BOLIVAR — The New York State Oil Producers’ Association will induct four men into its Wall of Fame, located at the Pioneer Oil Museum’s Hahn & Schaffner site on Boss Street, on June 26.
Honored will be the late Percy Jordan, Will Plants, Harley Thompson, and Weldon Foster – each for making significant contributions to the oil and gas industry in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which begins at 6 p.m. with the inductions, followed by a wine and cheese tasting. Tickets for the wine tasting are
CUBA — A total of 53 graduating seniors in Cuba-Rushford Central School District were honored June 20 during a morning ceremony at the high/middle school. Mosher, speaking before the class and their family members, related a story about how she “overprepared” for her first day of college — and things didn’t turn out like she planned.
“I tell you this story because the lesson has stayed with me ever since,” Mosher said.
“No matter how much you prepare, live will always throw you unexpected curveballs. And there will be moments,
$20 and may be purchased at the Pioneer Oil Museum’s Main Street site, the Bolivar Free Library, via postal mail or the night of the event.
Percy Jordan (1888-1976)
Jordan grew up during the original Allegany County oil boom in the Bolivar-Richburg area. He performed all jobs in the oil fields from a “go-fer” to a business owner, eventually purchasing several oil leases in the Richburg-Clarksville area. He attempted to enlist in the service during World War I, but was denied as he was classified as an essential
worker in the production of oil for the war effort. During his life, he worked in the local oil fields for a span of 40 years.
When oil production eventually declined, Jordan sold his oil production machinery and bought a farm,
which he worked for nearly 40 years. He was an active member of the First Methodist Church in Bolivar for many years, and he belonged to several civic groups. Among these were the Eastern Star and Masons, both of Bolivar and the Shriners of Buffalo and Elks of Wellsville.
William James Plants (1950-2025)
Will Plants graduated from Wellsville Central School in 1968. After graduation, he lived out his dreams while sailing the Caribbean, and he
real moments, when the plan falls apart, when you feel unprepared, and the only option left is to ask someone for help.”
The principal noted
also worked for several years building sailboats in Florida.
Eventually getting into the oil business, he worked with his father and mentor, ultimately becoming president of Ebenezer Oil Company in Wellsville. He led the company through the success of the co-generation plant in Whitesville. He spent many years in the New York State Oil Producers’ Association (NYSOPA) and followed his father’s legacy by going on to serve as president.
Plants enjoyed life on the water so he lived on Cuba Lake and raised
that members of the Class of 2026 will follow diverse paths after graduation — and some of the members will face adversity — even failure — along the way.
And she said that is OK.
“Because success isn’t about never being unprepared,” she said. “It’s about resilience. It’s about humility. It’s
about knowing when to ask for help and continuing forward anyway.”
The graduates are: Damion Agron, Karsen Barber, Garrett Clayson, Zachary Deck, Emily Dempsey, Oriana Dewe, Ryellie Dietz, Shaelynn Eddy, Joseph Enzinna, Ethan Fries, Kayleigh Finnemore, Autumn Gajweski, Lincoln Gayton, Carter Getz, Chloe Hatch, Landon Hendryx, Skylar Hardman-Knobloch, Hayden Jones, Peyton Joy, Coen Kellogg, Collin Kerswill, Dylan Kirnan, Aaliya Kowalewski, Malakai Kreamer, Richard Lett, Jayden Little; Maggie McGraw, Dezzarae Mogg, Laura Mount, Alanah Munson, Preston Outman, Stormie Peters, Edie Pietrkiewicz, Raegan Poore, Jordyn Radomski, Katelyn Radomski, Lauren Radomski, Olivia Rix, Adam Roe, Sawyer Rouse, Kevin Smith, Lana Studley, Parker Swimline, Brandon Taylor, Kendall Tompkins, Karleigh Truax, Aiden Walker, Heavin Walker, Caleb Ward, Aubrey Williams, Isaiah Wilson, Joseph Wojciechowski and Sohia Zeh.
