180th Allegany County Fair winds up this weekend
BY KATHRYN ROSS
ANGELICA — The 180th Allegany County Fair has been ongoing this week and culminates on Saturday, July 19 at the fairgrounds in Angelica.
The fair has a long history, dating back to 1843 when the county’s Agricultural Society was formed. The first fair was held Oct. 8, 1844, with a total of $142 in prizes. The fair is currently organized by the same society and is set at the Allegany County Fairgrounds — with expectations of hosting more than 30,000 visitors and awarding thou-
sands of dollars in prize money.
First and foremost, the fair is an agricultural fair with its roots in the
farming community, which was once the largest industry in the county. The fair also aims to entertain and to
give local high school students and organizations opportunities to raise awareness and funds.
The fairgrounds are bustling as popcorn, candy apples, taffy, sausage vendors and more are set up. Musicians and singers are performing in the Mini Theater starting at 6 p.m. each day.
4H competitions have been ongoing and the midway rides are open each day. General admission is $10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and $15 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Some features of this year’s fair are:
• Friday, July 18, 6:30 p.m., NY Hot Farm Pulling Series with street legal diesel trucks.
• Saturday, July 19, 3:30
Great Wellsville Balloon Rally lifts off
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
The 48th Annual Great Wellsville Balloon Rally gets underway at the Lagoon Fields at Island Park with the first planned mass liftoff at 6 p.m. Friday, July 18.
Rally organizers said that between 30 and 35 balloons will launch. Some familiar faces will be in the mix including local balloons like Child’s Play along with balloons from outside the area like Sky Turkey. Friday night after the launch, the balloons are scheduled to return to the site and will participate in an afterglow.
The rally gets un-
derway again at 6 a.m. Saturday morning, July 19.
Following that morning launch, Main Street will be alive for the annual Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce Main Street Festival. Main Street from Pearl to State will be crammed with vendors selling everything from t-shirts and jewelry to popcorn and sausage sandwiches and more.
“This year’s Main Street Festival is once again sold out with over 145 vendors attending,” said Bruce Thomas, executive director of the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce. “Festival activities will fill Main,
Jefferson, Madison and Fassett streets.”
Visitors can expect a wide variety of vendors offering handmade jewelry, artwork, crafts, candles, purses, jams and jellies, clothing, pet supplies, photographs, wood crafts, books and more. A wide selection of local and regional food vendors will also be on hand to provide festival fare.
New this year, handicap-accessible parking will be available in the Jones Memorial Hospital lot, located across from the Texas Hot (accessible off Pearl Street). Access is first come, first served
p.m., Power Wheels Demo; 4 p.m., Demolition Derby. Throughout the week the Mini Theater will also be featuring individual vocalists and bands. A talent show is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday.
Favorite fair food is always an attraction at the fair. Along with commercial vendors with pizza, tacos, hot dogs and hamburgers, the local Grange and school groups will be serving home-cooked meals. The school groups usually involve rising seniors who are raising funds for senior trips and graduation expenses.
Photo by Lynn Bliven
Taking part in the Grand Champion Market Hog Drive at the Allegany County Fair are (from left) Mason Findley, Conner Armison, Lindsey Reynolds, judge Bruce Beery and Morgan Holcomb.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
The 48th Great Wellsville Balloon Rally gets underway with the first liftoff scheduled for the evening of July 18.
Older Adult Expo and public hearing: What Allegany County seniors want
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — “It is important for us to know what your needs are,” Allegany County
Legislative Chairman Brooke Harris told those who attended an Older Adult Wellness Expo and Public Hearing.
The event, which broke for lunch after attendees checked their blood glucose, blood pressure, lung capacity and bone density provided by the staff from Jones Memorial Hospital and visited a variety of healthcare and wellness providers, morphed into the public hearing on July 10.
OFA Director Anita Mattison told the seniors their comments would help her office in developing its four-year plan, and she introduced Harris. He said, “We want to hear directly from you as to what you want in Allegany County.”
Previously, Mattison had noted that, according to the 2020 census, the population of the county is 48,946 people, with 21%, or nearly 2,400, over the age of 60. (Around 9,344 are under 18 years of age.) “The Office For the Aging is committed to helping Allegany County residents over age 60, remain productive, independent and maintain personal integrity,” she said.
