Allegany County Community Source 03-24-2023

Cuba-Rushford answers concerns over Portville football merger

allegany county

Short — very short — St. Paddy’s Day parade in Wellsville

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE — Everyone was Irish Friday as hundreds of watchers witnessed the Ancient Order of Hibernians Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade making history — and maybe setting a world record in Wellsville.

The sidewalk and street were crowded well beyond the 12-footlong parade route, which stretched from the Wellsville Brewing Co. to From the Hart Irish store across the alleyway. With the American Legion 702 Auxiliary Color Guard leading,

the parade stepped off at 4:31 p.m.

The parade included the Shenangan Sisters, a group of more than a dozen women outfitted in mostly green and singing and dancing, and the Emerald Hook and Ladder fire truck and green-jacketed members of the department. The parade with more than 15 units took about 15 minutes.

The end of the parade did not mark the end of the festivities. With drinks in hand, due to the temporary lifting of the open container law for the event, celebrants lingered on

the street mingling and talking with friends.

The event was conceived, according to Brian Cannon of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as an end-of-winter event to get people out and getting together again. It accomplished that, despite a few raindrops.

While the length of the parade route was certified by a professional surveyor at the start, and a drone was filming the event from the air, it is not yet known if the event will be submitted to the Guiness Book of World Records to be certified as the Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the World.

Bolivar-Richburg announces valedictorian, salutatorian

BOLIVAR — BolivarRichburg Central School has announced Haley Mascho as valedictorian for the Class of 2023 with Noah Martin named salutatorian.

Mascho, daughter of Rodney and Ryan Mascho, will graduate with a cumulative grade point average of 96.43.

Mascho has received numerous academic honors and awards, including the Alfred University Top Scholar Award, Clarkson Leadership Award and Elmira Key Award. She is a National

Honor Society member who has received the Superintendent’s Award and high honor roll throughout her entire high school career.

In terms of extracurricular activities, Mascho is a two-sport Varsity athlete participating on the volleyball and softball teams. She has also been recognized with several athletic awards, especially for her softball talent. Mascho’s interests include coaching youth

Photos by Kathryn Ross

The Shenanigan Sisters danced and sang, entertaining the crowd at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Wellsville.

Steve Walker tunes up his bagpipes prior to Friday’s parade in Wellsville.

Wellsville residents raise concerns over blight in village

BY KATHRYN ROSS

WELLSVILLE —

When Dave and Kim Toot moved in 36 years ago and when a young Tim O’Grady, now the police chief, grew up there, Pearl Street was a nice place.

Not so much anymore, the Toots told the Wellsville Village Board March 13 when they complained that blight on the street has them considering moving.

“Pearl Street is going downhill and it is something that the village can address by enforcing its already established ordinances,” Toot said.

O’Grady agreed.

“When I grew up there it was a very nice neighborhood,” O’Grady said. He was at the meeting as part of his duty as police chief, not to complain.

“It is a time when good things are beginning to happen in the village,” Toot said. “A time when new people are moving in and looking for homes. Property values are going down because of the blight. This is the time to address these issues.

“What can be done? he asked. “What have you done? What is the village willing to do?

What can people do?”

Mayor Randy Shayler replied, “We’re remiss in not talking about it. Many of our laws address the residents rather than the property owners. Maybe we should get the property owners to address the residents. You coming in here pushes us to do more about this issue.”

He directed Trustee Mike Roeske to ask the planning board to look at the matter.

Currently, the village board is looking at ways in which to deal with abandoned and condemned buildings and has asked state

representatives for help in finding funds for demolition. O’Grady reminded them that there are buildings and blighted areas that have become sites for drug dealing and using.

After the Toots left, the board continued with its agenda.

