Potter & McKean County Community Source | 07/13/21

JULY

13 2021

Potter County bridge work continuing Wireless broadband services expand in McKean County

BY CHRISTINE HOLTZ Whether it’s for online schooling, work meetings, paying bills, ordering goods and services, watching streaming services or just keeping in touch with friends, the internet has become an essential part of life for most of the world. Those in more densely populated areas often take internet service for granted, not realizing that many individuals in rural communities may not have the same access. That’s why McKean County Commissioners Tom Kreiner, Carol Duffy

and Cliff Lane were pleased to announce the completion of a new fixed wireless broadband network that will enable SkyPacket to serve rural sections of the county immediately.

According to a press release, McKean County dedicated $1.3 million in COVID-19 relief funds towards the expansion project with Conxxne Inc. of Jessup.

Before the project was started, it was estimated by county officials that 35% of all structures in McKean County were classified as unserved or underserved.

Underserved customers are defined as those who have internet service, though do not receive speeds of at least 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload.

“The need to improve high speed internet access has been a priority for the Commissioners for several years and the need became more prevalent during the COVID pandemic,” the release stated. “Residents were suddenly presented with the challenges of work from home, virtual education, and tele-medicine options that were unavailable. To address this issue,

the Commissioners utilized CARES funding to build Phase I of a fixed wireless network that will be able to provide speeds of up to 100mbps download and 10mbps upload.”

Currently, the network has installed wireless broadband equipment at the following sites: Bradford Airport, Kane Community Radio Station, Pine Acres Golf Course, Prospect Hill 911 Tower, Gibbs Hills 911 Tower and Songbird Road Tower. There are plans to

Broadband continued on .........page 3

CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is issuing an update for repair work on two bridges in Potter County.

Work is continuing on Route 3001 (East Fork Road) bridge over Birch Run in Wharton Township about 5 miles northeast of the village of Wharton.

During the week of July 5, a one-lane temporary roadway will be paved to carry traffic around the work zone. Guide rail will also be placed. Traffic on the temporary road will be controlled by temporary traffic signals. This 28-foot box beam bridge dates from 1966 and carries an average of 80 vehicles each day. Repairs will improve the bridge’s overall rating.

Work also continues on U.S. Route 6 bridge over Lyman Run at Sweden Valley in Sweden Township.

As work

progresses at this location, traffic control consists of half-width construction with a one-lane/alternating traffic pattern controlled by temporary traffic signals. This 36-foot bridge dates from 1962 and carries an average of almost 5,500 vehicles each day. Repairs will improve the bridge’s overall rating.

Rehabilitation work will include rebar installation, concrete repairs, beam spall repairs, and superstructure replacement.

Work will also include asphalt paving, guide rail updates, pavement markings, and miscellaneous construction. Work for each bridge will finish by late September.

Nestlerode Contracting Company, Inc. of Lock Haven is the contractor on this $1.1 million project. All work is weather and schedule dependent.

Causer announces over $400,000 in grants for local fire companies

BY JOELLEN WANKEL Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, announced more than $445,000 in grants for fire companies and emergency response agencies in McKean, Cameron and Potter counties Wednesday.

The City of Bradford Fire Department received funds for both fire company and EMS operations, totalling over $23,000 ($8,993.20 for EMS; $14,550.44 for fire). Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and Port Allegany Fire Department each received

$14,906.94, while Smethport Fire Department received $12,411.47, Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department received $12,054.98 and Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department received $12,233.23.

Other companies in McKean County received

amounts ranging from $11,000 to $8,000, including: Eldred Borough Volunteer Fire Department ($8,993.20 for EMS operations; $11,520.24 for fire company operations), Eldred Township Volunteer Fire Department ($11,698.48), Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department, Cyclone ($11,698.48), Kane Volunteer Fire Department, Kane ($11,698.48), Lafayette Township Volunteer Fire Department ($11,876.73), Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department ($11,520.24), and Rew Volunteer Fire Department ($11,876.73).

Mount Jewett Fire Department received

$11,520.24, Norwich Township Volunteer Fire Department, Crosby received $11,520.24, Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department received $8,543.70 for EMS operations and $11,520.24 for fire company operations, while Mount Jewett Area Ambulance Association and Port Area Ambulance Service each received $8,993.20.

“Our fire and EMS companies across the state, and especially in rural areas like ours, are struggling financially and these grants go a long way toward helping to meet their needs,” Causer said. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to the men and

women who work so hard to protect our communities, and I am pleased we can continue to support them with this valuable funding.”

