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Alfred • Allentown • Alma • Andover • Angelica • Belfast • Belmont • Bolivar • Caneadea • Ceres • Cuba • FilLmore • Friendship • Genesee Houghton • little genesee • portville • richburg • Rushford • Scio • shinglehouse • Ulysses • Wellsville • west clarksville • Whitesville
New Patriot Monument dedicated during Angelica Heritage Days Star-Spangled Banner.” After recognition of the monument’s supporters and congratulations offered by both local officials and statewide DAR officials, the members of the America 250 Committee were announced: co-chairs Joan Sinclair and Laura Shields, Cindi Bentley, Meredith Chilson, Ellen Donovan, Sandra Edwards, Joan Fancher, Glenda Hooker, Darla Indralingam, Margaret Secor, Deborah Snyder and Kathy Sevens. They then announced the names of their patriot forebears. After the names
Days, commemorates “the men and women who believed in the noble cause of liberty and valiantly strove to found a new nation from 1775 to 1785.” Allegany County was founded in 1806 by those patriots seeking a new life in the wilderness that would become western New York state. Sandra Edwards, Chapter Regent of the local DAR, opened the dedication ceremony following a procession through the park crowded with alumni and others celebrating Heritage Days. The ceremony opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of “The
BY KATHRYN ROSS
ANGELICA — The Spirit of ‘76 was remembered Saturday during Angelica Heritage Days with the dedication of a monument recognizing the Revolutionary War patriots who settled in Allegany County. Members of the Catherine Schuyler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered to unveil a triptych monument that “will serve as a lasting tribute to the patriots of Allegany County, both known and unknown.” The America 250 Patriot Monument, dedicated during the 57th Annual Heritage
Angelica Heritage Days continued on PAGE 4
Photo by Kathryn Ross Joan Sinclair (left) and Sandra Edwards reveal the center stone of the Allegany County Patriot’s Monument on Saturday in Angelica.
With community’s support, Beardsley beating biggest foe an unforgiving, but one of those most curable forms of cancer. “Those were the two things that I was really nervous about giving up. “And he just said, ‘well, it can take on many different forms and you need to be prepared for a lot of different things.’” So prepare, he did. Beardsley turned the day-to-day reins over to former star player and top assistant Cassandra Mills. He relied, and comfortably so, on a staff that had been with him for multiple years — one that provided crucial continuity, but also maintained the program’s high stan-
BY J.P. BUTLER
In late February, just when he was about to begin his 17th season as the Fillmore Central School softball coach, Jon Beardsley was dealt a devastating blow. Beardsley, already an Allegany County coaching icon, was told he had cancer. Upon hearing those dreaded words, the Fillmore athletics leader and physical education teacher could easily, and understandably, have focused solely on his prognosis. Beardsley, however, was more worried about something else … His passion(s).
Jon Beardsley
“One of the first things I asked my doctor was ‘am I going to be able to teach kids and am I going to be able to coach softball?’” recalled Beardsley, who’d been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma,
dard (Fillmore, with and without Beardsley in the dugout, went 13-6 and reached the Section 5 Class D championship game). Mostly, he dug in for the physical toll he was about to face, one that left him, on many days, unable to walk. “Cancer did kick my butt for a couple of months, unfortunately,” he acknowledged, “particularly in March and April, and really knocked me off my feet. I was able to get to home games, but I really had to lean heavily on my staff. “It was obviously hard for someone like me to have to step back
(Beardsley’s helmed the girls soccer program for over 30 years), but I was also very happy … it was refreshing to know that I had the people behind me that I did before we even found out what it was going to turn into.” ALONG THE way, he attempted to downplay his condition. But this was Beardsley, Allegany County’s all-time leader in girls soccer coaching victories, who owns over 450 wins, has guided the Eagles to multiple state final four appearances and is deeply devoted to his players. And this was Fillmore, a community that cares immense-
ly for its own. There was no way this was going to take a back seat. And for the softball team, their coach became the cause around which to rally. “I think it certainly was motivating for the kids and for the community,” Beardsley agreed, “just to buy into something. We talked on a daily basis — and you’ll hear it at every one of my practices, or every one of my programs that I’m working with — that things are bigger than yourself. “I think the kids, Beardsley continued on PAGE 4
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Alfred University leads development of battery storage, microgrid control system ALFRED — Alfred University is partnering with clean-tech startup Ranial Systems Inc. to develop an artificial intelligence-assisted controller for power grid-scale battery storage, commercial and industrial microgrids, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) integrations. The project, a collaboration between Alfred’s Inamori School of Engineering and Ranial, started the week of June 29 and is supported by funding from New Energy New York (NENY), a Binghamton University-led partnership with the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST). The Alfred University-Ranial partnership was among four in New York state to share in a combined $315,000 funding awarded through the most recent round of NENY’s Technical Assistance Program. The program is designed to advance new battery technologies and expand the growing energy storage innovation ecosystem in upstate New York by supporting startups and small businesses in their efforts to de-risk technology, scale, and advanced manufacturing readiness. Ranial develops CognitEMS, a patented edge-AI platform that unifies battery and energy management for distributed energy resources. The project with Alfred will develop a next-generation System-on-Chip EMS/ BMS (energy management system/battery management system) controller powered by an advanced hardware technology. The controller will be validated through hardware-
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Photo provided by Alfred University Jannatun Naiem (foreground), a master’s degree student in electrical engineering at Alfred University, and Chandan Kumar, assistant professor of computer science in the university’s Inamori School of Engineering, collect data from a battery sensor which will be run on Ranial Systems Inc.’s AI models for machine learning. Kumar is principal investigator on a New Energy New York (NENY)-funded research collaboration between Alfred University and clean-tech startup Ranial.