The New York State Oil Producers’ Association will induct (from left) Percy Jordan, Will Plants, Harley Thompson and Weldon Foster in its Wall of Fame.
Comfort for all at Hart Comfort House in Wellsville
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
Members of Hart’s House brought comfort to those who attended the most recent Tuesdays With Grace.
Founders David and Janice Porter, executive director Melissa Grantier and volunteer coordinator Rebecca Maddox comforted those in attendance with the joy of working with people who have less than three months to live.
They pointed out that Hart House works on its residents’ schedules and is not like a hospital or nursing home setting.
“If someone wants
breakfast at midnight or wants to order out for food, they can,” Grantier explained. “If someone wants
salt rising toast every day, sliced a certain way or with the crust cut off they get it,” a volunteer offered.
Pets can visit.
around-the-clock volunteers, Hart House is open 365 days a year.
“Our biggest need is for volunteers because we couldn’t survive without them,” Porter said.
Maddox coordinates the volunteers who work four-hour long shifts, twice or more each week, after training. An overnight nurse works the midnight to 8 a.m. shift because, according to Janice Porter, that’s when most residents pass away.
dents all nearing the end of their lives.
“Sometimes they are here for just 24-hours and other times they are here for two or three months,” Grantier said.
Families can stay in the spare room on the top floor where there are bedroom, kitchen and bathroom facilities. Residents can go outside, go on day trips, work in the garden or just sit in the gazebo or on the porch and enjoy the atmosphere. If they are not ambulatory their beds can be pushed onto the wraparound porch where they can still be outdoors.
A medical doctor is also involved, to oversee medical situations.
Six residents have been cared for at Hart House and have returned to their homes, because, Janice Porter said, “When people have one-on-one care and a more homelike atmosphere, sometimes they get better.”
government, so there is no government intervention, Grantier said. Funding is received through donations and memorials as well as basket raffles, an annual appeal, community projects and fundraisers and donations of supplies and dropoffs.
The executive director and overnight nurse are the only paid employees, Porter said.
Hart House is set up to handle two patients at a time, for up to three months. “We never turn anyone out,” Dave Porter said.
Hart House operates on a yearly budget of $270,000; residents do not pay anything. Nothing is paid for by the
Visitors are welcome and families are welcome to visit or stay with their loved ones. At Hart House, the credo is, “No one dies alone at Hart House.”
Hart House residents are terminally ill when they arrive and are given only medications for pain and to make them comfortable. They are referred to Hart House usually by a doctor or family member, but one woman did make reservations for herself.
“We adjust to the needs of our patients. If they want to go for a walk or go to the store or cook a meal, we let them,” Maddox said. “We try to make their stay here more like it’s their home.”
With the help of
Hart House was conceived in 2009 and organized with a board of directors that included two doctors and two nurses. It got off the ground when the family of Mary Ellen and Gerald Hart donated their family home to the project. The doors opened to the first residents in 2012. In 16 years, they have cared for 326 resi-
Photo by Kathryn Ross
Members of Hart Comfort House, (from left) volunteer organizer Rebecca Maddox, founders David and Janice Porter and executive director Melissa Grantier, described life at the house at the recent Tuesdays With Grace.
dining & Entertainment
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
CUBA — The auditorium of Cuba-Rushford Elementary School was a raucous scene June 15 as Buffalo Sabres mascot Sabretooth led the assembled students in chants and cheers and a series of fun games to celebrate their success in a meaningful fundraiser.
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. Of all the schools in
Western New York that participated, CRE won first place for the second year in a row.
Cuba-Rushford Elementary receives visit from Sabretooth for second year
In all, $11,430.63 was raised for B4B at the school this year, bringing the district’s total to more than $116,000.
Fifth-grade teacher Rich Beck served as the emcee for the event, stepping in for DJ Anthony from KISS 98.5 in Buffalo, who was unable to make it back for the Sabretooth assembly. Quattrone said Beck has been a huge part of every Bald for Bucks event and shaves his head every year
trone said, and students who were nominated by their teachers had the opportunity to participate in Minute-ToWin-It challenges with Sabretooth. The students seem to be excited about it each year, she said.
