SEPTEMBER
‘The Carol Burnett Show’ is back in Allegany County
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE
— Whether it was, “Bump up the lights,” fabulous gowns, dapper tuxedos, spoofs of Hollywood movies, belly laughs or a tug of an earlobe, “The Carol Burnett Show” was what millions of Americans tuned their televisions into every Saturday night for 11 years during the turbulent 1960s and ‘70s.
Led by its svelte, redheaded namesake, the show featured the comedic chops of Harvey Korman and Tim Conway, hand-
BELMONT — The Allegany County Board of Legislators will consider adopting a local law in October that would authorize a property tax levy increase in excess of the statutory 2% tax cap.
The measure, which does not obligate the legislature to increase the levy, provides flexibility to address growing concern about the stability of state and federal funding.
Board Chairman Brooke Harris, R-Alfred, explained that county lawmakers anticipated action, saying, “The board has no intention of raising the property
some face of Lyle Waggoner, the youth of Vicki Lawrence and a host of show business icons from Lucille Ball, Jim Nabors and Liza Minelli to pop sensation Cher and Broadway’s Julie Andrews.
From 1967 to 1978, the variety show was watched by millions of viewers, and now it’s coming to Wellsville.
On Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Nancy Howe Auditorium at the David A. Howe Library, the Starlight Theater Company is bringing the magic
back. Tickets are $10 and are available at the library, L’Italia, The Shop On Main, The Book Cellers, online or at the door, but one of the directors and a player, Ryan Keib advises, “Get your tickets early because this is a great show.”
“The library stage,” he said, “is a more suitable site for the show than the troupe’s usual venue at the old Christian Temple church. It’s ADA-compatible and easier for older people to park and
tax rate in 2026. However, the uncertainty surrounding Albany’s reaction to changes in federal funding, particularly in relation to SNAP
and Medicaid cuts, requires us to prepare for the worst.
“It’s always the board’s goal to lower taxes, and that’s our goal this year,” Harris continued. “Unfortunately, we need to be realistic and anticipate that the state would sooner pass increased costs on to counties than to improve inefficiencies in the administration of their programs.”
Significant federal funding cuts are expected to profoundly affect New York State’s forcing difficult budget decisions and impacting millions of residents.
Funding cuts or
spending limits on healthcare, nutrition and social safety net programs follow the passage of federal budget legislation, such as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” passed over the summer.
Among other effects, federal legislation eliminated $7.5 billion in annual funding for New York’s Essential Plan, a state insurance program for low- and middle-income residents. In response, state officials have announced eligibility changes, which could result in approximately 450,000 New Yorkers losing their coverage in 2026.
Regarding Medicaid, new federal regulations impose stricter eligibility and verification requirements for recipients whidle industry groups estimate that New York hospitals and health systems could lose annual funding, potentially forcing teh reduction of services. New federal work requirements for SNAP benefits could affect thousands of New York households as well. The federal government now requires states to contribute to the cost of SNAP benefits, potentially costing New York up to $1.4 billion annually. The federal share
of administrative costs for SNAP will also be cut, increasing expenses for the state and local counties.
Harris said, as is the case with all local laws, there will be a public hearing to address residents’ concerns.
“The board welcomes public feedback,” he said. “I encourage all those with interest in this local law to attend the meeting and share their thoughts. When the public hearing is scheduled, notifications will be sent to the public via media outlets, on our website and through social media.”
Photo provided
Members of the Starlight Theater Company are getting ready to recreate The Carol Burnett Show as they join with the David A. Howe Libray to promote Library Card Sign-up Month.
Wellsville Chamber’s Brewfest coming up Sept. 27
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE —
“Oompah” music, games, contests, beer and lederhosen make the 4th annual Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Brewfest an entertaining fall event. Brewfest gets underway at 1 p.m. Sept. 27
in Island Park, with VIP ticket holders getting first dibs on everything from craft beers, ciders and food at noon plus a goodie package with local handmade gifts. The VIP ticket price is $60 while general admission to the event is $40, with general access starting at 1 p.m.
The event will take place throughout the park and is scheduled to end at 5 p.m.
Brewfest is not only a fall festival, it is also a celebration of German heritage. For Wellsville, it is a nod to the town’s past when many residents’ parents, grandparents and great-grandparents traced their heritage back to the old country. For several years there was a German picnic held in the newly formed Island Park. Today, anyone who wants to may celebrate the tradition of Octoberfest — whether or not their ancestors wore lederhosen.
Brewfest will feature the music of the Bergholz German Band, a 28-member band with roots in Buffalo.
Bruce Thomas, executive director of the
Chamber, said the band is so popular that its appearance at this year’s Brewfest was sponsored by a local couple who enjoyed their music last year.