in-the-loop testing at Alfred University’s GE Vernova Advanced Power Grid Lab and Edibon Power Systems Simulation Lab, both located in the Inamori School’s McMahon Engineering Building. The Alfred-Ranial project will receive $65,000 in funding and is expected to be completed in November. Chandan Kumar, assistant professor of computer science, is the principal investigator for the project; Xingwu Wang, professor of electrical engineering, serves as co-principal investigator. Jannatun Naiem, a master’s degree student in electrical engineering from Bangladesh, is assisting Kumar with the project. Kumar said Naiem is actively supporting the project across multiple workstreams, including hardware setup, sensor integration, and hardware-in-the-loop testing. “This project provides an excellent opportunity for hands-on training in cutting-edge
energy systems research, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industrial application,” Kumar said. “Her involvement ensures that the work also contributes to building the next generation of engineers equipped to tackle challenges in intelligent energy infrastructure.” Over the course of five months, Kumar’s team will lead a multipath hardware and software development effort that includes AI model development and validation, sensor integration, and rigorous hardware-in-theloop testing using the university’s state-of-theart power grid simulation infrastructure. The GE Vernova Advanced Power Grid Lab, located in McMahon Engineering Building, has Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) and Advanced Distribution Management Solutions (ADMS) software platforms will support real-time simulation and bench-
marking throughout the project. “We see this collaboration as a meaningful opportunity to translate cutting-edge machine learning research into a commercially deployable, domestically developed solution with direct relevance to New York State’s clean energy goals and the broader national push toward resilient, intelligent energy infrastructure,” Kumar commented. “What excites me most about this work is that we are bringing unsupervised learning out of the research lab and into the power grid, where it can make a real difference in how we manage and protect our energy systems.” The Advanced Power Grid Lab at Alfred University was launched in 2024 as part of a workforce development initiative that will prepare students for careers in the growing renewable energy industry. It is supported by a $466,853 grant from the New York State Energy
Wellsville village clarifies building-permit requirements BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — Three visitors attended the July 27 board meeting and queried board
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recently been the home of vagrants. According to Chief Tim O’Grady the house has been posted, and no one should be in it. MACE the village’s firm which oversees Code Enforcement, is in the process of declaring it as an unsafe structure. Barry Glickstein, head of the Babcock Theater Preservation Society, attended the meeting for an update on the lease agreement between the village and that organization. He was informed that the agreement is on hold until the next board meeting as lawyers work out language used in the agreement. The lease agreement is needed for BMTPS to move forward with fundraising and grant applications. Mayor Edward Fahs noted that a demolition permit has been issued for the structure on Railroad Avenue, which
is part of the former Phuntner car dealership. Part of the structure collapsed in June, causing the closure of Railroad Avenue at that point. Shawn Mills of the fire department informed the board that Wellsville will host Allegany County’s 111th Fireman’s Convention in 2027. The event will coincide with the 50th anniversary, four-day celebration of the Great Wellsville Balloon Rally. Mills said he will submit a request for a special event permit, which will outline the agenda for the convention. The board approved the purchase of a skid steer for the public works department and the sale of surplus equipment. The board also ap-
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The Cuba Cemetery Association is soliciting bids from qualified contractors for the repair and stabilization of hazardous monuments under the New York State Division of Cemeteries Hazardous Monument Repair Grant Program. Scope of Work The project consists of the repair, restoration, and stabilization of 51 hazardous cemetery monuments located within Cuba Cemetery. All work shall be completed in accordance with the requirements and directives of the New York State Division of Cemeteries and accepted monument preservation practices. The successful contractor will be responsible for, at a minimum: • Carefully documenting, dismantling, and resetting hazardous monuments as required. • Removing existing deteriorated or failed bases and foundations. • Excavating and in-stalling new rein-forced concrete foundations to a minimum depth of 42 inches below finished grade. • Foundations shall be constructed using 4,000 PSI concrete and sized appropriately to safely support each monument. • Resetting monuments plumb, level, and properly aligned using accepted monument restoration methods and materials. • Restoring monuments in a manner that preserves their historic integrity while ensuring long-term structural stability. • Performing all work in compliance with applicable OSHA safety standards and all New York State requirements. Contractor Requirements Bidders shall provide: • Documentation of experience per-forming cemetery monument restoration or comparable stone restoration work. • A warranty covering workmanship. • An estimated project schedule, including anticipated start date and completion timeline. Site Visit and Additional Information Interested contract-ors are encouraged to inspect the project before submitting a bid. For a complete inventory of the monuments requiring repair or to schedule a site tour, please contact: Kathy Morris Cuba Cemetery Association Cell: 716-474-6831 Email: jokajoli@gmail.com Bid Deadline All bids must be received no later than August 21, 2026.
Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and $2.8 million in software licenses donated by GE Vernova. The facility will benefit students in Alfred’s Renewable Energy Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs by providing them with access to state-of-the-art equipment and training. Located on the second floor of the Inamori School’s McMahon Engineering Building, the Edibon Lab houses a
microgrid control center and a DERs (distributed energy resources) command center to be used as a training resource. Software provided by GE Vernova will facilitate training in power grid planning and operations. NYSERDA funding will support student internships and a program that provides short course training for renewable energy engineering students and workers in the electric utilities field.
