Allegany County Source 07-10-2026

‘Annie’ brings out the sun in Wellsville

WELLSVILLE — In spite of cloudy weather this week the sun will come out Friday when the Starlight Theatre Company along with Heidi Noel’s Performing Arts Center presents “Annie” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the David A. Howe Library.

The adventures of Little Orphan Annie have entertained people in print, on stage and in the movies for over 100 years. The play stems from a popular comic strip in the New York Daily News created by Harold Gray in 1924, which spawned radio programs as well as two films. It played a signif-

icant role during World War II when kids across the country were urged to collect scrap metal, rubber, nylon, lard and paper to help with the war effort.

The original cartoon strip ended in 1968 with Gray’s death. In 1977, Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan wrote and produced the Broadway musical “Annie.” It ran for six years, starring Andrea McArdle as Annie. It is set during the Great Depression. In 1982 it was turned into a movie starring Carol Burnett and Aileen Quinn as Annie. Since April, members

of the Starlight Theatre Company have been rehearsing along with students from Heidi Noel’s Performing Arts Center’s Summer Theater Program. The show is directed by Heidi Lawton.

“We’re pulling out all the bells and whistles. Everyone knows this play and it’s a real crowd pleaser. It’s a great show to do during the summer,” said Ryan Keib, one of the founders of the troupe.

The large cast includes 55 junior thespians and veteran adult performers. Unlike W.C. Fields, the adult performers like working

with the children. The kids have taught the adults a lot, Keib said.

“The kids are giving 110 percent of their energy to this production with their dancing, singing, flips and more,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot from them, and we’ve all been working hard.”

The leads in the show are:

• Annie — Susan Brownell

• Daddy Warbucks — Ryan Keib

• Grace Farrell — Emma Elliott

Allegany County food pantries awarded support from Carter-Windus Family Fund

As the Allegany County Area Founda tion (ACAF) closes its fiscal year, the ACAF Grant Committee and Board of Directors approved grants to six food pantries across Allegany County to help address rising food insecurity.

next Grant Application Deadline is Friday, Aug. 21.

through the Carter-Win dus Family Fund, will support local organiza tions that provide food assistance to individuals and families.

To learn more about how you can support local non-profits through

ACAF, visit alleganycountyareafoundation. org or contact Executive Director Bruce Campbell at (585) 296-5616 or director@acafny.org.

an increasing issue in our country, particularly with cuts to benefits and kids being home for the summer,” said Leslie Haggstrom, ACAF Grant Committee Chair.

“Although we primarily operate in response to grant applications, we can also initiate grant awards when communi ty needs are especially urgent.”

The following food pantries are awarded grants from the Car ter-Windus Family Fund: Cuba Council of Churches Food Pantry,

Howe Library’s annual book sale coming up

WELLSVILLE — The David A. Howe Library’s Annual Book Sale is set to begin on the Saturday of the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally – July 19, at 8 a.m.

$750; ACCORD Cor poration Food Pantry, $1,250; Fillmore Com munity Food Pantry, $750; Salvation Army of Wellsville, $1,250; Larg er Parish Food Pantry of Canaseraga, $500; and Gospel Fellowship Church Food Pantry of Belinda Knight, Director of Community

Operations at ACCORD, said the grant will make an immediate difference for families who rely on the organization’s food pantry.

“We are truly appre ciative of this generous donation to our food pantry,” Knight said. “This donation is signif icant, as it will support

nutritious food. We’re hosting, on average, 275 to 300 visits to the food pantry each month. Grants and cash dona tions are essential for helping us keep wellstocked pantry shelves.”

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Non-profit organiza tions serving Allegany County are encouraged to apply for grant fund ing opportunities. The

Whether rain or shine, the book sale gives Main Street Festival-goers a chance to get out of the weather and enjoy browsing a large selection of books, movies, and other media.

This year the library has added an exclusive preview sale on Friday, July 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. The preview sale will be open to anyone who currently has a card at the David A. Howe Public Library or one of the other libraries in the Southern Tier Library System. The annual sale includes thousands of books for people of all ages – ranging from popular fiction to classic poetry to informative nonfiction – as well as magazines, movies, music, and other media. Library staff have been hard at work organizing and displaying the huge number of donations received from community members along with books that are being retired from the library’s collection.

