Allegany County lawmakers recognize Wellsville librarians, Rotary Clubs in Belmont and Friendship
Veterans come together for WWII C-47 flights in Allegany County
WELLSVILLE — A recent weekend included a special occasion for 40 participants of the Allegany County Dwyer Program for Veterans: Service members came together to experience a veteran-only flight experience on Whiskey-7, a C-47 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943. Participants were invited to bring their families to tour the plane between flights and engage with volunteers from the National Warplane Museum’s crew to learn more about Whiskey-7’s origin and status of restoration.
Whiskey-7 was the lead plane of the second
wave of paratroopers on D-Day and went on to participate in other operations during World War II. This plane was donated in 2005 to the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, where it has been under restoration to return it to its condition as of June 6, 1944.
As each flight landed, family members and volunteers welcomed home veterans of Allegany County. Photos and videos from the event have been published on the program’s Facebook page, @Salute to Allegany County Veterans.
BY KATHRYN ROSS
ANGELICA — It’s no ordinary home days this year for the 56th annual Angelica Heritage Days. Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2-3, Heritage Days will interest Angelicans, Allegany County residents and those who are just looking for a family-friendly good time with information about not only the village’s history but also what’s in store for the 2026 national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.
While the Heritage Days celebration serves as a major fundraiser for the Angelica Booster
Organization, it also serves to remind that Angelica is the county’s oldest village. It has a storied past that relates not only to the Revolutionary War but also the political conflicts of the early 1800s.
David Haggstrom, one of the founders of the boosters group, said, “Angelica Heritage Days is when many, many people return for class reunions and to visit friends and family. It’s always a popular event and well-attended.”
To celebrate that aspect of the weekend, this year’s t-shirt is red and white. It recalls the Angelica School colors prior to the district merger
with Belmont, which took place 30 years ago next year. And while there will be plenty of events geared toward local residents, such as displays in the library’s Colonial Rooms, there will also be a road tour of Angelica’s automotive history.
“In the 1960s the village boasted two car dealerships and five gas stations,” Haggstrom said. This year’s event features a walk or ride tour of those old sites and includes nine stops and a look at the wooden Joncey Bridge. In addition to Angel-
Photo provided
Area veterans enjoy a flight in the WWII-era C-47 Whiskey-7.
Angelica Heritage Days continued on PAGE 4
Allegany County lawmakers recognize Wellsville librarians, Rotary Clubs in Belmont and Friendship
The Allegany County Board of Legislators recently recognized two Wellsville librarians for their service to area youth as well as the Rotary Clubs that serve the communities of Belmont and Friendship.
Kate Miller, David A. Howe Library’s children’s librarian, and Ally Fesmire, its youth librarian, both have demonstrated dedication and creativity through their various programs and services to Wellsville youth, county lawmakers said.
Fesmire leads the county-wide teen photo show, launched the library’s Discord server, leads the teen summer reading program and founded the Friday Club, which draws creative teens weekly to the library for exciting projects.
Miller leads the summer reading program for younger children, hosts weekly story times in the library’s Picture Book Room and collaborates with numerous community organizations including Head Start, the Wellsville YMCA and the Community Kitchen.
Nominated for recognition by District V Legislator Steve Havey (Wellsville), the pair were honored with county board resolutions thanking them for their “extraordinary contributions to the betterment of Allegany County.”
BELMONT, FRIENDSHIP
ROTARIES HONORED County legislators also adopted resolutions recognizing the Belmont Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Friendship, New York Inc. for their commitment and service
to their communities and the county.
The resolutions were passed July 17 during county lawmakers’ annual meeting conducted during the Allegany County Fair on the fairgrounds in Angelica.
The Friendship Rotary was formed in 1955 and the Belmont Club was formed in 1959. Both clubs serve as pillars of community service, leadership, and fellowship, embodying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
The Belmont Rotary has implemented, sponsored or supported local
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initiatives including the GVCS Interact Club, Belmont Rotary Basketball Tip-Off Tournament, annual 200 Club, Rotary Foundation Dinner, Genesee Valley Rotary Camp for Children with Disabilities and community flower pots.
The club has financed senior citizens meals each month, assisted the Belmont Fire Department gun raffle with a lottery board, has placed Christmas trees in Rotary Park and decorations
in the village, helped with Wreaths Across America, has provided food for Wellspring Ministries holiday dinners and has contributed to the Allegany County National Honor Society Scholarship Fund, Amity Daze, scholarships to GVCS Seniors and Corning Rotary Scripps National Spelling Bee Regional Competition.
