Steadfast in building their dream: Couple revives Allegany County farm
BY KATHRYN ROSS
ANDOVER —
Christmas is a time for dreams to come true — and for Marialin and Joseph Robinson, it is just the beginning.
The Robinsons moved into the area a little over 14 months ago after seeing the former cattle farm on Ray Hill Road in Elm Valley, between Wellsville and Andover. They have been busy since, making their dream come true and turning it into a winter wonderland for the Christmas season.
“We’d been looking for a farm for a long time,” said Marialin Robinson. “We’d traveled all over Western New York, but the first
time we saw the farm in Elm Valley, we knew that we were home. We love the area and the people who live here.”
Jim Moore had owned the farm 3500 Ray Hill Road for many years, operating it as a beef cattle farm. After he passed away, the farm went to his grandson, who lives in Ohio and was not inclined to move to WNY. The farm was for sale like many other old farms across the county.
“We grew up in Buffalo and we knew we wanted a different life without the rat race and the go, go, go, of the city life,” Robinson said.
“When I closed my eyes at night, I would dream about living on a farm
with animals and peace and a simpler kind of life. When I was a child my mother would celebrate my birthday by taking me to a farm where we would ride horses and play with the animals. It was something that was planted in my brain.
“When we saw the Moore farm, we knew it was what we wanted,” she added.
The Robinsons named their new home Steadfast Acres, and slowly and steadily they are building their dream.
Along with growing their own food and selling fresh vegetables and starting a glamping campground, the couple have expanded the
concept of a farm. It is a total rescue farm. The Robinsons have rescued a cow, two horses, two goats, 21 chickens and five dogs and their rescue extends to found objects and hidden treasures they recycle into useful and artful objects they sell in a country store they established in the old barn.
They sell wooden signs, refurbished furniture, vintage pieces and charcuterie trays. The store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They also sell produce such as onions, peppers, squash, corn, kale, greens and cabbage. Next summer
Mike Randall brings ‘A Christmas Carol’ alive in Wellsville
BY KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — In 1868, the Buffalo Morning newspaper finished its review of Charles Dickens’ performance: “No range of character seems to be beyond his reach, and the changes from boy to man, from stage driver to judge, from man to woman, are almost as marvelous in their rapidity as their completeness.”
The same might be said of Mike Randall.
On Saturday, Mike Randall brought Charles Dickens alive for the audience in the David A Howe Library Auditorium — and it could be the last time.
Before making the trip to
Wellsville from Boston, N.Y., where he lives, Randall said he may end “Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol” after next year. For the past 17 years, he has performed as the legendary Father of Christmas dozens of times between November and Christmas. It is a popular seasonal show opening in libraries and theaters across Western New York.
For the 71-year-old Randall, it is a tour de force, one he continually has to prep for.
“There isn’t just one character in ‘A Christmas Carol,’” Randall explained. “I do the show the way Dickens performed when he toured and played all the different characters in his books. For his
performance, Randall voices the characters in “A Christmas Carol” — Scrooge, Marley, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, as well as such characters as Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. There are 30 separate voices in the production. Published in 1843, “A Christmas Carol” is one of the best-known stories written by Charles Dickens, who penned other classiCS such as “David Copperfield,” “Oliver Twist” and “Great Expectations.” He toured the United States in the 1840s and again in 186768, performing the characters in his books on stage. It is estimated that he
more
earned
Photo provided
Mike Randall performs as Charles Dickens in his one-person show “A Christmas Carol.”
Photo provided
Marialin and Joseph Robinson share the bounty of their farm, Steadfast Acres, in Elm Valley ndear Andover.
Guest Comment: Town, county tax bills will be arriving soon
BY ALLESIA A. HESLIN
In the next few days, town and county tax bills will be arriving in the mail to property owners in New York state.
Payments accepted in the month of January are without penalty. Payments accepted in February have a 1% penalty and in March there is a 2% penalty. Payments mailed on or after March 15 need a $2 late fee added to the March payment total. These penalties are set by statute. Short of a court order or explicit statutory authority the collecting officer in possession of the warrant does not possess any authority to reduce penalty charge, nor does any other town officer
or board possess this authority. On April 1, bills return to the county and payments are due at your county treasurer’s office. At that time checks are payable to the county treasurer. A few things you should keep in mind when getting ready to pay your bill.
• Look at the top left corner of your bill for the name of the person the check is made payable. The mailing address appears there also. When making out your check, you should use the collector’s name and title.
• If you are paying in person, the top middle of the page will show hours of
collection along with the pay-in-person address. Note as well: The deputy village clerk and the village clerk are unable to receive a town clerk’s tax payments.
• Payments can be dropped off any time in the black lock box in front of town hall.
