Homeowners are spending big bucks on home renovations. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, home improvement project spending continues to increase. It’s predicted to go from $472 billion spent in 2022 to $485 billion in 2024.
Those targeting a specific home renovation likely know there is much that goes into the process from start to finish. Patience is a requisite virtue with any remodel, as even a thoroughly conceptualized plan can encounter a few bumps along the way. Although there is no way to completely remove renovationrelated obstacles, there are ways to make projects go more smoothly.
• Establish a clear plan from the beginning. Now is not the time to be on the fence about details. A vision for the renovation is essential, and should include details about layout, materials, colors, and design.
• Manage your expectations. Again, this speaks to a need for patience with a project but also involves flexibility. Being too rigid when choosing materials can require waiting
for back-ordered supplies to come in. Wanting contractors to bend to your schedule can delay the project even further. Creativity and flexibility are key.
• Establish a budget. It can be easy to spend beyond one’s means, especially when issues crop up.
Black House Real Estate stresses the importance of creating a budget before starting a renovation, which may involve working with a local professional to help. Houzz advises preparing for worstcase scenarios by adding anywhere from 1 percent to 20 percent to the budget. Commit to sticking to the budget no matter what comes down the pike.
• Assemble a good team. Thoroughly research all contractors who will be involved with the renovation. These include designers,
architects, builders, and more. Be sure they come highly recommended and research online reviews. A good team removes some stress from the project because you’ll know the work is in experienced hands.
• Prepare the space for the remodel. Any work you can do will help save on labor costs and make it easier for the team to get started on the project. Clear out clutter and personal items. Ask if it would be helpful for
you to handle some demolition, whether that’s pulling up old tile, removing drywall or another task.
• Have an escape hatch at the ready. Home renovations can cause upheaval to daily life, and that can mean stress on top of already chaotic schedules. If money and situation allow, plan a getaway during a particularly tough stretch of the project so the noise, mess, and disruptions will not induce headaches. Consider spending a few nights at a
hotel or a friend or relative’s house to escape the constant grind of the project.
Home renovation projects add value and functionality to homes. Such undertakings can go more smoothly with some sound planning.
Cattaraugus County 4-H Dairy Judging Team members take top honors at state fair
See Page 6
Sheriff’s deputies recognized by Cattaraugus Co. Legislature for life-saving actions
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
VALLEY —
LITTLE
Two Cattaraugus County deputies were honored Wednesday, Aug. 27 by the Cattaraugus County Legislature for their quick action in saving a West Valley man’s life earlier this summer.
Deputies Andrew Schumaker and Rachel Zimmer were presented with special proclamations from Chairman M. Andrew Burr on behalf of the legislature, recognizing their “tremendous act of courage and response.”
On July 26, Zimmer and Schumaker utilized the new Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EAI) Policy and training through the sheriff’s office to administer an EpiPen to Stanley Cizdziel, who suffered an anaphylactic reaction after encountering a bee hive and being stung 1520 times.
“It’s a good thing I know Ashford,” Zimmer said. “We had to go some back roads to get there.” Zimmer said she knows Cizdziel from going to school with his daughter, which made the situation all the more personal.
Without any warning or symptoms, Cizdziel suffered an anaphylactic reaction and passed out — his face was swollen and blue, and he was struggling to breathe. After a friend who was with Cizdziel called 911, Zimmer and Schumaker arrived on the scene before
EMS and administered the epinephrine autoinjectors, commonly known as EpiPens.
“The swift action of deputies Zimmer and Schumaker not only portrays the highest standards of law enforcement but also highlights the importance of the new EAI Policy and training that has been recently instituted by Sheriff Eric Butler,” the proclamation read in part. “Providing the training and resources to save lives in the
community is a priority of the sheriff’s office and its deputies.”
Schumaker said he is happy to be with the sheriff’s office and that they had the tools with them to do what they needed to do in the situation.
“Good co-workers and a good administration make it easy to do what we have to do when we need to do it,” he added.