While there are several contests at the event, such as a lederhosen dress up contest for both men and women, one of the more physically stressful contests is the U.S. Stein Holding Association contest, which requires holding an outstretched beer stein for a period of time. This is a national contest and the first official year for the Brewfest. The local winner will go on to compete in the regional competition in Buffalo and, if successful there, go on to national competition in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While it may sound easy, Thomas explained the regulation stein filled with beer weighs 5 pounds. Contestants may not spill any beer or rest their arm while holding the stein outstretched. The competition records are around five minutes for women and 21 minutes for men.
There are also a variety of yard games to be played that are a little less physical.
“It’s a fun event and people are out there enjoying themselves on a nice fall day in a beautiful park setting,” said Karen Kania, membership coordinator for the This year there will be 21 vendors registered for the event.
The breweries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies come from all across Western and
Central New York and there are some returnees like the Kent Bee Company of Andover and the Wellsville Brewery. They have each been part of the event since the beginning. Food vendors will also be at Brewfest. Two Sisters and a Smoker will offer pork schnitzel, bratwurst, Bavarian pretzels, apple streusel and German-style butt fries. L’Italia will offer white chicken chili, pulled pork and Buffalo chicken dip. Pizza King will offer both cheese and pepperoni slices.
The Chamber advises attendees not to forget to stop by the Wellsville Development Corporation’s Pretzel Pit Stop where they can purchase a pretzel necklace to cleanse their palates between samples of libations. Proceeds from the sale of the pretzel necklaces go toward the Main Street Christmas lights and flower planters.
Thomas said Brewfest is the Chamber’s largest fundraiser and proceeds from the event are used to support
the scholarship fund, help businesses and help fund the Chamber’s other programs such as the upcoming Scarecrow Contest, the recent Chalk Your Walk and the Holidays in the Village Christmas celebration.
Brewfest tickets are only available online at zeffy.com/ticketing/4th-annual-brewfest. There are no physical tickets; sales will be placed in a database and people only need to show up on the day of the event at the Brewfest registration table with their IDs in hand.
Attendees must be age 21 or over.
Kania explained that she is available to help the “computer challenged.” Call the Chamber at (585) 5935080 with your credit or debit card handy. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the event.
Designated drivers will be eligible for a $10 entry fee. There is handicapped-accessible parking available as well.
Lots of goodies and prizes await those attending and participating in the contests at the Wellsville
Chamber of Commerce’s Brewfest, set for Sept. 27.
Wellsville church to host ‘Blue Mass’ on Feast of St. Michael
WELLSVILLE —
Immaculate Conception Church invites all first responders — police, firefighters and EMTs — as well as military personnel and anyone who works in dangerous conditions to a Blue Mass at 7 p.m. Monday.
Participants don’t have to be Catholic to attend — and members of the community who support first responders and the military are encouraged to attend to show their support.
“The Blue Mass is a moment of gratitude and remembrance, honoring the daily sacrifices made by law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, 911 dispatchers, correctional officers, military service members and veterans,” the church stated in announcing the Mass.
The date of the Mass, Sept. 29, coincides with the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of police officers, paramedics and those in dangerous situations.
St. Michael is honored as the angel who fought for God against Satan in the battle
described in the book of Revelation (20:1-3), according to catholicsaintmedals.com. A St. Michael necklace is often worn by polices officers or their spouses as a prayer for protection and safety. Derived from the same history as the Archangel who opposed Satan, “St. Michael is perhaps the most popular patron saint of all,” according to catholicsaintmedals. com. “He is the patron for over 50 causes and places. Most prominent patronages include; patron of military, patron of soldiers, patron of holy death, patron of police officers, patron of sailors, patron of paramedics and many other vocations.”
SPCA Serving Allegany County:
More than cats and dogs
WELLSVILLE —
Tuesdays With Grace resumed its monthly programming with a talk from Lynda Pruski, president of the Allegany County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The SPCA has been in the county since 1911 and started as a venue to help farm animals. While it started in Cuba, the SPCA established a shelter in the town of Willing in the 1980s. Six years ago, it opened a state-of-the-art, energy efficient, facility north of Belmont on Route 19. According to Pruski, the facility attracts visitors from across New York state, nearby states and Canada.
It is a no-kill shelter and works with shelters in Buffalo and Rochester and throughout Western New York. In addition to adopting animals. It also offers a low cost ($60) spay/neuter clinic. In the six years the clinic has been open, over 9000 animals have been spayed or neutered. A doctor is at the clinic four days a week.