• For those of you who are mailing in a payment, remember, postmarks count! Be sure the date on your envelope is no later than Jan. 31. You may take it into the post office and ask for it to be hand-canceled to ensure the date. Remember, it is not the date on your check, it is the postmark on the envelope that counts.
erly — again, if it is not, there could be a delay in processing your payment in an on-time manner.
• Please contact the tax collector if you have recently bought or sold property or unified, refinanced or initiated a mortgage. If you have bought or sold property, let the collector know the name and address of
the person purchased from or sold to. The collector works to ensure the bills are being sent to the correct name and address.
Do the same with financial institutions.
This should be done in writing, by fax or email to make sure the tax collector has the proper spelling and mailing address of the proper-
ty owner or mortgage holder. By doing this, it will help avoid late payment penalties by preventing tax bills from going to the wrong party. Whether you receive the bill or not payment of the bill is your responsibility.
• It is a good idea to mail the entire bill
Scholarship memorializes Allegany Co. Sheriff’s Office dispatcher
BELMONT — The family of Chantel Cline, who passed away unexpectedly on March 9, has established a scholarship in her memory.
Cline was a member of Angelica Central School’s last graduating class (1996) and a graduate of Corning Community College. She had been with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, where she was a highly regarded emergency services dispatcher, since 2009.
The new scholarship will assist a Genesee Valley Central School
• Make sure the amount of your check corresponds to the amount due. Payments are returned if the amount is incorrect. This may cause a penalty if the bill is not resubmitted before Jan. 31. When your check goes to the bank, it is the written amount debited from your account, not the numerical amount. Take an extra moment to make sure it is written prop-
senior or graduate pursuing a career in a criminal justice related field, said Bruce Campbell, executive director of the Allegany County Area Foundation, which ddis
administering the fund. The first Chantel Cline Memorial Scholarship will be awarded in spring 2025 for the 2025-26 academic year. Founded in 1983, the foundation manages 95 funds that support students with scholarships and communities through grants to non-profit organizations. To contribute to this scholarship or for information about establishing a scholarship or grant fund, contact the foundation at director@acafny.org or (585) 296-5616.
Chantel Cline
they will open a produce stand.
They established the glamping site, which helped sustain them over the year, but it was wiped out during the flooding in August. The Robinsons have plans to rebuild it bigger and better and increase their crop threefold — and maybe buy some beef cattle.
Joseph Robinson is a former U.S. Marine who had been working as a truck driver before losing his job, but who will soon start work at Alfred State College. The couple have been together since middle school and recently tied the knot.
The Country Store has been open throughout the season and has
included artisan breads, pies and dips and beverages. This Christmas season they had planned to share their bounty by giving away 100 meals on Christmas Eve, but those plans were curtailed due to a family emergency.
“This is no hobby farm for us,” Marialin said. “This is our livelihood. We’re getting
our feet wet, and people are helping us. We’re learning to use the land around us. If we cut down a tree, we plant a tree. We’re going slow and steady and we’re building a legacy for our future and our family.”
The offerings of Steadfast Acres may be found on Facebook, or by visiting the store.
➡Allegany County Farm
home improvement
How to transform your kitchen in 2025 with 4 top trends
(BPT) — The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where you gather with loved ones for meals and conversations and make memories and traditions. To achieve these connections (while still making delicious meals), warmth and welcome are key.
If you’re worried about being out of step with the modern and minimalist design trends of the past few years, consider this: experts have seen a desire among clients for cozier and warmer designs. Are you interested in changing your kitchen and staying in style?
Here are four 2025 upcoming trends from
design experts across the country who can help you step into the new year on trend.
1. Luxury through personalization
While homeowners are seeking a luxury feel for their kitchens, they don’t want them to be exactly like that of their neighbors, friends and family members. Instead, there is a desire among clients for personalization while still maintaining a luxe style.
said Harvey. “Luxury clients want their spaces to be uniquely theirs. They want details that are all about how they live. They would prefer to be ‘the only one’ than feel they are copying their neighbor or friend.”
2. A return to color and warmth
Gone are the days of bright whites and cold neutrals. More and more clients are seeking to infuse color and warmth into their kitchen space.
“I am seeing a shift toward extremely personal customization,” said Jennifer Hutton, Creative Director and Principal Designer at Grau Design Studio. “That’s anything from bespoke storage options to specialized cabinet interiors to an emphasis on personal hobbies like creating craft cocktails, baking or even using certain types of cooking equipment.”
“No more gray!” said Ariana Lovato, Founder + Principal Designer of Honeycomb Home Design. “Warm tones and oak finishes will still prevail next year, but people are not shying away from color when it comes to an island or perimeter cabinetry.”
