of chemicals or other substances in the water due to the flooding,” James and Burch said in a statement. “We are actively working to develop an efficient and effective plan to mitigate this issue. We understand that this may not be a popular decision, but the overall health and well-being of all those who live, work, and play in Cuba and Cuba Lake are our top priorities.
“We express our gratitude for your understanding and assistance in this matter,” they
added. “We would like to thank all the agencies assisting us during this challenging process. We will keep you updated as we receive new developments. This order is enforceable by law enforcement.”
Burch and James said they consulted with local, state, and federal partners, including the governor’s office, Allegany County Legislature Chairman Brook Harris, the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Cuba Ambulance Department, Cuba Fire Department, Allegany County Emergency Services and Cattaragus County Emergency Services.
The Allegany County
Sheriff’s Office stated in a post on its Facebook page earlier June 7: “We have been in contact with the Cuba Lake District regarding the major storms last night and the flash flooding resulting from the storms. The lake is full of debris including trash and tree branches.
“This is a 100-year event that will take time to clear up,” the statement continued. “They are working to clean up the mess but request the cottage owners stay off the lake for now for their own safety not just from what is on the surface but what is under the surface. Please be patient as they need
time to clean things up. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated. Please use extreme caution.”
At 9 p.m. June 6, Allegany County issued a state of emergency
Photo provided
This Allegany County Sheriff’s Office photo shows Cuba Lake on June 6.
Photo provided Author Molly Beer is a native of Angelica.
Small Business Administration recognizes Cuba for ‘Economic Gardening’
CUBA — The town and village of Cuba have been recognized by the Small Business Administration for proactive support of small business development.
Representatives from Allegany County and the Cuba Chamber of Commerce joined SBA Buffalo District officials in Cuba recently to rec-
ognize the community’s exceptional efforts in “Economic Gardening” — “a forward-thinking strategy focused on growing local businesses from within,” accodrding to the SBA. Following an award presentation, officials toured the community to visit several of the nominated businesses.
Stops included White Imprints, The Radix, Six South Pizza, Tap-n-Pour and The Little Alchemy Shop — each a positive example of local entrepreneurship.
Allegany County led the way in SBA award nominations, with seven local businesses, the highest number among the 14 counties in SBA’s Buffalo region. Notably, the five nominees in the town and village of
Cuba underscored the community’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, the SBA stated.
SBA explains Economic Gardening is a progressive economic development approach that empowers locally rooted businesses with the tools, market insights and strategies needed to expand and thrive. Rather than relying solely on external business recruitment, this model nurtures
internal growth by supporting entrepreneurs as the drivers of job creation and economic vitality.
“Congratulations to all our local small business nominees, and to the town and village of Cuba for this well-deserved recognition,” the SBA in Buffalo stated in a press release. “Your commitment to local economic growth is a model for communities across the region.”
History knowledge taking Cuba-Rushford’s Jakobe Swift to Paris
Cuba-Rushford
of the brightest young minds from across the globe.
Middle School student Jakobe Swift recently returned from Orlando, Florida, where he competed in the 2025 International Academic Competitions (IAC). Jakobe, a seventh-grader, made the trip with his proud parents, Heather Mouser and Jerome Swift.
The IAC, founded by “Jeopardy!” champion and “The Floor” participant David Madden, brings together some
One of the highlights of Jakobe’s trip was his participation in the Introduction to Model United Nations. During a simulated “Second Falklands War,” Jakobe was named a Distinguished Delegate, an honor reserved for students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, diplomacy and problem-solving during the event.
In addition to MUN, Jakobe sat for several rigorous subject exams, including History in Pictures, U.S. Military History, American History and Political Science — placing in the top 10 across these categories.
Jakobe continued to make waves in the National History Bee, where he finished in
the top third during preliminary rounds and advanced to the quarterfinals. This marks the third consecutive year he’s made it that far — no small feat given the nearly 200 seventh-grade competitors he faced this year. His success in Orlando builds on an already impressive track record. In 2023, Jakobe represented his school and community at the IAC History Olympiad in Rome, Italy. Now, he’s preparing for his next international adventure — the International History Bee in Paris in July, for which he qualified based on his performance at this year’s competitions. Jakobe’s parentsd indicate his success is the result of not only his hard work and dedication but also the unwavering support of his family, teachers, school administrators and the Cuba-Rushford community. The Swift family extends their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has played a role in encouraging Jakobe’s academic journey and helping him pursue his dreams on the global stage.