Dispatchers at the County 911 Center recognized the grave predicament Cizdziel was in. It was quickly
ascertained that no one with Cizdziel had an EpiPen in hand, and dispatchers immediately called out emergency medical services (EMS) and routed deputies to the scene.
“They do a wonderful job,” Burr said in sharing how proud he is of the sheriff’s office. “Sheriff Butler, Undersheriff Nate Root, what you guys do for public service every day is the model of public service.”
Butler said he appreciates all the support the sheriff’s
office receives from the legislature, adding that implementing the EAI program was common sense, and recent changes in state law made it easy for Cattaraugus County to do.
“We didn’t expect it to happen this fast — I’m not happy that this incident happened — but it’s exactly why we put the program in place,” the sheriff said. “For a pittance compared to what our budget is, to have this tool in our toolbox, it’s a no-
brainer.” Burr echoed Butler’s sentiments, adding how proud the legislature is of Zimmer and Schumaker for “going above and beyond to save somebody’s life.”
“We can’t thank you enough for what you do every day, and this was just a critical moment that shows the skills and dedication and care the two of you and the sheriff’s department have for the public,” he added..
Additionally, Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski presented the deputies with a citation, and George Filgrove, representing state Sen. George Borrello, presented the deputies with a certificate of recognition.
“On behalf of everyone in the 148th Assembly District, thank you,” Sempolinski said. “And to the sheriff’s administrative team, this doesn’t happen unless they have the tools to have it happen. The administrative decision made to put these tools in the hands of these heroes is also to be commended.”
On behalf of Borrello, Filgrove commended Zimmer and Schumaker “for being a part of the uniformed force that protects the community, and for your patriotism in serving this part of the thin blue line that upholds the law, solves crimes and a multitude of other things a lot of police officers don’t get the credit for.”
Hanson of Delevan appointed to Cattaraugus Co. Legislature, replacing Brisky
BY KELLEN M. QUIGLEY
VALLEY
LITTLE
— Brenda Hanson, a teacher from Delevan, has been appointed to the Cattaraugus County Legislature to represent District 2, filling the vacancy of Michael Brisky, who resigned. Hanson was sworn in Aug. 28 with a unanimous vote of approval from the 14 other county legislators.
Brisky, a Franklinville resident first elected to the legislature in 2019, has taken the position of Deputy Administrator of Cattaraugus County under Kelly Reed.
Hanson, a math and science teacher at Central Baptist Christian School in Yorkshire, said she’s looking forward to being part of a team that does great things in Cattaraugus County. “I love this county. This is my home,” she told the Times Herald. “I’m completely
dedicated to doing the very best that I can for the people of this county.”
No stranger to the workings of local government, Hanson has also done freelance reporting for a local newspaper, attending various town and school board meetings in the northeastern communities of the county. She said she was also part of the “We the People” group that worked on a petition for the Constitutional County resolution passed by the legislature in 2021.
“My experience would be a little less formal,” she said, but still familiar with what the county does and can do for its residents. “I’m excited and privileged and honored, and I look forward to being a part of the legislature.”
Brisky takes over the deputy administrator position previously held by Reed, who began as county administrator June 29
the job and it’s been a lot of fun. A learning experience from a different perspective, but I think we’ll be able to do a lot of good things.”
With Brisky’s resignation, Ginger Schroder, also a District 2 legislator from Farmersville, was appointed Vice Chair with unanimous legislature approval. Schroder said she is profoundly humbled and amazed by the confidence her fellow legislators have in her to fill the vice chair role, especially since many of them could have just as easily been able to do it, she added.
upon the retirement of John “Jack” Searles.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to have been elected and to have served in this capacity representing the residents of Cattaraugus County, and in particular, the residents of the
District in which I reside,” Brisky wrote in his resignation letter. “I look forward to working alongside Kelly, the Legislature and all County staff in that role.” Brisky said that he’s happy to serve as deputy administrator and greatly enjoyed his time in the legislature, saying it was a pleasure to serve the residents of District 2 and all of the county.