The Rotary Club of Friendship has implemented and supported local initiatives including providing snacks and beverages for travelers at the Friendship Interstate 86 rest stop and using donations from those events
to help finance sending children with disabilities to summer camp, Community Christmas Sparkle, care of Island Park picnic tables and pavilion, and scholarships for two Friendship graduating seniors each year.
Both groups were recognized for “exceptional service, unwavering dedication and profound impact on the lives of others and commitment to ‘Service Above Self.’”
The first Rotary Club was formed 120 years ago by Paul P. Harris and is one of the largest service organizations in the world.
Photos provided
The Allegany County Board of Legislators recognized Kate Miller, David A. Howe Library’s children’s librarian (third from left) and Ally Fesmire (second from left), its youth librarian.
The Belmont Rotary Club was honored by the Allegany County Board of Legislators.
The Rotary Club of Friendship, New York Inc. was honored by the Allegany County Board of Legislators.
BY
BRADFORD, Pa. — Jason Deering hadn’t forgotten the feeling.
A year earlier, his New York boys Gold Team had rallied to tie it late before ultimately falling, 3-2, in the first shootout in NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase history. As enjoyable as the game was, his squad, afterward, was “crushed.” Deering, back as head coach in 2025, didn’t want this year’s group to suffer the same heartbreak.
“I wanted them to enjoy being in this environment, having that experience,” said Deering, the Southwestern boys varsity coach, “and so one of the things that I was really stressing in practice was just … come out, show up, do exactly what you do to the best of your abilities and just have fun.
“Seriously, just have fun and make it a blast.”
Safe to say, the top New York boys roster did just that.
Owen Dougherty (Ellicottville) made it 1-0 on a penalty kick less than eight minutes in and the Empire State held much of the control while downing Pennsylvania, 3-1, in the ninth annual Corporate Cup Showcase on a hot, but beautiful Sunday evening at Pitt-Brad-
ford’s Kessel Athletics Complex.
A YEAR AFTER needing a tally in the 84th minute to force overtime, New York left little doubt in this one: It scored early, answered a quick Pennsylvania equalizer midway through the first half to bring a 2-1 lead into the break and notched a coveted insurance goal with 10:40 remaining. It also had a handful of opportunities to extend the lead in between.
New York produced a complete effort to snap Pennsylvania’s mini two-game win streak.
And it was keyed by a complete lineup, featuring players from, among other strong programs, a Southwestern team that captured a sectional title last fall and an Allegany-Limestone group that advanced to the state final four.
“What we had for attack, those players fit my type of game,” Deering said, “and they just fit each other’s game, so they had extreme confidence. They felt they could get down through the defense at will, so they just kept asking me, just let them go.
“Kids like Cooper
(Wilczewski, the reigning Big 30 Player of the Year) and Grey (Kidder, Southwestern), they’re made to ‘let’s get the ball, let’s get going, let’s run our attack. And players like Owen, when they can get out and get down the field and put stress on the back four, it’s tough. It’s what got those goals and those chances.”
DOWN 1-0 at 37:30, Aaron Bennett (St. Marys) scored just over five minutes later to knot it 1-1 for Pennsylvania. New York,
however, regained the advantage on a Colin German (Portville) goal with 17:10 left in the half and maintained that cushion until the final stretch, when Aiden Cowburn — who had just played in an Olean Oilers playoff game on Friday night — made it 3-1 on a ball that deflected off a Pennsy defender.
New York kept Pennsylvania off the board for the final 77 minutes.
And for as good as its playmakers were, it was NY’s staunch
Complete effort keys NY past Pa. In boys Corporate Cup
defensive showing — led by its center backs and goalkeepers Gavin Haggerty (Wellsville) and Donovan Booker (Allegany-Limestone)
— that “won us that game,” Deering said. Center back Thomas Buffamante (Allegany-Limestone) was named New York’s MVP while Dougherty was cited with the Sportsmanship Award.
“They played fantastic,” Deering said of his center backs. “I think most of (Pennsylvania’s) chances were well outside the 18 other than maybe a couple. They couldn’t get through.
“I wanted co-MVPs because Ben Edwards (Ellicottville) and Tommy were absolutely fantastic and they shut them down. (PA’s) fantastic attack was totally shut down and it’s because of those two. Gian Perry (A-L) was in
too. … When
Photo by Jason Wick
The New York Gold team pose for a group photo after their win over the Pennsylvania Gold team on Sunday in Bradford, Pa.
J.P. BUTLER
Days
ica’s history, the Catherine Schuyler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution offers its USA 250 exhibit both Saturday and Sunday in the Grange Hall.