At first, the board gave its approval for an event permit for the Chamber of Commerce’s April 29 Wine Walk, when the village waves the open container law for participants, but then changed its mind. Following the Chamber’s request, the board looked at the event permit appli-

Workshop on controlling houseplant insects planned

BELMONT — Cornell Cooperative Extension will conduct a workshop on controlling insects on houseplants. Participants will llearn how to identify the most common pests in houseplants, different control methods and alternatives, and tips for how to keep houseplants healthy and free of insects.

The workshop will take place from 11 a.m.

cation offered by the YMCA for its 2K/5K Color Run and Healthy Kids Day scheduled for May 6. They turned to O’Grady for his comment.

He noted that the run involves crossing 13 intersections and the organizers have not addressed security at those crossings.

Board members looked more closely at the permit applications and found that neither addressed the insurance requirement which also protects the village from liability. They tabled the

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BRC

to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County, 5435 County Road 48, Belmont. There is no fee. More information and registration can be found at https://allegany.cce.cornell.edu/ events. Contact Cristian Acosta at cfa34@cornell. edu or (585) 268-7644 ext. 14 for information or to register for the event.

requests immediately.

O’Grady was directed to make contact with the YMCA Run organizers before the next board meeting.

The Chamber request will be sent back to be addressed by Chamber President Bruce Thomas. “He knows what to do,” Shayler said.

The liaison to the fire department, Trustee Ed Fahs, introduced a resolution to repeal the village policy that requires use of the state’s Best Practices Program for Fire Chiefs and Assis-

School continued from PAGE 1

programs, traveling and hunting. She devotes her time and talents with the Wellsville Diamond Dawgs travel softball team and Octane Club volleyball team.

Mascho also holds the position of secretary for the senior class. She participated in the BOCES New Visions medical program this year, taking college coursework and shadowing medical professionals.

Mascho plans to attend Keuka College this fall to major in Occupational Therapy and play NCAA Division III softball.

Martin, son of Karen and Jeremy Martin, will graduate with a cumulative grade point average of 93.59.

Martin’s academic awards and honors include the Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal, the University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, the Clarkson Leadership Award, and the Superintendent’s Award. He was on the high honor roll throughout high school.

Martin is a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity

tant Chief candidates. A heated discussion ensued. Roeske disagreed with the resolution saying the Best Practices Program insured that the candidates were properly trained for their positions. He argued that it was a matter for the fire board, not the village board. However, in the end, the resolution was passed. The mayor suggested that the fire board could take up the matter if its members wish to reinstate the program.

trap team, and he devotes significant time and energy volunteering in his church community while also holding down a part-time job. This year, Martin is also playing the lead role of Albert Peterson in Bolivar-Richburg’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Since middle school, he has been an active member of the Dream It. Do It. preengineering program in Olean, where he explores STEM career paths.

Martin plans to attend RIT to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Hochul touts NY maple syrup during Maple Weekend

Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation over the weekend declaring March 18-19 and 25-26 as Maple Weekends in New York state.

The governor also highlighted that New York maple producers experienced a record-breaking year in 2022, producing 845,000 gallons of maple syrup, and the state continues to rank second in the nation in maple production, second only to Vermont.

Hochul took part in Maple Weekend on Sunday by visiting Moore’s Maple Shack & Pancake House in Freedom.

“Maple syrup production is a New York state tradition that dates back more than four centuries, and the homegrown maple industry is a key part of our agritourism and economy,” Hochul said.

“I’m proud to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Maple Weekends, which

recognizes those who work hard to bring an ever-expanding variety of maple products from tree to table — keeping the maple industry a cherished part of our state’s heritage and economy.”

In addition to its ranking for maple

production, New York is also home to the largest resource of tappable maple trees within the United States and more than 2,000 maple sugar makers. In 2022, New York’s maple industry used 2.9 million taps, tying 2021’s record for the largest number of

taps used in a single year, according to the governor’s office.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets supports the maple industry with funding for promotion and educational programs, as well as through investments in

research, such as Cornell University’s Maple Program’s Arnot Teaching Forest and through its NYS Grown & Certified and Taste NY marketing programs.