In the fall of 2024, the SPCA shelter, along with other organizations across Western New York, received a $1.5 million grant from the Golisano Foundation. Because the facility is so new, it is up to date both physically and environmentally, the bulk of the funding, which
is received in four increments over four years, is still intact, Pruski said.
“Since our facility is so new and doesn’t need repairs, we are concentrating on educational programs in an effort to help reduce the number of cruelty cases,” she added.
The SPCA has started a Pre-K-12 Humane Education program which teaches youth kindness to animals, care for animals, respect for animals, responsibility and rescue. The program is offered both in the classroom and on field trips to the facility. It can be scheduled by contacting outreach volunteer JoAnn Brown at joannbrownspca@yahoo.com
The SPCA is also looking at a Pet Meals on Wheels program with the Office for the Aging.
“I know from my experience that people often share their Meals on Wheels meals with their pets,” said Pruski. They are also looking at pop-up clinics for vaccinations.
She noted that in recent years, the local agency has been involved with several
cruelty cases, which in addition to numerous dogs, kittens and adult cats, have brought farm type animals into the facility. Most recently, a drove of 27 Pot-Bellied Pigs were surrendered to the SPCA. Due to the presence of both males and females in the sounder the number quickly increased. So far 50 pigs have been adopted and five are still available. Currently, in addition to the pigs the facility is home to parakeets, a turtle and a Belgian draft horse.
“We take any one in need,” Pruski said, adding that the SPCA hopes the new kid’s program will help cut down on the number of abuse cases.
In the next few
months, the local SPCA will continue its annual fundraising efforts.
A 2026 pet calendar is being printed and will soon be available.
The 31st annual Theme Basket Auction will take place on Oct. 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pioneer Student Union on the Wellsville campus of Alfred State College. Food will be available.
Pruski said that the SPCA is not only looking for basket donations (they usually have over 400) they are also looking for volunteers to help wrap the baskets and to work at the fundraiser, and they are also seeking empty baskets. Call (585) 593-2200 ext. 2 or e-mail SPCAallegany@gmail.com for information.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 22 at Wellsville Elementary School, the SPCA will host a Craft and Vendor Show. Over 50 vendors have already signed up and registration is still open. Call (716) 498-5073 to register. In December the SPCA will offer its popular SPCA Pet Pictures with a Santa plus a holiday center piece class program on the same day. Time and day will be announced. To volunteer to help out at the shelter by walking or playing with dogs or cuddling cats call the office.
A place to rest: Wellsville Rotary opens Riverwalk pavilion
WELLSVILLE — A small group of people gathered at Riverwalk Plaza Sept. 16 at the edge of the parking lot on the banks of the Genesee River as members of the Rotary Club unveiled its latest community project.
the village and building pocket parks along Main Street providing respite for visitors and residents alike, to name a few of the projects supported by the club.
The Wellsville Rotary was organized 104 years ago as the 961st club in the philanthropic, community-oriented, business and professional men’s club that was sweeping the nation. Since then, the national and international Rotary Club has grown to 32,627 clubs worldwide with more than 1.2 million members.
Women were admitted to the Rotary in the 1980s.
Its latest project is the installation of a wooden pavilion at the edge of the Riverwalk Plaza parking lot along the banks of the Genesee River near the RiverWilds access sign. The pavilion was the dream of the most recent past president of the club, Steve Ackley.
At Tuesday’s unveiling Ackley said, “I noticed that while there were several places along the river for people to rest and enjoy the view there seemed to be no such area on the west side of the village.” So he took the matter up with the Rotary Club and past two-time president Mark Woltag, stepped up to lead the project.
foot, structure was delivered and placed at the site this past summer.
“We have to thank the Whitford Company which owns the plaza, for giving us this site overlooking the river,” Woltag told the crowd of two dozen who turned out for the event.
Since its founding the Wellsville Club has been active in the community – organizing an Election Day pancake breakfast, a scholarship program, blood testing program, supporting youth sports, and Rotary Camp for kids, spearheading the drive to build Jones Memorial Hospital, renovating and preserving the David A. Howe Library cupola, constructing original “Welcome to Wellsville” signs on the main roads leading into
A local attorney and resident of Belfast, Woltag approached the Amish craftsmen of Heritage Structures in Belfast to build and deliver a specially designed pavilion featuring built in benches and a picnic table.
The new 10 by 16-
The year-round, custom-building was also supported by grants from the Wellsville Development Corporation and the Allegany Area Foundation as well as funds raised from the Rotary’s various fundraising activities. On hand to praise the Club’s community project was Dist. IV County Legislator Steve Havey who noted that
community and that the new pavilion will go a long way toward allowing tourists to enjoy the beauty and wildlife along the Genesee. Dirk Knapp the Allegany District Governor for Rotary, thanked the Rotary Club for “Putting this together for the community.”