With the United States celebrating 250 years next year, the DAR 250 exhibit includes replicas of the pistols used in the Hamilton-Burr duel. In an honor duel in 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr wounded Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who later died from the gunshot. Owned by John Baker Church, the original pistols were displayed at the Church home, Belvidere, until they were sold in the 1930s.
The DAR exhibit will also feature a photo booth with colonial-era regalia for the photog-
into it, defense was gonna win the game, everything else was just show.”
PENNSYLVANIA, despite New York’s persistent attack, had its chances.
With 24 minutes left in the first half, Bennett put a shot off the crossbar. Midway through the second half, Pennsy just missed a header off a corner kick, and in the final few minutes, it pushed a free kick just over the crossbar that would have at least given it a chance in stop-
raphees to try on. Other colonial items will be on display.
DAR members will also explain their plans for the 250th anniversary of the nation. They will sell a colonial cookbook, which features recipes, historical anecdotes and facts about the patriots in the county, which was formed in 1806. The proceeds from the book will go toward a monument recognizing the patriots and founders of the nation and the county. It will be unveiled and dedicated in Angelica’s Park Circle in 2026.
“Angelica,” the book recently published by author Molly Beer, will also be part of the Heritage Days celebration. Beer, who grew up in Angelica, will offer a reading and conversation about the book, which is about the life
page time. Then, too, PA’s Case Seymour (Eisenhower) made a pair of tremendous pointblank saves at different points of the second half to keep it a one-goal deficit. Seymour earned PA’s Sportsmanship Award winner while Jacob Alberts (DuBois) was named team MVP. All throughout, however, New York, which now owns a 5-3 Corporate Cup series lead, was able to generate the offense it needed and keep Pennsylvania at bay.
of Angelica Schuyler, for whom the village is named. The talk will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday in the library, followed by a book signing.
Also, at 11 a.m. Saturday, the finals of the annual croquet tournament will start on the clay court in the park. Earlier this year, 11 teams started competition. Four, will start the semifinals Saturday, and the final two teams will go head-to-head at 1 p.m. Sunday. This sport was once popular throughout the area, with teams from several local towns and villages competing. It has been played in Angelica since the 1800s, often with the families holding the winning titles for years.
Heritage Days will also feature music performed on the
And this time, after its crushing shootout loss last summer, Deering’s New York charges were able to experience the elation of lifting the impressive trophy that goes to the Gold Game winner.
“It’s awesome,” said Deering, who also highlighted “creative, dynamic up-front players like Zander Parsons (A-L), Ty Oste (Maple Grove) and Cowburn. “That’s an awesome looking trophy.”
Of the game itself, he added: “This is a great event for soccer. I wish more people … I think they know about it, (but) I want this to be celebrated more because this is our top-quality
Program volunteers thanked Will Shutt, airport manager of the Wellsville Municipal Airport, for his welcome of service members and the Whiskey-7 crew.
Honoring the memory of PFC Joseph P. Dwyer and his legacy of service, the mission of the Dwyer Peer Support Program is to empower veterans to reconnect with one another, creating bonds that foster hope and resilience as they transition from military to veteran life. Program organizers stress there is NO timeline for transition.
The Allegany County program is co-directed by H. Robert
bandstand in Park Circle on Saturday and Sunday. Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday the Roadmasters, Warren Paul and Michael Smith will perform, with Sunday featuring the music of Buckwheat and Triple Play.
Throughout the weekend the highlights of Heritage Days also include a farmers market on both days, an American Legion breakfast starting at 7 a.m. both mornings and a chicken barbecue at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Heritage Days will come to a close Sunday at 4 p.m. following the 2 p.m. drawing for the winners of the basket auction. For more information about Angelica Heritage Days go to the Booster News or the Angelica Facebook page.
high school players coming out and playing in it. It’s a fantastic event; they put so much work into being at this level.
“I wish more people would come out because it’s a good show.”
SILVER GAME
New York 2, Pennsylvania 0
After a scoreless tie at halftime, Evan Turybury (Genesee Valley/Belfast) scored 11 minutes into the second half to give New York the lead.
Budinger III and Mallory Short. The program is run by volunteers who all, veteran or civilian, welcome the opportunity to be of service for veterans.
The group’s next event is a picnic in partnership with the Allegany County Veterans Organization (previously known as the Vietnam Veterans Organization) in August at the group’s camp in Willing. Veterans are asked to sign up on the Dwyer program website so organizers have a general estimate of participants.
The website is alleganyco. gov/salute/.
Landon Barkley (Bolivar-Richburg), who had the assist on Turybury’s goal, then scored with 8:14 remaining to help the Empire State seal it.