In Allegany County Maple Weekend participants are Hint’s Red

Health, art and history programs coming up at Cuba Library

CUBA — The Cuba Library is hosting three programs next week — one aimed at helping caregivers to those with

dementia, one on making screen-print products at home and one on a tragic event in history with a Cuba connection.

The first program, on helping caregivers to those with dementia, is set for 11 a.m. March 28 and will focus on learn-

dining & Entertainment

Friday, April 28th

Wellsville Municipal Airport 7:30 pm sign-in · 8:30 pm start

• To register, scan QR code at right OR go to https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Wellsville/ GLOW5KRunWalk

• Register by April 10th and get a 2023 GLOW Shirt

• Prizes for most festively dressed individual or group

• Computer Chip Timing by Happily Running, Inc.

All proceeds from the GLOW will be used for projects that benefit community wellness.

Roof Maple in Friendship, Campbell Maple in Cuba and Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn, Angelica.

Sprague’s Maple Farms joined More’s and four other Cattaraugus County maple producers participating this past weekend.

Sprague’s offered tractor-drawn wagon rides up the hill to its old-time sugarhouse and tours, with hot chocolate and maple doughnuts awaiting visitors. While Sprague’s has state-of-the-art maple syrup production at its building in Portville, owner Randy Sprague maintains a traditional sugar shack in the woods above, employing wood fires to boil down sap and giving visitors a glimpse of syrup making in years gone by.

ing to decode behavioral messages, identify common behavior triggers and learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

Register by calling (800) 272-3900 or at bit. ly/CubaURB.

A class on making screen-printed bags, t-shirts and other items is set for 6 p.m. March 29. The instructor is artist Rick Minard.

This class is open to anyone age 14 and up. There is no fee to participate, but space is limited so registration is required. Contact the Cuba Library at (585) 968-1668 or email cuba@ stls.org to sign up.

Minard lives in Bradford, Pa. His paintings appear in both private and public collections in Buffalo, Huntington Beach, Calif., Guanajuato, Mexico and Geneva, Switzerland.

The history program focuses on one of the most notorious train disasters in United States history by St. Bonaventure University professor Chris Dalton and others at 6 p.m. March 30.

Over the past few months, the St. Bonaventure’s History

Department and its students, in coordination with the Cuba Library and some of the community’s local historians, have pursued a project to understand how historic events on a national scale can reflect the life and times of people at a more localized level.

In the Cuba Cemetery stands an obelisk which memorializes the life and tragic death of Hiram Chamberlain, who perished in the Ashtabula, Ohio, railway disaster on a blizzardy evening on Dec. 29, 1876. This calamity, now a distant memory of the hazards of early train travel in which 83 people were killed and about 60 injured, once occupied the attention of the entire nation.

Even now, the collapse of the Ashtabula Bridge and the plummeting of the Lake Shore & Michigan passenger train to the bottom of the gulch remains one of the deadliest train accidents in American history.

Learn how the Bonaventure students started with Chamberlain’s life and death and expanded their research to place his experiences within events happening at the national level.

This project has been funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Every Friday Feb.17thApril7th

Macaroni & Cheese, Stewed Tomatoes, Petite Peas, WG Roll, Fruited Gelatin

Pears, Swiss Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Carrots, WG Bread, Pumpkin Bread w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

TUESDAY 3/28

Cottage Cheese & Pineapple, Ham & Bean Soup, Brussel Sprouts, WG Roll, Raisins

WEDNESDAY 3/29

Carrot Raisin Salad, Chicken w/ Mushroom Sauce over Egg Noodles, Spinach, WG Bread, Mixed Fruit

THURSDAY 3/30

Three Bean Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Green Beans, Warmed WG Roll w/Butter, Mandarin Oranges

at

Fridays: 4:00-7:00pm

Donation:

Adults: $14.00

Children: $9.00

Choice of fried or 4 kinds of baked fish.