BELFAST — Jenna
Hill is the Class of 2025 valedictorian at Belfast Central School while Sophie Zillgitt is salutatorian.
Hill, who will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 101.08, is the daughter of Brian and Adrienne Hill. Throughout high school she has been an exceptional student athlete, playing soccer and softball and named an Allegany County All-Star for two years in both sports, as well as being a member of the basketball team. She has also played on travel softball teams
every summer since seventh grade and has been a U8 soccer coach for the Belfast Summer Soccer League for two years.
This school year, Hill attended the prestigious New Vision-Health Professions program through CA BOCES. She has been a member of the Junior and Senior National Honor Society throughout high school, for which she has volunteered her time with various events and projects. Hill has been employed as a child care provider and as a summer recreation
counselor during the summer of 2024.
Hill plans to attend the nursing program at Alfred State College before continuing her education toward her eventual goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Zillgitt, the daughter of Steve DeMarte and Maike Zillgitt, has earned a GPA of 98.5. She has played varsity soccer, earning a sportsmanship award in 2024, and basketball, earning a sportsmanship award in 2024 and named an Allegany County All-Star in 2025. She also runs track, having
been named MIP in 2022 and 2023, MVP in 2024, and also named a County All-Star in ninth through 11th grades. She also won the Devin Snyder Memorial Award for Outstanding Female Athlete in 2024.
Zillgitt has coached U8 soccer for the Belfast Youth Summer Soccer program and has volunteered her time at St. Patrick’s Church, where she is a member.
She plans to attend SUNY Oneonta for graphic design while continuing to compete in track.
Musical Memories Café expands in Allegany County
BELMONT — Since September, the Musical Memories Café has been thriving in Belmont, attracting nearly 50 attendees each month. The success of the program had led organizers to plan for a new early dinner option, which starts later this month.
The social gathering space is designed for isolated older adults, caregivers and their loved ones, many of whom are living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The café provides an opportuni-
ty for the participants to enjoy music, stimulating their minds while allowing caregivers a chance to relax, connect with others in similar situations, and share a meal with their loved ones.
“The community’s response to Musical Memories Café has been remarkable,” said Larissa Wesche, an age-friendly associate at Ardent Solutions.
“We’ve received such positive feedback that we’ve applied for additional grant funding to
expand the program to include a second date and time each month. With support from the Ralph C. Wilson Legacy Foundation, we’re thrilled to introduce an early dinner option for caregivers who work outside the home and cannot attend the monthly lunch event.”
The new Musical Memories Café will rotate among various locations in Allegany County, occurring on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The inaugural event is set for
Jenna Hill is valedictorian at Belfast, Sophie Zillgitt is salutatorian
Thursday, June 26, at the Houghton Wesleyan Church, 9712 Route 19N.
This new dinner option complements the existing afternoon program held on the second Friday of each month at the Fountain Arts Center, 48 Schuyler St., Belmont, from noon to 1 p.m.
Sponsored by Ardent Solutions and the Allegany County Office for Aging, Musical Memories Café is part of the
➡Angelica Native’s Book
of a fairytale princess.
Thomas Jefferson was charmed by her wit in the salons of Paris.
Alexander Hamilton adored her. Lafayette recognized her granddaughter during his return visit to the U.S.
Even the Prince of Wales admired her.”
➡Cuba Lake continued from PAGE 1
Almond, Friendship, New Hudson and Rushford.
The state of emergency and travel ban were rescinded at 9 a.m. June 7, although a travel ban remained in effect until noon around the Cuba Lake area including Abbott Road, Rawson Road, County Road 17, County Road 20 and the North Branch Road.
