Allegany County Source 03-06-2026

allegany county

Village says goodbye to ‘Mr. Wellsville’

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE —

Hearts have been heavy this past week after local residents learned that James “Jim” Raptis, 95, had passed away.

To say he was a village icon, or a treasure is not enough. People always say when they come to Wellsville, they have to stop at the Texas Hot, but thousands over the years also stopped by to say hello to Jimmy Raptis, “Mr. Wellsville.” Politicians, celebrities, old friends and customers always received a warm reception from the dark-haired man in the snowy white apron, who greeted them with a friendly hand and open smile.

Jim Raptis had a long and storied career at the

Texas Hot and even after his retirement, he often came through the back door to see who was around.

In the 1950s Jim and his partner Constantine “Gus” Rigas took over running the restaurant their Greek immigrant father’s had started in 1921, under their father’s guidance. But Jim’s eyes were wider than the narrow passageway between the wooden booths under the chocolate tin ceiling. He looked around the community to see where the boy who grew up above the cafe and playing on Main Street could fit in.

He fit in as chairman of the March of Dimes for Allegany County, the Jones Memorial Hospital Board of Managers,

United Way Board of Directors, First Trust Union Bank Advisory Board, director of the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trustees for Alfred State College and the Alfred Educational Foundation, as a town justice and town councilman. As a steadfast Republican, he was elected to the county legislature.

He was a Mason and a Shriner and since 1956, a Lion all while running one of the most popular restaurants in the area and raising three sons, George, Mike and Charlie with his wife Demmye.

As chairman of the county legislature Raptis probably made his biggest contribution to

Wellsville forming committee to plan for 250th celebration

WELLSVILLE — In 1976, like countless other towns and villages across the nation, Wellsville held a bicentennial celebration. In 2026, a committee is being organized in the community to celebrate the nation’s 250th year.

When the idea was suggested to village Mayor Ed Fahs, he said, “I think it’s a good idea. I would like to see Revolutionary War reenactors and a cannon.”

He then appointed Kathryn Ross to chair the group in charge of

organizing a 250th event. Volunteers are needed. Ross has scheduled an organizing meeting for 2 p.m. March 14 in the Monday Club Room at the David A. Howe Library. The library is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Tentative plans call for the celebration to take place in Island Park at a date to be decided by the committee and with the approval of the town board. The event will highlight the wilderness of the area and the indigenous people who

lived in the area, the first permanent settlers and the signing of the Decla-

ration of Independence. Neither Allegany County nor the town or village of Wellsville were widely settled at the time of the Revolutionary War. The town was incorporated on Nov. 22, 1855, while the village was incorporated in 1857 — some 60 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

The semiquincentennial celebration will also be free and open to the public and will be both child- and adult-friendly.

Future meeting dates will also be decided by the committee.

Since the 250th year represents a year-long

celebration of the country’s founding, the Wellsville event will not coincide with other 250th events being held in Angelica and Andover.

Residents are asked to come out to the organizational meeting for Wellsville’s 250th Committee and help make it an event worthy of the village and town. For more information about joining the committee and the upcoming event, call (585) 610-5343, inquire at kathr_2002@ yahoo.com or come to the meeting.

dining & Entertainment

WELLSVILLE — The Jones Memorial Hospital GLOW 5K Run & Walk is back for the 11th annual event — it’s set for May 1 at the Wellsville Municipal Airport, 2600 Tarantine Drive.

Check-in will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the run will begin at 8:30. Awards will take place in the hangar where a DJ will provide music. Timing will be provided by Happily Running Timing.

As a reminder, this is a nighttime event. Par-

ticipants should wear appropriate footwear and be prepared with glow attire and light-reflective clothing. Headlamps and flashlights are also encouraged. “We truly appreciate the support of this community for wellness initiatives,” event chair Carrie Walker of Jones Memorial said. “In 2025, our team was able to donate $20,000 to area food banks through our wellness programs, which are directly supported by

initiatives such as the Glow Run. This event is incredibly important to our mission.”

Registration is $35. Children 10 and under are free to participate. Register by April 17 to receive a free GLOW 5K tee and a finisher’s medal.

Online registration is open now through April 28. Participants may register using cash-only at the gate as well. For more information and to register, visit jones.urmc.edu/glow.

