The Christmas season in Wellsville officially got underway over the weekend when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by fire truck.
The annual Christmas parade started at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 29 on Main Street, but Santa made a quick stop at the Fassett GreenSpace where a small crowd had gathered prior to the parade.
The Jolly Old Elf walked into the GreenSpace and was greeted by children and adults alike.
Organized by Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society officials Jackie and Ann Comstock, the event is a fundraiser for the society. It was sponsored by a variety of individuals, organizations and businesses.
Before the lighting ceremony, Jackie Comstock said, “Before we get started, I just want to take a moment to recognize our sponsors, donors, partners, and volunteers. This event simply would not exist without all of you here today.”
She continued, “This evening is a testament to the spirit of this community, and what better
time to do that than during the holidays, when lights and music and shared joy have a way of warming us all from the inside out. Tonight, we are lighting a corner of our village in a way we haven’t seen before.... I can’t think of a better way to make new history than to begin right here, right now at Jingle and Glow.”
Santa was joined by Vonie Walker of Walker Staffing Services, Jingle and Glow Illumination sponsor, in lighting the display. With a cheer from the crowd, Jingle and Glow was officially lit.
Jingle and Glow will be illuminated every evening from 4 to 10 p.m. from now until Jan. 4.
After the ceremony, Santa proceeded back to the Main Street Fire Hall, where the annual parade was getting underway
Led by a color guard from the American Legion, the parade included a variety of groups and organizations. Mayor Ed Fahs and Trustee Jeff Monroe marched, throwing candy to the children lining the street. Several emergency vehicles, including one from Andover, were driven in the parade. The high school varsity
cheerleaders, band and members of the Marttel and Heidi Noel dance studioes were also part of the parade.
The village’s fire trucks brought up the rear, with Santa and Mrs. Claus riding on the front of a fire truck.
The parade proceeded to Pearl Street to light the official village Christmas tree on the corner of Pearl and Main streets. Santa then headed to the library to light the Lions Club Fantasy of Lights. The more than 30 Christmas trees line the sidewalk to the library and were
decorated by individuals and groups.
At 6:30 p.m. the annual fireworks display, viewed from across the village, lit up the sky for 15 minutes.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Hometown Holiday celebration continues with both home and business decorating contests. Other activities are also planned:
• Dec. 11: The Santa and Mrs. Claus 1K
• Dec. 18: Story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus and cookie contest from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the David A.
Howe Library
• Dec. 20: Santa Claus tours the village from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and from 4 to 5 p.m. visits with children at the Chamber
The Hometown Holiday drawings for gift baskets will take place each week. Drop your name, phone number and email into a designated box at a participating location by Friday each week. The winners will be drawn at 4 p.m. Saturdays and announced on Facebook and by WJQZ and WLSV radio. For more information about Hometown Holidays go to the Chamber Facebook page.
Organizers thanked this season’s generous sponsors: Illumination Presenting Sponsor: Vonie Walker, Walker Business & Staffing Services
Sparkle Sponsors: Fassett Lane Lumber. Mike & Cheryl Jackson and Family. The Thomas F. & Laura Moogan Family Fdn. Jodi Pearson, ERA Real Estate. Wellsville Sun
Twinkle Sponsors: Allegany County Area Foundation. Certified Safety Products of NY (CTC Signs). Ann Comstock & Family. Jackie & Don Comstock. In Memory
of Al Anderton. Middaugh Real Estate, Inc. Tom & Nancy Reuning. Wellsville Lions Club. Glimmer Sponsors: Brand Name Appliances. Tim & Sue Colligan. Computer Solutions. Ed & Jessica Flamini Fahs. Genesee Valley Media. Immaculate Conception Church. Reita & Terry Lynch. Pekarek Law Group. Northern Lights Candles. Greyson Short & Family. Stillwater Restaurant. Wellsville Brewing, Co. Wellsville Elks Club.
Donors/Partners and Volunteers: Suzanne Amidon. Tripodi/Burdick Grandchildren. Catholic Charities. Ken & Carol Didion. Dollar Tree. Barb Evans. Laura Gabler. Gem Wealth Planning Group. Cameron Gordon. The Arena Restaurant; Joyce & Kevin King. Connie & Robert Kulik. MK Kellogg. Marshall Green. Ljungstrom of Wellsville. JoAnn Green. Miss Lizzie’s Art Studio. Runnings. Shea Plumbing & Heating. Skin by Wren. Anne & Dennis Sobeck. Tractor Supply. Richard Watkins. Tina Wightman. Ken Williams. Art For Rural America (AFRA). Wellsville Chamber of Commerce. Village of Wellsville.