Hardcover books will be $2 each, paperbacks, children’s picture books, and other materials will be $1 each. The library prefers cash or checks but can now accept card payments via PayPal, as well. All proceeds from the sale benefit the library directly.

WELLSVILLE —

From parades to sailing to Shakespeare visitors to the village this July will have more to see and do than look at hot air balloons. The month has already gotten off to a bang and there is lots more to do in the village throughout the month.

Each Wednesday, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Nathaniel Dike Museum

dining & Entertainment

From hot air balloons to Shakespeare, July will be busy in Wellsville

located on Dyke Street will open its doors. The Museum features items and articles featuring all there is to know about Wellsville and its families. Admission is free and visitors are welcome and the building is cool.

On Thursday nights, until Aug. 13, listen to a variety of local performers playing on stage at Music on the Lawn starting at 7 p.m. on the

David A. Howe Library lawn. On July 16, Terry Buchwald will roar onto the lawn as Elvis.

Each Saturday the Farmers and Artisans market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the David A. Howe Library on Main Street. The market not only features fresh produce and baked goods but also jewelry and other crafts.

July 10 and 11, stroll streets throughout the village from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine and check out the more than 30 yard sales that we’ll be taking place. If you’re looking for treasure or something special check out the map located on

Events continued on PAGE 4

Facebook under Wellsville Area Yard Sales.

“Annie,” the musical, will open at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10 and 11, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12, in the Nancy Howe Auditorium at the library. A cast of 55 from the Starlight Theatre ensemble will sing and dance to the iconic story of a poor orphan girl. Tickets are $15 or $10 for youth and seniors.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, a parade will kick off the week leading up to the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally taking place the following weekend. The parade will feature a wide variety of units and floats. This year look for puppets in the parade courtesy of the Babcock Theater Preservation Society.

Tuesday, July 14, marks the start of Tuesdays on the Terrace at the David A. Howe Library, where from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. area restaurants will offer their specialties to diners. The event starts with 2 Sisters and a Smoker and ends Aug. 18 with the Wellsville Country Club dining experience. It’s a great way to get a taste of Wellsville.

The GWBR launches on Friday, July 17, from Lagoon Field in Island Park followed by launches at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and at 6 p.m. Saturday when there will also be fireworks. This is a free event and there are special activities for children.

July 18 the Main

Street Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with hundreds of vendors and kid’s activities and more.

On July 21, the summer session of Tuesdays With Grace will feature Meghan Milan who just completed Sailing the

➡‘Annie’ continued

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• Miss Hannigan — Molly Green

• Rooster Hannigan

— Ben Lawton

• Lily St. Regis — Izzy Tinder

• FDR — Keenan O’Connor

• Sandy — Kennedy Ewing with a puppet designed by Angela Tinder

Great Loop. The adventurist will talk about her voyages. She is the sister of Kim Toot, who hosts the 12:30 p.m. luncheons/programs at Grace United Church located on North Main Street.

On July 29, the Shake On The Lake Shakespearean theater ensemble will give a free performance of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. This irreverent take on The Bard’s work will take place on the library lawn at 7 p.m. Bring your own seating.

The month’s activities will come to an end of the road with the annual Trinity Lutheran Church Cruise Night starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30, in the church’s parking lot off Park Lane. Prizes will be awarded and the public will be entertained with music, food and a variety of antique, custom and unique automobiles.

The largest productions in the show are New York City, the tap dance from “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and Annie’s song, “Tomorrow.” The show was moved from the Starlight Theatre Company’s regular venue to the Nancy Howe Auditorium due to the size of the production and sets.

Annie will be performed, Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m. in the Nancy Howe Auditorium at the David A. Howe Library. The theater entrance is located on West Pearl Street.

The cost of attending is $15 for general admission and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at L’Italia, Shop at Main, the front desk at the library and online at Annie or a few tickets will be available at the door.

The doors will open a half hour prior to the start of each performance.