Photo provided by the Office of the Governor

Gov. Kathy Hochul greets a visitor at Moore’s Maple Shack & Pancake House in Freedom during Maple Weekend, held the last two weekends in March every year.

Cuba-Rushford answers concerns over Portville football merger

BY SAM WILSON

CUBA — Cuba-Rushford school superintendent Carlos Gildemeister sought to bring some clarity to the ongoing merging process between his district and Portville’s football programs during the March 14 board of education meeting.

The merger application process, which will see C-R send its football-playing students to Portville in the fall, came together over the course of only a few days last week, ultimately approved by both school boards before applying to Section 6. Both C-R and Portville’s boards approved the merger at Feb. 7 meetings. The following day, a notice on the CRCS website offered some clarity on the new team, but some parents felt their questions have not been adequately addressed since, indicated by 101 signatures (as of Tuesday afternoon) to a change.org petition asking the board to revote on the merger and hold town hall forums for parents.

According to the initial notice, the school combined teams with Portville to prioritize “safety by allowing students to compete within their age bracket,” as C-R did not previously have a junior varsity team and will be able to add one with Portville this fall. The release also stated that “by allowing a bigger pool for football, it will not take away numbers from our soccer program.”

The new team will be

called the Portville/Cuba-Rushford Panthers, wearing PCS uniforms, holding varsity practice in Portville and playing most varsity games in Portville, with the exception of a Senior Night/Homecoming game in Cuba.

Gildemeister read a prepared letter — now available on the district website — to the C-R community addressing concerns that had spread over social media.

“Being a firm believer in our motto, ‘Every Student Every Day,’

Cuba-Rushford had the opportunity to merge football programs with Portville to ensure that 11-man football continues on three levels for the considerable future,” Gildemeister said. “I find that news both reassuring and exciting for our student-athletes.

Cuba-Rushford has struggled over the last four years to maintain the numbers needed to compete at the varsity level in Section 5. New York state requires 16 eligible players to have a contest.

“As our numbers have decreased, we have relied more and more on ninth- and 10th-graders to have considerable playing time. Although that has prevented us from ever forfeiting a game, it does put our players at risk for injury in an already physical sport. I know we have a lot of logistics to work through, but this model ensures the program’s sustainability, allowing our future generation of athletes the opportunity to one day represent C-R at the varsity level.”

Gildemeister said C-R had engaged with other Section 5 programs regarding mergers, “but they were reluctant to commit to the partnership and busing continued to be an obstacle.”

Gildemeister announced that while most varsity home games will be in Portville, JV and modified home games will be an even split. The cheerleading team will also be merged, but only for fall football, not the winter. Regarding the team identity, the squad will go by Panthers, but Gildemeister hopes to revisit the name the next time uniforms are in need of purchasing.

The change.org petition’s creator, Ashley Hunt, spoke up during the public comment portion of the meeting and had an extensive, observably cordial conversation with Gildemeister following the meeting.

“My initial concern regarding this decision was the lack of information that was given to the community,” Hunt said. “It felt like it was intentionally withheld, especially since the agenda for that meeting was never posted. I was also unclear as to why a decision of this magnitude was relayed to our children at school the following morning and not to the parents and to the public.

“If the merger had been in discussions for over a year, why is there no mention of it in any of the available board minutes going back to July 2022. I’ve spoken to Portville parents and the same secretive vote was

5 tax prep tips

Tax season isn’t something most people look forward to, particularly if they suspect they owe money. However, a few tax prep tips can make the process of filing a return and, if necessary, paying back taxes as pain-free as possible.

1. Call your tax preparer early.

If you use an accountant or another tax preparer, be sure to book the appointment

as soon as possible because slots fill up quickly. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and find there are no remaining appointments.