In Cameron County, Emporium Fire Department Inc. received $11,520.24 and Mountaineer Search and Rescue received $11,520.24.

In Potter County, Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department received $14,372.20, Tri-town Fire Company in Ulysses received $12,946.22, Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Company received $12,946.22, and Goodyear

Causer grants continued on ....page 3

Greenways mini grant funding available Plummeting demand for vaccine Just 25 more Potter County residents were inoculated against the COVID-19 coronavirus over the past week, according to the Pa. Dept. of Health (DOH). Potter County’s vaccination rate (31 percent) remains far lower than the statewide figure of more than 63 percent, despite widespread availability of the vaccine.

Entering Monday, 5,178 have received at least the initial dose of the vaccine.

Of those, 4,056 are fully immunized.

Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy in

Coudersport administers the vaccine by appointment; call 814-274-8660.

UPMC Cole offers two options for residents to set up vaccination appointments.

One is a telephone hotline, 814-274-5460. The other is an online resource, vaccine.upmc.com. Rite Aid pharmacies continue to book appointments. To access the online reservation form, click here.

its current rate of penetration. Since the pandemic was declared, some 1,223 county residents been infected and there have been 25 COVID-related deaths.

In addition to the testing available at UPMC Cole for physician-referred patients, tests are also being administered at Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy (visit the website here or call 1-800-635-8611) and Rite Aid Pharmacy (visit DOH also reported that, the website here or call because fewer people are 814-274-0439). being tested for the disease, it is impossible to assess

RIDGWAY — The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (North Central), in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), is pleased to announce a new Greenways funding round. North Central is encouraging municipal entities and authorities, council of governments, 501C3 tax exempt corporations, educational institutions, incorporated watershed associations, conservation districts, and county and local governments within the region that are interested in expanding the North Central Pennsylvania Greenways network to apply for funding under the Commission’s Greenways Implementation Block Grant Program. Eligible applicants must be located

within the six county region comprised of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.

The North Central Greenways Implementation Grant Program supports the advancement of recreation, conservation, and heritage initiatives through the implementation of recommended priorities contained within the North Central Pennsylvania Greenways Plan. For more information, or to download a funding application, please visit North Central’s Greenways website at www.ncentralgreenways. com. For questions regarding the program, eligibility concerns, or to request a hard copy of the grant application, please contact Rachel Wolfel, ARC/EDA Director, at 814-773-3162 or rwolfel@ncentral.com.

The competitive grant program will accept applications from July 9, 2021 through July 30, 2021. Grant requests should not exceed $25,000 with a dollar for dollar match. Match may be provided by in-kind services and/or cash. Special consideration will be given to projects that have secured local match at time of award and that involve opportunities for coordination between local and state agencies. Please be advised that funding this round is limited and projects must be specifically tied to the North Central PA Greenways Plan.

Deadline for applications is Friday, July 30, 2021, by 5 p.m. Completed applications can be emailed to Rachel Wolfel at rwolfel@ ncentral.com or mailed to NCPRPDC at 49 Ridgmont Drive, Ridgway, PA, 15853.

2

JULY 13, 2021

Mystery illness endangers local songbirds

BY JOELLEN WANKEL

Department of Aging launches rebrand of Medicare Program HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) announced that as of July 1, the PA State Health Insurance Assistance Program, formerly known as APPRISE, has now been renamed Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, or PA MEDI. Pennsylvania’s Medicare beneficiaries will receive the same services under the same program, just under a new name.

PDA’s Education & Outreach Office (EOO) embarked on a rebranding process to improve public awareness of the program and of the valuable services it provides to Pennsylvania’s

Medicare-eligible individuals, their families and caregivers to assist them in making informed health insurance decisions that optimize cost-savings and access to health care and benefits.

PA MEDI provides free, confidential, objective, and easy-to-understand information about Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare appeals, and allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans and costs to determine what best meets their needs.

“The new brand presents a unique opportunity for the program to grow, innovate and connect with

beneficiaries and organizations; tap into new populations; and to better accommodate the needs of beneficiaries,” said Susan Neff, PA MEDI director.

“The new brand also supports the vision to be the known and trusted community resource for unbiased Medicare information.

We welcome beneficiaries to call the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-7837067 for Medicare-related questions.”

The program’s services are provided through Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging by a network of almost 800 trained counselors in the commonwealth, many of whom are volunteers. Many PA MEDI volunteer counselors

started off as Medicare beneficiaries with questions or concerns about their coverage who, after receiving assistance through PA MEDI, wanted to learn more about how they could share that knowledge with others.