Alfred State Day of Giving deemed a major success
ALFRED — Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends came together in a major way to make the 2025 Alfred State Day of Giving a success. Over 800 donors raised $344,025 to support current and future Pioneers.
Since 2016, Alfred State has designated a day to rally supporters to help meet college needs. This year the day focused on Powering the Pioneer Fund, one of the four pillars of ASC’s Unleashing Potential Comprehensive Campaign.
Various clubs, orga-
nizations, and athletic teams worked alongside the Institutional Advancement staff to garner support that will benefit scholarships, academic needs, mental health resources, and specific goals for teams and clubs.
“Our Day of Giving was a huge success and there were tons of excitement all over campus,” stated Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations John Lewis.
“Some students knew what Day of Giving was and what was happening while others didn’t
DINNER FROM SANTA
Santa wants everyone to have a Christmas Dinner!
If you are, or know of someone who is in need, elderly, or disabled that is unable to prepare a meal for Christmas Day, call the number below to get a hot turkey dinner delivered on the 25th between the hours of 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Santa’s elves will be preparing the meals at the Trinity Lutheran Church and names will be collected by Immaculate Conception Church. Please call 585-593-4834 ext. #1
Mon-Fri from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm and leave your name, address, number of meals you’d like and a phone number.
The deadline to call is DECEMBER 18th
Please call early as we can only take 250 dinner requests. We deliver to the towns of Allentown, Andover, Belmont, Bolivar, Friendship, Scio, Wellsville, Whitesville and Willing.
know about it but were learning from us. They got invested right away and it was exciting to see them take part in the different activities and watch the donor board grow right in real time.”
Alfred State College was assisted by several matching and major gift donors who helped to challenge the Pioneer community to make an even greater impact. A challenge gift from a 1980 alum and Development Fund Board Member started the day off and a 1971 alum helped to ignite afternoon and evening support. An anonymous corporate partner finished off the day and helped achieve and exceed the overall goal for day. On top of collecting
financial support the Alfred State Institutional Advancement Office worked with the Office of Civic Wellbeing to collect nonperishable and personal care items to help replenish the on-campus food pantry and thrift store.
In conjunction with the Day of Giving, the college launched the 2025 Alumni and Friends Magazine. The magazine features details on the launch of the Comprehensive Campaign, a story on Professors Matt and Nicole DiRado, and multiple feature stories.
The magazine also has the latest Class Notes and details on the Alfred Cup competition. Lewis concluded,
“On behalf of our team, and the whole campus, we thank all of our donors for making this year’s event amazing.”
Enchanted Winter Wonderland coming to Wellsville
WELLSVILLE — Ar-
dent Solutions and Leadership Allegany have announced an upcoming seasonal celebration, Enchanted Winter Wonderland, taking place Jan. 11. This magical one-day event invites guests of all ages to step into a world of winter enchantment, festive cheer, and a majestic kingdom of fun.
With three immersive sessions scheduled at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., each experience is packed with interactive activities and fairytale
fun, including:
• Glamor, glitz, and potions makeover station
• Cupcake decorating and festive punch
• Royal family photo booth
• Fairytale storytime
• Princess sing-a-long
• Crowns and tiaras arts and crafts
• The Royal Ball — a magical dance experience for all
• And if you’re lucky… you might even spot a visiting unicorn! “This event is all about creating magical memories for families and children,” said Helen Evans, associate
director at Ardent Solutions. “We’re blending creativity, community, and a touch of fantasy to make this a truly unforgettable day. Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite princess or prince.”
“Enchanted Winter Wonderland is a chance for children to enjoy the magic of winter,” shared Carrie Whitwood, executive director at Ardent Solutions.
“What a perfect gift for the littles in your life this holiday season! A ticket to the event is a present that will last a lifetime to look back on in photos and memories.”
Enchanted Winter Wonderland is proudly sponsored at the All That
Glitters level by Fidelis Care and ServU Federal Credit Union, whose generous support helps bring this celebration to life for the Allegany County community. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Sara Feldbauer at feldbauers@ardentnetwork.org. Tickets are $20 per child and are available now at https://www. zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/enchanted-winter-wonderland, with limited availability for each time slot. Early registration is encouraged to reserve your preferred session. Proceeds will support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Allegany County.
