Palmer Opera House to present ‘A Miracle on 34th Street’
CUBA — The palmer Opera House will host performances of “A Miracle on 34th Street on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8.
One of the best family-friendly classics by Valentine Davie, this timeless story is a perfect match for the timeless venue of the Palmer Opera House.
Director Diane Willard says that part of the fun of putting together this show has been melding the acting talents of
veterans of the stage with the youthful enthusiasm of several members of the Ruth Davis Summer Theatre Youth Camp. The five adults in the show have 136 combined years in the theatre and use that experience to infuse their characters with warmth and depth while at the same time helping the younger cast with their acting skills and character development.
Saturday Shows are at 2 and 7 p.m., with doors
opening a half hour before; and Sunday’s show is at 2 p.m., with door opening a half hour before.
Call the Palmer Opera House at (585) 209-5512 for tickets.
CUBA’S SMALL
TOWN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The production is in conjunction with Cuba’s Small Town Christmas Celebration, also set for Dec. 7.
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — Frigid weather didn’t stop Wellsville’s annual Christmas Parade Saturday afternoon.
The popular parade that brings Santa Claus to town and officially opens the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce Hometown Holiday season gets bigger every year. Along with several floats and marchers from local clubs and community groups, the 2024 parade saw several groups of athletes from the high school sports teams
A holiday market craft and vendor show will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Cuba First Baptist Church. A $6 soup and side luncheon will run from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Friends of the Cuba Library will host a $5 bag book sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library.
The annual holiday parade will run along Main Street at 5 p.m., featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus.
along with a large contingent of cheerleaders. Santa brought the parade to a close arriving on the Emerald Hook and Ladder truck and following a large number of firetrucks and emergency vehicles. He officially turned on the Lions Club’s Fantasy of Lights. Accompanied by Mrs. Claus
Photos by Kathryn Ross
Three-year-old Avery is happy to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Schumer continues to push for extension of telehealth funding
U.S.
WELLSVILLE —
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer on Nov. 26 continued his push to protect Medicare’s telehealth program, which could expire at the end of this month without congressional action.
Schumer said it is critical to avoid the upcoming “telehealth cliff” for Southern Tier seniors, which is especially important to rural areas like Allegany County, to maintain what he called a vital
lifeline for accessible health care.
“Telehealth services are essential in places like Allegany County; it is a lifeline for our rural areas and seniors who can’t easily travel to the doctor to get the healthcare they need and we can’t let it expire,” the Democratic senator from New York said during a press event at Jones Memorial Hospital.
“That’s why I’m launching a push to avoid the telehealth cliff and save this lifeline for tens of
thousands of seniors in the Southern Tier.
“We saw telehealth surge in use during the pandemic, and we should make sure that access to your doctor is as easy as picking up your phone,” he said. “I was proud to help Medicare expand telehealth services during the pandemic, but we need to act quickly to preserve this program and ensure this lifeline isn’t cut off for our seniors come 2025.”
DINNER FROM SANTA
Santa wants everyone to have a Christmas Dinner!
If you are, or know of someone who is in need, elderly, or disabled that is unable to prepare a meal for Christmas Day, call the number below to get a hot turkey dinner delivered on the 25th between the hours of 11am and 2pm. Santa’s elves will be preparing the meals at the Trinity Lutheran Church and names will be collected by Immaculate Conception Church. Please call 585-593-4834 ext. #1 (Mon.-Fri. from 8am to 2pm) and leave your name, address, number of meals you’d like and a phone number. The deadline to call is DECEMBER 19TH and please call early as we can only take 250 dinner requests. We deliver to the towns of Allentown, Andover, Belmont, Bolivar, Scio, Wellsville, Whitesville and Willing.
Schumer explained that during the pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency that gave the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) flexibility to reimburse patients for expenses related to telehealth services and allowed providers to deliver audio-only health care services.
Schumer added, “This helped thousands of seniors in rural areas across Upstate NY when the closest doctor is hours away access critical health care services. Telehealth is one of the biggest tools for supporting rural Upstate communities that face shortages of doctors. Especially for seniors who can have difficulty going to a doctor’s office due to mobility challenges, telehealth lets people get routine care without having to worry about how to get to the doctor’s office.”
When the public health emergency officially ended last year, Schumer led efforts
to pass legislation to extend those flexibilities that allowed CMS to cover telehealth appointments. However, that legislative authority will expire on Dec. 31 without congressional action. This means that seniors could lose coverage for telehealth appointments, doctors could no longer provide audio-only telehealth services, and fewer providers will be able to receive reimbursement for telehealth services.
Schumer is now pushing to include an extension in the end of year legislation and try to make telehealth services a permanent and accessible option for all on Medicare.