PA MEDI volunteer counselors receive free training about Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Medicare prescription drug coverage, appeals, fraud, abuse, and more.

To learn more about PA MEDI or becoming a volunteer, click here or to find an open enrollment event in your area call the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Debunking myths about the COVID-19 vaccines Vaccinating a high percentage of individuals against COVID-19 is a key component of the global strategy to diminish the effects of the virus that first appeared in late 2019.

Since the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines began in the United States on December 14, 2020, more than 294 million doses have been administered, and more than 135 million people, or 41 percent of the total U.S. population, have been fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in May 2021.

As vaccine eligibility continues to open up and now includes children as young as 12 for certain vaccines, public health agencies are urging eligible people to get vaccinated.

However, with myths continuing to circulate, individuals may need a little more reassurance that vaccination is the smart and safe choice. The following information, courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine, the CDC, the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic Health System, can clear up some misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Myth #1: Because

COVID-19 vaccines were rushed, they’re not safe and can’t be trusted.

Fact: The vaccines were developed in record time but not because there were shortcuts in the process.

Certain red tape was navigated more efficiently than it had been with past vaccines. Plus, the new technology at the center of the mRNA-based vaccines has been in development for more than three decades.

The vaccine developers put the vaccines through rigorous clinical trials involving tens of thousands of volunteers.

Myth #2: The vaccines affect fertility.

Fact: COVID-19 vaccines encourage the body to create copies of the spike protein found on the surface of the coronavirus and “teach” the immune system to fight the virus that has that specific spike protein.

There was confusion when this spike protein was mistakenly reported as the same as another spike protein that is involved in the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. During the Pfizer vaccine tests, 23 female study volunteers became pregnant. The only one to suffer a pregnancy loss had

received the placebo and not the vaccine.

Myth #3: COVID-19 vaccines will change my DNA. Fact: Both mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccine, which is the technology for the Janssen vaccine, deliver genetic material to cells to start virus protection. The material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where DNA is stored. That means these vaccines do not alter or interact with DNA in any way.

Myth #4: These vaccines have severe side effects.

Fact: Side effects to the vaccines are short-term, mild or moderate reactions that often resolve without complication or injury and include things like headache, body aches, fatigue, or mild fever. The Janssen/

Johnson&Johnson vaccine has been linked to blood clots in a very small percentage of vaccine recipients, but the risk was so minimal that the vaccine was cleared for use after a brief pause.

Myth #5: The vaccines were made using controversial ingredients.

Fact: The COVID-19 vaccines were not developed using fetal tissue, eggs, latex, or other allergens. In addition, they do not contain microchips or tracking devices.

Millions of people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. To continue this public health initiative, people who may still be wary about the vaccines can learn more about them by speaking with their physicians.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission, along with wildlife health experts from the Wildlife Futures Program (WFP) at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), are investigating reports of an illness that is killing off songbirds in Pennsylvania and in other areas.

As previously reported, more than 70 reports of illness have been received, impacting 12 species that are regularly seen in Pennsylvania, including the Blue Jay, European Starling, Common Grackle, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, House Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, and Carolina Wren.

While the Game Commission has not specifically noted reports in McKean County, local birdwatcher Jon Fedak stated he has personally seen a couple of dead birds in his yard and has heard reports of birds with discharge visible near their eyes and dead birds with discharge visible as well. These preliminary signs of local impact are a sad precursor of things to come.

“There’s nothing significant in the area so far, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t heading our way. I know of significant die-offs near Meadville and Clarion,” Fedak said. “I definitely suggest taking down feeders and putting away birdbaths.”

The advisories regarding bird feeders are for those that hold birdseed and support songbirds specifically. Fedak noted that, as of now, the Game Commission has not included hummingbird feeders. The reason may be related to the birds’ typical behavior.

“Hummingbirds don’t congregate like the rest of the birds do, and there is a lower population of hummingbirds this year,” Fedak said. Also, Fedak noted that hummingbird feeders are typically taken down every few days to be cleaned.

He advised area

i m

m C t M residents to keep up-to-h date as information is re-o leased on the illness, toi r help reduce the spread.

A post to the AudubonT Society of WesternC Pennsylvania on Tuesday,t however, went that extraw step: “We continue to ad-t vise people to keep theirS bird feeders, bird baths,t and all bird foods inside asw experts search for the causer of the illness that’s causingr neurological symptoms,c conjunctivitis, and unex-a plained death in birds. Thisb includes all bird feedersv (hummingbird feeders, too), unofficial feeders such as sprinkling bird seed on a lawn, jelly for Orioles, and bird baths.”