Improv Comedy Night coming to Bolivar-Richburg on March 27

BOLIVAR — The Bolivar-Richburg Central School Student Council will host an interactive improv comedy night at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27 in the Middle/High School Auditorium.

ComedySportz, a comedy improv troupe from Buffalo, will pres-

ent a fast-paced, 90-minute show filled with audience interaction and high-energy fun.

Blending quick-witted improvisation with the excitement of a sporting event, performers compete in a series of games while a referee gathers suggestions

from the audience, calls fouls and keeps the action moving. The show’s humor is appropriate for all ages, making it a great night out for families and community members alike.

In addition, the SheBrews Food Truck will be on-site serving coffee

Registration open for Jones Memorial GLOW 5K

and sandwiches from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will benefit BRCS Student Council initiatives and activities. Tickets are $6.50 and may be purchased online at: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ ticketing/improv-comedy-night-3

Jones Memorial Hospital OR nursing team earns designation

WELLSVILLE —

The operating room nursing team at UR Medicine

Jones Memorial Hospital has earned the CNOR Strong designation for 2026.

This recognition is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate a high percentage of certified perioperative nurses (CNORs) on staff, signifying commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based surgical care.

JMH officials said the CNOR credential is a “vital, voluntary certifica-

Precision Auto Choice

5685 Tuckers Corners Road Belmont, NY 14813

(585) 268-8077

precisionautochoice@gmail.com

www.precisionautochoice.com

tion for operating room nurses” that validates specialized expertise, enhances patient safety, and contributes to improved surgical outcomes.

Achieving the certification requires nurses to have at least two years of experience as perioperative nurses and to pass an examination.

➡Mr. Wellsville

the welfare of the village and the county when he supported the Bump the Dump protesters when the state attempted to locate a low-level nuclear waste dump within its borders.

That support included traveling to Albany with the group and gathering on the steps of the State House with people from other sighted communities to confront the governor. Prior to that, he shouldered Allegany County’s mock, full-size casket through the city

streets with five other protesters. Raptis stood alongside the protesters telling Governor Mario Cuomo, “No.” Politics was only part of Raptis’ life. Dozens of young men and women benefited from his knowledge, kindness and patience as they navigated their first jobs, washing dishes, peeling potatoes, running the grill, conquering the milkshake machine, waiting on tables, figuring out what was a three on two, cleaning

up and learning respect, responsibility and a work ethic that would serve them throughout their lives.

In 1971, he brought tanks to the village to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texas Hot, 25 years later he brought an elephant when he organized a grand parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the business George, Raptis and Jim Rigas had started. He lived to see the 100th anniversary parade.

He brought the Lions Club’s Fantasy of Lights to the village starting a holiday tradition which still continues. In recent years, he’s helped highlight the history of the village by organizing and installing nearly a dozen historical signs around the village with the support of the Lions Club.

Jim Raptis passed away Feb. 22 but his memory and commitment to Wellsville and her people will continue for generations.

Cornell Cooperative Extension

the full day or half day if that’s what fits your schedule. For more details or to register online visit https://allegany. cce.cornell.edu, or contact Lynn Bliven at (585)

268-7644 ext. 18. The Quality Wool Workshop is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension. The association is part of the

national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between county, state and federal governments. As New York’s land grant university

health & Wellness

Cornell administers the system in this state. For more information, call (585) 268-7644 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/ allegany.

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE — The village board meeting the night of Feb. 23 came with two appointments and a proposal for an approvement at Riverwalk Plaza.

Under mayor’s business, Ken Didion was appointed to fill the vacant trustee position until the board’s reorganizational meeting in December.

Currently a member of the Lions Club, Didion helps with the Elk’s Club Scholarship

➡

continued from PAGE 4

“We are incredibly proud of our dedicated OR nursing team for achieving the CNOR Strong designation,”

Kari Zwiefka, director of surgical services at Jones, said. “Their commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning directly translates into superior patient care and safety within our surgical department.”

Costs range from $40 to $190 per square foot.

Porcelain

Plus, at a cost of $60 to $120 per square foot, it is competitive with other similar materials.

they don’t require much maintenance.

Butcher block

Porcelain tiles and slabs are projected to become the fastest-growing segment in the ceramic tiles market, according to reports from Yahoo Finance.

High-precision printing technology enables porcelain to mimic rare marble and other stone with superior accuracy. Porcelain is even harder than granite and effectively impervious to UV rays. This makes the material a solid choice for outdoor kitchens.