Allegany Co. Democrats to collect for food pantry When the Allegany County Democrats gather for their next “Coffee with Democrats” Aug. 8 in Richburg, they’ll be collecting non-perishable food and personal care items to be donated to the pantry located at the Little Genesee 7th Day Baptist Church. “This is the third year that county Democrats have organized pantry collections,” said County Chair Karen Ash. “‘Coffee with Democrats’ is held in different towns across the county. Wherever
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we meet, we donate to the pantry in that town. Serving our community in this way is a simple yet meaningful expression of our party and its members’ values. ” The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Richburg Colonial Library and is open to all. Coffee and light snacks will be served. To sign up or for questions, email to info@acdcny.org. Email also if you can’t attend but would like to drop off donations.
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Pa. starts strong, shuts down NY in 2nd half for 28-20 Big 30 win BY HENRY BUCHAN
BRADFORD, Pa. — Pennsylvania reigned supreme in the Big 30 Charities Classic on Saturday, shutting out New York in the second half on their way to a 28-20 victory. With the win, Pennsylvania took a lead in the all-time series. Pennsylvania has won 25 times, New York has won 24, while three of the games have resulted in a tie. Five players represented Allegany County in the game: OFFENSE: Kingston Loucks (Portville/Bolivar-Richburg), Adam Roe (Portville/Cuba-Rushford). DEFENSE: Landon Hendryx (Portville/ Cuba-Rushford), Ian Chamberlain (Portville/ Cuba-Rushford), Riley Rogers (Wellsville/Genesee Valley), For Pennsylvania coach Ryan Yingling of Smethport, it was a moment to be proud of the players who overcame roster shortages to turn it around in two weeks of practice and earn a victory.
Photo by Jason Wick Domonick Hirliman of Olean runs after taking a snap in the backfield on Saturday.
“It means everything to me for the kids,” Yingling said. “I told the kids people might think we were coming in behind because of the roster we had, but we had the exact roster we needed. And that’s what happened tonight.” The first half was explosive, from the opening kick. New York tried an onside kick — it did not work. Pennsylvania’s Landon Cook of St. Marys recovered it off the bounce, reacting quickly and racing past New York’s special teams defenders for a score on the very first play. “The kick went
straight flat, and I got it,” Cook said. “In Pennsylvania it’s a normal thing, we’re used to getting to the action right away. So as soon as I saw it, I said, ‘They’re not going for it. Might as well take it.’ Took it to the house.” “That’s exactly what this team needed,” Yingling said. “I told the kids before we left the locker room, momentum has to live on our sideline for us to win this football game. It’s going to come down to that.” Pennsylvania piled it on, coming up with a stop and adding their second score. Their run game was dominant during their first drive, and Logan Kohler of Bradford punched it in
on a counter to the left. New York coach Jake Burkholder of Southwestern/Frewsburg praised his team for remaining even-keeled when they got down two scores early. “They were frustrated, but they wanted to fix it,” Burkholder said. “They wanted to find a way to claw back in and make something happen. Our quarterbacks kept it together, and defensively we had some guys who wanted to hit.” Quarterback Carter Capozzi of Gowanda provided New York’s initial spark. Running around and buying time in the backfield, he drove New York down the field, and then ran it in himself to make it 6-12. Then, New York made a huge stop, as Camryn Slade of Gowanda recovered a fumble in Pennsylvania territory. Olean quarterback Joe Mest made the first of multiple inter-league connections with Salamanca wide receiver Payton Bradley, as Bradley high-pointed and brought in a pass at the five-yard line. Mest
finished off the drive with another Olean rushing touchdown, running through contact and diving for a score, helping New York go up 13-12. Burkholder said Bradley was a difference-maker playing receiver and tight end. “He’s able to do everything,” Burkholder said of Bradley, who played quarterback for Salamanca. “He’s a mismatch and allowed us to get some of our other receivers in positions to be more successful. He’s a pain to coach against, so it was great to coach him and get to know him. He’s a great person, and he’s got big things in his future.” Before the half was over, Cook ran for a touchdown following a key New York turnover to put Pennsylvania up 20-13, and Mest found Bradley for a touchdown, rolling to the left and throwing as he was hit to tie the score. At 20-20, the first half promised a shootout. But both defenses made adjustments, making for a much tighter second half.
“Our defensive coaches had a talk at halftime,” Yingling said. “We tried to give them a couple of different looks, disguising our coverages. And they pulled it off, they made it work.” Pennsylvania forced another turnover in the third, and Cook ran it in for another touchdown. That marked three scores on the day for Cook, including the one on the kickoff. “It means everything. It was very special, especially winning like that against New York,” Cook said, reflecting on his final high school game. That ended up being the final score of the game. Pennsylvania’s defense came up with key stands. At the start of the fourth, New York earned a first and goal opportunity, but Pennsylvania drove them back, coming up with a stop on fourth down. On New York’s final drive, they were able to do the same, as Mest and receiver Kingston Loucks of Portville/Bolivar-Richburg just missed on a connection down the field.
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Rushford Lake’s summer celebration returns Aug. 8 RUSHFORD — The sights and sounds of summer will fill the air at Rushford Lake once again as Dam Day 2026 returns Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local residents and visitors alike are invited to enjoy a day of family fun while supporting a Western New York landmark at Dam Park, 7860 Mill St.