Hutton has also had clients ask for a darker, warmer aesthetic with textural and colorful interest.
modern trend.
marbles, lots of texture, organic materials and rich colors.”
3. Multiple zones
prep kitchens, sculleries and baking centers.”
Andrea Harvey, founder of ASH Interiors and Design, has also noted that homeowners want to add personal lifestyle details to their kitchen design.
“As always, luxury is about personalization,”
“I see luxury kitchen trends taking a turn to a deeper, moodier style, a far cry from the bright white, pristine kitchens from a few years ago,” said Hutton. “My clients are looking for unique
Recent home kitchen designs have mimicked the style and function of professional kitchens that have all you need in one place. However, homes are already departing from this
“We anticipate our luxury clients’ desire for ‘multiple zones’ to continue to strongly impact 2025 kitchen design,” said Linda Engler, founder of Engler Studio. “By multiple zones, I mean specific function areas beyond a primary kitchen: coffee and beverage stations,
Engler goes on to say that the multiple-zone approach uses a variation of materials and finishes to visually distinguish these stations from the primary kitchen. Because of these
zones, designers and clients should expect an increase in appliances, as each zone will require its own package.
Another aspect of multiple zones is that homeowners are rediscovering the kitchen as a gathering place.
“It’s an exciting time in kitchen design because we’re starting to see a shift from the super sterile modern kitchen,” said Lovato. “Clients want islands that have wrap-around seating for casual conversations and built-in seating options like a nook or a custom banquette attached to the back of an island.”
4. Transitional design
Are you stuck between designing a modern or traditional kitchen? You can have the best of both worlds
by aiming for a transitional design aesthetic. The term “transitional design” can be difficult to nail down, but you can generally think of it as a style that incorporates modern elements like clean, sleek lines with traditional details that are homey and welcoming. “I view transitional design as the bridge that connects traditional and modern,” said Engler. “It’s the middle ground between two extremes.”
A simple yet effective way to combine modern and traditional kitchen design is through careful hardware and appliance choices.
“Things like faucet style, hardware and light fixtures are examples of elements that can read as transitional and can be switched out over time if needed,”
said Hutton. “Appliance style also plays a role here. Very professional, grand pieces tone down the modern style and add an ‘old school’ flair which can neutralize the ultramodern aesthetic.”
Appliances from luxury brand Signature Kitchen Suite’s new Transitional Series are perfect for homeowners seeking clean lines with timeless charm. The series includes wall ovens, induction cooktops, insert hoods, traditional and undercabinet refrigerators, dishwashers and built-in wine columns.
These panel-ready units feature satin stainless steel panel and
handle kits as well as leading-edge True to Food technology. Not only do they look good, but they allow home chefs to show others their passion for the culinary arts.
Opening your home’s heart to style and comfort
Using these four trends, you can say goodbye to a purely clean and functional aesthetic and hello to a cozy kitchen you and your loved ones will want to spend time in. To learn about more design trends and how you can achieve them in the new year, visit Sig natureKitchenSuite.com.
CUBA — The Cuba Chamber of Commerce recently donated $2,947.04 to the Cuba Council of Churches Food Bank. The money was raised through donations and the Chamber’s A Many Splendored Evening event, held
Cuba Chamber donates to Council of Churches Food Bank
Nov. 9 as a fundraiser for the Cuba-Rushford Toys for Kids program. Toys were purchased for 106 children — infants up to age 12 — in the program this year. The donation to the food bank was of remaining funds after toys were purchased.
The Cuba Chamber acknowledged the generosity of the community and everyone who supported the event, “which will allow the children to have a wonderful Christmas and helped make this donation to the food bank possible.”
Arts groups in region share in grants from NYS
Statewide Community Regrants in Allegany & Wyoming Counties has been awarded $150,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts, while the Tri-County Arts Council has been awarded a $10,000 grant.
The grants were among several announced by state Sen. George Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, to support arts and cultural initiatives.
“We are incredibly fortunate in the 57th
District to have so many wonderful nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that enrich our quality of life, strengthen our communities, and boost our local economy,” Borrello said. “I have proudly supported state funding for these vital organizations and am pleased to congratulate the outstanding arts nonprofits in SD 57 that have received grant awards totaling $830,000 in the latest round of funding
from the New York State Council on the Arts.” Recipients also include the following:
• Arts Council for Wyoming County, Robert Doyle: Odology — The Study of Roads and Paths, $10,000
• Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council, $60,000
• Holland Land Purchase Historical Society, $40,000
• Shake on the Lake, Inc., $25,000
Photo provided
The Cuba Chamber of Commerce donates nearly $2,950 to the Cuba Council
Friendship names honor rolls
FRIENDSHIP —
Friendship Central School has announced its honor rolls for the second quarter of the 2024-25 school year.