“Sometimes I think we should take a year off because we ask a lot and the community gives everything they have to support this initiative,” Quattrone said.
competition, each grade level competes against the others to get more points. Coins are positive points and bills are negative points. Quattrone said the 2nd graders were the champs each year, winning a waffle buffet in their hallway.
(B4B) coordinator Erica Quattrone, a special education teacher at the elementary school, said this year’s event went very smoothly.
“He’s our resident hype man and sets a great example of engagement and enthusiasm for the students,” she said. “He has raised over $6,000 since 2020.”
“But the students love every part of it, and we have such a great time with the friendly competition of Jar Wars.”
During the Jar Wars
“I think it would be awesome to win three years in a row, and we will try harder to win to keep our record,” Bailey said. “We don’t just win — we get to support cancer research!”
Teen Leadership advisor Dave Volz, who is also the B4B coordinator at the middle/high school, had his group come to the B4B assembly to help and they were there for the Jar Wars assembly as well.
“They helped organize the materials and set up for each challenge in order to keep the assembly moving smoothly,” Quattrone said.
Cuba-Rushford raised $1,120.33 during just this year’s Jar Wars.
Ballard Bailey, a fifth grader who shaved his head at the school’s Bald for Bucks event in April, said, “It’s really cool to get a visit from Sabretooth again because we worked hard and earned it, even over bigger schools.”
Last year, Sabretooth joined the elementary students for a Monthly Character Education Assembly. This year, it was a special assembly just for Sabretooth, Quat-
Bald For Bucks
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
Monday.
Sabretooth continued on PAGE 4
Allegany County increases transfer station fees, effective July 1
BELMONT — Allegany County is increasing transfer station fees for certain waste material collection and disposal, effective July 1. The increased fees apply to all who use the transfer stations, even those who hold a residential hang tag, ac-
cording to the county’s Department of Public Works. Tom Windus, DPW superintendent, said, “These changes will help cover Allegany County’s actual costs for disposing of waste materials. The 2026 residential hang tag cost will not change.”
The fee changes include:
• Large items, from $8 each to $10 each.
• Passenger vehicle tires, from $4 each to $5 each.
• Large truck tires, from $8 each to $10 each.
• Agricultural/heavy equipment tire fees (cash or check only) will only be by scale, replacing the $250/
ton fee.
• Tipping fee, which applies to loose garbage, commercial haulers and construction debris (cash or check only) will dbe $90/ton, an increase from $60/ ton.
• Minimum scale fee (cash or check only) will be $45, up from $25.
Also effective July 1, residents may dispose of
large items only at the Belmont Recycling Center and Transfer Station, 6006 County Road 48. The site is open Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although the scale will close promptly at 3 p.m. daily, also effective July 1.
Windus said examples of large items include living room furniture, mattresses, box springs, dining room
The Cuba-Rushford community has proven year after year that they are always ready to support those affected by cancer, Quattrone said. This year, C-R is rallying behind one of their beloved staff members who is battling breast cancer, she said, while also keeping Sophia Laborde’s family in their thoughts as they mourn their loss.
“If our fundraising
tables and similar items. Mattresses and box springs are limited to one per day per person. Transfer station users are asked to not pull on the scales to pay for passenger and truck tires and large items.r Questions from the public or from private garbage disposal collection companies should be directed to DPW at (585) 268-5400 or (585) 268-7282.
efforts can help advance cancer research and spare even one family from experiencing such heartbreak, they are well worth it,” she said. Bailey added, “It’s great for the community because it’s fun, brings everyone together, gives everyone a choice of how they want to show support, and you always get to feel important by making a difference.”
Oil Producers Wall of
his children there. He was a charter member of the Cuba Lions Club.
Harley Thompson (1912-1997)
In his early 20s, Thompson went to work for Norton Oil Company on White Hill between Bolivar and Alma. Shortly thereafter, he began work for Ebenezer Oil Company, which had bought out Norton Oil, and he eventually worked 50 years for Ebenezer.