2. Establish a tax preparation folder. Beginning in January, certain documents will arrive in the mail that will be needed to file your taxes. Documents include earnings

5857 Hilltop Road, Cuba, NY 14727 Phone & Fax: (585) 968-2621

Mon-

statements, banking interest statements and documents indicating investment profits. When items arrive, stash them in your tax folder so you’ll have all necessary paperwork at the ready.

held and the students were made aware of the decision the following day.”

However, Hunt stated that if parents can be involved in the merger process, she would be on board.

“I want it to be made known (that) I am not opposed to the merger, I’m opposed to the way that it came about,” she said, “and that there’s no information and it just seems like a month later we’re supposed to just accept without anything being given back to us. That’s all we’re asking for.”

Speaking with the Times Herald after the meeting, assistant principal and former head football coach Chris Fee said he anticipates both schools being able to keep an identity in the new program.

“Other mergers in the area, schools did keep their own identity, Franklinville/Ellicottville being the most successful one, but a lot of mergers, both schools have been proud of the products,” he said.

“I think when you

read it online, the one home game for Cuba-Rushford, our games will be played for varsity at Portville, and then sticking with their uniforms, those are the easy ones but it doesn’t give you all the logistics.”

Office for the Aging to host driver safety program

BELMONT — Allegany County Office for the Aging is hosting a six-hour AARP Smart Driver Program on Wednesday March 29.

The class will be held at the Office for the Aging, 6087 State Route 19N in Belmont. The class will begin promptly at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. The cost is $25 for AARP members and $30 for

non-members. Drivers of all ages are welcome. Course participants may be eligible to receive a discount on auto insurance premiums and a reduction of up to four points on their driving record. Please call The Office for the Aging at (585) 268-9390 to register for the class, as seating is limited.

debdidion3@gmail.com

am -

3. Avoid tax scams. As tax season draws near, tax scammers target unsuspecting individuals. You may find that you receive calls or texts from those purporting to be with the Internal Revenue Service. However, financial experts say that the IRS or the U.S. Treasury will never call you on the phone; their mode of contact is via the U.S. mail. Another scam is individuals advertising a bigger

refund when you use their services. This is not how tax laws work nor is it possible to get a return larger than what is owed. Avoid anyone promising a bigger return, advises Bankrate.

4. Consider increasing health spending account contributions. Lisa Greene-Lewis, a blog editor at TurboTax, says HSAs are triple tax-advantaged,

meaning you get an “above-theline” deduction for contributing, and the growth in these accounts as well as withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified health expenses. If you need to lower your tax burden, HSAs may be a safe and legal way to do so.

Photo by Sam Wilson

Cuba-Rushford school superintendent Carlos Gidlemeister speaks during a Tuesday board of education meeting.

home improvement

DIY strategies to deep-clean carpeting

What’s underfoot in a home can go a long way toward making residences comfortable and aesthetically appealing.

A study of home buyer preferences using data from the National Association of Realtors® found that 54 percent of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring. But that doesn’t mean that carpeting doesn’t still have its devotees. In 2019, the real estate firm Opendoor installed nearly one million yards of carpeting in its homes. Houzz reports that, in 2018, 17 percent of

renovating homeowners purchased carpets and 50 percent purchased indoor rugs. Carpeting and rugs can offset some of the shortcomings of hardwood, providing a softer texture that makes for a better landing spot for active young children. However, carpets will require more maintenance than hardwood floors. Learning how to deep clean carpets can help homeowners, as vacuuming is not enough to keep carpets in top form.

Spot clean stains Stores sell a bevy of

carpet cleaning solutions. When applying such solutions, do so in an inconspicuous area of the room to ensure colorfastness of the carpet and that the solution does not adversely affect the fibers. If the spot is clean and the carpet is not adversely affected, you can then apply the solution to more visible areas.