HIGH HONOR ROLL
Grade 7 — Kayla Kriger
Grade 8 — Addison
Ditzler, Sydney
Hadsell, Alivia Hint, Halie Hint, Mickayla Shultz, Isabella WarnerPrentice, Cole Welch
Grade 9 — Lillyan Brown, Alana Higgins,
money touring than he did as a writer.
Dickens passed away in 1870 at the age of 58.
While the Dickens performance is more intense, for more than 50 years, Randall has portrayed American satirist and writer Mark Twain on stages across the country. Randall began performing as Twain as a young man. After several years,
Kennedy Hunt, Alyssa Jones, Lillian Kirtz, Finnegan Stupp
Grade 10 — Josilyn Kirch, Ella Miller, Kaydence Sadler
Grade 11 — Emma Bolzan, Morgan Holcomb, Madison Rondeau, Madelyn Sortore, Charles Taylor, Zakkary Ueblacker, Destiny Wilkins
Grade 12 — Sean Dieter, Melody Dombrowski, Zacoby Holder
his mother suggested developing another impersonation.
In 2006-07 Randall was ill and hospitalized. During that time, he took the maternal guidance to heart.
He studied the life of Dickens and settled on him when Randall discovered that Dickens had performed in Buffalo on his 1867-68 tour. Randall researched the author, the tour and
HONOR ROLL
Grade 7 — Easton
Brown, Hayden Coen, Cameron Kirtz, Darrell Ueblacker
Grade 9 — Jaxson
Allinson, Courtney Button, Alexiss Herring, Laynee Miller, Nevaeh Mosher, Kaleb Wood
Grade 10 — Angel
DeLude, Dawson Mix, Brett Simons
Grade 11 — Deacon Brown, Kaylee Dayton, Aiden Golden, Jaxson
his appearance in Buffalo through the local historical society and newspaper articles.
“He was very popular in Buffalo,” Randall noted. “But he didn’t like Buffalo. He liked Niagara Falls and came here to see it.”
Randall explained that on an earlier visit in 1840s, Dickens found Buffalo to be rather rough and rural. Twenty years later the population had increased threefold and it was the 11th largest economy in the nation — and perhaps somewhat more civilized and refined.
The Dickens performance takes its toll on Randall, who retired last year after serving as a meteorologist and newsman for WKBW television for more than 40 years.
At 71, he says it’s sometimes a little hard to recall all the Dickens
Green, Huntar Hint, Montanna Huffer, Avery Lamberson, Daejin Langdon, Tyler Truax
Grade 12 — Brooklyn
Allard, Faith Allard, Matthew Donohue Jr., Serenity Gadley, Jerome Harmon, Nathan Pentycofe, Tyler Wilkins
MERIT ROLL
Grade 7 — Ian Lamb, Matthew Wescoe
Grade 8 — Johnathan Cross, Mandi Hale,
performance involves.
While the Mark Twain performance is easier, “A Christmas Carol” is very scripted and there is a lot of dialog to remember.
“I have to practice and refresh my memory each time I perform it,” Randall said. “If I get stopped or forget something while doing Mark Twain, I just go on to another anecdote or story. In ‘A Christmas Carol,’ I have to stick to the script.”
Randall added, “It is fun, and I love it. It goes very fast.”
He recalled that when he first started the Dickens program, he didn’t know if it would work.
“People know the story, yet they love it, they love to hear it,” he said. “It really works and it has the best ending possible. ‘God bless us, everyone.’”
Megan Hale, Daniel Lamberson, Courtlie Walsh, Kadious Webb
Grade 9 — Julian
Armstrong
Grade 10 — Edward
Armstrong, Evan Benscoter, Easton Cole,
with payment so the collector can stamp it “paid” and provide you with a proper receipt. These may be necessary for filing income tax returns, refinancing or selling your property. I receive many payments with just the receiver’s stub, and then have the property owner ask for a receipt. By mailing the entire bill you are saving yourself, the taxpayer, money by not duplicating something you already have in your possession. The collector will mail you a receipt. Until then, your check is your receipt.
This also saves the
Grade 11 — Emily Lamberson, Jasmine Rounds
Grade 12 — Conner Eaton, Blake Perry
collector a significant amount of time, paper and ink by not having to print a separate receipt. It is also helpful if a self-addressed stamped envelope accompanies your payment for return of your receipt. Tax receivers and collectors provide a service to the residents of their municipalities. Clear and frequent communications will help avoid problems and lessen the fear and anxiety property owners associate with the taxation experience.
I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.
(Allesia A. Heslin is the town of Cuba tax collector and town clerk.)
Alexandra Cook, Cody Geffers, Carly Green, Marley Kirch
‘A Christmas Carol’