Hosted by the Rushford Lake Landowners Association, Dam Day has become a summer tradition, bringing together the community to celebrate the historic Rushford Lake Dam while raising funds to help preserve and protect the nearly 100-yearold structure. This year’s event includes music from a
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DJ, a chicken barbecue by Krolick’s BBQ, dam tours that take visitors behind the scenes of the structure, basket and meat raffles, a 50/50
raffle, a boat raffle sponsored by Seager Marina, local vendors, Rushford Lake apparel and souvenirs, and plenty of food throughout the day.
One of the day’s highlights is the opportunity to tour the inside of the historic dam. Led by local experts, these guided tours offer a rare look at the engineering and history behind the structure that has
helped define Rushford Lake for generations. Admission is free. For a complete schedule of events, advance ticket information and additional details, visit rushfordlake.org.
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➡Angelica Heritage Days continued from PAGE 1
Photo by Kathryn Ross A Revolutionary War reenactor walks among the visitors to Angelica Heritage Days.
of patriots were announced, bells rang out at noon as Edwards and Sinclair removed the red, white and blue bunting covering the center of the monument with three panels. Applause rivaled the chiming of the bells as the known and unknown stones were revealed. During the Revolutionary War, what would become Allegany County was located west of the demarcation line that protected Indian territory from encroachment. The government forbade settlers to cross the line. Those who first crossed that line are Nathaniel Dike, 1795; Moses Van Campen, 1795; James Gordon II in 1809; and George Edward Greene,
1816. Philip Church came to the area in 1802 and founded Angelica. As part of the America 250 Monument dedication, Sinclair explained that a time capsule to be opened at the 2076 anniversary will be buried at the site of the monument. The date has yet to be determined. The DAR is collecting memorabilia to be placed in the 2076 time capsule and encourages the public to participate. As the dedication ceremony took place, the 57th celebration of Heritage Days continued with music and vendors featuring food, jewelry, plants, books, produce and baked goods, which drew the attention of
hundreds. The annual croquet tournament also went on as scheduled. Alumni prepared to celebrate the last alumni event. Historical displays were offered in the library and the grange hall. Displays of antique cars and machinery were in the park. The event continued Sunday with the conclusion of the croquet tournament, music and vendors, all in view of Allegany County’s new Revolutionary War Patriot Monument. On Aug. 15, two America 250 celebrations are scheduled. In Belfast there will be a parade, festivities, carnival games and fireworks. In Wellsville, Ben
Franklin will read the Declaration of Independence and announce the names of the 56 signers. Betsy Ross will sew the flag. There will be demonstrations depicting life in 1776 — weaving, sewing, basketry, armaments, use of herbs as well as samples of colonial food and souvenirs. There will also be a firearms display and activities for children in a special tent. The Genesee Valley Chorus, the former Bi-Centennial Chorus, will perform at 1 p.m. The free event takes place on the lawn of the David A. Howe Library, rain or shine, from noon to 4 p.m.
should have been about 10 feet away.” Beardsley rocked back and elevated his left foot, but the moment he did, his brain had a message for him: “This isn’t going to end well.” “And as soon as my left foot landed, I let go of the ball — and the ball DID go directly to the glove, I’ll say that — but I also went directly to the ground. Because I just didn’t have the muscle strength to hold myself up. “But that’s what cancer’s done to me; it’s humbled me a great deal.”
will himself, to defeat, perhaps, his greatest foe to date, the same way he’s led the Eagles past so many opponents over the years. It’s a battle he continues to win. “I’m down to … I hopefully have (only) two more chemo appointments left, at the beginning of August,” Beardsley said. “August 4 is my last one, then I’ll get the body scan about a month later and hopefully at that point in time I’m free and clear. But you never know; cancer’s a nasty disease, sometimes it has a mind of its own no matter how much you want to say otherwise. Adding to that overall positive out-
look, he continued: “My midpoint body scan was good and looked way better than the first one I had. It was night and day the amount of cancer that had either diminished or was gone, so hopefully that continues. The side effects from the chemo still get me a little bit, but I’ll say this: Two months ago, I was one step forward and often two steps back; today, I’m two steps forward and maybe one step back.” As he began to prepare for his final treatment, Beardsley’s mind, again, was elsewhere. This time, it was on those who helped deliver a very Fillmore-like season under trying
circumstances (the Eagles came just short of winning back-to-back sectional titles). His coaching staff. “I’m forever grateful, No. 1,” he said. “And they just hit it out of the park with how they stepped up. They taught more than just softball to the kids, which … I’m a big believer in. They got the kids to buy into a community effort, they rallied the community around our softball program. Some of that was obviously directed toward me, but I think it became even bigger than my health issues. “And they were the reason behind that. They were our leaders.”
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➡Beardsley continued from PAGE 1 putting the focus on me therefore also put the focus on their team. It took away some individual attention for each of them, but they bought into it …and when you start doing that, good things usually come your way.” Beardsley’s time in the spotlight, coveted or not, came to a head during an early May home game. A “semi-embarrassing” moment on the surface, it was actually an indication of how determined he’d become to not let his condition define him. DURING A pregame recognition of Beardsley, the head coach was asked by PA announcer
Tom Parks to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Beardsley, who was standing in his customary spot along the baseline, in wanting to keep with Fillmore tradition (the honoree always throws out the first pitch), obliged. “Now this was early May; I was still physically — well, my legs still have not come back well — but they definitely were not back (at this point),” Beardsley said. “So I went out and as soon as he said ‘first pitch’ I forgot that I had cancer. I went into competition mode and was like, ‘OK, I’m bringing this sucker.’ And I’m throwing from the mound, of course, but I
IT’S ALSO, however, become his own source of motivation — to
➡Wellsville Board Meeting continued from PAGE 2 proved a request from the police department to sell an impounded motorcycle and a car in the RGI police auction. Trustee Mike Roeske informed the board the village planning board has permanently changed its meeting time to 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month in
the village office. To clear up recent confusion, Fahs announced what requires a building permit under New York regulations. The information is also available on the village’s website and Facebook page: • Residential construction: Single-family
dwellings, garages, pole-style structures. • Structural work: Additions, structural alterations, or any repair affecting load-bearing walls, columns, roof framing, or altering the size and door openings. • Interior renovations:
If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, call (585) 6281046.