The society also has posted reassuring those with feeders that recently released studies say the birds don’t become reliant on the food source, so the removal of the feeder won’t have a negative impact on local populations.

Both adult and juvenile songbirds have been found with discharge and/or crusting around the eyes, lesions on the eyes and neurological symptoms, such as head tremors and falling over.

The incidents have been reported in multiple counties in Pennsylvania, and was first reported in the area of Washington, DC. Tests have been conducted for toxins, parasites and various diseases and infections, with no definitive results found as of yet.

Experts are advising Pennsylvania residents to report sightings of birds that are ill or have died with crusting around the eyes or any stumbling or head tremors.

Residents are also advised to clean feeders and bird baths with a 10% bleach solution, avoid feeding birds or filling bird baths until this issue has declined and avoid handling any birds that are ill or have died. If it is necessary to remove a dead bird, individuals are advised to wear gloves and avoid touching birds with their bare hands.

It is also advised to keep all pets away from any sick or dead birds as a standard precaution.

3

JULY 13, 2021

Broadband continued from 1

install more in the coming months.

According to the statement from the County Commissioners, “During the past few months, McKean County’s network has undergone testing and optimization to fine tune internet service to area residents and businesses.

The McKean County Commissioners have entered into an agreement with SkyPacket Networks to be the first Internet Service Provider to utilize the County’s wireless network to provide services to residents. Residential plans range from $65 — $99 and commercial services are also available with pricing based on the level of services needed.”

Information about

Causer Grants continued from 1 Hose Company No. 1 Inc. received $12,054.98.

Austin Volunteer Fire Department received $12,767.97 and Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department received $12,054.98 for fire company operations. Roulette Chemical Engine No. 1 Inc. received $11,876.73, while Genesee Volunteer Fire Department Inc. received $11,520.24 for fire company operations. Each of the four companies also received $8,993.20 for EMS operations.

Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1 received $11,520.24, Germania Fire Company received $11,235, Coudersport Volunteer Ambulance Association received $8,993.20, Gale Hose Company No. 1 Inc. EMS received

where service is available, pricing, equipment installation, and subscribing to service is available on SkyPacket Network’s website at www.skypacket.net, by calling 1-800-214-9060 or by emailing SkyPacket customer service at info@ skypacket.net.

Residents in need of high-speed internet service that are concerned about their ability to pay, can look into the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB).

This program provides qualifying customers with a credit of up to $50 per month to reduce the cost of internet service. SkyPacket Networks is a Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program partner and information about this program is available on the SkyPacket website or by visiting the Federal Communication Commission’s EBB program website at www.fcc. gov/broadbandbenefit.

$8,993.20 and Kettle Creek Ambulance Association received $3,342.08.

This funding is intended to assist with construction or renovation of a facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt.

In addition, this year the funding can be used to offset the revenue loss experienced by the fire companies due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions that limited fundraising opportunities.

The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue.

Since its inception, the program has provided approximately $7.4 million in funding to fire and ambulance companies in the three-county area.

Western Pa. gas prices stable PITTSBURGH — Gas prices in Western Pennsylvania remain steady this week at $3.245 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in Bradford was $3.257; Brookville, $3.274; DuBois, $3.194; Erie, $3.249; and Warren, $3.259.

The national gas price average has increased 40% since the start of the year, from $2.25 on January 1 to $3.13 today. Motorists could see gas prices increase another 10–20 cents through the end of August, bringing the national average well over $3.25 this summer.

Robust gasoline demand and more expensive crude oil prices are pushing

gas prices higher. Global crude production increases could have brought some relief at the pump this month, but weekend OPEC negotiations fell through with no agreement reached. As a result, crude prices are set to surge to a seven year-high.

The latest weekly report from the Energy Information Administration shows that gasoline demand remains robust at 9.1 million barrels per day, despite a weekly decrease. EIA reports that gasoline stocks increased by 1.5 million barrels to 241 million barrels last week.

Since last Monday, the national average increased four cents and is more expensive on the month (+8 cents) and the year (+95 cents).

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HOME & GARDEN

What to know before planting around your property When planning a landscape, it’s tempting to pick the most colorful, vibrant plants. An eye-popping property filled with yellows, purples, pinks, and other bold colors is sure to catch anyone’s eye.

However, the right plant for a property is not always the most colorful.