Photo provided
Whiskey-7 is a restored C-47 transport plane built for the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943.
➡Angelica Heritage
home improvement
The basics of window replacement projects
Windows in a home are easily taken for granted. Even though residents look through their windows every day, it’s only when issues arise that people tend to give the windows much thought.
Even if windows may not be foremost on
the minds of homeowners, they are a notable component of every home. New windows also can be an expensive addition to a home, so it benefits all homeowners to gain an understanding of window replacement projects before they start shopping around for new windows.
• Windows are more complex than new homeowners may realize. Homeowners will need to choose between three commonly available window materials when picking new windows for their homes. Vinyl windows typically are the most affordable option, and opinions vary considerably
regarding these products. Some tout their resistance to moisture, but others feel they lack the aesthetic appeal of costlier alternatives like fiberglass. Vinyl windows also can’t be painted, which some homeowners may find problematic. Fiberglass windows can be painted and are known for their strength and durability. Aluminum windows are strong and durable as well, but they may not provide as much thermal protection as some other options. Each window type has its own unique
pros and cons, and homeowners are urged to do their homework to determine the best fit for them.
• Consider variables unique to your home. Climate is an important consideration when choosing windows, and that of course is unique to each homeowner.
How hot or cold the local climate can be will affect how well windows insulate a home, so a window that’s best for one particular region may not be ideal for another. Homeowners are urged to
investigate which window materials are best suited to their local climates. All windows protect against the elements, but some might provide more adequate insulation, which can help keep utility bills low and everyone inside a home more comfortable.
• Homeowners may need to decide between replacement windows or new construction windows. The window experts at Pella note that new construction windows are the primary option for newly constructed
homes or room additions. Replacement windows are typically installed when homeowners need new windows but do not want or need to remove existing exterior cladding or trim. Replacement windows tend to be considerably less expensive than new construction windows, but the latter option merits consideration before making a final decision.
• It can be budget-friendly to replace more than one window at a time. Some, though not all,
window installation companies charge a non-negotiable project fee, so it can be more financially savvy to replace more than one window at a time. Replacing windows piecemeal may require homeowners to pay the project fee for each installation, whereas homeowners who replace multiple windows at the same time will only
incur that fee once. If homeowners know many windows in their home are in need of replacement, it can be financially advantageous to replace all that need it at once rather than breaking the project up and paying multiple project fees. Window replacement projects require careful consideration so homeowners identify the best products for their home.
BY JO WANKEL
BRADFORD, Pa. — It was a day of celebration Sunday for the New York players, as both the boys and girls teams took home trophies in the silver and gold matchups during the ninth annual NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase. In the girls Silver Game, New York defeated Pennsylvania 4-0. All games were played at the University of Pittsburgh at Brad-
ford’s athletic complex. Leea Kopp (Olean) scored the only goal of the first half and added another early in the second. Jaden Dunbar (Wellsville) tallied New York’s third goal, and Emily Stuck (Wellsville) followed with the fourth to secure the Silver trophy. Before the Gold Game, four-year participation plaques were awarded. Representing New York were Addie Fisher, Abby Peck and Chloe Baker (all of Allegany-Limestone),
and Cloey Larabee (Cuba-Rushford). Pennsylvania recipients included Kailey Bartlett (Port Allegany), Josie Orinko and Zoe Puhala (both of Brockway), and Ally Notarianni (Johnsonburg).
New York’s Gold team cruised to a 7-1 win over Pennsylvania. In the opening minutes, both goalkeepers— Orinko for Pennsylvania and Baker for New
York—came up with key saves. Kylie Kress (Maple Grove) broke through with a goal at 36:38 to give New York a 1-0 lead.
Rheanna Spinda (Brockway) tied the score at 1-1 at the 22:01 mark, slipping a shot past Baker. But New York responded quickly, as Peck scored to regain the lead at 2-1. Kress added her
second goal with 1:47 remaining in the half, and Grace Gariepy (Portville) made it 4-1 just before the break. After a defensive stretch early in the second half, Marlana Cresanti extended New York’s lead to 5-1. Larabee followed with a goal at the 25:28 mark, and Madison Honeck (Allegany-Limestone) capped the scoring with
NY girls roll past Pennsylvania 7-1 in Corporate Cup Gold match
19:15 remaining to make it 7-1. Following the match, awards were presented for sportsmanship and most valuable player.
Photo by Jason Wick
New York’s Grace Gariepy (31) of Portville and Pennsylvania’s Rheanna Spinda (19) of Brockway both leap
NY/PA Corporate Cup Soccer Showcase in Bradford, Pa.