automotive
Do your math before buying out your lease BY RAY MAGLIOZZI
Dear Car Talk: What can you tell me about buying out a lease? — Steve If you mean buying a car outright at the end of your lease agreement, that’s easy. You simply get in touch with the leasing company, tell them you want to buy
the car (the end-of-lease price was pre-set when you originally leased the car). They send you the paperwork. You send them a check. They send you the title. You pay the taxes and register it, and it’s your car. But if you mean buying out a lease before the leasing period is over (i.e., getting out of your lease early), that’s trickier. A lease is a legal
contract. If you just go back to the dealership, they’ll want everything that’s owed them for the full life of the lease. Here’s how it would work: Let’s say you leased an Accord last year, worth $35,000 new. You agreed to pay $10,000 in monthly lease payments over three years. So, the buyout price at the end of the lease was pre-set at $25,000. You walk back in a year and a half into the lease, and what happens? They can demand $25,000 -- the value they’re expecting at the
end of your lease -- plus the $5,000 in lease payments you haven’t made yet. And if they believe they can only sell the car for, say, $27,000 right now, you’re going to owe them $3,000 to get out of the lease. At that point, you might as well keep the car, right? Since you’re paying for it anyway. A more cost-effective (and legal) way of exiting a lease early is to find someone who’s willing to take over your lease. That could be someone you know personally, or you could try a lease takeover
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site (like Swapalease or LeaseBusters) that helps match you with a potential lease-take-er-over-er. The leasing company would have to approve the new lessee, based on their credit history, and there’d be a “lease transfer” fee. Because, of
course, there would be. But paying $500 in fees is likely to be cheaper than taking the car back to the dealer. And probably about the same as what your cousin Vinny will charge to drive it into a cement wall for you.
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August 7, 2026
Allegany County reports confirmed case of measles BELMONT — The Allegany County Department of Health is investigating one confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated resident with a recent history of travel to Ohio. The department was notified of the positive result on Sunday, public information officer Robert Matasich stated in a press release. The resident began showing symptoms on Saturday and is isolating at home until the person is no longer contagious. To protect the resident’s privacy, additional details will not be released, the county DOH stated. Potential public exposure sites have been identified, and the health department has reached out to those who may have come in contact with the resident. Because measles is a highly contagious airborne virus, public health officials conduct thorough contact tracing of the confirmed case. The Allegany County DOH, in close contact with local health care providers, has successfully identified and directly contacted all individuals known to have been exposed. “To date, 23 direct contacts have been identified through contact tracing and have
been provided information and guidance,” the DOH stated. “The health department has notified other community and health care partners to place them on high alert.” The number of measles cases as of July 30 in the United States has already surpassed the 2,289 reported for all of 2025, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both figures represent the highest annual number of cases in the nation since 1991. Measles cases have previously been reported in New York state, Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as several other states. The U.S. was declared measles-free in 2000 but appears likely to lose its measles elimination status later this year, when officials with the Pan American Health Organization review transmission data. Allegany County health officials offered the following precautions for residents:
1. Check immunity/ vaccination status You are generally considered immune to measles if you have documented records of receiving two doses of the measles, mumps and
blotchy rash typically appearing three to five days after initial symptoms, usually starting on the face along the hairline and spreading downward to the rest of the body.
3. Post-exposure options (act quickly) If you are unvaccinated, pregnant or immunocompromised AND were exposed, contact your health care provider or ACDOH right away. The MMR vaccine given within 72 hours of exposure, or immune globulin (IG) given within six days, can prevent or reduce the severity of measles illness.
4. Call ahead before seeking medical care rubella (MMR) vaccine, you were born before 1957 or a healthcare provider has previously confirmed through a blood test that you are immune. “If you are fully vaccinated, your risk of contracting measles is very low,” the health department stated. “Unvaccinated individuals, young infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals are at the highest risk for severe complications. If you have symptoms or someone has notified you of an exposure, lim-
it your activity outside of your home and with others.”
2. Monitor for symptoms for 21 days If you were exposed or think you were exposed, monitor yourself and your family members for symptoms. Early symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever (often rising above 101 degrees F), cough, runny nose (coryza) and red and watery eyes. Subsequent symptoms include a red,
DO NOT walk into a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room without calling first. If you develop symptoms or suspect you were exposed, call your primary care provider or the emergency room before arriving. Inform them that you may have been exposed to measles. This allows healthcare facilities to take precautions — such as placing you in an isolated room immediately — to prevent spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients in the waiting room or other areas.