Photo provided by Alfred State College
Alfred State students thank donors. The 2025 Day of Giving raised over $344,000 for current and future Pioneers.
Wellsville Chamber gives an early Christmas present
WELLSVILLE —
According to Executive Director Bruce Thomas, the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce has been doing well for the last few years, so its officers decided to share the wealth.
Before the regular meeting of the village board of trustees Nov. 24, Thomas buttonholed members of the local police department, fire department and ambulance corps, who were attending the meeting. He, along with officials from the Chamber board, presented the three organizations with a $1,500 check to show their appreciation.
“A few years ago when I took over, the Chamber didn’t have a lot of money,” Thomas said, “but now we do have some extra funding, and we want to show our appreciation for all the help and services the fire department, ambulance corps and the police department provide us.”
He said the funding
has come from successful festivals and events the Chamber has instituted over the last few years, including the very successful Wine Walk (tickets sell out hours after tickets go on sale); Brewfest, held in Island Park in the fall and drawing breweries and cideries from across Western New York; the Main Street Festival on Great Wellsville Balloon Rally weekend; and several other smaller events which take place throughout the year.
The funding earned from the events, Thomas said, goes to support the operation of the Chamber as well as scholarship funding for Wellsville High School seniors.
“The board decided that it was time it gave back to the community and the people and organizations that support us,” he said. The $1,500 will be shared equally between the three organizations.
The check was presented to Patrolman
Lewis Pettit, president of the Police Benevolent Association; Andrew Sweezy, president of the Ambulance Corps; and Greg Day, first assistant chief of the fire department. The check was presented by Chamber president Bessie Davidson and vice president Demetrios Raptis, along with Thomas and Ken Didion, treasurer of the Chamber.
The Chamber celebrated its 100th anni-
versary in 2023. It was founded in 1923 from an existing businessmen’s association and was chartered as an official Chamber in 1924. Today, it includes more than 150 members from adjoining towns and villages and from businesses across Western New York.
It employs both Thomas and Didion as well as Karen Kania, membership services coordinator. Annually, it
produces a community and visitors guide and distributes it locally. In addition to the aforementioned events, it offers an annual golf tournament and clambake, Business After Hours, Community Cleanup, Chalk Your Walk, scarecrow contest and sponsors an annual awards ceremony for members and the community.
It also sponsors and coordinates the Home-
town Holiday Celebration, which gets underway this weekend. It has been responsible for the renovation of the Community Clock and the recent downtown mural. In the last few months, it has developed a community calendar on its website.
Each of the organizations receiving funding expressed their thanks to the Chamber for its support.
Final stretch on building Wellsville town highway facility
WELLSVILLE —
Town Supervisor Shad Alsworth said work on the new town highway garage and town office building is nearly complete.
With the site among the current facilities located on East Hanover Street in the village, construction has been ongoing for several years. More than eight years ago the town voters and town board voted to replace the existing facilities, which were crumbling and leaking and in constant need of repair. The current building, adjacent to Woodlawn Cemetery, is set on an unstable foundation of tanbark
Photo by Kathryn Ross
The town of Wellsville’s new facilities are scheduled to open in the late summer after years of unexpected delays.
Photo by Kathryn Ross
On hand for the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce’s donation are (from left) Demetrios Raptis and Bessie Davidson of the Chamber, Patrolman Lewis Pettit, Andrew Sweezy of the ambulance service, Fire Chief Greg Day and Bruce Thomas and Ken Didion of the Chamber.
Wellsville Town Highway Facility continued on PAGE 6
home improvement
The dawn of a new year is often characterized as a chance to wipe the slate clean and start anew. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions reinforces that characterization, as many people resolve to turn over a new leaf and commit to a year of self-improvement on January 1. While the phrase “wipe the slate clean” may be figurative, some also might take it literally, particularly in regard to their homes. Those who want to turn over a new leaf in a cluttered home can consider these storage solutions to give
Tips to clear a cluttered home
spaces a fresh and less claustrophobic feel in the year ahead.