“We are honored to welcome Senator Schumer to Jones Memorial as we shine a spotlight on the transformative power of telehealth for our elderly and rural patients,” said Jim Helms, CEO of JMH. “This visit underscores the critical role technology plays in bridging healthcare gaps, especially in rural communities like ours.”
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — It may be turkey time, but a new law concerning the keeping of chickens within the residential areas of the village is getting another public hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 13 in the village board room at 23 N. Main St.
At its early November meeting the Wellsville Village Board held a public hearing on the keeping of chickens within the village that lasted an hour, over-
whelming the trustees and Police Chief Tim O’Grady, who brought the change in the law before the board, with the sincerity of those both for and against the new law. The law proposed a big change. The keeping of chickens in the village has not been allowed since the 1970s. However, there are those who have run afoul of the law and keep chickens in their backyards. The new law allowed for the keeping of chickens, no more than six hens and no roosters.
The dozen or so people at the meeting were evenly divided. Those in favor pointed out the educational and mental benefits of keeping chickens along with the economic advantages of providing healthy food and income advantages from selling of eggs. Those against cited the smell, the disposal of manure, the unsightliness of coops and pens, the attraction of other unwanted animals and the possibility that keeping chickens my be used to mask the manufacture of drugs. It was also
pointed out that allowing chickens could lead to the inclusion of other types of farm animals including cows and pigs in the village.
A chief complaint was, “Those who want to keep farm animals should live on a farm.”
In the meanwhile, Chief O’Grady and the Code Enforcement Officer reworked the proposal outlining the do’s and don’ts, regulations and requirements and the fines and possible consequences of violating any of the regulations in the law.
The law states: “The Board of Trustees, finds that the keeping of domestic chickens within the village limits may have a measurably positive impact on the health and welfare of village residents. Regulations of such practice is necessary to ensure that the keeping of chickens will not negatively impact surrounding properties or landowners.”
Those who opt to keep chickens are required to apply for a $25 permit, after their chicken pens and coops pass standards set forth in the law, and they must obtain the permission of their neighbors including those who move into the neighborhood. The law shall be enforced by the village zoning officer or the code enforcement officer, who both have the authority to prosecute violators.
The complete law can be seen on the village’s webpage or obtained at the village office. The public is invited to attend the hearing in January at the village office.
Chicken raising gets another hearing in Wellsville
The village of Wellsville will conduct another public hearing on the keeping of chickens by residents.
home improvement
(BPT) — A properly functioning HVAC system is crucial to ensure a warm, comfortable home this winter. For homeowners with an older heating system, the question of repair or replace is often top of mind as the temperatures drop.
Arriving at the right answer for your home often requires the support of a trained HVAC contractor. But there are several questions you can ask as you consider the reliability of your aging home comfort system. No one wants to be left in the cold this winter - or left with an empty wallet. The heating and cooling experts at YORK® offer these guidelines to help homeowners evaluate their options and find out which is the best longterm value for you.
When you can still repair
There may be instances when replacing the heating system isn’t necessary. Some indications that your system may be worth repairing can include:
• It’s less than 10 years old and/or is a high-quality, energy-efficient model.
• The repair is still covered under warranty.
• The out-of-pocket cost of the repair will
be far less than the cost of replacement.
• Repairing the problem means that the specific issue isn’t likely to reoccur throughout the system’s remaining lifespan.
• Other HVAC com-
ponents, such as the ductwork, electrical wiring and thermostat, are all in good working condition.
When it’s time to replace It can be much easier to recognize signs that it’s time to replace a worn-out heating system, including:
• A system that is 10 or more years old.
• Frequent and repeated repairs that add up to be very costly.
• Even after repairs and/or maintenance, the system still doesn’t keep your home comfortable.
• Very high utility bills. Modern heating systems are significantly more energy-efficient than older units.
• A desire to take advantage of widespread tax incentive programs, as well as utility and manufacturers’ rebates, to reduce upfront costs.
Replacing a heating system
Many homeowners are surprised to learn a
FOOD PLOT SEEDS
new heating system can improve the comfort of their home and help save significant money on utility costs over the long run. Heat pumps, in particular, are a smart choice for many homeowners - even if a gas furnace is currently in place. Today’s high-efficiency heat pumps use less electricity to cut heating costs and are very efficient even in cold climates. For example, the YORK® HH8 Side-Discharge Heat Pump can reduce the average energy bill by as much as 50% compared to less efficient HVAC systems. Plus, the YORK® HH8 heat
pump is equipped with variable speed technology that allows it to precisely match desired temperature settings and provide a more comfort able home.