Gardening novices can easily be overwhelmed on a trip to their local garden center, where employees may ask a host of questions that have little to do with homeowners’ preferences and everything to do with the growing conditions around their properties. Those questions may seem a little intense, but they’re well-intentioned.

Successful gardening is more about soil conditions and access to sunlight than it is about the plants themselves. An awe-inspiring hydrangea bush will only impress if it’s planted in a location where it can thrive.

The Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry program at UMass Amherst Extension advises homeowners to learn about the following site conditions, and ultimately share that knowledge with local garden center representatives, before they pick and plant anything around their properties.

• Hardiness zone: The Plant Hardiness Zone Map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is designed to help gardeners determine which plants are most likely to thrive where they live. The map can be found on the USDA website at www.usda.gov.

• Light availability, intensity, and duration, from

full sun to deep shade: Prior to planting, homeowners can document this information in a notebook or on their smartphones.

Do so for a long enough period of time that you can get an accurate of idea of the conditions in which plants will have to grow, and then take that information with you to the garden center where you will buy your plants. Employees can then use this info to help you find the right fit given the light conditions.

• Water availability, both quantity and quality, as well as ease of access • Exposure to wind and temperature extremes • Exposure to weather events, snow loads, erosion, and flooding: Garden center employees can likely recommend plants based on traditional weather patterns in a given area.

• Soil type, drainage and compaction: Homeowners can take note of any areas of their property where water pools or the ground feels especially soggy after rainfall. Share this information with garden center employees prior to picking plants for such areas. If soil appears compacted, aeration prior to planting may be necessary.

• Competition from existing vegetation, keeping in mind the roots underground that you can’t see • Above ground wires or obstructions: Trees will grow up, and the presence of power lines or other obstructions may threaten the trees or prove dangerous if trees eventually grow into or hang over power lines.

Knowledge of various conditions prior to planting

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can save homeowners the cost of replacing plants and the hassle of dealing with plants that don’t take.

Fresh veggies are not exclusive to spring and summer Spring and summer may be the seasons most often associated with gardening. But people who love to grow their own vegetables can do so even when the weather outside is frightful.

Various vegetables thrive in cool temperatures.

The home and garden experts at HGTV note that some winter vegetables are hardy. That means they can handle frosts in temperatures as low as 25 F without being damaged. Others are even sturdier in the face of all that winter can throw at them, capable of tolerating temperatures that dip into the high teens.

Growing vegetables in winter requires a different approach than growing in spring and summer, as gardeners must be ready to prevent damage from frost if temperatures get especially chilly. For example, the experts at Michigan State University Extension note that gardeners may need to utilize floating row covers to protect sensitive

crops from frost. Gardeners interested in planting winter vegetables can speak with a local garden center professional about which crops to plant and what to do if temperatures push winter vegetable gardens to the brink.

Though it’s up to gardeners what they want to plant, the following are some popular winter vegetables that can make for wonderful, fresh additions to any dinner table even after the traditional gardening season has come and gone.

• Arugula • Broccoli • Brussel sprouts • Cabbage • Carrots • Collard greens • Endive • Parsley • Parsnips • Kale • Radishes • Rutabagas • Spinach • Swiss chard

4

JULY 13, 2021

Kid-Friendly Summer Snacking (Family Features) Summer sun means it’s time for warm-weather fun for kids of all ages, and all that activity and playing calls for snacks and hydration to recharge. Whether your children like to play poolside or take a bicycle

adventure through the neighborhood, the right nutrient-dense foods can keep the fun going all day long.

For an option that quenches hunger (and thirst) without sacrificing nutrition, try an assortment of ways to enjoy

watermelon. As a refreshing ingredient or standalone treat, watermelon includes just 80 calories and no fat while providing an excellent source of vitamin C (25%) and higher levels of lycopene (12.7 mg per 2-cup serving) – an

antioxidant being studied for its role in sun protection – than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Plus, it’s made of 92% water, meaning it’s a flavorful way to encourage kids to rehydrate during some fun in the sun.

Make watermelon part

of a balanced snack plate with this Kids Charcuterie Snack Board including assorted watermelon, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced veggies, sliced fruits, crackers, pretzels and more. In addition to the nutritional benefits,

the simplicity of this snack means children can help assemble it while showing off their creativity.

Visit watermelon.org to find more kid-friendly recipe ideas.