Over the course of his career, he dug many lead lines and water lines by hand on the
Joseph Wojciechowski is the valedictorian
while Peyton Joy is the salutatorian of the class.
Several students received academic awards and scholarships. They are:
Allegany County National Honor Society Scholarship: Jadyn Little, Laura Mount, Katelyn Radomski
Allegany County Pomona Grange #45 Perseverance
White Hill oilfield lease. He performed all jobs on the lease, including cutting powerhouse locations in the forest by ax and saw, building roads, and clearing sites for wells. His efforts led to the construction of the expansive 1,200-acre Ebenezer operation on White Hill. Eventually, Thompson was made lease foreman and mentored generations of Ebenezer’s founding fathers and their heirs. In 1970, he purchased two White Hill leases from Ebenezer and became an independent oil produc-
• Andrew Beck Memorial Scholarship: Stormie Peters
AMVETS Auxiliary History Award: Hayden Jones
• Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation-Kaleigh Wilday Memorial Scholar
Athlete: Kendall Tompkins
• Charles & Cecil Arzberger
er himself. Each day he worked for Ebenezer, and then later that day he would pump his own two leases before dinner. He was an active member of the Allentown Odd Fellows in the 1950s and ‘60s, and at one time he was elected a member of the Board of Education for the Allentown School for several years.
J. Weldon Foster (1906-1990)
An Allentown native who attended Immaculate Conception School in Wellsville, Foster is remembered for his
Memorial Award: Jadyn Little
• Chet Swier Memorial Visual
Arts Award: Joseph Enzinna
CRCS Student Council Leadership Award: Hayden Jones, Jadyn Little
Cuba Chamber of Commerce Scholarship: Lauryn Radoms-
work for Willets and Paul Corporation on a large lease in Little Genesee, where he eventually became superintendent for that company. He also worked a lease up over the hill between Streeter Brook and Deer Creek and had a lease on Salt Rising near Little Rock City. He worked the vast majority of his lifetime in the oil industry.
In the 1960s, Foster was recruited by Wichita Industries of Princeton, Indiana, and this was due to his extensive experience in waterflooding tech-
ki, Kevin Smith
• Cuba Grange #799 Agriculture Awards: Laura Mount, Haydn Jones, Joseph Wojciechowski
• Cuba Friendship Masonic Lodge #305: Joseph Wojciechowski, Coen Kellogg, Laura Mount
Cuba Historical Society Florence Wills Memorial History Award: Ethan Fries, Joseph Enzinna
Cuba Lions Club Award-Nursing: Stormie Peters
• Dale McGinnis Scholarship: Adam Roe, Kendall Tompkins
Diane Winchell Borden Memorial Award: Coen Kellogg
Jessica Karst-Cauley Memorial Award: Garrett Clayson
• The L. Ted Utter Family Scholarship: Dylan Kirnan, Jadyn Little, Jordyn Radomski, Joseph Wojciechowski, Katelyn Radomski, Lauryn Radomski, Raegan Poore, Stormie Peters, Kevin Smith, Chloe Hatch
• The Lawrence Dye Inc. Scholarship: Heavin Warner, Landon Hendryx, Oriana Dewe
• Ralph Harbeck Memorial Scholarship: Garrett Clayson Renee Wolbert Memorial Scholarship: Skylar Hardman-Knobloch Sons of the AMVETS Award: Emilee Dempsey, Malakai Kreamer
• Sons of the American Legion Award: Kevin Smith Town of Cuba Memorial Post 2721 History Award: Lauryn Radomski, Joseph Enzinna
nology and secondary recovery of oil in mature oil fields. Eventually, he retired as vice president of production for that company. While still living in this area, he ran for the Bolivar Central School Board of Education and was a member of Methodist Church of Bolivar. Foster was a Mrustee and Master in Masonic Lodge #258 of Bolivar as well as a member of the Allegany County Farm Bureau, serving as a chairman. He served as the Town of Genesee Justice of the Peace for many years and was president of the Allegany County Police and Magistrates Association.