Alfred University names Todd Harrison new dean of College of Business

ALFRED — Alfred University announces the appointment of Todd Harrison as new dean of the College of Business, taking over the position

for the retiring Mark Lewis. Harrison comes to Alfred from Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, where he served

Outdoors

as dean and Adams Family Endowed chair of Heidelberg’s School of Business from fall 2024 to spring 2026.

sport management (minor in business administration) from Slippery Rock (Pa.) University in 1999; a master’s degree in sport and exercise

as dean of our College of Business,” said Beth Ann Dobie, provost and chief operating officer. “Todd’s record of innovation in previous leadership positions will serve him well as he guides the continued growth and advancement of our business programs.”

Harrison said the College of Business at Alfred has built something “truly distinctive.”

As dean, he led Heidelberg’s largest academic unit, with more than 400 undergraduate students and more than 60 graduate students. He engaged university and community partners to expand student experiences and opportunities for business school growth; managed the school’s operating and endowment budgets; directed and mentored eight full-time and 10 part-time faculty; and led the school’s assessment and Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation efforts.

Prior to Heidelberg, Harrison served in leadership positions in the School of Business at St. John Fisher University of Rochester, as interim associate dean (2022-24) and assistant dean (2021-22). As interim associate dean, he led development of the school’s continuous improvement report and the organization of supporting materials for the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) reaccreditation process and guided the school’s proposal of a business-focused, on-line degree completion program for adult learners.

As assistant dean, he built a new student recruitment strategy that led to the largest incoming class ever, with firstyear student deposits increasing by 50%.

“We are pleased to welcome Todd Harrison

“Dean Lewis and the entrepreneurial faculty have been continually finding innovative ways to connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities through applied projects, industry partnerships, and meaningful student engagement,” he said. “That culture of innovation creates an environment where both students and faculty can thrive, and I am very excited to help build upon that momentum.”

Harrison served on the faculty at Fisher’s School of Business for 17 years: as department chair and associate professor of sports management from 2011-21 and as assistant professor of sports management (interim department chair, 2006) from 2004-11.

From 2005-24, Harrison led or helped lead the organization of the Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher, as director of camp operations (2014-24) and assistant director of camp operations (2005-13). He was founder and served as chief operating officer of Flower City Union, a men’s professional soccer club in Rochester.

Harrison earned a bachelor’s degree in

home improvement

How to brighten interior spaces

If spring and summer are seasons when homeowners focus their renovation energy on outdoor living spaces, that attention shifts back inside upon the arrival of fall. People tend to spend much

more time indoors than outside come late fall and throughout the winter. The ambiance inside in fall and winter is notably different, as fewer hours of daylight can darken interior spaces. Finding ways to

brighten home interiors can make spaces more inviting in late fall and throughout the winter.

• Layer with sheer and blackout curtains. The simplest way to brighten interior spaces is to allow natural light to illuminate them, but that can be difficult in homes with blackout curtains. Blackout curtains are highly effective at keeping light out, but they won’t do much to brighten interior spaces in the winter. Layer blackout curtains with sheer curtains so you can still get some privacy but brighten interior spaces with natural light at the same time.

• Add lighting wherever possible. The days when interior lighting was limited to floor lamps and overhead fixtures are long gone. Various types of lighting can now be used to brighten interior spaces throughout winter.

Recessed lighting is a relatively inexpensive upgrade that can brighten any room in a home at any point in a day. Unlike a traditional overhead fixture where the light emanates from a single source, recessed lighting can be installed in various points in the ceiling so each corner of a room can be lit up. In addition to recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting in kitchens and on bookshelves can brighten spots that traditional fixtures typically fail to illuminate. Layering the lighting so light comes from various sources can create a brighter feel.

• Use color to your advantage. Color is another tool that can

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SCHEDULE

PARADE – Saturday, July 11 at 11am, Main Street Wellsville

LAUNCHES – Island Park – Friday, July 17 at 6pm; Saturday, July 18 at 6am & 6pm; Sunday, July 19 at 6am

MAIN STREET FESTIVAL – Saturday, July 18 from 9am–4pm, Main Street, Wellsville, NY – Fun, Food, Shopping & Entertainment for all!