The goals of the Office For the Aging are enabling older adults to remain in their homes while bringing awareness of and preventing elder abuse. The agency wants to empower seniors to stay active and healthy and advocate growth of state and federal programs for seniors.
Currently, the OFA provides programs for seniors promoting nutrition, non-medi-
— visitors must present a valid ADA parking tag to the lot attendant for entry. The festival also includes booths from local organizations including the Nathaniel Dike Museum and the Babcock Theater group under the theater marquee, where they will offer free popcorn as well as information about what is happening in the theater.
The Main Street Festival concludes at around 4 p.m.
cal in-home services, transportation, health and wellness programs, health insurance counseling, general aging information, assistance and legal assistance.
Seniors were asked what are the most important to them as they age. Fitness topped the list of their answers. The concerns of the seniors expressed were difficulty with nighttime driving and getting to events held at night. Mattison pointed out that OFA volunteers are available to provide rides to medical appointments and for trips to the grocery store and bank and OFA events. In 2024, the OFA provided 1,834 rides for older adults.
Seniors were also concerned with keeping their information and themselves safe on the Internet and the difficulties in dealing with computers and current technology, including setting up such things as new cell phones and new televisions. They asked if the OFA could provide home technicians.
They were also concerned about the lack of communication services and the difficulty with
The Saturday night hot air balloon launch is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Along with food vendors there will be vendors with trinkets and memorabilia associated with hot air ballooning. That night a local band will provide music. After the launch the balloons will return to the site and participate in an afterglow until the annual fireworks display.
The rally will come to an end with the 6 a.m.
keeping up to date with the lack of newspapers.
Mattison learned that most of the seniors in the room receive their news through The Source, although many said the free newspaper printed by the Olean Times Herald needs to be more available in the northern part of the county. The Sun news blog on the Internet was also cited as well as church bulletins and Silver Linings, a newsletter printed four times a year by the Office For the Aging. It was also noted that while the companionship of pets is advocated for older people, the cost of adopting a pet from the local SPCA can be prohibitive for seniors on a fixed incomes. Mattison said she would be talking to the SPCA about the matter, but added the OFA has Animatronic pets — cats, birds and dogs available. The program was funded by the county, she said, and the electronic pets will be on display at the Aug. 5 Senior Picnic in Angelica. (Reservations must be made for the event. Call the OFA office at 585-268-9390.) Electronic animals
Sunday launch on July 20. The rally itself is free to the public although the committee hopes that those visiting will help defray costs by purchasing t-shirts and other memorabilia from the rally trailer.
Those attending the rally are advised that there is no smoking on site due to the use of propane gas. They are also advised to leave their dogs at home due to the noise made by the balloons and for the
may not be the real thing, but the group agreed, they do serve a purpose.
Seniors also wanted the OFA to develop a list of reliable and vetted contractors such as plumbers and electricians. Mattison said the OFA Handyman program provides assistance for minor home repairs such as changing batteries in smoke detectors or replacing mailboxes. The handymen are volunteers with the OFA and can be reached through the office.
Seniors also asked if the number of safe places to walk during the winter months and at other times could be increased throughout the county to include more sites and schools. Mattison pointed out that Growing Stronger program exercise classes are offered by the OFA in Andover, Angelica, Belfast, Belmont, Bolivar, Canaseraga, Cuba, Fillmore, Friendship and Wellsville.
Looking for more activities seniors asked if the OFA could organize trips to concerts, state parks, casinos and shopping to keep seniors safe and engaged with others. Mattison said she will look into it.
The OFA has also instituted a Go and Dine program for seniors, allowing them to dine at some local restaurants at a reduced cost. A frequent user suggested that the number of restaurants participating in the program needs to be increased. Mattison said the office is working on it.
The programs provided by and information about the Allegany County Office For the Aging can be obtained by calling (585) 2689390 or by visiting the office at Crossroads 6085 Route 19N in Belmont.
safety of the crowd at the rally site. They are also advised to bring chairs or blankets to sit upon.
Those driving to the event should be aware that parking onsite is limited to committee members and the disabled. Free parking is available at Riverwalk Plaza on Route 417 and at the Northern Lights Plaza on Route 19. Free shuttle rides are available from both plazas to and from the rally site.
July 18–19, 9am–4pm 3277 Rte. 275 Friendship
90+ years accumulation of household items, glassware, antiques. Something for everyone.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
Allegany County Legislature Chairman Brooke Harris addresses seniors at the Office For the Aging Health Expo and public hearing on Thursday.