Homeowners who prefer all-natural cleaning solutions rather than chemicals can use a solution of white vinegar, baking soda and salt to make a safe cleanser, according to The Spruce. Soak the stain, use a scrub brush to work in the cleanser and then blot up the liquid with a clean cloth. According to the lifestyle resource First for Women, club soda also works as a cleanser when it is sprayed on a stain.

Deep cleaning

Carpets periodically need to be revitalized, and that can be accomplished with a specialized cleaning machine. Many are available for purchase (a good investment for homeowners with kids and/or pets),

while others can be rented as needed. Remove all of the furniture from a room and vacuum to clean dust, dander and any other debris. Address any darker stains first by pretreating with a cleaning solution. Let sit for around 20 minutes. While waiting, learn how to operate the machine, fill it and clean out the soiled water. Never allow the machine to oversaturate the carpet with water, as it can get into the padding and subfloor, causing problems like mold or wood damage. Spray the water-detergent solutions, and then

pass the carpet cleaner over spots repeatedly until the carpet feels only slightly damp. DoItYourself.com advises running the machine at the pace of one foot per second.

Removing shoes when entering the home can keep carpets clean and reduce wear and tear.

With frequent deep cleaning, carpets can maintain a like-new appearance for years.

The marvelous monarch butterfly

BY JOYCE ZIEMBO

Last year my son and daughter-in-law purchased a home in southern Texas. When March arrived, so did the monarch butterflies. The new owners soon realized that the previous resident of their home had planted milkweed and flowering plants in the backyard. Both are beneficial to the life of this endangered monarch butterfly. In the spring, the monarch is returning from wintering in Mexico. They have spent the winter in the mountains

on oyamel fir trees. They gather together by the thousands in the branches of the fir to help protect them from the temperatures getting too cold or too hot.

These butterflies will live an average of six to nine months so they can complete this long winter journey. The lifespan of the monarch butterflies heading to their summer residence is usually only two to six weeks. It is remarkable that the same insect can have two unique lifespans, depending on its’ destination.

The monarch will

automotive

begin the journey heading north to find a new breeding ground. The female has to find milkweed to lay her eggs and hatch a new population of butterflies, as milkweed is her ONLY choice. This process continues so that each population of hatched butterflies continues north to the next destination.

By the time you see a monarch in Western New York, around June, you are seeing the grandchild of the butterfly that began its

How to lower the cost of auto insurance

Auto insurance is a must-have for drivers. While it might seem hard to believe, as of 2019 there are still some places in the United States where auto insurance is not mandatory. Auto insurance is mandatory in Canada, though each province has its own requirements in terms of the minimum amount of coverage allowable by law. Many people, even those in places where auto insurance is not mandatory, recognize the importance of being insured before they get behind the wheel. However, that doesn’t

mean those same drivers would not like to cut the cost of their auto insurance policies.

A 2019 analysis from the online financial resource NerdWallet found that the average cost of car insurance in the United States is $1,621 per year. Average insurance costs vary significantly in Canada, where data from the General Insurance Statistical Agency found that, in 2019, the average annual insurance premium in British Columbia exceeded $1,800, while drivers in Quebec paid slightly more than $700 annually. No matter where

drivers live, chances are they would love to lower their auto insurance costs. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to cut auto insurance premiums, drivers can try various strategies to save money on their policies.

• Raise your policy’s deductibles. Higher deductibles may sound scary to drivers, but raising the deductibles is a great way to lower the cost of auto insurance. The auto insurance provider

Progressive notes that deductibles typically range from $100 to $2,000. A driver whose policy has a $100 deductible will pay considerably more on his policy per month

than a driver with a higher deductible. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute notes that drivers who increase their deductibles from $200 to $1,000 can save 40 percent or more on their coverage costs. Drivers who choose this option should always be sure they have enough money in the bank to cover the cost of their deductibles.

• Bundle your policies. Some drivers save money on their auto insurance policies by buying two or more types of insurance from the same provider. For example, homeowners may

save money by buying homeowners insurance from their auto insurance providers or vice versa.