KIDS CHARCUTERIE SNACK BOARD Recipe courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board INGREDIENTS: Cubed watermelon watermelon balls, skewered watermelon wedges watermelon sticks flower-shaped watermelon cutouts peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, halved ham and cheese pinwheels sliced veggies, such as cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers and celery sliced fruit pretzels crackers small bowl of candy (optional) DIRECTIONS: Prepare watermelon, sandwiches, pinwheels, veggies, fruit, pretzels, crackers and candy, if desired.

On large board or platter, arrange all ingredients.

Kersey woman’s book on addiction brings hope from pain

BY CHRISTINE HOLTZ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, 70,630 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States.

Such rates reportedly rose in 2020, as people were forced to stay home and self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kersey resident Patricia Greene, formerly from Ridgway, has experienced the pain first-hand of losing a loved one to addiction. After the death of her son Danny seven years ago, she decided to use her experience as fuel for bringing awareness on how addiction not only affects the addict themselves, but can have a ripple effect, reaching loved ones and throughout the community. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of putting a face and name to individuals who have suffered from addiction, as they are more than an addict — they are sons, daughters, parents, friends and so much more.

After Greene’s son passed away, she found a letter he had left her that stated that if he were to die from addiction, not to grieve for him, but to use it

to help others. After giving herself some time to heal, she started the non-profit “Messengers Supporting Recovery” to bring drug awareness to the area. Then, after ignoring a recurring dream about writing a book for years, Greene decided it was finally time to do so.

“Last year I thought of all these moms that I know and all the kids that died from addiction — I said let’s put a book together and we’ll dedicate a chapter to our kids,” she said.

Greene reached out to several moms, who reached out to several more in addition to several sisters of survivors. When all the women got together, they came up with the name “Messengers on Missions” (M.O.M.S.) and the book “Ripples: Effects of Addiction” came to fruition. The book contains stories from mostly local families that have lost a loved one to addiction in addition to stories of survivors. M.O.M.S. member Lisa Mancuso, who lost her son Tyler to addiction, designed the cover of the book.

“I wanted to make sure we got their personality in there so people could appreciate that they were the kid next door,” explained

Greene. “I wanted to get in the parents’ “aha” moment when they realized their kid had a problem.”

After being released in June, the book became an instant success, with some even sold in Canada, Germany, Australia and the UK. Over 1,000 copies have been sold so far locally, with many more purchased on Amazon.

In addition to Amazon, the book can be purchased in Ridgway at Cliffe’s and Ridgway Chamber of Commerce, in St. Marys at St. Marys Pharmacy, Clyde’s Meat Market and Dream Catch, in Kersey at Corner Market & Deli and Kneading Hands by Jacki Bauer, and will soon be at Always in Bloom in Coudersport. Greene hopes to expand book sales and has requests from businesses in Kane, Austin and DuBois, though the group is currently having difficulty keeping it in stock.

Greene explained that proceeds from the books are currently tied up into purchasing more books, though once they start making money, the group will vote on where to donate the money that will benefit the community.

M.O.M.S. will be having

a book signing from 3 until 7 p.m. July 18th at Makers Warehouse on Brusselles Street in Kersey. Most of the members will be there, with books and t-shirts available for purchase.

As for advice for those who have a loved one who is going through addiction, Greene said that at first, as a parent, she put her head in the sand for a while and found it hard to believe that he went in that direction.

“First of all, you need to ask those hard questions — if you see signs your kids are using, just talk to them,” she noted. “Number one, be honest with your kids, don’t lie to them. Be straightforward with them and tell them the truth. If you see there’s a problem, find a good way to connect with them.”

For those currently in addiction, Greene emphasized the importance of connecting with survivors of addiction who have been successful in their recovery for a significant amount of time.

“Connect with people who have made it,” she said. “Talk to people who have continued to be survivors of this addiction and disease. There’s got to be a way. There are some

rehabs out there; work the program. Do whatever you have to do.”

As for the future, Greene said book two is currently in the works, which will be about the survivors of addiction. Additionally, Faith Magazine will be running a story on several M.O.M.S. members and Around the Alleghenies, based out of the Johnstown/State College/Altoona area, has asked Greene to appear on the local television show.

In closing, she emphasized the importance of reform in the way society approaches addiction, including taking money

that would be used for incarceration and diverting it instead into treatment.

Additionally, she said she believes the best way to make treatment more effective is to take the experiences of individuals who have experienced addiction into account.

“The big thing I keep stressing is, we have to change the way we do things,” she said. “The way we do things isn’t working. We need to talk to the people who have made it; we’re not going to learn from anybody except for the people who have already walked the path.”