A historic level of HVAC savings programs are available to help offset the cost of installing a high-efficiency heat pump. Through a combination of tax rebates and utility and manufacturers’ offers, qualifying homeowners can save up to 100% of the cost to install some heat pumps. Additionally, some manufacturers offer simplified financing options with fixed monthly payments to make the investment of a heat pump more manageable than paying out-ofpocket repair costs on an existing heating system.
To learn more about today’s heat pump innovations and cost-saving programs, visit YORK® at: york.com/residential-equipment/heating-and-cooling/splitsystem-heat-pumps.
BELMONT — William Penman, executive director of Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, is retiring after serving the county for 22 years.
While at ACASA Penman expanded the agency, overseeing the building of the new Trapping Brook House Residential facility, building the new ACASA Clinic with Medically Assisted Treatment all while improving the entire continuum of services in the delivery of Prevention Education and Allegany County Jail services. Penman and the ACASA board appointed a new executive director, Chad Sebastian. Sebastian has been with the Allegany Council for more than 23 years. He began his career with the Council in 2001 as a Prevention Educator, working with students and parents in various programs. He then transitioned into the role of Counselor at the Clinic running groups and meeting with individuals on their journey to recovery. During this time, Sebastian also instructed the Impaired Driver Program, quickly becoming the Director of the program.
When the need arose, he became the residential director as well as clinic director for many years. Recently, Sebastian was named deputy director
prior to his appointment as the executive director. Sebastian will strive to continue to increase awareness of substance
ACASA chief retires, new executive director named
treatment including gambling disorders. ACASA continues to promote the belief that individuals with a substance use disorder can and do recover.
Allegany County kicking off Peer-to-Peer Veteran Program
BELMONT — A new peer-to-peer veterans support program will begin this holiday season.
The Allegany County Board of Legislators on Wednesday announced funding from a New York state grant to provide various programs and events for peer-to-peer support for veterans. The mission of the funding is to assist veterans, service members, and their families to achieve and sustain
personal health, wellness, and purpose in their post-service lives through the support of trained veteran peers. The program is designed to provide peerbased veterans’ services through a variety of events, veteran-to-veteran collaboration, social events, and community service. The program further aims to:
• Pursue outreach and education.
• Provide peer support.
• Build resiliency among peers.
• Encourage a connection among family, friends, and community.
• Provide access to suicide prevention/ intervention initiatives.
• Foster hope.
Board Chairman Brooke Harris said legislators asked County Administrator Carissa Knapp’s office to assist H. Robert Budinger, personnel officer, to manage the kickoff of the program.
Budinger, a veteran and active member of
the Air National Guard, said Allegany County is planning a Holiday Party at the Genesee Valley Central School 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14 for veterans, active service members, and their immediate family members. Anyone that has worn a military uniform is welcome to attend. Participants will be asked to provide a copy of their Military ID, DD214, or VA Benefit card.
Participants are asked to RSVP by Dec. 2 by calling (585) 268-9217 or by using the event link on the county’s website, https://www. alleganyco.gov/salute/. Submit comments on
ACCORD receives $750K to help improve Allegany Co. apartments
BY BOB CLARK
BELMONT — A state grant will help Allegany County property owners renovate vacant spaces to improve the area’s rental apartment stock.
State officials announced Belmont-based ACCORD Corp. will receive $750,000 to help with renovations under the Vacant Rental Improvement Program,
administered by the state Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal. State officials reported the aid is expected to help with the complete rehabilitation of 13 units in the county.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and with the Vacant Rental Improvement Program, we’re breathing new life into dormant properties
by turning them into high-quality homes for those in need,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in the release.
in properties back to use with a focus on quality, affordable long-term units that are safe for residents. Applicants must be the owner of a 1-5 unit residential property, a mixed-use building with up to five units, or a building that will be converted into a residential or mixed-use property.
Other recipients in the region include $2 million for the city of Jamestown, $953,460 for the city of Elmira, and over $10.6 million to assist property owners through several governments and nonprofits in Erie and Niagara counties.
For more information, visit https://hcr. ny.gov/vrp.
Statewide, $40 million has been allocated to revitalize up to 600 apartments, officials said, with up to $75,000 for renovations per unit. The focus is on affordable housing for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income. Renovations include fixing issues related to safety, accessibility, code violation correction and environmental remediation for toxic substances like lead and asbestos. In return for the aid, property owners will ensure the units will remain affordable for at least 10 years, with a focus on long-term stability for tenants.
Local administrators are expected to open applications in early 2025. Owners of rental properties are encouraged to apply to bring vacant units and spaces
Brody Estabrook took this monster 12-point buck on Nov. 17 on his grandparents’ farm in the town of Caneadea.