“I know that it’s not a very easy job, and I have some pretty big shoes to fill with Mr. Brisky being gone,” Schroder said.
“I think we did a lot of good work together,” he said. Of his new role, Brisky added, “I’m two weeks on
“I think we have an amazing team here with the legislature, our department heads, leadership in the legislature and I have confidence in them.”
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
From left, Cattaraugus County sheriff’s deputies Andrew Schumaker and Rachel Zimmer were recognized for their quick actions this summer that helped save a West Valley man’s life. With them are Sheriff Eric Butler, Undersheriff Nate Root and Legislature Chairman M. Andrew Burr.
Photo by Kellen M. Quigley
Brenda Hanson (left) is sworn in by Judge Ronald D. Ploetz as the new District 2 legislator for Cattaraugus County following the resignation of Michael Brisky. In back, County Attorney Ashley Smith and Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr look on.
How seniors can cultivate a new hobby
Retirement is often characterized as a carefree time in life when adults who spent years in the workforce get to enjoy the fruits of their labors. But upon retiring, many retirees find themselves fighting boredom. A recent study from Indeed found that, as of March 2022, 3.2 percent of workers who retired a year earlier had already reentered the workforce. No two retirees are the same, and a host of variables, boredom among them, likely compelled recently retired professionals to go back to work.
Retirees who like the freedom of not working but are confronting a good bit of boredom can consider these tips to cultivate a new hobby that can help them pass
the time in a rewarding and engaging way.
• Identify new (or old) interests. Many retirees discover new passions in retirement, while others turn back the clock and revisit favorite hobbies from their youth. A good way to begin cultivating a new hobby is to jot down a list of activities you always found interesting but
never had the time to learn or became too busy to fully invest in.
Some seniors hit the links for the first time in retirement, while others return to school to study subjects they find interesting but did not engage with during their college years. The options are endless, and jotting down a list of new or old
interests is a great way to get the ball rolling.
• Embrace new ways to engage a passion.
Virtual resources like online courses and book clubs conducted over Zoom with fellow readers across the nation and possibly even the globe are a great way to cultivate a new hobby in retirement.
Virtual resources
can be especially beneficial for seniors with mobility issues.
• Consider locally based resources.
Community parks departments and libraries may offer an array of free or affordable opportunities for seniors to engage with a new hobby.
Parks departments may offer anything from cross country skiing tutorials to age-based hiking excursions, while libraries may offer weekly crafting sessions or wellness programs to local residents. In addition to providing fun ways to discover and cultivate a new hobby, programs offered through parks departments and local libraries are great ways to meet fellow retirees.
• Put your experience
to use. Retirees with years in their field don’t have to go back to work to make use of their professional expertise. Contact local youth organizations or outreach programs sponsored by churches, libraries or local law enforcement agencies and offer to share your expertise with young people. Such opportunities allow retirees to continue to engage with their professions and help a younger generation of aspiring professionals gain valuable insight into fields they’re interested in. There’s no shortage of ways for seniors to overcome retirement boredom and cultivate rewarding hobbies.
Spring is the season most often associated with lawn care, and for good reason. Grass starts growing in spring, and the season is a great time to fertilize many grasses in the hopes lawns can look their best and endure the hotter, dryer weather of summer. Spring might mark the time when many homeowners begin tending to their lawns each year, but it’s important to recognize the significance of fall lawn care as well. Grasses vary,
and homeowners are urged to identify which type of grass is in their lawn so they can ensure it gets the care it needs before winter’s first frost. Cool-season grasses like perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are common in various regions, and the following strategies can help homeowners with these types of grasses tend to their lawns this fall.
• Stick to your recommended fertilization schedule. Homeowners
who have been fertilizing since spring are urged to continue doing so in fall at the recommended interval. It’s easy to forget to fertilize in fall thanks to cooler temperatures that don’t call lawn care to mind and busier schedules after school starts again and summer vacation season ends. But many fertilizer manufacturers advise users of their products to fertilize several times over the course of the year, including in fall. Stick to
the intervals recommended on the packaging of the fertilizer you’ve been using, making sure not to forget to fertilize this fall.