About measles Measles is a viral illness spread through coughing and sneezing. The virus can remain alive and infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. An individual who has measles is contagious four days prior to a rash beginning and four days after the rash appears. Symptoms of measles typically begin between seven and 14 days after exposure to the virus. Approximately nine out of 10 unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to the virus will contract it. Risk to the public The overall risk of measles to the general public remains low, particularly for individuals who are fully vaccinated against the disease. However, measles is extremely contagious, and anyone unvaccinated, pregnant, under 12 months of age, or immunocompromised is at a higher risk and should talk with their health care provider. For questions regarding this public notice or measles vaccination, contact the Allegany County Department of Health at (585) 268-9250 or visit alleganyco.gov/ departments/health/
Outdoors
Of good hunting dogs ... and some bad
BY WADE ROBERTSON
Hunting pheasants with my grandfather, Arthur Hayes, and Ken Lorch during my late teens was incredibly important to my upbringing. Here I was exposed, for the first time, to a sociality where men lived by clearly defined rules of behavior and respect. Grandad’s hunt club was private with approximately 50 members. The club purchased pheasant poults and raised them on the grounds. The club house was a quaint, old farmhouse with a beautiful stone fireplace of native sandstone, a huge, smoked blackened, wormy chestnut mantle above it. The large common room in front was filled with overstuffed chairs, the perfect place for men to gather, sit, smoke, sip on a drink and replay the morning’s hunt. Members’ personalities varied widely. Pop and Ken were friendly, respectful and avoided disagreements. Overall, the members were polite and well-behaved, a friendly buzz of conversation and laughter predominated their gatherings. One member was a wealthy roofing contractor. He owned a beautiful, aging, female Brittany spaniel, Rosey. That dog was deadly
on pheasants, stayed close, quartered the fields beautifully, had an exceptional nose and would hold a point forever. Because of her, Bud was very successful and held in high esteem. Rosey pointed birds’ other hunters’ dogs missed and when asked, recovered wounded or dead pheasants other dogs couldn’t find. There were other excellent bird dogs there, but she was a step above them all. Unfortunately, old Rosey passed away after the second year I hunted. Bud was devastated. Now, don’t believe for a minute that dyedin-the-wool pheasant hunters aren’t psychologists. Pop, Ken and several others discouraged Bud from purchasing another Brittany. Why? Because she’d been so exceptional. In their experience it would be far better for Bud, and the new dog itself, if he purchased a German shorthair, English setter or Springer spaniel. Bud identified so closely with Rosey and her success they feared he’d be unable to differentiate her memory from the new pup. A different breed would lessen what could turn into an identity crisis, realizing Bud relied on Rosey’s reputation for his standing in the club more than was healthy. Listening to this conversation only confused me. What were they talking about? How could buying another Brittany determine how Bud trained his new dog or interacted socially? Didn’t make sense to me. What I lacked was 60 years of experience in such things or a better understanding of Bud’s social perspective.
Photo by Wade Robertson Like human athletes, some bird dogs just excel in their particular sport. Good genetics, training, discipline and plain hard work allow them to stand out. Grouse Ridge Sage, pictured here, was one of those exceptional dogs, winning field trials on a national level.
Bud didn’t listen, perhaps couldn’t, and purchased another Brittany, a male named Pepper. Our first meeting with the new dog made an impression. Pepper was stout and exceedingly muscular. When I reached out to pet him, he bared his teeth and growled. There is no doubt he would have bitten me; I saw it in his eyes. Pepper wasn’t prejudiced, he threatened to bite everyone, yet Bud ignored his behavior, a few half-hearted, “Be good there.” Nothing else. In the field, Pepper ignored most commands and was so strong physically Bud was forced to attach a heavy log chain to him some 10 feet long, at least 20 pounds in weight, to keep him in the same field. The chain didn’t seem to slow him down much. Even worse, he paid little attention to
his nose, just blasted through the field, completely undisciplined. The long, heavy chain did present one dubious advantage, the hissing it made traveling through cover flushed pheasants he’d have run by without it, though most were out of range. To all of this Bud seemed oblivious, his attitude one of protection to the cool reception his aggressive dog received. Bird dogs are normally friendly to a fault. Pop and Ken looked on with more sorrow than anger or disappointment. They weren’t surprised and it struck me forcedly they knew Bud better than he knew himself and were concerned. Yes, they’d anticipated this possibility but, sadly, he’d refused their advice. After the hunt that first morning Bud actually brought Pepper into the club house. All the other dogs were
kenneled in the various vehicles by common consent and this behavior wasn’t well received. I thought, “Why would he do this?” As fate would have it, Bud picked the chair beside mine. Pepper, subdued by miles of chain hauling, eyed me coldly, sniffed at my cautiously proffered hand and laid down. Later, Pop and Ken approached, time to go. Pepper stirred, I went to pat his head and he instantly snapped, drawing blood. Ken and Pop went wooden faced, asking if I was all right. Fortunately, it was nothing serious. Bud said nothing, looking embarrassed but unapologetic, continuing to defend his dog’s bad behavior. In the car, Pop and Ken conferred briefly, then Pop turned to me. “Young man, there’s two life lessons here. Usually, men make their
dogs, but occasionally, the dog makes the man. The second is accepting the unacceptable. Now, much more importantly, how will you treat Bud and Pepper next hunt?” Pop was staring at me intently, dark eyes probing. I blinked, thinking hard about how these men consistently conducted themselves, despite my anger at being bitten and Bud’s obstinate behavior. What would they do? Hesitantly, I answered, “With outward courtesy and inward caution?” Pop’s eyes softened, he relaxed. “That’s right, son, that’s right.” Oh, how can I ever repay those two wonderful men for their wisdom and the crucial life lessons they so patiently, lovingly taught me? (Email Wade Robertson at wadewrites3006@gmail.com.)