“On behalf of all county residents, Chairman Harris extends his deepest thanks to our emergency responders and Public Works crews,” Allegany County stated in a press release Saturday. “Their tireless dedication and swift action have ensured the safety and well-being of our residents, and we are all very grateful and appreciative.”
When she got outside of Angelica, Beer said she was amazed that people knew little about Angelica other than the fact that the town was named after her.
“When I went out into the world, I was always kind of surprised that no one knew, really, about her,” Beer said. “And that kind of made me sad, because little girls in other countries have female leaders in their history — Catherine the Great, Queen Elizabeth (and Mary and Anne…). Even Marie-Antoinette, who was the same age as Angelica, held enough sway that a great deal of energy went into denigrating her. I felt I was lucky to have a REAL person to idolize, not a fantasy.”
So, one reason Beer wrote the book was to bring Angelica’s story to more American girls, and not just the love-interest storyline that historians have diminished her to.
“I wanted to write
Age-Friendly Allegany County Initiative.
“Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be incredibly stressful,” Wesche said. “The
about a real girl, a real woman, who wasn’t well behaved or prim, who ran away from home and broke the rules sometimes for reasons she felt were more important than the rules,” Beer said. “Because I hope this book will reach girls, I’m really delighted that it’s been picked up by the Junior Library Guild.”
INITIALLY, THE STORY of Angelica Schuyler was told in a historical pamphlet for the village of Angelica. Beers remembered that her mother, Lucia Beer, and local historian David Hagstrom, asked her to write something about Angelica after the musical “Hamilton” debuted on Broadway in 2015. “Hamilton” is about Alexander Hamilton and his influence on the Revolutionary War and the development of the democratic experiment that became the U.S. Characters in the play include, among a large cast, Hamilton, Aaron
Burr, Angelica and her younger sister, Elizabeth, Hamilton’s wife.}
“That year I spent the summer in my hometown researching the life of Angelica and I wrote a brief pamphlet, but there was so much more to learn,” Beer said, admitting that the pamphlet was just the beginning of a journey that has taken her to Saratoga, Ticonderoga, Albany, Boston, London and Paris as she pieced together the life of a revolutionary heroine.
She explained that Angelica Schuyler Church is mentioned and talked about in letters written by Hamilton, John Adams, the Marquis de Lafayette and Jefferson, whose daughters attended school in Paris with Angelica’s daughter.
Beer explained Angelica lived in New York, Boston and London, where her home was a sort of embassy for the fledgling country, dealing with relationships with the court of
Café continued from PAGE 3
King George III, after the Revolution, and it served as a refuge for her aristocratic French friends escaping the Reign of Terror.
She witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1785, and joined her friends in the celebration when George Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. president.
Beer doesn’t call Angelica an influencer as the word is used today.
“I think of her more as an interlocutor, someone who tried to keep the peace between the French and the patriots when the French army was stationed in Boston,” Beer said. “She tamped down cultural clashes and tried to keep the peace.”
BEER BELIEVES THAT Angelica’s most important impact on the nation happened while she lived in England near Windsor Castle after the war.
“She became the chief American woman
in England,” she said. Angelica eventually returned from England and even traveled on horseback and by wagon across a wilderness road to visit her son and daughter-in-law on the banks of the Genesee.
Beer isn’t sure where she goes from here, after a summer book tour that will take her to Saratoga, Boston, Newport, Angelica, Heritage Days, Monticello and the Smithsonian.
“It depends on how well the book does,” she said. It will be available on Amazon, Kindle and Audible, as well as in libraries and in bookstores.
“I just think that with the 250th anniversary of the country coming up next year, that it is important to have a woman’s perspective,” Beer said. “I researched and wrote the book I needed in order to understand the origin story of my town and, by extension, the origin story of the United States.”
their loved ones, aided by music, can find comfort and safety.”
emotional and financial burdens families face can be overwhelming. Caregivers often feel isolated, and their loved ones may experience increased agitation or anxiety when away from their familiar environments. Musical Memories Café offers a life-enriching activity where caregivers can feel rejuvenated, while
Musical Memories Café is free. Caregivers are invited to RSVP no later than four days prior to the event by contacting either Wesche at (585) 497-1972 or the Allegany County Office for the Aging at (585) 268-9390.