• Conduct a soil test. A soil test can determine if the soil is lacking any nutritive elements it needs to come back strong in spring. Certain amendments can restore pH balance if necessary and foster stronger growth when lawns come back in spring.
• Aerate, if necessary. Soil
can become compacted over time, and that can cause a range of problems for a lawn. Compacted soil can make it harder for water to reach the roots of grass, which weakens grass and makes it more vulnerable to damage during adverse weather events like drought. Compacted soil also makes it harder for nutrients in fertilizer to get into the soil. Aerating is best left to professionals, particularly in larger lawns, as the job can foster strong root development when done properly.
• Remove thatch where it’s excessive. Thin layers of thatch can benefit lawns by delivering nutrients from glass clippings and leaves to a lawn. However, when thatch is excessive, it can block air, water and even fertilizer from reaching the soil. Thatch often can be removed with a rake, but lawns with especially thick layers of thatch
may need to be scarified. Homeowners can take a DIY approach to scarifying or hire a landscaping professional to dethatch the lawn and remove the thatch from their properties.
• Continue to water the lawn. A cool-season grass will continue to require water into the fall. Though the lawn won’t need to be watered as frequently in fall as in summer, various lawn care professionals note cool-season grasses still need roughly an inch of water each week in fall.
• Remove leaves as they fall. Fallen leaves can affect a lawn in much the same way as excessive amounts of thatch, blocking water and nutrients from reaching the soil. So it’s best to remove fallen leaves, especially when they begin to fall in large quantities. Fall is an opportune time to tend to a lawn to increase the chances grass grows back strong in spring.
There are two moments each year when the Sun is located directly above the Equator and the Earth’s axis is neither tilted toward or away from the sun, making the hours of day and night relatively equal in length. These days are the spring and fall equinoxes. The fall equinox occurs on September 22, 2025
at 2:19 pm and marks the official beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere. The equinox is celebrated as a daylong event, but it’s really just a moment in time when the sun crosses the celestial equator. The equinox often brings on the northern lights, which also is known as the aurora borealis. Auroras are caused
by the interaction of solar winds with the Earth’s magnetic field. Disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field are strongest and more likely in spring and fall. Folklore says that only on an equinox can an egg be balanced on its ends. However, it actually can be done on other days as well.
Cattaraugus County 4-H Dairy Judging Team members take top honors at state fair
LITTLE VALLEY
— Members from the Cattaraugus County 4-H program received top individual honors in both the Junior and Senior divisions at the New York State Fair’s 4-H Dairy Judging Contest.
Cattaraugus County 4-H Youth Development
Educator Courtney Charlesworth said they are proud of the 12 youth who traveled to the state fair on Aug. 21 to participate in this contest.
“We are the only county in New York state that was able to send a team in each of the three divisions without having to combine with other counties to make full teams,” she explained. “That is an accomplishment in itself, but we were also able to place in the top 5 teams of each division.”
The Dairy Judging Contest allows youth members to try their hand at evaluating dairy cattle, then comparing their placings to the “official placing” designated for the class. Each class is scored out of 50 points, and the youth lose points based on how far off they are from the
official placing. Scores are tallied both as individuals and teams made up of three to four youth. Youth evaluated six classes of Holstein cows and heifers during the first day of evaluation.
“Our kids begin practicing in the spring when we host practices at multiple farms throughout the county, and then they qualify for the state fair based on their placings at our contest hosted at the Cattaraugus County Fair. Their
commitment is impressive,” Charlesworth added.
Senior members finishing in the top 25 are asked back to compete during the second week of the New York State Fair to qualify for spots on the New York State 4-H Judging team, which travels throughout the United States to national shows throughout the fall.
All three Cattaraugus County Senior members finished in the top 25,
returning to compete on Aug. 28. Olivia Shawley finished 3rd and will be traveling to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc., with the state 4-H Team; Addyson Shawley finished 12th and will be traveling to the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, Ky., with the state 4-H Team; and Caden Herman was designated the first alternate for the state 4-H Team after finishing 13th.