NYSOPA organized the Wall of Fame in
2005 to honor those individuals who had been involved with the area’s oil/gas industry — anytime from the late 1800s to the present day. Including this year’s inductees, there are 83 names on the Wall of Fame, all honored posthumously.
NYSOPA works in conjunction with the Pioneer Oil Museum, which compiles research on the honorees, displays the plaques and provides the setting for the event.
Bronze plaques with the inductees’ photos will be placed on a wall in the museum. During the ceremony, family members will be provided time to speak about their loved ones.
Outdoors
5685 Tuckers Corners Road Belmont, NY 14813 (585) 268-8077
(BPT) - Clutter is one of the biggest challenges homeowners face today. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, homeowners say minimizing clutter and cleaning while improving storage and space-efficiency are the design needs they’re craving. The good news? Modern sliding door hardware is emerging as a design-forward solution that not only conceals mess but enhances the overall look and flow of a space. From playrooms to
pantries, here are five space-efficient room ideas that hide clutter beautifully - designed with innovative sliding, folding and pocket door hardware.
1. Kid zone with wallmounted doors
Customized slideaway doors are made easy with soft-closing wall mount door hardware, providing a smart way to hide toys, books and games in seconds. Whether using a single panel or a converging door kit, these doors are quick to install and glide smoothly along
the wall, keeping visual clutter out of sight when needed most. Ideal for open-concept homes, they create flexible spaces that transition effortlessly from family-friendly to guest-ready.
A wall-mounted sliding door closes off a kids’ play area while maintaining a clean, distinctive aesthetic.
2. Seamless storage with pocket doors
Pocket doors slide neatly into the wall, making them perfect for hiding storage areas without taking up valu-
able floor space. From entryway drop zones to compact laundry nooks, soft-operating pocket door frame hardware kits offer a minimalist look with maximum function.
Pocket doors tuck away clutter-prone spaces, such as a combined mudroom and laundry room.
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, homeowners are craving minimized clutter and improved storage.3.
Closets that close in style
Creative spaces can quickly become chaotic.
Special “full-access” bifold door hardware allows doors to fold flat against the walls, providing complete closet access when open and a tidy appearance when closed. This makes them ideal for craft areas, hobby stations or small workshops.
Every inch of the closet interior is in easy reach with Full-Access Bi-fold doors.
4. Streamlined pantries with bypass doors
Bypass sliding doors are a go-to solution for
closets in kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms where space is limited. Unlike swinging doors, they glide past one another, keeping walkways clear while housing shelves, toiletries or pantry items.
Bypass doors keep pantry clutter hidden without interrupting kitchen flow.
5. Cozy nooks with designer appeal
Two converging pocket doors can transform a hallway overwhelmed by household
health & Wellness
Cuba-Rushford’s $26.34 million budget passes
Voters in the Cuba-Rushford Central School District on June 16 approved a proposed $26.34 million budget for the school year beginning July 1 by a 308-121 margin.
On May 19, the then-proposed $26.94 million budget was voted down by district residents, 144-278.
“We appreciate your
support, your engagement, your commitment to our students,” Superintendent Carlos Gildemeister said in a video posted on the school’s Facebook page. “Together, we’ll continue working to provide the best opportunities for every student every day.”
By law, if a budget failed during the May
vote, an altered budget had to be completed by June 2 with a new budget hearing within a week, though a district isn’t required to hold a re-vote.
If voters reject a school budget twice, the school board must adopt the contingency budget, though districts may also choose to immediately implement one. The contingency budget features zero growth in the local tax levy compared to the prior year, limits administrative costs and restricts spending to teacher salaries and ordinary contingent expenses needed for daily operations, safety and legal requirements.
Office for the Aging seeks volunteer drivers in Wellsville area
BELMONT — The Allegany County Office for the Aging Volunteer Transportation Program is seeking volunteer drivers in the Wellsville area to help people age 60 and older run errands like getting to medical appointments, the grocery store, pharmacy or bank.