After the official ribbon cutting current Rotary President Mike Miller said the new pavilion is a great asset to the community and that the Rotary may look at building similar structures in other areas.
the Genesee River is a major tourist attraction in the
Photo by Kathryn Ross
The Wellsville Rotary Club cut the ribbon opening a new pavilion overlooking the Genesee River at Riverwalk Plaza.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
After speaking at the Grace United Church luncheon, Lynda Pruski received dozens of empty baskets for the upcoming SPCA Theme Basket Auction.
Photo provided A medal depicting St. Michael the Archangel. automotive
home improvement
(BPT) — When severe weather strikes, one’s home is often the first line of defense.
While many homeowners are focused on protecting the roof, windows or basement, it’s easy to forget about one of the home’s most important systems: heating and cooling. An HVAC system keeps a family comfortable year-round, but it’s also vulnerable to damage during storms, floods,
wildfires and other natural disasters.
Taking a few precautions can help avoid costly repairs and ensure the system is safe to use after the storm passes. The following are four steps homeowners can take to protect their HVAC systems.
Power down before the storm When a natural disaster approaches, turn off power to the HVAC system at the circuit
breaker. This reduces the risk of electrical damage from power surges and helps protect the equipment in the event of flooding.
A great way to go one step further is to install surge suppression for both your indoor and outdoor units. These devices work by squelching surges and spikes that might damage the electronics within your system. They help prevent problems
4 ways to protect your HVAC system from natural disasters
during lightning storms or when the electrical grid is under stress from severe weather. Some models can also provide protection during electrical brownouts. The best part? They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install, but they offer excellent protection for your HVAC investment.
Secure outdoor units from high winds
Strong winds can cause serious damage, either by shifting the unit off its base or by hurling debris into the equipment. Before the storm, bolt outdoor units securely in place.
Remove lawn furniture, planters or tools that could become
airborne hazards. In hurricane-prone areas, homeowners often use hurricane straps to provide their equipment with added stability. Guard against flooding Rising water poses major risks to indoor
allegany county Community Source
home improvement
Keep up with regular maintenance Routine HVAC
and outdoor HVAC equipment. If a home is in a flood-prone area, consider elevating your outdoor unit on a concrete or composite platform. After flooding, never attempt to restart the HVAC system without first having it inspected. Moisture exposure can cause hidden damage, electrical hazards or mold growth if not addressed by a professional.
maintenance is always a smart move, but it’s especially important in areas prone to extreme weather conditions. Having a system inspected both before and after severe storms can help catch any damage
early. A qualified technician, such as a Rheem Pro Partner®, ensures the equipment is safe, efficient and ready for the season ahead. Regardless of one’s location, preparation is essential. Natural disasters can happen with little warning, and these steps can help protect a home’s comfort systems and save users from unexpected expenses. For
additional resources and expert help, companies such as Rheem, a wellknown 100-year-old HVAC manufacturer, and its network of con-
WELLSVILLE — The
holiday season in Wellsville is about to shine a little brighter with the debut of a new holiday tradition, the Jingle & Glow Holiday Lights. The brand-new community exhibit will be designed to transform the Fassett Greenspace on Main Street into a vibrant and immersive
holiday maze to enjoy year after year.
The display will run daily from dusk until 9 p.m. starting Nov. 29, through Jan. 4, and will complement the village’s traditional holiday displays along Main Street.
“We are working to enhance and expand the holiday history and
tradition of decorating the Wellsville Village,” said Jackie Comstock, a Wellsville activist and founding committee member of the initiative.
“We also expect this display will entice visitors, fostering economic engagement during this festive time of year.”
Proceeds from Jingle & Glow will benefit the
Thelma Rogers Genealogical & Historical Society (TRGHS), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of Wellsville and the surrounding area. The TRGHS owns and operates the Nathaniel Dike Museum, 118 E. Dyke St., a local landmark in the village of Wells-
ville that highlights the area’s heritage through exhibits and historical archives.
Additional funding for “Jingle & Glow” is needed to purchase LED lights, other outdoor displays, lighting equipment and signage. Cash donations of any size are welcome, organizers said.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals, foundations, businesses, and
Jingle & Glow holiday lights display to debut in Wellsville
organizations looking to support this inaugural event. For more information on how to become a sponsor, or learn more about the TRGHS and the Nathaniel Dike Museum, contact Ann Comstock at (585) 593-6724 or wellsvilledikemuseum@ gmail.com.
To send a gift to support Jingle & Glow, send to TRGHS, P.O. Box 6, Wellsville, N.Y., 14895.