The Cattaraugus
County 4-H Program is seeing outstanding numbers in the Dairy Program with 55 youth exhibiting over 120 animals at the Cattaraugus County Fair this summer. Due to the large number of kids and animals, the program is fortunate enough to host the District Dairy Judging Contest, inviting youth from 4-H programs throughout Western New York to participate. If interested in learning more about the Cattaraugus County
4-H Program, contact the 4-H office by calling (716) 6992377 or emailing cattaraugus4h@ cornell.edu.
RESULTS
Beginner Team: 3rd Place – Adalyn Tempio, Peyton Britton, Colt Conklin, Miranda Ritter and alternate Ben Thompson.
Beginner Individual: 6th Place –Adalyn Tempio. Junior Team: 5th Place – Kendal Herman, Blake Hill, Claire Thompson and Wyatt Shields.
Junior Individual: 1st Place – Kendal Herman.
Senior Team: 5th Place – Olivia Shawley, Addyson Shawley and Caden Herman.
Senior Individual Week 1: 5th Place Reasons – Olivia Shawley; 1st Place Overall – Olivia Shawley; 18th Place Overall – Addyson Shawley; 25th Place Overall – Caden Herman.
Senior Individual Week 2: 3rd Place Overall – Olivia Shawley; 12th Place Overall – Addyson Shawley; 13th Place Overall – Caden Herman.
Leon Town Picnic brings community together for food, fun and fellowship
LEON — Leon residents past and present gathered Saturday, Aug. 16 to enjoy a time of fellowship and lots of good food for the annual town picnic.
The fire commissioners and town board members showed off their culinary skills, and the auxiliary assisted with the serving.
Picnic attendees brought their own specialty dishes to add to the spread. Reminiscing was a highlight for many. Of particular interest was the Penny Royal display, which brought many memories of times long gone. The children enjoyed
games under the guidance of Jackie Ellis. The sawdust pile filled with coins is always a popular diversion. For the first time, a pie contest was held with 14 entries and winners selected by judges Tim Stockman and Deb Milliman. First place went to Donna Snyder
for her apple crumb; Alyssa Seivert received second for her strawberryrhubarb; and third was awarded to Peg Filock for her apple crumb.
Honorable mention is also given to Elizabeth Milliman for her triple berry, Peg Filock for her peaches and cream and Donna Snyder for her Kentucky Pecan/Bourbon pie. Picnicgoers were able to enjoy a slice of their favorite pie for dessert.
Two local bakers offered samples of their wares to promote their
AUTO CORNER
businesses — Alyssa Seivert’s Little Bitty L’oven located on Milestrip Road in South Dayton, and Markie Parks’s Dailey Bread located on Main Street in Cherry Creek.
A wine and cheese basket, valued at over $300, brought in $160 and was won by Doreen Frost, the 50/50 ($53 for half) was won by Jackie Ellis and the door prize (a handknit afghan) was won by Holly Abers. Declaring that she had many at home already, she asked for a redraw and it was awarded to Alicia Reukauf.
The wine and cheese basket was a compilation of items from local
businesses and included gift cards, scratch-off tickets, wines, cheeses, cutting board, honey, jams, snacks and more. Many thanks to all who contributed to filling the basket and those who bought tickets. This annual event, always on the third Saturday of August, was sponsored by the combined efforts of the Leon Fire Commissioners, the town board, the Leon Historical Society and the Leon Fire Department and Auxiliary.
Next year’s picnic is slated for Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.
Photo courtesy of Cattaraugus County 4-H
The Cattaraugus County 4-H Dairy Judging Team took part in the New York State Fair on Aug. 28. Pictured (front row, from left) Peyton Britton, Miranda Ritter, Colt Conklin, Ben Thompson, Adalyn Tempio, Claire Thompson, (back row) Caden Herman, Blake Hill, Wyatt Shields, Kendal Herman, Addyson Shawley and Olivia Shawley.