• Research potential discounts. The III notes that many companies offer discounts to policyholders, even if those discounts are not necessarily promoted. Drivers can contact their insurance companies, or shop around with other providers, to ask about various

discounts that can save them money on their policies. Anti-theft devices, defensive driving courses, low annual mileage, and a strong credit record are just a handful of the many potential discounts drivers may be eligible for.

Drivers can reduce the cost of their auto insurance policies in various ways, potentially saving themselves hundreds of dollars each year as a result.

Photo by Joyce Ziembo

BOCES CTE students place at Skills USA competition

ALFRED — Several local Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES students were recently honored as top competitors in their fields in the area Skills USA regional competition held at Alfred State College.

The Skills USA events are competitive events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.

Key areas of competition include communication, construction, heavy equipment operation, welding, animal sciences, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, human services,

information technology, leadership, manufacturing and STEM. Many BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from centers in Belmont, Ellicottville and Olean competed in the annual competition with several of the students placing.

CTE Center at Belmont

• 1st place: Precision Heavy Equipment Operation – Nick Sorter.

• 1st place: Esthetics –Isabella Sparatta and Zoey Heisel.

CTE Center at Ellicottville

• 2nd place: Crime

Scene Investigation – Carson Mohr, Rebecca Covell, Samantha Herbst.

CTE Center at Olean

1st place: TV Productions –Malachi Galmer and Landen Wyant.

• 1st place: Restaurant Services – Ben Wolfe.

• 2nd place: Criminal Justice – Dylan DiRosa.

• 2nd place: Collision Repair – Madison Collins.

• 2nd place: Job Demo – Izabella Provorse.

• 2nd place: TV Productions – Allie Boser and Rileigh Martin.

• 3rd place: Commercial Baking –Lillianna Peters.

• 3rd place: Restaurant Services –Skylor Green.

CTE Center at Belmont Animal Science Instructor, Cassandra Ploetz, was also named as the Regional Skills USA Advisor of the Year. CA BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Career and Technical Education Programs, James Schifley, was pleased with the level of participation and the overall performance of student competitors.

“We had many students from our three centers compete in their

health & Wellness

respective areas, and I was impressed with the level of skill they demonstrated,” he said. “We train our students to be ‘career-ready’ in their fields, and instances like this allow them to put their skills to the test.”

As the regional lead-

journey in Mexico. This is the reason why the monarch needs to find milkweed all along the way to the final summer destination. Milkweed is the host plant that monarch butterflies need to reproduce. The female will lay her eggs on the plant and when the black, gold and white caterpillars emerge, they eat the leaves. The milkweed has a poisonous substance to it that does not harm the caterpillar but will help to keep predators away.

Once the caterpillar is fat and ready, it crawls to a safe place to form a chrysalis. I was able to witness the beautiful sight of the caterpillar enclosing itself into such a perfect form. The finished chrysalis even has a gold thread circling the upper portion. Within a few weeks, you can actually see the forming wings inside the chrysalis. The whole process

er in education services, CA BOCES offers stateof-the-art programs for learners of all ages and abilities as well as cost-effective shared services for 22 component school districts.

CA BOCES empowers students to achieve their maximum potential by

seems almost magical, especially when the monarch emerges.

These beautiful insects are declining for many reasons, not just one. Their winter habitat is being lost to logging and land development. The use of pesticides is also a factor in their decline.

The unavailability of the once abundant milkweed also comes into play — not to mention, disease that sometimes runs through the population. So, as you can see, they are struggling with many disadvantages.

This is why gardeners are encouraged to plant milkweed in a wind-protected area with sweet nectar flowers. The flowers are especially important to have their blooms when the butterfly appears. The monarch butterflies are an absolute wonder to see when they frequent our yards and, they are also very

offering a wide variety of innovative programs and support that include special education, career and technical education, adult and continuing education, technology support and instructional support services.