Breakfast, is a member of the rod and gun club and serves as treasurer of the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce.

He studied Forestry at Paul Smiths College. He retired from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police in 2009 and served as lead OHV ranger in the Naches District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in north central Washingtion state before moving to Wellsville. He was endorsed by the Allegany County Re-

Jones Memorial Hospital

JMH reported that 100% of eligible nurses in the department hold their CNOR certification, with five of the eight registered nurses holding the designation. The remaining three nurses are working toward eligibility, requiring one more year of perioperative experience to qualify for the certification exam.

Countertops affect the look and feel of kitchens and other interior and exterior spaces. Choosing materials comes down to cost, durability and maintenance.

Those who appreciate a soft, organic texture and “warmth” in their spaces can look to butcher block. Wood is making a comeback, as many homeowners are moving away from stark, white designs.

Butcher block is self-healing, meaning scratches can be sanded out. Butcher block costs between $50 and $150 per square foot.

Laminate

Laminate is a budget-friendly option for homeowners at $20 to $80 per square foot, but is not as durable as other materials. Some laminates mimic the look of high-end materials, and

publican Committee and Dean Arnold, chairman of the Wellsville Republican Committee.

The appointment was unanimously approved and came following the resignation of Trustee Jeff Monroe, who left the board in December after moving into the town of Wellsville, becoming ineligible to hold village office.

Mayor Ed Fahs also asked and received approval for the Chamber of Commerce to place permanent markings on the curb to assist in designating vendor sites during Main Street events. Fahs added, the village will not be responsible for replacing the markings.

Later in the meeting Fahs appointed Kathryn Ross to head a committee to organize a 250th celebration for the village.

Trustee Tim Colligan announced the retirement of water plant superintendent Brent W. Roberts effective July 24, with regret. He then asked board permission to hire a water treatment plant trainee, which was approved.

Colligan also asked on behalf of the fire department to add Kevin Sheridan to the rolls of the Wellsville Fire Company, which was approved.

Proposal and appointments at Wellsville village board meeting

Didion introduced Birgie Miller from the audience to discuss a Riverwalk Bird Enhancement Project. During the presentation, Miller offered a letter of permission and approval for the project signed by the owners of the plaza, L.C. Whitford.

She also presented a map, showing the initial vision for the Riverwalk Plaza flood control area, transforming it into a vibrant habitat for birds, especially migratory species. She said, “Wellsville is located along a Migratory Flight Path, making this site well suited for thoughtful habitat enhancement and enhancing the area as a destination for nature tourism, wildlife education, recreation, community pride and impacting the local economy.”

She continued, “The Wellsville area already attracts nature enthusi-

asts with hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking, and already some existing birding areas such as Brown’s Marsh next to Otis Eastern and owned by the Western New York Land Conservatory, areas along the WAG Trail and Island Park. With enhanced habitat that will attract more birds, it’s not only good for a healthy ecosystem and environment, but will also draw significantly more bird watchers, photographers, artists and even researchers from wide regions.”

enthusiastically to the proposal promising to send a letter of endorsement as requested.

Also, visitor and local businessman Mike Raptis questioned the proposed installation of extra pedestrian lights to be installed near the library, L’Italia and Pizza King crosswalks. He expressed concern about the pedestrian activated lights interfering with Main Street activities and wondered if something more state of the art was available?

Superintendent Dean Arnold said the particular lights were chosen because they have parts that are interchangeable with current lighting and said they were the best design for the village.

Later in the meeting Arnold asked for approval to make Trainee Waste Water Treatment Operator Zachary Robert a permanent employee since he has completed his probation period. It was approved. Arnold’s request for the purchase of and the delivery of wastewater treatment chemicals and supply and delivery of water treatment chemicals for potable water was also approved.

Miller pointed out that it is generally beneficial for a bird habitat in a flood control area to experience flooding, provided the plant species selected are adapted to these conditions. Many birds and plant species have involved life cycles and specifically align with natural flood patterns. Miller added that she has obtained the advice of Frederic Beaudy, professor of Environmental Studies and Ombuds at Alfred University.

The board responded

At the meeting, speaking for the board, Trustee Colligan expressed to Raptis the board’s sympathy upon Sunday’s announcement of his father’s passing (James ‘Jim’ Raptis) adding “He was a Main Street icon and the last of a generation.”