Balloon Rally
Kinzua Dam documentary to be screened July 22 at Cuba Library
CUBA — The Cuba Historical Society will meet for a screening and discussion of a documentary “Lake of Betrayal” about the Kinzua Dam at 6 p.m. July 22 at the Cuba Circulating Library.
Filmmaker and St. Bonaventure University professor Scott Sackett will discuss the process of creating and filming the documentary, which was produced in 2017.
Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania was a flashpoint in history for the Seneca Nation of Indians. Completed in 1965, the dam was to mitigate flooding in Pittsburgh, 198 miles downriver, but the 27-mile reservoir that
formed above it inundated vast tracts of Seneca ancestral lands, forcing their removal in breach of one of the United States’ oldest treaties. Set against a backdrop of a federal Indian termination policy, pork-barrel politics, and undisclosed plans for private hydropower, “Lake of Betrayal” (2017) reveals an untold story from American history — a one-sided battle pitting a Native American tribe against some of the strongest political, social and commercial forces in the country. Although the Seneca suffered irreplaceable cultural losses, the Kinzua crisis became a turning point to build a stronger Seneca Nation.
Sackett is a non-fiction filmmaker and public media producer with a background in radio journalism. His work has appeared nationally on PBS, APT, NETA, Indigenous Connections, NPR, Public Radio International, AP Network News, Amazon Prime and in film festivals in North America and Europe. He is also a lecturer in the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure
and serves as manager of the Bob Koop Broadcast Journalism Laboratory and faculty advisor to the student-run radio station, WSBU-FM, 88.3 The Buzz.
“Lake of Betrayal” is produced by Toward Castle Films and Skipping Stone Pictures and is a presentation of Vision Maker Media with major funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding was provided by the
Nation of Indians.
OB/GYN retiring after 10 years at Jones Memorial
WELLSVILLE —
Dr. Andres Rubert, an OB/GYN physician who has led many families through major milestones, is retiring after 10 years at Jones Memorial Hospital.
Rubert joined JMH in 2015. During his tenure, he performed surgeries, developed strong relationships with his patients and contributed to the hospital’s reputation for high-quality maternity care.
service to our hospital and this community,” said Jim Helms, CEO at Jones Memorial. “His contributions have had a lasting impact on the hospital and the community, and we wish him the best in his retirement.”
In addition to serving the community as a healthcare provider, Rubert served as the chief of staff from 202324. The hospital has partnered with Rubert and the OB/GYN and maternity teams to plan for this transition. JMH officials said.
“We are deeply grateful for Dr. Rubert’s years of dedication and
Seneca
Photo provided
Ed Buffalo, a member of the Seneca Nation at Cold Spring, is interviewed for the documentary “Lake of Betrayal” in 2017.
Dr. Andres Rubert
home improvement
The rise of renter expectations: What multifamily pros need to know in 2025
(BPT) — An in-depth look at today’s renter demands for modern amenities and stylish design; how choosing the right plumbing fixtures can make or break a renovation
Renters today aren’t just looking for a place to live, they’re looking for spaces that reflect their style and day-
to-day needs. From practical amenities to Instagram-inspired aesthetics, renter expectations are shifting fast - and for contractors building out these multifamily spaces, keeping up can mean the difference between a unit that sits vacant and one with a waitlist.
Modern renters, modern needs It’s no secret that today’s generation is reshaping the rental market. Making up nearly 47% of recent U.S. renters, Gen Z brings a sharp eye for design, high digital fluency and strong opinions on how their spaces should look and feel. Raised on a steady stream of Pinterest boards and Instagram Reels, style is the standard. But
Mark Zupan reappointed to five-year term as Alfred University president
The Alfred University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the reappointment of Mark Zupan as university president. The new five-year term began on July 1.
“Throughout (Zupan’s) service to our university, Alfred has witnessed significant progress along multiple dimensions,”
Steve Heine, chair of trustees, said. “Uniting each of these is an understanding of the centrality of our students and the quality of their experience, the community of faculty and staff that fosters that experience, and how that experience prepares graduates to lead purposeful lives.”
Zupan was first appointed Alfred’s 14th president in 2016. Before this most recent reappointment, trustees approved threeyear terms in 2019 and 2022, respectively.