• Clear kitchen countertops. Kitchens are the most popular rooms in many homes, and that popularity can come with a cost. Clutter can quickly accumulate on kitchen countertops, which is both inconvenient when preparing meals at home and unsightly to residents and guests. Appliances used with frequency, such as coffee machines and toasters, can be given countertop real estate, but store lesser used items, like blenders and waffle makers, in cabinets or pantries. Mail or materials sent home from children’s schools also can pile up in a kitchen, so resolve to go through the mail each day and discard unnecessary items. School
papers can be read when children arrive home from school and any that need to be kept can be stored in a folder placed inside a drawer in the kitchen or a home office.
• Install drawer dividers. Drawer dividers can help clear up cluttered spaces that might not be visible to the naked eye. Dividers inserted into kitchen drawers can ensure leftover containers are stored neatly and are easily accessible. Drawer dividers in a home office space can make sure desks don’t fall victim to disorganization, which can make it harder to find supplies and important documents.
• Consider furniture that pulls double duty. Some home furnishings are more than meets the eye, and that multifunctional utility can help people conquer cluttered spaces. Storage ottomans are a prime example of
furniture that serves multiple purposes. Blankets and throws left out on chairs and couches can make living areas feel more cramped and less organized. A storage ottoman can be a great solution in such spaces, providing both a place to put one’s feet and also a clever storage solution for blankets and pillows. A coffee table with a small drawer or two can make for a multifunc tional centerpiece to store remote controls, coasters and other small items that can encourage the build up of clutter if left out when the room is not in use. A storage bench in bedrooms and guestrooms also can ensure these spaces stay clear of clutter.
in areas like a garage, which can be difficult to navigate if garden tools and other outdoor items are left on a floor. Overhead storage racks that utilize a crank to raise and lower the rack when items need to be accessed and stored can be great ways to store holiday decorations and
• Think vertical. It might be possible to work your way up if storage is a problem in certain areas of the home. Vertical storage solutions might be especially useful
with high ceilings also can employ a hanging pot rack to create more cabinet space and reduce the amount of items that need to be stored on countertops. Clutter can quickly take over a home. But some simple storage solutions may be all anyone needs to more effectively organize a home.
making it difficult to make lasting repairs. After an unusually long wait, and without unforeseeable future delays, the new building will be completed and open for business by the end of next summer. In the meantime, those needing to do business at the town offices and the regular town board meetings will continue at Wellsville Municipal Airport, on Tarantine Boulevard between West Hill and Niles Hill.
Final work is still underway and will be completed over the spring. While it’s taken nearly eight years to complete the project, it will have saved residents almost $1.5 million, Alsworth said. Upon completion, the total cost of the new facility will be between $3.5 million and $4 million. It includes site work that has to be completed such as demolition and excavation of the existing facilities which is sched-
uled to take place over the next three months and blacktopping when the weather allows. When complete the facility will house the town’s highway equipment, office and break room in the large section of the building. The smaller section houses the offices of the town board with facilities for the clerks and the supervisor. There will also be a courtroom facility that will sub as a boardroom, court offices and judge’s chamber. There is also a break room, kitchenette and storage facility. Alsworth said he hopes the new facility will be utilized for other activities such as voting and for emergency facilities.
Construction of the facility, Alsworth acknowledges, has been plagued by numerous setbacks. The most serious of which has been the COVID pandemic. It not only delayed construc
tion but also hampered the contractors — Alfred State College Building and Trades Department and other contractors from obtaining materials, which also added to the construction costs.
In addition to Alfred State students, there have been some professional contractors for specialty work involved in the construction. Town employees have also worked on the project. Shortly, Mike Lyndsey’s heating and plumbing business will start work with the installation of heating, plumbing and electric.
Drywall, painting and finishing the flooring will also be completed this spring.
“We’ve been plagued with a lot of delays, and it probably could have been completed six years ago, but we’ve saved the taxpayers money and that’s the way to do it,” Alsworth said.
Santa’s back in Wellsville
a bright morning late last
➡Wellsville Town Highway Facility
On
month, holiday decorating got underway in the village of Wellsville as village crews installed the towering Santa Claus in front of the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street. A little farther down the street volunteers gathered to decorate the Fassett GreenSpace for the first Jingle and Glow event organized by the Thelma Rogers Genealogical and Historical Society. The decorations were illuminated by Santa when the annual Santa Claus Parade took place Nov. 29 on Main Street.