To learn more, visit www.caboces.org.

beneficial. They are pollinators!

Milkweed has many varieties, but it is best to plant what is native to our area. The plant that is called common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a good choice. It will grow easily in well-drained soil with full or part sun. You can always reach out to a master gardener in your area to answer any questions you may have about planting milkweed.

The experience I have had with the monarch has made me resolve to help keep the population thriving. The monarch butterfly or any butterfly is too precious to lose. We want our children to be able experience their magic. They are a wonder to our gardens.

(Joyce Ziembo is a master gardener volunteer with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Allegany County.)

4 tips to boost your family’s nutrition and fitness this spring

(BPT) — With warmer weather just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for you and your family to spring into action and really hone in on overall nutrition and wellness. Not sure where to start?

Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner shares easy ways to elevate your family’s goals! From fun physical activities you can do together, to healthy habits you can implement today, you won’t believe how these simple tips will impact positive change in your family!

1. Make the most of longer days and get active

As spring extends daylight hours, it’s easier for families to get outside and get moving, which allows you to enjoy even more quality time together! Blatner suggests adding a family bike ride, a neighborhood walk or an outdoor game to your after-dinner routine to promote physical activity. Need new ideas to encourage outdoor play with youngsters? Try creating a backyard

obstacle course, relay race or nature scavenger hunt.

2. Prep for better sleep with prebedtime habits Springtime, especially with Daylight Saving Time, can wreak havoc on your regular sleep schedule. If you plan ahead, however, good nighttime habits can improve relaxation, so the whole family can get a better night’s sleep.

You can encourage prep for rest by shutting down electronics an hour before bedtime and keeping phones and other devices out of kids’ bedrooms. This can help everyone to wind down and fall asleep faster at night, while lessening screen time.

3. Spring clean and organize your kitchen

The spring is a great time of year to de-clutter and sanitize your household, as a thorough cleaning can help reduce the levels of allergens, bacteria and viruses that could be present in your home. Blatner recommends starting with the most frequently

used rooms first, like the kitchen. By cleaning out and reorganizing your fridge and pantry, you can choose to put wholesome ingredients like fresh fruits and veggies, nuts, beans, oats, avocado and eggs at eye level. When meal-prepping for the school week ahead, you’ll tend to grab these foods more often and guarantee your kids will be getting in their nutrition.

4. Amp up your family’s nutrition with fun recipes Make it a family goal

to try a new recipe each week, with a focus on incorporating nutrient-packed ingredients. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time, make sure you’re choosing wholesome ingredients like Eggland’s Best eggs, which have more than six times the Vitamin D and double the Omega-3s and Vitamin B12 compared to ordinary eggs.

Check out these Oatmeal Snack Bars from Eggland’s Best! It’s a delicious and easy recipe that provides a quick boost of energy in the mornings, or can

be eaten on the go to support your family’s overall wellness and nutrition.

Oatmeal Snack Bars

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Yield: 16 bars

Ingredients

• 2 Large Eggland’s Best eggs

• 1 mashed ripe banana (about 1/2 cup)

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond flour (or whole wheat flour)

• 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In bowl, whisk Eggland’s Best eggs, mashed banana, maple syrup and vanilla.

3. In another bowl, mix together oats, flour, chocolate chips, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

4. Add egg mixture (wet ingredients) to the oat mixture (dry ingredients) and stir.

5. Spread batter into an 8x8 baking pan lined with parchment paper.

6. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until set in middle and golden around edges.

7. Let cool and cut into 16 squares.

Kick off the spring season right!

Eggland’s Best has teamed up with the YMCA to encourage families to improve their overall nutrition and wellness routine. From now until May 5th, enter the “Recipe for a Healthy Family” Sweepstakes daily for a chance to win the Grand Prize of $5,000, a $250 grocery store gift card and more! Visit EBFamilySweeps. com for Official Rules and how to enter.

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