Heine noted that under Zupan’s guidance, “Alfred’s extraordinary academic breadth and depth has been supplemented by new degree programs, each of which responds to marketplace demands. Importantly, the ability to integrate
suffice - with secure parking, in-unit laundry, and well-designed and functional interiors ranking as the most valued features. This signals a shift: Renters want convenience and comfort without compromising style, and smart investments in the basics can have a big impact. Practical doesn’t
diverse disciplines is now supported through the enhanced ease with which our students can pursue double majors.”
The university has made significant investments in its facilities, including major improvements to residence halls (inclusive of first-year living-learning communities); a foundry that enables hands-on learning particularly by engineering and art and design students, set to open in 2026; and the Saxon Hill Sports Complex, a new athletics and recreation facility atop Jericho Hill in the town of Alfred, scheduled to open in the spring.
“Saxon Hill will enhance our ability to attract and retain student-athletes while providing expanded intramural and recreational opportunities for our entire campus community,” Heine said. “These accomplishments have been amplified through their integration into a university-wide strategic plan and extraordinary philanthropic investment from Alfred’s supporters.”
Heine pointed out that the university’s success came at a time when the university was facing significant challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, delays in the financial aid systems (FAFSA) that help families prepare for college and significant recent changes in federal policy with respect to higher education.
“Throughout his tenure at Alfred University, Mark has demonstrated an extraordinary com-
have to mean plain. Today’s renters are gravitating toward features that marry everyday functionality with visual appeal and lifestyle relevance. It’s not about adding luxury for luxury’s sake - it’s about elevating the essentials through thoughtful touches. For contractors and developers, the takeaway is clear: Focus
bination of visionary leadership together with an ability to navigate the challenges of the moment,” Heine said.
Carolyn Clark, chair emeritus of the board of trustees, added, ”Mark has proven himself to be a trusted and impactful leader of Alfred University. It has been a privilege to partner with him, and I look forward to continued collaboration in furtherance of Alfred’s growth and success.”
Zupan was serving as the director of the Bradley Policy Center, as well as the Olin Professor of Economics and Public Policy, at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School when he was named president of Alfred in 2016, succeeding former President Charles M. Edmondson. Prior to that, Zupan was dean of Simon Business School from 2004 to 2014, after serving as a dean and professor of economics at the University of Arizona for seven years.
He was also formerly on the faculty of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, attaining tenure there while also serving as associate dean for master’s degree programs. He was a visiting professor in the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in the fall of 1995.
Zupan earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and a doctorate in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
home improvement
on core amenities, but execute them in ways that feel intentional, stylish and reflective of today’s wellness-driven, design-savvy renter.
To support this shift, industry organizations like the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) offer professionals a foundation for delivering on both form and function. With resources ranging from trend forecasting and continuing education to certification programs and product guidance, NKBA equips pros with the knowledge and tools needed to bring high-impact, well-de-
signed spaces to life - no matter the project scale or budget.
Create spaces for community
In addition to valuing practicality and style, today’s renters are placing a growing emphasis on connection and community. As remote work and digital lifestyles continue to reshape how people live, shared spaces that foster social interaction are becoming a must-have in multifamily design. Features like co-working lounges, pet-friendly zones, outdoor kitchens and roof-
top gathering areas are increasingly sought-after because they support both the lifestyle and desires of modern renters. These communal amenities do more than attract attention - they encourage engagement, enhance quality of life, and play a pivotal role in long-term satisfaction and retention.
Featuring Ezra™ Bathroom Collection by Peerless® Faucet
The bottom line
In 2025, meeting renter expectations isn’t about chasing extravagance - so there is no need to splurge
on flashy upgrades. It’s about creating spaces that feel modern, intentional and livable. Today’s renters want thoughtful design, practical amenities and a sense of community. By prioritizing style-forward essentials, functionally modern features and communal elements that reflect real needs, multifamily professionals can craft environments that truly resonate with potential tenants. The result? Properties that stand out attract discerning renters and foster long-term satisfaction without overspending.
Mark Zupan
Friendship churches to host VBS for both children and parents
FRIENDSHIP —
Registrations are underway for a free multichurch Vacation Bible School for children next month which also will provide an accompanying series for parents and caregivers. The Monday-Friday, Aug. 4-8, event will be hosted by What God is Doing in Friendship ny alliance of churches participants at The Mission House Family
Center, 30 E. Main St., former site of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, offices and rectory.