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August 7, 2026
allegany county Community Source
‘Keep the pointy end in front’: A fairweather sailor’s 5 years on The Great Loop BY KATHRYN ROSS
For sailors and boaters, The Great Loop runs from Florida up the East Coast to New Jersey, up the Hudson River to the Erie Canal, through the Great Lakes to Michigan and on to the Mississippi River, down to the Gulf of Mexico and back to the east coast of Florida. Such a journey is expected to take two years — although more dedicated mariners have completed it in weeks. Megan Milan took five years to complete The Great Loop — four summer trips and a November to January cruise. She started in 2021. Milan is Kim Toot’s younger sister. The former head of the Allegany County Office for the Aging, Toot arranged for Milan to speak about her trip at the monthly Tuesdays With Grace program held at Grace United Church in Wellsville. There were few seats left in the Common Room last Tuesday when Milan stepped up to the microphone. The audience was mesmerized as Milan talked about the romance and adventure of spending four summers on a boat with two cats, with two other boats accompanying her. The dream of cruising The Great Loop was Milan’s husband’s dream. He was a boat captain, and the couple had purchased a 42-foot trawler in preparation for the voyage. However, he passed away before they could launch. After a year, Megan decided to fulfill the dream. The original trawler was too hard for Milan to handle alone. She looked around and
Photo by Kathryn Ross Sisters Kim Toot (left) and Megan Milan, who shared her experiences cruising The Great Loop during a Tuesdays With Grace program at Grace United Church in Wellsville.
found a 26-foot Nordic tugboat and purchased it for the 6,000-mile trip. She named it Sweets. The dimensions of the vessel were determined by the height of the lowest bridges along the route and the smallest of the 150 locks she would have to navigate. The first leg of the trip was from Marco Island, Fla. to Chesapeake Bay. When she embarked on the journey a friend offered the advice, “Keep the pointy end in front.” The second year she traveled from Chesapeake to Brewerton, New York by heading up the Hudson to the Erie Canal. When the tiny flotilla reached New Jersey, where Milan grew up, she was familiar with its beaches, inlets and its dangerous coves. It is also the only time on the journey when the three boats cruised the open sea. In year three, the crew left Brewerton for Michigan and Chicago via the Great Lakes. Year four, the group spent most of its time
on the Mississippi River ending in Iuka, Miss. Year five, in November 2025 they started the last leg of the journey back to home port, crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Milan “crossed her wake” that January. “I set off with two 16-year-old cats who were very familiar with, and loved sailing. What I thought would take two years to complete,” she said, “took five years.” Milan explained that she traveled only during the summer, cruising at about 7.5 knots and only in fair weather. Most nights they safely docked in marinas after spending around 4 hours underway. When running the Mississippi, the group traveled 8 to 9 hours a day due to the lack of safe places to dock. Their time on shore was spent exploring, on bikes they carried onboard, visiting historical sites, shopping and dining. Milan invited friends and relatives to cruise with her and share the adventure. Toot and her
husband Dave took her up on the invitation. “We took our time enjoying the beautiful places in the U.S. and Canada,” Milan said. “Sailing along the East Coast and into New York and Canada is like taking a walk through history. That is where this
country’s history started and where the Civil War took place. I love history. We saw historical places and met incredibly interesting people along the way, and we still remain friends with many of them.” Each night the three boat captains would meet and plan the next day. They seldom made reservations to stay at marinas more than two days in advance. Weather and other issues set their pace. The toughest cruising and the longest days were on the rivers where there were no marinas and a lot of commercial traffic. They relied on “The Great Loop Association Handbook” and water guides for assistance in finding marinas and accommodations. Milan explained that after the first summer, when she shipped her boat back to Florida after the summer trip, she stored the boat for the winter in the last port.
Photo provided Sweets, a Nordic tug, carried Megan Milan on her cruise of The Great Loop. The vessel is shown here in New York Harbor with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop.
She said they would find heated storage areas where they would wrap the boats for the winter months. The next year they would fly back to the port and reclaim their boats. After a few days of maintenance, repair and cleaning they would be back on the water. While Milan was no stranger to large-boat travel — she and her husband cruised from Florida to Maine — she did take lessons on boat maintenance and pointers before embarking on The Great Loop. She learned important tips like, in case of trouble, drop your anchor and to keep a serrated knife near the helm. That came in handy when her tug began to list to one side while she was raising it in a lock. With the handy knife she cut the rope loose from the cleat it was hung-up on and the boat immediately righted itself. “It could have been disastrous, but I followed the rule and kept a knife near the helm, so it turned out all right,” she said. Today, Milan spends her time on Sweets exploring the islands and bays around her home port in Florida. She cruises both alone and with friends and often just shares drinks in the stern when the weather is nice. She said she would sail The Great Loop again. “Looking back over the five years doing The Great Loop, I would not change anything,” she said. “If I never do the Loop again, I have enjoyed to the very fullest all the beautiful ports of call.”
health & Wellness
What to know about perimenopause Hormones drive many functions in the human body, including the ability to reproduce. For women, estrogen, progesterone and even testosterone play key roles in health and well-being. The levels of these hormones are not static; at different times in the reproductive cycle they wax and wane, resulting in various symptoms. Such is
the case at a point in a woman’s life when she enters perimenopause. Women likely know about puberty, pregnancy and the general years of menstruation. They have also likely heard of menopause, or when a woman’s menstruation and ability to have children ceases. Nestled in between is a period of time called perimenopause, which is a series
of years when women experience a vast array of symptoms that are not always fully understood or recognized.