Musical Memories
Photo provided
Musical Memories Cafe made its debut in Allegany County at The Fountain Arts Center in Belmont in September.
CLASS OF 2025
BELFAST CENTRAL SCHOOL
Ava
Julie Sortore Alexander Stanton Caden Stork
Nadia Baldwin Landon Barkley Sommer Beckwith Hayden Bilby Hannah Blauvelt
Mikaylah
Celia DePriter
Genecis Easton Alexandra Fisk Jocelyn Fowler Haley Gaines Raegan Giardini
Jaelyn Kinnicutt Tyler Kizer-Patterson
David Phearsdorf
CLASS OF 2025
FILLMORE CENTRAL SCHOOL
Josslyn
Michaela Lewis Molly Mahoney Connor Nendza
home improvement
What distinguishes various patio materials from one another
Patios are popular gathering spaces when hosting warm weather affairs. Backyard barbecues are a staple of summertime entertaining, but in order to make the most of such affairs, homeowners first need a place for guests to gather. And more and more homeowners are looking to patios as their go-to spaces to host loved ones.
When contemplating a patio addition or renovation, homeown-
ers will need to choose a material for the space. Options abound regarding patio materials, and the following rundown can help homeowners identify which material is best for them.
Pavers
Pavers are incredibly popular among modern homeowners. Pavers come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes, and that’s helped to make them a highly versatile patio material that can help homeowners set their spaces apart from neighbors’ and friends’. Pavers require careful installation that makes this an ideal job to reserve for skilled, experienced professionals. One of the more notable characteristics of pavers is individual pieces can be replaced without affecting the entire patio, which can make repairs easier and less expensive.
Concrete
Concrete was long
a go-to choice, but a tendency to crack has affected the viability of this material in the eyes of many homeowners. But concrete still has its proponents, as it tends to be a budget-friendly option. Staining and sealing can add to the appeal of a concrete patio, which is best installed by a skilled professional.
Brick Brick is a durable material and provides a unique aesthetic, which can be appealing to homeowners who prioritize uniqueness when planning a patio. Bricks are not invulnerable to
cracking, and that’s a variable homeowners must keep in mind when considering this material.
Flagstone Flagstone offers a natural look that can emphasize and foster a connection with the great outdoors. Flagstone is a heavy material that requires professional installation. Flagstone is among the more expensive patio material options, but the overall cost of the project will depend on the size of the patio.
county Community Source
Maintaining a patio Maintenance is a notable factor to consider when examining patio materials. The amount of maintenance could be relative to each prop-
erty, but it’s also worth noting certain materials may require more TLC than others regardless of the setting. For example, a material like flagstone could require some extra
attention to prevent staining. Patios are expensive additions, so homeowners will want to do all they can to keep a new one looking good. When considering patio material options, homeowners should speak with a contractor about maintenance and recognize how much time they will
likely have to devote to upkeep. If time is short, then a material that’s more hands-off might be the best bet.
Patios are popular gathering spaces. The choice of patio material can go a long way toward determining how much homeowners get out of these spaces.
Wellsville Duck Derby to benefit disabled persons
WELLSVILLE —
Show your support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by purchasing a duck to compete in the second annual Feathered Friends Duck Derby fundraiser happening at 11 a.m. June 20 at Riverwalk Plaza. Come to the bank of the Genesee River, where event organizers will release the ducks and watch them race down the river. Watch
the ducks race virtually on the Arc Allegany-Steuben’s Facebook page (www.facebook. com/thearcas.org).
The first three quackers to finish the race will score their adoptive owners $600, $350 and $200! There will also be 10 Lucky Ducks drawn from the flock to receive raffle prizes.
For $5, participants can buy a numbered rubber duck to enter in
the race. Ticket numbers will correspond to numbered ducks launched from the bank of the Genesee River. Ducks can be purchased online at: www.thearcas.org/duckderby. Winners will be announced. You do not have to be present to win — your duck(s)
will represent you. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Allegany Arc Foundation. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Myriah Perry at (607) 622-1893 or myriah.perry@ thearcas.org for more information.