The theme of the children’s portion of the activity will be Soldiers in the Lord’s Army — Raising Courageous Children in the World Today, with sessions for parents and caregivers focusing on confident parenting.
The children’s segments, for those having completed kindergarten through fifth grades, will focus on how children can stand strong in the Lord in His mighty power as they encounter difficulties in life, reflecting the guidance provided in Ephesians 6:10-18 of the Bible.
Sessions will include
health & Wellness
Bible stories, games, snacks, a movie and more.
The adult portion, offered during the same times, will feature a video/discussion series by Jim Burns, founder of HomeWord.
It is designed to help families succeed by creating Biblical resources which can help in building strong marriages, confident parents, empowered kids and healthy leaders.
Topics include bringing harmony and security to a home, communication and discipline, building moral values in the lives of one’s children, and how to talk with them about the use of substances and other detrimental activities.
Further information and registration for both segments are available by sending attendee names, including ages of the children, communities of residence, emails, and telephone numbers for a backup registration contact, to WhatGodisDoing@outlook.com or (585) 664-9989.
Vacation Bible School is one of the several summer activities for area children and families being offered by Friendship alliance of churches participants and other Christian organizations.
Information and updates on other activities appear on the alliance’s group Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/ God-in-Friendship-FB.
Strategies to promote wellness
The tenets of wellness can be traced to ancient civilizations. Wellness encompasses strategies that lead to a state of holistic health. Those strategies include physical, mental and even spiritual components. The root of wellness incorporates various natural approaches and preventive care. Physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being is achieved through different avenues. Programs in communities and places of employment can promote and emphasize wellness, which can benefit people in myriad ways.
Feeling empowered: Wellness begins with individuals, who can feel empowered when they make healthy choices and utilize the tools and support systems at their disposal. This can include information provided by health care professionals as well as research people uncover on their own.
• Community involvement: Individuals who have access to healthy food, safe housing, education, and medical care are more likely to make wellness a priority. Community leaders can ramp up their efforts to provide health-based offerings to people in surrounding neighborhoods.
• Workplace initiatives: People spend eight or more hours each day at work, and health should and can be prior-
Wellsville Rotary, Arc of AlleganySteuben
WELLSVILLE — The Wellsville Rotary Club and The Arc Allegany-Steuben have teamed up to offer Cash Bonanza 2025, with proceeds to be split between the Rotary’s charities and Arc’s Green Machine athletic teams — basketball, softball, track, bocce, dance and bowling. Cash Bonanza is a raffle-type drawing. Tickets cost $20 each with bi-monthly drawings happening September through October with a final day of drawings Nov. 5:
• Sept. 2 ($25 and $50)
• Sept. 16 ($25 and $50)
• Oct. 7 ($50 and $100)
• Oct. 21 ($50 and $100)
• Nov. 4 ($150, $250 and $950)
itized at places of business. Employers can incorporate healthy eating options in cafeterias or break rooms, offer stress management services, engage in fitness challenges, and even provide workout equipment or quiet spaces so employees can incorporate wellness into their work days.
• Spiritual connection: While spiritual wellness can include faith in a specific religion or belief, it also encompasses values, ethics, service to others, and finding
meaning and purpose in one’s life. Embracing spiritual wellness through outreach and other efforts can improve health. The World Health Organization states that health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It also includes physical, mental and social well-being, which can be fostered through a spiritual component of wellness.
• Mental health support: The National Institute of Mental Health says approx-
imately 59.3 million adults in the United States experienced a mental illness in the past year. Such illnesses include anxiety and depression. The World Health Organization estimates 970 million people globally live with a mental health disorder. Mental wellness comes from seeking help from
doctors, therapists and support groups when needed. It also can involve finding root causes of mental distress and taking steps to remove triggers.
Wellness is a broad term that incorporates many different components, each of which can contribute to improved health and a greater sense of well-being.
All tickets are re-entered after each drawing so patrons can win multiple times on the same ticket. Winners will be announced on the Wellsville Rotary’s Facebook page and the Arc Allegany-Steuben’s Facebook page. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased from any Rotary member, by stopping at The Arc Allegany-Steuben’s Wellsville office at 50 Farnum St. or by calling (585) 593-5700 ext. 537.