What is perimenopause? The U.S. Office on Women’s Health says perimenopause is the natural transitional phase before menopause. During this time, the ovaries gradually begin to make less estrogen and progesterone. This phase can begin in a person’s 40s (or even earlier), and may last anywhere from four to 10 years. It ends with menopause, which is when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period.
What are symptoms of perimenopause? During perimenopause, a woman may notice changes in the body. Some are subtle and others more obvious. The Mayo Clinic lists these as possible symptoms, but there may be many others. • Irregular periods: As ovulation becomes more unpredictable, the length of periods, time between periods, flow, and other factors can change. • Hot flashes (flushes): Many women have hot flashes during perimenopause. Hot flashes vary in strength, length and frequency. • Sleep issues: Changes in sleep patterns
can occur, and are sometimes accompanied by night sweats. • Mood changes: Mood swings, irritability and increased risk of anxiety or depression can happen during perimenopause. • Vaginal and bladder problems: Estrogen protects the vagina, urethra and other tissues. So when it decreases, tissue can become drier and less elastic. Pain during intercourse can occur, and dryness can cause burning when urinating, even if an infection is not present. Lack of estrogen also can cause a woman to get more urinary or vaginal infections. • Changes in sexual desire: During perimenopause, some women may enjoy sex less, while others may enjoy it more. • Loss of bone: As hormone levels decrease, bone loss occurs more quickly than it can be replaced. • Changes in digestion: Some women experience changes in the foods they can tolerate, bowel habits and other factors. • Changes in choles-
terol levels: Less estrogen can cause an increase in LDL cholesterol and a decrease in HDL, putting women at greater risk for heart disease.
Can tests detect perimenopause? Most health providers use age and symptoms as diagnostic tools for detecting perimenopause. Hormone levels fluctuate so much that tests often are not reliable, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But certain hormone tests can indicate if you’re in perimenopause. Testing the FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) level can often determine if perimenopause is beginning. A consistently high level of FSH, which is a hormone the pituitary gland produces to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg during ovulation, indicates one is getting near menopause. Women may choose to ride out perimenopause without much assistance, while others prefer talking to their doctors about different treatment options designed to address symptoms. Medications, lifestyle changes and hormone therapies can be options.
allegany county Community Source
August 7, 2026
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home improvement
Great reasons to insulate water pipes Homeowners want to do everything they can to protect their investment, and that includes both renovating a property to reflect recent trends and keeping up with routine maintenance to ensure a home does not fall into a state of disrepair. Anticipating potential issues and planning for them is part of maintaining a home. Such anticipation is an acquired skill, but homeowners can use the experience of others to identify ways to prevent home-related issues before they arise. One issue homeowners may
want to plan for is frozen pipes. The winter of 2025-2026 was notably cold. According to AccuWeather, the La Niña weather pattern was a driving force behind a particularly cold winter in various parts of the United States, including the northeast, midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. Temperatures in those regions were 10° to 15° F below normal, which AccuWeather notes laid the foundation for the most severe and frigid winter in nearly a decade. The extreme cold that characterized the winter of 2025-2026 forced
some homeowners to confront issues they had not anticipated, including frozen pipes. Pipe insulation is an important part of home maintenance that some homeowners may not have been aware of as recently as early 2026, but the following are some notable reasons to add this to your home-related to-do list before winter returns. • Insulation prevents pipes from freezing. Frozen water inside pipes can start what’s essentially a chain reaction that can cause pipes to expand. When pipes expand, the resulting pressure can cause them to burst. By insulating pipes, homeowners can prevent them from freezing. Insulating pipes that are already behind a wall is not a simple job, so it’s best left to a professional. But pipes that are along exterior walls should be insulated to ensure they do not freeze when temperatures drop and remain low. Pipes in
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attics, basements and crawl spaces may be exposed, and homeowners may be able to insulate these on their own, though novices might still want to leave this important job to a professional. • Insulating pipes can save you money. The United States Department of Energy reports that insulatcontinued on PAGE 8
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August 7, 2026
allegany county Community Source
home improvement ing hot water pipes is a notable way to save energy and money. According to the DOE, insulating water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature by as much as 2° to 4° F. That allows homeowners to lower the temperature setting on their water heaters, which saves money. Insulating pipes also reduces the time it takes for water to warm up when turning on a faucet or shower, which in turn leads to less water consumption and lower water bills. • Insulation can reduce the risk of mold growth. Winter is not the only time of year it pays to have insulated pipes. According to the insulation experts at Aeroflex®, pipes are subject to mold growth. That can happen when pipes sweat in humid climates (think of a water bottle left out in the hot sun). The resulting condensation from sweating pipes can drip and lead to the growth of mold in surrounding areas, including within the walls. Mold growth in a home has been linked to various negative health out-
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comes, including respiratory issues. But insulation prevents the condensation that can lead to mold growth. • Insulation is inexpensive. Homeowners who have grown accustomed to costly repairs and renovations should know that insulating pipes, particularly exposed pipes, is an inexpensive project. While it will cost more to insulate pipes within walls due to the extra work required to
access such areas and address them once insulation has been installed, insulating those pipes, especially if they’re along exterior walls, can greatly reduce the risk for potentially costly damage down the road. Insulating pipes is a worthwhile undertaking for all homeowners, and can be particularly beneficial for those who live in areas with extreme weather in winter and summer.